Water Well Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/681918
dor information, Safety Data Sheets, injury/illness data, check- lists, online databases), and access to safety and health experts. (2) Worker participation Participation of workers in the program is so high on the list of importance for a successful program that it ranks sec- ond under management leadership. Giving the workers own- ership in the program and keeping an open door policy is key. Workers need to feel like management will support them when they participate in the program, not they will be retali- ated against for helping solve problems. OSHA stresses workers should be involved in all aspects of the program, from the development stage through imple- mentation and evaluation. This includes giving workers ac- cess to safety and health information, including Safety Data Sheets, injury and illness data, workplace inspection and incident investigation reports. The Guidelines say: To participate meaningfully in the program, workers must feel that their input is welcome and their voices will be heard. Participation will be suppressed if there is fear of retaliation. (3) Hazard identification and assessment It is written in the Guidelines: A proactive, ongoing process to identify and assess haz- ards in order to fix them is a core element of any effective safety and health program. Failure to identify or recognize hazards is frequently one of the "root causes" of workplace injuries, illnesses, and incidents. Any employer, regardless of business size, has an ongoing obligation to con- trol serious recognized hazards and mitigate them to ensure employee health and safety. In order to fix the hazards, they have to be identified by collecting informa- tion. This is usually done by inspecting the workplace and determining equip- ment that may need maintenance or be replaced. Inspections can also uncover general housekeeping issues that may pose potential problems. Incident investigation is key to hazard identification and assessment. By investigating all incidents, including near-misses, and conducting a root cause analysis to determine what was the very first factor in the incident, valuable lessons can be learned to pre- vent accidents and injuries in the future. OSHA also emphasizes often non- routine or emergency situations create hazards that might not exist otherwise. These should be addressed as well. (4) Hazard prevention and control Once hazards have been identified through the assessment, the next step is to control hazards as much as possible and prevent the hazards from happen- ing. This process includes studying manufacturers' literature to find out if processes are being done according to recommended specifications. The Guidelines say: Select controls according to a hierarchy that emphasizes engineering solutions (including elimination or substitution) first, followed by safe work practices, administrative controls, and finally PPE. OSHA from page 23 waterwelljournal.com Storm Lake, Iowa 50588 1-800-831-6962 www.merrillmfg.com 3 WIRE PUMPS Now Easier to Install Service - Quality - Selection Known For Save Time and Save Money MERRILL TM Control Switch Combines Pressure Switch and Control Box into ONE (1/2 HP Thru 1-1/2 HP - 3 Wire Pumps) NEW Pump Yellow Wire Power Wire Pump Wires Pump Red Wire to Capacitor Differential Screw Adjustment Screw Extra Large Case for Easy Wiring Incoming Power Lines Run Capacitor and Pump Black Wire Power Black Wire Ground Wires Power and Pump Run (Dual) Capacitor 1 2 24 June 2016 WWJ