Know the Signs of Employee Burnout
May 22, 2021
As your in-service safety provider, we wanted to send out this monthly safety message to raise awareness and enhance employee quality of life in your company. This monthly message deals with “The Importance of Safety Database Grading Management.” Employees Burned Out? Know The Warning Signs Workers are more stressed than ever. There are some telltale signs of stress that Supervisors want to keep an eye out for. Employees under excess stress: Avoid work. Output drops and they do not respond like normal during agreed-on, regular hours. Perform less. They miss goals and do not produce the same quality of work. Become apathetic. They are not interested in their work, team, company, etc. Do not take time off. Some employees go to the extreme other side of avoiding work and instead over-work. Are irritable. They get irritated by colleagues, family members or any interruption. Indicate hopelessness, worry or sadness. They notably are not as pleasant or cheerful as they once were. If you recognize these symptoms, it is time to step in, discuss workload, how they are feeling, and if there is anything you or the company can do to help. Federal OSHA’s top 10 most cited violations accounted for 24,239 violations for fiscal year 2020. The top 10 was released by the National Safety Council during a Feb. 26 webinar, along with the number of violations, most affected industries and what inspectors are seeing other companies getting wrong: 1. Fall protection – General requirements (1926.501), 5,424 violations! This standard having the most violations was not a surprise, according to OSHA Deputy Director for its Enforcement Directorate, Patrick Kapust. Kapust said the problems OSHA is finding under this standard involve lack of fall protection during residential construction activities, no fall protection when working around unprotected sides and edges, inappropriate fall protection on both low-slope and steep roofs. These violations are being found among roofing, framing, masonry, commercial and institutional, and new single-family housing contractors. 2. Hazard communication (1910.1200), 3,199 violations Inspectors are finding problems with written hazard communication programs and implementation of those programs. “Sometimes we’ll find an employer will have a written program, but they just haven’t implemented it yet,” Kapust said. “It must be implemented in the workplace. It shouldn’t just be maintained in a notebook in the office.” Other violations involve employee information and training, maintaining safety data sheets and making sure they are readily available, labels and other warnings and requirements to develop safety data sheets and maintain copies of them. These violations are being found in manufacturing; general industry; construction, masonry, and roofing contractors; automotive body, paint and interior repair and maintenance; general automotive repair; and machine shops. 3. Respiratory protection (1910.134), 2,649 violations OSHA is seeing companies fail to perform medical evaluations for respirator use, create a written respiratory protection program, perform fit testing and a lack of meeting the general requirements of the standard. The agency is finding these violations in auto body, paint, and interior repair shops; cut stone and stone product manufacturing; metal coating and engraving services; masonry contractors; and nursing care facilities 4. Scaffolding (1926.451), 2,538 violations Employees working without fall protection, general access, plank and deck deficiencies, support to keep from tipping over and guardrail requirements were the most common violations under this standard. OSHA found these among roofing, framing and commercial and institutional building contractors. 5. Ladders (1926.1053) 2,129 violations Inspectors are finding violations involving use of portable ladders for purposes they were not designed for, tops of step ladders used as a step, failure to remove defective ladders from service and employees carrying objects that could make them lose their balance and fall. These violations were found among roofing, framing, siding, masonry, and new single-family housing contractors. 6. Lockout/tagout (1910.147), 2,065 violations Violations OSHA is finding under this standard include energy control procedures for each type of equipment, general training and communication, periodic inspection of the lockout/tagout procedures to make sure they are adequate and properly implemented and general program requirements. The agency is finding these violations at plastic product manufacturing facilities, sawmills, machine shops, wood container and pallet manufacturing plants and fabricated metal manufacturing facilities. 7. Powered industrial trucks (1910.178), 1,932 violations One type of violation Kapust said OSHA finds a lot involves training for safe operation of powered industrial trucks, specifically, ensuring the operator has been trained properly on the type of truck they will be using. OSHA is also finding violations for refresher training and evaluation regarding that refresher training. This kind of training is required after an employee is observed operating a truck unsafely as well as every three years. Other violations involve operator certification of training, operating an industrial truck in need of repair or service and failure to ensure trained personnel are making repairs to industrial trucks. These violations are being found in general warehousing and storage, cut stone product manufacturing and recyclable material and merchant wholesalers. 8. Fall protection – Training requirements (1926.503), 1,621 violations Inspectors found companies that violated this standard failed to maintain certificates of training, failed to provide training by a competent person, did not re-train after inadequacies were found and failed to re-train in general. No information regarding industries these violations were found in was provided. 9. Personal protective equipment – Eye and face protection (1926.102), 1,369 violations OSHA is finding violations on use of appropriate eye and face protection, use of appropriate eye protection providing side protection, general requirements including use of appropriate prescription lenses and criteria for protective eye and face protection. Violations of this nature were found with construction, masonry, frame, and siding contractors. 10. Machine guarding (1910.212), 1,313 violations The types of violations OSHA are finding under this standard include points of operation guarding, anchoring of fixed machinery and general requirements. These occur in a variety of industries such as machine shops, plastic products manufacturing, and sheet metal manufacturing. *Note: All the data on OSHA’s Top 10 is preliminary and could change as more data is collected. COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY MANAGEMENT SERVICES In addition to our Free Monthly Toolbox Talk Newsletter, we offer a wide range of services for Safety Management System Implementation. Our safety management services provide companies with an internal structure to stay OSHA compliant and reduce the risk of employees who might be exposed to occupational health and safety risks on the job. Our services include, Texas Based First Aid Kit Sales & Refill Service, Texas Based HSE Consulting, Texas Based AED Sales and Rentals, Texas Based Fire Extinguisher Sales and Inspection, and Texas Safety Database Management.
Does My AED Need Service?
April 15, 2021
Does my AED need service? Simple answer, YES. You are required to provide routine checks on your AED(s) that you have onsite. If you are reading this because your AED has started making a beeping, chirping, or any other noise it means something needs to be replaced or updated on your unit in order to function properly. Here is the legislation for Texas on AED ownership and maintenance Common Items to check on your AED 1. Pads. On almost all AED models the pads are the first piece of equipment that will need replaced. Depending on the model, pads will need to be replaced at an interval of every 2-5 years. Q: How do I check the expiration date? A. Every AED pad has a month and year listed for the expiration date. The date listed on the pad is when your AED pads are due for replacement. This number will be on the front or back of the AED pad. 2. Batteries. The next most common item that will need to be replaced are the AED batteries. AED batteries last a a little longer than pads (typically they start to go bad at the 5 year mark) Q. How do I check my AED battery? A. Similar to how you check AED pads, every battery will have an individual expiration date listed on the unit. 3. Software update. From time to time manufacturers will releases software updates for their units. Unfortunately, this can be a tricky one to track as this is released by the manufactures and if you have had employee turnover or you don’t currently have an AED management program in place this communication could have been missed. If you are concerned about this, it is best to contact an AED service company for assistance So how do you make sure you are staying up to date on your AED(s) and keeping up with the Federal requirements for maintaining your AED and reducing your companies liability for having one onsite? The best most economical way to maintain your AEDs and log your AED checks is to have a remote monitoring plan. This is a hands off approach that uses cellular technology to record weekly status updates on your AED and it provides a service where you the owner of the AED are contacted if there are any updates required. Click here to be contacted for more information on this service. Another option is to assign a staff member to perform the AED checks. Below is a list of tasks they need to perform to check the AEDs: • Status Indicator • Pads dates • Battery function • Accessories such as personal protection are present • AED and connections are in good condition • Software is up to date To research your individual AED, below are links to the most popular AED manufacturers: Zoll Defibtech Phillips Heartsine LifePak COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY MANAGEMENT SERVICES In addition to our Free Monthly Toolbox Talk Newsletter, we offer a wide range of services for Texas Based Safety Management System Implementation. Our safety management services provide companies with an internal structure to stay OSHA compliant and reduce the risk of employees who might be exposed to occupational health and safety risks on the job. Our services include , Texas Based First Aid Kit Sales & Refill Service, Texas Based HSE Consulting, Texas Based AED Sales and Rentals, Texas Based Fire Extinguisher Sales and Inspection, and Texas Safety Database Management.
Are Your Employees Covered In the Event of a Workplace Injury? First Aid Supplies Every Business Needs To Have On Hand.
February 5, 2021
As your in-service safety provider, we wanted to send out this monthly safety message to raise awareness and enhance employee quality of life in your company. This monthly message deals with “The Importance of Safety Database Grading Management.” Are Your Employees Covered In the Event of a Workplace Injury? First Aid Supplies Every Business Needs To Have On Hand Every industry has some level of risk for an employee incident during its operation. They can range from minor injuries like a small paper cut that won't stop bleeding to something more serious like a cut on the hand from changing out a saw blade at a construction site. Both incidents would require the need for first aid supplies. It's the responsibility of the employer to make sure the proper supplies are on hand to treat the injury or sustain its level of acuity until more professional help can arrive. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) “In the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees, a person or persons shall be adequately trained to render first aid. Adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available.1 This means you as a business owner need to have a first aid kit that is easy to get to and is stocked with supplies to treat a range of injuries that could occur in your workplace. How do you know what supplies to have on hand or where to store them? That’s where the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) comes in. They work to set the minimum recommendation for supplies needed in first aid kits based on what type of industry you’re in and how many employees you have. How Do OSHA and ANSI Work Together? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a government agency that sets the requirements for workplace safety and enforces them. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private organization that works to set the standards to ensure workplace safety. ANSI standards can be accepted as a requirement if OSHA approves them, therefore becoming enforceable — meaning you could be fined if you don’t meet these guidelines. OSHA has not yet adopted the ANSI standards of first aid kits as mandatory, but you’re still required to have first aid supplies on hand. Businesses use the ANSI standards to take all the guesswork out of what they need to protect employees. If OSHA does accept the ANSI first aid kit standards as mandatory down the road, you won’t have to change what you already have on hand and you’ll be set to go. What Supplies Do I Need In My First Aid Kit? Don’t know where to start with purchasing a first aid kit to ensure your employees are covered if they need basic first aid? All you need to know about getting set up with a first aid kit is all right here. According to ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2015, there’s a minimum set of requirements for supplies and the first aid kits they are kept in for various workplaces.2 This depends on what type of industry you operate and how many employees you have working for you. Basic first aid kits are listed under classification “A” and every business should have a minimum of these contents readily available. The supplies this first aid kit include: ● Adhesive bandages ● Adhesive tape ● Antibiotic application ● Antiseptic ● Breathing barrier ● Burn dressing ● Burn treatment ● Cold pack ● Eye covering ● First aid guide ● Hand sanitizer ● Medical exam gloves ● Eye/skin wash ● Roller bandage ● Scissors ● Sterile pads ● Trauma pads ● Triangular bandages As the risk for injuries and potential need for first aid in the workplace increases, industries should also increase the supplies in the first aid kit and choose a kit in the “B” classification. The main difference between the two classes is the class “B” kit will have a splint and tourniquet added to the contents. There are also standards for your workplace first aid kit container that your supplies are kept in. This depends on the environment of your industry and the potential for damage to the container like moisture, rough handling, or heavy objects falling on it. There are four types of containers for your kit: ● Type I: Fixed, mounted position indoors. The risk of damage to the container is minimal ● Type II: Portable use indoors, the risk for damage to the container is minimal ● Type III: Portable use indoor and/or outdoor and mobile use. Can be mounted if needed and must have a water-resistant seal ● Type IV: Portable use in mobile and/or outdoor settings. The risk for damage to supplies is high in this setting, requiring a heavier duty container. Who’s In Charge of Your Workplace First Aid Kit and How Do You Use It? Once you have your first aid kit purchased for your business, there are some things you need to take into consideration: ● Where will you keep your kit? ● Will it be mounted on a wall or intended for outdoor or mobile use? ● Who is going to maintain it by checking expiration dates and restocking supplies? ● How will you make sure your employees know how to use the supplies? The location of your kit will depend on your industry. If you have a brick and mortar store, you can mount your kit on the wall in a location that’s easy for all your employees to access. Outdoor industries may need to designate a certain location at their worksite and a kit that can be easily moved depending on job location, or mounted on a company vehicle. Your kit should come with a basic usage guide and a workplace first aid kit checklist. This will quickly give you a rundown of each of the supplies and how to use them. Some medications or antiseptics will have expiration dates on them. It is important to designate a certain person or two to check your first aid kit regularly and remove any expired supplies and replace them. It’s also a great idea to have a short inservice for your employees to run through the supplies and answer any questions on how to use them. Working With a First Aid Supply Company Takes Out the Guesswork Don’t have any idea where to start in purchasing an ANSI compliant first aid kit? Don’t have time to consistently check the supplies and expiration dates or order replacements? This is why working with a first aid supply company is a huge timesaver when you need to get your first aid kit quickly and ensure you are compliant with industry standards. TWS Texas Based Safety will provide you with a thorough consultation of what your business needs and they take all of the legwork out of the stocking and maintenance of your kit as well. We’ll get you what you need quickly and painlessly. Check out our maintenance program so we can ensure your supplies are stocked properly and never expire. Our team of first aid specialists do all the work to set you up with your first aid kit so you don’t have to. There’s no push to sell you products you don’t need and the entire staff is dedicated to keeping your workplace prepared for an emergency. To contact a consultant for TWS Safety or purchase an ANSI compliant first aid kit online and get it shipped directly to you click here. References 1. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.151 2. https://webstore.ansi.org/Standards/ISEA/ANSIISEAZ3082015?source=blog&_ga=2.219906457.1849728962.1611104747-1782231980.1610726533 COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY MANAGEMENT SERVICES In addition to our Free Monthly Toolbox Talk Newsletter, we offer a wide range of services for Texas Based Safety Management System Implementation. Our safety management services provide companies with an internal structure to stay OSHA compliant and reduce the risk of employees who might be exposed to occupational health and safety risks on the job. Our services include , Texas Based First Aid Kit Sales & Refill Service, Texas Based HSE Consulting, Texas Based AED Sales and Rentals, Texas Based Fire Extinguisher Sales and Inspection, and Texas Safety Database Management.
How to Select a First Aid Restocking Vendor
January 26, 2021
As your in-service safety provider, we wanted to send out this monthly safety message to raise awareness and enhance employee quality of life in your company. This monthly message deals with “The Importance of Safety Database Grading Management.” How to select a First Aid Restocking Vendor When it comes to making sure you are complying with OSHA regulations to provide basic first aid supplies for your office you may decide it is better to hire a 3rd party service company to restock your first aid supplies. But how do you select the proper first aid kit service company (enter keyword) and how does a first aid service work? What questions should you be asking your potential service provider? Are there any differences in the products they are restocking in the kits or are the main differences in the service attributes they provide? What are the minimum requirements for first aid kits and is that best option for my employees? Anytime you bring on a new vendor the process can seem daunting. After all, first aid supplies are a pretty basic and routine item that are available anywhere, right? Most first aid providers set up their service visits for once a month, this means you will be receiving 12 invoices throughout the year for restocking first aid supplies. Not only is this a monthly service visit, you will also be attracting an outside vendor into your facility so you need to check what qualifications your newly selected vendor has for their first aid technicians. Below are 5 questions you should ask any first aid provider when you are interviewing them to potentially bring them onboard: 1. How are your technicians compensated? Are they paid a flat fee or are they incentivized with commission based upon what is placed in the first aid cabinet? 2. How many inventory line items do you carry? (The more line items a provider carries the more opportunity to place additional items in a first aid kit potentially leading to higher monthly invoices) 3. What training do your technicians have? (Anytime you invite a contractor onsite you are assuming a certain level of liability so it is important to check what certifications/training their technicians possess) 4. Is there a minimum fee for coming onsite to inspect our first aid kits? 5. What is the cost of a new first aid kit? In summary, it can be difficult to keep up with first aid kit refills so it is always a good idea to keep your options open with searching for a first aid service provider to keep you compliant. COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY MANAGEMENT SERVICES In addition to our Free Monthly Toolbox Talk Newsletter, we offer a wide range of services for Texas Based Safety Management System Implementation. Our safety management services provide companies with an internal structure to stay OSHA compliant and reduce the risk of employees who might be exposed to occupational health and safety risks on the job. Our services include , Texas Based First Aid Kit Sales & Refill Service, Texas Based HSE Consulting, Texas Based AED Sales and Rentals, Texas Based Fire Extinguisher Sales and Inspection, and Texas Safety Database Management.
Proper First Aid Kits During COVID-19
January 11, 2021
As your in-service safety provider, we wanted to send out this monthly safety message to raise awareness and enhance employee quality of life in your company. This monthly message deals with “The Importance of Safety Database Grading Management.” First Aid Kits? OSHA requires employers provide a safe and healthy workplace that is reasonably free of occupational hazards. HIt is unrealistic to expect accidents not to happen, therefore, employers are required to provide medical and first aid personnel and supplies commensurate with the hazards of the workplace. The details of a workplace medical and first aid program are dependent on the circumstances of each workplace and employer. OSHA has recently decided that employers need to address their pandemic response plans when adhering to OSHA’s General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970, 29 USC 654(a)(1), which requires employers to furnish to each worker "employment and a place of employment, which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm." First Aid Kit Requirements The following list sets forth the minimally acceptable number and type of first-aid supplies for first-aid kits required under paragraph (d)(2) of the logging standard. The contents of the first-aid kit listed should be adequate for small work sites, consisting of approximately two to three employees. When larger operations or multiple operations are being conducted at the same location, additional first-aid kits should be provided at the worksite or additional quantities of supplies should be included in the first-aid kits: 1. Gauze pads (at least 4 x 4 inches). 2. Two large gauze pads (at least 8 x 10 inches). 3. Box adhesive bandages (band-aids). 4. One package gauze roller bandage at least 2 inches wide. 5. Two triangular bandages. 6. Wound cleaning agent such as sealed moistened towelettes. 7. Scissors. 8. At least one blanket. 9. Tweezers. 10. Adhesive tape. 11. Latex gloves. 12. Resuscitation equipment such as resuscitation bag, airway, or pocket mask. 13. Two elastic wraps. 14. Splint. 15. Directions for requesting emergency assistance. In conjunction with first aid kits, employers must consider the possibility of exposure to contagions when using, accessing, and maintaining first aid kits. OSHA 3990 highlights steps employers can take to minimize exposure and implement basic infection prevention measures. “For most employers, protecting workers will depend on emphasizing basic infection prevention measures. As appropriate, all employers should implement good hygiene and infection control practices, including: • Promote frequent and thorough hand washing, including by providing workers, customers, and worksite visitors with a place to wash their hands. If soap and running water are not immediately available, provide alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60% alcohol. • Maintain regular housekeeping practices, including routine cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces, equipment, and other elements of the work environment. When choosing cleaning chemicals, employers should consult information on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved disinfectant labels with claims against emerging viral pathogens. Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims are expected to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use of all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, PPE).” Going Forward Employers are mandated to have first aid kits; however, employers also need to consider how to maintain and sanitize fixed and mobile kits to ensure employee safety. TW Safety can ensure employers and employees are poised for success when it comes to health and safety, especially during this pandemic. We have the expertise to handle all of your first aid and workplace sanitizing efforts. COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY MANAGEMENT SERVICES In addition to our Free Monthly Toolbox Talk Newsletter, we offer a wide range of services for Texas Based Safety Management System Implementation. Our safety management services provide companies with an internal structure to stay OSHA compliant and reduce the risk of employees who might be exposed to occupational health and safety risks on the job. Our services include , Texas Based First Aid Kit Sales & Refill Service, Texas Based HSE Consulting, Texas Based AED Sales and Rentals, Texas Based Fire Extinguisher Sales and Inspection, and Texas Safety Database Management.
The importance of Safety Database Grading Management
October 4, 2020
As your in-service safety provider, we wanted to send out this monthly safety message to raise awareness and enhance employee quality of life in your company. This monthly message deals with “The Importance of Safety Database Grading Management.” The importance of safety database grading management and proper management can not be overstated. Contractor management services like ISNetworld and Veriforce can elevate or decimate your company’s hiring potential based upon your grades on their associated platforms. “Green” means go, “Yellow” means Caution, and “Red” means stop; many are familiar with these terms. In today’s world of electronic applications (apps) and online platforms, it is crucial that your company leverage all the tools possible to market itself effectively to potential hiring clients. One tool many companies use today is a third-party, online safety management database system that pre-screens companies and ensures that companies meet minimum regulatory and hiring client specific criteria before they are contracted to work. A question you may have is, “How can my company use this tool to grow as a business and attract these hiring clients?” The best way to do this is by achieving “good grades” or “Green” staus on the safety management database system. Hiring clients that use this tool set up a grading criteria, not unlike many schools do, using an “A,B,C, and F” scale. Each grade has criteria to meet and based upon the grade your company receives, will determine how you can work and even your marketability to potential hiring clients. A general rough breakdown of the grades are as follows: “A” – Recommended or preferred for use “B” – Acceptable to use “C” – Use with caution or use with approval from hiring client “F” – Unapproved or restricted for use Some hiring clients use the color coding system to identify which contractors are preferred and which contractors to stay away from. With this grading system you can normally see the following rules applied to each respective color: “Green” – No action required, company is in good standing to use “Yellow” – Company requires a mitigation plan before use or restrictions must be addressed before approval “Red” – Company is not allowed to work on site and requires serious action before consideration Regardless of the hiring clients grading scale, companies should always work towards the “A” or “Green” status; not only will this foster a strong working relationship with your hiring client, but it will also make you more marketable to future hiring clients. COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY MANAGEMENT SERVICES In addition to our Free Monthly Toolbox Talk Newsletter, we offer a wide range of services for Texas Based Safety Management System Implementation. Our safety management services provide companies with an internal structure to stay OSHA compliant and reduce the risk of employees who might be exposed to occupational health and safety risks on the job. Our services include
Preparing Your Workplace For a Hurricane
July 7, 2020
As your in-service safety provider, we wanted to send out this monthly safety message to raise awareness and enhance employee quality of life in your company. This monthly message deals with “Disinfecting Office Spaces, New OSHA Requirements, and First Aid Kit Updates.” Hurricane season is fast approaching. These monster storms can strike with tremendous, destructive force, and when they do, winds, water, and flying debris can threaten your business and your employees. Preparation is the key to survival and recovery. Preparation for hurricane season should begin long before the first hurricane warning is announced, says the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), but if you haven’t already made your hurricane survival and recovery plans, there’s no time like the present. To prepare your business for a hurricane, ASSE recommends taking these basic steps: Plan for survival and recovery. Assess how you can keep your business operating during and after a hurricane. Also, plan what to do if your facility is damaged or inaccessible, and develop a “continuity of operations” plan. During this phase, it will be important to notify customers and clients of your plan as well. Determine procedures and individual crisis management responsibilities. Make sure designated managers understand their accountability and how to perform their crisis duties effectively. Ensure that these responsibilities and procedures are communicated to all levels of employees. Coordinate with others. Meet with other businesses in your area as well as police, fire department, hospitals, and utility companies; also, talk to suppliers, shippers, and others with whom you regularly do business. Prepare employees. Make sure they know your emergency plan, and how to respond appropriately in the event of a hurricane. Ensure all employees have emergency contact phone numbers and email addresses. It is also helpful to list an alternate person in case you cannot get in touch with a manager or employee. Review emergency plans annually to account for changes in your business and community. Hurricane Warning: When you’re notified that a hurricane is approaching, take these steps, compiled from information by various subject matter experts and regulatory commissions: Clear desk tops completely of paper and other articles, and place these items in drawers or file cabinets. Back up critical computer files and store them in an off-site location (preferably in another region). Unplug all computers and other electronic equipment, cover with plastic, and tape down. Move desks, file cabinets, computer systems, and irreplaceable materials away from windows and off the floor (preferably into an interior room with no windows). If flooding is a possibility, to the extent practical, relocate critical equipment from the ground floor to a higher floor or a higher off-site location. Lock file cabinets and desk drawers. Board up windows and large exterior glass doors before any major hurricane. (If you can’t do this, use masking tape in a cross-hatch pattern on any large glass areas.) Close and lock windows and lower blinds. Lock and secure all doors. Remove all loose items (garbage cans, chairs, tables, plants, etc.) from outside the buildings. Don’t return to the workplace until the "all clear" is given. Hurricane Safety at Home: Subject matter experts and regulatory bodies also have suggestions for keeping safe at home during a hurricane. Share these safety tips with your employees: Leave hazardous areas early because roads to safe locations may become impassable several hours prior to the arrival of hurricane conditions. Stay away from low-lying beaches or other locations, which may be swept by high tides or storm waves. Stay home if your house is safe from high water and flash flooding. Bring in everything that could blow away, such as garbage cans, garden tools, furniture, and plants. Close and secure garage doors. Raise awnings, tie them securely, or take them down. Fasten storm shutters or board up windows with good lumber. Turn off all electrical power to the pool and remove all loose items from the area, but don’t drain. Have supplies such as food, plenty of drinking water, medications, flashlights, and a battery-operated radio on hand. Predetermine an evacuation route and communicate this to family members or friends who are not in the affected area. Planning is the most important step in ensuring both your business and employees are prepared in the event that a hurricane strikes. Ask questions, do not assume, document, and communicate plans at all levels. We may not be able to prevent hurricanes, but we can be prepared to minimize the negative effects they have on us. COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY MANAGEMENT SERVICES In addition to our Free Monthly Toolbox Talk Newsletter, we offer a wide range of services for Texas Based Safety Management System Implementation. Our safety management services provide companies with an internal structure to stay OSHA compliant and reduce the risk of employees who might be exposed to occupational health and safety risks on the job. Our services include , Texas Based First Aid Kit Sales & Refill Service, Texas Based HSE Consulting, Texas Based AED Sales and Rentals, Texas Based Fire Extinguisher Sales and Inspection, and Texas Safety Database Management.
Employees Responsibility to Organizational Safety
July 7, 2020
As your in-service safety provider, we wanted to send out this monthly safety message to raise awareness and enhance employee quality of life in your company. This monthly message deals with “Disinfecting Office Spaces, New OSHA Requirements, and First Aid Kit Updates.” Employee’s Responsibility To Organizational Safety As many of us in the organization have been working through this new normal with COVID-19, I think we can all agree that daily operations and workflow have changed for our employees. Some employees have been working remote and are preparing to go back to the office. In either case this may be a good time to review the points listed below to enhance workplace safety. Employees Need To Do More Than See Hazards Situational awareness is a real and important issue, but it is not very well understood. If you really think about situational awareness and how it applies to safety, think about Sherlock Holmes when he tells Dr. Watson, “You see, but you do not observe.” That’s really what we’re talking about. Situational awareness is about our ability to observe beyond seeing and put what we are observing into context. It comes down to do we appreciate the hazards around us, can we put our exposure to those hazards in context and can we recognize the change in vulnerability to the hazard. Engaging The Brain One way to ensure employees can take all of this in is pausing work. This is about stepping back, engaging the brain, and thinking about the level of exposure. One study worked with a group of delivery drivers who they had shift gears in thinking about going from driver to delivery person as they perform their duties. The exposures and mindset of being a delivery person is totally different than that of a driver. What they were training them to do is when they show up to a home to deliver a product, they pause. They talk themselves through the new exposures they are about to get into. This is only for a few moments, but it allows them to think things through instead of just running on autopilot. Getting Past The Safety Plateau: 3 keys When you’re fortunate enough to have cut down on injuries or other safety issues, you probably feel like celebrating. But be careful you’re not hitting a safety plateau. This is when things have improved so much that problems level off. Everything seems to be going great, and you’re about as safe as ever. So it’s time to lay off a little, right? Wrong. Before A Decline On the other end of that plateau could be a serious dip. People could get complacent, seeing they’ve improved. Fresh safety lessons can fall out of mind. Rather than risking a fall or staying where you are, when you hit a safety plateau, keep climbing. Here are three ways to help: 1) Do not focus on negatives. If you have improved on your injury rate or stopped having accidents, that is great. But do not make it the focus of your safety talks. Workers may think, “We’ve fixed that problem, so why are the Supervisors still talking about it?” Instead, focus on things like training hours completed or observations conducted. These are things that can always be improved on. Look outside the organization. Keep up to date on OSHA fines or news stories about companies that have had safety problems. Even if nothing has happened at your site recently, an accident can happen anywhere, any time. These stories will illustrate why training matters. Increase observations. This is the best time to get your team hunting for potential hazards. When things are going well, every hazard spotted and corrected not only protects workers, it boosts the safety morale of the group. Addressing Emotions In Risk Assessment When talking about risks and hazards it is important to keep human emotions in mind. This is something to remember whether you are talking to employees, corporate officers, or the public. Addressing risk is often not technical or data driven. We get it wrong when we think technology and data have all the answers. Logic and science are often not comforting. We can see this reality through the poor messaging related to COVID-19, which resulted in confusion and outrage. Emotions drive beliefs, which drive decision making. It is nearly impossible to form a well-informed decision when instincts can drive the decision-making process. Risk is Judged Personally Just saying the risk is low does not make it so in the mind of the person who sees you in control of a situation they have no control over. People have different perspectives and all risk is judged personally. To alleviate this sort of emotional response, it is important to: - Tell the truth - Build credibility and trust - Pay attention to unvoiced concerns and underlying motives - Remember everyone has biases - Remember beliefs are more powerful than facts, and - Put facts into context COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY MANAGEMENT SERVICES In addition to our Free Monthly Toolbox Talk Newsletter, we offer a wide range of services for Texas Based Safety Management System Implementation. Our safety management services provide companies with an internal structure to stay OSHA compliant and reduce the risk of employees who might be exposed to occupational health and safety risks on the job. Our services include
Disinfecting Coronavirus and First Aid Kits
May 13, 2020
As your in-service safety provider, we wanted to send out this monthly safety message to raise awareness and enhance employee quality of life in your company. This monthly message deals with “Disinfecting Office Spaces, New OSHA Requirements, and First Aid Kit Updates.” Feds offer guidance on cleaning workplaces post coronavirus Employers are getting federal guidance on how to properly clean and disinfect their facilities before re-opening from coronavirus-related closures. The President also signed into law H.R. 6201(P.L. 116-127, The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, outlining guidance for OSHA to issue an emergency temporary standard within 30 days that requires employers within some sectors to develop and implement a comprehensive infectious disease exposure control plan. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control issued guidance April 29 providing step-by-step instruction for post-pandemic cleaning and disinfecting of workplaces, public spaces, businesses, schools and homes. Proper cleaning and disinfecting are important in helping prevent the spread of coronavirus, according to a news release on the joint EPA/CDC guidance. This guidance offers a three-step process for preparing workplaces and other spaces for re-opening: 1. Develop a plan. Determine what needs cleaned, how to disinfect it and what resources and equipment are needed to do so. 2. Implement the plan. Clean visibly dirty surfaces with soap and water, use an appropriate disinfectant product and be sure to follow the directions on the label. 3. Maintain and revise the plan. Continue to routinely clean and disinfect while maintaining safe practices like frequent hand washing and using cloth face coverings and continue to reduce the potential of exposure by maintaining social distancing. To aid in creating a plan, the guidance also provides a cleaning and disinfecting decision tool. To properly clean and disinfect surfaces to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure, a two-step process should be followed: 1. Use soap and water to remove germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces, which lowers the risk of spreading infection. 2. Use disinfectants to kill germs still living on surfaces to further lower the risk of spreading infection. The EPA has a list of disinfectant products including ready-to-use sprays, concentrates and wipes that are effective against coronavirus. The agency reminds users to follow product label instructions and safety information closely. This includes leaving product on surfaces long enough to kill germs and rinsing the product off to avoid ingestion. When employers consider how to operate in these new times, and with OSHA preparing their new guidance on exposure control, they should also consider as many preventive measures as possible to protect their workforce and ensure business continuity. Here is a link to OSHA’s Control and Prevention worksheet. One thing is for certain, with this new guidance from OSHA, they are also looking to develop a new Employer Exposure Control Plan to mitigate this risks and risks in the future. One of the easiest and most effective ways to heighten prevention measures is to review current plans and look at first aid kits in your facilities. First aid kits are a vital source in prevention and employers should look at their first aid kits and see how they can be updated. With this new risk, first aid kits should contain disposable gloves, disposable masks, thermometers, and other items highlighted by the CDC and other subject matter experts. Many employers over look first aid kits because of their infrequent use or because the items inside primarily treat minor injuries; however, a good first aid kit enhances the overall safety of employees in the office and ensures a quick response to both injuries and exposure to infectious diseases. First aid kits are required by OSHA 1910.151(b) and the minimal list of contents within the kits is described by the American National Standard (ANSI) Z308.1-1998. TW Safety is available to answer all your COVID-19 and first aid kit questions, please do not hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns to enhance your workplace safety efforts. COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY MANAGEMENT SERVICES In addition to our Free Monthly Toolbox Talk Newsletter, we offer a wide range of services for Texas Based Safety Management System Implementation. Our safety management services provide companies with an internal structure to stay OSHA compliant and reduce the risk of employees who might be exposed to occupational health and safety risks on the job. Our services include