Snow removal operations can result in serious injuries or fatalities — particularly while removing ice or snow from rooftops and other building structures such as decks. Understanding these serious hazards, OSHA has a pamphlet for employers and workers involved in snow and ice removal activities.
A winter weather emergency policy should be part of a comprehensive business emergency preparedness program that gives employees guidelines on what to expect during severe weather events.
If your job requires you to work outside in cold weather, it’s even more critical for you to be not only prepared with the proper gear to keep you safe from the dangers of the job, but also with proper clothing to keep you safe from the dangers of the cold.
Workers may be required to work outdoors in cold environments and for extended periods and many workers may not know the signs and symptoms of cold stress, including conditions such as hypothermia, frostbite or trench foot.
Workers in cold weather can be exposed to serious health problems such as hypothermia, frostbite and trench foot. In certain instances, workers exposed to severe weather without personal protection equipment can also suffer shock that could lead to death.
Aside from the obvious benefit of keeping employees safe, healthy, and productive – along with meeting the OSHA workplace safety standards – health and safety training makes financial sense for employers.
Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees and completion of the injury and illness records is a key OSHA recordkeeping requirement. February 1st is the deadline for employers to post 300-A Summary forms listing 2019 injuries and illnesses.
Dec 2-6 is Older Driver Safety Awareness Week. Research shows that older drivers are more likely – than their younger counterparts – to adopt safe behaviors such as wearing a seat belt and complying with speed limits.
However, those age 55 and older have twice the risk of dying in a work-related crash than younger workers do. One possible reason is that older persons are more likely to be injured if they are in a crash, and more likely to die if they are injured.
With the increase of holiday merchandise shopping, so does the increase in potential hazards in the workplace. Employers should take the appropriate increased actions to make sure all employees are properly trained, their work environment is safe, and they know how to respond to workplace emergencies.
Know your rights! Under federal law, all employees (temporary and full time) are entitled to a safe workplace and your employer must also provide a workplace free of known health and safety hazards.
Are you prepared to fall back this weekend? The seasonal time change creates a higher risk for injuries at work.
Employers and staff should be aware of the possible effects on safety caused by the loss of sleep brought on by the daylight saving time changes.