Workplace safety for employees, rights and protections. If you are a business owner pay attention to this blog. The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires as part of its 10 and 30 Hour safety training to include Worker Rights and Protections. OSHA protects employees from employers failing to protect employees facing an uncontrolled hazard in [...]
How to develop an effective training program. Training. More than simply talking about a subject. The presentation needs be accurate, credible, clear, and practical. Probably the most important element is understanding you are delivering your training to adults. Many of whom have years of experience practicing their trade. Did you know one of the most [...]
Drugs/Alcohol in the workplace. Drugs in our society, be they licit or illicit, are not uncommon. Operating equipment of any kind or the workplace is not suitable for drug use (including some prescription drugs). The reason being is that many drugs can affect or impair mental and physical function. On the job, one must be [...]
“Any fool can know. The point is to understand”. Safety talks are opportunities to pass on knowledge and understanding. Safety talks discuss an activity and then how to safely handle the task. For example working at heights. Understanding that fall protection need be in place and what types of fall protection are known to be [...]
Electricity. What is the old saying I’ve heard, no cares about electricity but everyone cares about cold beer? If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of an electrical jolt you know it was an unpleasant surprise. And, such a jolt was at the end of a low voltage contact. Higher voltages and amps can [...]
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 [...]
2019 LOTO 1910./147, https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/factsheet-lockout-tagout.pdf So your company works repairing water, oil, hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical devices. Each of these items can be “stored energy”. Your employees from time to time undertake a task that directly contacts a system handling any of the above. Employees must have a clear understanding of how to safely work with [...]
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 [...]
Mine Safety: What you don’t know can hurt you. Or Know the hazards. Mine safety, what you don't know can hurt you. Almost every aspect of repair or servicing activity involves the potential for injury arising from the unexpected release of energy. To avoid contacting unexpected release of energy a Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) [...]