High Impact Series. These dynamic programs show viewers that a commitment to safety is the key to maintaining an injury-free workplace or even saving ones life. Filled with re-creations of actual accidents from OSHA files, these films has proven to be highly effective training tools through their scared-straight, graphic nature.
Two recent high-profile tragedies -- the garment factory collapse in Bangladesh, which killed more than 800 people, and the fertilizer plant explosion in Texas, which resulted in 14 deaths -- have put workplace safety in the headlines.
But those are just the most dramatic and recent examples of workplace hazards and unsafe work conditions. More than 100 people in the United States die every day as a result of their work, according to the AFL-CIO. In 2011, about 4,693 workers were killed on the job, and 50,000 workers die every year from work-related diseases such as cancer.
Certainly, no place in the world is completely immune to industrial accidents and workplace injuries, but those living and working in countries with less stringent work safety regulations often risk their lives to fill their bellies.
Check out this interactive timeline of some of the worst industrial accidents in the world in the past 150 years. Click on either side of the graphic to go backward or forward in time.
By U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii Public AffairsAugust 24, 2015
It's about protecting the U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii's most valuable asset -- people. By Taking a Stand! to protect the Soldiers and civilians who make up the workplace, the Army Safety Program assists leaders to get jobs done and missions completed. Each duty day brings its own unique set of hazards to the workplace. Because of our daily routines, it's easy to get complacent and not recognize these hazards. A proactive workplace safety program reduces risks by identifying the hazards and developing control measures before accidents occur. It also looks at the connections between employees, their duties, equipment and tools, and the working environment. The Army's workplace safety program manages the many hazards, including these: Electrical (shock/short circuit, fire). Ergonomics (strain, human error) Fire/heat burns (burns, smoke inhalation). Slips, trips and falls (ladders, equipment). Mechanical (vibration, amputations). Noise (hearing damage, stress). Material handling (failure to follow correct guidance). Power tools (improper use or storage). ![]() Visibility (lack of proper lighting, obstructed vision). Weather (hurricanes, tsunamis, volcanoes). Clint German, director, Directorate of Installation Safety, USAG-HI, says that sometimes all that's required to maintain a safe work environment is using a little common sense. Implementing an element of on-the-job safety can prevent many accidents in the workplace. 'Think about safety as you go about your day,' German said. 'Workplace safety has to happen all over garrison. Any environment on post has factors that can impact the safety of others. 'All post operations, not just some,' German added. Not paying attention to what you're doing can also cause problems. For instance, falls remain one of the most common workplace accidents throughout the world, with three of the top five workplace violations reported by Occupational Safety and Health Administration involving accidents caused by working at dangerous heights. According to OSHA, some of the top workplace safety violations in the U.S. are fall protection, hazard communication, scaffolding protection, respiratory protection and ladder safety standards. For Army Hawaii personnel, simply following regulations isn't enough. The deeper challenge is adopting a culture that values safety and seeks to reduce risks whenever possible, even if it means delays until deficiencies can be corrected. Workplace safety applies to everyone. Employees need to stay alert and aware at all times to avoid accidents, while supervisors need to know the most common causes for workplace accidents and be able to spot the risk factors early to prevent them. Part of the goal of the workplace safety program is to prevent accidents and injuries by complying with OSHA standards and effectively using Risk Management, a program that specifically targets Soldiers and Department of Army civilians performing non-combat roles during training, contingency operations, field operations, and office and industrial operations. As the new fiscal year approaches, the Army Hawaii community should strive to make 2016 the safest year ever. (Editor's note: This article was localized from an Army News Service story out of Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.) RELATED LINKS
RELATED STORIES
Comments are closed.
|
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |