Tips for Staying Safe on Jobsites
OSHA was created with the belief that having a safe place to work is a basic human right. Workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths can’t simply be glazed over with no reprimands for the irresponsible employers who allowed hazardous conditions to exist in the workplace. In short, workers should never have to choose between their life and their job.
What is OSHA?
When the Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed in 1970, Congress created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This organization promotes safe, healthy working conditions by setting safety standards, enforcing regulations, and providing compliance assistance for private and public sector employers and workers.
OSHA is committed to protecting workers and ensuring that those in at-risk jobs have access to education about onsite hazards and information about filing for worker’s compensation and other benefits if they are injured on the job.
Ensuring Compliance with OSHA
Since OSHA first began, deadly safety hazards and health risks in the workplace have fallen dramatically. As a result, thousands of lives have been saved and countless injuries and illnesses prevented. Of course, this has only been possible with the cooperation of employers and employees who work in hazardous conditions. To ensure your company remains compliant with OSHA regulations, follow these tips:
- Make safety and health your top priority. Tell your workers that nothing is more important than finishing the day and returning home safely. Strive to find and fix hazards that put your employees at unnecessary risk.
- Practice safe behaviors to be an example to your workers.
- Train your employees to identify and control hazardous situations. Conduct regular inspections to give your employees a chance to point out equipment or materials that concern them.
- Develop a system for your employees to report hazards or health concerns without fear of retaliation. Also, make it easy to report injuries or illnesses that occur on the job.
- Ask workers for suggestions to improve existing hazards. Provide time during the workday to research solutions, if necessary.
- Identify potential emergency situations that could arise, such as a fire, and develop instructions for how to handle each scenario. Post emergency instructions in a visible place and discuss them with your employees.
- Seek input regarding significant workplace changes before implementing them. This can help you identify potential safety issues you may have overlooked.
- Provide your workers with appropriate protective gear. Depending on your industry, it may be wise to require steel toe boots, Class 2 or Class 3 shirts, work pants, gloves, goggles, and other workwear. With the proper protection, your employees have a lower chance of being injured on the job.
Work-n-Wear offers a wide selection of protective gear to help businesses remain compliant with OSHA regulations. Browse our products to find the perfect work wear for your team. To learn more, please contact us online or call our Salem, Oregon store at (503) 364-3064.
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