National Safety Month

Businesses operating in California will have to comply with new workplace violence measures signed into law by Governor Newsom on September 30, 2023, as Senate Bill (SB) 553.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), developing a strong safety culture has the single greatest impact on accident reduction of any workplace practice.

When implementing a workplace safety program, following some do’s and don’ts can help ensure that reward incentives drive the goals of employee safety and well-being and a safe work environment.

OSHA programs aim to improve workplace safety and reduce workers’ compensation claims by identifying and mitigating potential hazards, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.

Bruce Droz and Max Macias, Alliant Agribusiness, discuss the current state of safety emphasis in the agribusiness industry, important areas of safety programs and the importance of creating a positive and supportive safety culture.

A safety culture consists of shared beliefs, practices and mind-sets that exist at an organization, and form an atmosphere of attitudes that shape behavior in a positive way. Developing a safety culture should be a top priority for the managers and supervisors at your organization.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 5,703 fatal work injuries were recorded in the U.S. in 2021 — an increase of 6% compared to 2020. This staggering statistic highlights the importance of prioritizing workplace safety to prevent fatalities and protect employees from harm.

The consequences of distracted driving can be catastrophic, not only for the drivers themselves but for all who share the road. Companies should prioritize safety by evaluating their safety policies and implementing comprehensive strategies to mitigate the risks associated with distracted driving.

Distracted driving is a dangerous behavior that occurs when your attention shifts away from the road while driving. Activities like using your cellphone, eating, drinking, adjusting the radio, or interacting with your GPS can compromise your ability to react quickly and make split-second decisions.

Roadway construction workers often work in close proximity to fast-moving vehicles. Distracted driving, speeding and driving under the influence can result in crashes into construction work zones, putting drivers and workers at risk of injury and death.

Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of injury and death in the U.S. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), 46,027 people died in motor vehicle crashes and 5.2 million people were injured in 2022.

Tim Leach and Mark Lillemon, Alliant, discuss the reasons behind OSHA visits to worksites and offer valuable guidance on preparing for unexpected inspections, including formal complaints from employees and referrals from non-employers like regulatory sources, building inspectors, EPA and news media reports.

When faced with extreme heat and high humidity, the body's natural cooling mechanism through evaporation becomes less effective, putting a strain on the body's ability to regulate temperature. Ensure you're well-prepared for extreme heat.

An underground utility strike can be a life threatening and costly event. According to Common Ground Alliance, a national utility industry safety organization, approximately 700,000 underground utility lines are struck annually, causing loss of life and injury, as well as substantial financial damage.

Tim Leech, John Owen and Steven Meglio, Alliant, discuss the increasing concern for indoor or outdoor heat-related illness, the OSHA National Emphasis Program (NEP) and how to protect employees from heat-related injuries.

Many chemicals used in agriculture, including fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, animal medications, cleaning agents and solvents, are hazardous to your health. Before you begin working with any chemical, identify its potential hazards, become familiar with how to best protect yourself and be aware of the procedures to follow if an incident takes place.

Heat exhaustion occurs when people are exposed to high temperatures for extended periods of time without hydration. Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness and requires immediate medical attention.

In the grain handling industry, grain bin entrapment in confined spaces is a real danger. In the grain handling industry, grain bin entrapment in confined spaces is a real danger. Prevent grain entrapment by adhering to a few simple grain bin safety guidelines.

Fall protection and safety is a major concern at construction sites. OSHA cites injuries from falls as one of its top ten worksite injuries. Falls on a construction site are also one of OSHA’s four leading factors of fatalities.

Eli Mendoza and Luis Torres, Alliant Construction, discuss fall protection, the different behavioral responses towards various fall exposures and why falling on the ground level should be taken as seriously as any other kind of fall.

The majority of scaffold accidents on the construction site are caused by falls, slipping or being struck by an object from above. All of these accidents can be prevented by taking the proper precautions. Here’s how.

Workplace falls are often associated with an exposure to vertical heights, such as ladders or rooftops. However, it is equally important to consider the dangers of falls on a single level.

Farms, like most workplaces, face unexpected emergencies and disasters, which can be natural or man-made. To help lessen the impact of these events, employers and supervisors should develop and exercise emergency action plans (EAPs), which prepare workers for emergencies and disasters before they occur.

A wildfire is an uncontrolled fire occurring where natural vegetation is the predominant ground cover. Though wildfires usually occur in less developed or rural areas, they can also be a threat to urban environments if the fire spreads. This checklist is a good start toward preparing and protecting your business and the people in your organization from the dangers resulting from a wildfire.

Even if a hurricane does not put your company out of business, you may not be able to contact your customers or obtain important deliveries during the recovery process. To combat these risks, you must take the necessary steps before a disaster strikes to ensure business continuation.

Whether you operate from a high-rise building or an industrial complex, or you rent, own or lease your property, your priority is to protect the health and safety of everyone in your organization, and a well-designed workplace evacuation plan plays a crucial role.

When it comes to the grain handling industry, fires and explosions are the number one cause of injury, death and property damage. As an employee, it is important for you to recognize what causes grain fires and explosions so you can help prevent these potentially deadly disasters.

Though grain augers have made farming tasks much easier, they are one of the main causes of injury and death in agribusiness. Use these grain safety reminders and guidelines to reduce your risk of injury while operating a grain auger.

Farmworkers are tasked with backing up farm equipment on a daily basis, making backover incidents a serious safety concern. Providing proper training for vehicle operators and enforcing proper backing up techniques are the responsibility of the employer.