Show off your dedication to workplace safety by participating in OSHA’s Safe and Sound Week, which runs from August 7-13, 2023. The nationwide event is designed to raise awareness of successful safety and health programs in various industries that can help businesses protect their workers from injury and illness. Last year’s event included over 3,300 businesses, and 2023 will likely be even bigger. You can participate in the festivities to highlight one of your existing safety programs for a chance to be recognized for your efforts or learn more about emerging safety trends from leaders in your industry.
How to Provide a Safe Work Environment for Your Employees
Workplace safety should be practiced all year long, not just during the second week of August.
All employees have a responsibility to provide a safe work environment. Hazards can affect workers in virtually every industry. To comply with the latest safety regulations, research the standards and laws implemented by OSHA. Use this information to improve occupational safety and manage workplace hazards before they cause injury.
- Identify the Risks
It starts with surveying the workplace for hazards that can cause injury and illness, including poor air quality, the spread of toxic chemicals, particulate matter, poor worker ergonomics, exposure to extreme temperatures, and wet surfaces that can lead to slips and falls. Train your workers on how to spot these hazards in the field, so they can report them to their supervisor.
- Remove the Hazards
Once the risks have been identified, look for ways to eliminate or reduce the presence of these hazards in the workplace by changing the way various tasks are performed, using different equipment or materials, moving the work to a different location, or working during different times of the day.
- Wear Protective Equipment
If the hazards are still present and cannot be avoided, select the right personal protective equipment for your staff based on the task at hand. The gear should be designed to protect against the hazard in question. It also needs to fit the user to be effective in the field. Give your workers a range of sizes and styles, or choose items with adjustable straps that can accommodate all body types. The crew should be able to move around freely while wearing the gear. It should be just loose enough to keep the worker cool without getting caught on other pieces of equipment.
Workers with facial hair may need to wear a hood or full-face protective covering instead of a mask that fits around their mouth to prevent hazards from slipping through the cracks.
Be sensitive to the medical needs of your workers when selecting this safety equipment. If someone wears prescription eyewear, they must wear facial protection that goes over their glasses or gear with prescription lenses.
- Train the Staff
Train the staff on how to use this gear and have them inspect it before and after every shift. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when cleaning and maintaining these items to avoid making them less effective. Replace your protective clothing and gear when it is no longer safe to use.
- Document Your Efforts
Every safety program should be documented for compliance purposes. Record every aspect of your safety efforts, including an inventory of all your safety supplies and how they are used. Keep track of everyone onsite and when they are working in case an incident should occur. Report safety hazards as they appear, including the steps taken to remove them.
Share Your Workplace Safety Program
OSHA wants to hear from businesses actively looking to improve worker safety. If you have developed a successful safety program, share it during Safe and Sound Week to bring attention to your business. It’s a great way to get press, hopefully leading to more sales and increasing your bottom line. Your efforts may also inspire other companies to improve their safety initiatives.
If you plan on hosting an event or featuring your safety program, you should submit documentation outlining how the project was implemented. It’s best to show the results of your efforts using data. Look at your records to see if the number of reported safety incidents decreased once the program was in place.
Learn About the Latest Trends
OSHA regularly features new technologies and methods that make it easier for workers and employers to prevent injuries and document hazards. This year’s event will likely include new techniques that could change the way you think about workplace safety.
Improving workplace safety is a group effort. The more we all work together to share our findings and ideas, the safer everyone will be.
Sign up for OSHA Safe and Sound Week on the agency’s website to take the safety pledge, host your own event, and get recognized for your participation. The Worker Safety Specialists at PK Safety are here to help guide you and your team on finding the right PPE of your job. Contact PK Safety online or call 855.491.7249.