888.653.3333

Posts By: Diana San Diego

A Guide to Workplace Safety: Fast Facts, Tips, and More

Posted by & filed under Workplace Safety.

Workplace safety doesn’t get floated around as much, as is the case with other employment benefits like salary bonuses or retirement plans. So, when a company prioritizes safety and security for its employees, people can’t help but give it their seal of approval.

Caring for your workers’ safety at the outset rather than as an afterthought speaks volumes about your commitment to protecting the well-being of your staff, not only for the benefit of your organization but also for the families they support.

This is especially true in workplace environments where occupational hazards are high. Employees who work in manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and other industrial environments face more risks than workers in traditional office spaces. Your duty as an employer is to ensure the health and safety of all your workers.

Installing CCTV cameras and biometric systems can be a good place to start in securing workplace safety. But at the end of the day, the guidelines you’ve placed will be the key deterrent against unsafe working elements, processes, or conditions that may escalate into accidents or injuries. The guide below will teach you how to establish a safe workspace based on facts, best practices, and other insightful recommendations.

A Guide to Workplace Safety

Did you know that work-related illnesses and injuries cost global economies approximately $170 billion per year?

That figure, which comes from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, is comparable to cancer-related expenses. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg, as companies are far more responsible than supporting their employees financially. As an employer, you’re also accountable for the health and life of your workforce.

Safety first—this should be the goal of every organization, regardless of the business size or industry. The principle of workplace safety views diseases and accidents as avoidable or controllable events. As such, you must set the highest standards possible for the conditions and processes within work environments.

1. Reduced risk for accidents and injuries

The right work environment can help your organization secure the overall well-being of the staff and other individuals. A properly set up health and safety management system can guide employees on how to approach their work in a way that can significantly minimize illnesses, injuries, and other hazards to their health.

2. Improved employee retention

You’re probably aware that high employee turnover rates can negatively impact your organization financially and otherwise.  Employees need to feel that they’re being valued by the company, or they might quit their job. When it comes to workplace safety, employees expect the management to provide a caring, healthy, and safe environment.  

3. Lowered medical costs

Preventing workplace injury is way less expensive than spending on medical insurance claims for your employees or compensating injured workers for their lost income. The OSHA says you can save 20% to 40% of your company budget with a carefully designed safety and health management system.

4. Maximum productivity

When employees feel secure about the conditions or atmosphere in which they work, they’re more likely to contribute to your bottom line by rendering complete hours of work, performing better, and being more engaged.

5. Fewer costs on equipment replacement or repair

Installing quality equipment in the right places is an important element in a safe, healthy, and secure workspace. Neglecting this aspect may only result in equipment damage, which will require you to dip into your budget to pay for new purchases or additional maintenance services.

6. Higher trust ratings

Your efforts to promote a safe workplace won’t go unnoticed in the community or business industry. Investors and customers feel confident about doing business with you because of the safety standards you’ve put into place across your work processes.

Tips to Ensuring a Safe Working Environment

From electrical hazards and faulty equipment to workplace injuries and office stress, here are safety tips to implement with your team.

  •  Keep workspaces free from clutter. There’s a place for everything, and everything should be in its place. This methodology involves designating a specific area for documents, supplies, tools, and even trash to maintain order in the work area.

A clutter-free workspace can help reduce injury and improve productivity since the system enables workers to get rid of unnecessary back-and-forths to perform their tasks.

  • Make mental health a priority. The workplace can be a source of stress. If left unmanaged, it can progress into more serious problems such as burnout, anxiety, or depression. Supervisors and managers should be sensitive and proactive in guiding and supporting employees who may be facing challenges at work, so they don’t fall deeper into an unhealthy state of mind.
  • Disseminate safety procedures. Everyone has to be aware of the company’s safety and health policies and processes. Communicating these to all employees helps eliminate unsafe behavior across departments and levels in the organization.
  • Allow regular breaks. Experts recommend wellness breaks for employees. Whether it’s going out for a short walk at lunchtime or taking a power nap, regular breaks can be energizing for workers. When they return to work, they’re no longer as tired, so judgment errors are less likely to occur.
  • Educate workers about body posture. Having the right posture applies to both office workers and manual laborers. Employees can avoid neck pain, carpal tunnel, or back pains by keeping an ideal posture while working on their desks. Meanwhile, machine operators and those who constantly lift heavy things at work should have the proper tools or assistance from a co-worker to prevent overexerting their bodies.
  • Set up emergency exits strategically. Emergency exits are a must in all office and business structures. Just see to it that they’re accessible to everyone, nothing is obstructing the exits, and the pathways to emergency power areas are clear in case power needs to be turned on or off.
  • Wear personal protective equipment. Depending on the nature of your business, you must provide your employees with PPE to keep them safe from injury while they’re engaged at work. PPE can vary from goggles to earplugs and hard hats, among others.
  • Invest in the right equipment. Employees need quality work equipment to make their tasks easier and safer to do. For instance, construction companies and architectural firms would do well to source industrial ladders with fall protection systems. 

Even if you have employees working from high areas, they can have easy access to those areas while having maximum protection against falls and other injuries.

Here, cutting corners is not acceptable, as using low-standard equipment and accessories is bound to give rise to potentially fatal injuries. Worker safety equipment like industrial ladders from O’Keeffe’s are OSHA and ANSI certified, meaning they meet industry standards to reduce the risk of accidents in any work environment or condition. That way, you can optimize your productivity and prevent work-related incidents.

Safety is a Workplace Priority

Workplace injuries, illnesses, and hazards can be costly for any business. Besides the financial costs, there are legal and moral issues that might arise if employee safety and health are not guaranteed.

On the contrary, a safe and healthy work environment affords employers a loyal workforce, efficient operations, and overall business health. As you work towards improving workplace safety, your safety measures should include the right equipment that will enable you to achieve these goals. If you need to install high-quality ladders within your facility, head on over to O’Keeffe’s for tailor-fit solutions.

A Brief Guide to OSHA’s Fixed Ladder Requirements

Posted by & filed under Industrial Ladders.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide.” To prevent individuals from fatal falls, WHO recommends that risk reduction entail safety education and training, creating safer environments, and establishing effective workplace policies.

Workers, especially those who have high-risk occupations, are more prone to falls. These employees access high areas or descend manholes. All employees are entitled to safe working conditions; therefore, employers must provide top-notch equipment and implement accident prevention measures.

Fortunately, government agencies are aware of these daily hazards and have taken measures to secure the safety of millions. With the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Congress created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for workers by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.

This guide will provide an overview of OSHA’s fixed ladder requirements and why employers should comply with ladder regulations.

General Requirements for Fixed Ladders

OSHA’s ladder standards are divided into four main components: general requirements for all ladders, portable ladders, mobile ladders, and fixed ladders. In this article, we’ll focus on the important general requirements every fixed ladder should have to ensure your safety.  Note that this is for reference only, and to consult with OSHA for the latest requirements. 

1. Fixed ladders above 24 feet must have a fall protection system

Previously, the OSHA required fixed ladders taller than 20 feet to have cages as a form of fall protection. But, as of January 2017, OSHA changed the ladder height requirement. Fixed ladders that extend beyond 24 feet need to have fall protection systems in place.

Additionally, in 2018, the organization stated under 1910.28(b)(9) that cages were no longer considered a form of fall protection. Fixed ladders erected before November 19, 2018, will still use their existing cages. However, you must use a ladder safety system or personal fall arrest system for new or replaced ladders.

2. Applications that exceed 50 feet or above must have landing platforms

Under 1910.28(b)(9)(iii)(B), if fixed ladders with cages extend to have an unbroken length of more than 50 feet, OSHA requires that they have landing platforms in every 50-foot intervals.

3. Ladders must be made with non-corrosive material

OSHA states under 1910.23(b)(6) that metal ladders should be protected against corrosion and made with corrosion-resistant materials like aluminum. Using ladders such as high-strength and low maintenance aluminum access ladders can prevent accidents caused by residual damage or corrosion.

4. Ladder rungs should have a minimum clear width of 16 inches

Fixed ladders should have a climbing width requirement of at least 16 inches. As per OSHA 1910.23(b)(4), ladder rungs, steps, and cleats must be measured before installing ladder safety systems to ensure that they meet the given requirements. The wider the ladder system is, the easier and safer it is for you to climb it.

5. Ladders with no cages must have a clear width of at least 15 inches

If your fixed ladder doesn’t have a cage, it should be installed at least 15 inches between it and any permanent objects surrounding it. Additionally, following OSHA 1910.23(d)(13)(i), you should measure from the ladder’s centerline.

6. For fixed through ladders, side rails must provide 24 to 30 inches of clearance

The access level above the fixed ladder should at least be 24 inches wide but not more than 30 inches of clearance. As such, the ladder will be able to accommodate the width of your body, and you’ll be able to reach both side rails. In addition, according to OSHA 1910.23(d)(5), when your fixed ladder has a ladder safety system, the maximum clearance between extension handrails is 36 inches.

7. Grab bars should stick out 42 inches above the access level or landing platforms

To protect you from exiting the ladder in an access level or landing platform, grab bars should extend 42 inches above the ladder’s surface, as stated in OSHA 1910.23(d)(7). Moreover, the size of the grab bars should at least be the same as the ladder’s rungs.

8. Ladders and their nearest permanent object should have at least a 7-inch clear distance

Under OSHA 1910.23(d)(2), the minimum perpendicular distance from the centerline of the rungs to the nearest permanent object in the back of the ladder should be 7 inches. With this clearance, you’ll be able to climb the ladder without any potential trip hazards from the building.

The Importance of OSHA Compliance

Following OSHA regulations secures the continued safety of your workers. If your employees feel safe in their workplace, they are more likely to enjoy their jobs and be more productive. As such, you must make sure that both the ladder and ladder accessories you purchase are in line with the regulations stated above. For further details on fixed ladder requirements, you can review OSHA resources to learn more.

Make Ladder Safety a Priority Today

Alongside safety education and training, as an employer, you must ensure that your employees are working in a safe environment. All workplace equipment must meet regulations, especially those that are considered hazardous, such as the use of ladders to climb high places.

With O’Keeffe’s fixed ladders, safety and satisfaction are guaranteed. All our products, from access to ship ladders, are compliant with every OSHA safety regulation. Get in touch with our experts to request a quote for aluminum access ladders or ask about our custom ladder solutions.

The Benefits of Using Aluminum Fixed Ladders vs Steel Ladders in Commercial Construction

Posted by & filed under Uncategorized.

Construction is not an easy job. Every day, you’re expected to pull off tiresome work that can be dangerous sometimes. Even if your official designation in a project leans more on the management side, the bulk of your responsibility cannot be overstated. After all, your duties span the timely progress of the project, precision of completed tasks, and safety of workers.

Choosing the best construction tools is one way to ensure that those three goals are met. However, it proves most crucial to workers’ safety.

When deciding among the wide variety of fixed ladders available in the market, do not cut corners. Always go for the best option possible. Remember that about 300 ladder-related deaths happen each year in the United States alone.

You do not want your construction project to contribute to that alarming statistic. With that said, here are the reasons why aluminum ladders are preferred for commercial construction.

1.   Rust and corrosion-resistant

Aluminum resists rust and corrosion naturally. That makes the material suited to ladder design. And even more suited to commercial construction where outdoor ladders are common. If the construction site has no indoor storage, the more beneficial aluminum ladders become.

That’s because you’re assured they won’t deteriorate due to exposure to natural elements such as the sun, wind, rain, and humidity. There’s no need to worry about ladder rungs breaking under the weight of workers.

Meanwhile, steel ladders are prone to rust and corrosion that compromise ladder stability and durability. That makes them unsafe for constant outdoor use, such as in commercial construction.

2.   Low lifetime cost

For steel ladders to become as rust and corrosion resistant as aluminum ladders, they must be galvanized or made from stainless steel. Considering the customization costs, these make steel ladders more expensive. On the other hand, aluminum ladders are more affordable, which is precisely why they are popular even in households.

On top of shelling out less than what you would for a steel ladder, aluminum ladders are low maintenance, too. You can reuse aluminum ladders for multiple commercial construction projects without breaking the bank.

3.   Environmentally friendly

You contribute to the well-being of Mother Nature when you opt for aluminum ladders. That’s because aluminum is a sustainable building material that is 100% recyclable. Even more interesting, it can be recycled again and again without losing its inherent qualities. In fact, nearly 75% of aluminum ever produced still circulates today, thanks to recycling.

The construction industry accounts for 38% of carbon emissions. As a stakeholder in the industry, this figure is something you should keep in mind. All things considered, going aluminum for your building ladders will undoubtedly be a green choice.

4.   Lightweight and high-strength

Workers transporting heavy objects from one place to another is a common sight in construction sites. Given that steel ladders can be heavy, moving them constantly is downright impractical and difficult for workers.

Aluminum ladders, on the other hand, are lightweight. But that does not mean they’re not strong enough to support the weight of your bulkiest worker. Aluminum boasts an excellent strength-to-weight ratio

5.   Maximum foot traction

Construction workers typically move fast, even when climbing ladders. To keep them safe, the ladders need to have rungs that allow maximum foot traction. That’s what you get with aluminum ladders. Or you can have custom ladders made with rungs to your liking. As for steel ladders, the rungs are usually round and not serrated, making them prone to slippage.

6.   Non-spark and non-magnetic

Construction sites need to prioritize tools and materials that are not fire hazards. Aluminum ladders won’t spark even when struck against each other, or with other non-ferrous metals. They are also non-magnetic, which means they can be used even in construction sites that employ magnetic equipment.

7.   Multiple finishes

Aluminum ladders offer a variety of finishes. The two main categories are clear and anodized. For the latter, you have clear, bronze, and black anodized, among others. Anodized finish does not apply to steel, leaving you with limited options.

Ladder Up

It’s high time you level up when it comes to how you run your commercial construction project. Begin with top-notch tools. Choose fixed aluminum ladders. They boast safety and durability, and that’s the winning combo you need.

For your ladder needs, look no further. Here at O’Keeffe’s, we assure you of products compliant with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) regulations. Plus, our custom ladders will suit whatever needs and preferences you may have.

Get in touch with us today to know more. We will be glad to serve you.