1.2: Activities - Introduction to OSHA
Recordkeeping and reporting case study/exercise: Fill out forms OSHA 301, 300, 300A
Using the following cases complete OSHA recordkeeping and reporting forms .
On 2/6/18, Jane R (clerical assistant) reached to pull a box off a file cabinet and reported she felt a big twinge in her back. She immediately sat down and after 10 minutes complained that she could not get up without excruciating pain. Her supervisor Bob called 911 and she was taken to emergency. She returned to work three days later with a back brace and using a walker.
On 3/5/18, Randy S (warehouse worker) was opening a box of supplies with a cardboard cutter and accidently sliced his forefinger on his dominant hand. There was lots of bleeding but first aid was administered and the wound cleaned and bandaged. He finished the work day. Two days later Randy went to an acute care center because his finger was throbbing and swollen. He was given antibiotics and his hand was immobilized. He was off work one day but returned. His hand was immobilized for 7 days.
On 6/20/18, Sarah P (HR Supervisor) slipped and fell as she was coming up the stairs entering her office building. She was returning from a working lunch at another office location. She fractured her right ankle, was taken to emergency room by a co-worker, treated and told to stay off ankle for three weeks.
On 10/8/18 Larry G (IT specialist) bumped his head on his desk as he was reaching under it to check his network cable for his computer. There was a slight break in his skin. He was treated with first aid (clean and bandage) and given ibuprofen. He finished his work day.
On 11/20/18 Raymond L (maintenance worker) complained of feeling light headed, nauseated and lethargic after repairing a service water heater. He was sweating profusely and passed out after about 5 min. He was rushed to ER and within 24 hours had passed away. Cause of death was congestive heart failure and complications from heat stroke.
Seven Common Accident Causes: Reflection
Consider this statistic: 80 out of every 100 accidents are the fault of the person involved in the incident. Unsafe Acts cause four times as many accidents & injuries as unsafe conditions. Accidents occur for many reasons. Management can be linked to many incidents, through improper new-hire orientation, task training, or equipment training. Supervisor accountability of in place safety processes can also be linked to incidents. In most industries people tend to look for “things” to blame when an accident happens, because it’s easier than looking for “root causes,” such as those listed below. Consider these underlying accident causes, and ask yourself if you have been guilty of any of these attitudes or behaviors. Were you lucky and got away without injury? Maybe next time your luck may be on vacation.
- Taking Shortcuts: Every day we make decisions we hope will make the job faster and more efficient. But do time savers ever risk your own safety, or that of other crew members? Short cuts that reduce your safety on the job are not shortcuts, but an increased chance for injury.
- Being Over Confident: Confidence is a good thing. Overconfidence is too much of a good thing. “It’ll never happen to me” is an attitude that can lead to improper procedures, tools, or methods on the job. Any of these can lead to injury.
- Starting a Task with Incomplete Instructions: To do the job safely and right the first time you need complete information. Have you ever been sent to do a job, having been given only a part of the job’s instructions? Don’t be shy about asking for explanations about work procedures and safety precautions. It isn’t dumb to ask questions; it’s dumb not to.
- Poor Housekeeping: When clients, managers or safety professionals walk through your work site, housekeeping is an accurate indicator of everyone’s attitude about quality, production and safety. Poor housekeeping creates hazards of all types. A well-maintained area sets a standard for others to follow. Good housekeeping involves both pride and safety.
- Ignoring Safety Procedures: Purposely failing to observe safety procedures can endanger you and your co-workers. You are being paid to follow the company safety policies—not to make your own rules. Being casual” about safety can lead to a casualty!
- Mental Distractions from Work: Having a bad day at home and worrying about it at work is a hazardous combination. Dropping your ‘mental’ guard can pull your focus away from safe work procedures. You can also be distracted when you’re busy working and a friend comes by to talk while you are trying to work. Don’t become a statistic because you took your eyes off the machine “just for a minute.”
- Failure to Pre-Plan the Work: There is a lot of talk today about Job Hazard Analysis. JHA’s are an effective way to figure out the smartest ways to work safely and effectively. Being hasty in starting a task or not thinking through the process can put you in harm’s way. Instead, Plan Your Work and then Work Your Plan!
Search Most Frequently (MFC) Cited Standards: Search for your employer
Use OSHAs query tool to check your industry or employer record on safety. Share your results with a peer. Locate the standard and discuss what might be similar in your work environment.
Practice filing a Complaint
Reflect on a personal workplace experience where you now believe a condition or environment was not safe. Draft an initial complaint using the OSHA complaint form . At the conclusion of the lecture discussion on general safety and health provisions revisit the complaint and make any revisions for a final submission to OSHA. Answer the following questions as you discuss with your peers:
- What changed?
- How did the "Every Work Place" lecture inform your statements
- Did you identify the hazards?
- Did you reference any standards?
NWOW-Adaptability and Facing Challenges-Lesson 1 and Lesson 2
The workplace is changing. The BLS reports an average worker today will change jobs and even occupations an average of 7-10 times over the course of their career. Temporary workers and those working as independent contractors will command a larger share of the US workforce. This will not only be challenging as the workforce diversifies but it will pose unique challenges to maintaining a fully trained and informed workforce in the area of occupational health and safety. Every workplace is unique. Employers must never assume that an employee's long list of previous employers and prior work experience will fully prepare them for the new job or task that worker may be assuming. Workers must be careful to recognize that previously acquired safety habits may be insufficient for a new work environment. Workers must be adaptable to changes in the workplace which not only includes when, where, and what work is performed but also how work is performed and by whom. Adaptability is about attitude and flexibility, so is working safe.
Adaptability Lesson 1: Adaptability
21st Century Employability Skills
Understanding your transferable skills, the ones you can take with you no matter what work you do, will help you adapt to the changing workforce requirements. Watch the following introduction video and complete the activities that follow:
Introduction Video:
NWOW has identified essential skills for employability in the 21st Century. You have already been introduced to skills 9 and 10 below in the workbook activities on valuing work. In this next activity you will explore the trait and skill of adaptability and view through the lens of its impact on working safe.
- Adaptability
- Analysis/Solution Mindset
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Digital Fluency
- Empathy
- Entrepreneurial Mindset
- Resilience
- Self-Awareness
- Social/Diversity Awareness
Complete activities on slides 12, 13, 14, 15 Adaptability Lesson 1 . Activity and questions from slides 12, 14, and 15 are repeated below along with the video from Slide 13. View video after completing activity in slide 12.
Adaptability in the Workplace:
What Not To Do
Activity and questions from Slide 12
- Find a partner, someone that you don’t already know in the class.
- Introduce yourselves. Why are you taking this class and what to do you hope to learn?
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Share real life examples of the 21st Century Workforce, such as:
- Someone you know who has been downsized due to changes in technology.
- Someone you know who works as a freelancer.
- Someone you know who works virtually.
- What you have been told about work and what is different.
Activity and video discussion questions Slide 14
- The tone of the video is exaggerated, but have you ever worked on a project or had a co-worker who wasn’t adaptable?
- Why is it sometimes difficult to deal with change and be adaptable?
- What are some possible outcomes if you aren’t adaptable?
- How can a lack of adaptability affect safety in the workplace?
Activity and questions Slide 15
- Find a partner, someone that you don’t already know in the class.
- Introduce yourselves. Work together to answer the question: With the trends in the modern workforce, what traits does a person need to have to show they are adaptable? (How do you avoid “What Not to Do” responses to change.)
- Share your examples and ideas with the class adding how adaptability increases your ability and desire to work safe.
Adaptability Lesson 2: Facing Challenges
In Adaptability lesson 2 you will address the following characteristics of adaptability:
- Considers a variety of viewpoints and suggestions to get the job done.
- Can handle normal amounts of stress, use feedback in a positive way, and learn from things that go wrong.
View slides 3, 4, 5 of the Facing Challenges Lesson 2 and discuss questions with your peers. Questions from slide 3 are repeated below along with videos shown on slide 4 and the final questions to consider from slide 5.
Activity and questions Slide 3
- What are some examples in your life where you have found yourself faced with a challenge and you needed to adapt or change your approach?
- Think about a work experience or personal experience where you felt unsafe. How did you react?
- Did you get input from others, and if so, how did this help?
Video clips Slide 4
Video Discussion Questions Slide 5
- Which is the best option and why?
- Can you think of an even better way to handle the situation?
- Dealing with stress or stressful changes can be another aspect of adaptability. What are some healthy ways of dealing with stress related to school, projects, or work?
- Make a list of tips and post it in the class discussion board!