Q: What are my responsibilities regarding workplace safety?
Q: Where can I find basic safety information for a variety of job types?
Q: If my employer isn’t able to offer in-depth safety training, where else can I go?
Q: What are the most common workplace accidents, and how can I avoid them?
Q: What if English is not my primary language and I don’t understand my employer’s safety requirements or training?
Q: What are my responsibilities regarding workplace safety?
A: Employees should comply with employers’ written safety requirements and follow safety guidelines and training to protect their lives, health, safety and welfare, and that of their fellow employees.
Q: Where can I find basic safety information for a variety of job types?
A: Free information on basic safety topics is available from Workers Compensation Fund, at www.wcfgroup.com, click “Safety Resources,” click “Safety Topic Guides,” then choose from a number of topics in English or Spanish.
Q: If my employer isn’t able to offer in-depth safety training, where else can I go?
A: There are a number of resources, including:
Utah Safety Council, phone, link
Utah Occupational Safety and Health, phone, link
Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, phone, link
Q: What are the most common workplace accidents, and how can I avoid them?
1 – Motor vehicle accidents – Always wear a seatbelt. Do not drive while fatigued or under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or certain medications. Practice defensive driving.
2 – Slips and falls – Wear proper shoes. Wear proper harnesses or protective gear. Avoid slippery, icy, snowy or other dangerous conditions. Make sure boxes or other obstacles are out of walkways.
3 – Strains – Avoid twisting or overextending when moving items or reaching for objects. Practice warm-up stretches before work activities. When appropriate, wear protective or supportive equipment.
4 - Burns - Follow safety guidelines when working near open flame or combustible materials. Wear protective equipment.
5 – Caught in machinery – Wear appropriate clothing for working with machinery (no loose sleeves or pant legs). Follow all safety guidelines when working with or near machinery, especially lockout/ tagout procedures.
6 – Struck by – Ensure all equipment or vehicles have safety on/off mechanisms and audible signals when in motion. Be careful when working near stacked equipment or boxes.
7 – Cumulative trauma – Ensure your work area and equipment is ergonomically sound. Maintain body in neutral position whenever possible. Avoid repetitive motion for extended periods of time. Take frequent breaks from routine activities. Practice proper lifting techniques.
8 – Striking against – Follow safety guidelines when using machinery or equipment.
9 – Cuts and lacerations – Follow safety guidelines and use caution when using sharp equipment. Follow lockout/tagout procedures on machinery. Do not risk safety for “getting the job done.”
SOURCE: Based on information from the National Safety Council Injury Facts 2005-2006 and information from Workers Compensation Fund
Q: What if English is not my primary language and I don’t understand my employer’s safety requirements or training?
A: When possible, communicate to your employer your desire to follow safety guidelines but the challenges you may have with the language barrier. If your employer is unable to offer training materials in a language other than English, there are community resources. For basic safety topics in Spanish, visit www.wcfespanol.com. The Coalition for Multicultural Workers’ Safety and Health is also developing basic safety guides in multiple languages that should be available by the end of 2007. Please check back for more details.
Links:
Labor Commission of Utah
www.laborcommission.utah.gov
Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health
www.rocky.utah.edu
Utah Safety Council
www.utahsafetycouncil.org
Workers Compensation Fund
www.wcfgroup.com
