Knowledge equals safety. What does this simple statement mean? One word. Training. Employees trained to recognize hazards and unsafe conditions at work will know where risks to their safety and health exist. Knowing that a hazard exists means the employee can take appropriate steps to avoid/reduce/eliminate the risk to their safety. Training on how to [...]
Mine Safety Tool Box Talks. Mining is a rewarding and challenging industry. Keeping your miners safe is a constant effort. The Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA) has developed a collection of tool box safety talks. These safety talks are useful presentations that can be used on a daily or weekly basis. These talks are simple [...]
You don’t have to follow OSHA: You can have stricter safety policies. You of course know that the OSHA safety rules are safety minimums. In other words, these safety rules are the bare bones of good safety practices. But did you know OSHA welcomes you, the employer, to adopt stricter safety rules? Yup. If you [...]
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 [...]