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An Open Letter on Workplace Safety - MOSH

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June 20, 2018

Summertime is a busy time of year. We welcome the warm weather and increased production at our worksites, whether it be for road repair, new building construction, or maintenance. Maryland’s businesses are working harder than ever.

However, the increase in job sites demands a heightened level of awareness when it comes to worker safety. Maryland’s Department of Labor is proud to partner with our registered apprenticeship sponsors and industry partners to emphasize the need for deliberate safety training on job sites across the state, because a safe workplace is not just good business, it’s everybody’s business.

We know that to be safe on the worksite, everyone must understand safety laws and procedures, and put that knowledge into practice. Further, employees must be empowered to say “no” when they feel those laws or procedures are not being employed.

We impress upon all employers and employees to follow specific safety practices, to include:

  • Take 5 For Safety - Safety managers need to start each shift by emphasizing workplace safety. Walk through the job site to identify possible health, safety, and environmental hazards present where work activity is to be undertaken. Be aware, and act accordingly.
     
  • Just Say NO - Remind employees that if they are uncomfortable with their work environment, they should leave the work site immediately and report it to their supervisors or safety manager. They should then call 410-527-4474 to confidentially report the unsafe condition.
     
  • Buddy System - Remind all employees to be mindful of the conditions their colleagues are in, as well as their own. Preventing a colleague from working in an unsafe situation is the right thing to do.

The goal of the Department of Labor and our registered apprenticeship sponsors and industry partners is to ensure that every worker arrives home from work in the same condition that they left. In fact, OSHA training courses and certifications are among the most important aspects of the registered apprenticeship program. Emphasizing safety training while simultaneously providing structured, mentored on-the-job training is a key component in helping to reduce workplace accidents in all occupations.

Additionally, the Department of Labor offers numerous FREE resources to help employers understand the law, employ safe practices, and stay up-to-date on industry standards. Please reach out and take advantage of these services:

  • Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) is an excellent resource for partnerships and programs, reference materials, and resources to help you develop an effective occupational safety and health program.
     
  • MOSH Consultation offers free, CONFIDENTIAL consultation services for Maryland employers who want help identifying and addressing occupational safety hazards. These services are offered on-site.
     
  • The MOSH Consultation team also offers on-site classes for both employees and management that are customized to meet your needs.

We all share a collective responsibility for workplace safety. Please join us in our commitment to develop a positive safety culture in Maryland for the benefit of employees, their families, and Maryland’s employers.

Sincerely,
Kelly M. Schulz
Secretary
Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation