The National Safety Council has selected Risk Reduction as a National Safety Month focus this year. Risk Reduction is a basic vague goal we all share. Most of us try to “Be Safe”, but often it is situational and in the moment. Some companies have excelled at making risk reduction part of their every day and strategic continuous improvement efforts.

June is National Safety Month and IMEC is one of many organizations that participates to provide our team and network a focused emphasis. The second theme for 2024 is Roadway Safety. 

June is National Safety Month and IMEC is one of many organizations that participates to provide our team and network a focused emphasis. The first theme for 2024 is Safety Engagements. What can that look like at your organization?

Respiratory Protection Programs are a little more complicated than other aspects of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for many employers.  There are annual requirements for training and review.  Now is a good time to consider the current state of your program and make some goals as needed to maintain and improve. 

The Coronavirus continues to make its way across the globe.  As many of us are trying to keep an eye on the impact,  it is a good time to think through potential risks for you and your organization. We owe it to our customers, employees, and communities to ensure health and safety in our business practices.

How long has it been since you have refreshed your team on travel safety?

Sometimes we are so focused on output and daily management that safety does not get the attention it deserves. Our employees are our most valuable asset. We are also busy. When time is taken to improve our safety and health programs and train the team, it is often focused on regulatory and highly hazardous activities.

Have you checked lately that your workplace has all of the current required postings?

There are a lot of nice and easy options out there to buy an attractive package of the posters. You can also be just as compliant printing your own for the cost of ink and paper.

Written by Lori Amerman, IMEC Operations Coordinator

Hazards of machinery can cause catastrophic injuries when employees come in contact.  Crushing and amputations are devastating to the employee’s quality of life.  The employer is faced with many costs of medical expenses, equipment fixes and training.  According to OSHA’s $afety Pays Program, an amputation on average has a direct cost of $77,995 and indirect of $85,794.  At a 3% profit margin assumption these costs would require an additional $2,859,816 in sales to recover.

Written by Lori Amerman, IMEC Operations Coordinator and OSHA Authorized Trainer

Reduce injuries and improve management of Workers' Compensation across the organization

In my 20 years in Occupational Safety and Health Management, I have had the pleasure of learning from a variety of experts, employers and employees as they share their Workers' Compensation experiences. Recently the annual Workers’ Compensation Symposium organized by the Southern Illinois Healthcare’s Work.Care.Ready.Well program provided a great opportunity to revisit many of the best practices.

Written by Lori Amerman, IMEC Operations Specialist  and OSHA authorized trainer

There is one thing for sure about Illinois weather, it is always changing. We have made it through the snow and ice hazards and are now in the Midwest tornado season. In order to keep your organization safe from weather threats, here are a few reminders in preparedness: