Archived 2018 - Safety E-Quick Tips
- Happy New Year
Another year coming to an end and as always, this one has gone by fast.
In fact, I’d have to say that in general that time flies by because, come September of 2019, we’ll be entering our 20th year in business and Safety E-QuickTips has already been around for 8 years.
- A Blast From The Past
While I was waiting at a couple traffic lights yesterday, I took a moment to look around to see what everyone was doing while they waited.
Much to my shock I saw 3 people looking at their phones. I’m not sure if they were texting, but they were really into it.
- It's Just The Smart Thing To Do
Well, this week I looked out the front window of my home and saw a roofing contractor replacing the shingles on my neighbor’s roof, and what did I see?
Four men on the roof stripping off the old shingles with no fall protection and a person working down below working without a hard hat.
- And That's When It Really Counts
When was the last time you thought about workplace safety?
Maybe a better question to ask would be – do you think about workplace safety at the beginning and throughout each workday?
- It's Always Better To Be Safe Than Sorry
Often when employees come to work for the first day, employers assume they understand the hazards associated with the work they will be performing and that they will work in a safe manner, especially those who have experience in their trade or industry.
But that is not necessarily the case. . .
- With All Those Extra Distractions...
And since Safety E-QuickTips is about workplace safety, I’m going to talk about what we can do this holiday season to make it a safe one for everyone
- Here Are Some Tips To Help Prevent...
A bruised knee, sprained ankle, broken arm, head laceration, broken leg and even death.
What do all of these have in common?
They can all be caused by slips, trips and falls.
- Whatever the Case May Be, Before You Choose...
So today I’d like to talk about something a little different - off the job safety.
Although it’s not work-related I would have to say the off the job safety is just as important as workplace safety.Wouldn’t you?
- What a Difference a Minute Makes
It’s Friday and you’re just minutes from getting the weekend started.
Then it happens.
- It's Not Just What You Know When It Comes to Workplace Safety...
When it comes to workplace safety and compliance, we definitely need policies and procedures and we also need to make sure we communicate them to employees.
But we can’t stop there.
- Why Do We Have to Make It So Difficult?
As you may recall if you read last week’s Safety E-QuickTip, we had a client that felt that our silica exposure control plan was too simple to meet OSHA’s requirements.
This past week one of our clients had a similar experience with one of their customers.
Let me explain.
- Anyway, What is Workplace Safety and Compliance About?
Last week I received an email from a client asking if we could help them with a silica exposure plan.
- Find a Better Way For Your Company
This week we’re going to get more into the nuts and bolts of steps 2-4 so you can see how quick and easy the process can be.
- Everyone Must Work Together For It To Succeed
We also believe to build a better way you must have buy in from everyone and then everyone must work together or the chances of a better way becoming a reality are slim to none.
- It's Not Always About What You Know...
What exactly is a better way to handle workplace safety and compliance?
- Does That Sound Like a Better Way?
When a company goes out looking for a safety program it’s usually for a specific reason, so they look for a program that will meet their current needs.
- Why Not Consider One Safety System
So, we are a couple weeks into reviewing ways for you to simplify workplace safety
- You Could Take A Different Approach
You've been going along accident-free, believing that a safe workplace and compliance will take care of itself
- It's a Simple Case of "Time Heals All Wounds"
I had an idea that I was going to start out this week's Safety E-QuickTip with an overview
- Workplace Safety Requirements Just Don't Need to Be That Difficult
When it comes to meeting workplace safety requirements sometimes we tend to make it more difficult than it must be.
- Consider This a Warning
Consider this a warning.
When it comes to workplace safety, often we are provided plenty of warnings before disaster strikes.
- It's Better to Be Safe Than Sorry
Back in 2014 I wrote a Safety E-QuickTips titled “Wouldn't It Be Great to Know Before Your Workday Begins…”
Today I’m going to give you an instant replay because this is a topic that I believe you cannot share too many times – and when I say share, I mean share with everyone from management to the last person hired.
- When Will It End? Let's Hope - NEVER!
It seems that our whole lives we are told by others to do something a certain way or not because someone is going to get hurt.
First it starts at home with “Don’t touch the stove you’ll burn yourself” – then it goes on... - Stop Thinking "It Will Never Happen to Me"
With us spending almost 25% of our week working, we need to do everything possible to protect ourselves from hazards in the workplace so we spend the balance of the week enjoying life – and getting a little sleep.
- Pay Me Now or Pay Me Later
Your company safety program WILL NOT protect your employees from hazards in the workplace, company reputation and profits if you don’t implement it.
- Enjoy the Fireworks...
No matter what your work week looks like remember to make sure everyone works safe even if they’re only working a half day – because if we let our guard down for just a moment we all know how that could end.
- So, If You Didn't Score a Perfect 5 on My Quiz...
Let me ask you a question.When it comes to workplace safety issues do you and your company deal with them immediately when they arise or do you put them off?
- Remember - Days May Seem Long, But Years Go By Fast...
I still remember those days when we used to climb up on a small building in my friend’s back yard and jump off the roof (about 8’), roll on the ground and then do it again because it was fun. Now stepping off to a drop of 3’ jars the heck out of my body.
- Everyone Wins When it Comes to Workplace Safety
There is no question in my mind that if you follow these 4 basic steps when implementing your company safety program, it will be a win/win for both employees and the company.
So, my question to you today is – why haven’t you gotten started?
- When Was the Last Time You...
This week we’ll be wrapping up with our 4th step in protecting your most valuable assets, employees, company reputation and profits.
- Workplace Inspections Allow You To See If...
This week we'll be looking at the third step - performing regular and frequent workplace safety inspections. Workplace inspections allow you to see if your employees are working in compliance with both your policies and procedures and with OSHA standards.
- All Employees Should Be Provided Continued Awareness of Hazards In the Workplace
Last week we started our review of a simple 4 step plan to establish and implement your company safety program so that you can protect three of your most valuable assets: employees, company reputation and profits.
We started with establishing safety policies and procedures and today we’re going to continue with how to effectively communicate the policies and procedures to your employees.
- What Should You Include In Your General Safety Policies and Procedures?
The question I have for you today is do youwant to protect 3 of your most valuable assets: employees, company reputation and profits?
If so, there is a simple 4-step plan that will help you to accomplish it quickly and effectively.
- Employees Need Continued Awareness Everyday of Hazards in the Workplace
When it comes to workplace safety, providing employees continued awareness about how they can protect themselves from hazards in the workplace is one of the key ingredients to a safe workplace.
And sometimes as part of that process you may need to repeat the same information over and over again to get your point across.
- Since It Is the Law
Have you ever run across someone in your industry who wants to make sure that you know just how smart they are? But as they keep talking you realize that they are more of a legend in their own mind?
Well, this week it happened to us.
- Maybe We Could Use a Little Common Sense
When it comes down to it workplace safety it is not rocket science, but when it comes to its value – that’s a different story.
So since it’s not rocket science, but still has real value, what is it we need to do each day to ensure a safe worksite free of recognizable hazards?
Maybe we could use a little common sense.
- So What's Stopping Us?
They say “The older you get the wiser you become.”
And if you look up the definition of wise, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as “having or showing wisdom or knowledge usually from learning or experiencing many things; based on good reasoning or information; showing good sense or judgment.”
- Did You Know...
Today I’d like to talk about OSHA. Now I know for many of you OSHA may be the last thing you want to hear about, but I believe the information I’m about to share will not only be interesting, it also might provide you a better understanding of the agency.
- How Does Your Current EMR Affect Your Workers' Compensation Costs...
Do you understand how your EMR affects your workers' compensation costs and even how it could be used against you when bidding work? If not, you need to learn more about it.
Before we go into the effect your EMR can have on your company, let's look at just what an Experience Modification Rate (EMR) is. This is a term used in the American insurance industry, more specifically in respect to workers' compensation insurance. It is the adjustment of a company's annual premium based on their previous loss experience. When we say loss, we are talking about loss associated with your workers' compensation accident claims.
- When It Comes to Workplace Safety...
When it comes to workplace safety, today we have more information at our fingertips than ever before.
Computers and the internet have made it easier than ever for everyone to become an expert in safety.
- Workplace Safety Isn't Always Easy or Even Convenient
Your project is on a tight time schedule and you’ve run across a potential hazard that will require you to stop work while it is checked out, so. . .
What would you do?
- Sometimes We Need That Little Reminder...
Over the years I’ve had clients who worked very hard to improve workplace safety, but when it comes to OSHA visits, they keep getting cited.
One of the main reasons this continues is because they can’t bring themselves to comply with one of OSHA’s 4 requirements for preventing OSHA citations, so when an employee is caught violating an OSHA standard they get cited.
- It Could Be the Difference Between an Accident Free Workday or Not
So why is it that we can’t seem to convince everyone that safety is something you need to keep in mind from the beginning of each workday all the way through to the end?
That’s a question that I’m not sure we’ll ever be able to answer, but until we figure it out, we need to do everything we can to continue to build awareness of the value of workplace safety.
- Putting Yourself First Might Not Be Such a Bad Thing
So I ask you, is it such a bad thing for an owner to try and change a company’s culture that, in the end, reduces their operating costs? Especially when it provides an added benefit for their employees.
I don’t think so. Because when it comes to workplace safety, putting yourself first might not be such a bad thing.
- Well - Consider Yourself Lucky
You’ve been a part of the workforce for 1, 5, 10, 20 or even 30+ years now and you can honestly say you’ve never had a serious workplace accident.
In fact the closest you’ve ever come to being involved in a serious workplace accident is (fill in the blank).
- Now Think About How it Could Have Turned Out
As he tugged at the rope trying to make the cut, she would see the branch pulling back as he braced himself from being pulled off the roof.
Did I mention he was standing on a slanted roof just 2 or 3 feet from the edge?
- They Think Their Program Should Include Only...
This week I was talking with a potential client about our online safety programs and a question came up that I've been hearing more and more. "If we purchase a safety program from your company, can we modify it to meet the specific hazards of our industry or trade?"
- Please Take a Moment Today to Make Sure...
Have you ever woke up on a workday and asked yourself, “how will the weather affect my safety this today?”
Probably not – but maybe you should.
- How to Pick a Competent Person
Last week we talked about the Competent Person and the importance of their role in workplace safety and how I believe you need to put some serious thought into who is the right person for the job.
This week I’d like to share a few ideas that you can use when choosing a competent person and a couple you shouldn’t.
- If You're Going to Appoint a Competent Person This Week.
Let’s take a look at a couple of OSHA’s definitions of a Competent Person . . .
"one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them"
“by way of training and/or experience, a competent person is knowledgeable of applicable standards, is capable of identifying workplace hazards relating to the specific operation, and has the authority to correct them”
- ... That Accident Will Find Its Way In
Have you ever noticed that just when things are going well, all of a sudden – BAM – you get blindsided by the unexpected?
That’s exactly what happened to us last week.
- 5 Things You Can Do This Year to Help Ensure the Safest Year Ever
With each New Year we have the opportunity to look back and see what we did right and maybe what we did wrong in the past year. When it comes to workplace safety, it's the perfect time to see what you can do to make 2018 the best year ever.