Tag: OSHA Topics & Guidelines

OSHA’s Fall Prevention Campaign: Ladders

In previous posts, we have discussed the importance of Fall Prevention and the national focus on providing training, guides, and resources in support of this fall protection safety risk management. Falls are the leading cause of death in construction and a frequent safety issue in many other industries. Even falls at minimal height can result in broken bones, lost worker time, and worker’s comp injury claims.  Nearly a third of fall fatalities in construction are falls from ladders.

Recently OSHA has produced several resources to provide guidance to safety managers with respect to ladders. Specific guidelines include:

  • Use the right ladder for the job
  • When using a ladder to access another level, secure and extend the ladder at least 3 feet above the landing point
  • Wear proper footwear
  • Place the ladder on stable and level ground
  • Ensure that the ladder is fully extended before accessing
  • Prevent passersby from walking under or near ladders while in use
  • Do not work on the top rung of the ladder
  • Maintain three points of contact at all times
  • Do not carry tools or materials while using a ladder
  • Do not lean on the ladder while working and keep your weight centered
  • Do not use ladders near accessible doorways
  • Check, maintain and safely store ladders
  • Do not use faulty ladders: bent, missing a step, or unable to be locked open

In addition, the California Department of Industrial Relations provides additional resources for specific ladder requirements, including design and construction (complete with ANSI regulations); ladder types and proper ladder selection; care, use, and maintenance; and employee training.

ANSI: Follow the Proper Guidelines

The number of variations between ladder designs, applications, and composition is nearly as unique as the people that use them.  It can be difficult to determine the applicable ANSI standard and rating that applies to each ladder at a workplace.  As an example, the ANSI category for portable metal ladders (ANSI-ASC A14.2-2007) covers a wide range of ladders, and excludes others that may seem to fit the category:

Ladder styles include ladder type step stools, portable extension, step, trestle, sectional, combination, single, platform, and articulating ladders, but excluding ladders in and on mines, the fire services, mobile equipment, hoisting equipment, work platforms, antenna communications towers, transmission towers, utility poles, and chimneys. It does not cover special-purpose ladders that do not meet the general requirements of this standard, nor does it cover ladder accessories, including, but not limited to, ladder levelers, ladder stabilizers or stand-off devices, ladder jacks, or ladder straps or hooks, that may be installed on or used in conjunction with ladders.

The importance of being informed to prevent falls from ladders and conform to trending OSHA regulations is clear.  For details about requirements for your workplace access equipment, visit the ANSI website or contact a safety professional.

Thank a Worker this Labor Day

Workers have long been the backbone of American society.  While worker safety was often overlooked during the Industrial Revolution, over the past 100 years, advancements in work conditions and OSHA regulations have maintained the importance of the American worker while recognizing and supporting the importance of their health and safety to families and loved ones.  In the 21st century, these two initiatives go hand in hand moreso than ever before.  Today businesses are actually increasing productivity by focusing on trending safety practices.

From the Department of Labor website:

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

With this in mind, Safety & Numbers invites you to take the opportunity to not only honor the national Labor Day holiday, but also take it one step further by recognizing the importance of workers to your company’s productivity and safety culture.

Here are a few ideas to help you accomplish that mission.

  • Thank a Worker e-cards
  • Company Celebration at a Local Establishment
  • YouEarnedIt Employee Rewards Management Software

There are certainly many more ways to recognize the importance of your workers on Labor Day.  We invite you to share your ideas in the comment section, and have a safe, relaxing Labor Day Weekend!

Making the Case for Work Injury Prevention [INFOGRAPHIC]

The costs of workers’ compensation and other work injury expenses are significant and difficult to predict.  To manage this risk, businesses should build safety culture by implementing  work injury prevention programs and providing incentives to employees that promote safety across the organization.  For an overview on how to make the case for work safety policy, review our Work Injury Prevention Infographic.

Celebrate Independence with Freedom from Work Injuries

The Fourth of July celebrates an important day for Americans and proponents of liberty across the globe. With the signing of the Declaration of Independence our founding fathers paved the road for new ideas ranging from civil rights to individual freedom and equal opportunity. The beauty of the American system is in its providence of choice. Each and every American citizen has the opportunity to capitalize on the liberties promised by the Constitution and Bill of Rights. As Americans we know that we must work for the security of our family.  Opportunity is provided, success is earned. Each individual is blessed with the same system of laws, liberties, and protections. Those who work hard will excel. 

The basic principles of American liberty branch off and extend throughout society. At times it can be perplexing to consider how little we take advantage of the system that is set up to enable us to succeed. One such area is workplace safety. Federal protections for employee safety have been a part of American society since the late 19th century, and OSHA legislation was first enacted over 40 years ago. The laws help to protect not only the individual worker, but also to shield businesses from the risk associated with workers’ compensation claims, lost employee time, and production delays. Yet, OSHA citations are commonplace throughout industry.

Declare Your Independence in 2013

In 2013, we challenge you to Declare Independence from Work Injuries. As a society blessed with personal freedoms, it is inherent that we encourage each other to achieve greatness. The opportunity to achieve an injury free workplace is provided as a safety incentive to all businesses, and the benefit, as is so often the case, cannot be expressed merely in dollars and cents. A safe employee is a happy employee, and happy employees work hard, recruit their friends, and provide great service to your customers.  Take the time to consider the graciousness of a government that provides support for workplace safety, and factor how you can improve safety at your business to earn maximum benefit. Protect yourself from risk and remember the long term benefit of a safe workplace. After all, it’s the American way.

OSHA Top Five: Industrial Truck Citations by Industry

Powered industrial trucks are common across industries for transporting, storing, and staging materials, as well as many other practical uses.  Considering the wide range of applications and utility for trucks and trailers, it is not surprising that they are commonly cited for OSHA safety citations.  The sheer size and power of the truck combined with the variety of transported materials are the focus of regulations for OSHA standard 1910.178.

The Top Five industries cited for Powered Industrial Truck violations sheds light on the importance of truck safety risk management in the workplace.

  1. Manufacturing (665 Citations)
  2. Wholesale Trade (165)
  3. Transportation, Communications, Electric, Gas, and Sanitary Services (145)
  4. Construction (105)
  5. Retail Trade (70)

Powered Truck Safety in Industry

OSHA has structured Industry Standard 1910.178 to ensure businesses focus on operating properly equipped trucks, consider the safety factors of transported materials and operating environments, and generally to protect against the power and size of industrial truck equipment. Fire hazards, chemical considerations, and proper labeling are the focus of the standard.

Trucks are common in many industries, particularly those with material transport needs and at construction job sites.  Not surprisingly, each of the top 5 industries cited regularly conduct these activities.  The standard does not apply to “compressed air or nonflammable compressed gas-operated industrial trucks, nor to farm vehicles, nor to vehicles intended primarily for earth moving or over-the-road hauling.”

Fall Protection for Truck Trailers

In addition to standards related to Powered Industrial Trucks, truck trailers provide safety risks to consider when loading, unloading, staging, and performing related work requirements.  Providing safe access to trailers as well as an adequate work area for loading dock employees is a vital element to complete trucking protection.  Trailer access products such as Trucker safety ladders and portable work platforms will trucking fall protection on the road, loading dock, and job site.

Work Injury Prevention Programs

Injury prevention programs have led to a significant reduction in workplace injuries while contributing to improved productivity, reduced turnover, improved OSHA compliance, reduced worker’s compensation claims and premium rates, and higher employee satisfaction.  The costs of a worker injury can be devastating to individuals families and affect businesses on multiple fronts.  In 2009, worker’s compensation benefits paid totaled $58 billion, and indirect costs have been estimated at 1.1 to 4.5 times the direct cost.

Indirect Costs of Worker Injury

  • Wages paid to absent, injured workers
  • Time lost due to work stoppage following injury
  • Administrative time processing injury-related tasks
  • Employee training and replacement following an injury
  • Productivity loss due to new employee training
  • Replacement cost for damaged material and equipment

Source: OSHA Injury and Illness Prevention Programs

Injury Prevention Programs: Effective and Scalable

As of 2012, 34 states, and countries around the world, have instituted required or incentivized injury prevention programs.  The results of state programs are remarkable; work injury rates have been reduced by as much as 60 percent.  Participating businesses have reported additional benefits and some have even encountered more sales opportunities due to their commitment to safety.

 Despite the evidence, many businesses are slow to adopt injury prevention programs.  The perception that implementation will be costly and burdensome, particularly for small businesses, can be difficult to overcome.  The reality has been quite the opposite.  Injury prevention programs are scalable when business owners focus on basic tenets: leadership, participation, hazard identification and prevention, training, and continuing improvement.  The effect on the bottom line is also a positive, due not only to reduced workers compensation premiums and payouts, but also indirect morale, productivity, company image, and process improvements.

Mandatory Policy or Incentivized Benefit?

In a 2012 OSHA white paper, the effect of state programs was reviewed and the results are of interest to businesses considering an injury prevention program.  Incentivized programs in Colorado, Massachusetts and North Dakota resulted in noticeably higher effectiveness compared to mandatory programs in other states.  By providing a worker’s compensation premium reduction incentive,  states reduced work injury by at least 20%, compared to mandatory programs with  10-20% reductions.

In addition to the basic principals of injury prevention and company-wide safety commitment, these results may be a factor to consider for businesses seeking to maximize the effect of injury prevention programs.  Employees who believe their management team cares about safety risks are more motivated, aware, and productive, leading to advantages above and beyond cost benefit.  Anyone who has held a management position knows that while blunt force may get the job done, it often comes with costs ranging from employee resentment to undermining the system.

Incentivize to Promote Safety Culture Investment

Incentivized programs may help to avoid unintended indirect costs while still reaping the benefits.  By incentivizing safety initiatives, employees are more likely to perceive safety as a culture as opposed to a business owner’s cost saving agenda.  Further, incentives will help to communicate safety as a company value with a higher purpose than simply complying to policy. Providing incentives for safety could be based on Key Performance Indicators constructed from hazard assessment initiatives and include cost savings sharing.  Employees that are motivated by incentives will perceive safety not as a management priority but as a mutually beneficial investment.