Every year and in many countries across the world, the month of June is recognized as National Safety Month. It is a reminder to organizations and individuals to prioritize safety not only in the workplace, but in their everyday lives. National Safety Month aims to raise awareness about potential hazards and educate people on how to prevent accidents, injuries, and illness.
What are we doing at Nationwide Boiler to make sure that our workplace is safe for employees? We ensure that employees understand the emergency procedures and respond in the right way. Some of the procedures that we have implemented at Nationwide Boiler are:
Emergency & Evacuation: We have guidance procedures for active shooters, bomb threats, earthquakes, fires, gas leaks, workplace violence, and more.
Accident Investigations: We have procedures on what to do if an employee is injured, how the accident is investigated, and investigation hints.
Hearing Conservation: We have a Hearing Conservation Program that is designed to protect employees from hearing loss caused by hazardous noise. This includes identifying these noises, using hearing protection, and audiometric testing every year.
First Aid & CPR: First Aid training is offered to NBI employees and training is provided by an accredited trainer every two years.
Injury Illness Prevention: One person is given the responsibility to implement this program, and that is our Health & Safety Coordinator. The program includes a system where employees comply with safe practices, have a form readily understandable on safety and health, and know procedures for identifying workplace hazards.
Safety in the boiler industry is of top importance due to the nature of boiler operations. At Nationwide Boiler, we take every precaution to ensure that we are adhering to all standards and keeping our employees safe. How do we do that? We adhere to safety regulations mandated by CAL-OSHA/OSHA guidelines specific to our industry. Throughout the year, Nationwide's shop team holds regular safety meetings twice a month, covering 40-50 topics. These meetings serve as platforms to discuss safety protocols, address concerns, and reinforce best practices.
It is also important that each employee has the right gear for the position that they are in. Every shop employee is equipped with appropriate PPE based on their specific job roles. Safety glasses, fall protection gear, respirators, safety toe boots, Tyvek suits, sand blast suits, hoods, and gloves are among the PPE enforced at Nationwide. Employees are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and effectiveness of their PPE, and they are trained to recognize when their equipment requires replacement so they can request new gear accordingly. The Health & Safety Coordinator also conducts biannual checks to ensure PPE compliance.
Proper housekeeping is also enforced to minimize risks associated with slips and falls. We implement safety protocols for handling chemicals, conduct regular fire safety drills, address electrical hazards promptly, and provide ergonomic training to prevent injuries. An ergonomically designed workspace reduces muscle fatigue, increases productivity, and reduces injuries. And to promote physical well-being, Nationwide employees engage in stretch and flex exercises regularly throughout each day. This routine helps warm up bodies and prevent ergonomic injuries.
Lastly, our facility in Fremont, CA adheres to Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) requirements to ensure environmental safety. The SWPPP identifies all industrial operations conducted at our facility and identifies pollution control practices that will implement and minimize pollutants from reaching Stormwater runoff. Nationwide Boiler’s SWPPP committee meets regularly to review plan requirements, analyze test results, and determine next steps for ensuring continual compliance.
At Nationwide Boiler, safety is an important part of our company culture. By encouraging a strong safety mindset, ensuring compliance with regulations, providing necessary training, and maintaining a safe working environment, we prioritize the well-being of our employees in every aspect of our operations.