Safety – Page 21 – Risk Management 365

Importance of Safety Training

Routine work can dull alertness and a relaxed attitude can replace the caution that existed when the job was new and interesting. In many jobs the same route is traveled daily over the same roads or the same tasks are repeated with little conscious thought. Without some periodic reawakening to the ever-present hazards, lethargy deepens and the odds of an accident occurring can increase.

Workers may not always recognize the importance of safety training or think of it as unnecessary because they’ve “been doing it for years.” But an important benefit of periodic safety training is the reminder that a danger can exist and the no one is immune to accidents. Therefore, it is important for workers to understand the purpose of the training session, why it will be useful to them, and what can result from not following safety rules and procedures.

via Importance of Safety Training.

When to Use Home Fire Extinguishers

When is a fire at a point where it might still be controlled by a fire extinguisher?

Portable fire extinguishers are valuable for immediate use on small fires. They contain a limited amount of extinguishing material and need to be properly used so that this material is not wasted. For example, when a pan initially catches fire, it may be safe to turn off the burner, place a lid on the pan, and use an extinguisher. By the time the fire has spread, however, these actions will not be adequate. Only trained firefighters can safely extinguish such fires.

Use a fire extinguisher only if:

You have alerted other occupants and someone has called the fire department;
The fire is small and contained to a single object, such as a wastebasket;
You are safe from the toxic smoke produced by the fire;
You have a means of escape identified and the fire is not between you and the escape route; and
Your instincts tell you that it is safe to use an extinguisher.

If all of these conditions are not present, you should NOT try to use a fire extinguisher. Alert other occupants, leave the building following your home escape plan, go to the agreed upon meeting place, and call the fire department from a cell phone or a neighbor’s home.

via Home Fire Safety | Use and Maintenance of Home Fire Extinguishers.

Best Practices for Monitoring Workers’ Comp Claims

When adopting best practices in Workers’ Compensation (WC) claims management, even simply identifying where to start can be intimidating for employers if they rely solely on their claims administrator. To achieve best outcomes, employers should take an active role in developing internal best practices and align them with a claims administrator who supports the same philosophy.

The key elements to a successful WC claims-management program will have both pre- and post-injury components. It’s said that “the best WC claim is the one that never happens,” therefore, the first step is avoiding claims through safety and health programs. The second is mitigating costs once a claim occurs.

With medical expenses accounting for more than 60 percent of a WC claim, injury strategies must address this cost driver through programs that keep employees healthy.

via Analysis: Best Practices for Monitoring Property, Casualty and WC Claims | PropertyCasualty360.

Power Outage – Dangers of Portable Generators

Portable generators are also used at home and the workplace to power essential equipment during power outages. Improper installation and use can endanger occupants of the building, utility workers and others.

When using a portable generator, follow these precautions:

Choose the correct generator for the job. Do not exceed the load rating recommended by the manufacturer.
Carefully follow all manufacturer’s advice, including instructions about grounding.
Connect the appliance you want to use directly to the generator.
Do not connect the generator directly to the building wiring system. This can cause electricity to backfeed into the utility electrical system, endangering utility workers and other users.
Run the generator only in a well-ventilated area to prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide from burning fuel. This odorless, invisible gas can kill if it accumulates indoors. Place the generator outside in a dry location away from air intakes.
Use caution when handling and storing fuel. Turn off the generator for refueling because gasoline vapors can catch fire and explode if ignited by a spark.
Use the correct size of extension cords and keep them free of damage and moisture. You must use three-prong cords for safe grounding. Do not allow cords to become tripping hazards and don’t run them under rugs where they can overheat and start a fire.

via Staying Safe During a Power Outage | SafetyXChange.

Holiday Travel Safety Tips

Whether you’re traveling across town or around the world, help ensure your trip is safe. Don’t drink and drive, and don’t let someone else drink and drive. Wear a seat belt every time you drive or ride in a motor vehicle. Always buckle your child in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt appropriate for his/her height, weight, and age.

via CDC – Family Health – Holiday Health and Safety Tips.

Top Four Construction Hazards

The top four causes of construction fatalities are: Falls, Struck-By, Caught-In/Between and Electrocutions.

Prevent Falls

Wear and use personal fall arrest equipment.
Install and maintain perimeter protection.
Cover and secure floor openings and label floor opening covers.
Use ladders and scaffolds safely.

Prevent Struck-By

Never position yourself between moving and fixed objects.
Wear high-visibility clothes near equipment/vehicles.

Prevent Caught-In/Between

Never enter an unprotected trench or excavation 5 feet or deeper without an adequate protective system in place; some trenches under 5 feet deep may also need such a system.
Make sure the trench or excavation is protected either by sloping, shoring, benching or trench shield systems.

Prevent Electrocutions

Locate and identify utilities before starting work.
Look for overhead power lines when operating any equipment.
Maintain a safe distance away from power lines; learn the safe distance requirements.
Do not operate portable electric tools unless they are grounded or double insulated.
Use ground-fault circuit interrupters for protection.
Be alert to electrical hazards when working with ladders, scaffolds or other platforms.

via Top Four Construction Hazards.

Winter Slip and Fall Safety Tips

Slips and falls account for 300,000 serious injuries and 20,000 deaths a year. With winter here once again, it is important for you and your family to be aware of slip and fall prevention strategies:

Although your hands might be cold, don’t put them in your pockets when you are navigating wintry stretches. If you slip, you will need your arms to restore balance. If you fall, your arms will help you to break your fall and land safely.
Wear the proper footwear. Although it may not be glamorous to wear a pair of boots, it will give you traction, not to mention keep your feet warm. If you want to wear heels or other kinds of shoes, simply carry an extra pair with you to change in to.
If you think you are approaching a particularly slick area of snow or ice, don’t be afraid to explore the area with your toe to see how slippery it is before you put your full weight on the area.
Don’t carry large loads while walking on snow or ice – you are asking for trouble! If you do carrying a load on an icy walk and feel yourself falling, toss your load so that you can break your fall with your arms.
Take small careful steps instead of large ones. When getting out of a vehicle, step, don’t jump. When possible, use handrails, handles – anything that will help you keep your balance. Never run.
Help your elderly friends and relatives on snow and ice. Slips and falls can be extremely dangerous for seniors. If you are older, don’t shy away from asking others for a helping hand.

via NASDA – Winter Slip and Fall Safety Tips.

Investigate Accidents with Prevention in Mind

Thousands of accidents occur throughout the United States every day. The failure of people, equipment, supplies, or surroundings to behave or react as expected causes most of them. Accident investigations determine how and why these failures occur. By using the information gained through an investigation, a similar, or perhaps more disastrous, accident may be prevented. It is important to conduct accident investigations with prevention in mind.

via Safety and Health Topics | Accident Investigation.

What is a safety culture – how will it impact my company?

Safety cultures consist of shared beliefs, practices, and attitudes that exist at an establishment. Culture is the atmosphere created by those beliefs, attitudes, etc., which shape our behavior. An organizations safety culture is the result of a number of factors such as:

Management and employee norms, assumptions and beliefs;
Management and employee attitudes;
Values, myths, stories;
Policies and procedures;
Supervisor priorities, responsibilities and accountability;
Production and bottom line pressures vs. quality issues;
Actions or lack of action to correct unsafe behaviors;
Employee training and motivation; and
Employee involvement or “buy-in.”

via Safety and Health Management Systems eTool | Module 4: Creating Change – Safety and Health Program Management: Fact Sheets: Creating a Safety Culture.

Alcoa Safety: Zero Is Possible

Zero work-related injuries and illnesses have been long-standing goals for Alcoa. But when zero first became the target, it seemed unreachable. “Accidents are inevitable” was often the response.

It’s not. They felt they could attain zero. That it is possible, and, in many locations, it is already there, thanks to dedicated effort and a firm commitment to their core values, one of which is to work safely, promote wellness, and protect the environment.

via Alcoa: Worldwide: Sustainability: Enhancing Our Workplace: Safety.