The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released a new interactive training tool to help small businesses effectively identify hazards in the workplace.
The tool uses animation to help employers and workers explore how to identify common workplace hazards in manufacturing and construction. Users learn how to identify, abate, and control hazards.
"Hazard identification is a critical part of creating an injury and illness prevention program that will keep workers safe and healthy on the job," said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. "This new tool not only educates employers about how to take control of their workplaces and protect workers, it also demonstrates that following well-established safety practices is also good for the bottom line."
The tool lets users play from the perspective of either a business owner or an employee as they learn to identify realistic, common hazards and address them with practical and effective solutions.
The tool explains the key components of the hazard identification process: information collection, observation of the workplace, investigation of incidents, employee participation, and prioritizing hazards.
The hazard identification training tool can be found on OSHA's website at www.osha.gov/hazfinder. For additional compliance assistance resources visit www.osha.gov.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.
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