Safely Managing
Compliance strategies and solutions for supervisory personnel
Strategies for promoting a safer workplace
Work-related injuries and illness have a negative impact on countless lives across Canada every year. Not only is physical harm done to workers, there is operational disruption, financial loss and decreased morale faced by employers.
Given the significance of this issue, it becomes essential for organizations to explore ways to promote workplace safety awareness.
First off, let’s assume you already have in place a safety and health management system, or safety program, that is supposed to help focus on what everyone does to prevent injuries and illnesses at your workplace.
Many organizations will have their own unique system, reflecting hazards of the work being done and how they are managed.
For instance, if yours is a small business in a low-risk industry, your system might simply involve listening to employee concerns and responding to them. A large business in a hazardous industry may have binders full of written policies and procedures and a full-time safety director.
What’s most important is that your system works for your organization. It’s up to you to decide how best to operate a safe and healthy workplace, and to put your plan into practice.
Doing so requires full support — “buyin” as the shopworn term goes — from top to bottom. Management must lead by example and show a genuine commitment to safety by consistently following all policies and protocols as well as providing needed resources.
Employees must be involved in shaping safety policies, as their firsthand experience can help identify potential hazards that management might overlook. This also increases their investment in following the procedures they helped create.
There should be a concerted effort to create and preserve what is commonly referred to as a positive safety culture.
Well, what if you have dedicated considerable resources towards
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building a comprehensive safety program, but still see a disconnect between its goals and the attitudes and behaviours of your employees? You might need to take a good look at how you’re encouraging them to maintain a commitment.
Consider the following:
Make safety a core value. From the minute prospective employees walk through your doors for their interview they should know that safety is paramount in your organization. This can be done by including safety reminders and training in all steps of the hiring and onboarding processes as well as following through with them during every workday. Go beyond just meetings and posters by making safety a regular part of conversations and daily work practices.
Provide engaging training. Regular safety training should be both general and tailored to specific roles and hazards. Use diverse methods, such as interactive sessions and simulations, to keep employees engaged.
Stress team leadership. Successful employee engagement in safety programs (and all programs, really) depends largely on the motivation and support of leadership teams. All members of the leadership team should strive to set positive examples and abide by the same safety policies expected of their employees.
Along with this, leadership should provide consistent feedback in what is commonly referred to as behaviourbased safety. This can include leadership taking the time to observe employees and provide feedback, encouraging employees to stay safe and ensuring they are informed about
all required safety procedures.
Establish accountability. Incorporate safety performance into job descriptions, employee reviews, and promotion decisions. Leaders should also hold themselves and others accountable for following safety standards.
Conduct regular hazard assessments. Involve employees and external experts in identifying potential risks. Use a risk matrix to prioritize hazards and implement control measures according to the Hierarchy of Controls.
Conduct inspections and audits. Regular workplace inspections and audits are a proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential hazards before they escalate into safety issues. These systematic reviews are crucial components of a comprehensive safety program, providing a structured method for evaluating the effectiveness of existing safety measures.
Inspections involve thoroughly examining the physical environment, equipment, and processes to identify any conditions or practices that could pose a risk. The process includes assessing the condition of machinery, checking for proper storage of hazardous materials, and ensuring the functionality of safety equipment.
Use positive reinforcement. This is largely defined by behavioural scientists as “any consequence that causes a behaviour to repeat or increase in frequency.” Positive reinforcement and safety programs should go hand in hand. Employee satisfaction research has shown this can be done by reminding your employees that they are truly making
All members of the leadership team should strive to set positive examples and abide by the same safety policies expected of their employees.
a difference and thanking them often. Recognize and reward employees who practice safe habits, report hazards, or intervene to prevent an accident.
Form a joint safety committee. If you don’t already have one, established according to requirements of your jurisdiction, do so. Involve a diverse group of management staff and employees to identify and address safety issues. This empowers workers to help lead the safety culture and provides valuable on-the-ground insight.
Utilize employee feedback. Any time your organization encourages employee feedback, you should be committed to using it to make reasonable and necessary changes. When a good idea or observation is submitted, take action in a timely fashion and make it known that you appreciate the participation. Additionally, if most of your employees are upset with a specific aspect of your safety program, leadership teams should discuss how it can be altered and improved. When your employees believe that your organization genuinely listens to their concerns, they will be more motivated and less resistant to complying with your safety program.
Integrate safety into daily operations. Ensure that safety considerations are part of every task, decision, and project, making it an embedded component of the company’s identity.
Continuously monitor and evaluate. Treat safety as an ongoing process, regularly reviewing policies and procedures, reviewing performance data, and soliciting feedback to ensure constant improvement.
Stay safe with the humble hammer
Regardless of what it is made of, the handle should be oil-free, shaped to fit the hand, and the correct size and length for the task.
Hammers are among the simplest of tools, originating millions of years ago as stones used to splinter other stones, such as flint, into cutting and killing tools.
Today, they take numerous forms and although using them is usually a straight-forward procedure, there can be some serious safety risks.
One major mistake is not using the proper hammer for the job, or using a hammer in place of a more appropriate tool.
Hammers are designed for a wide range of driving, shaping, breaking and striking applications. Most are hand-tools, and there are several dozen types. Five of the most common are:
Claw and Framing — Their flat, rounded head is great for driving nails, but the claw end is every bit as useful, for prying, splitting wood, tearing drywall and other small demolition tasks. The claw is curved on a claw hammer, and straight on framing hammers.
Ball peen — Originally designed for peening, or shaping metal materials by hammering. One end of the head is ball-shaped for this purpose. The other end is flat and is used for driving.
Dead blow — These are designed to strike surfaces with great force, and dead blow means they won’t rebound after striking.
Mallet — This essentially is a block on a handle, which is usually used for driving chisels. On one type of mallet, the head is made of rubber, allowing it to deliver softer blows than hammers with metal heads. They are essential if work needs to be free of impact marks.
Sledge — Larger than most hammers and featuring a metal, mallet-like head. Heavier sledge hammers with longer handles are intended to be swung with both hands.
Here are some tips for avoiding injury when using a hammer:
• Make sure the handle is sturdy and attached tightly to the head of the
hammer so it won’t fly off and hurt someone or break something. If the hammer is very old and rusty, do not use it. The wood of the handle could be rotting, or the steel head could be corroded. Regardless of what it is made of, the handle should be oil-free, shaped to fit the hand, and the correct size and length for the task.
• Wear goggles and gloves. You could swing the hammer back too far or debris from using it could hit you in the face or the eye. Not only do gloves protect your hands from calluses and other minor injuries, gloves with grips could prevent any loss of control that might occur.
• Hold the hammer properly. Using your dominant hand, grip the handle near the bottom, firmly but not too tightly, to maximize leverage. As you grip a hammer, first make a fist and wrap your thumb over the index and middle fingers.
• Strike a blow squarely with the striking face parallel to the surface being struck. Always avoid glancing blows and over-and-under strikes.
• When using a hammer, especially a heavier one such as a sledgehammer, be sure to maintain a firm, balanced stance. This will help prevent problems if you miss the target or the hammer rebounds.
• Never strike hammers together. They are hardened tools, and doing this can cause chips to fly off at high speed.
• Avoid any distractions when using a hammer, including talking or looking away as you prepare to strike.
• Don’t overreach or lean too far. This can lead to a loss of balance and potentially cause an accident.
ManagementTips
Keeping industrial athletes in shape
In recent years, the term industrial athlete has been used to describe employees whose work is physically demanding. They often operate in hazardous and challenging environments where productivity is crucial, and just like athletes in sports, those who are healthy and whose bodies are in good condition will perform better and suffer fewer injuries.
Whether handling heavy machinery, navigating intricate assembly lines or executing accurate technical manoeuvres, industrial athletes require a combination of physical strength and mental focus to ensure optimal performance. Even those who must do a lot of simple lifting, pushing, pulling, bending, pounding and carrying must be in good shape to be at their best.
Occupations that come to mind easily are steelworkers, construction trades and labourers, roofers, pipefitters, electricians, nurses and mechanics.
While these are obviously physically demanding, there are others that might not be as obvious but also require stamina, endurance and repetitive activities. Among these are data entry clerks, lab technicians, porters, production workers and drivers.
Most workers don’t think about the physical and emotional aspects of their job until it is too late. With proper training and knowledge, they can prevent or lower the chance for injury. They can also be trained in best practices if an injury were to occur.
warm up muscles before each shift and throughout the day.
• Avoid awkward positions, such as a twisted torso, when performing work.
• Always follow safe lifting procedures, using the legs to do the work rather than the back.
• Whenever possible, use mechanical aids.
• Be alert to signs of ergonomic injuries and report them to your supervisor immediately.
In addition to good nutrition, proper rest and exercise, there are additional strategies.
With massage, small aches and pains can be taken care of before they become noticeable or more than a small inconvenience. If there is an issue that massage can not remedy, then a good therapist should refer you to the next appropriate health professional.
Some of the most common causes of injury that industrial athletes can face include:
• Slips, trips and falls on the same level.
• Falling from heights.
• Awkward positions.
• Overexertion.
• Repetitive work with few or no breaks.
• Crashes or collisions.
• Struck by objects.
For these reasons, many organizations are turning to industrial athletic trainers (ATCs) to develop and manage programs that can help reduce injuries, by focusing on prevention while maintaining a top level of performance.
Even without a formal program, though, there are ways employees can improve and maintain their industrial athletic prowess:
• Get plenty of sleep and eat foods that are healthy and nutritious.
• Perform stretching exercises to
If injury happens despite preventive efforts, it could be time to see a physiotherapist. Just as we take our vehicle to the mechanic when it needs more than an oil change and tires rotated, it stands to reason we should also take time to repair our bodies properly.
And finally, in sports, competitive athletes get professional help when needed to deal with mental stress, burnout, focus and other psychological aspects that need attention. Industrial athletes can also benefit in the same manner, and see their workplace performance, job and life satisfaction improve substantially.
SuperCompliance Never neglect tractor maintenance
Failure to fix defective parts on a tractor can cause more than injury, it could do serious financial damage to the owner, and not just for repairing or replacing the machine.
A British Columbia ranching operation was fined nearly $27,000 after WorkSafeBC inspectors found numerous problems with a tractor regularly used by workers. It did not have a seatbelt, and there was damage to the seat, the shroud attached to the rollover protective structure (ROPS), the access step and the rear wheel fender.
Also, the company was not conducting pre-shift inspections for the tractor, had not implemented a written procedure for workers assigned to work alone, and had not maintained records regarding worker check-ins.
A Prince Edward Island blueberry grower and processor was fined $80,000 after pleading guilty to a charge stemming from the death of a longtime employee who was run over by a tractor.
The court heard that while the victim was changing an attachment on the tractor, his supervisor drove by and stopped to help. After they had adjusted the tractor, the supervisor watched the victim walk around it, then noticed the tractor was moving slowly, but the driver’s seat was empty. He found the victim pinned under one of its tires, unresponsive, and called 911, but emergency personnel pronounced the man dead.
The inspection report said the tractor was in poor condition. There were no brakes functioning, among other issues, and was able to move when the propulsion lever was in neutral.
The sole charge laid under the province’s Occupational Health and Safety Act was for not properly
maintaining equipment that was to be used by a worker.
The best way to avoid breaking the rules and be safe is to think ahead and not take any chances. Inspect your tractor thoroughly at least once a year or any time it hasn’t been in use.
Checking the following is recommended:
• Brake system – Brakes should be properly adjusted and fluid levels checked.
• Roll-Over Protection Structure
– Does your tractor have a cage? Is there any structural damage requiring repair or replacement? Look for signs of metal fatigue.
• Guards/shields – Make sure guards are in place and fully secured to the tractor. • Seat safety switch – Is the switch connected and functional? Tractor run-overs are the second most frequent cause of tractorrelated deaths on farms.
• Tire pressure – Confirm that
tire pressure falls within the recommended range.
• Lights/signals – All lights should be visible and functional. Clean off excessive dirt and test.
• Hydraulic system – Examine hoses and connections for leaks or signs of wear. Make sure fluid levels are correct.
• Steering system – Does the steering pull one way or another? This could be very dangerous at high speeds.
• Cleanliness – Clean up any oil spills, dirt, or ice to prevent potential falls, fire, or other safety hazards.
• Fire extinguisher – The tractor should be equipped with a 10-pound ABC dry chemical rated fire extinguisher securely fastened inside the cab or operator’s station, mounted so that it is accessible from the ground. Invert the fire extinguisher once or twice per season and shake them to ensure that powder hasn’t compacted due to tractor vibration.
Instilling respect for the line of fire
“Line-of-fire” and “struck-by” hazards are terms used to describe a risk of injury from a moving object. While traditionally associated with construction work, these types of hazards are far more common than one might think. Think about it — in nearly every workplace there is an object or piece of equipment with the potential to cause a serious injury to employees.
However, encouraging your team to keep the following points in mind can help prevent such accidents:
Be aware: Stay alert for conditions that may change where the line of fire exists.
Perform a job-hazard assessment: Identify hazards above, below and in your direct line of vision.
Make sure you’re prepared: Understand the job being performed
and how the equipment you’re working with operates.
Plan ahead: Before executing a task, plan how you will ensure your safety and how you can minimize the risks associated with line of fire.
In addition:
• Secure objects that can roll, such as tools, cylinders and poles, and use chocks to prevent movement.
• Note that not all objects with fall potential are above you; be mindful of top-heavy items and items being transported by forklifts and supply equipment.
• Be aware of line-of-fire hazards associated with stored energy, such as springs, items under tension and hydraulic or steam pressure.
Check fueling operations
Fueling operations can pose numerous risks to employees.
Gauge the safety of such operations in your facility by answering these questions:
• Are employees prohibited from fueling internal combustion engines while the engine is running?
• Are fueling operations performed to minimize spillage?
• When spillage occurs, is the fuel washed away completely, evaporated or are other measures taken to control vapours?
• Are fuel tank caps replaced and secured before starting the engine?
• Is there always a metal contact between the container and the fuel tank?
• Are fueling hoses designed to
handle the specific types of fuels you are using?
• Are employees prohibited from handling on transferring gas in open containers?
• Are open lights and flames, as well as sparking and arcing equipment, prohibited near fueling or transfer of fuel operations?
Forklifts aren’t like driving a car
Many people mistakenly believe operating a forklift is akin to driving a car or pickup. This is a false assumption.
Operating a forklift requires additional skills and experience because its design makes it less stable and much heavier than cars. Here is why forklifts are more dangerous than motor vehicles:
• Forklifts tip over more easily and are harder to steer and stop.
• Rear-wheel steering causes the rear end of the forklift to swing out when it turns.
• When there are no well-defined roads or paths for forklifts in a workplace, employees may take unpredictable paths when driving from one area to another.
Reducing the risk of forklift incidents requires:
1) a safe work environment.
2) a safe forklift.
3) comprehensive worker training.
4) safe work practices.
5) systematic traffic management.
Personal stories have impact
Wondering how to get your safety message through to workers? Try asking employees whose lives have been affected by workplace injuries to share first-hand accounts of what happened — the before, during and aftermath of a workplace accident.
When asking them to share their stories with co-workers, make sure they answer the following questions:
• How did the accident occur?
• What went wrong?
• What decisions were made that led to the incident?
• What were the injuries?
• How did the recovery go?
• How were family members and friends affected?
These personal experiences will hit home. Workers will look around their facility and think, “That could happen to me and my family.”
SafetyMeeting
Teamwork can keep everyone safer
Teamwork is an integral part of any safety-oriented workplace. Aside from the obvious benefits of reducing injuries and property damage, it can help reduce stress, increase levels of job satisfaction and boost overall morale.
Good teams are built by sharing information and building trust. Effective communication ensures that everyone is aware of potential risks, understands safety procedures, and can act swiftly in case of emergencies. It also means everyone can express opinions.
Building trust ensures that workers are comfortable voicing their suggestions and concerns.
Workers on successful teams should be able to:
• Participate in safety training, site inspections, and hazard identification.
• Foster a sense of sharing and learning to improve the team and the work product.
• Speak up and make suggestions to improve the worksite, equipment, or job processes.
• Ask for training or guidance if there are questions or concerns about how to do a job safely.
• Correct hazards immediately when it is safe to do so.
• Remove defective tools and equipment from service.
• Call a “timeout” for safety when it’s necessary.
Working together effectively and efficiently often means offsetting weaknesses with each other’s strengths. One person might be able to reach higher or lift more; another might be more agile or faster with numbers. Whatever these differences may be, compatible individuals will find ways to work together that are mutually beneficial.
The same is true in larger groups. A team that continues to work together will eventually develop an increased level of bonding. This can help team members avoid unnecessary conflicts since they have become well acquainted with each other through teamwork. Complicated tasks are often simplified when people work together.
Those who watch out for each other can complete more tasks safely and efficiently. This includes:
• Asking for help instead of taking shortcuts, unnecessary risks, or “winging” it.
• Offering help when more hands or a better method can make the job safer.
• Offering constructive suggestions when workers see unsafe behaviours in others.
• Maintaining good housekeeping at all times, even when it’s someone else’s mess.
• Cleaning the worksite and setting up equipment and supplies for the next shift’s success.
Teams often engage in collective training sessions and skill-building exercises related to safety. This ensures that everyone is on the same page regarding safety protocols and procedures, leading to a higher level of preparedness in handling safetyrelated challenges.
Accountability is another essential component of good teamwork. Team members hold each other accountable for following safety guidelines. Moreover, teams are well-suited for reviewing and refining safety protocols based on shared experiences and feedback, leading to continuous improvement in safety standards.
In summary, effective teamwork contributes significantly to a safer work environment by promoting communication, collaboration, shared responsibility, and a culture that prioritizes safety. It encourages proactive measures, enhances awareness, and collectively works toward mitigating risks, ultimately ensuring the well-being of all team members.
Teamwork can keep everyone safer
The Quiz
These questions are meant to help you remember what was discussed today — not to test your patience or challenge your intelligence. The answers are at the bottom of the page. Cover them up, and complete the quiz as quickly as you can.
Hold These Thoughts !
While employers ultimately are in charge and legally responsible for the health and safety of their employees, that doesn’t let everyone else off the hook.
If an employee is found to be negligent or willfully engaging in dangerous practices, they can be found personally liable and criminally prosecuted.
Yes No
E. None of the above. 3
Which of these should members of successful teams be able to do?
A. Participate in safety training, site inspections, and hazard identification.
B. Speak up and make suggestions to improve the worksite, equipment, or job processes.
C. Correct hazards immediately when it is safe to do so.
D. All of the above.
when people work together.
True False
Which of these is not a way to engage in good teamwork?
A. Asking for help instead of taking shortcuts or unnecessary risks.
B. Offering help when more hands or a better method can make the job safer.
C. Offering constructive suggestions only when asked to do so.
D. Maintaining good housekeeping even when it’s someone else’s mess.
Employees can expect the employer to have measures in place to assess, monitor and control risk in the workplace, to provide health and safety equipment and appropriate training and information.
Workers have the right to rest breaks and time off, to stop or refuse work if it is dangerous, and complain without fear of being disciplined.
They also have various responsibilities, including:
• Taking care of their own health and safety, and that of others.
• Not putting anyone at risk through what they do, or neglect to do.
• Cooperating with the employer and those they work with, to comply with health and safety laws and regulations.
• Participating in training offered by the employer.
• Following safety procedures and instructions.
• Handling machinery, equipment and substances in line with training.
• Not deliberately interfering or misusing equipment or safety measures.
Don’t Know
Publisher: Stefan Dreesen
Editor: Bryden Winsby
H&S Communication Specialists: Alan Haycroft | Liz Slobodin | Kevin Harvey
TOLL FREE: 1-888-655-4800
Mailing Address: 2010 Winston Park Drive, Suite 200, Oakville, ON L6H 5R7 www.smartworkplace.ca | info@smartworkplace.ca
• Not being under the influence of an intoxicant that could affect their ability to work safely.
• Reporting any shortcomings in, or concerns about, health and safety arrangements
• Reporting any defects in machinery, equipment, or working systems that present danger.