Tiêu đề Basic UC7 - Evaluate occupational safety and health work practices ✅

Information Sheet 7.1-1 OSH PREVENTIVE AND CONTROL REQUIREMENTS Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) focuses primarily on protecting employees in the workplace from accidents, injuries, and exposure to harmful substances. While accidents can happen at any time, it is still the employer’s responsibility to ensure that they take steps to reduce the risk of incidents and maintain a safe working environment. Prioritizing OHS at your business has several key benefits, including:  Reduced risk or accidents or injuries by identifying and mitigating hazards  Improved efficiency and productivity due to fewer employees missing work from illness or injury  Improved employee relations and morale (a safer work environment is a less stressful work environment)  Reduced costs associated with accidents or injuries (healthcare and rehabilitative costs, losses in productivity, impact on employees’ well-being)  Lower insurance premiums resulting from fewer workplace incidents and workers’ compensation claims It’s no secret that all industries have safety hazards of some sort. The most important aspect of a good Occupational Health and Safety policy is identifying these hazards and ensuring that employees have the training, safety equipment, and other resources needed to work safely. Failure to implement effective policies and precautions can lead to injuries, reduced productivity due to the absence or loss of skilled labor, workers’ compensation claims, and possible penalties from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). There are several types of hazards employees may be exposed to depending on their industry  Physical hazards are environmental factors that can lead to injuries. These include exposed electrical wiring, falling objects, wet floors, and other conditions that can cause slips, falls, cuts, or other injuries. Some physical hazards don’t necessarily need to make physical contact to cause harm, such as excessive noise levels, heat, and pressure.  Biological hazards can lead to diseases, infections, and other serious health conditions. Mold and fungi, blood and other bodily fluids, bacteria, viruses, sewage, and vermin are all examples of biological hazards. Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is vital to preventing exposure to biological hazards and protecting your health.  Chemical hazards can be inhaled as gases or vapors, or come in contact with skin as a liquid or solid. They can cause skin irritation, burns, respiratory problems, blindness, or other serious health complications. Chemicals such as cleaning products, acids, pesticides, and petroleum products need to be handled responsibly with proper PPE to prevent exposure.
 Ergonomic hazards put strain on muscles, tendons, and other connective tissues of the body. They can result from bad posture, not using dollies other mechanical assistance, and repetitive or awkward lifting/movement. They can lead to musculoskeletal injuries such as muscle sprains, ruptured or herniated discs, and carpal tunnel.  Psychological hazards can lead to depression, concentration problems, inattention, or negligence. This type of hazard includes work-related stress, fatigue, harassment, and violence. These conditions can, in turn, lead to morale issues, reduced productivity and quality of work, and increased risk of injury. How to Promote Occupational Health and Safety in Your Workplace 1. Make sure that your OHS policies comply with all federal and/or state laws and regulations 2. Ensure that your staff is properly trained on all machinery and equipment they may use in the workplace and are certified to operate them if required 3. Keep Safety Data Sheets (SDS or MSDS) for all chemical products in use at your workplace, and make sure that they are easily accessible by your employees 4. Have all necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, eye protection, and respirators readily available to all employees 5. Use tools and other equipment correctly and only for their intended purpose 6. Use mechanical assistance such as carts, dollies, or pallet jacks when lifting or moving heavy objects 7. Maintain good posture when sitting, standing, or lifting, especially when doing so for extended periods of time A safe workplace is sound business The Recommended Practices are designed to be used in a wide variety of small and medium-sized business settings. The Recommended Practices present a step-by-step approach to implementing a safety and health program, built around seven core elements that make up a successful program. The main goal of safety and health programs is to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths, as well as the suffering and financial hardship these events can cause for workers, their families, and employers. The recommended practices use a proactive approach to managing workplace safety and health. Traditional approaches are often reactive –that is, problems are addressed only after a worker is injured or becomes sick, a new standard or regulation is published, or an outside inspection finds a problem that must be fixed. These recommended practices recognize that finding and fixing hazards before they cause injury or illness is a far more effective approach. The idea is to begin with a basic program and simple goals and grow from there. If you focus on achieving goals, monitoring performance, and evaluating outcomes, your workplace can progress along the path to higher levels of safety and health achievement.
Employers will find that implementing these recommended practices also brings other benefits. Safety and health programs help businesses:  Prevent workplace injuries and illnesses  Improve compliance with laws and regulations  Reduce costs, including significant reductions in workers' compensation premiums  Engage workers  Enhance their social responsibility goals  Increase productivity and enhance overall business operations Workplace safety is an important part of any job and requires that everyone in the company adhere to the safety guidelines and policies in place. Carefully following appropriate safety guidelines can go a long way toward preventing workplace injuries. Here are some ways you can work to stay safe on the job. Be Aware Always be alert to what’s happening in your surroundings; remember that your safety is your responsibility. Understand the particular hazards related to your job or workplace, and keep clear of potentially hazardous areas or situations. Be awake and attentive on the job, and be particularly aware of machinery. Avoid going to work under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which can compromise your concentration, coordination, judgment, motor control and alertness. Maintain Correct Posture Use correct posture to protect your back while at work. If you sit at a desk, keep your shoulders and hips in line and avoid hunching over. Use correct form when lifting objects and avoid twisting and stooping. The following tips provide information about lifting correctly:  Use both hands to lift or carry a heavy object.  Adopt a proper lifting stance by putting the strain on your legs, keeping your back straight and not bending at the waist.  Wear a back brace for heavy work.  Test the weight before picking up the item.  Lift items smoothly and slowly.  Move your feet instead of your back when traveling or turning with a heavy object.  Hold the load close to your body.  Ask for help to move loads that are too heavy for you. Take Breaks Regularly Feeling tired and burned out makes you less likely to be aware of your surroundings and is a common cause of workplace injuries. Regular breaks help you stay fresh and
alert on the job. It is particularly important to take short breaks when you have a task that requires repetitive movements over a long period of time. Use Equipment Properly Always take the proper precautions when operating machinery or using tools. Taking shortcuts is a leading cause of workplace injuries. Use the appropriate tool for the job, and use it in the right way. When using tools and machinery, put safety first with the following tips:  Only use machinery you are trained and authorized to use.  Keep tools clean and in good working order.  Organize tools and always return them to their proper place.  Make sure the machine operator sees you, don’t approach from a blind spot or from behind.  Only perform tasks you have been properly trained to perform.  Never leave machinery unattended while it is running.  Always obey operating instructions.  Never remove or tamper with safety guards.  If something seems wrong, immediately stop the machine and get assistance.  Communicate with those around you.  Never walk in front of heavy equipment.  Read and follow all labels and instructions.  Don’t tamper with hazardous items, including cords, switches and electric controls.  Wear appropriate and compact clothing; loose, billowing clothing and accessories can easily get caught in moving parts.  Never place fingers or other objects into moving machinery.  Turn off equipment before moving, cleaning, adjusting, oiling or un-jamming. Locate Emergency Exits Always know where emergency exits are located and keep the path to them clear. You should also have clear access to emergency shutoffs on machinery. Report Safety Concerns If you notice a potential safety hazard or risk, report it to your supervisor immediately so they can address the situation. Keep communication lines open and work as a team to create a safe working environment. Practice Effective Housekeeping Maintain a clean and organized workplace environment. Make housekeeping an ongoing project that everyone is involved in and keep these tips in mind:  Prevent trips, slips and falls by keeping all floors clean and dry.  Eliminate fire hazards by removing combustible materials and storing flammable materials away from sources of ignition.
 Control dust accumulation.  Avoid tracking materials and cross contamination by keeping mats clean and having separate cleaning protocols for different areas.  Use appropriate procedures to prevent falling objects.  Keep the workplace clutter free.  Store all materials and equipment properly.  Regularly inspect tools and personal protective equipment to make sure they are in good working order. Make Use of Mechanical Aids Take the extra time to obtain a wheelbarrow, crank, conveyor belt, forklift or other mechanical aid to assist you in lifting heavy objects. Attempting to lift something that is too heavy can cause injuries that could have been avoided. Reduce Workplace Stress Stress can contribute to difficulty concentrating and depression, which make it hard to be alert at work. There are many causes of stress at work including conflicts with others, heavy workloads, long hours and job insecurity. If you are experiencing workplace stress, talk to your supervisor about ways to address your concerns. Use Appropriate Safety Equipment It is important to use the proper safety equipment for a task to help protect yourself from injury:  Wear appropriate clothing and shoes for your job.  Know the location of fire extinguishers and first aid kits.  Use a hard hat if there is a risk of falling objects.  Wear gloves when handling toxic substances or sharp objects.  Wear goggles when there is a hazard to your eyes.  Use safety harnesses if there is a danger of falling.  Wear non-skid shoes when working on slippery surfaces or lifting heavy objects.  Wear a breathing mask.  Use all protective equipment intended for your task including seat belts, protective headgear or clothing and safety glasses. Creating an environment that is safe is the responsibility of everyone; do your part by following safety guidelines and policies. If you are injured on the job, notify your supervisor immediately and get assistance. Avoid taking risks when it comes to safety, be aware and do your part to maintain a safe workplace environment. If you’ve been injured on the job, call to schedule an appointment to see how our team of specialists can help to get you feeling better and back to work!