Are Your Training Programs Voluntary or Mandatory? 

Safety training programs must be implemented in the workplace. Other programs can be used and implemented as voluntary programs. The easiest way to determine if your programs are mandatory or voluntarily is to view the OSHA or state standards pertaining to the situation at your workplace. Remember that OSHA sets the federal standards for workplace safety. Your state or local government may require further requirements. Please always check what those requirement are as you enact your safety programs.

Here is an example of a situation where a safety training program is mandatory.

An employer assess the workplace and determines that workers need to use hearing protection. Sound levels had been monitored and it was determined that noise exposure levels exceeded OSHA standards. Whenever workers use any type of personal protective equipment (PPE) training on the use of any PPE is always mandatory and a written training program is required.

But what about if the same monitoring determined that noise exposure levels did not exceed OSHA standards? In other words, workers uses hearing protection just because they want to.

Here is an example of a situation where a safety training program is not mandatory.

An employee is exposed to noise such as lawn mowing. The levels have been monitored and do not exceed OSHA standards for acceptable levels. The employee wishes however to use hearing protection. The employer provides the ear plugs as a courtesy to the employee. The employee wears them voluntarily. Because the employee is using personal protective equipment, the employer has an obligation to provide PPE training in use of the ear plugs. They should document the training in the form of a sign in sheet. They do not however, have to have a written program in place.

It is the duty of the owner, manager, or supervisor to implement and follow training programs. It is not only the right thing to do, but often time a state and federal requirement.

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Safety and Health in the Workplace - Injury Prevention

Safety and health in the workplace and injury prevention has become forefront in the workplace. This is great news for absolutely everyone. Every employee deserves to go home as healthy a when they arrived. Sometimes this means they need to do a little "extra" work to take care of themselves. A good employer will teach their workers how to prevent injuries and how to stay safe at work. Here are the two main types of injuries and how you can teach your employees to prevent them.

What types of injuries are happening in the workplace?

1. Back Strain and Pain

If you were to ask a room full of adults if there was anyone in that room that had never had a sore back, you probably would have a hard time finding one person that answered yes! The truth is that over 75 percent of adults experience back pain. Only about 15 percent of back pain is related to medical or health issues. That means that 85 percent of back pain is related to things like incorrect posture, lifting incorrectly, lack of exercise, weight gain and smoking.

Training for back safety is a good, NO, let me re-phrase that, training for back safety is a great way to prevent accidents. Because by focusing on protecting ones own body, accidents can be prevented. If people feel better, they are less likely to pull, or strain muscles. Back safety training should teach the following items:

* The basics of the back; the spine, vertebrae & discs, the muscles and the natural curves of the spine.
* The importance of preventing back strain through material handling techniques and proper lifting techniques.
* Importance of drinking plenty of water.
* Importance and how to lose excess weight.
* Various ideas and ways to eat healthier.
* Resource to help people quit smoking and drinking alcohol.

Safety and Health in the workplace starts with a healthy worker!

2. Neck and Shoulder Pain

There are many reasons and causes for neck and shoulder pain. Like back pain, there are few adults who have not experienced neck or shoulder discomfort. All of the same principles hold true in preventing neck and shoulder pain as in preventing back pain. Improper work habits, injury and accidents all contribute to a sore neck and shoulder. One thing that is a little unique with the neck and shoulder is that many people tend to "carry" stress and tension in that area of their body.

When training workers about accident prevention, be sure to point out the following special ways that they can reduce or prevent neck and shoulder pain:

* Maintain a good posture when working. Do not hunch.
* Warm up and stretch before doing strenuous activity.
* Invest in a good pillow.
* Avoid sleeping on your stomach.
* Lift loads properly and exercise good body mechanics when moving objects.

These are just two of the categories of injury prevention. Safety and health in the workplace does not just happen accidentally. A successful safety program will teach injury prevention.

FREE safety information and articles delivered directly to your inbox. Join our online newsletter and receive offers, tips and safety advise regularly! Sign up at http://www.training-for-safety.com Keep current on safety trainings with Training-For-Safety.

At Training-For-Safety you will find safety programs, written safety plans, videos, training and compliance kits. New Information is added regularly.