Accident Prevention Programs

What Will We Talk About? What is an accident? What is an accident prevention program? Basic elements of a program Where to get more help

What is an accident?

What Is An Accident? An unplanned, unexpected, unwanted event that –Disrupts normal operations –May or may not cause property damage or personal injury

What is an Accident Prevention Program (APP)? A plan of action to: –ID and correct existing & potential workplace hazards –prevent accidents –minimize their impact –prevent recurrence –protect life, limb, property

Basic Types Of Accidents Minor: little damage  Paper cuts  Dropping a box of supplies. Serious: major injury or property damage.  Forklift dropping a load.  Person falling off a ladder.

Basic Types Of Accidents “Accidents” that occur over a long period of time  Hearing loss from long-term noise exposure  Illness from chronic chemical exposure

“Near Miss” Accident AKA “Near Hit” or “Incident.” An accident that does not actually result in injury or damage (but could have). Shows something is wrong.

Basic Program Elements Management Commitment Employee Involvement Safe Work Practices Workplace Hazard Assessment

Basic Program Elements Accident Investigation Hazard Control Training Recordkeeping

Management Commitment A message from the top J John Smith

Management Commitment The motivating force: 1.Policy statement 2.Specific objectives 3.Assigned responsibilities 4.Management sets example 5.Commit resources

Resources to Support of APP Money TimePersonnel $

Employee Participation

Roles and responsibilities: Safety committee membership Job Hazard Analysis Develop safe work procedures Report/correct hazards Self-inspections Help train new hires

Purposes of Safety Committees Present training exchange ideas, foster safe behavior, improve safety performance through collaboration and participation reinforce everyone’s responsibility to safety.

 Review self inspections  Evaluate equipment / work processes (JHA’s)  Report department safety suggestions, facilitate employee participation  Assist in solving safety problems.  Assist in developing and implementing training Safety Committee Activities

 Review incident / accident trends  Conduct accident investigations  Review old policies and procedures and assist in developing new ones  Evaluate program effectiveness

Safe Work Practices

Safety Rules General company safety rules such as: –Do not operate equipment for which you have not been trained. –Report all injuries to your supervisor Rules for specific tasks, e.g.: –Lab safety rules –Roofing fall protection rules

Disciplinary Policy In writing Communicated to workers Universally applied including management Fair and progressive enforcement Where’s his fall protection?

Workplace Hazard Assessment

Address existing conditions potential hazards Cover employees students visitors contractors

Hazard Identification Use a team: supervisors, employees, outside experts Consider: –Persons –Processes –Equipment –Environment Recommend action to improve Track corrective action

Hazard Assessment Regular self-inspections Periodic outside inspections Industrial hygiene monitoring Job hazard analysis Employee hazard reporting Records review

Job Steps HazardProtection Pick up stock Sharp edges & splinters Gloves Cut stock with power saw Blade edges and flying chips Blade guard and safety glasses Job Hazard Analysis

Records Review  Review OSHA- 300, WC claims, accident reports, injury records, near- miss investigations, equipment repair records

Accident Investigation

 Identify problem areas  Identify root cause  Eliminate hazards  Prevent recurrence  Improve performance Why Investigate?

Near Misses Near-misses are potential accidents Accidents or injuries are the “tip of the iceberg” of hazards Accidents Hazards

Hazard Control

Serious Injury Minor Injury No Injury Incidents Hazards Heinrich’s Triangle

Hazard Control Engineering Controls Administrative/Work Practice Controls PPE Preventive Maintenance Emergency Action Plan with Drills

TRAINING

Training –Who? Management Employees –What? Basic orientation Specific machines, processes, skills –When? Before doing the work When duties work change When deficiencies are noted –Documentation Training content Attendance records

Employee Orientation Contents of overall program How to do job safely How to report hazards How to report accidents Emergency procedures Location of PPE, first aid, emergency facilities

Some OSHA Standards with Specific Training Requirements: Respirators and PPE Emergency Action and Emergency Response Lead Confined Space Fall Protection In Construction Lockout / Tagout Hazard Communication Bloodborne Pathogens

Recordkeeping

Types of Records Training logs Incident investigation reports Illness/injury logs Exposure monitoring records Medical records (maintain confidentiality) Safety meeting minutes Corrective action logs

Resources for More Help Insurance Companies National Safety Council Onsite Consultation Program –Call to request “Volumes 1 through 6”