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Electrical Safety: A Guide to National Electric Safety Month

May is National Electric Safety Month, dedicated to promoting electrical safety in homes, businesses, and communities nationwide. At STC, we take pride in creating safer workplaces and preserving human life through workplace safety. As an OSHA-compliant organization, we understand the importance of following guidelines to ensure the safety of all employees. In this blog, we will provide a guide to National Electric Safety Month, with tips on how to stay safe around electricity. Here’s what you need to know about National Electric Safety Month:

Understanding Electrical Hazards

Electrical hazards are a serious concern in the workplace. According to OSHA, electrocutions are one of the “fatal four” leading causes of death in the construction industry. Employees who work with electricity must be trained in electrical safety, including identifying electrical hazards and working safely around electricity. It’s also important to ensure that all electrical equipment is in good working condition and properly grounded.

Preventing Electrical Accidents

There are many ways to prevent electrical accidents in the workplace. Employers should provide employees with proper training on electrical safety and ensure that all electrical equipment is properly maintained. Using personal protective equipment, such as rubber gloves and safety glasses, is also important when working with electricity. Additionally, all electrical work should be done by qualified professionals trained in electrical safety.

Creating a Culture of Electrical Safety

Creating a culture of electrical safety in the workplace is essential to preventing electrical accidents. Employers should encourage employees to report any electrical hazards they encounter and should provide regular safety training to all employees. It’s also important to have a system for identifying and addressing electrical hazards.

Electrical safety is a serious issue, and taking steps to prevent electrical accidents in the workplace is important. By understanding electrical hazards, preventing electrical accidents, and creating a culture of electrical safety, employers can help ensure that their employees are safe around electricity. At STC, we are committed to promoting workplace safety and helping employers create safer workplaces. Want to learn more about electrical safety? Check out our blog today!

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Preventing Struck-by Incidents: A Guide to the National Stand Down

As a company that values human life and safety in the workplace, Safety Training & Compliance (STC) understands the importance of preventing struck-by incidents. According to OSHA, struck-by incidents are one of the leading causes of death and injury in the workplace. That’s why we’re sharing a guide to the National Stand Down and how it can help prevent struck-by incidents.

What is the National Stand Down?

The National Stand Down is an annual event organized by OSHA that encourages employers and workers to take a break from work and focus on preventing struck-by incidents. During the Stand Down, companies can hold safety meetings, training and demonstrations to educate workers on best practices and procedures to avoid struck-by incidents.

Why is it important?

Struck-by incidents can occur in any industry and have severe consequences, including injury or death. By participating in the National Stand Down, companies can raise awareness and educate workers on preventing these incidents. The Stand Down is also an opportunity to evaluate current safety procedures and make necessary improvements to prevent future accidents.

How to participate?

To participate in the National Stand Down, employers can register on OSHA’s website and receive resources to help plan and execute their own Stand Down event. Companies can also access various educational materials, such as toolbox talks, training videos, and presentations, to share with their workers.

We believe every worker has the right to a safe and healthy workplace. By participating in the National Stand Down and promoting struck-by prevention best practices, companies can make significant strides toward reducing the number of struck-by incidents in the workplace. To learn more about National Stand Down and other workplace safety initiatives, visit our blog today!

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Preventing Struck-by Incidents: A Guide to the National Stand Down

As a company that values human life and safety in the workplace, Safety Training & Compliance (STC) understands the importance of preventing struck-by incidents. According to OSHA, struck-by incidents are one of the leading causes of death and injury in the workplace. That’s why we’re sharing a guide to the National Stand Down and how it can help prevent struck-by incidents.

What is the National Stand Down?

The National Stand Down is an annual event organized by OSHA that encourages employers and workers to take a break from work and focus on preventing struck-by incidents. During the Stand Down, companies can hold safety meetings, training and demonstrations to educate workers on best practices and procedures to avoid struck-by incidents.

Why is it important?

Struck-by incidents can occur in any industry and have severe consequences, including injury or death. By participating in the National Stand Down, companies can raise awareness and educate workers on preventing these incidents. The Stand Down is also an opportunity to evaluate current safety procedures and make necessary improvements to prevent future accidents.

How to participate?

To participate in the National Stand Down, employers can register on OSHA’s website and receive resources to help plan and execute their own Stand Down event. Companies can also access various educational materials, such as toolbox talks, training videos, and presentations, to share with their workers.

We believe every worker has the right to a safe and healthy workplace. By participating in the National Stand Down and promoting struck-by prevention best practices, companies can make significant strides toward reducing the number of struck-by incidents in the workplace. To learn more about National Stand Down and other workplace safety initiatives, visit our blog today!

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Ensuring Safety in the Workplace: The Importance of Safety Records and Training

At Safety Training & Compliance (STC), our mission is to create safer workplaces for employees and preserve human life through workplace safety. We believe a safe work environment is a legal requirement and a moral obligation for all employers. To achieve this, it is important to follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines and maintain safety records to help prevent workplace accidents and injuries.

Keeping Accurate Safety Records

Accurate safety records are essential in identifying potential hazards and tracking progress toward a safer workplace. This includes keeping track of incidents, near-misses, and employee training records. These records help employers identify areas where improvement is needed and provide evidence that they are ensuring a safe work environment. Furthermore, in the event of an OSHA inspection, having accurate records can demonstrate compliance with safety regulations and prevent costly fines.

The Benefits of Employee Training

Training is an essential component of workplace safety. Providing employees with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform their jobs safely can help prevent accidents and injuries. Training should include new and existing employees who may need to update their skills or be introduced to new procedures and technologies. Regular training can also create a workplace safety culture and improve employee morale.

Effective Safety Training Programs

Effective safety training programs should be comprehensive and tailored to the workplace’s specific needs. This may include training on personal protective equipment, proper lifting techniques, and emergency response procedures. In addition, training should be interactive and involve hands-on demonstrations and simulations to help employees better understand the importance of safety in their work.

In conclusion, ensuring safety in the workplace is a shared responsibility between employers and employees. Maintaining accurate safety records and providing practical employee training are essential components of a safe work environment. At STC, we are committed to helping employers meet their safety obligations and create safer workplaces for their employees.

Want to learn more about ensuring safety in the workplace? Check out our blog today.

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Conducting a Hazard Assessment: A Step-by-Step Guide for Worksites

Hazard assessment is a critical process for ensuring the safety and health of workers at any work site. It involves identifying potential hazards that could cause injury or illness and implementing measures to control or mitigate them. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), hazard assessment is the first step in establishing a comprehensive safety and health program. In this blog, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide on conducting a hazard assessment at your worksite. Here’s a guide from the experts at STC:

Step 1: Gather Information and Assess the Worksite

Before starting the hazard assessment process, gathering as much information as possible about the worksite and the tasks being performed is important. This may include reviewing safety records, consulting employees and supervisors, and observing work practices. It’s also a good idea to check any relevant regulations or industry standards to ensure that you’re aware of all the potential hazards that may be present at the worksite.

Step 2: Identify the Hazards

Once you understand the worksite and the tasks being performed, the next step is to identify the potential hazards. This can be done through various methods, such as brainstorming sessions with employees, conducting a worksite walk-through, and reviewing accident and injury records. It’s important to involve employees in this process, as they may be aware of hazards that management has not identified.

Step 3: Evaluate the Risks Associated with the Hazards

Once you have identified the potential hazards at the worksite, the next step is to evaluate the risks associated with each hazard. This will involve considering the likelihood of the hazard occurring and the potential consequences if it does occur. For example, a hazard with a high likelihood of occurring and could result in severe injury or death would be considered a high-risk hazard. In contrast, a hazard with a low likelihood of occurring and minimal consequences would be considered a low-risk hazard.

Step 4: Implement Controls to Mitigate the Risks

Once you have identified and evaluated the risks associated with the hazards at the worksite, the next step is to implement controls to mitigate those risks. This may involve a variety of measures, such as providing protective equipment, instituting safety protocols, or implementing engineering controls to eliminate or reduce the hazard. It’s important to prioritize the implementation of controls based on the level of risk, with higher-risk hazards being addressed first.

Step 5: Review and Update the Hazard Assessment Regularly

The hazard assessment process is not a one-time event but should be ongoing, regularly reviewed, and updated as needed. This may involve revisiting the worksite and reassessing the hazards, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of the controls that have been implemented. By conducting regular hazard assessments, you can ensure that your worksite remains safe and healthy for all employees.

No matter how you choose to prepare your workplace for hazard assessments, STC is here to help guide you through every step. We offer a wide variety of managed safety services, from onsite safety staffing to safety consulting to help keep you prepared for any situation. Want to learn more about conducting a hazard assessment at your worksite? Check out our blog today!

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Keeping Your Workplace Safe from the Omicron Covid-19 Variant

As the pandemic progresses into its third year, employers now have to deal with the development of the Omicron Covid-19 variant. Employers must strive to keep their workplaces safe from the Omicron Covid-19 variant, while also keeping their businesses afloat. Here STC offers some tips for preventing the spread of Covid-19.

Encourage Vaccinations to Prevent Omicron Covid-19 Variant

Vaccination is still the best way to prevent the spread of the disease, and employers should really encourage their employees to get vaccinated. Vaccinated employees are less likely to get infected, or should they contract the illness, are less likely to be hospitalized or suffer severe effects of the virus. While OSHA vaccine mandates are still being debated, employers, according to reports, don’t seem to be losing employees over vaccination requirements.

Masks Are Also Good Option

Recommending employees wear face masks is another option workplaces might consider as a way to prevent the spread of the Omicron Covid-19 variant, in particular, and the virus in general. Masks have proven effective in preventing transmission of the virus. Some employers make masks optional, especially for those who have been vaccinated. Others require masks inside or in certain circumstances, especially when community transmission rates are high.

Follow Social Distancing Guidelines and Recommend Testing

As more employees are returning to offices, Covid-19 safety protocols should also include social distancing measures. Social distancing has also proven effective in preventing the transmission of the virus.

Regular testing can also improve safety in the workplace. If you plan on regular testing, you can get help from STC’s onsite medical services. We offer a full range of testing services that comply with state and federal guidelines. Onsite medical services are just a few of the services you can rely on from our team to improve safety in the workplace. Contact us for more information or check out our blog to learn more.

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Update Your Workplace Safety Plans in the New Year with STC

A new year is more than just an update to your calendar. In today’s workplaces, a lot of changes have occurred in the past year. Many employees are heading back to offices or other job sites with safety concerns, and now is a good time to update your safety plans, if they haven’t been updated already. Here’s everything you need to know about updating your safety plans for the new year with STC:

Planning Around the Pandemic

Of course, with the pandemic still looming, how to manage safety when it comes to COVID-19 should be at the forefront of any changes in safety plans. With the new guidance from OSHA on preventing the spread of COVID-19, it’s time to update those safety plans. With the help of STC’s safety consultants, making safety updates is much easier.

OnSite Medical Staffing

We can help you develop policies and plans to prevent the spread of the virus as more employees return to the workplace. Should you, for instance, require employees to be vaccinated or submit to regular testing, as OSHA recommends? We can outline all the best practices for your organization regarding distancing, facemasks, and vaccinations. Moreover, we can provide testing with an experienced team of onsite medical staff.

Keeping Up with Regulations

While COVID-19 is a major concern when it comes to workplace safety, the consultants at STC also know the ins and outs of new safety regulations from major agencies like OSHA, MSHA, ISO, and ANSI, and can show you how to implement these regulations as you update your safety plan. We offer instructor-led training courses to aid you with compliance issues and to refresh your employees’ safety knowledge in thousands of areas such as fleet safety, excavation, and ergonomics.

No matter what industry you’re in, if you’re ready to update your safety plan this year, you can always rely on STC and our extensive network of safety experts to ensure your workplace is the safest around. Our goal is to protect human life in all that we do. Reach out to us at any time. We’re always happy to help! Want to learn more about keeping your workplace safe? Check out our blog today!

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OSHA Announces New Rules to Protect Workers From the Hazards of Extreme Heat

At STC, we are committed to keeping our clients informed on the latest news happening in our industry. Recently, OSHA passed a new rule regarding working temperatures in an attempt to limit the number of heat illness cases and fatalities. Here is everything you need to know about the new rules regarding heat illness and how they might affect how your business operates:

Expanded Measures to Protect Workers

The enhanced and expanded measures from OSHA are intended to protect workers from the hazards of extreme heat, both inside and outside. The new regulations specifically target those who work in conditions of 80˚ Fahrenheit or more either inside of their facility or outside on the job. Their new tactics will include an intervention and enforcement initiative to protect workers.

Implementing an Enforcement Initiative

The new enforcement initiative on heat-related hazards will be used to prevent illness and protect workers from heat-related illnesses while they are working in hot environments. In addition, OSHA will also be implementing a National Emphasis Program on heat inspections and launching a more regulated rulemaking process to develop a workplace heating standard.

The Hazards of Extreme Heat

While the new regulations will help regulate working conditions for employees, we see it as a win for workers everywhere who have had to work in hazardous conditions. In 2019 alone, 43 workers died from heat illness and at least 2,410 others suffered serious injuries and illnesses. Since heat illness is a highly preventable injury, the new regulations are a much-needed change.

No matter how you choose to start regulating these rules into your workplace, STC is always here to help you make it simple. We offer a wide variety of managed safety services, instructor-led training and safety consulting services that will help build a safety culture around your business. Want to learn more about the hazards of extreme heat from the experts at STC? Check out our blog today!

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New Guidance from OSHA on Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 

As pandemic safety starts to become an afterthought for many vaccinated individuals, it is still crucial for everyone to work on preventing the spread of COVID-19 in their everyday lives. For those on the job, OSHA has recently released new guidelines for how to stay vigilant about the spread of the virus. Here is everything you need to know about the new guidance from OSHA on preventing the spread of COVID-19 from the safety experts at STC: 

Understand Who is Vaccinated in Your Workplace 

OSHA has stated that, unless noted by local laws, rules, and regulations, most employers no longer need to take steps to protect their fully vaccinated workers who are not otherwise at-risk from COVID-19 exposure. The new guidelines from OSHA are strictly for those that have not been vaccinated. If everyone in your company is vaccinated, these guidelines do not apply. 

Help Employees Identify Opportunities to Get Vaccinated 

There are many reasons a person may choose to not get vaccinated, but for those that are waiting for an easily-accessible vaccine option, it is important to help them identify those opportunities. There are a number of great resources available for each state, and in many instances, each county, on how to easily get vaccinated. Ask around to see how workers are getting vaccinated in your area and share that information with every employee. Vaccinations are key for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and keeping all of your employees safe. 

Guidelines for Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 

For employers who are actively working to keep their unvaccinated employees safe, the usual guidelines apply. Wearing face coverings, social distancing and practicing good personal hygiene are key to ensuring that employees are safe. To keep your workplace safe, it is best practice to provide employees with face masks, opportunities for social distancing and sick days if they do become infected with the virus. Many companies are also providing each of their employees the incentive of paid time off so that they are able to get their vaccinations in a timely manner. 

No matter how you are preventing the spread of COVID-19 in your workplace, it is crucial to stay vigilant to the new guidelines released by OSHA and the CDC. STC is always here to help keep your workplace safe. Our managed safety services, onsite cna services and safety consulting services are designed to make safety simple. Want to learn more about STC? Check out our blog today! 

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Bringing Awareness to Workers Memorial Day & OSHA’s 50th Anniversary

At STC, we believe that the work we do makes a difference in the lives of those we do it for, and this month will serve as a reminder of that fact. This year, April 28th will serve the dual purpose of Workers Memorial Day and OSHA’s 50th anniversary. As we work to honor both events, here is everything you need to know about the two momentous days from the safety experts at STC:

 

Honoring Lives for Workers Memorial Day

Workers Memorial Day serves as a day of remembrance for the lives that have been lost while on the job. Each year, companies around the world continue to lose employees to a variety of fatalities, many of which are preventable with the right training and equipment. Please join us in honoring the lives lost at worksites this Workers Memorial Day, April 28th, by making safety a priority in your workplace and keeping your employees educated in their own safety. 

 

Celebrating OSHA’s 50th Anniversary

While April 28th will serve as a day for remembrance, it will also serve as a day for celebrating OSHA’s 50th anniversary. When OSHA became law 50 years ago, the workers of the world united in a massive win for the safety of their jobs and themselves. After fifty years of passing laws, they have continued to make positive changes in the safety of many industries. We are honored to work closely with laws that work to continue our mission, preserving human life. 

 

Our Commitment to Preserving Lives

In 2021, STC is proud to be celebrating our 10-year anniversary and a decade of safety excellence. We have worked with a wide variety of clients in many different industries to help them create safer work environments, protect their employees and build internal safety cultures. We are proud of our work, and we will always continue to make our mission possible. 

 

No matter how you choose to protect the lives of your employees, STC is always here to make it simple. We have been committed to protecting lives since day one of operation. We offer a variety of managed safety services, from onsite safety staffing to safety consulting to help prepare your employees for every situation. Want to learn more about STC? Check out our blog today!

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