| Recently, a 23-year old roofer slipped off the roof | | | | following: |
| where he was working, fracturing his leg, | | | | *Monitor equipment daily to ensure proper |
| dislocating his wrist, breaking his back, and causing | | | | functioning. |
| permanent nerve damage. This worker, who had | | | | *Decrease stress levels so employees can stay |
| never heard of the federal Occupational Safety | | | | focused on the tasks at hand. |
| and Health Administration, was not wearing a | | | | *Provide clear markings such as color contrasts |
| safety harness and was using a "slide guard" | | | | on steps or uneven floors. |
| unapproved by OSHA. Although the jury found | | | | *Encourage medical aid training and know who is |
| this worker minimally responsible for his | | | | qualified. |
| negligence, the majority of the responsibility went | | | | *Distribute and practice emergency plans such as |
| to the employing contractors, resulting in a | | | | evacuation procedures. |
| $10,500,000 judgment granted to the worker. | | | | *Maintain organization to help workers stay |
| In every workplace, be it construction site, | | | | focused. |
| factory, or office, safety is of utmost importance. | | | | *Brief all new employees on current safety |
| Unless rules and regulations are set in place and | | | | procedures. |
| strictly followed, workers can easily be a danger | | | | *Post warning signs on damaged or wet floors to |
| to themselves and to others. Therefore, offering | | | | eliminate slips and falls. |
| training for employees in safety is of great | | | | *Follow existing rules exactly so that all rules |
| importance in preventing accidents and reducing | | | | maintain their value. |
| the risk of work-related injury. By providing OSHA | | | | *Provide adequate lighting in all areas of the work |
| safety training and by educating themselves, | | | | environment. |
| employers can do much to ensure that their | | | | *Be visibly involved in the workplace and available |
| workers are well-protected. | | | | to employees. |
| Because knowledge is vital to worker protection, | | | | *Perform frequent inspections and risk |
| hiring a safety consultant specialist to provide | | | | assessments of the work environment. |
| OSHA safety training is often the most | | | | *Set an example in safety management as |
| productive and cost-effective solution. A certified | | | | employers/supervisors set the tone. |
| safety professional is well-educated in local, state, | | | | *Have workers rotate tasks in repetitive |
| and federal guidelines and is able to apply years of | | | | environments to reduce strain injuries. |
| experience in workplace safety consulting to | | | | *Consider ergonomics such as learning the right |
| customize a plan that will meet the needs of any | | | | way to lift heavy objects and ensuring that chairs |
| individual client. The safety consultant will not only | | | | provide adequate back support. |
| provide assessment of the workplace along with | | | | While these basic safety techniques will help |
| site-specific OSHA safety training but will also | | | | companies in progressing toward a safe |
| offer follow-up inspections to ensure safety | | | | environment, it is important to remember that |
| procedures are up-to-date and effective. | | | | hiring a certified safety professional to provide |
| A certified safety professional will implement a | | | | federal OSHA safety training is the ultimate |
| detailed safety process and provide extensive | | | | solution. A safety consultant will assist clients not |
| workplace safety consulting for the hiring | | | | only with the basics but also with reaching optimal |
| business; however, employers should be sure | | | | performance goals through workplace safety |
| workers are actively following basic safety | | | | consulting. This workplace safety consulting and |
| procedures. While the safety consultant will offer | | | | training should be a continual process. A certified |
| comprehensive and in-depth safety management | | | | safety professional provides the necessary |
| techniques, an employer can, in the meantime, | | | | follow-up services as well as education for |
| implement a few practical steps to get started. | | | | employers in maintaining safety for themselves |
| Many accidents and other problems can be | | | | and their workers. |
| avoided with a little forethought. Consider the | | | | |