Safety Net | November 2024

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Thanksgiving is next week, and spending time with loved ones and indulging in delicious feasts is on most people’s minds. But—amidst the excitement and festivities—it’s crucial to prioritize safety. We’ve pulled together some of the most essential Thanksgiving safety tips to ensure your holiday is enjoyable and accident-free.

KITCHEN SAFETY TIPS FOR THANKSGIVING

• Prevent cooking fires: Kitchen fires are the number one cause of house fires, and Thanksgiving is the number one day for cooking fires. Make sure all of your smoke alarms are working properly, and limit action in the kitchen (if you can!). Distraction can lead to burning food on the stove, which can lead to a fire. Stay focused, and save the wine for the dinner table.

• Watch out for cooking injuries: Burns and cuts are common Thanksgiving injuries. Have all the tools you need to stay safe in the kitchen : hot pads and mitts, a fire extinguisher, properly sharpened knives (dull knives are more risky than sharp ones), and appropriate clothing. Wear long sleeves to protect from splattering oil, keep knives and other sharp objects out of reach of children, and always slice away from your fingers and palm.

• Practice food safety: No one wants to give their Thanksgiving guests food poisoning . Thaw your turkey in the fridge in its original packaging and use dedicated kitchen tools for handling and preparing the turkey (to avoid cross-contamination). Wash all cutting boards, knives, and other utensils that touched the raw turkey in hot, soapy water—and wash your hands before, during, and after meal prep. Keep produce and other food items separate from the turkey during cooking and refrigerate leftovers promptly (within 2 hours at most!).

THANKSGIVING TRAVEL SAFETY TIPS

• Watch the weather: Pay attention to the forecast at home, at your destination, and everywhere in between. Be prepared to take extra time if storms or hazardous conditions (like icy roads) are in the forecast, and study up on how to handle winter driving conditions .

• Prep your car for winter driving: To avoid hazards like blown tires, schedule a comprehensive inspection and address any required maintenance, with particular attention to your tires. Also, create (or buy!) a car emergency kit with essentials like a safety cone, carjack, flashlight, jumper cables, first aid supplies, and a warm blanket for chilly breakdowns.

• Don’t drink and drive: Not everyone travels across the state or country for Thanksgiving. But even if it’s just over the river and through the woods, make sure you have a designated driver or a plan B to call a ride or stay the night if you do more than toast the chef at dinner. Between 2017 and 2021, 830 people were killed in drinking-related crashes over the Thanksgiving holiday—play it safe and don’t take any chances.

PET SAFETY TIPS FOR THANKSGIVING

• Keep pets away from the feast: My pup begs daily (to no avail!), but Thanksgiving provides even more opportunities for him to look adorable while eyeing all the food. Turkey bones, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, and chocolate are just some of the hazards in the holiday feast that can be fatal to dogs. And even if you want to share the pumpkin pie (that’s what they get for an upset tummy, right?), don’t. The added sweets and cream can mess up their system, and no one wants intestinal troubles on the holiday.

• Give pets a safe place: Whether you’re hosting the feast or taking your four-legged family members to Grandma’s, set up a place where they can be safe and comfortable. Depending on your setup and guest list, a pet gate can help keep pets from being underfoot in

the kitchen and protect them from children who may not be used to having pets around.

• Keep an eye on pets—even if you’re away: Use a pet camera like Furbo or Petcube to check in on your fur babies (and even toss them some treats!). You can also use a pet tracker like Fi to see if they’re pacing anxiously or snoozing peacefully while you’re away.

NEED TO KNOW FROM SAFEWISE

• Thanksgiving is the number one day for cooking fires.

• 830 people were killed in drinking-related crashes over Thanksgiving weekend between 2017 and 2021.

• The day after Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days of the year at pet ERs.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to gather with friends and family, eat delicious food, watch football, and travel to visit loved ones. While enjoying the holiday, it is important to always keep safety in mind.

Top safety hazards during the Thanksgiving holiday include:

• FIRE: kitchen fires, candles and outdoor deep fryers

• FOOD: choking and poisoning, cuts and burns during food preparation

• TRAVEL: car accidents, driving while intoxicated or distracted

KITCHEN SAFETY

• Keep children away from the stove.

• Do not leave the house while the turkey is cooking.

• Ensure the kitchen floor is kept clear and doesn’t have trip hazards.

• Keep matches, lighters, candles and knives out of the reach of children.

Thanksgiving is the #1 Day of the year for cooking fires, reports State Farm Insurance. The U.S. Fire Department

confirms that more than 4,000 fires occur on Thanksgiving Day and preparing deep fried turkeys, using a turkey fryer, is the cause of approximately 5 deaths, 60 injuries, and the destruction of 900 homes and more than $15 million in property damage every year.

HOLIDAY FIRE PREVENTION TIPS

• Keep baking soda on hand to put out kitchen fires.

• Do not leave food cooking or the stove on unsupervised.

• Make sure smoke alarms are working.

• A household fire extinguisher should always be nearby.

• Do not leave candles burning unattended and do not burn candles near flammable items like curtains or potpourri.

• Follow all instructions carefully when using a deep fryer and monitor closely!

Incidents of choking and food poisoning increase during the holidays, especially around Thanksgiving, as people are preparing and consuming more food than usual. Food Safety News reports that approximately 51 million turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving.

FOOD SAFETY

• Always wash your hands after handling raw or undercooked poultry.

• Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and produce to prevent cross-contamination.

• The USDA recommends cooking the turkey at a minimum of 325 degrees. Use a food thermometer and cook the turkey to an internal temperature of 165 to 180 degrees to ensure the turkey is cooked thoroughly and to avoid illness caused by consuming undercooked poultry.

• Store leftovers within 2 hours or toss them.

PET SAFETY

The Veterinary Medical Association warns that turkey and chicken bones should never be given to pets because they can splinter and pets may choke.

Dogs should be kept away from any dish that has onions, leeks, garlic, raisins, grapes or chocolate, as those foods can be hazardous to your dog’s health.

Food thermometers, like this one, are designed to remain on the turkey while it is cooking in the oven.

With Thanksgiving being one of the most travel-heavy times of the year, it is important to be prepared before hitting the road and to drive defensively, especially during bad weather.

• Buckle up, every trip.

• Make sure your vehicle is well maintained.

• Plan your route ahead of time.

• Carry an emergency kit in the car.

• Be aware of weather conditions.

• Take caution in parking lots while shopping.

• No texting while driving.

According to the National Highway Safety Association, more than 40 percent of holiday car accidents involve alcohol. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE

Drivers who are texting take their eyes off the road for an average of 5 seconds. Driving at 55 MPH, that is about the length of a football field.

Take caution in heavy holiday traffic.

REMEMBER THESE TIPS TO HAVE AN ENJOYABLE AND SAFE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY:

• Do not leave food cooking unsupervised.

• Make sure smoke alarms are working.

• Ensure the kitchen floor is kept clear.

• Keep matches, lighters, candles and knives out of the reach of children; keep children away from the stove.

• Keep baking soda and a household fire extinguisher on hand to put out kitchen fires.

• Follow all instructions carefully when using a deep fryer and monitor closely!

• Always wash your hands after handling raw or undercooked poultry.

• Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and produce to prevent cross-contamination.

• Cook the turkey thoroughly.

• Buckle up, every trip.

• Make sure your vehicle is well maintained.

• Plan your route ahead of time; check the weather.

• Carry an emergency kit in the car.

• No texting while driving.

Best Practices for Managing Subcontractor Risk

10.08.2024 | Avetta

Discover how to effectively manage subcontractor risk with unified strategies, enhanced oversight, and clear communication for consistent safety and compliance.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Subcontractors introduce significant risks to extended supply chains. Hiring companies need direct visibility and oversight to protect their operations.

• A strong subcontractor risk management program requires a unified strategy, starting at the C-suite level.

• Clear expectations of a new subcontractor compliance program should be communicated through all levels of the hiring organization and with all prime contractors.

• Hiring companies must also monitor and enforce compliance standards to ensure proper risk mitigation and management in the field.

INTRODUCTION

Subcontracting is vital to modern supply chains, allowing companies to leverage specialized skills and increase

flexibility. However, as outlined in our last blog , it also introduces significant risks, including safety incidents, workforce concerns, cyber vulnerabilities, reputational damage, and business disruption.

Those risks are often exacerbated by a troubling lack of visibility from the hiring company down to the many tiers of subcontractors working in their network. Many companies rely on prime contractors to vet, qualify, and manage subs, creating a compliance disconnect between hiring companies and subcontractors.

To properly manage subcontractor risk and compliance, hiring companies must instead take a proactive, deliberate approach. In this article, we’ll explore best practices for managing subcontractor risk, including:

• The need for consistent standards and communication

• How hiring companies can ensure direct oversight over subcontractors

• Tips to ensure subcontractor qualifications and compliance in the field

CONSISTENT STRATEGY FROM THE TOP DOWN

Developing a company-wide compliance and safety strategy is crucial. This strategy should involve highlevel decision-makers across the organization to ensure consistent application across all projects.

As with any major initiative, a company’s stance on subcontractor risk and compliance must start with the C-Suite. Achieving consistent standards is nearly impossible without cohesive and well-communicated buy-in from the top. Clear policies and practices should be communicated across all levels of the company, from corporate leaders to field supervisors.

CASCADING COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS

The most effective approach to subcontractor risk management is to ensure that all safety and compliance requirements apply to both direct contractors and primes, at the company and worker levels. Doing so ensures that risk practices flow consistently throughout the supply chain, and are easier to manage, monitor, and enforce by the hiring company (as opposed to unique rules for primes vs. subs).

COMPANY-LEVEL REQUIREMENTS

Just like with any direct contractor, subs should be comprehensively vetted at the company level, including safety history and statistics, safety and sustainability practices and policies, financial health, and potential cyber vulnerabilities. Directly vetting every subcontractor ensures that the hiring company has the visibility and control to ensure the same standard of quality and compliance applies to everyone working for them.

INSURANCE COVERAGE

Insurance is one element that may not be consistent from primes to subs. Prime contractors typically handle most insurance requirements, with liability for work performed by subcontractors remaining at the prime contractor level.

However, every subcontractor must have verified workers’ compensation coverage to protect the prime and hiring company.

WORKER- AND SITE-LEVEL COMPLIANCE

Robust worker compliance is especially critical for subcontractors, as so much risk exists at the job site where the work is performed. Any worker on a job site, whether

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employee, prime, or sub, must meet the same training and compliance standards for entering a site and performing work. Making an exception for one worker immediately makes everyone else on the job site less safe.

Site access controls and security can effectively maintain proper worker qualifications and training, especially when paired with on-demand mobile worker training and on-site hazard management tools

CLEAR EXPECTATIONS AND COMMUNICATION

If your current subcontractor management practice is hands-off, the transition to a more proactive, direct program will require clear expectations and communication to all primes and subcontractors. Once you’ve determined what subcontractor requirements will be and how you will obtain and manage subcontractor information , consider these steps:

1. Communicate clearly to your primes: To effectively shift your subcontractor compliance program, your primes must be informed and on-board. Consider multiple communication channels such as in-person town hall meetings, webinars, and emails to help your direct contractors understand the new subcontractor program requirements.

2. Be extremely clear in your new expectations: Alert your direct contractors that you have new expectations for your relationship with any subs hired to work on your projects, including that you have direct vetting and oversight. Talk about any new expectations you have of your primes and how the process for hiring subs for your jobs will change.

3. Re-examine your contracts: Ensure your contracts specify the relationship dynamics between you, the primes, and their subcontractors, including provisions for direct interaction as needed.

MONITORING AND ENFORCEMENT

Consistency is paramount not only in communicating strategy and standards, but also in execution. Even with the best risk management strategy, field leaders may be tempted to make small compliance exceptions to keep projects on track (such as telling a worker they can enter a site without proper training, if they take the training within the next week). Likewise, primes may want to circumvent your new requirements to get a sub hired quickly in a pinch.

The problem is that contractors talk, workers may push for more “small exceptions,” and the situation can quickly devolve into more relaxed requirements in practice. Even one unvetted subcontractor or untrained worker can have catastrophic consequences. Monitoring and enforcing subcontractor compliance is crucial to maintaining your safety and sustainability standards throughout your supply chain.

Conduct regular compliance audits, site visits and inspections, and other enforcement strategies to ensure proper qualification and compliance. This is especially critical in disconnected and global operations, to ensure visibility and avoid safety hazards, child labor, quality concerns, and other risks lurking within your extended supply chain.

CONCLUSION

Properly managing subcontractor risk is essential for all organizations outsourcing work, as almost one third of supply chain disruptions stem from lower-tier subcontractors rather than primes. Hiring companies must ensure direct vetting and oversight of all subs in their extended network, applying the same comprehensive compliance requirements as they have for prime contractors.

Clear, top-down standards, consistent expectations, and transparent communication are key building blocks to creating a strong subcontractor compliance program.

Avetta is a SaaS software company that provides supply chain risk management solutions. Its platform is trusted by over 130,000 suppliers in over 120 countries. Visit Avetta.com to learn more about its subcontractor management tools , prequalification services, and marketplace offerings.

Using Technology to Address Crane Hazards: New Report From NSC

10.07.2024 | Safety and Health

ALL IS NOT WELL AT WORK, ACCORDING TO RECENT FINDINGS.

Washington — The National Safety Council has published a new report highlighting technology solutions that have the potential to reduce the risk of injury and death when working in and around cranes.

The report was released through NSC’s Work to Zero initiative and developed in partnership with the NCCCO Foundation , which promotes crane safety through education, research and workforce development. The resource expands on a previously published report summarizing the findings of a survey of more than 2,000 certified crane operators, riggers, signalpersons, directors and inspectors on safety in the crane industry.

Potential Technology Solutions to Address Hazards in the Crane Industry identifies 13 technologies, including:

• Camera systems and computer vision

• Ground-penetrating radar

• Load rotation and maneuvering devices

• Location geofencing

• Proximity sensors

• Robotics

• Wind-speed indicators

“While there are many serious risks associated with the crane industry – ranging from electrocution and boom collapses to crane overturns and being struck by a moving load – it’s clear more work is needed to improve safety in this important field,” said Katherine Mendoza, senior director of workplace programs at NSC. “There’s no better way to glean insights about potential solutions to mitigate risks than by learning from those impacted, which is why we partnered with the NCCCO Foundation to survey workers in the crane industry and identify hazards and technology innovations to reduce injuries.”

In addition to the report, NSC and the NCCCO Foundation have developed a case study on using drones for crane safety (for example, lift planning and emergency response planning) and another on using cameras to “view realtime video footage of the worksite and provide direct visibility of a load, the surrounding area and potential blind spots.”

WHAT OSHA TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR MY EMPLOYEES?

Unfortunately, there’s no one regulation that pertains to training. Requirements can be found in individual regulations in 29 CFR 1910 (general industry, which essentially encompasses anything that’s not construction, agriculture, or maritime); 29 CFR 1926 (construction); 29 CFR 1915 (shipyard employment); 29 CFR 1917 (marine terminals); 29 CFR 1918 (longshoring); and 29 CFR 1928 (agriculture).

Training on a particular topic depends on whether it applies to work your employees are performing. While all employees must know how to report an injury or illness and what to do in an emergency like a fire or tornado, other training requirements will vary. For example, if employees are exposed to hazardous chemicals, they need training under the Hazard Communication Standard at 1910.1200

WHAT IF A REGULATION DOESN’T MENTION TRAINING?

While some regulations don’t explicitly mention training, delivering some training is clearly necessary. For example, employees need to understand how to safely operate machinery, including how guards work. They also need to understand how to safely use electrical equipment, and they should know exit routes cannot be blocked, and so on.

ARE WE REQUIRED TO GIVE EMPLOYEES A QUIZ OR TEST AFTER TRAINING?

OSHA doesn’t require this, so it’s up to employer discretion. However, it’s a great way to determine if employees understand the material presented.

HOW MUCH TIME DO WE HAVE TO SPEND ON TRAINING?

In most instances, OSHA doesn’t require that a specific amount of time be devoted to training. An exception is the HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) standard at 1910.120. As a best practice, check the individual regulation to see if there are time requirements.

WHAT TRAINING RECORDS MUST BE KEPT?

Any record retention requirements are found in the individual regulations, i.e., 1910.147 . However, many regulations don’t mention training records. It’s a best practice to maintain training records even when they’re not specifically required. In the event of an inspection, this shows a good faith effort to train employees, and it also helps keep your training program organized.

WHO NEEDS OSHA 10- AND 30-HOUR TRAINING?

Federal OSHA doesn’t require that employees take 10- or 30-hour training; however, some states, municipalities, or employers may require it as a condition of employment. States that have some requirements around this type of training (most often for construction, but not exclusively) are Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OSHA 10- AND 30-HOUR TRAINING?

The 10-hour training program is designed for general industry workers, warehousing and manufacturing employees, foremen and job supervisors, and inspectors involved in general industry activities.

The 30-hour training program is intended to provide supervisors and/or workers with some safety responsibility a greater depth and variety of training.

How to Empower Workers to Stop Unsafe Work

10.09.2024 | Weeklysafety.com

Stop Work Authority (SWA) empowers employees, at any level, to halt a job or task when a hazardous situation appears imminent, without fear of retribution.

Stop Work Authority (SWA), also known as Right to Refuse (RTR), is not required by OSHA, but there are many benefits to implementing a procedure that gives employees the right to stop unsafe or unhealthful working conditions. Adding Stop Work Authority to a health and safety program is a good way to strengthen the safety culture at an organization when workers know they can exercise SWA without repercussion.

Because work conditions can change, having a program in place like Stop Work Authority encourages employee involvement in hazard observation and increases the chances that hazards are identified well before they become near misses or tragic incidents.

The Stop Work Authority procedures should cover everyone at a work location or on the job site including employees, contractors, subcontractors, and visitors. Stop Work Authority does not only apply to extremely dangerous work situations or obviously unsafe behavior like explosion hazards or when someone becomes distracted and walks under a heavy load. Depending on the circumstance, correcting hazards after work has been stopped can also

include easy fixes like instructing personnel to wear the proper PPE or moving a tripping hazard

STOP WORK AUTHORITY PROVIDES

• An additional layer of protection for people and property.

• A procedure that protects individuals from negative consequences when they exercise their right to refuse dangerous work.

• A framework for workers, subcontractors, and management to respect safe work.

• The specific steps workers can take to protect themselves and their co-workers from a potentially hazardous situation.

• The organization with empowered, competent workers who have the responsibility, obligation, and right to stop work if they believe it will create a dangerous situation.

It is not enough to just declare that Stop Work Authority now exists within an organization. Clear communication of the SWA policies is crucial, including:

• The exact steps an employees should take and how the entire process works from start to finish.

• Examples of what kinds of work situations may require work to stop.

• The obligation and responsibility that workers have to halt work before an incident happens.

• Assurance that there are to be no negative consequences, from the company, management or coworkers after a worker uses their authority to stop work.

• A zero tolerance for bullying or ridicule towards anyone who uses their authority to stop work.

• Training requirements.

There may be obstacles and challenges that employees need to overcome as they begin to actively participate in a Stop Work Authority program. The following excuses are not good reasons for any worker to fail to use their authority to stop work when unsafe actions or a hazardous situation arises at work.

• Fear of alienating a co-worker by calling them out on an unsafe act.

• There is a sense of urgency to getting the work done and stopping work would cause a delay.

• An unsafe act may be performed by someone with more experience, and you feel like it is not your place to call attention to the risky behavior.

• Anxiety that you have misinterpreted the situation.

• Peer pressure influencing you not to speak up.

Fear of embarrassment or ridicule

• Unclear understanding of the SWA process or what unsafe acts may be deemed worthy of stopping.

• Worry that stopping work may impact production or the ability to meet a deadline.

• Other workers are present and no one else is saying anything.

• Assuming you don’t have the authority to stop work if you witness unsafe behavior or a dangerous situation.

• Accepting “we’ve always done it this way” as an excuse for performing work in an unsafe manner.

• Fear of angering a supervisor or management.

Every organization will set up their Stop Work Authority program differently, but the general steps of a SWA procedure are as follows:

1. Stop the work. When an unsafe action or situation is observed, the work is immediately halted.

2. Notify the affected personnel and supervisor. Provide a clear explanation of the reason why the work was stopped. Take immediate action to make the area safe.

3. Investigate the reason why the work was halted. Review and discuss the situation and come to an agreement on the stop work action.

4. Correct the unsafe behavior or situation. Hazards should be eliminated before work resumes.

5. Resume the work. After corrective actions have been completed all affected personnel should be notified that work can continue.

6. Monitor and follow-up. While immediate corrections may have eliminated the hazard, additional actions may be implemented to prevent future occurrences. Preventative actions may include monitoring activity, root cause analysis , additional training, safety program updates, follow-up inspections, further investigation, targeted safety meetings , or documentation.

Even if a Stop Work Authority plan has not been implemented, OSHA states that workers always have the right to refuse dangerous work. Your right to refuse to do a task is protected if all the following conditions are met:

• Where possible, you have asked the employer to eliminate the danger, and the employer failed to do so.

• You refused to work in “good faith.” This means that you must genuinely believe that a reasonable apprehension of death or serious injury exists.

• A reasonable person would agree that there is a real danger of death or serious injury.

• There isn’t enough time, due to the urgency of the hazard, to get it corrected through regular enforcement channels, such as requesting an OSHA inspection

OSHA Standard 1977.12(b)(2) Occasions might arise when an employee is confronted with a choice between not performing assigned tasks or subjecting himself to serious injury or death arising from a hazardous condition at the workplace. If the employee, with no reasonable alternative, refuses in good faith to expose himself to the dangerous condition, he would be protected against subsequent discrimination.

EMPLOYEES CAN TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS IF A STOP WORK AUTHORITY PROCEDURE IS NOT CURRENTLY IN PLACE.

1. Ask the employer to correct the hazard, or to assign other work.

2. Tell the employer that you won’t perform the work unless and until the hazard is corrected.

3. Remain at the worksite until ordered to leave by your employer.

Training and Education

10.08.2024 | Weeklysafety.com

Training and education are important tools for informing workers and managers about hazards and controls so they can work more safely and be more productive.

Another role of education and training, however, is to provide workers and managers with a greater understanding of the safety and health program itself, so that they can contribute to its development and implementation.

Training and education provide employers, managers, supervisors, and workers with:

• Knowledge and skills needed to do their work safely and avoid creating hazards that could place themselves or others at risk.

• Awareness and understanding of hazards and how to identify, report, and control them.

• Specialized training when their work involves unique hazards.

Effective training and education can be provided outside a formal classroom setting. Peer-to peer training, weekly safety meetings, on-the-job training, daily toolbox talks, and worksite demonstrations can be effective in conveying safety concepts, ensuring understanding of hazards and their controls, and promoting good work practices.

All training should be provided in the language and at a literacy level that workers can understand.

PROGRAM AWARENESS TRAINING

Managers, supervisors, and workers all need to understand the structure, plans, and procedures of the health and safety program.

Provide training to all managers, supervisors, workers, contractors, and temporary agency workers on key topics like:

• Safety and health policies, goals, and procedures.

• Functions of the safety and health program.

• How to ask questions or voice concerns about the program.

• Reporting procedures for hazards, injuries, illnesses, and near misses.

• Emergency procedures.

• Employer’s responsibilities under the program.

• Workers’ rights under the OSH Act.

• Safety and health hazards of the workplace and the controls for those hazards.

Confirm, as part of the training, that all workers have the right to report injuries, incidents, hazards, and concerns and to fully participate in the program without fear of retaliation.

TRAINING FOR LEADERSHIP ROLES

Employers, managers, and supervisors are responsible for worker safety, yet sometimes have little training on safety-related concepts and techniques. They can benefit from specific training that allows them to fulfill their leadership roles in the program.

Reinforce their leadership responsibilities under the OSH Act along with training on guaranteed workers’ rights.

Instruct those in leadership roles on the fundamental concepts and techniques for recognizing hazards and

the methods of controlling them, including the hierarchy of controls.

Train leadership on the correct procedures for responding to reports of injuries, illnesses, and incidents, including ways to avoid discouraging reporting. All organization leaders should be trained on incident investigation techniques, including root cause analysis. For construction leadership, consider providing the OSHA 30-hour safety course.

SAFETY TRAINING FOR SPECIFIC ROLES

Additional training may be needed to ensure that workers can incorporate any assigned safety and health responsibilities into their daily routines and activities.

Instruct workers on how to report injuries, illnesses, incidents, and concerns. If a computerized reporting system is used, ensure that all employees have the basic computer skills and computer access sufficient to submit an effective report.

Workers assigned to specific roles within the safety and health program should receive training on how to carry out those responsibilities, which might include hazard recognition, control implementation, incident investigation, and program evaluation and improvement. Provide opportunities for workers to ask questions and provide feedback during and after the training.

As the health and safety program evolves, institute a more formal process for determining the training needs of workers responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the program.

TRAINING FOR HAZARD RECOGNITION AND CONTROLS

Providing workers with an understanding of hazard recognition and control, and actively involving them in the process, can help to eliminate hazards before an incident occurs.

Workers should be able to understand and recognize the hazards they may encounter in their own jobs, as well as more general work-related hazards.

Train workers on techniques for identifying hazards, such as job hazard analysis.

Instruct workers on concepts and techniques for controlling hazards, including the hierarchy of controls and its importance.

Workers should also receive training on the proper implementation of work practice and administrative controls, as well as when and how to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).

Provide additional training, as necessary, when a change in facilities, equipment, processes, materials, or work organization could increase hazards, and whenever a worker is assigned a new task.

For construction workers, provide additional training, as necessary, when construction progresses. There may be learning opportunities when new trades or equipment arrive at the job site to perform the next phase of the project.

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