Some like it HOT!

Every change in season seems to bring on new "wars" in the office.  The AC War.  For the most part, we can laugh at it.  But these constant changing of the temperatures in the office could be adding to an influx of colds and other ailments.  You know you have seen it.  One employee is "freezing" in their office and bumps the control up to warm it up.  Two offices down the hall all the sudden wonders why they are sweating and gets up to adjust the thermostat down to "his" comfort level….and the war begins. 

Some offices will lock a box around the control box to keep this from happening.  That is fine, but what about the person sitting in the office that happens to have poor circulation?  You’re wondering if I mean the vents or the blood flow of the employee.  Well, I mean both. Are companies obligated to purchase heaters and fans to keep their employees happy?  What about the "warmer" employee falling asleep on the job, being lathargic from the heat? Or the "freezing" employee with the sniffles, sneezing all day.  How does this affect productivity?  Should we be worried?

Really, I am just wondering.  Just wondering while I am typing away with my frozen fingers. 

Posted February 8th, 2008 by Camille - Posted in Customer Service, Health, Human Resources, Productivity, Safety, Workers' Comp | | 1 Comments

HazCom…a Hazard in Itself!

Hazard Communication…it always shows up on OSHA's "Top 10" list of violations.  Gee, I wonder why!  Do you know of any company who has an MSDS sheet for every single chemical in their building or on their jobsite?  Okay…raise your hand if your company has the MSDS for white out!  (Guilty as charged!)  Or how about that fancy 8-pack of colored highlighters that your co-worker has on his/her desk?  Well, how about one for the emissions from the truck that backs up to your loading dock?  (I didn't think so!)  All are chemicals that have some sort of inherent danger if ingested accidentally or used in some other moronic way!  Is anyone EVER fully compliant with this OSHA standard?

So what is the appropriate attitude and action a company should take?  It is obvious that "letter of the law" will not happen, even by companies with the best intentions.  I say, "Major on the majors!"  Do your best to be compliant with the OSHA regulation, but put the focus on chemicals that are most likely to cause harm.  Take a walk around your facility.  Do you see commonly used items such as paint thinner, amonia, or other chemicals that could easily come in contact with skin or be accidentally ingested?  Also, keep in mind that chemicals come in more than liquid form.  The exhaust from a vehicle truly does pose a potential hazard when it contaminates the air you breathe!  Commit to obtain MSDS for these chemicals.  (There are various places - such as this one - you can get MSDS, but perhaps the best resource is the manufacturer of the product.  They are required by law to develop an MSDS for their products.)

Finally, the easiest way to manage MSDS is to implement a procedure within your shipping/receiving department whereby someone is responsible for checking to see that MSDS sheets are supplied with every product containing chemicals that is received.  If not, that person should contact the manufacturer immediately for a copy of the MSDS (before that product leaves the shipping/receiving area).

Hazard Communication…it's enough to give anyone a headache!  Just thinking about it is hazardous!

Posted January 3rd, 2008 by Kym - Posted in Health, Safety | | 0 Comments

You Make Me Sick!

It's the season for sharing!  Around our office I see it each year…some poor soul catches the cold or flu then proceeds to share generously (though not intentionally) with others!  Now, I'm no "health nut," but it seems to me there are some common sense things to prevent the spread of your own virus, and to combat catching one from co-workers.  Kudos to the writer of this article for providing ideas for both, and even revealing where germs hide out in your office.  Is it too much to expect grown adults to take responsibility for themselves and others?

Now, if you'll excuse me…I feel a sneeze coming on and I'm really in the mood for sharing!

Posted December 20th, 2007 by Kym - Posted in Health, Safety | | 0 Comments

Are Employees Really a Company’s Greatest Asset?

Employers often say, "Our employees are our greatest asset!"  But is that really true?  How many of us would run into a burning home to save our cherished photos, computers or other "valuable" possessions.  Yet, when we see an unsafe work condition or practice, we fail to implement any administrative or engineering control to insure that workers are not injured as a result of that unsafe condition or practice.  We'll risk our lives for possessions, yet tell the world that employees are our greatest asset!?!

The proof is in the action!  Make an effort today to create a safer work environment for one of your employees or a co-worker! 

Posted December 6th, 2007 by Kym - Posted in Safety | | 0 Comments

Oh…My Aching Back!

Business owners beware!  OSHA has just mandated that employers are responsible for providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to employees!  According to Business and Legal Reports, "This final rule will clarify who is responsible for paying for PPE, which OSHA anticipates will lead to greater compliance and potential avoidance of thousands of workplace injuries each year."

In the world of loss control, we can agree that proper PPE reduces injuries and severity, and is a good cost control measure.  But does crying out "Oh, my aching back," entitle such employee to the latest and greatest in back support apparel? 

There is no clear cut answer to that question.  However, if an employee is crying out, "Oh, my aching back," you can count on this:  you will likely "buy" a work comp claim for that person eventually!  Will back support prevent such a claim?  If so, the cost of providing it may not be so bad after all!  If not, do you really want to keep that worker assigned to that task?

Posted November 29th, 2007 by Kym - Posted in Safety, Workers' Comp | | 0 Comments

The Ladder Safety Mistake

Some workers are just asking for it!  Sixty feet in the air…top of a ladder held up by sticks…in the bed of a truck!  Duh!  A safety manager can talk until they are blue in the face, but until someone comes up with a way to remove the “idiot factor,” we can expect stupid injuries.  Check out the guy on the ladder!

At least he’s wearing his hard hat!

Posted November 8th, 2007 by Kym - Posted in Safety | | 1 Comments