Author: CIO

Before a Task Begins 

As part of your job, you may have to complete a wide array of tasks throughout the day. On the other hand, you may only focus on one or two tasks for your entire shift. No matter if you are completing a few or many different work tasks, there are multiple factors that need to be taken into account and actions taken to ensure a work task is completed safely and efficiently.

Human Performance Factors

Some of the most important focus items that you should pay attention to prior to a work task beginning is human performance factors. These factors affect your ability to complete a job safely and efficiently. Some human performance factors include illness, fatigue, knowledge, focus, attention, understanding, stress, etc. It is important to understand how and when these different factors are limiting your ability to complete a work task safely.

Tools and Personnel

After you consider the factors that could possibly affect you at an individual level during the task, you need to ensure that you have the correct tools for the job. You must also take into account whether the correct personnel are present for the work task as well. Having the correct tools and personnel in place prior to a work task beginning ensures that you are able to complete it safely and efficiently. When the correct tools or personnel are not in place, then shortcuts are often taken to make up for the missing parts of the equation, which puts everyone at risk.

Implementing Safeguards

Taking the time to go through the proper steps to ensure all the safety procedures are followed and all of the necessary safeguards are in place is critical. Every single safeguard is important. The more safeguards that are put into place and are followed for a work task, the less likely an incident will occur that results in injury or property loss. Considering human performance factors and ensuring the correct tools are in place are two basic safe work practices. There can be many more that need to be put into place before a work task can begin.

Summary

There are many things that need to be considered prior to a work task beginning- even just a simple one. While this talk may make it seem like it is a drawn-out process, for most tasks, it is not. It is just a reminder to think about all the different considerations that need to be thought of as well as actions that need to be taken prior to a work task beginning. Proper planning is critical to the safe and efficient operations of every work task.

First Day Back to Work Safety Talk

There is a multitude of different risk factors for workplace injuries. One risk factor for an increased likelihood of injury is working after an extended break, such as coming into work on a Monday after a few days off. It has been statistically shown that a worker is more likely to be injured on a Monday.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that since 2007, Mondays have had the highest number of workplace injuries out of all the days of the week every single year, with the exception of two years.

Why is the First Day of Work Back More Dangerous?

While the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides injury data where we can see that more injuries occur on Mondays than on any other day of the week, they do not give an explanation why. There can be a multitude of possibilities as to why more injuries occur on the first day back to work. Lack of focus or attention could be one reason why someone is more likely to fall victim to an injury on their first day back to work. Some other possibilities to consider:

• Mondays are known for individuals having lower energy levels and sometimes lower morale. We have all heard someone jokingly say they have “a case of the Mondays.” This can lead to caring less about the task at hand or not taking the time to take the extra steps to work safely.
• Personal issues at home creating stress or serving as a distraction. Issues that occurred over the weekend can possibly take the mind of a worker off of their work during the start of their week.
• Mondays, especially in the first few hours of the shift, can be hectic or busier than other times of the week.

Quick Steps to Prevent Injury on First Day Back

• Do a self-check to see whether you are fit for work or not before you start your shift. Ensure your head is in the game and you are able to focus on your work.
• Complete inspections of your work area as well as any tools or equipment used.
• Take the time and energy to ensure all the necessary safeguards are in place for your work tasks.
• Look out for your coworkers.
• Stop work if needed to address hazards.

Summary

The first day back to work has its own unique hazards. It is important to consider how or why injuries are more likely to occur on the first day back to work. Take the time to ensure you are taking the necessary steps to avoid injury during the first few hours of work after being off for a few days.

Diesel Exhaust Safety Talk

On construction sites, mines, and other types of work sites, diesel engines are used frequently. Diesel engines power everything from water pumps to heavy equipment that allows for day-to-day activities to be completed efficiently. While these engines are great tools, precautions need to be taken to protect workers from being over-exposed to diesel exhaust. Workers exposed to diesel exhaust face the risk of health effects ranging from irritation of the eyes and nose, headaches and nausea, to respiratory disease and lung cancer.

Diesel Exhaust Composition

Diesel exhaust is a mixture of gases and particulates produced during the combustion of diesel fuel. The very small particles are known as diesel particulate matter (DPM), which consists primarily of solid elemental carbon (EC) cores with organic carbon (OC) compounds adhered to the surfaces. The organic carbon found in the exhaust includes a hydrocarbon that has been shown to cause cancer in test animals.

Safe Guards to Protect Workers

• Limit workers’ time spent in an area with higher levels of diesel exhaust.
• Properly ventilate any areas where there may be high levels of exhaust.
• Perform routine air monitoring to ensure levels are not at a dangerous level.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance of diesel engines to minimize emissions.
• Install engine exhaust filters.
• Install cleaner-burning engines.
• Using special fuels or fuel additives (e.g., biodiesel).
• Provide equipment cabs with filtered air.
• Install or upgrade main or auxiliary ventilation systems, such as tailpipe or stack exhaust vents to capture and remove emissions in maintenance shops or other indoor locations.
• Prohibit unnecessary idling or lugging of engines.
• Restrict the amount of diesel-powered equipment in an area.
• Designate areas that are off-limits for diesel engine operation and/or personnel travel.

Summary

Diesel exhaust has been listed as a known human carcinogen in 2012, so it is very important to recognize the hazards that the exhaust poses. Exposure to the exhaust can be greatly limited through proper engineering controls as well as practices as simple as not allowing equipment to idle unless absolutely necessary. Occupations such as miners may have a higher chance of being overexposed however, even on an outdoor worksite, safe work practices need to be followed to protect everyone on site.

First Aid Preparedness Safety Talk

It is an unfortunate reality that at some point you will be responsible for assisting during an injury or emergency situation in some capacity while on the job. When injuries occur at work, it is important to know and understand some basic guidelines about getting help for an injured coworker. This safety talk focuses on some key points when comes to first aid situations.

Before Injuries Occur

There are multiple things every worker should be aware of when it comes to providing first aid, even if they are not one of the employees directly responsible for responding to injuries. Some key points every worker should be aware of:

• Understand what is expected if you come upon an injured worker. (Discuss your company’s policies/procedures)
• Understand what actions you would need to take if you are injured yourself.
• Know who to call and how you can reach them in every type of emergency situation. (Radio/ phone/ voice, etc.)
• Ensure you know a secondary person to contact in case the primary contact is not around.
• Ensure you are able to explain your location when you call for help, so assistance is not delayed.
• Know where emergency equipment is located in your work area.

Ensuring You Are Prepared if Injuries Occur

Do not just assume someone else is responsible for responding to an injury, and you do not need to understand the points mentioned above. In emergency situations, many things could go bad or unforeseen circumstances can change how assistance is rendered. Giving thought to what you would do in certain situations before they occur is key to being able to adjust when the circumstances do not go as planned.

Some actions to take to ensure you have a plan if you or a coworker is injured:

• Understand the hazards of your work and the injuries that are most likely to occur while completing the work.
• Pay close attention to what is said during safety training relating to emergency preparedness or injury response.
• Read any emergency response information that is posted in your work area.
• When evaluating your work tasks, ask yourself what could go wrong and what your response would be in different emergency situations.
• Ask a supervisor or safety representative for clarification or advice about specific procedures when it comes to what possible injury scenarios you could experience.

Summary

The best-case scenario is that you are never part of having to respond to an emergency or give assistance to an injured coworker. For many workers, this unfortunately will not be the case. At some point, it is very likely you will have to play a role in getting assistance for an injured coworker. Understand ahead of time what the plan is for different injuries. Make sure you have a backup plan if the go-to plan will not work. This knowledge can make the difference in saving a coworker’s life.

Easy Way Instead of the Right Way Safety Talk

There are many reasons why incidents occur that result in property loss or injury on the job. Oftentimes, there have to be multiple failures in the safeguards that are put into place (or not put into place) for an injury to occur due to an exposure to a hazard. A major reason there is a failure in the safeguards that are supposed to protect employees is that individuals take the easy way out when completing the work task instead of doing it the right way. It is necessary to recognize the importance of doing tasks the right way every time and the consequences of not doing so.

Reasons Behind Doing Tasks the Easy Way

There are many reasons or excuses an individual will point to when asked why they are not performing a work task the right way. Some of these reasons include:

• “There is not enough time to do the task the right way”
• “Management does not enforce the rules or has unrealistic expectations”
• “I have done it this way for years and nothing bad has ever happened”
• “I do not have the energy to do the task the way you want it done”

Regardless of the reason, taking the easy route when it comes to ensuring safe work practices and procedures are being followed leaves you and everyone else around you at risk.

Why We Should Do Tasks the Right Way Every Time

There are many reasons why we should do our best to do every single task the right way every time. The main reason we should do so is to keep both ourselves and our fellow coworkers safe from being injured on the job.  Another reason why we should do every task the right way is because working safely is good business.

Keeping people healthy on the job is not only good for the individual workers, but it also helps a business thrive by avoiding unnecessary costs resulting from injuries. When the business does well, everyone benefits in some way.

Summary

It should be no surprise that a contributing factor of workplace injuries can be attributed in some way to doing one part of a task, or a whole series of parts of a larger work task, the easy way instead of the right way. This can manifest itself in a variety of ways but regardless, cutting corners will lead to exposure to more risk than necessary. Evaluate the tasks you do at work and ask yourself if you are doing them the easy way instead of the right way.

Defensive Driving Safety Talk

The roads can be an extremely dangerous place. According to the National Safety Council, an estimated 42,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2020. Distracted drivers, speeding, and drivers under the influence caused or contributed to the majority of accidents each year.  Drivers need to be cautious and aware of the other drivers while on the road. Being a defensive driver is the best way to protect yourself while on the road.

Most collisions that occur today are preventable. With all of the reckless drivers on the road today, it is more important than ever to be a defensive driver. The National Safety Council defines defensive driving as, “Driving to save lives, time, and money in spite of the conditions around you and the actions of others”.  Defensive driving techniques involve more than just following the basic traffic laws.

Defensive drivers:

• Leave themselves an “out” when driving.
• Always think about their next move if a crash were to occur.
• Slow down when the conditions warrant the need to.
• Do not engage in road rage activities.
• Avoid collisions by all means necessary- within the limits of the law.
• Plan their travels before leaving for their destination.
• Recognize the risks of their surroundings while driving.

Defensive Driving Example

John has been seeing a lot of deer activity in the roadway on his normal way home from work. Instead of going the normal way, John decides to take a route where there is less deer activity on to the road. On his way home, it begins to rain heavily, and the roadway becomes slick, so he slows down to 5 MPH below the speed limit. After a few minutes of driving at this speed, the driver behind him begins to flash his lights and tailgate his vehicle. Instead of speeding up or stepping on the brakes, John decides to pull over where it is safe to do so to let the other driver pass.

Ready for Work Safety Talk

Coming into work healthy and in the right mindset, every day is just as important as being properly trained or having the right tool for the job. Many factors, both on and off the job, affect how well or poorly we do our jobs on any given day. Some of the factors we will cover are sickness, fatigue, medication, and stress.

Sickness– We all get sick from time to time. Some illnesses are minor, and work can continue, but for others, we need to stay home to get better before coming to work. When you are sick, you may not be able to perform your duties as needed, and this can put yourself or others at risk for an injury. Know when it is time to stay home due to an illness. During flu season especially, it is important that you do not come to work and infect others. Not only are you not able to work to your fullest ability you also affect others being able to work due to being infected with your illness.

Fatigue– Fatigue is a killer on job sites all across the country. Many employees work over the normal 40 hours a week. Add on the demands of home life, and there are many people who are probably too tired to perform their functions safely. Get at least six to seven hours of sleep a night and eat a balanced diet to help combat the demands of a busy life. Drink caffeinated drinks or take a break and stretch when feeling tired on the job.

Medication– Many medications affect how we feel. When starting a new medication, it is important to try it off the job to see how it affects you. Ask your doctor about all of the side effects. Make sure he or she understands the work you do as well as any other medications you take. Let a supervisor know if you are not feeling well due to medication. If you feel comfortable telling a coworker about what medication you are taking, let him or her know so they can keep an eye on you.

Stress– There is good stress as well as bad stress. We are more familiar with the bad stress. Stress from work demands, home demands, family problems, health problems, etc., affect us every day. A combination of high expectations for productivity and limited resources to complete work often leads to high-stress levels on the job. It is important to be able to handle stress in a constructive way. Exercising or taking time to enjoy hobbies is a good way to relieve stress. Recognize when you are stressed and step away from the situation to take time to relax.

Whether it is sickness, fatigue, medication, or stress affecting you in a negative manner at work, it is important to speak up and address the problem. When “simple fixes” are not enough to correct a health-related issue, it is important to let a supervisor know and cease the work task. Address the problem at its source to ensure you can continue to work productively and safely.

Hand Tool Inspections Safety Talk

There are many injuries while using hand tools on the job. Many of these injuries occur from improper use, but there are also injuries that involve a tool that was broken or in need of repair. What tool is being used will decide what needs to be inspected on it.

Common hand tools found on almost every job site and at home across the country are screwdrivers, hammers, chisels, and wrenches. This is not an all-inclusive list, but these are some of the most commonly used hand tools.

Common Hand Tool Inspection Items

Hammers– Ensure that the handle is not broken or chipped. If a handle is taped, more than likely it is broken and needs to be replaced. On any tool, tape is not a manufacturer’s approved fix for a needed repair. Ensure the head of the hammer is tight on the handle. Throw the hammer away if part of the claw is broken off.

Screwdrivers– Ensure the handle is not chipped or broken. Many people will use the screwdriver as a chisel and hit the back end of it with a hammer. This causes damage to the screwdriver and will damage the handle. If the head of the screwdriver is chipped or worn down, replace the screwdriver.

Chisels– Chisels are strong tools, but just like any other tool, they will begin to break down over time. Check the back of the chisel. Often times, the back will begin to mushroom. When mushrooming occurs, the chisel either needs to be repaired properly or replaced.

Wrenches– Check that the wrench is not bent. Replace any wrench that is chipped or excessively worn. Losing the grip on a bolt due to a worn or broken wrench can easily cause hand injuries to the user.

General Hand Tools Best Practices

• Keep tools clean. Dirty tools are harder to use safely and properly.
• Do not modify hand tools. Keep the manufacturer’s design intact.
• Secure all hand tools and store them away properly. Tools left out are much more likely to get lost, stolen, or damaged.
• Use tools how they are designed to be used. This will keep the tool in good condition longer and you safe when using it.

Backing Up in a Motor Vehicle (or Heavy Equipment) Safety Talk

Operating heavy equipment or a motor vehicle is inherently a hazardous task; however, backing up creates more risk for incidents to occur. According to the National Safety Council, backing accidents cause 500 deaths and 15,000 injuries per year. All too often, unnecessary backing is responsible for injuries or property damage incidents.  It is important to consider the hazards of backing and what can be done to mitigate these hazards.

Hazards of Backing

With increased blind spots, backing leaves drivers and operators at more risk for error resulting in damage or injury. The most serious incident occurring due to backing is fatalities of ground personnel. OSHA states that dump trucks, followed by semi-trucks and ordinary pickups, are responsible for the majority of backover incidents in the past ten years on the job. Outside of struck-by incidents involving ground personnel, there are many other hazards to consider. A few hazards include:

• Less visibility/ more blind spots
• Fixed objects
• Moving equipment or vehicles
• Uneven terrain (construction sites)

Best Practices and Safeguards to Mitigate the Hazards of Backing

• The single best way to prevent backing-related incidents is to eliminate backing as much as possible. Most work areas and tasks can be set up in such a way that backing up is not necessary. Preplanning of movements is another way to eliminate unnecessary backing.
• Look for pull-through parking before choosing to park where your first move is backing up. Always try to position yourself so that you can easily pull forward out of a parking spot.
• If you need to back up after being in a fixed position, complete a walk-around of your vehicle. This allows you to be aware of what is in your blind spots prior to making a move.
• Install backup cameras on equipment and vehicles.
• Use a spotter when appropriate. If backing is necessary and there are hazards, such as other ground personnel or fixed objects in the area, then a spotter may be necessary. Always consider the additional hazards created when a spotter is used in a work area with moving equipment or vehicles.
• Mark fixed objects, so they are more visible to those operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment in a work area.
• Place protective barricades to protect critical or expensive equipment from struck-by incidents.

Being Observant Safety Talk

There is so much noise and distraction in the world around us. Whether it is at home or at work, we have so much on our minds as well as things going on around us that we can miss a lot of important details. It is critical to slow down and be able to observe the environment around you while are at work to be able to perform tasks safely.

Being Observant

How many times have you tripped over something you did not see or turn around and get startled because someone was in your area that you were not aware of? It happens to many of us often. Depending on what is preoccupying our mind, our emotions, the distractions around us, the noise levels in our area, etc., will determine how much of our ability to be observant is affected. The less able we are to be observant, the higher our chances are of being injured on the job by an unrecognized hazard.

How to Improve on Being Observant at Work

• Eliminate distractions from your work area. Whether it is someone talking to you or excessive noise, try to get rid of anything distracting you from your work. Also, consider good housekeeping practices as a tool to eliminate unnecessary distractions in your work areas.
• Take the time before starting a task to stop and look around your work area. Really focus on the different tools or equipment in that area. Are there hazards you are missing? Do you have everything you need?
• While completing a work task, monitor your thoughts. Is your mind truly on the task? For example, think of a time when you were driving and can barely remember the trip. How observant do you think you were while operating your vehicle?