Safety is something that is taken very seriously at places throughout the country.

This article will explore how you can maintain safety standards at your business. When you get a safety inspector visit, you may find that your safety standards do not meet federal requirements. When this happens, it is important to start improving the safety of your facility. he first thing to consider is chemicals. Your business must take account of all the chemicals that it has stored upon its site. f you have cleaning agents, pesticides, or other chemicals, it is very important for your business to post these. You will also be required to keep material safety data sheets for all the chemicals that your company keeps on hand. These sheets are very important because they instruct a person on how to store and handle each chemical. n case of accidental exposure, they instruct a person on how to provide first aid. n addition to the signage and data sheets for each chemical, each chemical must be stored and used in the correct manner. !ailure to adhere to these guidelines may result in a fine for the business. "roper treatment of chemicals should be part of every business#s culture. Spills are another safety issue. What does your company do to respond to spills$ %egulations for spills vary between different types of businesses. What is important is that if your facility has a spill of any type, it is contained and cleaned immediately. Some chemical spills required special absorbent material. & spill checklist will help keep your facility prepared for spills &nother important thing to have at your business is a first'aid'kid. &ccidents can happen. When they do, it is important to be able to adequately provide treatment for any in(uries that your employees may incur. n(uries are painful and they make it so that a person may require medical treatment. t is so important to have adequate supplies on hand for treatment of in(uries and other types of accidents. f someone gets hurt on the (ob at your facility and is not treated correctly, they may have the right to file a lawsuit. There should be strict guidelines on who can enter your facility. You may also require hard hats for people who enter your facility. f your facility is a warehouse, there is a chance that falling things may occasionally land in an area with people. n these instances, it is very important to make sure that everyone is adequately protected. )imiting access to your facility is one of the safest practices that a company can do to limit its liability. f people are not trained to be at a site, they should not be granted access. &ccidents often happen when an employee or owner brings a family member or friend into the facility. Sometimes, the visitor will not be wearing a hard hat. This is problematic and cause in(uries. *nce

again, this is another way that a company could expose itself to fines. These are some tips for improving your facility#s safety. The safety of your employees should be paramount. f people obey the rules and have adequate access to safety measures, then safety is a culture that your company can live by. mplementing a safety protocol sometimes is met with great resistance. The goal of every manager and owner should be to reduce the potentiality of accidents in case a person gets hurt. Safety will make everyone#s life easier. +ot having a safe facility is a liability for everyone. ,overnment inspectors will start fining the business. f someone gets hurt, the lack of productivity and profitability may drive a business into insolvency.

Workplace Hazards Employees are exposed to potentially dangerous hazards everyday. Hazardous toxins present in the workplace are a cause for concern if they are capable of causing injury or harm to an employee. Some risks are apparent while others are more subtle. Exposure to chemicals such as dust, asbestos, paints and solvents or other mixtures can be a detriment to workplace safety. oor building maintenance and improper ventilation can also add to workplace dangers. !he physical and mental demands of an occupation may be hazardous to employees as well. "obs that demand heavy lifting, repetitive movements and extended periods of sitting or standing re#uire special ergonomic accommodations to ensure employees are comfortable while performing job duties. Stressful occupations might also affect the well$being of employees. Health Concerns !here are many health issues that have stirred up safety concerns in the workplace. %ertain occupations are more prone to health conditions like asthma. &any epidemics target work populations because of their exposure to chemical or biological agents such as heat and radiation. 'eneral office workers are exposed to outbreaks of viruses and disease. Employees that come to work

with a cold or flu are likely to spread sickness throughout the workplace. (n addition, the poor hygiene practices of one worker can affect the health and safety of everyone he or she comes in contact with. Workplace Violence )ffice violence is a reality many organizations are all too familiar with. *ccording to the )ccupational Safety and Health *dministration, +homicide is the fourth leading cause of fatal occupational injury in the ,nited States.+ -orkplace violence can stem from on$the$job conflicts, retaliation, disgruntled employees or harassment and discrimination. -hile )SH* has no national standard for violence in the workplace, many employers have implemented violence prevention practices to protect employees from harm. Safety Enforcement (n conjunction with employers, the )ccupational Safety and Health *dministration is responsible for enforcing laws that prohibit practices that threaten workplace safety. (f an employee has reason to suspect dangers in their working environment, concerns should be brought to the attention of their employer. )SH* sets safety standards in regards to most aspects of workplace safety and investigates violations. Injury and Illness Prevention Employers are re#uired to have policies in place that explain safety procedures in the event of a workplace emergency. Safety programs help employers analyze potential hazards and address any dangers before they cause an injury. Employers often post bulletins that provide descriptions of safety standards that must be followed in the workplace. http.//smallbusiness.chron.com/workplace$safety$concerns$ 010.html

Safety Issues in Today s Workplace Safety issues are an important topic in today2s workplace, especially with the rise in accidents in places of work and business. *ccidents may often be small, but they can also lead to life$altering results such as mutilation and even death. !he most (ssues from the ,ser 4orum. Safety Issues ( work for an outpatient substance abuse program and there does not seem to be a protocol in place regarding clients who have been administratively discharged and have returned to the premises. *lso there have been 5 incidents whe... 6 more 7

common type of safety issue in workplaces relates to tripping and falling, however, there are many other causes to be considered. *n organization with a superior policy for dealing with safety issues should be considering topics such as ergonomics and the arrangement of the space so that the tasks best fit the people who complete them. !he following are the primary safety issues and how an organization can best prevent them. !alls 3 *nything above shoulder level should be retrieved with the use of a step stool or ladder. 3 Step stools and ladders should only be used if they are in good condition without any broken rungs or legs and without being wobbly.

3 %hairs should always be used flat on the floor and not leaning back. %hairs with a +leaning+ feature shouldn2t be pushed beyond their limit which may result in over$balancing. 3 %hairs and boxes should never replace ladders or step stools 3 athways should be kept clear 3 Electrical cords and wires must be kept out of pathways 3 -hen seated, excessive twisting, leaning back, and bending over should be avoided. !ilin" Ca#inets and $ookshelves 3 -hen filling drawers or shelves, always fill from the bottom, up, allowing the weight to keep it from tipping over 3 -hen finished with drawers or doors, make sure to close them properly to prevent bumps and tripping. )pen only one drawer or door at a time. 3 4iling cabinets should be placed in low$traffic areas. 3 *ny cabinets or bookcases over sixty four inches high should be secured to the wall to prevent tipping. %eneral Safety Issue Practices 'uard or tape any furniture corners or edges that are sharp. *ny +pull out+ keyboard or writing drawers should be pushed back in when not being used. 3 8eep the work environment clean. !hrow away trash and empty the cans often, and keep floors free of obstacles and unnecessary items. 3 Spills should be cleaned immediately to avoid slips. 3 (mmediately report any defects in the workspace such as loose tiles, broken railings, broken doors, broken steps etc. 3 9efrain from participating in any form of horseplay. 3 8eep sharp objects such as scissors, tacks, and razor blades in closed containers. 3 ,se the right tool for the job. 3 *ny neckties, long hair, jewelry, and other loose clothing should be kept well clear of any moving machinery parts. 3 *ir vents and air registered should be kept unobstructed. 3 4urniture, e#uipment, or other materials should not be positioned in a way that they obstruct air movement or thermostats. 3 *ny pest control related problems should be reported immediately.

est control chemicals should be used only by experts.

!he most important way to prevent safety issues in the workplace is to use common sense at all times. Suggest a %ompany: ; (nform a 4riend: ; Site 4eedback. !alls 3 *nything above shoulder level should be retrieved with the use of a step stool or ladder. 3 Step stools and ladders should only be used if they are in good condition without any broken rungs or legs and without being wobbly. 3 %hairs should always be used flat on the floor and not leaning back. %hairs with a +leaning+ feature shouldn2t be pushed beyond their limit which may result in over$balancing. 3 %hairs and boxes should never replace ladders or step stools 3 athways should be kept clear 3 Electrical cords and wires must be kept out of pathways 3 -hen seated, excessive twisting, leaning back, and bending over should be avoided. !ilin" Ca#inets and $ookshelves 3 -hen filling drawers or shelves, always fill from the bottom, up, allowing the weight to keep it from tipping over 3 -hen finished with drawers or doors, make sure to close them properly to prevent bumps and tripping. )pen only one drawer or door at a time. 3 4iling cabinets should be placed in low$traffic areas. 3 *ny cabinets or bookcases over sixty four inches high should be secured to the wall to prevent tipping. %eneral Safety Issue Practices 'uard or tape any furniture corners or edges that are sharp. *ny +pull out+ keyboard or writing drawers should be pushed back in when not being used. 3 8eep the work environment clean. !hrow away trash and empty the cans often, and keep floors free of obstacles and unnecessary items. 3 Spills should be cleaned immediately to avoid slips.

3 (mmediately report any defects in the workspace such as loose tiles, broken railings, broken doors, broken steps etc. 3 9efrain from participating in any form of horseplay. 3 8eep sharp objects such as scissors, tacks, and razor blades in closed containers. 3 ,se the right tool for the job. 3 *ny neckties, long hair, jewelry, and other loose clothing should be kept well clear of any moving machinery parts. 3 *ir vents and air registered should be kept unobstructed. 3 4urniture, e#uipment, or other materials should not be positioned in a way that they obstruct air movement or thermostats. 3 *ny pest control related problems should be reported immediately. 3 est control chemicals should be used only by experts. http://www.anonymousemployee.com/csssite/sidelinks/safety_issues.php

Health and safety Manual handling Scroll to end of page for updates on Manual Handling Training Annual statistics published by the HSA show that manual handling continues to be one of the primary causes of injury in the workplace reported to the Authority, with about in e!ery three accidents falling into this category. Safety and health concerns "anual handling tasks carried out using incorrect techni#ue and without due regard to indi!idual capability significantly increases the risk of injury to the back. $hese injuries range in se!erity from soft tissue injuries to more serious and permanent injury to discs. Howe!er, in all cases they are likely to lead to lost time from work. A number of factors affect the likelihood of injury occurring during manual handling and employers are obliged to carry out a specific risk assessment for all manual handling tasks to identify high risk factors and reduce them to as low as possible in conjunction with any training pro!ided. $hese factors can include the weight of the load, the distance and fre#uency of lifts, stretching or stooping, production demands, fitness, floor conditions and space constrains for e%ample.

Risk Assessment A manual handling risk assessment must be carried out by a competent person in consultation with employees and must identify the specific aspects or part of the operation that could increase the risk of an injury to employees. "easures must then be put in place to reduce that risk and may include:& a!oiding the need for manual handling using mechanical aids reducing the number of lifts or weight of lifts training and super!ision of employees Training $raining is only one measure that can be taken to reduce risk of injury from manual handling acti!ities. Any training pro!ided to employees must be rele!ant to the types of tasks carried out in the workplace and ideally should be pro!ided by an instructor familiar with the particular manual handling acti!ities of the employment. $he most cost effecti!e means of pro!iding such training is through ha!ing an 'in&house' manual handling instructor. *Update 5th May 20 0 Manual Handling Training Standards (n )*th "arch +* * two new awards were published by ,-$A. for "anual Handling /nstruction and 0eople Handling /nstruction. $hese awards are at 1e!el 2 on the 3ational ,ramework for 4ualifications and are called '1e!el 2 Special 0urpose .ertificate in "anual Handling /nstruction' and '1e!el 2 Special 0urpose .ertificate in 0eople Handling /nstruction'. $he awards can be found on the 4E!*% website. A!aila"ility of these courses #hich lead to the rele!ant a#ard are unlikely to "e a!aila"le "efore the $rd %uarter of 20 0& /ndi!iduals trained in manual handling or people handling instruction on these new courses will recei!e a ,-$A. Award through a ,-$A. 5egistered $raining 0ro!ider. $he HSA en!isage a phase&in of the new system with new instructors recei!ing this award when it becomes a!ailable later in +* * and all training pro!iders will ha!e to be a ,-$A. 5egistered $raining 0ro!ider to offer this course. -%isting manual handling instructors who ha!e recei!ed their manual handling instructor certificate 6prior to circa. September +* *7 will ha!e a

+&) year period within which to apply for recognition of their e%isting training !ia a ,-$A. appro!ed training pro!ider through a 5ecognition of 0rior 1earning 6or 5017 process. $he Health and Safety Authority will continue to recognise both the new ,-$A. instructors and e%isting instructors until a date in the future 6to be announced but en!isaged to apply in +&) years7. $his is to allow e%isting instructors sufficient time to go through an 501 process to recei!e a recognised 1e!el 2 ,-$A. Award. ,rom this date, all manual handling instructors will be re#uired to ha!e achie!ed a ,-$A. 1e!el 2 Award in either manual handling or people handling instruction. /8-. are in the process of registering with ,-$A. and on receipt of this will offer the 1e!el 2 Special 0urpose .ertificate in "anual Handling /nstruction. 9e will also assist e%isting manual handling instructors to apply for 501. An o!er!iew of a model process for 501 is attached below to assist e%isting manual handling instructors to prepare for their 501 application. 9ith regard to manual handling training for employees who use the techni#ues in their work acti!ities, there is no similar standard scheduled to be launched in the near future. ,urther details regarding the implementation of this new training system are a!ailable on the HSA website here. "embers of /8-. with any specific #ueries regarding the new award or 5ecognition of 0rior 1earning 65017 for e%isting instructors can contact our (HS unit !ia ohs:ibec.ie . "ore detail on the specific legal re#uirements and duties relating to manual handling can be found under the section ;eneral Application 5egulations. http://www.ibec.ie//8-./-S.nsf/!0ages/Health_and_safety<9orkplace_ ha=ards_and_health_issues<manual&handling>(pen?ocument

Health and safety 'ork (%uipment )ntroduction /n the regulations, work e#uipment is defined as meaning any machine, apparatus, tool or installation used at work. $his

definition co!ers all types of work e#uipment from the largest machine to the smallest handtool. /t also co!ers lifting e#uipment. Ha*ards $he ha=ards associated with unguarded machinery can !ary greatly from a simple cut to an amputation or to a fatality. 5obust guards must be pro!ided to pre!ent the operator and/or others being e%posed to the machine@s mo!ing part but must also allow for repair and maintenance work to be carried out. $here are many different types of guards and the appropriate type e.g. fi%ed, interlock, adjustable, safety&trips, control, two& hand, gate must be fitted. 9here lifting e#uipment is used, employers must ensure safe lifting loads are clearly marked on machinery and are adhered to by staff in order to guard against injury/fatality to the user or their colleagues. 1ifting e#uipment includes !ehicle lifting tables, ropes, lifting tackle, chains, and cranes7. 9hen using mobile work e#uipment, employers are re#uired to ensure that work e#uipment with ride&on&employees is fitted in such a way as to reduce the risks to employees, including the risk of contact with, or trapping by wheels or tracks. Accidents can also occur where an employee is cleaning a machine. 9here possible, maintenance operations should be carried out when the machinery is shut down or if this is not possible, protecti!e measures must be taken the keep the employee safe i.e. a safe system of work must e%ist and be followed. 3on&routine inter!entions such as dismantling and cleaning re#uire the isolation of all energy sources. $he isolation should be tested and secured by means of tagging or locking.. 0ermit to work systems should also be considered to pro!ide a higher le!el of organisational control.

(mployers+ duties -mployers are re#uired to ensure that: the e#uipment is suitable for the work to be carried outA e#uipment selection takes account of the working conditions, characteristics and ha=ards of the workplaceA he/she must ensure that work e#uipment can be used without risk to the user or at the !ery least, the employer must minimi=e the riskA where the e#uipment in!ol!es a specific risk, its use must be restricted to those employees who are re#uired to use itA only competent employees should carry out repairs/modifications to the work e#uipmentA employees must ha!e ade#uate information and training to use the machine safelyA where appropriate, written instructions on the use of the work e#uipment are pro!ided. ,ontrols $he controls on any machinery must be !isible and identifiable and be placed outside the danger =one. /f this is not possible, the machinery must ha!e audible or !isible warning signs which are automatically acti!ated when the machinery is about to start. $hese warning mechanisms should be clear and easily understood. $he controls must be constructed in such a manner to ensure that deliberate action is necessary to start the machinery and that the controls can stop a machine completely and safely. $he machine must also ha!e an emergency stop de!ice which should ha!e priority o!er the start controls. http://www.ibec.ie//8-./-S.nsf/!0ages/Health_and_safety<9o rkplace_ha=ards_and_health_issues<work&e#uipment> (pen?ocument

Top 0 'orkplace Safety Tips Safe workplaces don@t happen by accident. $hey happen when safety is a primary concern and moti!ator for management and staff alike and when acti!e steps are taken to plan a safe work en!ironment. 9ant to make your workplace as safe as it can be> ,ollow these Top 10 Workplace Safety Tips:
. -esign a safe #ork area. Safety should be planned into your work

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areas from the start. How machines are positioned, where materials are staged, how product flows from one process to the ne%t. ?esigning the work area with safety as a primary concern will result in a safe, efficient and producti!e workplace. Maintain a clean #ork area. $he most producti!e work areas are clean, neat and organi=ed. 3ot only will you remo!e many ha=ards from a work area by keeping it clean, but you will also pro!ide a more producti!e work en!ironment for your employees. )n!ol!e your employees in the safety planning. $here is no one on your staff who knows more about the potential dangers on your production floor than the employees themsel!es. ;et their input and follow their suggestions to engineer safety into their work areas instead of relying upon personal protection e#uipment to safeguard their health. .ro!ide clear #ork instructions& "ake sure your employees know precisely what you e%pect of them by pro!iding thorough training and clear, written instructions. Although they should be made aware of safety concerns, an effecti!e safety program e%tends well beyond a list of things not to do. 9hen you document your work processes, make sure that you include basic safety instructions that each worker reads and acknowledges. /ocus your safety efforts on the most likely pro"lems. $he most fre#uent safety !iolations are not the most catastrophic, they@re typically those that are smaller but more likely to occur. Strained backs from using poor lifting techni#ues or refusing to use lift assist e#uipment. .uts from e%posed edges or poorly shielded

e#uipment. /njuries that would ha!e been pre!ented if the employee were wearing their personal protection e#uipment. Although it@s necessary to plan for major safety concerns, your greatest impact will come from eliminating the small safety !iolations that contribute the most fre#uent injuries. 2. (ncourage your employees to "ring safety deficiencies to management+s attention. Safety is e!eryone@s concern and your employees should be acti!ely encouraged to bring any type of safety concern to management@s attention. $hen it@s your responsibility to act on their concerns and eliminate the safety deficiency. /f you don@t, you@ll lose the trust of your employees and incur potentially se!ere liabilities. /n the long run, it@s cheaper to fi% safety problems than to ignore them. D. 'atch and learn ho# each employee performs their 0o". -!en though you may ha!e documented proper procedures for each work station, different workers may perform e!en the same job with undocumented !ariations. 9atch how your employees perform their jobs to see if they@re following procedures, if they@re taking shortcuts that could reduce safety, and e!en to learn if they@re performing tasks in an impro!ed manner that should be adopted by other operators. E. Maintain all machinery in good #orking order& As your machines age and wear, your operators may make modifications of their own to maintain producti!ity. As the business owner, it@s your responsibility to ensure that you ha!e a routine maintenance program in place so that your machines perform as well as they can and as safely as they can. F. A!oid unnecessary ha*ards& .heck your workplace fre#uently with a discerning eye to identify any new e#uipment or materials that could pose a potential safety ha=ard. /dentify any changes and e!aluate them for potential safety concern. *. Re!isit your safety guidelines e!ery year& 3othing stays the same in your workplace. Gour staff changes, your machines age or are replaced with new machines, and your plant layout may e!en change. -!ery change means that your pre!ious safety guidelines may not be sufficient anymore and need to be re!isited and modified to reflect your changing en!ironment. $y Tim &cPherson http://talentalley.com/+* */*+/ 2/top& *&workplace&safety&tips/