Claire McEvoy is a writer for PJ Brown, a Plant Hire & Grab Hire Company based in West Sussex.
Monthly Archives: August 2013
PREVENTING FALLS – A VERY IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITY OF EMPLOYERS
This just in from OSHA QUIK-TAKES bi-monthly newsletter:
OSHA has cited Republic Steel for 24 safety violations carrying fines of $1,138,500. The Canton, Ohio-based steel manufacturing plant was inspected after OSHA received a formal complaint alleging inadequate fall protection and other unsafe practices that exposed workers to various hazards in the plant’s melt shop. OSHA discovered during the inspection that two workers had been seriously injured from falls in 2012. The company has a history of failing to address fall hazards and will remain in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which mandates targeted follow-up inspections to ensure compliance with the law.
It’s a fact: falls from elevations account for one-third of all construction deaths. Because of the nature of construction workers, it is not surprising that their job is classified as high-risk. Everyone has a critical role to play in protecting construction workers. Beginning with architects who design the building, to equipment designers, and the construction company itself, owe it to their employees to plan ahead to get the job done safely. They must train all employees in ways to protect themselves with the proper personal protective equipment, how to maintain it, and provide them with the correct equipment to do the most efficient job.
It is important that workers who speak different languages are trained to understand how important working safely is. Materials should be provided in English and Spanish on ladder, scaffold, construction falls, and personal fall arrest systems. Special training should be given to ensure all workers comprehend and follow the precise instructions from the manuals or brochures.
It may be surprising to some, but many serious injuries are caused by falls from as little as six feet of height. Requirements from OSHA are that anyone exposed to six feet or more falls need either a guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall protection.
Hazards in the construction industry include:
- Unguarded protruding steel rebars;
- Improper scaffolding construction;
- Misuse of portable ladders;
- Unprotected sides or open floor holes.
After the building site is surveyed, the first thing to be done once construction has started, is to cover all floor openings and sides of building. The largest percent of workers reportedly suffering fatal falls came from falls from ladders. Others were falls from roof, scaffolds, non-moving vehicles/lifts, through openings, through roof surface, and falling to lower levels.
Laws that pertain to the safety of workers are as important as laws requiring compliance in all other topics. The people that construct our buildings and homes have the right to work safely and confidently, using their talents to their full extent. It is the obligation of the company to see that they are kept safe every day. If employers are responsible they can avoid expensive settlements and fines
Source: OSHA
WATCH OUT FOR OUR SCHOOL CHILDREN!
How quickly the summer school break goes by. It seems the schools just ended another year, and now it’s almost time to begin a new one. There is much anticipation in the air, especially for students that will experience school for the first time, or moving up to middle school, or high school. This is our reminder to you that our future generations are going to be either walking, on a bus, in a carpool, or riding their bikes to school. It is our responsibility as drivers to slow down and pay close attention.
Our second reminder: be sure your kids have received all their shots that are required to go to school. Free clinics are offering these shots, so now’s the time to take care of it. This is as important, or more so, than all the school supplies they will be needing.
Many states have laws that forbid drivers using cell phones in a school zone. This is a good law, and one that persons shouldn’t mind abiding by. Save that conversation for later, after you have stopped your car and gotten out of it. We need to remind our teens that texting and driving don’t mix at any time, and more so when there are chances of little ones crossing the streets or getting off the school bus.
Schools must put a stop to school bus bullying or physical encounters on buses. Schools should have constant communication systems between the bus drivers and the main office. In case of an incident, school officials or law enforcement should step in immediately. We have seen incidents that have been recorded on cell phones. The person doing the recording should be calling for help, as well. They may be afraid of a confrontation with the bully or bullies, but school administration officials should have a zero tolerance for this type of behavior.
Parents, go with your little ones for the first few times if they will be riding a bus. Be sure they understand when to get off safely and never to walk in front or directly behind the bus; rather, let the bus pull away first. If they are walking, please accompany them for a while, and if you can, find an older child that you know and trust to walk with them. Be sure they understand to obey the school crossing guard, who is there for their safety, and only cross streets at the corner.
Another tip for parents: don’t overload your child’s backpack. Their little backs can only carry so much, so balance the books, pens, crayons, etc. to lighten their load as much as possible.
For those drivers who go to work each day, leave the house a little early, to allow time to stop for school children or a school bus. It’s better to get to work on time, if possible, so take those extra minutes to head out and pay attention to little pedestrians.
Many of us grew up or raised our children in much more innocent times. Our children are most precious; if you live in a neighborhood that is not completely safe, please don’t send your child out alone. Be sure they go to school in a group. All kids should be taught never to talk to strangers or get in a vehicle with someone they don’t know.
These tips are reminders for all of us – drivers, parents, teenagers, teachers, bus drivers, and school administrators – to do our best to make this a very safe year for our children. We should commit to seeing that they are kept safe and secure at all times.
SAFETY RISKS IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY (GUEST POST)
Whether you work in the healthcare industry or you just happen to have a lot of interactions with professionals in this field, you likely already know that healthcare is a complicated field, with big rewards and big risks. If you’re looking to get into this field, then you should definitely educate yourself on the risks it entails, especially in regard to your personal safety. It’s hard to sum up all the risks succinctly, because they are extremely varied, but there will always be recurring dangers and hang ups. What are some of the biggest problems healthcare professionals experience? Read on to find out!
Malpractice Issues
Here we have a huge, double-faceted problem. While we wouldn’t say that it riddles the healthcare industry, you can certainly find plenty of cases of it. It poses a major risk for the patients, as they could be injured, or even killed, on the operating table or as a result of a treatment. That said, working in the industry also means that you may be subject to malpractice, regardless of your role in a procedure or treatment. Doctors are most at risk obviously, and they must protect themselves with comprehensive malpractice insurance.
Other Types of Lawsuits
As you probably know, malpractice is one type of lawsuit. The healthcare field can be held accountable for so many different problems though. Consider the sheer amount of people who walk into and out of doctors’ offices on a daily basis. Between private practices, hospitals and other such entities, hundreds, or even thousands, of people in your own town are going through those doors each day. Healthcare professionals must be extremely careful when it comes to handling confidential information, interacting with distraught or confused patients and giving anyone advice – every word you say and action you take can and will have consequences. One mistake on a prescription could potentially cost your office millions if it’s exploited or misinterpreted.
Bodily Hazards
This is something many worry about on a daily basis. Coming into contact with sick patients can potentially lead to physical harm or negative health consequences. Being stuck with a needle from a patient who is HIV, HCV or even HSV positive could potentially lead to health problems, as could being accosted by an angry or distraught psychiatric patient. Coming into contact with someone who has SARS or Bird Flu could also be hazardous. Most health professionals understand that this is an inherent risk to the profession and are willing to take that risk, but you must understand that it comes with the territory if you plan to make a career out of it. All health care facilities will emphasize gloves, washing hands and other best practices to minimize the chances of any of these incidents from happening.
Your Conscience
Most people enter the healthcare industry to make a difference – they care about their fellow man (or woman). However, there will always be those looking to game the system, and it’s up to you as a healthcare professional to prevent their success. It may be hard to imagine that someone would make up a story about pain in order to attain free medication, but it can and will happen. It may also be hard to accept that people just die in hospitals everyday – but they do, and you may need to adjust your worldview or attitude about why you have the job you do.
As you can see, all different types of safety risks exist in the healthcare industry. Some of them relate to the safety of money, and others relate to physical safety. Knowing about the field as a whole is quite important for anyone looking to enter it. More information can be found about healthcare professions at websites like thebestcolleges.org
Joseph Rodriguez writes about the his experiences in the healthcare industry as an administrator at a health center on the west coast.
WHY SELF-STORAGE IS SAFE AND SMART FOR BUDDING BUSINESSES (GUEST POST)
As a business begins to grow it tends to accrue more items, which in turn may prompt the demand for a larger space. Having sufficient space is crucial to running a successful business. That’s why finding the right storage space for your company’s belongings is a must. Instead of having to worry about expanding, relocating or adding more room, look into storage to accommodate your ever-growing business needs.
Having a self-storage unit will benefit any business, whether office, retail or commercial, by freeing up space and cutting down on needless clutter. When a business effectively uses an office space to its advantage, it can help reduce the rising cost of operations and daily functions. Storing items such as paperwork, seasonal products, or extra office machines in a storage unit can help cut costs by opening up space, which will in turn help increase office productivity. While self-storage does cost money, it can easily outweigh the expense of having to expand or even relocate in the future.
Ensured & Secured
If a business owner is looking for a safe place to store their piles and piles of office documents, then self-storage is the perfect solution. Most self-storage facilities allow you to access your unit any time of day, 365 days a year. Insurance plans offered by your storage unit will also grant you peace of mind when storing your office’s belongings there. Because most businesses go through seasonal cycles, storing excess or unneeded items can be a lifesaver. Having a clutter-free office means not having to worry about where everything is, which helps increase annual productivity. Having more space within the building will not only help create a natural flow of output, it will look more appealing to potential clients.
Effectively Utilizing Office Space
By cutting down on excess items and helping to file and store all your business’ documents, you’ll be able to use your office layout to its fullest potential. The aesthetics of an office are one of the first things your business may be judged on, and many people will not want to visit an office that has a large amount of clutter. Storage enables you to rid your office of all of the extra things lying around that are blocking workflow and taking up space, not to mention the fact that this could be hurting the way a business presents itself to customers and potential clients.
Choosing a self-storage unit for your influx of documents, furniture and everything else will help an office look organized, safely secure company files, and will allow you to utilize the extra space to your advantage. Whether you are an office, retail or commercial business owner, a self-storage unit is the perfect solution to any budding business and can drastically improve the quality of office life.
Written by Caroline Casetti for Storage Post, which offers top-notch customer service, as well as 24-hour security surveillance and 24-hour key card access. Storage Post also offers flexible month-to-month contracts, so if expanding or relocating your business is a viable future option, you can simply cancel your agreement.
Caroline Casetti is an aspiring artist, a humanitarian, freelance writer, and new homeowner. While she typically writes about community involvement, she has taken the time to recognize a few advantages of storage and why it is smart for many businesses.
Thanks for this take on the importance of storage space. Having worked in a brand new hospital, the thought of storage seemed to have been left out of the planning stage. Very quickly, we ran out of room to keep unused equipment and file boxes of paperwork, which led to clutter, a common hazard. Renting storage space, as you stated, cuts down the cost for building additional space. Keeping a business organized is also very important to tracking down paperwork later down the line. pb
SAFETY TIPS EVERY TRADESMAN SHOULD KNOW WHEN WORKING WITH ELECTRICITY (GUEST POST)
As many of you may know, working with electricity does have its risks and tradesmen working with the hidden dangers of household and industrial electricity on a daily basis should be on their guard, exercising safety and caution at every turn. According to a recent survey by Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) in the past decade 46,000 workers have been injured on the job by industrial electrical hazards, but what can you do to ensure you don’t form part of this statistic?
Check out the following four safety tips for industrial professionals to ensure they get through their working day safely and without encountering all-too-common hazards and resulting electricity-related accidents…
Never Assume Safety
Forgetting the basics of electrical safety, whether working with industrial alkaline batteries on a small installation or live conductors at a large scale manufacturing plant, results in the majority of injuries, such as electrocution, electric shocks, burns and falls. Never assume that an electrical component you are handling is safe, always run the necessary checks to ensure that the component you are working with is free from hazards before starting your project.
Know the Warning Signs
The second part of the ‘never assume safety’ rule is knowing how to confidently determine the warning signs and dangers that come with electricity and electrical components. If you are unsure about how to identify these hazards, then get clued up before you take on the project with professional training and assistance from a more qualified industry expert. After all, even if you have experience working with household voltages, this does not mean that you can work safely with commercial or industrial application voltages.
Use the Right Safety Equipment
As well as using your industry knowledge to identify the warning signs of electrical safety, it is also necessary to know what type of safety equipment is appropriate when dealing with electrical faults, devices, panels and other equipment to avoid serious injury. Always wear the appropriate safety gear; safety glasses, ear protectors, gloves, dust masks and rubber soled shoes are all essential accessories for completing an electrical project.
Test, Test and Test Again
Testing all electrical components before you start work is also an important step in electrical safety and testing should be completed thoroughly before checking whether a device is even on or off, or industrial batteries are energised. A non-contact voltage tester is every electrician’s best friend so make it yours; this handy tester can pinpoint whether a circuit is on before you even touch the switch or remove the panel to view its internal wires. Keep up to date with the latest electrical safety equipment and see the risk of electrical injury diminish!
Bio: Brittany is from Steatite Batteries, a market leading supplier of industrial technology solutions. Using over 75 years of experience, Steatite design and manufacture custom battery packs and industrial alkaline batteries.
HOW SAFE ARE “LONE WORKERS?”
How many of you know of someone who works alone? How many jobs can you name that apply? We may be unaware that there are several types of occupations that fall into this range, and each one has certain hazards or risks. Some persons enjoy working alone, and for that reason, choose solitary jobs. If you are working alone, be ready to work as safely as possible when fulfilling your duties.
Those who work alone are grouped into five broad categories:
- Workers who handle cash, such as convenience store clerks, retail food outlet workers, taxi drivers, liquor store employees, jewelry store clerks, and some law enforcement officers.
- Workers who are at risk of violent attack because their workplace is isolated from public view. This includes security guards and custodians.
- Workers who travel away from base office to meet clients: sales workers, home care workers, social services workers and law enforcement officers.
- Workers who do hazardous work but have no routine interaction with customers or the public. This includes workers in the logging and oil and gas industries.
- Workers who travel alone but have no routine interaction with customers or the public. This includes truck drivers and business people in transit: deliverymen and mail carriers.
Each of these situations has different hazards and means of controlling them:
OSHA requires that employers must account for every employee having been checked on at regular intervals. They should be notified at the end of the job assignment or end of work shift. This should be done by sight or verbal communication.
Here are some ways to stay safe when working alone:
- Employers must assess the hazards of the workplace.
- Talk to workers about their work. Get their input about the work they do and possible solutions. Talk to your boss about how to minimize the hazards of the job.
- Investigate incidents at the workplace, and those from similar workplaces.
- Eligible employees could be given a personal locator beacon with GPS.
- Avoid having a lone worker whenever possible, especially for jobs with a known risk.
- Take corrective action to prevent or minimize the potential risks of working alone.
- Provide appropriate training and education.
- Report all situations, incidents or “near misses” where working alone increased the severity of the situation. Analyze this information and make changes to company policy where necessary. Ask for the “buddy system”, where you can take a coworker into high risk situations. Ensure that this system is available to employees.
- Establish a check-in procedure. Make sure regular contact is kept with all workers.
- Establish ways to account for people (visually or verbally) while they are working.
- For most lone workers, the telephone will be the main source of contact. If work is at a desk or station, have a telephone close by. If work is away from a main office or work station, keep your cell phone charged. If a cellular phone is unreliable in the area, be sure to have alternative methods of communication available (such as use of public telephones, site visits or satellite technology.
- Schedule high risk tasks during normal business hours, or when another worker is capable of helping if an emergency situation arises.
- Position workers, where possible, in locations of highest visibility; don’t allow store windows to be covered up with signs, in order to keep employees visible to the public.
- Use a security system such as video surveillance cameras, mirrors, observation windows, etc., however, ensure that informed consent is obtained from employees prior to use.
Other points for employers to consider:
Length of time the worker will be working alone:
What time of the day will the worker be alone?
- Is it legal for the worker to be alone while doing certain activities? (For example: In many jurisdictions, working alone in confined space or during lock-out/tag-out operations is restricted.).
- What is a reasonable length of time for the worker to be alone?
Communication: Is voice communication adequate, or is it necessary to “see” the work?
- What forms of communication are available?
- If the communication systems are located in a vehicle, do you need alternate arrangements to cover the worker when away from the vehicle?
Location of the work: Is the work in a remote or isolated location? (Remember, a remote location does not have to be far away. Storage rooms that are rarely used can be considered remote or isolated.) Transportation necessary to get there; if so, what type of transportation?
- What are the consequences if the vehicle breaks down?
- Is the vehicle equipped with emergency supplies such as – food, drinking water and a first aid kit?
- Will the worker have to leave the vehicle for long periods of time?
Type or nature of work:
- Is there adequate training and education provided for the worker to be able to work alone safely?
- Does the work include working with money or other valuables?
- If personal protective equipment is required, is it available, is it in good working order, and has the worker been trained in its use, care and storage?
- What machinery, tools or equipment will be used?
- Is there a high risk activity involved?
- Are there extremes of temperature?
- Is fatigue likely to be a factor?
- If the worker is working inside a locked building, how will emergency services be able to get in? (For example: a night cleaner in a secure office building.)
- Does the work involve seizing property or goods (such as repossession, recovering stolen property)?
- Is there risk of an animal attack, or poisoning/allergic reaction from insect/animal bites?
Characteristics of the individual who is working alone:
- Does the worker have experience and training? (For example: relevant administrative procedures, first aid, communication systems repair, vehicle breakdowns, and/or outdoor survival.)
- Are there pre-existing medical conditions that might increase the risk?
Most of us don’t think of being alone in an office a kind of danger. However, if this is the type of work that you do, check to see how many exits there are in your room? There should be at least two ways of escape if you feel threatened. Also, have a communication system with your home base or an employee working somewhere else in the building. We hear of “workplace violence”, and many times it happens in an office setting.
Sources:
OSHA; Safety.BLR (Free Toolbox Safety Talks; Alberta Department of Human Resources
MORE SAFETY SUGGESTIONS FOR SUMMER WORK
During the summer months, the right type of training and adequate protection can go a long way toward keeping workers safe outside, where workers are exposed to heat stress and UV radiation, pest-borne diseases, and poisonous plants .
Timing can be everything. While you can’t always choose your hours or work locations, you may be able to plan your workload to avoid overheating. Schedule your heaviest work for the coolest parts of the day. In the summer, sunlight exposure is greatest between 10 am and 4 pm. Many workers start their day very early in the morning, and quit before the hottest time of the day starts, or return to work in the evening hours. If you are working between 10 am and 4 pm, take several breaks during those hours, in a shady place.
Stay hydrated. When it’s hot, you must remember to drink enough fluids. Drink before you get thirsty, because once you become thirsty, you are already beginning to dehydrate. Skip drinks with caffeine, alcohol, and large amounts of sugar. Water is still the best choice, but if you are sweating a lot, drink a sports beverage to help replenish your electrolytes and prevent heat cramps.
Summer fashion advice: Wide-brimmed hats, sun glasses with side panels, and pants tucked into socks may not make much of an impression, but they can prevent any number of burns, stings, and bites. Full-length pants and long-sleeved shirts reduce bites from mosquitoes and ticks and minimize skin contact with poisonous plants. Hats and safety sunglasses protect your skin and eyes from the sun’s UV radiation. If you have a history of skin cancer, you may choose dark clothing with a tight weave, which blocks UV rays more effectively than light-colored, loosely woven clothing. However, if pests are more of a concern, wear light colors and tuck your pant legs into your socks to avoid unpleasant up-the-leg visitors. To stay cooler in the heat, wear light-colored clothing that is loose-fitting and made from a breathable material such as cotton.
Know your plants. Poison oak, ivy, and sumac are found throughout the United States. The sap oil from these plants can cause painful allergic reactions. Investigate the types that are poisonous, and avoid them. Wear long sleeves, long pants, boots, and gloves to shield your skin from contact. Also, you may consider using a barrier skin cream. Burning plants that may be poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac can cause life-threatening allergic reactions from the smoke.
Find out if any workers have existing allergies. In addition to knowing first aid and having first aid kits handy, supervisors should be aware if a worker is allergic to certain insect bites or stings, plants, etc., and be prepared to treat them as soon as possible. The worker should carry benadryl, or some type of allergy medicine to avoid going into anaphylactic shock.
Watch out for the critters! Tall grass, leaf litter, rocks, wood piles, and bushes are favorite hiding places for spiders, ticks, scorpions, and snakes. If possible, stay away from these areas. Wear gloves when handling brush or debris. Wear boots, pants, and long sleeves when working in tall grass or underbrush. Cut grass and remove dried leaves from around the worksite to reduce tick populations. Be cautious near piles of undisturbed materials where snakes or spiders may be. Store unused apparel and equipment in tightly closed plastic bags. An additional spider caution: they are often found living in outdoor toilets where flies are plentiful. If you are working around standing water, or where mosquitoes breed and live, be aware that some of these little pests carry West Nile Virus. This is a very serious and debilitating disease, so be sure you have insect repellent sprayed all over your clothes and open skin.
Monitor your coworkers. In addition to your own physical condition, also keep an eye on your coworkers. Learn the symptoms of heat-related illness, and watch for them in yourself and others. Understand that protective clothing or personal protective equipment may increase the risk of heat stress. Also, brush up on your first aid so you can help a coworker who may need immediate help if suffering from heat stroke or other heat-related reactions. Observe certain workers, such as older ones, that could be prone to heat stroke. Those with heart disease or other health problems may not be able to stand continuous heat very long. You and your coworkers can also help each other by inspecting for hard-to-spot creatures. Ticks, in particular, can be difficult to see, especially on your own body. Help each other inspect skin, hair, and clothes for unwanted passengers.
Use plenty of sunscreen. Last, but certainly not least, follow this advice: wear plenty of good sunscreen to block UVA and UVB radiation. Wear sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15. SPF refers to the amount of time you will be protected from a burn. An SPF of 15 will allow a person to stay out in the sun 15 times longer than they normally would be able to stay without burning. The SPF rating applies to skin reddening and protection against UVB exposure. It does not indicate any level of protection against UVA. A good broad spectrum sunscreen will contain additional ingredients to block UVA. Ask your dermatologist what he/she recommends. Sunscreen performance is affected by wind, humidity, perspiration, and proper application. It should be reapplied at least every two hours. Some sunscreens lose their efficiency when used with insect repellent. Throw away sunscreen bottles that are more than 2 years old, as it is no longer effective.
Source: CDC
FOUR COMMON WORK INJURIES AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM (GUEST POST)
It’s a pretty well-known fact that some industries have naturally higher risks for on-the-job injuries. Things like factory work, construction sites, and building/manual labor present a bigger change for someone to get hurt while they’re at work. Obviously, no one wants to get hurt at work, and for that reason, OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, has policies in effect that help to regulate work conditions and help prevent injury. In order to avoid being injured on the job, it’s helpful to know what the most common injuries are and how to prevent them from happening.
1. Overexertion Injuries
In jobs that require hard labor like heavy lifting, carrying, building, or throwing, workers are susceptible to overexertion injuries like pulled muscles, sprains, back injuries, or even heart attack. Employers should have policies in place to prevent injuries like these—employees need proper training for lifting and should report any aches or pains to the job’s supervisors. Encourage employees to take breaks if they are feeling exhausted from a particular task to avoid straining muscles, and hold regular training sessions to reinforce workplace safety.
2. Slipping and Falling, or Falling from Heights
Slips and falls are all too common. They can be caused by:
- an employee losing footing
- uneven ground
- spills
Slippery floors should be cleaned immediately, wet floors should have wet floor signs, and if floors are uneven, there should be caution signs posted until the floor is fixed—or better yet, that part of the building should be off limits until it is safe. If an employee slips and falls, an incident report should be filed, and that employee should seek medical care to prevent further injury. As for falling from heights, such as off of ladders or roofs, these are difficult accidents to prevent, but employees can use proper protection gear if it is available, like harnesses when working on roofs or windows on the sides of buildings. These can be slip-and-fall incidents, or they can be due to faulty equipment, like a ladder breaking.
Equipment should always be in excellent condition to provide optimal safety. When equipment is not maintained, the employer may be held liable for any workplace injuries, but in those cases, the employee will have to get a workers’ compensation lawyer involved for additional help.
3. Repetitive Motion Injuries
Repetitive motion injuries can be similar to overexertion injuries, but they also include things like office workers who experience pain and injury from things like typing, or mail carriers who frequently have to lift heavy boxes. These can be prevented by employers making sure that their employees have proper break schedules and aren’t overextending their abilities. For example, if a person can only lift 50 pounds, they shouldn’t be made to lift 75 pound boxes all day long—that is bound to cause injury sooner rather than later. Likewise, ergonomic solutions can help prevent office-related injuries.
4. Machine Entanglement
Machine entanglement, as you might imagine, is a rather gruesome work injury, but unfortunately, lax safety procedures mean that these types of injuries aren’t uncommon. Clothing, shoes, fingers, and hair are often left unprotected and can be quickly swept into the inner-workings of a machine, which can very swiftly cause severe injury or death.
Prevent these and other accidents by taking measures such as:
- wearing hairnets and close-fitting clothing
- being alert about your surroundings
- paying close attention to the task at hand
Taking these steps helps ensure that work injuries don’t occur, keeping responsible employees safe while simultaneously protecting their coworkers.
Bio: Steven J. Malman is the founder and President of Malman Law, a personal injury law firm in Chicago, Illinois. Steven has experience representing victims in personal injury, nursing home abuse and neglect, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation and premises liability cases.
THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE MARSHALL TRAINING (GUEST POST)
Maintaining good fire safety awareness is a must for all individuals. Although everyone must stay fire aware, one of the key figures involved in fire safety is going to be the fire marshall, so learning what this role entails is important.
If you’ve ever considered fire marshall training, knowing what they are responsible for can help you make an informed decision.
The Daily Duties For Fire Safety Awareness
Don’t let yourself think that a fire representitive is only going to be involved when a fire is breaking out. That isn’t the case at all.
In fact, there are daily duties that a fire marshall must be taking part in to ensure that maximal fire safety awareness is maintaining.
First, they must make sure that all exit doors are available for use and that these doors are unlocked and not obstructed by any obstacles standing in the way. It’s vital that everyone can easily get out should a fire break loose.
Next, they also need to check that the escape routes are likewise easily accessible and there are no combustible materials present around them. Anything irresponsibly left in the line of escape should be removed and stored in a suitable place.
On a day to day basis, the fire marshall must also check that fire extinguishers are in position and that safety signs are clear and completely visible with nothing standing in the way. It’s important that fire alarm call points are not being obstructed and that fire-resisting doors are closed and are functioning as they should.
If any of these are not working properly, a report must be made so the proper authorities are aware of it.
The Duties During An Emergency
Should the worst happen and a fire breaks out, there will be additional duties that the fire marshall needs to take on.
First, he or she must instigate the evacuation of the area and make sure that everyone has left the premises. From there, he or she must proceed to the assembly area and report to the fire co-ordinator, taking role call if necessary. Take a count sheet with a list of everyone in your office/premises and double check that no one could have been left, or trapped in the building.
From there, the fire co-ordinators will typically take over many of the duties and will start to gather information on the cause of the fire and all necessary facts that will be required in order to file the police report. They will also report if or when the building is safe to re enter.
You can see there are many different roles and duties that a fire marshall must take on. If proper fire safety awareness is maintained, everyone should know who the marshalls are, what they are responsible for and ensure that these duties are being completed. An incident command safety vests might also help to alleviate confusion as to which person is doing a particular task.
It’s when duties are let slip that serious fire hazards can occur and when the most serious of fires can break out.
A thorough fire risk assessment of your premises conducted by professional fire safety consultants should always be carried out to ensure fire safety best practice is implemented. Then with proper care and maintenance, optimal fire safety should be easily maintained and you can rest easy knowing that should a fire occur, you are well protected.
Submitted by Joanne Gardner