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Archive: Oct 2017

Top 10 OSHA Violations for 2017

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced the 10 most frequently cited workplace safety violations for fiscal year 2017. The results are preliminary, but the agency doesn’t expect much to change.

Fall protection is such a big category because a lot of fatalities are due to falls – particularly in construction but also in general industry. Employers are required to notify OSHA within eight hours of a fatality, which prompts a workplace inspection.

Here are the top 10 cited violations as announced by OSHA at the National Safety Council’s 2017 Congress and Expo in Indianapolis in September:

1. Fall protection – there were 6,072 fall protection violations in the construction industry. This number is down from 8,906 in fiscal year 2016. These violations include failing to guard edges and open sides to prevent worker from falling.

2. Hazard communication – there were 4,176 citations in 2017, which is down from 5,665 in 2016. Employers that use hazardous chemicals must have a written hazard communication program. They are also required to label all containers and provide safety data sheets and training to employees.

3. Scaffolding – there were fewer scaffolding violations in the construction industry in 2017 (3,288) than in 2016 (3,900). Safety violations include issues with scaffold construction, employee access to scaffolding surfaces and lack of guardrails.

4. Respiratory protection – violations fell by 476 to 3,097 in 2017. Violations include failing to have a written respiratory-protection program and failing to conduct required medical examinations for workers who use respirators.

5. Lockout/tagout – violations have dropped to 2,877. Lockout/tagout procedures are meant to safeguard employees when machinery starts up unexpectedly or when hazardous energy is released during maintenance activities. Failing to train workers or conduct periodic inspections account for many violations.

6. Ladders – improper use of adders resulted in 2,241 citations in 2017 compared to 2,625 in 2016.

7. Powered industrial trucks – forklift drivers must be trained, certified and reevaluated every three years. Improper fork lift use and training account for many violations. There were 2,162 violations in 2017.

8. Machine guarding – there were 1,933 total violations in 2017 – down from 2,448 in 2016. Machine guarding is meant to protect workers from point-of-operation hazards and dangers caused by ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks. Point-of-operation hazards account for most violations.

9. Fall protection training requirements – there were 1,523 fall protection training violations in 2017. This category wasn’t on the top ten list in 2016.

10. Electrical wiring methods – faulty electrical wiring methods accounted for 1,405 violations – down from 1,937 in 2016. Frequent violations include improper use of extension cords.

Since a lot of the frequent violations on this list relate to training, employers should also periodically audit their training records to make sure all employees have received appropriate training for the hazards they encounter in their daily jobs.

Compliance is tough, but businesses of any size can do the following to help remain compliant:

  1. Hold weekly safety talks- employers should review all the applicable OSHA standards and talk to employees about one topic each week.
  2. Post a list of safety rules and enforce them – employers should make sure workers are familiar with the policies and understand that violations of the rules won’t be tolerated.
  3. Look at OSHA 300 logs and conduct an incident analysis for each entry to figure out the root cause of the incidents and ways to eliminate future risks.
  4. Perform an accident investigation and root cause analysis for near misses as well. These are incidents that could have easily resulted in a serious injury but did not.

What to do a the Scene of an Auto Accident

Most of us are fortunate that we’ve rarely, if ever, been involved in an accident. However, even the most careful drivers can be involved in an auto accident. So here are some tips to share on what you should do – and not do – to handle this traumatic situation and ensure a smooth claims process if they do have an accident.

Do:

  • Find out if there are injuries. A person’s medical situation is far more important than vehicle damage or who’s responsible for the accident.
  • Remain calm. Getting upset can make a bad situation worse. Keep your composure and remain polite even if the other driver does not.
  • Call 911 even if it’s a minor accident. Notify authorities of any injuries so they can dispatch medical assistance an so the police can respond and write a report.
  • Exchange contact information with the other driver. This also includes exchanging insurance information.
  • Obtain contact information for any witnesses. They can be crucial in the insurance company’s investigation.
  • Take pictures. Just about every phone has a camera. Use it! Take pictures of the other vehicle involved, including the license plate.
  • Call your insurance agent. Report the accident as soon as possible to your insurance agent so a claim can be initiated.

Do Not:

  • Move someone who is injured. This could result in further injury. Only move a person who may be in imminent danger.
  • Place yourself in danger. If the accident occurred on a busy highway or interstate, stay in your vehicle and out of the traffic lanes.
  • Move your vehicle unless it impedes traffic or presents a hazard. Preserving the evidence of the accident scene can be crucial. If you have emergency triangles or flares, use them.
  • Leave the scene, even if it’s a minor accident and the other driver(s) says they’re not injured. If you leave the scene, you might be accused of committing a hit and run. Wait for the police to arrive.
  • Accept blame for the accident. Even if you think the accident may be your fault, don’t say this to anyone. You may not know what the other driver did to case or contribute to the accident. Only give a full description of the accident to the police.

Being involved in an auto accident is an upsetting and traumatic experience. By following these tips, you can reduce the stress involved and handle the situation in the right way.

Tips to Next Year’s Beautiful Yard

Fall is the time to button up your yard. Smart gardening will not only protect it from damage that can be caused by frigid weather, but also help ensure that spring will emerge flawlessly.

Here are some tips from landscape experts that you can do during the autumn months to help prepare your lawn and garden for the spring:

  • Target weeds – identify what weeds you want to kill, then buy a weed killer designed specifically to kill the plant you want to be rid of, then buy a weed killer designed specifically to kill the plant you want to be rid of.
  • Battle crabgrass – if you have a small crabgrass problem, let the first frost kill it, then be prepared to apply a pre-emergent herbicide in the early spring. If crabgrass is taking over your lawn, it is advised to cut the seed-rich tops off the crabgrass before the first frost and rake them up. If you are really intent on eradicating large sections of crabgrass, spray on an herbicide, let the chemical dissipate for a couple of weeks, then sow grass seed.
  • Give your lawn room to breathe – annual aeration in the fall is recommended.
  • Fertilize well – if you are only going to fertilize once, do it in the fall. It helps give your lawn the strength to survive the winter and come back strong in the spring.
  • Mow for the last time – for the last cutting, leave the grass at least 2 to 2 1/2 inches long. In cold climates it can encourage snow mold and in warmer climates short grass could be susceptible to other diseases.
  • Rake and mulch – mulching leaves and spreading them over the flowerbeds is better than bagging. Don’t be afraid to mulch beds with your leaves. It is very beneficial to have decomposing leaf matter in the planting beds, they are packed with trace minerals that keep the plants healthier.
  • Don’t turn off water too soon – October is the driest month in many parts of the country, so wait as long as practical before winterizing the irrigation system or rolling up the hose. It is also advised to give the ground one more last soaking before the shutoff.
  • Maintain your equipment – change the oil and the air filters in all engine-powered equipment, as well as sharpening the blades and lubricating wheel bearings and throttle cables. Add fuel stabilizer to any gas-powered mowers and trimmers because it will make them easier to start in the spring.
  • Delay trimming – prune woody ornamentals and trees after they are bare and dormant. After the leaves fall, the shape is easier to see and trimming during dormancy is healthier for the plants. Leave attractive perennials all winter, because they add visual interest, and sine they have multiple surfaces, they collect more snow and that keeps the plant hydrated.

Mitigating Active Shooter Risks

The number of incidents involving active shooters has steadily increased over the last 15 years. In 2000, there was one active shooter incident, and in 2015 there were 20. According to the FBI, the largest number of active shooter incidents occur in a business setting, following by schools, open spaces and non-military government property.

The FBI defines an active shooter as an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area such as parks, schools, houses of worship, medical facilities, transportation centers, workplaces and other public gathering sites.

Escape

There are three options when faced with an active shooter situation: run, hide or fight, and survival depends on having a plan for each of these options.

If you can get out, do it. Always try to escape and evacuate, and don’t let others sow you down with their indecision. Those fleeing should leave everything behind – purses, personal belongings and the like. The priority is to get out of harm’s way. It is also important to not allow others to walk into the danger zone and call 911 once evacuated to a safe area.

Looking for places to hide or ways to get out of a venue should become second nature in public spaces. The uncertainty of where to go or how to escape can mean the difference between life or death.

Hide

For guests, shoppers or workers who can’t get out to safety, the next best option may be to hide somewhere in the building. At the concert in Las Vegas, people hid behind cars and tables, and several people even hid in a beer truck to escape the shooter’s bullets.

Inside a shopping center or office building, it is important to silence cell phones to minimize the chances of being discovered. If possible, lock the doors to locations like an office or classroom. Hiding behind large objects can also help to provide some measure of protection from any gunfire. Try to remain quiet and calm.

Confronting the Shooter

Fighting is a last resort. For the shooting in Las Vegas, this was not an option for anyone other than responding law enforcement officers. It is important to consider and plan ahead for a variety of dangers. It is advised that the public always be aware of their surroundings and devise some sort of an exit plan in public spaces.

In an airport, for example, the most vulnerable places involve the shops, restaurants and other areas located before the TSA security checkpoint. The safest place will usually be the gate areas because travelers and their luggage have been searched and all individuals on that side have passed through the security checkpoints.

Training & Exercises

Preparing for an active shooter scenario involves the development of a workplace violence policy and plan, emergency response plans, training and exercises, as well as providing physical security onsite such as cameras, badged entry or even security guards.

As part of the workplace violence policy, the employer sets the standard for acceptable workplace behavior, affirms the company’s commitment to take action and provide a safe workplace for employees, and addresses not just physical violence, but also factors like threats, bullying, harassment and the possession of weapons.

Risk Management Strategies

An emergency response plan should be created for all hazards – fire, flooding, emergency evacuation, and active shooters to name just a few. A team involving staff from HR, training, security, the facility owner or operator, property managers and others should included in the design.

The plan should address:

  • Methods for reporting different types of emergencies
  • Evacuation policy & procedure
  • Escape procedures and route assignments
  • Contact information for mandatory point of contact information on local hospitals
  • Emergency notification system – e.g., announcements, cellular systems, emails

Security Assessments

Companies should also conduct a detailed physical security assessment. The goal of physical security is to deny unauthorized access and protect property, personnel and operations.

Employees can be a company’s best source of training because they can help identify vulnerabilities and solutions.

Questions to consider as part of the assessment include:

  • How easy is it for people to access key personnel in your business?
  • Who gets access in the company or to what buildings?
  • What landscaping around the business prevents a clear line of sight of who’s around or entering the building?
  • How do you control access after-hours?
  • Are cameras available around the property?

A vital aspect of a holistic security strategy focuses on deterrence, prevention, mitigation and recovery. Physical security measures can include access and control systems, surveillance, an emergency notification system, first aid, and physical impediment tools which are designed to impede/prevent an active shooter from gaining access into office spaces.

The key to develop a plan that will prevent a shooter from gaining access and provide employees with the training to respond if a shooting event arises.

Additional resources on active shooter preparations are available from the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

 

 

 

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