What can kill you? Sleep deprivation is surely a potential killer. What you do in your own spare off time, can hurt you at work. Engage with is on this topic.
Talk to your kids and test them as per the basic instructions below. You will be amazed at the results and how quickly they pick it up. It’s the right thing to do.
Let them color this in. Explain each block. Take your time. The younger you educate, coach, guide and help your loved ones to better understand the dangers of fire and what to do; the better for your own peace-of-mind.
Here are some ways to test their understanding and knowledge of Fire Safety at their school and ‘place of safety’. We strongly encourage you to speak about this often with your kids and grandkids.
The departure point is to entrench and re-inforce, with your children and grandchildren, to always act and be SAFE. This has to happen on a very frequent basis. Communication is key. Your leadership, by example, will help them see the value of your teachings.
Fundamentally we have an obligation to our children, our grand children and the educators we entrust them to. When last have you ‘assessed’, in a fun way, what your kids know about fire safety at school?
Warehouse Safety is often neglected due to its vast open spaces placing people in a false sense of security where they think it cannot happen to them. Pay close attention to this WARNING placard, it says a lot.
Do you know what to do in case of an minor injury on duty? Is this what you would do? If your workplace does not have an eyewash station or decontamination shower, then what is your next step? If you are unsure, ASK. Tell us in the comments section if your method differs from the image below.
Are you “pimping” or are you actually making a difference? If it is a ‘close call’, report it, discuss it, solve it, prevent it. Do you have a register to keep track of your near misses? Let us know in the comments.
AAAH, the ‘old & tireless’ 3-point contact. Let’s unpack this mystery. Engage with us in the comments, give us your thoughts.
Making your presence known in the workplace or on-site should be a normal ‘thing’. Why is it that so many people still opt for complacency? “Nah, I do not need wear a reflective vest”. Give us your opinion in the comments section.
What are you supposed to do once you have reach your closest Emergency Assembly Point (EAP)? Give us a short answer in the comments below.
We see the signage every day, but do we take it to heart and would we remember what do in the chaos aftermath of an emergency incident? Do you recall seeing such signs anywhere you are? Tell us in the comments section below.
In your opinion, where should the Evacuation Route Plan be displayed? What is the purpose of the word ‘Legend’? Is your Evacuation Plan strategically displayed within your company? Engage with us in the comments section.
Do you think these statistics, verified or not, are indeed true? Does employees report all Near Miss' and Near Hit's? Prevention is better than the stats shown here, don't you agree?
“Why would the OHS professional waste my time with an audit, I know what I want?” “Just give me an evacuation plan so my insurance can be quiet” This is exactly the type of thinking that can jeopardize your business. Speak to us for assistance with your ER System. info@blueumbrella.co.za
Have you any idea what an ERS is? Do you know that an evacuation plan is but one document in an Emergency Response System? Do you have such in your company? Let us know in the comments.
In your opinion, what is this in the picture below? Does this object comply with standards? Give us your opinion in the comments section below.
Below are points to consider when inspecting a Steel Wire Rope (SWR). Do you do this? Let us know what you do in the workplace.
Did you know that hooks have got certain markings to aid in the inspection assessment of said hook? As a minimum, does your checklist contain the area’s as indicated below?
Shackles are often overlooked as an insignificant link. Did you know that there are different types and makes of shackles? When last did you inspect your Lifting Tackle? Was such an inspection conducted by a trained and knowledgeable person?
‘Do not saddle a dead horse’. Have you heard this saying before? Pay close attention to the picture below. Do you do it the right way? Engage with us on which way you were taught, or that you use.
Rescue Gear Checklist. Maybe this will help "jog" the memory, or even assist to ensure your rescue kit is fully stocked? Let us know if this post has been helpful to you.
ISO 9001:2018 & ISO 45001:2018 - Same relevance. Why Internal Audits? Our advice: Keep your eye on the prize and remember the GOAL of the internal audit is to find areas that can be improved by identifying compliance violations, gaps in the system(s) and assessing risks. You may comment if you want. Enjoy!
ISO 45001:2018 4.2 Understanding the needs and expectations of workers and other interested parties. I wish to credit the source: Antaris Consulting, 5 Pery Square, Limerick, Ireland The attached photo has different legislation than South Africa but the illustration is still spot on. Enjoy!
ARE YOU YOUR WORST ENEMY?
- Try and pinpoint the Safety Culture of your company.
- Top Management has a visible buy-in or are they window dressing.
- Is the company busy with a re-portable numbers game, figures looking good.
- Policing each other on Safety, or are we Coaching each other on Safety?
- Hearing too much: "NO, that is wrong" can be damaging, more: "Let ME help you do that with less risk" is more uplifting and positive.
This happens way to often in the industry and the answers are simply: “Why should I pay someone to just hold the ladder” or ‘I am not going to spend money on a longer ladder because we do this job only once a year”. Do these excuses sound familiar? Have a good, and safe weekend.
Confined Spaces in Construction. How to mitigate the risk associated with it. Give us your thoughts on the below, in the comments section.
How many times did you see this? The ground starting to give way with an excavation? How many times did the contractor think this is OK? This has the potential to go wrong very quickly, and it did! Do you follow the right protocols when it comes to excavation? Let us know in the comments.
Sometimes we are so focused on providing a solution to a problem, that we tend NOT TO listen to the actual request or problem being presented.
If you tell people how good you are, you are obliged to back it up with actions…otherwise it is all just wind. Do you know someone who is like this? Click the like button, and share our post for today's piece of inspiration.
Another way to define the phrase: “Never forget where you came from”; is... Hit the like button, and please, also share. There may be someone who needs to hear this today.
Plan your work and work your plan. If not you might run into this… Share our inspiration quote of the day, and pop a like.
In our current economic climate this is a rare commodity, or is it? Enthusiasm sells or it does not. Are we just at work because it is ‘all we can get’, or do we do what we do because we actually made a wilful choice? Engage with us in the comments section with regard to our post.
If you are an unfortunate victim of your circumstances and your clothes has caught a light, do this! Do not attempt to remove clothing burnt to your skin, doctors will attend to that. Let's change it up today, instead of a comment, like and share our post.
When things go wrong. Use these steps to get to safety as quickly as possible. Read this daily until you can recite this off by heart. Then you will remember what to do in an emergency. Let us help our kids to stay safe. In the comments section, tell us if you have discussed this with your children already?
Here are simple steps to memorize when your fire extinguisher training has become rusty. Check your fire extinguisher regularly for operational readiness. For any assistance with regard to fire extinguisher training, or anything relating to fire safety, email us on info@blueumbrella.co.za.
Which type of fires can you expect at home? Where and how can they occur? Are you mindful that in these areas things can go wrong very quickly? Let us know in the comments if you have ever had an experience with a fire?
Fire safety week. When last did you STOP to consider your fire safety at home? Follow the 4 x guidelines below and do a quick daily check. In the comments section, please tell us if you practice good fire safety?
We believe Respect is earned. We believe there is a difference between communication and dialogue. We believe in leading by example. We believe in healthy relationships. We believe the wheel is round and if any area is neglected, you will have a bumpy ride. For the last time this week, share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Instructions, requests, targets and projects must always be approached with a RACI mindset. This helps with clarity in thinking and precise execution of tasks. Your job title, position or department should not influence this methodology. Teach yourself this early on in your career. Engage with us in the comments, have you heard of the RACI mindset before?
Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Aspects and Impacts, Quality Objectives should follow the same rationale. Repetitive actions delivering repetitive results. The mentioned concepts cannot and should not stand alone. Do you practice it this way?
It is our explicit opinion that a Quality Management System forms the foundation of an Integrated Management System (IMS) and links back to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations, Act 85 of 1933 [OHSA, Section 8 (2)(a)] when it refers to Systems-of-Work. Do you agree?
When we deal with priorities in relation to Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Management, Quality Assurance, Quality Control and / or HR related challenges; do you use these principles as indicated below? Engage with us, we would love to hear your opinion.
Have you asked yourself this question? Maybe the question should be: “How many first aid kits do I need?” Or maybe: “Where do I strategically place these kits?” You never know when you will need one: “Are you prepared?” Let us know in the comments whether you have sufficient kits in and around your house and work area.
Let's kick this week off with a few safety tips! When it comes to driving, it would be best practice to adhere to the following points (not only for yourself, but for the interests of your family, and your workplace)
- Don’t speed.
- Drinking and driving (alcohol & prescribed medicine); do not mix.
- Maintain your vehicle in good mechanical condition (inside & outside).
- Tie down your load so it does not move around in the back and distract you.
- Watch out for other drivers and remain alert regarding your surroundings.
- Allow for proper stopping distances.
- Be calm & courteous, especially if you are in a company vehicle.
Once we have an action plan, we continually improve by following the model as indicated below. For any assistance, guidance or help with your plan, email us on info@blueumbrella.co.za
We asked the questions to determine what must be done. But how do we now approach this? Below are very specific steps to breaking it down. Do you have any inputs? Engage with us in the comments section below.
“To have the 5 x Whiskey’s in the 1 x Hotel” is a concept that cannot be ignored. It is used across many platforms to drive true and accurate feedback. Do you know what this is, and have you used it before?
Do you know the difference between Important stuff and Urgent stuff? How often has it happened that multiple instructions or actions are dedicated to you and you feel you are drowning? Here is a simple yet effective method to clarify your thinking. In the comments section, tell us if you have used this method before?
Have you ever heard the following phrase: “Leaders Manage and Managers Lead”? Leadership is not a silo. It is a multitude of thoughts and actions, sometimes happening simultaneously. Please view the picture below and appreciate the complexity. Let us know what you think in the comments below. For assistance, or to arrange a chat, email us on info@blueumbrella.co.za
When the culture within the company is healthy, it's supported and encouraged. Freedom to identify, and reporting on situations / incidents that can later-on become a problem, will become second nature. Reporting should NOT be viewed as a ‘stick to hit the guilty’, but rather a ‘heads-up’. View the picture, do not be that company or senior manager. For any guidance or assistance, email us on info@blueumbrella.co.za
Continuing with this week's topic of OHS. Company owners / directors and senior management in general have a fiduciary duty (is a legal term describing the relationship between two parties that obligates one to act solely in the interest of the other) toward their employees. Is it not true that senior management must lead by example? Interact with us in the comments section, or email us on info@blueumbrella.co.za for any OHS needs you may have.