Dealing with OSHA Citations The Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency designed to provide safety information, safety training suggestions, and safety programs. The focus of OSHA is assisting employers to provide a safe workplace free of hazards to employees. OSHA also has an enforcement function. If an employer is allowing a noncomplying [...]
Fall injuries. This blog is a little different from many of my earlier blogs. It relies solely upon my experience as a safety manager for companies over the years. It is a laymen’s comment. The discussion is about fall injuries and why they are so problematic. First, a fall injury may arise from a simple [...]
It is simple to avoid OSHA fines. Personal protective equipment commonly referred to as PPE. PPE refers to safety glasses, hard/steel toe shoes, hearing protection, face protection, gloves, respirators, etc. You no doubt know PPE is used to provide safety protection of employees from a variety of common workplace hazards. Hazards such as eye hazards [...]
Noise. Hearing levels in people declines when exposed to certain levels of noise over a period of time. The extent of hearing decline depends on the level of noise and duration of exposure. OSHA says 85 decibels (dBA) or higher over an 8-hour work shift is excessive. If you have a smartphone you can download [...]
No one expects an emergency or disaster to occur. Some Pre-planing will make a major difference. Reasonable steps include training of employees, supervisors and labor alike on what thier role is in an emergency situation. The results will be mitigation of the negative impacts of an emergency or disaster. Emergency Crisis plans outline escape procedures, [...]
OSHA, there are differing rules for each industry. OSHA is comprised of four different safety laws. General Industry, Construction Industry, Agriculture Industry and Maritime Industry. Each industry has its own safety rules. And while some of the industries face similar hazards they each have their own unique safety rules. From a litigation standpoint, it is [...]
Repurposing your safety manual. Safety manuals establish sound safety practices for your employees. But did you know you can also use them as a source of safety tool box talks? Yup. All the tool box safety talks you need is right there on your desk (or in your truck). All you need is a sign-up [...]
Safety on ladders and stairways. New and improved method of avoiding falls from ladders, stairs and equipment: 3 Points of contact! Work place injuries are a plague on business: Loss of a valuable employee, down time or slower progress on the project, economic costs. You’ve heard it all before. You know this first hand as [...]
When I first entered the safety profession as a safety manager for a construction company I recall my soon to be boss saying I’d be responsible for company safety practice. Well, I was up for that. I can help. But conversations with my boss and others after hire started showing some “differences” my definition of [...]
So, your insurance agent calls up and asks if he can stop by to chat. You say sure, always have coffee on, stop on by. The agent stops in and after some chit chat says the work comp insurance company is notified him they have some concerns with the account. You say, well, we’ve had [...]