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Here’s a company that emphasizes safety at its customer contact center and has achieved remarkable results. Last fall, United Airlines’ Detroit Customer Contact Center was named a Star VPP worksite by Michigan OSHA. It was the first Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) certification for United Airlines. Kerry Fischman, senior staff specialist for corporate ground safety, says […]
Three recent OSHA enforcement actions provide cautionary tales concerning serious and willful violations of various standards and a apparent inclination on the part of the agency to go after repeat offenders. Serious and Repeat Violations An automotive parts manufacturer in Alabama was cited by OSHA with six safety violations, including two repeat violations. The citations […]
The issue of employer liability for motor vehicle crashes, especially in distraction-related accidents, is heating up as more of these cases make it through the legal system. Yesterday, we talked about distracted driving policies. Having a policy can do more than put employees on notice that you’re serious about phone use. It can even potentially […]
Ammonia is a common chemical that many people probably keep underneath the kitchen sink at home. But don’t let workers be fooled into thinking ammonia is completely safe because they can buy it at a grocery store—on the contrary, ammonia is extremely dangerous. Why train workers who work around ammonia? Ammonia is an extremely hazardous […]
Good communication is fundamental to a safe workplace. Safety messages of all kinds and in all forms must flow all through the organization and be heard by all. It’s often said that safety is everyone’s responsibility. It’s also often said that management commitment and employee involvement are critical factors in developing an effective safety and […]
If you’ve been thinking about holding a health fair to promote workplace wellness, here’s some information that can help you get started. Businesses across the country and across industries are embracing the idea that a healthier workforce is more productive and more profitable. They are also taking diverse pathways to encourage their workers to become […]
Why should you be concerned about the issue safety culture? Here’s a good answer from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AICE). A guideline produced by AICE admirably answers the question, "Why is a safety culture important?" "Management systems and their associated policies and procedures depend upon the actions of individuals and groups for their […]
All organizations have some degree of safety culture. The challenge is to determine the level, decide where you want to take it, and chart a path to get there. Safety culture has been described in many ways, including how an organization operates when no one is watching. Diverse pathways lead to a better safety culture. […]