Safety Programs
May 11th 2018
Safety Services Company
- Compliance
- Safety Culture
Safety Programs
Welcome to Safe Friday, this week we’re going continue to cover the ins and outs of Safety Programs. Whether you’re an experienced professional, or new on the job, today we’re going to offer something for everyone! This week, we’re going cover the ins and outs of what should be included in your workplace safety program. Establishing a safety and health program in your workplace is one of the top ways of protecting your most valuable asset: Your crew.Establishing Safety Programs
The health and safety of all employees of any reputable company must be of primary importance. Preventing work related injuries and illnesses should be given precedence over operating productivity, whenever necessary. To the extent possible, management needs to provide all mechanical and physical protection necessary for personal safety and health. In addition, workers must also know and follow their duties and responsibilities to protect the safety of themselves and their co-workers. Know your leaders: A company must designate leaders with formal safety program responsibilities, such as a safety committee or a safety coordinator. Know Your Responsibilities: All employees need to know the safety rules and conduct their work in compliance with them. Disregard of the safety and health rules must be grounds for disciplinary action up to and including termination. Each employee must also make full use of the safeguards provided for their protection. Employee Responsibilities:- Reading, understanding, and following all safety and health rules and procedures
- Signing the Code of Safe Practices and other policy acknowledgements
- Wearing PPE always when working in areas where there is a possible danger of injury
- Wearing suitable work clothes as determined by the supervisor/foreman
- Performing all tasks safely as directed by their supervisor/foreman
- Reporting ALL injuries, no matter how slight, immediately and seeking treatment promptly
- Knowing the location of first aid, firefighting equipment, and safety programs devices
- Attending all required safety programs and health meetings
- Not performing potentially hazardous tasks, or using any hazardous material until properly trained, and following all safety procedures for those tasks
- STOP AND ASK QUESTIONS IF IN DOUBT ABOUT THE SAFETY OF ANY OPERATION
Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment
As we’ve discussed, workplace safety programs are very important. To make sure it’s accomplished, it’s necessary for your company to have a written Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment plan that identifies and corrects potential hazards. Here’s a quick checklist and guideline on how to go about it. Make sure there’s a supervisor assigned and responsible in making sure that procedure, practices and rules are implemented and enforced. Aside from regular inspections and review, the assigned supervisor will also conduct spot checks and random inspections. Consult and comply with OSHA standards. Check updates on changes or reminders. When conducting hazard identification and risk assessment, prioritize jobs that have the highest injury or illness rates and those that have the potential to cause the most severe injury or illness. Closely monitor jobs that are new to your operation or have undergone significant changes. Inspect your work area and facilities thoroughly by doing a visual inspection, auditing, testing, technical or scientific evaluation, analysis of injury or things that can go wrong, their consequences, how they happen and how likely it is that the hazard will occur. Everyone is responsible for keeping the workplace safe. Do self-inspections, which should include the following:· Processing | · Receiving | · Shipping |
· Building & Ground Conditions | · Housekeeping | · Electricity |
· Lighting | · Heating and Ventilation | · Machinery; |
· Hand and Power Tools | · Chemicals | · Fire Prevention |
· Maintenance | · PPE | · Transportation |
· Chemical and hazardous substances | · Manual material handling |
· Tools, machinery and equipment | · Biological work environment |
· Physical work environment | · Ergonomic work environment |
· Psychological work environment |
- Engineering controls include eliminating or minimizing of the hazard; enclosure of the hazard; isolation of the hazard; and removal or redirection of the hazard
- Administrative controls include written permits and operating procedures, such as safe work practices training and signage
- PPE must be worn when engineering and administrative controls do not fully eliminate or isolate the hazard
Safety Programs Training
Federal law requires that you receive training in the safe methods of doing your job. You need to know about workplace the hazards that are present, how to recognize them and how to control your exposure. Being aware of potential hazards, as well as knowing how to control them, is critical to maintaining a safe and healthful work environment and preventing injuries. The best way to gain this knowledge is through education and training. Education & Training- Education teaches us why safe practices and procedures are important; education affects attitudes about safety, and attitudes affect behavior
- Training, on the other hand, provides the skills necessary for working safely. You need to know; the safety and health rules, how to identify any worksite hazards, safe work procedures and what to do in an emergency. New employee orientations, periodic safety and health training, and emergency drills will build this knowledge
- A written safety training program must enforce the educational aspects of training and demonstrates our commitment to safety
- Written training material will also help to better comprehend and retain training concepts
- Makes you aware of job hazards
- Teaches you to perform jobs safely
- Promotes two-way communication
- Encourages safety suggestions
- Creates interest in the safety program
- Fulfills OSHA requirements
- You know what workplace hazards could harm you
- You know how to control or eliminate your exposure to workplace hazards
- You know and understand OSHA regulations pertinent to the job you are doing
- You, your supervisors, and your managers understand all safety and health responsibilities
Hazard Communication
Sound safety programs must also include a HazCom plan. The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is based on the simple concept that employees have both a need and a right to know the hazards and identities of the chemicals they’re exposed to when working. They also need to know what protective measures are available to prevent adverse effects from occurring. The HCS addresses the issues of evaluating and communicating hazards to workers including issues such as chemical labeling, Safety Data Sheets or SDS, a written program and employee training requirements. OSHA requires all companies to develop a written Hazard Communication Program and train their workers on the aspects the program covers. A copy of this written program must be available at the workplace for review by any interested employee. Make sure you’re familiar with our written hazard communication program, and where the SDS are stored. Frequently overlooked chemicals that need to be covered by HCS include adhesives, gasoline, paint thinner, grease, cleaners, solvents and sealers. Suppliers and manufacturers are required to provide SDS to their customer’s along with the chemicals. Containers and Labels: All chemicals on site must be stored in their original container with the manufacturers’ label attached. You can dispense chemicals from the original container into smaller containers for immediate use on a single shift. These secondary containers will be labeled with at least the generic name of the product, such as paint thinner. Any unused amount must be returned to the original container at the end of the shift or given to a supervisor for proper handling and disposal. Supervisors must make sure that all containers are labeled with labels that meet GHS requirements. No unmarked containers, of any size, can be left in the work area unattended. Hazardous Chemical List & Safety Data Sheets: A master list of all the hazardous chemicals and copies of SDS for all hazardous chemicals that employees may be exposed should be kept at each workplace and available to all employees at the office for review at any time. Employee Information & Training: Make sure you’re trained on the HCS, how to understand the SDS and GHS labelling. This training must be documented. Before starting work, each new employee must attend a health and safety orientation and should receive information and training on the following:- An overview of the requirements contained in OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard
- Methods to reduce or prevent exposure to hazardous chemicals including safe work practices and use of PPE
- Location and availability of the written hazard communication program and the SDS for any hazardous chemicals at the job site
- The physical hazards and health effects of the hazardous chemicals
- The methods used to monitor the presence or release of hazardous chemicals in the work area
- The steps the company has taken to reduce or prevent exposure to these chemicals
- The emergency procedures to follow in the event of exposure to chemicals
- How to read container labels and interpret SDS to obtain appropriate hazard information
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and may not reflect current regulations, best practices, or legal requirements. While accuracy was intended when published, some laws and standards may have changed. Do not rely on it as legal or professional advice.
For guidance specific to your situation, consult a legal professional or refer to the latest regulations. If you have questions or need assistance with additional compliance matters, our team is here to help. Click here to connect with our experts.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and may not reflect current regulations, best practices, or legal requirements. While accuracy was intended when published, some laws and standards may have changed. Do not rely on it as legal or professional advice.
For guidance specific to your situation, consult a legal professional or refer to the latest regulations. If you have questions or need assistance with additional compliance matters, our team is here to help.