Staying Safe On the Job – Tips & Tricks from Industry Leaders
Safety isn’t just an important thing for employees – it’s the only thing. That’s certainly true for aerial lift and scissor lift operators. CertifyMeOnline.net, the online leader in OSHA compliant aerial work platform training, knows the financial, legal, and (most critically) personal consequences of an unsafe work environment.
That’s why our training modules are used by companies all across the United States. We realize that safety always comes first – no exceptions.
It’s good to know that training firms like CertifyMeOnline.net aren’t the only ones concerned about safety. We recently reached out to different business leaders, CEOs, safety supervisors and other industry luminaries about job safety.
The response was overwhelming, and we’d like to share a few of the responses below. Enjoy!
Assessments, Awareness, Equipment & More – Safety Recommendations from Business Leaders
For Syed Irfan Ajmal, an internationally renowned speaker, podcast host, and digital marketing guru, the enormous impact of on the job injuries illustrates the importance of safe work practices. “According to recent statistics, nearly 104 million production days were lost due to work-related injuries in 2017 alone,” said Mr. Ajmal.
To ensure safety, Mr. Ajmal (founder of SIA Enterprises) stresses the importance of protective gear. “Ensure employees wear protective gear at all costs while working,” said Mr. Ajmal. “What’s more, health and safety training should be a part of job training, since it enables every individual to actively involve if any incident occurs. Also, have first aid kits or medical resources available onsite and display clear signs for the employees and outsiders explaining why it is unsafe.”
Personal protective gear is one of the most overlooked aspects of aerial lift operations, particularly in harsh outdoor conditions. Mr. Ajmal’s point is well taken, especially for any aerial work platform employee who has braved blustery winds, cold temperatures, and other adverse situations.
Whether you’re in an office environment involved with construction and repair work, keeping a safety-first attitude is crucial for safety. But the equipment shouldn’t be overlooked. Alex Berezowski, Owner & General Manager of The Foundation Experts Inc., a foundation repair and home waterproofing company, says that having the right tools and equipment for the job is also important.
“There’s definitely a lot to look out for when on a worksite, which is why the number one tip for staying safe is to make sure you have the right equipment,” said Mr. Berezowski. “For instance, on most worksites, there can be a lot of cement and dust flying through the air, which is why you need to be wearing the right glasses to protect your eyes. It’s also dangerous to get any in your mouth and lungs, which is why masks are a big safety accessory.”
Wearing a safety mask may seem like a minor detail, but respiratory problems can develop into big problems down the road. Sometimes, gearing up properly isn’t just for the short term – it’s for optimal health, even after you’re done working.
A proper assessment of working conditions is another big safety factor. “Another hazard on many worksites is the fact that you’re often working in tight spaces. For the most part, there’s always a lot of traffic going on in that small area, so it’s important to have a high level of spatial awareness,” said Mr. Berezowski. Since there’s a lot of high powered machines and even chemicals in the area, you need to be aware of where everything is. In other words, always be alert of your surroundings – never assume anything. Safety is too important to ignore.”
Continuing on the theme provided by The Foundation Experts, Nina LaRosa likewise recommends a careful, coordinated, comprehensive assessment of the working environment.
Ms. LaRosa, Marketing Director of online training and LMS software company Moxie Media, suggests a thorough Job Safety Analysis (JSA) to avoid on the job pitfalls and hazards. “A Job Safety Analysis allows you to systematically prepare for potential safety issues,” said Ms. LaRosa. “It uses a three-step process to break a job down into its steps, identify the potential dangers of each step, and establish processes
to minimize or even eliminate those dangers. This way, you don’t have to wait until an accident occurs to create safety measures for your worksite.”
Training and preparedness are paramount for job safety, and also required by OSHA. “In our experience, a JSA can help reduce the risk of a variety of hazards and incidents,” continued Ms. LaRosa. “This could include preventing heat-related medical conditions, working with hazardous materials, reducing exposure to fire hazards, preventing hearing loss, correctly using personal protective equipment (PPE), working in confined spaces, and more.”
There’s an old saying that applies to Ms. LaRosa’s safety suggestions: victory loves preparation. “Victory” in this sense refers to performing job duties comfortably, safety, all while avoiding accidents and injuries on the job.
We hope you can take this knowledge and apply it to your own line of work. For CertifyMeOnline.net customers, that means complete job site assessments, protective gear and more for aerial work platform duties.
From Safety Tips & Tricks to OSHA Compliant Training, CertifyMeOnline.net Has You Covered!
CertifyMeOnline.net offers the best training and evaluation tools you’ll find anywhere. Our affordable prices, convenient online access, and lifetime support ensure your employees are compliant and safe for a variety of working conditions. Sign up and register your company today and see how our training modules can keep your training costs under control, all while creating a safer workplace.
We’d like to thank all of the responses we received! Together, we can ALL ensure safer, more productive workspaces for employees everywhere!