Skip to main content

One of the items that should be discussed by a safety committee are ergonomic hazards. The formation of safety committees is a regulatory requirement in many jurisdictions. Many states in the U.S. require companies to have safety committees if they have more than a certain number of employees. Federal and provincial legislation in Canada includes requirements and guidelines for “Joint Health and Safety Committees”. In addition, many European countries also require safety committees. Safety committees contribute to strengthen a safety culture by bringing together workers and employers.

A safety committee must review unsafe conditions, near misses and incidents, and assess hazards. In addition to safety hazards, health hazards must also be identified, including ergonomic hazards. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2013, musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) cases accounted for 33% of all worker injury and illness cases in the U.S., which is why all types of hazards should be discussed by a safety committee, including ergonomic hazards.

Ergonomic Topics to Discuss

A safety committee is the ideal forum to discuss ergonomics because it brings together key stakeholders who are responsible for the success of a safety and health program. Ergonomic topics that can be discussed in a safety committee include, but are not limited to:

  • Definition of goals and objectives of an ergonomics program.
  • Communication of the goals and objectives of the ergonomics program to employees.
  • Implementation of the ergonomics program.
  • Ergonomics training to employees.
  • Identification and assessment of ergonomic hazards and problems.
  • Encouraging the reporting of symptoms of MSDs and other issues.
  • Controlling risks of MSDs.
  • Evaluating progress and the effectiveness of the ergonomics program.

For more information, check out OSHA’s webpage on ergonomics and this EHS Today article.

IMEC Technologies provides Safety Management Software to increase worker safety and aid compliance. IMEC’s Safety Management Software will manage inspections and audits, provides hazard identificationincident reporting, management of corrective and preventative actions from generation to closure. IMEC provides lock out tag out software solutions that will allow users to create lockout tagout procedures using an intuitive Mobile App and Manage Lockout Tagout Procedures, also the Review and Execution of those Lockout Tagout Procedures using the Mobile App. Annual Lockout Tagout Procedures audits are conducted using a Mobile App. The Mobile Inspection App allow users to perform inspections and audits, for example the system can be used as a Fire Extinguisher Barcode Inspection Software system to manage monthly fire extinguisher inspections and general fire safety inspections and also to record safety observations and manage corrective actions, anywhere and anytime. The solution can be used as a fire extinguisher barcode inspection software system or life safety inspection system to aid compliance in Higher Education, Healthcare, Industrial and Commercial Organizations. Benefits from a Fire Extinguisher Barcode System include the elimination of paperwork and reducing the burden of compliance with regulations such as NFPA, The Joint Commission. The Incident Reporting App allows users to easily and quickly report incidents, hazards and near-misses, these are then sent to the appropriate people for action and are managed to closure.  Web Apps provide features such as, setup, management, scheduling tools, analysis, reporting and dashboards etc with the ability to report incidents to government bodies such as OSHA and RIDDORHazMat T&T is a hazardous waste management software solution designed for Environmental Service Companies and companies who generate a large quantity of hazardous waste. The solution tracks hazardous waste from cradle to grave aiding compliance, providing accurate waste inventory, increasing waste handling efficiency, reducing risk and also helps manage waste costs. HazMat T&T Hazardous Waste Management Software can be deployed in a number of deployment scenarios, from Large Hazardous Waste Generators, tracking their hazardous waste at their site to Environmental Service and Waste Management Companies using it track and manage hazardous waste at transfer and disposal sites. For more information visit our website www.imectechnologies.com