SAFETY TRAINING GUIDE
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Every member of our family plays a part in keeping each other safe and following instructions. Ultimately, you and I are each responsible for our own workplace safety and the choices we make.
President
It is our intent to place you in a safe, hazard-free work environment. To meet this goal, each company we work with is carefully screened prior to putting anyone to work. YOU are our most important asset; your safety and wellbeing are our primary concern. If you ever feel uncomfortable due to poor or dangerous working conditions, please let us know immediately.
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Once we’ve found the right job for you, you will complete site-specific and job-specific training. Before you start, this required training will be provided by the company you’ve been assigned to.
Do not operate equipment, perform potentially hazardous tasks, or handle hazardous materials until you have been properly trained. This is critical! If these tasks are completed without the proper training, your risk for injury increases significantly. If you have not been trained, request training from your assignment supervisor before performing the function.
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Each job has a specific dress code that all employees must follow. You may also be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE). This is designed to keep you safe.
Your Elwood Staffing representative will let you know what the dress code and PPE policy is for your job. If you will be working with equipment, it is likely that long hair will need to be pulled back and jewelry will need to be removed. We do not want these items to get caught in machines. PPE is workplace safety gear (like safety glasses, hard hats, steel toed boots, ear plugs, gloves, high visibility vests, etc) that shields our bodies from potential harm. You will be instructed on what PPE is necessary and when it should be used. Before using PPE, know how to properly inspect it, put it on, use it, take it off, maintain it, and store it. Always correctly use the required safety equipment. R922 08/08/2018 PAGE 1 OF 5
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Before each shift, review your workstation for potentially hazardous conditions. If concerns exist, tell your assignment supervisor. Never perform tasks you are not permitted to do as an associate.
If your safety is in jeopardy and there’s an obvious danger, DO NOT begin working until the problem is corrected. If your assignment supervisor does not correct the situation, tell your Elwood Staffing representative. There are some tasks you are prohibited to do, such as working with explosives, in permit required confined spaces (like water tanks, sewer manholes, or grain silos), on live electrical circuits, at heights, on railroads, or near blood. Exceptions may apply and are to be approved by Elwood before your job begins.
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Always comply with site-specific safety policies and incorporate basic safety practices into your daily functions. To help you use the best judgment, arrive to work rested, alert, and focused.
Never come to work under the influence of alcohol, street drugs, or medication that makes you drowsy or impairs your ability to work safely. If you must take prescription or over-the-counter medication that makes you drowsy or impairs your ability to work safely, tell your Elwood Staffing representative. If you ever doubt how to do something, stop and ask for clarification. Do not take shortcuts, attempt to do more than you are capable of, perform tasks for which you have not been trained on, or rush. Any of these actions can lead to sloppiness, mistakes, or injury.
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Even with the best planning and preventative measures, workplace injuries can occur. If you are injured on the job, no matter how slight, immediately tell your assignment supervisor and Elwood.
In the event you are injured on the job, Elwood Staffing has an entire department dedicated to helping you obtain treatment and return to work as soon as medically advisable. An Elwood representative will ask you about the injury and help decide the best course of action. Elwood Staffing prohibits retaliation against making good faith reports of workplace accidents, injuries, or illness. R922 08/08/2018 PAGE 2 OF 5
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Familiarize yourself with the emergency action plan at every jobsite you work at. This plan covers what to do in the event of a fire, severe weather, medical, or other location-specific emergency.
In order to effectively protect yourself and others, know where the evacuation map is posted, become familiar with all escape routes, and identify your meeting point. Unless trained to do otherwise by your assignment supervisor, call 911 from a safe location in the event of an emergency. There will likely be different alarms for different situations (such as fire, evacuation, and chemical release) so become familiar with the sounds.
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Slips, trips, and falls are a leading cause of workplace injuries. Keep your work area clean, orderly, and free of clutter. If you see a potential trip hazard, report it immediately so it can be corrected.
As you move through your jobsite, watch where you are walking. Keep an eye out for anything that could cause someone to trip. This includes spilled liquids, cords, change in elevation, uneven surfaces, etc. Nothing should ever block access to aisles, fire sprinklers, exit doors, electrical panels, or fire extinguishers; never store items in or near these areas.
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Repetitive or occasional lifting is a common job expectation. Use caution when lifting. Never attempt to lift an item without assistance if it is more than 75 pounds, bulky, or awkward.
Before lifting an object, check to ensure your path is clear of trip hazards. Plan the lift before you begin. Secure good footing, bend at the knees (not your back), bring the load close to you, tighten your stomach muscles, keep your back straight, and lift with your leg muscles (not your back). Be sure to pivot your feet and set the item down, never twist. Always keep the load between your shoulders and knees. If you experience pain after lifting something, tell your assignment supervisor and Elwood Staffing representative. Material handling equipment (such as dollies or carts) may be available to assist with heavy lifting.
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Never operate unguarded machinery, leave a machine running while unattended, or start a machine that is locked or tagged out (this means it is currently out of service for maintenance or repair).
Equipment operators are responsible for knowing where the emergency stop buttons or pull-cords are located, ensuring all guards are in place and properly functioning before operating the machine, and keeping others out of harms way. Always be mindful not to place your hands or any body part into operating equipment. Never attempt to start a machine that has been locked or tagged out and never remove someone else’s lock or tag. Report any issues with machine guards or other equipment problems to your assignment supervisor immediately.
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Watch for forklifts and tuggers, as this equipment may be used at the jobsite to transport materials. You are not allowed to operate this type of equipment unless trained and authorized to do so.
Forklifts and tuggers don’t operate like a car. When carrying a load, they can’t stop quickly and the operator typically has restricted vision. Never walk in front of them. Always yield the right-of-way to the operators. Never approach the equipment without first making eye contact and getting the operator’s permission.
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You have the right to know about hazardous chemicals in your workplace. All containers of hazardous materials must be clearly labeled and detail how to work with them.
The Globally Harmonized System(or GHS) is part of OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard, which incorporates the use of labels and Safety Data Sheets. The product label explains how to reduce your risk of unhealthy contact with the chemical. Always read the label when working with any chemicals. The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) contains 16 sections that tell you how to safely handle, store, and dispose of the chemical. Safety Data Sheets are kept close by so employees can easily access them. The GHS label and pictogram warnings look like this: R922 08/08/2018 PAGE 4 OF 5
1. Name of the Chemical (how it is identified). This name will also be the name listed on the Safety Data Sheet. 2. Signal Word. Tells how harmful it is. Products that say “Warning” are less harmful than those that say “Danger.” 3. P ictogram. These icons represent the specific dangers of the chemical and also appear on the product’s Safety Data Sheet. The nine potential warning symbols and their meanings are listed below. 4. Hazard Statement. This is where you will find a listing of the specific dangers associated with the chemical. 5. Precautionary Statement. This identifies ways to protect yourself from risks associated with the product. 6. Manufacturer. The name, address and phone number of the maker of the product will be listed here.
Oxidizers - Can burn without air, or can intensify fire in combustible materials.
Explosives - May explode if exposed to fire, heat, shock, or friction
Toxic - Harmful to aquatic organisms; may cause long-lasting effects in the environment.
Corrosives - May cause skin burns, eye damage and damage to metals
Toxic - may cause lifethreatening effects, even in small amounts.
Gases Under Pressure - Gas released may be very cold. Gas container may explode if healed.
Health Hazard - May cause serious and prolonged health effects.
Flammable - If exposed to ignition sources, sparks, or heat. Some substances may give off flammable gases.
Irritant - May cause irritation (redness, rash) or less serious toxicity.
This document was researched, written, and illustrated by Elwood Staffing®, one of the largest light industrial staffing firms in the United States. Since its founding in 1980, Elwood has attracted millions of candidates, made hundreds of thousands of placements, and served tens of thousands of clients. Each and every day, our interactions with job seekers, workers, and employers generate valuable insights we continually develop into publications like this one. This publication is proprietary and confidential and intended for general purposes. Nothing contained, expressed, or implied herein is intended or shall be construed as legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is formed. If you have questions about any law, statute, regulation, or requirement expressly or implicitly referenced, contact legal counsel of your choice. R922 08/08/2018 PAGE 5 OF 5