General Safety Issues, Health Issues

5 BATHROOM SAFETY TIPS IN THE WORKPLACE

5 Bathroom Safety Tips in the Workplace

One of the most frequently visited public bathrooms will doubtless be the one in your workplace (unless bladder control is your superpower!). Unlike most public bathrooms, the one at your workplace will likely have fewer people using it over one particular day. However, that by no means guarantees that it will be healthier or safer to use. Think of all the people who used it, spilled water on the floor, touched the door knobs and flushes on the toilets with their germ-filled hands…ugh! Now that is something a germ phobic,  careful employee like yourself would absolutely not want to see or touch! Not to worry! By following these 5 tips you can easily deal with the nastiness of the workplace bathroom.

Carry tissues and sanitizers

Surely you knew this was going to be first? The first safety issue anybody faces with using a public bathroom is the possibility of getting a viral disease. The source of this disease could be anything- doorknobs, toilet seats, the air around the place, you name it! Now, while going into the washroom with a mask on is weird, being extra careful regarding what you come in contact with certainly is not. USE TISSUE. Use it to open the doors, use it when touching the walls, turning on the faucets, and anything else that might need physical contact. After washing your hands, use another piece of tissue or paper towel to dry, and dispose of appropriately.

After doing the deed and washing after yourself, it also helps to apply sanitizer to your hands. If adequately equipped, you might as well use tissue paper to wipe toilet seats before using them. Not only is it going to give you peace of mind (trust us, it will!), it doesn’t hurt going the extra distance for keeping healthy.

These tips, alongside certain common sense actions like flushing with the lid down, should help you get through the trouble of workplace bathroom disease mania.

Avoid stepping on wet floor

Sometimes you might be in a rush to use the bathroom. You run to the bathroom door and open it, only to see that the floor is wet. What do you do? Hint: Do not go in! The reasons should be obvious. First of all, wet floors are a safety hazard. Anyone wearing shoes can experience a good old slip. Anyone desperate enough might try taking their shoes off and strut around wearing socks, or even barefoot. That is also a no-no. Wet floors contain germs that can make you ill.

The best thing to do would be to call the staff responsible for bathroom maintenance to wipe it off, wait for them to get done, and then enter. You don’t need superpowers to hold it in for a few minutes!

Also, if you have old bathroom faucets, a good idea might be to just replace them from time to time.

If you ever see a portion of the bathroom floor wet even while you are inside, be sure to call up someone to have it wiped off after you are done.

Take your time

Hey man, why don’t you just slow down? We get it, your bladder might explode, or you have to get back to your meeting quickly. But you have to take it slow. Running to and inside the bathroom can cause a nasty fall. Rushing to get done with answering nature’s calls can be unhealthy (yes, that is true) and also lead you to injure yourself if you make one move too fast.

Walk to the bathroom, use the toilet while taking your time, but not too much, and then calmly get back to your business. Plus, rushing things will make you look bad among your coworkers. Imagine how embarrassing it would be if Harold from Accounting told you to “take it easy in there”.

Do not spill water on the floor

For reasons not to do so, refer to the section where we explicitly state not stepping on the wet floor. Now let’s look at how to make sure you don’t spill water.

First of all, you don’t have to blast the faucet at full speed every time you need to wash. Not only are you being an environmentally-irresponsible person (shame on you!), you run the risk of spilling water on the floor. You are putting yourself and others at risk just to make your hands feel like they have been cleaned well.

The same applies when rinsing your hands. Do so slowly, making sure none of the water escapes the basin. If your toilets have hand-showers or the likes, make sure not to put full pressure on the shower handle. Just a light press should be enough for you to clean your rear end!

This infographic about common bathroom problems and how to fix them can be a very interesting one to follow.

Do not keep belongings on the bathroom floor

No, we do not care if you were just on your way out. Never keep your bag, belt, shoes, or anything lying on the bathroom floor. People unaware may step on them and fall. Even if people are aware, they would have to go the extra step to avoid trampling them.
To make matters worse, the bathroom floors aren’t the cleanest of places. They have germs that can then attach themselves to your belongings. Once you pick your bag up or wear your belt again, you effectively pick up the germs. Then you take it with you to your cubicle, then to your coworkers, and maybe to your boss too. There is the odd chance Harold from Accounting might catch it, but is it really worth it?

Staying healthy is no longer a luxury. It keeps you safe, it keeps people around you safe, and it helps you to be at your best. At the same time, bathrooms are an unsuspecting danger that seemingly lurks in the shadow, waiting for you to put one wrong foot on the wet floor. Taking precautions to protect yourself from disease and hugging the floor will keep you safe. You may not be a tough cookie when you spread that sanitizer all over your hand, but you can be a smart one. Take that Harold from Accounting!

General Safety Issues

5 Safety Tips to Keep Your Workplace Injury-Free

5 Safety Tips to Keep Your Workplace Injury-Free

In business, unplanned expenses are something that every business owner worries about. A workplace injury can become one of the reasons for such negative variance. Specifically in safety sensitive industries like construction, a safety violation resulting to serious injury or even death could cost the business its license to operate. Other minor workplace related injuries disrupt the operations of the unit concerned thereby affecting its KPIs.

It is Management’s responsibility to ensure a safe and injury-free workplace for all employees. Compliance to local, state, and federal laws require such. This also makes employees comfortable in the performance of their roles.

Here is a list of 5 safety tips to keep your workplace injury-free.

  • Keep your workplace clean all the time

    • A dirty or unclean work area is a health and safety risk for all its inhabitants, management and staff alike. Make sure to maintain a reliable cleaning company to perform periodic cleaning of your workplace. Also, make sure your company has sufficient cleanliness related personnel guidelines and that violations to these company guidelines are correspondingly acted upon with necessary penalties or corrective measures.

  • Apply Ergonomics and stick to it

    • Ergonomics being a scientific process of arranging your workplace, you should have faith on it and be consistent on its application.

    As a business person, you will undoubtedly want to grow your businesses profit margins, to do better against KPIs and to increase consumer confidence. For David Rowland, Head of Marketing at Effective Software, there is one effective way to do this: though more effective health and safety policies.

  • Provide proper lighting

    • It is said that the incidence of injuries in well lighted environments are less compared to those with poor lighting. And you wouldn’t want your management team and the rest of the staff to acquire eye related problems or worse go blind, right?

  • Educate everyone about workplace safety and workplace injury prevention, management and staff including your utility and maintenance crew alike

    • Ignorance of the safety guidelines is a risk which could impact anyone or everyone in the workplace. You must invest on this and make sure training is backed by a comprehensive set of personnel guidelines for strict implementation.

    Often, what spells the difference between a safety violation or injury is the lack of strict implementation and not the absence of guidelines to implement.  Make management responsible for their personnel by cost or profit center, thereby multiplying your implementation monitors and heightening the sense of responsibility. Make sure sufficient documentation is in place and have someone take long term responsibility for its maintenance and safekeeping.  You may opt to certify your company with OSHA/HSA/HSE as applicable. These organizations were set-up with the objective of protecting people in the workplace or job sites. In some industries the OSHA/HAS/HSE are required rather than optional.

  • Perform audits to keep everyone in check

    • There is a valid reason behind safety audits, that is why you should also implement this in your company. And in most states and countries, such is a requirement by law. It is important that your auditors are certified and trained to ensure this process will work. Remember always that the key to safety is the continual inspection and maintenance.

    By now you do not only know that you are responsible for everyone’s safety in your company, but you also know how to ensure this happens consistently without miss.  Positive reinforcement as a form of behavioral training can work in this exercise. Some companies provide extra bonuses for cost or profit centers with zero safety violations. You might want to ponder on this and include in your management and/or safety budget next year.
    General Safety Issues, Hand Protection

    4 Tips for Choosing the Right Work Gloves

    4 Tips for Choosing the Right Work Gloves

    Work gloves are important for workers from various industries, because they ensure the safety of their hands from injuries from workplace accidents. However, there are different types of gloves in the market that cater to specific needs. Before you buy a pair of gloves for yourself, you must make sure you buy the right one.
     According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), work gloves are categorized as:
    ⦁ Fabric and coated fabric gloves
    ⦁ Leather, canvas or metal mesh gloves
    ⦁ Chemical and liquid-resistant gloves
    ⦁ Insulating rubber gloves
    With so many options available in the market, you may get confused regarding what to buy. This post is just to make the choices easier for you.
    Tips to Keep in Mind While Buying Your Work Gloves
    The first step towards choosing the right work gloves is getting aware of the nature of possible hazards that you might face in your workplace. So, how do you know what is right for you? Let’s make it simpler for you with the following tips.
    ⦁ While dealing with light and blunt objects: Fabric and coated fabric gloves are the best option, if your work doesn’t involve dealing with rough, sharp, or heavy objects. They only provide a more basic form of hand protection from dirt, chafing, and abrasions. You can opt for plastic coated gloves for slip-resistance, but they remain a basic safety component.
    ⦁ While dealing with hot/cold/sharp objects: A worker who is into material handling and product assembly is exposed to extreme heat/cold or impact penetration hazards. Such a person would require gloves that ensure safety against cuts, punctures, and abrasion. In such a scenario, leather, canvas or metal mesh gloves are the best choice. Generally, this category of gloves comprises aluminized gloves, aramid fiber gloves, and synthetic gloves.
    ⦁ While dealing with toxic and hazardous chemicals: Does your work involve any chemical hazards? Would your hands be subjected to light splashes or total immersion in the chemical? These are a few basic questions you must ask before selecting your work gloves. Thicker gloves provide better protection against chemical hazards, but this is not necessarily always true. While working with toxic and hazardous chemicals, you can opt for chemical resistant gloves. Be careful of the chemical’s toxicity before you decide to reuse any gloves.
    ⦁ While dealing with electrical equipment: Insulating rubber gloves are the best for those who want to be insured against electrical hazards. They protect you against any kind of electrical shocks, which can at times be life threatening!
    Besides the above-mentioned tips, you must also take care of the fitting, comfort and usage of the work gloves. Irrespective of the variety, work gloves must be inspected before use for any wear and tear or other damages that could make them lose their protective qualities. In addition, it is important to buy your work gloves from a trusted and reliable manufacturer and supplier. Renco Gloves is one of the trusted manufacturers of varieties of work gloves.
    General Safety Issues, Protective Clothing

    Protect Your Legs and Work Efficiently Wearing the Best Safety Boots

    Protect Your Legs and Work Efficiently Wearing the Best Safety Boots

    If you or your workers are carrying out their job which requires a high physical safety, they should wear the right kind of gears to protect themselves from any bodily harm. Like the helmet that is worn in areas to save the head or the harness around the waist to save oneself if accidentally slipped or the high visibility jackets to get identified at the muskiest places, safety boots are another essential workwear that needs to be worn by the workers to save their feet.  Do you know almost 25% of the disability that occurs in the workplace is due to feet injury? Wearing safety boots can reduce your chance of feet injury and save you from fatal accidents. However, the right kind of boots is to be chosen and used.
     

    Mistakes That Needs to Be Avoided

    Many people make mistakes while choosing and purchasing the safety boots and ultimately, they serve no purpose.  One should avoid the most common mistakes and buy the best boots.
    ⦁ Using the Safety Boots for Other Purposes That Are Not Intended to Use: This is one of the significant issues, and people select the wrong pair of shoes for some particular work.  The environment where the safety boots are to be used should be given priority, and the quality of the shoes should be bought accordingly. A safety boot that is required in a steel plant does not mean that it will be required by a firefighter or a road construction worker.
    ⦁ Confusing the Safety Standards: Every risky job has defined safety standards that are to be maintained and followed by a worker. So, may need steel plates below and some may need rubber or some fire and heat resistant material. The safety boots are to be bought as per the safety guidelines mentioned against each type of industry.  However, all shoes should be waterproof or at least water resistant.
    ⦁ Never to Choose the Boots Looking at The Price Tags: As everyone is looking for value for money, it is a common tendency to save and buy the shoes only looking at the cheap price tag and compromising with the quality and forgetting the purpose. A sturdy, long-lasting and work specific boot should be bought without looking for the cheaper ones that compromise with the safety standards.
    ⦁ Going for The Style Overshadowing the Purpose: Many people select and buy these boots giving priority to the style rather than the intent that it needs to serve. It should be avoided, and the priority should always be the safety of the feet. There are safety boots that people wear when they work in mines and in heavy industries and furnaces. Depending on the type of floor surface that they walk on, users need to choose these safety boots.
    ⦁ Choosing Incorrect Size: The shoes should be of the correct size. A tight shoe can cause the boots to wear out in quick time, and a loose boot makes the movement on the dangerous zone more dangerous. One should buy the correct size of safety boots to feel comfortable in them.
     
    When it comes to the safety of your life while in the workplace, proper precautions are to be taken. Safety boots are not worn to carry a style statement but to protect the feet from the feet injuries in the place of work.  One should not compromise with the quality and avoid the most common mistakes discussed above. Prevention is always better than cure. You can now choose the leather or suede safety boots to add glamour to your dressing style and also to keep your feet warm and comfortable during winters.
    Fall Safety

    Roof Fall Protection Systems For Complete Safety

                      Roof Fall Protection Systems For Complete Safety

    It hardly matters to which industry you belong. It can be a construction field, telecommunication sector or wind turbine industry. You must have the best fall protection and fall arrest system or equipment. For construction workers, warehouse keepers and renovators, falls are major safety hazards. People who work at extreme greater heights, they are at more risk. Workers who are involved in constructing bridges, dams and erecting towers or buildings may fall at any moment if construction safety is not ensured. Death of the construction worker can land a company in serious trouble. This is why it is important to install proper Roof fall protection systems at your premise.

    Roof fall protection systems are crucial aspects when working at greater heights. When choosing a fall protection system, make sure you choose something which provides hands-free operation. Your workers may move around the roof without having to use their hands. Their hands will be free and they don’t need to hold attachments. This way, they may carry out work at great heights, do the inspection and maintenance job with ease.

    The Comprehensive Fall Protection System 

    A comprehensive Roof fall protection system means arranging a range of fall protection units and getting them installed. Some of the worth considering items are horizontal lifelines, roof anchors and rail systems. Such products are available in the market and may be procured quite easily. Before buying from a company, carry out a background check on the company. Choose the company which offers you a bespoke solution tailored towards the needs of the clients. The fall protection solution must be as per your needs. There are a number of roof fall arrest systems.

    The Horizontal Rail System is The Foremost Roof Fall Protection System

    Install horizontal rail system to get a number of benefits with respect to fall arrest. It offers ultimate protection and is the solution to protection issues. Being unobtrusive in nature, it may also complement the appearance and look of the modern building. They won’t be any compromise on safety while the design of the building continues to look good. The rail system is convenient to use whereby the ones who access the roofs may stay attached to it. It safeguards from falls and injuries. They also may be easily integrated into the building design. Horizontal rail system offers hands-free operation. The fall protection system is flexible and might also be used during inspection or maintenance works. Your employees get suspended rope access.

    The Horizontal Cable System Is Equally Worthy 

    The benefits you get from Horizontal cable system are similar to that of the horizontal rail system. It also facilitates hands-free operation while the solution is flexible. Just like a horizontal rail system, the horizontal cable system is also unobtrusive and may blend with modern homes or older ones. It won’t affect the design of the house or building in any way. The horizontal cable system is an affordable fall protection system.

    Conclusion 

    Just to get lower prices you must not compromise on the safety of employees and workers. Look for the best company for roof fall protection system a complete range of fall arrest systems. Before you choose any consult with an expert. As an employer, you should find out the correct methods to access the roofs. Tasks must be performed at greater heights in a safe and secure manner. Safety precaution should be followed at all times and must be put in place. By doing so, you may prevent falls and accidents. Always remember, Roof fall protection system is not just beneficial for your employees but for you as well.

    Back Safety, Ergonomics, General Safety Issues

    7 TIPS TO STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY WITH OFFICE WORK

    7 TIPS TO STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY WITH OFFICE WORK

    It’s true that some jobs will generally be riskier than others. However, no matter what kind of job you’re doing, you’ll want to stay safe and healthy. Even seemingly innocuous work environments like offices can come with their own occupational hazards. By being fully aware of them, you can mitigate the health hazard and safety risk to yourself. We spoke with Jessica Chen, who works for a cheap essay writing service and spends most of her day sitting in front of a computer screen. She gave us some useful tips to make it easier to stay safe and healthy at work.

    Know your Environment

    No matter where you work, you need to learn about your work environment. In an office, you need to learn about everything, from where the cleaning supplies can be found to how to correctly use the copier. Most workplaces will provide training to help people stay safe at work. However, it is still upon you to stay mindful of your environment and watch out for any hazards that might be unfamiliar. If you ever have to deal with anything heavy, you’re going to have to try to keep your back straight.

    Stay Relaxed

    Believe it or not, one of the positions that puts you at the most risk is sitting. If you sit incorrectly then you may actually suffer from injuries to your neck and back. If you can seek audience with your boss then ask them to buy some ergonomic chairs and desks. This will pay off in a big way for you and your colleagues. As for your sitting, make sure you sit with your hips and shoulders aligned to prevent your back from suffering from undue pressure.

    Don’t forget about your Eyes

    Your eyes are another part of your body that you shouldn’t neglect. When you sit in front of a computer for a prolonged amount of time, then you are posing some serious safety risks for your eyes. They will suffer from long exposure to the screen. In light of this exposure, you need to take regular breaks in order to give your eyes time to recover. Also, don’t sit close to your screen as that can be detrimental for your eyes. Your best bet is to look away from the screen every 20 or 30 minutes. You should also get some screen covers for your laptop to filter most of the blue light that comes through. Blue light is usually the most harmful part of the light that comes from a computer screen.

    Know all the Emergency Protocols of your Workplace

    Every workplace has an emergency protocol in place and it is your duty to know everything about it. For starters, you need to know where all the emergency exits are. This doesn’t just apply to the floor on which you work, but also the floors that you don’t frequent as much. This will be useful knowledge when there is some kind of emergency at your place of work, such as a fire. Perhaps the most important factor that could save your life is knowing how to get out of a building in the quickest way. So make sure you don’t miss those fire drills.

    Speak up when you have to

    If you don’t like the conditions at your place of work, or you feel like the safety has been compromised, then do not hesitate to speak up. It is your boss’s duty to make the workplace as safe as possible, from the structural integrity of the building to the air conditioning. So when the air conditioner isn’t working very well and the office is particularly hot, do not hesitate to tell your boss about it. If you have to go to a ton of supplies to get to the photocopier because it happens to be located in the supply closet, then you’ll have to tell your supervisor about it so they can rectify the issue. If your boss does nothing about it, even after you repeatedly tell them about the appalling conditions at your place of your work, contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and let them know.

    Be Kind to your Body

    Try to take care of your body first before having great expectations of your boss to take care of it. It’s not a good idea to binge on junk food or go to work with a hangover. Working in an office is also likely to make you inactive, which means you will have to exercise daily to keep your body in shape and your energy levels high in order to avoid lethargy. Stay hydrated, watch your nutrition, and don’t overdo the sugar.

    Do Breathing Exercises

    Work can be quite stressful and, if left unchecked, that stress can affect your health in a negative way. As often as you can, stop what you’re doing and take at least 5 deep and slow breaths to let out the stress. Deep breathing exercises are known to help relax and relieve stress.

    Know when to give yourself a Break

    It’s tempting to keep going at your work even when your body is throwing out all kinds of protests. It’s not, however, a good idea to go to work when you’re ill. It’s not good for your body and it’s certainly not good for your colleagues’ bodies because they might catch whatever you have. If you’re not feeling so well, ask your boss for a break so you can get better. It’s better to have one person gone with the flu than the whole team.

    Know your Rights

    As a worker in the United States, you’re entitled to healthy and safe working conditions stipulated to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. By knowing your rights and responsibilities, you’re empowered to ensure that you observe your responsibilities and your employer observes your rights.

    About the author

    Samantha R. Gilbert has been working as a journalist at an online-publishing agency in New York, USA for 2 years. She is also professional writing expert in such topics as blogging, modern art and education. Meet Samantha on Google+.

     

    General Safety Issues

    Top 7 Road Construction Work Zone Safety Tips

    Top 7 Road Construction Work Zone Safety Tips

    Whether you are traveling or constructing roads or houses – safety if the main focus point. We all agree on the statement that it is very important to have self-protection to be safe from any type of mishap respectively. There should be valid rules for the person who personally belongs to the construction field. It is very important to save them from any type of serious mishap respectively. As we all know very well that the field of construction is really needed to provide the complete safety precautions to their employees in the field so they can efficiently provide the best services in a better way.

    There are multiple options available in selecting the asphalt paving company if you need to maintain the best surface of the road. While paving the road there are different types of challenges which a professional company has to face. These challenges are as follows:

    • Providing the best security solutions to the other people which provide them the safest way to pass through the under-construction area
    • Place the signboards on the different sections of the road to notify people regarding the work in process notice
    • Employees should wear the safety helmet and jacket to be easily recognized in the field
    • Employees should spread the safety precautions to the vehicles and the pedestrians to avoid any type of serious injury
    • It is compulsory to provide the alternative road to the people while the respective road is under-construction
    • Work should be completed efficiently within a specified time of period

    These things are very important to provide the common people the best safety precautions. Here we will discuss some important but useful tips for the asphalt pavers while completing the project respectively.

    • Make a strong strategy

    It is very much important to make a strong strategy while starting the paving process to build a strong road for the people. The suggested plan should be normal traffic control which will not disturb the people to reach their places. You should apply the best strategy to control the traffic in a way that people can easily pass through it. While operating the heavy machinery on the site you should have to maintain the area in such a way that will not disturb the normal traffic on the road.

    • Make a proper plan for traffic control

    It is compulsory to have the better plan to control the traffic area of the respective place. You can place the warning signs on the relevant places to update people about the construction process so they can also use the strategy for the respective place.

    • Use cones to mark the area

    As we all know very well that road construction areas really need to have care and precautions for the other traffic. This is why the best thing would be the road traffic cones on the respective area of the road which will directly indicate the traffic to use the diversions for the other safe route.

    • Wear safety equipment

    It is also very much important to wear the safety equipment on the construction site to identify yourself as a worker of the specific place. It will also notify the traffic to reduce the speed limit due to work in progress. It is very much important to wear the sharp colors equipment to notify people from a far distance.

    • Use Helmet

    The helmet is the most important equipment in this whole process to be safe from any type of serious injury. Usually, the helmet saves the person from any type of hard thing to get hit on the head. Head injury is the most crucial injury and could cause the death of the worker on the spot.

    • Start your day with the new goals

    When you will start the new day with updated goals you will definitely get the best result out of it. Driveway paving contractors will discuss the fresh updates with their whole crew and they also remind them to complete the task within a specified time period. It will also identify them about the things which they have to complete within a whole day.

    • Make a site safety program

    It is very important to provide the best safety to the people around you. You have to make a strategy to keep the other people safe from any type of mishap during the work in process. While making the construction program for the road, it is important to have the best ideas on how to keep other people safe from any type of disturbance. There should be valid spaces for the traffic which can easily be moved without any disturbance.

    Uncategorized

    Away from Home: Protection of Health & Safety for Migrant Workers

    Away from Home: Protection of Health & Safety for Migrant Workers

    Studies reveal that more than 300 million people in the world are currently living outside their country of origin, and they form about 3.3% of the world’s population. They are the migrant workers who move to developed nations in search of work. They are crucial to the economy of their country of origin as they keep sending remittances home for their families.

    We all know them, for they are around us, doing the jobs that we would never even think of doing in our worst nightmares. Going down the sewers of the city, unclogging drains, cleaning dishes at hotels and restaurants, cleaning dirty laundry, taking care of us at hospitals, cleaning glass panes at skyscrapers, and building bridges and dams – these are the jobs of the migrant workers of the world. The jobs they are involved in are called 3D jobs, for they involve ‘dangerous’, ‘demeaning’ and ‘dirty’ tasks.

    They are subject to plenty of occupational hazards at the workplace, owing to their working conditions and wages. Hence, the need to look after the protection of basic health and safety is one of the key concerns at the UNO and WHO.

    Health and safety risks in 3D jobs

    Health and safety risks are a part of being involved in 3D jobs, and the migrant working population all around the world is facing the following hazards at the workplace every day.

    ⦁ Environmental risks and hazards at work

    The inherent occupation setting of the jobs that migrant workers are involved in has some resultant environmental hazards, and they are as follow.

    ⦁ Exposure to chemicals – exposure to formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, toluene, and ammonia

    ⦁ Exposure to pesticides – pesticides causing respiratory illnesses, cancer, and dermatitis

    ⦁ Exposure to hostile temperatures – exposure to extreme heat or cold, often sub-zero temperatures, ice-cold water or high-heat environments

    ⦁ Health and safety risks due to working conditions

    Most employment sectors for migrant workers are physically demanding. They require the workers to toil so that the job gets done. Cleaning sewers, clearing roadblock or rubble, constructing buildings, bridges or dams are all physically demanding jobs. To add to that, they have their fair share of workplace problems as well. Here are a few of the workplace risks that migrant workers face days in and days out.

    ⦁ Denial of basic workplace rights – lack of official contracts, no guarantees on timely paychecks, high-stress and fast-paced work environment, trauma disorders from repetitive motion and accidents, and lack of basic sanitation facilities

    ⦁ Physical danger – Potential muscle strains and tears, infections, musculoskeletal injuries, exposure to dangerous equipment, exposure to big cutting tools, open flames and fire hazards, and falls

    ⦁ Abuse at the workplace – outright physical harassment, emotional trauma, discrimination and slurs, shows of disrespect from reporting managers, unfair work assignments, sexual abuse and violence, verbal abuse, and withholding of food

    ⦁ Trafficking and coercion – forced labor, human trafficking (especially among women and children), and very low-paying jobs involving a huge amount of physical labor

    ⦁ Lack of safety gear – lack of safety contracts, limited personal protection equipment, additional charges levied on safety gear, no proper safety training, and low levels of compliance in using safety equipment

    Major factors affecting health and safety of migrant workers

    When compared to native workers, migrant workers are at a greater risk of having poor health and safety infrastructure. This is a worldwide phenomenon, and there are reasons aplenty why it continues to be one of the major concerns for migrant workers. Here are the prime factors influencing the healthcare and safety status of migrant workers on a global spectrum.

    ⦁ Lack of proper health care services or access to healthcare services designed especially for migrant workers is an essential factor that needs to be addressed at the earliest. Poverty, lack of proper documents, erratic employment status, and limited knowledge of healthcare privileges are some of the main obstacles that they must overcome for better health and safety protection.

    ⦁ Gender discrimination issues remain one of the major concerns for the migrant working population. Females are more likely to be subject to higher cancer rates, poor mental health and occupational injuries. Women workers are denied of their basic rights to reproductive and sexual healthcare, making migrant women mortality rates shoot through the roof.

    ⦁ Hindrances in language and culture are also huge determinants when it comes to the health and safety of migrant workers. Given that a large portion of the migrant workers does not speak the dominant language in the country of their employment, they are more prone to occupational hazards. They are most often assigned the more risky jobs for their lack of expertise in the language.

    ⦁ Political factors and state policies, of course, determine the entire framework of migrant employment in the country. This is where we need to look closely, for better policies and actionable implementation can help bring about a positive change for the migrant worker population all around the world.

    ⦁ Employment and immigration status plays a huge role in the shaping of the future of migrant workers who move to more developed countries in search of better livelihood prospects. Migrant workers without proper legal authorization are prone to more occupational risks than the documented ones. Since undocumented workers are far less likely to lodge official complaints against the employer in spite of workplace violations, they are put in more dangerous jobs. Neglecting the health and safety factors for undocumented workers is thus commonplace in most countries that employ migrant workers.

    Protection of health and safety factors for migrant workers

    It is 2018, but rampant discrimination all over the world continues to separate the migrant workforce from the native ones. However, the following methods can work towards eliminating the thin line of discrimination and bring about better health and safety measures for migrant workers the world over.

    ⦁ Formulation of policies by focusing on health and safety issues for migrant workers

    The need to formulate policies that are significant in the struggles of migrant workers is real. The Sustainable Development Goals, for example, can be a good place to start, keeping in mind the problems that migrant workers face all around the world. The health factors should be included in the policies, and must focus on the issues from a global perspective.

    ⦁ Organizing widespread awareness campaigns and interventions regarding policies

    Formulating policies alone won’t cut it, since the word needs to reach the workers themselves. The public health approach can provide an equitable solution regarding this matter. Interventions and awareness campaigns that deal with disease prevention training and improved healthcare facilities are thus the need of the day. Migrant worker populations will benefit from these campaigns, with improved knowledge on health and safety issues at work.

    ⦁ Fortifying health monitoring and health information systems

    Using health monitoring systems for keeping a track of the health hazards and conditions for migrant workforces is imperative so that better healthcare facilities and resources can be provided. Once a proper health monitoring system is established globally, member nations can conduct and share research and insights regarding the condition of health and safety matters for migrant workers.

    ⦁ Betterment of safety training for migrant workers

    Providing information and adequate training for migrant workers so that they can be more careful in their workplaces is also an essential part of promoting their health and safety factors. They should be made aware of the occupational hazards and the ways that they can prevent accidents at work during the training. The purpose and use of protective or safety gear and work equipment must form a vital section of the training program.

    ⦁ Organizing awareness campaigns for the well-being of women and children

    Women and children are among the ones who are mostly at the receiving end of problems arising due to poor health and safety conditions for migrant workers globally. Essential health care services and sexual and reproductive healthcare packages should be put on priority lists of provisions for migrant workers. Maternal, neonatal and postnatal healthcare provisions and sanctions for women migrant workers should also be making it to the list of must-haves.

    ⦁ Combating xenophobia and improving communication

    Migration and displacement act in strange ways to instill baseless fears, apprehensions and prejudices in the minds of the workers and recruiters alike. Since most migrant workers enlist themselves as semi-skilled or unskilled labor, it is obvious that such prejudices arise from the lack of proper educational resources. However, organizing awareness campaigns to counter xenophobia and other prejudices is a huge step towards improving the mental health of migrant workers.

    ⦁ Pairing up with inter-country and inter-agency collaborators

    The United Nations and WHO are two of the most important organizations that need to be kept in the loop of migrant workers’ health and safety policies and their implementation. At the governance level, state heads and cabinet members must come together to establish programs and policies that uphold the rights of migrant workers in their respective countries. Ringing in better coordination and developmental health sectors, the government and global organizations must work in parity with the global working conditions for migrant workers.

    ⦁ Promoting gender equality and empowerment programs

    Most migrant workers hail from developing countries, and have their own perceptions of gender roles. However, the need to emancipate them from the shackles of age-old patriarchal mindset is the only way to educate them towards self-awareness. Hosting gender equality and awareness campaigns designed for both men and women is thus one of the most effective ways to educate and enlighten them about revamped gender roles in a developed country.

    ⦁ Reinforcing fairness in recruitment processes and policies

    Fairness in recruitment processes and policies can also bring about a whole world of change when it comes to ensuring safety and proper healthcare for migrant workers. Many migrant workers fall prey to fraudulent practices and sham agencies that exploit them economically and sexually with false promises of high-paying jobs. Migrant workers often put themselves in debts to secure a job in a developed country through fake recruitment agencies. Ensuring a fair recruitment process can thus bring about a positive change in health and safety measures for migrant workers all around the world.

    Parting words

    Migrant workers are part of a global community, recruited in jobs that are considered too dirty, demeaning or dangerous. Hence, they deserve every bit of respect and basic healthcare and safety measures, just like any other citizen. Protection of their healthcare and safety rights is thus a global responsibility. Fair and just policies and their implementation at all levels can make sure that migrant workers have a better work environment and access to health care services, regardless of what their immigration status is.

    If these workers can put their lives and health at risk to ensure that we have clean sewers, better roads and warm food at our tables, shouldn’t we all be doing our bit to ensure that they gain access to basic health and safety rights? It is time to ponder over health and safety issues of millions of migrant workers worldwide, and adopt ways that we can help them attain basic human rights.

    Author bio:
    Gracie Anderson, a public policy expert based in Brisbane, and a ghost writer by choice at My Assignment Help. She likes to share her wisdom and expertise on administrative policymaking and governance with students struggling with their academics.

    First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

    5 Smart Tips for Employees to Stay Safe in the Workplace

    Tips for staying smart and safe in the workplace

    According to a report by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), in the year 2014, more than 4,000 U.S. workers were killed while on the job. Now, this is not a stat to be taken reluctantly. Death in the workplace is perhaps the most unfortunate and alarming thing to happen.

    From construction workers to desk job employees, none of them is safe in their individual workplace if the right kind of precautionary measures and safety tips are not taken into consideration. Not only occupational hazard can take place due to safety issues, but employees can be exposed to other risks for not being smart enough to know their rights and provisions at the workplace.

    Thus, in order to fight off the evil and become a smart and safe employee in the workplace, here are a few of the most effective suggestions that can help you stay safe, smart and secured in the office.

    • Get accustomed to the emergency plans and modules of your workplace

    This is perhaps the first and foremost point of concern an employee should consider taking note of. Every workplace has an emergency plan and provision for its employees. For example, you are caught amidst a fire at your workplace and you do not have a fair idea regarding the emergency exits, then that might prove to be a traumatic situation for you.

    So, the idea is to inquire and figure out all emergency exits in your office beforehand, so that in times of trouble and mishaps, you don’t panic or get injured while trying to escape the situation in the wrong way.

    Takeaway: Try not to miss out on attending the fire drills in your workplace. You get to learn a lot of safety measures to be taken in times of emergencies.

    • Get some rest for your eyes – take short breaks in between

    If you have a desk job, try not to develop eyestrains by staring at the computer constantly. It goes without mentioning that it’s your job and you cannot afford to take the task lightly.

    Have you ever thought if an overly stressed schedule takes a toll on your health? You might end up developing eyestrains, allergic reactions, eye infection and the likes. How would you manage to come to work for the rest of the week?

    Thus, it is always a smarter choice to take short breaks in between, keep your eyes off the computer, and get some refreshments for yourself and then sit back to work with a fresh mind.

    Takeaway: According to NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health), computer users should have an eye test before they start working on the device. You should also maintain a routine check-up schedule once a year thereafter.

    • Stay well informed of the area where first aid kits are kept

    This is yet another crucial suggestion to be kept in mind, as far as being safe in the workplace is concerned. It goes without mentioning that physical hazards, health issues, chronic injuries and the likes can occur at any time. Now, being a responsible and smart employee, it is your utmost concern to stay alert and aware of the area where first aid box and other safety kits are usually kept. According to a study, around 1.3 million workers suffered from health issues related to their job in 2016/2017.

    Now that it is pretty visible and evident that the count of workplace illness has reached an alarming stage, keeping track of your health and being accustomed with the first aid kits at your workplace is perhaps one initiative that could help you to save yourself and others from the wrath of a sudden heart attack, chronic injuries, breathing problems, allergic reactions and the likes. Until the time a physician attends the victim, effective and timely first aid supplies could keep the situation under control.

    Takeaway: Make sure your office first aid kit contains cold packs, calamine lotion, alcohol wipes, paracetamol tablets, hand sanitizer, allergy medicine, gauze rolls, saline wound wash and pain relievers.

    • Be smart enough to discard the habit of multitasking

    Posted in workplacepsychology.net, a Harvard Business Review has suggested that multitasking results in a 40% drop in productivity, a 10% drop in IQ and also increases stress at the end of the day.
    Employees, who have developed stress, become less productive in the workplace. Often, he/she suffers from a poor IQ, because of which carrying out all responsibilities and taking care of daily job targets might turn out to be an intricate affair for them.

    Instead of making situations complicated by attempting and failing to do multiple tasks, all at once, it would probably be a smarter and much safer choice for an employee to finish one work at a time.

    Takeaway: Take a close look at your job sheet, figure out one task which is of utmost importance and needs to be delivered at the earliest. Complete that particular assignment at first; take a deep breath and move on to the next one with a fresh mind.

    • Check and confirm if the chairs and standing desks in your workplace are in good condition

    According to a report, CDC (Center for Disease Control) has cited “falling” as the biggest and probably the most common cause of injuries to occur in a workplace. It could occur due to slippery, wet floors, sitting in an unstable chair, using chairs instead of ladders and the likes.

    Thus, the idea is to check and confirm if your office chairs and standing desks are stable and in good condition. If you find anything wrong, consider escalating the issue to the Facilities department at the earliest and rope in a set of sturdy furniture which can ensure a safer work environment.

    Takeaway: Check the springs, examine the legs of the chairs and see if the furniture offers sufficient lumbar support, along with the availability of synchro-tilt mechanisms.

    It is a known fact that we tend to spend most of the productive hours of the day in the office or amidst office chores. This, as a result, certainly calls for a better safety measure, hazard identification and risk management strategies for a smarter and secured work culture.

    Author Bio – Alice is a risk management expert associated with a private agency in Australia. Apart from that, Alice is an online assignment help provider, working on behalf of the firm MyAssignmenthelp.com. Alice is also a passionate pianist.

    General Safety Issues

    Travel Safely With These Construction Zone Tips

    Travel Safely With These Construction Zone Tips


    It is very much important to get save while traveling through the under construction area respectively. Most of the people do not take care of these safety precautions signs on the road. If we look at an average of 700 incidences occur in the work zones every year. In this case, the pedestrian and the vehicle drivers need to get careful while crossing the road construction area respectively. It is also very much important for the traffic control department to change the route for the heavy trucks and the buses to provide the best chances to the small vehicles and the cars to move easily without getting stuck in the huge traffic.

    This is a major fact that large trucks are the main cause of the major accidents on the road construction areas are areas. Here we will discuss some important points regarding the safety of the construction zone and how you have to move under the circumstances?

    • Pay complete attention to the road

    It is very much important to have complete attention on the road respectively. You should have to plan your route first. Make sure not to get the route where construction work is under process. If you don’t have the idea about the construction of the site, get pass the area by maintaining some specific distance from the vehicles as well as the construction site respectively. You will surely get pass through the area in a better way without getting hurt or loss.

    • Slow down the speed of the vehicle

    Obviously, it is the basic factor to slow down the vehicle on the construction site. As we all know very well due to traffic rush it is important to slow down the speed of the vehicle at a limited speed which will also mention on the signboard of the construction area. It is also your duty to take care of the workers of the site by maintaining the sufficient distance from them respectively. Do not approach the workers to get a side; you can ultimately get the sufficient space to drive the car in a limited speed.

    • Only move into the open lane

    If you are passing through the road paving area you have an idea that you should have to pass through the open lane. Driveway paving contractor has already prepared the way for your ease to get pass the area easily. You should have to maintain a specific distance while crossing the lane. Make sure to drive the vehicle according to the mentioned speed.

    • Follow the signs of the construction area

    It is also mandatory to follow the visible signs on the construction site. These signs will let you know the further condition of the road by displaying the specific message on it. It is your duty to follow the signs strictly and to save the workers from any type of mishap respectively. As we all know very well that crashes of the cars are very much common on construction sites. The basic reason is to not follow the signboards of the site and also people hate to control the vehicle speed while they are in hurry. It is also mandatory for the vehicle driver to provide the sufficient room to the worker on the construction site. You should have to respond quickly when you see the open lane with much space to pass through the area.

    Conclusion:

    After discussing these important points finally, we get the best idea to utilize the strategy while the road or building is under construction. It will be the best thing to follow the signboards of the construction site well and maintain the sufficient gap between the vehicles to get save and reach save to the destination.

    Your online resource for safety information, safety tips, and safety compliance