february 2014 hit messages final

GETTING ON TARGET High Impact Team

February 3, 2014 to February 28, 2014

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What Is Your Attitude Toward Safety?

FEBRUARY 2014

Near Misses

Root Cause

Common Sense

HIGH IMPACT TEAM’S TARGETS

Setting The Example


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WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARD SAFETY? When asked, some may say they are all for it. Others may complain about any safety effort being made. The difference between the two is one of attitude. Your attitude affects almost all that you do and how you do it. Safety rules and procedures are written to protect you from harm. They are not written to make your work life more uncomfortable or inconvenient.

To maximize our safety efforts, we must look out for one another. If someone tells you that you are not working in a safe manner, do not become angry or defensive. If you did not know you were doing something wrong, be thankful your errors were noted before someone got hurt. If you simply forgot or got a little careless, be grateful that someone cares enough to get you back on track. If you see someone doing something unsafe, speak up, but do so diplomatically. Treat others just as you would like to be treated in the same situation.

Remember, attitude affects behavior. If you have a positive attitude, odds are you will exhibit safe behavior. A negative attitude toward safety will only cause conflict, stress and, ultimately, an accident. a minute to write a safety rule.

an hour to hold a safety meeting.

a week to plan a good safety program.

a month to put that program into operation.

a year to win a safety award. a lifetime to make a safe worker.

Take The Time Now To Work Safe And Help Your Fellow Employees To Be Safe!

February 3, 2014

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NEAR MISSES Often unsafe acts or unsafe conditions result in a near miss incident. The only difference between a near miss and an accident is luck.

• Near misses are injuries without people; they are near-hits. • Near misses are not funny; they are often deadly. • Always report a near miss to your supervisor. • Take immediate action to prevent a similar near miss. • If you did not cause a near miss but saw it, discuss it with those involved and your supervisor. • Obey safety rules and you will decrease the number of near misses around you.

Supervisors and managers should always encourage employees to report all potential safety hazards and near miss accidents. Each report should be taken seriously, investigated thoroughly and preventative action taken.

REMEMBER:

Near misses are warnings - Something or someone is not performing the job correctly. Always pay attention to near misses and take them seriously.

Don’t hesitate to report a near miss to your supervisor.

By reporting a near miss, you provide the opportunity to re-evaluate the safety of a particular task and the opportunity to implement corrective actions necessary to protect you and your co-workers.

February 4, 2014

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ROOT CAUSE ARE YOU GUILTY OF THESE ATTITUDES OR BEHAVIORS? TAKING SHORTCUTS: Do time savers ever risk your own safety, or the safety of other crew members?

BEING OVERLY CONFIDENT: The "It'll never happen to me" attitude can lead to improper procedures, tools, or methods in your work.

STARTING A TASK WITH INCOMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS: To do the job safely and correctly, you need complete information. Ask for explanations about work procedures and safety precautions.

POOR HOUSEKEEPING: Housekeeping is an accurate indicator of everyone's attitude about quality, production and safety. Poor housekeeping often results in unsafe conditions and also implies the project is poorly managed and the work being done lacks professionalism.

IGNORING SAFETY PROCEDURES: Purposely failing to observe safety procedures can endanger you and your co-workers. You are being paid to follow the company safety policies-not to make your own rules.

MENTAL DISTRACTIONS FROM WORK: Having a bad day at home and worrying about it at work is a hazardous combination. Dropping your 'mental' guard can pull your focus away from safe work procedures.

FAILURE TO PRE-PLAN THE WORK: Being hasty in starting a task or not thinking through the process can put you in harm’s way.

Our main objective is to allow everyone on the job to go home unhurt at the end of the day. To obtain this goal we need your cooperation and commitment. Remember, it is the responsibility of each and every employee

to perform their work in a safe manner—

MAKE SAFETY A 24/7 MINDSET!

February 5, 2014

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The majority of accidents are the result of unsafe acts. The majority of unsafe acts are the result of failure to use common sense. Common sense on the job is irreplaceable.

Use common sense to avoid accidents in the workplace: • Always wear the proper personal protective equipment. • Don’t use defective or damaged equipment. • Don’t use good equipment in a careless or other unsafe manner. • Don’t over exert yourself – get help with heavy tasks. • Always use the proper tool for the job. • Concentrate on your work. • Look for unsafe acts or unsafe working conditions – and report them. • Watch out for others – remember you are part of a team.

Ask the following questions before you begin to work: • Are the conditions safe to do the work? • Are the methods we are going to use safe? • Does everyone know what to do? • Does everyone know how to do it? • Can I fall, get struck by, get caught between or under, or get electrocuted on this job?

Everyone has the authority to “Stop Work” to resolve any safety issues. By asking yourself about the conditions, methods, job site hazards and knowing what to do, you should be able to decrease your chances of being injured. Our main objective is to allow everyone on the job to go home unhurt at the end of the day. To obtain this goal we need your cooperation and commitment. Safety is a job requirement. It is the responsibility of every employee to perform their work in a safe manner.

COMMON SENSE

Make Safety a 24/7 Mindset!

February 6, 2014

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SETTING THE EXAMPLE Some say it takes 21 days of continually monitoring and reminding yourself to develop a habit. Developing the good habit of safety is worth the investment. When we all work safely, everyone can go home injury-free to their families at the end of the day. Think about the example you are setting for others. "Do as I say, not as I do" is an expression we all have repeated many times— not just verbally, but through our actions. When we leave our safety glasses resting on our foreheads rather than in place over our eyes, or when we kick trash under a bench rather than pick it up, we're selling safety but it's a useless soft sell. Our actions are saying, "I believe in wearing eye protection but not in protecting my eyes; and I know trash can cause a tripping accident, but it isn't important enough to make me pick it up." New employees benefit by seeing operations conducted the safe way. Employees who have never held a job before or were employed by a firm that had a weak safety program probably will need considerable safety instruction. Naturally, they observe and seek advice and information from fellow workers. These early impressions of you and of our safety operations will be at least partially formed through these contacts and observations. On the other hand, newcomers formerly employed by a firm that emphasized safety will probably think more of you personally if you measure up to the caliber of people they are accustomed to working with. Maybe some of us feel we are already setting good examples for safety, but maybe this self-image isn't too accurate. Think just for a moment— our children and grandchildren will be entering the work force someday. How do the habits you want them to learn compare with the ones you are teaching?

February 7, 2014

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Safety And Your Supervisor

FEBRUARY 2014

Pinch Points (Caught In The BITE)

Handling Unsafe Behavior

More Than A Number


The New Guy Can Be You

February 10, 2014 to February 14 2014

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SAFETY AND YOUR SUPERVISOR Is job safety important to you? Some people will say yes right away. Others may feel differently, at least when this question is first posed. But survival and avoidance of pain is a basic instinct for all. You may say safety isn't important to you, but just wait until you get hurt. At that time, I'll bet you will think differently. Safety does not just happen. Remember the old adage, if something can go wrong, it will. We must work to make things happen right; that is, in a safe manner. But one person cannot do this alone. It takes the cooperation of everyone. You cannot overlook a safety problem. If you do, the results could be disastrous. Asplundh has a moral, legal, and financial interest in your well being. Your Supervisors should be receptive to your safety concerns. Have you ever brought a problem to your supervisor only to have it dismissed? It happens. This does not mean he or she isn't interested and you should drop the subject. You can't afford to. You may be the one getting hurt. Let us look at ways you can use to make your supervisor share your safety concerns. Don't wait until the problem becomes critical. As soon as you see the adjustment slipping, guards loosening, or scheduling problems, speak up. This will give your supervisor the opportunity to deal with the problem in a planned manner. Planning is part of a supervisor's job. Help him do it right. Don't be overly emotional or accusatory. Maybe you were just involved in a "near miss." Emotion is understandable. But it is a rare supervisor who will deliberately put someone in harm’s way. More likely than not, the supervisor was not aware of the problem. Be prepared to offer your assessment as to whether the problem is critical or not. Don't overstate the seriousness, but don't understate it either. If you don't know whether the problem is critical or not, say so. Offer suggestions as to what needs to be done to correct the problem. This may clarify, in your supervisor's mind, what needs to be done and helps facilitate understanding. Again, if you don't know, say so. Finally, try to get commitment as to when the problem will be corrected. The idea is not to put anyone on the spot. But, when there is a firm commitment, people tend to pay more attention. If you don't see any action by the completion date, follow-up or remind the supervisor of your concern. Again, supervisors are human. They can get buried in things that may need more immediate attention and/or they could just forget. Supervisors, remember the employee who brings safety problems to your attention is just trying to do his job and help you with yours. Their concerns should never be dismissed without a review.

February 10 2014

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PINCH POINTS (CAUGHT IN THE BITE) Pinch points are those situations where machines, hand tools, poles, trees, and conditions put our hands, feet, and sometimes our entire body in danger. Injury can come from something as small as a pair of pliers, or as large as a Pole. Hand injuries alone account for one third of disabling on-the-job accidents occurring each year with 80% caused by pinch points. Awareness, physical barriers, and personal protective equipment help guard against pinch point injuries: AWARENESS All around us are things and activities with potential to cause injury by pinch points (form placement, tool usage, material handling, etc.). Many cannot be avoided, but if you are constantly alert you can protect yourself from injuries. Awareness comes in two forms, a common sense alertness of the right thing to do, and training in the correct way to do things and use equipment. PHYSICAL BARRIERS In service areas, physical barriers might be anything from the guards on your chain saw to barricades or warning devices from setting a pole. Physical barriers are there to protect you from injury, not prohibit your activity. Guards are important to protect you from direct contact with moving parts, flying chips, kickbacks, and splashing of metal or harmful liquids. Barricades are placed at construction sites to warn you of dangerous situations and blocks are used to prevent equipment from rolling and heavy parts from falling. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) Respecting and using physical barriers and being aware of your surroundings are only half of what you need to do to be safe. Make sure you are always wearing your safety gear and inspect it before each use. Although the last line of defense against a pinch point injury, PPE (proper gloves, footwear) is a necessity to ensure others notice your position and to ensure your extremities are protected.

February 11 2014

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HANDLING UNSAFE BEHAVIOR You work hard evaluating workplace hazards and developing procedures to keep employees safe. Unfortunately, some employees fail to follow safety rules. Some just forget occasionally, while others continually violate the rules at their own risk — and at YOUR expense. Asplundh is responsible for making sure employees follow safety rules. If an employee who repeatedly violates the rules suffers an injury, OSHA may determine the company failed to enforce the safety rules, and we could be cited. Asplundh is responsible to provide proper training and maintain documentation of that training. We should also document disciplinary action taken against ‘problem’ employees. Suppose an employee repeatedly refuses to wear PPE, but is never reprimanded. If you claim an injury was the employee’s fault because the employee consistently fails to wear PPE, OSHA will ask why you didn’t take action to enforce the safety rules. Remember, OSHA places responsibility on the employer to evaluate working conditions, determine necessary protections, and ensure that employees comply with safety rules. An unsafe employee can be a danger to other employees as well as himself, and an accident will cost the company.

February 12 2014

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MORE THAN A NUMBER While driving home from the hospital, after working my first accident investigation as a new safety professional, it occurred to me accident statistics are more than just numbers--- they are all tied to a person who has been injured on the job. I spoke with the injured worker who lost three fingers to an engine fan. Unfortunately, he decided the job would only take a second and there was no need to turn the engine off. Sad, but true; the numbers show us human error is more often than not the culprit. In reality, tens of thousands of construction workers are injured on the job each year. Many of these accidents are caused by carelessness or negligence. Most are due to disregard of safety regulations, such as dangerous equipment not properly inspected, or improper fall protection and the list goes on. Numbers to think about include:

OSHA: • One in ten construction site workers are injured every year. • Fall hazards are the leading cause of injuries on jobsites.

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS: • 150,000 construction site accidental injuries occur each year. • Most injuries involve the back, spine, and trunk of the body. • Workers between the ages of 25 and 34 years of age are most likely to be injured on construction sites.

Reflecting on these statistics, let us keep in mind the people associated with them and remember, we are all responsible for our own safety. The safety rules and regulations that guide and educate us cannot keep us safe-- we must all make a conscious decision everyday to work safe, watch out for ourselves and our fellow co-workers.

BE A SAFETY MINDED EMPLOYEE, NOT A SAFETY STATISTIC.

February 13, 2014

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THE NEW GUY CAN BE YOU How many companies have you worked for in your career? How many different projects have you worked on? How many times have you changed occupations: from a groundman to a lineman; then to a foreman to a general foreman: then back?

Every time you have made one of these changes you've faced a higher probability of being injured on the job. Studies show that in heavy industries up to 25% of injuries, or 1 in every 4 workers, will be injured within the first 30 days of starting work. Think of that--the first 30 days!

The majority of you have years of experience, BUT you still fall into this category time and time again. In fact, every time you change jobs you play the odds, and fall into the 1-in-4 statistic. That's because new-hires are not just green, inexperienced workers. They are also people who are new to their occupation, their job, or a specific work environment.

In your profession, you've learned the ‘tricks-of-the-trade’ allowing you to work safely and efficiently. How did you learn your trade and the methods making you a valuable asset to this company? You probably had some formal training, as well as lots of on-the-job-training (OJT).

OJT means you learned your job from practice and from those already experienced in the trade. Now, as you work beside new-hires, it is your experience that must be passed on. Remember, it doesn't matter whether this person is a 25-year veteran in the business who is simply new to this company, or to the task at hand, or if they are a green trainee who just bought their first set of tools. All of these people are playing the odds.

So, keep a helpful eye on the new guys in your crew. Take the time to describe the layout of the project, the best method to access the work, or how to work a tool they have never used. Everyone wants to learn the best way to do a job. Someone probably showed you how to do things, so take the time to help out your partner. When you show your co-worker the safest and smartest way to do a job, it helps keep you safe as well. Whenever you begin a new job, YOU are the rookie with that higher chance of having an accident.

February 14, 2014

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It’s Our Own Responsibility

FEBRUARY 2014

Commitment

Safety Leaders Keeping Your Worksite Safe


Pay Attention


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IT’S OUR OWN RESPONSIBILITY What with all the government safety regulations as well as company policies and procedures, it’s easy to forget that safety is primarily a personal responsibility. Workplaces can be covered with warning signs, safety posters, and bulletin boards. Safeguards can be installed on each piece of equipment. We can attend training sessions and be told of safe ways to do work, but none of these things can ensure freedom from accidents unless we want to prevent them. It’s up to us! Unless we realize our own actions determine whether accidents happen—and until we accept responsibility for these actions—injuries will occur. Who puts tools and equipment into motion and controls their movements? Who but ourselves can control the placement of our bodies, the movement of our arms, legs, and eyes, and—most important—the activity of our brains? One’s ability to control his or her actions carries with it the responsibility not to let these actions harm co-workers.

BEING ACCOUNTABLE! Machines do not reach out and bite. Tripping hazards don’t grab a person’s feet. Hand tools don’t slice and jab into flesh by themselves. Yet, judging from the statements people use to describe their injuries, one would think that the tools and equipment they use were alive. Hard luck, the conduct of other people, inadequate tools, and unfavorable conditions are just a few of the favorite reasons people use to absolve themselves of personal accountability when things go wrong.

It’s apparent that the people who make such statements are not fully aware they are accountable for their own actions and must accept the responsibility for them. Little can be done to prevent their accidents and injuries until they do accept this responsibility. Although compliance with OSHA standards and adherence to company policies help to reduce the number of accidents, it is the acceptance of personal responsibility and accountability that will dramatically reduce everyone’s risk of injury. Accepting responsibility for our own actions means we believe firmly that it’s up to us to do everything we can to prevent accidents. No one else can accept our safety responsibility for us.

February 17, 2014

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COMMITMENT THE SAFEST PERSON Ask yourself this question, “Who is the safest person I know?” Did you name someone you used to work with or perhaps someone you work with now? Maybe a relative or a friend? Many people do.

But, there is only one correct answer. Your answer should be, “me.” If you can’t say you are the safest person you know, then you might want to think about what it means to make safety your attitude for life.

CAN A COMPANY BE SAFE? Our company can only promote safety. It is up to us, as individuals, to behave safely.

COMMIT TO BEING A SAFE PERSON If you could not name yourself as the safest person you know, please commit to being a safer person and start doing things more safely today. • Follow the posted speed limit. • Wear your seat belt. • Use a step stool instead of a chair to reach an item on a shelf or change the blown bulb in the kitchen light. • On jobsites, wear your hardhat, safety glasses, and all other necessary PPE 100% of the time. • Speak up and take action if you see any unsafe conditions.

THE KEY TO MAKING YOUR ANSWER, “ME” WHEN ASKED, “WHO IS THE SAFEST PERSON YOU KNOW” IS COMMITMENT. Show your commitment to safety, and begin to DO IT SAFELY! This is harder than you think, but the ultimate pay off is far reaching.

It is always your choice, be safe or be unsafe! Be a leader and set a positive example. Always exhibit a good safety attitude for others to follow.

BECOME THE SAFEST PERSON YOU KNOW! Make sure you live up to the belief you are the safest person you know and you’ll find yourself enjoying the benefits of working and living safe. And if you named yourself, Great Job! Thank you for setting a good example for the rest of us to follow.

February 18, 2014

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SAFETY LEADERS All Asplundh employees are considered Safety Leaders. As Safety Leaders, we are dedicated to the pursuit of safety excellence. Commitment to safety excellence must be supported by behavior. Removing physical hazards is not enough to obtain the goal of zero accidents. It takes everyone working together to change unsafe behaviors and achieve effective safety leadership. Safety professionals recommend development of the following traits to become a successful Safety Leader:

PASSION • Show an unwavering commitment to the goal of Zero Accidents – people's lives depend on it. The only acceptable number is zero. • Set the highest possible standard for yourself; participate in training & mentoring.

TRUST AND RESPECT • Openly communicate and encourage sharing of ideas. • Respect everyone and each others' views. • Recognize safety achievements and positive contributions.

CREDIBILITY • Be knowledgeable and technically competent in safety and health requirements.

AVAILABILITY • Be highly visible and outspoken regarding safety. • Meet/communicate directly with fellow team members and workers. • If unsure, ask questions and for help.

SINCERITY • Walk the talk and follow through on corrective actions.

CONVICTION • Be willing to make tough decisions and show others that safety comes first.

ACCOUNTABILITY • Communicate clear responsibility and expectations. • Be engaging - always challenge at-risk safety behavior. • Hold each other accountable - openly share lessons learned.

The road is long, but with everyone’s help and support we can reach our safety goals. Let’s make good choices, watch out for each other and stay safe! In safety, the common goal is going home uninjured and it takes an entire team of safety leaders to achieve it.

February 19, 2014

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KEEPING YOUR WORKSITE SAFE Construction sites are a sign of change and bring improvements to communities. Unfortunately, an accident on a project dampens positive effects and brings skepticism. To proactively increase the safety on our jobsites, please review and discuss the following items as well as other methods that come to mind to ensure a safe site. There are a lot of people, including co-workers, our families, and the public counting on us.

• One of the first things noticed during an inspection is the housekeeping. Housekeeping is a very simple thing to control and one of the most important measures to put in place. The tidiness and organization of a site is a clear indication of how other matters are managed. Piles of debris can not only hide materials but also can be a hazard on the site.

• Another important measure is signage. This is to protect both the employees and the general public. At the entrance to the site, a sign will inform all entering that PPE is required on this jobsite and will list the specific types. It will also direct all visitors to the site office. This keeps people from wandering around inside the work area without supervision. Signs are not always necessary, but a good investment in most areas.

• Security goes along with signage. Construction sites are magnets for children and inquisitive neighbors and it is very important for us to protect them from site hazards. We should install the proper fencing to keep people out of the area. We should also barricade around any open holes or excavations to minimize our risk in these areas.

• Finally, you have to pay attention to the weather. It’s always changing. Our resources (people and equipment) become more vulnerable in bad weather. We may potentially have issues with the hot sun, ice, rain, high water and high winds. We must monitor the weather and be prepared for it when it arrives.

Remember to plan your day and work your plan. Use the Tailboards to inform your employees of the day’s events and to warn them of possible hazards. Make sure everyone knows what is expected of them.

Then, we can all contribute to a safe and injury free workplace. February 20, 2014

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PAY ATTENTION Accident prevention is part of your job. It takes everyone's efforts to keep our jobsites safe. Some basic things you can do to help prevent these types of accidents and help to maintain this year’s much improved safety numbers are:

• Come to work fully rested. Participate in the Stretch & Flex program to prepare for the day. Keep your mind on your work. • Wear proper clothing and sturdy footwear. Leave jewelry at home. • Use the correct personal protective equipment. Keep safety gear in good condition and

replace it as necessary. Damaged/lost equipment should be reported to your supervisor. • Keep your work area clean and neat. Don't let housekeeping get out of hand. • Never bypass safety devices. • Wipe your feet. Keep walkways, aisles, traffic lanes and fire exits clear of debris and other materials. Clean up spills. • When working in new areas of the jobsite take a few minutes to look around to

locate/correct/report obvious hazards.

• Don't leave openings unprotected. Cover holes securely or guard with rails.

• Make sure you have the right type and size of ladder. Climb it facing the rungs and be sure your hands are free to hold onto the ladder. Always maintain three points of contact.

• Report any accidents or near misses to your supervisor.

• Get proper first aid for any injuries and seek medical assistance if necessary.

Remember, every employee has “Stop Work” authority to address safety concerns.

GIVE YOUR UNDIVIDED ATTENTION TO SAFETY. February 21, 2014

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Top Four Construction Hazards

FEBRUARY 2014

Common Incident Causes

Speaking Up For Safety

Time Pressure


Winter Weather


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TOP FOUR CONSTRUCTION HAZARDS One of every five workplace fatalities is a construction worker. The top four construction hazards are falls, struck-by incidents, caught-in/between, and electrocution. These hazards annually result in the highest number of construction site fatalities.

#1: FALLS Did You Know? Falls from elevation account for 1/3 of all deaths in construction.

To Prevent Falls: 1. Wear and use personal fall arrest equipment. 2. Install and maintain perimeter protection. 3. Cover and secure floor openings and label floor opening covers. 4. Use ladders and scaffolds safely.

#2: STRUCK-BY Did You Know? Approximately 75% of struck-by fatalities involve heavy equipment, e.g. trucks or cranes.

To Prevent Struck-By: 1. Never position yourself between moving and fixed objects. 2. Wear high-visibility clothing near equipment/vehicles.

February 24, 2014

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TOP FOUR CONSTRUCTION HAZARDS (cont.) #3: CAUGHT-IN/BETWEEN Did You Know? The fatality rate for excavation work is 112% higher than the rate for general construction.

To Prevent Caught-In/Between: 1. Never enter an unprotected trench or excavation 5 feet or deeper without an adequate protective system in place; some trenches under 5 feet may also need such a system.

2. Make sure the trench or excavation is protected either by sloping, shoring, and benching or trench shield systems.

#4: ELECTROCUTIONS Did You Know? Approximately 350 electrical-related fatalities occur each year.

To Prevent Electrocutions: 1. Locate and identify utilities before starting work. 2. Look for overhead power lines when operating any equipment. 3. Maintain a safe distance away from power lines; learn the safe distance requirements. 4. Do not operate portable electric tools unless they are grounded or double insulated. 5. Use ground-fault circuit interrupters for protection.

February 24, 2014

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COMMON INCIDENT CAUSES Incidents occur for many reasons. In most industries people tend to look for “things” to blame when incidents happen, because it’s easier than looking for “root causes.” Consider the underlying causes described below. Have you been guilty of any of these attitudes or behaviors? If so, you may not have been injured, but next time you may not be so lucky.

• TAKING SHORTCUTS: Do timesavers ever risk your own safety, or that of other crew members? Short cuts that reduce your safety on the job are not shortcuts, but an increased chance for injury. Production will be lost if crews are in the “hurry up” mode, because employees are at greater chance of injury.

• BEING OVERLY CONFIDENT: Confidence is a good thing. Overconfidence is too much of a good thing. “It’ll never happen to me” is an attitude that can lead to improper procedures, tools, or methods in your work. Any of these can lead to an injury.

• STARTING A TASK WITH INCOMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS: To do the job safely and right the first time you need complete information. Have you ever seen a worker sent to do a job, having been given only a part of the job’s instructions? Don’t be shy about asking for explanations about work procedures and safety precautions.

• POOR HOUSEKEEPING: Housekeeping is an accurate indicator of everyone’s attitude about Safety, Quality, and Production. Poor housekeeping creates hazards of all types. 18% of all fatalities caused in construction are the result of poor housekeeping. A well-maintained area sets a standard for others to follow. Good housekeeping involves safety and pride.

• IGNORING SAFETY PROCEDURES: You are being paid to follow the company safety policies – not to make your own rules. Being “casual” about safety, can lead to a casualty! All safety procedures have been implemented for a reason -- to prevent loss of limbs, fingers or even a life.

• MENTAL DISTRACTION: Having a bad day at home and worrying about it at work is a hazardous combination. Don’t become a statistic because you took your eyes off the machine “just for a minute.” Use of personal cell phones is prohibited on the job.

• FAILURE TO PRE-PLAN THE WORK: PLAN YOUR WORK and then WORK YOUR PLAN!

February 25, 2014

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SPEAKING UP FOR SAFETY Being afraid or unable to challenge supervisors over safety is an issue facing many workers across industries. Conversely, getting supervisors to listen to, and accept, concerns can be equally challenging. Hence, the “safety” problem: employees regard speaking up as a risk, so they take a path of least resistance and keep their mouths shut. Do you feel comfortable asking questions about the work plan? What about raising a warning or approaching a co-worker about an unsafe act? Have you ever exercised your Stop Work Authority? Supervisors should listen and accept concerns. Speaking up should not be thought of as a risk; consider what could happen if you didn’t.

So, how’s an effective leader to know if he or she is unknowingly making it difficult for the team to speak up?

1. Don’t mistake silence for agreement. When you pitch ideas to people, look closely at their body language. Are they “open” to your idea, making eye contact, or are they “closed”, looking away, or otherwise not connecting with you?

2. Learn to ask, “What am I missing?” This simple open-ended phrase will help begin a conversation and shows that you’re open to the notion that your idea may not be fully drawn.

3. Reward differing viewpoints. If someone offers a differing view, begin with, “I hadn’t thought of it that way . . .” Ask follow up questions such as, “Have you considered. . .” and “What has to happen in order for you to get you comfortable with this idea?”

4. Reflect on past interactions. If your team is normally forthright and now they’ve clammed up, something about the situation has changed. Reflect on how this current “silent” situation is different from times past. Is there a new dynamic that is causing the silence?

5. Ask for feedback. The best way to get people to open up is to ask for, and then neutrally listen to their feedback. Be sure to sincerely thank the first person who ventures feedback. Highlight and reward people who take a risk to hold these crucial conversations.

Following these five tips allows leaders to gain the benefit of their employees’ expertise by creating a culture where people speak up, not clam up. Ultimately, that will improve all aspects of safety companywide.

Empower Your Voice: Speak Up, Be Heard, Get Action. February 26, 2014

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TIME PRESSURE How well do you manage your time? If you are like many people, your answer may not be completely positive. Time Pressure leads to Human Performance errors. Taking the time to plan your work is the best way to work efficiently and safely.

The first step in developing your work plan is to prioritize. Prioritize which activities are most important and have them on top of your to do list to avoid getting sidetracked and distracted. A prioritized “to do” list will assist you in keeping your activities on track and minimize wasted time.

It is important to be realistic when developing your plan and understand what you can realistically achieve with the time available. In addition, you must recognize the potential for interruptions and other “unexpected” events throughout the day. Plan to make the best use of the time available by leaving enough time for things that you absolutely must do, preserving time to handle “the unexpected” and minimize stress by avoiding over-commitment to yourself and others.

Keeping only one task in front of you at all times is an essential time management technique. There is a fantasy that people can multi-task. Actually what people do is one task interrupted by another and therefore not completing anything effectively. It is nearly impossible to do two things equally well, simultaneously. So, the best thing to do is to forget about multi-tasking and, instead focus on the task at hand.

Finally, ask for help. No matter how good you are at what you do, you are going to need the help of others. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but rather another way to make more efficient use of your time. Effective time management does require some planning and persistence. But, the payoff comes in being able to get more accomplished safely.

February 27, 2014

HIG

H IM

PACT TEAM

OSHA advises workers who are working under cold-weather conditions to: • Select proper clothing for cold, wet and windy conditions. • Layer clothing to adjust to changing temperatures. • Wear at least three layers of clothing:

• An outer layer to break the wind and allow some ventilation (like Gore-Tex® or nylon);

• A middle layer of wool or synthetic fabric (Quallofil or Pile) to absorb sweat and retain insulation in a damp environment.

• An inner layer of cotton or synthetic weave to allow ventilation; • In addition, wear a hat and gloves, and choose underwear that will keep water away from the skin (polypropylene). • Pay special attention to protecting feet, hands, face and head. Footgear should be insulated to protect against cold and dampness. Keep a change of clothing available in case work garments become wet. • Be cautious of caught in hazards created by loose or bulky clothing layers. • Take frequent short breaks in warm, dry shelters to allow the body to warm up. • Perform work during the warmest part of the day. • Avoid exhaustion or fatigue because energy is needed to keep muscles warm. • Use the buddy system; work in pairs. • Drink warm, sweet beverages (sugar water, sports-type drinks). Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol. • Eat warm, high-calorie foods like hot pasta dishes.

Learn the signs/symptoms of cold-induced illnesses and injuries and what to do.

WINTER WEATHER

February 28, 2014

february 2014 hit messages final

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