Posts Tagged ‘Health’

Work Is Where The Safety Is – Occupational Safety And Health

April 2nd, 2012

If and when accidents at work happen, which they inevitably will, and it isn’t the fault of the person who was hurt, then the blame must be with the owner of the workplace for not maintaining a safe environment.

In this case, work injury claims are necessary as it is only fair that the employee who was affected seeks compensation for the injuries that they sustained while at work. If someone worked in a factory and hurt themselves using a machine that was faulty or not very well maintained then they should be able to hire work accident lawyers to try and reach a settlement for what happened to them.

Work accidents are an extremely common type of claim with thousands claiming compensation for a work related injury every year. It’s sometimes difficult to go ahead with your claim because of your loyalty to your employer, who may also be a friend or acquaintance to you. But if you are unable to work because of your injuries, you still have the bills to pay and other financial commitments to remember. For this reason people shouldn’t hesitate to claim the compensation that they deserve for an injury that clearly wasn’t their fault.

All workplaces have a thorough set of health and safety guidelines that they must obey for the welfare of all the employees that work there. By appointing a health and safety officer who should enforce these guidelines strictly, companies should keep the accidents that happen in their workplace to an absolute minimum.

Of course there is no way to eradicate accidents at work altogether, and they still happen everyday all over the country. Sometimes these work accidents are the fault of the employee and they simply have to learn from their mistake and accept that they could have prevented it and learn from the experience. But sometimes the accidents at work aren’t the fault of the employee who got injured and in this circumstance that person could make a claim for compensation.

Employees who are injured in this way can take action against their employers and would need to hire work accident lawyers to deal with their claim. Work injury claims can only really be successful if the employee who got injured can prove that what happened was not their fault. It also helps the claim if the person who was hurt can show that the injury could have been prevented by better practice or improved guidelines.

Sometimes, employees are worried about making a claim against their employers and they believe that they could lose their job if they do. That shouldn’t be the case and the employee should pursue compensation for their injury if it was not their fault.

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Work Is Where The Safety Is – Occupational Safety And Health

March 4th, 2012

If and when accidents at work happen, which they inevitably will, and it isn’t the fault of the person who was hurt, then the blame must be with the owner of the workplace for not maintaining a safe environment.

In this case, work injury claims are necessary as it is only fair that the employee who was affected seeks compensation for the injuries that they sustained while at work. If someone worked in a factory and hurt themselves using a machine that was faulty or not very well maintained then they should be able to hire work accident lawyers to try and reach a settlement for what happened to them.

Work accidents are an extremely common type of claim with thousands claiming compensation for a work related injury every year. It’s sometimes difficult to go ahead with your claim because of your loyalty to your employer, who may also be a friend or acquaintance to you. But if you are unable to work because of your injuries, you still have the bills to pay and other financial commitments to remember. For this reason people shouldn’t hesitate to claim the compensation that they deserve for an injury that clearly wasn’t their fault.

All workplaces have a thorough set of health and safety guidelines that they must obey for the welfare of all the employees that work there. By appointing a health and safety officer who should enforce these guidelines strictly, companies should keep the accidents that happen in their workplace to an absolute minimum.

Of course there is no way to eradicate accidents at work altogether, and they still happen everyday all over the country. Sometimes these work accidents are the fault of the employee and they simply have to learn from their mistake and accept that they could have prevented it and learn from the experience. But sometimes the accidents at work aren’t the fault of the employee who got injured and in this circumstance that person could make a claim for compensation.

Employees who are injured in this way can take action against their employers and would need to hire work accident lawyers to deal with their claim. Work injury claims can only really be successful if the employee who got injured can prove that what happened was not their fault. It also helps the claim if the person who was hurt can show that the injury could have been prevented by better practice or improved guidelines.

Sometimes, employees are worried about making a claim against their employers and they believe that they could lose their job if they do. That shouldn’t be the case and the employee should pursue compensation for their injury if it was not their fault.
For More information Visit : http://www.leadinginjurylawyers.co.uk

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The Significance of Undergoing Work-Related Health and Safety Trainings

February 5th, 2012

Occupational hazards can be minimized and eliminated if a good health and safety plan is in place. Setting up of a risk assessment and management program involves both the employer and the employee. There should be communication and cooperation between both parties since it also their interests which are at stake.

When there is an effective risk assessment and management program, the company undergoes a significant improvement in revenues, employee confidence, improved company safety records, and reduction in insurance premiums as well as employee’s compensation claims.

Employees, on the other hand, experience less accidents and work-related stress. There is a pleasant working environment and the workforce is highly productive as a result.

It would also make the workforce more competent if there is the system for continuous improvement and learning.

Occupational health and safety trainings empower the workers and the company greatly benefits from this enhanced competency.

Some of the more important trainings which employers need to focus on are:

1. Industrial Safety Training – Knowing the safe practices when working in any industrial setting is very important. It is the duty of every worker to be familiar with fire safety methods, accident prevention, and the use of personal protective gears. Injury prevention would be more effective if workers understand how accidents occur and what can be done to avoid them.

2. Fire Safety Awareness Training – Fires and explosions can be destructive, not only in the property loss they can bring about but also in the potential loss of lives. Therefore, basic practical understanding of fire safety measures, fire prevention procedures, and high level of fire safety awareness should be part of the training process.

3.

Material or Manual Handling Training – Manual handling injuries is one of the leading causes of the time workers take off from work. In this course, employees are introduces to safe techniques and work procedures used in handling manufacturing and industrial materials. Practical understanding and skills are provided to employees when they are handling these materials, such as correct lifting techniques and mechanical aids.

4. Confined Space Training – Confined space training is especially for workers whose job involve going in and out of confined spaces such as a tank, tunnel, etc. Entry and traversing skills are assessed as well as the correct use of safety gears.

5. Electrical Safety Training – Adequate knowledge on how electricity can be dangerous and the techniques on how to handle it. Everything starts in the correct installation and set up of your electric wirings and other electrical mechanisms. Employees are trained on the different methods used for protection against electrical accidents.

6. Chemical Handling Safety Training – When dealing with chemicals in the workplace, extra care should be taken. The two main reasons for chemical accidents are improper disposal of chemical wastes and the mishandling of chemicals. Awareness of the risks involved in handling these chemicals is important in preventing accidents in the workplace. Practical knowledge on the handling and disposal as well as recognizing common chemicals is part of this training module.

7. Water Hygiene Training – This is important especially with workers who are working with potable water, pipe works, and water systems. Contamination of water source should be avoided at all costs. The employees are trained so that they can understand the importance good hygiene when working with drinking water.

These trainings will greatly improve the workers competency in their jobs and everyone will be reaping the benefits. Employees are more capable at their jobs, employers see an increase in their return of investment, and the consumers are given the highest quality of the product or services.

Undergoing training for occupational health and safety is definitely a good investment for any company. It is not only important for the quality of the product or service but also in the continuing improvement of the company.

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Health and Safety Signs – Regulations at Work

December 2nd, 2011

The provision and use of health and safety signs at work is an imposition brought by the EC Safety Signs Directive (92/58/EEC). The purpose of the directive is to implement the use of standardized signs among European Union member states. The regulations comprise mainly of ways and means, on how to effectively communicate information pertaining to safety. This includes the use of spoken communication, illuminated signs even hand and acoustic signals through the use of fire alarms. The use of fire safety signs relative to exits and firefighting equipment is also included in the list.

The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 require employers to provide specific signs to indicate high-risk work places. For instance, the use of road traffic signs within areas is meant to regulate road traffic. Employers also need to properly maintain these signs as well as to explain the meaning of signs to employees if necessary.

The regulations also apply to areas and activities where exclusion of labels and signs are made in relation to their field of work. For example, if employees deal with supply of dangerous products, goods and equipment. It is likewise important for employers to determine which areas or places need further assessment, to identify possible safety requirements.

Health and safety signs are meant to provide assistance and guidance to people, particularly employees. The signs are also meant to provide clear messages towards prevention and safety. There are signs specifically designed for non-smoking areas. There are also signs referring to potential dangers and hazards. In some places, signs are even used to remind employees and workers to use protective gear like gloves and helmets.

In addition, some signs are used to identify areas meant for industrial vehicles.

On the other hand, the presence of these requirements has a definable effect on employers and business owners. For one, the provision and use of standardized signs could mean expense if not penalties. Non- compliance to said regulations could put your workers and business at risk, making you solely responsible during emergencies. Regulations also entail the introduction of new standards and requirements. For example, aside from possible handling of goods and equipment, your business may find it necessary to mark pipe works containing dangerous substances. The procedure has become a part of the newer regulations set by law, which includes the use of symbols and pictograms. The triangular-shaped warning signs are meant to clearly determine the presence of these substances within work areas, most of which refer to corrosive, flammable, toxic and explosive materials.

The provision of signs allows employers to take bigger responsibilities on health and safety. Through this, organizations and businesses are becoming aware of the supposed dangers and risks. Many people have been downplaying the idea of preventing accidents and other forms of emergencies. However, by means of regulations, people are now thinking twice and are considering the use of signs as useful reminders. Authorities and regulatory bodies have been thinking of ways, on how to implement precautionary measures at work. The regulations somehow define the must-haves and lists of appropriate signs and safety equipment. The implementation of requirements may be difficult to begin with, but with proper knowledge and awareness, businesses will slowly see its usefulness and benefits.

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A Comfortable Working Environment is a Health and Safety Issue

September 24th, 2011

Providing a comfortable work environment for workers is part of providing a healthy and safe workplace. All reasonable steps should be taken to ensure that the workplace is as comfortable as practically possible.It can be uncomfortable to either sit or stand or long periods. Seating must be provided if it is reasonable for workers to carry out their work while seated. Construction of the seating should be comfortable and sturdy and take into account the type of work being carried out. If it is necessary to perform the work standing seating can normally be provided for breaks.

Employers have a responsibility to provide workers with a smoke free environment. The Ministry of Health is responsible for the laws which govern smoking in places of work. It has long been established that smoking and being exposed to second hand smoke are both health hazards.

It is wise to develop a smoke free policy. This can then be referred to during recruitment, in employment agreements and other workplace policies. Smoke free signs and the smoke free policy can be put up around the workplace. All contractors should be notified of the smoke free policy. Smoke free policy education and training should be rolled out to all employees, managers and supervisors who should also be aware of what to do in case of violations. An employee can lodge a complaint with the Ministry of Health if these measures are not taken.

There is no requirement in law for work to cease at any particular minimum or maximum temperature. How cold or hot we feel is influenced by many factors. How hot we feel can be influenced by external factors such as air temperature, humidity and wind. This can be exacerbated by having to wear protective clothing, strenuous work, level of acclimatisation and insufficient breaks. In order to keep morale and productivity high it is wise to keep workers comfortable by controlling these factors as much as we are able. Excessive heat exposure can cause heat exhaustion and in extreme cases even fatal heat stroke.

Employers and their employees should take all practicable steps to make sure that heat exposure is within safe levels. Low temperatures can also result in an employee feeling stressed. Environments in which this occurs include working outside during winter, at high altitude, in the wet or in walk in coolers and freezers. Even at moderate temperatures wind chill factor needs to be considered. The onus is on employers to make sure that workers wear suitable protective gear and that appropriate precautions are taken. Some effects may be minor and result in only discomfort but greater cold stress can have serious consequences including death.

Symptoms of cold stress can include less dexterity, stiffening of joints, reduced muscle strength and the worker can be less mentally alert. Accidents are more likely as a consequence. Direct health effects of exposure to cold temperatures are those that affect the extremities such as frostnip and the more severe frostbite and those that affect the body’s core such as hypothermia. Women are regarded as being at greater risk of cold injury as they are less able to increase their temperature by shivering or exercise. Other factors which affect the level of cold injury are increased age, fatigue, some drugs, alcohol and smoking.

Making sure that the working environment is comfortable is an important aspect of ensuring the health and safety of employees.

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