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  • The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced its citation of Amazon for failing to record and properly report work-related injuries and illnesses. The proposed penalties totaled $29,008.

    What Went Wrong

    Amazon is the world’s largest online retailer and a prominent cloud service provider. They have transitioned into an internet-based business enterprise largely focused on providing e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence (AI) services. Amazon has over 1.3 million employees throughout the world.

    That said, they still made mistakes that cost them a hefty fine from OSHA. They were cited for 14 recordkeeping violations which included the following:

    • Failing to properly record worker injuries and illnesses
    • Misclassified injuries and illnesses
    • Failed to report injuries and illnesses within the required timeframe
    • Did not provide OSHA with timely records

    These citations followed site inspections in July and August at Amazon warehouse facilities in Deltona, Florida; Waukegan, Illinois; New Windsor and Castleton, New York; Aurora, Colorado; and Nampa, Idaho. The company has 15 days to comply with or contest the citations.

    How To Avoid This From Happening To Your Business

    Even with a company such as Amazon, ensuring you stay compliant and keep your employees safe is still challenging. However, there are resources available to business owners to help prevent these situations from happening. When you partner with a professional employer organization (PEO) like GMS, we have experts and resources in place to prevent situations similar to Amazon from happening. Should one of your employees get injured on the job, our partnership with CarivaCare provides our clients with 24/7 access to the workers’ compensation nurse triage program. You are quickly connected with knowledgeable, caring professionals who will assist your employees. We also have a team of safety experts who will visit your facility to ensure it is as safe as possible for you and your employees, thereby preventing injuries. Contact us today to learn more.

  • NOX US, an Ohio vinyl tile manufacturer faces over $1.2 million in proposed penalties from the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Since February 2017, there have been seven worksite injuries after incorrectly following mandatory machine safety procedures. In addition, NOX US recorded at least 13 serious injuries at the Fostoria, Ohio, plant which were caused by exposure to burn and amputation hazards. All incidents put the Fostoria plant on OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program in 2017.

    NOX US LLC

    NOX US was founded in 1994 and focuses on luxury vinyl tile flooring innovation, design, and manufacturing for global customers. They continue to lead the industry with innovation and expertise. In addition, they offer superior quality control with their integrated vertical production system. They control the complete manufacturing process in their facilities to meet their customers’ various needs.

    The Most Recent Incident

    On April 28th, 2022, OSHA inspectors responded after a worker suffered severe injuries after being caught in a machine on the worksite. This inspection found that the worker’s finger was caught in a rotating spindle on a plastic winding machine and their body was pulled around the machine’s spindle. This employee was at the company for only six short weeks and suffered multiple severe injuries requiring surgery. OSHA cited NOX US with the following:

    • Eight willful violations
    • One repeat violation
    • Six serious violations
    • One other-than-serious violation for exposing workers to machine hazards, lacking personal protective equipment, and failing to train their workers on safety hazards and precautions

    Be Proactive Before It’s Too Late

    While this is a terrible accident that could’ve been prevented, it’s vital you use this example as a lesson to get the protection you need. Thankfully, GMS can help business owners take a proactive approach to workplace safety through various services. These strategies include:

    • Onsite consulting
    • Jobsite inspections
    • Accident and injury investigations 
    • OSHA inspection and citations assistance 
    • And more!

    Contact GMS today to talk to our safety experts to ensure you’re following all rules and regulations as well as keeping your employees safe. 

  • The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Woodbridge Englewood Inc. for one willful and nine serious violations, with the proposed penalties equaling $271,403. It is determined that the company was cited for exposing their workers to fires while failing to properly train them on initial stage fire identification and the use of fire extinguishers. This was followed by federal safety investigators receiving a referral from a local fire department that had responded to 13 fires at this company in two years.

    Woodbridge Englewood Company 

    Woodbridge Englewood, formerly known as Hematite, is a designer and manufacturer of automotive and industrial components. Its products include insulators, body plugs, acoustic wheel liners, underbody shields, lower air deflectors, aero shields, under-engine covers, and more. Woodbridge Englewood has multiple locations across the country, with its headquarters in Canada. However, this incident occurred at its Clayton, Ohio, location.

    OSHA’s Findings

    Between June 2020 and June 2022, Woodbridge Englewood Inc. had 13 fires at its facility. OSHA found that the polyethylene material this company heats to create molten plastic for automotive parts catches on fire in the ovens. In addition, the material is easily ignited, even by static, and is very difficult to put out when a fire occurs. Employees combated fires with extinguishers, which lessened repair costs and production time, rather than allowing sprinklers to activate, endangering workers.

    Ken Montgomery, OSHA Area Director in Cincinnati, Ohio, stated, “the company must immediately review its emergency action plans and the process for storing and handing flammable materials. Incorporating training and protective measures will help minimize fires and protect workers on the job.”

    Be Proactive, Partner With GMS

    At GMS, our safety experts are here to ensure a similar situation similar to this Ohio manufacturer doesn’t happen in your warehouse. It’s essential your employees are given the right tools to succeed while creating a culture of safety to minimize any risks their daily activities may carry. GMS can help business owners take a proactive approach to workplace safety through various services, including:

    • Onsite consulting
    • Job inspections
    • Accident and injury investigations
    • Training
    • Job hazard analysis (JHA) and standard operating procedures (SOP)
    • OSHA inspection and citation assistance 

    Want to make your workplace a safer place? Contact us today. 

  • For many business owners, a visit from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) can be a nerve-wracking experience. OSHA conducts tens of thousands of inspections each year to ensure that businesses maintain their legal responsibility to protect employees from injuries and illnesses.

    No employer wants to see an OSHA inspector at their door, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared. Let’s break down what can trigger OSHA inspections and what employers can do to make the experience as quick and painless as possible.

    What Causes OSHA Inspections To Happen?

    There are several reasons why OSHA may conduct an unplanned visit to your business, but some are more likely to trigger an inspection than others. The following reasons can all cause OSHA to come knocking on your door and are ranked in order of priority.

    1. High-hazard environments with issues that pose imminent danger.
    2. Someone died or multiple people were hospitalized on a job site.
    3. Employees on-site filed complaints or requested an inspection.
    4. Other agencies, businesses, or individuals referred a worksite for OSHA investigation.
    5. OSHA is following up on a previous inspection to determine if the violations have been corrected.
    6. A visit was pre-planned because a workplace previously experienced high incident rates or is in a hazardous industry.

    Generally, the majority of OSHA inspections are surprise events. According to OSHA, there are only four instances when the organizations will give advance notice for inspections:

    • OSHA needs to involve management to immediately address cases of apparent imminent danger.
    • An inspection requires special preparation or must be conducted after regular working hours.
    • If management and worker representatives are not likely to be on-site unless they have advance notice.
    • If the OSHA area director thinks a more complete inspection is necessary, such as an investigation following a fatality.

    How To Prepare Ahead Of Time

    Workplace safety begins long before an OSHA official stops by for a walkaround inspection. Preventative safety measures can help drastically limit the odds of accidents and ensuing visits from OSHA.

    Conduct jobsite inspections and risk assessments

    The best way to prevent accidents and inspections is to eliminate issues that lead to them. Take some time to identify and eliminate potential hazards on your worksites. Everything from minor trip hazards to missing safety equipment can lead to problems, so a proactive approach can save you and your employees from physical harm and future headaches.

    Train employees on workplace safety

    The better educated your employees are about workplace safety, the more likely it is that they will safely perform their jobs. Ongoing training sessions can teach your workforce everything they need to know about workplace safety, including:

    • What personal protective equipment (PPE) is required on the job, when it’s needed, and how to properly wear it.
    • Special safety procedures, such as fall protection guidelines.
    • How to identify hazards and report them.
    • Proper procedures for how to use and store workplace tools, equipment, and machinery.
    • Best practices for fire safety, first aid, and other needs.
    • Next steps to take in the event of an accident or other incident.

    Maintain safety documentation

    A well-defined set of workplace safety policies is an effective way to encourage employees to adopt safe work habits and a valuable compliance tool. Update your employee handbook to include safety and health policies included in your workplace safety program.

    Even if you have existing policies in place, review them to ensure there are no gaps and that they are up to date. You should also keep records of any relevant safety data, including:

    • OSHA 300 logs
    • Safety data sheets
    • Safety training and toolbox training sign-in sheets

    What To Do During An OSHA Inspection

    Preventative measures can help your business drastically reduce workplace accidents and OSHA inspections. However, it’s important to act accordingly if OSHA arrives with an inspection warrant. The following tips can help you protect your business and make the inspection go as smoothly as possible for both parties.

    Know your rights

    During an OSHA inspection, you have the right to take measures to protect your business. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) recommends that employers know about the following rights they can use to their benefit:

    • OSHA may not inspect a workplace without administrative probable cause and a warrant, giving employers some room to negotiate a reasonable scope for the inspection.
    • Employers have the right to exclude nonemployee third parties from the inspection process.
    • Employers have the right to an opening conference that they can use to:
      • Negotiate the inspection scope.
      • Ask questions about the purpose and cause of the inspection.
      • Establish ground rules for how the inspection will proceed, including document collection, conducting interviews, and gaining physical access to the facility.
    • If an investigation was triggered by an employee complaint, employers have a right to obtain that complaint before consenting to an investigation.
    • Employers can accompany the OSHA compliance officer at all times during the inspection walkaround and document evidence alongside them.
    • After the inspection is complete, employers have the right to contest any OSHA citations.

    Be civil and accommodating when the inspector arrives

    The arrival of an OSHA inspector isn’t something you want to see, but it’s still important to be civil and accommodating when they’re in your workplace. While employers can use their rights to protect themselves and their company, it’s essential that you don’t do anything that can be viewed as an obstruction of the investigation. Don’t do anything that would prevent the inspector from doing their job; otherwise, your business could face criminal penalties.

    Another great reason for civility is that acting in good faith goes a long way in the eyes of OSHA. If you don’t act like you’re trying to hide something, the inspector is more likely to be lenient if they do find any issues and deal out penalties. This doesn’t mean that you need to provide info you aren’t asked about, but working with the investigator goes a long way toward making the investigation quicker and easier.

    Stay with the inspector

    If someone from OSHA is on site, make sure they’re not alone. Accompany the compliance officer wherever they go. Ensure you can see what they see and collect the same information as them, in case you need to defend your business against a citation.

    If you can’t stay with them, ensure that an authorized representative stays with the inspector in your place.

    Work With Safety Experts Who Can Help Protect Your Business

    It’s not always easy to maintain a culture of safety, but taking the time and effort to do so can make a major difference for both you and your employees. Fortunately, you don’t have to address workplace safety and OSHA inspections alone.

    GMS partners with business owners to make their business a safer place. We use cost containment and loss prevention strategies to improve workplace safety, manage the OSHA inspection process, and lower workers’ compensation costs. Contact GMS today to learn more about how our risk management services can protect your business and save you time.

  • General Aluminum Manufacturing Company, located in Wapakoneta, Ohio, was recently cited for exposing workers to workplace hazards. As a result, they face $480,000 in proposed penalties. This follows a previous inspection conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety Administration (OSHA) earlier this year.

    In February 2022, OSHA found a band saw and quench tank that lacked adequate machine guarding. In addition, the company failed to train workers in performing service and maintenance tasks on industrial machinery for energy control procedures. Due to the lack of proper training, some workers experienced amputation, caught-in, and struck-by hazards. These citations were also issued for these violations at the Conneaut and Ravenna facilities.

    In June 2022, OSHA also cited the Conneaut plant for eight additional violations and assessed $315,952 in proposed penalties.

    General Aluminum 

    General Aluminum Manufacturing Company offers engineered casting solutions. They produce machined aluminum castings for the automotive and non-automotive industries. In addition, they offer their customers low-pressure permanent molding, permanent molding, semi-permanent molding, lost foam, and high-pressure die castings. The company employs around 1,200 workers across the U.S., with 137 employees at the Wapakoneta location.

    OSHA Penalties They Face Today

    The most recent OSHA inspection conducted in the Wapakoneta facility cited the company with: 

    • One repeat
    • Two willful
    • 10 serious violations for exposing workers to fall hazards while working on top of casting machines, burn hazards due to water accumulation around casting machines, and using improper personal protective equipment

    OSHA inspectors determined worker exposure to electrical and arc flashes, confined space, and powered industrial vehicle hazards. General Aluminum has 15 business days from the day they received the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent OSHA Review Commission.

    Do You Want To Make Your Workplace Safer?

    GMS can help business owners take a proactive approach to workplace safety through various services through the following strategies: 

    • Onsite consulting
    • Jobsite inspections
    • Accident and injury investigations
    • Training
    • Job hazard analysis (JHA) and standard operating procedures (SOP)
    • OSHA inspection and citation assistance

    Take this concrete example from a manufacturing company as a reminder to act now before it’s too late. Don’t wait for OSHA to knock on your door; let GMS safety experts inspect your facility first. Learn more today.

  • It’s no secret that the construction industry can be more dangerous than many other types of work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more than 174,000 nonfatal construction injuries and illnesses in 2020 alone. OSHA also reports that construction workers made up 20% of private industry fatalities.

    These dangers are exactly why it’s essential for construction companies to have safety plans in place for each job site. A good safety program can help companies avoid accidents and keep workers safe and healthy. However, it’s not always obvious how to make a safety plan for construction sites. Below, we’ll break down how to create effective plans to protect your construction workers and your business.

    What Is A Construction Safety Plan?

    A construction safety plan is a written document used to protect workers on job sites. This plan should outline the various rules, procedures, and policies designed to:

    • Put measures in place to prevent accidents
    • Outline response plan following accidents or other safety issues
    • List medical services and emergency contacts
    • Detail the review process for any on-site incidents
    • Highlight safety goals for the construction site

    What Does A Construction Safety Plan Template Look Like?

    While every construction site safety plan will differ from location to location, the majority of plans will include the same types of information. The following construction safety plan example outlines common details that you may want to include in your documentation.

    • Company information
      • Name, address, and phone number
      • Person who approved the site safety plan and approval date
    • Site information
      • List of responsible individuals, such as project manager, site safety officer, etc.
      • Description of the project, work location, and site condition
    • Employees, subcontractors, and other individuals covered by this specific construction safety plan
      • Names of individuals involved in the project
      • Job descriptions/roles
      • Contact information
    • Site rules
      • Personal protective equipment (PPE)
      • Fall protection
      • Safety hazard identification
      • Lockout/tagout
      • Hand and power tools
      • Fire safety
      • First aid
      • Restricted areas
    • Emergency contact information
      • Name, location, and phone number of nearby medical emergency facilities
      • Name, location, and phone number for police department
      • Name and phone number for any leadership that need to be informed about incidents

    A worker using fall protection according to their construction safety plan.

    Best Practices For Construction Safety Plans

    While the elements listed above can help you create a solid safety plan, there are ways in which you can maximize the impact of your risk management efforts. Keep the following best practices in mind when you create and maintain your construction company’s safety plans.

    Embrace OSHA’s fall protection standards

    Slips, trips, and falls are one of the biggest pain points for construction sites. Fall protection is the most frequently cited OSHA violation, making fall protection standards and employee requirements especially important for safety plans. Want to learn more specifics on what businesses should know about fall protection? Check out our post on OSHA’s fall protection standards.

    Make personal protective equipment (PPE) a requirement

    Good protective equipment is another cornerstone for proper risk management in the construction industry. Anything from hard hats to hand protection can be necessary depending on the work being done on a site. Make sure to document what PPE is required on your job site, when and how it must be worn, and proper procedures for storing and maintaining PPE over time.

    Stay flexible

    While a construction company’s safety plan should be made before any work is done, that doesn’t mean it can’t change over time. Important plan details can and should be adjusted as necessary.

    Being flexible with your construction site’s safety plan will help your company address new hazards and make job sites safe and compliant . It’s best to review your plans at least once a year to stay on top of any new potential hazards or other risks.

    Consider various weather conditions

    The weather can create new safety issues for a construction project. If your site is outdoors or can be impacted by weather conditions, you’ll want to evaluate the work space for potential risks caused by rain, extreme heat, and more. Any identified risks should be added to your plan to make sure everyone is prepared regardless of the weather.

    Maintain ongoing safety education

    A safety plan doesn’t have to be a one-time teaching tool. In addition to updating your plans on a regular basis, don’t be afraid to discuss important aspects of your plans during construction safety meetings. Tackling topics ranging from fall protection to first aid can help reinforce the rules set in your safety plans and keep employees informed about how to protect themselves.

    Protect Your Business With A Construction Safety Plan

    Between accidents and rising workers’ compensation costs, it’s important for construction companies to invest in workplace safety. GMS partners with businesses to create thorough plans, complete jobsite inspections, and protect your company through other workplace safety strategies. In turn, business owners can limit accidents and control workers’ compensation costs.

    Ready to take a proactive approach to workplace safety? Contact GMS today to see how we can protect your business while you focus your valuable time on growing your business.

  • The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to implement a hearing conversation program when noise exposure is at or above 85 decibels averaged over eight working hours, or an eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA). The purpose is to prevent initial occupational hearing loss, preserve and protect remaining hearing, and equip workers with the knowledge and hearing protection devices necessary to safeguard themselves.

    Workers exposed to loud noises face the possibility of killing the nerve endings in their inner ears. This results in permanent hearing loss that cannot be corrected through surgery or medicine. Loud noise in a workplace environment causes:

    • Physical and psychological stress
    • Reduces productivity 
    • Interferes with communication and concentration
    • Contributes to workplace accidents and injuries by making it difficult to hear warning signals

    Hearing Conservation Program

    Employers are required to measure noise levels, provide free annual hearing exams, and conduct evaluations of the adequacy of the hearing protectors in use. Research shows that employers who take specific measures by implementing hearing conversation programs have higher levels of productivity from their workers and a lower incidence of absenteeism. All employers must repeat monitoring whenever changes in production, process, or controls increase noise exposure.

    Understand Your Noise Levels

    You can use different methods to measure the noise levels within your workplace. These include:

    • Sound level meters
    • Noise dosimeters
    • Octave band analyzers

    A good rule of thumb is if you need to raise your voice to speak to someone standing three feet away, the noise decibels might be too high. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) created an app, Sound Level Meter, an additional tool individuals can use on their devices to measure sound levels. In addition, you can use quitter machines, isolate the noise source, limit worker exposure, or use effective protective equipment.

    Improve Workplace Safety

    At GMS, our safety experts work with you to ensure employee safety. Luckily, it’s possible to protect your employees from excessively loud noise that could cause complete hearing loss. Be proactive and ensure the safety of your employees now before it’s too late.

  • The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that they will begin the enforcement phase of its emphasis program to prevent workplace hearing loss. Although this program focuses mainly on manufacturing industries, occupational hearing loss is a widespread concern.

    OSHA reported that more than 30 million workers in the United States are exposed to hazardous noise each year causing thousands of workers to suffer from hearing loss that could have been prevented. Hazardous noise levels within the workplace are not only a concern for hearing loss but also contribute to other causes of physical and mental stress, ultimately, lowering employee productivity.

    With OSHA’s new regulations on occupational noise exposure, employers are now required to implement a hearing conservation program when employee noise exposure is equal to or exceeds an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 decibels (dBA). The OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) for noise is 90 dBA as an 8-hour TWA.

    Now, you may wonder, how can I prevent my employees from being exposed to hazardous noise? There are sound-measuring instruments available to measure noise levels which include sound level meters, noise dosimeters, and octave band analyzers. If you have access to mobile iOS devices, you can download the Sound Level Meter app as well. Partnering with a PEO like GMS can also ensure the safety of your employees.

    How GMS Can Help With Workplace Safety

    We understand that business owners can’t keep operations running and thriving without a healthy and efficient workforce. Your employees need the resources and tools to succeed while you are ensuring you’ve created a safe work environment. GMS helps small business owners take a proactive approach to workplace safety through a variety of services. We provide onsite consulting, job site inspections, accident and injury investigations, training, job hazard analysis and standard operating procedures, and OSHA inspection and citation assistance. If you want to make your workplace a safer place, contact us today.

  • Workplace safety is essential for any business, but it takes on even more importance for construction workers. According to OSHA, nearly 20% of private industry worker fatalities were in the construction industry. That inherent danger is exactly why safety meetings are a critical tool for any construction company.

    Regular construction safety meetings, often referred to as toolbox talks, are a key part of any safety program. Sharing the right construction site safety tips during these meetings can help protect people, keep your company compliant, and reduce workers’ compensation costs. That’s why it’s essential to educate employees and keep everyone on the same page about a variety of topics.

    What To Discuss During Your Construction Safety Meetings

    Every meeting is an opportunity to tackle important safety concepts, topics, and guidelines that will keep your employees healthy and productive. Whether you plan to tackle a variety of subjects in one meeting or want to dedicate an entire session to a specific theme, consider these nine construction safety meeting topics to share at your next meeting:

    • Personal protective equipment (PPE)
    • Fall protection
    • Hazard identification
    • Lockout/tagout
    • Hand and power tools
    • Fire safety
    • First aid

    Personal protective equipment (PPE)

    Good preparation is pivotal. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is designed to minimize an individual’s exposure to various hazards that can cause serious injuries and illnesses while they’re in the workplace. PPE comes in many forms that range from hard hats to full body suits, but every piece of PPE plays a role in protecting your team.

    Employers are required to provide workers with any necessary PPE to complete their job, along with proper training and guidelines on how to use each piece of PPE. A construction safety meeting is an excellent place to educate employees on your PPE program. That process includes discussing the following PPE-related topics.

    • When PPE is necessary.
    • The types of PPE that are necessary in different situations.
    • How to properly put on, adjust, wear, and take off PPE.
    • The limitations of PPE.
    • Proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal directions for PPE.

    Fall protection

    Slips, trips, and falls are a hazard in any setting, but the construction industry is especially at risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), construction accounts for roughly half of all on-the-job falls and more than one-third of fall-related fatalities. Discussing the following construction site safety topics with your employees can help your business reduce or eliminate these types of accidents.

    • An overview of fall protection.
    • Common fall hazards and hazard recognition.
    • The different forms of passive and active fall protection.
    • On-site fall safety requirements for different worksite environments.
    • Training on how to proceed around fall hazards and how to use appropriate equipment.
    • What to do if there is a fall.

    Hazard identification

    OSHA defines a hazard as “an inherent property of a substance that is capable of causing an adverse effect.” Simply put, hazards qualify as anything that can hurt someone in your workplace and need to be identified as quickly as possible. Safety is a team effort, which is why hazard identification should be a notable topic for an upcoming safety meeting.

    Teaching employees about hazard recognition is a process that goes beyond spotting danger. Take the following steps the next time you highlight hazard identification during a toolbox talk.

    • Educate employees on the definition of the term “hazard” and how it applies to them.
    • Highlight the different forms hazards can take in the workplace and provide relevant examples. These include:
      • Physical hazards – Excessive noise, cutting risks, etc.
      • Chemical hazards – Exposure to toxic substances, accidental ingestion, etc.
      • Airborne hazards – Fumes, gas leaks, etc.
      • Ergonomic hazards – Improper lifting techniques, improper posture, etc.
      • Biological hazards – Mold, bacterial growth, etc.
    • Practice hazard identification with employees through demonstrations and other tests like OSHA’s Hazard Identification Training Tool.
    • Share the appropriate process for when an employee spots a hazard, including:
      • How to communicate with the team about a hazard.
      • Assessing the risk of the hazard.
      • Putting controls in places to eliminate or reduce the hazard’s ability to cause harm.

    Lockout and tagout

    Heavy equipment and machinery are not uncommon in the construction industry, but they can pose a threat if not dealt with appropriately. Proper lockout and tagout procedures can help employees safely depower these machines to prevent future injuries.

    A safety topics for construction meeting is an excellent opportunity to educate employees about proper maintenance and service protocol. Present written lockout/tagout procedures for every machine during the meeting (and create them if they don’t exist). You’ll also want to walk through the exact procedures for any relevant machines. For example, the following steps represent a typical lockout/tagout process:

    1. Notify employees affected by lockout/tagout procedures.
    2. Shut down equipment according to written guidelines.
    3. Isolate the energy source.
    4. Attach the appropriate lockout device.
    5. Release or restrain any energy stored in the machine.
    6. Verify the lockout with the proper personnel.

    Hand and power tools

    Heavy equipment isn’t the only potential danger on a job site. Common construction tools and other machines can pose hazards without proper training and use. Employers can use safety meetings as a refresher courses for existing tools, special sessions for new devices, or a combination of both. Regardless, the following topics are good subjects during these meetings:

    • How to keep all tools in good condition through proper storage and regular maintenance.
    • How to select the right tool(s) for each task or job.
    • How to examine tools for any damage or other warning signs prior to use.
    • Correct operating procedures for each tool (including manufacturers’ instructions if applicable).
    • How to spot environmental issues that can impact tool safety (ex. wet conditions for electrical equipment).
    • When and how to properly use the right PPE for relevant tools.

    Fire safety

    Between electrical tools and flammable materials, fires are a real risk on many construction sites. A fire can break out at any time, so it’s best to educate employees about what they can do to prevent them – and what to do in case one does occur. Below are some notable topics that your business should discuss during a fire safety toolbox talk.

    • Common job site fire safety hazards.
    • How to handle and store flammable materials.
    • How to use equipment that can create sparks and other potential fire safety issues.
    • Proper procedures during a fire and other related response plans.
    • Where to find fire response equipment (and how to use that equipment).

    First aid

    While businesses can take several precautions to make their work environment as safe as possible, there’s always a chance someone can get hurt. OSHA requires construction companies to have someone properly trained in first aid on-site, but it’s also good to remind workers about first aid basis. That discussion should include the following topics:

    • The location of any first aid kids on-site and what these kits contain.
    • Any other safety supplies that may be required on-site, such as an automatic external defibrillator.
    • How to use first aid skills for minor treatments, such as cleaning minor cuts, applying bandages, and more.
    • A review of your emergency action plan, including the following steps:
      • How to survey an accident scene.
      • How to identify injuries and other issues.
      • How to contact emergency medical services (and what information you should share with them).

    Take A Proactive Approach To Workplace Safety Management

    From ladder safety to hazard recognition, a little prevention goes a long way toward protecting your employees and business from injuries, illnesses, and worse. Construction safety meetings are an excellent way to train workers, encourage discussion, and keep everyone accountable. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to stay ahead of safety and compliance risks alone.

    Group Management Services partners with businesses to make their business safer and more efficient. Our workplace safety experts take a proactive approach through onsite consulting, jobsite inspections, workplace safety courses, and other key services. Contact us now about how GMS can make your business a safer place.

  • Workplace injuries can cause more than just physical pain. Businesses lose billions of dollars each year because of injuries, which can include costs from compensation claims and loss of productivity.

    Injuries can’t always be prevented, but workplace safety programs can really limit the amount of incidents on the job. With June being National Safety Month, take a chance to learn about how much injuries can hurt your business and what you can do to help.

    Workplace injuries can cost your business time and money. Contact a PEO for help.

    The Price of Employee Injuries

    So how much can workplace injuries cost? Workers’ compensation claims have cost employers up to $74 billion, with roughly 4.1 million people being injured in a work setting each year in the United States.

    Even more, 4,500 people die from workplace injuries each year. Between the loss of life and the financial issues brought on by on-site accidents, every business should make it a priority to enact safety programs and try and prevent injuries as much as possible.

    How Workplace Safety Programs Can Help

    A sample safety and health program from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration includes four basic program elements:

    • Management, leadership, and employee involvement
    • Worksite analysis
    • Hazard prevention and control
    • Training and education

    A workplace safety program will provide your employees with guidelines that will help them work in a safer environment by analyzing potential dangers, educating everyone about how to correctly operate any necessary equipment and providing other helpful methods to help maintain a safe workplace.

    If you need help setting up a workplace safety program, a Professional Employer Organization like Group Management Services can help. Contact us today to learn more about how GMS’ risk management strategies can make your business safer and save you money.