Safety Plans often contain hazards that can be typically encountered indoors while working, but what about the dangers outside? Many dangers should be addressed within a Safety Plan to prepare employees for any hazard they may encounter while performing their work duties.
Safety Plans often contain hazards that can be typically encountered indoors while working, but what about the dangers outside? Many dangers should be addressed within a Safety Plan to prepare employees for any hazard they may encounter while performing their work duties.
A hazard could be an exposure to various species such as venomous snakes, toxic plants, and stinging insects. These hazards could range from tenderness to a visit at an emergency room. Venomous snakes such as copperheads, coral snakes and rattlesnakes can be located throughout the United States. Typically, venomous snakes live near swamps, bodies of water, forest, and sandy regions. A proper safety plan will help identify evidence of snakes present in the area and what to look for. A major component is to not handle the snake or interact with it.
Tools should be used to rake debris towards the worker. If a snake is uncovered, the debris will act as an additional layer of protection between the worker and the snake. Other employees in the area should be alerted to the presence of snakes and be hyper aware when working in the area. Similarly, if a flat object is being picked up, it should be lifted from the far side to also act as a barrier.
A snake bite should be treated immediately and the identification of the type of snake aids in the process of selecting the appropriate antitoxin to treat the bitten employee with. The victim should remain as calm as possible to slow the circulation and spread of the venom. The wound should be wrapped in loose and dry dressing. The limb should also be immobilized. If aid is far away, the swelling should be marked in 15 minute intervals until aid can be administered.
A Safety Professional can greatly aid in the creation of a Safety Program to identify potential hazards inside buildings and in the outdoors. Education for the employee is imperative to ensure each hazard can be addressed. Hazards such as snakes while working outside can be fatal if not treated appropriately. A Safety Professional will address each potential hazard with an appropriate plan of action to address the hazard. The employees should be trained to identify the hazard and be knowledgeable on the appropriate precautions to take. Click hereto find a Safety Professional in your area to work with your company to create a robust Safety Plan for the hazards your employee will face on a day to day basis.
Occupational Health Overcomes Everyday Hazards
Many workers face different types of hazards on a daily basis. Each company has a responsibility to proactively protect their employees from hazards encountered in the workplace. Accidents or injuries can bring production to a halt, reduce the workforce while the employee is recovering and lead to costly worker compensation claims. A Certified Industrial Hygienist can help your company improve the Occupational Health present at your facility.
The Risk from Asbestos
Asbestos poses a major health risk in many office buildings and homes due to the wide adoption and usage of asbestos as an insulator in the construction process. Asbestos can be found in the glue beneath vinyl flooring or in material applied to concrete to regulate the temperature between floors in an office building. These buildings and homes are being remodeled and modernized as an update to the space, but the demolition process can be hazardous if asbestos is present. Test for asbestos prior to starting your next remodeling project to ensure workers are safe.
Communicating the Dangers with HazCom
Hazard Communication focuses on explaining the dangers present at the workplace. The employees have a right to understand the hazards present and how to remain safe on the jobsite. A Certified Industrial Hygienist can work with your company to fulfill the HazCom requirement set forth by OSHA.
