Monthly Archives: January 2019

Uncategorized

How to Make Your New Office Safe for Employees



For many employers, the safety of your labor force is only considered important if you are in the construction or in the manufacturing industry, where people have to manage giant equipment. Industries need to start understanding that employees want to be reassured that they will be safe in all senses of that word. This means both physically and otherwise.

An employee should be able to feel that their office is not just built well but harbors an environment where they are able to express their opinions safely. It does not matter what the size of your operations are or how many different types of departments work under you. The safety of your employees should be one of the top priorities of running a business.

Here are some of the top ways you can do that.

Evaluate Where the Problem Areas Lie

The first step in making your office more safe and secure is by analyzing where the problem areas in your office really are. Think about how the area is built, and where most likely will people hurt themselves. After this, it helps if you make a list of all the safety procedures that need reviewing. It is very important that your managers get the necessary and constructive input from your workers. This is more efficient and helps cover areas or things that you may have missed. Therefore, always work from the bottom instead of implementing procedures from top down.

Because your employees spend time in an area more than you. Even if it is their first day at a workplace, they know that they are going to be spending most of their time in this place and are likely to examine it keeping in mind everything they will use and space they will venture on a daily basis.

One very important place that most business owners overlook is their emergency protocols. If the place you bought or rented for an office space does not have an evacuation plan, make one. The truth is that many safety plans in office buildings have been outdated for a while. If you have never had to go through an emergency situation before, you are probably not even going to think about this. Therefore, the people who work for you have no idea how to act or where to go in an emergency evacuation. This is why it is so important that you consider holding a yearly review of all safety protocols and equipment in place with your staff.

Secure all Equipment

Currently, the most common ways employees get injured in the workplace is because of equipment. Offices need to list and update the most basic equipment that ensure safety. These include fire alarms, fire extinguishers, gloves, first aid kit, warning signs for wet floors, back braces for those who lift heavy items, ladders or step stools so that your employees can place and reach for things placed on higher shelves.

Furniture can also cause injuries. Sometimes, handles of cabinets may hurt you if they have a nail or some piece sticking out. It may injure you while opening it. Office movers of Florida can set up the furniture in your office safely.

The best way to go about ensuring office safety is to get rid of the cause of these hazards. After all, prevention is better than treating later. The office equipment should help in avoiding the escalation of minor issues.

Train Your Staff

No matter what program you are introducing, training is extremely vital in order to make sure that the people who work for you are on the same page as you. Without this, all the hard work that you have put into making the place safer may not work, if for example, your staff does not know how to work a fire extinguisher.
These tips will help employees stay safe even at home. It’s important to keep your house clean but it’s important to keep your office clean as well.

It works if you hold a brief meeting regarding this topic once a month. It is necessary that the program you have drafted for this training progresses by offering more thorough instructions as time passes on.

These training meetings should also have test runs done to see how your employees act in an emergency, or when another colleague needs assistance. The best part about this is that your employees will not spend precious minutes wondering what they need to do to get to safety, ensuring that things run smoothly and in a productive manner.

Always Review

There is always room for improvement. Here safety programs are no exception. Managers and business owners will always commit to a consistent pattern and review all safety and emergency plans. This should take place at least once a year, owing also to the fact that most safety equipment require to be updated in 12 months’ time.
You should not stop yourself from constantly addressing and at the same time redefining the needs of your company, as they may evolve or change. A good idea would be to get bulletin boards and suggestion boxes which assist the management is staying on top of environmental hazards and impending shortages in equipment.

 Author Bio:
James Crook is a passionate technology and lifestyle blogger. He loves to get engaged with the readers who are seeking for home, lifestyle, and tech-related information on the internet. Currently associated with NYC moving company All Around Moving which specializes in arranging and assembling services of professional and skilled local movers locally in New York City as well as areas in New Jersey, Connecticut and the Miami Dale area in South Florida for their blog operations. Follow @jamescrook911 for more updates.
Home Safety Products

Don’t know where to start when you need to do a risk assessment in the kitchen?

Don’t know where to start when you need to do a risk assessment in the kitchen?  Well, here’s what you need to do!

The kitchen is a place which is not only the busiest, but also the most dangerous and life threatening when the appropriate control measures aren’t taken.  A risk assessment is the best way to ensure that the kitchen is a safe place.  It’s not only made mandatory by the law, but also a crucial step in providing protection to your kitchen team, and also a safe working environment for your staff.  Kitchens can be especially hazardous workplaces — so you need to make sure that the assessment is done on point.

Risk assessments help you identify the major potential hazards present in your kitchen and help you focus on those hazards which can cause real pain to your employees.  Once you decide on carrying out an efficient kitchen risk assessment, ACSUK Group will help you with a full risk assessment of your kitchen and have you covered.  It shall help you identify, analyze, and resolve the potential hazards in your kitchen.  Once you decide on the services, you can now start to take the necessary steps to control the risk.

Steps to conduct a risk assessment:

In a perfect kitchen, food delivery is at one end, and finished meals are at the other end.  A risk assessment considers the probability of a hazard and the final consequences in case that hazard occurs.  It will take into consideration what the existing control measures are, and what future measures can be further implemented so as to lower the level of risk as much as possible.  Well, luckily for you, there are quite a few services which offer to carry out efficient risk assessments, as well as industrial cleaning in Manchester.

  •  Hazard identification:  A great starting point is to walk around your kitchen and note down whatever hazards that are common to your view.  These can include slippery floors, burns from exposed heat sources, sharp objects etc.  You should always check on the manufacturer’s’ instructions as they tell you clearly what hazards can take place.  Check up on your past records of incidental accidents and also consider long term health hazards such as chemical impacts.
  • Who is to be harmed:  Now that you have a clear idea regarding what the hazards are, you need to consider next how it can harm an individual.  You need to identify how bad and whom the hazard will impact.  You can ask your staff on this matter, and take into consideration what they think about the hazard. They might offer a separate perspective and help you look into a matter which you otherwise wouldn’t have noticed.
  • Evaluate risks:  Now, you need to pay attention to the risk, and decide if you can eradicate it completely, or lower it down to an unharmful level.  You can do this by options for a less risky alternative, or organizing work in a better way or preventing chances of the hazard or providing first aid or offering protective gear etc.
  • Note down findings:  The next step is to record your significant findings regarding the hazard and how it can harm your people and how to prevent it.  Keeping a written record of your findings shall help you review it in the future.  It shall help you at a later date in cases of changes in the law or business expansion etc.
  • Update assessment:  Workplaces keep on changing and more than you realize, you will be bringing in new changes starting from newer team to newer equipment and process.  This can be the reason of newer hazards propping up, and that’s the reason you need to review it and update the assessment process on a regular basis.  Your records need to be up to date and you need to ask yourself a few important questions.  These questions involve if there are any improvements needed or significant changes that took place, or if workers have noticed any trouble etc.

So, these were the main steps that you need to follow for an efficient risk assessment process.  You need to follow each of these religiously, plan out an effective strategy and make sure everybody in your kitchen is very much involved.

General Safety Issues

OSHA-Based Solutions for Construction’s “Fatal Four”

Even the phrase used to identify construction’s deadliest hazards is enough to emphasize their danger. But make no mistake, it’s not just a fear-mongering tactic. The “fatal four” is how the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) refers to the four most common causes of death on the construction site.

 

OSHA has attributed 59.9% of construction deaths to the fatal four. These hazards, and the percent of deaths caused by each in 2017, are:
⦁ Falls (39.2%)
⦁ Being struck by an object (8.2%)
⦁ Electrocution (7.3%)
⦁ Caught in/between objects (5.1%)

 
OSHA certified training programs have dedicated entire courses to the prevention of the fatal four, which have so far proven effective. In 2016, fatal four related deaths on the construction site were 4% higher.
 
Still, there’s a long way to go, and OSHA estimates that eliminating these hazards would save 582 workers’ lives in the US each year.  Although completely eliminating them may be impossible, there are definitely strategies to prevent against them.

Falls
As can be seen by the above numbers, falls are the deadliest of the fatal four. There are a number of specific work site habits that contribute to the abundance of falls, such as:
⦁ Unstable ladders
⦁ Poorly secured scaffolding
⦁ Unguarded roof edges
⦁ Unindicated roof/floor openings

 
Ladders and scaffolding should always be tested for security. Similarly, personal fall arrest equipment should be worn on upper levels of a construction site. While many workers and employers overlook this, it can be life-saving. By strapping a harness around themselves, workers are anchored to the construction in a way that ensures any falls will be protected while still providing full mobility.
 
Many workers also overlook the indication of floor openings. These should be covered and labeled, whether with orange cones or caution tape. On multi-level structures, guardrails must be placed along the edges – this is not just a suggestion, but an OSHA requirement.
 
If the aforementioned precautions are taken when it comes to falls, nearly 381 workers’ lives could be spared.

Struck by an Object

 
Construction sites are filled with cement trucks, tractors, and other heavy-duty moving objects and vehicles. Therefore, it’s no surprise that injuries and deaths caused by objects are so abundant. At the very least, workers should wear their reflective vests at all times, increasing their visibility for other workers operating this machinery.
 
Personal protective equipment also matters. Safety goggles might seem like a small feat, but they can go a long way toward preventing blindness where falling and flying objects are present (whether it be sediment or sawdust).
 
Most importantly, however, are hard hats. In an 8-year study, traumatic brain injuries accounted for one-quarter of all construction fatalities. While concussions might seem like a commonplace occurrence on the worksite, it shouldn’t be. And there’s no telling when what seems like a simple head injury could lead to dire circumstances.
 

Electrocution
Electrocution on the construction site typically occurs when a tall object, like an aerial lift, crane, or scaffold, comes into contact with a power line. For this reason, electrical sources (be they power lines or transformers) should always be marked and identified prior to beginning construction.

 
This way, when planning the layout of equipment, it will be kept well away from those structures.
 
Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) should also be used when installing the electrical work on a building. They are programmed to trip or shut off automatically when they sense a “ground fault”. A ground fault is a connection between an electric conductor and a ground wire caused by an accidental electric path (i.e. a human body).
 
As a result, GFCIs are regular fixtures on construction site due to their immense effectiveness in preventing shocks and electrocutions.

Caught In/Between
Displacement of land is almost always necessary where there is major construction. Wherever excavation leads to trenches, there is always a hazard of cave-ins or slipping sediment that can cause workers to get trapped.

 
For this reason, trenches deeper than five feet must always be equipped with one of the following protective systems:
⦁ Sloping for easier accessibility
⦁ Shoring to hold up a weak or unstable object that has a risk of collapsing
⦁ Benching to level access to the trench by adding steps/stairs
 
This hazard also accounts for workers who get caught in/compressed by equipment or moving machine parts, such as miter saws, conveyor systems, or rotating pump shafts. Proper machine safeguards should be implemented to prevent amputation or more dire circumstances.

Extra Precautions
The best precaution of all is to ensure that workers are properly trained. OSHA’s website contains countless resources for workers and construction site managers on how to combat every hazard imaginable. Third-party OSHA-approved providers can also delve into deeper detail regarding prevention methods.

 
Of all the workplaces, the construction site calls for the most diligence. A survey of construction leaders by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 2018 attributed 58 percent of dangerous work sites to unskilled workers. However, it is up to these construction leaders to ensure their employees are getting the proper training.
 
With construction leaders and management setting the right example and training requirements, the impacts of the fatal four could surely be diminished.
 

Ellie Batchiyska is a writer for Advance Online, the first web-based training provider to be accepted by the OSHA Outreach Program for DOL OSHA completion cards.
Uncategorized

Important Safety Factors to Consider When Operating a Crane

Technology has made using cranes safer than ever, but there’s only so much the right tools can do. Most of the responsibility still lies in how they are operated. There are lots of things that can go wrong if you don’t know what you’re doing. Here are some of the most important things to watch out for.

1. The organization

 

Organization is the heart of the whole process. Good coordination is what it takes to avoid any accidents, which is why it’s important to have someone at the head of the operation. This person is called the lift director. Before getting anything off the ground you have to assign a lift director. They bear the brunt of the responsibility for the crane lift and they have to keep everything in check.

 

As the lift director, he or she has to be able to provide the necessary directions to anyone on the project, including the crane operator. They have to provide answers for any questions regarding the lift and reassure everyone that safety precautions have been taken. Most of the time, the lift director is responsible for any successful crane lifts, but their primary role is making sure every person working and every piece of equipment is safe.

 

 

2. A dedicated spotter

 

The actual process of lifting is the next thing you should focus on. When it comes to getting cranes to lift things, increasing spatial awareness should be one of your primary goals. For starters, get yourself a dedicated spotter. This person will be your eyes and ears during the project, but they will mostly be your eyes. It’s not just about the movement of the crane and load, it’s also about anything that can get in the way of them.

 

The crane operator has to know if they have a spotter underneath them. Without a spotter, you will risk harming more than just the heavy load being transported, there’s significant risk involved for other workers and structures. If there is no spotter and the crane operator’s vision is obscured in some areas, you must come up with another way to assist them.

 

3. Proper equipment

 

The lift director doesn’t just organize the lift in question, they also make key decisions when it comes to the equipment being used for the process. Every worker has to have personal protective equipment on them. Companies like OSHA in the United States have strict requirements on the quality of equipment used on all job sites. This equipment works to reduce worker exposure to hazards in the job site, and lifting with cranes exposes them to a lot of hazards.

 

The most important piece of equipment during a crane lift is the crane itself. If there’s anything you shouldn’t cut corners on, it’s the crane. Not every construction company has the highest quality cranes on disposal, which is why some opt to use the services of companies such as Advance cranes to hire a crane. Whatever your source, you should make sure it’s the best choice you can get.

 

4. Hazards exist

 

Every kind of risk on the job site has to be recognized and taken care of. Explain to your workers all the different things that can go wrong and guide them towards reducing the risks involved. The first thing that comes to mind is the crane failing and dropping its load. This isn’t the most common type of risk on the job site, but it’s still important to never have anyone below the load.

 

Other kinds of risks include problems with terrain and environment. Cranes weigh many tons and if the ground isn’t stable, it might sink or tip to one side and cause injury. The load might not directly harm anyone, but shrapnel is a real risk. It can destroy a structure or anything on the ground, causing pieces of those things to spread far and wide while moving at incredible speed. It’s a recipe for worker injury. This is part of why you need to equip your workers with proper safety gear. Exposure to fumes from equipment also needs to be taken care of.

 

Conclusion

Having an important project underway sometimes gets people in a hurry. Lifting things with a crane is one place you have to be patient. Things can go wrong fast and you don’t want to file workers’ compensation claims. With this in mind, follow these steps and you’ll be on your way to have a safer work environment.

 

About the author
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

Benefits of Having a Hazard Free Workplace

Workplace security is important, especially for many electrical suppliers in Metro Manila. Now that the typical workplace is incredibly automated, there will always be at least a few hazards that will be found in some places. Of course, many companies have ongoing efforts to create a safer and hazard-free workplace.

By making sure that workplace hazards are almost non-existent, you’ll avail yourself of the many benefits that come with it! Your workplace is not just a place where your employees work, it’s also the place where they’ll be spending the majority of their day in. That is why you should ensure that your work environment contributes to keeping your employees safe.

 

Take a look at what you can get just by making sure that your workplace is virtually hazard free!

 

 

Less Stress

 

The feeling of being secure and safe within your workplace goes a long way. It can give you the freedom to do some of the things that you wouldn’t normally do! For example, an office that is equipped with GFCI receptacles is protected from any kind of electrocutions that might happen because of spilt liquids—so you don’t have to worry too much about getting shocked every time you spill your coffee.

 

Much of what strains employees are the different possible problems that they might encounter during their workday. That includes the simplest of accidents and injuries from hazards that weren’t accounted for. Taking out hazards from the workplace will surely have an impact on the amount of stress that your employees will get!

 

Higher Productivity

 

A work environment that is safe from any kind of obstacles should show in their performance. Companies that makes sure that their workspaces are free from distractions and hazards will most likely have a better time doing their work!

 

Remember, your employees would probably find it easier to work when they don’t have to worry about anything too much. Focusing on a task is very important for any worker that needs precision and accuracy at their job. The less they have to think about, the more engrossed they can be to their work, the better their outputs will be!

 

Happier Workforce

 

A workplace that is devoid of any kind of hazards will eventually lead to safer and healthier work environment. Complimented by the two mentioned above, and you’ll get an incredibly happy workforce! When your workers are content and satisfied with the many benefits that working for your company brings, they will show it in how they work and how they act.

 

By removing the things that would be deemed as a hazard, a distraction, or a problem from the workplace, your employees should become happier with what the company provides, eventually leading to a stronger, more efficient workforce!

 

Key Takeaway

 

Every electrical supplier in Metro Manila values workplace security. It’s in their best interests to make sure that everyone of you knows the benefits of having a workplace that is free from any kind of hazard. Your workforce is what keeps your company going. Don’t let the simplest of hazards prevent them from working at their maximum capacity.

 

Author Bio:
This article was sent in by Sharlene Andrade, a freelance writer who specializes in workplace safety, electrical hazard prevention and anything precautionary related.
Uncategorized

Health And Safety Considerations For Employees Working Abroad

Guest Blog by Jamie Costello

Before taking up a job opportunity abroad, employees need to be advised of the basic health and safety guidelines that may be applicable to their new role. There should still be procedures in place to ensure the employee’s wellbeing, no matter where in the world they are. With this in mind, here’s a look at some health and safety considerations for employees working abroad.

 

Travelling

The job role may require an employee to travel to one site or possibly several, depending on the requirements. Many jobs will involve air travel. There are a few health concerns often associated with long-haul flights that an employee should consider, such as: deep vein thrombosis, ear popping, dehydration and jet-lag. If any employee is unsure of health and safety risks associated with travelling for work, they can consult the guidelines published by the Department of Health.

Health Risks

Many countries also carry health risks specific to that area. For example, a great deal of African and southeast Asia counties will require the traveller to have a Cholera jab and sometimes Hepatitis A & B vaccination before entering. Travellers should consult their doctor who will be able to advise them on what vaccinations they may need before setting off. The list of health risks for certain countries is constantly changing as diseases come and go. For the up-to-date risks, employees should check back with the World Health Organisation website regularly.

Laws And Culture

It’s no surprise that every country will have different laws and cultures. For the employees safety and out of respect, they should familiarise themselves with the customs of each place. What may seem innocent in the UK may be considered a crime elsewhere – for example hand gestures or drinking alcohol. In some cases, some businesses may make it a priority to brief employees on what will be expected of them upon arrival. In addition to understanding customs and traditions, travellers should also be made aware of the problems that might arise from the language barrier.

Crime And Security

Much like with outbreaks of diseases, some countries have higher crime rates than others. Foreign visitors can often be targets for muggings, kidnappings and violence. Employees should be given advice on steps to avoid trouble, including: locking personal belongings away in a safe at their accommodation, keeping valuables in zipped pockets, and avoiding high crime areas whenever possible.

Consider The Climate

Staff may be asked to relocate to an area with unpredictable or sometimes dangerous weather. They could experience extremes of temperature, monsoons, hurricanes or storms. Before travelling, employees should be advised on the risks that are associated with sunburn, skin cancer and hypothermia.

Mental Wellbeing

Working abroad can take a toll on a person’s mental wellbeing. This could be feelings of isolation, sickness, frustration in language barriers and pressure with workloads. In these situations, an employee may be required to provide support. This is particularly appropriate for staff who are working abroad for long periods of time for example those moving to UK from US, separated from family and friends.

Emergency Situations

There are countless eventualities that could occur as a result of being abroad. Unpredictable instances like natural disasters, outbreaks of disease, political trouble, or a spike in crime. All of these incidents could end up putting an employees health and safety at risk. Businesses should provide employees with information regarding where to go in case of each emergency, including details about all the facilities available. The employer should also set up arrangements to ensure an instant response in the case of an emergency.