Safety Meeting: January 

The emergency action plan is a required OSHA document created by the company outlining the roles and steps that should be taken in case of an emergency. Knowing what actions to take during an emergency situation could mean the difference in walking away unharmed and death. The emergency action plan will be posted for public view alongside the OSHA poster in the employee break room.

Evacuation

In case of an evacuation, employees should quickly and calmly make their way to the nearest exit. Once outside employees are to gather at the company’s designated meeting location. The designated meeting location is in the parking lot by the Precision Pallet mailbox.

Shelter

In the case of a tornado or saver, thunderstorm employees should quickly and calmly make their way to the company’s designated shelter area. The designated shelter area is located in the employee break room. Take shelter until the threat has passed.

Roles

Important roles are delegated to several individuals during an emergency. These roles include taking a headcount, administering first aid, and rescue operations if necessary. A list of these individuals can be found on the emergency action plan. If you are not one of these individuals, you can help by taking a headcount yourself and report any missing persons to a manager.

Alerts

There are three alert identifiers the company uses to alert employees of a threat.

1. One (1) 10-second ring indicates a tornado or saver thunderstorm. Employees should take shelter.
2. Two (2) 3-second rings indicate a fire. Employees should evacuate.
3. Three (3) 2-second rings indicate a general evacuation. Employees should evacuate.

A general evacuation is for anything other than a fire that poses an immediate risk. This includes things such as gas leaks, earthquakes, and structural failures.

In some cases, a verbal announcement may be used instead of the bell system. Even if you don’t see the immediate danger ALWAYS listen to alerts and evacuate when alerted.

Safety Meeting: December

There are no second chances when it comes to an accident involving a forklift. With more than 500,000 accidents reported each year, it makes power industrial truck one of the most dangerous commercial vehicles in the world. Of the 500,000 plus accidents that occurred last year ALL of them were preventable. By following proper safety guidelines, we can eliminate the risk of forklift-related accidents.

Awareness is Key

Maintaining awareness is key to staying safe on any worksite. It’s impossible for one person to be aware of everything that’s going on across the plant. However, is a simple technique that can be used to help you maintain awareness of your surroundings, keeping you and those around you safe. This is called the ‘10 foot circle of safety’.

The 10 Foot Circle of Safety

Many industrial and manufacturing facilities us the 10-foot circle of safety as a way to maintain a corporate awareness of what is happening from a safety standpoint across the plant. This works by making each individual responsible for their own 10-foot circle of safety.

Imagine you are standing in the middle of a circle with a 10-foot radius. Everything inside of that circle is your safe range. You’re responsible for being aware of everything that goes on inside that circle concerning safety. This applies to everyone on site. If everyone incorporates and maintains their circle of safety the collective safety awareness of the company greatly increases.

This not only protects you, but it also protects anyone inside of your circle. This works both ways if you are inside someone else’s circle that you are protected by their circle as well. This is NOT an excuse to leave your circle, it’s simply an added layer of awareness that benefits everyone working in proximity.

Danger Zones

When working around forklift traffic there are several danger zones to be aware of. Knowing where these zones are and how to properly maneuver around them is key.

1. Blind corners: When walking around blind corners always stop and listen before proceeding around the corner. Make a wide arc around the corner, this gives you greater visibility as you make your way around the corner.

2. Confined areas: Sometimes you will have to work in proximity with a forklift. In this case, always be sure you have a clear path of retreat encase you need to quickly move out of the way. Being trapped with no escape route leads to the highest probability of being crushed between the forklift and another object. This is the number one cause of pedestrian fatalities involving forklifts.

3. Driver’s blind spot: Always be cautious when moving around a forklift in the driver’s blind spot. Make sure the driver is aware of your position prior to walking behind a forklift.

Safety Meeting: November

Working in the rain presents several additional hazards that otherwise would not exist. Wet surfaces, slippery footing, and poor visibility all add to the potential risk of injury in the workplace. Unfortunately, the weather cannot be controlled, so a concerted effort must be taken in order to prevent accidents from occurring. Here are some things to remember if you must work in the rain.

Slow Down

It’s important to be very away of what you are doing and not rush through tasks that require you to be exposed to the elements. Our instinct is to get out of the rain as quickly as possible, however, this can cause unnecessary risks.

Work surfaces such as concrete floors, machine scaffolding, handheld tools, and so on can become slippery when wet. Working with/on wet surfaces creates the potential for saver trip/fall hazards, especially when trying to rush through a task.

• Slow down and be conscientious of your surroundings and the task you are
  performing.
• Test surfaces prior to placing full weight on them or using them with full
  force.

Wear Appropriate Clothing

Wearing the correct clothing can help you stay dry while working in the rain. If working directly in the rain for long periods of time you should wear full rain gear. This includes a raincoat with a hood, rain pants or overalls, and waterproof boots. Staying dry helps prevent the distraction of discomfort.

Also, being wet, especially in the winter, can lead to hypothermia. This can be extremely dangerous as symptoms of hypothermia often include confusion and sluggishness which could lead to serious injury or death.

Protect your hands by wearing tight-fitting work gloves. Loose gloves can lead to poor grip and less control when using handheld tools. This could lead to serious injury.

Keep Your Eyes Open

Be aware of your surroundings at all times. This is especially important while working outside in inclement weather. Rain can mute the sounds of running equipment and make it more difficult to determine where equipment is running.

Raincoat hoods can also hinder visibility. It’s important to ensure you thoroughly check your surroundings prior to moving equipment or crossing high traffic areas. Make sure to check all of your blind spots.

Conclusion

Ultimately ALL rain hazards can be avoided as long as you follow proper safety practices. Always remember to be intentional about safety and work conscientiously, even when the weather is poor.

Safety Meeting: October

Carbon Monoxide or CO is a colorless odorless gas that is released when burning fossil fuels. Comin sources of CO are gas, diesel, and propane engine exhausts, kerosene heaters, and generators. The prolonged use of an item that releases CO in an indoor facility that is not properly ventilated can cause a dangerous buildup of the toxic gas leading to CO poisoning and possible death. In the United States, there is an average of 430 deaths per year that are caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. That’s why is so important to understand safe practices when using any utility that emits CO and to understand the symptoms of CO poisoning so that you can act before it’s too late. Here are some things to keep in mind when working with equipment and/or utilities that emit carbon monoxide.

Symptoms of CO poisoning

Understanding the symptoms of CO poisoning could save both you and your coworkers’ lives. Once you recognize the symptoms in yourself or a co-worker you should evacuate the area immediately and notify a supervisor. Seek an outdoor or a well-ventilated location for yourself or fellow co-workers. If a co-worker is unconscious lay them down in a well-ventilated location and contact emergency medical services. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are:

• Sudden weakness
• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion
• Blurred Vision
• Loss of consciousness

Preventing CO buildup

The best way to prevent Carbon Monoxide poisoning is to prevent the buildup of the deadly gas in confined spaces. Our facility uses forklifts to move products in and out of the production area and gas heaters in the winter. Knowing how to properly operate these utilities can greatly reduce the overall risk and exposure to harmful CO gas buildup. Here are some things to help reduce the risk of CO buildup:

• Never leave any gas-powered engine running for prolonged periods of time on the production floor. This will mainly include forklifts, however, it’s good to keep in mind to anytime a gas-powered engine is used it will emit CO from its exhaust.
• When using a gas heater, be sure the heater is set up in a well-ventilated area of the shop. Be sure to read all warning labels and user material prior to operation.

Safety Meeting: September

Storm preparedness is essential for the safety and wellbeing of our employees. Storms are unpredictable and dangerous forces of nature that can cause significant amounts of damage. Tornados are extremely dangerous and most often spawn in severe thunderstorms, but can form on their own without the presence of a storm. This makes tornados very unpredictable. That’s why it’s important to have a plan in place in case of a severe thunderstorm or tornado.

In case of a Thunderstorm

In the case of a severe thunderstorm, employees should take immediate shelter indoors. Stay clear of all stacked inventory and loose materials. The main threat of severe thunderstorms is lightning strikes. Lightning is unpredictable and poses risks beyond a direct strike. Lightning striking the ground nearby can still pose a risk of electrical shock, fire, electrical short of transistors and more. Besides lightning, thunderstorms can produce high winds, flash flooding, and limited visibility which all pose an immediate risk to the safety and wellbeing of anyone who has not sought out shelter.

Management will monitor the forecast and notify employees of any schedules changes or cancellations that may take effect due to severe weather.

In case of a Tornado

The National Weather Service issues two alerts for tornados. The first is a ‘Tornado Watch’ which is defined as weather that has the potential of producing a tornado. The second is a ‘Tornado Warning’ which is issued when a tornado has been spotted either in person or on the radar. Anytime a tornado warning is issued for the area shelter should be taken immediately. The safest area to take shelter is the downstairs breakroom of the main production building. If you are unable to reach this location you should look for an indoor location in the central part of the building, avoid rooms with windows and multiple entrances. If you are outdoors, seek shelter in a narrow ditch with little to no water, avoid canals as they are too wide and still allow for debris to fly at high velocities.

Management will monitor tornado watches and tornado warnings, however, if you receive a tornado warning or you spot a tornado do not wait for management, take shelter IMMEDIATELY.

Safety Meeting: August

Trips and falls are one of the leading causes of injuries incurred in the workplace. According to the CDC, nearly 26% of all non-fatal workplace injuries are a result of a trip, slip, or fall. That’s nearly 230,000 workers that spent time away from work due to an injury that could have been avoided. Don’t let yourself become part of that statistic.

Here are some ways to help prevent trip and fall injuries in the workplace:

Good Housekeeping

Good housekeeping is key to preventing falls in the workplace since the majority of trip and fall accidents are caused by improperly stored equipment and loose trash around workstations.

• Ensure all nail guns and air hoses are properly stored when not in use.
• Clean up all loose boards, empty boxes, and trash around workstations on a daily basis.

Spatial Awareness

Maintaining spatial awareness in the workplace can greatly reduce the risk of trip/fall injuries for both yourself and fellow co-workers.

• Avoid daydreaming. Daydreaming is a distraction that can pull your focus away from the task being performed which can lead to an accident.
• Ensure you are aware of all moving vehicle traffic.
• Be aware of co-workers and objects surrounding your immediate area. A good rule of thumb is to maintain awareness of a 20-foot bubble around you.

Trip and fall injuries can be prevented by following basic guidelines and procedures.

Safety Meeting: July

While it’s important to maintain civility with co-workers it should never come at the expense of safety. Horseplay and roughhousing are very dangerous and will not be tolerated. Wrestling, pushing, throwing objects, practical jokes, and so on are all forms of horseplay/rough-housing and could result in serious injury or death. All horseplay is strictly against company policy and will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. Safety should be your first thought before performing any action, especially if it doesn’t fall under normal operational duties.

Horseplay is Strictly Prohibited at Precision Pallet, LLC

While horseplay can be a friendly way to blow off steam it is dangerous in the workplace and will not be tolerated on company property.

• Fooling around this way distracts you from what you’re doing and can cause you to make mistakes.
• Directing horseplay at others is even more dangerous since the other party isn’t expecting it. This could lead to an accident such as walking into moving machinery, dropping tools, slipping on the floor, and so on.
• Horseplay pulls full concentration away from safety procedures. This makes you less likely to notice hazards until it’s too late.
• Most accidents can be prevented by following safety procedures.

Take Your Job and Safety Seriously

Safety isn’t just a recommendation, it’s policy. Failure to follow this policy can result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. Some things to keep in mind are:

• Horseplay is not funny, it’s dangerous and puts you and others at a much higher risk of personal injury or death.
• Ask yourself these questions before performing at act: (Is this dangerous? Will this distract others from work? Am I breaking company policy?) if the answer is yes, they don’t do it.
• Understand, an injury to yourself (requiring medical attention) caused while engaged in horseplay will most likely lead to a worker’s comp claim being denied leaving you to shoulder the full burden of all medical costs.

Acceptable Forms of Interaction

There are acceptable forms of interacting with co-workers that help to build comradery and moral. This includes things like fist-bumps, handshakes, high-fives, and verbal compliments.

Keep in mind, no employee is required nor obligated to participate in any activity outside of normally required work duties as dictated by their current position.

Safety Meeting: June

There is always a risk of fire when working with heavy machinery and a fuel source like lumber and sawdust. Fires can be sparked quickly and oftentimes grow to an unmanageable size before any action can be taken to contain it. There is nothing more tragic then a fatality that could have been prevented if the proper steps had been taken. Knowing proper procedures to follow in the event of a fire is paramount in the prevention of serious injury or death. Equally as important is knowing safe practices for preventing a fire from starting in the first place.

Fire Prevention Protocols

The safest way to deal with a fire is to prevent it from starting in the first place. A fire is started when high amounts of heat (ignition source) encounter a fuel source and oxygen. Below is a list of practical steps to prevent a fire from starting:

• Eliminate the fuel source. The best way to prevent a fire is to eliminate the source of fuel. At Precision Pallet the main source of fuel is dry lumber and sawdust. To prevent the risk of fire, ensure that workstations remain clear of excess sawdust and leftover lumber. Leftover lumber or lumber that is not currently being used should be removed from workstations.
• Prevent potential ignition sources: Most people think that ignition can only start with an open flame, but that’s not totally true. The ignition can be caused by excess friction from improperly serviced machinery. This is usually due to bearings not being properly greased or a buildup of dust or sawdust around a moving part. To prevent a fire from starting due to overheating or friction ensure that all machinery and motorized equipment is serviced regularly. All pneumatic, dismantle and saw equipment should be dusted off regularly. Good housekeeping is key to preventing fires.
• Only smoke in designated areas: Cigarette butts that haven’t been extinguished properly, matches, and lighters are all sources of ignition that can pose a serious fire risk if not properly extinguished. Only smoke in designated areas and be sure to safely dispose of used cigarette buts and matches. Smoking outside of these areas could result in either a verbal or written warning.
• Hot areas and spotters: Hot areas are anywhere a welder, torch, metal grinder, or any other tool that creates a flame or sparks is being used. The area of work must be prepared prior to use any of these tools. Ensure that all sources of fuel (sawdust, lumber, etc.) have been removed from the area prior to beginning work. A spotter must be with you at all times while performing work.

What to do in case of a fire

Follow the steps below if you spot a fire:

• Immediately stop what you are doing and yell “FIRE”!!! It’s important that everyone in the facility is aware of the danger.
• Under no circumstances is any employee obligated to fight a fire unless they are a trained volunteer firefighter. Your safety is our first priority.
• Once a fire has been spotted you should exit the building or work area immediately and make your way to the designated meeting area.

Precision Pallet’s designated meeting area in case of fire is located in the parking lot next to the road by the mailboxes.

Safety Meeting: May

There is nothing more important to Precision Pallet then ensuring that you make it home at the end of the day in one piece. We are committed to building a culture of safety for all our employees. No matter how hard we work or how much money we make, it’s all pointless if you aren’t able to go home at the end of the day. Your life is more valuable than the company’s profit.
Always put safety first.

Eye Protection

Safety Glasses MUST be worn by all personnel while performing the following tasks:

• Operating any pneumatic nail and/or staple guns.
• Operating any pneumatic machinery, i.e. Woodpecker, Air Compressor, Block Stringer Machine, etc.
• Operating any powered machinery with a blade, i.e. Dismantler, Trim Saw, Block Saw, Gang Saw, etc.
• Operating any hand tools such as drills, grinders, or Sawzalls.
• Inside of designated work areas, i.e. tables stringers woodpecker, dismantler, trim saw, gang saw, etc.
  • A good rule of thumb is if you are within 10 feet of any workspace you should have your glasses on.
• While using any blunt force tool such as hammers and prybars.

Even though the company’s policy doesn’t explicitly state the necessary use of eye protection while moving in-between areas of production, it is highly encouraged. There are many hazards such as dust and loose debris that could cause serious injury if the proper eye protection is not being used.