Category: Special Topics in Safety Management

Safety is a process, and as such, needs to be managed. This section offers resources to create a viable safety program, sell it to senior management, train supervisors and employees in using it, and then track and report your progress. Look also for ways to advance your own skills in these areas, both for your current job, and those that follow.

Free Special Report: 50 Tips for More Effective Safety Training

Cell Phone Dangers: Crafting a Policy for Their Use

In addition to possible electrical hazards, cell phones may pose dangers to hearing and traffic safety. Here’s how to write a company policy to minimize some of the risks. In Yesterday’s Advisor we started a discussion of cell phone hazards off with a bang—literally! The article noted that safety experts, including the military’s Naval Safety […]

Cell Phone Dangers: An Explosive Situation?

Can cell phones cause an explosion as you fuel your car? We look at what U.S. government agencies say—and some precautions to keep it from happening. You’re at a gas station filling up. So is the driver at the next pump. Suddenly you hear his cell phone ring. As gasoline fumes waft upward from the […]

PPE: Survey Shows Why Some Workers Won’t Use It

Why do some workers refuse to use the PPE that could save their health or life? A recent survey brings some surprising answers. In yesterday’s Advisor, we reported two conflicting pieces of news from the PPE front of the workplace safety wars. First, that on February 13, OSHA had put into effect its long- proposed […]

PPE: OSHA Rules You Have to Pay. But …

OSHA now has ruled that employers must pay for virtually all PPE. Too bad a new survey says many workers refuse to use it. As you may have heard, after years of dithering about it, OSHA finally decreed on February 13 that employers must pay for their workers’ personal protective equipment. While many organizations have […]

OSHA Recordkeeping Lapses: Why Do They Happen; What Should You Do?

When lapses in OSHA recordkeeping occur, the fault usually is with line managers. Here’s why it happens and how to keep them involved. Yesterday’s Advisor began a discussion of OSHA recordkeeping, starting with the 300 Log program, the basic form that requires reporting all workplace or workplace-related injuries and illnesses that cross OSHA’s threshold. The […]

Successful Safety Training: Preparation Is the Key

In celebration of this extra day of the year, our Safety Training Tips editor provides an extra helping of training advice, along with the ingredient that makes it all work. Successful safety training that gives you a good ROI in terms of fewer accidents, better compliance, and lower costs doesn’t just happen. You have to […]

Safety Training for Spanish-Speaking Workers: More Tips

In our previous article, we defined the linguistic and cultural divide. Today, more ideas to bridge it. Yesterday’s Advisor began a discussion of safety training for Spanish-speaking employees with limited or no knowledge of English. This is an increasingly familiar situation as the Hispanic component of American business grows at 36 times the rate of […]

For Safety Commitment, Use a Safety Committee

Organizations with safety committees often have better accident records, lower operating costs, fewer lost workdays, and lower workers’ comp claims. This Friday, our Safety Training Tips columnist focuses on what you need to know about them. (See also the notice of a special April 1 BLR audio conference on committees at the end of the […]

‘Performance Safety’: Is It a Better Approach?

To prevent workplace injuries, change worker behavior, say many safety experts. But one safety consultant, Randy DeVaul, suggests a three times wider approach. Yesterday’s Advisor began an exploration of Randy DeVaul’s concept of “Performance Safety.” DeVaul, a Westfield, NewYork-based safety consultant who also produces BLR safety audio conferences, developed his idea partially in response to […]

OSHA Compliance: Does it INTERFERE With Safety?

OSHA spends millions to promote safety. But some say their efforts produce just the opposite by diverting resources to compliance that could be used in injury prevention. Which side of the controversy are you on? OSHA is one of Washington’s most established agencies, with an extensive program, a half-billion dollar budget, and 2,000 employees, all […]