health and safety Archives

Martin Lloyd Sanders on Why Health and Safety at Work Matters

Angela Manning Business, Health March 17, 2018business, employees, health and safety, safety at work

Martin Lloyd Sanders is a true American her. As CAPT Martin Lloyd Sanders, he protects his countrymen and his services, but he goes above and beyond that as well. He is also an officer in the U.S. Public Health Service and he is the Director of the Environmental Health Services Division for Occupational Health. He is brave and valiant in all walks of life, and his aim is to ensure people are safe at all times. This is also why he has made a push towards increasing workers’ health and safety (H&S), something for which he feels exists a real need.

Martin Lloyd Sanders on Why H&S Matters

Ever year, over 200 people die as a result of workplace accidents, and hundreds of thousands are injured. Between 2009/10, around businesses and organizations lost 23.4 million working days because of injuries and illnesses related to work. Falls and vehicular accidents are the greatest killers and slips and trips the greatest injurers.

Clearly, H&S must be managed effectively. For Martin Lloyd Sanders, this starts by having risk assessments in place. Not all risks can be eliminated, but they can be properly managed. When a risk assessment is performed, an organization knows what the risk is and how likely it is to happen. It identifies the hazards, and who can be affected by them.

This isn’t just an ethical consideration either. By law, an organization with more than five employees must keep risk assessment records. These should show the hazards, who is at risk from them, and how safety can be improved. Unfortunately, many businesses don’t know how to do this properly.

Countries across the world have legal regulations that are often updated as well. The main law in this country is the OSH (Occupational Health and Safety) Act. This act shows the duty of care employers have towards their staff, contractors, and other people. Meanwhile, the Mine Safety and Health Act 1977 is responsible for the health and safety of those working in mines, a particularly dangerous occupation. Additionally, there is the Fair Labor Standards Act, the SHARE Initiative, and the Workers’ Compensation Program.

Action to Be Taken

For Martin Lloyd Sanders, these various acts, rules, and regulations being in place is just the starting point. They are vital to ensure and maintain the safety of people at work, but they do not provide enough guidance in terms of how this can be implemented. Large organizations in particular often struggle with implementing the rules in such a way that they actually increase safety, rather than just play lip service to the various acts.

Many actions need to be taken above and beyond making risk assessments and ensuring the various acts are adhered to. One of the things CAPT Martin Lloyd Sanders feels is of particular importance is that businesses and organizations learn to discuss safety matters with their workers, so that they are able to raise their own concerns as well. Being inclusive in these matters is a great way for larger organizations in particular to spot the things they may have overlooked.

6 Steps Every Business Must Take to Protect Against Personal Injury Lawsuits

Angela Manning Business November 29, 2017business, business advice, company, health and safety, law, lawsuits, training, workforce

The law expects that all businesses must take the proper steps to ensure that the customers and clients visiting their premises are safe and protected from injuries and accidents. Although unforeseen incidents cannot be prevented, every business owner should be prepared for the possibility of having to deal with personal injury lawsuits.

As a store or company owner, you must take the basic precautions to ensure that your setup remains safe from lawsuits brought by employees or customers. Keep in mind that plaintiffs suing your company even with a small complaint can cost you millions of dollars if found to be valid. It might interest you to know the U.S. Department of Justice estimates that each year 16,397 personal injury cases are presented in court. This number makes up only 4% of the total number of incidents with the other 96% being settled out of court.

Here are some of the initiatives you can implement on a regular basis.

1. Conduct Regular Training Sessions for Your Employees

Educate your employees about the importance of a creating a hazard-free workplace, both for the people who work in the company and for customers, vendors, and any other visitors so that personal injury lawsuits are avoided. Remember, even if the incident occurs because of the negligence of a worker, you could still be held responsible.

Set up a protocol that employees must strictly follow when using equipment. Train them carefully so that even the simplest of tasks are performed without causing injury or creating a hazard. For example, a smart stacking system that won’t cause products to tumble with casual brushing.
Insist that all equipment is stored carefully after use and not left lying around so it can hurt people.
On your part, keep all equipment well-maintained and in perfect working order.
As a feature in Business.com explains, teach your employees to keep a sharp lookout for loose railings and floorboards, torn carpets, shaky tiles and bricks, or any other potential hazard.
Welcome feedback from your workers regarding any health and safety issues that need to be dealt with.

2. Invite Professional Health and Safety Inspections

Even if you’re not the property owner, as the lessee, it is up to you to ensure that the building is safe. You can conduct regular inspections of the structure to look for any risks and hazards that can potentially lead to personal injury lawsuits resulting from negligence on the part of the store owner. If possible, get a professional to inspect the external and internal sections, sidewalks outside, storerooms, stairways, hallways, restrooms, and all other areas of the company structure. Yet another smart strategy is to call in an attorney who has the necessary experience in litigation to take a look around and identify any weak spots.

3. Conduct All Maintenance and Renovations Out of Working Hours

Schedule any cleaning and maintenance tasks out of business hours so that they don’t cause any slips and falls. For instance, water or soap on the floor, ladders in the hallways, and tools lying around could hurt visitors. You can also risk a personal injury lawsuit because of the dust or fumes from cleaning solutions. If you must have the repair jobs done right away, section off the area with the mandatory yellow signs warning visitors of the risks.

4. Organize the Workplace Carefully

Organize your store or workplace carefully so that there is no clutter lying around that can cause tripping incidents. Mark out all corners carefully with signs that are clearly visible. Arrange the desks and aisles with enough moving space. If your organization has earned certificates and licenses for health and safety precautions, you might want to display them. In this way, you offer assurance to customers that your company takes all the necessary care for their protection.

5. Talk to Your Insurance Company about General Liability Coverage

Getting protection against personal injury lawsuits that can cause significant losses is a good move. As an article on FindLaw reveals, accidents can also occur in areas where the lighting is inadequate or because of natural weather conditions like rain water or melted snow that can result in a slip-and-fall occurrence. General liability insurance can provide you with coverage in case you get sued. In addition to personal and bodily harm, the insurance also protects you from advertising injury, slander, libel, damage to property and any other risks.

6. Handle an Accident with Tact and Sensitivity

You can take all the possible precautions to secure your establishment but accidents can take place. It is advisable to stay informed on the best measures to take when an incident occurs. For instance, have an updated first-aid kit always at hand. Inform emergency services right away and do everything you can to add to the comfort of the injured person. Create a detailed account of the incident and request all the other people around for statements. Record their impressions along with their names and contact information in case you need to call them in as witnesses. Also, get in touch with your attorney to prepare for the possibility of a personal injury lawsuit.

In addition to the costs of litigation, you may have to deal with the loss of reputation of your business in case an accident and its fallout takes place. Protect your company from unwanted and unfavorable publicity by doing the best you can to secure the premises and avoid personal injury lawsuits.