6 safety tools that won’t break the bank
Tight budgets call for creative thinking. These free resources can save you time and money, while helping to prevent workplace injuries and promote health.
By Brian Sornson, state agency operations supervisor
I'm always on the lookout for no- or low-cost innovations our state agency and public university policyholders can use to prevent injuries, improve health, and help injured workers get back to work sooner. Some of these you've seen before; others maybe not. But the best thing is they're all free.
1. Safety trainings—no travel required.
Does your agency or university have travel restrictions due to budget or time constraints? You can get expert help without leaving your desk by logging on to one of our live webinars. Here's what's coming up next:
Hazard identification | April 25 | 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Accident analysis | May 23 | 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Webinars are free, but space is limited. To register, click on the link above.
Only have a few minutes to spare? Our on-demand trainings and streaming videos cover a variety of topics, many in 15 minutes or less. Topics include workers' comp basics, safety for supervisors, office ergonomics, and many more.
2. Psst! This one's just for you.
We recently expanded our online resources for state agencies and public universities. You'll find our 2017 training calendar, plus ergo tip sheets and news articles—all specifically designed to meet your needs.
3. Your SHIP's come in.
If you're concerned about the link between workplace injuries and stress, a new resource created right here in Oregon can help. The SHIP toolkit is designed to promote employee health, safety, and work-life balance by increasing supervisor support and team effectiveness. (SHIP stands for Safety and Health Improvement Program.) This evidence-based training program was created by the Oregon Healthy Workforce Center, a NIOSH Total Worker Health® Center of Excellence. Partners include Portland State University and the University of Oregon.
4. Save the date.
There's no shortage of special days on the calendar—from Static Electricity Day (January 9) to Bacon Day (December 30). Safety is no exception. Fortunately, the National Safety Council's Safety Observance and Event Calendar puts all those important dates in one place. It's a great way to organize how you share health and safety information. A quick glance reveals that not only is April Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the 28th is Workers' Memorial Day to remember workers who have died on the job.
5. Ladder safety—there's an app for that.
More than 300 people die each year from ladder-related injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The NIOSH ladder safety app is a simple, cost-effective way to put safety information into the hands of workers, whether they're at home or on the job. By the way, March is National Ladder Safety Month—something to put on your calendar for next year.
6. Hearing protection—yep, there's an app for that, too.
The NIOSH sound level meter app is one of the best freebies I've come across in some time. While the app shouldn't be used for compliance, this easy-to-use tool for iOS (Apple) devices can help you raise awareness, do quick spot checks of noise levels, and identify areas where further monitoring might be needed.
Total Worker Health® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Participation by SAIF does not imply endorsement by HHS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.