The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) which is part of the governmental structure in the United Kingdom publishes information and regulations on health and safety measures.   They wrote an article on preventing slips, trips and falls in the workplace entitled “Slips and Trips: The importance of floor cleaning.” The article talked about how with proper measures including management systems, contamination control and obstacle removal, most slips and trips can be avoided in the workplace. This was a really good workplace safety article and basically gave any safety manager in any country a clear cut idea on how to properly clean in order to prevent any slip and fall accidents in the workplace.
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I recently read a very down to earth, “this is how to get it done”, safety article written by Larry Hansen.  “Mind-Shifting Into Safety Excellence” in the January, 2009 issue of EHS Today was very informative yet enjoyable to read.  Larry discusses the difference between companies that have achieved safety excellence, and companies that have not.  He states six “mind shifts” that must be implemented in order to achieve workplace safety excellence.
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In an article by Norma Jean Knollenberg titled “Incentive Programs Work” Knollenberg correlates a relationship between incentive programs and safety. She talks about how employees that go the extra mile to help maintain a safe workplace will continue to do so if he or she knows that upper management will recognize and rewards those efforts.
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Research from the Incentive Federation and Forum for People Performance Management and Measurement has shown that incentive programs work well during challenging economic times, like the present. The results of various surveys show that firms that continue to invest in perks regardless of economic conditions tend to outperform competitors. Knollenberg then elaborates on how companies that cut their incentive programs run the risk of losing their top talent when economic conditions improve.

I think incentive programs can be valuable to a company’s safety program because it gives employees a little push to try that much harder. Employees are in turn are more loyal and hard working. Happy employees then treat customers better and it creates a better work atmosphere altogether. Knollenberg talks about how measuring the benefits (such as X number of safe workdays in a plant every quarter) will help employers decide if the program is beneficial.

Knollenberg, Norma. “Incentive Programs Work.” Occupational Health & Safety June 2009: S2.

I was going through the latest issue of EHS Today magazine and I came across an article called “What do Workers Really Think About Safety” written by Bobby Pirtle.  It talked about how even though companies may think they have a good plan of attack for preventing workplace accidents and keeping their employees safe, it may not be working because employees are not on track with the plan.  The article suggested that in order to get them on track employers should issue a survey of safety to gauge a few things:
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It always seemed to me that preventing an accident is much more effective than trying to fix a situation after an accident has happened. In the course of correcting an accident, further injuries could occur and frustration levels would rise. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is working on a National Initiative entitled Prevention through Design (PtD). They held a workshop in July 2007, and have worked up a draft of the plan that is available for public comment. Facility Safety Management Online issued an editorial describing the plan “NIOSH Issues a Draft of ‘Prevention through Design Plan’ Initiative”.
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The first thing that comes to mind when I think about making sure a workplace is safe is evaluating the facility’s current industrial flooring. Turning old dangerous industrial flooring into safe slip resistant industrial flooring is as easy as one, two, and three.

One: Start by deciding what type of metal would best suit your facility’s needs. There are three major surfacing materials used when designing slip resistant metal industrial flooring.

• Slip resistant steel; this is used where oil and grease may be an issue.
• Non-slip stainless steel; which is perfect for food and beverage facilities.
• Anti-slip aluminum; great for use in environments that require durable, light weight and corrosion resistant industrial flooring.

Two: Decide what areas in your facility are in need of non-slip industrial flooring. For example areas that have high traffic and areas that may come in contact with water, oil, grease or other slippery substances. Look for areas that pose the most danger for slips and falls.

Three: Choose a specific product that is best for your application. Slip resistant industrial flooring is available in many different forms such as expanded metal, perforated plate, grating, solid plate, ladder rungs and ladder rung covers, nosings among others. Each different type of industrial flooring will serve a specific purpose in your facility.

The big difference between dangerous industrial flooring and safe industrial flooring is YOUR safety! Making any industrial flooring situation into a safe slip resistant floor should be top priority in any facility or application.

Workplace Safety – Starting From the Floor Up!

I was reading an article in Facility Safety Management Magazine entitled “Workplace Safety a Focus of New Ad Campaign” about a new ad campaign that is set to run in Washington in May, June and again in October.  It is also going to have some radio time in July and August.  The campaign focuses on how workplace safety is not only limited to the work that happens within a facility but about how safety helps us sustain relationships with family and friends outside the workplace.

This new campaign was brought to life due to the safety negligence that has been happening in the workplace because of safety cut backs in this economic recession.  A lot of facilities tend to cut corners on workplace safety when times are tough and employees that are concerned about keeping their jobs do not always speak up about unsafe conditions.  Companies tend to overload workers and give them unfamiliar tasks to make up for staff shortages which can cause fatigue and make workers more prone to job injuries and illnesses.  This really concerned me, knowing that employers would cut corners on something that makes them money.   Making all work environments safe ensures that people are able to return to work the next day to perform their duties.  The ad concludes that on average two people die every week in Washington alone from on-the-job injuries and illnesses.

The ads are going to cost about $450,000 in TV, Radio time and Internet space; but this money is being spent with the hope that people will realize that workplace safety is one area that we cannot skimp on.  The L&I (Washington Department of Labor and Industries) has over 3,964 claims right now that are each going to cost more than the amount of the entire ad campaign.  The money will come from dedicated workers compensation funds.  In other words if this ad campaign helps avoid one worker’s compensation claim it will pay for the whole campaign.

So whether we are talking about slip-resistant flooring or making sure our employees are properly insured it all pays off in the end.  From the time our employees punch in until the time they go home to their families we should all do our best to practice safety in the workplace.

“Workplace Safety is Focus of New Ad Campaign” Facility Safety Management. 26 May 2009 <http://www.fsmmag.com/Articles/2009/05/Daily%20Articles/Workplace%20Safety%20is%20Focus%20of%20New%20Ad%20Campaign.htm>