Workplace safety suggestions
The suggestions below were developed to help
you reduce injuries, protect your business and to protect your insurability.
Some of these suggestions apply to USA-regulated businesses but in your
jurisdiction there are probably similar regulations in place. All of them make
sense and promote workplace safety.
Pay attention to the Safety Management
process.
 | IMPORTANT- Obtain a current
Certificate of Worker's Compensation coverage (or a State Exemption) and
keep on file for any contractors/subcontractors or service providers
performing work for your business. Without
them your coverage may cost more. |
| IMPORTANT- A file system should be
established to assure no Certificates of Insurance on file expire. This
service is available to our members. |
| IMPORTANT- All employees should be
provided with eye, respiratory & hearing protection devices. |
| All persons applying for a job should
complete a formal, written application for employment. We
can provide specimen generic, statute-compliant forms for you. |
| The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HAZCOM)
may apply to your company. If you use toxic or hazardous chemicals such as
solvents, paints, petroleum based products, et cetera the law requires among
other things that you:
- Have a written program,
- Have a written chemical inventory
listing all chemicals your employees are exposed to,
- Obtain and maintain Material Safety
Data Sheets (MSDS) for all chemicals in your inventory,
- Train your employees before they start
work about the chemicals they are exposed to and keep the training
current as new employees start and/or your inventory changes,
- Make sure all chemicals are in proper
containers and are labelled correctly.
|
| A motor vehicle accident can result in a
Worker's Compensation injury if an employee is driving on company business.
Pre-placement/hiring and annual motor vehicle record (MVR) checks should be
obtained for all employees who drive a personal or company vehicle on
company business. We can assist you
obtaining these MVRs for new and existing employees.
 | An example of an employee using
their vehicle for company business-an employee who picks up or
drops off mail or bank deposits on their way to or from work or during
the workday. If they are hurt in an accident, you could be liable or responsible
as their employer. |
|
| A governing authority approved (OSHA in the
USA) First Aid kit and at least one 10-pound equivalent or larger ABC-type fire extinguisher should be provided at each location
and/or jobsite. |
| Lockout/tagout procedures must be used for
all electrical work and machine repair or installation. |
| A biohazard protection program should be established
for all employees exposed to toxins or biological waste. Employees should be
appropriately trained and supplied with personal protective devices such as
masks, latex or nitrile gloves, splash resistant eye protection and rubber
boots. |
| Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GCFI)
should be provided or installed on all electrical equipment such as wet
vacuums, buffers, grinders, et cetera used in wet or damp areas or outdoors,
and on all extension cords. |
| Ladder Safety
| Secure ladders near the top and/or at
the bottom to prevent slipping or falling. |
| Inspect ladders for broken rungs and
other defects at the start and end of each use. |
| Extend ladders at least 3 feet above
the landing to provide a handhold and balance point. |
| Do not use a ladder as a platform,
runway, or to hold work planks. |
| Avoid job-built ladders. |
|
| Machine guarding
| All manufacturing machinery such as
drill presses, press brakes, saws, etc., should have the manufacturer's
guards in place and operable. |
| Employees operating these machines have
the operator's manual and safety instructions available for their use. |
| Employees should be provided with
documented training at hire and at least annually on safe operating
procedures. |
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