Ideas For Safety Briefings
Maintaining a safe working environment is about more than lowering corporate insurance rates and awarding prizes for the number of days gone by without an accident. It's about saving lives. According to the US Department of Labor, 4,551 workers died on the job in 2009. Many of those deaths occurred in occupations that are not considered "dangerous" to the average person, such as assembly line worker or groundskeeper. Periodic safety briefings can help lower workplace accidents and save lives.
Basic Workplace Safety
While certain safety topics can be geared toward particular workers, basic workplace safety applies to everyone. Discuss company policy regarding reporting for work after a disaster. Explain where to find Material Safety Data Sheets for common workplace chemicals. Demonstrate safe operation of fire extinguishers. Have coworkers go on a scavenger hunt to locate safety-related devices such as first aid kits, automatic external defibrillators, Material Safety Data Sheet books or fire extinguishers.
Office Safety
Working in an office poses unique safety challenges. Safety briefings can cover the office evacuation plan in case of fire or other emergency. Discuss how to call the fire department or other emergency responders, especially if your community does not use 9-1-1 or if your telephone system requires workers to dial an outside line before dialing the telephone number. Topics covering ergonomic posture or ways to reduce repetitive motion injuries are also relevant for office safety briefings.
Right to Refuse an Assignment
Employees have the right to refuse to perform a hazardous task, if they believe that their lives are in imminent danger. A refusal to perform a hazardous task must meet the following criteria. First, the worker asked the employer to eliminate the danger, but the employer failed to do so. The refusal must be based on the worker's good-faith belief that there is an imminent danger to health and safety such that a reasonable person would agree that there is a real danger of death or serious injury. Finally, due to the urgency and nature of the hazard, there is not enough time to have it corrected through regular processes, such as requesting an OSHA inspection. Union contracts and some state safety laws also support an employer's right to refuse to do a hazardous task.
Whistleblower Protection
Workers are protected against retaliation by their employers for complaining about health and safety hazards to the employer, the union, OSHA or any federal or state agency. In addition, organizations may not retaliate against workers for participating in OSHA inspections, hearings, conferences or other safety related activities. Employers are prohibited from punishing, discriminating against or harassing workers who file safety complaints. If employees believe they are being punished for exercising their safety rights, they have the right to file retaliation complaints with OSHA.
Employer/Employee Collaboration
OSHA encourages employers and employees to work together to ensure workplace healthiness and safety. Employers must provide information, notification and training to employees. Workers must comply with health and safety standards, follow proper safety procedures and report both hazards and accidents to their supervisors.
Basic Workplace Safety
While certain safety topics can be geared toward particular workers, basic workplace safety applies to everyone. Discuss company policy regarding reporting for work after a disaster. Explain where to find Material Safety Data Sheets for common workplace chemicals. Demonstrate safe operation of fire extinguishers. Have coworkers go on a scavenger hunt to locate safety-related devices such as first aid kits, automatic external defibrillators, Material Safety Data Sheet books or fire extinguishers.
Office Safety
Working in an office poses unique safety challenges. Safety briefings can cover the office evacuation plan in case of fire or other emergency. Discuss how to call the fire department or other emergency responders, especially if your community does not use 9-1-1 or if your telephone system requires workers to dial an outside line before dialing the telephone number. Topics covering ergonomic posture or ways to reduce repetitive motion injuries are also relevant for office safety briefings.
Right to Refuse an Assignment
Employees have the right to refuse to perform a hazardous task, if they believe that their lives are in imminent danger. A refusal to perform a hazardous task must meet the following criteria. First, the worker asked the employer to eliminate the danger, but the employer failed to do so. The refusal must be based on the worker's good-faith belief that there is an imminent danger to health and safety such that a reasonable person would agree that there is a real danger of death or serious injury. Finally, due to the urgency and nature of the hazard, there is not enough time to have it corrected through regular processes, such as requesting an OSHA inspection. Union contracts and some state safety laws also support an employer's right to refuse to do a hazardous task.
Whistleblower Protection
Workers are protected against retaliation by their employers for complaining about health and safety hazards to the employer, the union, OSHA or any federal or state agency. In addition, organizations may not retaliate against workers for participating in OSHA inspections, hearings, conferences or other safety related activities. Employers are prohibited from punishing, discriminating against or harassing workers who file safety complaints. If employees believe they are being punished for exercising their safety rights, they have the right to file retaliation complaints with OSHA.
Employer/Employee Collaboration
OSHA encourages employers and employees to work together to ensure workplace healthiness and safety. Employers must provide information, notification and training to employees. Workers must comply with health and safety standards, follow proper safety procedures and report both hazards and accidents to their supervisors.
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