Trench Hazard Protection

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Trench

In 2016, 23 trench-related deaths were reported. This is almost triple the eight that were reported in 2012.

If you work near trenches, don’t become another statistic. From our partners at Cincinnati Insurance, here are a few OSHA-compliant tips you can use to keep yourself safe if you work in and around trenches.

Use Protective Measures

This might seem like an obvious tip, but make sure you’re not cutting any corners on safety.

Methods such as shoring, sloping, shielding and benching can all keep an area secure. If the trench you’re working in is over 20 feet deep, these systems must be designed by a professional engineer.

Have Escape Routes

If there’s an issue within the trench, it’s wise to make sure you can get out. Have ladders or ramps set up so that every employee is no more than 25 feet away from an exit.

Make sure all your employees are aware of the exits as well. In case of an emergency, a quick escape is necessary.

Clear the Way for Lifted Loads

If you’re working with excavation equipment, such as cranes or forklifts, make sure no one is in the path of a machine while it’s carrying a load.

While the operator might not hit anyone themselves, anything lifted can always drop. Err on the side of caution and make sure no one’s near the load.

Have Your Site Cleared as Safe

The most important rule to remember is one you can follow before you even begin working.

The “competent person” on the site, as defined by OSHA, should inspect and clear the area as safe.  This inspection can help find any potential dangers and put a stop to them before they even begin.

Learn Where Underground Installations Are Located

There are many utilities that run underground such as water, electric, fuel, phone, and sewer lines.

Before you begin excavating, learn exactly where they’re located. This allows your team to plan carefully around them and decreases the odds of running into an underground pipe accidentally.

Working in trenches is a dangerous job. Making sure you’re safe should always be your first priority, no matter what you’re doing.

Product Recalls: What Businesses Need to Know

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Product recall

Does your business offer products to consumers? If so, do you currently have a recall management strategy in place in the event of a recall?

According to Statista, the Consumer Product Safety Commission fined at least 130 companies between 2006 and 2017 with civil penalties for product issues. To help your business avoid liability claims, negligence, and financial loss, it’s important to know how to manage product recalls BEFORE a recall happens.

Develop a Recall Management Plan

Planning is one of the best things you can do to properly prepare and handle a product recall. You can start the planning process by ensuring that all your staff is equipped to address a recall.

Your recall management plan should address the following:

  • What to do if a product needs to be recalled
  • How to reach customers that may be affected by the recall
  • A list of third parties that will need to be contacted
  • How your business will handle any recall

Along with your recall management plan, it’s wise to open a Product Recall Insurance policy. This policy will reimburse your business with any financial loss suffered during a recall.

If your business provides products that can potentially cause bodily harm and/or injury, you may also want to consider Product Liability Insurance. This insurance will provide coverage if your product causes bodily injury and/or property damage.

How to Handle a Recall

When faced with a recall, here are some steps to keep in mind:

  • Announce the recall as soon as possible and avoid any delays with getting the information out to the public.
  • Control the message behind the recall to prevent others from gaining control of what is said about your product recall.
  • Take responsibility of the situation
  • Use all possible communication methods to make sure consumers are aware of the recall
  • Let consumers know the problems that your recalled product may cause
  • Work with outside parties that are affected by your recall to keep everyone in the loop. Depending on your product, this may include parties such as the FDA and various supply chains.

Product recalls can affect both small and large businesses. We know these tips will help your business to create a recall management strategy that will help prevent potential financial loss and liability claims.