Tag Archives: team

General Safety Issues, Head Protection

HARDHATS: DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THESE OPTIONS? (GUEST POST)

 When talking about hard hats, using your head takes on a whole new meaning. Wearing a hard hat is first and foremost a wise safety decision; in many cases they are part of the required attire designed to help protect and save lives on construction sites. The hats protect against falling debris as well as accidental bumps and blows. Secondly, hard hats can be invaluable on a site to differentiate who is who in line of command and to identify co-workers.

Hard hats should be worn anytime there is a risk of injury. While site rules will determine who is required to wear them, anyone entering onto a construction site, from the mailman to a visiting architect, should follow suit.

While the brain is a pretty vital organ to protect, it is commonplace amongst workers to loathe the out-dated design and heavier build of typical hard hats. Unfortunately, a better and cheaper alternative has yet to hit the market so workers must make do. This doesn’t mean that there still aren’t choices out there. Forget the boring yellows and check out these fun and unique hardhat options.

Man holding blueprints

 This man wishes he had some more options. Yellow was so last year.

Howdy, ya’ll!
For the man or lady who doesn’t go anywhere without their Stetson, the cowboy hard hat will surely make them smile. In typical Western style, the cowboy hard hat is OSHA certified and provides extra sun protection for those sweltering Texas style summers.

Cowboy style hard hats are available in all the classic colors, from black or white to tan or grey. This hardhat option has even proven popular with tv stars in the hugely successful Extreme Home Makeover. If you want to inject a little John Wayne into the daily grind, the cowboy hard hat will fit the bill.

Oh, say! Can You See?
Love of country is a respectable quality in any man (or woman). While carrying a flag to work may cause a safety issue, you can wear your pride proud with a patriotic hard hat. There are a wide variety of patriotic designs out there, but the American Flag, Camo, and American Pride are all winners.

An American themed hard hat turns your boring old safety equipment into a cool accessory your coworkers will love. Switch out the plain colors for a patriotic hard hat, a very cool alternative.

Support the troops at the day job.

Touchdown!
Are you a football fanatic who spends their work week counting down until Sunday? Did you know you could get a hard hat with your favorite team’s logo on the side? Show your support for the NFL with a licensed hard hat.

Team hard hats are a great way to show team allegiance, and can be especially fun when you are rooting for a team different than most of the people you work with. There are also NCAA, MLB, NASCAR, and NHL helmets, something for all the sports fans out there.

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 Channel your favorite player on the site. He never plays without a helmet, why would you?

While these hard hat options may be slightly more expensive than their boring, plain counterparts, don’t forget that you can claim business safety equipment on your tax return. Don’t let any tax deductions slip by, save money and go to work in style all at the same time. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what is on your head, as long as it is protected. Still, injecting a little personality into a long work day can make all the difference.

Jessica Galbraith is a full-time writer and author of the travel blog The Fly Away American.

General Safety Issues

HOW OFTEN DO YOU CONDUCT SAFETY INSPECTIONS?

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It is the employers’ responsibility to ensure that their employees are protected, for their safety and health.  If an employee complains that their workplace is unsafe, or there is an imminent danger situation at work, OSHA will perform an inspection, as it is their responsibility to ensure that companies are complying with safety and health regulations.   Therefore, it is very important that companies schedule their own informal inspections, depending on the hazards and conditions that apply to the specific job duties.  Very hazardous workplaces should be inspected weekly, and less dangerous workplaces, such as offices,  should be inspected at least monthly.  

If employees are included on the safety inspection team, they are motivated to comply with safety rules.  Because they are the ones who face certain risk factors, and can easily identify them, they will ensure that the problem has been remedied.  Rotating team members as safety leaders can balance the responsibilities of each person.  Later, team meetings can be held with supervisors to discuss the problems, how to solve them, and follow up to ensure they have been fixed. 

Here are some suggestions for checklists for safety inspectors.  Keeping one at the workstation would be a daily reminder for all employees to keep a watch on things, as well. 

  •        Are stairways clean, clear, and well lit?
  •        Do workers obey warning signs?
  •        Are there safety posters in several places?
  •        Are the posters changed often?
  •        Are work areas neat, clean, and orderly?
  •        Is lighting adequate?
  •        Are floors free of slippery, dangerous materials?
  •        Is there loose carpeting in carpeted areas?
  •        Are the aisles clear?
  •        Are fire alarms and exits easily accessible?
  •        Does everyone know how to use fire extinguishers?
  •        Does the sprinkler system operate properly?
  •        Are emergency exits open and accessible?
  •        Do all employees know emergency exits and routes?
  •        Are emergency numbers posted by all telephones in the work area?
  •        Are there adequate first aid supplies?
  •        Are eyewash stations and emergency showers available?
  •        Are machines and equipment clean and properly maintained?
  •        Are required guards in place and operating properly?
  •        Are electric wires in good condition?
  •        Are lockout/tagout procedures followed during maintenance and repair?
  •        Are equipment repairs performed only by qualified personnel? 

This is a sample checklist; chances are you can customize one that suits your particular workplace.  Many times, we take things for granted and don’t spot hazards that are right in front of us.  Getting employees in the habit of being aware of the safety of their own “little corner of the world” will be beneficial to the company, as well as the workers.