Fraudulent safety certificates are surfacing around New York city, raising more concerns that the area’s safety training programs are in serious trouble.
Officials last month discovered a fake safety training certificate, complete with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) logo, trainee’s name and trainer’s signature, at a violation-troubled construction site. (NY Daily News)
Joao Dias, the card’s owner told officials that he had never received any OSHA training in return for the card, had never even met the “trainer” who signed it, and that a site foreman gave him the card.
The city of New York is no stranger to problems related to OSHA training. A New York Daily News investigation published earlier this year exposed a widespread network of fraudulent construction safety programs.
The list of alleged offenses include trainers teaching 10-hour federal OSHA courses in two hours and students taking classroom breaks with a beer or two at the bar.
New York city has since pledged to crack down on the “dangerously negligent” attitude toward mandatory safety training, but the problem may be more widespread than officials thought as fraud-related violations resurface.
Cutting corners when it comes to safety training is always a risky road to travel. Read some of our related posts on the dangers of cutting safety out of the budget and how to save money on employee training:
Investing in leadership development during a downturn
Recession-proof employee training tips
Is our economy causing more workplace injuries?
Employee training and the 2009 budget battle
Showing posts with label OSHA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label OSHA. Show all posts
Monday, August 3, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Fraudulent OSHA trainers under fire
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has implemented more rigorous guidelines and improved monitoring standards to eliminate fraudulent trainers from the ranks of its Outreach Training Program.
The 36-year-old Outreach Training Program is a voluntary program that has grown to a national network of more than 16,000 independent trainers. Eligible trainers teach workers and employers about workplace hazards and are also authorized to provide OSHA 10-hour course-completion cards.
However, some trainers have been fraudulently issuing course-completion cards without providing the appropriate workplace safety training.
As the program’s success grew, some states and cities made the 10-hour courses a mandatory term of employment. Fraudulent training activity became more apparent to OSHA after businesses started making it a requirement for workers.
To fight the fraudulent training activity, OSHA has increased unannounced monitoring visits to check that trainers are adhering to program requirements. Any fraudulent activity will continue to be reported to the Labor Department’s Office of Inspector General. Trainers caught falsifying information may be subject to criminal prosecution.
OSHA has asked the public to call a new outreach fraud hotline at 847-297-4810 to file complaints about fraud and abuse related to the Outreach Training Program.
The 36-year-old Outreach Training Program is a voluntary program that has grown to a national network of more than 16,000 independent trainers. Eligible trainers teach workers and employers about workplace hazards and are also authorized to provide OSHA 10-hour course-completion cards.
However, some trainers have been fraudulently issuing course-completion cards without providing the appropriate workplace safety training.
"The use of independent trainers has allowed OSHA to significantly extend its training capabilities," said Jordan Barab, acting assistant secretary of labor for OSHA. "But OSHA will not tolerate fraudulent activity or unscrupulous trainers when workers' health and lives may be at stake.” (OSHA press release)
As the program’s success grew, some states and cities made the 10-hour courses a mandatory term of employment. Fraudulent training activity became more apparent to OSHA after businesses started making it a requirement for workers.
To fight the fraudulent training activity, OSHA has increased unannounced monitoring visits to check that trainers are adhering to program requirements. Any fraudulent activity will continue to be reported to the Labor Department’s Office of Inspector General. Trainers caught falsifying information may be subject to criminal prosecution.
"Strengthening the integrity of the Outreach Training Program will help ensure that workers receive quality training, help them gain employment and return them home safely at the end of their workday," said Barab.
OSHA has asked the public to call a new outreach fraud hotline at 847-297-4810 to file complaints about fraud and abuse related to the Outreach Training Program.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
OSHA fines Wal-Mart $7k for employee’s trampling death
Earlier this week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Wal-Mart Stores Inc. for inadequate store management after completing an investigation into the death of an employee last year.
On November 28, 2008, Jdimytai Damour, a seasonal worker, was trampled to death by a crowd of customers rushing into the store to take advantage of its annual “Blitz Friday” pre-holiday sales event at a New York store.
The citation carries a proposed fine of $7,000, the maximum amount for a serious safety violation. Within 15 days from the receipt of the citation, Wal-Mart must comply, hold an informal conference with OSHA or contest the citation.
OSHA said in a statement that Wal-Mart did not give employees enough training or tools to deal with the large crowd of shoppers that day.
Though the $7,000 fine equals the amount of money Wal-Mart makes in about 18 seconds, the retail giant may still contest the OSHA violation, saying that the trampling was unforeseeable.
The criminal investigation into Damour’s death ended earlier this month after Wal-Mart agreed to pay nearly $2 million and improve safety at its 92 New York stores. Wal-Mart also said it would consider making safety improvements in more of its stores outside of New York.
While this case may have been an “unusual situation,” it still brings needed attention to the importance of employee safety training. From learning how to work in the summer heat to managing crowds during the holidays, every season comes with its own set of safety challenges.
To help your employees prevent injuries, the National Safety Council has designated June as National Safety Month. The Council tackles a different workplace safety issue each week: teen driving, fall prevention, overexertion and distracted driving. For more information, visit the official 2009 National Safety Month site.
For more information on employee safety, read these helpful posts and articles:
The heat is on: Stress worker safety in the summer sun
Danger! I mean peligro! No, gefahr!
Is the “dork factor” hampering your safety training?
The ugly side of safety incentives
Name your poison: Dealing with MSDS sheets
On November 28, 2008, Jdimytai Damour, a seasonal worker, was trampled to death by a crowd of customers rushing into the store to take advantage of its annual “Blitz Friday” pre-holiday sales event at a New York store.
The OSHA inspection "found that the store's employees were exposed to being crushed by the crowd due to the store's failure to implement reasonable and effective crowd management principles," according to a press release.
The citation carries a proposed fine of $7,000, the maximum amount for a serious safety violation. Within 15 days from the receipt of the citation, Wal-Mart must comply, hold an informal conference with OSHA or contest the citation.
OSHA said in a statement that Wal-Mart did not give employees enough training or tools to deal with the large crowd of shoppers that day.
"This was an unusual situation but not an unforeseen one," said Anthony Ciuffo, OSHA's acting area director for Long Island. "The store should have recognized, based on prior "Blitz Friday" experiences, the need to implement effective crowd management to protect its employees."
Though the $7,000 fine equals the amount of money Wal-Mart makes in about 18 seconds, the retail giant may still contest the OSHA violation, saying that the trampling was unforeseeable.
The criminal investigation into Damour’s death ended earlier this month after Wal-Mart agreed to pay nearly $2 million and improve safety at its 92 New York stores. Wal-Mart also said it would consider making safety improvements in more of its stores outside of New York.
While this case may have been an “unusual situation,” it still brings needed attention to the importance of employee safety training. From learning how to work in the summer heat to managing crowds during the holidays, every season comes with its own set of safety challenges.
To help your employees prevent injuries, the National Safety Council has designated June as National Safety Month. The Council tackles a different workplace safety issue each week: teen driving, fall prevention, overexertion and distracted driving. For more information, visit the official 2009 National Safety Month site.
For more information on employee safety, read these helpful posts and articles:
The heat is on: Stress worker safety in the summer sun
Danger! I mean peligro! No, gefahr!
Is the “dork factor” hampering your safety training?
The ugly side of safety incentives
Name your poison: Dealing with MSDS sheets
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Is the “dork factor” hampering your safety training?
When it comes to training seasoned employees on workplace safety, you’ll rarely find a situation where an employee thinks they’re “too cool” to take the proper safety precautions at work. But when you’re dealing with teenage employees, the “dork factor” can have a major impact on how well, or not, they’ll follow safety precautions.
I first saw the “dork factor” explained by Paul Caret at the MEMIC Safety Blog in a post about motorcycle safety and the need to wear bright colored gear. When a coworker and avid motorcyclist met up with a few of his biker friends in a new, full faced helmet, they greeted him by saying, “Dude, you look like a dork.”
It may be easy for an adult to brush off a comment insulting their “coolness” and put safety above appearance, but the same situation can be much more difficult when you’re a teenager.
Whether it’s the pressure to look cool in front of their friends by not wearing a “dorky” helmet or feelings that they’re immune to the consequences of dangerous decisions, teens tend to take significantly more safety risks than the average adult.
Especially with the summer fast approaching and more teens entering the workforce, helping teens overcome the “dork factor” is more important to your safety efforts than ever. Consider these tips when training young workers on workplace safety:
When teen workers know how to be safe at work and the reasons behind safety measures they’ll be better equipped to get over the “dork factor” and watch out for their own well-being, along with the safety of their coworkers. You have only a few weeks left before school lets out for summer, so get started on your teen worker safety program today.
I first saw the “dork factor” explained by Paul Caret at the MEMIC Safety Blog in a post about motorcycle safety and the need to wear bright colored gear. When a coworker and avid motorcyclist met up with a few of his biker friends in a new, full faced helmet, they greeted him by saying, “Dude, you look like a dork.”
It may be easy for an adult to brush off a comment insulting their “coolness” and put safety above appearance, but the same situation can be much more difficult when you’re a teenager.
Whether it’s the pressure to look cool in front of their friends by not wearing a “dorky” helmet or feelings that they’re immune to the consequences of dangerous decisions, teens tend to take significantly more safety risks than the average adult.
“Because of their biologic, social, and economic characteristics, young workers have unique and substantial risks for work-related injuries and illnesses. In 2007, 38 youth under 18 died from work-related injuries. In 2006, an estimated 52,600 work-related injuries and illnesses among youth 15 to 17 years of age were treated in hospital emergency departments.” (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Especially with the summer fast approaching and more teens entering the workforce, helping teens overcome the “dork factor” is more important to your safety efforts than ever. Consider these tips when training young workers on workplace safety:
- Know the law, and make sure teens do, too. The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act and child labor laws under the Fair Labor Standards Act outline specific employer responsibilities when it comes to keeping young workers safe. Ensure that you and your teen employees have a clear understanding of safety laws before they’re allowed to work.
- Train, train, train. Develop a safety training course for teens to ensure they can recognize hazards and understand safe work practices. Topics should include, but are not limited to, how to prepare for fires, workplace accidents, violent situations and what to do if they are injured.
- Supervise. Assign supervisors to groups of teen workers to help them recognize safety hazards and respond appropriately. Train supervisors to provide positive recognition to young employees who demonstrate safe working habits.
- Make safety a priority. Stress workplace safety, especially among supervisors responsible for teens. First-line supervisors can have the greatest influence on teens’ and their work habits.
- Encourage questions. Establish an open-door policy where young workers can feel comfortable asking about anything that is unclear or not understood, particularly when it comes to safety.
When teen workers know how to be safe at work and the reasons behind safety measures they’ll be better equipped to get over the “dork factor” and watch out for their own well-being, along with the safety of their coworkers. You have only a few weeks left before school lets out for summer, so get started on your teen worker safety program today.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Summer teen safety issues on the horizon
Memorial Day, the unofficial summer kick off, is only weeks away and has many businesses looking to hire some extra help from the pool of eager students wanting to turn their free time into cash.
As businesses welcome the added help and teens look forward to the extra money in their pockets, there are some serious issues for every organization to consider before hiring anyone under the age of 18.
An estimated 200,000 teenagers are injured on the job every year and nearly 70 die from work-related injuries, according to federal statistics. Teens have a significantly higher rate of workplace injuries than that of adults, despite child labor laws restricting young workers from hazardous jobs and the penalties employers face if found negligent.
Last year’s changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) that increased penalties for child labor violations have made teen safety more important than ever. Employers may be penalized up to $50,000 for the death or serious injury of an employee under the age of 18, with the possibility of up to $100,000 in penalties for repeated or willful violations.
With the summer job season right around the corner, businesses must be aware of the laws protecting teen workers and prepared to provide young workers with the most comprehensive on-the-job safety training.
Start getting your teen safety training program up to par with these online resources:
Always prepare early for seasonal help and have a safety training program in place well before your organization hires teens for summer work. Ensure that your business stays protected by training teen workers on the importance of safety in the workplace from the first day they walk through your doors.
To help your business avoid costly child labor violation fines and provide a safe working environment for young workers, take a look at the ComplyRight Now E-Guide: Teen Safety in the Workplace. The downloadable guide provides concise, legally sound advice to help your business navigate and comply with the latest changes to federal child labor laws and regulations.
As businesses welcome the added help and teens look forward to the extra money in their pockets, there are some serious issues for every organization to consider before hiring anyone under the age of 18.
An estimated 200,000 teenagers are injured on the job every year and nearly 70 die from work-related injuries, according to federal statistics. Teens have a significantly higher rate of workplace injuries than that of adults, despite child labor laws restricting young workers from hazardous jobs and the penalties employers face if found negligent.
Last year’s changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) that increased penalties for child labor violations have made teen safety more important than ever. Employers may be penalized up to $50,000 for the death or serious injury of an employee under the age of 18, with the possibility of up to $100,000 in penalties for repeated or willful violations.
With the summer job season right around the corner, businesses must be aware of the laws protecting teen workers and prepared to provide young workers with the most comprehensive on-the-job safety training.
Start getting your teen safety training program up to par with these online resources:
- Youth Job Safety - Developed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the Youth Job Safety campaign is a one-stop shop for employers, teen workers, educators and parents to find valuable information on keeping teens safe at work.
- Youth@Work: Talking Safety - The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) put together the Youth@Work program to provide a foundation curriculum in on-the-job safety and health for young workers. The site lists customized state guides, addressing state-specific rules and regulations, that can be used to supplement any teen safety training program.
- YouthRules! - The DOL’s online resource providing information on federal and state labor laws that apply to young workers, including the hours young employees can work, the jobs they can legally do, and tips to prevent teen workplace injuries.
Always prepare early for seasonal help and have a safety training program in place well before your organization hires teens for summer work. Ensure that your business stays protected by training teen workers on the importance of safety in the workplace from the first day they walk through your doors.
To help your business avoid costly child labor violation fines and provide a safe working environment for young workers, take a look at the ComplyRight Now E-Guide: Teen Safety in the Workplace. The downloadable guide provides concise, legally sound advice to help your business navigate and comply with the latest changes to federal child labor laws and regulations.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Beer and OSHA safety training don't mix
Last week, New York city mayor Michael Bloomberg called for a federal crackdown on fraudulent construction safety programs after a New York Daily News investigation exposed some dangerous practices.
Undercover Daily News reporters found that trainers were teaching 10-hour federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) courses in two hours. During breaks, some students allegedly drank beers at the bar below the training classroom.
In a recent MSNBC article, “Would You Like a Beer with That OSHA Training?” the author chronicled how New York has been “dangerously negligent” in carrying out the mandatory safety training.
This attitude toward workplace safety isn’t an isolated occurrence. Studies show that negligence and cutting corners on safety training is a growing national problem.
According to a December survey of workers in the mechanical, electrical, facilities, utilities and plumbing (MEP) fields, almost half of respondents said their employer did not have a budget for training in 2009. One in four workers could not remember or had not been trained yet in a work-related safety procedure or process.
As a result of the recession, businesses have been cutting training and important safety initiatives out of the budget. It’s a decision that puts employees in danger of serious injuries and has businesses risking serious OSHA fines.
Read some of our related posts on the dangers of cutting safety initiatives out of the budget and how to save money on employee training:
Investing in leadership development during a downturn
Recession-proof employee training tips
Is our economy causing more workplace injuries?
Employee training and the 2009 budget battle
Undercover Daily News reporters found that trainers were teaching 10-hour federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) courses in two hours. During breaks, some students allegedly drank beers at the bar below the training classroom.
"It's very worrisome. We depend on OSHA to train the workers here so that you're safe when you walk by a construction site, so that the people who work on that site are safe," Bloomberg said.
In a recent MSNBC article, “Would You Like a Beer with That OSHA Training?” the author chronicled how New York has been “dangerously negligent” in carrying out the mandatory safety training.
“Cheating is rampant. I hear lots of stories about guys getting OSHA cards in the back of a bar,” Martin Daly, head of training for the District Council of Carpenters told The News.
The $125 safety course was designed to prevent the types of construction accidents that have killed 19 people and injured 181 others last year alone.
But The News reporter found that instead of fostering, discussing and outlining procedures to deal with live electricity or prevent falls the course trainer simply showed the class a few videos and slideshows.
This attitude toward workplace safety isn’t an isolated occurrence. Studies show that negligence and cutting corners on safety training is a growing national problem.
According to a December survey of workers in the mechanical, electrical, facilities, utilities and plumbing (MEP) fields, almost half of respondents said their employer did not have a budget for training in 2009. One in four workers could not remember or had not been trained yet in a work-related safety procedure or process.
As a result of the recession, businesses have been cutting training and important safety initiatives out of the budget. It’s a decision that puts employees in danger of serious injuries and has businesses risking serious OSHA fines.
Read some of our related posts on the dangers of cutting safety initiatives out of the budget and how to save money on employee training:
Investing in leadership development during a downturn
Recession-proof employee training tips
Is our economy causing more workplace injuries?
Employee training and the 2009 budget battle
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Is our economy causing more workplace injuries?
After three years of decline, the number of workplace deaths in North Carolina rose by 31 percent in 2008 and officials are putting part of the blame on our country’s weakening economy.
Last year there were 59 work-related deaths, up from 45 in 2007, according to preliminary data from the North Carolina Department of Labor reported in the Charlotte Observer.
Labor officials are worried that the slowing economy is causing more companies to cut corners on safety and is creating more dangerous workplaces.
The NC Labor Department spokeswoman Delores Quesenberry said that when tough economic times hit businesses, company training and other safety initiatives are among the first to be cut from the budget.
A recent workplace survey is validating the NC officials’ worries, and showing that skimping on safety training is a national problem.
A December survey of 300 mechanical, electrical, facilities, utilities and plumbing (MEP) professionals indicates a negligent attitude toward training among MEP employers, according to MEP Jobs.
According to survey respondents:
Workplace safety training is not a luxury - it’s a necessity. With proper training, employees are equipped with the tools to make the right decision in potentially life-threatening situations.
When the economy takes a hit, workplace safety training becomes critical for one main reason: companies hire younger and more inexperienced employees due to the scarcity of skilled workers and to save on payroll. Combining inexperienced workers with a lack of training can lead to disastrous consequences and expensive OSHA fines.
No matter how you work the numbers, the cost-savings you find in cutting back on safety will never compare to the value lost when an employee is injured on the job.
How’s the safety training situation at your workplace? Is the economy forcing your business to cut corners and put employees in danger?
Last year there were 59 work-related deaths, up from 45 in 2007, according to preliminary data from the North Carolina Department of Labor reported in the Charlotte Observer.
Labor officials are worried that the slowing economy is causing more companies to cut corners on safety and is creating more dangerous workplaces.
The NC Labor Department spokeswoman Delores Quesenberry said that when tough economic times hit businesses, company training and other safety initiatives are among the first to be cut from the budget.
“That's one of the first messages we want to get to employers: Make sure your employees are trained. It's not worth a life,” said Quesenberry.
A recent workplace survey is validating the NC officials’ worries, and showing that skimping on safety training is a national problem.
A December survey of 300 mechanical, electrical, facilities, utilities and plumbing (MEP) professionals indicates a negligent attitude toward training among MEP employers, according to MEP Jobs.
According to survey respondents:
- 45% said their employer did not have a budget for training
- 15% said their company’s training budget is going down in 2009
- 55% had to fund their last professional certification training and testing costs on their own
- More than 25% either couldn’t remember or hadn’t been trained yet in a work-related safety procedure or process
Workplace safety training is not a luxury - it’s a necessity. With proper training, employees are equipped with the tools to make the right decision in potentially life-threatening situations.
When the economy takes a hit, workplace safety training becomes critical for one main reason: companies hire younger and more inexperienced employees due to the scarcity of skilled workers and to save on payroll. Combining inexperienced workers with a lack of training can lead to disastrous consequences and expensive OSHA fines.
No matter how you work the numbers, the cost-savings you find in cutting back on safety will never compare to the value lost when an employee is injured on the job.
How’s the safety training situation at your workplace? Is the economy forcing your business to cut corners and put employees in danger?
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Employee safety training: Ten tips for working in the summer heat
Long summer days have arrived and they’re hotter than ever. Without the proper safety training, your employees may not know how to work safely in the summer heat. Overexposure to heat may cause serious illness and even death.
During the summer months, employees should be trained on how to prevent heat-related illness when temperatures and humidity are high. Workers should know how to identify and respond to the onset of heat stress.
When someone is not able to cool off by sweating, heat-induced illness may creep in and can be severe enough to cause death. Exposure to heat may cause heat cramps, rashes, heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Symptoms of dangerous heat exposure include confusion, irrational behavior, loss of consciousness, hot/dry skin, and abnormally high body temperature.
Here are ten quick tips for employees working in the summer heat:
- Drink plenty of cool water before working outdoors and drink small amounts of water frequently while you work.
- Reduce physical activity when you start to feel lightheaded or overheated.
- Take regular breaks in cool, shaded areas.
- Wear light-colored, lightweight, and loose-fitting clothing. Cotton is usually a safe bet.
- The sun is at its hottest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., so try to reschedule outdoor jobs outside of that time frame.
- Wear sunscreen to protect against ultraviolet (UV) rays.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and neck from the sun.
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol and too much sugar before and during work activities. Eat small meals before working outdoors.
- Try to keep work in shaded areas.
- Ask your doctor if any medications you’re taking can be dangerous in the sun.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) created two free fact sheets on how to protect employees from the dangers of working in hot outdoor environments: Protecting Workers from the Effects of Heat explains heat stress and how to prevent it; Working Outdoors in Warm Climates recommends ways to protect employees from overexposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) and offers information on insect-caused illnesses such as West Nile Virus and Lyme disease.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Apply now for OSHA employee safety training grants
Get ‘em while they’re hot!
Nonprofit organizations only have a few weeks left to apply for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) training grants, available through May 23.
The Susan Harwood Training Grant Program awards grant to provide training and education on health and safety in the workplace. Visit OSHA.gov for details on eligibility, electronic applications and requirements to apply.
OSHA will award close to $7 million in grants to nonprofit organizations including community and faith-based organizations, that are not part of state or local government agencies.
The performance-based employee safety training grants will be awarded for a full year project period. The grants focus on 18 training topics including combustible dust, construction safety and food processing health hazards.
Nonprofit organizations only have a few weeks left to apply for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) training grants, available through May 23.
The Susan Harwood Training Grant Program awards grant to provide training and education on health and safety in the workplace. Visit OSHA.gov for details on eligibility, electronic applications and requirements to apply.
OSHA will award close to $7 million in grants to nonprofit organizations including community and faith-based organizations, that are not part of state or local government agencies.
The performance-based employee safety training grants will be awarded for a full year project period. The grants focus on 18 training topics including combustible dust, construction safety and food processing health hazards.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Employee safety training: Teens on-the-job
If you’re planning on hiring teens to fill summer job positions, be sure that you have the proper structure and employee safety training programs set up to keep these young employees safe at work.
Last week, the Department of Labor (DOL) kicked off the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) national 2008 Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign in downtown New York city.
The campaign is part of a large effort to reduce work-related injuries among teens by teaching proper on-the-job safety, with a goal to reach more than three million teens. By reaching out to workers at a young age, OSHA hopes these teens will carry important safety lessons through as they grow older.
Before considering bringing teens into your workplace, first educate yourself on the laws protecting young workers:
OSHA. Depending on where you do business, employers must comply with certain hazard-specific job safety and health standards. Federal or state OSHA offices can help with regulations and standards. Visit osha.gov for more information.
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The FLSA protects minors by restricting the amount of hours they are able to work and the types of jobs they can work. Your local Employment Standards Administration office can help with questions, or visit the OSHA site for more information.
If you decide to employ teens, be sure your workplace is ready:
Make employee safety training a top priority.
Review work sites to spot and eliminate potential hazards, ensuring employees are working in a safe environment.
Train adolescent and teen employees how to recognize workplace dangers and how to perform their jobs safely.
Training should include, but is not limited to topics such as fire and accident prevention, workplace accidents, violent situations and what to do if someone is injured on the job.
Educate teen employees on their rights, in the case they are injured on the job, including how to file a claim to cover medical benefits and lost work time.
Choose well trained supervisors who know how to spot workplace hazards and follow safe work practices to monitor new, young employees.
Supervise teens to be sure they are following safe work practices and know how to spot hazards on their own.
Implement a shadowing program where teen employees follow older, experienced employees to teach them valuable safety skills.
Promote an open-door policy and encourage young workers to always ask questions about anything that is unclear.
Keep your teen employees safe this summer while employed with your company. Be sure you know the rules when hiring teens and train your workforce regularly on safety. A safe and healthy work environment will create a rewarding work experience for teen workers and your business.
Last week, the Department of Labor (DOL) kicked off the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) national 2008 Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign in downtown New York city.
The campaign is part of a large effort to reduce work-related injuries among teens by teaching proper on-the-job safety, with a goal to reach more than three million teens. By reaching out to workers at a young age, OSHA hopes these teens will carry important safety lessons through as they grow older.
Before considering bringing teens into your workplace, first educate yourself on the laws protecting young workers:
OSHA. Depending on where you do business, employers must comply with certain hazard-specific job safety and health standards. Federal or state OSHA offices can help with regulations and standards. Visit osha.gov for more information.
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The FLSA protects minors by restricting the amount of hours they are able to work and the types of jobs they can work. Your local Employment Standards Administration office can help with questions, or visit the OSHA site for more information.
If you decide to employ teens, be sure your workplace is ready:
Make employee safety training a top priority.
Review work sites to spot and eliminate potential hazards, ensuring employees are working in a safe environment.
Train adolescent and teen employees how to recognize workplace dangers and how to perform their jobs safely.
Training should include, but is not limited to topics such as fire and accident prevention, workplace accidents, violent situations and what to do if someone is injured on the job.
Educate teen employees on their rights, in the case they are injured on the job, including how to file a claim to cover medical benefits and lost work time.
Choose well trained supervisors who know how to spot workplace hazards and follow safe work practices to monitor new, young employees.
Supervise teens to be sure they are following safe work practices and know how to spot hazards on their own.
Implement a shadowing program where teen employees follow older, experienced employees to teach them valuable safety skills.
Promote an open-door policy and encourage young workers to always ask questions about anything that is unclear.
Keep your teen employees safe this summer while employed with your company. Be sure you know the rules when hiring teens and train your workforce regularly on safety. A safe and healthy work environment will create a rewarding work experience for teen workers and your business.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Workplace safety training tips, straight from the turkey’s mouth
You may not associate the turkey industry with high safety risks, but keep in mind that no industry is immune to workplace accidents.
Butterball is the industry leader in safety standards, earning OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs designation, which recognizes exemplary safety and health efforts. And, they didn't receive that standing by chance.
In 2006, the company adopted an “integrated companywide approach to safety,” which includes a set of best practices and nine measurable deliverables.
After enacting the 2006 safety plan, Butterball reduced its injury incident rate to 63 percent below the poultry industry average.
Those nine deliverables and best practices include:
With these deliverables, Butterball managers must annually audit their facility and answer 545 questions. The answers to those 545 questions become the basis for yearly safety improvement action plans.
After the audit, immediate action is taken on items that require timely attention. Other safety items are given 30- to 90-day windows for improvement.
The company also uses a behavior observation technique called the Safety Training Observation Program, or STOP. The program requires all managers (safety, operational and HR) to be present on the factory floor to observe employees work, coach employees on safe practices and recognize employees who perform well.
Butterball also tracks key performance indicators, what they call KPIs, which include safety incident rates. Each plant must report KPIs on a weekly basis and their numbers must be below half of the industry rate. If plants don’t fall under the desired rate they are managed more tightly and are required to submit a safety plan along with the 545 question audit.
The company continues to look at safety training as in a positive light.
Butterball has seen positive results in more than lowered workplace safety incidents. It has also paid the company back in lower workers’ compensation premiums. In 2008, Butterball cut its casualty insurance by $1 million.
Butterball is the industry leader in safety standards, earning OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs designation, which recognizes exemplary safety and health efforts. And, they didn't receive that standing by chance.
In 2006, the company adopted an “integrated companywide approach to safety,” which includes a set of best practices and nine measurable deliverables.
After enacting the 2006 safety plan, Butterball reduced its injury incident rate to 63 percent below the poultry industry average.
Those nine deliverables and best practices include:
- Goal setting and performance tracking at every facility
- Detailed planing for safe conditions
- A professionally staffed health facility and ergonomics teams at each plant
- 20 to 30 hours of safety training annually for every manufacturing employee
- Safe workplace standards that document the risks for every job
With these deliverables, Butterball managers must annually audit their facility and answer 545 questions. The answers to those 545 questions become the basis for yearly safety improvement action plans.
After the audit, immediate action is taken on items that require timely attention. Other safety items are given 30- to 90-day windows for improvement.
“The 545-question audit is the foundation on which we build safety initiatives for the year,” VP of Operations, Mike Bliss says. “It is a very demanding process that consumes a full week at each location.”
The company also uses a behavior observation technique called the Safety Training Observation Program, or STOP. The program requires all managers (safety, operational and HR) to be present on the factory floor to observe employees work, coach employees on safe practices and recognize employees who perform well.
Butterball also tracks key performance indicators, what they call KPIs, which include safety incident rates. Each plant must report KPIs on a weekly basis and their numbers must be below half of the industry rate. If plants don’t fall under the desired rate they are managed more tightly and are required to submit a safety plan along with the 545 question audit.
The company continues to look at safety training as in a positive light.
“We have strategically moved our safety process to focus on leading indicators, such as training completed, instead of lagging indicators, such as incident rates. Two of the most important leading indicators are near misses and our hazard recognition log. We take a proactive approach though these leading indicators,” according to Brian Rodgers, director of safety and risk management.
Butterball has seen positive results in more than lowered workplace safety incidents. It has also paid the company back in lower workers’ compensation premiums. In 2008, Butterball cut its casualty insurance by $1 million.
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