GPI 144 – Schedule a free safety visit (audit) – your insurance firm will pay for it!

Schedule a free safety audit to help show you what is wrong and to keep your insurance premiums down.  As a result of these free and informative inspections, you will be given a list of safety problems and potential risks observed in your facility.  This is normally a free service offered by your insurance company.  Ask about all the classes they offer and tips available.

Insurance firms are knowledgeable about risk.  To reduce payouts, insurance companies want you to eliminate as many risks as possible so call them to arrange a safety inspection.  These visits are normally free as well as a number of other services to train your employees to operate more safely.

Compare policies and features of competitors before selecting annual policies.  Be sure to ask when you select insurance companies annually what training and inspection services they will provide free of charge.  Be ready to be audited because the insurance carriers do not want the liability and want you to operate accident-free.

Have your insurance company thoroughly check your facilities.  Ask that they check machine guards, fire extinguishers, aisle clearance, forklift safety and a whole host of other issues.  It is much better to be bothered by these people for a few hours every six months rather than fight and pay off a $1.0M negligence suit.

Questions to ask employees about dangerous items:

• What door, window, chute or plant opening or exit is difficult to open, close or operate in the facility?
• What machines are dangerous to operate; too sharp (edges cut skin), not de-burred (edges not smoothed), irritating or bothersome to the hands or skin when handling (leaves or spits chemical residue.  From where does the product problem stem – what machine or work center causes this affect?
• What department do you think operates in the least safe manner?  Which department or areas have the most safety accidents?  Which have the most spills or product accidents?  Why do you say this?  Is this well known in the plant?
• Are there any pieces of equipment that are known to be dangerous in the plant because they are broke or missing safety guards?  Have you worked on them?  Did you report the safety issues you noted?  Which are they and have you reported them recently?
• Are safety drills practiced?  Are the doors clearly marked?
• Are machines locked out until repaired and cleared?
• Are ambulance numbers posted for accidents?
• Who is assigned to take accident victims to the assigned clinic?