It is easy to say that the importance of developing an effective safety training program should not be overlooked, but how do you put a fun and therefore effective safety training program into practice?
Does your company offer first aid and CPR training to employees on a voluntary basis? Of course if an AED is present in the company’s space, CPR and AED training needs to take place.
I hope everyone in enjoying a safe and happy July 4th! As you are hopefully enjoying your favorite pass times, remember to be safe at home as well as in the workplace.
With a holiday weekend approaching, and many people getting ready for vacations and weekend plans, ask yourself if you are confidently aware of what happens after hours at your facility. Is there an established policy for signing in and out after hours?
Have you ever wondered how much money an incident or accident could cost your company? OSHA’s “$afety Pays” program is an interactive program that allows users to assess the potential impact that an occupational injury or illness could have on their bottom line.
Have you ever asked the scientists working in the labs at your facility what they view as the highest hazards associated with their work? Do you know what their answers would be if you did ask them this question?
When was the last time the use of safer sharps was evaluated at your facility? The use of sharps should be reviewed on a regular basis, from razor blades used to open boxes in the shipping and receiving area to sharps being utilized with hazardous materials.
On a day like today when people are making last minute dinner plans, the use of cell phones and people’s desire to be constantly connected to their phone may be exemplified. In addition to the possibility of cell phones being fomites when allowed in laboratories, the distraction factor is also a concern.
If you were to think back about this past year and how many risk assessments you conducted, what do you think the number would be? Do you have a plan in place to ensure that a thorough risk assessment is conducted prior to new biological agents being introduced into the laboratory?
Everyone knows that the holiday season is a busy time of year, with many people rushing to avoid being late for holiday events, finish their shopping, or hurry home to enjoy their families. Now is a good time to remind everyone to take time to follow the established EHS practices at your facility and not take any short cuts to finish early or simply on time.
When was the last time that you walked into the lab with the intent of looking at waste containers to see how lab workers are disposing of the waste being generated? If you cannot remember, I would suggest taking the time to tour all the labs and evaluate the waste disposal practices being followed.
Have you ever considered implementing a safety moment at your facility? This practice only takes a few minutes out of your week and can have significant impact on the safety culture at your facility.
