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The Consequences of OSHA Citations on Your Business from STC

At Safety Training & Compliance (STC), we believe that creating a safe and healthy work environment is crucial to the success of any business. Unfortunately, accidents happen, and employers may face an OSHA citation. In this blog, we will discuss the real impact of OSHA citations on businesses and how to mitigate their consequences.

The Direct Costs of OSHA Citations

OSHA citations can result in direct costs such as penalties, fees, and legal expenses. Depending on the severity of the violation, businesses can face significant financial penalties, which can have a negative impact on their bottom line. Additionally, the cost of legal representation to navigate the citation process can also be a burden on small businesses.

Indirect Costs of OSHA Citations

OSHA citations can also result in indirect costs that may not be as apparent as the direct costs. These include the cost of increased insurance premiums, damaged reputation, and decreased employee morale. OSHA citations may also attract negative media attention, harming the business’s reputation and making it difficult to attract and retain customers.

Preventing OSHA Citations

The best way to avoid OSHA citations is to ensure that your workplace complies with all OSHA standards. Investing in safety training for employees, performing regular safety audits, and maintaining accurate records are essential for maintaining a safe workplace. By following these guidelines, businesses can prevent accidents, promote safety, and avoid OSHA citations.

OSHA citations can have a significant impact on businesses. Not only do they result in direct financial costs, but they can also harm the business’s reputation and employee morale. The best way to mitigate the consequences of OSHA citations is to prioritize safety in the workplace, train employees, and maintain accurate records. At STC, we are committed to helping businesses create safer workplaces that prioritize the health and well-being of their employees. Want to learn more about preventing OSHA citations? 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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The Most Effective Ways to Give Construction Safety Briefings

At STC, we believe that construction safety briefings are an essential part of any construction project. They provide an opportunity for project managers and supervisors to communicate important safety information to workers, and ensure that everyone is aware of the potential hazards and risks that may be present on the job site. But how can you ensure that your safety briefings are effective and provide the necessary information to keep workers safe? Here are nine tips for giving an effective construction safety briefing from the safety experts here at STC:

  1. Make them interactive: Construction safety briefings should not be a one-way lecture. Encourage participation from workers by asking questions, soliciting feedback, and allowing for discussion. This helps to engage workers and ensure that they are paying attention and understanding the information being presented during the construction safety briefing.
  2. Keep them concise: No one wants to sit through a long, tedious construction safety briefing. Keep your briefings as short and to-the-point as possible, focusing on the most important information.
  3. Use visual aids: People often retain information better when it is presented visually. Consider using visual aids such as slides, videos, or demonstrations to help illustrate important points during the construction safety briefing.
  4. Make them relevant: Make sure that the information presented in the construction safety briefing is relevant to the specific tasks and risks faced by the workers in attendance. This helps to ensure that the information is applicable and useful to them.
  5. Review frequently: Safety protocols and procedures can change, so it is important to review safety information regularly through construction safety briefings. Consider scheduling regular construction safety briefings to review and update workers on any new or revised procedures.
  6. Encourage questions: Encourage workers to ask questions during the construction safety briefing, and make sure to take the time to answer them thoroughly. This helps to ensure that workers have a clear understanding of the information being presented and can ask for clarification if needed.
  7. Follow up: After the construction safety briefing, follow up with workers to ensure that they understand the information and are implementing it on the job. Consider setting aside time for one-on-one training or coaching if needed.

No matter how you choose to create engaging safety briefings, STC is here to ensure that you have all of the tools you need. 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 keeping your employees safe from potential dangers? Check out our blog!

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Why You Should Update Your End-of-Year Safety Plans and Procedures

As the end of the year approaches, it’s important to take some time to review and update your workplace safety plans and procedures. While it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, taking a few minutes to review and update your safety protocols can help ensure a safe and healthy work environment for your employees. Here’s everything you need to know about updating your end-of-year safety plans and procedures with STC:

Identifying Potential Risks and Hazards

One of the key benefits of regularly reviewing and updating your safety plans and procedures is that it helps to identify potential risks and hazards that may have been overlooked in the past. This can include everything from identifying new types of equipment or materials that may pose a risk, to identifying changes in the way work is being carried out that may have introduced new hazards. By proactively identifying and addressing these risks, you can help prevent accidents and injuries in the workplace.

Creating Awareness Around Safety

Another benefit of updating your safety plans and procedures is that it helps to ensure that your employees are aware of the latest safety protocols and procedures. This is especially important as new employees may not be familiar with the specific protocols and procedures in place at your workplace. By providing regular training and updates on safety procedures, you can help ensure that your employees are prepared to work safely and effectively.

Keeping Up with Equipment and Supplies

In addition to reviewing and updating your safety plans and procedures, it’s also important to ensure that all of your safety equipment and supplies are in good working order. This includes things like fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and personal protective equipment (PPE). By regularly checking and replacing any damaged or expired equipment, you can help ensure that your employees have the tools and resources they need to stay safe on the job.

No matter how you choose to prepare your workplace for 2023, 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 keeping your employees safe from potential dangers? Check out our blog!

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Winter Safety Tips to Keep Employees Safe in Harsh Weather

As the winter season approaches, it’s important to take steps to ensure the safety of your employees in harsh weather conditions. From snow and ice to freezing temperatures, there are a number of hazards that can arise during the winter months. Here are a few winter safety tips to keep in mind as you work to keep your employees safe during this time of year from STC:

Dress for the Season

Encourage employees to dress appropriately for the weather. This includes wearing layers to stay warm, as well as waterproof and slip-resistant boots or shoes to prevent falls on icy surfaces.

Create a Game Plan

Have a plan in place for employees who need to work outside in cold weather. This might include providing warm shelter, access to hot beverages, and frequent breaks to come inside and warm up.

Clear Any Potential Dangers

Ensure that all outdoor walkways and parking lots are cleared of snow and ice. This will help prevent slips and falls, as well as make it easier for employees to get to and from their vehicles safely.

Always Stay Prepared

Have a supply of rock salt or other ice-melting chemicals on hand to treat slippery surfaces. This will help to make walkways and parking lots safer for employees and customers.

Discourage Dehydration

Encourage employees to stay hydrated, as the cold weather can lead to dehydration. Make sure that there is plenty of water available, and encourage employees to drink frequently throughout the day.

Stay Vigilant of Weather Changes

Keep a close eye on the weather forecast and be prepared for adverse conditions. This might include having a plan in place for employees who may need to leave work early or come in late due to dangerous driving conditions.

By following these winter safety tips, you can help keep your employees safe during the colder months. Remember, it’s always better to be proactive when it comes to safety, so don’t wait until a problem arises to take action.

No matter how you choose to prepare your employees for winter, 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 the new season. Want to learn more about keeping your employees safe from potential dangers? Check out our blog!

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The Proper Vehicle and Seatbelt Safety Guide from STC

At STC, we believe that it’s essential to do everything as safely as possible. From driving to work in the morning to driving on the job, safety plays an important role in proper vehicle function. No matter when or where you are going, you need to remember to use a seatbelt. Here’s what you need to know about proper seatbelt safety from the team at STC:

National Seatbelt Day

In honor of National Seatbelt Day being this month, we are making a heavy emphasis on the importance of wearing your seatbelt when a car is operational. No matter where you are or where you’re going, there’s a safe way to get there and that always includes a seatbelt. You never know when something unexpected will happen on the road so always be sure everyone in your car is always wearing a seatbelt. There’s never a safe time to not wear your seatbelt. 

The Dangers of Driving

Commercial safe driving is imperative for maintaining workplace safety. In 2019 alone, distracted driving claimed 3,142 lives while speeding took the lives of ​​9,378 people, more than 26% of those involved in automotive fatalities. Always remember to keep your attention on the road while following posted traffic precautions to potentially save yourself and others from adding to these statistics in the future. You never know when a seatbelt could save your life.

Wearing Seatbelts On the Job

Much like cars, when you are operating heavy equipment, you will need to utilize the safety of a seatbelt as well. Avoiding injuries while on the job is essential to construction equipment safety, and following basic safety training procedures will keep you injury-free. Board the equipment by maintaining three points of contact and never jump into or out of the cab, especially once it’s in operation. Also, always wear seatbelts so you’re not knocked around or flung from the cab in an accident. When working, stay aware of your surroundings. Every safety procedure is important!

No matter how you choose to prepare your employees for seatbelt safety, 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 keeping your employees safe from potential dangers? Check out our blog!

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How Safety Plans and Procedures Can Lower Your Business Insurance Costs

At STC, we are committed to consistently delivering the right information to save our clients time, money and grief. Instilling the right safety plans and procedures in your workplace will not only keep your workers as safe as possible, but also save you money in the long run. Here’s everything you need to know about how safety plans and procedures can lower your insurance:

Lowering Business Insurance Costs

Most industries involve some form of risk to workers, but did you know that you can actually save money by implementing policies to mitigate those risks? When risk is involved in business, so is insurance. By implementing safety policies and adhering to them on a daily basis, there are tons of ways that you can save money. By avoiding the legal fees associated with workplace accidents, you will save money on litigation and worker’s compensation insurance.

How a Good Safety Record Helps

It’s simple, insurance companies are more willing to offer you lower insurance rates if they know you are dedicated to safety. You have to earn their trust by demonstrating years of good safety records before they are willing to offer you lower rates, however. That’s why implementing safety policies and procedurs from day one is always recommended.

Saving Money on Business Insurance

Working closely with your insurance provider or agent is a good way to ensure you are able to realize lower rates. The truth is that insurance companies use a wide variety of tools to calculate costs and safety plays the biggest factor in those costs. The statistics used by insurance providers will save you costs down the road, all while keeping your employees safe.

No matter how you choose to prepare your workplace for lower insurance, 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 keeping your employees safe from potential dangers? Check out our blog!

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STC Employee Highlight: Safety Excellence from Ryan Brence

Anyone who has worked closely with our team knows that Ryan Brence is the driving force behind so many of our safety initiatives. He has been an integral part of our team since his first day on the job. This month, we are highlighting him and everything he has accomplished for our clients and STC. Here’s what you need to know about working with Ryan Brence:

About Ryan Brence & STC

Ryan Brence has been with STC for a little over three and a half years. Each day, he comes to work more committed than the day before to create positive change in our client’s safety procedures. He has risen through the ranks during his time here at STC. Starting as a Business Development Manager, he later transitioned into the role of Account Executive. We are proud to announce that recently, he received another promotion to become the Area Manager for our Dallas office. We are so proud of how far his initiative will continue to take him. 

A Passion for Safety

Ryan is passionate about people and relationships, specifically those that help create safer workplaces. Safety is about engagement, so he loves working with our clients to ensure we are cultivating strong relationships to help build and develop strong safety cultures. If we can support this cause with our clients, the results and outcomes will speak for themselves.

“My greatest achievement at STC is helping establish benchmarks for our clients to achieve overall customer success through our safety services. I am proud of developing STC’s Safety Culture Survey that helps analyze where our clients currently are in their safety journey to determine how STC can most effectively assist them in the road ahead.” – Ryan Brence

No matter how you choose to celebrate Ryan’s achievement and dedication to safety, STC is always here to help you make safety simple with an entire workforce committed to keeping people safe. 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 everything that our employees do to keep you safe? Check out our blog!

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Four Fire Safety Tips from the Experts at STC

At STC, we are committed to keeping our clients safe in every situation. Fire safety is certainly no exception. Whether it’s a risk of wildfires or burns on the skin, fire is incredibly dangerous to personal safety in all its forms. Here’s what you need to know to keep yourself and others safe by practicing proper fire safety at all times:

Test Smoke Alarms Regularly

When working with any sort of flammable substances or equipment inside, it’s crucial that you are positive your smoke detection equipment is always functioning properly. No matter what industry you work in, it’s always best practice to regularly check your smoke alarms to ensure the batteries are working, charged, and ready to alert you of potential danger.

Create an Escape Plan

It’s easy to let the ebbs and flows of everyday work distract you from creating proper safety procedures in the workplace. It’s essential to always have a plan in case of emergency, especially dealing with fires in the workplace. If a fire starts, your employees should already know exactly where to go to avoid any potential dangers related to the fire.

Practice Proper Fire Safety

Whether it’s heating, electrical, or smoking, fires can start from a wide variety of sources. To keep your workplace safe, you need to know what potential hazards come from each source. There are proper precautions, as outlined by OSHA, for every source so be sure to keep up with updated guidelines to keep your workplace as safe as possible.

Always Check Your Surrounding Area

Things like chemical spills, improper ventilation and improper storage can cause fires to start easily and spread rapidly. You need to examine every inch of your working area before beginning work with something that could potentially cause a fire. If the hazard can be removed, remove it. If it can’t be removed, it’s best to work elsewhere if possible.

No matter how you choose to prepare your workplace for proper fire safety, 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 keeping your employees safe from potential dangers? Check out our blog!

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How to Stay Prepared for Hurricane Season Along the Coast

At STC, we are dedicated to helping our clients stay prepared, no matter the situation. For residents of Southern Texas, Florida and Georgia, you are already aware that hurricane season is approaching quickly. Not only can a single hurricane rearrange your personal life for weeks, but it can also cause some unexpected delays in projects at work. Here’s everything you need to know to stay prepared for the upcoming hurricane season with the experts at STC:

Wet Season on Jobsites

Hurricane season and wet season go hand-in-hand on job sites along the coast. Unexpected water on job sites can cause a ton of problems related to safety and equipment handling. Whether the water is from a hurricane or another storm, it’s essential to clear out any water before beginning work on a particular site, so no one gets hurt in the process.

Hurricane Season on the Job

In many southern states, hurricane season is almost guaranteed to bring some heavy winds, rain and flooding. Have you done all that you can to keep yourself, your family and your job site as safe as possible this hurricane season? Cities will employ the use of fluid-transfer pumps during the wet season, but it’s possible many job sites along the coast may need them as well.

How to Prepare for Hurricanes

Luckily, when a hurricane is approaching a specific area, they have been tracked, monitored and reported for at least 24 hours before it hits land. This gives residents of southern states plenty of time to take action. For businesses and houses alike, it’s essential to board up any and all windows in an effort to minimize damage. Some businesses may employ the use of fluid-transfer pumps to move floodwaters, while others move equipment and merchandise to a higher level. Either way, it’s crucial that you take precautions before a hurricane hits land.

No matter how you choose to prepare your home and business for hurricane season, 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 keeping your employees safe during hurricane season? Check out our blog!

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