Last modified on August 30th, 2022

Our 5 Most Popular 2020 Safety Articles

The past year has been one of the most challenging times in living memory for employers and employees alike. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced new risks and complexities into workplaces around the country, from a sudden shift to remote work to new social distancing guidelines and cleaning practices. Adapting to the new normal, however temporary, has been a valuable learning experience for countless organizations, highlighting the importance of proactive safety policies, health and wellness programs and employee training.

Employers have overwhelmingly risen to the challenge, placing the health and safety of their employees first. And while there are still plenty of problems left to solve, we here at FFVA Mutual are proud to be an agent for change in this new business environment.

Over the past several years, we’ve published a variety of safety blog posts and articles on trending safety topics, employee training opportunities and regulatory updates from the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). To close out 2020, we wanted to spotlight some of our most popular safety articles to help your company develop innovative safety solutions and remain proactive as we head into 2021.

Here are FFVA Mutual’s Top 5 Safety Blog Posts from 2020:

1. Boost Your Safety Program with No-Cost, Online Safety Training

Consistent employee training is a core part of effective workplace safety programs, yet some employers don’t have the in-house resources needed to educate workers about key safety topics. As part of FFVA Mutual’s workers’ comp solutions, we offer a wide range of no-cost safety training to all of our policyholders. Employers can schedule live, in-person training events or access online webcasts and safety talks whenever it’s convenient. This blog post spotlights some of our most popular online training resources and provides a basic overview of the key takeaways. Using these materials, you can proactively improve worksite conditions, prevent on-the-job accidents and keep employees safe and healthy at work.

Key Takeaways: 

• Explore FFVA Mutual’s online catalog of safety talks, webcasts and training courses
• Learn about trending safety topics, including lockout/tagout, hazard communication and more
• Improve workplace safety through education, awareness and personal development

2. Workplace Housekeeping: How to Create Effective Safety Practices

 Under OSHA’s 29 CFR 1915.81 standard, employers are responsible for “establishing and maintaining good housekeeping practices” to identify and eliminate workplace hazards that pose a risk to employee health and safety. But good housekeeping is about more than general cleanliness and clutter-free spaces. This article explores the benefits of proactive workplace housekeeping programs with an emphasis on hazard identification, risk assessment and personal safety initiatives. These insights can help your company boost safety awareness and promote positive behaviors that will enrich the lives of every employee, at every level.

Key Takeaways from this Safety Blog Post:

• Understand the benefits of comprehensive workplace housekeeping programs
• Learn how to identify and remove workplace hazards
• Develop more effective housekeeping policies and cleaning schedules

3. OSHA Recordkeeping: A How-To Guide for Employers

OSHA continues to play an active role in reducing workplace injuries and illnesses, setting industry-specific safety standards and holding organizations accountable for the health and well-being of their employees. As part of their regulatory efforts, OSHA is constantly reviewing its recordkeeping rules and policies to make them more accessible to employers of all sizes. The agency’s recordkeeping standard (29 CFR Part 1904) has changed a lot over the past few decades, leaving some organizations to question what they need to do to remain compliant. This article provides a detailed breakdown of OSHA’s current recordkeeping guidelines, including which forms employers must fill out, how long they need to retain records of work-related injuries and illnesses, and how to submit them.

Key takeaways:

• Learn more about OSHA forms 300, 300A and 301
• Discover which employers need to submit OSHA records and why
• Explore how OSHA’s recordkeeping rules have changed in recent history

4. Hazard Communications: An Employer’s Guide

Hazard communications is essential for protecting employees from chemicals, harmful substances and other physical hazards found in modern workplaces. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were approximately 297 chemical-related fatalities between 2011 and 2017, or roughly 33 to 55 fatal injuries each year. To avoid these types of accidents, employers must adhere to OSHA’s HazCom standards and take steps to educate employees about the dangerous materials they handle from day to day. This article provides a comprehensive walkthrough of hazard communication best practices and how to develop an effective HazCom program. Readers can learn more about chemical labeling, safety data sheets, written hazard communication policies and much more.

Key Takeaways from this Safety Article:

• Explore the basics of hazard communications and OSHA’s HazCom standards
• Learn how to use and update safety data sheets to keep employees informed
• Create a comprehensive, documented hazard communication program

5. Safety Committee Meeting Topics

One of the best ways to protect employees from avoidable injuries and illnesses is to create a culture of safety in the workplace, one where everyone has an opportunity to voice their ideas and concerns. This collaboration helps employers locate worksite hazards and educate workers about trending safety topics that impact their lives, both in and outside working hours. Many organizations hold short safety talks, known as “toolbox talks,” to keep employees informed about work-related hazards and new safety practices. While these get-togethers are useful, workers must also be able to make direct contributions to their company’s broader safety program and policies. That’s where safety committee meetings come in handy. This article offers an inside look at safety committee meetings and provides five topic recommendations every employer should consider covering.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn about the purpose of safety committee meetings and how to conduct them
• Explore key safety committee topics, including OSHA compliance, hazard assessment and more
• Establish a culture of safety through collaboration, education and awareness

These are only a few of the top safety blog posts we’ve published during 2020, but they help illustrate the wide breadth of topics employers are asking about. With a new year looming on the horizon, we encourage every organization to reflect on past successes and locate areas where more improvement is needed.

From everyone here at FFVA Mutual, we want to thank you for continuing to keep you and your employees safe and healthy despite the challenges 2020 has presented. And as always, our expert safety Solutionists are just a click or phone call away.