The Six Steps to Workplace Safety
1) Perform a Facility Safety Analysis
- Conduct a thorough analysis of plant operations.
- Inspect work areas, shipping and receiving areas, and equipment.
- Examine accident and injury reports.
- Identify operations and areas that present hazards.
2) Select Personal Protective Equipment
- Select personal protective equipment designed for a specific operation or hazard (i.e., cut-resistant or heat-resistant gloves, etc.)
- Protective equipment must meet the current standards outlined by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHAct) and subsequent revisions.
- PPE should meet appropriate OSHA 29 CFR 1910 standards.
- Have equipment fitted by an PPE professional or someone trained to do this.
3) Require Compliance for NFPA 70e and other mandatory safety programs
- For maximum protection against hand injury, establish
a 100 percent mandatory program that requires protection throughout all operations areas of your plant. - Mandatory programs prevent injuries better and are easier to enforce than those limited to certain departments, areas or jobs.
- Provide the means for maintenance and require each worker to be responsible for his or her own gloves and other safety equipment.
- Establish first-aid procedures for injuries.
- Make eyewash stations accessible, particularly where chemicals are used.
- Train employees in basic first aid and identify those with more advanced first-aid training.
- Conduct ongoing educational programs to establish, maintain and reinforce the need for personal protective equipment.
- Add workplace safety to your regular employee education/training and orientation programs.
- All management personnel should set an example by wearing protective equipment whenever and wherever required.
- Continually review and, when necessary, revise your accident prevention strategies. Aim for the elimination of all accidents and injuries.
- When all elements of your safety program have been established, put them in writing.
- Display a copy of the policy in all employee areas, and include a review of the policy in new employee orientation
