The Safetypro Podcast - Helping You Manage Workplace Safety One Episode At A Time!

Powered by iReportSource With proper safety training and an air-tight safety program in your workplace, you won’t have to write too many incident reports. However, sometimes, things slip through the cracks, and it results in an incident or near-miss. When this happens, it’s not only mandated by OSHA to report it, but it can be imperative in future prevention of similar events. The best way to go about reporting an incident is to fill out an incident report. The following steps will help you to write an effective incident report that covers all of the necessary elements needed for further action. 1. Respond promptly You should begin to gather the details almost immediately after receiving news and becoming aware of the incident. Which will help you collect details that are fresh in the minds of those involved, and will help you be able to piece together the factors involved in the incident’s occurrence. 2. Gather all of the details and facts Having all the facts is vital in being able to decipher what caused

Powered by iReportSource OSHA's Safety-Related Work Practices standards for general industry are performance-oriented requirements that complement the existing electrical installation standards. These work-practice standard include requirements for work performed on or near exposed energized and de-energized parts of electric equipment; use of electrical protective equipment; and the safe use of electric equipment. These rules are intended to protect employees from the electrical hazards that they may be exposed to even though the equipment may comply with the installation requirements in, 1910 Subpart S (electrical). When employees are working with electric equipment, they must use safe work practices. Such safety-related work practices include keeping a prescribed distance from exposed energized lines, avoiding the use of electric equipment when the employee or the equipment is wet, and locking-out and tagging equipment which is de-energized for maintenance. The training requirements apply to employees who

Mentioned in this episode: www.whosonlocation.com www.mightylinetape.com/podcast http://bit.ly/KPIWhitePaper How do you measure safety in your workplace to enhance performance and reduce employee downtime? There are several tested methods that Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) leaders use to reduce employee incidents and illnesses. Among the leading methods, which the Gensuite white paper discusses, are Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)–or leading and lagging indicators. Leading indicators are pre-incident measurements, as opposed to lagging indicators, which are measurements collected after an incident occurs. For example, a slip and fall incident from stray construction materials is a lagging indicator because the incident has already occurred, but an inspection that notes the poor quality of the surrounding area and prevents a future slip and fall from taking place is a leading indicator. A key component of leading indicators is that they measure safety events or behaviors that precede incident

In this takeover podcast episode, I visited the offices of Gensuite to talk about wearable tech and the impact it has on safety. Hit the links in these show notes for more info on the cloud-based EHS software solutions Gensuite can provide for your business. Join the over 600,000 users that trust Gensuite with their compliance and EHS software needs. Let me know what you think; send emails to info@thesafetypropodcast.com Find the podcast (and me!) also on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Powered by iReportSource Throughout OSHA regulations, you will find references to industry consensus standards such as those in Subpart I - Personal Protective Equipment. These PPE regulations refer to ANSI standards as the safety criteria manufacturers must meet when producing eye, face, head, and foot protective equipment. OSHA requires employers to purchase personal protective equipment that bears the ANSI mark to ensure that the equipment provides the maximum protection for the wearers. OSHA does not include industry consensus standards in the regulations; rather, it refers employers to various consensus standards as the safety procedures and specifications that must be met in the workplace. This referral procedure is called "incorporation by reference." Incorporation by reference was established by statute and allows Federal agencies to meet the requirement to publish regulations in the Federal Register by referring to materials already published elsewhere. The legal effect is that the material is treat

Powered by iReportSource In almost all industries, we may work with or around machinery. Moving machine parts have the potential to cause severe workplace injuries, such as crushed fingers or hands, amputations, burns, or blindness. Safeguards are essential for protecting workers from these preventable injuries. Any machine part, function, or process that may cause injury must be safeguarded. When the operation of a machine or accidental contact could injure the operator or others in the vicinity, the hazards must be eliminated or controlled. OSHA’s machine guarding standards apply to employers having employees exposed to dangerous moving parts. 29 CFR 1910.212 — General requirements for all machinery. This is OSHA’s general requirement for all machinery. It is a catch-all standard (like the General Duty Clause) requiring employers to protect employees from dangerous moving parts and to guard points of operation. OSHA also has some machine-specific standards, which you may need to know:  29 CFR 1910.213 — Wo

Join the Community of Safety Pros today! Mentioned in this episode: The National Safety Council The NSC Safe Driving Kit Preliminary estimates from the National Safety Council indicate motor vehicle deaths dipped slightly – 1% – in 2017, claiming 40,100 lives versus the 2016 total of 40,327. The small decline is not necessarily an indication of progress, as much as a leveling off of the steepest two-year increase in more than 50 years.  The 2017 assessment is 6% higher than the number of deaths in 2015. If the estimate holds, it will be the second consecutive year that motor vehicle deaths topped 40,000. About 4.57 million people were injured severely enough to require medical attention in motor vehicle crashes in 2017, and costs to society totaled $413.8 billion. Both figures are about 1% lower than 2016 calculations. So what can we do about all of this? A driver safety program should keep the driver safe, as well as others who share the road. If necessary, the program must work to change driver attitudes,

Powered by iReportSource SAMPLE POLICY HERE Because workplace violence is a growing problem at workplaces across America, it is good for a company to develop its own company-specific worksite violence policy and procedures manual. There is evidence that suggests worksite violence is largely preventable through the development and implementation of a specific policy and procedures. To be effective, company policy and procedures must discourage all types of worksite violence. They must also encourage employees to come forward in the event they are victims of, or witnesses to, any prohibited behavior. Additionally, whatever disciplinary action is deemed appropriate for policy violations, it must be handed out impartially and consistently. This will send a clear message that threats and other violent acts will not be tolerated by your company. When developing your company’s policy and procedures, it is important to remember that employees are not likely to adhere to something they don’t understand. To prevent th

Powered by iReportSource NERD ALERT! This episode covers all those little posters and postings that have to be displayed in the workplace. Most public and private employers fall under at least some posting requirements under federal, state, and/or local government laws, regulations, and/or executive orders. These workplace posters (also known as labor law posters or notices) are generally meant to make employees aware of their rights under certain laws or executive orders, or otherwise, impart information about the employer and/or the law or executive order. Employers need to be aware of the posting requirements that apply to them, as not having the appropriate information posted for employees may result in citations and fines. Some of these posting requirements have penalties associated with them for noncompliance. Failure to post federal employment law posters can potentially result in fines of over $32,000. In addition, it is important to be in compliance with posting regulations because the posters can h

Powered by iReportSource What is an ergonomic injury? Opinions vary on how to define an ergonomics injury, and the definition of the term may depend on the context. However, ergonomic injuries are often described by the term “musculoskeletal disorders” or “MSDs.” This is the term that refers collectively to a group of injuries and illnesses that affect the musculoskeletal system. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) include a group of conditions that involve the nerves, tendons, muscles, and supporting structures (such as intervertebral discs). They represent a wide range of disorders, which can differ in severity from mild periodic conditions to those which are severe, chronic and debilitating. Some musculoskeletal disorders have specific diagnostic criteria and clear pathological mechanisms (like hand/arm vibration syndrome). Others are defined primarily by the location of pain and have a more variable or less clearly defined pathophysiology (like back disorders). Musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremi

Powered by iReportSource Download the Elements to an Emergency Action Plan HERE How would you escape from your workplace in an emergency? Do you know where all the exits are located? What about a 2nd way out? A safety plan is needed, let' talk about that in this episode. Send emails to info@thesafetypropodcast.com. You can find me on LinkedIn! Post a LinkedIn update letting me know what you think of the podcast. Be sure to @ mention Blaine J. Hoffmann or The SafetyPro Podcast LinkedIn page. You can also find the podcast on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Powered by iReportSource   OSHA Sloping/Benching Diagrams I am sure you may have heard about trenching incidents near you or reading about them on a national level. Managing safety for these operations is quite simple once you know the requirements and understand some of the nuances that go along with the different soils and protective systems we have. Hazards Cave-ins pose the greatest risk with these activities and are much more likely than other excavation-related accidents to result in worker fatalities. Other potential hazards include falls, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and incidents involving mobile equipment. One cubic foot of soil can weigh 100 pounds. One cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as a car, and the kinetic energy of soil falling 3, 4, 10 feet, and you can see the danger here. It has been said that an unprotected trench is an early grave. So let me start by stating the obvious: do not enter an unprotected trench. Protective Systems So at what point do we need to protect a trench? A

Powered by iReportSource Final vacation week! Thanks for being loyal listeners. I wanted to remind everyone in this quick episode about taking safety with when you leave work. I may put together an episode about this topic soon. Share your off-the-job safety tips by sending me an email to info@thesafetypropodcast.com. You can find me on LinkedIn! Post a LinkedIn update letting me know what you think of the podcast. Be sure to @ mention Blaine J. Hoffmann or The SafetyPro Podcast LinkedIn page. You can also find the podcast on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter 

Powered by iReportSource I am on vacation! But, I still managed to get a quick episode out for all the awesome listeners. 6 Steps to an Effective Hazard Communication Program for Employers That Use Hazardous Chemicals! It's a good one! Get the document mentioned in this episode: Hazard Communication: Steps to an Effective Hazard Communication Program for Employers That Use Hazardous Chemicals Fact Sheet and Hazard Communication: Small Entity Compliance Guide for Employers That Use Hazardous Chemicals Email comments or questions to info@thesafetypropodcast.com. You can find me on LinkedIn! Post a LinkedIn update letting me know what you think of the podcast. Be sure to @ mention Blaine J. Hoffmann or The SafetyPro Podcast LinkedIn page. You can also find the podcast on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Powered by iReportSource Get the freebies mentioned in this episode HERE As I get ready to head to the beach for Spring Break (I will already be there when this episode drops!) I was thinking about some of the seasonal work we need doing at our homes as well as at our businesses. And that got me thinking about tree trimmers. And it hit me - when it comes to workplace safety, it is easy to overlook the folks that do some of this work, either at our homes or when we hire these companies to help us maintain our facilities. Each year thousands of trees are uprooted by powerful winds from hurricanes, thunderstorms, etc. And usually taking power lines and transformers with them. I wanted to get a quick topic out about the safety needed for workers that come out and take care of these trees and help us improve our personal property as well as our businesses. Tree trimming is serious business. There are numerous SERIOUS safety hazards involved. Everything from falls to electrical hazards, these workers must be well-

  Powered by iReportSource In the last couple of episodes, I dance around the rescue team parts of the standard. I want to get into that section here. Let’s start with an outside rescue option since a lot of folks go this route. If you recall, whenever you use outside resources you must evaluate a prospective rescuer's ability to respond to a rescue summons in a timely manner, considering the hazard(s) identified. So you have to have done a hazard assessment first so that you can have a meaningful conversation with the outside agency. Also, don’t forget, bring them in to do a walk-thru, look at the spaces involved, the internal configurations, chemicals used onsite, etc. You also have to develop and implement procedures for summoning rescue and emergency services to your location. Ask about whether the local authorities use a regional dispatcher, this may delay response time a little, does your site use a different number to dial out to emergency services, instead of 911? All of this goes into your program a

  Powered by iReportSource Get a SAMPLE PERMIT TEMPLATE HERE This is part 2 in a series about confined space entry, the requirements including training and entry procedures and we will wrap the series up with some tips, interpretations, and examples written programs. If you remember from the last episode I covered the basic definition of a confined space: * Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work * Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (for example, tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits are spaces that may have limited means of entry. AND (yes, it has to have all of these) * It is not designed for continuous employee occupancy. And we talked about what that means as well.
 And a ”Permit-required confined space (permit space)" means a confined space that has one OR more of the following characteristics: 1. Contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere 2. Contains a material that has the potential for eng

Powered by iReportSource I want to get into confined spaces and permit-required confined spaces. I need to break this topic up into a couple of different episodes, beginning with a general introduction to terms, definitions, emergency response, and some training requirements before getting into specifics around the actual entry permits and entry procedures like monitoring in the next episode. Ok, so let’s first define the terms for our discussion: According to 29 CFR 1910.146, a confined space is ANY space that: * Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work * Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (for example, tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits are spaces that may have limited means of entry.) * Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy. Let’s talk about that last part for a moment; OSHA defines continuous human occupancy vaguely, but use the following as a benchmark: Can the worker safely remain inside the spac

Join the Community of Safety Pros today! Join the Community of Safety Pros today! In this episode, I want to talk about Lean manufacturing principles and how they can help you transform safety in your organization. If you listen to this podcast regularly (and I hope you do!), you probably have heard me tell you to look at the tools the lean or quality folks use in your organization. And there is a good reason for that, and they CAN help you improve safety processes. I will reference two good books I studied and draw upon their lessons in this episode. One is called Lean Safety: Transforming your safety program with lean management by Robert B. Hafey. The other is called Safety Performance in a Lean Environment: A guide to building safety into a process by Paul F. English. Overview Lean is a manufacturing philosophy that reduces the total cycle time between taking a customer order and the shipment by eliminating waste. What is excellent about lean principles is that they apply to all business processes, espec

Online safety training has come a LONG way from what it was even 5 years ago. Technology like mobile devices and apps has made digesting information easier and more interactive. So in this episode I want to focus on what works best as far as online safety training goes, and what to avoid. Years ago, a model for training emerged called Adaptive Learning. I won’t bore you with the higher education definition of the term. Not because I don’t think any of you would understand it; of course you would! But because when we use the term in the context of online safety training, the definition takes on a whole new meaning. Adaptive learning for this discussion simply means the learner can drive the direction of the training based on their interactions. This goes well beyond the old “CORRECT/INCORRECT” feedback responses they typically get. So let’s get into what to look for in online safety training and what to avoid. So for online safety training, adaptive learning is simply the lesson presenting an activity whether