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Is safety a moving target?

10/22/2022

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Making safety happen is something I speak about with new supervisors all the time. All new supervisors I meet speak well of their knowledge and commitment to safety. Most are not speaking in the affirmative to just appease the conversation with me as a safety professional. Most really do believe in safety. Most really do want a safe operation. 
 
However, there are times when a supervisor will make a comment like, “Yes, I really do tell and expect my team to be safe!” I will often ask how they make that happen. They usually give feedback indicating the idea that communication is important and that one must talk with the team and tell them that they need to be safe and then observe their actions. Unfortunately, this falls short of what is really needed. I tell them this, “You need to be more descriptive because here’s a really uncomfortable fact: You can’t make people safe by telling them to be safe. Telling them to be safe and then becoming upset when they do something you deem unsafe is a losing proposition. Telling someone to be safe means absolutely nothing to the person doing the hard work.”
 
Personnel who work in a production setting are often found working hard, trying to do a great job, trying to be productive for the team, and trying to “own” what they do. Therefore, a supervisor owes it to them to be very clear on the supervisor’s expectation of what is meant by “be safe.”  Because the term “be safe” is a moving target, there is no chance to apply the term to all that is being done on the job. Being more descriptive is key!
 
It is work and harder to do than telling someone to be safe, but for the safety of the team, it changes everything. By doing hazard assessments, by understanding work performance and the safety issues that can arise with it, and by documenting results for continuity, supervisors can have a good foundation to start with. Writing standard operating procedures and completing job safety analyses are essential foundational safety documents. The team must understand all of these elements. Still, this is not enough. Communicating what being safe means rounds out the effort and is the most essential element.
 
I had a supervisor tell me that he brings his crew into the lunchroom before every shift. He tells them that he needs them to wear the gloves chosen for the work, that they need to wear their safety glasses, hearing protection, arm guards, safety-toed shoes, and the appropriate clothes. He tells them that when they have to use tools to overcome a machine system malfunction, he does not want them to use excessive force when pushing or pulling on items or tools. He tells them to “pre-task” the work to discuss hazards before they start and control hazards up front. He tells them to slow it down and not worry about production because the repairs need to be done safely. You see, this supervisor gets it. He understands that he has to be clear on what “be safe” means. His team knows how to be safe!
 
The takeaway is this, the words “be safe” mean very little where the rubber meets the road. Clear and specific communication that describe precisely what is meant goes so much further at building a team who truly does know what it means to be safe. Better stated: The team can apply specific and clear actions from clear and specific description of what safety is. If you have a desire for a strong safety culture, this level of communication is foundational!
 
 


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OSHA Increases Focus on Trenching and Excavation Hazards

10/22/2022

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ASSP 2022

Twenty-two workers have died as a result of trenching and excavation hazards this year, surpassing the year-end total of 15 from 2021 and prompting OSHA to launch enhanced enforcement initiatives under its national emphasis program for excavations. According to the agency, its compliance officers will perform more than 1,000 trench inspections nationwide where they may stop by and inspect any excavation site during their daily duties.
“OSHA is calling on all employers engaged in trenching and excavation activities to act immediately to ensure required protections are fully in place every single time their employees step down into or work near a trench,” says OSHA Administrator Doug Parker. “Every one of these tragedies could have been prevented had employers complied with OSHA standards.”
OSHA standards require protective systems on trenches deeper than five feet and mandate that soil and other materials be kept at least two feet from the edge of a trench. Additionally, trenches must be inspected by a knowledgeable person, be free of standing water and atmospheric hazards, and have a safe means of entering and exiting prior to allowing a worker to enter.
  • Download our Tech Brief on the ANSI/ASSP A10.12 standard on excavation:
https://www.assp.org/docs/default-source/asspdoc/a10_12_technical_brief_2022_05.pdf?sfvrsn=48279447_0
  • Listen to The Case for Safety Podcast episode on trenching and excavation:  
https://www.assp.org/resources/the-case-for-safety-podcast/2020/07/29/episode-46-trenching-and-excavation-safety

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Cold Stress- Winter is Coming!

10/22/2022

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​Cold Stress- Winter Is Coming!
It seems almost counter intuitive to start talking about preparing employees for cold stress when it is 80° outside, but the reality is that cool weather is on the horizon. Employers should make a plan now and provide training to keep folks that will have occupational exposure to cold weather safe.
Employers should take the following steps to protect workers from cold stress:
  • Schedule maintenance and repair jobs in cold areas for warmer months.
  • Schedule cold jobs for the warmer part of the day.
  • Reduce the physical demands of workers.
  • Use relief workers or assign extra workers for long, demanding jobs.
  • Provide warm liquids to workers.
  • Provide warm areas for use during break periods.
  • Monitor workers who are at risk of cold stress.
  • Provide cold stress training that includes information about:
    • Worker risk
    • Prevention
    • Symptoms
    • The importance of monitoring yourself and coworkers for symptoms
    • Treatment
    • Personal protective equipment
 
Workers should avoid exposure to extremely cold temperatures when possible. When cold environments or temperatures cannot be avoided, workers should follow these recommendations to protect themselves from cold stress:
  • Wear appropriate clothing.
    • Wear several layers of loose clothing. Layering provides better insulation.
    • Tight clothing reduces blood circulation. Warm blood needs to be circulated to the extremities.
    • When choosing clothing, be aware that some clothing may restrict movement resulting in a hazardous situation.
  • Make sure to protect the ears, face, hands, and feet in extremely cold weather.
    • Boots should be waterproof and insulated.
    • Wear a hat; it will keep your whole body warmer. (Hats reduce the amount of body heat that escapes from your head.)
  • Move into warm locations during work breaks; limit the amount of time outside on extremely cold days.
  • Carry cold weather gear, such as extra socks, gloves, hats, jacket, blankets, a change of clothes, and a thermos of hot liquid.
  • Include a thermometer and chemical hot packs in your first aid kit.
  • Avoid touching cold metal surfaces with bare skin.
  • Monitor your physical condition and that of your coworkers.
 
 
 
 

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