Workers face many kinds of workplace hazards, and glove manufacturers have designed literally thousands of styles of gloves to protect workers’ hands against those hazards. The five most common threats to hands are: abrasion, cut, puncture, chemical and temperature (heat/cold). Other hazards include radiation, electrical shock and vibration.
To the credit of industry, there are literally hundreds of thousands of emergency drench shower and eyewash installations throughout the U.S. During the past 40 years or so, senior business managers have increasingly embraced the principles of safeguarding their workforce and providing the utmost in first aid for those who fall victim to on-the-job injury. While an argument could be made that at least some of the rise in awareness is due to regulatory pressure, the undeniable fact is that today’s sensitivity is morally correct and simply good business.
Companies face an ever-increasing demand for fast, clear communications within their facilities. Whether the need is simple warehouse labeling or a complicated lockout/tagout procedure, accurate, location-specific signs and labels can make an enormous difference in productivity, safety and security. Utilizing a sign and label printing system is one way to cost-effectively and quickly address sign and label needs without sacrificing durability, clarity or professionalism.
Here’s the skinny on worker skin safety: According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH), one out of every four workers is exposed to some form of skin irritant in the workplace
When it comes to training, employees want to know, “What’s in it for me?” Making incentives available to students is the best way to get them excited about new training options. However, contrary to what you might think, studies show that monetary incentives are not the most effective way to motivate people to take training.
I have been working with electrical power systems at a multinational Fortune 500 consumer goods manufacturing company for more than 40 years, and have the responsibility of establishing an NFPA 70E Electrical Safety Program at our sites worldwide. Of course, driving culture change is a difficult proposition, especially if the workforce or management doesn’t fully understand electrical hazards and the safeguards that are needed. The NFPA 70E Standard has heightened awareness of the hazard, but much more work needs to be done to educate safety professionals, engineers and the employees that work on or near energized parts and equipment; and one of the key areas is clothing.
Keeping workers properly protected from hazardous noise and motivated to wear their hearing protectors is a challenge for any safety manager. With proper training and ongoing encouragement, most workers do wear their earplugs or earmuffs on the job. However, there are always a few workers who feel compelled to raise objections to wearing their earplugs or earmuffs. Here are a few common objections workers raise to wearing hearing protection devices (HPDs), and some suggestions on how to combat them and perhaps even change those attitudes
The “D” of the LEAD acronym I introduced in my ISHN column this past December stands for “Data” (see sidebar). Data both directs and motivates behavior. By observing the results of our actions, we learn how well we completed a task and what we can do to improve.
Sadly, I preface this month’s column with word that Dan Petersen passed on January 10, 2007. Rare is a true giant in a field. That’s what Dan was to safety. A compassionate man with class, Dan started in safety full-time in 1954. For the next 53 years he prodded the field to raise its level of professionalism with unmatched vigor. In books, articles, speeches and teaching he pressed the need for research, a sense of history, clear thinking, open-mindedness, and accountability. Dan never stopped learning, never stopped pursuing the goal of organizational safety excellence. Dan leaves a huge legacy, and he’ll be very much missed. — Dave Johnson, Editor
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