Pub. 11 2021 Issue 4

18 illinoisdealers.com Automobile Dealer News 2. Are you using passive engineering controls and fall restraint systems when necessary? If you can’t eliminate a fall risk, you need to ensure warning signage in place, and planned passive engineering controls (such as guardrails) are ready. Use a fall restraint system when your employees are working near an unprotected edge or side. This kind of system typically requires a body harness and lanyard attached to an anchor point. 3. Do you have fall arrest systems ready? If you can’t prevent or mitigate fall risk, you need to have fall arrest systems in place. Fall arrest equipment is designed to withstand the force of a fall by controlling it and preventing the worker from hitting a hard surface. A personal fall arrest system must use an anchor point able to withstand a downward force of 5,000 lbs. Otherwise, it must be supervised by a qualified person who has designed the system’s ability to arrest a fall’s downward force by a safety factor of 2. The PFAS must limit maximum arrest force – the most force that the person attached to the system will experience – to 1,800 lbs. ii 4. Are you training workers on fall protection? Any worker who could be exposed to a fall hazard must receive training before they start working in an elevated area. The training should explain your fall protection policies and systems, how to select and use protective devices, and how to maintain equipment. Employees should also be trained to understand the requirements and proper safety procedures for personal fall arrest systems. Forklifts Forklift violations are common in Illinois, as many businesses in the state depend on the vehicles to move heavy materials. One of the leading causes of forklift-related injuries and OSHA citations is inadequate training. Make sure that all forklift operators in your facility are properly trained and certified before they get behind the wheel. Too often, forklift operators begin working before an experienced Continued from page 16 forklift certification specialist evaluates and signs off on their training. Keep an eye on the condition of your forklifts. Damaged and poorly maintained vehicles are behind countless safety incidents and violations. Make sure all forklifts are inspected between shifts. It’s a good idea to use a checklist. Take any machine out of rotation if there are issues such as problems with the mast, a broken or missing seatbelt, an expired fire extinguisher (for forklifts that must be equipped with one), rusted lifting chains, worn tires, and so forth. Safe Driving Vehicle accidents are a common workforce safety issue for dealers. Collisions can cause severe injuries as well as damage to property and equipment – and, of course, result in OSHA fines. Fortunately, most accidents are avoidable. To improve safe driving habits and reduce the chance of an accident, employers should do the following: 1. Practice good housekeeping and recordkeeping. For many dealerships, accidents frequently occur at one or a handful of problem areas. Maybe there’s a busy intersection on the lot or an obstruction at a corner creating a large blind spot. Look for and eliminate potential hazards proactively, and address issues as soon as there’s an incident. Employees are sometimes aware of these problems before health and safety managers are, so encourage the members of your workforce to speak up if they’ve witnessed an accident or noticed a hazard. 2. Be mindful of where vehicles are parked. Drivers should respect all signs and markers, and never leave a vehicle in a spot where it shouldn’t be parked – regardless of how quickly they intend to return. An improperly parked vehicle can increase the likelihood of collisions, as other drivers don’t expect the vehicle to be there or can’t see it, and may cause serious problems if there’s an emergency, e.g., if the vehicle is obstructing a fire lane. 3. Look out for speeding and distracted driving. Drivers should obey speed limit signs (make sure to post these if you haven’t already), watch out for pedestrians, and never use a mobile device, fill out paperwork, or engage in other activities besides operating the vehicle while in the driver’s seat. Discourage multitasking. No accident is worth a couple minutes saved. Examples of indirect workplace hazards expenses • Workers’ compensation claims from people who have experienced injuries and illnesses Damaged and poorly maintained vehicles are behind countless safety incidents and violations.