Behavioral Observations sounds simple enough. Watch a person do their job then fill out a checklist …right?

Actually, there is more to conducting a MEANINGFUL behavior observation than that. The best behavior-based safety initiatives are unique to a particular company and are developed specifically to suit its circumstances. With that said here are some general steps that should be taken within any organization.

1) Employee Involvement

• Employee observations are the backbone of the behavior-based safety system, thus the workforce must understand the need for behavior-based safety.
• Communication and trust among members of the organization increases as the team concept toward safety is developed.

2) Determining “Critical Behaviors”

• A hazard analysis should be done in order to identify the company’s “at-risk” behaviors.
• This can be done using data from employee surveys, interviews and injury and near-miss records.

3) Observation Form Development

• The selected at-risk behaviors will be used as the basis of the observation form.
• The form typically includes a list of the critical behaviors in addition to field check off "safe" or "at-risk."
• Also a section should be added to allow the observer to make comments.

4) Conducting Observations

• Observer training is critical. Untrained observers have the potential to turn the Behavioral Observation process into a negative experience for employees which can cause harm to your culture.
• Typically the process starts with supervisors and managers observing and monitoring employees. Eventually as the culture develops employees can become involved in the observation process as well.
• Both positive and at-risk behaviors are noted on the checklist. The employee and the observer discuss the results and the employee gives explanations and feedback. Suggested behaviors are discussed and praise is encouraged.
• The employee being observed should not be named on the observation form.

5) Performance Measurement and Feedback

• The data collected on the observation checklist should be entered into a spread sheet or database.
• This will allow the outcomes to bed analyzed and compared to previous months.
• Solutions for potential problems are based on this data with the ultimate goal of improving workplace safety.

6) Want to take it to the next level?

• A great way to take your Behavioral Observation process to the next level is to incorporate a “quality scoring” section into them.
• This will remind the observers to create a meaningful document with the checklist and not simply “pencil-whip” the form.
• You can create questions to improve the quality of the report such as:
• Was your employee feedback dynamic (2-way)?
• Was the feedback positive, negative or both?
• Did you focus on the monthly safety behavior? (If applicable)

Incorporating a behavior-based observation process into your over-all safety management strategy can be a meaningful way to improve the safety culture at your company and, ultimately, to keep your employees safe at work.

If you would like more information on setting up an effective behavioral safety system contact Trevor Reschny at 407-760-6170 or email him at treschny[at]safetylinks.net

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What is hazardous energy?

Energy sources including electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal or other sources in machines and equipment can be hazardous to workers. During the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment, the unexpected startup or release of stored energy could cause injury to employees.

What are the harmful effects of hazardous energy?

Workers servicing or maintaining machines or equipment may be seriously injured or killed if hazardous energy is not properly controlled. Injuries resulting from the failure to control hazardous energy during maintenance activities can be serious or fatal! Injuries may include electrocution, burns, crushing, cutting, lacerating, amputating, or fracturing body parts, and others.

Electricians, machine operators, and laborers are among the 3 million workers who service equipment routinely and face the greatest risk of injury. Workers injured on the job from exposure to hazardous energy lose an average of 24 workdays for recuperation.

What can be done to control hazardous energy?

Failure to control hazardous energy accounts for nearly 10 percent of the serious accidents in many industries. Proper lockout/tagout (LOTO) practices and procedures safeguard workers from the release of hazardous energy.

OSHA's Lockout/Tagout fact sheet describes the practices and procedures necessary to disable machinery or equipment to prevent the release of hazardous energy.

The OSHA standard for The Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout (29 CFR 1910.147) for general industry outlines measures for controlling different types of hazardous energy. The LOTO standard establishes the employer's responsibility to protect workers from hazardous energy. Employers are also required to train each worker to ensure that they know, understand, and are able to follow the applicable provisions of the hazardous energy control procedures:

• Proper lockout/tagout (LOTO) practices and procedures safeguard workers from the release of hazardous energy. The OSHA standard for The Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) (29 CFR 1910.147) for general industry, outlines specific action and procedures for addressing and controlling hazardous energy during servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment. Employers are also required to train each worker to ensure that they know, understand, and are able to follow the applicable provisions of the hazardous energy control procedures. Workers must be trained in the purpose and function of the energy control program and have the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage and removal of the energy control devices.
• All employees who work in the area where the energy control procedure(s) are utilized need to be instructed in the purpose and use of the energy control procedure(s) and about the prohibition against attempting to restart or reenergize machines or equipment that is locked or tagged out.
• All employees who are authorized to lockout machines or equipment and perform the service and maintenance operations need to be trained in recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources in the workplace, the type and magnitude of energy found in the workplace, and the means and methods of isolating and/or controlling the energy.
• Specific procedures and limitations relating to tagout systems where they are allowed.
• Retraining of all employees to maintain proficiency or introduce new or changed control methods.

If you would like more information on control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) training or procedures contact Trevor Reschny at 800-788-7036 or email him at treschny@transportins.net

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Excavation and trenching are among the most hazardous construction operations. OSHA defines an excavation as any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in the earth’s surface formed by earth removal. A trench is defined as a narrow underground excavation that is deeper than it is wide, and is no wider than 15 feet (4.5 meters).

Dangers of Trenching and Excavation
Cave-ins pose the greatest risk and are much more likely than other excavation-related accidents to result in worker fatalities. Other potential hazards include falls, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and incidents involving mobile equipment. Trench collapses cause dozens of fatalities and hundreds of injuries each year.

Protect Yourself
Do not enter an unprotected trench! Trenches 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep or greater require a protective system unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. Trenches 20 feet (6.1 meters) deep or greater require that the protective system be de-signed by a registered professional engineer or be based on tabulated data prepared and/ or approved by a registered professional engineer.

Protective Systems
There are different types of protective systems. Sloping involves cutting back the trench wall at an angle inclined away from the excavation. Shoring requires installing aluminum hydraulic or other types of supports to prevent soil movement and cave-ins. Shielding protects workers by using trench boxes or other types of supports to prevent soil cave-ins. Designing a protective system can be complex because you must consider many factors: soil classification, depth of cut, water content of soil, changes due to weather or climate, surcharge loads (eg., spoil, other materials to be used in the trench) and other operations in the vicinity.

Competent Person
OSHA standards require that trenches be inspected daily and as conditions change by a competent person prior to worker entry to ensure elimination of excavation hazards. A competent person is an individual who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards or working conditions that are hazardous, unsanitary, or dangerous to employees and who is authorized to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate or control these hazards and conditions.

Access and Egress
OSHA requires safe access and egress to all excavations, including ladders, steps, ramps, or other safe means of exit for employees working in trench excavations 4 feet (1.22 meters) or deeper. These devices must be located within 25 feet (7.6 meters) of all workers.

General Trenching and Excavation Rules

• Keep heavy equipment away from trench edges.
• Keep surcharge loads at least 2 feet (0.6 meters) from trench edges.
• Know where underground utilities are located.
• Test for low oxygen, hazardous fumes and toxic gases.
• Inspect trenches at the start of each shift.
• Inspect trenches following a rainstorm.
• Do not work under raised loads.

If you would like more information on trenching and excavation safety, contact Trevor Reschny at 800-788-7036 or email him at treschny@transportins.net

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What are powered industrial trucks?

Powered industrial trucks, also known as forklifts or lift trucks, are used in many industries to move materials. They are also used to raise, lower, or remove large objects or a number of smaller objects on pallets or in boxes, crates, or other containers. Powered industrial trucks can either be ridden by the operator or controlled by a walking operator. 

What are the hazards associated with operating powered industrial trucks?

There are many types of powered industrial trucks. Each type presents different operating hazards. For example, a sit-down, counterbalanced high-lift rider truck is more likely than a motorized hand truck to be involved in a falling load accident because the sit-down rider truck can lift a load much higher than a hand truck. Workplace type and conditions are also factors in hazards commonly associated with powered industrial trucks. For example, retail establishments often face greater challenges than other worksites in maintaining pedestrian safety. Beyond that, many workers can also be injured when:

1)       lift trucks are inadvertently driven off loading docks;

2)       lifts fall between docks and an unsecured trailer;

3)       they are struck by a lift truck; or

4)       they fall while on elevated pallets and tines.

What can be done to reduce the hazards related to powered industrial trucks?

Determining the best way to protect workers from injury largely depends on the type of truck operated and the worksite where it is being used. Employers must ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in 29 CFR 1910.178(I)(1).

If you would like more information on powered industrial truck safety, contact Trevor Reschny at 800-788-7036 or email him at treschny@transportins.net

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