May
1
OSHA Incident Rate
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The OSHA Incident Rate works in many different ways. The main purpose of the OSHA Incident Rate is to compare the safety performance of your workplace to the state and national average of workplace safety. Using this Information, OSHA is able to make an educated comparison from business to business as to how each business group is fairing with workplace safety. Each year all business must fill out a 300 log, which reports all workplace accidents. Here is the OSHA Incident Rate for 2007.
In 2007 work related injuries at private industry happened at a rate of 4.2 injuries per 100 employees. In 2006 the rate was 4.4 so injuries dropped in 2007. This incident rate is at its lowest since 2002. In 2006 occupational injuries were at 4.1 million cases and in 2007 dropped to 4 million injuries. In both industry and occupational the incident rate dropped significantly in 2007. The main categories were work related accidents declined were social assistance, health-care, agriculture, forestry, mining, manufacturing, fishing & hunting, and construction. Manufacturing was the only industry that had more days away from work than accidents spanning from the years of 1998 to 2007. Business with employee numbers of 50 to 249 workers seemed to have more injuries and illnesses than smaller or larger businesses. In 2007 the most injuries and illnesses occurred in the medical field with 253,500 cases reported.
3.8 million of the accidents in the occupational field were due to injury. Out of the 3.8 millions injuries 2.6 million happened in the service providing workplaces. The other 1.2 million injuries happened in the goods producing workplaces. Out of the 4 million work related injuries and illness only 6% were due to illness. Work related illness also fell in 2007 compared to 2006. In 2006 there were 228,000 work related illness reported and in 2007 there was only 206,300 work related illness reported. In 2007 for every 10,000 employees only 21.8 cases of illness were reported.
On a state level, 12 out of 48 states reported less workplace injury and illness. For the other 31 states the averages stayed about the same. In none of the states did the average rise. In 26 states the average was higher than the national level. In 2007 the national level was at about 4.2 cases of workplace injury or illness to 100 employees.
Here is a list of private industries with over 100,000 work related injuries and illnesses.
• Wholesalers – 100,900
• Food Manufacturing – 102,000
• Restaurants – 104,700
• Grocery Stores – 112 ,000
• Equipment Contractors – 112,700
• Metal Product Producers – 112,800
• Fast Food Restaurants – 116,000
• Transportation Manufacturing – 120,000
• Nursing Homes – 121,600
• Ambulatory Health Care – 130,200
• Administrative and support Services – 140,000
• Retail Businesses – 140,000
• Medical and Hospitals – 253,5000
If you are looking for more information on OSHA incident rate, check out their website at http://www.osha.gov/. They have information on this topic and many other work safety topics.
Apr
26
Time Management in the Workplace
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Time management in the workplace is a crucial skill that all employees and managers must possess in order to have a thriving business. When hiring new employees it is important you test their time management skills. Give them a few exercises to do and give them an appropriate time limit to get them completely. This shall give you some ideas on what kind of time management skills your new employees have. Time management as a manager and employer are also important. If you think your time management skills are lacking go take a course or find a seminar in your area. In the long run this will save your company a lot of money. Here are some great tips on time management in the workplace to help get you and your employees motivated.
It is important that each and every one of your employees know exactly what is expected of them. Make up list for each employee stating what is expected of them each day. Give a time limit to projects, but remember to be realistic. Sometimes things get hectic and all the work on the list might not be able to be completed. Keep an eye on your employees and make sure that they are busy and not just goofing around. One of the best ways to stop time from being wasted is to clarify the first time exactly what needs to be done. Encourage your employees to carry small notebooks, so they can take notes on different things.
Another very important step in time management in the workplace is teaching your employees how to prioritize. When you make the list of things to do for each employ, put them in order of what needs to be done first and make sure the employees understand this concept. Make sure it is clear what is really important. If you are running retail store and you have an employee doing a project and a customer needs help. That employee needs to stop what they are doing immediately and help the customer.
In teaching your employees as to what is important in your business, you need to know yourself. Be there. Any good business has a well equipped manger on duty at all times. Learn your business inside and out. This will help you to stress the importance of things to your employees. Also if you are there, the employees will feel more of a need to get there job done right and on time. If they see that you care, they will care too.
Making sure all your employees are properly trained is key to time management in the workplace. If an employee does a project and it is not done right, it will have to be done again. If the employee had the proper training, all that time would have not of been wasted.
A huge time management waste is procrastination. Don’t put things off and don’t allow your employees to do it either. If something needs to get done, have it done right away. The longer something is put off the less chance it has of getting done.
Time management in the workplace is essential to any and every business. When time is wasted so is money. Make sure your employees know what is expected of them. Prioritization is another big part of time management. It is also necessary as the employer you know your business inside and out. Training of everyone can never be stressed enough and make sure things are always done right away and never put off. If you follow these simple rules to time management in the workplace, you will start to see a lot more things being completed.
Apr
14
Safety Jokes
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Safety Jokes in the workplace can bring a little fun and excitement into the hum drum of normal office life. Each week bring in a new safety joke and post it in the break room. Let your employees laugh a little. Still it is important to make your employees understand that safety is no laughing matter. When it comes to safety in your business it most always be taken seriously. Here are a few safety jokes to get you started on your weekly safety jokes.
The Peeing Accident
A man on a construction site 30 floors up had to go to the bathroom. He approached his foreman and told him that he was going down to use the facilities. The foreman told him he was crazy. By the time he got down and back he’d lose a half hour of time.
The foreman pushed a plank out over the edge of the building. He stood on one end and told the guy to go out on the other end and pee off. He told the man that they were 30 floors up and that his piss would turn into vapor before it reached the bottom. So the guy decided to take his advice.
Suddenly the foreman’s cell phone rang and he jumped off the board to get it, allowing the peeing man to fall to his death!
At the inquest an electrician who was working on the 27th floor was asked if he knew what happened. “Not really, but I think it had something to do with sex.”
The coroner said, “Sex, why do you think it had something to do with sex?”
The electrician replied, “I saw the man falling with his cock in his hand screaming, ‘Where did that cocksucker go!’ ”
Go to Work
Hung Chow calls in to work and says, “Hey, boss I not come work today, I really sick. I got headache, stomachache and my legs hurt. I not come work.”
The boss says, “You know Hung Chow, I really need you today. When I feel like this I go to my wife and tell her to give me sex. That makes everything better and I can go to work. You should try that.”
Two hours later Hung Chow calls again: “Boss, I do what you say and I feel great. I be at work soon. You got nice house.”
Useful Phrases at Work
- I like you. You remind me of when I was young and stupid.
- I’m not being rude. You’re just insignificant.
- I’m already visualizing the duct tape over your mouth.
- It might look like I’m doing nothing, but at the cellular level I’m really quite busy.
- Thank you. We’re all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view.
- The fact that no one understands you doesn’t mean you’re an artist
- Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental
- I have plenty of talent and vision. I just don’t care.
- I will always cherish the initial misconceptions I had about you.
- It’s a thankless job, but I’ve got a lot of Karma to burn off.
- Yes, I am an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial.
- No, my powers can only be used for good.
- How about never? Is never good for you?
- I’m really easy to get along with once you people learn to worship me
- You sound reasonable…Time to up my medication
- I’ll try being nicer if you’ll try being smarter.
- I don’t work here. I’m a consultant.
- Who me? I just wander from room to room.
- My toys! My toys! I can’t do this job without my toys!
- At least I have a positive attitude about my destructive habits.
- You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers.
- I see you’ve set aside this special time to humiliate yourself in public.
- Someday, we’ll look back on this, laugh nervously and change the subject
Casual Fridays
Week 1 - Memo No. 1
Effective this week, the company is adopting Fridays as Casual Day. Employees are free to dress in the casual attire of their choice.
Week 3 - Memo No. 2
Spandex and leather micro-miniskirts are not appropriate attire for Casual Day. Neither are string ties, rodeo belt buckles or moccasins.
Week 6 - Memo No. 3
Casual Day refers to dress only, not attitude. When planning Friday’s wardrobe, remember image is a key to our success.
Week 8 - Memo No. 4
A seminar on how to dress for Casual Day will be held at 4 p.m. Friday in the cafeteria. A fashion show will follow. Attendance is mandatory.
Week 9 - Memo No. 5
As an outgrowth of Friday’s seminar, a 14-member Casual Day Task Force has been appointed to prepare guidelines for proper casual-day dress.
Week 14 - Memo No. 6
The Casual Day Task Force has now completed a 30-page manual entitled “Relaxing Dress Without Relaxing Company Standards.” A copy has been distributed to every employee. Please review the chapter “You Are What You Wear” and consult the “home casual” versus “business casual” checklist before leaving for work each Friday. If you have doubts about the appropriateness of an item of clothing, contact your CDTF representative before 7 a.m. on Friday.
Week 18 - Memo No. 7
Our Employee Assistant Plan (EAP) has now been expanded to provide support for psychological counseling for employees who may be having difficulty adjusting to Casual Day.
Week 20 - Memo No. 8
Due to budget cuts in the HR Department we are no longer able to effectively support or manage Casual Day. Casual Day will be discontinued, effective immediately.
Mar
17
Why is safety in the workplace important?
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Why is safety in the workplace important? This is a question that I think many managers find themselves asking themselves a lot. There are many reasons why safety in the work place is very important. There are two major reasons that will be talked about here. The first is about employees being comfortable and confident in their jobs. The second reason has to do with cost of work-related injuries and illness.
When a person goes in to work at a new job for the first time, they automatically assume there work place is a safe environment. After they start working for the company and they find unsafe working conditions this can cause employees to become reluctant of their jobs. People always want to feel safe no matter what it is that they are doing, whether it is driving in their car, walking down the street, or if they are at work. If an employee is constantly worried about safety hazards when they are on the job, this will undoubtedly interrupt their work performance. How can an employee concentrate and focus on their job when they are thinking about falling off the ladder because the ground underneath of the ladder is so unstable? If your employees are not comfortable and confident in their work environment you will lose productivity.
The cost of work place injury is no joke. A simple injury such as stitches can put a nice dent in the bank account. If a person is seriously injured there are many things that will cost you money. If an employee must take time off from work because of work related injury, there will be workman’s compensation to pay for. Your premiums for workman’s compensation will also go up. Other employees will have to pick up the extra work which could result in overtime and more money lost. There is also possibility of further injury if another employee has to fill the spot of the employee that was injured. The person taken the other employees spot might not have time to receive the proper training needed. You will also lose time and money filling out all the paperwork that goes a long with workplace injury. As soon as the injured employee has recovered, get then back to work as soon as possible. The faster they return to work the more money you will save. A lot of employers a reluctant after a work-related injury to have the employee return again. They are afraid of repeat injury, but don’t be more than likely it won’t happen again.
Injuries that occur over a long period of time can also be a real money drainer. When employees are constantly doing the same repetitive motions injury can occur over a long period of time, especially if safety precautions are not being taken. Two very common problems that happen are back problems and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Always make sure your employees have proper training and are executing the training correctly. Surgery and time off for work for such things can be pretty costly.
Always remember to keep a watchful eye for safety hazards around your business. Things may seem fine but safety problems can appear out of nowhere. If you come across a safety hazard fix the problem immediately. The faster it is fixed the less likely hood of injury and money lost. Remember when it comes to safety be a perfect role model to your employees. If they see it is top priority to you, they will make it top priority themselves.
Mar
10
Ladder Safety
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Ladder safety must always be taken seriously. Each year in the U.S more than twenty thousand people are rushed to the emergency room due to ladder related falls and accidents. Ladder accidents and falls can result in severe injury and in some cases even death. The proper precautions must always be taken. Everyone should be taught how to use a ladder in the right way. If an employee is not trained properly on how to use a ladder they could fall of the ladder, smash fingers, and other body parts. They could also injury other employees. If you follow this list on ladder safety tips, you and your team will be better protected against ladder accidents.
- It is always important when using a ladder to always follow the instructions that come with the ladder. Using a ladder may seem simple but there might be things that you are missing. Always read the directions.
- When going up or down the ladder make sure that you place your foot firmly on each rung. Hold on tight to the ladder. Never face out when coming up or down a ladder.
- If possible have two people. One to go up and down the ladder and the other to supervise.
- If you need to get something down from up high, it is always a good idea to have a person on the ground that you can hand stuff down to.
- Always take your time when using a ladder. If you are in a rush you are more prone to accidents and falls.
- Never lean too far to any side. If something is out of your reach get off the ladder and move it closer.
- There should never be more than one person on a ladder at any given time.
- It may seem like fun to play around and make jokes on a ladder but falling of a ladder is never fun. Do not horse play!
- Ladders have weight limitations for a reason. Always check to see what the weight limitation is before getting on to a ladder. If you are too heavy or if you are getting something down that could cause too much weight on the ladder, the ladder could break and you could be seriously injured.
- Make sure the ladder is always steadily on the ground. If not steady this could cause the ladder to fall over or could cause you to fall off.
- Never stand on the top rung of a ladder. You could easily lose your balance and fall.
- Do not place a ladder in front of an open door. Make sure door is locked or blocked off in some way.
- After the ladder is set into place make sure all the locks are locked.
- Always use the right size ladder for the task you are doing.
- When working with any kind of electrical equipment always use a wood ladder. Never a metal one.
- Make sure that any metal ladder you are using has slip resistant coating in good shape on each rung.
- If using a straight ladder put it at a 75 degree angle on the surface you most climb.
- Remember to never leave a ladder unattended.
Mar
6
Health and Safety
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Every employer is responsible for complying with Health and Safety standards and regulations found in General Industry (29 CFR Part 1910)
Or in Occupational Health and Safety Standards for the construction Industry.
All states have a Health and Safety Act.
All companies what to prepare a complete Health and Safety Program in writing for their business. The program will provide their employees the safest workplace possible for the company’s most valuable assets -EMPLOYEES. Their health and safety is an important aspect of your business.
We realize that not every situation you encounter will be covered in the program you write but it shows your employees that you want to offer them a safe work environment.
Accordingly, employees must use common sense when addressing these situations. When in double, ask your supervisor.
Here are some tips for your Health and Safety Program.
- Provide a company policy statement indicating this company’s commitment to establish and maintain a Health and Safety workplace for all of it’s employees.
- Establish an initial inventory of potentially hazardous equipment/materials and to eliminate any unsafe working conditions or practices.
- Establish a regular Health and Safety inspection program to identify and correct any new potentially hazardous situations.
- Develop and institue an ongoing employee Health and Safety Training program to establish safety standards for every job.
- Provide necessary personal protective equipment and instructions for all equipment’s use and care for Health and Safety objectives.
- Enforce all health and safety rules, and require all employees to comply with these rules as a condition of employment.
- Establish investigation procedures that will promptly and thoroughly document every accident and near-accident to determine the cause and provide corrective action for your health and safety program.
- Establish and maintain all health and safety records and reports as directed by your state occupational Safety and Health Act or also known as Health and Safety Act.
- Never use electrical tools on damp ground or around water
- Never place an antenna near power lines
- Keep a safe distance from pad mounted transformers
- Never insert anything (especially metal) into an electrical appliance (such as a toaster)
- Do not overload electrical outlets with too many electrical plugs. Buy one surge protector with many outlets instead of ‘daisy-chaining’ smaller power splitters
- Wear rubber gloves and rubber boots when working near electrical components.
- Inspect tools and appliances for wear and damage prior to use
- Use electrical tape for power cord management, do not use staples
- Always use the correct size fuse, never use a fuse with a larger amperage allowance than the original
- When working near power lines, use ladders made of wood instead of metal
- If you have a bad feeling about some work concerning electricity, stay away!
- Know where breakers and electrical boxes are in case of an emergency
- Label circuit breakers clearly
- Do not use electrical outlets or cords with exposed wiring
- Do not touch a person or electrical apparatus in the event of an electrical accident. Always disconnect the current first.
- Do not clean tools with flammable or toxic solvents.
- Never rely on toys such as inner tubes and water wings to stay afloat.
- Don’t take chances, by over estimating your swimming skills.
- Swim only in designated swimming areas.
- Never swim alone.
- Drain Covers, Public and Residential Pools and Spas. By December 19, 2008, all drain covers manufactured or sold in the United States must conform to the ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 Suction Fittings for Use in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs, published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
- All public pools and spas (as defined by the Act), both new and existing, must be equipped with drain cover systems conforming to the ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 standard.
- All public pools and spas (pump) with a single main drain, other than an unblockable drain, must be equipped with an ASME A112.19.8-2007 compliant cover system and one or more of the following additional devices or systems: a safety vacuum release system (SVRS); suction limiting vent system; gravity drainage system; automatic pump shutoff system; or drain disablement.
- Hard Hats
- Safety Glasses, Safety Goggles
- Clothing
- Work Gloves: Mechanics Gloves, Leather Gloves, Disposable Gloves, Chemical Resistant
- Gas Detectors
- Eyewash Stations
- Ear Protection: Ear Plugs, Ear Muffs
- Dust Masks and Respirators
- OSHA Safety Signs
- Safety Signs: Restricted Area
- Safety Footwear, Safety Boots and Shoes
- Flashlights
- First Aid Kits
- Welding Equipment
- Puncture Resistant Safety Shoes
- Composite Toe Safety Shoes
- Steel Toe Safety Shoes
- Waterproof Work Boots
- Slip Resistant Safety Shoes
- Electrical Hazard Safety Shoes
- Metatarsal Guard
- Static Dissipating Safety Shoes
- Extra Wide Toe
- Timberland
- Slip Grips
- Lehigh
- Rocky
- Georgia
- Leading OSHA construction accidents hazards: falling, stairways and ladders, scaffolding, electrical, trenching, motor vehicle safety.
- OSHA Construction Accident Safety Requirements Consideration: Personal Protective Equipment, Hand and Power Tools, Concrete or Masonry Products, Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Elevators, or Conveyors, Welding, Cutting, or Brazing, Residential Construction, Steel Erection, Fire and Emergency Action, Hazard Communication, and more. Links are available on OSHA’s website to find out more considerations that may apply to your worksite.
- Survey your workplace for additional hazards not covered by OSHA
- Create Jobsite Safety and Training Programs to educate employees on proper jobsite safety related to your particular job
- Ensure that all employees are properly trained on jobsite safety
- Reporting and Record Keeping: Make sure that appropriate OSHA posters are posted, keep records of all worksite related death or injury, and report all such occurrences to OSHA immediately.
- Investigate additional compliance information: Spanish speaking employees, teen or young employees, employees with musculoskeletal disorders, OSHA compliance targeted at your specific construction industry.
- Polarized Safety Glasses
- Military Safety Sunglasses
- Bifocal Safety Glasses & Safety Reading Glasses in general
- Shooting and Hunting Safety Glasses
- Contractor and Construction Safety Glasses
- Photochromic Safety Glasses
- Magnifying Safety Glasses
- Ono: Carabelle, Vieux Carre, Harbor Docks, Curlew, Breton
- Oakley: Team USA, M Frame, Enduring, Half Jacket, Flak Jacket, Radar
- Dewalt: Contractor Pro, Reinforcer, Radius, Renovator, Protector, Ventilator
- AOSafety: SmartLens, Maxim, Nitrous
- Revision: Hellfly, Sawfly, Bullet Ant, Desert Locust
- Black and Decker: BD200, BD210, BD220, BD240, BD245, BD250
- Guardian
- Solitaire
- Edge: Dakura, Khor,
- Harley Davidson: HD102, HD103, HD700
- Piramex: Azera, Fortress, Alair, G201, G204, Mini-Ztek, Solo, Ztek,
- Allsafe: Nemesis, Element
- Gatorz
- Crews: 2230R, Checklite, Checkmate, Stratos, Tomahawk
- Spy: Abbey, Bianca, Clash, Cloverdale, Cooper, Curtis, Diablo, Dynasty, Gracie, Griffin, Helio, Hourglass, Lacrosse, MC, Mode, Nolen, Oasis, Richelle, Sidney, Twiggy, Wilshire, Zoe
- Fox: The Condition, The Dean, The Duncan, The Injection, The Intro, The Matter, The Median, The Meeting, The Study
- Elvex: Challenger, TNT, TTS, Trix, Xenon
- IS SI: Monteray, Xtreme
- Radians: Chief Overspec, Mirage
- US Safety Citation
- Never allow your employees to overload circuits. To many cords plugged into a sock it is a very easy way to start a fire.
- When buying electrical equipment for your company, make sure that they are approved by a company such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
- Make sure all electrical cords around the office are in good working condition. If you come across cords that are frayed or broken, make sure you have them replaced immediately.
- It is a good idea to have a weekly check of all electrical appliances around the company to make sure everything is in good working condition.
- Never keep electrical appliances around water. If a drink is spilled near a computer system, have it cleaned up immediately.
- Be careful when using electrical extension cords. It is very important not to have too many things plugged in to the same cord.
- Only have three prong plugs plugged into three prong sockets. 3 Prong plugs can only be safely plugged in to 3 pronged electrical outlets, or electrical sockets.
- Make sure your staff is always wearing the right protective gear when dealing with electrical systems.
- Always take the time to check to see if light switches and other such electrical systems are hot or overheating, if they are have them replaced right away.
- Flickering lights can be a good indication that there could be electrical problems. If this occurs make sure to have it check out as soon as possible.
- If electrical tools start to show wear and tear have them replace.
- Not all beds are suited for all people. People with back problems might need a stiffer mattress then someone who does not have back problems. Make sure beds and pillows are comfortable to each individual.
- A good excise routine is a great way to help get a good night of sleep. Just don’t exercise after dinner because it will keep a person up even longer.
- Bedrooms should be calm relaxing places, where people can go to escape the stress of daily life. So it is important that bedrooms are clean, dark, and quit.
- Drinking caffeine at night will keep people up longer. It’s a good idea to only drink caffeine only in the morning.
- There shouldn’t be a television or stereo located in the bedroom. The bedroom should only be for sleeping.
- It is always a great idea to go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Getting the body into a routine will help set the eternal clock and the body will let the person know it’s time to go to bed.
- Try to avoid Alcohol and nicotine as much as possible.
- Try to eat dinner before 6:00 PM and don’t eat after. Eating right before sleep can keep a person up. Restricting fluids before bed is always a good idea.
- Taking long naps during the day is never a good idea. It is a sure fire way to keep a person up at night.
- After a person gets into bed at night they really should try to relax. Practicing some breathing techniques is always a great way to relax.
- If a person cannot fall asleep, they should not continue to lie in bed. Get up and do something. Read a book for a while watch some television, they should try to tire their mind out some.
- osha office standards and regulatipons for chairs
- osha standard involving laboratory type workwplace safety, possible specific concerns would be the safety glasses standard.
- Dental OSHA Standards and follow proper procedure to stay in line with osha dentist guidelines is a popular issue.
- Burn Standards: The OSHA Burn Standards apply to a wide range of business models or pehaps federal or state job situations.
- Construction Standards which can be complex, and greatly involved depending upon the type of construction safety you need to be concerned with with, and how to avoid citations
- OSHA Hazard Communication Standard are another important issue to many businesses.
- The concern of biological safety and disease prevention is always another important one, the osha bloodborne pathogen standard
- Varying types of osha sanitation standards exist for obvious reasons.
- What special concerns to look out for if you are in the coast guard and responsible for maintaining osha standards
- What you should expect to be taught at a workplace safety seminar or training class.
- Learn Annual OSHA Training and Compliance Regulations
- Stay Inspection Ready
- Ensure not only management but all employees are up to date with the lastest OSHA rules and regulations to maintain an educated level of safety
Be sure that these records are maintained in an office protective filing cabinet in case you would have to access these records years later for any claims arising from employee accident records. The Health and Safety Department is sometimes housed in Human Resources (HR) office, other times located in the Security Department and sometimes offsite. It is important that you know when these records are moved, that they are not destroyed and someone knows how to access all the health and safety information for your company. This would include training, safety committee meeting and accident reports
Mar
4
OSHA Workplace Safety Programs
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Some of the required OSHA Workplace Safety Programs would include:
Asbestos Awareness
A presentation of the history, physical characteristics, and various types of asbestos containing materials. Discussions also include presumed asbestos containing material, friable conditions, exposure protection, potential health effects, and medical monitoring programs.
Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness
This class provides an overview of the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. Topics include: Bloodborne diseases, blood and body fluid exposures in the work place, exposure control plans, universal precautions, personal protective clothing and equipment, vaccination considerations, and safe work practices. This is a must for OSHA Workplace Safety Programs in motels, hotels, rooming houses, hospitals and nursing homes.
Confined Space Awareness
A general program that introduces the participant to OSHA’s established regulatory requirements for permit required confined space entry. Topics include hazards associated with confined space entry, atmospheric testing and related procedures, and person protective equipment. Safe work practices should be discussed. This OSHA Workplace safety program applies to plumbers, electricians, cable installers, audio visual technicians.
Control of Hazardous Energy
This class emphasizes locking out all energy sources during maintenance operations. Energy sources include: but are not limited to, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and gravity. Elevator operators, engineers, electricians, amusement ride technicians.
Excavation Awareness
Highlights OSHA’s construction standard for excavations and trenches. Topics would include hazards associated with excavations, access and egress, inspections, protective systems and employee safety for OSHA Workplace Safety Programs.
Fall Protection
The program would review the construction regulations in 29 CFR 1926, subpart M. It examines conventional fall protection such as guardrail systems, safety net systems, and personal fall arrest systems. It should include rescue training.
Powered Industrial Trucks
Forklift Safety Awareness
This program is geared toward managers and supervisors. Students are provided an overview of the OSHA Powered Industrial Truck Standard. The program includes safe operating procedures, operator responsibilities, load handling considerations, and inspection and maintenance requirements. Including record keep required for OSHA workplace safety programs.
Four Hour Defensive Driving Course
The overall objective of this course is to increase awareness of and the need for, defensive driving for employers and employees who operate motor vehicles on public roads as part of their businesses. This is accomplished within a classroom environment by providing attendees with an increased awareness of the risks and hazards associated with adverse driving conditions and providing techniques to reduce theos risks. If you take this class directly from OSHA attendees can receive a National Safety Council DDC-4 course completion card.
Hazard Communication
The presentation should provide an overview of the written hazard communication requirements. Topics covered will include: labeling, inventory, and material safety data sheets and training. You should discuss physical and chemical properties of hazardous substances, potential health hazards, and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) terminology.
Hearing Conservation Program
This OSHA workplace safety program introduces the student to fundamentals of noise, causes of hearing loss, requirements of OSHA’s noise regulation, and how to choose proper methods of noise control
Introduction to OSHA
Every employee in orientation must receive awareness training for OSHA workplace safety programs. It will familiarize the participant with the purpose and history of the OSHA act, functions of the enforcement section, functions of the consultation section, and sources of the occupational safety and health standards.
OSHA Injury and Illness record keeping “OSHA 300 log”
This presentation covers employer injury ad illness record keeping requirements of the OSH act of 1970. The discussion will include OSHA’s basic record keeping requirements outlined in 29 SCR 1904, injury and illness reordering criteria, record able and non-record able injury and illness determination, record keeping forms and their maintenance, and posting requirements. This is a must for Human Resources employees (HR) to support the requirements of the Safety Officer under OSHA workplace safety programs.
Respiratory Protection Awareness
An introduction to OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.134. This class focuses on the scope, application and organization of the standard. The class provides a brief overview of the requirements of a respirator program, medical evaluation, fit testing protocols, training requirements and selected definitions. This is an annual program training under OSHA’s workplace safety programs for carpenters who will be working to remove walls that contain mold or asbestos. Any abatement company must train their employees. Medical examination of the employee is required before they can be trained and wear a respirator for their protection.
Workplace Violence Awareness
This class is normally a full day class giving a comprehensive overview of violent behavior in the workplace. Participants are introduced to the dimensions of violence and aggression, and the precursors to workplace violence. Regulatory measures and OSHA’s commitment to combating violence in the workplace are discussed. Discussions also focus on: categories of violent behavior, fundamental concepts of physical security, and a systems approach to target hardening and prevention -reduction strategies. Every manager, supervisor and security officer in your employment should be trained for this OSHA workplace safety program.
Written Workplace Safety Program
Discusses the need for an effective written OSHA workplace safety program, your states requirement for such a program, and the various activities required to comply with the program’s six major elements. The elements are: responsibilities, hazard identification, training, accident investigation, enforcement, and safety committees.
Mar
4
Material Safety Data Sheets
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MSDS known as Material Safety Data Sheets. You should see these manuals around your workplace with the big letters of MSDS. Normally they are yellow or blue binders holding pages of data sheets.
In a large hotel casino the safety manager should house all the data binders but each area of the hotel and casino should house their Material Safety Data Sheets specific to their area.
The purchasing department is required to receive the Material Safety Data Sheet before the item is sent to the property and the Safety Manager must okay the chemical before it arrives.
If you have a security team responsible to respond to incidents they must have the MSDS binders immediately nearby to give the information to EMT’’s or paramedics when they arrive to treat the injured worker. These binders must be checked on a log and someone must be responsible to review each product being used on the shelf and make sure that Material Safety Data Sheet in available. Most binders have an alpha listing in the front of the binder. It is a good idea to list it by its chemical name but some maintenance, housekeeping or garden workers call certain chemicals by a number. If someone got exposed to a chemical they would go to the binder and look for #9 and will not find it unless you have it listed both ways. OSHA inspectors will look in the binder for the specific name or your safety rep and they would not know it was called #9 so again it is a good idea to list it both ways so all people can locate the correct Material Safety Data Sheets.
Material Safety Data Sheets in the past have been a nightmare and frequently cited in an OSHA Citation. There are companies now on the internet that provide a volume of Material Safety Data Sheets so you can immediately down load the sheet and keep your binder up to date. They cannot be used on this site alone, you must keep the binder. If the electric or computer goes out and these Material Safety Data Sheets are not readily available an OSHA Citation will be issued.
Material Safety Data Sheets are not all created equal and some are very hard to understand.
Over the past few years
Management of these sheets is valuable. It is required that you have the sheets in multiple languages if you have a diversified work force. Also each and every container must have labels to identify the products. If plastic bottles are being used on the premises and there is no label of the chemical, again you will receive an OSHA Citation.
Remember compliance, compliance to avoid an OSHA Citation on Material Safety Data Sheets.
As regulations and enforcement tighten, here is a small list of some exposure types and why you must keep the information on file:
1 Acute toxicity (any route of entry)
2. Skin corrosion/irritation
3. Serious eye damage/eye irritation
4. Respiratory or skin sensitizer
5. Germ cell mutagenicity
6. Carcinogenicity
7 Reproductive toxicity Specific target organ systemic toxicity–single exposure Specific target organ systemic toxicity–repeated use Aspiration hazard
For those of us who have this task, and are abiding by the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, we have to ensure that each Material Safety Data Sheet is current within three years to qualify as a part of your program requirements.
Material safety data sheets are the heart of the Hazard Communication Standard. OSHA is currently working on the specifics of the sheets and how to revise them.
Chemical manufacturers and importers shall obtain or develop a material safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical they produce or import. Employers shall have a material safety data sheet in the workplace for each hazardous chemical they use.
Each material safety data sheet shall be in English but again having a diversified workforce you must provide them in the language that can read and understand. Even though a lot of employees sign work agreements that they can read and understand English it is only common words and you should give several lessons on Material Safety Data Sheets in the applicable departments for your protection against a fine or serious injury that someone might not have been able to review the Material Safety Data Sheet on how to treat/respond to the incident.
The identity used on the label is very important to find the correct MSDS.
Sheet must show the health hazards of the hazardous chemical, including signs and symptoms of exposure, and any medical conditions which are generally recognized as being aggravated by exposure to the chemical.
It must show the primary route(s) of entry in the body.
Material Safety Data Sheets must show applicable control measures which are known to the chemical manufacturer, importer or employer preparing the material safety data sheet, such as appropriate engineering controls, work practices, or personal protective equipment.
It must include emergency and first-aid procedures.
The employer shall maintain in the workplace copies of the required material safety datasheets for each hazardous chemical, and shall ensure that they are readily accessible during each work shift to employees when they are in their work areas. Electronic access, microfiche, and other alternatives to maintaining paper copies of the material safety data sheets are permitted as long as no barriers to immediate employee access in each workplace are created by such options.
Mar
3
Lab Safety
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Lab safety should always be taken seriously. Severe burns, fires, and even death can result from the avoidance of lab safety procedures. Dressing appropriately is one of the most important safety procedures in any lab. If a person has long hair it should always be tied back. Jewelry and baggy clothes should never be worn. A person should always have on closed toed shoes. Never wear sandles. Even just a small spill of a hazardous material can cause chemical burns and wearing open toed shoes is just inviting danger. Some other items that should always be worn are a lab coat or smock, gloves, and goggles. A person should never wear contact lenses when dealing with chemicals. If the chemicals splash in a person’s eyes this could cause the contacts to burn to their eyes. If someone must have a prescription then it is important that they use prescription goggles. The best prevention against lab accidents is to have as much of your body as possible covered up with clothing.
All chemicals should be considered harmful. Even the smallest spill should be cleaned up immediately. If any chemical comes in contact with skin, the area that came in contact with the chemicals should be rinsed for twenty minutes. A person should never neglect chemicals that come in contact with the skin. It might not be bothersome at the moment but in the long run it could cause serious injury. There are many important things that should be located in the lab and everyone should know where they are located in the lab. One of the most important things is the eyewash fountain. Everyone should also know how to work it properly. Here are a few other things that the location of is important fire alarm box, fire extinguishers, evocation route should be posted, safety shower if available, glass/chemical trash can, and dust brush and dust pan.
Lab safety should always be considered important. Here are a few more safety tips.
- Never eat or drink in the lab. A person should never take the chance of ingesting chemicals.
- When working in a lad always be professional. One wrong more could cause a serious accident.
- If a person has to smell a chemical it is important that a person never puts their nose to a test tube. The person should always hold the test tube away from their body and wave their hand over top until they get the scent.
- Always check first to see if a test tube has been heated before it is picked up.
- If a test tube is being heated it is important that is pointed away from other people in the room.
- Boiling chips should always be added to any chemical that is being heated beforehand.
- If inserting rubber toppers into a glass tube always make sure to use glycerin.
- Chemicals should never be placed directly on a pan balance. They always should be in some type of container.
Mar
2
OSHA Fines
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Some examples of OSHA Fines would be the following.
1. The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that:
a) Employees were exposed to injuries resulting from being struck by vehicles driven by Valet Attendants in the single lane into which the employees exit from the property.
2. Storage areas were not conspicuously affixed with plates, of approved design, marked with the approved loads.
a) The floor/ceiling over the office for carpenters was not posted with the approved load capacity.
b) the floor/ceiling over the back stage dressing room was not posted with the approved load capacity which is an OSHA fine.
3.Ladderway floor opening or platform was not guarded by standard railings on all exposed sides, provide with swinging gates or were not so offset that a person could not walk directly into the opening.
a) The ladder way floor opening, in TOA, was concerned to receive an OSHA find as it was located so that employees could walk into the opening while attempting to access the ladder.
3. Portable ladders were not lashed, held in position, or so placed to prevent slipping.
a) An 8 foot portable wooden stepladder was used in a lean to position on a 30 inch pipe to gain access to a cooling tower door, creating a fall hazard of 12 feet to concrete below and this would receive an OSHA fine.
4. Fixed ladders 20 to 30 feet in unbroken length were not provided with cages or wells:
a) The 22 foot fixed ladder, outside the ruilding to the roof, near the cooling tower yard , was not equipped with a cage.
b) The 28 foot fixed ladder from the second to the third level of an amusement tower, was not equipped with a cage. OSHA Fine $ 3000.
5. The fire prevention plan required by 29 CFR 1910.157(a) or (b) when the employer has elected total evacuation of the workplace in the eent of a fire emergency was not in writing.
a) The employer had not developed and implemented a written fire prevention plan for the establishment. OSHA Fine $2000.
6. 29 CFR 1910.38(b)(3). The employer did not control accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials and residues so that they would not contribute to a fire emergency.
a) Employees were smoking in a storage room, on floor 20, around combustibles which were poorly stored. OSHA Fines $ 2000.
7. Class l flammable liquid(s) dispensed into other containers were not grounded 29CFR 1910.106(e)(6)(ii)
a) Lacquer and Paint Thinners, in 55 gallon drums near the fueling area, which are dispensed into other containers, were not grounded. OSHA Fines $ 1875.
8. Flexible cords and cables were used for purposes prohibited by subparagraphs (a) through (e) of 29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iii)
a) a yellow extension cord was plugged into a four- plex receptacle in an enclosure where the cabinet door was closed on the cord backstage.
b) a 25 foot orange extension cord was attached to shelves and hung over a chain link fence, to service a desk where there was no receptacle.
c) a lamp cord was run through a curio cabinet between the glass and frame and plugged into a receptacle through a closed supply cabinet door. OSHA Fines $ 1275.
Feb
27
Internet Safety Tips
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Internet safety tips may seem obvious, but not all of them are. When it comes to your family you always want to protect them from harm. The internet is the perfect place to start. Predators lurk around every corner and if you don’t take the proper precautions your children could be at risk. There are many things on the computer that could be harmful to a child, without the proper controls installed you can never be sure what your children are being exposed to. By following these internet safety tips you can help to stop harm before it happens.
It is a good idea to have the internet rules posted clearly next to every computer in the house. When you make the rules have a family meeting so everyone know what is expected of them. If the rules aren’t followed make sure to take the right disciplinary action. So everyone knows that the internet rules must always be followed.
Make sure everyone understands they are never to give their personal information out, such as name, telephone number, credit card information, or anything that could lead to serious trouble down the road. Identity theft can happen very easily and by giving out your personal contact information everyone in the family is being put at risk.
It is important to make sure your children understand that not everyone is who they say they are. If you allow your children to go into chat rooms make sure they know that the sixteen year old girl could be a forty-nine year old man. Make sure you are always monitoring what chat rooms they are in and get to know who they are talking to. Let it be clear and well know that under no circumstance is anyone ever to meet someone from off line in person. The best tip of advice is do not allow your children into chat rooms at all. Whether it is at school or at a friend’s house, be aware of all the computers that your child could be using.
Most computers theses days come with prenatal controls. If your computer does not come with prenatal controls there are many programs out there that specific in that, USE THEM! Always make sure the user account and password are in your name. Do not give this information to your children. Any computer in the house should be in a highly trafficked public area of the house such as the living room or den, so you can always keep a watchful eye on what your children are doing and what they are being exposed too. There are programs out there that will let you keep a log of what sites your children are using. Have this installed and check frequently where they are going. Most search engines have child safety versions. Have your child use one of them instead of the regular search engines. Some of the child friend search engines are Kidsclick, Ask for Kids, Msn Encarta, Cybersleuth Kids, Kol, and Yahoo!KIDS.
Feb
26
Safety Games & Free Office Safety Games
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Safety games and free workplace safety games are a fantastic way to bring both fun and safety into the workplace. As important as safety is, most of your employees probably find learning the safety procedures to be a dull and boring task. If safety training is boring and uninteresting more than likely it won’t stick with your employees. In the long run you will end up wasting more time and money if the training is boring compared to fun. The facts and information won’t stick and the training will have to be done again. Making safety fun with office safety games doesn’t have to consume valuable time. There are many great ideas out there that will allow you to add the safety games to regular work related tasks. Here are a few ideas on safety games and free workplace safety games to get you started.
Safety bingo is a great way to keep your employees motivated about stopping workplace accidents. Each employee is to receive their own safety bingo card. Each day a bingo number should be pulled and posted in a common area such as the break room so everyone can see it. The first person to get five safety bingo numbers receives a prize. The game doesn’t stop there. More numbers continued to be pulled and more people continue to win until an employee is injured on the job. Once someone is injured the game stops and a new one begins. Always have the number of injury free days posted somewhere in the business where everyone can see. Allow your employees to know and take pride in being accident free.
If you have daily or weekly office meetings make safety questions a common procedure. At each meeting ask a few safety questions. Whichever employees get the answers right, reward them with a ticket for a raffle. At the end of the month take all the tickets and have a raffle. Whoever’s name is pulled reward them with some type of prize. Make sure each month you change the questions up so your team is learning all the safety rules, not just a few. Have the winner of the raffle become the safety mentor of the month and have their picture taken and posted somewhere where everyone can see it. This gives your employees the chance to physically see that they are doing a great job with safety.This office safety game is a real great way to make sure your employees are really absorbing the safety information that you provide.
Another idea is to have a few sets of playing cards keep in the break room. On each playing card have a safety tip written on it. This allows your employees to have some fun and get to relax and know each other a little bit. It also gives then the opportunity to take in more of your workplace safety.
Have a meeting and let your employees come up with some of their own ideas for safety games. Communication and making your staff really feel like they are part of a team will always make the best team. Listen to their suggestions. Not only may they have some great ideas on good safety games but there ideas might also give you the chance to see things that might need to be fixed in the company that in general you might not be seeing.
Feb
25
Safety at Work
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Safety at work makes sense when supervisors get involved with the workers under them.
They prevent injuries and minimize the seriousness of injuries when an accident does occur by teaching safety at work in their divisional group meetings.
Supervisors should be taught to be “active listeners”. Communication between supervisors and workers is an important aspect of the safety at work awareness for your business.
Workers and supervisors have the ability to reduce injuries by teaching safety rules and demonstrating the correct methods to do a job. You want to document this training for record keeping in case of injuries or if you have an OSHA visit to prove you had training for safety at work. By prevention you can increase productivity and discomfort from an injury to your co workers. You want your employees to feel comfortable bringing any concerns to their supervisor or safety committee members. Safety plays an important role for your most valued asset: “YOUR EMPLOYEES”.
Maintaining safety at work requires attention to chemical hazards, equipment and work station design, physical environment including temperature, humidity, light, noise, ventilation, space, task design, psychological factors and sometimes, other environment exposures such as summer temperatures and winter cold spells. For example, a security guard cannot stand in the sun for longer that 30 minutes if the heat is over 85 degrees. They will need special clothing for heat and cold. They will need hats to protect their head, ears, nose and etc from the temperature. Remember safety at work also involves temporary and sub leased employees. As the owner of the business, whether you be a corporation or not you have to make sure the contracted employers employees are protected too. They must provide you with the safety manual their employees were trained from for safety at work for your approval. OSHA requires documentation and so will your workers compensation carrier if an injury occurs.
A well-designed workspace allows each employee to work comfortably without needing to overextend, use awkward postures, sit or stand too long. On other occasions, the equipment may be satisfactory but the task could be redesigned for safety at work under your standard of operations.
You want everyone at your place of business to walk the safety walk as well as talk the safety talk. Safety awareness is the key to success in preventing injuries. You cannot stress enough at your safety committee meetings that which is required for documentation and specific training sessions for safety at work.
Supervisors regularly need to assess how well people are doing when it comes to safety at work.
Here are seven areas to consider when evaluating worker safety:
1. Do they follow the rules and stick to accepted safety at work practices that are written by your department?
2. Do they always use the provided safety equipment?
3. Do they report unsafe acts, conditions and equipment that is not operating correctly?
4. Do your employees offer suggestions to solve safety problems or concerns? Can their suggestions be turned in to your safety committee to help other departments?
5. Are employees planning their work to include safety checks before they start?
6. Do they support the overall safety at work programs?
7. Do they report any illness or injury that arises from the job immediately to the Human Resource Department, Safety Office or Security if applicable per your safety at work rules?
Feb
25
Air Safety
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Air Safety has always been a major issue ever since the introduction of airplane technology. You always hear that a person is more likely to get into an accident in their car than as a result of failed air safety. While this may be true, it is understandable how people can still feel like they aren’t safe in the air, because they have no control over the plane. Nevertheless, there are dangers to air safety and there are things to be aware of when it comes to being air safe!
Air Safety Risks
There are many things that can go wrong when it comes to air safety, and although many of them are highly unlikely occurrences, they still exist.
Lightning: It is possible, though highly unlikely that a bolt of lightning will strike an airplane (estimates show that this only occurs approximately twice a year). The good news is, even if you are one of the unlucky flights to be struck by lightning, air safety has evolved to the point where airplanes can withstand virtually all lightning strikes, and advancements are still being made
Ice and Snow: Ice and snow create an air safety issue as well, similar to that of your car. Additionally though, ice and cold conditions can cause problems in flight, which is all the more frightening. Unlike your car, which will run fine when warmed up (you just have to worry about hitting a patch of ice), airplanes in flight can accumulate ice in critical areas which can inhibit or ever shut down proper flight. Thankfully, there are technological countermeasures to these problems, as well as support from the ground. Planes expected to go through conditions which may cause icing are covered with de-icer, and routes are often redirected to avoid the issue entirely. Heat that is expelled from the massive jet engines also can be redirected to keep the critical areas thawed out in harsh conditions. Air traffic controllers on the ground are able to monitor changing conditions, and pilots are often equipped with ice detectors so they can also redirect if need be.. just in case the support on the ground falls through.
Engine Failure: This air safety hazard is terrifying, but surprisingly enough very rare and in most circumstances it is not even an issue. Only when all engines on one side of the plane go out, or if all engines go out, is there a serious problem, and even then a skilled pilot can often glide to a safe landing with minimal damage to the plane and minimal injury to passengers.
Metal Fatigue, Delamination: these are air safety risks associated with the body of the plane decaying in some form or another. It has been decades since either of these air safety risks have been an issue. Planes are subject to rigorous testing and inspection to ensure that neither of these risks ever translate to serious danger.
Stalling: This air safety risk occurs when a plane attempts to ascend too rapidly. The good news is that a stall is usually recoverable and always preventable, because there are warning signs designed to alert the pilot when a stall threshold is approaching.
Cabin Fire: Of the host of highly unlikely air safety risks that come with travelling via airplane, this one is the most likely to be a serious problem. If a fire occurs in your cabin, there is a good chance that it is toxic, there is an even better chance that everyone is going to panic and turn into a mindless mob, and unless the fire is suppressed, somebody is almost definitely going to die. Fortunately this is where you have some control. Do NOT panic. This is a bad air safety situation and panicking is only going to exacerbate the situation. The minute you see, smell, or sense smoke or fire, cover your mouth, filter your air with your clothing, or use oxygen masks if accessible. LISTEN to the stewards when they do their little air safety demonstration about evacuating the plane in the event of emergency. Know which route you are going to take in the event of a necessary immediate evacuation.
Bird Strike: Strange as it may seem, birds do occasionally find their way into the engines, and this can cause engine failure. However, it is an unlikely air safety risk for several reasons. First of all, as already discussed, engine failure itself is not necessarily an immediate danger. Second, the bird strike air safety risk is most likely near take off and landing, so you are not that far off of the ground to begin with. Third, on large passenger airplanes the design of the engine is such that even sucking in a bird is not likely to even cause engine failure (it is actually more likely in small jets). Finally, there are counter measures to this air safety risk as well: poisonous grass to discourage birds from nesting near airports, people with shotguns, falconers, and recording sounds of predators.
Ramp Rash: This is a generic term for ground equipment that comes into contact with airplanes on a daily basis: the boarding ramp, catering trucks, and the cargo belt-loaders. When these or other pieces of equipment come into contact with the airplane, they can occasionally create small scratches or dents, which though ostensibly insignificant can comprise the structural integrity of the airplane, creating a serious air safety hazard. Again, all such ‘collisions’ are carefully inspected and a flight will be grounded if there is any suspicion of a potential in flight problem.
Volcanic Ash: Obviously this is only a significant air safety risk if you are flying near a volcano, but surprisingly it is significant in such circumstances. Volcanic ash can damage many vital components of an airplane, including propellers, turbocompressor blades, cabin windows (impairing visibility), fuel and water systems, gears, turbine blades, fuel nozzles, combustors, and even the engine.
Human error: Not surprisingly, this is the most common cause of air safety hazards. There is a significant degree of human involvement (outside of the design, creation, and construction of the technology itself) in all airplane travel. Frighteningly enough, it is not only the pilot who is capable of downing a flight due to their error. Airplane assistants such as those that close the cargo door can do so improperly, which can lead to the crashing of a plane. Frighteningly enough, there have been multiple incidences of inebriated pilots over the course of airplane history. When discovered they are typically fired on the spot, but for every pilot that was found to be under the influence, how many others went undetected?
Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT): Basically, this occurs when pilots put too much faith into malfunction navigation systems, so is somewhat related to human error. The pilot thinks that the flight is going fine but too late discovers that the airplane is headed straight for a mountain or some other terrain. There are multiple independent detection systems in place, as well as air traffic controllers who assist in keeping an eye on the flights, so this air safety risk is highly mitigated.
Terrorism: Americans are keenly aware of the dangers of terrorism ever since September 11, 2001. Ever since then, additional safety measures are implemented to prevent terrorism in the skies, including air marshals and a highly more rigorous screening program for persons boarding an airplane.
Airport Design: A poorly designed airport can be the cause of danger as well. One of the most prominent examples of dangerous airport design is a runway system that does not allow ample distance for an airplane to come to a complete stop. This can occur at airports that were originally built for the purposes of propeller planes (which require a shorter distance), but have been modified to accommodate modern airplanes. Should these airports have not upgraded the runway length, there is a potential risk with every landing. One technology that is in use to allow for a safe landing is EMACS, which is basically a large chunk of crushable concrete at the end of the runway that will safely absorb the momentum of the airplane, bringing it to a rapid stop. Watch out for whiplash!
Infection: Airplanes are potential breeding ground for infection. People from all different walks of life converge into a small, densely packed area, and if even one person has some kind of illness, it may not be long before they spread it throughout the entire flight. Make sure to take your vitamins, drink some orange juice, and breathe carefully if you think someone nearby is ill.
Emergency evacuations: It is almost comedic in an ironically morbid sense that evacuations of planes themselves are a risk. In one emergency evacuation test, 33 of 873 volunteers were injured simply from using the airplane evacuation slide. The worst injury was a broken leg. The control over whether your will safely use an airplane slide rests largely in you. A couple of tips: be aware of the two closest escape hatches to your seat (in case one is blocked by smoke), do not wear high heels or pantyhose on the flight, do not grab your luggage during evacuation, move fast but stay calm, JUMP onto the slide (don’t sit and push yourself), keep your heels up and your arms crossed, and when you get to the bottom, GET OUT OF THE WAY.
Runway Risks: Outside of the previously mentioned airport design hazards, a form of human error involving unexpected runway dangers can also cause hazards, even as recently as 2005. In this category, there are the dangers of runway excursion (not getting off the ground before the runway ends), runway incursion (the inappropriate presence of a person, vehicle or second airplane on a runway), and runway confusion (a play using the incorrect runway to take off or land).
Good Air Safety
Despite the many potential air safety hazards described above, the truth is that it is very unlikely for you to be present at the time of an occurrence of any one of these hazards. They do happen, but everyday people are working to mitigate and eliminate these risks. The best you can do is be aware of which dangers you have any control over, and the proper course of action you should take if you are unlucky enough to ever be faced with one. The most important thing you can do to be a part of the solution and not the problem is to stay calm and try to keep your head about you. It is common for people to panic in dangerous situations, and air safety protocol takes that into account, but as long as you can stay a little more calm and focused then is expected of you, you will not be responsible for making a situation worse.
Feb
25
OSHA Citations
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The top 10 most frequently cited OSHA Citations under OSHA standards for special trade contractors are:
1. Scaffolding - see General Requirements 1926.451
2. Fall Protection - see General Requirements 1926.501
3. Ladders 1926.1053
4. Fall Protection -Training Requirements 1926.503
5. Aerial Lifts 1926.453
6. Hazard Communication 1910.1200
7. General Safety & Health Provisions 1926.20
8. Head Protection 1926.100
9. Scaffolding - Training Requirements 1926.454
10. Electrical Wiring Design and Protection 1926.404
OSHA Citations can always come under the general duty clause and this is commonly used by OSHA when they cannot be very specific under a rule number.
OSHA gave an example of a case where two workers and a passer by were killed when workers were dismantling a mast climbing scaffold. According to OSHA the process included removing anchor braces that secured the scaffold’s climbing tower to a building. When the final anchor brace was removed, the tower and scaffold were left without support and the unit toppled, the investigators concluded. OSHA fined the masonry contractor for the incident.
Make a difference as an employee and bring your safety influence to your work site to prevent OSHA Citations.
OSHA can be driving by and stop, they can receive a call from a worker to inspect as a complaint or anyone who sees a safety issue on a job site can call OSHA.
Workers should be engaged in worker trainer programs. You can have a union worker train one another or call in an outside consultant for training to prevent OSHA Citations.
Focusing on eliminating human errors will protect your company and employees.
You want safety to be a major objective on your job site to avoid OSHA Citations.
Although safety protocol is enforced from the top down, the impetus for safety improvement begins on the ground floor.
Workers and supervisors should be compelled to mitigate potential safety issues before they become hazards which could lead to the OSHA Citation.
All OSHA Citations and fines are listed on their website for each and every employer. These citations and fines give the general business owner a good understanding of how other businesses were fined.
An example of a common citation and or fine is when there are sewing machines at a hotel. The sewing machines must have a guard on each unit to prevent the seamstresses from sewing their fingers. Some workers especially from foreign countries remove them as they used them in other areas without the guards and do not understand their purpose. The Safety Manager or Supervisor in this area must train the employees the safety use of the guard to prevent an OSHA Citation.
Another practice in hotels is burnishing operations, cleaning silver items. Because of the noise exposure in this area the area must have a decimal reading for hearing conservation and you must offer your employees training and hearing protection in order to avoid an OSHA Citation.
Dishwashers in large kitchens fall under the hearing protection act as those areas are very noisy and sometimes will read as high as 100 DB. Again, if OSHA monitors the area of the kitchen to make sure the employees were safe from noise distress and find it over 85DB, you will receive an OSHA Citation. You must offer hearing protection and training and test the hearing of each worker in this area.
Experienced Safety Consultants are worth their weight in GOLD to protect you from an OSHA Citation.
Feb
24
Safety equipment required by OSHA
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Your business cannot live without this safety equipment required by OSHA:
1. Smoke detectors: Install smoke detectors on every floor and outside each bedroom occupancy and test them regularly. You must keep documentation of who did the testing and when it was performed.
2. Fire extinguishers: Keep extinguishers in your kitchens including the Kguard units for oil/grease fires. Put them in garage operation areas. They should be located throughout your premises on each and every floor, basement, and storage area. Most fire extinguishers are combination Class ABC types. Class A puts out fires of ordinary combustibles. Class B is used on fires involving flammable liquids such as oil. Class C is used on electrical fires. You do not want the wrong type of fire extinguisher in any area. For example, if you have computer equipment or computer phone boards make sure the right extinguisher is in that area. Make sure you read the tags on the extinguishers as they are only good for one year from the date stamp.
Hold fire extinguisher classes on how to use the equipment not only protecting your business but your employees at home. Document the training for OSHA record keeping as this safety equipment required by OSHA is mandatory.
3. Carbon monoxide detectors: Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, and it can be fatal unless detected. Place a detector outside all bedrooms in your home or hotel rooms. At your workplace, if you have large buses sitting outside dropping off or picking up passengers and you have a nearby air vent the carbon monoxide can drift into the building making employees dizzy or sick to their stomach and they will not know what is ailing them. If you have the carbon monoxide monitor placed inside near the air vent the alarm will go off and you will be alerted that the carbon monoxide is entering the premises.
4. Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs): Use GFCIs throughout your business or your home, especially in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. A GFCI protects against electric shock in case you come in contact with a live wire. You will recognize the units as they have a pop out button in case of overload or water contact with the unit you are using, or if the unit you are using in the circuit is getting too hot for it the unit will pop and stop the electrical current. Not only is this safety equipment required by OSHA but the city electrical code will require it.
5. First aid/emergency kits: Store antibiotic ointment, bandages, adhesive tape, cold packs, antibacterial hand cleaner, scissors, tweezers, eyewash and a flashlight in an easily accessible place. Remember if you have a painting operation or car maintenance battery change area you must have a mounted unit which could be fresh water or containers of solution. The eye wash units must be monitored and dated when the unit was last checked for cleanliness or fresh solution. Normally the solution will have a 90 day expiration date on it. Units are required around your premises based on what hazards require the unit.
Remember no first aid kit can be locked. It has to be available at all times to your employees and regularly stocked. You might not have realized that this safety equipment is required by OSHA. They will check your premises on a comprehensive review and fine you if the first aid kit is not available, or locked or not stocked.
You can keep additional supplies for emergency use in a carry all bag such as blankets, warning tape, yellow cones to prevent entrance to an accident area.
6. Flashlights, glow sticks, emergency lighting in stairwells must be tested to support exit if an emergency condition exists. Safety equipment required by OSHA for exits is a must. They will check each and every emergency exit you have to make sure there is proper exit signage including emergency lights.
7. MSDS manual. Material Safety Data Sheets must be readily available in case of exposure from a chemical used at your business. If an employee would get pepper spray in their eyes or face the first thing they want to do is put water on it which is wrong. That will only increase the sting and if you use this on your premises to prevent robberies you must have the MSDS sheet to know how to treat. Another example is floor stripping chemicals. You need to know how much ventilation is required in the area and how to treat if the employee got it on their hands or face. This is one of the most common OSHA fines for not having the proper safety equipment required by OSHA to protect against chemical exposures.
Feb
22
Basic Electrical Safety
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Basic Electrical Safety is important, but by no means the end of the road when it comes to adequate protection against electrical hazards. This article on basic electrical safety will by no means make you sufficiently prepared for tasks involving work with or around electricity. Rather, this basic electrical safety discussion will give you a foundation on which to build your knowledge to best protect against the dangers of electrical hazards.
Why is Basic Electrical Safety Important?
Simply put, electricity is dangerous. As such, anyone working with or near electricity should be educated on how to properly prevent basic electrical safety hazards. Unfortunately, this wonderful thing we call electricity can be conducted by human bodies. With greater misfortune still is that when electricity runs through a human body, it can cause severe damage, unlike metals, which upon conduction remain basically unaffected. When a human body conducts electricity, the experience can range from painful shock to fatality. Surprisingly, relatively small currents can have dramatic effects. It is important to understand the difference between voltage and current. A basic analogy for voltage is that it is the electrical equivalent of water pressure. Amperage is like flow of water. A relatively small flow of electricity (amps) at a standard voltage can cause a painful shock. For example, the amount of power that flows into a laptop can be enough.
Basic Electrical Safety Tips
Basic electrical safety can mitigate the risk of electrical danger. In the workplace, there should be some documents and guidelines on basic electrical safety available to you. If you spend a good portion of the day working directly with electricity (plugging things into electrical sockets, dealing with power cords, many electrical appliances, etc), you should definitely make sure you are sufficiently educated to prevent harm to yourself and others. Basic electrical safety reminds you that electricity is a force that we have learned to manipulate, but it will never be completely under our control!
Feb
22
Water Safety
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Swimmers, Boaters, Skiers, Crabbers, Fisherman and CHILDREN anywhere near water should exercise water safety.
Children can drown in any pool of water even something as small as 1 foot deep. Always watch that the children are no where near water without an adult that is alert and constantly watching them. There have been countless horror stories where children wandered away from their older brother or sister and fell head first over a tree limb and hit their head and landed in a muddy puddle of water and drowned.
Back yard pools is another area where water safety must be exercised. The pool area should be fenced and have an alert floater in the pool in case anyone falls into the water when no one else is around.
Even an adult in the pool area should exercise water safety as they could have a heart attach or stroke and fall into the pool. Even pool cleaners must exercise water safety.
There have been stories where pool cleaners have become dizzy when
using the chemicals to clean the pool and have fallen in not be rescued alive.
When around any body of water make sure there are 2 people watching. Better to exercise water safety than to make an older brother or sister have it on their conscious that they were responsible for a younger siblings death.
Drowning is the SECOND leading cause of accidental deaths for persons 15-44 years of age.
Even in a guarded pool you should be aware of water safety. Look for the universal sign of no diving. Many people have ignored this sign and dove into a shallow pool head first and broken their neck. These injuries can lead to serious neck and spinal injuries including paralysis, in the form of quadriplegia or paraplegia.
You must always be aware of the signage at pools and the depth before diving. Most pools do not have diving boards anymore to prevent injuries from divers. Insurance Companies have been very instrumental in asking homeowners to remove slides and diving boards to prevent injuries for water safety prevention.
Also the drain covers in public and residential pools and spas by December 19,2008 must be refitted to proper drain covers. Here is some information on the covers:
This Information is under the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.
Pool And Spa Safety Law Aimed At Preventing Drain Entrapments of Children Goes Into Effect Dec. 19,2008.
It is the responsibility of the parent, caretaker, and pool owner to exercise water safety to prevent accidents in and around their pools and spas.
Another area where water safety is of extreme importance is where electrical cords or devices are in the area. Water is an excellent conductor of electricity. Electrical shock or electrocution can occur in a pool if live electrical current flowing through appliances and devices comes into contact with water. The lights that are inside a pool must be checked and be protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to prevent a flow of electrical shock. If you see that any of these lights are out you should contact your pool operator immediately to check them. When visiting motels or hotels be aware of them, do not touch them when in the pool. Make sure you question the life guards and ask for an electrical technician to check if they are safe if the lights are out.
Never get in a pool or any body of water if there is lightning or a storm brewing. High winds can cause objects to fly into the pool or body of water and hit you.
Keep lifesaving equipment next to your pool on the fence or on a board built specifically to house the equipment to save someone. All public pools have a requirement to carry life saving tools. Such items normally include a pole, a rope a life ring, Sheppard’s hook that can provide immediate assistance for water safety to a person in trouble.
Use only unbreakable dishes, beverage containers, and utensils around the pool area. Broken glass in invisible in water and extremely difficult to get our of the support system. Alcoholic drinks and drugs should never be around the pool for it users. If you are on medication you should always consult with your doctor if you should swim in a pool while using the medication.
Everyone should shower before entering the pool. People with skin, ear, genital or
other body infections, open sores or wounds should not use the pool because of the possibility of spreading infection. You should always question someone if these signs are visible it is for the protection of YOU and everyone using the pool. Lifeguards at hotels are taught water safety classes to question their guests and prevent injuries.
A deck or patio around the pool should have slip-resistant surface or painted with a “get a grip” surface to prevent slips and falls.
All swimmers, boaters, skiers and fisherman around bodies of water should follow the above guides for pools. Of course additional water safety precautions need to be taken. You should always have life jackets in your boats and someone should be designated as the life guard who is watching the swimmers, skiers and fisherman on the boat or on a pier, lake, ocean or any body of water to rescue if necessary and prevent injuries.
Feb
21
Workplace Safety Talks
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It can be hard to find free online workplace safety talks and safety training programs online. Many sites offer training programs but they can cost you from a few hundred dollars into the thousands or they say they offer training and you click on the link and it’s a bunch words that don’t have any real fact content. I spent some hours going through places that said to offer free safety training and managed to find some really great sites that cover many topics that deal with workplace safety and many other types of safety not just workplace safety. Here are seven different sites with lots of valuable training programs and information.
- http://www.osha.gov/
United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSHA has lots of very valuable Information on safety of all sorts. All their rules and regulations are there and much more. The problem with the OSHA site is it can be a little time consuming trying to find the information that you really need.
- http://www.toolboxtopics.com/
If you are looking for a site that offers great workplace safety talks and meetings then check this sight out. It is a free site and they cover many topics from construction to more general topics like back problems.
- http://www.elcosh.org
Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety & Health
This site is fabulous if you are looking for a lot of free information dealing with construction. They offer lots of training information at no cost to you. This site covers many topics dealing with all types of construction.
- http://www.lanl.gov/safety/electrical/index.shtml
Center of Excellence for Electrical Safety
This site offers lots of free information on electrical safety. They cover a very broad range of topics and have lots of free training too. You can also read about electrical accidents that already have happened.
- http://www.free-training.compreventing
This site is one of the only sites that I could find that offered a forklift training program. This program cuts right to the chase and delivers only facts but can definitely be put to good use. Here are some other free training programs this site offers handling pesticides, preventing slips and trips, protective clothing, back injury prevention, working safely with and around electricity, safety working around tractors, safety working with and around farm house animals, proper use of a respirator, and a few others. It also offers a direct link to OSHA’s training programs. This site is free.
- http://web.princeton.edu/sites/ehs/index.html
Princeton University Environmental Health & Safety
This site offers very hard to find free lab safety information. A lot of the information has to do with the procedures that are used at Princeton University but are great ideas that can be used by anyone for lab safety. They also have some valuable information on workplace safety, radiation safety, and biological safety. The information on this site is free.
- http://nonprofitrisk.org
I saved the best for last. This site had a very large database of training programs. Almost anything you could be looking for you can find on this site. Here are just a few of the topics it covers workplace violence, OSHA regulations, setting up your own safety programs, workplace safety and hazards, setting up your own safety programs, and so many more.
If you know or happen to come across any more sites dealing with workplace safety talks or safety training programs feel free to post then here.
Feb
21
Safety Equipment
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Safety Equipment is a critical component of any workplace! No matter what you do, there is almost certainly going to be some kind of dangers inherent in the job. From housekeeping to construction, every job brings with it new dangers. The kind of safety equipment you will need for your workplace will vary based on the job description. Below is a list of various safety equipment and gear that you may need, depending upon your occupation. Go through this list and ask yourself if each piece of safety equipment is one that you may need.
- What kind of Safety Equipment will you need?
Safety Equipment Supplies
OSHA requires that employers define and delimit a list of necessary safety equipment for the workplace, so you should have a list available to you of what safety equipment you may need. Furthermore, in most cases, OSHA also requires that employers supply said safety equipment making it available and easily accessible. This safety equipment should also be furnished at no cost to the employee, and the employers is also often required to enforce policies requiring employees to use said safety equipment.
But, the sad fact is that not all workplaces have respected the wishes and/or requirements set forth by OSHA. So, even though your employer probably SHOULD take care of all of your safety equipment needs, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they have. Nor will they take care of your safety equipment needs without prompting. This is about your safety. Having appropriate safety equipment is ultimately your responsibility. It may not be your legal responsibility, but it is your personal responsibility. Ultimately, the only person you can rely on to protect you is you!
Safety Equipment Tips
Take some initiative at your workplace when it comes to safety equipment. Take initiative for yourself and others, you may save somebody’s life some day! The next time you are at work, ask yourself what hazards you think you face on a regular basis. Could these hazards be mitigated by safety equipment, or by certain practices? Perhaps safety equipment is not the answer. Either way you should look to identify hazards and propose solutions to your employer. You will be doing them a favor if you go about it responsibly. Make a case for necessary safety equipment in the workplace and propose it to your employer. Remember, the point is to enforce and uphold the right to work in a safe workplace, not to be a thorn in your employer’s side. Remember that when you are making proposals. If you have a legitimate suggestion for safety equipment or practices, and your employer doesn’t acknowledge the validity of your suggestion, then it is time to take your proposal to the next level with an organization like OSHA.
Feb
20
Safety Shoes - Workplace Shoe Safety
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Safety Shoes can be an integral part of the job when it comes to workplace safety. Some jobs may require footwear as per some dress code; some may not have a dress code pertaining to footwear. Other jobs require special safety shoes due to the nature of the work.
- What are some different kinds of safety shoes found in a safe workplace?
- Who makes safety shoes?
Safety Shoes Guidelines
The Company that you work for may have guidelines or even requirements for appropriate safety shoes for their safe workplace. If this is the case, it is easy enough to know what you should wear in terms of safety shoes. However, your job may not require or suggest appropriate safety shoes. Large corporations usually have such safety shoe requirements spelled out ahead of time but it is possible that a small business may not have considered safety shoes in the job description.
If your job does not provide information on appropriate safety shoe guidelines, you will first want to check with your supervisor to see if there is a dress code at all, so that whatever safety shoes you decide to purchase on your own will not cause conflict. If you work outside, with or near heavy objects in motion, blades of any kind (ie: landscaping), or on uneven or rough terrain, it would be a good idea to get yourself some sturdy steel or composite toe safety shoes to protect your feet. A nice additional feature would be waterproof or slip resistant safety shoes, if you work outside and are expected to work in rain, snow, or other inclement weather conditions. Well insulated safety shoes are a good idea for the same reasons. Your feet can be the cause of a lot of problems in the work place if you do not wear appropriate safety shoes. Frostbite, Pneumonia, or even severed toes can be avoided with safety shoes appropriate to your job requirements.
Promote Safety Shoes
If you see a lack of concern or direction for safety shoes in your workplace where such attention is needed, inform your immediate supervisor and have him or her move your safety shoe concern up the chain, however long that chain may be. A company with a need for safety shoes that also lacks documentation and instruction is a company that is asking for trouble. Inevitably, something goes wrong at virtually every workplace, and if workers are not equipped with proper safety shoes, two things are likely to happen. The first is that some worker may be left with a permanent reminder of the time that put in at said workplace, and it will not be a pleasant memory. At best it may be a trip to the hospital. At worst, it could be a missing toe. The second event is the lawsuit that is likely to follow due to a lack of responsibility on the part of the employer. So, a word to the wise to your employer about safety shoes will not only save the company money, but possibly someone else’s feet!
Feb
20
OSHA Construction Accidents
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OSHA Construction Accidents are a major issue in the workplace, and even society itself. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is like the FCC or FDA of workplace safety. So, one of the greatest concerns for OSHA is construction accidents. They can cause a great deal of damage to property and injury to individuals. OSHA construction accidents can harm property and people not only on the worksite, but also in the surrounding area.
OSHA Construction Accidents Guidelines
To make sure your workplace is OSHA construction accident safe, you will need to follow some guidelines to make sure that danger is at a minimum, and worst case that if a construction accident occurs, OSHA will not destroy your business. OSHA.gov is the place to go for detailed information on all actions that should be taken on the part of a construction business to avoid accidents and the legal ramifications that follow, but here is a simplified list of OSHA construction accidents prevention, just to give you an idea:
- OSHA Construction Accidents Safety
Last but certainly not least, if you go through OSHA’s checklist but still have concerns, call them at (800) 321-OSHA (6742).
OSHA Construction Accidents Compliance
If you go to OSHA’s website, review their guidelines for OSHA construction accidents prevention, seek additional resources, and call them if need be, there is a much smaller range of tragedy that can befall your workplace. At best, proper planning and compliance will prevent OSHA construction accidents completely. At worst, an employee will still eventually get hurt, or even killed. But in this worst case scenario, the employer can at least find some consolation in the knowledge that they did everything they could to prevent such a tragedy, and will likely see no serious legal consequences as a result of the injury and/or death. It takes a lot of effort to properly follow OSHA construction accidents prevention guidelines. So much so that a business could employ a person or perhaps even a staff of personnel just to go through all of the OSHA construction accident safety details that pertain to their worksite. The bottom line is that the money and/or effort required is well worth it if it saves a single life, and will likely be worth it in terms of the legal fees it will save when and if OSHA construction accidents occur.
Feb
19
Safety Glasses may comprise some of the critical safety equipment for your workplace, depending upon what kind of job you have. There are certainly a must for jobs like construction, where the outdoors, heights, and the sun work together to create a dangerous situation. On the other end of the spectrum, safety glasses can be of critical significance to an occupation in the medical field, where diseases and dangerous microbes can be absorbed through porous membranes such as the eye.
- What different kinds of Safety Glasses are there?
- Who manufactures safety glasses?
Get Safety Glasses
As you can see, there are many different makes, models, and types of osha safety glasses available for whatever kind of job you may have. Sometimes you may even have to obtain a prescription prior to buying glasses. If you think your workplace creates a need for safety glasses, but you are not required to use them, do something about it! In most cases it is the employer’s legal responsibility to furnish necessary safety equipment such as safety glasses, so if you think you need them, bring it up with your employer. They should respond to your request and act on it, and if they don’t, you may need to contact OSHA.
Safety Glasses Cost
The cost of Safety Glasses typically range from as little as five dollars to fifty. There can even be bulk discounts on large quantities of safety glasses purchased. In most cases, if you are desperate for some safety glasses, you can just buy them yourself, and then later get your employer to reimburse you. Remember, safety glasses first!
A Safety Glasses Tale
A man’s son was working in the home siding industry was encouraged by the man to wear safety glasses at work. This was the result of a safety glasses training program in which the man participated. The young son was a typical teenager, resistant to the father’s advice. Nevertheless, the son had been experiencing trouble with aluminum dust getting into his eyes and so he eventually acquiesced to his father’s requests. Not two weeks later, the son was applying siding with an air stapled power gun. One of the staples hit a metal plate behind the siding, ricocheted back and hit the son square in the safety glasses. The staple hit with such force that it pierced completely through the son’s safety glasses and bruised his eyebrow… But if NOT for the safety glasses, that boy might not be alive today!
Feb
19
Employee Safety in the Workplace
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Employee safety in the workplace must be put as top priority. Safety is an issue that both employees and employers must take very seriously. Accidents can occur at anytime and anyplace, but if people are aware of the safety measures, the majority of the time accidents can be avoided. Everyone must take responsible for their own safety and must also take action to help stop harm to others. As a team, everyone must work together to stop workplace injury and accidents. It is always up to the employer or manager to make sure that all safety rules are being followed. Here are some great tips and ideas on employee safety in the workplace that will help to make your company a lot safer.
When people start work at a new job, many times they just automatically think the workplace is safe, this is not always the case. If hiring new employees it is very important to go over and test each new employee about the safety rules. Find training videos that work for your company and make it mandatory that everyone watch them. If you run a deli, find movies are meat slicer safety. If you own a retail store find movies on trip hazards. At first it may seem like you are investing a lot of money in safety programs, but the cost of serious injury is a lot more expensive.
Employee Safety Importance
Each month hold safety meetings to discuss any important issues concerning employee safety in the workplace. Make up a list of safety questions that each employee must know the answers to. When they get an answer right, put their name in a box and every few months have a drawing. Don’t be afraid to reward your employees for doing a great job. Maybe if no one has been hurt on the job in six months have a pizza party. Let your employees know that you are proud of them and how they have work safely abiding by good safety practices. Another great idea is make one person in charge of safety. Make sure that this person is very well educated on workplace safety. If your employees have questions they can go to that person. Sometimes it is necessary for safety rules to change make sure that everyone is well informed about the changes taking place. Let your employees come to you with their concerns; they may have some wonderful ideas on how to make the workplace safer. Never ever be afraid of change, change is the only way to make things better.
If you would like more information on this topic OSHA’s website provides lots of very valuable materials on this subject and many others. Even if you are a small business OSHA has plenty of info for you. Here are a few facts from OSHA’s website. Employers with more than ten employees must have emergency action plan. The plan must require commitment from both the employer and the employee. OSHA will conduct an inspection to make sure that the plan is running smoothly.
Feb
19
Workplace Violence
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Workplace violence is a very series thing and is not to be taken lightly. Workplace violence is the fourth leading cause of job related injury in the United States. It is the second leading cause for males and the first for females. In 1994 around 1,100 people were murder while at work. Workplace violence is not just about murder; many other people are threatened, harassed, and sometimes seriously injured.
In July of 1994 more than one million people dealt with some form of workplace violence. One in six violent crimes in the United States takes place at work. Here are some different types of crime and the percent that happen at work 16% of assaults, 8% of rapes, and 7% of robberies. Out of these violent crimes 30% of the perpetrators were armed and 33% of them were armed with hand guns. 16% of workplace violence victims incur injury and 10% of those must be hospitalized.
Here are some ideas where violence in the workplace is most likely to occur. When a person is working late at night, or in the early morning hours their chances of work place violence greatly increases. If a person is by themselves or in a small group then work place violence becomes more prevalent. The exchange of money in public place also causes violence. If a person is working in an area with higher crime rates they stand a better chance of encountering workplace violence.
OSHA has come up with guidelines and ideas for dealing with workplace violence but at the moment has not instated rules that must be followed. OSHA recommends a violence prevention plan to be put into action at all business. The program should be available to all employees including management. The purpose of the program should be to keep documentation of the reduction in work related violence. It is also important the program reduces the threat of workplace violence and helps to cut back the severity of the injuries that do take place.
Management needs to take a very active role in the program, making sure everyone is following the program. Take time to look for signs around the business that could poetically cause workplace violence. It is up to management to come up with a written program that everyone can comprehend and go by. Training is extremely important. Let your employees know how to handle certain situations that could arise. Let your employees know that they can come to you with any danger that they may think exist. If they are scared have a suggestion box where your employees can put their suggestions in anonymously. OSHA requires documentation of all workplace violence and the training that is being done to prevent the violence.
Violence in the office or workplace happens and sometimes people are seriously hurt and even killed. Some situations you cannot prevent, but other situations are very preventable. Be aware of what is going on in your workplace. Take control and make sure that all you employees have the proper training. Always have an open door policy that allows your employees to come and talk to you about any concerns that they might have. Workplace violence might not be able to be stopped all together but it can be greatly reduced.
Feb
18
Electrical Safety Tips
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Electrical safety tips are important for each employer to have and understand. When it comes to dealing with electrical and electrical equipment, safety always needs to be top notch in the office or workplace. Many things can go wrong when working with electrical systems. Each year many people are seriously hurt and often times death is an end result. Fire is always a huge concern when dealing with electrical. There are many simple steps that can be take to always ensure the safety of everyone, but everyone involved must understand the importance of following the electrical safety rules.
With all safety procedures it is of the most importance to make sure that all your employees are always properly trained. Injury can occur very easily, but especially when you are dealing with electrical. Whatever types of electrical system your employees are working with make sure you supply them with the training needed to operate the machine correctly and how to fix something if a malfunction takes place. When you are training your employees on electrical safety, stress to them how important it is for them to really take their time. Accidents happen the most when people are rushing to get a task done.
Workplace Safety Electrical Tips
The best words of advice that can be given with dealing with electric, is always make sure the power is turned off first before any work is started. Electrical related injuries cannot happen if there is no power supply. Here is a list of some great electrical safety tips that are sure to make your workplace safer. Some office electrical safety tips can be found below.
Feb
18
Fun games for work are a great way to bring a little relaxation to the job. From time to time everyone needs a little break from work to allow themselves time to get there mind straight. Fun Safety Games In The Workplace are always an excellent method of relaxation and learning. By allowing fun in the workplace you give your employees a little freedom and for that they will respect you and be more productive. Set aside an hour a week for your employees to have a little fun. Put board games and cards in the break room. Not only does this give them time to relax but also gives them time to socialize and interact with their fellow employees.
Here are some other great ideas for keeping the work place fun and exciting with safety games and otherwise fun games.
- Once a month have themed days.
- Have a relaxed day were your team can wear jeans, tee-shirts, and sneakers to work. Stress the attire most not be inappropriate or offend anyone.
- Have a silly Hat day. Let your employees come up with their craziest hat and wear it to work. Make your staff’s creativity flow.
- A joke contest is a great way to add some fun to the work place. See if your team can come up with jokes and have everyone vote on whose is the funniest.
- When the different holidays come about have your staff and you decorate the office and bring cheer to the business.
- Learn yoga. Half way through the day take a ten minute break and teach your staff some easy yoga moves that will help to ease the stress and tension and will ultimately help your employees to become more productive.
- Let your employees decorate their own personal space to reflect their personalities, as long as it’s appropriate. Encourage then to bring in pictures of their families or their own personal art work.
- Come up with work related questions and at every meeting ask different questions. If your employees get the questions right put their name into a raffle. Once a month have a drawling and draw a name. Come up with some kind of reward and give it to the person who you drew from the raffle.
- If your staff does an amazing job with something. Reward them. Take them out to lunch. Have a pizza party. Something that shows them that you care.
- Once a month, maybe on a Saturday or a Sunday have a staff outing. Go to the park and play touch football or softball. Go see the different sites around your area. This is a great way for your staff to connect with one another.
Work and games in ways are very much related. Both require challenge, strategy, and reward. Work cannot always be fun and interesting but adding games here and there will make your team more productive. A great result from workplace games is friendship and relationships. If you can make your employees competitive in positive ways many benefits will come from this.
Feb
16
Workplace Conflict
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Workplace conflict is bound to happen no matter what, but understanding workplace conflict better will help you to deal with it when it arises. Sometimes you need to intervene and stop things from escalating and other times you need to know when to just stand aside and let things take their course. If you’re a first time employer talk to other employers and managers who have been in the business for a while. See what kind of techniques they use with workplace conflict. When you are an employer it is very important that you have the skills to deal with these types of issues.
When conflict happens in your office or workplace the first thing you must do is find out what the real problem is. Next have a meeting with everyone that was involved with the conflict. Try hard to focus on the issue of the conflict and not the fight. Give everyone the chance to state their opinions. Let them be honest with you and everyone else. Don’t tell them how to think and feel about the situation. Never take sides, always remember to try and stay unbiased. Your job is to make sure the conflict doesn’t happen again not to single one person out and make them feel bad. Explain to your employees what you want to come from the meeting. Everyone including you needs to come up with a plan to make sure the same issue does not come up again. Try and find some kind of common ground that all involved can agree on and take it from there.
Here are some fantastic tips to prevent Workplace conflict from even happening.
- It is important that all employees have proper training for the job that they are to be performing. If an employee is not trained properly this could cause other employees to be annoyed with them.
- Make sure you praise your employees when they do a good job. If your employees are happy with themselves and their jobs conflict is a lot less likely to happen.
- The expectations you put on a person and their work should be realistic. If you expect something from an employee that they are no way capable of doing, conflict will come about.
- Also make sure that everyone knows the expectations on them from the company. If people are unaware of these expectations then they won’t know what they are trying to accomplish.
- As a manager you need to be able to recognize when tension is getting high between the employees so you can stop things before they ever really happen.
- A fantastic idea is to take a course on dealing with workplace conflict.
- Different types of conflict will need different solutions. Think about the different types of conflict that come up and make plans for dealing with each type.
- Never ever take part in or encourage gossip.
- When Solving workplace conflicts, you must first understand the conflict before the conflict solution may become apparent.
- Preparation of strategies and proper implementation of workplace conflict management is crucial to your business and employee conflicts.
- Remember sometimes workplace conflict is a good thing. It will help you see the different problems that will come up and give your business the opportunity for chance.
Feb
16
How to avoid workplace injuries with careful workplace ergonomics and specifically working techniques and lifting procedures in your workplace. Workplace injuries can occur if you do not properly follow these guidelines. Perform your workplace tasks in the proper way to reduce the risk of workplace injuries.
Lifting posture, keep your stomach muscles tense to keep your back straight while you are standing, lifting, or walking. Keep a solid grip on object you are attempting to pick up making sure you have good hold of the thing you are lifting at all times. Avoid lifting objects over your head as raising heavy objects above the head can put excess pressure on the back. In order to avoid this you should use a ladder to stock shelves that are higher than your lifting range. No matter what you have to lift, if you have to put it in a high place, make sure to use a safety ladder. Avoid workplace safety injuries by employing the proper techniques.
Some other examples where you would want to be aware of the proper way to lift something, or workplace lifting techniques, are lifting water jugs safely, bags, and if you are lifting objects that are too heavy, you should always get assistance from a co-worker or use something like a jack or a hand cart / truck to help you lift safely. Remember there is certain equipment that you need a license to operate so make sure to inquire with your employer before hopping on your favorite truck.
Feb
16
Conflict Resolution in the Workplace - Resolve Workplace Conflicts
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Conflict resolution in the workplace is a must. It is always a great idea to have a plan in place for when conflict arise and taking immediate action to solve the problem is always the best idea. At first it might seem like the right choice to avoid the problem, but avoidance never works. The conflict will rear its ugly head again and this time probably will be worse than if you had solved the problem in the first place. One of the best ways to keep conflict off the job is to always support a positive environment for your employees. Give your team praise. Let then no when they do a good job and also let them know areas that they need to improve on. Always discourage gossip and make sure everyone treats everyone with respect including you.
When conflict between employees comes along here are some ideas on how to handle the situation. Do not meet with each employee involved in the conflict separately. This will give them the opportunity to try and make you side with them. That is not your job, your job is to stay unbiased and fix the problem. Instead have a meeting with everyone involved. Get feedback from everyone as to how this problem can and will be fixed. Have all sides in the conflict committed to fixing the problem and if the problem continues then all parties involved will be disciplined. Let everyone know that you believe in their ability to fix the problem and that you know that they will fix it. The most important thing to remember is do not take sides, you were not there when the conflict came up, so you do not know who is right or wrong.
Here are some ideas on things to ask your employees while having the conflict resolution in the workplace meeting.
- First try and find out how the whole fight and argument first came about.
- Have your employees really consider if maybe they too are part of the problem.
- Ask them if there are problems that existed before this happened that is making this situation more difficult.
- Have everyone figure out what they are looking to achieve with fighting.
- Maybe your employees are upset about something that is not work related. Ask them if they are in the right state of mind to be handling this conflict on their own.
- Have them consider what would happen if this problem wasn’t taken care of and what could be the outcome if one person takes control over the situation.
- Maybe a job wasn’t done to the correct standard and now the employees are just trying to place blame on one another.
- Have them talk about what is the best solution for everyone that is involved in the conflict, not just the individual.
- After a solution has been found to the problem, it is important to come up with a solution that will prevent the same conflict from happening again.
Resolving Workplace Conflicts
I hoped this helped you better understand the root causes of how conflicts arise in the office as well as how you can best achieve rapid Conflict Resolution in the Workplace without unwanted incidents. Always remember that keeping a cool head at work and among your coworkers is an important part of your job, no matter what occupation you may be in. Remeber to avoid violence by resolving conlficts before they erupt into an uncontrollable situation.
Feb
15
Workplace Etiquette
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The Definition of Workplace Etiquette is choosing ethical work behavior that suits your particular workplace. It is very important to examine the environment that surrounds your workplace. What needs to be changed? Do the employees show each other and you respect? Are they responsible for themselves and the areas that they work in? Have a meeting and discuss instating workplace etiquette. Listen to your employees and let then voice their opinion. It could really be valuable in bring about the proper change that is needed. A great employer is one who always listens to his staff and makes them feel as though their opinion is maters too. If you are taking on workplace etiquette, let the employees know beforehand, so they know what to expect when the time comes.
A great way to come up with workplace etiquette of your own is to discuss with other managers how they deal with workplace etiquette. This can really be a very valuable tool in setting you own workplace etiquette. Read books and search the internet for more ideas. Put a suggestion box in the break room and allow your employees to come up with ideas for workplace etiquette.
When it comes to workplace etiquette, one of the first rules that should be brought about is respect for each other. Treat each other how you want to be treated. Have a meeting to explain to your employees on how to respect each other. If a problem arises there is to be no screaming, yelling, or cursing. Problems need to be fixed in a civilized mater. Encourage your staff to walk away from the fight or argument. Explain to them that they should always take some time to cool off and then try to think rationally about the issue at hand. If the problem is not able to be fixed between the two, let everyone know that your door is always open and you are always there to help. Always remember to set the example first. If you don’t follow the rules, your employees will not either.
Here are some really fantastic ideas to start with. Have your employees always watch the tone and the volume of their voice whether they are speaking with you, other employees, or customers. Let your employees know that when they walk through the doors, whatever problems they have outside of the building should be left outside of the building. If an employee has personal information that they would like to share with others, they need to do it outside the workplace. When they are at work they need to focus on work. Absolutely know gossip is to be permitted in the workplace. Violence of any sort will never be tolerated and will call for immediate dismissal. When a co worker is using a common area they should always take the time to clean up after then selves. It is never fair for others to have to clean up after someone else. If an employee is working in a certain space they should always make sure that it is clean and tidy for the next person who will come in and work in the same place.
When you first decide to put work etiquette into action into action, remember to be patient. Change doesn’t happen overnight and there is always an adjustment period. After the adjustment period if people still are following the rules then it is time to bring about disciplinary action.
Feb
11
Incompetence in the Workplace
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Incompetence in the workplace always exists. Whether you are an owner of a small store or the head of huge corporation, workplace incompetence is always an issue. There are always people for whatever reason that just can’t seem to do their job correctly. Incompetence is not a mistake that a person makes every once in a while. Incompetence is the same mistake constantly being made over and over again, even after the person has been shown how to fix it. Here are some ways to deal with incompetence in the workplace and how not to.
One of the most important issues when dealing with work place incompetence is remembering to keep your cool. Nothing gets done when a person takes to yelling and swearing, especially if it’s in front of fellow employees or customers. This will make the employee just feel humiliated and grudging. This tactic does not solve problems. If an employee feels they are being unfairly attacked this could cause their work to become worse. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the situation and think anytime something goes wrong that it must be this person that is doing it. That is not always the case. If a problem arises and there is more than one person in the group discipline all who is involved, not just the person who you think has created the problem.
If a talk is in order with the employee bring them to the office and have a third person unbiased mediator, so they can be witness to the meeting. A good manger is one who always takes the time to listen to their employees. Let the employee explain their view on things and be patient. Let them know the things that you think they do well before pointing out their flaws. It is important to make the employee feel valuable, before performing constructive criticism. Have a brain storming secession with them on ways for them to improve their job performance. You don’t always have to be a stern disciplinarian it is okay to joke but in a professional manner. Or another great tactic is to try and to relate to the employee. Explain situations that you have been in that are similar. Make them feel that you do understand.
As the employee’s performance begins to improve point it out to them and to the other employees. Make sure they know that you are watching and that it is important that their job performance improves. Be ungrudging don’t let their past workplace incompetence effect how you feel later specially if their work has improve. If you feel that you have tried everything and it has done no good, it might be time to seek other options.
When it comes to hiring new employees here are some tips to help keep laziness and incompetence out of the workplace. Whatever position that you are hiring for make sure the new employee is capable of doing the job right. Now this might be easier said than done when it comes to hiring, but do the best you can. Your safest bet is to always check references. Don’t just take the person’s word on things. Come up with a checklist of questions and make sure they answer all of them in full. If you are unsure perform more interviews. Make sure you hire someone that you believe is competent.
Feb
9
Managing Change In The Workplace
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Managing change in the workplace can always be a challenge, but in order for a company to develop and grow change is always needed. How to manage workplace changes is a process. A company is started. They are small with few employees and few customers. Over time sales increase, customers increase and the number of employees needed to sustain the growing business increases. Without the willingness for change and development a company cannot grow. The key to running a fantastic company lies within change.
As an employer it is always up to you to find ways to make positive change happen. Change doesn’t just happen by itself, but bringing it about can sometimes is a difficult task. Personal feeling must always be put to the side. It’s important to understand that you may not always agree with what needs to be changed but if it’s going to make the business stronger then it’s at least worth a try.
Change in the work place can be very difficult for employees. An employee can get very used to the job they perform and may become stuck in a certain pattern of doing things. When a change is to take place that person might feel scared that they will not be able to perform the new duty. It’s your job as the employer to conform that this type of thing is irrational. Show your employees that you are supportive of them and believe they are very capable of undertaking the new change. Dealing with new hires also can be a little bit of challenge. Especially if they have a lot of experience with the work they will be performing and if they spent a long time working for the same company. It is up to you to express when they are hired that you understand they have lots of experience but their last job might have done things differently then how your company does. If that’s the case, then they must be willing to adapt to your company’s ways of doing things.
When implicating change within the work place it’s important to introduce the change in a very stress free environment. Know all the facts before you introduce the change to your employees. If you are confidant in the change your employees will be to. Let them see how well organized you are, this will really help them to gain trust in your ideas. Sometimes changes are difficult for the employees. If layoffs happen many people are going to feel resentful, but try to balance the negative change with a positive one. Maybe start a new program that will give them more training for their jobs.
The most important part of managing change in the work place is to remember to always keep the line of communication open for all your employees. Sometimes it may be hard because you very well could be busy, but always make time to listen to the concerns and the suggestions of your employees. It makes them realize that you care and the feedback could possibly help to make the change even better.
Always remember to monitor the effects of the change in the workplace. At first it might have seemed like a really great idea, but after careful monitoring you could realize it is doing more harm than good. If that’s the case then it just might be time for change again.
Feb
9
Ergonomics In The Workplace
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Ergonomics in the workplaceis when you change the environment a person works in to help to suit that specific person. Ergonomics helps to reduce stress, fatigue, and musculoskeletal discomfort. Many injuries that occur in the work place are due to repetitive motion. A lot of body parts are affected by this such as the shoulders, wrist, hands, elbows, back, and neck. With Ergonomics there are ways to reduce stress on the body. When an employer realizes an employee’s limitations they can structure the job to fit that certain person.
OSHA has developed a four-pronged comprehensive approach to ergonomics in the work place. This program consists of guidelines, enforcement, outreach and assistance, and the National Advisory Committee on Ergonomics. With the program OSHA has really helped ergonomics come a long way.
The first guidelines where instated on March 13, 2003. Their main focus with the first guidelines where nursing homes. The second industry that had guidelines brought about were the supermarkets in May of 2004. Guidelines for the poultry processing industry took place in September of 2004. The shipyards’ guidelines happened in May of 2008. OSHA also has a program called OSHA’s Alliance Program, which allows industries to develop their own ergonomic programs that are tailored to their exact needs.
The next step in the program is called enforcement. There are 19 General Duty Clause violations for ergonomic hazards. From January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2007 there have been 4138 inspections. Out of those 4138 inspections 1225 of them were conducted in nursing homes. Before a citation takes place the ergonomics response team must screen each case. Garment factories, meat processing, warehousing industries, garment factories, and health care all have Local Emphasis Programs and Regional Emphasis Programs that deal with ergonomic hazards. For each of OSHA’s 10 regional offices they have ergonomic coordinators. There has also been a program added to the OSHA training institute. This program teaches ergonomics enforcement and field personnel policies and procedures.
The third step in the program is outreach and assistance. In September of 2008 OSHA had 71 Strategic Partnerships. As of September of 2008 OSHA already had 19 national Alliances and 40 Regional and Area Office Alliances. There are also many other Alliance Program participants who have developed informational pieces on ergonomics. The Crane, Hoist and Monorail Alliance participants have publications dealing with sheet on safe lifting practices. In order to provide great training in ergonomics it works with many different Program participants. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee helped OSHA to develop a program dealing with safe patient handling. For more help from OSHA on ergonomics OSHA’s website has 9 eTools to help people.
The last step of OSHA’s ergonomics in the work place is the National Advisory Committee on Ergonomics. This is a 15-member National Advisory Committee on Ergonomics, called NACE. NACE has representatives dealing with medial professions, labor, legal, academia, and industry. When NACE was announced, there were more than 250 people who were nominated for NACE.
Feb
8
Workplace Wellness
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Believe it or not workplace wellness is extremely important. The healthier your employees are mentally and physical, the more productivity you will receive from them. Workplace wellness affects everyone. If a person is physical ill their productivity will slow. They will in turn probably be grumpy and this could affect the other employees and possibly their work too. They can also infect the rest of your staff with their illness which could result in call outs and even less productivity. Workplace wellness does not just imply physical wellness. It also carries over to mental wellness too. Stressful situations, lack of sleep, problems at home can all affect a person’s work. In order to have a healthy business you must have a healthy staff.
The first step to having workplace wellness is to offer a good insurance program. This can be a pricey step, but to keep your employees healthy it is worth it. If a person gets sick and they are capable of seeing a doctor right of way, it will result in less missed work and reduce the possibility of it spreading to other employees.
Exercise is always important to staying health. Exercise is also a great way to improve self esteem, which if your employees are happy with themselves there is a good chance they will work better. Many businesses these days encourage their employees to stay fit by offering a gym program. As the employer you may offer to pay a certain percent of the membership while the employee pays the other percent.
Mental health issues can be more disruptive to productivity them most people come to realize. If an employee is having problems at home, it is more than likely going to carry over to their work. Start a stress relief program within your company. A great form of stress relief is yoga. Maybe have a yoga instructor come in and teach your employees some poses and breathing techniques to help reduce stress. You could offer your employees discount therapy or have someone that your employees can always talk to if problems arise.
One of the biggest issues when it comes to workplace wellness is lack of sleep. Many people are just not getting the correct amount of sleep that their bodies need. The lack of a good night of sleep will cause your employees to be inattentive and drowsy. Here are some tips to give to your employees to help them get a better night of rest.
Feb
3
OSHA Forklift Test & Training
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OSHA Forklift Guide & Requirements
OSHA Forklift Testing is not required by the employer but, evaluations must be given every three years. All employees must pass the evaluation to be able to perform any task using a forklift. Employees must show that they are capable of operating the machinery properly and safely. If the employee is to use more than one type of forklift they must be trained on all forklifts they will be using. There are many available forklift training guides at your disposal, helping you learn what’s needed for state tests. It is not necessary that employees that will not be using a forklift be trained to use them or if only using a certain type they don’t have to be trained on all within the business. The person who gives the forklift training must be certificated and have lots of knowledge with dealing with forklifts. It is not mandatory that the trained employee be given a license to drive a forklift. That is left up to the discretion of the employer, but a certification must be keep by the employer stating the date of the training, name of the operator, the date of the evaluation or reevaluation.
OSHA Forklift Training
Employees must be evaluated on the forklifts that they will be using. A forklift is any mobile power-propelled truck used to carry, push, pull, lift, stack or tier materials, that is that is ridden or controlled by a walking operator. Here is the basic types such as the high lift trucks, counter-balanced trucks, cantilevered trucks, rider trucks, forklift trucks, high lift platform trucks, low lift trucks, low lift platform trucks, motorized hand trucks, rough terrain trucks, reach rider trucks, pallet trucks, high lift order picker rider trucks, high lift order picker rider trucks, narrow aisle rider trucks, motorized hand/rider trucks, straddle trucks, and single side loader rider trucks. Some more nontraditional trucks that the employers must also perform evaluations, are side handlers, container top handlers other trucks that need training, yard tractors, straddle carriers, semi-tractor/utility vehicles, hustlers, top loaders, and Container reach stackers. Road haulage trucks are not included in this category. If any of these types of vehicles are to be used in the work place all employees who use them must be trained and evaluated. One piece of advice, since everyone knows visual learning can sometimes work best and as always it is important to keep a variety of training tools at your disposal, forklift training videos ca be useful.
At the moment there are no medical requirements for the driving of a forklift. It is up to the employer to provide training, not OSHA. If the employer usually hires from a temporary agency, it is between the two parties to decide who will provide the training and must be put into the contract. If a new employee is hired they must be able to prove their knowledge and skills before they can use the forklift at their new employer and must have documentation of their past experience.
At times an employee may have to be given a reevaluation. If they are using the machinery improperly and in an unsafe manner then a reevaluation is in order. Some other reasons for a reevaluation are if an employee was in an accident with a forklift, if they failed a evaluation, if there are given a new type of truck to drive, or if the employer changes the work place in a way that could affect the employees safety while using the vehicle.
Feb
2
Funny Safety Slogans
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Funny safety slogans are a fantastic way to bring a little humor into the work place. Although safety is never a laughing matter, bringing humor to it can make it less strenuous. Humor gets the point across but let’s everyone still enjoy themselves. Here is a list of a bunch of really funny safety slogans. Put them up in the office, in the break room, or in any highly trafficked place.
• It’s easier to ask a dumb question than it is to fix a dumb mistake
• Safety…Did it, done it, doing it tomorrow
• Those who work the safest way- live to see another day
• Your wife will spend your 401K; If you get killed at work today
• Watch your step - it could be your last tomorrow
• Your reward for working safely today.
• Protect your hands, you need them to pick up your pay check
• Those precious fingers don’t ignore. . . Or they could end up on the floor
• Get in high speed pursuit of safety
• A spill, a slip, a hospital trip
• Safety - A small investment for a rich future
• Safety is a cheap and effective insurance policy
• Falling objects can be brutal if you don’t protect your noodle
• Let’s all keep our heads, and other body parts, together
• When you gamble with safety you bet your life
• Seat Belts are for kids - Hug them at home - Belt them in the car
• Quench the thirst – safety first
• Safety is no accident
• Safe crane operation is uplifting
• Safety — a small investment for a rich future
• Safety doesn’t happen by accident
• Safety glasses: All in favor say “Eye!”
• Safety isn’t a hobby, it’s a living.
• The stupid shall be punished
• While on a ladder, never step back to admire your work
• Work safe today–heaven can wait.
• Safety is as simple as ABC…Always Be Careful
• Knock out…accidents
• Keep safety in mind. It will save your behind.
• One bad day at the grinder could ruin your whole life
• Hard hats, they’re not just for decoration
• If you don’t think it will happen to you, find the person who had it happen to them
• Shortcuts cut life short
• If you mess up, ‘fess up
• Is better to lose one minute in life… than to lose life in a minute.
• Pencils have erasers–mishaps don’t!
• Safety is a mission not an intermission
• Chance takers are accident makers
• Safety is a full time job; don’t make it a part time practice
• The door to Safety swings on the hinges of common sense
• Unsafe acts will keep you in stitches
• Safety isn’t expensive it’s priceless.
• Your first mistake could be your last
I hope you enjoyed these funny safety slogans.
Jan
30
When was OSHA Created and Established?
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OSHA was created and established by congress in 1974. In the 1960s work-related accidents and injuries increased 20%. It was time for OSHA to be established. House Representative William A. Steiger worked very hard to get the bill passed that would create OSHA. December 29, 1970, President Richard M. Nixon signed The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Three organizations where born Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Their job would be to make and enforce workplace safety, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) who would conduct experiments pretending to work-place safety, and the last was the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC).
The first month that OSHA was open was April of 1971. They covered 56 million workers at 3.5 million different businesses. OSHA‘s first chore was to put together a staff. After getting a staff together, it established standards at such institutions as the National Fire Protection Organization, American National Standards Institution, and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist. Congress gave OSHA two years to get all its basic standards put into action. Any other Standards put into motion would come about by standard rule making. On May 29, 1971 OSHA had started its first standards.
In 1972 the first states to come up with plans under OSHA were Montana, South Carolina, and Oregon. Over the years OSHA has grown to the point that now there are twenty four states and two territories that all cover local, state, and private sector employees. New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey only have plans that cover public employees. Many States have started their own OSHA programs that provide health training, safety, and education.
In the mid-1970s, OSHA created its first training program in Chicago. The purpose of the training program was to teach its inspectors, and give employees and employers training on safety standards. In 1975 OSHA had state authorities give free onsite consolation programs. In the 1980’s OSHA began to focus more on medical and exposure records. In the 80’s OSHA really started to target groups that dealt with hazardous materials. In 1986 OSHA started posing harsh penalties on companies who where in constant violation of their hazardous material codes. Twenty five stated during the 80s started their own OSHA programs that meet the OSHA standards.
In the 90’s OSHA went back over all its rules and regulations and tried to find better ways to redefine its standards. This time they started to focus more on the companies that had the worse track records with employee injury and illness. The biggest change was they really started to get a move on it when they received employee complaints and really tried to do away with a lot of the red tape.
In 2000 OSHA decided to take on the next phase and started to really focus on educating employers and employees. The website started to become a lot more popular with companies providing information for people. OSHA also developed a poster that gave people the ability to report all misdoings not just ones that were life treating.
The road for OSHA has been long and hard. They have fought and one many battles for the people. Since the company started back in 1974 they have worked very hard on constantly trying to improve OSHA’s standards and providing a much better work environment for people across the United States. I hope this has helped answer your questions about when OSHA was established and the various aspects of how it has come to be created today.
Jan
28
OSHA Standards - Safety Standards of OSHA
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OHSA takes it standard setting very seriously. Everyone is allowed to give input on what they believe should be standards. People can have petitions draw up. Employers and employees can make suggestions along with state and local governments. Also the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) also have a lot to do with the standard settings dealing with OSHA. Many Different committees can be called on to help draw up plans for the standards. The two that are called on the most are National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health and the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health.
NIOSH is the main organization that gives recommendations for standard setting. They do all kinds of different research for OSHA and they also provide technical help for OSHA. NIOSH goes to different businesses and conducts their own investigations. Employers must report to them if their employees have been exposed to hazardous materials. They can also request for the employees of a certain company to take medical exams to better understand work related illnesses, which is paid for by NIOSH. If need be, the right is given to them to collect testimony from employers and employees.
OSHA Standards
All plans and denials of proposed standards must be published in the Federal Register. The proposals must either be published under, “Notice of Proposed Rule Making” or under “Advanced Proposal of Rule Making.” The advance notice often helps them to come up with more information on the proposed standard. Before any rule can be finalized, it must be approved by the OMB. All information from everyone involved is considered before the final decision is made. Any ruling can be appealed by any person directly affected at the U.S. Courts of Appeals.
Any small business that will be affected by the new rule can state their opinion on the subject. If a public hearing is not being held, anyone who will be directly affected may send in a written argument to try and have a hearing scheduled. OSHA must post the hearing date and time in the Federal Register if one is decidedly going to be held.
OSHA also has the right to set up an Emergency Temporary Standard until the permanent rule can go through. The employees at a company must be in great danger in order for it to pass. The emergency temporary standard must be posted in the federal register as, “Considered Proposal.” OSHA must make a decision within six months to have it finalized.
There are few different variances that employers can try and receive. If the employer is unable to comply with the new standard by the date set, they can ask for a variance. They must be able to prove the safety of their employees and that what they are doing is just as effective as the new rule. A temporary variance can be granted if employer is unable to meet the standard by the date that is allotted. They must prove employee safety and prove they are coming up with a plan for the new rule. The temporary variance is good for up to a year and must be renewed every six months. The temporary variance will not be granted if the employer can simply not afford the chances. A permanent variance will be given if an employer can prove that their methods are just as valid as the new standard.
OSHA Standards Settings
interesting topics :
Jan
28
OSHA Seminars & Training
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What is an OSHA safety seminar? A OSHA seminar is a place to learn about OSHA testing requirements, OSHA Hazard Standards, Communication Standards and more. Learn where OSHA inspectors are likely to look so you can ready ahead of time and obtain recent information on OSHA’s latest changes and updates. Discover more beneficial and economical solutions to safety. Avoid unnecessary fines and prevent common safety hazards that result in OSHA violations or other disaster, before they happen. Follow OSHA’s strict record keeping guidelines and save a step or two in the process.
At these training classes and seminars you can find out how to avoid hefty fines, citations, or worse. You can read about Cal/OSHA’s new, harsher penalty system.
How to stop employees from taking the shortcuts that could cost time, money, and possibly someone’s well being. Unfold the latest and the top mistakes, how to make them and how to avoid them. Get ahead of citations prior to having problems and learn what to do in order to appease the OSHA inspectors. Recent OSHA Seminars of note were the OSHA Half-Day Safety Seminars Fall 2007, OSHA seminar. Friday, January 18th, 2008 located on the Crowne Plaza Hotel seminar, and soon to come is the 2009 seminar which it should be interesting to pay attention to attendance this year what with the governmental policy changes on the rise.
OSHA Seminars and Resources for Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Seminars
- OSHA Seminar Descriptions:
Things you should expect to find when sizing up OSHA Seminar Program Information, Class Schedules, or Safety Program Class details. All applicable CAL/OSHA regs should be made available to you or your employees.
Who Should Attend These OSHA Seminars?
Generally speaking these safety seminars are geared toward training safety managers, supervisors or anyone who would like to advance their practical experience staying in compliance with Cal/OSHA’s regulations and the ways to best keep employees safe from workplace hazards in best efforts of avoiding expensive violations.
Learn what it takes to be confident in your safety procedures and techniques, while keeping yourself prepared and inspection ready. Safety problem guides and fact sheets are often created for these seminars and these can be valuable tools to help safety inspectors, managers, or employees put into focus what they are taught about safety. Various methods and approaches to building a better safety policy and training program for your employees. How to keep your employees prepared and knowledgeable about safety and what inspires and encourages them to continue learning new ways to stay alert, alive and safe. How to meet current OSHA Standards and stay prepared for the next time. One of the best tools offered by many training classes are their step-by-step guide to taking a citation through the Cal/OSHA appeals process and what to do exactly.
Jan
27
OSHA Inspections
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OSHA inspections are at the discretion of the Area Director or the Compliance Safety Health Director. Inspections are usually held annually, unless there is reason for the inspectors to come more frequently such as hazardous materials in use. Inspections are to happen within normal working business hours and are not to disrupt the work habits of the employees. Surprise visits from the inspectors are allowed if the company is more prone to accidents, illnesses, or injuries. Follow up visits do not have to be announced.
When the Area Director or the Compliance Safety and Health Officer arrive, they are to show their credentials immediately upon entering the building. They also must explain the meaning behind their visit. The inspectors that are sent will be certified to work with the materials and machines that particular business operates. They are allowed to use any instruments at their disposal that is related to their inspection. Pictures and environmental samples are allowed to be taken. The equipment that they use is not to damage any of the machinery. If the flash from a camera is harmful to something; they are not to use it. Just as everyone within the business, the inspectors must wear the appropriate gear for whatever they may be handling. At the end of the inspection all findings from the inspector must be reporter to the employer.
OSHA Inspection
An OSHA inspection cam be brought on by many different things, if OSHA receives complaints, reports of imminent danger, allegations that someone has been harmed by the company but was never reported, or a written, signed complaint from an employee or their representative. Other reasons an inspection can occur are as followed, a complaint about a company covered by OASH, no response from an employer who received a complaint against them, if a company receives a complaint within three years of past OSHA citations, whistleblowers, and a complaint against a business that is already scheduled for an inspection. If an inspection is imposed in such a way the investigation may require testimony from any witnesses. If a witness is called forth they will be paid as if they were a witness within the court system.
An employer must keep records of all exposure to hazardous materials their employees are exposed too and any kind of illness or injury that is in some way work-related. If an employer believes that they were treated unfairly by an OSHA inspector then they need to immediately contact the Secretary of Health and Human services. An investigation will follow in the work of the OASH investigator.
There are a great deal of additional inspection worries that some must face over others. Special attention and inspection of fire doors, filling out any prerequisite forms, cords and other tripping hazard inspection, forklifts are always of special note, but as long as you follow any and all OSHA safety guidelines you, your business, and any employee should be compliant with your OSHA inspection. Remember, you want things to be safe too, this is all to benefit everyone involved and training is always something to be sought.
Jan
27
OSHA Forms - Safety Forms
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Work-Related Injury Forms
*OSHA Form 300
Form for Recording Work-Related Injury or Illness
This form helps OSHA to understand the severity of an injury or illness. At the end of every year the employer should post the report so all employees can review it.
*OSHA Form 300A
Summary of Work-Related Injury and Illness
This form must be filled out by every employer even if no accidents occurred that year.
*OSHA Form 301
Injury Illness and Incident Report
Form 301 must be filled out first right after the incident happens.
All three of these forms give OSHA an idea on all the accidents that occurred within the work place and the severity of those accidents
Inspection OSHA Forms
*1903.19 AppA
Sample Abatement Certification Letter (Not Mandatory)
*1903.19
Sample Abatement Plan or Progress Report (Not Mandatory)
General Industry Forms
*Appendix C to 1910.134
OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire (Mandatory)
1910.134 must be filled out by anyone who needs a respirator at work.
*Appendix D-1 to 1910.146
Confined Space Permit
D-1 is needed by anyone working in a confined space.
*Appendix D-2 to 1910.146
Entry Permit to Confined Space
*Appendix A to 1910.146
Typical Minimal Lockout Procedure
A is needed for lockout of energy isolating devices when maintenance is being done on any kind of machinery.
*Appendix D to 1910.1001
Medical Questionnaire (Mandatory)
D is needed whenever a person is exposed to asbestos above the allowed exposure limit.
*Appendix D to 1910.1027
Occupational Health Interview with Reference to Cadmium Exposure
D must be filled out by everyone who works with cadmium.
*Appendix B-1 to 1910.1043
Respiratory Questionnaire
B-1 must be filled out by employees who develop respiratory problems at work.
*Appendix B-3 to 1910.1043
Abbreviated Respiratory Questionnaire
*Appendix D to 1910.108
Medical Disease Questionnaire (Non Mandatory)
*Appendix F to 1910.1051
Medical Questionnaire (Non Mandatory)
F is for work, medical history and health concerns.
*Appendix B to 1910.10502
Questionnaire for Methylene Choride Exposure
Construction Industry
*Appendix D to 1926.1101
Medical Questionnaire (Mandatory)
D is for exposure to asbestos above exposure limit.
*Appendix D to 1926.1101
Medical Questionnaire (Mandatory)
Note : There are a large number of varying types of additional OSHA Forms.
Jan
26
Office Safety Tips
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As office safety tips go, first on the list is that safety in the office must always be taken seriously. It is everyone’s responsibility to make sure all safety procedures are being followed to protect themselves and others. When accidents’ in the office occur everyone suffers. People are physically hurt and can also lose money from time off of work. People who aren’t involved in the accident directly suffer because work place accidents’ can cause insurance cost to go up. Many things that cause office related accidents can easily be prevented. Here are some safety tips that will help to keep your office accident free.
If you are an employer, have a meeting with your office staff to discuss coming up with a safety program. Make sure to get feedback from all your employees. They may have valuable ideas on safety that you may have over looked. If you are an employee suggest to your manager or supervisor the importance of coming up with a safety program and offer to help get the program under way. After the program is developed it is necessary to post signs visible to everyone stating the safety procedures. Have them posted in a highly visible area such as the break room or other common areas.
Every office should set up a no trip zone. What this means is any place that people generally walk needs to be keep clear of clutter. Excess paper, personal items, electrical cords should all be put in the appropriate places. Nothing should be sticking off or hanging off anyone’s desk. Make sure the computer, the printer, sharp objects, and anything else a person could be hurt on is pushed back far enough that no one runs into it when they are walking by. People often look straight ahead when they are walking not down at their feet. When a person leaves there area they need to make sure that all cabinets and drawers are shut at their desk. This is a very common trip hazard. It is everyone’s responsibility to make sure all spills are cleaned up quickly and accurately so no one slips including themselves. If everyone keeps their own area clean and tidy this is a sure fire way to prevent office related accidents.
Tips For Employee Office Safety
It is also very important for each employee to protect themselves from office accidents. The correct use of office tools is crucial. A person who tries to open a box with a paper cutter stands a real chance of being severely injured. The correct tool would be a box opener, and it’s a very good idea for offices to supply safety razors so, so there is no chance of a blade being left out and someone getting cut. Jewelry, hair and anything else that can be caught in office machinery should be taken care of properly. Long hair needs to be tied back. Loose articles of clothing and jewelry need to be paid close attention to so they don’t get stuck in anything. When lifting an item everyone must remember to bend at the knees. If something is too heavy to lift, then they must ask for help. Appropriate behavior must always be executed at the office, absolutely no horseplay. If an employee is found doing this then it is up to the employer to take immediate corrective action.
Some other great tips for office safety are make sure all book shelves are fasten correctly to the walls. A person could be severely injured if a book shelf fell on them. Another necessary must have for any office is a first aid kit. A simple cut could become infected and cause a lot more damage in the long run, but could have been prevented with a simple band aid.
Additional Office Safety Tips
Another substantial safety hazard is electrical systems. Everyone must always check for broken and frayed electrical cords and report them at once. A person could easily be electrocuted or worse a fire could start. All liquids must be keep away from anything electric, once again this is a huge fire hazard. Any door to an electrical room should always be keep free of destructions in case of an emergency.
Fire safety is always one of the most important topics that must be covered. It is a good idea for everyone to sit down and have a meeting just about fire safety alone. Fire exits should be clearly labeled and absolutely no destructions blocking any exit. In case of fire a evacuation plan should be clearly drawn up. Everyone should know to stay calm and what exit route to take. Once a fire route is set into action signs should be posted stating where everyone should go. A meeting place should be set up outside the building, where everyone can meet and be accounted for. It is also crucial that all employees learn how to operate a fire extinguisher and where the extinguishers are located. It might also be of value for the employer to invest in CPR classes for the office.
As anyone can see office related accidents are very easily avoided, with the knowledge of a few simple office safety tips. Communication is very important between employer and employee. A safety plan should be thought of and put into action. An office no trip zone can help to prevent slips, trips, and falls. It’s up to each employee to look after themselves and others. Electrical systems must be closely paid attention to. Fire safety most always be set as a top priority. With these few safety tips any office can prevent accidents.
Jan
26
OSHA Safety and Health Program Rule :
The purpose of the OSHA Safety and health program rule is to reduce fatalities, illnesses, and injuries within the work place. All employers must provide workplace safety and health programs. The only employers exempt from this regulation are employers who work in construction or agriculture. All programs must be appropriate to the work place.
Everyone at the work place must be involved with the program including all management, supervisors, and employees. A training program must be set up by the employer. The manager, a supervisor, or an employee must be put in charge of this program. Their main duties would be to make sure that all rules and regulations are being enforced and that all training of workforce and all new hires is taking care of. Any new hire must be trained in the program before they can begin working for the company. All information, training, and resources must be available to everyone when needed. Employees must be given the opportunity to take part in all forms of training. The main focus of training program must focus on hazard identification, assessment, hazard prevention, and control.
OSHA Workplace Safety Programs
All employees have the right to report any fatalities, illnesses, or injuries. Employers in no way are to discourage in any form an employee from reporting such mishaps. It is the employer’s responsibility to make sure that a prompt response is given to any accident that is reported.
Employers must conduct inspections to make sure that all aspects of the program are running smoothly. Safety information must be constantly reviewed with management, supervisors, and employees. Any new equipment, materials, new processes must be carefully evaluated for safely and if need be the program reorganized to fit the new items. The assessment process must be carried out initially and after that every two years. The assessment process also must be done if new hazardous products are added.
The employer’s main obligation when dealing with the OSHA workplace safety and health program is to make sure that the program runs smoothly. They are to make sure all the appropriate training is being provided to everyone. The employer is also to make sure that the employee reports all accidents and immediate response is being giving to the employee.
Jan
22
Office Safety Checklist
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Prior to getting started with your safety programs, safety meetings, signs and other training materials it might be a smart idea to check out some common office safety checklists. You can run down the list and ask yourself these questions before you get started or you could turn these office safety checklists into a safety poster to be used around your office. Copy the checklist into Microsoft word, then choose a background and print style for your safety checklist, print that out and you have yourself a safety poster you can use in your office to remind employees what they should keep on their minds regarding safety practices in the office.
Okay, so this is all fine and dandy but what the heck is an office safety checklist and where can you get one? Well office safety checklists are not always the same. Sometimes you may find that you wish to create your own checklist with all the safety topics and procedures that are most common in your business structure. Another good place to get in touch with safety is of course the mother of safety themselves, OSHA safety checklist. What could be better than going directly to the horse’s mouth for safety instructions. Here is an example of a safety form in use in Nevada and you can view this office safety checklist online anytime.
Jan
22
Office Safety Tips - Keep Your Office Safe
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When it comes to safety, the plethora of dilemmas that we must overcome can seem endless, perhaps even overwhelming. When it comes to picking the right safety program to follow at our place of work, choosing careful the matters and safety concerns that face your office tip the scales with regard to the importance of each workplace safety topic you cover prior to ’laying down the law’ so to speak.
Here I will list the resources available that can help you prepare for one type of safety. Learn how to keep your office safe with these office tips specifically geared at maintaining safety in an office setting as oppose to the myriad of other workplace settings from which there are to choose. Learn what is and what is not safe to use at the office. You may also wish to spend a few hours ahead of time reading up on any handy office safety tips that you may be able to find, or perhaps have a look through the OSHA guidelines to safety that deal directly with your business and employees. Preparing for the worst is often the best way to discover what you will and won’t need to be ready for in the future. Find out what some common safety issues in the office and what you can do to nip these problems in the bud ahead of time. And most importantly, learn why you should and how to promote safety in the workplace or office.
Jan
20
Communication in the Workplace
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Communicating, with your fellow employees is certainly a high priority as well as a mandatory first step toward safety. Though this may sound like a bad cliche, communication in the workplace is key. Conflicts or miscommunication often leads not only vital mistakes being made with your business but also server to shift attention away from safety and toward office grudges.
Though communication and safety may not seem to go hand in hand, I think that we all are probably well informed that office communication as well as communicating one’s thoughts in general is certainly the best approach.
Managers must communcitate with employees under their supervision and delegate responsibility in a calm and efficient manor. When explaining safety protocols to other members of ‘the team’ it is important to remember just that fact, this is a team. Should there be conflict on the workplace, there will be much harder to maintain a smoothly functioning ’safety wheel’.
As always, remember that developing company motto’s and slogans often serve to bolster spirits in the office and encourage communication in the workplace.
Jan
19
Are you safe at work? What is Not safe for work?
Okay, so what we are going to cover here is some stage work. We are going to set up to prepare our new business for safety!
We know we need to be concerned with this safety thing, but how to get the job done might be new to us. So here are some tips for starting up your safety procedures. Everyone is familiar with safety signs, everyone has seen them even if it’s just the “how’s my driving sticker” on the back of some truck driving down the street.
So when starting out with your safety procedures, let’s decide what we don’t want the employees to have. This may not be the first thing that comes to mind when running a business, and especially when just getting one started up. Maybe you have had a job where you weren’t allowed to bring in your cell phone to work, maybe not. Either way many companies set forth guidelines as to what employees may or may not bring on the premises.
Sample 'Not Safe For Work' Poster
Get yourself a funny workplace safety poster online or where ever you can. You can place up these first posters in staff areas of your office. Make this a list of “Not Safe For Work!” and list the items that you feel would be the most disruptive to your office. This let’s your employees know right off the bat what is simply not acceptable as well as not safe for the working environment. The workplace is not for fun and games, it is to get the job done. Often measures employed in an effort to avert too casual a work atmosphere lend itself to workplace safety. These posters let employees know what is not safe for work and not only help prevent accidents at work but also help to keep employees focused which in turn keeps them more aware and already you are on the right road to safety from day one!
Jan
19
Workplace Safety Meeting Topics
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What workplace safety topics are appropriate for your office’s safety meetings?
Whether you are conducting weekly safety meetings and need to be at a constant vigil for new safety topics to discuss at the meeting, or your meetings are help more sporadically over longer durations of time you are faced with some of the same dilemmas. You must consider time, attentions spans, ability, and what are the most important matters that need be covered this meeting. Prior to your meeting, gather your materials and prepare your presentation with care as you fashion each topic to be discussed at the meeting. A search for free safety meeting topics may provide an easy foundation to build on as beginners are oft time discouraged by the monotony of creating new and interesting discussions for those to whom they are responsible for explaining these safety topics.
I will take some time here to guide you through a sample meeting and what common safety topics you might cover through the course of a normal office safety meeting or discussion group.
Okay so as we previously stated we are going to prepare our safety materials. Search out some interesting topics that we might be able to use for our specific type of safety precaution and procedures. Then we are going to decide which topics we need to go into detail with explanations and which topics we can briefly touch on and regardless of whether our employees absorb the information or not we will still be satisfied. Do not prepare a lecture that takes longer to read than the Bible! Let’s say our weekly safety meeting is an hour long, we are going to break this meeting down into 3 topics. We are going to do our explaining of each topics one at a time and then field questions. So the plan is to break up the session into 6 parts, 3 repetitions of 2. We will first present the topic, explain the topic in detail and do any ’show and tell’, meaning we will present any safety pictures, safety signs, safety slogans or perhaps some original safety quotes that we have created ahead of time.
After explaining our first topic, let’s say for a restaurant now we will be explaining floor safety. We will discuss what this means to the employees, what we are talking about when we say ‘floor safety’. We will explain to them this means not only accidents that can happen to due spills or wet floors but also accidents that can occur due to cluttered paths. We will show them how to keep their workspace clean and to avoid tripping hazards. We will explain how when travelling through the kitchen area, how kitchen safety and keeping routes through the kitchen clear for those carrying trays avoids burns, cut, fire, or worse. Then we will demonstrate the new use of safety cones recently purchased that will be used by the expediters in their off time when cleaning the floors, they will set up their new cones which have small images of people slipping and falling. We will be placing our new safety poster on doors leading into and out of the dining area warning waitresses to be careful when carrying trays entering and exiting the kitchen area. And of course our original safety quote that all the employees can laugh at, ‘Just chill, look both ways before you spill.’ This may actually sound like a joke, but this is actually one of the best pieces of advice you can find. Go ahead and make that quote up yourself, you may find your employees remember the quote better because it brings a smile to their face, albeit at your expense, but you are getting the message through!
At the end of the 10 minute discussion on the first of the safety meeting topics you will take the next ten minutes to field questions from your staff. Once you are satisfied everyone is up to speed on the safety topics you put forward you will move to the next 10 minute safety discussion and then proceed to the questions and answers follow up again. For our scenario we cover 3 topics per meeting, through perhaps we run a bit over the time limit for often than not 
Jan
19
Safety Facts
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Workplace safety facts, why should we know them and why should we care?
Safety Fact Report Graph
Assuming you made it here, you probably are already familiar with a common safety quotation, “Safety First”. So perhaps the reasons are obvious as to why safety facts are important to you. Convincing your employees, manager, or someone else is not always an easy task. More and more companies are provide with things like slide-show presentations of cost - benefit - analysis of workplace safety and the facts that support these findings. These can explain to corporate types in a language they are more familiar with just how important educating employees in safety can be. Once you have made the decision to take the first step toward preparing your team with the safety facts your next priority become : What facts?!
Now, deciding on what office or workplace safety facts you need to share with your co-workers can be the hard part. There are such a myriad of safety guides, recommendations, proposals, suggestions, signs, quotes, slogans and more. Where should you begin the battle against the unsafe?
There is no one right answer to a question like that, however there are those with years of experience on the topic that you may find who are willing to share some insights that can only be gleaned through these years of experience.
The opinion of this author is this : When arming your team with the workplace safety facts they need, consider the type of job at hand. You can find safety slogans, safety signs, safety quotes, safety calenders, and more that fit your genre. This is important. Not just any old safety quote will do, you can just spew forth some nonsensical or non-topical information about safety in the workplace and call it a day. Safety is something where you get out what you put in, the more time spent educating yourself with relevant safety facts the more you will be able to share with others. As you learn which safety facts deal with your business you will no doubt find that some of these facts were easier to learn and remember than others. This can be your first guide to what you should use with your employees. Take some time to discover why these safety facts resonated with you so much. Were the quotes used especially catchy? Do you find yourself able to repeat the slogans without hesitation. Where the safety signs amusing or funny? Maybe they were clear and to the point. These trivial parts of the learning experience become a vital part of teaching your staff in much the same way you would strive for the best method of teaching your own child.