Tag: safety training

Essential Safety Inspection Checklist for Grain Facility Managers

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Safety inspections are a fundamental part of maintaining a secure and efficient grain facility. As a safety manager, your role in leading these inspections is crucial for identifying, eliminating, and controlling workplace hazards. Essential Safety Inspection Checklist for Grain Facility Managers outlines an essential checklist and best practices to enhance your safety protocols.

Effective safety inspections start with the right team. Include diverse roles in your inspection team, such as management and operational staff, and consider rotating team members to incorporate fresh perspectives and extend educational benefits across your facility. This variety not only improves hazard identification but also fosters a culture of safety among all employees. Consider this role as a part of your Safety Made Simple training journey and implement the courses accordingly.

Safety Inspection Checklist:

1. Operation Housekeeping:

  • Ensure that all walkways and work areas are free of grain dust and debris to prevent slips, trips, and falls.
  • Keep emergency exits and routes clearly marked and unobstructed to ensure a safe evacuation in case of emergencies.
  • Properly store and label hazardous chemicals to avoid health risks and chemical accidents.
  • Maintain electrical panels and energy isolating devices to be easily accessible and free of obstructions, enhancing response times during emergencies.
  • Regularly assess the overall cleanliness and organization of the facility to promote a safe and productive work environment.
  • Eliminate and control combustible dust in priority housekeeping areas.

2. Fire Protection and Security:

  • Secure all fixed ladders during non-operational hours to prevent unauthorized access and potential accidents.
  • Regularly inspect perimeter fences and facility gates for integrity and functionality.
  • Ensure that all security systems, including surveillance cameras, are operational, which helps in monitoring and controlling access to sensitive areas.
  • Enforce strict adherence to visitor protocols and hot work permit procedures to maintain control over facility access and high-risk activities.
  • Conduct monthly inspections and annual certifications of fire extinguishers to guarantee readiness in case of a fire.

3. Facility Safety:

  • Inspect and maintain guarding on all mechanical moving parts, such as augers, conveyor tail pulleys, V-belt drives, and rotating shafts,to prevent entanglement and other machinery-related injuries.
  • Label and check the functionality of all energy isolating devices to facilitate quick and effective responses in shutting down equipment during an emergency and effective lockout tagout activities.
  • Regularly check that all electrical enclosures are securely closed and that intrinsically safe equipment is used in  Class II hazardous locaitons.
  • Verify the condition and safety compliance of all tools and equipment, including portable ladders and fall protection gear, to ensure they are free from damage and functional.

4. Employee Behaviors:

  • Monitor adherence to isolation and lock-out/tag-out procedures to prevent accidental equipment startups.
  • Ensure that all personnel consistently wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow safe lifting practices to minimize the risk of injury.
  • Promote the use of correct tools for specific tasks and check that these tools are in good working condition.
  • Ensure that employees adhere to confined space entry and bin-entry procedures.

Routine safety inspections are vital for preventing accidents and ensuring the smooth operation of grain elevators and facilities. By following this Essential Safety Inspection Checklist for Grain Facility Managers and involving a diverse team in your safety protocols, you can significantly enhance workplace safety and operational efficiency. Remember, a proactive approach to safety can lead to a healthier work environment and more productive operations.

SEVERE WEATHER – TORNADOES

Posted on by Susan Bedsaul

Severe weather, such as a tornado, can strike at any time. It is important to understand severe weather warning systems, preparations, and the steps to take prior to and during severe weather.

tornado image

Warnings and Watches

The National Weather Service Issues tornado watches and warnings. A tornado watch means that tornados are likely to occur in the watch area. During a tornado watch always be ready to act quickly, take shelter, and monitor radio and television stations for more information.

A tornado warning means that a tornado was sighted in the area. It can also mean that radar indicates the presence of a tornado. When warnings are issued take shelter immediately.

Preparation

It is important for employers to prepare for tornadoes. Preparation includes:

  • Identifying shelter locations.
  • Developing an accountability system for employees and visitors.
  • Establishing or installing an alarm system to warn workers.
  • Testing the alarm system at least twice per year.
  • Developing methods to communicate warnings to those with disabilities or those who do not speak English.
  • Assigning specific duties to workers in advance. This would include activities such as roll call, first aid, and monitoring the internet as well as radio or tv stations.
  • Equipping shelter areas with supply kits. A supply kit should include first aid supplies, water, blankets, a radio, and a flashlight.
  • Conducting routine severe weather drills or exercises.

Shelters

The best way to take shelter from a tornado is in an underground location. Examples include basements or storm cellars. If an underground shelter is not available:

  • Seek a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.
  • Stay away from doors, windows, and outside walls.
  • Stay in the center of the room.
  • Avoid rooms or buildings with wide span roofs.

If you are in a vehicle there are two options:

  1. Stay in the vehicle with your seat belt on. Keep your head below the windows. Cover your head with your hands, a blanket, or a heavy jacket.
  2. Locate an area which is noticeably lower than the roadway. Lie in that area and cover your head with your hands.

Source:  www.osha.gov/tornado/preparedness

Building a Culture of Safety: Accountability from the Ground Up

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NGFA Safety Webinar – Accountability

Workplace safety accountability is a cornerstone of workplace safety and fosters a culture where safety protocols are not just followed but integrated into the daily operations of an organization.

Joe Mlynek, CSP, OHST, founder of Progressive Safety Services, LLC and co-owner of Safety Made Simple shares his research and work around employee engagement, responsibility and how accountability for personal safety can institute a culture of workplace safety. This seasoned agricultural safety professional takes a deep dive into defining safe behaviors, performance evaluations and the progressive discipline that can implement change in a recent National Grain and Feed Association webinar.

The Evolution of Workplace Safety Accountability

Mlynek opened the webinar by reflecting on the evolution of workplace safety accountability over the years.

“Ten years ago, we struggled to get people to attend a session like this,” he notes, highlighting the initial challenges in drawing attention to progressive safety topics such as accountability. However, he observes a significant shift in recent years, “We’ve already doubled our participation level today, versus ten years ago,” indicating a growing industry-wide recognition of the importance of best practices over mere compliance.

Defining Accountability in Safety

The definition of accountability isn’t blurry for Mlynek and he shares that it shouldn’t be for companies working to implement a stronger workplace safety culture, either. We all play a part – we’re all responsible for helping to ensure a safe workplace.

“Accountability is being responsible to someone or for some actions.” He emphasizes that accountability in the workplace transcends hierarchical boundaries, involving everyone from senior managers to frontline employees.

“When we look at who’s accountable for safety, the answer is everyone,” he asserts, underlining the collective responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment.

Strategies to Foster Workplace Safety Accountability

One of the key strategies Mlynek discusses is the establishment of clear expectations and the communication of these standards to all employees.

“Years ago when I worked for a large agribusiness company, they had an employee bill of rights as part of their mission statement,” he recalls, pointing out the importance of employees knowing what is expected of them and being held to those standards.

He also stresses the shift from compliance to commitment, where employees are encouraged to take ownership of safety issues and exceed expectations.

“With accountability, that’s the shift that we want to make,” Mlynek explains.

The Role of Feedback

Mlynek highlights the critical role of feedback in promoting accountability. He describes two types of feedback:

Positive Feedback — a reinforcement of good practices

Guidance Feedback — a crucial management tool when corrective actions are needed.

The CAR Model: A Framework for Delivering Feedback

One of the key highlights from Mlynek’s approach is the CAR model, which stands for Context, Action, Result. This model provides a structured framework for delivering feedback that is both constructive and empowering. By using this model, managers can communicate feedback in a way that is clear and impactful, making it easier for employees to understand their actions’ implications and the expected outcomes.

For instance, if an employee is observed using safety equipment correctly, a manager might say, “I noticed you were using your safety glasses and face shield while operating the grinder. This is great because it significantly reduces the risk of eye injuries, which are common with such equipment. Thank you for following safety protocols.”

This example of positive feedback not only acknowledges the correct action but also reinforces the safe behavior by linking it to a positive result.

Implementing Progressive Discipline

Discussing the implementation of progressive discipline, Mlynek clarifies that the goal is not to punish but to alter behavior to prevent safety incidents.

“The goal is not to punish the person, it’s really to change or alter their behavior,” he states. This approach involves a step-by-step escalation process, ensuring that employees have opportunities to correct their actions before more severe steps are taken.

Conclusion: The Impact of Accountability on Safety Culture

In conclusion, Mlynek’s insights shed light on the transformative power of workplace safety accountability in enhancing good safety practices. By establishing clear expectations, fostering commitment over compliance, effectively using feedback, and implementing progressive discipline, organizations can create a safety culture where accountability is deeply embedded.

“Accountability is a positive thing… as leaders in the safety arena, we need to understand that our teams want to succeed and we need to help them do so,” he shares.

His expertise and practical advice offer valuable guidance for organizations aiming to strengthen their safety protocols through the powerful tool of accountability.