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BP's Dismal Safety Record - ABC News - 05 Apr 2017 03:54

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[[html]]As the nation comes to grips with the worst oil disaster in its history, there is evidence BP has one of the worst safety track records of any major oil company operating in the United States. In two separate disasters prior to the Gulf oil rig explosion, 30 BP workers have been killed, and more than 200 seriously injured. null In the last five years, investigators found, BP has admitted to breaking U.S. environmental and safety laws and committing outright fraud. BP paid $373 million in fines to avoid prosecution. BP's safety violations far outstrip its fellow oil companies. According to the Center for Public Integrity, in the last three years, BP refineries in Ohio and Texas have accounted for 97 percent of the "egregious, willful" violations handed out by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). <img style="float:left;margin:10px;border:none;" src="https://store.lexisnexis.co.za/img/product/w800/9780628038203_1.jpg" width="263" /> The violations are determined when an employer demonstrated either an "intentional disregard for the requirements of the [law], or showed plain indifference to employee safety and health." OSHA statistics show BP ran up 760 "egregious, willful" safety violations, while Sunoco and Conoco-Phillips each had eight, Citgo had two and Exxon had one comparable citation. Failure to Act After a 2005 BP refinery explosion in Texas City, Texas that killed 15 people and injured 180, a Justice Department investigation found that the explosion was caused by "improperly released vapor and liquid." Several procedures required by the Clean Air Act to reduce the possibility of just such an explosion either were not followed, or had not been established in the first place. BP admitted that its written procedures to ensure its equipment's safety were inadequate, and that it had failed to inform employees of known fire and explosion risks. The company paid $50 million in criminal fines in connection with that disaster, and acknowledged violating the Clean Air Act. Jordan Barab, the deputy assistant secretary of Labor for OSHA, said BP refineries have a "systemic safety problem," and that the tragedy in BP-Texas City "revealed serious process safety and workplace culture problems at the facility." Yet BP never fixed the problems in Texas City. Just last October, OSHA fined the company $87 million because it has failed to correct the safety problems at the rebuilt Texas City plant. That represented the largest fine in OSHA history. In 2007, a BP pipeline spill poured 200,000 gallons of crude oil into the pristine Alaskan wilderness. In researching the environmental hazard, investigators discovered BP was aware of corrosion along the pipeline where the leak occurred but did not respond appropriately. The company was forced to pay $12 million more in criminal fines for the spill, in addition to another $4 million to the state of Alaska. Manipulating The Market BP's infractions were more than environmental. The Justice Department required the company to pay approximately $353 million as part of an agreement to defer prosecution on charges that the company conspired to manipulate the propane gas market. Investigators from the Justice Department found that some BP traders were stockpiling propane, which forced the market prices to skyrocket. After their incriminating conversations about controlling the market were caught on tape, three BP traders were indicted. The alleged price gouging affected as many as 7 million propane customers who depended on propane to heat their homes and cost the consumers $53 million. But for a company that reported profits of $14 billion in 2009, the fines represent a small fraction of the cost of doing business. Additional reporting by Jack Cloherty and Jason Ryan. <img style="float:left;margin:10px;border:none;" src="http://occupational-health-and-safety-sa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/A7.png" width="257" /> <a href='http://abcnews.go.com/WN/bps-dismal-safety-record/story?id=10763042'>http://abcnews.go.com/WN/bps-dismal-safety-record/story?id=10763042</a> [[/html]] - Comments: 0

Exercise & Meditation :: Company Wellness Program - 02 Apr 2017 07:26

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[[html]]In the modern days, it has become important for companies to take care of the health of their own employees. There have been few instances in the United States where this realization dawned upon some companies albeit after a sudden spurt in health insurance claims within a short span of time. In order to avoid such undue expenses, companies have started designing employee wellness program covering various aspects like culture, fitness etc along with health issues. Even in case of companies that do not extend the benefit of health insurance to its employees, there is an impact due to employee's absenteeism and lack of expected productivity. Employee wellness programs have become more prominent in small sized companies. This is because the absence of even a hundred employees in a company with thousands of employees has a lower adverse effect when compared to the same scenario in a company with a few hundreds of employees. <img src="http://www.hep.uiuc.edu/home/g-gollin/pigeons/kor_final1.jpg" width="285" /> Irrespective of the size of the company, wellness programs can have a favorable impact on a company's bottom-line and these programs can actually be implemented at an economic cost with good benefits on money spent. <img style="float:left;margin:10px;border:none;" src="http://www.ykk.com/english/corporate/csr/images/img_title_report01.png" width="327" /> There are a few steps that one can adopt while designing and implementing company wellness programs in organizations of any size. These steps are outlined below: a. Garner the go-ahead and adequate support from the top management. This helps in effective implementation of the wellness programs for a reasonably long period of time. b. Have an able individual or a team to monitor the implementation of wellness programs. This helps in assessing the effectiveness of the program and also helps in making the necessary changes in them to suit changing employee preferences and conditions. The team size may vary with the company's employee strength c. Gather adequate information and data to support the designing of various schemes. This helps in adopting a scientific approach in coming out with wellness programs. d. Keep them simple is the key. It is important that employees as well as managers are able to easily comprehend the entire program and its benefits. e. Conduct supporting measures to promote the programs among the employees. This could even be after discussions with a few employees. f. Ensure a conducive environment to make it easier for employees to avail of the wellness programs. For instance, shower facilities or bicycle tracks in companies are necessary to ensure that the employees actually exercise more and remain fit. g. Have an efficient assessing mechanism to weigh the outcome of the wellness programs. After all the purpose of wellness programs is to reach the employees as desired. This assessment will also help in making changes wherever necessary as per the results of the programs. In case of organizations with less formal structure in various aspects, then wellness programs could also be designed to be more informal, including the monitoring and assessing factors. Whatever be the mechanism to design wellness programs, the companies can be sure that the employees' wellness is their own wellness. 
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Sample Personal Letters of Recommendation - 01 Apr 2017 08:49

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[[html]]If someone you know is looking for a job, sample personal letters of recommendation may be just the thing you need to help them succeed. Having these will increase the chances of landing a new job, so it only makes sense. If a friend or employee needs your help, hopefully one of these sample personal letters of recommendation will serve you well. For an employee: The sample personal letters of recommendation can vary a little. This sample personal letters of recommendation will work if you are writing for a former or current employee. Your name Your address Re: Person's name the letter is for. To whom it may concern, It is a pleasure to write this personal letter of recommendation for John Doe. I have known John for about 10 years now. He is of strong character and ethic, both on the job and off the job. I had the pleasure to work with John for eight years at Jim Bobs Weighing Systems. He routinely met or exceeded the goals he was given. John proved his worth to the company in many ways, perhaps none more evident than his excellent problem solving skills. <object width="400" height="241"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZYEJhwSc9Nk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZYEJhwSc9Nk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="241"></embed></object> While John's welding skills were impeccable, it was the other skills he brought to the table that made him stand out from the crowd. John suggested a method for our conveyer system that was implemented, saving the company thousands of dollars each year. John was given several awards during his time with our company. His strong work ethic and leadership skills will be sorely missed. John was the rare welder that was able to transcend the position, going beyond the normal requirements of a welder, and improving those around him. I would personally urge you to consider hiring John Doe. You will quickly realize that he is among the best in the welding industry. I only wish our company was not going through layoffs, so we could keep John employed. Sadly, he does not have enough seniority to avoid the layoffs. <img style="float:right;margin:10px;border:none;" src="http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTY2WDgwMA==/z/jPsAAOSwubRXGcWl/$_20.JPG?set_id=8800005007" width="351" /> <img style="float:left;margin:10px;border:none;" src="http://www.howzit.co.za/ad_images/proactive-compliance-occupational-health-safety-consultants_2_163860_c4a48904f3b9edbdd06470cae1070cb1.jpg" width="270" /> Sincerely, Jim Bob Sample personal letters of recommendation, like this one, shows a focus on a strong work history. You can adjust these types of sample personal letters of recommendation to fit your needs. If you know who the sample personal letters of recommendation are going to, use the name instead of the generic greeting listed in the example. Don't forget to sign the document. For a friend: Sample personal letters of recommendation are somewhat different if you are writing for a friend. In this case, sample personal letters of recommendation that focus on the work site just won't work. For this example, the name and address section, on the top left side of the previous sample, will stay the same. To whom it may concern, It is a pleasure to write this personal letter of recommendation for my friend, John Doe. I have known John for about 15 years now. I can tell you, without hesitation, he is one of the finest people I have ever met. John routinely takes the time to help out those in need. In fact, John's presence in the community has impacted many around him. John volunteers at the local YMCA and after school program, where he has led our fundraising efforts for the last three years. He has shown leadership skills during difficult times, excellent problem solving skills, and a real team first attitude. Without John's efforts, we would have never raised over $5,000 for charity over the last three years. I strongly urge you to consider hiring John Doe. You will quickly discover that he is a fine person, and great leader. Sincerely, Jim Bob These types of sample personal letters of recommendation focus on skills that will be desirable for any employer. While you may not have work experience with the person, you will typically have some sort of idea about work ethic. You can adjust sample letters of personal recommendation, like this one, to meet your needs. <object width="400" height="241"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZYEJhwSc9Nk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZYEJhwSc9Nk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="241"></embed></object> Words of caution: These sample personal letters of recommendation can be used, but you should not take writing them lightly. You are essentially putting your stamp of approval on the individual. If you write one for someone that's not deserving, what will it say about you? When you use these sample personal letters of recommendation, you want to take the responsibility seriously. If they just won't work: If these sample personal letters of recommendation just won't work for you, keep looking. There are plenty of <a href="http://oshcorp.co.za/">Occupational Health and Safety</a> sites out there with other examples that may suit your needs a little better. When you look for other sample personal letters of recommendation, be sure to tailor to suit your needs. Generally speaking, no examples will be perfect, so check out the others out there. As long as you come across professionally, and tell the truth, you should be just fine. <a href='http://www.infobarrel.com/Sample_Personal_Letters_of_Recommendation'>http://www.infobarrel.com/Sample_Personal_Letters_of_Recommendation</a>[[/html]] - Comments: 0

Occupational Health & Safety | Workplace Health > OCSA - 29 Mar 2017 08:37

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[[html]]<img src="http://www.elawpro.co.za/images/WallCharts.jpg" width="354" /> OCSA FAST FACTS What makes OCSA different? A world-class South African company OCSA celebrates 21 years of excellence in 2016 80% of our clients have been with us for 5 years OCSA's Occupational Hygiene Services received SANAS17020 accreditation. Congratulations! Flexible and tailored Year-on-year business growth … and growing! 200 000 client employees nationwide 80% of clients have stayed with us for over 5 years 11 years of partnership with our longest standing clients World-class training at our Academy of Excellence [[/html]] - Comments: 0

Dogs :: Summer Holiday Health and Safety for your Dog - 29 Mar 2017 03:56

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[[html]]Summertime can be the ideal season to take your dog to the beach to enjoy the summer sunshine. This can be a great holiday time, as long you take the necessary precautions to ensure your dog is safe and comfortable on the beach and in the sun. <object width="400" height="241"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5Qnhz87Iz8M&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5Qnhz87Iz8M&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="241"></embed></object> The most frequently asked questions about having holiday fun in the sun or at the beach with your dog are: Will my dog be able to swim? Not necessarily. Contrary to popular belief, there are certain types of dogs who will find it difficult, if not impossible to swim. There are some breeds with a combination of large weighty body's and little legs that find it very difficult. Also, some dogs seem to have developed a fear of water that may preclude them from enjoying a holiday swim at the beach. Remember that even dogs that are good beach swimmers, do get worn-out and need to rest periodically. If taking a puppy to the beach, make sure that you introduce him to the water slowly and carefully so that you can teach your dog to enjoy your holidays at the beach. Is the Water OK for my dog to drink? At ocean beaches, it is not good for your dog to drink the water. Illness would result from your dog drinking the salty sea water. It is important to bring provisions of fresh water for both you and your dog to drink. Rinsing your dog with fresh water after swimming and playing in the sand is a good idea too, it can avoid skin complaints and harm to your dog's coat. Can my dog get sun burnt? It is possible for dogs to get sun burnt. Dogs with short or white fur and also those with pink looking skin are the most likely to suffer from sun burn. To ensure a pain free holiday for both you and your dog, it is a good idea to take similar precautions with your dog as you would with your own skin. Applying sunblock to areas with little or no hair such as their ears is a good idea. Limiting exposure to the sun is also a good preventive measure. <img src="http://www.jutalaw.co.za/media/filestore/2011/11/Understanding_the_Occupational_Health__Safety_Act_and_COIDA.png" width="250" /> Is it OK to let my dog off his leash and roam freely on the Beach? There certainly are specific "dog beaches", where it is perfectly OK to let your dogs run free on the beach. However most beaches require that you keep your dogs on their leads at all times. This is common sense really; it makes for a safer environment for both the people and the dogs holidaying on the beach. Strategies for making sure that both you and your dog enjoy your summer beach holiday in comfort and safety include: *Watch out for heat stroke symptoms in your dog, such as fast panting, drooling and unsteadiness on their feet. <img src="http://www.hretd.co.za/images/downloads_ohs2.jpg" width="336" /> *Be aware of the heat of the sand, hot sand could be quite painful for your dog's feet too! *Always supervise your dog while on the beach. <object width="400" height="241"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/La4YFMoQ6Wo&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/La4YFMoQ6Wo&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="241"></embed></object> *Be aware of your surroundings, particularly with regards to things lying around on the beach such as fish hooks or dead fish or sea life which could be toxic to your pet. 
 <a href='http://www.articlebiz.com/article/101299-1-summer-holiday-health-and-safety-for-your-dog/'>http://www.articlebiz.com/article/101299-1-summer-holiday-health-and-safety-for-your-dog/</a>[[/html]] - Comments: 0

Congressman Gives Trump a Plan to Erase Health, Safety, And Environment Safeguards - 27 Mar 2017 14:28

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[[html]]At Risk: The Air We Breathe, Water We Drink, and Food We Eat The conservative House Freedom Caucus has provided President-Elect Trump a "recommended list of regulations to remove." Congressman Mark Meadows (R-NC), chair of the all-Republican Freedom Caucus, identified 228 federal rules they hope Trump will help eliminate. Thirty-two of the proposals would roll back safety, health and environmental standards that protect the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and our nation's infrastructure (from pipelines to airports). By rolling back these regulations, the plan would essentially prevent the agencies responsible for protecting us from doing their job. Another 43 proposals are aimed at undermining America's progress on clean energy and climate change, pushing us away from energy efficiency and renewable energy sources toward more reliance on fossil fuels. This includes eliminating two dozen Department of Energy energy efficiency standards that save families money on energy bills, reduce energy waste, and prevent pollution. Environmental Defense Fund has posted a copy of the Freedom Caucus document online (first obtained by the Washington Post) and added highlights to show the 75 health, safety, environment, and energy rollbacks. The leading targets for these attacks are the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy, but other agencies targeted include the Federal Aviation Administration, the State Department, the Department of Interior and others. Trump's Pick to Lead EPA Is An Added Threat The danger of this regulatory 'kill list' is compounded by Donald Trump's picks for key cabinet positions that would traditionally be the first to defend their agencies from political interference. Many of the recommendations are favorites of the fossil fuel lobby, which will have unprecedented power in Trump's cabinet. Trump's decision to entrust Scott Pruitt with running the Environmental Protection Agency is especially dangerous. EPA is responsible for protecting our families from air and water pollution as well as toxic chemicals. Pruitt, however, has repeatedly and systematically teamed up with fossil fuel companies to sue the Environmental Protection Agency to prevent EPA action on regulating toxic mercury, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. In a 2014 investigative report, the New York Times exposed Pruitt's "secretive alliance" with oil and gas companies while Attorney General of Oklahoma. Breaking Down the Regulations at Risk Here is a summary of some of the most alarming Freedom Caucus proposals that Pruitt and others in Trump's cabinet will be looking over. The Freedom Caucus list has inaccuracies, and it seems to be based on the premise that Trump can erase rules with a stroke of the pen in the first 100 days. For most of these, he cannot, because the agencies have responsibilities to implement laws and are subject to oversight by the courts. But that does not mean that these regulations are safe from diversion of funds, lack of enforcement, legislative attacks, and other efforts to weaken them. In the following list, the numbers in parentheses match the numbers in the House Freedom Caucus plan. Eliminate air pollution standards for smog-forming ozone (174), lung-damaging soot (fine particles, 178), and rules to reduce air pollution from tailpipes (175, 181) and smokestacks (182, 183) Reverse course on climate change, including: erasing carbon pollution regulations for power plants (173, 182, 183), tailpipes (175, 181), and airplanes (194); cancelling the Paris agreement (161); and eliminating the Green Climate Fund (172). Roll back Clean Water standards that protect the Great Lakes (186), Chesapeake Bay (185), and to prevent pollution of wetlands (13) and rivers (199) across the nation. Block regulations to prevent dangerous chemical accidents that release toxic chemicals into surrounding communities (189). Jeopardize Worker safety, including repealing standards to prevent lung cancer among workers exposed to silica dust (135). Repeal two dozen energy efficiency standards for appliances and industrial equipment (28-53). Repeal natural gas pipeline safety standards passed in response to gas pipeline disasters, including the 2010 San Bruno disaster in California (153). Repeal fuel economy and tailpipe standards for cars that are saving consumers money at the pump, reducing our dependency on oil, and reducing air pollution (175, 181). Eliminate food safety regulations, including fish inspections (3). Strip FDA's authority to regulate the tobacco industry (55). Repeal an FDA rule to safeguard our food supply against tampering by terrorists (83). Eliminate the State Department agencies responsible for environmental science, protecting our oceans, and addressing climate change (162, 170, 171). Block FAA regulations aimed at improving the safety of air traffic management at airports (156). Updated Title on Dec. 16 [[/html]] - Comments: 0

Health and Safety Management Training to Reduce Company Risk - 25 Mar 2017 10:47

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[[html]]Having policies and practices intact in the workplace is essential to ensure the safety, health and to reduce company risks. There is no doubt that without having the proper policies and practices, and even training, that the company is not only not operating to its full potential, but there will be a cost loss and the risk of injuries will be greater. There is also the possibility to all members of the company that they are not working in a healthy environment, and there will be employee out time. All, of which, directly affect the company and the day to day operations of the company. Many companies in the UK realize this and have engaged in the participation of health and safety training. Health and safety training is providing the members of the company with the knowledge and skills to successfully manage risk. Professional training ensures that the members of the company develop the skills and competencies that are necessary to make this happen. Managing occupational health, safety and environmental issues in the workplace is essential in order to reduce the risks within the company. When the company begins to look into training to manage occupational health, safety and environmental issues, they will find a number of accredited courses, which they can, with the members of their company, participate in. What kinds of classes are available to companies in the UK that wish to participate in health and safety training? There are a number of classes that are open to businesses across the United Kingdom that can be taken at centers across the UK or the professionals will come to the company location and train onsite. The various types of courses will include: * Short courses * Fire: institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) and NEBOSH * Construction: IOSH, NEBOSH, and Construction Design Management (CDM) courses * Environmental: The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) courses * IOSH and NEBOSH accredited courses What to Look for in a health and safety management Consultancy? You definitely want to look for a firm that has the credentials and has years of experience in health and safety training. The company should be a trusted name in the industry and offer a variety of courses. The courses should be innovative and flexible and meet the specific needs of the company. Those training within the company should be professionals and have the experience and skill to teach the courses. Lastly, the company should be ISO 9001. Companies do benefit from using the services that are offered through Health and Safety Consultancy firms, as they are the providers that teach the specific courses that are geared to ensure the health and safety of the members of the business and that enhance the workplace. Without having the benefit of health and safety training, the company is not only at risk, the employees within the company are at risk, and operation of the company will suffer, as there will be many different things that affect its day to day operation such as employee out time.[[/html]] - Comments: 0

Importance Of Health And Safety Management Guidelines Within The Workplace - 24 Mar 2017 22:09

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[[html]]<img style="float:right;margin:10px;border:none;" src="http://occupational-health-and-safety-sa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/543289_494974913855360_825114806_n-300x284.jpg" width="315" /> The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued voluntary protection program management guidelines to encourage employers to do more than just comply with regulations to prevent occupational injuries and illnesses. Although compliance with the law, including specific OSHA standards, is an important objective, an effective corporate safety program looks beyond specific requirements of law to address all hazards. It seeks to prevent injuries and illnesses, whether or not compliance is an issue. This is precisely what some of the best workplace safety consulting firms are doing. Health and safety management system standards/guidelines are important for corporate safety and health consultants to establish. These safety management practices are compiled, applied, and finally advocated by safety and health professionals and consultants representing corporations, professional associations, and labor unions. As a result, these guidelines are used to promote workplace safety through the use of effective and comprehensive safety audits. The health and safety management guidelines call for systematic identification, evaluation, and prevention or control of general workplace hazards, specific job hazards, and potential hazards which may arise from foreseeable conditions. Additionally, the extent to which a safety management system's program is described in writing is less important than how effective it is in practice. As the size of a worksite or the complexity of a hazardous operation increases, however, the need for written guidance increases to ensure clear communication of policies and priorities and consistent and fair application of rules. For this reason, it is vital for organizations to seek the guidance of an industrial occupational health and safety firm. By relying on a safety organization's expertise, a company can effectively prepare for OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). Since safety consulting firms conduct comprehensive audits with an emphasis on solutions-oriented recommendations for program improvement, companies become more aware of specific factors that put their employees health and safety at risk as well as the actions that need to be taken to promote a safer work environment. Major elements of an effective occupational safety and health program include: Management Commitment and Employee Involvement. This calls for: " A worksite policy on safe and healthful work and working conditions clearly stated so that all personnel with responsibility at the site and personnel at other locations with responsibility for the site understand the priority of safety and health protection in relation to other organizational values. " A clear goal for the safety and health program and objectives for meeting that goal so that all members of the organization understand the results desired and the measures planned for achieving them. " Top management involvement in implementing the program so that all will understand that management's commitment is serious. Employee involvement in the structure and operation of the program and in decisions that affect their safety and health, to make full use of their insight and energy. " Assignment of responsibilities for all aspects of the program, so that managers, supervisors, and employees in all parts of the organization know what performance is expected of them. " Provision of adequate authority and resources to responsible parties, so that assigned responsibilities can be met. " Holding managers, supervisors, and employees accountable for meeting their responsibilities, so that essential tasks will be performed. " Annual reviews of program operations to evaluate their success in meeting the goal and objectives, so that deficiencies can be identified and the program and/or the objectives can be revised when the goal and objectives are not met. Worksite Analysis. This includes: " Identification of all hazards by conducting baseline worksite surveys for safety and health as well as periodic comprehensive update surveys. Also included would be an analysis of planned and new facilities, processes, materials, and equipment; and another of routine job hazards. " Regular site safety and health inspections, so that new and/or previously missed failures in hazard controls are identified. " A reliable system to encourage employees, without fear of reprisal, to notify management personnel about conditions that appear hazardous and to receive timely and appropriate responses. Investigation of accidents and "near miss" incidents, so that their causes and means for prevention are identified. " Analysis of injury and illness trends over extended periods so that patterns with common causes can be identified and prevented. <img style="float:left;margin:10px;border:none;" src="http://www.har.co.za/14/images/model-health-safety-strategy.png" width="376" /> Hazard Prevention and Control. This calls for: " Procedures that ensure that all current and potential hazards are corrected in a timely manner through engineering techniques where appropriate; safe work practices understood and followed by all parties; provision of personal protective equipment; and administrative controls, such as reducing the duration of exposure. Safety and Health Training. This includes training to: " Ensure that all employees understand the hazards to which they may be exposed and how to prevent harm to themselves and others. " Confirm that supervisors and managers understand their responsibilities and the reasons for them so they can carry out their responsibilities effectively. The most effective workplace safety specialists help companies (internationally, nationally, and locally) continuously improve their safety management systems through comprehensive auditing where a team of highly qualified/certified safety and health professionals review the clients' organization in terms of OSHA compliance, safety programs, training systems, etc and recommend corrective action and management process improvements as they relate to occupational safety and health. By: Dan Snyder Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Performance Based Safety, LLC (PBS) is a network of occupational health and safety training professionals dedicated to helping companies improve business performance while protecting the lives and livelihoods of employees and contract workers. For more information, please visit Performance Based Safety, LLC or call Dan Snyder at 417-773-3555. [[/html]] - Comments: 0

Business :: How to Create an Employee Wellness Program with Little to No Budget - 23 Mar 2017 10:55

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[[html]]You want to help your employees achieve a strong work-life balance. You'd like to see them happier, healthier, and more focused at work. In fact, you'd like to offer an employee wellness program with all the bells and whistles of big companies like Google and Facebook, where employees enjoy on-site medical care, new-parent perks, and, of course, the requisite communal bicycles. The problem? You simply don't have the budget for all of those goodies. Don't worry. You can still create an incredible wellness program that directly addresses your employees' needs - all without going over budget. Here's how: Don't Make Promises You Can't Keep When you first start creating your wellness program, it's a good idea to reach out to employees and ask them what they want. During this process, you may be tempted to brainstorm all sorts of potential perks and program features. Be careful - if you promise expensive off-site memberships or private yoga instruction, your employees will come to expect those things. Then, when you don't have the budget to materialize your dream program, morale will drop and your employees will be soured on the whole thing. Be realistic. Find and Implement Low-Cost Perks You don't need Google's budget to create a wellness program that offers exactly what your employees need and want. You can… o Designate an empty office as a yoga, stretch, or nap space o Give employees a 15 minute walk break 2x/day o Offer a refund or bonus to employees who pass a health risk appraisal - reach out to your company's insurance provider to see how you can easily implement this strategy Stay On Top of Industry Trends One of the best ways to decrease the cost of your wellness program is simply to stay informed. Create a Google alert for "work life balance" or "wellness program perks." Read articles on LinkedIn and research industry trends. You'll be surprised how many low-cost ideas you can find, simply by spending 10 minutes per day researching online. Hire a Consultant Having a consultant 'in your pocket' is priceless for companies looking to decrease their wellness budgets. A consultant is also a great idea if you're looking for creative ways to start a low-cost wellness program. A professional consultant has key relationships with vendors and will be able to connect your company with the services and perks needed to create an outstanding wellness program. Even if you only reach out to them twice per year, a consultant will help make your dream of an affordable wellness program a reality. When creating an employee wellness program on a budget, it's crucial to start with a realistic picture. Take stock of what you can afford and what you can't, and survey your employees to find out exactly what they want. Implement low-cost perks like walk breaks and yoga/stretching space at the office. Stay on top of industry trends to find more low-cost perks, and consult a professional to find even more ways to amplify your budget program's effectiveness. 
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Free Online Courses and Certificates - 20 Mar 2017 06:17

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[[html]]Free Online Courses and Certificates If there's one thing we increasingly need these days it's more education. The world is changing so fast around us that it's easy to get left behind. Maybe you work long hours, or perhaps you're geographically unable to participate in courses. Whatever the reason it's frustrating for you to not be able to learn new skills easily, or to undertake professional training or certification. The Internet can help you participate in online classes, online courses, self-paced learning and even certification in some subjects. Below are a selection of some great courses that you can do for free, online courses and certification that you can do in your own time, wherever you are - and without cost. Some of these courses will hopefully be able to help you do any of: Get back into the modern workplace Build confidence Get IT certifications Take that next step up the career ladder Change career entirely Provide evidence to potential employers of your commitment to lifetime-learning Pursue your interests, or explore new areas Help you to start a new business, or generate a second income … in short, to be more fulfilled, more able and more employable! <img src="http://www.dqs.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Fotolia_43295677_M.jpg" width="291" /> ALISON Who the heck is Alison? Well, ALISON is the world's leading provider of free online courses with certificates for basic and essential workplace skills. Alison is a training organisation dedicated to bringing free learning and free education to people worldwide. The courses are high quality and can provide you with that all important certification, or as I call them "magic bits of paper" that get your resume read by employers. Having an active and recent list of subjects you've studied will demonstrate to an employer that you're actively improving your skillset - and by taking courses relevant to the industry you wish to work, or progress, in you can stand head and shoulders above those who just never bothered. The free online courses you can take with the Alison online learning system include: Digital Literacy and IT Skills: Enabling you to use computers and technology efficiently. Courses from complete beginners to advanced certification. Full Microsoft Office training, touch typing, using gmail - you choose from a huge range of free online courses. Diploma Courses: Professional level diplomas in a range of subjects including multimedia development, web development, business & entrepreneurial studies. Business and Enterprise Skills: Free project management courses and free business management courses. Ideal for that 'step up' the career ladder. Financial and Economic Literacy: From economics, to accountancy, these free financial and economic literacy courses and certification could help get you noticed for applications to enter the financial industry. Health & Safety Compliance: Occupational health and safety courses, office safety, fire safety, manual handling, Workstation Ergonomics (DSE) and managing health and safety in schools. The world of health and safety is immense (and a growing industry), offering great future jobs potential. Health Literacy: From basic biology courses to HIV/AIDS awareness. An ideal entry point if you're considering working in the healthcare industry. English Language Skills: English language training, business English, FCE Certification coming shortly. Personal Development & Soft Skills: Psychometric tests, basic study skills, touch typing, US Citizenship test preparation - and more. Schools Curriculum: Subjects covering the school curricula, ideal for current students or returners to education. Biology, mathematics, science and more. Get a Certificate: All courses offer you the choice of receiving a printed certificate at the end, or not. Great to take to job interviews. National Computer Science Academy Free IT Certification courses are available online from the National Computer Science Academy. Choose from a range of popular subjects, within the areas of: Microsoft Windows Computer Hardware Microsoft Office Visual C++ Programming Javascript … and many more Whether you're looking to work in IT as a hardware engineer, or a web programmer, there's a free certification exam that'd be suitable to impress a potential employer with, or to help you change careers. If you're not currently working, these courses will get you noticed as employers will see from your resume that you're interested and motivated. The NCSA also develops relationships with large companies, inviting them to access their pool of certified professionals for any vacancies they might have. The NCSA also provides exam testing of candidates to these large employers, so there's a strong relationship there which you might benefit from. Free IT Courses from Staff Kit Staff Kit provide professional IT courses and IT certification programs, at very affordable rates - but they also have some free courses. A free course is great for a beginner, or for those working on a budget, but they're also a great way to test out companies to see if their learning style suits you and your needs. The free online courses on offer are: Microsoft Access 2002 Microsoft Excel 2002 CompTIA A+ Certification, for PC engineers Microsoft MCSE Exam 70-215 - Installing, Configuring and Administering Microsoft Windows Server Photoshop Flash HTML DHTML (Dynamic HTML) Dreamweaver Project Management A great opportunity to try either the subjects, or the company providing the training! Free Writing Courses I've previously written a list of free online writing courses, so rather than cover that again here, I'll refer you to my previous hub, which you'll find here: Discover free writing courses for just about every type of writing you could wish to explore. More Free Courses As I find more free online courses and certification programs, I'll keep the list above updated and growing. Please tell your friends about this list, we need to support these free training providers! Thanks for reading - and good luck with your course. <a href='https://hubpages.com/business/Free-Online-Courses-and-Certification'>https://hubpages.com/business/Free-Online-Courses-and-Certification</a> [[/html]] - Comments: 0

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