Developing a Safety Program for the Workplace

1. Developing a Safety Program for the Workplace Bryan W. Shaw, Ph.D. Agricultural Engineering Department Texas Agricultural Extension Service The Texas A&M System

2. Why Safety

3. Why Safety • Reduce Number of Injuries • Reduce Costs Associated with Injuries • Comply with Regulations

4. Why Safety

5. Why Safety • Reduce Number of Injuries • Reduce Costs Associated with Injuries • Comply with Regulations

6. Reduce Injury Costs • Average cost of injury -~$11,000 • Indirect cost ~ 50 times direct cost - Lost time/productivity, low morale - Equipment Damage

7. Costs by Injury

8. Why Safety • Reduce Number of Injuries • Reduce Costs Associated with Injuries • Comply with Regulations

9. OSHA Inspections Region VI • ~4,200 /year ~1/2 programmed • Average cost ~$2,500 – 17,000 • How often – once every 102 years • Landscape ~ 40% of violations were paperwork violations

10. Creating a Safety Program

11. Creating a Safety Program • Management commitment - Real commitment - Active participation • Assignment of Authority - Supervisors/foremen provide lead - Safety committee

12. Developing a Safety Program

13. Developing a Safety Program • Develop/implement safety policies and work rules - Policy should be brief, to the point and define management’s philosophy - Clear enforceable work rules - Require commitment to comply

14. Safety Rules • General - apply to all employees • Job specific safety rules - developed specifically for each major job activity

15. Developing a Safety Program • Orientation and Training -Orientation ~ familiarize new employees with safety policy and work rules -Provide regular training ~ refresh

16. Why Orientation is Critical

17. Developing a Safety Program • Hazard Abatement - Schedule regular imspections - Document and correct unsafe conditions or practices - Encourage reporting of hazards - Develop safety procedures for new equipment

18. Developing a Safety Program • Commitment to injured workers - Healthy employees ~ productive - Let injured workers know that their needs are a priority

19. Developing a Safety Program • Injury statistics and reports - Keep records of all injuries - Use to evaluate safety needs - Use to identify hazards to eliminate

20. Employee Selection

21. Employee Selection • Develop Job Application • Require all applicants to complete • Verify information on application • Use available sources to find additional information • Complete additional checks if job requires applicant to drive

22. Employee Selection • Request applicants to submit to physical examination • Request applicants to submit to drug tests • Verify paperwork complete before offer employment

23. Employee Orientation & Training

24. Employee Orientation & Training • General • all employees • Job Specific • employees that perform specific task

25. Employee Orientation & Training • Keep records of topics covered • Require employees to sign roster • Short frequent meetings

26. Employee Orientation & Training • General ~ All employees • Policy and rules • Proper lifting • Ergonomics

27. Employee Orientation & Training • General ~ All employees • Policy and rules • Proper lifting • Ergonomics

28. Employee Orientation & Training • General ~ All employees • Policy and rules • Proper lifting • Ergonomics

29. Ergonomics • Ergo = work • Nomos = work • Ergonomics • Make work environment fit workers dimensions • Rotate employees • Working Smarter

30. Ergonomics • Machinery is often designed • Without considering human interface, or • To fit the average human • One size fits all

31. Ergonomics • Make equipment fit within limitations and capabilities of the worker

32. Ergonomics • Two types of Injuries • Instantaneous • Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD)

33. Ergonomics • Instantaneous • Occurs as soon as the incident occurs • Most back injuries are coded as instantaneous

34. Ergonomics • Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD) • Cumulative ~ occurring gradually • Trauma ~ bodily injury • Disorders ~ Physical ailments of abnormal conditions

35. Ergonomics • Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD) • Force • Repetition • Posture • Lack of Rest

36. Ergonomics - Force • Find easier way • Use assistive devices • Get assistance

37. Ergonomics • Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD) • Force • Repetition • Posture • Lack of Rest

38. Ergonomics - Repetition • Rethink task • Alter procedure to minimize repetition

39. Ergonomics • Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD) • Force • Repetition • Posture • Lack of Rest

40. Ergonomics - Posture • Maintain good posture • Modify work environment to facilitate good posture

41. Ergonomics - Posture

42. Ergonomics • Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD) • Force • Repetition • Posture • Lack of Rest

43. Ergonomics – Lack of Rest • Consider rotating employees • Rotation to task that stresses different muscle tendon group

44. Employee Orientation & Training • Specific – Specific employees • Chemical Handling/PPE • Mower Safety • Chain Saw Safety • Guards and Shields • Proper Lifting, etc.