The quezada safety Project

1. The quezada safety Project Presented by: Juan Rodriguez, Keila Avalos, and Elizabeth Gonzalez Associates of JKL, New Proposals Division

2. Current Issue • “Back injuries are the most common occurring injury in the warehouse” (Oliu, Brusaw, & Alred, 2013). • “In 2012-2013, 956 injuries occurred” (Oliu, Brusaw, & Alred, 2013). • “Total cost of the injuries was $3.5 million” (Oliu, Brusaw, & Alred, 2013). • “There is still a cost of $8.2 million for all open claims” (Oliu, Brusaw, & Alred, 2013). • “This information reflects a significant loss in productivity” (Oliu, Brusaw, & Alred, 2013).

3. JKL’s Goals for Quezada Imports • Increase safe practices in the warehouse • Reduce or eliminate injuries in the warehouse • Reduce or eliminate Workman’s Compensation Claims • Increase and maintain warehouse productivity

4. The Solution • Implement a safety training program for all new and current warehouse employees • Implement a tracking system to ensure all warehouse employees are completing training sessions as required • Implement mandatory use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for warehouse employees • Implement a safety incentive program for warehouse employees • Other options include: • Schedule monthly meetings for managers to discuss safety issues, incident reports, and results of tracking system • Conduct random monthly audits of tracking system and random monthly safety inspections of the warehouse • Provide safety visibility with posters, pictures, etc.

5. Overview of the Safety Training Program • Safety Plus: training program created for Quezada Imports’ warehouse employees • Safety Plus will provide an in-depth overview the following information: • Proper housekeeping of the warehouse • Stretching Program before and after start of shifts • Proper use of Material Handling Equipment (i.e. Forklifts, Conveyor Belts, etc.) • Proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) • Safe lifting techniques • Proper packing and unpacking techniques • Safety procedures at the loading dock • Proper storage procedures • OSHA regulations as applicable • Safety Plus will be administered to warehouse employees, as required, by Mr. Glen Holder, Warehouse Manager • JKL will be responsible for thoroughly training Mr. Glen Holder on Safety Plus • It will be left to the discretion of Quezada Imports to choose to train other individuals to further administer training sessions

6. Training Schedule • All new warehouse employees will be required to complete a safety training session before beginning employment • All current warehouse employees will be required to complete a safety training session between January 2, 2014 and January 10, 2014 • Each employee will be required to complete a follow-up safety training session: • If the employee is involved in a workplace accident • Within six months of the employee’s last safety training session

7. Overview of the Tracking System • SafeTrac Plus: tracking system created to monitor warehouse employee’s completed safety training sessions • SafeTrac Plus will consist of: • An electronic database, through Microsoft Excel, to monitor warehouse employee’s completed safety training sessions • Checklist that must be signed by warehouse employees upon completion of each training session • Signed checklists will be placed in the corresponding warehouse employee’s personnel file • SafeTrac Plus will be maintained by the Human Resources Department at Quezada Imports • JKL will be responsible for thoroughly training the Human Resources Department on SafeTrac Plus

8. Mandatory use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) • Effective January 1, 2014 all warehouse employees will be required to use the following PPE while on the clock: • Cut-resistant gloves • Earplugs • Hard hat • Safety glasses • Shoe covers: toe caps/ Steel toe boots • Back support belt

9. Employer Paid PPE • “The Final Rule on Employer Paid PPEOn May 15, 2008, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) had its Final Rule regarding Employer’s payments for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) implemented” (“Summary of the Final Rule,” n.d.). • “The Final Rules on Employer Paid PPE’s Background: Workplace hazards can cause illness, injuries and death. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the safety equipment that is used to offer worker’s protection from these hazards. There are various types of PPE that workers can use or wear to protect themselves and stay safe on the job. Before this new rule there were OSHA standards that required an employer to have their employees use PPE but did not obligate the employer to pay for the PPE. This Final Rule now makes the employer directly responsible for payment of their workforces PPE. The bottom line is that this rule will improve protection for employees that must wear PPE” (“Summary of the Final Rule,” n.d.).

10. Who Provides PPE? • Employer Paid PPE • Cut-resistant gloves • Earplugs • Hard hat • Safety glasses • Shoe covers: toe caps • Employee Paid PPE • Steel toe boots (Do not need to be purchased if employee chooses to use the employer provided shoe covers.) • Back support belt “Replacement PPE Under the Final Rule, replacement PPE due to normal wear and tear is the responsibility of the Employer. The only time that this responsibility would fall on the employee would be when the PPE is lost or damaged intentionally by the employee. Accidental damage is the employer’s responsibility. An employer should have policies and guidelines in place for situations that can fall into a grey area regarding lost or intentionally damaged PPE. It is the employer’s decision how to deal with employees that have lost or caused damage to company owned PPE” (“Summary of the Final Rule,” n.d.).

11. Violations of Mandatory PPE Usage • “OSHA concludes that employers have the right to implement disciplinary procedures into their jobsite in order to endorse compliance with safety and health requirements” (“Summary of the Final Rule,” n.d.). • The following disciplinary procedures are recommended: • No employee will be allowed to clock-in without all mandatory PPE on his/her person. • First Violation: The employee will be given a verbal warning which will be noted in his/her personnel file. The employee will be given 1 hour to retrieve his/her PPE or take the day off without pay. The employee can only return once all PPE has been retrieved. • Second Violation: The employee will be given a formal write-up which will be noted in his/her personnel file. The employee will be required to take the day off without pay. The employee can only return once all PPE has been retrieved. Additionally, the employee must sign a warning acknowledging that any further violations will be subject for termination. • Third Violation: The employee will be sent home without pay and the incident will be noted in his/her personnel file. Termination of employment will be decided at the discretion of the management.

12. Overview of the Safety Incentive Program • Monthly rewards/acknowledgements of safe behavior will be held every last Friday of the month • Employees will be rewarded through the Safety Incentive Program as follows: • 3 months with no safety violations or on the job accidents: $5 gift card for lunch (i.e. Whataburger, McDonalds, Wendy’s, etc.) • 6 months with no safety violations or on the job accidents: $10 gift card for lunch (i.e. Whataburger, McDonalds, Wendy’s, etc.) • 12 month with no safety violations or on the job accidents: $15 gift card for lunch (i.e. Whataburger, McDonalds, Wendy’s, etc.) • Safety Incentive Program will renew every first of the year (i.e. Employees will be given a clean slate every beginning of the year • Changes to rewards given can be made at the discretion of Quezada Imports

13. Other Options • Monthly meetings for managers should discuss the following: • Safety issues causing concern • Incident reports for the month • Workman’s Compensation Claims for the month • Results from SafeTrac Plus for the month • Improvements that need to be made • Random monthly audits of SafeTrac Plus are highly recommended to ensure information is being recorded properly • Random monthly safety inspections of the warehouse; any violations of safety regulations and/or procedures will be dealt with at the discretion of the management • Visual reminders of safety practices: • Posters • Signs • Newsletters • Articles • OSHA Regulations

14. Impact to the Budget • JKL estimates an expenditure of $50 per warehouse employee for the employer purchased PPE • Based on the current amount of warehouse employees, JKL recommends an annual budget of $5000 for PPE purchases from www.selectsafetysales.com, a JKL trusted supplier • The $5000 budget covers PPE purchases for immediate employee distribution and replacement • JKL estimates an annual budget of $1000 for the Safety Incentive Program • Overall an additional $6000 will be needed annually as outlined by this proposal.

15. Timeline for Implementation SCHEDULE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF SAFETY PLAN (Dates Subject to Change) December 2, 2013: Begin training warehouse manager(s) on Safety Plus December 16, 2013: Begin training Human Resources Department on SafeTrac Plus January 2, 2014: Implement safety training for all new-hire employees January 2-10, 2014: Begin safety training for all warehouse employees First Monday of every month: Hold monthly safety meeting (Managers Only) Last Friday of every month: Rewards/Acknowledgements for Safety Incentives Program

16. Into the Future • JKL foresees a decrease of warehouse employee injuries within 6 months • Increased safety will provide the following for Quezada Imports: • Decreased amount of injuries in the warehouse • Decreased amount of Workman’s Compensation Claims • Increased productivity in warehouse operations

17. Works Cited • Oliu, W. E., Brusaw, C. T., & Alred, G. J. (2013). Writing that Works: Communicating Effectively on the Job. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s. • n.a (n.d.). Summary of the Final Rule of Employer Paid PPE. Retrieved from http://www.selectsafetysales.com/t-Summary-of-The-Final-Rule-on-Employer-Paid-PPE.aspx