What is ISO 45001?The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) released the new health and safety management system standard, ISO 45001, in March 2018. This is the world’s first international standard dealing with health and safety. Created by occupational health and safety experts, the standard follows a generic management system approach similar to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015. The new global standard has an increased emphasis on management commitment, worker involvement and risk control, which is applicable to all organizational industry types and sizes. ISO standards are developed by experts and committees to ensure it captures all necessary aspects and that it is fit for purpose. During the five years of developing ISO 45001, ISN participated as part of the Technical Advisory Group and even hosted the ISO Technical Committee at ISN’s HQ office in Dallas. Further information on the requirements of the ISO 45001 standard and any actions organizations need to address to adhere to this standard can be found on the ISO website. The Purpose of the StandardOrganizations are responsible for the occupational health and safety (OH&S) of all workers, including part-time and contracting personnel. Visitors who may be affected by a company’s scope of work should also be considered in an organization’s health and safety plan. The ISO 45001 standard includes being responsible for workers’ physical and mental health and promoting best practices throughout the organization. The purpose of an OH&S management system that meets the requirements of ISO 45001 is for organizations to provide safe and healthy workplaces and prevent work-related injury and ill health while continuing to improve health and safety practices. Organizations can minimize or eliminate risks associated with hazards by taking effective preventative and protective measures and implementing ISO 45001 recommendations. Each element of the ISO 45001 standard is a reference to the Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) cycle, which those in the health and safety field will most likely be familiar with from other ISO standards. The purpose of implementing this cycle to the standard as a whole and to each element is: Plan: determine and assess OH&S risks and opportunities and establish objectives and processes necessary to deliver results in accordance with the organization’s OH&S policy Do: implement the processes as planned Check: monitor and measure activities and processes with regard to the OH&S policy and objectives and report the results Act: take actions to continually improve OH&S performance to achieve the intended outcomes Timeline of ISO 45001 Implementation in AustraliaAustralia is one of the first countries to introduce the ISO 45001 OH&S management system country-wide. Like all new standards, ISO has ensured a generous grace period for organizations that are currently accredited in Australia to A/NZS4801 to migrate to the new ISO 45001 standard by October 2021. The ISO organization is promoting a positive collaboration culture amongst the standards until October 2021 to ensure organizations can promote a safe and positive culture through their management systems. ISN has proactively created a timeline that offers a grace period to allow ISN Hiring Clients complete understanding of the new management systems and how it amends written program requirements within ISNetworld. During this time period, ISN has hosted Roundtables with Hiring Clients in Australia and the U.S. to ensure Hiring Clients understand the standard, the effects on their contractors and the next stages. Similarities Between A/NZS4801 and ISO 45001While developing the ISO 45001 standard, the experts and technical committee took into consideration the elements of the A/NZS 4801 standard and the ability for organizations to comply with the new standards. There are a number of similarities between the standards, such as their overall intent to prevent injuries, illnesses and fatalities within the workplace. Other similarities exist, such as the PDCA cycle, policy requirements; identification of legal and other requirements, improvement objectives, awareness requirements, competency requirements, resources needed to support the system and requirements for monitoring, measuring and analyzing OH&S performance and improvement. New ISN ISO 45001Protocols Current ISN A/NZS 4801Management System Protocols OH&S Policy Occupational Health & Safety Policy Risks and Opportunities Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment OH&S Objectives Key Performance Indicators Leadership & Commitment Leadership & Commitment Competence Training & Competency Awareness and Communication OHS Meetings Document Control Document Control Emergency Preparedness & Response Emergency Preparedness & Response Incidents & Noncomformities Incident Investigation& Reporting Audits Inspections & Audits Management Review Review of Mnaagement System Consultation andParticipation Partly covered in OHS Meetings andleadership & commitment Performance Evaluation Partly covered in Key PerformanceIndicators Differences Between A/NZS4801 and ISO 45001Although the ISO 45001 framework is based upon similar ISO standards, the structure differs from A/NZS4801. The new structure allows organizations to be more proactive in preventing accidents and injuries and evaluating hazard risks, while A/NZS4801 focuses mainly on hazard control. ISO 45001 also evaluates workers’ involvement and responsibility to allow for broader employee participation within organizations. This looks at employees receiving relevant training and education in order to complete their tasks safely and to help create a successful safety program. Some other key differences between A/NZS 4801 and ISO 45001 include: Management Representative (Clause 5.1) has changed from appointing a management representative and replaced by 13 responsibilities that need to be allocated to Senior Management Health & Safety Policy (Clause 5.2) has additional requirements to be included in the policy. Risks have been extended to go beyond hazards (Clause 6.1) Psychosocial hazards (Clause 6.1.2.1) have been added to the standard Documented information (Clause 7.5) changed to allow organizations to determine what documented information will be retained to demonstrate compliance (unless there is a legal requirement to retain certain documentation) Procurement (Clause 8.1.4) requirements added as part of the overall standard Evaluation of compliance (Clause 9.1.2) requires organizations to evaluate their compliance with legal and other requirements and retain documented information of the evaluation results. Get Support Complying with ISO 45001If you are a Hiring Client interested to learn how the new ISO 45001 standard will impact you and your contractors’ use of ISNetworld, contact your ISN representative for more information. Are you a Hiring Client and interested to learn how ISN could help you manage your contractors and adhere to ISO 45001 standards? Request a demo of our contractor management system, ISNetworld. If you are a contractor and need support submitting the new standards within ISNetworld, contact our customer support team for additional resources.
Since 2001, ISN has sought to streamline record management and provided Operator Qualification (OQ) services for the midstream industry. The company grew as a result of the US Department of Transportation (DOT) publishing the Operator Qualification rule (CFR 49 sub part 192 and 195) in August 1999. The OQ rule mandated all operators of interstate pipeline facilities are responsible for measuring the knowledge of all employees that perform maintenance-related tasks on and/or around active pipeline installations. Since then, ISNetworld has served as the industry leader in tracking and managing OQ records for pipeline operators. ISNetworld is a platform for Hiring Clients to build and customize OQ covered task lists and manage OQ regulatory requirements for contractors and employees with verified, third-party data. As of 2019, there are more than 48 Million OQ reports in ISNetworld and 83+ Operators effectively using ISNetworld to maintain OQ compliance. A History of the OQ Rule Training Requirements In reaction to the OQ rule, a volunteer group of approximately 40 liquid pipeline operators, representing 80% of all regulated pipeline system in the U.S., convened in September 1999 to establish the Consortium on Operator Qualifications (COOQs) group. The non-prescriptive nature of the law made it necessary for the industry to establish standardized and practical guidelines to help meet stringent regulatory expectations. In December 2000, COOQs partnered with the American Petroleum Institute (API) to develop an accredited, consistent and standardized evaluation process. These standards were shared in the API GD 1161 publication. The consortium then partnered with the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), which developed curriculum to support a training and education program for the industry. Over the years, several other training providers have developed their own versions of curriculum, training delivery methods and performance evaluation processes. Challenges with the New OQ Compliance RegulationsWith the new rule came the responsibility to manage qualifications and performance evaluation records for thousands of workers in the midstream industry. To add to the complexity, the records and data needed to be: Collected from multiple training providers and performance evaluators Current and regularly updated Stored in a centralized database accessible to thousands of end users Secure since they involve sensitive personal information, such as social security numbers Retained indefinitely for regulatory audit purposes Standardization and Non-prescriptive RegulationThe OQ rule, however, did not provide for clear and prescriptive regulatory requirements. The pipeline industry later approached the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) to sponsor the development of a national consensus standard on pipeline operator qualification. Four years after the date of the original DOT rulemaking, ASME published the B31Q national standard. This standard established the requirements for developing and implementing an effective Pipeline Personnel Qualification Program using the accepted industry practices. As a result, the industry was faced with massive training and re-training requirements. Fortunately, there are a variety of training providers today, and each pipeline operator can decide which providers’ solution can be approved for their specific purpose and task list. ISNetworld: A Flexible OQ Tool for Hiring Clients and ContractorsIn December 2000, ISN reached an agreement to be the electronic distributor with NCCER as ISN’s first data provider of Operator Qualifications. ISNetworld, working with the pipeline industry, developed an innovative OQ management tool. Today, it is the leading tool of its kind in the midstream industry. The tool helps automatically match individual qualification records with requirements through a task list to identify specific tasks an individual is qualified to perform. ISNetworld’s OQ tool connects third-party training systems’ contractor employee records to existing required documentation for Hiring Clients. This allows contractors to select the best fit for their employees’ needs and Hiring Client requirements for their OQ training. Currently, 69+ million qualification records are under ISN’s management, which are updated regularly via an automatic direct feed with multiple training providers’ databases. ISN has an active data sharing agreement with 12 OQ training organizations/data providers to feed data into the ISNetworld database. This provides a configurable solution for Hiring Clients to customize their task lists and OQ requirements regularly. In addition to the 12 OQ data providers, ISNetworld has established data feeds with 14 Drug & Alcohol data providers, many of which audit for DOT compliance. Pipeline Operators benefit from having one centralized location to check OQ and DOT Drug & Alcohol Compliance. A benefit to operators using ISN’s platform for OQ management is a streamlined process for maintaining regulatory compliance with the expansive data providers options for both the client and their contractors in becoming qualified. ISNetworld’s OQ management tool contains these additional features: An automated OQ report, updated dynamically with latest information Automated reminders of qualification renewal dates and/or changes in compliance Ability to scan for compliance through an ID card, mobile app or hand-held device Managing OQ Compliance with ISNetworld FeaturesISNetworld’s robust OQ reporting capabilities allow operators and contractors to easily identify individuals qualified to perform covered tasks for an operator. Reporting can be done at the employee level or project level, allowing flexibility for the end user. Gap reporting identifies unqualified or expired individuals and which qualification components are lacking. ISNetworld’s badge scanning and mobile compatibility allows operators to monitor real-time compliance for employees on site or prior to arriving. Operators can configure scanning requirements that can include OQ task qualification, DOT drug & alcohol status, site orientation status, company-level compliance and others. Get Support for OQ RequirementsGovernment regulations often are instituted to protect individuals, organizations and/or institutions from undesired and harmful outcomes. As incidents related to pipelines persist, so do industry initiatives and increased regulation for operators with pipeline assets. ISN offers tools to meet these regulatory reporting and recordkeeping requirements while allowing each operator to configure their task list to meet company specific policies and projects. As the regulatory and industry best practice landscapes continue to change, ISNetworld allows for easy communication and dissemination of changing requirements to companies and employees impacted by these updates. By communicating, monitoring and enforcing your OQ plan through ISNetworld, our goal is to help monitor compliance, ultimately creating a safer work environment for all pipeline workers by supporting a reduction in overall incidents. If you are a Hiring Client and want to learn more about managing your OQ through ISNetworld, contact your ISN representative for more information. Are you a Hiring Client and interested to learn how ISN could help you manage your contractors and operator qualifications? Request a demo of our contractor management system, ISNetworld. If you are a contractor managing OQ requirements through ISNetworld and need help, contact our customer support team for more information.
In October 2010, the United States Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) published the Workplace Safety Rule (30 CFR, Subpart S). This regulation requires Hiring Clients have a documented Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS) program and is intended to reduce human error as the root cause of incidents. One of the components of SEMS indicates that operators must have a process in place to ensure contractor employees have the skills and knowledge to perform their assigned tasks safely. In response to this need, ISN developed the Training Qualifications Tool (TQ) which allows Hiring Clients to specify and track training required for individual tasks. Training Qualifications in ISNetworldThe demand for TQ has increased significantly in the last three years as more Hiring Clients place an emphasis on employee-level competency. Today, more than 145 Hiring Clients across multiple industries use the TQ Tool in ISNetworld to monitor employee-level training data. The TQ Tool provides a baseline for training expectations and requirements while allowing access to real-time data and providing visibility of contractor training. The platform provides a repository for contractors to house employee training records, and reporting functionality allows Hiring Clients to monitor compliance. Some Hiring Clients, like several operators in the Gulf of Mexico, work together to create a standardized training matrix that assigns training requirements to each job task. Others develop specific requirements per job type for their contractors and/or job sites. Ensuring Training Qualifications on the Job SiteThe ISNetworld system helps Hiring Clients ensure contractors are proactive in checking compliance and allowing only qualified workers to perform work on-site. More than 15 million qualifications have been submitted for contractor employees working on Hiring Client sites in ISNetworld to date, a 64% increase since 2016. In addition to tracking qualifications, many Hiring Clients have ensured only qualified individuals are arriving at their job sites by using ISN-ID cards. Hiring Clients place scanning stations at key points of entry and can proactively confirm an individual’s compliance through Quick Check or Check-In/Check-Out before being transported for work or let on-site. Integration of Online Training and TQISN’s online training platform easily integrates with the TQ Tool, and trainings housed within ISNetworld can be included on Hiring Client matrices. Upon completing a training within ISNetworld, employees automatically receive the corresponding qualification for their Hiring Client. For example, BSEE’s Marine Trash and Debris video training is required for all employees working offshore. The training has been made available for streaming within ISNetworld, and after watching the video, employees will receive credit for Hiring Clients requiring the training. Employees will automatically be prompted to renew their training upon expiration as determined by the Hiring Client. Get Support for TQ Tool ImplementationIf you are a contractor and need help with your training requirements in ISNetworld, contact our customer support team. If you are a Hiring Client, it’s a good time to evaluate your training requirements. Ask your contact at ISN for information on how we can help. Are you a Hiring Client and interested to learn how ISN could help you manage your contractors and training qualifications? Request a demo of our contractor management system, ISNetworld.
ISN has released its latest publication from ISN Analytics™, The Orange Book, which uses data-driven analytics and industry leader insights to navigate how companies are managing the risks introduced with outsourcing work. This publication allows organizations to: Explore contractor outsourcing trends to stay up-to-date on performance correlations and leading indicators Analyze the safety and risk management goals and priorities of other Hiring Clients Learn about ISNetworld tools Hiring Clients are using to manage the associated risks with outsourcing “We look forward to discussing the items in The Orange Book with ISN’s current and future customers to assist them in making lasting improvements in their contractor management programs and help meet their goals toward a safer workplace,” said ISN CEO Joseph Eastin. Access The Orange Book and additional ISN Analytics™ Publications on ISN’s Publications Page.
June is designated as National Safety Month by the National Safety Council. Each year, the organization aims to reduce leading causes of serious injuries and fatalities at work, on the road, at home and in U.S. communities. This year, the focus narrows to four key topics: Hazard Recognition Slips, Trips and Falls Fatigue Impairment Hazard Recognition Hazards are all around us. The most common way to classify hazards is by category; some examples include: Biological: Such as bacteria, viruses, animals, humans Chemical: Based on the physical or toxic properties of the chemical Ergonomic: Repetitive movements Physical: Radiation, temperature extremes, noise Psychosocial: Stress, violence Safety: Slipping/tripping hazards, equipment malfunctions Next time you are in your office or on a work site, ask yourself, “What could go wrong here?” During your risk assessment process, evaluate the level of harm and the potential impact of the hazard. You may be surprised at how many hazards you identify and how often you come across them. Where can I find more information about hazards?Depending on the hazard, your risk assessment might require additional research. Consider these sources of information: Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Equipment manuals Occupational hygiene test results (for hazards such as chemical or noise exposure) Information or publications from government or safety agencies (such as OSHA or CCOHS) Company health and safety programs Hazards in the WorkplaceHazards can be introduced over time as processes change, equipment or tools become worn, housekeeping practices decline, or equipment goes unmaintained. Employees should regularly inspect their workplace to prevent incidents. If it is determined that there are unsafe conditions or hazards in the work area, employees should report the condition to their supervisor immediately so the situation can be resolved. Slips, Trips and Falls Slips most commonly occur when your heel strikes the ground and the transfer of body weight causes your foot to slip out from under you. Although many people find they can recover from slips, you can easily strain muscles when trying to regain your balance. Trips are caused when your forward-moving leg suddenly and unexpectedly stops. You body continues its forward motion but lacks the forward foot to land on. Statistics show that 67% of falls happen on the same level resulting from slips and trips. The remaining 33% are falls from a height. What can you do to avoid falling at work? The National Safety Council has several tips to prevent slips, trips and falls. Always use handrails when walking up or down stairs Don’t walk while distracted. Put your phone away and watch where you are going. Keep the office tidy. Close desk drawers and keep the floor clear of clutter. Keep flooring in good condition. This includes ensuring mats and rugs are flat to the surface with no sections that could create tripping hazards. Always ensure you have enough light for your tasks. Take it One Step at a Time Most safety programs focus on the physical hazards of slips, trips and falls. Although this is the most obvious, you can’t eliminate slips, trips and falls by only dealing with physical factors. Another factor is person’s state of mind. When we’re rushing, tired or complacent, we tend to make errors and decisions that increase the possibility of injury. It is important for employers to educate their employees on human factors that increase the odds of hurting themselves from a slip, trip or fall incident. FatigueEffective sleep can have a dramatic effect on the way a person functions on a day-to-day basis. According to the American Sleep Association, about 40% of working-age adults report short sleep duration. The UK National Health Service (NHS) reported that 1 in 3 people suffer from poor sleep. Read our recent article Managing Fatigue in the Workplace for more information. We cover the effects of fatigue on your body, top causes of sleep deprivation and fatigue, ways to prevent it in the workplace, and resources to evaluate your fatigue levels and sleep patterns. Impairment We often think of impairment as a result of substance use or an addiction or dependence to alcohol or drugs. However, impairment can be a result of various situations. Examples of impairment include substance use, fatigue, stress and personal issues. How do you identify impairment?As impairment may be the result of many different circumstances, employers should develop a clear statement of what is impaired behavior in their workplace. The following characteristics may be related to impairment: Personality changes, poor coordination or erratic behavior Smell, glassy eyes and/or slurring Working in an unsafe or atypical manner Developing a substance abuse programEmployers should collaborate with employees, health and safety committee reps, and union members to establish a policy which outlines the expectations of workers. The policy should also address an acceptable level of safety performance for the company. Supervisors should be educated and trained on how to recognize impairment. Additional trained employees can help ensure an unbiased assessment and remove any stigma regarding substance abuse when talking to an employee about their behavior. Benefits and SupportIf it is suspected that an employee is showing signs of impairment, it is important to act. Follow the company’s substance abuse program by speaking to the individual in a private area to discuss concerns about safety and impairment. Employees may also have access to an Employee and Family Assistance Program (EAP). These programs are often included with benefits and are a great resource. If you are struggling with substance abuse or other challenges, check with your human resources department to see if an EAP is available through your employer. Safety is Your ResponsibilityIt is important to demonstrate your commitment to safety through leading by example and following company policies. Although safety programs and policies are vital in the office and the worksite, having knowledge and awareness may also help you recognize unsafe situations in your daily life. If you are a contractor, review your company’s safety policies and programs to help reduce incidents. If you are a Hiring Client, it’s a good time to evaluate your written programs and trainings. Ask your contact at ISN for information on how our team can help. Are you a Hiring Client and interested to learn how ISN could help you manage your contractors and validate written programs? Request a demo of our contractor management system, ISNetworld.
The 76th Annual Pulp & Paper Safety Association (PPSA) Conference will be held June 24-26 at the Marriott Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas. The conference will feature expert speakers from within the safety community and showcase the latest innovations in personal and site safety. Attendees will have the opportunity to network and collaborate with fellow industry safety professionals and hear success stories from leaders who have empowered their employees to understand the value of safety. Visit ISN Join us at Booth 13 during the conference to discuss contractor management services and learn more about ISNetworld. The ISN team will be providing live demonstrations of the ISNetworld contractor management software, sharing benchmarking reports and discussing best practices in contractor management. We look forward to seeing you there.
ISN is pleased to announce Owens Corning has implemented ISNetworld as its contractor management platform across all sites in North America with plans to expand globally. About Owens Corning Owens Corning is a global leader in insulation, roofing and composites that employs more than 20,000 people in 33 countries. The company is a fellow member of the Campbell Institute, and their commitment to market-leading products has kept Owens Corning on the Fortune 500 list for 64 consecutive years. Expanding ISN’s Contractor Management System Presence in the Building Products Industry “When searching for a contractor management solution that would meet our needs, it was important for us to find an innovative company that strives to provide the best customer service and a robust platform, resulting in confidence in our selection of contract partners,” said Tom Daniel, Global EHS Leader with Owens Corning. “We found this with ISN. They have already gone the extra mile by having a dedicated transition success manager housed at our World Headquarters office to set us up with a smooth implementation and provide training for our employees and contractors.” The ISNetworld contractor management software allows Hiring Clients to connect with more than 70,000 contractors focused on maintaining a safe culture throughout their organization. Expansion within the building products industry furthers ISN’s position in manufacturing as the leading contractor management solution and provides greater benchmarking resources from around the globe. “We are proud to partner with this industry leader and look forward to working with Owens Corning to ensure that their contractor management goals are met and exceeded,” said Marie Anderson, ISN Vice President of Business Development. “The implementation with Owens Corning represents continued growth in this sector. It also provides more opportunities for our existing Hiring Clients to benchmark their current processes and strive to reach the next level of safe practices in the workplace.” Learn more about the Owens Corning ISNetworld implementation.
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) Safety 2019 Professional Development Conference & Exposition will be held June 9-12 in New Orleans. Each year, more than 4,000 occupational health and safety professionals gather for the event. The three-day conference will provide almost 20 hours of International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) accredited education to attendees. This educational event will provide insight on topics such as environmental management, ergonomics, industrial hygiene, product safety, workers’ compensation, construction safety, organizational management, and additional aspects of safety management and engineering. Visit ISN Join us at Booth 947 during the conference to discuss best practices in contractor management and see a live demonstration of ISN‘s services. We look forward to seeing you there.
On the job site and at home, electrical hazards can often be overlooked since the use of electricity is critical for daily tasks. In the United States, May is National Electrical Safety Awareness Month, and with electrical hazards ever present, this provides an opportunity to share reminders about the risks and ways to stay safe. Did you know that in 2017, lockout/tagout and electrical citations were in OSHA’s top 10 most frequently cited violations? That year, there were 136 electrical fatalities, which accounted for 5.7% of all electrical injuries. Of those injuries, 2,210 were nonfatal, representing a 35% increase between 2016 and 2017. Common Electrical Hazards Poor and defective wiring Outlet proximity to water sources Damaged power/extension cords Overloaded power strips and outlets Improper grounding Working on live circuits Overhead power lines Electrical Safety at WorkWhile electrical hazards can cause serious injuries, following proper safety measures can help workers eliminate and/or mitigate the hazards. Remember to keep the tips below in mind when working with or around electrical equipment: Ensure only qualified personnel perform work on electrical lines and equipment: Follow safe work practices before the electrical work, such as LOTO, JSA, proper PPE, etc. Follow NFPA 70E and OSHA guidelines with respect to voltage range and minimum approach distance for electric power generation, transmission and distribution and general electric Do not wear conductive apparel when in close proximity with electrical lines and equipment Stay at least 10 feet away when operating equipment like aerial lifts around electrical lines Properly ground electrical equipment Minimize the use of extension cords and never plug two extension cords together Treat all electrical devices as if they are energized or live Overhead Power Line Safety On April 24, 2019, a train carrying ethanol derailed in Fort Worth, Texas, and five of the twenty tank cars caught fire. While responding to the fire, the Fort Worth Fire Department’s mobile command unit came in contact with an overhead line, which caused the truck to catch fire. Fortunately, there were no injuries from the resulting fire, but the truck itself was destroyed. The incident serves as a good reminder for the risks associated with overhead lines even for those who contend with fire safety issues daily. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), 36% of all electrically related workplace fatalities from 2011-2017 were caused by overhead power lines. Here are some reminders for working safely around power lines: Complete the necessary training for anyone working near overhead lines Check weather conditions prior to starting work Locate power lines before starting work and keep at least 10 feet away Ensure properly rated PPE is worn Never touch a power line or anything that is in contact with a power line Carry large tools like ladders horizontally to avoid contact with a power line If a power line is down, assume it is live, call 911 and stay back at least 35 feet Electrical Safety at HomeJust like the workplace, electrical hazards are also found at home. Overloaded circuits, damaged extension cords and do-it-yourself (DIY) projects gone wrong can lead to fires, injuries and fatalities at home. An average of 51,000 electrical home structure fires occur each year, claiming almost 500 lives, injuring more than 1,400 people and causing more than $1.3 billion in property damage (National Fire Protection Association, 2003-2007). In addition, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that nearly 400 people are electrocuted in the U.S. each year. Below are some helpful electrical safety tips for home: Place lamps on level surfaces and a foot away from anything flammable Ensure GFCI receptacles are installed in kitchens and bathrooms Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when plugging devices into the outlet Keep your little ones safe by re-outfitting your home with tamper-resistant electrical receptacles Check electrical cords and confirm they do not run across doorways and under carpets Match recommended light bulb wattage on lamps and fixtures Get more resources and tips for electrical safety at home from ESFI. Evaluate your Electrical Safety KnowledgeWhether you are at home or at work, protecting ourselves, coworkers and family members should be one of our main goals through eliminating or controlling any electrical hazard. A good first step is to conduct a safety or hazard assessment of your environment. This will ensure you have a good plan and correct any hidden electrical hazards. If you are a contractor, ask your supervisor for a copy of your company’s electrical policies and programs to review to help reduce incidents. If you are a Hiring Client, ask your contact at ISN for information on our written program, training document and supporting document protocols covering electrical safety awareness and NFPA 70E OSHA requirements. Are you a Hiring Client and interested to learn how ISN could help you manage your contractors and validate written programs like electrical safety awareness? Request a demo of our contractor management system, ISNetworld.
The ISN Team will be exhibiting for the Safeguard National Health & Safety Conference at the SKYCITY Convention Centre in Auckland, New Zealand, May 28-29. The ISN team will be available at booth #18 throughout the conference. Stop by to have a chat with our team, see a live demonstration of our online platform, and learn more about ISN’s services and best practices in contractor management. The Safeguard National Health & Safety Conference is New Zealand’s largest health and safety conference, bringing together over 500 attendees spanning a broad range of industries. This will be the 12th event since it launched in 2007. This year’s theme is “Dare to Disrupt,” with a focus on how health and safety professionals can be innovative in their approaches and do things differently in regards to safety to make an impact. We look forward to seeing you there.
