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Safety and Health Programs

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Landscaping Safety Programs

• Although compliance with the law, including specific OSHA standards, is an important objective, an effective program looks beyond specific requirements of law to address all hazards.

• It will seek to prevent injuries and illnesses, whether or not compliance is at issue.

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Benefits of Effective Safety and Health Programs

• Improve morale and productivity

• Reduce work related injuries and illnesses

• Reduce workers’ compensation costs

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Definitions• Competent Person: Has

authorization to take corrective

action & is able to recognize

existing and predictable hazards.

• Authorized Person: A person

assigned by the employer to

perform a duty or to be at a

particular jobsite.

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Definitions• Qualified: Means one who, by possession of a:

– recognized degree, – certificate, or – professional standing, or – who by extensive knowledge, training, and

experience, has successfully demonstrated his ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.

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Contractor Requirements

• Employer: means contractor or subcontractor.

• No landscaping employee performing job allowed to work under working conditions which are:

– Unsanitary

– Hazardous

– Dangerous

to their health or safety

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Landscaping Accident Prevention

• Responsibility of employer to initiate and maintain a safety program necessary to comply with regulations and provide a safe and healthful work site.

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Landscaping Safety Training

• Instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions.

• All regulations that apply to the work.

• Control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury.

SAFETY

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Major Elements• An effective occupational safety and health

program includes the following four elements:

Management commitment and employee

involvement

Worksite analysis

Hazard prevention and control

Safety and health training

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Management Commitment and Employee Involvement

• These are complementary elements

• Management commitment provides motivation and resources

• Employee involvement allows workers to develop and express commitment to safety and health

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Policy and Goals

• Clearly state a worksite safety and health policy• Establish and communicate a clear goal and

objective for the safety and health program • Involve top management in implementing the

program

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Employee Involvement

• Encourage employees to get involved in the program and in decisions that affect their safety and health

• Communicate responsibility for all program aspects

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Responsibility

• Parties responsible for the safety and health program must have authority and resources

• Managers, supervisors, and employees must be held accountable for meeting their responsibilities

• Program operations must be reviewed at least annually, to evaluate, identify deficiencies, and revise, as needed

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Worksite Analysis• Examine the worksite and

identify:-- existing hazards-- conditions and operations where changes might occur to create hazards

• Management must actively analyze the work and the worksite to anticipate and prevent harmful occurrences

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Comprehensive Survey• Conduct a comprehensive

baseline survey for safety and health

• Job Hazard Analysis• Who may help you:

-- OSHA Consultation Program-- Insurance companies-- Consultants

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Safety and Health Inspections

• Conduct regular (usually weekly) site inspections

• Establish daily work area inspection procedures

• Develop and use a checklist• Provide a reliable system for

employees to notify management about apparent hazardous conditions and to receive timely and appropriate responses

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Additional Worksite Analysis

• Investigate accidents and “near miss” incidents, so that their causes and means for prevention are identified

• Analyze injury and illness trends, so that common cause patterns can be identified and prevented

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Hazard Prevention and Control

• Start by determining that a hazard or potential hazard exists

• Where feasible, prevent hazards by effective design of job or job site

• If the hazard cannot be eliminated, use hazard controls

• Eliminate or control hazards in a timely manner

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Controlling the Hazards

• Engineering controls• Administrative controls• Personal protective equipment• Safe work practices communicated

– via training, positive reinforcement,

– correction of unsafe performance,

– and enforcement

To prevent and control hazards:

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Hazard Prevention Planning

• Maintain the facility and equipment • Emergency planning

Training and drills, as needed• Medical program

First aid on sitePhysician and emergency care

nearby

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Safety and Health Training

• Address the safety and health responsibilities of all personnel

• Incorporate it into other training and job performance/practice

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Safety and Health Orientation

• Employees must understand the hazards they may be exposed to and how to prevent harm to themselves and others from hazard exposure

• Orientation training must be given to site and contract workers

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Supervisor Responsibilities

• Analyze work to identify potential hazards in area of responsibility

• Maintain physical protections in work areas• Reinforce employee training through performance

feedback and, if needed, enforcement of safe work practices

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Specific Training Needs

• Hazard recognition• Training required in standards• Emergency response• Accident investigation• Emergency drills

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Summary

• Reduce work related injuries and illnesses• Improve morale and productivity• Reduce workers’ compensation costs• Include these four elements:

Management commitment and employee involvement

Worksite analysis Hazard prevention and control Safety and health training

Effective worker safety and health programs: