|
Be
on the Lookout for Workplace Hazards
OSHA
requirements under 1910.178 mandates forklift operator
training for all employees who operate a powered industrial
truck or a forklift. One of the topics required to be
discussed in your training is workplace-related conditions.
OSHA's 1910.178(ii)(a)--"Surface Conditions Where
the Vehicle Will Be Operated"--will be discussed.
This could include a number of things, such as narrow
aisles, pedestrian traffic, hazardous locations (such
as flammable gasses in the air), congested aisle ways,
uneven floors or dirty, greasy floors. Good housekeeping
in your facility goes a long way to reducing injuries
and, in turn, this can save a company money.
Aisles should be well marked for pedestrian traffic.
Exits and fire equipment shall not be blocked for any
reason, and all exit lights above exit doors must be
working. You should train the pedestrians in your workplace
so they are clear as to where they are required to walk
while in the facility and where all exits are located.
Enforce all company policies. Also encourage your employees
to report any problem areas in your facility so these
situations can be corrected right away. Remember, the
employer is responsible to provide a safe working environment
for his or her employees, free from any recognizable
hazards.
These are some of the things that OSHA looks for when
they are in your facility. Another recognizable hazard
is dirty or greasy floors. If an accident occurs because
of someone slipping on an oily spot in your facility,
this could result in a fine, lost work time for the
employee, higher Workers' Compensation costs and/or
possible lawsuits. Keeping your floors clean of oil
or grease can go a long way to preventing slips or falls.
Thompson & Johnson offers two lines of cleaning
equipment to help accomplish this task, Advance
and American-Lincoln, from small walk-behind
floor scrubbers/sweepers to full size ride-on machines.
These cleaning machines work in small to large manufacturing
facilities, hospitals, shopping centers, parking garages
or massive distribution centers. Keeping clean floors
should be a top priority in these facilities. Not only
would you be cleaning your floors, you significantly
improve light reflection in the work area, making it
a brighter place to work in. When we do demonstrations
with our cleaning equipment, the top comment we hear
is how much brighter the work area is.
The cost of cleaning equipment is small compared to
what your higher cost would be in compensation insurance
or lawsuits. It is far better to be proactive than reactive.
For more complete recommendations for your facility,
please contact your insurance carrier for a risk assessment.
|
