Five Steps To A Visual Workplace

Here is a link to the Five Steps To A Visual Workplace.

On this one page you see what it takes to create a visual workplace such that even new employees know where they are, what is around them, and what they need to do. A visual workplace provides the information people need, right at the point of need.

Preparing For A VPP Audit

OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) recognizes workplaces that have outstanding safety practices and records. However, even for workplaces with top notch safety records, becoming a member of VPP requires years of effort, including documentation of training and work practices.

One of the major steps in attaining VPP status is the VPP audit. One of the key things a VPP audit will look for is the comprehensive and consistent use of labels and signs--what is called visual communication. Not only the labels and signs required by code, but having a complete visual communication system in place such that everyone can immediately know where they are, what is around them (including hazards), and if action is required, what they need to do.

Most of us are familiar with the need to label pipes and valves such that wherever you are standing, if a pipe is visible you can see a label that identifies the contents, direction of flow and hazard level. However, a visual communication system takes this a step further. For example, the information on each valve would also describe when the valve should be opened or closed.

Be prepared for your VPP audit by setting up a VPP Labeling Cart that has all the supplies needed to make the labels and signs your facility needs. A VPP cart should include a label printer, such as the DuraLabel PRO, a PC to keep track of the labels and signs in your visual communication systems, all of the needed labeling supplies, including sign blanks and valve tags, and any other materials or supplies that might be needed such as plastic ties, scissors, a knife, tape and other tools.

What Is A Visual Workplace?

A new set of web sites (the owner's call them a web site suite) aimed at lean manufacturing topics has just come online. They are based on the concept of the visual workplace.

What is a visual workplace?

A visual workplace has to do with having everything in the workplace marked and labeled such that a new employee can find something as easily as an experienced employee. This does not mean that there is a label on EVERYTHING. What it does mean is that needed information is provided right at the point of need, usually by using a label or sign.

Visit the www.LabelPrinter.com web site to learn more about a visual workplace.

Three subdomains are a part of the www.LabelPrinter.com "web site suite". They each focus on a specific lean manufacturing method: kaizen, 5S and kanban. Coverage of additional lean methods is promised for the future.

Man Injured By Falling Beer Can

There is an interesting post on the Safe Workplace blog about a man who went to a grocery store to purchase a four-pack of beer. One of the beer cans slipped free from the plastic ring, falling and hitting the man. He is now suing the grocery store, brewer and beer distributor for the resulting serious injury. The suit includes costs for hospitalization, nursing home care, permanent loss of income and much more. You've got read this one.

OSHA Unveils a New Publications Web Page

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today unveiled a new Publications page on its Web site at www.osha.gov that allows visitors to access OSHA's resources in an efficient and user friendly way.

"The OSHA Publications page is one of the most popular pages on the agency's Web site. In fact, the agency's Publications page receives more than 300,000 visits per month," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. "The page was redesigned in an effort to make the site's content easier to access, while maintaining OSHA's commitment to providing valuable safety and health materials."

OSHA undertook the redesign to give the Publications page a more user-friendly look and feel, and to make the page the comprehensive resource for the agency's extensive number of safety and health products. Visitors may now search by the publication number or keyword; from an alphabetical listing; by industry or topic, and by type of publication. In addition to new releases, the revamped page highlights publications "Recommended by OSHA" that may interest visitors and "Most Frequently Viewed OSHA Publications."

The new design is based on feedback from OSHA customers. Visitors may order up to 25 copies of up to five publications using the new ordering capability. This feature is similar to "shopping carts" found on commercial Web sites and helps visitors keep track of the publications they are ordering and the number of copies ordered.

OSHA Statement On 2006 Occupational Injuries and Illnesses with Days Away from Work

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao issued the following statement regarding data published on Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Requiring Days Away from Work in 2006, http://www.bls.gov/news.release/osh2.nr0.htm. The report, announced by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), provided detailed information on the continued decline in the rate and the number of workplace injuries and illnesses in private industry that required recovery away from work.

"This report shows that, from 2005 to 2006, there was a six percent reduction in the rate of lost time injuries and illnesses, as well as a four percent reduction in the overall number of those injuries and illnesses, both of which represent significant improvements. We now also have new data on selected injury and illness rates by occupation, gender and age group that helps us identify those employers and employees who most need our assistance.

"The U.S. Department of Labor's programs to keep America's working men and women safe and healthy are achieving the desired results — more men and women are going home safe and whole at the end of the workday. However, we will not rest on this positive news; we will continue to work to ensure the safety and health of the nation's employees through compliance assistance; partnerships and cooperative programs; and strong, fair, and effective enforcement."

Rakes and Pains

Leave raking injuries behind with these safety tips

Press Release From AAOS

Autumn leaves look beautiful on trees, but less so once they fall. That is because leaves on the ground mean it is time to start raking. This outdoor task is often more physically demanding than people realize, so the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) recommends that people take precautions when raking.

Even though raking does not utilize power tools or sharp blades, it can still cause injuries. According to 2006 U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission statistics, more than 76,000 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms, doctors’ offices, clinics and other medical settings for injuries related to non-powered garden tools, including rakes.

"Many people consider raking just another chore, but it requires a lot more reaching, bending and lifting than most odd jobs," says Daryll C. Dykes, MD, PhD, orthopaedic surgeon and spokesperson for the Academy. "Raking should be treated like any other vigorous exercise. People should pay close attention to their arms and backs, being careful not to reach or stretch too far."

The Academy offers the following recommendations to prevent injuries while raking:

• With any physical activity, it is important to warm up your muscles for at least 10 minutes with light exercise and stretching, especially when it is cold outside. You should also stretch your muscles after raking to relieve tension and prevent soreness.
  
  
• Use a rake that feels comfortable for your height and strength. Wear gloves or use rakes with padded handles to help prevent blisters.
  
  
• Avoid using old rakes that have gotten rusty or that have loose or broken parts.
  
  
• Do not let a hat or scarf block your vision. Watch out for large rocks, low branches, tree stumps and uneven surfaces.
  
  
• Try to vary your movements, alternating your leg and arm positions often. When picking up leaves, bend at the knees, not the waist.
  
  
• Exercise care walking on wet leaves, which can be very slippery. Avoid falls by wearing shoes or boots with slip-resistant soles.
  
  
• Avoid overfilling leaf bags, especially if the leaves are wet. You should be able to carry bags comfortably, so make sure they aren’t too heavy or large.
  
  
• Do not throw the leaves over your shoulder or to the side. This requires a twisting motion that places undue stress on your back.

For more information on exercise- and sports-related injury prevention, visit:
http://www.orthoinfo.org/category.cfm?topcategory=Injury%20Prevention