We're getting more injuries than we should that are probably ergonomic in nature. Can anyone comment on and/or recommend some tools like lift tables and other kinds of devices that reduce lifting in a manufacturing environment. There seems to be a bewildering array of choices out there to choose from. Or maybe the real question is, what tips can you give me on how can i can get started with choosing some of these ergonomic devices? Thanks SS

Just wondering. If you announce the presence of the CCTV's (which you probably want to do for privacy reasons) you could be creating the illusion that you have a hunky lifeguard sitting in the control room, ready at all hours to sweep in and rescue any swimmer who needs help. So you are on the right track with your signs idea, but what they say is probably as important as where you put them. Shouldnt you talk with your insurance company about this? And i thought we had liability problems...

We are trying to put together a safety policies for our organization, most of which will end up in the employee handbook. Has anyone had experience with software programs that could help us write these policies? I have heard of a few customize policy writers, mostly with an HR focus. But I am wondering whether they would really help, or if they are so much boilerplate that they are not very useful. Thanks SS

I don't think so. To me the VPP program was based on trust. If it turns out you get cited, then apparently you didnt hold up your end of the bargain. And you should lose your VPP Star status. I don't want to presume to judge what happened in Tropicana's case, perhaps it was just bad luck. A bad accident can happen, and we know OSHA loves nothing better than to jump in with both feet when something bad happens. But, i do think that there should be a way to get back in, after some suitable interval

Consider a contest for the month centered around the number 1 safety problem in your facility. If there are no near misses, incidents or injuries - everybody shares in some prize like a pizza lunch, or put names in a hat for a drawing on an ipod.

Recently a colleague told me that I really should get my ASP certification. Before I embark on that quest, any body like to give advice on how valuable that will be as a fairly new safety advisor for my small manufacturing company, as well as provide advice on how best to prepare for it? Thanks

We've got the same problems. Several of our workers who do lots of keyboarding end up either self-diagnosing or having their doctors tell them they have CTS from the keyboarding. Some probably do, others might have other repetitive motion problems that that might or might not have non-work related causes. Here's my question: how can i get more cooperation with the workforce about using proper ergonomic techniques? We do training and send people around to inspect every work station - yet poor work

You sure you want to do that? I hate incentives - I think they allow for cover up, improper reporting, and sooner than later the employees consider them more of an entitlement. So, as you can tell, I don't care for them much.

I'm not sure what you mean by "Good Samaritan Act"? But if you have responders who could reasonably be expected to be exposed to bbp 's, it seems to me you better make sure they've had the training .

Does anyone know if there is an annual (or other) training requirement for laboratory employees? Most of the people in our facilit's labs are highly educated technicians and scientists; when i suggest followup training a lot of eyes start rolling.