Workplace injuries cost business more than $150 billion annually, according to safety training and environmental consultants. The costs of environmental hazards are immeasurable because they extend far beyond the actual cleanup costs and include health hazards to the community at large. In the United States, OSHA - the Occupational Safety & Health Administration - establishes and enforces workplace safety standards across all industries. Businesses are required to provide appropriate safety training for key employees in order to comply with OSHA regulations. Safety training and environmental consultants help employers develop and deliver safety training. This creates a safe work environment that complies with OSHA regulations. OSHA guidelines require that your business implement the following safety standards in your workplace.
Hazardous Materials
Do you have hazardous chemicals in the workplace? If so, you must provide your employees with clear information about them. Employees should be provided with the MSDS provided by OSHA for all chemicals, and all hazardous chemicals must be clearly labeled. Any employee who handles them must receive safety training on proper storage and handling, and key employees must be trained in how to deal with a hazardous materials exposure or hazardous chemical spill. The training you provide must have OSHA approval and may include HAZWOPER training for key personnel.
Emergency Action Training
All of your employees must be provided with emergency action training. Your action plan must detail evacuation procedures in case of various emergencies. It must also explain what actions your employees should take during these unforeseen events. If you employ more than 10 people, you must store the emergency plan on the premises in an area where your employees can readily review it.
The Hazards of Walking Surfaces
According to OSHA, more than 15 percent of workplace accidents take place on walking surfaces. For that reason, OSHA requires that most businesses maintain walking surfaces free of obstructions and hazards. This OSHA safety requirement applies to a variety of places, including floors, ladders, stairs, aisles and platforms. Environmental consultants can be surprisingly helpful in this area. Often, employees and employers have a "blind spot" when it comes to common workplace safety hazards. The fresh eyes of safety training and environmental consultants can spot hazards that employees miss.
The Importance of Fire Safety
OSHA also requires that every business develop and distribute a fire safety plan. The plan must detail fire prevention measures as well as emergency action and evacuation procedures. OSHA also requires that you clearly mark all emergency exits and keep them clear of obstructions. While OSHA does not require you to provide portable fire extinguishers in most cases, if you choose to do so, OSHA requires that you provide training on how to use them effectively to key employees.
First Aid is Key
No one wants to see a workplace injury, but accidents do happen. Your business must maintain first aid supplies that are consistent with the hazards present in the workplace. If your business is outside the range of a hospital or clinic, you may be required to maintain onsite emergency personnel.
If you're uncertain whether your safety training and emergency procedures meet OSHA requirements, contact a firm of safety training and environmental consultants to learn more about the types of safety training your business should be providing for your employees.
Author Resource:
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the world's MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/rss.jpg "XML Feed For RSS")