Welcome back to another edition of Design Safety’s Blog Post! We have been getting some great feedback from our clients about these posts! Design Safety is always happy to be an informative vessel for safety related information as well as a priority pick for compliance and upkeep. Per usual with the monthly blog posts, we have a centered topic for November, this topic is the importance of a strong and compliant EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN!
Emergency action plans are a requirement by OSHA and can be somewhat cloudy when it comes to the specifics. Design Safety has been creating and implementing emergency action plans with our clients since creation of the company. Emergency action plans are tailored to each specific client, whether that is a warehouse, jobsite, or area of operation, Design Safety has the cure.
Emergency action plans must be in writing, kept in the workplace, and available to employees for review. However, an employer with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally to employees, according to OSHA. (1910.38(b)). The bare minimum emergency action plan should consist of several procedures for when a predicament becomes present. Design Safety has never taken a shortcut when it comes to the development and implementation of said plan, always going the extra mile to ensure that ALL employees at the facility can be aware and capable should an emergency come to fruition. 
When it comes to review and training of the emergency action plans, Design Safety is a proud contributor and will give these presentations and reviews in person, with a thorough commitment to detail and example. Having your employees know that they can rest assured with your company's emergency action plan is paramount. 
The greatest thing a company can do for its employees is show that they care and that they put their safety at the highest priority. The owner and all those involved can be completely confident that Design Safety takes the utmost commitment to creating a safe, sound, and elaborate emergency action plan. When it comes to safety and compliance, you can always count on Design Safety to give you the most effective and strongest safety commitment!

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Welcome back to another edition of Design Safety’s Blog Post!
When most people think of safety professionals, they think of an individual with a clipboard walking around on a construction site or on top of a building under construction.
The reality of being a safety professional is the ability to be increasingly adaptable. Design Safety has fully adopted this sentiment. At Design Safety, the vastness of safety measures goes far beyond the “construction safety” outreach one would assume. For example, Design Safety has been progressively more present in various trainings, including the ever-popular forklift training!
Design Safety has adopted a comprehensive, battle-tested forklift training program that can be adaptable to any type of forklift! The versatile training will come with hands-on experience, as well as a detailed slideshow representing all the necessary forklift safety and training measures needed to become an operating expert.
​Not only does Design Safety give the operator the full experience needed to function at a high level, the overarching attention to detail in the training is second to none and cannot be rivaled by any other safety consultant.
More and more warehouses and distributors that deploy forklifts are becoming receptive to a strong safety culture. Warehouses, in fact, have more potential for safety mishaps and incidents than most people would imagine. The tight room for operation and the lack of sustained overview can often cause warehouse workers to become complacent and feel they are always protected, however, complacency is the mother of all safety incidents. Design safety has done extensive work with warehouses and distributors for the past couple of  years, and no warehouse is too big or too small for forklift compliance!
The venture toward forklift training and forklift safety is something that cannot be ignored by any owner or general manager.
With a pure commitment to forklift safety, you exponentially increase the safety of your warehouse and give your employees the power to handle situations without second-guessing or hesitation!
Design Safety has made a name in forklift training, evidenced by all the business that has already been conducted in 2022.
There is no shortage of attentiveness and mindfulness when Design Safety tasks a forklift training program. So if you want to improve the attributes and security of your forklift operators, or you want to give an initial forklift orientation training, contact Design Safety today to schedule a forklift training session, it is one you will not regret!

Welcome back to another installment of Design Safety’s Blog Post! We thank you for your continued support and dedication to safety. Design Safety has a multitude of avenues toward safety compliance, with on-site being the most prevalent.

The good thing about Design Safety’s varied approach is that it allows us to take any situation, any jobsite, any client, and give our personalized approach to their safety needs. For example, Design Safety has often adopted the aerial safety practice to help extend safety measures beyond what a safety professional can see with the naked eye.

​What is aerial safety you ask? Aerial safety is the use of a device, such as a drone, to examine a jobsite from optimal points of view that we may not see from the ground or in the facility.

This practice has been utilized by Design Safety to survey compliance measures and get every single angle pinpointed down. The best part about aerial safety is the comprehensive viewpoint.

​When you can collaborate all the features of safety into a linear structure and not miss a beat, you have really created something great. Design Safety has utilized drone technology at several different job sites, per request.

Design Safety’s aerial safety approach has helped contractors find possible compliance violations that would have been otherwise ignored. It also helps beautifully with blueprints for certain contractors.

​Beyond safety, it paints a picture of progress for the workers and gives a detailed outline of their output, with a sustainable progress tracking module. Aerial safety is something that has been taking the industry by storm, as we see more big players of safety utilizing the technology as we progress in the field.

Design Safety can be labeled as a potential pioneer to the technology, as this practice has been utilized for quite some time now within the company.

That is a testament to how dedicated Design Safety is to its craft. Always staying one step ahead of the competition helps Design Safety pave the way for innovation and creativity in the field.
There is no lengths Design Safety will not travel to give you and your employees the best safety experience they have had!
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Design Safety gives the personal relationships the utmost honor, as well as always delivering a great product. Reach out to Design Safety today and ask about our innovative aerial safety approach!

One of our main components of Design Safety, LLC is giving back and being a part of our communities. Each year, Design Safety, LLC is fortunate enough to give back to local clubs, business, and associations.  Workplace safety is not only the sole focus at Design Safety, LLC and we take great pride in being personable and supporting those who support us.  

We thank WPD for your constant assistance and keeping the people of Waukegan safe!

Welcome back to another installment of Design Safety’s Blog Post! Last Month, we discussed the importance of machine guarding and how your company can find value in the compliant practice.

Branching past machine guarding, we venture over to forklift training, and how Design Safety has the experience and reputation to help bolster your company’s training.Many companies within the industry are heavily reliant on their forklifts to complete their operations. However, we have seen a substantial number of companies that do not deploy a certified forklift training, and Design Safety has been utilizing their program to help these companies not only meet compliance, but exceed the average company training tenfold.

OSHA is very forward with their compliance toward powered industrial trucks, they expect companies to give a strong level of dedication to the training behind the practical uses of the truck and the safety hazards associated with said vehicle. Look no further than the following OSHA standards.
● 1910.178(l)(2)(ii) “Training shall consist of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.”
● 1910.178(l)(2)(iii) “All operator training and evaluation shall be conducted by persons who have the knowledge, training, and experience to train powered industrial truck operators and evaluate their competence.”

When it comes to knowledge, training, and experience, Design Safety possesses all three characteristics and ties each individual one into the comprehensive program. In 2022, Design Safety has conducted several forklift training courses and has given these companies a breadth of knowledge and competence during each and every presentation. The local commitment Design Safety has brought to the Illinois and upper Midwest region has improved the safety and compliance of each company that formed the partnership. With a deduction to honor and integrity, Design Safety is the easy answer to improve and solidify your company’s forklift training experience.

As stated in the last blog post, there is no job too big or too small, and Design Safety will come prepared and committed to the purest and strongest training session around. Thank you for your time today and stay safe!

Welcome to this month's Design Safety blog post. These monthly tidbits are here to help your company thrive in the category of safety, while simultaneously building a culture of awareness.
 
To begin, the discussion opens its preliminary talks on a very important topic in the safety world, machine guarding. Company's need to understand the true value of proper machine guarding and the benefits that arise when following OSHA industry standards. Machine guarding is something that should execute as second nature to all job sites, however, the gaudy numbers suggest there is still serious room for improvement in the industry. We reference the industry standard 1910.212(a)(1), "Types of guarding. One or more methods of machine guarding shall be provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks. Examples of guarding methods are-barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices, electronic safety devices, etc."
 
When it comes to machines like saws, presses, and plastics machinery, taking the utmost precaution is the top priority. According to OSHA.gov, "Employee exposure to unguarded or inadequately guarded machines is prevalent in many workplaces. Consequently, workers who operate and maintain machinery suffer approximately 18,000 amputations, lacerations, crushing injuries, abrasions, and over 800 deaths per year." Statistics paint a picture, but they often do not do justice. OSHA requirements should be the bare minimum for compliance representation by a company, the cultural goal should be much greater. A good testament to ingrained safety practices is the utilization of compliance by every worker on a job, no matter their role. When every worker on a job intuitively knows that they are following compliance and have gone above and beyond the required OSHA standard, your safety culture has been established.
 
Design Safety brings a wealth of knowledge in the construction industry, and serves as a benchmark for quality safety consultation. With pure dedication and insight, Design Safety will deliver on compliance consulting and go above and beyond the standard safety utilization. There is no job too big or too small, as Design Safety offers on-site services paralleled by no other. We thank you for your time today and we look forward to helping springboard your safety commitment toward unrivaled excellence.

​Thank you!

It is vital to have a crisis management plan in place in order to protect you, your employees, your customers and your business facilities, as well as your company’s reputation.

Winter storms can be devastating, causing those affected to lose their business, inventory, property, and lives. Winter storms can affect more than those living in Northern climates. In recent history, freezing pipes and snow collapse losses have occurred in many Southern states. It is wise to be as prepared as possible in the event a winter storm threatens your business and your employees. You can take steps to maintain and protect your facilities by using the information contained in this action plan.

Everyone should carry a Winter Survival Kit in their car. In an emergency, it could save your life and the lives of your passengers. Here a basic start of what you should gather:
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Winter Safety Vehicle Kit
-A small, compact shovel
-Windshield scraper and small broom
-Flashlight with extra batteries
-Battery powered radio
-Water
-High energy snack foods
-Raisins and mini candy bars
-Extra hat, socks, and mittens
-First aid kit and pocket knife
-Necessary medication
-Blankets and/or sleeping bag
-Tow chain or rope
-Road salt for traction
-Jumper cables
-Emergency flares
-Fluorescent distress flag and whistle
-Cell phone car charger

Kit Tips:
-Reverse batteries in flashlight to avoid accident switching and burnout.
-Store items in the passenger compartment in case the truck in jammed or frozen shut.
-Choose small packages of food that you can eat hot or cold.
-Stay away from salty foods that would cause thirst.
-The radio and flashlight should be the same type of batteries.

911 Tips:
-If possible, call 911 on your call phone. Provide your location, condition of everyone in the vehicle and
the problem you’re experiencing.
-Follow instructions. You may be told to stay where you are until help arrives.
-Do not hang-up until you know who you have spoken with and what will happen next.

Survival Tips:
-Prepare your vehicle. Make sure you keep your gas tank at least half full.
-Be easy to find. Tell someone where you are going and the route you will take.
-If stuck: Tie the florescent flag on your antenna or hang it out the window. At night, keep your dome light on. If you’re with someone else, make sure one person stays up to watch for passing vehicles.
-Avoid overexertion. Shoveling snow or pushing your car takes a lot of effort in storm conditions. Don’t risk a heart attack and/or injury. That work can also make you hot and sweaty causing your clothing to be wet. Wet clothing loses insulation value, making you susceptible to hypothermia.
-Fresh air. It’s better to be cold and awake then comfortably warm and sleep. Snow can plug your vehicle’s exhaust system and cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to enter your car. Only run the engine or ten minutes an hour and make sure the exhaust pipe is free of snow.
-Don’t expect to be comfortable. You want to survive until you’re found.

Contact Design Safety, LLC today to find out how we can assist in creating and implementing a cold weather safety program today!  Remember, safety starts by design!  

This month's newsletter features drowsy driving and how it can lead to a serious, if not fatal accident.  According to the Sleep Foundation, "70 million people are sleep deprived or suffer sleep disorders."  This topic is a major contributor to vehicle accidents in today's society.  Driving while sleep deprived is just as bad as driving while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. 

-Every 12 minutes a fatal motor vehicle crash occurs
-Every 10 seconds a motor vehicle crash w/ injuries occur
-Every 5 seconds a motor vehicle crash occurs
-70 MILLION people are sleep deprived and suffer sleep disorders!  

What does vehicle crashes, sleep deprivation and workplace safety all have in common?  EVERYTHING! Based on your current workforce, how many staff members do you have on the road at one any given time, WHILE working?  That number might astonish you.

Motor vehicle crashes cost employers $60 billion per year in medical care, legal expenses, property damage, and lost productivity.  The average crash costs an employer $16,500 With this, they drive up the cost of your workers compensation insurance and can negatively affect your EMR!

The real tragedy is that vehicle accidents are mostly preventable.  You as the employer have the opportunity to assist in saving lives. By having and use a safe driving policy, you can put your best foot forward to ensure the safety and health of your staff while in operation of a motor vehicle!

Contact Design Safety, LLC to start your a safe driving program today.  If you already have a safe driving program, it’s always a great to provide the necessary updates.

Welcome to the Design Safety, LLC blog page!  This page will be used to post important updates in OSHA compliance standards, new and improved ways to train, tips/tricks in the EHS world, to even new services from our company.  

​What makes workplace safety important? 
Every time I tell someone what I do for a living, (Manage safety and health) I sort of get a blank stare and then followed with "well, what do you do."  Then we go into the trainings, the inspections, the record keeping, accident investigation and if they're still awake, we might wonder into workers compensation.  (That should put them to sleep!)  After my boring, nerdy safety discussion, I normally get a surprised face and a "Wow.  I didn't know that was a career!"

After thinking about it, they're sort of right.  Why is there a career that manages SOMEONE else's safety and health?  Why is someone responsible for when YOU get hurt.  

At the end of the day, safety starts and ends with YOU.  The worker.  The person who is actually performing the task day in and day out.  When an accident occurs, the worker suffers the consequences.  Not being able to go home to your loved ones in the same condition as when you started your shift does not make for pleasant times.   

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of the word safe is, “Free from harm or risk.”  Take a couple minutes and think about what you do and accomplish on a daily basis.  After thinking about it, there really is not much in your daily routine that can relate to the true definition of safe.  Unfortunately, that is the world we live in and we do everything in our power to keep ourselves, our family, friends, and co-workers free from harm or risk.  Safety is not just part of our lives at work, it’s not just the trainings, quizzes, or safety agreements you sign, it’s a part of our lives.
Safety starts when you wake up in the morning and ends when you go to bed at night.  There are no on and off switches, no pause buttons, and no re-dos.

Here at Design Safety, LLC we take the safety of our clients seriously and will always adhere to our motto of, “Safety starts with YOU.”  We look upon the employees like you that represent the company in a professional, respectable, and outstanding matter.  We notice the hard work that comes out of your occupation and your safety motivated personalities that keeps hundreds of employees out of harm’s way.  

Until next time, stay safe. 
-David M. Grum
Design Safety, LLC - President