You wouldn't let a lawyer operate on you. You wouldn't let a lawyer design a bridge or skyscraper. You wouldn't even let a lawyer drill your tooth. So how on earth did lawyers become the definitive authority on accidental injury causation? Maybe more to the point, why did the safety profession let them? The "I got hurt, so who do I sue?" mentality is spreading rapidly across North America.
WORK and safety footwear is developed for a specific end user, whether that person is an electrician or a drywaller. Choosing the proper safety and work boot can be as easy as breaking down what is most important to keep safe and comfortable on the job. Here are a few things to consider.
CAPT. Scott Perko. That name never leaves me. He was at first my nemesis--and then, over time, my best friend. It was the first day of Undergraduate Pilot Training at Williams Air Force Base in Phoenix, Ariz., and it wasn't just the blistering heat of the Arizona sun in June that made me sweat. As my assigned Instructor Pilot (IP) in the Cessna T-37B twin engine jet trainer, Capt. Perko stood between me and something I wanted more than anything else.
ANIL Mathur is the CEO of Alaska Tanker Corporation. He leads according to Lao Tsu's precept, "Things that are not growing are dying." Consistent with this, Anil, an incisive thinker and articulate, no-nonsense communicator, directs safety with strong expectations of watchful and continuous improvement.
In any work environment, there can be many reasons to keep sound levels within a reasonable range. Sound levels above this range are perceived as "noise." Noise can distract the workforce, creating an unsafe workplace. Or, worse yet, it can cause hearing loss.
A recent USA Today list of the 25 Top Medical Events of the past 25 years listed "The rise of the AED" at number 9: "Hundreds and perhaps thousands of cardiac arrest victims are saved each year by folks using an AED, which delivers a shock to a dying heart. The first models were sold for home use in 1986, but it was in the early 1990s when the device became so simplified with voice prompts that even children could use one to save a life." (Big Dose of Medical Change, July 16, 2007)
IGNORANCE is never bliss when it comes to the safety clothing you should be wearing. In fact, ignorance is no longer an excuse accepted by employers for workers not wearing the proper gear. Organizations such as OSHA impose a variety of safety requirements, and some insurance companies compel certain shops to publish minimum safety requirements in full view of the workers.
COMPANIES all over the world are being challenged to do more with less, gain a competitive advantage by maximizing the effectiveness of their employees, and boost productivity in their operations--none of which is an easy task to accomplish. Although there's no silver bullet to magically attain these noble goals, there is a proven methodology for achieving just that in your safety incentive programs.
IN the world of gas detection, one fact stands out above all else: Gas monitors are made to protect and preserve your life. And while serving as a life-saving device, they can be considered a multi-purpose tool in many other ways, as well. For example, they can be used to monitor a confined space prior to entry to ensure the area is safe for anyone entering the space.
GLOBAL economic growth—spurred by the popularity of outsourcing manufactured goods—continues its unprecedented rise. During this period, it’s interesting to note that much of the offshore industrial windfall is focused within warmer, often downright hot, climates. Geographically warm areas in Asia are struggling to keep pace with a mushrooming demand for lower-cost parts, components, and finished products.
In a place where temperatures can reach 125 degrees and heavy forklift traffic is a constant, safety is bound to be an extreme challenge. With 80 employees in an aluminum smelting facility, achieving any significant safety milestone may seem like a far-fetched concept.
WHAT can you do when you've "tried everything" technically, yet still have stubborn problems? Try a strategic leadership approach.
A disgruntled field employee (in front of a crew of scowling, arms-crossed guys) tossed a set of dirty, beat-up safety glasses at me in disgust. "They're scratched, this no good piece of #@*!" he exclaimed. The explanation: A piece of debris or gravel had been slung while on a maintenance job, deeply scratching the lens.
NANOTECHNOLOGY safety regulations may be years away. Many have suggested OSHA can use existing standards and the General Duty Clause to regulate safe nanotechnology practices, but the latter requires having some guidance on exposure limits and best practices from EPA or non-regulatory organizations.
THIS is part of my continuing series of useful links from the Internet. In this month’s edition, we look at Summer Safety. Underground Cables and Electricity In the summer, we may be doing some home remodeling to ensure that we have curb appeal. This means we have to dig up the ground around the home. Before we can do that, we have to get a utility markout by calling at least three days before we start work.
IN the first installment of this series, we discussed the foundation of the injury-free culture, creating alignment around what we mean by “zero injury,” and establishing true ownership for this vision. Once we have created alignment and ownership, what’s next? How does this new vision change our approach to, and thinking about, the basic mechanisms that drive safety performance?