Look Around – It Only Takes a Minute – 7/22/24

Safety E-Quick Tip

OWYN Safety Management Platform

Look Around – It Only takes a Minute

When was the last time you carefully looked around your workplace to spot potential dangers that could harm you or your colleagues? Taking a quick glance isn’t enough; you need to pay attention to the little details.

For instance, have you checked if the emergency exit is blocked by any boxes or items that could prevent people from getting out safely in case of an emergency? Have you noticed any cords on the floor with frayed wires due to heavy machinery passing over them? What about ensuring the electrical panel is not obstructed or leaking chemicals are not spilling across the floor?

And let’s not overlook safety equipment like circular saws – have you checked if the guard is properly in place to prevent accidental injuries?

A simple oversight can lead to serious accidents.

I remember a phone call I received one day from a client. It went something like this.

The client called me to share that he received a letter from OSHA stating that his employees were using a piece of equipment without the proper guard. He promptly took a photo proving the guards were in place and sent a response to OSHA.

Despite his quick and accurate response, he received a citation weeks later for blocking a marked exit. In the picture he provided, boxes and brooms were visibly obstructing the exit.

He questioned if OSHA could cite him for blocking the exit based on a photo originally submitted for a different issue.

My response was straightforward: “While you disproved the initial violation, your photo inadvertently confirmed another.”

It’s crucial to dedicate a few minutes each week to inspect your workspace to ensure everyone’s safety and to prevent any potential OSHA citations.

Safety isn’t just a rule to follow but a way to protect yourself and your coworkers from getting hurt. It’s about securing both physical well-being and the business itself.

So, take the time to look around, identify potential risks, and address them promptly to create a safe work environment for all

Employee QuickTip

Inspecting your work area daily is one of the best ways for you to protect yourself and others working with you – and it only takes a minute. That’s time well spent if you ask me.

Employer/Management QuickTip

Employers often say that dealing with safety takes too much time, but a quick look around for hazards on a regular basis just takes minutes that could save hours of dealing with issues created by an accident. Take a minute today and keep your employees safe while protecting your company’s future.

Have you received your first Safety E-QuickTip and would like to check out some QuickTips from the past? Check out our Safety E-QuickTips Archive Page on our website.

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Thanks for Reading and Please – “Stay Safe this Week”.