A control of hazardous energy program is very important for workplace safety, and is often overlooked in many workplaces. Many workplaces think they are exempt from the OSHA standards of controlling hazardous energy. Control of Hazardous Energy, often just called Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), is the #5 most common cited OSHA violation. While often misunderstood, or misapplied, […]
There is no national data available on the number of workers killed each year by contact with uncontrolled hazardous energy. However, during the period between 1982 through 1997, the National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOSH) investigated 1281 fatal accidents as a part of its Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program, (FACE). The FACE program was […]
OSHA standards are: rules that describe the methods employers must use to protect employees from hazards designed to protect workers from a wide range of hazards OSHA writes standards (also called “rules”) for four industrial groups: general industry, construction, maritime, and agriculture. Where there are no specific standards, employers must comply with the General Duty […]
Employees who use hand and power tools and who are exposed to the hazards of falling, flying, abrasive and splashing objects, or exposed to harmful dusts, fumes, mists, vapors, or gases must be provided with the particular personal equipment necessary to protect them from the hazard. All hazards involved in the use of power tools […]
Workplace accidents cost companies approx $1 billion weekly in direct worker’s compensation costs, with an estimated $3 billion weekly in indirect costs! A quality accident investigation program can reduce workplace injuries by properly identifying hazards that have caused an injury, and taking appropriate actions to eliminate those workplace hazards. So what does OSHA […]
Part of a quality incident investigation program is properly training for those tasked with investigating after an accident. This training is geared for beginners, to get a foundation in incident investigation techniques. As skills grow I have more advanced investigation trainings available. This training covers fundamentals of incident investigation such as: the importance of root […]
Conducting a full and proper root cause analysis is important to completing an accident investigation. This worksheet will aid in a full root cause analysis. Including this form in your accident investigation toolkit, will aid those conducting an investigation after a safety incident. Using the Root Cause Investigation Worksheet Example Accident: “An employee comes […]
Knowing how to properly conduct a 5 why root cause analysis is imperative when handling a safety incident investigation. It isn’t just OSHA that encourages the use of root cause during an incident investigation, but also the EPA under their Risk Management Program(RMP). Concerning Root Cause Analysis OSHA says: During an incident investigation, an employer […]
For those of you that have had an OSHA inspection at your workplace you probably have learned a thing or two as to how you would handle it if you had the opportunity to do it over. No one is really prepared for that unannounced, page from your receptionist informing you that a representative from […]
March 25, 2021, was the 110th Anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire – a tragic incident that elevated the workplace safety concerns of garment industry workers and workers in other manufacturing jobs to a point of no return. The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire led to the creation of agencies and multiple reforms dedicated to workplace safety. […]