How Supervisors Should Be Demonstrating Safety

A safe workplace begins at the top with the supervisor. Without leadership from that crucial role, safety will never be a priority. Supervisors have responsibility for most of what happens daily in the workplace.

A safe workplace begins at the top with the supervisor. Without leadership from that crucial role, safety will never be a priority. Supervisors have responsibility for most of what happens daily in the workplace. However, it’s not just a position that’s charged with handing out work and making sure it’s done correctly.  Supervisors must also be accountable for the safety and health of their workers.

Along with a safe environment, employees must also feel secure reporting unsafe or unhealthful conditions or any hazards they observe to their boss without fear of reprisal.

Here is a list of the essential responsibilities concerning safety and health for all employees that safety-conscious supervisors should be assuming:

Conducting the orientation and training of new hires

Supervisors should be taking the lead in training new employees on how to perform their work safely. They should be familiar with and conduct training on how to use personal protective equipment (PPE) that is required for each task. Whenever there are mandated safety training courses, the supervisor ensures that every worker takes them and that they are documented accurately.

Enforcing safe work procedures

Supervisors demonstrate their commitment to safety by enforcing safe work practices. Without enforcement, safety takes a back seat to production, and it’s just a matter of time until there is an accident. Workers should also be encouraged to identify unsafe or unhealthful workplace conditions.

Correcting any safety hazards  

Whenever there are safety concerns, it’s up to the supervisor to take immediate steps to fix them. If it’s not within the supervisor’s ability to do that, then it’s critical to take temporary precautionary measures. The supervisor has to stay on top of any corrective actions until they are completed satisfactorily.

Training workers to spot and report unsafe conditions

Most near-miss incidents are the result of hazardous workplace conditions. One of the supervisor’s chief responsibilities is to educate and remind employees of what to be looking for and how to correct and report these unsafe conditions.

Investigating accidents in the workplace

Supervisors conduct accident investigations and make sure that all injured employees report to the Occupational Medical Service (OMS) right away. OMS works with Occupational Health and Safety to identify hazardous conditions that lead to injuries. They also document and treat any acute injuries. All facts and opinions about the cause of the accident must be recorded on the Workers Compensation Forms (CA-1 or CA-2), which supervisors must review, sign, and submit within 48 hours.

Promoting a speedy return to work

The longer workers are out from work, the less likely they are to return. Supervisors should be encouraging employees to return to work quickly by offering light-duty work and any other assistance whenever possible.

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Four Ladder Safety Practices for Electricians

If you’re considering a career as an electrician, you need to understand that a ladder will be included in many of your workdays. If you’re already in the trade, it’s almost a sure thing that you’ll agree.

If you’re considering a career as an electrician, you need to understand that a ladder will be included in many of your workdays. If you’re already in the trade, it’s almost a sure thing that you’ll agree.

Ladders are as much a part of an electrician as a stethoscope is of a doctor. The difference is that when ladders are misused, it can lead to a fall that may cause a fatality or a serious injury.

Even if you are an experienced ladder user, it can’t hurt to re-visit some of the best practices for using them safely. If you’re just starting your career, take these suggestions seriously and learn how to be safe when you are several or more feet above the ground:

Read the labels and markings on the ladder

Note the ladder’s load rating and don’t exceed it with the weight it will be supporting, which should include any tools or equipment. Inspect the ladder before using it, and take it out of service if it’s damaged. Ensure that the ladder is free of any slippery material on the rungs or steps.

Use ladders and their accessories–ladder levelers, jacks, or hooks–for their designed purposes. Don’t use a step ladder as a single ladder or in a partially closed position. Be sure that all locks on an extension ladder are engaged before you get on it.

Use a ladder on level and stable surfaces only

Unless it has been secured at the top or bottom, use a ladder only on a firm and level surface. Never place a ladder in any area where other work activities could displace it unless it is secured or protected by a barrier to keep traffic away from it.

Never place a ladder on boxes, barrels, or any other unstable base to get additional height. And don’t shift or move a ladder while a person or equipment is on it.

Do not use the top step or rung of a ladder

Stay off the top step or rung of any ladder unless it was designed for that purpose. Always maintain a 3-point contact (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand) on the ladder while climbing. Also, keep your body near the middle of the step and face the ladder. 

If you’re using an extension or straight ladder to access an elevated surface, it must extend at least three feet above the point of support. The proper angle for setting up an extension ladder is to place its base a quarter of the working length of the ladder from the wall or vertical surface. Stay off the three top rungs of the ladder.

Watch out for electrical hazards

Check for overhead power lines before setting up a ladder. Never use a metal ladder near power lines or any exposed energized electrical equipment.

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Communicating Safety Plan to Employees

Communication is an essential factor in every aspect of your business, especially as it pertains to safety. The best safety plan will not be effective unless every worker knows what it is and understands it.

Communication is an essential factor in every aspect of your business, especially as it pertains to safety. The best safety plan will not be effective unless every worker knows what it is and understands it. Since employee safety is likely to be your top priority for many reasons, it makes sense to communicate your plans and policies to them. Here are some ideas for doing that:

  • Send a newsletter: You can do this in an email or through the regular mail to their home address. You could also save a stamp and include it with their paystub. Whichever you choose, you should probably send it out at least monthly to keep safety fresh in your workers’ minds.
  • Hang posters throughout the work areas: Place safety-awareness signs wherever employees tend to gather: at the timeclock, in their break rooms, near the machinery, and outside restrooms. Videos also make a memorable impression.
  • Conduct training sessions: Giving your people the proper safety training equips them to deal with potential hazards. It sends them a message that your company makes safety a priority. The sooner safety becomes part of your company’s culture, the better it will be at preventing workplace accidents.
  • Hold regular safety meetings: Confine these mandatory meetings to smaller groups and short durations. Be sure to hold them regularly to make sure everyone is on board with the organization’s safety standards.
  • Provide them with the best safety equipment: Cheap hardhats and safety glasses send a message that safety isn’t your top priority. You can emphasize safety by buying quality gear that will be comfortable for your people to wear and will give them maximum protection.
  • Point out individual acts of safety: Take action photos of your workers in the middle of safe acts and use them as a training tool. Include these pictures in emails and newsletters, or post them on the bulletin board for all to see.
  • Include safety in employee reviews: Employees who are working in an unsafe manner should be told about it during their next performance review. Conversely, those workers who are adhering to the safety standards should receive a reward.
  • Conduct routine safety inspections: Supervisors should be always on the lookout for unsafe acts and doing regular safety checks. Every employee must be held accountable for following the safety standards, and those who don’t must be warned first and then sent home if the behavior continues.
  • Safety comment cards: Encourage your employees to report potential safety hazards by providing them with safety comment cards. You could also make the cards available on the company’s Intranet.

These suggestions should help your company establish a consistent safety message and increase safety awareness in your business. These tips are not hard to follow or implement, and putting them in place will result in you having a safer work environment for all your people.

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Beat the Heat: Tips for Working Safely in Hot Temperatures

There is still plenty of hot weather ahead, and if you’re working in one of those cabling and electrical jobs that requires you to be outdoors, you need to remain aware of the dangers that excessive heat can inflict.

There is still plenty of hot weather ahead, and if you’re working in one of those cabling and electrical jobs that requires you to be outdoors, you need to remain aware of the dangers that excessive heat can inflict.

Although thousands of workers become sick each year from over-exposure to heat, you don’t have to become one of them if you learn the warning signs and take the proper action. Here are some of the things you need to know to keep you from being the victim of high temperatures:

Heatstroke can be deadly

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) warns that heatstroke is the most serious of heat-stress disorders, which can also include heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat rashes. As the body temperature increases, sweaty hands and fogged-up goggles can also pose a safety threat. Workers at the highest risk are those who are overweight, have heart disease, take certain medications, or are 65 years of age or older.

In some cases, the body’s temperature can rise to 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in several minutes as the body stops sweating. The resulting heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability without emergency treatment. It’s critical to recognize heat stroke and take swift action.

The symptoms of heatstroke

Whenever the body no longer sweats, and its temperature reaches dangerous levels, you’ll notice the following:

  • Dry, hot reddish skin without sweat
  • Strong, rapid pulse
  • Confusion
  • Slurred speech
  • Chills

Other heat stresses can also be dangerous

Heat exhaustion occurs as the body loses water and salt. Look for these symptoms:

  • Excessive sweating
  • Muscle cramps
  • Weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Clammy skin
  • Confusion
  • Flushed complexion

Heat cramps are painful muscle cramps that happen because of low salt levels and excessive sweating.  Symptoms of heat cramps are muscle pain or spasms in the abdomen, arm, or legs.

Heat rash is an irritation of the skin caused by blocked pores that trap sweat under the skin. Heat rash can appear as a red cluster of pimples or small blisters, typically on the neck, upper chest, groin area, under the breasts, and in elbow creases.

Keep yourself safe in hot weather with these tips

  • Drink lots of fluids
  • Stay away from alcohol and caffeine
  • Stick with lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing
  • Slow down and work at an even pace
  • Take your breaks out of the sun
  • Keep a damp rag around your neck
  • Use sunscreen and protect your head
  • Avoid the direct sun if possible
  • Eat smaller meals that include fruits and natural juices.

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What Goes Into Enforcing a Clear Safety Policy?

Every manager should be aware of the consequences of having one of their workers injured on the job…

Every manager should be aware of the consequences of having one of their workers injured on the job and the importance of ensuring the safety of each company employee. For starters, if a worker misses days because of a job-related injury, the production schedule will be adversely affected, but there are other serious results as well:

  • There will be a workers compensation insurance claim to file
  • You may need to hire a replacement worker
  • There could be a lawsuit or other legal action
  • You will be paying higher workers comp rates

With the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting over 100,000 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in the manufacturing industry each year, the odds of your company avoiding an accident are not very good—that is, unless you initiate and enforce a safety policy and bring your entire organization on board to support it.

Here are some things to consider:

Establish safety guidelines

Identifying the hazards in your workplace is the place to begin when you want to establish guidelines for safety. If your workers aren’t using safe practices, the chances of injuries can go up substantially. Your workplace should be compliant with all OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations, and these rules should be posted where all your employees can see them.

After you have confirmed your OSHA compliance, look at some further measures you can take to assure a safe work environment, including receiving proper rest breaks, dress codes, and accident reporting procedures. Communication is critical to the success of any safety program, so solicit input from your workers since their insights will come from working around any potential hazards.

Give them the training they need

After the proper safety guidelines are in place, your employees must be trained and encouraged to follow them. Set up training sessions to educate them on the safety rules of the shop. They will be more likely to cooperate if you make them a vital component of the process. Plus, what you learn from them during these sessions may help you discover additional hazards, making it possible to fine-tune the regulations, and making it more likely that they will comply.

Enforcing the rules

It’s not enough to have safety rules on an eye-catching poster. You’ll need to apply them if you want to have a safer workplace. You’ll have to be careful, however, that you don’t discourage your people from reporting violations and injuries because they are afraid of being subjected to harsh disciplinary measures. If that happens, violations and oversights will never be investigated and alleviated.

Initiate a simple safety management system

The system does not have to be overly complicated. It should include a checklist to help enforce the rules and prevent injuries:

  • Conduct inspections
  • Change policies and procedures whenever there is a new process or piece of equipment
  • Implement a hazard and incident reporting system
  • Investigate all accidents and near misses to determine the cause
  • Recognize workers for safe work practices

Let us help you find safety-conscious electrical workers

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New Ways to Prevent a New Age of Workplace Violence

When it comes to workplace violence, the healthcare industry is a magnet for it.

When it comes to workplace violence, the healthcare industry is a magnet for it. Violence is four times more rampant here than in any other industry. That doesn’t mean other industries are safe. Workplace homicides are increasing in every sector—nearly one out of 10 fatal workplace incidents is a homicide.

But workplace violence isn’t necessarily life-threatening. It can take the form of bullying, intimidation and assault. And the perpetrators could be co-workers, clients or patients. Employers are trying to counteract the upswing in violence by developing violence prevention plans designed to stop violence before it escalates.

If You See It, Report It

Encouraging workers to communicate their concerns, however small, is the key to curbing workplace violence. And companies must learn to take these concerns seriously. In the past, many were reluctant or slow in addressing threats. Today, more organizations are taking these threats seriously, assuming they will be carried out.

When problems are dealt with early on, managers have a better chance of solving the issues through employee assistance programs or professional counseling.

The Healthcare Industry Is Expanding its Training

As a general rule, only physicians and nurses were trained to de-escalate situations. Today, with 80 percent of violence being caused by patients, healthcare facilities have begun to recognize the need to expand training to include everyone on the healthcare team – nursing assistants, emergency personnel, psychiatric aides, etc.

Because so many more incidents are being reported—some facilities are seeing a 300 percent increase in reporting—it’s possible to analyze patterns that could identify serious problems before an incident occurs in the organization.

What Else Can Businesses Do?

OSHA does not have regulations governing workplace violence prevention, but it does have guidelines. And they are well worth considering:

  • Obtain a commitment from management, which should include enacting a zero-tolerance plan with active shooter scenarios, claims tracking, and staying abreast of trends in the news.
  • Safety and health training should be done with cooperation from HR. Invite local law enforcement to share their insights during active shooter training. 
  • Employee participation is essential, which means there can be no retaliation or discrimination for them reporting their concerns.
  • Use a management team to conduct worksite analysis and implement prevention and control mechanisms. The team should develop a good working relationship with law enforcement authorities.

Seek Professional Assistance

Firms such as ALICE Training Institute can provide you and your employees with strategic response procedures that have been created to help counter violent acts. The programs can increase the chances of survival for your workplace and employees. They can also protect your brand and minimize litigation fees and fines.

ALICE is the acronym for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuation.

Outsource Will Find Your Next Electrical Professional

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