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What can you do
to make your workplace safer in addition to
the basic requirements of the law?
1. Conduct a
Safety Audit. First, you should conduct a
safety audit of your workplace. Walk around
the facility during the day. Look for obvious
hazards like broken sidewalks out front,
jagged metal edges, exposed gears or pulleys,
or unmarked containers. Are all outlets
grounded? Come by the facility at night. Is
the area properly lit? Are the doors locked?
Are there any strange vehicles on site?
2. Conduct
Employee Training. You should provide training
for your employees on your written safety
program. Have regular safety meetings on the
location of exits, use of fire extinguishers,
proper lifting techniques, location of
switches, storing chemicals and so forth. Be
sure you are conducting the annual forklift
operator training. Document each meeting as
this may be your best friend in an OSHA
inspection or worker's comp claim.
3. Think
about Safety Awards. That which gets rewarded
gets done! If you want employees to think
about safety, you should reward them for safe
practices.
Implement
safety bonuses for days missed without
injuries. Tie this in with good attendance to
maximize its impact. Give days off to work
teams with the best records, or have a cookout
at work for your employees where the
department or line with the best safety record
gets steak and others get burgers. Make safety
part of your everyday routine, and make it
fun.
4. Discipline
Unsafe Practices. Employers are generally
aware that you cannot retaliate against
workers because they complain about an unsafe
practice. This is true. But employers should
still discipline employees for violation of
safety rules. For example, if employees fail
to follow safety rules (like not wearing back
braces or hard hats, or driving a forklift
without proper training) they should receive a
written warning. In OSHA inspections,
particularly in those causing injury, the
inspector will ask to see any write-ups for
unsafe practices. They want to see that you
not only have a safety program but that you
enforce it.
5. Implement
Drug Testing. The connection between drug use
and accidents at work is staggering. Be sure
you have implemented some form of drug and
alcohol testing. Many insurance companies will
give businesses credit on their worker's comp
premiums for having a proper drug testing
program in place. Plus, you will see
attendance and productivity increase with such
a program.
6. Ban
Violence and Profanity. Finally, be sure your
workplace is a harassment-free zone. This
includes not only sexual or racial harassment
but also the intimidation or harassment of
workers that can lead to violence. Prohibit
acts of coercion or threats of any kind. Ban
the use of profanity by workers. Take threats
seriously, even veiled ones, as even horseplay
can lead to harsh words or threats.
If you take
these proactive steps in your business, you
should see a decrease in lost time and a more
productive workforce.
If you have
any questions about compliance with workplace
laws, you should contact an attorney with
experience in this area.
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