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How to Promote Health and Wellness at the Workplace
Employees are the biggest asset for any organization. And their holistic health, at a professional and personal level, plays a significant role in the success of a firm. Initiatives aimed at health and wellness have become a norm for today's organizations owing to the increasing job stress and workload. The increasing complexity of business has compelled many companies to include wellness programs in their strategy so that employees can achieve a healthy work-life balance. Let's look at some tips which would help your promotional campaign. Introduce Fairs and Workshops The management can introduce various schemes, incentives, and other health related activities to foster the spirit of wellness among the employees. This can be done through various means as mentioned below: Organize workshops on themes such as 'nutrition day,' 'health day,' and 'healthy cooking demonstration day' for making the staff aware about healthy living.Conduct seminars on stress management and natural ways to boost mental health.Offer massage or spa vouchers on a periodical basis.Invite the members of local fitness clubs to conduct sessions and lectures on fitness improvement.Explain the crucial role of ergonomics in ensuring a safe work environment.Offer health drinks and eatables, instead of the commonly served fast food, in the cafeteria.Spread Awareness The chief component of such programs is to educate your employees about the various ways in which they can remain healthy and fit. Some of the important things that you must make them aware about are: Value of breakfast in the daily eating regime.Encourage them to participate in physical activity and develop exercising as a hobby.Drinking clean and potable water.Possible complications of an unhealthy diet.Nutritional information: posting banners near the canteen, water coolers, and vending machines.Other initiatives that can be taken up are:Arrange health experts and psychologists for employees so that they can go for free checkups or consultations.Allow employees to be flexible with their work timings; however, ensure that the quality of work is maintained.Provide safety kits and driving tips to employees.Benefits Some corporate magazines carried startling statistics about the success of these programs. Yes, these ideas have immensely benefited the employees and they have shown great response to the health care initiatives that have been arranged for them. Surprisingly, employees found that they were able to cut their health care costs significantly once they started to attend such company-sponsored programs. Here are some of its tangible benefits and that's the reason why corporates are doing their best to involve their employees in such initiatives: Reduction in the health care costs of the company and a healthier workforce.Counseling of employees having the habit of excessive drinking or smoking.Increased emotional intelligence of the employees.A decrease in the number of leave applications and higher productivity.Increased awareness about one's health.Instilling a sense of trust among the employees that the firm takes adequate care of them. https://www.buzzle.com/articles/corporate-wellness-program-ideas.html
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The Important Role of Health and Safety Messages at the Workplace
Safety means first aid to the uninjured. - Anonymous There are so many different kinds of jobs out there in the world. Some jobs deal with a lot of physical work, whereas others mainly have mental stress. Safety is an important consideration that has to be thought of for carrying out work smoothly, where ever it might be. This particularly applies to people who are involved in physical work in a factory. However, for those working on computers in a company too, there are general safety messages placed in certain places at the office.

Use of Workplace Health and Safety Messages Workplace safety messages are the primary mode of communication to make sure employees work in a safe environment. There are even some legal requirements when it comes to safety at the workplace. These messages and boards effectively do the job of letting workers and staff know about surrounding conditions that can prove harmful to them. Every company, be it big or small, should have some or the other safety messages placed. These messages can be anything to make a note of dangerous substances in a room, or simply showing a fire exit in case of an emergency.

Employers may even be required to put small safety boards where people need to be directed in the workplace. These signs and messages are to be put where there are dangerous substances flowing through pipelines in a factory. Same goes to stores or rooms where harmful material is kept. Messages are to be put along with fire safety equipment. Below are some of the most common safety messages for the workplace. Most Common Health and Safety Messages Emergency Escape Route or Quick ExitNo SmokingFirst AidEye Protection RequiredFlammable Substance AreaWet FloorToxic MaterialFire EquipmentDo Not EnterThese messages are generally required to have arrows that show directions or further actions in emergencies. Besides, warning messages about fire protection or prevention, are to be shown in red. There are some messages which may be required to be put up in other colors. It is said that an image tells much more than many words. Considering this, instead of words, you can show a clear picture of the message. Health messages are also as important as safety ones. These messages may have ideas to avoid mental or physical stress at the workplace. Most of these messages are normally available at work or at factories for workers' safety. Following are some creative and witty messages that can be used for the purpose of general safety at work. General Health and Safety Messages There are a few quotes about workplace safety that tell readers to be aware of any possible danger. You can use standard ones or even come up with some unique creative ways to give out a much-needed message. The main intention is just to prevent an accident or an unfortunate incident. Some such famous general safety quotes are included in the following. Accidents hurt - Safety doesn't.Safety First...For a Better Workplace.Safety...Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.Life did not begin by accident. Don't end it as one.Forgot your hearing protection? Forget about hearing!Tomorrow - Your reward for working safely today.Prepare & prevent instead of repair & repent.Safety is a full-time job, don't make it a part-time practice.Feel the ache? Stretch or take a break.Going home safe today is no accident.Safety rules are the best tools.A safe workplace sets the mood for a high achievement attitude.The door to safety swings on the hinges of common sense.Ensuring safety is a common business.Be alert, be aware, be alive.Alert today. Alive tomorrow.Safety is a state of mind - accidents are an absence of mind.Make safety a way of life.Every accident - every time - if it's predictable it's preventable.Is better to lose one minute in life...than to lose life in a minute.This machine can kill you.A spill, a slip, a hospital trip.Your workplace is your kingdom. Make it a safe one.The safe way is the only way.Stay on top of safety, or it could end up on top of you.Safety first will make you last.This is just a general explanation of workplace health and safety messages. You can even use some of the above safety quotes as a 'workplace safety message of the day'. It is totally the responsibility of the company administrative department to make sure all safety boards and messages are put correctly and at appropriate places. Properly placed safety messages for work, significantly contribute to preventive actions at the workplace.
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The Importance of Safety and Environment in the Mining Industry
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Business :: Ways to improve an Industrial Structure’s sustainability
There are many things that one must keep in mind when choosing to make some changes to an industrial construction. The industrial building, unlike its domestic counterpart is built for a different purpose and has to be treated differently. Some major ways that firms choose to maintain and refurbish their buildings is by roofing, cladding, sheeting and installing new guttering systems.

Roofing and Exterior wall cladding seem to be the most effective way to improve and replenish the structure's strength. The best fits for any industrial roofing requirements are corrugated roofing sheets. These corrugated roofing sheets are available in many materials. Firms can choose from plastic or metal sheets, according to their industrial requirement and budget limitations. They are so named because they have gutters running in a corrugated line similar to what corrugated cardboard sheets have. This is a helpful trait as when placed in a slant it helps in dispensing the water from the roof. This is not so when the sheet is placed flat. The sheet can, in such cases, retain water on the roof which can be damaging to the surface of the roof in the long run. PVC sheets are made a lot thicker and durable than the metal sheets. The corrugating sheets are usually thin types of sheets and hence, retain heat when placed in a very sunny area. This may cause the temperature inside to increase by a few degrees. This is why the climate and the atmospheric conditions of the location should be considered when choosing any type of roofing. Another important factor that can play a role in determining the effectiveness of corrugated roofing sheets is the height of the building. One can choose from thicker or thinner roofs, based on the type of deterioration that is bound to happen to them. Another important thing that plays a vital role in the sustenance of industrial structures is its wall cladding. The external wall of the building acts as its skin, providing it with the immediate protection from any kind of atmospheric damage. The wall cladding helps in providing these walls with additional armour to prevent deterioration due to weather. Cladding also prevents the wall from accumulating any water within the wall assemblies or cavities and thus maintains the strength of the building's structure. Wall claddings come in a variety of styles, material and structural preferences depending on the nature of protection needed. Cladding contractors can be approached who will help in deciding the effect of various types of cladding necessary for the required demands. Industrial Roofing solutions are very vital in developing a sound structure that caters to the needs and requirements of the industrial work. There is a huge sea of options for Industrial Roofing contractors that one can choose from. But it is essential to pick out only the best in this respect. This can be done by following certain guidelines like years in the industry, previous works and claims. It is also advisable that the Industrial roofing contractors be licensed, bonded and insured. This acts as a definite guarantee of his credentials.
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Walmart Employee Benefits
Nobody would need an introduction to Walmart Inc., formerly known as Wal-Mart, a chain of about 8970 stores (departmental, warehouse, and retail stores) operating in more than 27 countries across the world under 55 different names. With more than 2.2 million employees, Walmart is the largest private sector employer in the world. Rightly so, it featured in the Fortune Global 500 list as the world's largest public corporation for the year 2012. That explains why people are so eager to join this multinational retailer. While working with the biggest name in the market is undoubtedly a thing to boast of, another strong reason to join Walmart is the lengthy list of employee benefits that you are entitled to once you join. Those of you who are already privileged employees of Walmart must be well aware of the Walmart employee benefits, but for those who are contemplating the idea of joining the retail giant (or have joined recently), here are some of the benefits in store for you at Walmart. When you become a full-time Walmart employee - or Walmart Associate, you are entitled to various rewards and benefits that the company provides. These employee benefits can be divided into two main groups - financial and health. Financial Benefits 1. 401(k) Contribution Walmart matches your 401(k) contributions up to 6% of the amount and also facilitates retirement account rollover. 2. Associate Stock Purchase An excellent benefit of being a Walmart Associate is that you get to participate in the Associate Stock Purchase Program, which allows stock purchase without any brokerage fees for a stipulated period. The company matches 15% of your first $1800 of the yearly contribution. 3. Associate Discount Card The discount benefit for Walmart employees doesn't just end there, as you are entitled for the Associate Discount Card which gives you 10% off when shopping at Walmart Stores. This is, however, restricted to only general merchandise. More importantly, even your immediate family can make the most of this discount offer. If you happen to be an employee at the Sam's Club, you automatically qualify for its membership. 4. Grocery Discounts Walmart associates are entitled to 10% off on fresh fruits and vegetables at all their stores. Sam's Club associates can use their membership cards at Sam's Club outlets. This enables employees to save money and also lead a healthier lifestyle. 5. Military Personnel If you are called for active duty in uniformed services, you are entitled for military differential pay at Walmart, which stipulates that the company will continue to pay you your full wages when you are on active duty. 6. Other Services Associate Discount Services by Walmart offer several discounts on wireless services, travel, and entertainment products. This is one of the most sought-after benefits offered by the retail giant. Health and Wellness Benefits Walmart also has consumer-directed health plans on offer for its Associates. The health benefits offered are some of the most extensive in the industry as Walmart provides insurance for almost a million people in the United States. 1. HRA & HSA Walmart offers Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) plans and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans which have high deductible limits, enabling the employees to gain support from the company. 2. Insurance Coverage100% coverage is offered on preventive care at hospitals in the network.Coverage is offered for dependents up to the age of 26.Accidental death & dismemberment insurance (AD&D) is another feature of the program.Walmart offers insurance for accidents and also covers critical illnesses.There is also insurance for general sick time which is called Illness Protection.There is a provision for both short-term and long-term disability insurance.Business travel accidents are also covered by insurance.Other Walmart insurance plans include dental insurance, optional life and dependent life insurance, company-paid life insurance, etc. 3. Medical BenefitsWalmart and Sam's Clubs pharmacies also offer a $4 co-pay on a large list of eligible drugs for associates.Walmart employees also get around 2,400 generic medications and prescription drugs for heart disease and diabetes for as little as $4. One of the big health benefits offered by Walmart Center of Excellence hospitals is total coverage on certain types of spine and heart surgeries. Also, the company provides healthcare specialists and nurses according to the requirements of the employee.A round-the-clock confidential counseling and health information service called Resources For Living is a highlight of the health benefits on offer.A Walmart Associate also gets access to the 24-hour active, private Mayo Clinic nurse line, for free health advice.There is a special Life with Baby Maternity Program for female employees which supports them before, during, and after pregnancy.Walmart Associates with vision impairment also get covered with an in-store associate eyewear program.A unique feature of Walmart employee health benefit plans is that there are more than fifty ways through which the employee can personalize his own health coverage. There are various options like health credits, premiums, deductibles, and other coverage options like long-term and short-term life insurance for Walmart associates. There are many other preventive health care initiatives that are taken by the company. The prominent ones among these include an annual checkup for associates and their family members, and immunization programs for their newborns (age group of 0 to 18 months to be precise). Other Walmart Perks ? Along with the above-mentioned employee benefits, each Walmart Associate is eligible for a performance-based bonus program for each branch of the store. ? Similarly, employees who finish 20 years with Walmart get a considerable hike for their service. ? Walmart has a website dedicated to its Associates - the myWalmart website, wherein they can keep a track of their benefits and connect with other employees of the company. ? If you are an employee of the hourly Walmart US Store, you can also keep a track of your work schedule using this website. With so many perks and benefits on offer, it is no wonder that Walmart is a highly sought-after place to work at. Having such extensive benefits for over 2 million employees is no small task either. If you are looking for a place to work that has a huge list of benefits, then finding a place that matches Walmart benefits might be a hard task indeed. https://www.buzzle.com/articles/walmart-employee-benefits.html
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Everyone SHOULD Know Why Safety is Important at the Workplace
Safety at the workplace is important, also because human resources are the most important resources of an organization. Safety at a workplace, also known as office safety refers to the safety of human resources in the organization. Satisfied employees can earn for a company what money can't buy. Human life is priceless. It cannot be made up for, through monetary compensations. An employer might be able to substitute an employee with another. But, not necessarily his dedication and expertise. That's why it's important for an organization to understand that human resources are its assets. This is also a reason why employers should cater to safety and comfort at the workplace and moreover, to the employees' lives.

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Tuberculosis in health care workers.
With the growing burden of tuberculosis (TB) infection among populations of developing countries the risk of health care workers (HCWs) occupationally acquiring TB increases. In studies conducted in medium--and low-income countries the median occupational attributable risk of TB in HCWs was estimated at 5.8%. (1) In South Africa the presence of drug-resistant TB, which is dependent on workplace and individual factors, compounds the potential risk posed to HCWs. Workplace factors include the number of TB patients treated at the facility and infection control practices. In facilities where a high number of TB patients are seen, the risk of developing occupational TB is much greater than in facilities with a small number of cases. Similarly, in the absence of appropriate infection control practices the risk of developing occupational TB increases. (2,3) Individual factors that increase the risk of developing occupational TB in HCWs include occupational category, depressed immune status and presence of a chronic illness such as diabetes. HCWs who work in TB inpatient facilities, laboratories, medical wards and emergency rooms, and staff required to perform procedures (e.g. intubations, bronchoscopy and chest physiotherapy) likely to cause droplet aerosol, appear to be at greater risk than those working in administration and management. (3) Therefore it is important for a health practitioner responsible for the occupational health of HCWs to have a good understanding of the burden of TB infection managed at the facility and the health profile of those under his/her medical surveillance. The Hazardous Biological Agents (HBAs) Regulations (4) promulgated in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act No. 85 of 1993 (5) require that regular risk assessments be conducted to determine whether there is exposure to HBAs in a workplace. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is categorised as a Group 3 HBA, i.e. one that 'may cause severe human disease, which presents a serious hazard to exposed persons and which may present a risk of spreading to the community, but for which effective prophylaxis and treatment is available'. A risk assessment of a health facility should be conducted every 2 years; in the interim, if HCWs with TB are identified, a risk assessment is warranted to review workplace controls. Based on the findings of risk assessments infection and workplace control strategies should be implemented. The three levels of control to be implemented with regard to TB are administrative, engineering/ environmental and personal protective controls. Administrative controls are the first line of controls and include aspects of patient triaging, early diagnosis, treatment and management of TB patients as outpatients as opposed to inpatients. (3,6,7) Engineering controls that have been proposed include negative-pressure local exhaust ventilation (LEV) or dilution ventilation systems, with high-efficiency particulate air filtration (HEPA) and/or UV treatment of vented air. (3) However, in resource-constrained environments the implementation and maintenance of such measures is not always possible. Consequently, emphasis on increasing natural ventilation in the presence of administrative controls should be considered. With regard to personal protective equipment (PPE) a respirator with the capacity to filter a 1 micron particle is needed to protect against M. tuberculosis transmission. (3) Issuing of respirators must be accompanied by a respirator training programme, which includes elements on fit, use, storage and maintenance. [FIGURE 1 OMITTED] Workplace controls must be coupled with a medical surveillance programme. Ongoing screening of HCWs is vital to ensure that occupational TB is diagnosed and treated early, preventing complications and spread. Much has been written about the use of tuberculin skin testing (TST) and interferon assays in the immune diagnosis of TB. (8-10) Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. There are no national guidelines for the screening and treatment of latent TB infection in HCWs in South Africa. However, a routine medical surveillance programme of HCWs exposed to HBA is required. (4) Medical surveillance should encompass pre-employment and annual medical examinations together with a self-administered health questionnaire at baseline and a modified questionnaire at subsequent annual examinations. In addition, screening tools such as quarterly cough questionnaires (Table I) and monthly weighing can be implemented in HCWs at high risk as a means of ensuring early diagnosis of TB. Currently the diagnosis of TB in HCWs follows the routine method of analysis recommended by the South African National Tuberculosis Control Programme, (11) i.e. two sputum samples or the use of chest radiography in cases where there is one positive sputum sample or none of the samples is positive (Fig. 1). In cases of non-pulmonary TB the site of infection will determine the diagnostic method; investigations such as fluid cytology, culture, fine needle aspiration, biopsy and polymerase chain reaction may be required. Treatment of HCWs diagnosed with TB should follow routine TB treatment guidelines as for any patient diagnosed with TB. All cases of HCWs diagnosed with occupationally acquired TB must be submitted to the office of the Compensation Commissioner for compensation in terms of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act No. 55 of 1995 (COIDA). (12) While Circular Instruction No. 178 on Compensation for Pulmonary TB in HCWs (13) outlines the requirements for compensation, even non-pulmonary cases of TB resulting from occupational exposure should be submitted for compensation. The first medical report should be submitted together with notification of the occupational disease, exposure history and employer's report. Progress medical reports must be submitted every 2 months until complete recovery, when a final medical report must be submitted (Table II). HCWs should have the option of voluntary testing and counselling (VTC) for HIV as part of their medical surveillance programme. Those who test positive for TB should be advised on VTC. In addition to VTC all HCWs who test positive for TB should be advised to ensure that their nearest contacts are tested for the disease. Depending on the progression of TB infection and treatment response, infected HCWs may require leave or re-deployment in the workplace and amendments to working hours. References (1.) Menzies D, Joshi R, Pai M. Risk of tuberculosis infection and disease associated with work in health care settings. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2007; 11(6): 593-605. (2.) Joshi R, Reingold AL, Menzies D, Pai M. Tuberculosis among health-care workers in low--and middle-income countries: A systematic review. PLoS Medicine 2006; 3(12): e494 doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0030494. (3.) Guidelines for preventing the transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in health care facilities. MMWR 2005; RR17:1-141. http://www.cdc.gov/ nchstp/tb/Federal_Register/New_Guidelines/TBICGuidelines.pdf (accessed 30 March 2009). (4.) Regulation 1390: Hazardous Biological Agents. Occupational Health and Safety Act No. 85 of 1993. Pretoria: National Department of Labour. (5.) Occupational Health and Safety Act No. 85 of 1993. Pretoria: National Department of Labour. http://www.labour.gov.za/act/index.jsp?legislationId=7336&actId=6872 (accessed 29 March 2009). (6.) Harries AD, Hargreaves NJ, Gausi F, Kwanjana JH, Salaniponi FM. Preventing tuberculosis among health care workers in Malawi. Bull World Health Organ 2002; 80(7): 526-531. (7.) Yanai H, Limpakarnjanarat K, Uthaivoravit W, Mastro TD, Mori T, Tappero JW. Risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and disease among health care workers, Chiang Rai, Thailand. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2003; 7(1): 36-45. (8.) Pai M, Riley LW, Colford JM. Interferon-assays in the immunodiagnosis of tuberculosis: a systematic review. Lancet Infectious Diseases 2004; 4: 761-76. (9.) Pai M, Gokhale K, Joshi R. Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in health care workers in rural India: Comparison of a whole-blood interferon-assay with tuberculin skin testing. JAMA 2005; 293: 2746-2755. (10.) Pai M, Dendukuri N, Wang L, Joshi R, Kalantri S, Rieder HL. Improving the estimation of tuberculosis infection prevalence using T-cell-based assay and mixture models. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2008; 12(8): 895-902. (11.) South African National TB Control Practical Guidelines, 2004.

http://www.kznhealth.gov.za/chrp/documents/Guidelines/ Guidelines%20National/Tuberculosis/SA%20TB%20Guidelines%202004.pd f (accessed 29 March 2009). (12.) Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act No. 55 of 1995. Pretoria: National Department of Labour. http://www.labour.gov.za/legislation/ original_act.jsp?legislationDetail_id=5539 (accessed 29 March 2009). (13.) Circular Instruction No. 178: Regarding compensation for pulmonary TB in health care workers, 2003. Pretoria: National Department of Labour. (14.) Naidoo S, Ryan AP, Gounden Y. Tuberculosis surveillance for anaesthetists. Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2007 (unpublished report). SALOSHNI NAIDOO, MB ChB, DOH, MMed, FCPHM Lecturer, Occupational Medicine, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban E-mail: [email protected] Tahle 1. A suggested cough questionnaire (14) Name Age Sex Job Marital status description 1. Do you have a cough that has lasted longer than 3 weeks? 2. Are you coughing at night? 3. Do you have a dry cough? 4. Do you cough up blood? 5. Have you lost your appetite? 6. Have you lost weight (more than 5kg) in the last 2 months without trying to? 7. Do you have night sweats (need to change the sheets or your clothes because they are wet)? Date of Name Birth Current Marital status workstation 1. Do you have a cough that has Yes No lasted longer than 3 weeks? 2. Are you coughing at night? Yes No 3. Do you have a dry cough? Yes No 4. Do you cough up blood? Yes No 5. Have you lost your appetite? Yes No 6. Have you lost weight (more than 5kg) Yes No in the last 2 months without trying to? 7. Do you have night sweats (need to Yes No change the sheets or your clothes because they are wet)? Table II. Required reports for submission to the compensation commissioner in the case of occupational TB Notification of an Occupational Disease (WCL14) Employers Report of an Occupational Disease (WCL1) Exposure History (WCL110) 1st Medical Report (WCL22) Progress Medical Report (WCL26) Final Medical Report (WCL26)
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Observing Health and Safety at Work
Regardless of size, all businesses have a legal responsibility to protect the health and safety of their employees and visitors to their workplaces and offices, and a range of federal and state laws exist to ensure that responsibility is met. This article explains the main steps you must take for your business to properly meet and enforce health and safety regulations. It offers guidance about such topics as policies, ensuring that your fire safety plan is adequate, providing personal protective equipment, establishing a first aid procedure, record keeping, and forming a safety committee. What to DoUnderstand and Adhere to Fire Regulations Because a fire represents the ultimate emergency for a business, it must be prepared for such an emergency situation. OSHA requires that your organization have an emergency action or response plan in place to respond to a fire or any other workplace emergency. This plan should include a workplace site plan and a description of the actions employers and employees must take to ensure everyone's safety. The plan should also list the major workplace fire hazards and their proper handling and storage procedures, potential ignition sources (such as welding, smoking, chemicals) and their control procedures, and the type of fire protection equipment or systems that can control fires these sources might cause or contribute to. To complete this plan, also list: the names and/or job titles of individuals responsible for maintaining equipment and systems installed to prevent or control fires ignitingthe names and/or job titles of those responsible for controlling hazardous fuel sourcesAssess the Risks Because safety risks in a workplace can vary dramatically, you should determine if employees are exposed to risks because of the work they perform, or by the condition of the premises, plant, equipment, or vehicles. An employer is also responsible for any risks posed to others--such as contractors, authorized company visitors, and members of the public--that might arise from the nature of your work or condition of your facilities and premises. To help your organization determine the extent of risk and your level of preparedness, you may want to refer to the "Ten-Point Checklist for Emergency Preparedness" developed at the University of Tennessee Safety Center and available from the National Safety Council. The checklist comprehensively addresses key topic areas, including: Warning Signals, Communications, Evacuation, Utility and Electrical Controls, Fire Suppression, Severe Storm/Tornado Shelter, Management, Housekeeping, Bomb Threats, and Security. After completing this checklist, including your own comments, you will be able to set priorities for the immediate and longer term steps your organization should take to insure the safety of your employees and your workplace. Report Accidents and Keep Careful Records Deaths, major injuries, and dangerous occurrences must be reported immediately, and within 10 days a follow-up report must be submitted to the enforcing public authority. An accident that leaves a worker unable to perform the full range of his or her normal duties for more than three days also must be reported within 10 days. No matter what kind of incidents occur, record keeping is a crucial component of health and safety compliance. In most cases, organizations with 10 or more employees are required to comply with OSHA record-keeping regulations. They must keep records for three years from the date of an incident, and the enforcing authority may request to see these records. You must document and report the recordable injuries and illnesses of all employees on your payroll, whether they are executive, hourly, salaried, part-time, seasonal, or migrant workers. You also must document and report the recordable injuries and illnesses suffered by workers who are not on your payroll if you supervise them on a day-to-day basis. There is but one exception: If your business is organized as a sole proprietorship or partnership, the owner or partners are not considered employees for record-keeping purposes. Self-employed individuals who are working on your premises may not be covered by the OSHA requirements. However, if contract or temporary employees are working on your site and have an injury or illness, you may be required to provide documentation if you supervise them on a day-to-day basis. You and any cooperating employment service firm should coordinate your efforts to ensure that each injury or illness is recorded only once. Use Protective Equipment Employers must furnish suitable safety equipment (such as safety goggles, hard hats, reinforced footwear, and reflective jackets) for use at work wherever there are risks that cannot be adequately controlled in other ways. You will have to assess what type of equipment is sufficient to offer protection against the hazards of the job, and ensure compatibility where multiple types of equipment are needed. You must make sure that the personal protective equipment you provide is kept clean and in good repair, stored correctly, and replaced as necessary. And, you must give your employees adequate information about the equipment and properly train them how to use it. Keep Employees Informed Whether via training programs or posted information throughout the workplace, employees must be kept informed of new regulations, safety procedures, use of safety equipment, security requirements, and related information. Your organization should incorporate annual training and review programs to ensure employee safety, and to keep employees fully informed about what their responsibilities are and the actions they would need to take in an emergency. Train Emergency Response Teams Emergency response teams are the first lines of defense in almost any emergency. Before creating such teams and assigning members, the National Safety Council recommends that employers first ensure that participating employees are physically capable of performing any assigned duties. The number of teams to be train will depend upon your organization's size, complexity, and activities. The better prepared your workforce is for an emergency, the less likely unnecessary accidents or injuries will occur when an emergency occurs. In turn, it's good to offer emergency preparedness training to all managers and employees, in addition to the specialized training given to emergency response team members. For managers and supervisors, training should include instruction on how to give calm direction and demonstrate leadership. They must know what to do, what their own responsibilities are, and who is in charge. They should be trained in directing equipment shutdowns, evacuation procedures and in accounting for all employees after an evacuation. Naturally, emergency response teams should be thoroughly trained for all potential emergencies and their containment. But all employees need to know the company's specific emergency procedures, what they are expected to do, who will be directing them in an emergency, and the exact evacuation route from their department. Employers also are obligated to provide training for new and existing employees as part of the orientation process and ongoing training programs. It needs to cover safety systems used in the workplace, health and safety policies and procedures, and the identities of employees responsible for first aid, fire safety, emergency response, and reporting accidents. The National Safety Council also recommends testing emergency preparedness plans at least once a year, including mock drills and facility evacuations. Secure the Premises Contractors and visitors to your facilities are entitled to the same considerations of health and safety as your employees. They should follow the same safety procedures, too. And, as news report too often make clear, all workplaces need to be secured to prevent unauthorized entry. What to AvoidYou Don't Get the Right Advice When it comes to health and safety especially, bad advice is often worse than none at all. For more detailed information, as well as practical tips, contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) your state's public safety office, or local Emergency Management Services offices. Local EMS professionals can be a godsend. You Don't Provide First Aid Employers must have facilities to offer first aid to employees if they are injured or become ill at work. It's the law, pure and simple. Your first task is to assess the level of first aid likely to be needed. To do this, consider the nature and degrees of risk, number of employees involved, and the location of the business. Extra consideration should be given to employees working in isolated locations, traveling through remote areas, or using potentially dangerous tools and machinery. First aid procedures should be detailed in your health and safety policy, and all employees should be made aware of them. You should also create a first aid station that is clearly marked. You Forget About HIPAA The acronym stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Intended to protect the privacy of employees' medical records and conditions in this era of electronic information transfer, HIPAA sets national standards for reporting information. Congress first enacted this federal legislation in 1996, but many of its provisions didn't take full effect until 2003. These provisions affect health care providers most of all, but since many businesses offer some kind of health care coverage, their managements need to at least be aware of them, too. There is a wealth of information available to human resources staffs and others responsible for ensuring the law is obeyed and its specific regulations are followed. You Don't Inform OSHA, State and Local Public Safety Offices Record-keeping requirements that govern the reporting of workplace illnesses and injuries are the laws of the land. An organization that isn't complying with these requirements faces another risk: expensive fines that can jeopardize a company's financial health.
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'Serious' health, safety concerns at immigration detention facility: inspector general
Numerous health risks, poor conditions and safety violations were found at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), detention facility in Orange, California, according to a report released Wednesday. Interested in Immigration? Add Immigration as an interest to stay up to date on the latest Immigration news, video, and analysis from ABC News. The report alleged that food was mishandled, the housing conditions were "unsatisfactory" and that the facility was violating protocols to separate high-risk detainees and low-risk detainees. An unannounced inspection on Nov. 16, 2016 of the Theo Lacy Facility (TLF) in Orange, California, found issues that "pose health risks" and other violations that "result in potentially unsafe conditions at the facility." The facility is operated by the Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD) and houses federal immigration detainees. It has the capacity to house 3,442 males, all with some degree of criminal history. There are currently 528 immigration detainees there, according to ICE. In the facility's kitchen, the government watchdog identified a host of potential food safety problems. "Of deepest concern" was the refrigeration units which were we observed to have "slimy, foul-smelling lunch meat that appeared to be spoiled." "Detainees reported being repeatedly served lunch meat that smelled and tasted bad, which they rinsed with water before eating," said the report. The inspector general found moldy and mildewed shower stalls, refuse in cells and inoperable phones. "Because of concerns raised during the inspection, we recommended that ICE take immediate action to ensure compliance," wrote Inspector General John Roth in a letter. The inspection also found that the facility was not complying with the ICE detainee classification process, which requires that facilities implement a system to classify detainees based on past criminal convictions, including immigration violations, and other security risk factors. Detainees of all risk levels were housed in the barracks, against policy specifying that facilities may not mingle low-risk and high-risk detainees, said the report. The report recommended that ICE ensure the facility is following the U.S. Department of Agriculture safe food handling guidelines, undertake a full review and inspection of the Theo Lacy Facility and the Orange County Sheriff's Department's management of the facility and develop a comprehensive oversight plan for the facility to ensure compliance. ICE concurred with all three of the recommendations made by the inspector general. "The top to bottom inspection identified several compliance issues related to bathroom cleanliness, food storage, and detainee phone access, all of which were promptly remedied. The OIG also voiced concern that detainee grievances were not being tracked to ensure adequate follow-up. In response, ICE met with onsite supervisory personnel at the facility and provided guidance regarding the appropriate method for documenting and addressing detainee complaints, including verbal grievances," a spokesperson for ICE said in a statement. The sheriff's office said it had "reviewed the report" after receiving it today and all concerns alleged by the inspector general "have been addressed." Alex Stone contributed to this story.
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Are Employee Wellness Programs a Scam?
Last Updated Mar 17, 2009 11:23 AM EDT The Takeaway: Health care costs are inching up (if not soaring) at companies across America, and in the current economic climate managers are desperate to cut these costs. And where there's desperation, there' usually someone willing to exploit it. That's just what's happening with the all those touting employee wellness programs, says Ruettimann. In her usual uncompromising tone, the blogger behind Punk Rock HR holds nothing back: There is no wellness program in America that will lower the cost of your company's medical benefit program. If someone tells you otherwise, she is wrong. In fact, long-term studies from clinics and hospitals across America show that weight loss and lifestyle changes are temporary, at best, and that 95 percent of those who lose weight--and benefit from eating right and exercising--will gain back the weight within five years.... programs that focus on weight loss, stress reduction, and exercise cannot prove either a long-term reduction in benefit costs or an overall improvement to your workforce's health. Don't be the last chump in America to wake up and realize that wellness programs are a scam and distract you from your real goals as a leader. Skip the lectures on calories and exercise. Stop devaluing your employment brand by trying to motivate your workforce to join the local fitness center and drink more water.... If your company spends time and money lecturing your workforce on the benefits of diet soda and cardiovascular exercise, you are running an adult daycare program instead of a business. So does she have any alternatives to offer those scrambling to bring down health care costs? Of course she does. Ruettimann suggests a back to basics focus on rewarding performance. On top of that all you can do is "use your political capital to influence the debate on health care reform" and "ask your HR department to craft a compensation plan that will attract and retain the best and brightest employees." Check out Ruettimann's blog for many more strong opinions on all things HR. The Question: Are wellness programs just a distracting intrusion? (Image of unfortunate snakes in snake oil by w a a, CC 2.0) 2009 CBS Interactive Inc.. All Rights Reserved.
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Construction Safety History - InfoBarrel

Since the beginning of time man has used tools to create and construct a living and working environment. From the earliest of shelters made with sticks and tree branches to the largest skyscrapers in the world, man has been building. Unfortunately, not everything progressed smoothly throughout these undertakings: plans have failed and deadlines have been missed. However, the single greatest tragedy in construction is not finishing over budget, but the death of a worker. Although there has been much improvement in the world of safety in construction there is still much to be done. One of the earliest great construction projects of the world belongs to the Chinese with their construction of the Great Wall. The wall, expanding over 1,500 miles, was built in sections over a period of nearly 500 years dating from around 700 B.C. to nearly 200 B.C. The latest section built occurred in a twenty year period starting in roughly 220 B.C. Labeled the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty, this section of wall took the lives of approximately one million workers, slave and free laborers combined. Needless to say, safety was not a factor in constructing this wall. Nearly two thousand years later, the French began building a canal to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. From 1880 to the mid 1890s, the French had severely misjudged the scale of the project; roughly 20,000 construction workers perished during the construction. In the mid 1890s, when American companies took hold of the project, construction resumed and finally was finished almost twenty years later. Unfortunately, another 5,000 workers died working along the canal during this time period. A few decades later, in the 1930s, the United States began undertaking huge construction projects. One of these first major projects was the construction of the Hoover Dam in Nevada. This dam, which diverts the flow of the Colorado River and powers virtually everything in the surrounding area, was primarily built in a span of three years. During this time, seventy-six workers perished. During this same time period on the other side of the country, New York City saw the erection of its tallest skyscraper: the Empire State Building. Remarkably built in a span of only thirteen months, this one-hundred plus story building took the lives of fourteen workers.
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Finally, traveling back to the west coast, California saw the connection of San Francisco and Oakland over the bay with the Golden Gate Bridge. Built from 1933 to 1937, this massive suspension bridge claimed the lives of only ten construction workers. The history of construction is fascinating. However, the fact that so many lives in history have been lost in the construction process is startling. The trend has decreased steadily, thanks to OSHA and other regulations,but much can be done about the safety of workers. Work must continue to ensure that health and safety of all construction workers around the world. http://www.infobarrel.com/Construction_Safety_History
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The importance involving Wearing Hi Viz Workwear Clothes in certain Professions
The importance associated http://www.titanworkwear.co.za with Wearing Hi Viz Workwear Apparel in certain Professions
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South Korea confirms fishing crew's safety after hijack scare
SEOUL, South Korea - South Korea said Saturday that it has confirmed the safety of crew members from a fishing vessel that had lost contact in waters off Somalia, prompting Seoul to dispatch a naval unit over fears that the vessel had been hijacked by pirates. Seoul's Foreign Ministry said it planned to "close the case" after the vessel's South Korean captain confirmed the safety of his crew in a telephone call with a South Korean business partner. While officials were still gathering details on what happened, they were sure that the vessel wasn't hijacked, according to a ministry official, who didn't want to be named, citing office rules. Hours earlier, South Korea's military said it dispatched its anti-piracy Cheonghae Unit to the area after the 234-ton vessel, which had a crew of three South Koreans and 18 Indonesians catching squid, lost contact after relaying it was being followed by a suspected pirate vessel. Upon Seoul's request, patrol aircraft from India, Germany and Japan also searched the area, and South Korean President Moon Jae-in ordered related government agencies and the military to "invest full efforts into the rescue operation, so that not a single life is lost," according to his office. The fishing vessel was registered in Mongolia and owned by an ethnic Korean businessman living in South Africa. The vessel's captain, chief engineer and boatswain were South Korean nationals, the Foreign Ministry said. Crews from employee wellness company South Korean fishing vessels and cargo ships have often been targets of Somali pirates.

Recent weeks have seen a resurgence of piracy off Somalia's coast after five years of inactivity. The piracy was once a serious threat to the global shipping industry but lessened in recent years after an international effort to patrol off the coast. Some Somali fishermen, including former pirates, say foreign ships illegally fishing in local waters are forcing them to return to piracy to make money.
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