Floods can be serious catastrophes and they are one of the most common hazards in the United States. Floods can be caused by a variety of factors, including a sudden accumulation of rain, rising rivers, tidal surges, ice jams and dam failures. OSHA and NOAA are working together on a public education effort aimed at improving the way people prepare for and respond to severe weather.
Archive for the ‘Weather Safety’ Category
Hurricane Preparedness Basics INFOGRAPHIC
Whether your company’s office resides in a hurricane evacuation zone or not, weather is unpredictable. Hurricane preparedness is essential to protect your employees, important documents, furniture, computers and other electronics, and building. A clear plan that outlines specific tasks for designated employees and department heads–plus training to ensure everyone knows who’s in charge of what—can help your company stay level headed during a frightening time.
Key Tornado Preparedness and Response Tactics
Tornadoes can occur with little or no warning. Taking precautions in advance of the storms, such as developing an emergency plan, learning the warning signs, and monitoring tornado watches and warnings, can help you stay safe if a tornado occurs in your area. OSHA and NOAA are working together on a public education effort aimed at improving the way people prepare for and respond to severe weather.
Even James Bond Should Be Following OSHA’s Rules: 50 Years of Hazards
Lacerations, violent work environments, distracted driving, stress and explosions. This sounds like a workplace that should be on the OSHA SVEP list.
James Bond, the international man of mystery has had to put up with over 50 years of workplace safety hazards dating back to 1962.
7 movies, and 6 actors have built up this blockbuster and along the way have introduced new technologies and gadgets, but somehow none of those nifty toys have made Bonds’ job any safer.
If one thing is for certain, it is that James Bond is a fictional character, your workers shouldn’t have to put up with death defying circumstances to make it out of a work day alive. What could you be doing differently to make simple changes that will improve your facility safety?
OSHA and The Red Cross Alliance: Volunteer Safety, Help Yourself to Better Help Others
You’ve lost everything, your house, your memories, your family heirlooms, who will you be able to turn to, to help you get back on your feet in your most desperate time of need?
Volunteers who answer the call to help their community after a disaster go to work when most are fleeing in the opposite direction as quickly as possible. Going into these post (insert your favorite natural disaster here) communities can easily put those who are trying to help in a troublesome situation of their own.
In and effort to prevent more harm from being done and keep workers and volunteers safe OSHA and The Red Cross have renewed their now 10 year alliance for another 5 , to continue their work of guidance, education, and training.
How to Avoid Winter Hazards in Manufacturing
Winter causes depression, its a known condition! Perhaps things don’t get that serious at your facility but winter does bring added challenges none the less when it comes to productivity.
There are many areas of operation that are affected by cold temperatures, ice, bulky clothing and even static.
Most obviously icy parking lot and walkways, no one likes starting their day with a slip and fall, hurting themselves.
Also, winters are dry which helps to create static and can become an issue when working with equipment and could even cause damage.
Dirt and contamination is another issue in the winter. Tracking in salt, dirt and other debris from outside into your facility can quickly become and issue.
Lastly, bulky clothing worn due to dropping temperatures can get caught in machines or inhibit a workers full range of motion can reduce their ability to perform their duties properly.
If you know your area is in store for a cold, wet winter make sure that you are taking precautions to help keep you workers safe and comfortable so they are able to continue to produce for you at the react that you have grown to expect.
Keep areas temperature regulated and grounds de-iced and cleared so your workers can show up ready to work instead of worried about how they are even going to make it into your facility.
Protecting Against Outdoor Hazards
Workers out in the elements are exposed to many different hazards on the job. Some of these hazards are unusual and not easily protected against.
While most can think of heat stress, and cold stress, what about the threat of wild animals or poisonous plants and insects.
These uncommon hazards are every bit as dangerous if not more so and could lead to long lasting injuries, diseases, or death if not accounted for.
Unusual hazards are so dangerous because they aren’t what most think of first when symptoms start to set in.
If your workers spend extended periods of time outdoors, make sure that they are protected against ALL hazards they may come in contact with. Be familiar with the area that you are sending your workers into, weather conditions, and any protective wear they may need to keep safe.
Fire Safety In the Workplace Made Simple
Fire safety is important, very important, it’s just that simple. October is the month that most observe fire prevention awareness just as the holiday season starts to rev up and unfortunately with the holidays comes a lot of unexpected fire hazards.
Workplace fires have a long history full of sad and preventable tragedies. OSHA standards are now in place where they may have lacked before to help make sure workplace incidents like the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 don’t even happen again.
Most OSHA protocols when it comes to fire and emergency evacuation center around exit route and ensuring that they are properly marked and clear in case of and emergency.
Having the correct fire extinguisher on hand for the known types of fire hazards in your facility is also required. Periodically checking your extinguisher to make sure that it is in working order and hasn’t expires is essential.
Fire prevention may be common sense to some but it is always good to keep it fresh in your mind and make sure your program is up to date.