Tag Archives: signage

Eye Protection, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Head Protection

SIGNAGE AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN THE WORKPLACE (GUEST POST)

As an employer, health and safety has to be at the forefront of everything you do. All employees must be kept away from potentially dangerous situations in the workplace, and one of the most important ways in which any company can do this is through appropriate signage.

Think about your workplace. How many signs do you pass daily, be it directing you towards one area of the building, prohibiting entry from other areas, or instructing you on how to avoid injuring yourself?  There can be literally hundreds, but as an employer, which ones do you need to use in order to protect yourself from potential health and safety breaches?

Warning Signs

Although the name seems self explanatory, warning signs can encompass anything that makes employees aware of possibly dangerous or hazardous equipment. This can include high voltage electrical equipment, flammable items, trip warnings, asbestos danger, and low ceilings. Essentially anything that might cause injury needs to be pointed out to safeguard the well-being of employees.

Access Signs

In the workplace access signs can be very important in ensuring safety. Be it a No Entry sign, a Pedestrian walkway sign, or a Keep Clear sign. They are paramount to minimizing potentially dangerous situations and confusion in order to uphold general health and safety practice.

Fire Safety Signs

One of the biggest dangers in the home or in the workplace comes in the form of fire. Fire can strike at any time, and without proper procedures in place, and the proper signage to indicate where employees should go or not go in order to stay safe in the event of a fire, the consequences can be fatal. As such signs indicating where fire exits can be found, indicating that fire doors are to remain shut, and detailing general fire safety regulations are a legal requirement in any place of employment. There are also no smoking signs, which are of course essential inside buildings but also in the proximity of flammable substances to prevent potential combustion.

Other Safety Signs

Aside from the obvious there are a number of other signs that are an absolute must to safeguard the well-being of employees. Any area that requires specific protective headgear, eye-wear, or hearing protection should be indicated, as well as the location of first aid kits, non smoking areas, and recycling or waste disposal areas.

In general, signage can make a big difference in the workplace, and protect employees. However, correct signage also operates as protection to employers from any potential legal action owing to injuries incurred, and removing possible liability for those injuries. As such the importance of having the correct safety signs cannot be underestimated.

Guest post provided by UK Safety Store. 

 

General Safety Issues

OFFICE SAFETY 101: KEEPING THE WORKPLACE HAZARD-FREE (GUEST POST)

Office Safety 101: Keeping the Workplace Hazard-Free

Workplace safety is a big focus for most companies, in large part because accidents can be very costly to a business. Each injury or accident can lead to increased insurance costs, lowered productivity and a potential lawsuit, so it’s no surprise that most business owners want to create the safest working environment possible. Many workplace accidents are avoidable; better accident prevention can always reduce the risk of something going wrong.

Even with an office safety plan in place, there are always little things you can do to make your environment just a bit safer. Read on for some suggestions of small changes that can make a big difference—and possibly help you and your coworkers avoid a painful accident.

Use proper signage

Exit doors should always be clearly marked, but that’s not the extent of how signage should be used. Use signs throughout the office to make employees aware of nearby hazards. For example, set out notifications in obvious places to warn employees about slippery floors, or to keep people out of the way of a door’s swinging path. You could even use signage to warn of equipment-specific hazards if you feel the risk warrants an alert.

Tie up or cover cables and cords

Loose cables and cords create a serious tripping hazard in the workplace. When bunches are present, tie them together to reduce the risk of catching onto a foot. When possible, embed them under the carpet or along baseboards. You can also purchase cable raceways to run groups of cables above the floor in a way that won’t create a tripping obstacle for foot traffic.

Keep walkways, doorways and congested areas clear

The more congestion found in walkways, the more likely it is that trips, bumps, spills and other accidents will occur. Keep high-traffic areas as free of clutter as possible. Make sure areas by doors are wide open to prevent collisions. And never leave clutter or other objects on or near flights of stairs.

Install surge protection devices

Electrical surges can pose a great risk to devices, but employees close to that equipment can also be damaged if a surge occurs. Voltage regulation devices help keep the flow of electricity consistent, stopping a surge before it strikes electrical equipment. These devices are easy to install, and they can be a great layer of protection for both equipment and employees if an electrical surge hits your building.

Keep shelving orderly

When shelving is piled high with unstable contents, the risk of a spill increases. Particularly with overhead shelving, the risk of falling objects can be significant and potentially lead to injuries. Keep shelving neat and orderly at all times to eliminate the risk of an accidental spill. Invest in shelf dividers, storage drawers and other organizational items to keep items separated and prevent an avalanche of office supplies.

No one wants to work in a dangerous environment, and injuries in the workplace are always a burden for businesses. It makes sense to do everything you can on the prevention end, stopping incidents before they start. Your business will appreciate your efforts, and your office morale may also enjoy a boost.
Maire lives in the Indianapolis area and enjoys writing about safety and construction. She also loves double chocolate brownies and her Scottish Terrier, Pete.

Note: Under the segment about Use Proper Signage, all offices can use safety posters throughout the building, that fit the particular hazard in that place. 

 

 

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

WORKPLACE SAFETY MANAGEMENT: WAREHOUSE INSPECTION CHECKLIST FOR YOUR BUSINESS (GUEST POST)

2 Comments
 
Adversaries of comprehensive warehouse safety programs argue that they pose too great of a demand on current employees, create a potential need for dedicated personnel, and leach off of resources needed for more imminent, tangible tasks. Seeing is believing; therefore, reactivity typically takes precedence over proactivity since well-defined tasks pose a sense of urgency. Nonetheless, such proactivity could prevent both tragic consequences to affected parties in an accident and crippling financial liabilities to a company that has neglected to enact and sustain safety protocols.  Formulating a checklist and routinely assessing compliance to established standards is a relatively effortless way to ensure that safety is paramount to your warehouse. 
 
Personal Safety
 
Proper training, visual graphics, first aid supplies and communication are paramount in ensuring that people—personnel or customers—are sufficiently advised of potential hazards. As Voltaire said, “common sense is not so common”: stating the obvious is the best way to protect others, as well as yourself.
• Clean all spills immediately upon their occurrence and/or use proper hazard cones to ward individuals away from the area. One of the most common causes of accidents results from unattended spills.
• Designate pedestrian walkways as well as areas that people are prohibited to walk, unless authorized. 
• Use appropriate signage to instruct people of the following: directions throughout a warehouse, hazard symbols, forklift traffic, gantry cranes, and requirements for moving heavy items. This list is not all-inclusive since it varies by warehouse to warehouse, but it targets common issues.
• Use proper methods for retrieving items high in warehouse racking (e.g. forklift) and do not allow persons to climb the racking. 
• Maintain accessible safety equipment (safety glasses, eye wash stations, respirators, etc.) in required areas.
• Use proper “Exit” signs and require that all persons use man doors, instead of walking under open garage doors.
 
General Safety Issues

SHARING THE ROAD SAFELY

After a fun day of shopping and visiting with close friends last week, we parted ways and headed for home.  I might mention that we were shopping in a city that we were unfamiliar with, so it’s even more important to drive with care, and watch for the other guy, too.  My dear friend left first, to head for her home town, and the rest of us were close behind going our way.  We reached the corner where we needed to turn, and there had been an accident – sirens, police, an ambulance, and then the most frightening realization, my friend walking to the crash site!

She had taken a turn to go home when a young man on a motorcycle smashed into her car.  Thankfully, he was wearing a helmet – but his bike was probably totaled, and her car sustained quite a lot of damage.  Witnesses said that he had been standing on the seat of the bike earlier, then “popping a wheelie” just before he came back down on the street, when he hit her.

It woke us all up to the fact that accidents happen so fast, and this could have ended with a much sadder outcome.  There are some tips that have been given in previous articles about motorcycle safety, but I want to repeat some of them and hope that a parent or biker will pay attention before it is too late.

From the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Share the Road Safely:

Watch the No-Zones: Never hang out in a truck’s blind spot or “no-Zone”.  These are at the front and back and on both sides of the truck.  They cannot see you when you ride in these spots, and cannot stop as fast as you can.

Always Wear a Helmet: Make sure helmets meet US DOT standards.  Check for the DOT label in your helmet.  The accident I am telling you about, the rider’s helmet was scratched where he hit the car, and the visor was completely off. 

Drive to Survive: Remember that motorcycles are the smallest vehicles on the road.  There is virtually no protection in a crash.  Be extra cautious, watching the signals and brake lights of other vehicles.  Don’t ride inbetween lanes in traffic or share a lane with another vehicle. You must respect the law just as other drivers.  Don’t instigate aggressive driving with other motorists.  This only increases your chance of a crash.

Check Yourself and Your Bike: Conduct a safety inspection of the bike prior to each ride, and wear protective clothing including gloves, boots, and a jacket.  Some high-visibility stickers or vest will help others see you.

Watch Your Speed:  Motorcycles accelerate the fastest, while trucks and buses are the slowest. Watch your speed around trucks, especially in bad weather or riding at night.  If you collide with the back of a truck, your riding days will most likely be over.

For those of us driving cars, be sure to watch for signs, especially in surroundings you aren’t familiar with, and some cities should ask themselves if there is appropriate signage for visitors to navigate safely, staying with the flow of traffic in their towns?  It only took a few seconds for what could have been devastation for my friend and that young man on the bike.  Cars and motorcycles can be replaced; material things can. But my friends can’t be replaced.  Thank Goodness for Guardian Angels! Drive and ride safely!

Eye Protection, Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

SAFETY IN THE CHEMISTRY LAB (GUEST POST)

By Maree Kyle

Safety is valued in any workplace, but in areas where dangerous materials and other hazards are present, it’s essential that workers and businesses create a safe environment where accidents are mitigated. Unfortunately, even the best workplace environments boasting well-trained workers are susceptible to the occasional accident, making it crucial that emergency protocols be developed and taught alongside accident prevention measures.

In chemistry laboratories, safety considerations are amplified. Accidents when working with volatile and potentially dangerous materials can be permanently damaging and, in some cases, fatal. Good chemical hygiene is of utmost importance and this encompasses many facets of lab operations. Here are some steps every lab should take to minimize the risk of an accident and to improve emergency response when mishaps do occur.

1. Demand storeroom organization

Maintaining organization and order in a storeroom makes for more efficient lab work, but it also greatly enhances safety in the workspace. Workers need to keep track of a number of chemicals, many with expiration dates, and old chemicals need to be properly disposed of. Additionally, better organization helps ensure property inventory levels of various chemical materials. A good approach to handling the storeroom is to put one worker in charge of the storeroom, managing its contents and handling upkeep as needed.

2. Display safety signs as intended

A little signage can be very helpful for reminding workers of the dangers present in the workplace. Make sure all signage is properly displayed to maximize its efficacy in helping workers avoid accidents.

3. Demand proper attire

It’s not unheard of that some confident chemists will occasionally decline to wear certain safety gear, considering it more a nuisance than a form of protection. But that’s a risky move that’s bound to end up in failure at some point. From the lab’s perspective, a failure to wear safety gear creates extra risks that could be a liability to the facility. Outline proper attire requirements in various situations and strongly enforce the protocol for failing to follow lab rules.

4. Clean, clean, clean

According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, the third-leading cause of workplace injuries is slips and falls. The vast majority of these are preventable by making sure hazards and obstacles are kept out of the workspace at all times. Clean floors, countertops and other workspaces frequently to eliminate fluids and other hazards that can lead to accidents. The lab should also be stocked with good materials for quickly and easily cleaning up messes. Other lab-specific safety measures include keeping clutter off of countertops, keeping excess chemicals in proper storage, and handling waste products properly and quickly.

5. Offer proper training on equipment

Greater familiarity with various lab equipment will prevent devices from being misused. Teach lab workers how to identify faulty devices, further preventing accidents resulting from equipment errors.

With so many dangerous materials present, chemistry labs can be particularly prone to serious accidents. Every lab needs to invest time and resources into educating their workers and instituting safety measures. Don’t let safety awareness be a one-time thing: Keep workers mindful of safety concerns with random inspections and continued training workshops to reduce your lab’s risk of a preventable accident.

Thanks, Maree, for this invaluable information regarding safety when working with chemicals.  Texas America Safety Company has a whole range of personal protective equipment to ensure employees’ safety at work. Pat

 

General Safety Issues

Seven Common Mistakes Hospitals Make Regarding Their OSHA/GHS Signage

By Jack Rubinger, www.DuraLabel.com, 503-469-3024

We conducted an informal survey among our customers and hospitals across the country. While not all our findings are strictly related to OSHA, we’re sharing the feedback because these signage issues are fairly universal.

1. One huge mistake that happens is that health care facilities tend to believe they are less likely to get inspected by OSHA if they have been inspected by The Joint Commission (TJC) or the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – so it’s a mistake to base signage and labeling on the potential for an OSHA inspection.

2. Another common mistake – especially in lab settings — is improper labeling of secondary containers. DuraSuite software helps lab managers keep a directory of common lab reagents and label secondary containers with proper GHS labels.

3. Involving those knowledgeable in wayfinding strategies is essential. Your strategic team should comprise external consultants and staff from the healthcare institution.

4. Unfortunately, signage and wayfinding are often an after-thought for projects or new builds and capital requests for wayfinding and signage budgets are rarely approved. This makes maintenance of signage and developing a new strategy or updating the current strategy next to impossible. In the end there is limited money “left” to create signage which can lead to temporary solutions that often never get fixed or replaced with a proper permanent solution. Instead, wayfinding and signage should be included in the design phase. 

5. Whether you’re addressing OSHA signage, HAZMAT or confined spaces, one of the biggest mistakes is lack of consistency. Too often, hospitals have a mish mash of all types of signs and pictograms. An effective safety program ensures consistent graphics throughout a facility. 

6. Signs should not be over designed, over used, too cute or too expensive. The director of hospital safety and his staff are responsible for keeping messages current, installing bi-lingual messages where appropriate and making sure signs are where they are supposed to be. 

7. Too much signage. Facility managers tend to place more signs than necessary. This can often overwhelm visitors and lead to greater confusion. In healthcare settings, patients, visitors and families are already stressed. The least of their concerns should be trying to navigate a confusing building in order to find the department or person they are seeking.

Note:   I worked at a newly-constructed rural hospital and found that our designer had color-coded the tiles on the floor on one side of each hall, i.e., green led to the patient area, blue led to the surgical department, and so-on.  It was very helpful for the employees to be able to find their way in the beginning; however, if a visitor or patient came in, there was no signage to explain the color-coded floor.  If an employee happened along, they were happy to direct them to the right department.  Just a little added thought, and thank you so much for this article, Jack.  Hospital employees should always keep their paper work up to date, just in case of a visit from Medicare, OSHA, or Joint Commission. pb