2021/06/03
It's National Safety Month - Managing Workplace Health & Safety
June is designated as National Safety Month by the National Safety Council (NSC). After these past 12-15 months, this annual recognition may feel much needed now more than before in our personal lives and work environments. Safety and health awareness personally and professionally are top of mind, especially as many Covid-19 related restrictions are lifted and some employers begin to manage safety plans as staff return to traditional workplace settings. During this month attention is focused on key safety topics affecting us all - Prevention, Ongoing Covid-19 concerns, Feeling Safe on the Job, and Advancing Your Safety Journey.
Week 1 - Prevent Incidents Before They Start
It's important in our work environments to identify potential risks and proactively take safety measures to avoid and reduce dangerous or hazardous exposure for our employees, staff, and patients. In healthcare and other related industries handling biohazardous or infectious waste, it's even more important that safety plans are in place and communicated to all staff to help prevent the risk of bloodborne pathogen exposure or other potentially dangerous materials that can cause life-threatening harm to themselves, those around them, or anyone handling the medical waste.
At BWS, we offer OSHA online compliance training that helps manage exposure plans and includes training modules such as Bloodborne Pathogens and much more. It also offers Safety Plan builders and audits you can tailor to your facility and operational needs. You can create,
- Exposure Control Plan
- Fire Prevention Plan
- Emergency Action Plan
- And much more!
Week 2 - Address Ongoing Covid-19 Safety Concerns
Safety surrounding Covid-19 related topics are still very much a concern. While cases are declining and vaccinations are on the rise, we are still amid a pandemic. Employers play a key role in making their employees, staff, and patients feel safe. Safety measures and protocols should be in place for anyone entering the facility.
Management also plays an important role in building trust around vaccines or vaccine related topics. The virus itself and this past year has had an effect on many people, both physically and mentally. Supporting the mental health of employees dealing with any illness or effects of the pandemic, or hesitation about the vaccine is essential for employers to oversee as well.
Week 3 - It's Vital to Feel Safe on the Job
Feeling safe at work is not only limited to physical safety. Psychologically, the well being of employees and staff is as equally important for an inclusive safety culture. Team members should feel protected in being themselves at work without fear of retaliation. Management and team leaders have a key role in identifying, assessing, and controlling potential psychological risks in the workplace. Contributing sources may be length of shifts, the feeling of inadequate resources, and lack of inclusion or inequities to name a few.
Week 4 - Advance Your Safety Journey
Continuous improvement is growth, and safety is all about continuous improvement. Employers and safety managers have the task of overseeing processes, regulatory compliance, risks, workplace culture, and sustainability. By focusing on these key areas, employers will continue to make improvements, keep the momentum going, and advance the organizations safety journey.
Partnering with BWS to Manage Workplace Compliance & Safety
Here at Biomedical Waste Services, Inc. we have over 45 years of experience collecting, transporting, and disposing of biohazardous and infectious waste and managing workplace compliance solutions for a variety of industries in the mid-Atlantic area, including Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. We've partnered with many healthcare facilities and other industry organizations to keep their workplaces compliant. We help take the guess work out of medical waste safety with many resources and tools for managing waste and occupational safety training. Call or contact us today to see how we can help your facility manage your biohazardous and infectious waste disposal and OSHA compliance training needs.
References:
NSC: National Safety Month 2021
https://www.nsc.org/work-safety/get-involved/national-safety-month
VelocityEHS
Ready to get started?
Request A QuoteOur Dedication to Providing the Highest Quality Regulated Waste Services
is Shown in What Our Clients Say About Our Work
We provide an outstanding value and service to our regulated waste customers and pride ourselves over the last 50 years on our 100% customer satisfaction with 99% customer retention ratio.
