Watching a Video Once a Year Doesn't Cut It
If OSHA asked you to explain how you accomplish health and safety training for your employees, how would you answer? You may use technology to accomplish some of your safety training, but having workers watch a video as the sole element of the training is not enough. A video or other media can be a part of the training, but verbal communication between the worker and individuals such as the safety coordinator and supervisor of the department where the individual will work are necessary also. Safety training must be specific to your laboratory and contain at a minimum the following elements:
Hazard Communication - Chemical Hygiene
* Hazard communication plan
* Contents of MSDSs
* Location of MSDSs
* Labeling of products
* Hazard rating system in use
* Location of chemical inventory list
Exposure Control - Biological Hazards
* Exposure control plan
* Identification of risk areas
* Decontamination procedures
* Education on handling of potentially infectious items
* How Hep B, Hep C, HIV, MRSA are contracted
* Hepatitis B vaccine
* Post exposure evaluation and follow-up
Personal Protective Equipment/Respiratory Protection
* What PPE is required for the job/task
* Fit testing of mandatory respirators
* How to use the PPE
* How to care for the PPE including storage when not in use
* When to replace the PPE
Equipment Safety
* Safe use of air guns
* Use of shields/guards
* Use of dust collection
Lockout/Tagout
* Identification of energy sources
* When lockout is required
* Location and use of lockout/tagout devices
Ergonomics
* Prevention of musculoskeletal disorders
* Proper positioning at workbenches and other work areas
Workplace Violence
* Security concerns
* Rules for being at work alone
* Reporting of security concerns
Emergency Plan
* Fire safety: exit routes, locations of fire extinguishers, fire blankets
* Medical emergencies: who calls 911
* First Aid supplies
* Eyewash station
* Evacuation procedures
* Severe weather emergencies
* Clean up of spills of acids and/or flammable materials
* Reporting of on-the-job injuries
Also, don't forget that your drivers or couriers are at the greatest risk for an occupational injury so provide specific information to those individuals such as how to deal with road rage, aggressive driving, how to report an accident, etc.
New Hires: Health and safety training for new employees must take place immediately upon hire and prior to the worker being exposed to a hazard. In most cases this would occur on the first day of employment.
Periodic Training: Subsequent training would occur whenever a new chemical is introduced into the laboratory or new equipment is added. Use the MSDS for the chemical to aid in your training. When new equipment is installed ask the vendor to provide the training for those workers who will be using the equipment.
Monthly Training: Monthly safety meetings are a great way to share safety information. These meetings can be focused on one topic. Some suggestions are:
* Bring in someone to put on a demonstration such as the fire department to explain how to use a fire extinguisher
* CPR training
* How to use the laboratoryÃs spill kit to clean up a spill of a hazardous material
* Security measures
* Eyewash station use
* Conduct a fire drill
Annual Training: Of course annual training is a great way to refresh everyone's memory on the safety rules. And don't forget to inform workers of the consequences of failure to obey safety rules.
Remember OSHA requires employers to inform employees about the hazards of their job prior to encountering the hazard. In other articles, I've explained how to have fun training so make your training interesting and interactive.