Training


7 Ineffective Safety Practices (and what to do instead)

Your Safety Management System (SMS) hitting a roadblock? Real safety culture change not occurring in your facility? Maybe you (and senior managment) are looking it all wrong. Here are few Do’s and Don’ts for improving the effectiveness of your safety program.

DO

  1. Focus on Leading Indicators – Know where you are going, not focus solely on where you have been.
  2. Reinforce Correct Behavior – Strengthen what’s working and discourage inappropriate behaviors within your Behavior Based Safety system.
  3. Focus on needs-based training – can’t do, train for fluency; won’t do – Change the consequences and ultimately the outcome – go beyond compliance.
  4. Speak with your Actions, not your Words – Demonstrate commitment and uphold integrity.
  5. Analyze and take Action – Avoid the blame game for past accountability lapses. Develop accountability processes that expect future results and hold true to them.
  6. Encourage Near Miss / Near Hit / Close Call Reporting – Some of your most valuable data can come from the data associated with near misses. Encourage reporting. Don’t place blame but use as a learning opportunity. As your program matures, so will the near miss reporting processes.
  7. Be a Safety Coach – Build on what is right in your safety program and don’t focus on what is wrong. Be an encourager and not a defeatist.

DON’T

  1. Focus on Lagging Indicators – While lagging indicators can let you know where you have been, they should not be your focus and road map on where your safety program and management system is going. Be proactive rather than reactive.
  2. Implement Injury based Incentive Systems – Injury based incentive systems can drive injury and near miss reporting underground, which can cause a false sense of hope. Additionally, OSHA has specifically addressed and discouraged these type of incentive programs.
  3. Rely Solely on Awareness Training – While awareness level training is important, it shouldn’t be the breadth of your training program. Use your data from DO #3 and focus on where your gaps and needs are. Spend your training capital there.
  4. Rely on Motivational Signs & Messages – “Safety Starts with You”, “Think Through It Before You Do It”, etc. At best, you get some (slight) short term benefit, if any. Signage is quickly ignored, overlooked, and blends in with the environment. Don’t depend on motivational signage as your safety culture booster.
  5. Force Compliance via Blame and Discipline – Nothing on this list more quickly puts safety shortcuts into the underground than the prevalence of blame and discipline within an organization. Don’t fall into the trap. Accountability, yes. A focus on Blame and Discipline, no.
  6. Discourage Near Miss Reporting – All incidents are not created equal. And this goes with near misses as well. Review your accountability methods to ensure you are not using DON’T #5 to discourage near miss reporting. Near misses must be treated as learning opportunities. Use them to your benefit.
  7. Be the Safety Cop – You don’t want people to comply just because you come walking through the facility. You want your employees to seek you out for assistance to safety questions or concerns. Without building relationship (coach) and by leading by force (cop), you will surely send your safety culture reeling.

Graphic Source: Aubrey Daniels International


Training Requirements per the OSHA Standards

Training Requirements in OSHA Standards

Have questions on what training is required for a particular OSHA standard? Look no further.  OSHA has published a resource for all of the OSHA standards.  In this booklet, the training requirements contained in OSHA’s standards are organized into five categories of OSHA standards: General Industry, Maritime, Construction, Agriculture, and Federal Employee Programs. This booklet identifies the training requirements in specific OSHA standards. For information on training techniques and resources for developing training programs, please see Resource for Development and Delivery of Training to Workers. (more…)


Occupational Health and Safety Videos for Training and Awareness

worksafebc

If you haven’t had the opportunity, check out WorkSafeBC’s YouTube page.  With over 400 videos, they have something for everyone and are a great training resource.  The subject matter of the videos touches most all areas of occupational health and safety, including:

  • LOTO and electrical safety
  • GHS
  • Forklifts, powered industrial trucks, and mobile equipment
  • Struck-by
  • Fall protection
  • Confined spaces
  • Hot work
  • Asbestos
  • Indoor air quality
  • & much more

Click below to visit WorkSafeBC’s YouTube page

wsbcyoutube

Source: YouTube WorkSafeBC


Excavation and Trenching Safety – Handout, Quiz & Answers

Wisconsin Safety

The Wisconsin Oil & Gas Industry Safety Alliance has produced a fantastic presentation/handout on excavation and trenching safety, including a quiz with answers.  Check out what they put together.

You may encounter trenching and excavation operations on site. Therefore, it is important that you are aware of the potential hazards. By understanding the hazards; providing adequate work zone traffic control; using protective equipment such as trench boxes; having a properly trained, competent person on site to monitor the trenching operations; and instituting a written program that emphasizes planning prevention, and training; excavation-related injuries and fatalities can be prevented.

Take a look at the handout HERE

Quiz questions (10) provided HERE

Answers to the quiz provided HERE

Source: Wisconsin Oil & Gas Industry Safety Alliance


OSHA eTools, vTools and eMatrices


OSHA has established a system of tools (eTools and the eMatrices) that are “stand-alone,” interactive, Web-based training tools on occupational safety and health topics. They are highly illustrated and utilize graphical menus. Some also use expert system modules, which enable the user to answer questions, and receive reliable advice on how OSHA regulations apply to their work site. Selected eTools are available as downloadable files for off-line use. Addtionally, there are Expert Advisors (based solely on expert systems) and v-Tools which are prevention video training tools.

eTools

eTools en Español

Ergonomics eTools

eMatrix

Expert Advisors

Prevention Videos (v-Tools)

Source: OSHA.gov


Free Online Safety and Training Courses

The state of Washington is offering some invaluable online safety and training courses on their website.  Topics include:

  • Accident Investigation
  • Safety Checklists
  • HAZCOM
  • Ergonomics
  • Fall Protection
  • Janitorial Services
  • Job Safety / Hazard Analyses
  • Lockout / Tagout
  • Noise
  • Process Safety Management (PSM)
  • and much more

You can find the courses and modules on the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries website.


Free Online Training Modules in Occupational Hygiene

The Occupational Hygiene Training Association (OHTA), has created a new website, www.OHLearning.com, where free course materials for international occupational hygiene training modules are posted.  Find training materials, learn about occupational hygiene, or develop your existing skillset.

Modules currently available include:

  • Noise
  • Asbestos
  • Measurement of Hazardous Substances
  • Health Effects of Hazardous Substances
  • Control of Hazardous Environments
  • Thermal Environments
  • Ergonomics
  • Basic Principles of Occupational Hygiene

According to the website, OHTA mission is as follows:

OHTA was formed to promote better standards of occupational hygiene practice throughout the world.  We develop training materials and make them freely available for use by students and training providers.  We also promote an international qualifications framework so that all hygienists are trained to a consistent, high standard, recognized in all participating countries.


Attend AIHce 2010 Tech Sessions… Virtually

The American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Expo (AIHce) is the “must attend” event for thousands of industrial hygiene and occupational and environmental health and safety professionals. Spend the day virtually at AIHce and gain:

  • New perspectives and up-to-date research via phone
  • Guided presentations and abstracts over the web
  • Opportunities to interact via question and answer sessions
  • Educational experiences, in short, manageable time frames through out the day.
  • Cost effective training opportunities for individuals, large groups or even local sections
  • “Attend” some of the most fascinating and thought provoking technical sessions at AIHce 2010. Learn via a unique, trend-setting conference experience from the convenience of your home or office. Relax, access and absorb useable information and knowledge you can apply in your own practice!

Get 100% of the same great AIHce experience, certification maintenance points and practical information – with more flexibility and zero travel costs. Hear and see the same Technical Sessions you’d see in Denver! Plus, you’ll be automatically subscribed to the AIHce Virtual Tech Session (AIHA) Community further extending your interactive virtual networking opportunities. Your one-day AIHce Virtual Tech Session registration includes: (more…)


OSHA Provides New Electric Power eTool

Workers in the electric power industry are potentially exposed to a variety of serious hazards, such as arc flashes (which include arc flash burn and blast hazards), electric shock, falls, and thermal burn hazards that can cause injury and death. This eTool seeks to inform employers of their obligations to develop the appropriate hazard prevention and control methodologies designed to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.

Items addressed in the eTool include:

  • Overview
  • Scope
  • Generation vs. Transmission and Distribution
  • Medical Services and First Aid
  • Hazard Assessment and Job Briefing
  • Energized vs. Deenergized Work
  • Hazardous Energy Control
  • Grounding for Employee Protection
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Insulating Protective Equipment (IPE)
  • Enclosed Spaces and Working Underground
  • Overhead Line Work
  • Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Industry e Tool – Illustrated Glossary (02/2004)
  • Glossary of Terms

The eTool also serves to empower workers engaged in the generation, transmission and distribution of electric power to understand the steps their employers must implement in order to provide them with a safe and healthful work environment.

The full scope of the Electric Power eTool can be found HERE.


Free Seminar: OH&S Virtual Event 2010

Information provided by OHSonline.com

Register today to attend one of the most comprehensive health & safety events of the season – from the convenience of your own office!

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to experience our free virtual expo area and learn firsthand from leaders in the health and safety industry about the key trends and technologies that will help you save money, improve efficiency, and ensure compliance in 2010 and beyond.

Presentations will include:

  • “Inside OSHA Politics” presented by Government Affairs Directors Aaron Trippler (left), American Industrial Hygiene Association, and Dave Heidorn, American Society of Safety Engineers. Aaron and Dave will discuss this year’s important federal and state safety and health legislation and the political landscape ahead of the 2010 midterm elections.
  • “World’s PPE Markets in 2010” presented by Sanjiv Bhaskar, Global Director, Personal Protective Equipment for Frost & Sullivan. Sanjiv will discuss trends in the PPE industry, global PPE markets in 2010, where growth areas can be found, and the outlook in the markets for 2011.

Plus more presenters to be announced soon!

Each presentation will be followed by a LIVE Q&A session. Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity!

Register HERE

More information HERE


Free Online Training: Emergency Environmental Spill Response

noaa_logoNOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration has produced a handy online training module for individuals looking to strengthen their knowledge of spills and their effect on the environment.  The following scenario describes and oil spill and directs you to the references and data that you can use to determine what natural resources are at risk.

The ESI Training Manual describes how Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps and data can be used by spill responders and planners, and by anyone interested in environmental sensitivity mapping. The manual provides an oil spill scenario that takes place in Mobile Bay, Alabama. Your task is to identify the probable resources at risk.

ESI data are distributed in multiple formats. The manual shows how to use:

* hard copy or PDF versions of the data.
* the free ESI Viewer product.
* the map document and tools available to simplify ESI viewing and querying in ESRI’s ArcMap vs. 9.2 or higher.

The same scenario is used for all of these formats, and the same basic questions are answered; however, a scenario with queries could be done on any of the ESI maps provided in these formats.

The ESI training manual can be downloaded HERE

Source: NOAA.gov


Online Learning Module: Toxicology Tutor

The National Library of Medicine has produced a three-part series to educate individuals on the basic principles of toxicology.  You can go through the tutorials online or download on your computer (see download links below).

tox_tutor

Great information for those interested in toxicology, studying for the CIH examination, or as a general refresher.

(Continue reading for download links and a link to the online module)

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