4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. BLR’s Human Resources Training Presentations Workplace Safety 101

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Goals Why safety is so important What the law requires Your role in promoting workplace safety

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Why Safety Is Such an Important Issue Over 6 million workers are injured on the job every year Injuries and illnesses cost employers over $100 billion a year Employers are required by law to provide a safe workplace Safety and health is a top priority

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. What Is OSHA? OSHA is an agency of the federal government It is responsible for promoting workplace safety nationwide OSHA was created by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 It has the authority to oversee compliance with safety and health laws

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. What OSHA Does Develops and enforces job safety and health standards Encourages employers and employees to reduce workplace hazards Provides research in occupational safety and health Establishes the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees Approves state occupational safety and health programs

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. OSHA Regulations OSHA regulates most aspects of workplace safety and health These regulations must be followed OSHA wants to help employers comply with the regulations

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Policies and Safety Rules Purpose Communication Enforcement

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Employee Involvement Enlist employees as partners in safety Model safe behavior Encourage positive safety attitudes

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Safety Committees Purpose Responsibilities Benefits Legal Problems

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Prevention Is the Key Unsafe conditions Unsafe acts Positive feedback

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Housekeeping Slips, trips, and falls Safe storage Fire hazards

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Hazard Identification Safety inspections Job hazard analysis Hazard reporting

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Available Appropriate In good condition Used at all times

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Safety Training New employees New job assignments Whenever new hazards are introduced Refresher training

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Behavior-Based Safety Identify behaviors that cause injuries Define safe behavior Observe employees at work Reinforce safe behavior Give positive feedback to correct at-risk behavior

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Emergency Preparedness Reporting emergencies Emergency procedures Evacuation routes Drills

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Hazardous Substances Hazard communication Labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) Safe practices and procedures Required PPE

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Ergonomics What is ergonomics? Cumulative trauma disorders Back injuries Engineering controls Work practice controls

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Accident Investigation Determine the cause Identify underlying causes Write a report Act on your findings Treat near misses like accidents Encourage employees to report accidents and near misses

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Goals Why safety is so important What the law requires Your role in promoting workplace safety

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Summary Employee safety and health is a priority Compliance with OSHA regulations is a legal requirement Company policies and rules must be followed Employees should be actively involved in the safety process You play a key role in promoting workplace safety and health

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Quiz 1.Safety and health are important issues primarily for these four reasons: _______________________________________. 2.Two main benefits of safety committees are _______________________________________. 3. The purpose of behavior-based safety is to catch employees committing unsafe acts so that you can discipline them for their risky behavior. True or False

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Quiz (cont.) 4. Most accidents can be attributed to these two causes: ______________________________. 5. Conducting routine safety inspections and performing a job hazard analysis are two good ways to identify hazards.True or False 6. To effectively protect against hazards, PPE must be: __________________________________.

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Quiz (cont.) 7. Safety training is required only for new employees. True or False 8. Alternate emergency evacuation routes are required because ______________________________________. 9. The three basic information requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard are: ______________________________________. 10. Near misses should be investigated and followed up just as if they were accidents.True or False

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Quiz Answers 1. Safety and health are important because they are a company priority, because of the human and economic costs, and because employee protection is required by law. 2.Benefits of safety committees are that they help employees avoid painful and costly accidents and health problems; they help companies comply with safety laws, save money, and reduce lost work days. 3. False. The purpose of behavior-based safety is to observe safety behavior and give employees positive feedback about their actions, correcting at-risk behavior, and reinforcing safe behavior.

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Quiz Answers (cont.) 4. Most accidents are the result of unsafe conditions or unsafe acts. 5. True. These are the two basic ways to identify hazards so that they can be eliminated or at least minimized. 6. PPE must be available, appropriate, in good condition, and used whenever required. 7. False. Safety training is required for all employees on an ongoing basis.

4/00/ © 2000 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Quiz Answers (cont.) 8.Alternate evacuation routes are necessary because primary routes may be inaccessible during an emergency. 9. Employees must be told the names of the hazardous substances they work with, the hazards created by these substances, and the measures required to protect against the hazards. 10.True. Safety experts say that 75 percent of accidents are preceded by one or more near misses.