The horse's mouth: Advice from OSHA
You have many opportunities to increase the probability of identifying and correcting hazards in the workplace, according to Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). He recommends taking these approaches:
Obtain a fresh look at your workplace practices and operations.
This may come from OSHA's free on-site consultation program, an outside consultant, or insurance representatives.
"One source often overlooked is to ask a safety and health professional from a trade association to perform a walkthrough of your operations," says Michaels. "These individuals are already familiar with your industry and processes. They can provide solutions to challenges they have already encountered."
Hold frequent meetings with line supervisors, employees, union representatives and safety committee members to learn what hazards may exist.
This is especially important in work areas that are less frequently observed. "The manager may also use near-miss logs and the injury/illness logs to identify potential areas of concern," says Michaels.
Remember that far too often, employers and employees become accustomed to "plain sight" hazards.
Common examples are exposed wires, unknown concentrations of chemicals in the air, ergonomics and excessive levels of processing dust.
"Many times, supervisors and employees assume exposed wires have been de-energized, only to learn later that someone else unknowingly re-energized the line," says Michaels.
Carbon monoxide produced by some forklifts can be a dangerous hazard that often goes undetected until an employee becomes ill. "The risk of this hazard tends to be greater during the winter months, when fewer doors and windows remain open in a facility," says Michaels.
OSHA continues to identify numerous employers who process materials which generate combustible dust. "While the main walkways and work areas are clean, the walls, rafters and ceilings may be filled with dangerous levels of combustible dust," says Michaels.
Consider your overall health and safety efforts.
OSHA spends time during each inspection to learn about an employer's safety and health programs. They will what to know what is done to correct hazards and concerns brought to management's attention.
The evaluation includes a review of written programs, and interviews with management and employee representatives. "For employers who are making a proactive effort to identify and correct hazards, OSHA may grant a 'Good Faith' penalty reduction of up to 25% to recognize these employer efforts," says Michaels.
Source
For more information on the occupational health role in OSHA compliance, contact:
Colleen Hasler, Risk Manager, M3, Madison, WI. Phone: (608) 288-2837. E-mail: [email protected].
You have many opportunities to increase the probability of identifying and correcting hazards in the workplace, according to Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). He recommends taking these approaches:You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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