Archive for the ‘Safety Training’ Category

Safety scoreboards: A great way to track safety in your workplace

July 13, 2011

Everyone wants to create and maintain a safe workplace – we understand it’s important. To accomplish this, many companies have formal systems in place to track workplace injuries and accidents.

The problem is that  oftentimes the tools we use to track workplace accidents and information about the incidents are not available to all employees. While the small details may not need to be shared, it’s important that all employees are made aware that an accident has occurred and  reminded of any safety information that could have prevented that injury.

One way to communicate this information to employees is with safety scoreboards.

You may or may not be familiar with safety scoreboards, so I’ll explain. A safety scoreboard is a device used to publicly display safety and performance statistics or information in your workplace. It is a visual and immediate way to inform employees of information like consecutive days without an accident or progress toward production goals. You can also use the moving message boards featured on some scoreboard to communicate specific safety messages.

Scoreboards can come in all shapes and sizes and have a varying number of features. Depending on your needs, you can choose an electronic scoreboard that has features like working lights to indicate safety status; a counter that displays safety statistics like accidents or units produced; and/or moving message boards with your company’s safety information. If you don’t need all of those features, you can choose a write-on or dial-a-day scoreboard that allows you to manually track safety information.

(Note: If you purchase an electronic scoreboard it is always good to ensure it is UL listed.)

Some scoreboard suppliers will even let you customize a scoreboard with your own personalized message, features and tracking devices. So take some time and think about what safety goals or information you want your employees to focus on. Then, choose a scoreboard most appropriate for your workplace. You have lots of options.

Posted by Christie

Workplace Safety and Training

May 2, 2011

Provide updated safety training for all your employees

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees and part of this is providing not only healthful conditions but safety training and notifications as well. OSHA”s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.

There was a case last year  where OSHA fined a company in Edison, NJ for 24 workplace safety and health violations and proposed penalties of $112,530! It’s amazing that any company would let things go so far.  Not only does it result in high fines, but employee accidents cost companies in workers being hurt and not being able to perform their duties.

Aside from companies providing adequate signage for potential hazards and  training employees on equipment usage, there should be training in providing immediate assistance for secondary health problems like chemical exposure and irritation. This was well said by Chartered Management Institute (CMI) that asks “Would you choose to fly with an airline that didn’t insist its pilots were trained to the highest standards?” Of course you wouldn’t.  Management and safety training go hand-in-hand to enhance productivity and your company’s reputation.

So train your employees. Your employees will be safer and your company will be more successful and profitable.

Posted by Ilene


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