Monthly Archives: December 2018

Fall Safety

5 Most Common Causes of Accidents When Working at Heights

By Juhlian Pimping from SafetyCulture

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OSHA recently announced its preliminary top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety violations for fiscal year 2018. “Fall protection” once again topped the list with 7,270 violations along with “Scaffolding” which came in at #3 with 3,336 violations. Falls remain the leading contributor of deaths in the construction industry, representing close to 40% of total deaths in construction in CY2016.

Here are the 5 most common causes of accidents when working at heights and some tips on how to avoid them:

1. Fragile Roofs –
Refer to elevated surfaces that are at risk of falling when under the pressure of unexpected loads. All roof surfaces should be considered fragile until a competent person has examined it. Examples of fragile roofing material can include skylights, asbestos cement-roof sheeting and corrugated steel.

Workers who step or sit on fragile roof materials are at risk of falling or slipping from heights which can lead to tragedy. Also, falling material and equipment can pose critical safety risks to those working below.

To reduce these risks, a risk assessment should be conducted before working on roofs to identify fragile roof surfaces and materials. Appropriate access and support material should be used such as ladders, crawling boards and load-bearing supports. Workers should also wear appropriate footwear.

2. Unprotected Edges –

This refers to walking or working surfaces both horizontal and vertical with no fall protection. Examples of unprotected sides and edges include scaffolding, platforms, and towers without guardrails, toeboards, or fencing.

Working from surfaces with unprotected edges puts workers at risk of falling, suffering major injuries and in extreme cases, fatalities.

To mitigate such risks, OSHA requires each employee to be protected by guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems if they are walking or working on surfaces 6 feet or more above a lower level.

3. Falling Materials –
This refers to tiles, bricks, wood cuttings, tools and other materials common in a construction site which may come loose and fall on workers.

Even small items can cause considerable damage to people and structures if dropped from a height. Injuries range from bruises to fractures, and even fatalities. Damage to structures can also affect work schedules due to repair-work.

The following hazards should be actively identified and controlled in order to lower the risk of falling materials injuring workers:
  • Gaps in platform surfaces or between platforms
  • Unprotected edges
  • Improper transportation of materials, equipment, or tools from ground level to the working area
  • Improper transportation methods of getting materials down to ground level, e.g. throwing
  • Improper storage of materials, e.g. on scaffold edges or in unstable stacks
In addition, adequate warning should be provided to both workers and civilians entering the jobsite where the risk of falling materials cannot be completely eliminated. This can be done by posting a signage, wearing appropriate PPE/ head protection, verbally communicating the hazards, or providing civilian or guest routes to get around the jobsite.

4. Unstable Equipment –
Refers to access equipment such as scaffolding, towers, platforms, and ladders that aren’t stable enough to be considered safe.
Using unstable equipment puts workers at risk of losing their balance which can lead to falling and dropping materials.

Though there are inherent risks in using such equipment when working at heights, proper maintenance and use should be observed in order to reduce the risks to acceptable levels. Unstable equipment deemed unsafe by a competent person must not be used.

5. Weather Conditions –
This refers to adverse weather conditions that may affect work surfaces, workers, materials, and equipment. Here are some examples in which the weather can affect working at heights:

  • Rain or ice can cause workers to slip and fall
  • Strong winds can blow loose materials/ tools away, make access equipment unstable, and affect the balance of workers
  • Cold conditions may affect workers’ dexterity and increase the risk of injuries
  • Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can cause cancer, sunburn, and eye problems
OSHA requires employers to provide safety equipment to their workers in almost all cases free of charge, and workers are encouraged to wear PPE suitable for the weather condition they have to work in to minimize the risk of hazards.

Conclusion
Considering the high-level of risk when working at heights, employers and workers should first assess its necessity in relation to the work that needs to be done. Where it is unavoidable however, employers and workers need to be aware of the common causes of accidents when working at heights so they can take the necessary precautions to avoid them.

Performing regular safety inspections can help identify hazards when working at heights and prevent tragedies from occurring. Using safety checklists can help with performing inspections: here are seven working at heights safety checklist templates you can download and use. Using a mobile app like iAuditor can help you perform paperless inspections while onsite and streamline your reporting.
General Safety Issues

4 Power Tools Safety Tips

Guest Blog Written by Daniel Brown

There are numerous reasons why people use power tools both in their line of work and for private purposes. First of all, they have the advantage of speed and scale, which allows you to do tasks you would be unable to do before or to handle a previously possible task with several times greater speed. Still, with greater power comes greater responsibility and, in this case, a greater hazard. Handling power tools inadequately can cause some serious injuries, far greater than those that could occur with hand tools. With that in mind and in order to prevent such a thing from happening, you need to know a couple of tips regarding handling power tools. Here are some of them.Photo by https://www.bidvine.com

  • Be focused

The problem with handling power tools lies in the fact that it can be quite boring at the time. It takes only a second for you to make a mistake that you could regret for a lifetime. This is why you need to stay alert, awake and focused on what you’re doing. Do what you’re doing and take as long as you need. You’re saving time (in comparison to doing the same task with regular tools) either way, so there’s no point in rushing. As soon as you notice that there’s a lapse in concentration take a break. Power tools usually cause a lot of noise, which is why you would do well to get some rest from this, as well.

  • Use protective gear

The next thing you need to understand is the fact that the right gear might protect you in more than several ways. Hardhats are there to protect you from debris and recoil (which might happen with some power tools). Safety glasses are vital in keeping your eyes safe, especially when cutting something. Ear plugs are there to help you stay focused on the task at hand. Now, safety shoes may seem as optional but they’re actually a vital piece of protective gear. Lastly, the importance and pragmatism of gloves are more than self-explanatory. Safety vest is also important, seeing as how it enables your coworkers, bypassers or bystanders to notice you in time. This will help avoid a scenario where they bump into you by accident.

  • Preparing for the worst

Keep in mind that you won’t always be able to prevent an accident. Sure, you might be focused and careful but what if someone else bumps into you while you’re handling a dangerous power tool? What if the device malfunctions or interacts with a material that it’s working on… well, in a way it shouldn’t? This is why it’s important that you have a strategy that will help you behave even if the worst is to happen.

What you need is to unplug the tool and find a first aid kit right away. Then, seek aid from a professional medical expert. Keep in mind that ramifications of this aren’t always medical but legal as well. For instance, if you’ve suffered an injury at work you might also be in need of work compensation lawyers. While some may see this as too pessimistic, it’s always for the best to be prepared ahead of time.

  • Mind the surroundings

Keep in mind that these tools aren’t the only thing that you need to be focused on. Think of it like experience similar to driving a car. What are you looking at while you drive? The road ahead, the pedestrians, other cars or the rear-view mirror? The answer is simple, you’re looking at all of them and the same thing you need to do while handling the power tool. Mind the surroundings both before you start work and clean it up, if necessary. Do so while working and make sure to inspect are after you’re finished. In this way, you’ll make it much safer for work.

In conclusion

    At the end of the day, you need to keep in mind that while power tools may sound dangerous, especially from the information we’ve discussed above, this is not really so in practice. Most people go through their entire lives without having a single power tool-related accident and, if you follow the above-listed four tips, you just might do the same.
General Safety Issues

Tips to prevent common forklift accidents

 

They might look fun to operate, but forklifts are nothing to be toyed with. They are a serious workplace hazard. Forklift drivers are constantly at risk of injury when operating them. Accidents range from human injury to equipment destruction. Proper safety precautions are absolutely necessary to keep this from happening. Here are some examples of how to implement safety measures.

 

1. Be wary of pedestrians

 

Forklifts are dangerous pieces of equipment. Combined with the weight they lift, they can have a combined weight of thousands of pounds. Something this heavy is always dangerous, especially if it is constantly on the move. Pedestrian deaths aren’t uncommon when mishandling forklifts. Heavy loads can fall or the forklift can tip over and crush a person quite easily. Preventing this should be your number one goal.

 

The easiest way to do this is to physically separate the pedestrians from forklifts. A barrier should be installed between where people walk and where the forklift operates. Brightly coloured lines don’t do the trick, they just serve as reminders to watch out. You want to actually prevent accidents from happening. Low visibility is another cause for incidents, so high-visibility clothing is recommended for workers in the warehouse.

 


2. Reduce collisions

 

Forklifts don’t just pose a danger to pedestrians, they are just as dangerous to everything else in a warehouse. Anything from walls to other machinery is in danger if you don’t properly handle a forklift. Even other forklifts aren’t safe from collisions. The most common kind of collision is one where the driver accidentally reverses into equipment or walls. Since they are pretty heavy, anything you crash into will have a dent in it.

 

The best way to prevent this is spatial awareness. Drivers should check their surroundings and always do a three-sixty visual check of the area they are navigating in. While driving the forklift, they must keep their eyes on the road at all times. Eliminate distractions that could divert attention from the drivers. Slower navigation is always a bonus, the slower you go the lower the chance of a collision.

 

3. Proper training

 

Human error is one of the main factors when it comes to forklift accidents. Putting the blame on drivers alone won’t cut it, though. Forklift drivers are people too. You should focus on getting them the necessary training they need to avoid these types of accidents. Even experienced drivers need a reminder or two on occasion. Refresher training should be provided to even the most seasoned drivers.
Training offers some indirect benefits to your business as well. Due to being a safety measure, it will reduce insurance premiums. The lack of accidents as a result of the training will lead to less money spent on repairs. If you provided all the necessary tools and instruments for operators to improve themselves, your liability in the event of a disaster is decreased. Organizations like OSHA might even mandate some degree of refresher training for workers. Research your labour laws regarding this.

 


4. The right equipment matters

 

The cause of an accidents doesn’t solely rest on the shoulders of a driver. Sometimes it’s the equipment that is at fault. Forklifts are machines like any other. They can fail just like any other piece of equipment. The difference is that when they fail, they can cause catastrophic injury or loss of life. Employers have to make it their duty to get the best kind of equipment in order to mitigate the number of accidents. It’s one area where it pays off not to be frugal.

 

If a forklift breaks down, you will obviously need to fix it. Regular maintenance is important for any piece of machinery. Companies like MLA Holdings can provide these services regularly. While one machine is getting fixed, you should find a rental replacement while you wait for the first to be fixed. If it’s unsalvageable, you should consider getting a new forklift or at least a quality used one.

 

5. Keep an eye on the loading dock

 

Driving around a warehouse isn’t the main point of a forklift. You load and unload heavy objects and packages. Sometimes the loading process will include a van or truck. While they are moving vehicles, they aren’t supposed to move during loading and unloading. This is where accidents come in. A variety of things can happen in this process. Early departure is one of them. If a driver starts creeping away while the forklift is still inside, bad things can happen.

 

You have to make sure the weight being carried isn’t too heavy. If something extremely heavy is unloaded into a truck, it could tip at the nose. This is why landing gear is important. Keeping the vehicle securely in place is a must. Otherwise, either the forklift or the vehicle can cause injury or loss of equipment. Aim for several layers of safety. Things like hooks, wheel chocks, and wheel locks are helpful aides. Additionally, consider a system of lights for the drivers. Red light usually means stop, while giving the green light lets them know it’s fine to proceed.

 

Conclusion
Working with forklifts isn’t the safest job in the world. There are tons of things to watch out for. You’re working with thousands of tons in heavy machinery and one wrong move can cost you a lot of money. Injuries aren’t all that uncommon, either. Safety precautions should be on your list of things to strive for.

Liam Smith is a young and aspiring Australian blogger with a passion for everything related to home, design and lifestyle. He has a B.Sc. in Interior design and is an avid reader.
https://twitter.com/LiamSmith2034
https://www.linkedin.com/in/liamsmith2034

 

General Safety Issues

Workplace Updates that Promote Safety

Your office is your daily sanctuary. Sometimes, you even spend more time in the day in your workplace than inside your own home. And because of that, it’s vital that the environment is safe and less prone to accidents. Unfortunately, not all offices are like that. For a variety of reasons, some companies are not able to maintain a safe and peaceful working space for their employees, and this creates tension within the business. If people feel they’re unsafe while doing their job, they’re more like to decrease their productivity or even quit altogether. And if it leads to that, then down goes the company.

It’s actually not that difficult to maintain a safe work environment. You just have to know what steps to take and which part of the office that need sprucing up. Once you’ve fixed what needs fixing and cleaned what needs cleaning, you’re good to go. For a clearer perspective on the matter, here are workplace updates that promote safety.

Polished Floor

The floor can oftentimes be the cause of many workplace accidents. If it’s too cluttered, people might trip over and break their items. When it’s too wet, some will definitely slip and lead to painful injuries. A clean and well-polished floor is a surefire way to ensure safety in the workplace. Brush off any dust, polish with some wax, take out a few unnecessary objects lying around, and it’ll be as good as new. In fact, another way to maintain the floor is to cover them with anti-fatigue mats. Not only will they be easier to clean, but it’ll also be relaxing for your employees and can improve overall productivity.

Wider Spaces

Sometimes, a mark of an old and run down office is how tight and cluttered it all seems. Desks are too close to each other, there’s no more room on the floor, and objects keep on getting lost. and because of such small spaces, employees will keep bumping into each other or to furniture. If your office is like this, it’s time to upgrade into a more spacious one. There isn’t even much need for a lot of storage furniture as a lot of files can now be digital. As for the desks? The sleeker and simpler, the better. Go for ones that can handle you and your equipment, but are still compact and narrow so that people can still walk around freely in the office.

Better Electrical Wiring

Before even starting your company, check first if the electrical wiring is good. Oftentimes, especially with reused office spaces, the wiring in such areas can be too cluttered and messy. This will be more if you’re planning to upgrade the systems with more modern and state-of-the-art technologies. So before upgrading your gadgets, upgrade the wiring systems first. Make sure it has enough spaces and can handle more electricity, cover up all the wires and systems that need covering up, and you’re all set!

Stable Furniture

Is your furniture in the office stable? Are they sturdy enough to hold all the paper files, computers, and other office supplies? At all the wooden desks and chairs nailed in place, with nothing sharp poking out that might scratch anyone? If not, then you need to upgrade your workplace furniture. Find ones that you’ll be able to store all your work in, whether digital or physical files. For the chairs, choose those that are comfortable and light, but strong enough to hold the employees sitting for hours in a day.

Working Sprinkler Systems

Office fires are more common than you think. While they might not be the big ones that would really make the headlines, small fired within the workplace can still cause considerable damage. To avoid such, make sure you installed sprinkler systems that work well. Put in a smoke detector so that even the slightest whiff of smoke will turn on the sprinklers in no time. Also, ensure that the sprinklers are installed in each and every room, especially ones full of electronics as they’re more likely the most prone to starting fires. This is one of the most important workplace updates you’ll need for your company, to prioritize this well.

Undamaged Door Knobs

Ever carried a whole load of work and then you suddenly crash on a closed door? Or when you’re going to get something inside the supply closet and you realized you’re trapped there? These are just some accidents cause by damaged doorknobs, an often overlooked workplace problem. You’d think that since doors are rarely closed or locked during working hours, there’s no need to update them with working knobs, but this shouldn’t be the case. People can get considerably hurt or even injured when faced with damaged doorknobs. And if there’s a need to evacuate the area, what will happen to those people who aren’t able to open the door fast enough because of such? Fix each and every doorknob in the workplace to ensure a safe environment for your employees.

Your workplace doesn’t have to be dangerous, especially if you upgraded it. And once you do, you’ll find that this newer and better office will do wonders for you and the business altogether!
General Safety Issues

How EHS professionals can promote workplace mental health

As the debate continues over whether mental health should fall under EHS professionals’ responsibility, we look at both sides of the argument and find out the best ways to promote good mental health in the workplace.

On 6th June 2018, Safety+Health Magazine launched apoll titled Should Mental Health in the Workplace be Part of the Safety Pro’s Responsibility? Six months and 248 comments later, the results are nearly even: 52% respondents voted yes and 48% voted no. The poll is still open, but it’s far from a decisive result.
Should the EHS professional be responsible for worker mental health?

The question that’s divided the EHS community. In the poll’s comment section, there are a myriad of opinions.
One commenter wrote: “No the safety professional should not be responsible for the workers [sic] mental health issue. They can direct them to an [sic] HR representative if a concern arises. We are not babysitters.”

 

And another wrote: “As safety professionals. It is our duty to maintain a health relationship with all of our employees … If we as safety professionals are ignoring a person’s mental health, we might as well ignore all hazardous conditions that aren’t tangible.”

 


Screenshots of comments on the Safety+Health Magazine

At the moment, mental health and physical health are treated unequally under Health and Safety Regulations 1981, with a greater focus on the latter. However, despite mental unwellness being an “invisible” illness, its brunt can be felt in working environments.
How poor mental health can impact the workplace
It’s arguable that poor workplace mental health can cause safety risks. According to the World Health Organization, mental health problems can increase error rates and accidents, and result in substandard decision-making.

 

It can mean reduced productivity and working days lost. In the UK alone, 12.5 million working days were lost due to work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2016/2017. Mental health problems can also present itself as physical conditions, including heart disease, ulcers and skin rashes – which may result in further days off.
And finally, poor mental health can result in bad working relationships and an increase in disciplinary problems.

 

But what is the economic impact? For UK employers, it costs £35 billion a year – that’s £1,300 for every employee. The largest portion of this cost is the reduced productivity of staff continuing to work with their mental illness, and the second largest is job turnover.  300,000 people with long-term mental health problems leave the workforce each year.

 

What causes poor workplace mental health?

 

One in four people will experience mental disorders at some point in their lives. At any time, 450 million people worldwide are suffering suffer from a mental illness – making it one of the main causes of disability and ill-health around the globe.

 

Anxiety and depression are the most common; and while stress is not a psychiatric diagnosis, but it is closely linked to mental illnesses. Mental health problems can cause stress, and stress can cause mental health problems or make diagnosed mental illnesses worse.

 

Workplaces can be a breeding ground for stress – up to a staggering 80% of American workers suffer from substantial work-related stress.

 

The following workplace factors can cause stress:
⦁ Long hours,
⦁ Overload of work,
⦁ Complex tasks,
⦁ Lack of variety,
⦁ Poor workplace ergonomics,
⦁ Unfavorable working relations and organizational culture.

 

In response to these undesirable work factors, the individual worker may experience the following:
⦁ Feeling unable to enjoy yourself/depressed
⦁ Having a sense of dread
⦁ Feeling neglected or lonely
⦁ Finding it hard to concentrate
⦁ Eating too much or too little
⦁ Smoking or drinking alcohol more than usual
⦁ Experiencing sleep problems
⦁ Experiencing headaches
⦁ Experiencing chest pains
⦁ Having panic attacks
⦁ Feeling irritable or aggressive

 

© Mind. This information is published in full at mind.org.uk.

 

Contrary to mental illnesses, employers are legally required to protect staff from workplace stress. HSE have a risk assessment document for employers to carry out and act upon if required.

 

How the EHS professional can promote workplace mental health
While mental health may still be in the pipeline for inclusion in health and safety regulations, there are still actions you can take.
HSE recently launched their updated mental health first aid guidance – mere days after business leaders submitted an open letter to the Prime Minister calling for legislation in protecting workplace mental health.

 

It is recommended to follow the HSE Management Standards approach in reducing workplace stress. Identifying stressors, then minimising or eradicating them will result in happier and healthier employees.

 

The Standards approach involves looking at six key areas of work design: demands, control, support, relationships, role and change. Poor management of these areas has been proven to result in poor health; lower productivity; and an increase in accidents and sick days.

 

Thriving at Work: The Stevenson/Farmer Review of Mental Health and Employers, designed six ‘mental health core standards’ to be used by all employers, regardless of company size and industry.
They advise to: develop a mental health at work plan; raise employees’ awareness of mental illness; have support available; provide good working conditions and people management; and monitor mental wellbeing amongst staff.

 

Mental health charity Mind have also published their own Wellness Action Plan for Line Managers, which you can access here.

 

One Barbour webinar invited professionals to discuss their workplace mental health initiatives. Each company cited the importance of developing a thorough mental health plan, then sticking to it. Employers must show commitment to get employees on board.

 

In conclusion
Whether or not you believe employees’ mental health should fall under the employer or EHS professionals’ responsibilities, there’s stacking evidence as to how workplace mental health and stress can carry an impact, not least as a safety risk.

 

As we are moving towards a greater awareness of workplace mental health, tools are out there to act proactivity. It is much easier for an employee to stay in work if the situation has not reached crisis point.

 

Mentally well employees mean a happy workforce with increased productivity levels and a reduced safety risk, plus a healthy economic impact. It’s time to act now and strive towards good workplace mental health.

About the author

Holly Callender is a Digital Marketing Executive at Pro-Sapien Software, an EHS Software solution on SharePoint & Office 365. Visit the website at www.pro-sapien.com.