Evaluate the Safety of the Workplace

An evaluation of the area where employees are working is the critical first step to take to ensure that the proper safety precautions are in place.

I recommend: Doing a thorough evaluation of your plant or jobsite.  This is the first place to start.  Analyze the procedures that are in place now  to protect  workers on the job and  find ways to make them even better.  There is a  free consulting serviice that is largely funded by The Occupational Safety and Health Administraion that will help employers find out about hazards at their workplace.  You can find an office in every state. This service will help business's  improve their Safety management system.  An added bonus is that a business can even qualify for a one year exemption from routine OSHA inspections after using the expertise of these consultants.   This service is completely separate from an OSHA inspection and there are never any citations issued or penalties proposed.

Involve the people that are directly involved in the day to day work on the job.

No one know better than the workers that are in the plant or out on the jobsite of the "near misses" that happen everyday.

I recommend: Involving  employees in the analysis.  They are the people who have  first hand experience.  Listen to their concerns and also have them explain the procedures that make them feel safe on the job.  Employees feel good when they know that their employer is making their work environment a safe place for them.  Safe workers are productive workers.

Read through the Small Business Handbook which is put out by the US Department of Labor

This guide has valuable information for keeping your workplace safe because it is based on Federal OHSA standards, It will help businesses meet the legal requirements that are imposed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1970.

I recommend: Using this Small Business Handbook as a safety reference.  Know what is expected of a business to prevent  accidental injury and fatalities.  It is a reference tool  which outlines the necessary steps to keep employees safe and a business compliant with OSHA's standards.

Implement engineering and work practice controls for the work area to protect employees.

Engineering controls consist of methods to prevent or control existing hazards such as putting barriers between the hazard and workers to limit exposure . While work practice controls require procedures to be put in place and adhered to such as having a procedure to dispose of hazardous materials or liquids according to OSHA guidelines.

I recommend: Using the information that was gathered in the evaluation of the worksite to establish procedures that must be followed on a day to day basis. Review  the top workplace hazards that were exposed while evaluating the worksite and  implement procedures to combat the dangerous effects.  Informing employees of these procedures and having consequenses for non-compliance. 

Train and reward employees with incentives to stay safe on the job.

Employees can only benefit from safety and health in their workplace. Workplace injuries hinder employee earning ability possilbly for a lifetime. This in turn could put increased stress on family life.

I recommend: Making sure that all employees are properly trained to follow the safety procudures in their job and in their workspace. Constantly remind and enforce a healthy and safe work environment. Initiate safety incentive programs to motivate workers to stay safe.

Use Personal Protective Equipment to greatly reduce injuries

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) consists of equipment and clothing that can minimize exposure to certain hazards. It includes, eye, hearing, head, fall , respiratory and hand and foot protection.

I recommend: Referencing the PPE Manual put out by OSHA which covers a variety of topics to familiarize employers of their responsibilty in the use of personal protective equipment and where and when it should be used. Choose PPE that is ANSI compliant.  ANSI is the National Standard Institute that publishes nationally recognized safety and health requirements for industry.   Also keep abreast of  new rulings by OSHA regarding PPE and the ramifications that it can have on a business.  According to the final rule on employer paid PPE, an employer is responsible for the payment of all PPE for their employees except certain exempt items.

Have Emergency Safety Equipment available for your employees

In an industrial workplace even minor injuries can turn into major injuries without safety equipment that can provide immediate emergency first aid to injured employees.

I recommend: Having the basic safety equipment available to aid in workplace injuries.  Every industrial workplace should have a well stocked first aid station  and first aid information available for their employees.  These stations are invaluable for minor cuts, bumps and bruises.  Emergency Eyewash Stations should be strategically placed throughout a plant or jobsite in order to protect your employees eyes in case something splashes in the eye.  A chemical splash in the eye needs to be attended to immediately in order to preserve sight.  Defibrillators should also be available in all industrial and non-industrial workplaces.  These devices could mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. 

Have MSDA's available in case of a chemical emergency

MSDA's (Material Data Safety Sheets) provide emergency personnel and workers with proper procedures for working with chemicals.

I recommend: Having access to a free MSDA Data Base  (this is a good resource but might take a little time to load on the computer) in case there is an accident involving a chemical.  MSDA's  give useful information about the health effects, first aid , storage, disposal, spill and leak control, physical data and reactivity of the chemical.  You can also  request a MSDA from the manufacturer or distributor that sells you the substance.

Keep accurate records of injuries and illnesses that happens in your workplace.

Most employers are required to keep records of injuries that happen on the job unless the business falls into an exempt catagory. These records are reportable to OSHA under certain circumstances which are outlined in their guidelines.

I recommend: Knowing your responsibilities for recordkeeping.  Review Osha's Publication regarding recordkeeping which has downloadable recordkeeping forms . Businesses with ten or fewer employees and certain exempt industries are not required to keep records of workplace injuries. For industries that are required to keep records, these records can be an indicator of the safety of a work area and jobsite. Too many injuries  and illnesses equals too many unprotected workers. They can serve as a warning sign to employers that something is wrong,