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Safety Archives - Page 18 of 19 - Kevin Ian Schmidt

Kevin Ian Schmidt

Category: Safety

  • Emergency Action Plan Checklist

    Emergency Action Plan Checklist

    It is essential that the emergency action plan developed be site specific with respect to emergency conditions evaluated, evacuation policies and procedures, emergency reporting mechanisms, and alarm systems. To assist you in your planning, a checklist is provided that identifies issues that must be considered when drafting a comprehensive emergency action plan. An explanation of each issue and/or examples of how each issue might be addressed in typical workplaces is provided.

    Download the checklist here

    Download the checklist here for FREE

     

     

     

     

    General Issues
    1. Does the plan consider all potential natural or man-made emergencies that could disrupt your workplace? Common sources of emergencies identified in emergency action plans include – fires, explosions, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, toxic material releases, radiological and biological accidents, civil disturbances and workplace violence.
    2. Does the plan consider all potential internal sources of emergencies that could disrupt your workplace? Conduct a hazard assessment of the workplace to identify any physical or chemical hazards that may exist and could cause an emergency.
    3. Does the plan consider the impact of these internal and external emergencies on the workplace’s operations and is the response tailored to the workplace? Brainstorm worst case scenarios asking yourself what you would do and what would be the likely impact on your operation and device appropriate responses.
    4. Does the plan contain a list of key personnel with contact information as well as contact information for local emergency responders, agencies and contractors? Keep your list of key contacts current and make provisions for an emergency communications system such as a cellular phone, a portable radio unit, or other means so that contact with local law enforcement, the fire department, and others can be swift.
    5. Does the plan contain the names, titles, departments, and telephone numbers of individuals to contact for additional information or an explanation of duties and responsibilities under the plan? List names and contact information for individuals responsible for implementation of the plan.
    6. Does the plan address how rescue operations will be performed? Unless you are a large employer handling hazardous materials and processes or have employees regularly working in hazardous situations, you will probably choose to rely on local public resources, such as the fire department, who are trained, equipped, and certified to conduct rescues. Make sure any external department or agency identified in your plan is prepared to respond as outlined in your plan. Untrained individuals may endanger themselves and those they are trying to rescue.
    7. Does the plan address how medical assistance will be provided? Most small employers do not have a formal internal medical program and make arrangements with medical clinics or facilities close by to handle emergency cases and provide medical and first-aid services to their employees. If an infirmary, clinic, or hospital is not close to your workplace, ensure that onsite person(s) have adequate training in first aid. The American Red Cross, some insurance providers, local safety councils, fire departments, or other resources may be able to provide this training. Treatment of a serious injury should begin within 3 to 4 minutes of the accident. Consult with a physician to order appropriate first-aid supplies for emergencies. Establish a relationship with a local ambulance service so transportation is readily available for emergencies.
    8. Does the plan identify how or where personal information on employees can be obtained in an emergency? In the event of an emergency, it could be important to have ready access to important personal information about your employees. This includes their home telephone numbers, the names and telephone numbers of their next of kin, and medical information.
    Evacuation Policy and Procedures
    1. Does the plan identify the conditions under which an evacuation would be necessary? The plan should identify the different types of situations that will require an evacuation of the workplace. This might include a fire, earthquake, or chemical spill. The extent of evacuation may be different for different types of hazards.
    2. Does the plan identify a clear chain of command and designate a person authorized to order an evacuation or shutdown of operations? It is common practice to select a responsible individual to lead and coordinate your emergency plan and evacuation. It is critical that employees know who the coordinator is and understand that this person has the authority to make decisions during emergencies. The coordinator should be responsible for assessing the situation to determine whether an emergency exists requiring activation of the emergency procedures, overseeing emergency procedures, notifying and coordinating with outside emergency services, and directing shutdown of utilities or plant operations if necessary.
    3. Does the plan address the types of actions expected of different employees for the various types of potential emergencies? The plan may specify different actions for employees depending on the emergency. For example, employers may want to have employees assemble in one area of the workplace if it is threatened by a tornado or earthquake but evacuate to an exterior location during a fire.
    4. Does the plan designate who, if anyone, will stay to shut down critical operations during an evacuation? You may want to include in your plan locations where utilities (such as electrical and gas utilities) can be shut down for all or part of the facility. All individuals remaining behind to shut down critical systems or utilities must be capable of recognizing when to abandon the operation or task and evacuate themselves.
    5. Does the plan outline specific evacuation routes and exits and are these posted in the workplace where they are easily accessible to all employees? Most employers create maps from floor diagrams with arrows that designate the exit route assignments. These maps should include locations of exits, assembly points and equipment (such as fire extinguishers, first aid kits, spill kits) that may be needed in an emergency. Exit routes should be clearly marked and well lit, wide enough to accommodate the number of evacuating personnel, unobstructed and clear of debris at all times, and unlikely to expose evacuating personnel to additional hazards.
    6. Does the plan address procedures for assisting people during evacuations, particularly those with disabilities or who do not speak English? Many employers designate individuals as evacuation wardens to help move employees from danger to safe areas during an emergency. Generally, one warden for every 20 employees should be adequate, and the appropriate number of wardens should be available at all times during working hours. Wardens may be responsible for checking offices and bathrooms before being the last person to exit an area as well as ensuring that fire doors are closed when exiting. Employees designated to assist in emergency evacuation procedures should be trained in the complete workplace layout and various alternative escape routes. Employees designated to assist in emergencies should be made aware of employees with special needs (who may require extra assistance during an evacuation), how to use the buddy system, and any hazardous areas to avoid during an emergency evacuation.
    7. Does the plan identify one or more assembly areas (as necessary for different types of emergencies) where employees will gather and a method for accounting for all employees? Accounting for all employees following an evacuation is critical. Confusion in the assembly areas can lead to delays in rescuing anyone trapped in the building, or unnecessary and dangerous search-and-rescue operations. To ensure the fastest, most accurate accounting of your employees, consider taking a head count after the evacuation. The names and last known locations of anyone not accounted for should be passed on to the official in charge.
    8. Does the plan address how visitors will be assisted in evacuation and accounted for? Some employers have all visitors and contractors sign in when entering the workplace. The hosts and/or area wardens, if established, are often tasked with assisting these individuals evacuate safely.
    Reporting Emergencies and Alerting Employees in an Emergency
    1. Does the plan identify a preferred method for reporting fires and other emergencies? Dialing 911 is a common method for reporting emergencies if external responders are utilized. Internal numbers may be used. Internal numbers are sometimes connected to intercom systems so that coded announcements may be made. In some cases employees are requested to activate manual pull stations or other alarm systems.
    2. Does the plan describe the method to be used to alert employees, including disabled workers, to evacuate or take other action? Make sure alarms are distinctive and recognized by all employees as a signal to evacuate the work area or perform other actions identified in your plan. Sequences of horn blows or different types of alarms (bells, horns, etc.) can be used to signal different responses or actions from employees. Consider making available an emergency communications system, such as a public address system, for broadcasting emergency information to employees. Ideally alarms will be able to be heard, seen, or otherwise perceived by everyone in the workplace including those that may be blind or deaf. Otherwise floor wardens or others must be tasked with ensuring all employees are notified. You might want to consider providing an auxiliary power supply in the event of an electrical failure.
    Employee Training and Drills
    1. Does the plan identify how and when employees will be trained so that they understand the types of emergencies that may occur, their responsibilities and actions as outlined in the plan? Training should be offered employees when you develop your initial plan and when new employees are hired. Employees should be retrained when your plan changes due to a change in the layout or design of the facility, when new equipment, hazardous materials, or processes are introduced that affect evacuation routes, or when new types of hazards are introduced that require special actions. General training for your employees should address the following:
    Individual roles and responsibilities.
    Threats, hazards, and protective actions.
    Notification, warning, and communications procedures.
    Emergency response procedures.
    Evacuation, shelter, and accountability procedures.
    Location and use of common emergency equipment.
    Emergency shutdown procedures.
    You may also need to provide additional training to your employees (i.e. first-aid procedures, portable fire extinguisher use, etc.) depending on the responsibilities allocated employees in your plan.
    2. Does the plan address how and when retraining will be conducted? If training is not reinforced it will be forgotten. Consider retaining employees annually.
    3. Does the plan address if and how often drills will be conducted? Once you have reviewed your emergency action plan with your employees and everyone has had the proper training, it is a good idea to hold practice drills as often as necessary to keep employees prepared. Include outside resources such as fire and police departments when possible. After each drill, gather management and employees to evaluate the effectiveness of the drill. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of your plan and work to improve it.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Shelter in Place – Emergency Action Plan

    Shelter in Place – Emergency Action Plan

    Sometimes an emergency is best handled by doing a shelter in place, a good emergency action plan should take this into account and have the appropriate responses included in it.

    Specific procedures for shelter in place at a worksite may include the following:

    • shelter in placeClose the business.
    • If there are customers, clients, or visitors in the building, provide for their safety by asking them to stay – not leave. When authorities provide directions to shelter-in-place, they want everyone to take those steps immediately. Do not drive or walk outdoors.
    • Unless there is an imminent threat, ask employees, customers, clients, and visitors to call their emergency contact to let them know where they are and that they are safe.
    • Turn on call-forwarding or alternative telephone answering systems or services. If the business has voice mail or an automated attendant, change the recording to indicate that the business is closed, and that staff and visitors are remaining in the building until authorities advise it is safe to leave.
    • Quickly lock exterior doors and close windows, air vents, and fireplace dampers. Have employees familiar with your building’s mechanical systems turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems, and clothes dryers. Some systems automatically provide for exchange of inside air with outside air. These systems, in particular, need to be turned off, sealed, or disabled.
    Check Out: Emergency Response Plan Best Practices
    • If you are told there is danger of explosion, close the window shades, blinds, or curtains.
    • Gather essential disaster supplies, such as nonperishable food, bottled water, battery-powered radios, first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, duct tape, plastic sheeting, and plastic garbage bags.
    • Select interior room(s) above the ground floor, with the fewest windows or vents. The room(s) should have adequate space for everyone to be able to sit. Avoid overcrowding by selecting several rooms if necessary. Large storage closets, utility rooms, pantries, copy and conference rooms without exterior windows will work well. Avoid selecting a room with mechanical equipment like ventilation blowers or pipes, because this equipment may not be able to be sealed from the outdoors.
    • It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room(s) you select. Call emergency contacts and have the phone available if you need to report a life-threatening condition. Cellular telephone equipment may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency.
    my blog has extensive resources on Emergency Action Plans
    • Take your emergency supplies and go into the room you have designated. Seal all windows, doors, and vents with plastic sheeting and duct tape or anything else you have on hand.
    • Consider precutting plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal windows, doors, and air vents. Each piece should be several inches larger than the space you want to cover so that it lies flat against the wall. Label each piece with the location of where it fits. [See image at right]
    • Write down the names of everyone in the room, and call your business’ designated emergency contact to report who is in the room with you, and their affiliation with your business (employee, visitor, client, customer).
    • Listen to the radio, watch television, or use the Internet for further instructions until you are told all is safe or to evacuate. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.
    Have some questions on how to properly figure which emergencies should be addressed by a shelter in place response and which should be handled with an evacuation? Check out this white paper by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), (2002, June).

     

    You do not need to include every process to shelter in place in your Emergency Action Plan, but you should address the relevant ones for the conditions in your area.

  • OSHA Fire Extinguisher Guidelines

    OSHA Fire Extinguisher Guidelines

    Where extinguishers are provided but are not intended for employee use and the employer has an emergency action plan and a fire prevention plan that meet the requirements of [29 CFR 1910.38], then only the requirements of the inspection, maintenance and testing and hydrostatic testing sections apply. [29 CFR 1910.157(a)]

     

    As the owner of the business, you must:

    • Provide portable fire extinguishers and mount, locate, and identify them so that they are readily accessible to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury. [29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1)]  Fire Extinguisher Placement
    • Use only approved portable fire extinguishers. [29 CFR 1910.157(c)(2)]  Type of fire extinguishers
    • Do not use portable fire extinguishers that use carbon tetrachloride or chlorobromomethane extinguishing agents. [29 CFR 1910.157(c)(3)]
    • Assure that portable fire extinguishers are maintained, fully charged, operating properly, and kept in designated places at all times except during use. [29 CFR 1910.157(c)(4)]  How to inspect a fire extinguisher
    • Remove from service all soldered or riveted shell self-generating soda acid or self-generating foam or gas cartridge water type portable fire extinguishers that are operated by inverting the extinguisher to rupture the cartridge or to initiate an uncontrollable pressure generating chemical reaction to expel the agent. [29 CFR 1910.157(c)(5)]
    Check Out: Fire Extinguisher Inspections

    The following exemptions apply:

    • Where the employer has established and implemented a written fire safety policy which requires the immediate and total evacuation of employees from the workplace upon the sounding of a fire alarm signal and which includes an emergency action plan and a fire prevention plan that meet the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.38 and 29 CFR 1910.39 respectively, and when extinguishers are not available in the workplace, the employer is exempt from all requirements of this section unless a specific standard in Part 1910 requires that a portable fire extinguisher be provided. [29 CFR 1910.157(b)(1)]
    • Where the employer has an emergency action plan meeting the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.38, which designates certain employees to be the only employees authorized to use the available portable fire extinguishers, and which requires all other employees in the fire area to immediately evacuate the affected work area upon the sounding of the fire alarm, the employer is exempt from the distribution requirements in the selection and distribution section. [29 CFR 1910.157(b)(2)]

     

    Learn more about fire extinguisher selection and placement

    An employer must:

    • Provide portable fire extinguishers for employee use. Select and distribute the extinguishers based on the types of anticipated workplace fires and on the size and degree of hazard that would affect their use. [29 CFR 1910.157(d)(1)]
    • fire-extinguisher-signageDistribute portable extinguishers for use on Class A fires so that the travel distance for employees to any extinguisher is 75 feet (22.9 meters) or less. [29 CFR 1910.157(d)(2)]
    • Use uniformly spaced standpipe systems or hose stations connected to a sprinkler system installed for emergency use by employees, instead of Class A portable fire extinguishers, provided that such systems meet the respective requirements of 29 CFR 1910.158 or 29 CFR 1910.159, that they provide total coverage of the area to be protected, and that employees are trained at least annually in their use. [29 CFR 1910.157(d)(3)]
    • Distribute portable fire extinguishers for use on Class B fires so that the travel distance for employees to any extinguisher is 50 feet (15.2 meters) or less. [29 CFR 1910.157(d)(4)]
    • Distribute portable fire extinguishers for use on Class C hazards on the appropriate pattern for the existing Class A or Class B hazards. [29 CFR 1910.157(d)(5)]
    • Distribute portable fire extinguishers or other containers of Class D extinguishing agent for employee use so that the travel distance from the combustible metal working area to any  extinguisher is 75 feet (22.9 meters) or less. Portable fire extinguishers for Class D hazards are required in areas where combustible metal powders, flakes, shavings, or similarly sized products are generated at least once every two weeks. [29 CFR 1910.157(d)(6)]

     

     

     

    As a small business owner, you MUST:

    • fire-extinguisher-signInspect, maintain, and test all portable fire extinguishers in the workplace. [29 CFR 1910.157(e)(1)]
    • Visually inspect portable extinguishers or hoses monthly. [29 CFR 1910.157(e)(2)]
    • Perform an annual maintenance check on portable fire extinguishers. Stored pressure extinguishers do not require an internal examination. Record the annual maintenance date and retain this record for one year after the last entry or the life of the shell, whichever is less. Make the record available to the Assistant Secretary upon request. [29 CFR 1910.157(e)(3)]
    • Empty and maintain dry chemical extinguishers (that require a 12-year hydrostatic test) every six years. Dry chemical extinguishers that have non-refillable disposable containers are exempt from this requirement. When recharging or hydrostatic testing is performed, the six-year requirement begins from that date. [29 CFR 1910.157(e)(4)]
    • Provide alternate equivalent protection when portable fire extinguishers are removed from service for maintenance and recharging. [29 CFR 1910.157(e)(5)]

     

    A small business must:

    • Assure that hydrostatic testing is performed by trained persons with suitable testing equipment and facilities. [29 CFR 1910.157(f)(1)]
    • Assure that portable extinguishers are hydrostatically tested at the intervals listed in Table L-1 of this section, except under any of the following conditions [29 CFR 1910.157(f)(2)]:
    • Assure that an internal examination of cylinders and shells to be tested is made before the hydrostatic tests in addition to an external visual examination. [29 CFR 1910.157(f)(3)]
    Table L-1
    Type of extinguishers Test interval (years)
    Soda acid (soldered brass shells) (until 1/1/82) *
    * Soda acid (stainless steel shell) 5
    * Cartridge operated water and/or antifreeze 5
    Stored pressure water and/or antifreeze 5
    Wetting agent 5
    Foam (soldered brass shells) (until 1/1/82) *
    Foam (stainless steel shell) 5
    Aqueous Film Forming foam (AFFF) 5
    Loaded stream 5
    Dry chemical with stainless steel 5
    Carbon Dioxide 5
    Dry chemical, stored pressure, with mild steel, brazed brass or aluminum shells 12
    Dry chemical, cartridge or cylinder operated, with mild steel shells 12
    Halon 1211 12
    Halon 1301 12
    Dry powder, cartridge or cylinder operated with mild steel shells 12
    FOOTNOTE: Extinguishers having shells constructed of copper or brass joined by soft solder or rivets shall not be hydrostatically tested and shall be removed from service by January 1, 1982. (Not permitted)

    * Although still included in Table L-1, Soda acid (stainless steel shell) and Cartridge operated water and/or antifreeze extinguishers are now obsolete. [29 CFR 1910.157]
    • Assure that portable fire extinguishers are hydrostatically tested whenever they show new evidence of corrosion or mechanical injury, except under the conditions listed in paragraphs (f)(2)(i)–(v) of this section. [29 CFR 1910.157(f)(4)]
    • Assure that hydrostatic tests are performed on extinguisher hose assemblies that are equipped with a shut-off nozzle at the discharge end of the hose. The test interval must be the same as specified for the extinguisher. [29 CFR 1910.157(f)(5)]
    • Hydrostatically test carbon dioxide hose assemblies with a shut-off nozzle at 1,250 psi (8,620 kPa). [29 CFR 1910.157(f)(6)]
    • Hydrostatically test dry chemical and dry powder hose assemblies with a shut-off nozzle at 300 psi (2,070 kPa). [29 CFR 1910.157(f)(7)] Hose assemblies passing a hydrostatic test do not require any type of recording or stamping. [29 CFR 1910.157(f)(8)]
    • Test hose assemblies for carbon dioxide extinguishers within a protective cage device. [29 CFR 1910.157(f)(9)]
    • Test carbon dioxide extinguishers and nitrogen or carbon dioxide cylinders used with wheeled extinguishers every five years at 5/3 of the service pressure as stamped into the cylinder. Nitrogen cylinders that comply with 49 CFR 173.34(e)(15) may be hydrostatically tested every 10 years. [29 CFR 1910.157(f)(10)]
    • Hydrostatically test stored pressure and Halon 1211 types of extinguishers at the factory test pressure, not to exceed two times the service pressure. [29 CFR 1910.157(f)(11)]
    • Test self-generating type soda acid and foam extinguishers at 350 psi (2,410 kPa). [29 CFR 1910.157(f)(12)]
    • Do not use air or gas pressure for hydrostatic testing. [29 CFR 1910.157(f)(13)]
    • Remove from service extinguisher shells, cylinders, or cartridges that fail a hydrostatic pressure test, or that are not fit for testing. [29 CFR 1910.157(f)(14)]
    • Ensure that the equipment for testing compressed gas type cylinders be of the water jacket type. The equipment must have an expansion indicator that operates with an accuracy within 1 percent of the total expansion or .1cc (.1mL) of liquid. [29 CFR 1910.157(f)(15)(i)]
    • Ensure that the equipment for testing non-compressed gas type cylinders includes the following [29 CFR 1910.157(f)(15)(ii)]:
      • A hydrostatic test pump, hand or power operated, capable of producing at least 150 percent of the test pressure, which must include appropriate check valves and fittings. [29 CFR 1910.157(f)(15)(ii)(A)]
      • A flexible connection for attachment to fittings to test through the extinguisher nozzle, test bonnet, or hose outlet, as is applicable. [29 CFR 1910.157(f)(15)(ii)(B)]
      • A protective cage or barrier for personal protection of the tester, designed to provide visual observation of the extinguisher under test. [29 CFR 1910.157(f)(15)(ii)(C)]
    • Maintain and provide upon request to the Assistant Secretary evidence that the required hydrostatic testing of fire extinguishers has been performed at the time intervals shown in Table L-1. Such evidence must be in the form of a certification record that includes:
      • The date of the test.
      • The signature of the person who performed the test.
      • The serial number, or other identifier, of the fire extinguisher that was tested.

    Such records must be kept until the extinguisher is hydrostatically retested at the time interval specified in Table L-1 or until the extinguisher is taken out of service, whichever comes first. [29 CFR 1910.157(f)(16)]

     

    For the employees of your business, you must:

    • Provide an educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting. [29 CFR 1910.157(g)(1)] Provide this education when employees are first hired and once a year thereafter. [29 CFR 1910.157(g)(2)]
    • Train employees (who have been designated to use fire fighting equipment in the emergency action plan) in the use of the equipment. [29 CFR 1910.157(g)(3)] Provide this training when employees are first given this assignment and once a year thereafter. [29 CFR 1910.157(g)(4)]
  • Fire Extinguisher Inspections

    Fire Extinguisher Inspections

    Regular maintenance and inspections of your portable fire extinguishers will provide assurance that they will operate effectively and safely if they are needed. [29 CFR 1910.157(c)(4)]

    fire-extinguisher-properInspect all extinguishers at least once a month. Use the following checklist as a guide.

    1. Is each extinguisher in its designated place, clearly visible, and not blocked by equipment, coats or other objects that could interfere with access during an emergency?
    2. Is the nameplate with operating instructions legible and facing outward?
    3. Is the pressure gauge showing that the extinguisher is fully charged (the needle should be in the green zone)?
    4. Is the pin and tamper seal intact?
    5. Is the extinguisher in good condition and showing no signs of physical damage, corrosion, or leakage?
    6. Have all dry powder extinguishers been gently rocked top to bottom to make sure the powder is not packing?

     

    NOTE: If you did not answer yes to all of these questions, have the extinguisher fixed or replaced immediately!

    If you want to learn more about Fire Extinguishers, check out OSHA’s full guidelines on fire extinguishers.

    The following photos are of fire extinguishers out of compliance, do you have any in your workplace like the following?

    Missing seal
    Missing seal
    This fire extinguisher is in violation by sitting on the ground.
    This fire extinguisher is in violation by sitting on the ground.
    Can you identify what is wrong here?
    Can you identify what is wrong here?
  • Fire Extinguishers: Placement and Selection

    Fire Extinguishers: Placement and Selection

    To avoid putting workers in danger, fire extinguishers should be located throughout the workplace and readily accessible in the event of a fire. [29 CFR 1910.157(c)] You can usually find them in hallways, laundry rooms, meeting rooms, kitchens, mechanical/electrical rooms, and near exit doors.

    Selection and Placement of Fire Extinguishers

    If employees use portable fire extinguishers, they must be selected and positioned based on the potential type and size of fire that can occur. [29 CFR 1910.157(d)(1)] The following guidelines will help you identify the number and types of portable fire extinguishers you should have.

    Type of Fire

    Size and Spacing
    Class A The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that locations such as offices, classrooms, and assembly halls that contain mainly Class A combustible materials have one 2-A extinguisher for every 3,000 square feet. [Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers (NFPA 10 (2010), Table 6.2.1.1, Fire Extinguisher Size and Placement for Class A Hazards)].

    OSHA requires that all employees have access to an extinguisher within 75 feet travel-distance. [29 CFR 1910.157(d)(2)]

    NOTE: Uniformly spaced standpipe systems or hose stations connected to a sprinkler system for emergency use can be used instead of Class A portable fire extinguishers, if they meet the respective requirements of 29 CFR 1910.158 or 29 CFR 1910.159, provide total coverage of the area to be protected, and employees are trained at least annually in their use. [29 CFR 1910.157(d)(3)]
    Class B Locations that contain Class B flammables, such as workshops, storage areas, research operations, garages, warehouses, or service and manufacturing areas requires that all employees have access to an extinguisher within 50 feet travel-distance. [29 CFR 1910.157(d)(4)]

    Hazard

    Extinguisher

    Spacing
    Light (Low) – Small amounts of flammable liquids used for copy machines, art departments, etc., that are stored safely and kept in closed containers.

    5-B

    30′

    10-B

    50′
    Ordinary (Moderate) – The total amount of flammable liquids are present in greater amounts than expected under low-hazard locations. This can include garages, workshops, or support service areas.

    10-B

    30′

    20-B

    50′
    Extra (High) – Locations where flammable liquids are present and used in large quantities. This includes areas used for storage, production, woodworking (finishing), vehicle repair, aircraft and boat servicing, or where painting, dipping, and coating, operations are performed with flammable liquids.

    40-B

    30′

    80-B

    50′
    (Adapted from Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, NFPA 10 (2010), Table 6.3.1.1, Fire Extinguisher Size and Placement for Class B Hazards)
    Class C Class C extinguishers are required where energized electrical equipment is used. The extinguisher size and spacing is based on its Class A or B hazard. [29 CFR 1910.157(d)(5)]
    Class D Locations where combustible metal powders, flakes, shavings, or similarly sized materials are generated at least once every two weeks must install Class D portable fire extinguishers not more then 75 feet from the hazard. [29 CFR 1910.157(d)(6)]
    Class K Locations where potential fire hazards from combustible cooking media (vegetable or animal oils and fats) exist must install Class K extinguishers at a maximum travel distance of 30 feet. [NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers. See Section 6.6, Installations for Class K Hazards]

    Installation of Fire Extinguishers:

    Up to 5' Bracket, 3.5'To prevent fire extinguishers from being moved or damaged, they should be mounted on brackets or in wall cabinets with the carrying handle placed 3-1/2 to 5 feet above the floor. Larger fire extinguishers need to be mounted at lower heights with the carrying handle about 3 feet from the floor.

    Before installing any portable fire extinguisher, check the label to be sure it is approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. [29 CFR 1910.157(c)(2)]

    Read more about OSHA’s Fire Extinguisher Guidelines

    Prohibited Fire Extinguishers:

    The following types of portable fire extinguishers are considered dangerous and should NEVER be used:

    Old Extinguisher having a shell construction of copper or brass

    1. Any extinguisher having a shell construction of copper or brass joined by soft solder and/or rivets.
    2. Any extinguisher that must be turned upside down to rupture a cartridge or to start an uncontrollable pressure generating chemical reaction to expel the agent. [29 CFR 1910.157(c)(5)] This includes:
      • Soda acid
      • Foam
      • Water-cartridge
      • Loaded stream cartridge
    3. Extinguishers that use chlorobromomethane (Halon 1011) or carbon tetrachloride as an extinguishing agent. These agents are toxic and carbon tetrachloride may cause cancer and can produce phosgene gas (used as a chemical weapon during World War I) when used on electrical fires. [29 CFR 1910.157(c)(3)]
  • Fire Extinguisher Basics

    Fire Extinguisher Basics

    To understand how a fire extinguisher works, you need to understand a little about fire. Fire is a very rapid chemical reaction between oxygen and a combustible material, which results in the release of heat, light, flames, and smoke.

    Fire Triangle

    Heat, Oxygen, FuelFor fire to exist, the following four elements must be present at the same time:

    • Enough oxygen to sustain combustion.
    • Enough heat to raise the material to its ignition temperature.
    • Some sort of fuel or combustible material.
    • The chemical reaction that is fire.

    How a Fire Extinguisher Works:

    Portable fire extinguishers apply an extinguishing agent that will either cool burning fuel, displace or remove oxygen, or stop the chemical reaction so a fire cannot continue to burn. When the handle of an extinguisher is compressed, agent is expelled out the nozzle.

    Fire extinguisher labels explained, Underwriter's Laboratories and the UL logo, listed, dry chemical fire extinguisher, classification 1-A:10-BCAll portable fire extinguishers must be approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory Safety Pin, Nozzle, Handle, Pressure gauge, Tube, High Pressure Gas Canister, Dry Chemical, Carbon Dioxide, or Water to verify compliance with applicable standards. [29 CFR 1910.157(c)(2)] Equipment that passes the laboratory’s tests are labeled and given an alpha-numeric classification based on the type and size of fire it will extinguish.

    Let’s take a look at the label pictured. The classification is:

    1-A:10-BC

    The letters (A, B, and C) represent the type(s) of fire for which the extinguisher has been approved.

    The number in front of the A rating indicates how much water the extinguisher is equal to and represents 1.25 gallons of water for every unit of one. For example, a 4-A rated extinguisher would be equal to five (4 x 1.25) gallons of water.

    The number in front of the B rating represents the area in square feet of a class B fire that a non-expert user should be able to extinguish. Using the above example, a non-expert user should be able to put out a flammable liquid fire that is as large as 10 square feet.

    Don’t forget to inspect your fire extinguishers, learn how to here.

    Types of Fire Extinguishers

    Different types of fire extinguishers are designed to fight different types of fire. The three most common types of fire extinguishers are: air pressurized water, CO2 (carbon dioxide), and dry chemical. The following table provides information regarding the type of fire and which fire extinguisher should be used.

    Extinguisher Type

    Type of Fire
    Water Extinguisher

    Water

    		 Ordinary Combustibles

    Fires in paper, cloth, wood, rubber, and many plastics require a water type extinguisher labeled A.

    Class A Logo
    Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher, fire extinguisher basics

    CO2

    OR

    Dry Chemical Extinguisher

    Dry Chemical

    		 Flammable Liquids

    Fires in oils, gasoline, some paints, lacquers, grease, solvents, and other flammable liquids require an extinguisher labeled B.

    Class B logo

    Electrical Equipment

    Fires in wiring, fuse boxes, energized electrical equipment, computers, and other electrical sources require an extinguisher labeled C.

    Class C Logo

    Extinguisher Type

    Type of Fire
    Multi-purpose Extinguisher

    Multi-Purpose

    		 Ordinary Combustibles, Flammable Liquids, or Electrical Equipment

    Multi-purpose dry chemical is suitable for use on class A, B, and C.

    Class A, B, and C Logos

    Class D

    		 Metals

    Fires involving powders, flakes or shavings of combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, potassium, and sodium require special extinguishers labeled D.

    Class K

    		 Kitchen Fires

    Fires involving combustible cooking fluids such as oils and fats.

    Class K Logo

    NOTE: Your present fire extinguishing equipment may not put out a fire involving vegetable oil in your deep fat fryer.
    Read OSHA’s Fire Extinguisher Guidelines here

     

    Common Fire Extinguishers for small businesses

    Water – Air-pressurized Water Extinguishers (APW)

    Water Extinguisher

    Water is one of the most commonly used extinguishing agents for type A fires. You can recognize an APW by its large silver container. They are filled about two-thirds of the way with ordinary water, then pressurized with air. In some cases, detergents are added to the water to produce a foam. They stand about two to three feet tall and weigh approximately 25 pounds when full.

    APWs extinguish fire by cooling the surface of the fuel to remove the “heat” element of the fire triangle.

    APWs are designed for Class A (wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and certain plastics) fires only.

    Class A only Label

    Important:

    • Never use water to extinguish flammable liquid fires. Water is extremely ineffective at extinguishing this type of fire and may make matters worse by the spreading the fire.
    • Never use water to extinguish an electrical fire. Water is a good conductor and may lead to electrocution if used to extinguish an electrical fire. Electrical equipment must be unplugged and/or de-energized before using a water extinguisher on an electrical fire.
    CO2 or Dry Chemical – Carbon Dioxide Extinguishers

    Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher

    This type of extinguisher is filled with Carbon Dioxide (CO2), a non-flammable gas under extreme pressure. These extinguishers put out fires by displacing oxygen, or taking away the oxygen element of the fire triangle. Because of its high pressure, when you use this extinguisher pieces of dry ice shoot from the horn, which also has a cooling effect on the fire.

    You can recognize this type of extinguisher by its hard horn and absent pressure gauge.

    CO2 cylinders are red and range in size from five to 100 pounds or larger.

    CO2 extinguishers are designed for Class B and C (flammable liquid and electrical) fires only.

    Class B and C Label

    Important:

    • CO2 is not recommended for Class A fires because they may continue to smolder and re-ignite after the CO2 dissipates.
    • Never use CO2 extinguishers in a confined space while people are present without proper respiratory protection.

    Locations:

    Carbon dioxide extinguishers will frequently be found in industrial vehicles, mechanical rooms, offices, computer labs, and flammable liquid storage areas.

    Multi-purpose – Dry Chemical Extinguishers

    Dry Chemical Extinguisher

    Dry chemical extinguishers put out fires by coating the fuel with a thin layer of fire retardant powder, separating the fuel from the oxygen. The powder also works to interrupt the chemical reaction, which makes these extinguishers extremely effective.

    Dry chemical extinguishers are usually rated for class B and C fires and may be marked multiple purpose for use in A, B, and C fires. They contain an extinguishing agent and use a compressed, non-flammable gas as a propellant.

    ABC fire extinguishers are red in color, and range in size from five pounds to 20 pounds.

    Dry Chemical extinguishers will have a label indicating they may be used on class A, B, and/or C fires.

    Class A, B, or C Label or Class B or C only label

    Locations:

    These extinguishers will be found in a variety of locations including: public hallways, laboratories, mechanical rooms, break rooms, chemical storage areas, offices, commercial vehicles, and other areas with flammable liquids.

    To learn more about how to locate and place your fire extinguishers, check out this post

     

  • OSHA Training, preparing for a visit

    OSHA Training, preparing for a visit

    OSHA cannot perform warrantless inspections without the employer’s permission. Refer to Marshall v. Barlow, 436 U. S. 307 (1978). A warrant is not necessary if OSHA obtains employer permission, any time premises are in view to the public, or even when there exists “imminent danger.”

    In the event that the OSHA compliance officer shows up at the job site without a search warrant, the employer is allowed to refuse access to the work site in so doing postponing the inspection process. Acquiring the warrant typically will take a few days. Having said that, it has been often thought that employers who demand OSHA to undertake this extra step are more inclined to be given a citation after the inspection is complete.

    OSHA Inspection Process

    A. Inspector’s Credentials

    The OSHA compliance officer needs to present official credentials once arriving at the work site. 29 C. F. R. § 1903 .7(a). The OSHA Inspection Manual advises the compliance officer to request “to meet an appropriate employer representative.” At a construction site this would generally be a representative of the general contractor.

    B. Opening Conference

    While in a preliminary conference the compliance officer will give an explanation of the reason for the visit along with the extent of the investigation. 29 C. F. R. 1903 .7(a). The employer needs to be certain to understand this important information from the compliance officer in an effort to limit the inspection, should this become required. The compliance officer usually will provide the employer a copy of the employee complaint that may possibly be involved (with the employee’s name removed, when the employee asks for anonymity). The compliance officer will ask the employer to assign an employer representative to escort the compliance officer in the course of the inspection.

    C. Walk Through

    After the opening meeting, the compliance officer will probably go through the job site to inspect work locations for safety and health risks. A representative of the employer should accompany the compliance officer on the inspection of the work site. 29 U. S.C. § 657 (e); 29 C. F. R. § 1903 .8. Typically, it is advisable for an experienced manager to join the compliance officer in the course of the inspection. The compliance officer can utilize reasonable investigative methods. 29 C. F. R. 1903 .7. The following are methods a compliance officer may usually take in the course of an investigation:

    • Review safety and health conditions and practices.
    • Speak with non-supervisory employees privately.
    • Take photos, videotapes, and instrument readings.
    • Inspect records.
    • Obtain air samples.
    • Measure noise levels.
    • Review current engineering controls.
    • Observe employee exposure to toxic fumes, gases, or dust.
    • Question supervisory employees with a member of management or possibly a legal representative present.
    Check Out: OSHA General Duty Clause

    The employer representative, that is accompanying the compliance officer, should take photos and videotapes of everything observed and recorded by the compliance officer before the closing conference with the compliance officer. Preferably, the employer will ideally explain the interview process to employees well before the meeting with the compliance officer. The employees need to be instructed to answer just the questions posed by the compliance officer so to not speculate. Needless to say, employees also need to be advised to be truthful knowing that absolutely no retaliation might be taken against them for cooperating with OSHA.

    a. Scope of Walk Through

    The walk through might cover part or perhaps the entirety of an establishment. In the event that the compliance officer discovers a violation in open view, they will probably request permission to broaden the inspection. The employer is allowed to decline access in the event that the request goes beyond the range of the original inspection.

    b. Report of Unsafe Conditions

    The OSHA Inspection Manual advises the compliance officer to communicate to the employer all unsafe or unhealthful conditions identified by the compliance officer. The compliance officer is instructed to discuss potential corrective action in the event that the employer requests. The employer representative who accompanies the compliance officer really should take advantage of this chance, but must understand that any kind of information offered by the employer representative during this conversation will be based upon individual knowledge. Further, the employer representative needs to be instructed to not volunteer any sort of information to the compliance officer, but reply just to inquiries posed by the compliance officer. Any kind of information gathered from the employer representative may be used by the compliance officer for a factor for issuing a citation. By no means must the employer representative confess to an OSHA violation.

    When possible, the employer should fix violations documented by the compliance officers then and there. The OSHA Inspection Manual provides that this kind of prompt behavior by the employer might provide to help judge the “employer’s good faith in compliance.” Even so, the observed violations could still be used as a justification of a citation.

    D. Closing Conference

    At the closing meeting, the compliance officer will discuss with the employer every unsafe or unhealthful conditions identified in the course of the inspection and also indicate all of the clear violations for which he/she might issue or recommend a citation along with a proposed penalty. 29 C. F. R. 1903 .7(e). In the course of the closing meeting, the employer will be afforded the chance to bring to the attention of the compliance officer any kind of relevant details about the conditions of the work environment. 29 C. F. R. 1903 .7(e). The employer needs to be ready to support a defense based upon “unpreventable employee misconduct,” when appropriate. The defense necessitates the employer to show an effective documented and published safety program which has been regularly executed by the employer. Written evidence of enforcement activities, for example written warnings to offenders, are going to be necessary to support the employer’s defense.

    As a result of inspections, OSHA may assess fines against a company, learn how fines are structured here

     

    After the visit, the employer should fix all OSHA violations identified, that were unable to be fixed immediately. Document the corrective actions taken, as a response to the next contact with OSHA.

    Doing so can reduce your potential liabilities, and give you a bargaining position, if or when a potential fine is brought about.

    Be certain that your company is in compliance with the many OSHA regulations by visiting http://www.osha.gov. The OSHA website lists all regulations, as well as useful information, advice, statistics and myriad resources on how to become and remain compliant. You may also hire a safety consultant to advise you on OSHA regulations that effect your workplace and advise on any necessary corrective actions.

     

    Inspection Priorities

    OSHA cannot inspect all 7 million workplaces it covers each year so it focuses inspection resources on the most hazardous workplaces in the following order of priority:

    1. Imminent danger situations: Hazards that could cause death or serious physical harm receive top priority. Compliance officers will ask employers to correct these hazards immediately or remove endangered employees.
    2. Fatalities or hospitalizations: Employers must report work-related fatalities within 8 hours and work-related inpatient hospitalizations, amputations, or losses of an eye within 24 hours. CSHOs gather evidence and interview the employer, workers, and others to determine the causes of the event and whether violations occurred.
    3. Worker Complaints: A worker or worker representative can file a complaint about a safety or health hazard in the workplace. Allegations of hazards or violations also receive a high priority. Employees may request anonymity when they file complaints.
    4. Referrals: Hazards are referred from other federal, state or local agencies, individuals, organizations or the media. Referrals usually are from a government agency, such as NIOSH or a local health department.
    5. Targeted inspections: These inspections are aimed at specific high-hazard industries or individual workplaces that have experienced high rates of injuries and illnesses.
    6. Follow-up inspections: The primary purpose of a follow-up inspection is to determine if the previously cited violations have been corrected.

     

    Additional Tips to be ready for an OSHA Inspection:

    • Be sure
      Safety Officers need to recognize that OSHA inspectors really do not enter into an organization desiring to discover elements out of place. They will not be attempting to ‘do you in’ or slap penalties around simply for fun. Their sole purpose of turning up to an organization is the check that the required safety equipment and methods are in place as well as being implemented in the proper fashion. As a double-check, have a quick look around to see if your employees are employing their safety equipment and, if not, inform them to do so right away. When completed, take your current safety documents as well as other pertinent paperwork and go in to the interview with the OSHA inspector. When you hold your head high and have an easy manner, there will be absolutely no reason to suspect either you or your company of any sort of dishonesty.
    • Stay Relaxed, Calm and Quiet
      After you’ve introduced yourself to the OSHA inspector, it’s time for you to sit still, keep quiet and pay attention to exactly what the inspector has to say. When you’re asked a direct question, provide a well thought out, sensible answer – allow your brain complete the answer before your mouth does any kind of talking. Even when your pulse is pounding in your head, stay calm and give all paperwork requested by the inspector. After the question-and-answer phase along with an examination of the safety documentation, the OSHA inspector will desire to take a tour of the business to examine things personally.
    • Provide safety equipment
      Before beginning the tour of the facilities, make sure you provide the appropriate safety equipment to the OSHA inspector. Not only will this protect the inspector from injury on your site, but it will likely indicate that you are always conscious of and watchful for safety risks and their correct prevention. This is really the single most significant component of a Safety Officer’s job within a company, so do not forget or shrug it off. Even when the OSHA inspector has brought his or her personal safety equipment, at the very least you’ve demonstrated that you have been conscious of the risks along with the correct safety protocols.
    • Display pride
      While you give the tour of the facilities, exhibit pride in the way things are performed knowing that the health and safety of every person involved is at the very top of your list of concerns. It will help if you’ve carried out a dress rehearsal of sorts ahead of time, so that you are already aware what’s what and if any kind of concerns should be resolved before an inspector calls.
  • Safety Standards for Forklift Programs

    Safety Standards for Forklift Programs

    As part of establishing proper safety standards for a forklift program, besides site specific safety precautions, you must be aware of OSHA requirements and know how to apply them.

     

    If you are going to implement your own in-house operator training program, you should make yourself familiar with the OSHA standards for Powered Industrial trucks and any relevant operator’s manuals for the specific equipment at your workplace. OSHA mandates that your forklift operators meet or exceed the requirements of the OSHA standard 1910.178.

    Proper safety standards for powered industrial truck training

    • Identify the types of powered industrial trucks in your workplace and those employees who will be required to operate the vehicles.
    • Identify your training methods.
    • Develop the content for your training program.
    • Provide for employee evaluation.
    • Include refresher training.

    It is important to recognize that training, although essential, will not be enough to eliminate accidents. To be most effective, operator training should be part of a larger comprehensive powered industrial truck safety program that includes the following elements:

    • Hazard identification and possible solutions.
    • Training (of both truck operators and those personnel working near lift trucks) and evaluation of operator competence.
    • Supervision (site survey, ongoing hazard assessment).
    • Operating procedures (company policies, recordkeeping, safety practices).
    • Maintenance and repair procedures.
    • Facility design.
    • Lift truck selection criteria (equipment survey of truck types, attachments and modifications).

    Truck-related Topics to Include in Driver Training [29 CFR 1910.178(l)(3)(i)]

    • Operating instructions, warnings, and precautions for the types of truck the operator will be authorized to operate.
    • Differences between the truck and the automobile.
    • Truck controls and instrumentation: where they are located, what they do, and how they work.
    • Engine or motor operation.
    • Steering and maneuvering.
    • Visibility (including restrictions due to loading).
    • Fork and attachment adaptation, operation, and use limitations.
    • Vehicle capacity.
    • Vehicle stability.
    • Any vehicle inspection and maintenance that the operator will be required to perform.
    • Refueling and/or charging and recharging of batteries.
    • Operating limitations.

     

    As part of the safety standards of a comprehensive forklift safety program, you should have a daily forklift safety checklist, so equipment concerns are properly identified and corrected, and to ensure OSHA compliance(1910.178(q)(7)). OSHA does not mandate that the daily forklift inspections be recorded. Therefore, it is the employer’s discretion to establish the time period of powered industrial truck evaluation record retention.

    So, despite the fact that OSHA does not mandate it, employing forklift assessment checklists, either written or electronic, are recommended for two reasons:

    • Makes certain that each of the fundamental features of the vehicle are inspected regularly, as well as
    • Provides you with proof to an OSHA inspector that the vehicles have been inspected like mandated.
    Check Out: OSHA General Duty Clause

    Recommended Forklift Safety Checklist Items:

    1. Does the forklift specification meet the operating requirement?
    2. Is clear forklift load placard provided?forklift safety standards
    3. Is seat belt provided and operable?
    4. Is the maximum speed controlled?
    5. Do horn, reversing beeper, proximity indicator and flashing light function properly?
    6. Is falling object protective structure (FOPS) provided on the forklift?
    7. Is the appropriate maintenance performed regularly?
    8. Are forklift maintenance and repair records maintained?
    9. Is there enough fuel inside forklift?
    10. Is forklift battery charged?
    11. Are the forklift tires in good condition?
    12. Do the forklift brakes work?
    13. Does the steering work well?
    14. Does the gear control work?
    15. Are the left and right mirrors available and clear?
    16. Do all indicators and gauges function properly?
    17. Are there any liquid leaks from the forklift?
    18. Are fuel, oil, hydraulic fluid and coolant levels enough?
    19. Is portable fire extinguisher fitted on the forklift?
    20. Is wearing hard hat a must for forklift operators?
    21. Any other personal protective equipment such as eye goggles, ear plugs and safety shoes required to be worn?
    Looking to learn more about powered equipment safety? Check out the Powered Equipment Inspection Books I have published on Amazon, or any of my other posts on powered equipment safety

    Powered Equipment Safety Standards that are often overlooked:

    • Approved trucks need to have a visible plate or some kind of identifying mark stating that it has been approved by the testing laboratory, this is usually included on a purchased truck. Routinely inspect to ensure that this plate remains attached.
    • Any modifications that affect the capacity and operation of the machine cannot be made without written consent of the manufacturer.
    • If the machine has had a front end attachment added to it, the user must see that the machine plate be updated to identify the use of the attachment, and the proper weight handling of the equipment when using the attachment.

     

     

    When establishing an OSHA compliant forklift program, or reviewing your current program, below are some site specific questions you should use as guidelines:

    Site Specific Powered Equipment Safety Standards

    1. Are there speed limits for powered equipment on site? Are they posted? Is the equipment speed limited?
    2. Are there appropriate traffic management plans at the plant site to prevent collision of forklifts with people and other mobile equipment by separating them in time or space? Do you have STOP signs posted? Do you have walkways for pedestrians clearly mapped out?
    3. Are all safety procedures related to forklift inspection, operation, clean up and maintenance established, maintained and communicated to related workers?
    4. Does monitoring and supervision system for ensuring all safety standards work?
    5. Do work schedules remove completely the necessity for extreme forklift speed?
    6. Are uncertified drivers allowed to operate forklift? Do you have a visible license requirement to ensure this?
    7. Is safe distance from the edge of ramps, docks, drains, gutters, floor openings and any other opening and obstacles established to prevent forklift accident?
    8. Are every ramp or dock edges safeguarded and visibly marked?
    9. Is the procedure for the safe battery charging or fuel filling established?

     

    Now that we have established how to set-up a quality training, OSHA compliant training program, and understand how to identify site specific safety concerns, it is important to also have a solid record retention program.

    Despite the fact that OSHA does not mandate the daily safety checklists be maintained, it is a best practice to retain them for a period of time, to establish to an OSHA inspector that the mandated inspections are performed.

     

    You can follow this suggested Daily Safety Checklist record retention procedure, if you do not have an electronic form:

    • Have each daily checklist maintained on the equipment for the current day.
    • Have each form turned in to the supervisor at the end of the shift.

    Maintain the records for 14days.

     

    Forklift maintenance records should be maintained in a separate file. If the records are not maintained electronically, you can follow my suggested procedure:

    • Make a hanging file folder for each piece of equipment, organized by serial number.
    • Work with your repair vender, to invoice each repair or purchased parts by equipment serial number.

    Maintain these records for 2years.

     

    Establish a driver training log, so that you can provide an OSHA inspector with the list upon request, as well as track retraining dates. I suggest maintaining these records electronically, but if that is cost prohibitive, or if you want a physical copy as backup, here is my recommended procedure:

    • Combine each certified driver’s test, and equipment specific evaluation forms.
    • File each alphabetically in a binder, which is maintained by training year.
    • Once a month, audit the records against a list of terminated employees, remove those records and file in a terminated employee binder for the year.

    Maintain these records for 3years.

    890402767-forklift-safety-trained-300x300.png

     

    Quality safety standards, a solid driver training program and a comprehensive record retention process are what is needed to ensure your program is safe and effective.

  • Safety Committee: Why I Work Safely Slogan ideas

    Safety Committee: Why I Work Safely Slogan ideas

    As part of a quality safety committee in the workplace, you need a good “Why I work Safely Slogan” for your team to drive safety awareness, and highlight the importance of safety of employees in the workplace.

    Importance of a “Why I Work Safely Slogan”for your Safety Committee

    Having a company safety slogan for your safety committee to champion provides a guide for the team to share with co-workers, it provides a memorable message for employees to keep safety in mind, it allows for good safety banners/memos/emails/giveaways, and most importantly it shows a company’s dedication to safety in the workplace.

    A strong safety slogan should be the cornerstone of your workplace safety campaign, not the only part of it. Share the message to your employees through the workplace safety committee, through all company emails, memos and banners. Build your campaign around your “Why I Work Safely Slogan”.

    “Why I work Safely” Slogan and campaign ideas:

    • Safety is Personal: This message tells your employees that their safety is personal to them, it effects not just the company, but their lives, it shows that the company cares about them as people and not just cogs in the company machine.
      • The campaign around this should start with a dedicated top down message, where C-level executives are invited to share stories as to why they work safely, this could be kicked off through company email, or video sharing, then invite people to submit their personal stories for why they work safely.
      • You could distribute magnets for company lockers in various shapes, like families, cars, boats, fitness themes, here is a chance to have your marketing department get creative.
      • You can share pictures of low term employees with their stories of why safety is personal to them in employee break-rooms and on the company intranet.
      • You make t-shirts with the slogan to distribute to your safety committee to wear around work, even change the message a little and have it save “Ask me why safety is personal to me”, again, this is the time to get creative.
      • Banners and posters could be put up around the workplace to further drive this message, include the slogan, include safety tips.
        • If I were invited to participate in such a campaign, I would share this story: “Safety is personal to me because I have been injured at work before. I know how a workplace injury impacts my day to day life. I broke 3 ribs at work, from lifting improperly and losing my footing, after which I was laid up at home for a month. I could not enjoy simple things like exercising, or even going for a walk, because even simple tasks like grocery shopping caused me substantial pain. I take safety very personal, because no amount of personal protective equipment can protect me from not paying attention to little tasks like ensuring my footing before picking something up, it is completely up to me to ensure basic safety procedures are followed every day, every time.”
    Check out the book offerings I have concerning Safety Committees
    • Safety 365: A safety campaign built around this slogan should be about raising workplace safety awareness to reduce workplace accidents to 0 in 365 days. A great logo is important for a campaign like this.
      • The campaign could kick off with putting up a large electronic billboard that counts the days without an accident, make sure to include the drive for going 1yr without a safety incident.
      • If you have multiple work locations, share the days without an incident of all locations, drive a feeling of competition among the workplaces.
      • You can release pins of the logo to increase employee awareness, and encourage their participation.
      • Partner this with a safety bingo campaign, that gives out gift cards to the winners, build up higher prizes as the game continues without a safety incident. Start with a $25 gift card, then a $50 gift card, and on and on. If your average accident costs your company $1,000 and you on average have 12 workplace accidents on average a year, if you spend $2,500 on the campaign, you have saved 91% over the year.
      • Include a raffle as part of this, at milestones, like every 30 days without an incident. Make the prizes highly desirable, so people are talking about them, which raises safety awareness. If you average $500 a month in prizes, this will cost you $3,000 annually, even when coupled with the bingo giveaways, you will have only spend $5,500, for a total annual savings of 55%.
      • Celebrate ALL raffle winners, ALL bingo winners, and most importantly ALL milestones reached on the goal to 365 days without an incident. This will drive safety awareness in the workplace as employees get excited over the milestone celebrations.
    If your company has a high occurrence of workplace accidents, check out my post to reduce workplace accidents
    • I am Safety: This slogan is to highlight that your employees are the most important part of workplace safety, and that should be the focus of this campaign.
      • A successful part of this campaign should empower your safety committee to be proactive in identifying employees who are seen working safely. Give them awards to hand out, these could be vending machine coupons, these could be raffle tickets for a monthly prize, get creative on what to give away to reward employees that work safely.
      • T-shirts can be a big part of this campaign, print them up first for your safety committee, then begin passing them out to the rest of the workforce. Instead of t-shirts, you can do polo shirts for your safety committee, and t-shirts for the rest of the workforce, it will make your committee look more professional, and empower them.
      • The banners and posters for this campaign can be done using your safety committee; take pictures of them, and share them around the company with the safety slogan.

    “Why I Work Safely” slogans

    The following are “Why I work safely” slogans without campaigns, which you can use to empower your safety committee in partnership with your marketing department to design the safety campaign around it.

    • Why Safety Matters to Me
    • Accidents Hurt, Safety Doesn’t
    • Choose Safety for your Family
    • Don’t Learn Safety by Accident
    • Knock out… Accidents
    • Safety Starts with ME
    • When You Gamble with Safety, You Bet Your Life.
    • Safety First, Always.
    • Work Smart, Work Safe.
    • Safe Work, Strong Future.
    • Protect Yourself, Protect Your Team.
    • Safety Begins with Me.
    • Stay Safe, Stay Strong.
    • Safety: It’s Not Optional.
    • Work Safely, Live Fully.
    • Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility.
    • Think Safe, Act Safe.
    • Safety is the Key to Success.
    • Safety: Your Best Investment.
    • Working Together for Safety.
    • Safety Today, Success Tomorrow.
    • Safety Starts with You.
    • Safety: Our Priority, Your Priority.
    • Protect Your Tomorrow, Work Safe Today.
    • Safety: A Habit, Not a Choice.
    • Safeguarding Our Future, One Safe Step at a Time.
    • Safety Matters, Every Day.
    • Safe Work is Good Work.
    • Be Proactive, Be Safe.
    • Commit to Safety, Achieve Excellence.
    • Safety: The Foundation of Productivity.
    • Because Your Safety Matters Most.
    Check Out: Importance of Safety Policy & Committee

    These are just some suggestions of a “Why I Work Safely” slogan that you can use to empower your safety committee, and drive workplace safety awareness. Feel free to use any slogan and campaign listed here, or feel free to share your suggestions below.
    If you don’t have a strong safety committee, or worse, don’t have a safety committee, here are sample guidelines to help your company out.

  • Safety IS Security

    Safety IS Security

    Safety planA safety and security professional’s main concern will always be protection of life as well as safety, and then the protection of property. With that said, in 2009 privately owned companies sustained over 3,270,000 million non-fatal injuries and illnesses, costing businesses and staff alike 1,238,000 days away from work. The direct cost of workplace accidents was tallied at over $52 billion. As well as the direct costs, a workplace injury will additionally incur indirect costs.

    Indirect cost consist of:

    • lost output;
    • overtime;
    • value of employee time used with accident analysis and record-keeping;
    • training as well as replacement;
    • administrative overhead;
    • any merchandise damage;
    • possibly increased insurance costs.

    As a consequence, the $52 billion of direct costs from work accidents identified by the 2009 Safety Index2 created $80 billion to $200 billion of indirect expenses, for a total financial impact of between $120 billion to $240 billion. That’s greater than the 2008 GDP of Missouri!
    Exactly where would this integrate into the model of a security program…everywhere! Being security professionals, we don many hats, oftentimes simultaneously and as is frequently the situation, we are so conscientious in protecting our organizations from vandalism, cyber threats, theft, fraud, workplace violence, trespassers, and other identified menaces, that we fail to remember that the safety of our colleagues and guests is equally as, if not far more, imperative than safeguarding them from criminal threats.
    Critical in our responsibility to protect, we have to report and document hazardous conditions which are identified. In October of 2010, the San Diego District Attorney’s Office accused around 19 Target stores in San Diego County of violating hazmat waste laws designed to safeguard employees and customers.
    Performing frequent workplace inspections aids in averting accidents and injuries. By using critical evaluation of the workplace, inspections identify and document potential issues for corrective actions. Cooperative occupational safety and health committees will help plan, conduct, report and monitor inspections. Consistent workplace inspections are an important part of the total occupational health and safety program.
    As an essential part of a security and safety program, workplaces should be inspected consistently.

    Inspections are essential because they allow you to:

    • take note of concerns of employees and managers;
    • gain additional knowledge about jobs and tasks;
    • detect existing and potential dangers;
    • identify root cause of hazards;
    • keep track of controls(personal protective equipment, engineering controls, policies, procedures);
    • advise corrective measures.
    Also check out this post to better identify workplace hazards.

    Pre-planning is fundamental for a highly effective inspection and every inspection should analyze who, what, where, when and how. Give special attention to elements likely to develop unsafe or unhealthy conditions due to stress, wear, impact, vibration, heat, corrosion, chemical reaction or misuse. Examine the entire work area every time. Incorporate places where no work is performed regularly, for example parking lots, breakrooms, office storage areas and locker rooms.
    Examine all of the workplace elements – the environment, the equipment and the processes. The environment consists of such risks as noise, vibration, lighting, temperature, and ventilation. Equipment consists of materials, tools and apparatus for producing a product or a service. The processes include how the worker interacts with the other elements in a series of tasks or operations.

    There exists an innumerable amount of workplace risks, some forms of workplace hazards include;

    • safety hazards: e.g., inadequate machine guards, unsafe workplace conditions, unsafe work practices;
    • Biological hazards caused by organisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites;
    • chemical hazards caused by solid, liquid, gas, dust, fume, or mist;
    • Ergonomic hazards caused by anatomical, physiological, and psychological demands on the worker, such as repetitive and forceful movements, vibration, temperature extremes, and awkward postures arising from improper work methods and improperly designed workstations, tools, and equipment.
    • Physical hazards caused by noise, vibration, energy, weather, heat, cold, electricity, radiation, and pressure.

     

    Fire safety is equally if not more important. Though fire inspections are normally conducted by your local fire official, this does not absolve the security professional or the organization from the responsibility of identifying fire hazards, maintaining a plan, or conducting drills.
    Sure, as security professionals we are more than likely not certified firefighters, nor should we take it upon our own to fight every fire. However, in the probable occurrence of a fire in your business, who do you suppose everyone will rely on in the course of an evacuation. That’s right…us.
    As reported by the National Fire Prevention Association, a building fire occurred every 66 seconds in 2009 resulting in $10 .8 billion in real estate damage. Along with preventative fire activities, security professionals must have a well-rehearsed fire safety action plan. This is achieved by strong organizational guidance to ensure that all participants know very well what to carry out at the time of critical occasions.

    Setting up a Safety Action Plan

    To defend against the threat of damage, injury and lost business, all of these core guidelines will assist to develop an excellent fire prevention policy:
    1) Produce a property layout diagram. Ensure the building layout is posted to every floor with exits well marked. Every person needs to examine the layout and know the specific location of the closest exits.
    2) Distinguish the exits. In addition to knowing the nearest exit from the daily work area, everybody should know at the very least two methods out regardless of where they may be in the building.
    3) Train personnel. OSHA standards call for employers to review components of the fire prevention plan with staff that are essential for self-protection. Training programs need to contain the protocol for fire extinguisher use in the eventuality of a fire.
    4) Have an emergency action plan (EAP) available and rehearse it. Conduct unannounced fire alarm drills with employees so everybody is aware of the exit strategy in case of a fire. Determine a safe gathering place outside the building where a headcount should be completed.
    5) Perform routine inspections. Make sure that fire extinguishers and emergency back-up lights are inspected and tested by a qualified fire prevention professional. All of the fire extinguishing equipment needs to be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. Carry out daily facility inspections to eliminate any existing fire risks.
    6) Routinely inspect evacuation exits. As part of the fire prevention plan, regularly verify that all doors leading out of the building open up quite easily as well as have not become blocked. All exit sign lighting should be inspected to ensure that signs are plainly visible in the event of a fire.
    7) Inspect sprinklers and smoke alarm systems. Ensure that smoke alarm systems are inspected and tested by a qualified professional to provide adequate warning in the eventuality of a fire.
    8) Ensure that equipment and surroundings are clean and up to date. Establish strict cleaning operations in ventilation systems to reduce grease accumulation.
    9) Be aware of fire risks in common kitchen areas. Restrict storage of combustible materials around cooking areas which could help cause the spread of flames. Ensure sufficient clearance exists between cooking equipment to eliminate heat build-up.
    A straightforward self-inspection worksheet should be created and your local fire department official is likely to be glad to assist. This self-inspection worksheet should explain where you should check for common fire risks inside and outside the building, as well as the way to pay attention to exit doors and signs, pathways, lighting and any combustible materials that may be in close proximity to debris or combustible storage items.
    You should produce a worksheet that has a checklist for electrical breakers and outlets, fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems and smoke detectors.

    I have included a template for an Emergency Action Plan to help you in setting up a base for your safety program:


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