Developing a Safety Program for the Workplace: Developing a Safety Program for the Workplace Bryan W. Shaw, Ph.D. Agricultural Engineering Department Texas Agricultural Extension Service The Texas A&M System


Why Safety: Why Safety


Why Safety: Why Safety Reduce Number of Injuries Reduce Costs Associated with Injuries Comply with Regulations


Why Safety: Why Safety


Why Safety: Why Safety Reduce Number of Injuries Reduce Costs Associated with Injuries Comply with Regulations


Reduce Injury Costs: Reduce Injury Costs Average cost of injury -~$11,000 Indirect cost ~ 50 times direct cost - Lost time/productivity, low morale - Equipment Damage


Costs by Injury: Costs by Injury


Why Safety: Why Safety Reduce Number of Injuries Reduce Costs Associated with Injuries Comply with Regulations


OSHA Inspections Region VI: OSHA Inspections Region VI ~4,200 /year ~1/2 programmed Average cost ~$2,500 – 17,000 How often – once every 102 years Landscape ~ 40% of violations were paperwork violations


Creating a Safety Program: Creating a Safety Program


Creating a Safety Program: Creating a Safety Program Management commitment - Real commitment - Active participation Assignment of Authority - Supervisors/foremen provide lead - Safety committee


Developing a Safety Program: Developing a Safety Program


Developing a Safety Program: Developing a Safety Program Develop/implement safety policies and work rules - Policy should be brief, to the point and define management’s philosophy - Clear enforceable work rules - Require commitment to comply


Safety Rules: Safety Rules General - apply to all employees Job specific safety rules - developed specifically for each major job activity


Developing a Safety Program: Developing a Safety Program Orientation and Training -Orientation ~ familiarize new employees with safety policy and work rules -Provide regular training ~ refresh


Why Orientation is Critical: Why Orientation is Critical


Developing a Safety Program: Developing a Safety Program Hazard Abatement - Schedule regular imspections - Document and correct unsafe conditions or practices - Encourage reporting of hazards - Develop safety procedures for new equipment


Developing a Safety Program: Developing a Safety Program Commitment to injured workers - Healthy employees ~ productive - Let injured workers know that their needs are a priority


Developing a Safety Program: Developing a Safety Program Injury statistics and reports - Keep records of all injuries - Use to evaluate safety needs - Use to identify hazards to eliminate


Employee Selection: Employee Selection


Employee Selection: Employee Selection Develop Job Application Require all applicants to complete Verify information on application Use available sources to find additional information Complete additional checks if job requires applicant to drive


Employee Selection: Employee Selection Request applicants to submit to physical examination Request applicants to submit to drug tests Verify paperwork complete before offer employment


Employee Orientation & Training: Employee Orientation & Training


Employee Orientation & Training: Employee Orientation & Training General all employees Job Specific employees that perform specific task


Employee Orientation & Training: Employee Orientation & Training Keep records of topics covered Require employees to sign roster Short frequent meetings


Employee Orientation & Training: Employee Orientation & Training General ~ All employees Policy and rules Proper lifting Ergonomics


Employee Orientation & Training: Employee Orientation & Training General ~ All employees Policy and rules Proper lifting Ergonomics


Employee Orientation & Training: Employee Orientation & Training General ~ All employees Policy and rules Proper lifting Ergonomics


Ergonomics: Ergonomics Ergo = work Nomos = work Ergonomics Make work environment fit workers dimensions Rotate employees Working Smarter


Ergonomics: Ergonomics Machinery is often designed Without considering human interface, or To fit the average human One size fits all


Ergonomics: Ergonomics Make equipment fit within limitations and capabilities of the worker


Ergonomics: Ergonomics Two types of Injuries Instantaneous Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD)


Ergonomics: Ergonomics Instantaneous Occurs as soon as the incident occurs Most back injuries are coded as instantaneous


Ergonomics: Ergonomics Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD) Cumulative ~ occurring gradually Trauma ~ bodily injury Disorders ~ Physical ailments of abnormal conditions


Ergonomics: Ergonomics Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD) Force Repetition Posture Lack of Rest


Ergonomics - Force: Ergonomics - Force Find easier way Use assistive devices Get assistance


Ergonomics: Ergonomics Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD) Force Repetition Posture Lack of Rest


Ergonomics - Repetition: Ergonomics - Repetition Rethink task Alter procedure to minimize repetition


Ergonomics: Ergonomics Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD) Force Repetition Posture Lack of Rest


Ergonomics - Posture: Ergonomics - Posture Maintain good posture Modify work environment to facilitate good posture


Ergonomics - Posture: Ergonomics - Posture


Ergonomics: Ergonomics Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD) Force Repetition Posture Lack of Rest


Ergonomics – Lack of Rest: Ergonomics – Lack of Rest Consider rotating employees Rotation to task that stresses different muscle tendon group


Employee Orientation & Training: Employee Orientation & Training Specific – Specific employees Chemical Handling/PPE Mower Safety Chain Saw Safety Guards and Shields Proper Lifting, etc.