Tag Archives: workplace safety

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues

SPOTTING EYE HAZARDS ON THE JOBSITE

Work-related eye injuries alone cost over $300 million dollars per year, in lost production time, worker compensation, and medical expenses.

OSHA says there are two main reasons:

(1) Workers weren’t wearing any eye protection. By some estimates, as many as three out of five injured workers weren’t wearing eye protection at the time of their accident.

(2) Workers were wearing the wrong kind of protection-the eyewear did not effectively protect against the specific hazard they faced.

Employers should know the risk factors facing their employees and properly train the workers to wear the appropriate eye protection prior to beginning their duties.  If employees determine there are chances of eye injuries occurring that have not been addressed, they need to immediately notify their supervisor.  Companies should strictly enforce their personal protective equipment policies.

Workers who are exposed to hazards such as molten metal, dust, dirt, wood chips, liquid chemical splashes, flying particles, gases or vapors, caustic liquids, infection-related materials, and light radiation must wear the appropriate eye and face protection.  Improper or poor-fitting eyewear will not ensure safety from eye injury.  If workers wear prescription lens, there are safety glasses that comfortably fit over the prescription glasses, or some safety eyewear can be made with the prescription in them.  Contact lens wearers must wear eye/face protection when working in hazardous settings.

Types of EyeProtection:Types of Eye Protection

  • Safety Spectacles – Impact resistant lenses; safety frames are usually made from metal or plastic. Side shields may be added for further protection.
  • Welding Shields – Vulcanized fiber/fiberglass with filtered lens, protect from infrared burns, radiant light sparks, slag chips, and metal.  Shades on the shields are numbered, and the welder must use the correct shade number according to tasks being done to secure eyes from harmful light radiation.
  • Laser Safety Goggles –Protect from intense concentrations of laser light. These are special goggles.
  • Face Shields – Sheets of transparent plastic, (sometimes polarized), which goes from eyebrows to below chin and across width of head.  They do not absorb impacts; however, they work well with goggles or safety spectacles against impact hazards.  Protect face from splashes, dust, sprays, etc.

One could lose their eyesight in a matter of seconds; therefore, it makes sense to take a little time to put on protective eyewear before entering the jobsite.

Source: OSHA

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES IN THE WORKPLACE- ARE YOU READY?

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Medical emergencies vary greatly, depending on types of job, disaster, and the work site.  Oilfield workers, heavy equipment workers, etc. are exposed to different safety risks than those who work in food service, warehouses, or offices.  No matter what type of occupation is involved, all employers should have an Emergency Action Plan in place.
Employers should include their workers in the planning process: ask for their ideas about proper emergency responses.    After the plan is developed, review it with employees to be sure everyone knows what to do during and after an emergency.

Steps to follow in planning for medical emergencies:

  • Offer and encourage employees to have proper CPR and First Aid Training.  The American Red Cross, local safety councils, or local medical personnel are willing to provide this training.
  • Have personnel records of all employees’ emergency contacts readily available.  This information should be stored with other vital records in your emergency kit, and at another off-site location as well.
  • Encourage employees to disclose any medical condition that might require special attention during an emergency.
  • Keep First Aid Kits in stock and readily accessible.  Consult with a physician to instruct you on the proper supplies needed.
  • Locate the nearest medical facility near your work site.
  • Contact a local ambulance service to ensure emergency transportation is readily available.

Again, communicating with your employees in the planning of emergency action plans will result in a smoother, successful outcome for anyone in need of medical attention.  It is the responsibility of employers to put safety first in their workplace; however, if all workers play a part in helping a co-worker in a time of medical necessity, all the planning and preparation is worthwhile!

OSHA

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

WORKPLACE BULLYING AND HARASSMENT

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Do you remember when you were in school, there was always someone who picked on another kid because they were small or large for their age, had red hair and freckles, or some other trait that the bully enjoyed pointing out?  We’ve all had to deal with these types of persons: the ones who butt in line, cut in front of you driving down the highway, or pull some other annoying stunt just to get your fever up!
We have to prepare ourselves for these situations to happen and stay calm.  Realize that there is always someone who is going to make life a little more difficult, but if you are ready for it, things will go smoother.
In the workplace, we know that there are going to be bullies whether in the office or job location.  We also know they are going to upset us, sooner or later.
When you fall victim to a bully, hold up your hand and tell them to “STOP”.  If you repeat yourself every time they do this, it might get their attention.  If they continue, ask a co-worker to witness and provide you support in the situation.

Has your Workplace Bully:

  • Shouted at you in front of colleagues or customers/clients?
  • Nitpicked/criticized over trivial matters or mistakes?
  • Treated you with disrespect?
  • Called you names?
  • Made you feel unimportant?
  • Monitored you excessively?
  • Set you up to fail?
  • Withheld information that helps you do your job efficiently?
  • Excluded you from normal staff conversations and made you feel unwelcome?If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider:
  • Document details of incidents, where it was, what was going on, witnesses, any information you have.
  • Tell your family what is going on.
  • Talk to your supervisor; if they are the bully, go to a higher authority.
  • You are probably not the only one going through this.
  • When the person makes nasty comments, the best thing to do is walk away and say nothing.
  • Show them that you are not interested in their nonsense.
  • Don’t show just how angry and upset you are; this will only give the bully satisfaction.
  • Bullies are cunning and most of them bully when no one in authority is around.

Know that when you report bullying you are not telling tales; you and everyone else has the right to be happy, treated fairly, safe, and free from this kind of harassment.  Keep on speaking up until someone listens to you and takes you seriously.  It is not your fault and there is no excuse for bullying.
We all need to remember to treat people the way we want to be treated.  Life would be much simpler if we would practice this.

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