Each year, more than 300 deaths and 4,000 injuries in the workplace are caused by electrical hazards. From falls and burns to electric shock and even electrocution - contact with electrical energy is a serious danger to workers.

As Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.com, said “Your brand is what other people say about you when you’re not in the room.”

OSHA estimates that 5 million U.S. workers are required to wear respirators. These respirators protect workers from cancer, lung impairment, diseases, or even death caused by insufficient oxygen, harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors, and sprays. Despite the abundant use of respirators, the standard for respiratory protection has been the fourth most frequently cited OSHA standard from 2011 to 2014.

Lockout/tagout (LOTO) is #5 on the list of most frequently cited OSHA standards with 2,704 violations. OSHA estimates that compliance with the standard could prevent 500,000 injuries and 120 fatalities a year. What can your company do to meet this standard and properly protect your workforce from the dangers of hazardous energy during the machine inspection and maintenance process?

Employee terminations, if not handled safely and with respect, pose significant risk for incidents of workplace violence. Let’s consider a scenario many human resources professionals can relate to.

According to OSHA, approximately 2.3 million construction workers frequently work on scaffolds. Scaffold-related accidents cause about 4,500 injuries and 50 deaths every year. They also result in $90 million in lost workdays. Taking steps to ensure compliance with the scaffolding standards could help employers protect workers and prevent significant costs.

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Ron Turpin, Gibson’s CFO and Fort Wayne Market President. We hope you enjoy Ron’s perspective and wisdom.

As the Baby Boomer generation continues to enter the retirement phase of their lives, the need for effective succession planning is becoming more and more critical. This is particularly an issue in the service industries, where the value of your asset is based upon intangibles. These would be comprised of many things, including:

Exposure to hazardous chemicals is a serious threat to workers. Employees have the right to know what chemicals are being used, their hazards, and how to safely handle them. OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard is intended to “improve the quality and consistency of hazard information, making it safer for workers to do their jobs and easier for employers to stay competitive,” as described by former U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis.

Theft, fire, collision, upset, and overturn all threaten the equipment you depend on to deliver projects on time and within budget. Direct losses from contractor’s equipment are estimated to be over $1 billion annually. Even if just one piece of equipment is damaged or out of service, it can significantly impact your project’s timeline and cause productivity to suffer. What can you do to protect your equipment and control losses?

Do you have employees driving their personal vehicles on behalf of your organization? Perhaps for making sales calls, visiting clients, running to the post office, or picking up equipment or supplies? If so, what risk management strategies have you adopted to ensure your company is properly protected and your employees are properly insured for business use?