Why Are Safety & Environmental Inspections Important
As you might expect, the most common question I receive is, "Why do I need a monthly safety meeting for my employees, and why do I need safety or environmental inspections?" This is, of course, the million-dollar question. The answer may surprise you - there is more to these three items than meets the eye.
Let's start by examining the safety meeting. As someone who actually leads these meetings, I can tell you that per OSHA guidelines, which we follow here at AEC, there is a wealth of information to convey to the group. The subjects range from first aid and personal protective equipment to hand and power tool safety, as well as topics like heat stress and fire prevention.
I strive to make these meetings informative yet informal. Everyone has sat through a stuffy safety meeting at some point, and let's be honest - those are nothing but boring. I prefer to engage in a dialogue with the audience, not simply lecture them. I use real-life examples of incidents where someone didn't follow the rules, was in a hurry, or thought they knew better. These incidents have often led to serious injuries and even fatalities. Sharing this information brings the topic to life for the listeners, many of whom have witnessed or know someone hurt in a work-related incident. I encourage them to share their own stories so that others can learn from those experiences.
I also like to discuss how these safety issues may apply to activities at home as well. For instance, I recently talked about how two seemingly harmless chemicals under the sink - ammonia and bleach - can create a harmful, toxic substance when combined (Mustard Gas, which can burn the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs). Facts like these help to encourage audience connection and participation.
Throughout the meetings, I always stress that we at AEC genuinely care about the well-being of our customers' employees and want them to return home to their families in the same condition as when they left.
As part of my job, I perform safety inspections for our customers. In my role as a safety inspector, I tour the facility and use my trained eyes to identify potential hazards around work stations and common areas. I look for broken tools, power tools without guards, slip and fall risks, heavy items on high shelves that could fall, and other items that could potentially injure workers.
These issues may seem like common sense, but it's surprising how often they get overlooked. When you see the same things day after day, your mind can become desensitized and complacent to the mundane. That's why it's a best practice to have a knowledgeable third party with a fresh set of eyes come in and inspect these areas.
I document all my findings in a detailed report that is filed at your location. This allows the issues to be addressed promptly so the facility can operate safely for all employees. I hear from people all the time that they've looked at something hazardous many times without ever noticing it. That's why an objective safety inspection is so valuable.
Environmental inspections are one of my specialties. Many of our customers struggle with environmental issues they don't fully understand or know how to address. Most aren't even aware of potential environmental problems on their property. That's where I come in.
When I arrive on site, I bring extensive environmental expertise. I thoroughly inspect for areas where materials from the company's operations may be escaping and entering nearby waterways. I check for leaks in tanks and containment systems, and note any potential problem areas. I examine everything from fire extinguishers to pipe and storage tank corrosion.
If I discover any issues, no matter how minor they may seem, I want the company to know about them and how to properly address them. That's why I carefully document everything I observe in a detailed report, which I file with the company. This ensures the problems I've identified can be resolved before they escalate into bigger, more costly headaches for the customer.
My goal is to provide our clients with the knowledge and guidance they need to stay on top of environmental compliance and avoid potential violations or environmental disasters. It's a specialized service, but one that can save companies a lot of time, money and stress in the long run.
At AEC, our goal is to help the companies we serve create safe, eco-friendly workplaces for all their employees. By implementing our three-phase service plan, we aim to ensure their facilities are both physically and environmentally secure. Work safety and environmental compliance are top priorities for us - that's why we do what we do.
318-730-8062
advancedenvken@hotmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment