How Effective is Your Safety Program?

FLOOR ED

By Stacy Eickhoff Stacy Eickhoff is senior vice president for Risk Strategies Company. She has worked in the insurance industry over 25 years with a focus on property and casualty within the floor covering and construction industries. Ms. Eickhoff holds licenses in over 40 states. Risk Strategies Company is the endorsed provider for the World Floor Covering Association.

How Effective is Your Safety Program?

The law requires that employers provide a safe workplace for their employees and now more than ever, it is important to review and update your company’s policy and procedures with regard to safety.

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration is the federal organization that oversees workers’ health and safety. Several states have adopted their plans that work in conjunction with the federal standards. These state-specific plans are often more restrictive, therefore we urge you to become familiar with the laws and requirements in the states where you conduct business.

Currently, twenty-four states require a safety plan or programs such as an Accident Prevention Plan (AAP) or an Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (IIPP).

Currently, five states mandate a safety plan for all employers no matter the number of employees size. These include California, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, and Washington. Other states have requirements based on a minimum employee count, type of industry, employer experience, and/or for those that self-insure.

Whether or not a plan is mandated, it is a good business practice to have a safety plan in place. Establishing a culture of safety takes time, but pays dividends in the long run. Over time an active safety plan can prevent and reduce the severity of injuries which ultimately increases productivity and reduces workers’ compensation costs.

Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations requires all employers to have an Injury and Illness Prevention Plan that includes these ten elements.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Responsibility Compliance Communication Hazard Assessment Accident/Exposure Investigation 6. Hazard Correction 7. Training and Instruction 8. Record keeping 9. Training and Instruction 10. Record keeping

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration is the federal organization that oversees workers’ health and safety. Several states have adopted their plans that work in conjunction with the federal standards.

Due to the recent COVID-19 epidemic additional workplace safety guidelines have been enacted both for retail establishments and for those workers that work offsite at customer’s locations.

California regulations aside, these Ten Essentials are important for every APP/IIPP. All plans must be tailored to not only your industry but to your opera- tion. Your plan must identify those hazards specific to your business. Additional safety programs addressing those hazards should be identified in your program, for example, a Hazard Communications program should be in place if you use solvents, adhesives or hazardous chemicals in your business; a Lock/Out tag out program for businesses that use electrical or powered equipment, and a Forklift Safety/Training program for businesses that use lift trucks. These are just a few examples that may apply to a floor covering retailer.

Due to the recent COVID-19 epidemic additional workplace safety guidelines have been enacted both for retail establishments and for those workers that work offsite at customer’s locations. It is important that your safety program includes these components. Updating your existing plan is critical. You may want to consider adding a pandemic response plan or other similar safety program as part of your APP/IIPR

Your current insurance broker or insurance carrier may have resources available. The federal OSHA site has a variety of tools including sample plans and tools for small businesses.

How Effective is Your Safety Program?

https://www.osha.gov/smallbusiness

The following states administer their enforcement and consultation programs. If you are located in these states we recommend you visit your state-specific site.

Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.

Should you have any questions or need additional assistance, we at Risk Strategies are available to help

https://www.risk-strategies.com. ❚