Tag Archives: responsibility

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

PREVENTING FALLS – A VERY IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITY OF EMPLOYERS

 This just in from OSHA QUIK-TAKES bi-monthly newsletter:  

OSHA has cited Republic Steel for 24 safety violations carrying fines of $1,138,500. The Canton, Ohio-based steel manufacturing plant was inspected after OSHA received a formal complaint alleging inadequate fall protection and other unsafe practices that exposed workers to various hazards in the plant’s melt shop. OSHA discovered during the inspection that two workers had been seriously injured from falls in 2012. The company has a history of failing to address fall hazards and will remain in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which mandates targeted follow-up inspections to ensure compliance with the law.  

It’s a fact: falls from elevations account for one-third of all construction deaths.  Because of the nature of construction workers, it is not surprising that their job is classified as high-risk.  Everyone has a critical role to play in protecting construction workers.  Beginning with architects who design the building, to equipment designers, and the construction company itself, owe it to their employees to plan ahead to get the job done safely.  They must train all employees in ways to protect themselves with the proper personal protective equipment, how to maintain it, and provide them with the correct equipment to do the most efficient job. 

It is important that workers who speak different languages are trained to understand how important working safely is.  Materials should be provided in English and Spanish on ladder, scaffold, construction falls, and personal fall arrest systems.  Special training should be given to ensure all workers comprehend and follow the precise instructions from the manuals or brochures. 

It may be surprising to some, but many serious injuries are caused by falls from as little as six feet of height.  Requirements from OSHA are that anyone exposed to six feet or more falls need either a guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall protection.  

Hazards in the construction industry include: 

  •          Unguarded protruding steel rebars;
  •          Improper scaffolding construction;
  •          Misuse of portable ladders;
  •          Unprotected sides or open floor holes.

 
After the building site is surveyed, the first thing to be done once construction has started, is to cover all floor openings and sides of building.  The largest percent of workers reportedly suffering fatal falls came from falls from ladders.  Others were falls from roof, scaffolds, non-moving vehicles/lifts, through openings, through roof surface, and falling to lower levels. 

Laws that pertain to the safety of workers are as important as laws requiring compliance in all other topics.  The people that construct our buildings and homes have the right to work safely and confidently, using their talents to their full extent.  It is the obligation of the company to see that they are kept safe every day.  If employers are responsible they can avoid expensive settlements and fines

Source: OSHA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Protective Clothing, Respiratory Safety

FIRE SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE (GUEST POST)

The Law 

According to The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, if you’re an employer, owner, landlord or occupier of a business in England and Wales, you are legally responsible for fire safety within that building. This means you have an obligation to protect the building, and everyone within it, from the threat of fire as far as possible and, under the Fire Safety Order, this makes you the ‘responsible person’. 

As the ‘responsible person’ there are a host of tasks you must undertake and steps you must implement to: reduce the likelihood of fire, put an efficient evacuation process in place and ensure all of your employees are aware and informed of fire safety and your building’s procedures. 

Fire Risk Assessments 

Conducting a Fire Risk Assessment is one of the first, and most important, things businesses must do in order to comply with fire safety laws. If your business has five or more employees, your Risk Assessment must be kept as a written record and this should then be regularly reviewed and subsequently updated. 

The aim of a Fire Risk Assessment is to identify the fire hazards within your environment and the people at risk and then implement changes to eradicate or reduce these risks. There are five steps to a Risk Assessment and, due to the meticulous nature of each one, most companies choose to hire a professional fire safety company to conduct theirs. 

Planning for an Emergency 

Once the risks and hazards within your property have been identified, it is vital to plan exactly what would happen in the event of an actual emergency. This means carefully and comprehensively planning evacuation routes and ensuring they are as safe and efficient as possible. 

This should include making sure there are enough clear and unblocked exits for everyone to escape from – experts recommend at least two alternatives from each room in case the fire is blocking one – and that there are designated meeting points. You should also consider anyone who may be more vulnerable during an evacuation, such as children, people with disabilities and the elderly. 

Equipment, such as fire safety signs and emergency lighting, should also be installed where appropriate to make the evacuation routes immediately obvious, easy to understand and safe to navigate through. 

Installing Fire Equipment 

One of the best ways to remove or reduce the fire risks within your environment is to install high quality fire equipment. All business environments must contain a fire detection and warning system which, for most commercial premises, means installing a fire alarm system. Reputable fire alarm suppliers will tailor a system to the requirements of your environment. 

Most businesses also require fire fighting equipment and this includes fire extinguishers, fire blankets and sprinkler systems, conditional to the environment you work in. For example, there are a  variety of fire extinguishers available, depending on the application and type of fire being tackled. Again, fire equipment suppliers can advise you on the types of fire extinguisher required for your business. 

Provide Information, Instruction and Training

All new staff members should be trained on fire safety, including evacuation procedures, fire alarm system instructions and the location and use of fire extinguishers. Fire safety signage is also a great way to conform to regulations regarding information as they offer a permanent, tangible method of instruction. 

Fire drills should also be conducted to make sure everyone is thoroughly aware of evacuation procedures. These should be done regularly – at least once a year – and also provide an ideal opportunity to make sure your evacuation routes are suitable. Any findings from the fire drill should be recorded and any remedial action necessary should be taken. Additionally, any new risks identified within your environment should be communicated to all employees. 

Professional fire safety training programmes are also recommended for larger businesses, as it involves nominating Fire Safety Wardens who then also become responsible for overseeing fire safety and will learn valuable skills, including how to use a fire extinguisher. 

This post was written on behalf of City Fire Protection & Maintenance Services LLP by George Musson.

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

WHEN PRESCRIPTION DRUGS HURT INSTEAD OF HEAL (GUEST POST)

When Prescription Drugs Hurt Instead Of Heal

Most people put their wholehearted trust into their doctors when it comes to their medical health. This trust is usually not misplaced since these professionals are trained to keep people healthy. When a doctor prescribes a certain medicine to someone, that person usually trusts that it is safe for them to take. Unfortunately, due to negligence on part of the doctor, a pharmacy or a drug manufacturer, safety isn’t always guaranteed. It’s important for everyone to understand the risks of prescription drug side effects and what can be done if they occur.

When Prescription Drugs go Bad

Doctors don’t knowingly give their patients prescription drugs that are likely to cause serious health risks. While it’s true that most drugs have known side effects, the perceived benefits of these drugs often outweigh the possible risks. Patients are usually informed if there are any known possible side effects related to a drug that they’re taking, but unfortunately, this isn’t always enough to keep a person safe.

People can be harmed by prescription drugs in numerous ways. Certain drugs, for instance, can be perfectly safe until mixed with other drugs. When doctors fail to take note of the prescriptions their patients are already on, it can lead to an individual taking two prescriptions that can be deadly when used in conjunction with each other.

Negative drug reactions, however, aren’t always the fault of doctors. It’s also possible that pharmaceutical companies failed to recognize all of the possible side effects of a drug before putting it on the market as in the case of Pradaxa litigation. This often occurs due to sub-par clinical trials and the rush to make profit by getting the drug out into the general public. Since these possibilities have the chance of deadly results, every person should take precautionary measures when taking any prescription.

Avoiding Prescription Drug Mishaps

There are several ways that a person can lessen their chance of experiencing adverse side effects when taking prescription drugs. This is exceptionally important since Quarterwatch, a pharmaceutical research nonprofit group, found that there are nearly 180,000 known serious or fatal reactions that can occur related to prescription drugs. Knowing these figures, most people would welcome a few tips on avoiding side effects.

  • Always take prescriptions exactly as prescribed.
  • Doctor should have full medical history of patient. This includes all prescription and over-the-counter drugs being taken.
  • Keep a list of possible side effects handy for at least six months. Not all drugs will cause detrimental reactions immediately; serious side effects sometimes take time to show up.
  • Stick with tried and true prescriptions. If there are other drugs that have been on the market for over seven years and accomplish the same goal, take them. Not all side effects of a drug are immediately known before the drug gets FDA approval.
  • Do your research. Check for bad reviews, ongoing litigation, and manufacturer recalls.  You do this before you buy a car or electronics, you should do it for your own well being.

What to do if harmed by Prescription Drugs

There are several things that an individual or their family should do if serious side effects are experienced due to prescription drugs. The most vital thing to do is to seek immediate medical attention. Even side effects that seem relatively minor can result in serious injury or death. A doctor should be consulted before discontinuing any medication just to ensure full safety.

Those injured by prescription drugs also have certain legal rights. This type of injury isn’t like a car accident or other seemingly minor event that can be easily handled by two parties outside of court. Doctors and drug manufacturers have a duty to ensure that prescription drugs are going to be safe for a person, and when side effects are possible, patients must be informed of them. When these entities fail in this duty, patients have the right to recover damages.

Anyone who suffers an injury due to a prescription drug can receive compensation for their pain, suffering, medical costs and any other losses related to the injury. Even though this is the case, taking a few of the aforementioned precautionary steps is much better than dealing with a medical malpractice suit or facing a pharmaceutical company in court. When it does come down to these instances, however, it’s important for a person to have an attorney who is experienced in prescription drug lawsuits at their side.

Kelly Dennie is a freelance writer who specializes in a wide variety of topics to spawn awareness that she hopes will lead to action. The attorneys at Doyle Raizner LLP can attest to the importance of a drug’s market longevity, due to its Pradaxa litigation and that drug’s relatively short life span from development to market. Having worked with pharmaceutical companies, and litigated bodily injury cases due to adverse reactions to prescription medications throughout the nation, these attorneys understand and can provide the necessary diligence and commitment your defense will require.

 

General Safety Issues

WORKPLACE SAFETY – EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY (GUEST POST)

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Sent to us by Maree Kyle

Workplace safety is a major concern for employees and management alike. While workers themselves have obvious reasons to be cautious and safe, business owners need to do their part in creating a safe environment to reduce their liability and the potential insurance costs that rise as workplace incidents become more likely. A number of practices need to be implemented if businesses are serious about creating a safer environment. While fiscally minded professionals may be eager to cut costs by skipping steps on some of these safety measures, preventative spending is often much more affordable than the costs incurred when an injury occurs. Here are some steps every business can take to identify points of concern and minimize risks for everyone, saving money while ensuring the well-being of the company’s employees. 

1. Conduct a job hazard analysis 

The best way to identify potentially unseen or underestimated risks in the workplace is to perform a job hazard analysis. Identifying uncontrolled hazards is the easiest way to prevent serious accidents in the workplace and, more importantly, accidents that wouldn’t be otherwise recognized. This analysis solicits the insight of employees who have likely observed their own safety risks. Employees can also be instrumental in developing solutions to these hazards. The company can then outline procedures to address these risks, eliminating potential accidents and possibly saving lives. 

2. Incorporate safety training 

Better training can often lead to fewer accidents in the workplace. Make sure your employees are properly trained on whatever equipment or tools they use. Likewise, be sure to familiarize all employees with the hazards and appropriate safety measures of their work environments. You might also want to incorporate on-site training to make sure emergency procedures are understood by everyone. 

3. Inspect safety equipment regularly 

Fire alarms, extinguishers, chemical showers and safety gear needs to be checked periodically to make sure it is still functioning properly. Set up a schedule in your workplace to make sure these devices have been maintained properly and are in working order in the event of an accident. Similarly, post proper signage throughout the workspace to keep workers, management and visitors mindful of hazardous areas. 

4. Perform random safety inspections 

Once your staff has been properly trained, implement randomized safety inspections to make sure proper procedures are being followed. Install a procedure for handling safety protocol lapses, including additional training and reprimands for failing to comply with workplace rules. 

5. Make sure management is on board 

Of course, instituting these various measures will have limited effect if management doesn’t understand their importance. Make sure you have the right management professionals in place to support these efforts and make sure they are properly incorporated into the work environment. It may be necessary to provide some training to management themselves to make sure they understand the importance of following safety protocols. 

Unfortunately for many workplaces, a common cause of worksite injuries isn’t necessarily a lack of safety guidelines, but a refusal to follow them. This risk underscores the importance of educating employees about the potential consequences, as well as implementing disciplinary procedures to make sure the rules are followed at all times. It only takes one broken or ignored rule to lead to an injury, creating a dangerous situation for workers and management. It takes effort from all sides to create meaningful change in the workplace.

The proper working safety equipment is imp0rtant to provide safety for each worker, depending on the job and its’ particular hazards. Pat

 

 

 

 

General Safety Issues, Head Protection

TOP FIVE TIPS FOR WORKPLACE SAFETY WITH CONTRACTORS (Guest Post)

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The use of contractors is inevitable in most workplaces. The type of work being carried out at such times can be potentially dangerous for both contractors and employees working at the site. In the UK at least, health and safety law puts legal responsibility on both parties (the contractors and the clients) for the safety of each other.

Here are just 5 ways to ensure the safety of all involved. 

Carry out a health and safety check prior to work beginning 

Prior to carrying out work, make sure a full health and safety check has been made which both parties are satisfied with. Contractors need to be sure they won’t be at risk from aspects of the site – e.g. lead, asbestos, structural damage, whilst clients need to be happy that their employees won’t be put at risk by the contractors’ activities. 

Take care in selecting contractors 

The best way to be sure of your employees’ safety when hiring contractors is to be thorough in selecting contractors to carry out the work. Ask them for references, particularly for similar jobs. Ask how experienced they are at this particular type of work. Ask what their health and safety procedures are and what training their employees receive. Ask how they undertake risk assessments (and if you can view this before work proceeds). 

Pay attention to sub-contracting 

Just as important is to be sure that if your contractors do sub-contract, that you’re happy with their methods for doing so. It’s up to them how they select sub-contractors, but you are perfectly entitled to be made aware of their selection procedures to make sure you’re satisfied with them, and to ensure any sub-contractors will be subject to the same health and safety regulations and procedures the contractors are. 

Inform everyone who may be affected 

It is absolutely essential that all employees know there is work being carried out, where it is, and what they need to do to take account for it e.g. wear a ANSI hard hat if you must go through this area.  Also ensure there is a clear procedure for reporting potential safety risks and that all employees are made aware of it. 

Regularly monitor work 

Aside from relying on employees to report potential safety risks, appoint a specific health and safety monitor to regularly check up on the contractors to make sure all work is in compliance with regulations and pre-agreed processes.  Ideally this person should be a trained health and safety officer who knows what to look out for.

 Nick Lewis is writing for Universal Platforms, cherry pickers hire and training in London. Find out more at www.universalplatforms.co.uk

General Safety Issues

NATIONAL ANIMAL SAFETY & PROTECTION MONTH – OCTOBER

This is the time to celebrate our animals, and all they mean to us.  If we have had a bad day or good day at work or school, our pets are there to greet us with their unique personality, not judging us by how we greet them.  This is our chance to repay them for the pleasure they give us by taking extra good care of them.

There are thousands of abused and abandoned dogs, cats, and other animals in our country.  Many rescue foundations have taken these animals and nurtured them back to good health, hoping that some family will see how special they are, and give them a home.  During the month of October, animal shelters and rescues throughout our country hold special events to raise awareness about animal safety and protection, encouraging us to celebrate and respect animals by making a difference in their lives.  If you suspect an animal is being ignored or abused, call your local animal control officer, or ASPCA.

Several ways you can protect your pet are through feeding them healthy diets.  Too many snacks can make them sick.  Obesity can be a problem with cats or dogs, just the same as people.  Make sure their shots are current.  Have them neutered or spayed.  See that your dog gets exercise every day – taking them for a walk is a gift.  Just getting to sniff out a different territory means the world to them!

Because of the drought and wildfires in many parts of the U.S., we are still seeing more and more wildlife coming into populated areas.  They are desperate for food and water. It’s hard for deer, foxes, coyotes, and other wildlife to come that close to homes, but they are in dire need.  Hopefully, with rain and cooler weather, they will find ways to survive.  The good will of people can help by filling containers nearby with water or food.

The love and devotion of dogs toward their humans is most evident when observing a service dog in action.  It is fascinating to learn how much time is spent on training service dogs.  Golden Retrievers make excellent therapy dogs; those persons who wish to train their dogs to visit patients in hospitals, etc., must be certified and insured.  Guide dogs are the “eyes” for their owners.  Search and rescue dogs, as those used to find missing, injured, or dead, bomb and drug detection dogs, that work for the military and law enforcement play vital roles in the job for which they are trained.  They are considered their trainers’ partners, and carry out their responsibilities with no fear.  How wonderful to see these “teams in action.”

Most of us don’t own a “wonder-dog” or “wonder-cat,” but do you ever wonder what you’d do without them?  We have to give them up sometime, but while we have them, it’s up to us to see that they are cared for as any other member of our family.  Trips to the vet, being included in the “family fire escape plan”, or any other evacuation plan are just some of the things that little four-legged friend deserves.

I made a comment one day that I had to go let our “grandpups” out, and a friend replied, “why do you people want so many dogs?”  I replied, well, we only have one, but our entire family loves animals.  I feel sad for her that she doesn’t know how rewarding it is to have a “best friend” that gets to live with you every day.  Please be especially thoughtful to your pets this month; probably you already are.  If not, just look into those eyes and wonder what they think of you!  “Thanks, Buddy!”

Buddy

Uncategorized

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL ANIMAL SAFETY AND PROTECTION MONTH

Animal Safety and Protection Month – October, is to promote the well-being of both wild and domestic animals.  You’d have to have a pretty hard heart to not be touched at the site of a newborn animal.  They are a very important part of the circle of life, and without them, our lives would be pretty dull.  Let’s set aside talking about safety at home, work, or play, and focus on our furry, four-legged friends today. 

Our cities are growing at a rapid pace, and as they do so, they are destroying the habitats of wild animals – coyotes, foxes, rabbits, deer, and many other species.  It makes one wonder where they will eventually wind up?  When the weather is extremely dry, these animals return to private homes, looking for water and/or food.  Building of homes, roads, and businesses are taking their homes away from them.  The wildlife in our oceans are being harmed by sewage, industrial waste, and oil spills.  How can anyone forget the site of those poor birds covered by oil during the recent tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico?  Thanks to several dedicated workers, many birds’ lives were saved by hours of cleaning them, and then moving them to other habitats.  We even have rainforests in the United States, in the Pacific Northwest, where clear cutting is endangering wildlife in that region. 

On a trip to Alaska this past spring, we visited a bear sanctuary in Sitka.  We were shown a cute black bear cub, and informed that he was being sent to our home state, Texas.  When a fisherman discovered him, he was barely alive and his mother was already dead.  At the time we saw him, he fit into a carrier that most middle-size dogs could fit in.  He was soon flown to Texas, to live out his life in an exotic animal sanctuary.  It was fun to read the newspaper accounts about his journey, and see him featured on Dallas television.  He is a very lucky little bear, who happened to be found and taken to a place where he could be cared for until he could make the trip.  He is in a safe place where visitors can observe him and other wildlife. 

There are many things we can do to protect animals.  If you suspect that an animal is being abused, report it to your local ASPCA or law authorities.  There are many organizations that rescue animals, finding homes for them, after they are spayed and neutered and given their shots.  These animals can be adopted and what a reward adopting one of them can be.  You are saving a life, as well as gaining a faithful companion. 

There’s nothing more fun than taking your children to the zoo, so they can learn firsthand about nature’s gifts of wildlife.  Children are fascinated by seeing animals, reptiles, and sea creatures; just watch their faces while they are visiting an aquarium or zoo, if you don’t believe it. 

When children ask for a puppy or kitten, it’s an exciting time – until the new wears off.  They want to play with them, but when time comes to feed them, it’s often left up to Mom or Dad.  So they should learn how to feed and take responsibility for their new pet.  When we welcome an animal into our home, they are part of our family, and deserve to be treated that way.  We have to feed them, make sure they have their shots and take them for treatment when they are sick.  

It’s hard for me to hide that I love animals……..we have had many dogs during our marriage, as well as cats, too.  Our kids brought a few strays home through the years, and they made great pets.  One was a little pointer-mix puppy that had been thrown out beside the road with both her front legs broken.  We took her to the vet, and because they had already begun mending, he suggested that we leave them alone.  Because we had a very active little Cairn Terrier, and they played every day, her legs healed just fine.  She turned out to be one of the sweetest dogs we ever had.  Now, we have a 10-year old Jack Russell, who has been the most challenging breed of dog we ever tackled, but what a pleasure he is.  Buddy and I walk every day, rather, he walks me everyday! 

Remember to be wary of those animals that don’t know you, or dogs that are sitting in the back of a pickup truck.  You don’t want to risk getting bitten.  Leave wild animals alone, as it’s tempting to want to touch them, but they might be dangerous, especially if they have little ones around. 

Do what you can to protect the critters of the earth, keeping them safe and protected.  Most domestic pets such as dogs and cats will be your best friends until they take their last breath.  To quote Dereke Bruce, “In order to keep a true perspective of one’s importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him.”

General Safety Issues

HOME ALONE CHILDREN

With the start of school, parents have to make arrangements for their childrens’ care during after school hours.  For single-parents or families where both parents work, this is an important decision.  Children have been staying home alone after school for many years.  In the early 19th century, children wore house keys on a string around their neck to school, so they could get into their homes, and were known as Latchkey Children.  The term is now self-care children. 

Experts advise not leaving kids under age 12 at home alone.  Many factors are involved in ensuring the safety of the child.  Their maturity plays a large part in deciding if they can handle the responsibility of being home alone, and taking care of themselves and maybe other siblings.  It is very important that parents prepare their child in a reassuring way that they know they can trust them to stay at home alone.  Here are some basic safety rules that parents should instruct them to do and know:

  • Know their full name, address, and phone number.
  •  Know their parents full name, where they work, and phone number.
  •  Don’t go into the house if a window is broken or door is partially open.
  • Don’t play alone on the way home.
  • Call parent or trusted neighbor to check in as soon as they arrive home.
  • What to do in case of fire.
  •  Do not open the door to strangers.  Do not let them know they are     alone.
  • Lock the door, once home.
  • Carry house key in a hidden place; do not put name and address on the key.
  •  Go to that trusted neighbor in case of emergency, or being uneasy.

 The above rules should be taught to children that have other after-school options, in case of times when the babysitter is not available, or other emergency circumstances lead to them having to stay home alone for a day or two.  A good example of this is the past H1N1 pandemic, when working parents did not have access to their day-care facilities, and had to miss work or leave their kids at home alone. 

There are an estimated five million kids between the ages of 5 and 13 that stay home alone.  That’s a frightening figure.  The neighborhoods they live in, or types of kids that hang around may not ensure a secure harbor.  Children that are home alone should be given a schedule to follow that allows them snacks, free time for television or computer, and homework.  Once the parents are home, they need to spend time with their child and let them know they are interested in what they have done while there alone.  Certain safety monitors on computers should be in place.  Too many predators exist in cyberspace. 

Parents should look into other options like after-school programs offered by churches, PTO’s, and public libraries.  They can also consider joining with other parents to pay a stay-at-home mom to keep their children.  

There are several Latchkey phone programs that are sponsored by community organizations such as the police department, sheriff’s offices, or volunteer groups.  They offer automatic phone systems that call the child at home at various times of the day the parent has chosen.  If there is no answer, or answer to repeated calls within a designated time, the system automatically calls the parent and others on the list, as well as sends out an email alert.  Programs such as this are beneficial to children at home alone, and senior citizens, as well. 

Good luck to all students and parents as this new school year begins.  Good planning for your children and staying in touch with them will assure that they have a safe year and learn responsibility.