Tag Archives: Safety

General Safety Issues

GREEN JOBS ARE VERY IMPORTANT

With the state of the economy in the United States, it is very important that we search for and support those who are developing important strategies in creating clean and renewable energy.  By investing in clean energy, industries can create thousands of new “green” jobs.  It’s already taking place throughout the country.  By laying the foundation for young generations, the people who work in “green” jobs are forging a new way of life for all of us.  

Solar energy is a growing sector for green energy and green jobs.  Two viable solar energy sectors are solar electric and solar thermal or solar water heating.  By concentrating solar power, solar energy is converted into electricity using photovoltaics.  PV systems are the most common and use semi-conductors and sunlight to make electricity.  Solar water heating systems include direct and indirect (Glycol) systems and are determined mostly by climate. 

Worker’s health and safety hazards exist in installation, manufacture, and maintenance of solar energy.  Workers must understand how to protect themselves from the hazards involved, and employers must protect their workers from these hazards.  OSHA’s Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Standard (29 CFR 1910.269), covers the safe work practices and worker training requirements.  Although solar energy is a growing industry, the hazards are not unique.  Some of the hazards that workers in the solar industry may face are: 

  • Crane and Hoist Safety.  Cranes must be inspected and used properly.   
  • Electrical hazards;
  • Lockout/Tagout;
  • Falls;
  • Heat/Cold Stress.  Workers often work in hot weather where hazards include dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and death.  Workers should be monitored by the employer and trained to identify and report symptoms of any heat-related illness.  They may also be exposed to cold weather conditions and should be protected from such conditions. 

Wind energy is another important “green” job.  In our part of the country, these huge “windmills” are popping up everywhere!  These turbines generate electricity from wind, and are being installed all across the nation.  Wind energy workers face many of the same hazards as those in the solar power industry:

  • Confined spaces. If the employee is working in a space large enough to enter and perform assigned work, but is not designed for continuous occupancy by the employee, and has a limited or restricted means of entry or exit.
  • Falls;
  • Lockout/Tagout;
  • Crane and Hoist Safety;
  • Electrical
  • Heat/Cold Stress. 

Of course, the hazards and risks of any particular job require the use of personal protective equipment right for the job.  Those working in solar energy or wind energy fields may require using safety glasses, hard hats, head protection, gloves, respirators, or other PPE. 

“Green” jobs offer work to those who are already trained in specific occupations – such as welders, electricians, and construction workers.  Besides helping our country be more environmentally conscious, these jobs provide new careers with livable wages.  We must put our fellow Americans back to work.  Most of the hazards we have described are commonplace to many occupations.  Training and educating employees in these jobs is a very important part of our future.  Regardless of having a blue-collar job, white-collar job, or “green” job, risks exist, and it is the responsibility of the employer to fulfill its obligation to provide their workers with a safe environment. 

Source: OSHA

General Safety Issues

HOW SAFE ARE RENTAL CARS?

Do you put as much thought into the vehicle that you rent for a business or pleasure trip as you would into the car you plan to purchase?  Probably, your answer is, of course, NO.  There are some facts about rental cars that you may not know, which may change your mind about considering just how safe that rental car is, such as: 

  • There is no current law that requires rental car companies to make repairs to recalled vehicles before renting or selling them to consumers.
  • Once they have been notified of a recall by the manufacturer, auto dealers have a legal obligation not to sell a new vehicle until the defect has been remedied.
  • NHTSA does not have the legal authority to require consumers, including fleet owners like rental car companies, to have recalled vehicles fixed.
  • Rental companies receive notices at the same time car owners do. 

For the past four months, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been investigating three million rental cars that had been recalled for defects. Just recently, some automakers informed NHTSA that tens of thousands of these recalled rental cars went unrepaired for months or longer.  GM and Chrysler told NHTSA that, 30 days after a recall, 10 to 30 per cent of the recalled vehicles in rental-car fleets had been repaired.  By 90 days, the repair rate had improved to about 30 per cent, and within a year, the repair rate had increased to 50 per cent or higher.  Clarence Ditlow, Executive Director of the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) has noted that the Federal Trade Commission Act states that companies “shall not engage in unfair trade practices.  Not repairing a defective vehicle after it has been recalled, before renting it out, is an unfair trade practice, and is a violation of the act.”  He hopes that the investigation will lead to a more pointed law that specifically addresses this practice.  U.S. Senator, Charles Schumer, D-NY, has recently introduced the proposed Safe Car Rental Act, which would make it illegal for cars to be rented out if they are subject to a recall. 

Two young women were killed in a car wreck back in 2004, when the rental car they were driving was involved in a collision with a semi-trailer truck.  The car had been recalled due to a risk of under-hood fires, but the women were not informed of the risk.  While driving the car, it caught fire, causing a loss of steering power that led to the collision, killing the women instantly. It was noted that the vehicle had been rented at least four times after the agency received a recall notice.  Following five years of fighting a lawsuit, the rental agency admitted liability, and the parents of the sisters were awarded a damages only – $15 million verdict. 

USA TODAY’s analysis reveals that more than 95% of 167 different vehicles in rental fleets are rated “good” in head-on crashes – the most frequent type of fatal accidents.  However, in safety ratings, the side, rear, and roll-over crashes, have a large disparity.  Cars must have good ratings in these crashes, as well,  in order to avoid death or serious injury. 

The next time you plan to rent a car, do a little investigating about the safety ratings of the agency you plan to deal with.  Take a little time to check out the car before you leave the lot; make sure that  it has the right safety equipment, has been maintained properly, such as fluid levels checked, tires aired up well, and that wiper blades work.  You may have to pay a little more money for a bigger, heavier vehicle, but you will be safer than in a smaller, lighter one. 

Rental car companies have a responsibility to their customers to provide safe vehicles for use.

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

PATIENT SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK, MARCH 6 – 12

As a former hospital administrative assistant, I learned that every employee should be a patient advocate.  Medical facilities are there for one reason – to save lives in emergencies, through surgery, or furnish excellent medical care.  There are times that patients may not make it, but it should not be because mistakes were made in the hospital where they were cared for.  Hospitals have compliance officers and quality assurance officers that work to ensure that all healthcare standards are met.  If a patient or family member has a complaint, they should ask for the compliance officer and express their issues regarding the care of the patient. 

Understanding the compliance process and patient advocacy is a very important issue to everyone, because sooner or later, all of us at one time or another will possibly be a patient, or have a family member in the hospital.  Patient Safety Awareness Week is a national observance sponsored by the National Patient Safety Foundation to promote an educational and awareness-building campaign for improving patient safety. 

This is not meant to criticize the healthcare industry, which plays a very important roll in our well-being.  But in my experience, when mistakes are made, it’s by human errors, mainly because of inattention or lack of concern.  I’d like to give you a couple of examples:  (1) After waiting on a very important diagnosis, and  sitting in the examination room for almost an hour, the nurse came in and asked, “Now what’s your name?”   (Makes you feel kind of special, right?)  (2) How about: asking about lab work that was done a few days prior and was to be sent to a specialist, and hearing the nurse tell the doctor they guessed they put it under the wrong name.  A short time later, it was found, and sent on.  (Guess I would still be waiting, if I hadn’t asked.)  These experiences are minor, but they are frustrating to the patient, as well as the doctor.  Be your own advocate!  When a clinic or other facility tells you they will send your records to a specialist, call to be sure they have done so.  I have had several friends expecting to have their lab work or ct scan sent to a specialist located more than 100 miles away, only to find when they arrive, that the records haven’t. 

Electronic systems rather than paper patient charts are now used in many hospitals.   When a patient enters the emergency room, he/she is given a bracelet with a bar code.  This serves as identification throughout the patient’s stay to make sure the needed medications are accurate.  This system also assists with correct diet, medication, and other orders from the physician.   Medication errors have caused approximately 7,000 patient deaths per year.  Using these electronic systems require special training for the nurses, which usually takes a few days.  The rights of patient safety should ask:  Is it the right patient?  Is it the right drug?  Is it the right dose?  Is it the right route? And,  Is it the right time?  Other patient safety issues that hospitals must avoid are:

  • Wrong-site surgery;
  • Hospital-associated infections, (HAI’s);
  • Slips, trips, and falls;
  • Not being familiar with patient’s family history;
  • Ignoring alarms. 

When a patient is getting medical treatment in a hospital and given their wrist-band, (many times color-coded), the admissions person will ask if they have a living will, and if they don’t, the hospital will furnish one upon request, and also patient privacy information (HIPAA).  Persons should understand about a living will and a do-not-resusitate (DNR) order.   HIPAA is a federal law that prohibits medical facilities from giving out private information about the patient.  The amount of information that a care provider (nurse) can give is very limited under this law.

Families should ask a nurse to explain (especially if their family member is critically ill), about the monitors – which ones are being used, and the types of alarms that could sound,  which alarms they should be concerned with, and ones that are minor alarms.  Then if a critical alarm sounds, (usually it is more rapid and high-pitched), they can immediately go for help. Sometimes busy nurses do not hear the arlams or ignore the ones they think have low batteries.  “Alarm fatigue” is often experienced by nurses because of the volume of beeping sounds throughout their shift.  They must remember that many times the patient is depending on their quick response.

We are all thankful for hospitals, which goes without saying.  For the most part, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities do a great job.  But if you feel the safety of someone you know or love is being compromised, speak up!  You must be a patient advocate in every sense of the word.

General Safety Issues

NASCAR’S READY TO ROLL AGAIN!

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Sixty-three years old, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is ready to begin its’ new season with the Daytona 500, this Sunday, February 20th.  The 38-race season runs from February to November.  Sports fans are getting ready to watch their favorite drivers and race teams display fast speeds and daring driving. 

Little emphasis was placed on safety in the early days of racing, but following several high speed crashes that caused the deaths of beloved drivers, the industry has focused on every detail from building safer cars to outfitting the drivers with the safest equipment and protective clothing.   Racing safety has evolved rather slowly through the years.  Drivers began wearing crash helmets in the 40’s.  Roll bars were added to the cars in the 50’s, and roll cages came along in the 60’s.  When the HANS (head and neck system) device was developed in the 80’s, many drivers were adamant that they would not wear it.  Now, drivers are required to wear this life-saving piece of equipment.  Drivers wear fire retardant suits made of Proban or Nomex material.  Some prefer to wear full-face helmets, while others say a full-face helmet restricts their peripheral vision, and choose open-face helmets with goggles.  Most drivers wear six-point harness belts that wrap around their legs.  All belts are connected to a single harness that can be quickly released to exit the cockpit rapidly. 

In 2002, NASCAR built it’s Research and Development Center, a combination warehouse, lab, and machine shop.  The goal of the R&D Center is to affect all three areas – safety, competition, and cost – in a positive way.  This center is the equivalent of the National Institute of Standards and Technology.  A platform with a portable coordinate measurement machine checks each chassis.  This machine makes up to 220 measurements and is accurate to one ten thousandth of an inch.  It gives the car a unique serial number and installs about 10 small radio frequency chips. A record of this inspection is saved for future comparisons.  There is no expense to the teams, but allows NASCAR inspectors in the field to scan the chips to ensure the car is the one that has been certified.  In the event of an accident, the car must be re-certified before it can be raced again.  Other safety improvements in the cars include moving the driver’s seat closer to the center of the car, enlarging the cockpit area and adding crushable material in the doorframes.  

Just this past Sunday, NASCAR announced the addition of a pressure relief valve to the engine and small front grille openings in hopes of reducing the time two cars can remain in drafting tandems.  Tandem drafting has become a fine dance of two drivers connecting nose to tail at speeds over 200 mph to achieve an advantage over other race cars on the track.   But NASCAR’s recent decisions to decrease the airflow to the grill, limit the psi (pounds per square inch) in the pressure relief valves, and then Wednesday’s switch to a smaller restrictor plate, were designed to lower speeds and discourage the extended periods of two-car drafts that occurred in Saturday night’s Budweiser Shootout, according to Fox News.  In the tandems last Saturday night, speeds exceeded 206 m.p.h.   NASCAR  reported Wednesday the size of restrictor plates will be reduced in an attempt to cut speeds before the season-opening Daytona 500.  The reduction amounts to 1/64” and possibly could cut 8 r.p.m.s from engines. 

Barriers called SAFER have been built to absorb crashes better than concrete.  These barriers contain crushable foam insulation behind a series of square steel tubes.  Since these have been in place there have been no fatalities resulting from incidents with an outer wall barrier in any of NASCAR’s three major series. 

By sharing this information about this popular sport, we hope you fans will appreciate knowing the many steps that are taken to keep the drivers safe.  Be prepared if you plan to attend a big race, by taking along some earplugs, sunscreen, and safety sunglasses.  Wear your team hardhat to support your favorite driver, at the race or at work!

As with any occupation, it is up to every individual to be safe.  These drivers make the decision to earn their living in a job that poses more danger than many others.  They know the consequences, but choose be involved in a sport that they love.  We wish them all the success in the world, and a safe season for 2011.  

Source: NASCAR.com

Eye Protection, Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Respiratory Safety

CAN YOU FIND HIDDEN HAZARDS IN YOUR WORKPLACE?

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Do you know of any workplace that is totally safe?  Hazards exist in just about every vocation there is.  There are safety professionals that identify those hazards and train their employees to be mindful of the risks that are involved in their particular industry; most of these hazards are easy to control.  However, there are hidden hazards that can cause damage, illness, or injury to workers. Have you noticed any of these at your place of work? 

Occupational Health and Safety legislation outlines standard equipment controls that must apply to every type of equipment that is in operation: machine guards, light sensors, warning devices or other safety devices, lockout systems, good houskekeeping and general work safety rules.  Safety devices are classified as engineering controls – the best form of control when running equipment.  You can observe the guards on the machinery, but there may be hidden hazards around equipment, such as dust, fumes, particles in the air, or possible flying objects.  That’s where PPE comes in.  Companies furnish goggles, respirators, gloves, safety glasses, and any kind of personal protective equipment that fits the needs of the employees.

Here’s a few “hidden hazards” that you may have spotted:

  • Poor housekeeping.  Clutter,  trash, tools left out. Cleanliness should be a requirement at all workplaces.
  • Fumes, exhaust, toxic fumes, chemicals, cleaning products, pesticides, toners, office products – these can cause certain persons to have allergic reactions, or other health-related illnesses.
  • Poor ventilation.  Working in a too-cool or too-hot environment can cause illness.
  • Second-hand smoke.
  • Loose carpet.
  • Slick floors.
  • Loose steps.
  • Poor lighting.
  • Poorly stacked materials in storeroom.  Be sure to use a stepladder before reaching up to remove something from a shelf.  There could be lots of stored energy just waiting to fall on you.
  • Windowless doors.  In high-traffic areas, persons can have serious collisions by not watching for someone coming from the other side.
  • Computer screens – cause dry eye if stared into too long.
  • Repetitive motions can cause carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, or tendonitis.
  • Drug/alcohol abuse by coworker.  This can cause serious problems for all workers.  It is best to report this to your supervisor before someone gets hurt.
  • Bullying or harassment is a hazard to other workers, especially the one who is being bullied or harassed.

You can probably name several hidden hazards that we haven’t thought of.  Correcting hazards before illnesses, accidents or allergic reactions occur is a winning strategy.  Be a fanatic about health and safety, and show your supervisor that you believe it should be a top priority.  Fortunately, most hazards are situations that managers and supervisors can do something about.  But it begins with awareness.  One thing may be a threat to someone’s health but it  doesn’t affect others.  However,  all employees deserve to be protected all the time.  You can make your office, shop or factory a safe place to work.  Don’t assume that it is until you become aware of what has been and is being done to keep it safe.  Do your part, and always stay alert!  We would appreciate hearing your ideas about hidden hazards in the workplace!

General Safety Issues

PAY ATTENTION TO SAFETY RULES!

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In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is concerned with knowing that every employee in the workplace is safe.  Training and practice are the cornerstones of workplace safety.  Management of any business, large or small, must determine how its safety program will be implemented.  There should be a site-specific, employee-specific analysis.  Small businesses must comply with OSHA regulations, although there may be slightly different standards.  By putting good safety training programs into practice, businesses can avoid penalties, improve morale and increase productivity. 

 Having good safety leaders is a major factor in a successful safety program.  They should have excellent communication skills.  They need to be educated in all safety facets of the workplace and familiar with any past issues that have occurred.  Each employee must be taught that safety is foremost.  They should have adequate training before beginning any job where there is risk.  

We all know how difficult it is to learn a new job: the amount of duties each person is responsible for, how to perform the job safely and efficiently, becoming familiar with manuals, and  company policies, such as drug testing, etc.  If the job has risks, such as handling hazardous materials, or exposure to other workplace injuries, the new employee must learn all about what type of personal protective equipment, (i.e., hardhats, gloves, glasses, etc.) how to wear it, and take care of it, and when to replace it if damaged.  

Retention is an important word in safety training.  The leader must determine these things in judging the trainees:

  • Were they really listening?
  • Do they understand the proper ergonomics?  If the job requires twisting, lifting, or awkward positions, will they know what to do?
  • Is the workplace free from trips, slips, and fall hazards?
  • Has the noise factor been taken under consideration?
  • Do they realize the importance of PPE?
  • How well did they really comprehend?
  • Do they know what to watch for?

All workers must respond by giving the instructor the proper attention:

  •          Listen to your safety instructor.  He/she is there to teach you how to be safe.
  •          Pay Attention!  Your training is for your benefit.
  •          Do Not Rush! 
  •          Avoid monotony.  Try to vary your routine or ask to rotate duties.
  •          Be Careful All the Time – You can use caution for years, and then get hurt by not paying attention for only a couple of seconds.
  •          Don’t Take Risks! – A show of bravado won’t help you win the  respect of co-workers.
  •          Don’t Cut Corners on Safety!
  •          Use Common Sense.
  •          Again, listen to your leader and co-workers. 
  •          Look out for your co-workers.
  •          If you see an unsafe act, tell your supervisor.
  •          If in doubt, check it out! 
  •          Don’t hesitate to ask questions about things you don’t clearly understand.

The goal of everyone is to do a day’s work and go home safely at the end of the day.  Follow the rules of safety and everyone wins!  Be a part of your company’s safety TEAM – Together Everyone Accomplishes More!

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

ELEVATORS, ESCALATORS, AND MOVING SIDEWALKS SAFETY TIPS

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Elevators, escalators, and moving sidewalks are very efficient mass transit systems.  Because we use them in museums, zoos, theme parks, airports, theatres, hotels, apartment complexes, office buildings, hospitals, and many other places, we probably take them for granted.  These ways of moving hundreds of people every day or night require continuous safety monitoring and are required to meet OSHA safety regulations and standards.  They must be inspected annually. 

Elevators began to appear in city buildings in the 19th century.  Although the fatality rate is very low – around 30 or so per year, here are some safety tips to keep in mind when you enter an elevator. 

  •          First, if you are uneasy about anyone on the elevator you are planning to enter, wait and catch the next one.  Never take an unnecessary chance.
  •          Use caution around closing doors.
  •          Never attempt to slide in at the last minute. 
  •         Enter and exit cars only at designated floor alignments.
  •          Be sure the elevator is lined up with the floor.
  •          Push the call button only once; you just slow down the service if you keep pushing the buttons.
  •         Should you become trapped inside the elevator, call for help.
  •          Never put your hand in between the doors to stop them from closing; there is a button that will do that for you.

Elevators have multiple safety features, such as platform sensors, backup power, manual systems (in case of power outages), emergency phone, alarms, and automatic controls.  Call for help and wait for crews to properly align the car, should it get stuck midway.   

Escalators are used about 120 billion times annually in the United States.  I have always been more careful when getting on or off an escalator since I got “popped” off one when I was a kid, and wasn’t paying attention when it reached the floor I needed to exit.  One tip is to make sure that your shoes are tied before getting on one.

Here are some other things to keep in mind when riding an escalator: 

  • Do not ride an escalator if you are wearing soft-sided flexible clogs or slides.
  • If you wear bifocals, take extra care stepping on and off the escalator.
  • Find the escalator emergency shut-off buttons in case you need to stop the escalator.
  • Never ride an escalator if you are using crutches or a cane.
  • Take an elevator rather than riding the escalator if you feel dizzy or have problems keeping your balance.
  • Hold your child’s hand firmly.
  • Don’t carry large packages, bags or rolling luggage onto an escalator.
  • Stand in the middle of the escalator step and don’t lean on the side.
  • Keep loose clothing clear of steps and sides. 

Information from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says that about 20,000 escalator-related accidents require emergency room treatment each year.  The majority of the incidents were from falls, but 10 per cent occurred when hands, feet or shoes became entrapped.  Many accidents could have been prevented by the use of basic safety precautions. 

Moving sidewalks are very helpful, especially in large airports when you need to get from one part of the building to another.  They require the same safety monitoring as elevators and escalators.  If you plan to ride only on the moving sidewalk, stand to the right side of it.  Those who are walking should stay on the left side, in order to pass those who prefer not to walk on the moving sidewalk.   As with escalators, hold onto the handrail. 

It may seem simple to those who use these types of transportation on an every-day basis.  However, we cannot stress the importance that safety plays when using these means of transportation.  For those who own, operate, or service elevators, escalators, or moving sidewalks, liability is a major concern.  They all require certified inspections that meet federal safety regulations.  These types of heavy, moving equipment should be taken seriously.  We may take them for granted, but think about how many stairs you would have to climb or steps you would have to take if they didn’t exist.  Stay safe, and enjoy the ride!

General Safety Issues

PLANNING FOR A SAFE SUPER BOWL WEEKEND!

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As of Sunday, January 23rd, football fans now know who is coming to play in the Super Bowl – the Green Bay Packers versus the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Congratulations to both teams, and welcome to Texas – players, families, and fans! 

In case you don’t already know, everything is big in Texas, including the $40 million budget that has been set to put on this giant extravaganza.  Being called the “North Texas Super Bowl,” practices and other events are spread  throughout  the Metroplex.  The Steelers will stay in Fort Worth and practice at TCU’s facilities.  The Packers will stay in Irving, and hold their workouts in SMU’s facilities.  Media events (around 5,000 press reporters are expected) will be held in Dallas.  The NFL Experience will be at Dallas’ Convention Center and will run between January 27 and February 7.  Authorities expect more than 250,000 persons to attend this event.  Last, but not least, the big match-up will take place in Arlington’s Dallas Cowboys Stadium, an experience within itself. 

State and federal authorities have been assisting local law enforcement departments develop Super Bowl safety plans for the past several months.  Of course, the entire security plan cannot be revealed, however it is important for local residents to know what to expect.  Local media will inform residents of areas they may want to avoid during the weekend.   Robots, bomb sniffing dogs and drones are just some of the safety features that will be utilized.  Robert Champion, Special Agent in charge of ATF and Explosives agency reports this is his third Super Bowl, and by far the largest he has ever dealt with. 

Deputy Chief Tom Lawrence of the Dallas Police Department said the busiest times are expected to be Thursday through Saturday prior to the February 6th game.  The biggest concern is traffic congestion.  Streets must be left open so traffic can be moved in case of emergencies.   The City of Arlington has invested $715,000 in adding surveillance cameras, liability insurance for out of town public safety employees and overtime expenses for code compliance officers during game events.  This expense is expected to be repaid from revenue from additional sales taxes generated by the game. 

People are spending a lot of money to come to the game and experience all the excitement that comes with it.  They will be enjoying a taste of Texas’ food and hospitality.  The cities within the Metroplex are sprucing up  landscapes and getting ready to welcome everyone.  Local law enforcement and state troopers will be working hard to enforce the law in order to ensure a safe weekend for all.  As of last week, 299 Super Bowl events have been planned in Dallas alone.  Because there will be lots of partying, this is a good time to “rain on the parade” a little by warning those who plan to do so, to choose a designated driver.  There will be too much traffic during this busy weekend to take a chance on having an accident.  Don’t spoil the good time for everyone else.  DPS troopers and local law enforcement officers will be out in full force. 

Now’s the time to get your team merchandise.  If you can’t make it to the game, and your work requires you to wear a hardhat, what better way to show your support of the Packers or Steelers than by wearing a team NFL Football hardhat with their logo?  Wear it to games, too!  If you are one of the fortunate ones to be going to the game, you might think about a pair of disposable earplugs, too, as it will be noisy! 

Texas welcomes everyone who plans to attend this big event.  Have a safe stay, and Y’all Come Back!

General Safety Issues

HOW WOULD YOU GRADE YOUR SAFETY LEADER AT WORK?

There are several positions of management, but the front-line supervisor is usually the person responsible to be the “Safety Leader,” teaching employees all about safety, as well as the other aspects of their job tasks.  It is his or her job to be sure each employee understands the importance of safety in the workplace, and to ensure that they all go home at the end of their workday.  Although there may be a safety chairman and committee at your place of work, the supervisor is usually the one that has the technical skills to teach workers how to go about their work responsibilities.  By combining their human skills, and conceptual workplace skills, supervisors play a vital role in the success of the employees and company.  How would you grade your supervisor?  If you listed the traits of the best supervisor that you have ever worked under, what would your description be? 

Most of us would judge our past or present supervisors on human skills.  Here are several that we look for and appreciate:

  • Honesty
  • Sincerity
  • Motivation
  • Innovation
  • Good communication skills
  • Shows respect
  • Ensures workers’ safety
  • Concern for employees balancing work and home priorities
  • Gives credit to those who deserve praise on their job performance
  • Gives advice privately to those who need a little help

Conceptual workplace skills that leaders show include:

  • Organization
  • Job preparation
  • Using good logic
  • Good decision making
  • Fairly evaluating employees
  • Recognizing employees’ ideas for change that would improve the workplace routine or make things safer. 

A good leader can add these abilities to  technical expertise to ensure a safer, high-performance workplace, and hopefully, fewer near misses and mistakes leading to injury.  Supervisors are the ones with the authority and availability to ensure safe work practices by evaluating work conditions, safe behavior, and workers’ skill levels. 

Supervisors  should also ensure that the facility is OSHA compliant, and work with employees to see that unsafe acts are eliminated.  If workers know that their company strives to keep them safe and healthy, they are going to be inspired to do a good job by producing quality products and offering good service.  All companies want not just a “good safety” program, but a “great safety” program with a goal of O% injuries.

Many supervisors or co-workers do not serve as good role models, and can be reminders of what we don’t want to be like.  Bosses that put employees down, take the credit for others’ accomplishments, yell at people, and complain all the time, are actually displaying ways we should never behave.  The one thing they do teach us, is to never treat others the way they treat their co-workers.

If given the chance to answer a questionnaire (anonymously) about their supervisor, what grade would he or she be given?  It wouldn’t be a personality quiz, only a way for employees to let the company know if they have been well taught about safety and other aspects of their job, based on the quality of their leadership.  Supervisors evaluate  their employees for annual wage increases or other reasons.  Maybe it’s time the employees get to do a little evaluating.  Soon, we’ll look at how employees are graded, and the traits that employers are looking for in good workers.

General Safety Issues

TURN RIGHT FOR SAFETY AND SAVINGS!

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Most drivers know that left turns can be very dangerous.  Have you heard, “two wrongs don’t make a right, but three rights make a left?”  Taking fewer left turns is being emphasized as not only safer, but a way to save time and use less gas while idling in a left turn lane.   Another option is to go a little farther down the road to a turnaround, which takes you back to the direction you came from, but you can then take your right exit, avoiding that left turn. 

UPS has set an excellent example for us to follow.  A few years ago, UPS implemented a $600 million route optimizing system that has proven to be about 50 per cent safer, and saved travel time by around 20%.  This system maps out the next day’s schedule for thousands of their drivers in order to minimize the number of left-hand turns they must make.  This allows them to make more efficient deliveries in heavily traffic-congested areas.  According to an ABC News report, they have saved millions of gallons of fuel, and reduced emissions from their vehicles while idling at left turn lights. 

Plan your route ahead of time and experiment until you can see for yourself if this method will work for you.  Always drive defensively and remember, it is all right to take a right on red, unless there is signage that says “No Right on Red.”  Otherwise, treat it as a stop sign.  Always stop completely before taking that right turn.  If you must take left turns, first of all, be attentive to the traffic lights and don’t try to beat the yellow light.  Don’t take the chance; stop and wait for the next light change.  There may be someone coming from the other direction that tries to beat it, as well, and then no one is the winner! 

To safely make left turns, give warning ahead of time to the drivers behind you by using your turn signal, and slow down as you approach the road.  Always watch in the rear view mirror.  Someone may not be paying attention and appears to not plan to stop.  If this happens, drive forward and turn around somewhere else.  Otherwise, you will sit there and get hit.  Keep your wheels facing straight until you are ready to turn.  If you are in the road with your wheels turned left, and someone behind you hits you, it will knock you into oncoming traffic.  With your wheels facing forward, you will be knocked forward instead.  (Either way is not a very pleasant scenario!) 

Driving experts advise seniors the importance of taking more right turns to go around the block until they can forge straight ahead rather than taking left turns.  It is possible that older drivers’ response time is not so quick as younger ones, and avoiding left turns can be the safest maneuver for them. 

Look at the proven savings that a large company like UPS has made possible by this plan: fuel costs, discharging fewer metric tons of emissions into the air, and avoiding accidents – all by not having to turn into oncoming traffic thousands of times per day.  If others would follow their example, we could all be winners.