Archived 2016 - Safety E-Quick Tips
- Recordable Injuries in 2016
Did your company have any recordable injuries in 2016?
- So If You Are An Employee or An Employer Do Your Part...
Because I believe safe jobs happen because employers and their employees each make the choice to fulfill their responsibilities to help ensure a safe workplace.
- This is the Time of the Year...
This is the time of the year when I like to remind everyone of the potential distractions and stressed that holidays may have on your employees, specifically as they relate to safety.
- Kept it Simple - Keep Them Safe
Why is it that we think making something more difficult to implement makes it better?
- Give Thanks For Where We Are Today...
While most Americans were enjoying time with family and friends, more than 70 Chinese workers were killed in a scaffold collapse at a power plant in eastern China.
- It Will Be a Win/Win For Everyone
There are a lot of situations in life where for one person to win, another has to lose.
- ... The Way They Handled Their OSHA Inspection Did More Harm Than Good
Because of this and the fact that OSHA has recently increased their penalties by 78%, I thought it might be a good idea to review how to handle an OSHA inspection in a way that will most benefit your company.
- So Why is it That Some Are Willing to Take Chances...
Have you ever gone on the internet or had someone send you pictures of unbelievably unsafe workplace pictures?
- There is No Question That a 97% On A Quiz Or a Test Is Pretty Good...
Today, if you were to take an OSHA Outreach 10 or 30 hour safety class, to pass the course you would only have to get a 70% on your test. So again, a 97% would be great.
- I Do Think That If You Do Something...
In fact these past Safety E-QuickTips have been some of the longest I’ve written and at times you might have questioned whether these were actually QuickTips.
- You've Got Your List Now it's Time to Get Started...
This week we need to take a look at part 3 and that is to list the steps based on which would have the biggest to smallest impact on getting your safety program implemented.
- So Let's Do the Math
Now I know that some of you are familiar with the recent 78% increase in OSHA’s penalty structure, but sometimes I think it is important to see exactly how this plays out in the real world.
- So Let's Talk About Part 1 of the Plan
Now that you’ve looked over the five parts of the plan, you may be saying to yourself “I already have a safety program that applies to my company, so I can skip step one” or “I’ve already done parts 1 through 3” and if that’s the case, that is a good thing because that means you are a little closer to taking your safety program to the next level.
- Let's Talk About "The Plan"
For the last few weeks we’ve being reviewing some ideas on how to take your safety program to the next level. In the process we’ve looked at a couple of companies that took 2 different approaches to implementing their programs. One was proactive and the other reactive, with each having very different results.
- It Was the Owners' Idea
Why was it so difficult for one company to implement their safety program while the other was not only able to implement their safety program, they were able to get OSHA citations withdrawn because of what they had done?
- Is Your Company Proactive or Reactive
As I mentioned last week, I would like to help you take full advantage of employee safety and what it has to offer your company, to help you and everyone else in your company see the value of safety, and provide you the easiest way possible to make it happen.
- I'll Be Including Ideas Like How to...
In an effort to help you take your safety program to the next level no matter where you are with it, I’m going to spend the next several weeks reviewing some ideas that will hopefully help you move forward.
- What Are Friends For
Today is one of the best days ever. You wake up and the sun is shining. It’s Friday so the weekend is almost here and it’s a long holiday weekend. It doesn’t get much better than that.
- So What Do the 2016 Olympics Have to Do With Workplace Safety?
For the last 4 weeks I’ve been talking about 4 steps that companies can use to implement their safety program. There is no question that these steps will take time. Maybe not 4 years, but they will take time and a lot of effort to put them in place.
- Because All Safety Violations Are Not Equal...
To help ensure your employees understand your policies and procedures on safety and also understand that you take them seriously, you need to establish a company enforcement program that is effective, reasonable, and clearly understood.
- According to OSHA, Safety Programs...
So that brings us to performing regular and frequent workplace inspections. Without workplace inspections, it is impossible to know if your employees are working in compliance with both your policies and procedures and with OSHA standards.
- Why is Safety Training So Important?
To help employers meet those tougher demands we started our discussion of the 4 steps to implementing your safety program.
- But Now Everyone Wants to See That...
They are asking to see documentation of safety training, safety meetings and safety inspections. If you say you have a safety committee, they want to see minutes of meetings to ensure your committee is real. In fact, it’s not uncommon for some of these companies to do a full blown safety audit.
- With This New Increase Penalty Structure...
Remember a while back when I mentioned that OSHA was going to increase their penalty structure? Well, it’s happened. On August 1st they will be raising penalties across the board by a whopping 78%.
- Effective August 1, 2016...
Remember a while back when I mentioned that OSHA was going to increase their penalty structure? Well, it’s happened. On August 1st they will be raising penalties across the board by a whopping 78%.
- But No One Saw It Coming...
It’s the fifth of July and I hope everyone had a great 4th. Every once in a while I dig into the Safety E-QuickTips Archives for one reason or another, but today it’s because I have to admit the weekend got away from me before I realized I hadn’t put anything together for this week’s Safety E-QuickTip.
- But the Simple Fact is That if Something is Worth Having...
When it comes to implementing a company safety program, many say it is impossible. Often we hear there’s not enough time, it’s too difficult to implement, we can’t get everyone to get onboard with the program, we can’t afford it and the reasons go on and on.
- ... I Was Impressed...
At first I thought, just another day on a construction site. Employees with everything they need to protect themselves, but not using the equipment.
- It's a Win/Win for Everyone...
Having a safe workplace takes time, money and a commitment from everyone.
So you may be thinking “What’s in it for me?” if it’s going to take time, money, and a commitment from everyone in my company.
- Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion Are...
That’s right - summer is almost upon us. June 20th marks the first day of summer and based on what we are already seeing in northeast Ohio, it could be a hot one.
- The People of This Country Have Shown Time and Time Again...
Memorial Day is one of those holidays that should make all of us proud. It’s a day where we remember those who have served in the military, those who have been injured, and of course, those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to provide us the life and freedoms we often take for granted.
- If You Just Look Around It's Easy To See...
We have GFCI’s that protect us from electrical shock, automatic shutoffs when we let go of a handle on items such as mowers, power tools such as air nailers that require you to depress the safety on an object and pull the trigger at the same time before the nail can be driven into the object.
- What I Need To Let You Know Today Is...
For years, employees, potential clients, competitors, and even the news media have been able to see if a company has been cited by OSHA, the type of violations received, and the penalties associated with those violations by just going onto OSHA’s website.
- Think About It - Doesn't It Make Sense...
Today more than ever we are putting more effort into employee safety training and that’s a good thing. But training is just a good start when it comes to workplace safety because there are other things we need to do to help ensure a safe workplace.
- Can You Even Imagine Coming Up...
That started to make me think about how everyone looked at safety before employee safety became a reality. It seemed as if it was all about production for the employers and a pay check for the employees with little regard for safety by anyone.
- National Safety Stand-Down To Prevent Falls in Construction (May 2-6th)
Yes, OSHA has put together another National Safety Stand-Down To Prevent Falls in Construction (May 2-6th) and I hope everyone will take the time to participate.
- Remember This Summer When You...
With some a little busier and others short staffed, they may find it more difficult to get everyone together for safety training. So now is the time to make sure you have some short safety meetings lined up so we don’t leave safety behind this summer.
- What Would You Do if You Knew Today Before You Started Working...
Would you say your safety is important to you? Important enough for you to do everything possible to protect yourself from a workplace accident?
- Don't Let Yourself or Your Company Become a Part of...
Yes - once again I was walking by the TV and saw it on my local news - “Breaking News.” What was it going to be about this time? And then I saw it. A man was working and died in a trench collapse.
- Why Are Companies Making Sure Their...
I believe that is a simple but strong statement that makes it clear to both management and employees that safety is important to a company. When everyone commits to that core value, it’s a win-win for the company and employees.
- Did You Know...
Now before you go getting too excited about the reductions in accidents, illnesses and fatalities since the 70’s, keep in mind that almost 13 workers died every day in 2014 -never making their way home at the end of their work shift.
- My Point Today is Simple...
Inspect your safety equipment every time you use it, inspect it well and if you find that it does not fit properly or is defective, get it replaced. Your life or even your quality of life might depend on it.
- What Do All Three of These Men Have In Common?
Your safety at work is nothing that you can ever, and I mean ever, take for granted.
- Short Cutting Safety...
It could be don’t short cut safety because if you do it might be the last thing you ever do.
- Today I Want To Ask A Question...
I recall 2 fatalities specifically where each of the individuals killed were told by other employees that they were not working safely and that they shouldn't be doing it that way.
- It Is The Same With Safety - You Skimp...
If you're an employee today's newsletter is directed to you. Please take a moment to read this very carefully. It could save your life or the life of a fellow worker.
- What Would You Do?
So rather than reinventing the wheel, here's what I had to say in 2011 and I believe it still applies today.
- Did You Know That Falls From Ladders...
Did you know that falls from portable ladders (step, straight, combination or extension) are one of the leading causes of occupational fatalities and injuries?
- Well Those Cost Savings Along With...
If you believe you need outside support, how much will you need and what are your options?
- You May Have Heard The Saying "Why Reinvent The Wheel"...
And please don’t forget that you must meet ALL 4 of the requirements, not 3 out of 4 but ALL 4 to be in compliance with OSHA regulations. As OSHA would say “IT’S THE LAW”.
- At First Glance These 4 Requirements Don't Look...
When I say finding the right solution, I’m talking about finding one that will meet OSHA requirements (the law) AND one that is right for your company…you need a solution that you can implement!
- Well I Should Have Known Better...
Well I should have known better than to start a series right in the middle of the holidays because as always I couldn't resist reminiscing about some past holiday issues and then sharing one with you along with a follow-up the week after.