Being stubborn is a common human trait. It’s probably because defying authority comes with a certain degree of excitement and satisfaction. Sometimes we go ignoring instructions printed on boxes or painted on signs because we love taking shortcuts. There are other times when we put too much faith in ourselves, in other people or in a system that we think won’t fall apart or go wrong.
Any employer knows how challenging it is to have to go by the rules always. When workplace safety is the issue, the challenges are even tenfold. But still, more and more employers are finding ways to overcome these challenges.
Not only do they see it as a way of complying with federal and state regulations, but a major step in protecting employees and gaining better productivity. More and more employers also realize the fact that creating a solid safety program translates to less expenses.
That’s not to say, though, that each safety program is a good one and is entirely faultless. If that’s the case, then we won’t hear of several accidents, violations and citations every single day. Some workplace standards and tips out there are just taken for granted more than others. Read on to find out if you missed them, too.
1. Use guards and engineering controls.
You’ve heard of it more than once before. A worker wears personal protective equipment from head to toe, only to have their leg cut by a giant machine—all because they failed to guard the machine. Another story shocks you about this electrical worker who suffocates underground even while wearing the right respirator.
Don’t take shortcuts. Train your personnel in the proper blockout, tagout and lockout procedures. While you’re at it, have a competent person conduct an assessment of your work area before providing your workers with PPE. This way, you can install the right engineering controls to better control or eliminate existing hazards.
What numbers have to say: The year 2007 saw Lockout/Tagout Procedures as 5th in OSHA’s List of Most Cited Violations. It had a total of 2,937 violations. Machine Guarding came 8th on the same list, totaling 2,138 violations.
Tipbit: Guards are also used to eliminate fall hazards. Toeboards, for example, must be four inches or more in height and placed on areas with or near holes.
2. Don’t forget the MOST LIKELY.
Of course emergency plans, fire safety, gas safety and electrical safety should be addressed in your safety program. These should be one of your priorities, especially since they pose some of the worst hazards on the job.
But don’t forget to consider accidents that could most likely happen in your work site. You can start by determining common incidents that happen in your workplace. If your work site is a farm and workers have to work outdoors, then maybe heat stress is a big threat to their safety. If your staff works on public thoroughfares, then you should consider focusing on hazards posed by busy traffic.
What numbers have to say: General Requirement is no other than the first among standards involved in the Top 10 Fines Issued by OSHA against Small Companies. Its fines totaled a whopping $6,601,703.00 with 8, 147 citations.
Tipbit: Injuries caused by lifts or heavy loads are a hazard in almost every workplace. Take time to assess how you can address this challenge. Some effective ways you can consider are doing two-man lifts, and using wheelbarrows, dollies, hand trucks, or carts.
3. Conduct inspections and maintenance.
Just imagine how dangerous it would be to wear cracked face shields for welding tasks, use fraying ropes to handle heavy loads, and have poorly inflated tires on a long trip on the road.
Before using any tool, machine or equipment, do your homework. Yes “equipment” includes PPE so make sure you inspect and maintain your non-skid shoes, face shields, hard hats, gloves, safety goggles, etc.
What numbers have to say: Speaking of PPE, head protection alone grabbed the 7th spot on the list of Top 10 OSHA Fines for Small Companies in 2007. Fines amounted to $747,099 and citations totaled to 1,464.
Tipbit: Most machines, tools and equipment must be inspected by competent or qualified personnel. The same thing is required when they have to be serviced, repaired or maintained.
4. Involve employees.
No one dreams of becoming a benchwarmer. Workers are no different and they find more significance in something if they take part in accomplishing or producing it.
So listen to me, when I tell you to include your workers in coming up with a good safety program. They should be great sources of input with their experience and training. Let them contribute ideas. You’ll learn later that it’s easier for them to remember, understand and follow rules embedded in your safety program.
What numbers have to say: Hazard Communications ranks 10th in the 2007 Top 10 OSHA Fines for Small Companies. It spawned a total of 1,311 citations, with fines reaching $175,265.00. On the same list, Training and Training Requirements took the 9th and 8th spot, respectively.
Tipbit: It has been proven that big companies benefit from forming safety committees. One way to do this is selecting people from different departments to work together so that you can better address hazards in various work areas.
5. Assess your safety program.
Just as workers’ performance should be evaluated, safety programs must be regularly assessed and updated. Again, involve your employees in the process of assessing everything from keeping MSDSs to fueling powered augers. This also includes evaluation of safety meetings, safety manuals, emergency action plans, etc.
What numbers have to say: While we’re on the subject of MSDS, you might be interested to know that in 2006, incidents involving harmful substances had a 12 percent increase. That is according to the 2006 National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Tipbit: Make sure to have a competent person join you in assessing your safety program. Most companies find it beneficial to have an expert outside the company help them with this process.
6. Keep your workplace clean.
You don’t exactly need to make your desk or station shining, shimmering, and splendid. Some dusting will do plus getting rid of all the clutter and obstructions in your work area. You’ll do yourself a favor in the long run. Just take it from countless workers who made it to the headlines after falling, getting hit, trapped or crushed just because they slipped or tripped on some clutter or debris in their work site.
What numbers have to say: It’s hard not to talk more about fall hazards, especially when it always makes stunning records. Just last year, it came 3rd in the Top 10 Most Cited OSHA Violations, producing nearly 4,800 violations.
In New York alone, fall hazards topped the list of most cited violations among randomly selected construction sites. This was part of a two-week enhanced enforcement effort performed by OSHA this past summer.
Tipbit: Vehicles should also be free of clutter, dust, grime, and all kinds of dirt. Before loading objects into a truck, make sure it is free of loose materials by keeping them in compartments or removing them completely.
Related Links:
5 Distractions that Cause Workplace Hazards
What Every Employer and Employee Must Know: Complete Scope of Safety Training
Top 7 Tips on Using the 2006 Census to Improve Workplace Safety
Better Fall Protection in Your Workplace: News and Safety Tips
Electrical Safety for Construction Site Workers – Part 1
PPE and How It Can Save Your Life – Part 1
