Page 41 - OHS, April/May 2023

Safety technology. With the continuous, almost-rapid advancements of technology these days, safety automation and devices are an incredible asset for protecting facility employees. Lone workers who perform jobs in facility areas where help is not readily available are at more risk than those working in pairs or teams. To monitor their safety, employers should look at the many different available safety technologies and devices, such as motion sensors as well as fall and impact detection.5 There is a safety technology solution for almost every workplace safety challenge, so allocate enough time for research and consultation so that the best fit is chosen for the facility staff. Safety communication. Employees who are connected are employees who are, overall, safer because they can request emergency help when they need it. The most common communication channel is through the technology and devices previously mentioned, but it can also include simple visual and verbal signals between coworkers within the same area of the facility. When working in larger facilities and buildings, reliable communication is essential for the safety of the employees and peace of mind for their families and the employer. Safety planning. For your safety program, thorough, patient planning is required in order to effectively protect your workers. Beyond your written action plan and protocols, proactive safety planning should be a common, expected practice across the organization. It’s impossible to predict any accidents or the future of our workplace safety; however, proactively putting safety measures in place now could mitigate your occupational risks or at least significantly improve the organization’s emergency action plan in case of an accident.6 When planning and looking forward, make sure you also look back at the mistakes made in the past. Were there any signs beforehand? If you could get into a time machine, what would you go back and do differently? Planning now allows you to invest in the resources needed if something happens to someone working in your facility. But most importantly, planning now demonstrates that you care about your people and that it is a priority as your organization continues to succeed in the future. Gen Handley is a Marketing and Growth Coordinator for SafetyLine Lone Worker, an automated, cloud-based lone worker monitoring service that helps companies protect remote or isolated workers. Gen has more than 10 years of freelance writing and marketing experience. REFERENCES 1. https://safetylineloneworker.com/blog/why-safety-check-ins-are- essential-lone-workers 2. https://safetylineloneworker.com/blog/violence-in-the-workplace- threatens-more-than-your-team 3. https://safetylineloneworker.com/blog/hazard-assessment 4. https://safetylineloneworker.com/blog/speaking-up-to-your-team-about- safety-culture 5. https://safetylineloneworker.com/benefits/lifesaving-motion-features 6. https://safetylineloneworker.com/blog/creating-an-emergency-action- plan-for-at-risk-employees www.ohsonline.com APRIL/MAY 2023 | Occupational Health & Safety 41 SAFETY & PERFORMANCE DUAL PURPOSE X TWO Bradley’s new combined faucet and Halo® eyewash is a space saver for any laboratory environment. Use the faucet for everyday washing and activate the built in eyewash when needed. Combine with the new duo Navigator® Thermostatic Mixing Valve that delivers tempered water to the faucet and tepid water to the Halo eyewash in an emergency. Emergency safety solutions brought to life. VISIT BRADLEYCORP.COM/INDUSTRIAL