Safety Article: A Good Time to Audit Your Safety Program

By: Mr. Gary Hanson, President, American Safety & Health Management Consultants, Inc.

With winter coming on and business slowing down at this time of year, it is a good time to conduct an audit of your company Safety Program. OSHA is not going to go away and may actually be more aggressive in the future. How would your company fair if OSHA showed up today? Are you ready?

Safety Article: Hypothermia

By Gary W. Hanson, President of American Safety & Health Management Consultants, Inc.
Each year when the weather gets cold, and the thermometer drops into the single digits or lower, we hear of cases where individuals have either died or suffered serious injury from Hypothermia. Hypothermia is “a decrease where the core body temperature lowers to a level at which normal muscular and cerebral functions are impaired.” When the body temperature drops we become subject to Hypothermia. 

Safety Article: Implementing a Safety Training Plan

One of the most important elements of a Safety Program is effective training. Yet it is often overlooked or there isn’t adequate time, resources or attention given to it. Many times, the training is hit or miss and a system isn’t in place to ensure that training requirements are maintained. Lack of time and the need to maintain production schedule also limit the effectiveness of safety training.

Safety Article: Preventing Heat Related Illnesses

By Gary W. Hanson, President of American Safety & Health Management Consultants, Inc. 

Summertime is a good time of year; time for outside activities, sports, home projects and general family fun. However, for those who are required to work outside, especially strenuous work, the summertime can create serious safety and health risks. Each year thousands of workers suffer heat related illnesses, up to and including death. 

Safety Article: New Employees Pose Special Safety Challenges

Summer time has arrived, the Economy has improved and business is getting back to normal. Companies at last are expanding their business and with this many are adding new employees to payroll. With this, the need to conduct thorough training becomes critical, especially safety training.

Safety Article: Live to Work Another Day

We all have heard the old adage “If a job cannot be done safely it should not be done.” I personally agree with it and most of the companies out there I believe, also agree with it.

Safety Article: Safe Use of Respirators

OSHA standard 29CFR 1910.34 outlines the requirements concerning the selection and use of respirators. When effective engineering controls are not technically feasible or while such controls are being instituted, approved respiratory equipment will be provided as necessary to protect the health of our employees. 

Safety Article: When in Doubt Lock it Out

In 1990 OSHA implemented the Control of Hazardous Energy Standard, commonly known as the Lockout/Tagout Standard.

Safety Article: Selling Safety

By Gary W. Hanson, President of American Safety and Health Management Consultants, Inc.

Recently I was talking to one of my clients and he mentioned to me how hard it is to get employees to follow basic safety policies and rules. He mentioned that they have an area where the noise levels are high, but he couldn’t get the employees in this area to wear their hearing protection. As I listened, this reminded me of the same comment I get over and over. No matter where I go I am advised of the same problems. Employees will not wear their safety glasses, they do not drive the forklift safely, and they do not practice proper lifting and on and on and on.

BWC Update: Operating in Other States

The BWC has announced a new workers' compensation coverage option to eligible Ohio business for their employees who work in other states.