i'm having a little trouble with some of my workers. most of them wear their protective eyewear all of the time but i have a few workers who just don't make it a habit to put on their safety goggles. I spend as much time on the floor as possible but i can't be around all of the time to remind them. i posted a bunch of signs on the floor to remind them to wear their goggles, but its not working as well as i'd hoped. A couple of weeks ago we had a near miss accident and one of these workers in particular could have been really hurt. Thankfully he wasn't.

because of that, i'm planning some extra training sessions on eye safety and was wondering if anybody had training suggestions to drive the point home. i'm looking for easy and affordable training demos. thanks!  

There are plenty of videos out there that are what I call shock videos.  These training videos show real workers who have lost an eye due to not wearing their safety glasses, the worker gives a testimony of what happened and why they lost an eye. The overall theme can be very powerful, and most important, it really hits home.  Check out this link, look for a video called "My Precious Eyes."

http://www.safetyvideodirect.com/highimpact.asp

One other idea is to develop a zero tolerance rule for safety glasses violation.  If you get caught not wearing your safety glasses, you go home for the day.  It only takes one person to be made an example of before the rest catch on.

One more final thought, have you asked the workers if they have problems wearing these safety glasses?  Are they fogging up, uncomfortable or not fitting right?  See what the workers say first, and then fix any problems they may have with the glasses. 

Good Luck!

Sounds like you have covered most of the bases on this 1. It's company policy 2. It is the law 3.Immediate supervisors are responsible for their members safety as well as coworkers.4.The installation of signage (this clearly states what the expectations are) 5. Leading by example (ensuring all members yes even the CEO or GM follow policy as well) 6. Last and least favorable disciplinary action (all the above must be reinforced by documented disciplinary action...this will help OSHA determine that you are "acting in good faith" to ensure compliance if inspected.) Having been in the safety field in one way or another for the last 10 years my experience has been that unfortunately you will have the member that just will not comply in this case it is best to use them as an example to the rest of your members so they know that compliance is a mandatory requirement for continued employment. Not sure if this will help good luck !

The video angelaccc refers to is available through Phoenix Safety Management.  You can take a look-see at www.charliemorecraft.com where there are other videos as well.  We have the video and used it at one of our safety meetings.  The video's an hour long.

Charlie is a dynamic speaker and does indeed deliver a good message.  The problem I have with shock videos and other similar types of videos is that 1)  you only get one or two shots at it.  That is, you won't really show the video more than once or twice.  The second time you show it there's less impact.  By the 3rd time, you don't have any interest at all.  2)  if your employees don't make the connection between the video and their work environment, the message won't be received which means the video will have no impact.  Just my humble opinion.

In this case, I'd get management involved.  If there's nothing they are willing to do, there's little you're going to do.  An adjunct problem will be that others may follow his lead and not wear safety glasses since he's not getting disciplinary action.  Good luck

Dave McGill, CIH, CSP

Most companies will have the employees sign off on their companies Policy/Procedure Manual. With that they just contracted themselves to obey all safety policies and company rules. Sometimes it helps to make an example of someone to get the point across. If your supervisors and foremans are not doing their job, then a review and counseling of their responsibilities need to be done. A safety coordinator cannot be watching them and be at every site all the time. Make sure the discipline is done in a professional manner. If it is a problem with their glasses being uncomfortable or not fitting, or what ever the reason may be, that employee should be able to talk to their supervisor or safety team member, if not we won't know. Communication is large % of team work and safety. Don't get me wrong, I want everybody to go home the condition they came in.

I'm struggling to get management to get some sort of glove policy or procedure for our employees. We are having an increase in hand and finger injuries. I am also a new safety coordinator who is finding it difficult to change culture.

Any ideas on glove use is welcome. We are a construction company specializing in HVAC, Plumbing, Industrial, Architectural roofing, and service work. Many types of Divisions and not all glove uses will be the same.

Thanks in advance.

'The Prevention of Eye Injuries' is the best video i have seen on this topic. It does have a graphic element as well which works well i feel. Here's the link:

http://www.safetycare.com/info.asp?pid=129&ptitle=The+Prevention+of+Eye+Injuries

Good luck

John

Here's my recommendation for an eye
safety video. This site in general has a good selection of safety
videos.

Make the sessions fun and interactive- it'll push the message home a bit harder.

Here's a few ideas I use-

• Blindfold someone and under the supervision of a "spotter" have them walk around the room
• Blindfold one eye and do simple things such as throw a tennis ball back and forth to each other

Simple things like this give them a first hand experience of what it's like to not have any or damaged vision.

I have had the same problem with most of my employees.  So instead of giving them unpaid time off which hurts the company not the employee.  I simply started making them give a class to all of their building employees.  I then have the class and myself grade them, and take this grade to their supervisor.  If complete cooperation wasn't present or refusal to do training then we go to the next level of discipline.  Maybe it could work for you?

OXBO