Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/117828
��� APRIL 2013 ��� WORLD FENCE NEWS LOGICAL DECISIONS, INC Operator parts Gate operators Support rollers Access control Roller covers Safety loops Timers Loop detectors S.O.S. sensors Safety edges Wheels, tracks, & rails Photo beams Battery backups Solar solutions Preformed fence ties 800-676-5537 www.LDI.com 225-274-1115 Check out World Fence News Online! www.worldfencenews.com Toolbox talks are crucial part of overall safety program continued from page 50 very helpful in assisting with furnishing you with material to help develop your safety program. While there is much information available, I thought I might mention a few points that I feel are particularly important to reinforce based on my experience gleaned from visiting with so many of you over the years. First, there should be a much stronger program in place regarding the use of personal protective equipment. I am very often surprised to see how many employers working in fabrication shops or on installation sites who are not wearing appropriate gear SWAN-BOND Fused-Bonded Wire COMPARE AND SAVE ON TEMPORARY FENCE PANELS N LI AI N C H E 600 W. Manville St., Compton, CA 90220 N FE M AN TE U U FA IT C ST TU ER IN R S �� 800-688-SWAN (7926) www.swanfence.com K WE SHIP COAST TO COAST 3,000 + PANELS of 6 X 10 & 6 X 14 ARE IN STOCK C 52 like eye protection, ear protection, proper footwear, work gloves, hard hats, etc. I have heard everything from ���They have been given the necessary equipment, but I can���t get them to wear it��� to ���They know they have to have the equipment but they don���t like to wear it because it���s uncomfortable to work with it on��� from managers or supervisors to ���I���m careful, nothing is going to happen��� from the workers themselves. My favorite response to any of this is, ���People who aren���t wearing protective equipment are an accident waiting to happen.��� In my judgement, from an owner���s point of view, it is extremely important to make sure that there is a consequence in place for not working with the proper equipment in place. Aside from not wanting to see an employee get hurt, you must be conscious at all times of the potential effect workplace accidents have on your workers��� compensation insurance rates. Many have confirmed to me, loud and clear, that the assessments they are charged appear in the form of higher premiums each year. I understand that for many of you this assessment represents a goodly piece of the expenses that contribute to the total cost of doing business. However, each state has its own formula, and with lower accident occurrences, chances are you will be paying less than businesses with more accidents over the three year period. There are also programs available that specifically reward safety programs that are in place and can be documented, as I understand. You might want to check with the appropriate people in the insurance business or state agencies to see which ones, if any, would benefit your business. At this point, it might be helpful to mention thoughts on why it is critical that training occur in the first place. An insightful contractor once commented to me that ���if everyone used their common sense, we wouldn���t have injuries or accidents on or off the job.��� While that is perhaps overstated, workers need to be trained in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions as part of company profitability and professional development. Using common sense is only part of the solution in preventing injuries or accidents, but is a very important part. Earlier, we talked about a safety officer being appointed to handle documentation. There really should be a safety committee created to identify hazards in the workplace and to make recommendations to the employer continued on page 54