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...his preparation falls into several stages: planning, chain of command, emergen...orarily to shut down critical plant equipment before they evacuate. The prefe...

... corrective action. We walk around the facility on an inspection tour identifying hazards. During the tour, we solicit employees' views and suggestions about safety. For example, employees were having difficulty continually transferring boxes containing 40 pounds of chocolates from the production line to a staging area. There was no room to install a conveyor. Someone on the committee suggested getting plastic buckets to transport 20 pounds of product, thereby halving the weight load. A simple solution, but who in management would have thought of it? Another powerful reason ... can influence management action. For example, who would believe that a department store could be fraught with hazards? Greater emphasis is placed on generating sales than on the safe operation of the stock areas. With their broken ladders, cramped space, improper shelving, poor lighting and other hazards, stockrooms are often accidents waiting to happen. I explained to management that a back injury can cost $20,000 and asked, How many new ladders can be bought for $20,000? ' They listened and acted. As ... . That's only the beginning. I encourage a more hands-on approach to safety. Agents can make a real difference by helping the employer establish safety committees. Why is this important? Studies show that 90% of all accidents are caused by employees rather than by faulty equipment or conditions. Turning over the responsibility for safety and accident prevention to employees, through safety committees, is the only sure-fire way to achieve lasting results. Through my experience, I am more convinced than ever that the only successful approach to safety is to implement ...

... from simple wear and tear on materials or equipment to environmental acts of God, ' such as floods, fires, and earthquakes) . Employers should establish effective safety and health programs to prepare their workers to handle emergencies before they arise. This preparation falls into several stages: planning, chain of command, emergency response teams, emergency response activities, and training. PLANNING When required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), firms with more than 10 employees must have a written emergency action plan. Smaller companies may ... techniques, including sizing up threats, fire chemistry, extinguisher types and use, and utility control 3. Disaster medical operation, including triage, transportation, and treatment area management 4. Additional disaster medical operations, including patient evaluation and treatment of non-life-threatening injuries 5. Light search and rescue operations, emphasizing limitations and dangers of various building constructions 6. Incident command system for organizing teams and logistical planning, as well as psychology of disaster and emotional environments 7. Course review and simulated disaster exercise Reprinted with permission from Safety Information Currents ... has not been rated yet. EMERGENCY RESPONSE by Bill Grieb Emergencies can occur in the safest workplace. They can arise from outside or inside. The cause may be human action (deliberate or inadvertent) or natural (anything from simple wear and tear on materials or equipment to environmental acts of God, ' such as floods, fires, and earthquakes) . Employers should establish effective safety and health programs to prepare their workers to handle emergencies before they arise. This preparation falls into several stages: planning, chain of command, ...

... , a public announcement, an impromptu celebration party can often mean more than a raise or bonus. Leadership: The most important ingredient for developing and maintaining a team's spirit is the leadership provided by the agency principals. The owners have to set the stage by putting in place the right kind of employees and by giving them autonomy and room to grow. An atmosphere of integrity, consistency, and inspiration must exist in order for the future of the agency. If the members of the team know that the leader ... much more work than they were expected to handle when most of them entered the industry-and probably when most of them were hired by your agency. As a result, many of them are becoming worn out and very discouraged. The stacks of work are higher and the light at the end of the tunnel seems further away. When coupled with the knowledge or perception that there is little room for advancement in the agency or for significant increases in compensation, the burden can become overwhelming. What helps more than anything here is to have ... elusive team spirit. How you implement them will depend upon your own management philosophy as well as the agency's location, business orientation, and access to the right personnel. INGREDIENTS FOR A TEAM-ORIENTED ENVIRONMENT Physical Setting: The layout of the office and the availability of modern equipment can greatly influence productivity and attitude. Frustration at having to walk a long distance to stand in line at a fax or copier that frequently breaks down, waiting for a slow computer system to respond, trying to get an open phone line, and searching for ...

...cipals. The owners have to set the stage by putting in place the right kind of...