The Struggles, Hassles and Frustration (cont.) – 1/3/23

Safety E-Quick Tip

OWYN Safety Mgmt Platform

The Struggles, Hassles and Frustration (cont.)

As you may have noticed, there wasn’t an E-QuickTip last week.  I’d like to say that was planned, but for the first time in over 12 years I got caught up in the holidays and just forgot.

I’ve talked about being distracted during the holidays and look, even I experienced it. Good thing I wasn’t on a ladder or operating a piece of heavy equipment.

Hope the holidays went well for you and your family and that your New Year is off to a good start.

As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, I was going to continue with the struggles, hassles and frustration associated with workplace safety and compliance.

So, here goes.

We left off where you were ready to submit your Site-Specific Safety Plan for approval on Monday morning and then get to work.

But then when you arrived on the job alongside your employees with your Site-Specific Safety Plan in hand, ready to go to work, you were asked to show documentation that your employees had received the required training that was listed in your contract just behind the Site Specific Safety Plan section.

Your response? “I didn’t see that.”

Well, it’s back to the office, employees by your side to see what you can do to maybe get started on the job tomorrow. Another delay.

You’ve located some online safety training that meets your jobsite requirements, and your employees are hard at it completing their training.

At last, you’re ready to start work tomorrow, but to be sure you send the training documentation to the jobsite for approval, and it has been accepted.

Work starts at 7AM tomorrow.

You show up at the job and you get started.  The day has gone off without a hitch with no more safety issues to deal with.

But wait, there’s more.

You arrive the next day only to be asked for a copy of yesterday’s completed and signed Toolbox
Talk or maybe they called it a Safety Meeting.

Again, you answer, “I didn’t see where we had to do those.” It just happened to be behind the section on training in your contract. The site superintendent said he’ll let it slide for yesterday, but it must be done today.

And the issues go on and on. Could be completing JHA’s, AHA’s, JTHA’s, or dealing with an OSHA inspection.

Now I know this might seem like a bit of a stretch, but I can assure you, I have seen and heard of much more required just for one job.

Wait until you’ve submitted a request for payment only to be told you never provided a Safety Program for the job and until you do, no check.

Heard that one more than once.

Every year workplace safety requirements get a little tougher, leaving little room for employer or employee error.

So, my recommendation for you is to get things in order when you have the time and always read those safety requirements within that contract.

It could eliminate some late nights and upset stomachs.

And, by the way, OSHA penalties will be going up over 8% this year to keep up with the cost of living.  One more reason to implement a company safety program that meets OSHA requirements.

Don’t let the American Dream become your American nightmare. Make workplace safety and compliance a priority in your company in 2023.

Employee/ Employer/Management QuickTip

Happy New Year 2023!  Here’s wishing you and your families a Safe and Happy New Year.

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Thanks for Reading and Please – Work Safe this Week.