<h2>5 Critical Areas of Store Operations</h2>
<p>Store operations involve various components that contribute to ensuring that functions run properly.</p>
<h3>Store Design</h3>
<p>This refers to the store’s overall look. As a store manager, providing an enjoyable shopping experience for the customers is one of the major parts of running a store. Providing customers with a good shopping experience can increase store profitability. Below are aspects of store design:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Location</strong> &#8211; Choosing the right location is essential to a store&#8217;s success. Two things you will need to consider are visibility and customer traffic pattern. Better visibility can translate to better chances of your store earning profit. Furthermore, the location of your store not only affects profit, it can also affect consumer impressions.</li>
<li><strong>Layout</strong> &#8211; This refers to the exterior and interior design of your store. The layout design of your store can greatly influence your consumers&#8217; buying decisions. Posting signages both outside and inside are good examples of a good store layout, as this helps customers navigate through your store.</li>
<li><strong>Visual merchandising and display</strong> &#8211; This refers to how you present your products on display. An organized and attractive display of your products increases the likelihood of customer purchase.</li>
<li><strong>Store atmosphere</strong> &#8211; A pleasing store atmosphere entails factors such as proper lighting, appropriate music, ventilation, helpful staff, and the consistent overall maintenance of your store. Creating a pleasant atmosphere will boost your chances of repeat business.</li>
</ul>
<h3>People Management</h3>
<p>Critical to your business’ success is getting the right people to work in your store. Whether it be customer-facing or internal teams, store managers need to ensure that their staff is:</p>
<ul>
<li>Adequately sized and properly scheduled</li>
<li>Qualified and driven</li>
<li>Properly trained</li>
<li>Matched to the best-fit roles</li>
</ul>
<p>Store managers should regularly evaluate employees, and observe how they perform their duties, interact with customers, and follow safety regulations and store protocols. This will be essential in determining which employee needs more training, or deserves a promotion. It can also provide valuable insight on areas for improvement.</p>
<h3>Inventory &amp; Stock Management</h3>
<p>One of the essential responsibilities in the store is managing stock and inventory. The goal is to ensure that there is always a sufficient amount of products available to meet the demands of the market while avoiding spoilage and overstocking. Store managers must keep track of inventory and stock to ensure that all merchandise is accounted for, indicating whether a product is damaged, discounted, or stolen to prevent loss of inventory and stock.</p>
<h3>Customer Service</h3>
<p>Customers are the biggest asset to any retail store, which is why the quality of customer service should be of the highest standard. Customer service is the term for how a store treats its customers. Excellent customer service increases sales, develops customer loyalty, and boosts store and product reputation. Store managers should give their staff the appropriate training on providing good customer service.</p>
<h3>Safety and Security</h3>
<p>Accidents and malicious acts are not uncommon for stores. There is probability for incidents such as shoplifting, burglary, power outage, and other events that can harm both the store and, worse, its staff and customers. There are plenty of risks involved in running a store, but most of these can be controlled by implementing proper safety and security measures. Performing checks before and after store operations can help mitigate incidents and increase accountability.</p>
<p><strong>See how SafetyCulture is being used in the retail industry by <a href="https://safetyculture.com/customers/coles/" rel="noopener">Coles&#8211; an Australian supermarket giant</a>:</strong></p>


Store Operations Checklist

store operation activities performed by staff|staff performing daily store operations|General Store Audit Template

Operations

Retail

Store Operations

<h2>Importance of Dispatch Logs</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A dispatch log is necessary for different services including logistics, transportation, services, and security. It helps track the availability of the unit or personnel to do a specific task. It also guides the dispatcher in organizing tasks and assignments to avoid duplicative work, avoiding overlooked crucial requests, and tracking evidence of dispatch in case of a failed transaction.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Aside from business needs, dispatchers for public interest such as first responders, public safety dispatchers, emergency dispatchers, law enforcement, police dispatchers, and police departments—can use this as an alternative when documenting important information regarding any dispatching activities.</span></p>
<h2>Key Elements of a Dispatch Call</h2>
<p>Dispatchers should be able to <a href="https://www.cityofmadison.com/police/documents/sop/CFSDispatchGuidelines.pdf" rel="noopener">categorize call requests</a> to ensure packages or services are delivered to their appointed time and destinations. Here are the key elements of a dispatch call:</p>
<h3>Timeline</h3>
<p>Setting the timeline can help establish the priority level of services or deliveries. It would help determine if the set date and time would fit on the manpower and schedule of the staff. Also, It would help dispatchers to ensure deliveries would be available to meet customer expectations.</p>
<h3>Priority Level</h3>
<p>It is important to triage the priority level of a call request. Triaging would help dispatchers to decide which services are needed to attend immediately and which ones can wait. Below are the different priority levels:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>High-level priority</strong> &#8211; This request is needed to attend immediately at any cost. For example in security services or emergency response dispatch, the following criteria are considered high-level:
<ul>
<li>accident requiring immediate medical attention;</li>
<li>crimes in progress (excluding crimes that are referred to as self-reporting);</li>
<li>incidents involving physical danger or risk to the public including the use of dangerous weapons; and</li>
<li>death investigation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mid-level priority</strong> &#8211; This request does not typically require an immediate response. Coordinated response time can be managed at any time of the day.</li>
<li><strong>Low-level priority</strong> &#8211; The timeliness of response is not an issue. There is a given timeline within a week or more to deliver the service.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Destination</h3>
<p>It is vital to check the location or destination of the service request to ensure it is within the range of business. It would help dispatchers to allocate staff that is nearby the locations and can be a basis to set the expectations of the customers when to receive deliveries or services.</p>


Dispatch Log Templates & PDF Reports

Business Processes

Dispatch Log

<h2>What is a Petty Cash Log?</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A petty cash log, also called a petty cash template, is a tool used by a petty cash custodian or cashier to maintain an accurate record of all petty cash fund and expenses. It can also act as a ledger that records all bookkeeping entries of financial transaction using petty cash. Failure to </span><a href="https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/expert-insights/accounting-for-cash-transactions"><span style="font-weight: 400;">account for cash transactions</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or deposited related finances by maintaining the accuracy of a petty cash log and reconciling expenditures can lead to delays in the expected replenishment of petty cash.</span></p>
<h2>How to Maintain a Petty Cash Log</h2>
<p>Since there’s a separate accounting system needed for petty cash transactions, there are a few things to consider when maintaining a petty cash log template:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Determine the right and total mount of petty cash</strong><br />
The business needs to determine the optimal petty cash allocation across departments to be spent within an expected date range. The petty cash allotment should sufficiently cover all minor necessary expenses only since over-allocation may result in overspending.</li>
<li><strong>Designate the petty cash cashier who will maintain the log</strong><br />
The designated person will be responsible for keeping track of the petty cash expenses and the <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/recordkeeping/">recordkeeping</a> for reference come auditing.</li>
<li><strong>Design the log to fit your business needs</strong><br />
The logs are used across departments within an organization, and each log may be customized to fit the business need. It should be easy to use and maintain.</li>
</ul>
<h2>How to Create a Petty Cash Log Template</h2>
<p>A petty cash log template should have the following basic fields in order to help the petty cash cashier maintain a manageable record of all expenditures:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Date and Details</strong><br />
The date and details of the expenditure should be identified on the log to differentiate each item.</li>
<li><strong>Authorized person</strong><br />
The person who approved the expenditure should be included on the log in case there is a need for clarification during the review of expenditures.</li>
<li><strong>Cash in/out</strong><br />
This section states the amount of money spent and/or received using the petty cash allocation.</li>
<li><strong>Balance</strong><br />
Upon replenishment, petty cash is recorded as beginning balance. By the end of the allotted date range, it is updated to the ending balance.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Paper Forms and Digital Log Templates</h2>
<p>The use of a petty cash log is crucial to ensuring that petty cash is sufficient and spent appropriately. Here are the differences between paper-based logs and digital log templates.</p>
<h3>Convenience</h3>
<p>Though paper-based petty cash logs may suffice for certain operations, companies with several departments should digitize their logs for added security; minimizing the risk of loss, damage, and unauthorized expenditure of petty cash logs.</p>
<h3>Efficiency</h3>
<p>In terms of efficiency, digital petty cash logs have a lot of advantages over their paper-based counterparts. Paper logs need to be manually secured by the petty cash cashier. Petty cash expenditures are manually entered and calculated then reentered on a computer should there be a need for electronic data transfer or storage of expenses.</p>
<p>Digital petty cash log templates are more convenient for cashiers who typically already use electronic devices such as laptops and smartphones on the job. Data entry can be automated, requiring less manual monitoring. Should expenditure records need to be corrected or updated, the log template can be updated from the app, eliminating the need to reprint and document the corrected logs.</p>


Petty Cash Log

Record Management

<h2><strong>What is the Sarbanes-Oxley Act?</strong></h2>
<p>The <a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-107publ204/html/PLAW-107publ204.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002</a>, also known as the “Public Company Accounting Reform and Investor Protection Act” in the Senate and the “Corporate and Auditing Accountability and Responsibility Act” in the House of Representatives, was named after its sponsors, Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D-Md) and Rep. Michael Oxley (R-Ohio). The U.S. Congress passed SOX due to the accounting scandals at <a href="https://money.cnn.com/gallery/news/2015/10/14/biggest-corporate-scandals/3.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Enron</a>, <a href="https://www.accounting-degree.org/scandals/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WorldCom</a>, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Arthur-Andersen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arthur Andersen</a>, among others.</p>
<p>The U.S. SEC enforces SOX to prevent deceptive business conduct such as keeping huge debts off balance sheets, underreporting line costs by capitalizing rather than expensing, and inflating revenues with fake accounting entries that eventually lead to millions of dollars in fines and criminal conviction.</p>
<h2><strong>What is SOX Internal Control?</strong></h2>
<p>Under SOX Section 404, each annual financial report must include an <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/internal-control/">internal control</a> report, stating that the management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting. Every internal control report should also contain the management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the aforementioned structure and procedures and disclosure of security safeguards, breaches, and failures, attested to, and reported on by registered external auditors.</p>
<h2><strong>SOX Compliance in 2020</strong></h2>
<p>The SEC’s final rule that would exempt more categories of companies from auditor attestation of management’s financials has been effective <a href="https://www.sec.gov/rules/final/2020/34-88365.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">since April 27, 2020</a>. Adopting amendments has been decided upon to reduce compliance burdens for companies, especially for the most complicated, contested, and expensive to implement—SOX Section 404: Management Assessment of Internal Controls.</p>
<p>This change means certain low-revenue companies can file their managements’ effectiveness assessment in the internal control over financial reporting, or ICFR, without any independent auditor attestation. The SEC estimated that 539 companies would be exempted, saving compliance costs, and possibly encouraging more businesses to go public.</p>
<p>However, investors are also likely to price the loss of the internal controls audit attestation in their equity risk premium, making them buy stocks at higher discount rates because of the increased risk of potentially weak internal controls. Ultimately, SOX 404 compliance can be summed up from <a href="https://www.sec.gov/news/press/2007/2007-101.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a previous SEC press release</a>:</p>
<p>“Congress never intended that the 404 process should become inflexible, burdensome, and wasteful. The objective of Section 404 is to provide meaningful disclosure to investors about the effectiveness of a company’s internal controls systems, without creating unnecessary compliance burdens or wasting shareholder resources.”</p>
<h2>What to Include in a SOX Audit Checklist?</h2>
<p>The SOX audit entails reviewing controls, policies, and the procedures of a 404 audit. It will also look into the staff, their duties and job description, and if they have received relevant training to safely access financial information. According to sections 302, 404, and 409 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act, the following conditions items are required to be monitored, logged, and audited:</p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>Internal controls</strong> &#8211; Evaluation of financial reporting processes, security protocols, and safeguards against fraud</li>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>Network activity</strong> &#8211; Monitoring of data transmissions, access controls, and cybersecurity measures</li>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>Database activity</strong> &#8211; Logging and auditing changes to financial databases, user queries, and data modifications</li>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>Login activity</strong> &#8211; Tracking successful and failed login attempts, privilege escalations, and authentication methods</li>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>Account activity</strong> &#8211; Reviewing user account changes, permissions updates, and inactive accounts to prevent unauthorized access</li>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>User activity</strong> &#8211; Monitoring actions performed by employees and third parties on financial systems</li>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>Information access</strong> &#8211; Logging who accesses sensitive financial data to ensure visibility and accountability</li>
</ul>
<p>Failing a SOX compliance audit can result in fines and significant penalties that can damage the organization’s reputation.</p>
<h2>What is the Difference Between SOX and J-SOX?</h2>
<p>J-SOX is the Japanese equivalent of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of the US. Both SOX and J-SOX regulations aim to evaluate internal control systems related to financial reporting. While there are similarities in their standards and requirements, both have their differences. Among those are the internal control framework, evaluation approach, the scope of entities, the scope of the process, etc.</p>
<h2><strong>What is SOX Procedure?</strong></h2>
<p>All entities subject to SOX should provide IFCR according to Section 404, while some smaller reporting companies’ management effectiveness assessments in the IFCR can be submitted without external auditor attestation according to the SEC’s final rule. Private companies preparing for their initial public offering (IPO) should also comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.</p>
<p>Moreover, the <a href="https://www.sec.gov/divisions/corpfin/cffilingreview.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">U.S. SEC Division of Corporate Finance</a> undertakes some level of review of each reporting company at least once every three years and reviews a significant number of companies more frequently.</p>
<h2>What are SOX Compliance Requirements?</h2>
<p>Since SOX compliance is crucial to keeping your company afloat, here are the other Sarbanes-Oxley sections you should focus on:</p>
<h3>SOX Section 302: Corporate Responsibility for Financial Reports</h3>
<p>A company’s Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, and Chief Financial Officer, or CFO, are directly responsible for the accurate documentation and certification of all financial reports submitted to the SEC. Setting up audit committees, compensation committees, and disclosure committees composed of board members and getting good legal counsel can help reinforce internal controls and limit corporate liability.</p>
<p>Since SOX Section 302 is intended to safeguard against faulty financial reporting, make sure your verifiable security controls that prevent data tampering, establish timelines, and track data access are operational, periodically reviewed for effectiveness, and capable of detecting security breaches.</p>
<h3>SOX Section 401: Disclosures in Periodic Reports</h3>
<p>All of the company’s financial statements in periodic reports should be made with all material off-balance sheet liabilities, obligations, or transactions, audited by a registered public accounting firm, and published to the public.</p>
<h3>SOX Section 409: Real Time Issuer Disclosures</h3>
<p>Any changes in a company’s financial condition or operations should be reported on an almost real-time basis using trend and qualitative information and graphic presentations to protect investors and public interest.</p>
<h3>SOX Section 802: Criminal Penalties for Altering Documents</h3>
<p>Penalties of up to 20 years imprisonment await anyone who alters, destroys, mutilates, conceals, covers up, or falsifies any record, document, or tangible object with the intent to influence, obstruct, or impede a legal investigation. Any auditor who fails to maintain review papers for a period of 5 years shall be fined and/or imprisoned for not more than 10 years.</p>
<h3>SOX Section 906: Corporate Responsibility for Financial Reports</h3>
<p>All of the company’s financial statements in periodic reports should be certified by the CEO and CFO with a written statement, on top of the one required by Section 302, that they fully comply with the requirements and that information contained in them fairly presents the financial condition and results of the company’s operations.</p>
<div class="mceTemp"></div>
<h2>How to Use the SOX Compliance Checklist</h2>
<p>Since SOX compliance is essential for publicly-traded companies, it is important that an organization has a standardized approach when it comes to tracking its very own conformance. A SOX compliance checklist enables businesses to list down their points of compliance and avoid missing critical areas that can result in non-conformance to the act. Using this in a highly-intuitive platform, however, raises its documentation, accuracy, and speed.</p>
<h3>Steps to Using the SOX Compliance Checklist</h3>
<p>An effective SOX compliance follows these steps:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Establish relevant roles from the management team &#8211;</strong> Specify who will be conducting the SOX audits or inspections to ensure a smooth internal implementation of the act.</li>
<li><strong>Identify areas for compliance &#8211;</strong> Tailor your checklist to meet the requirements of SOX compliance. Use this as a well-founded basis to ask the right questions and determine critical points for the approach to ensuring and maintaining compliance.</li>
<li><strong>Determine if key controls work &#8211;</strong> Analyze if currently implemented systems work by choosing between Yes, No, or N/A, organizations can even customize their own set of answers.</li>
<li><strong>Recognize potential areas of non-compliance &#8211;</strong> Using this document, the management team can proactively spot incidents of non-conformance and assess how they can be improved and avoided moving forward.</li>
<li><strong>Input additional comments &#8211;</strong> Add any recommendations, suggestions, or comments to further reinforce the organization’s approach to SOX compliance, before signing off.</li>
</ul>


Free SOX Compliance Checklists

Compliance

Data Protection

SOX Compliance Checklist

<h2>What is a Crisis Management Plan Template?</h2>
<p>A crisis management plan template is a framework used by a crisis management team (CMT) to serve as a guideline on every step that needs to be taken during a crisis. It helps ensure all critical elements are included when preparing for and responding to potential crises.</p>
<h2>The Importance of Crisis Management Plan</h2>
<p>Bolstering a company’s ability to generate income is understandably at the top of most organizations’ priority lists. The problem with this prevalent model, however, is that crisis management plans are not given the attention they deserve; this could lead to avoidable losses that could easily be prevented by good crisis management planning and implementation.</p>
<p>Good crisis management planning and implementation help organizations:</p>
<ul>
<li>minimize total losses and damage to the organization and its employees in the event of a crisis;</li>
<li>avoid legal issues since local authorities often mandate crisis management plans for certain crises and non-compliance can lead to fines and penalties; and</li>
<li>prevent a complete operational shutdown.</li>
</ul>
<h2>How does Crisis Management Work</h2>
<p>Crisis management is a structured approach to addressing and mitigating the impacts of unexpected events that threaten an organization. It involves a series of stages and actions designed to prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises effectively. But before action could be taken, it’s important to understand the types of crisis that can be encountered at work :</p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>Financial Crisis</strong>: Occurs when a company’s assets and earnings cannot cover its costs and debts, often due to poor investments or mismanagement.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>PR Crisis</strong>: Happens when events damage a brand’s reputation, such as product defects, scandals, or employee mistreatment.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>Natural Crisis</strong>: Involves unavoidable events like hurricanes, earthquakes, or pandemics that disrupt operations.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>Organizational Crisis</strong>: Arises from internal conflicts or inefficiencies that affect the company’s ability to produce expected output, meet organizational goals, and deadlines.</li>
</ul>
<p>The appropriate steps to take when encountering these types of crises in your organization should first start with acknowledging that a crisis management plan is needed. Build a crisis management team (CMT) that are responsible for identifying potential crises, assessing needed resources, and implementing countermeasures to minimize impact.</p>
<p><strong>Roles within the CMT</strong>:</p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>Team Leader</strong>: Leads the crisis response, making final decisions. This role typically goes to a manager with appropriate seniority, leadership, and skills that drives action.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>Secretary</strong>: Documents meetings and progress to track overall crisis management efforts.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>Communications Coordinator</strong>: Keeps internal and external stakeholders informed about the crisis and actions being taken.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>Finance Officer</strong>: Manages the budget for crisis-related activities and ensures funds are used efficiently, especially during financial crises.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>HR Representative</strong>: Supports employees during and after a crisis, handling staffing and assistance programs.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>IT Consultant</strong>: Ensures internal systems and data are secure and develops contingency plans for IT-related crises.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>Legal Advisor</strong>: Ensures that crisis management actions comply with legal requirements and regulations.</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>What to include in a Crisis Management Plan</strong></h2>
<p>When a crisis occurs, the speed at which crisis management plans are implemented can mean the difference between failure and success. Crisis management plans should be simple enough so that people who have never read them can easily comprehend and implement them on short notice.</p>
<p>Below are some of the items that should be included in your Crisis Management Plan</p>
<p><strong>Start with an organizational guide map</strong><strong><br />
</strong>A guide map outlines the organization’s departments, their functions, and breaks them down per role and responsibility. Having a clear guide map is important since it makes cooperation between teams easier by promoting accountability and ensuring everyone knows who’s responsible for what. If your company already has a guide map, ensure that it is updated before using it for your crisis management plan.</p>
<p><strong>Include a process flowchart</strong><strong><br />
</strong>To make your plan easy to implement, make sure to include a process flowchart. Having your recommendations laid out in a chronological sequence with if/then scenarios can be the simplest way to make personnel comprehend and implement your crisis management plan right away.</p>
<p><strong>Create an adaptable design</strong><strong><br />
</strong>For crisis management plans to stay effective, they need to stay updated. Several factors including a change in the organizational structure, service, or process, not to mention external elements beyond the company’s control, can affect the relevance and potency of crisis management plans. For this reason, crisis management plans need to be adaptable.</p>
<h3>Other Items to Include in a Crisis Management Plan</h3>
<ol>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>Conditions for Activation</strong>: Define clear parameters to determine when a crisis management plan should be activated, ensuring it’s only rolled out during a true crisis.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>Links to Supplementary Documents</strong>: Attach essential documents and resources to streamline the implementation of the crisis management plan.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><strong>Contact Information</strong>: Provide contact details for crisis management team members and key personnel to facilitate quick communication during a crisis.</li>
</ol>
<h2>Crisis Management Plan Example</h2>
<p>To give you an idea of what a crisis management plan should look like, we’ve created a simple design.</p>
<div id="attachment_98929" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://wp-website.safetyculture.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Crisis-Management-Plan-Sample-Report.pdf"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-98929" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-98929 size-full" src="https://wp-website.safetyculture.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/Crisis-Management-Plan-Template-Sample-Report.png" alt="crisis management plan template sample report" width="600" height="800" srcset="https://wp-website.safetyculture.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/Crisis-Management-Plan-Template-Sample-Report.png 600w, https://wp-website.safetyculture.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/Crisis-Management-Plan-Template-Sample-Report-225x300.png 225w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-98929" class="wp-caption-text"><a href="https://wp-website.safetyculture.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Crisis-Management-Plan-Sample-Report.pdf">Crisis Management Plan Template Sample Report | SafetyCulture</a></p></div>
<p>In this sample crisis management example, contains 3 main sections which are:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Scope of Crisis Management Plan </strong>&#8211; As its name suggests, this section provides the specific crisis that the plan is trying to manage. (e.g., earthquake, tornado, COVID-19, typhoon, etc.)</li>
<li><strong>Communication Response </strong>&#8211; In this section, personnel of contact in case of an incident or emergency is listed down by order of priority. This person may be a key official, legal counsel, or advisors. It is essential that this section be able to provide the personnel’s full name, position title, and their contact number.</li>
<li><strong>Action Plans </strong>&#8211; This section contains instructions for the containment and management of the said crisis mentioned in the plan. The emergency protocols provided in this section have been carefully thought and put together by the crisis management team. It is expected to be carried out should the crisis arise, to prevent the situation from further escalating.</li>
<li><strong>Sign off</strong> &#8211; Lastly, a crisis management plan should be validated by the crisis management director or other relevant stakeholders with a signature to officiate the information and guidance provided.</li>
</ul>


What are the 4 stages of crisis management?

What is the difference between a crisis and a disaster?

What is the difference between crisis management and disaster recovery?

FAQs about Crisis Management Plans

Crisis Management Plan Template

Employees discussing their crisis management plan

<h2>What is in a Return to Work Form?</h2>
<p>Within the return to work form, managers and employees will need to typically provide details relating to their absence, such as:</p>
<ul>
<li>the duration of absence;</li>
<li>the method used by employees to notify of their absence;</li>
<li>the reason for absence;</li>
<li>details about previous absences over the past calendar year (if applicable);</li>
<li>a summary of the return to work plan; and</li>
<li>reasonable adjustments/accommodations necessary to help the employee go back to work safely</li>
</ul>
<h2>Why is it Important to Go Through the Return to Work Form?</h2>
<p>While filling out a return to work form is not legally required in the U.S. and U.K, it is a vital tool for companies to understand employees, identify any patterns in absences, and determine ways how to support them and reduce absenteeism in the long run. Additionally, going through return to work forms help:</p>
<ul>
<li>discourage unauthorized and non-genuine absences;</li>
<li>confirm the accuracy of an employee’s absence record;</li>
<li>inform employees about the necessary updates that have been taken during their absence;</li>
<li>identify any workplace adjustments that may be needed to help the employee adjust during the reintegration; and</li>
<li>develop, discuss, and agree on a Return to Work Plan.</li>
</ul>
<p>Employers may decide to make return to work forms and interviews as requirements of their return to work program to help them ensure proper documentation of the processes.</p>
<h2>What is a Return to Work Interview?</h2>
<p>A <a href="https://www.peoplehr.com/blog/2019/06/05/why-conduct-a-return-to-work-interview/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">return to work interview</a> is a brief meeting between an employee and the manager on the former’s return to work after an absence. This discussion serves as the manager’s acknowledgment of the employee’s intention to return to work and the method to determine the most suitable return to work plan for the employee.</p>
<h2>How to Properly Conduct a Return to Work Interview</h2>
<p>To carry out an effective return to work interview, managers should consider the following:</p>
<h3>Before the Interview</h3>
<ul>
<li>It would be beneficial to review the employee’s attendance record over the year and the return to work interview notes attached (if applicable). This will allow the manager to have a better foundation of how to support the employee when making the return to work plan.</li>
<li>Use a return to work interview form template as a guide for structuring the interview, but make sure to maintain a two-way communication throughout the process.</li>
<li>Choose a meeting space where the employee will feel comfortable.</li>
</ul>
<h3>During the Interview</h3>
<ul>
<li>Be clear that the purpose of the meeting is to provide support to the individual in his/her return to work.</li>
<li>Discuss with the employee the notes from their previous return to work interviews and establish what help the employee is currently receiving.</li>
<li>Discuss the cause(s) of absence and the likelihood of the illness recurring and give the employee the opportunity to highlight any relevant issues.</li>
<li>Probe if there are any personal or work-related concerns that might affect their attendance. If there are personal issues, discuss whether there are any support mechanisms/actions that the employee or the manager may reasonably take to seek to alleviate the problems, (e.g., access to counseling, staff helpline, etc.). If the problems are work-related. If absences relate to disability, pregnancy, or a work-related accident, undertake a return to work <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/risk-assessment/" rel="noopener">risk assessment</a>.</li>
<li>Establish if any ‘reasonable adjustments’ are required to their role or work environment.</li>
<li>Remind the employee of the mutual obligations – i.e. that it is the individual’s responsibility/contractual obligation to attend work, and the employer/manager has a corresponding responsibility and concern for the employee’s wellbeing.</li>
</ul>
<h3>After the Interview</h3>
<ul>
<li>Both parties should sign the return to work form once the action plan has been agreed upon. This information should remain completely confidential.</li>
<li>If appropriate agree on a review period and/or any actions required.</li>
<li>Make sure to identify specific actions and inform responsible task owners.</li>
<li>Be available to talk to/meet with the employee, should they have any issues following the RTW.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Employee Return to Work Form Example</h2>
<p>Here&#8217;s a filled-out example that shows what an employee return to work form report looks like:</p>
<div id="attachment_63571" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://wp-website.safetyculture.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/Return-to-Work-Form-Template-Sample-PDF-Report.pdf"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-63571" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-63571 size-full" src="https://wp-website.safetyculture.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Return-to-Work-Form-Sample-Report.png" alt="Employee Return to Work Form Sample PDF Report" width="600" height="800" srcset="https://wp-website.safetyculture.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Return-to-Work-Form-Sample-Report.png 600w, https://wp-website.safetyculture.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Return-to-Work-Form-Sample-Report-225x300.png 225w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-63571" class="wp-caption-text"><a href="https://wp-website.safetyculture.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/Return-to-Work-Form-Template-Sample-PDF-Report.pdf">Return to Work Form Sample Report | SafetyCulture</a></p></div>


Return to Work Form & Template

formulaire de retour au travail - checklist - caractéristiques|liste de contrôle de retour au formulaire-bannière|updateda

Human Resources

Return to Work Form

<h2>Work from Home Advantages and Disadvantages</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The benefits of working from home come with some drawbacks, and understanding both of the advantages and disadvantages can help people to decide if working from home is the right work style for them.</span></p>
<h3>Time</h3>
<div class="table">
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 85px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 28px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 28px;">
<h4>Advantages</h4>
</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 28px;">
<h4>Disadvantages</h4>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Set your own work hours</span></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tendency to overwork</span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">More time for yourself and your family</span></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;">More prone to procrastination</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">No need to commute</span></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Difficulty sticking to a routine</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<h3>Income</h3>
<div class="table">
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 76px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;">
<h4>Advantages</h4>
</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;">
<h4>Disadvantages</h4>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Same or more pay than an in-office counterpart</span></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Potential ebb and flow nature of income</span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">No planned or unexpected eat-out expenses, commute fares, and parking fees</span></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Increased groceries, food deliveries, and home utility bills</span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tax breaks for freelancers and self-employed</span></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Miss out on corporate office perks e.g. company-issued car or phone</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<h3>Workspace</h3>
<div class="table">
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 85px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 28px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 28px;">
<h4>Advantages</h4>
</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 28px;">
<h4>Disadvantages</h4>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Freedom to work in any location</span></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Struggle to set home-work boundaries</span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Environment-friendly, personalized workstations</span></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Inadequate or unreliable office equipment and data security issues</span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">More comfortable working conditions, including attire</span></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Personal privacy and ergonomic problems</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<h3>Workflow</h3>
<div class="table">
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 76px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;">
<h4>Advantages</h4>
</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;">
<h4>Disadvantages</h4>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fewer interruptions from colleagues</span></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Distractions from family, pets, and chores</span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Working independently and under minimal supervision</span></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Risk of unrecognized efforts and mediocre performance or poor quality of work</span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Less frequent and more efficient meetings</span></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Delayed access to or approval for tools, documents, and other requests</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<h3>Relationships</h3>
<div class="table">
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 85px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 28px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 28px;">
<h4>Advantages</h4>
</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 28px;">
<h4>Disadvantages</h4>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Working while taking care of parents, children, or pets</span></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Challenging to collaborate with and get feedback from peers</span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Minimal office politics and drama</span></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Higher likelihood for miscommunication and misunderstanding</span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Remotely maintain built relationships within the company or among clients</span></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Prone to boredom, lack of motivation, and feelings of isolation or loneliness</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<h2>Common Working From Home Risks and How to Mitigate Them</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here are common safety and health risks when working from home, so once they are identified, action can be taken to minimize them:</span></p>
<h3><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-149810" src="https://wp-website.safetyculture.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/Common-Working-From-Home-Risks.png" alt="Common Working From Home Risks" width="700" height="400" /></h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Workstation and Work Equipment</strong> &#8211; <span style="font-weight: 400;">Typical work-from-home equipment such as printers and shredding machines should be used correctly and the </span><a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/dse-assessment-form/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">display screens of desktop computers or laptops</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, keyboards, and mouses should be in good condition to avoid unnecessary work-related accidents.</span></li>
<li><strong>Fire and Electrical Safety</strong> &#8211; <span style="font-weight: 400;">The most common fire hazards at home offices include </span><a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/electrical-inspection-checklists/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">electrical equipment</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, faulty wiring, and flammable materials. Regularly disposing of waste, including papers, and switching off equipment when not in use can help </span><a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/fire-safety-checklists/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">prevent the risk of fires</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Additional security measures, such as working in a lockable room can be implemented to reduce safety risks to other people at home, especially young children. </span></li>
<li><strong>Slip, Trip, and Fall Hazards</strong> &#8211; Carpets or throw rugs, clutter, and uneven flooring or stair steps are common causes of slips, trips, and falls when working from home. Secure floor coverings, keep essential items within easy reach, and clear walkways and corridors by upholding <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/workplace-housekeeping/" rel="noopener">standards of good housekeeping</a> even at home offices.</li>
<li><strong>Manual Handling and Ergonomics</strong> &#8211; <span style="font-weight: 400;">Repetitive movements and sustained awkward posture and body positioning can result in fatigue and lead to back, neck, and shoulder injuries. Home office desks and chairs should be </span><a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/ergonomic-assessment/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">ergonomically designed</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal problems and potentially restrict employees’ ability to undertake a wide range of work activities.</span></li>
<li><strong>Work-related Stress</strong> &#8211; <span style="font-weight: 400;">Since work-from-home employees are likely to work longer hours because they have no set schedule, sticking to a daily routine that includes short breaks and clearly defined lunch and end-of-shift times can help </span><a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/hse-stress-risk-assessment/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">reduce work-related stress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li>
<li><strong>Mental Health</strong> &#8211; <span style="font-weight: 400;">Feelings of isolation can negatively impact the performance of employees who are working from home. Research has shown that social isolation is associated with </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5367921/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">depression and sleeping problems</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and with an </span><a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1745691614568352" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">increased risk for early mortality</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Practicing appropriate self-care, connecting with colleagues via virtual meetings, and talking about non-work-related matters using other online communication platforms are essential when working from home.</span></li>
</ul>
<h2>How to Work from Home</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After remote teams </span><a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/working-from-home/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">assess and control safety and health risks</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in their respective home offices, here is how they can function more effectively when working from home:</span></p>
<h3>How Employees Can Work from Home Effectively</h3>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Build self-discipline &#8211; </strong>Setting a dedicated workspace can help you avoid distractions such as social media, TV, or chores, and sticking to your routine as if you still went to an office building like getting up early, taking a shower, and changing your clothes, can help establish boundaries between your place and time for work and for yourself.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Be proactive &#8211; </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Planning allows you to foresee any changes or unnecessary downtime so you can respond accordingly, making the most out of your time. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Boost communication &#8211;</strong>Clarifying work-related tasks lets you set your and your manager’s expectations about what should be done during this period of working from home. Collaborate more often with your teammates to prevent misunderstandings and stay connected with actual human beings other than your family.</span></li>
</ul>
<h3>How Managers Can Work from Home Effectively</h3>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Managing a Team Member</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>:</strong> structured daily check-ins and focus on goals, not activity. Think, “</span><em><b>How</b></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> are you doing?” instead of, “</span><em><b>What</b></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> are you doing?”.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Managing a Team</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>:</strong> over-communicate and practice rules of engagement e.g. expected frequency, means, and ideal timing of communication.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Facilitating Virtual Meetings</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>:</strong> keep the dialogue flowing and make decisions together; a meeting is not a monologue nor a presentation you can simply send via email.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Facilitating Ad-hoc Communication</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>:</strong> offer emotional support and opportunities for social interaction e.g. </span><a href="https://www.thechainsaw.com/working-from-home-ideas-perks-canva-transferwise-2020-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Friday happy hour</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://netgames.io/games/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">online board games</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and virtual workouts.</span></li>
</ul>


Work From Home FAQs

Working From Home Checklist

<h2>3 Things to Consider During Scissor Lift Inspections</h2>
<p>In an OSHA study on the safe use of scissor lifts, it was concluded that most injuries and fatalities involving scissor lifts are due to employers not addressing the following:</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Fall Protection</strong><br />
Workers using scissor lifts are at risk of falls. This can be caused by either machine failure, or lack of equipment and <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/fall-protection/" rel="noopener">fall protection</a> training for responsible workers operating the lift. According to <a href="https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.451" rel="noopener">29 CFR 1926.451 (g)</a> and <a href="https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.29" rel="noopener">29 CFR 1910.29(a)(3)(vii)</a>, OSHA requires scissor lifts to have guardrails installed to prevent injuries and accidents caused by falls. Additionally, all workers involved in using the lift should undergo proper training on proper use and fall protection to prevent accidents or injuries.</li>
<li><strong>Stabilization<br />
</strong>Stabilization is essential for safety as unstable scissor lifts are prone to tipping over and collapsing. To avoid this, safe work practices must be maintained. These include the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>Isolating scissor lift from traffic or other moving worksite equipment to prevent impact</li>
<li>Ensuring work location is on a firm, level surface away from hazards</li>
<li>Ensuring weight on the work platform does not exceed the manufacturer’s load rating</li>
<li>Observing weather conditions meet requirements indicated on equipment label or operator’s manual</li>
<li>Performing proper maintenance</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Positioning</strong><br />
It is critical for workers and employers to observe proper positioning when using scissor lifts to avoid being crushed or electrocuted. Scissor safety workers should follow the set safety systems such as traffic control measures and ground guides. They should also ensure that they have received the required training for the tasks at hand, including relevant electrical training in accordance with the <a href="https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.269" rel="noopener">29 CFR 1910.269</a>, <a href="https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.333" rel="noopener">29 CFR 1910.333</a>, and <a href="https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926SubpartV" rel="noopener">29 CFR 1926 Subpart V</a>. For continued safety and to limit the occurrence of hazards, workers should be watchful of the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>Operating a scissor lift near a fixed object</li>
<li>Operating closely with a moving vehicle</li>
<li>Passing below fixed objects like door frames and support beams</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>
<h2>3 Tips to Effectively Implement Scissor Lift Safety</h2>
<ol>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ol>
<li><strong>Conduct regular inspections</strong><br />
Regularly performing inspections help ensure overall <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/aerial-lift-safety/" rel="noopener">aerial lift safety</a> and that scissor lifts are in tip-top and safe condition for use. One of the inspections workers should perform regularly is the pre-use or pre-operational inspection. A pre-use check or pre-operational inspection is done to ensure that there is no visible damage to the scissor lift before use. This is done through a walk around inspection format. The areas and items to inspect will depend on the manufacturer’s operation and manual which is why it is important for workers to always refer to it. But most commonly the inspection will involve checking the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>Required manuals, decals, controlled markings, and placards are present and legible</li>
<li>Fluid level and the amount of battery charge level</li>
<li>All components have no missing parts, securely fastened, no visible damage or excessive wear</li>
<li>Outriggers, switches and locking pins</li>
<li>Tires and rollers</li>
<li>Ground controls and switches</li>
<li>Platform housekeeping</li>
</ul>
<p>In the event of discovering damage or discrepancy, the scissor lift should be marked and removed from service and reported to proper personnel.</li>
<li><strong>Regularly maintain scissor lifts</strong><br />
Performing regular maintenance on scissor lifts helps sustain good operational condition of scissor lifts. It reduces the likelihood of mechanical failures, injuries, and operational downtime. To do this, workers should again review the manufacturer&#8217;s manual to know the proper maintenance procedures appropriate for the scissor lift. Maintenance will generally include how to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Test and inspect controls and components</li>
<li>Ensure that guardrail systems are in good condition</li>
<li>Verify brakes work and will hold the scissor lift position</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Train workers properly</strong><br />
Employers must ensure that workers are trained on hazards and proper operation of scissor lifts in accordance with OSHA standards (<a href="https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.454" rel="noopener">29 CFR 1926.454</a>.) Required trainings will include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Manufacturer’s instructions for operating scissor lift</li>
<li>How to handle materials on the scissor lift and being aware of weight limits</li>
<li>Worksite hazards workers may encounter when working on a scissor lift (e.g., contact with electrical wires) and how to avoid them</li>
<li>How to report defects or discrepancies</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
<h2>SafetyCulture Marketplace: Your One-Stop Work Gear &amp; Equipment Shop</h2>
<p>Improve safety in your workplace with <a href="https://marketplace.safetyculture.com/" rel="noopener">SafetyCulture Marketplace</a> as your one-stop shop for all work gear and equipment needs. Get on-demand access to top quality and specialized work gear from trusted equipment brands in the industry—all in one centralized location. Raise the bar of safety and efficiency by empowering employees to request what they need with just a few taps, anytime and anywhere!</p>


Scissor Lift Safety

travailleurs utilisant une nacelle à ciseaux||les travailleurs dans une nacelle à ciseaux

Equipment Safety

Safety

<h2>What is a Laser Safety Checklist?</h2>
<p>A laser safety checklist is a tool used across various industries such as manufacturing, education, and healthcare to ensure the safe use of lasers for work. Laser Safety Officers (LSOs) perform laser risk assessments to identify laser hazards, enforce appropriate control measures, and reduce the risk of eye and skin injuries.</p>
<h2>Why is it Important?</h2>
<p>Laser beams from handheld lasers or laser pointers can cause flash blindness and severe eye injury through direct contact with the retina. That being considered, workers need to be aware and even more cautious of the hazards presented by industrial lasers such as those used for metal fabrication.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.boston25news.com/news/sharon-metal-worker-trapped-in-laser-cutting-machine-co-worker-says/788401812/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">In 2018</a>, a Massachusetts-based metalworks company experienced a casualty after a worker was trapped in a laser cutting machine. Laser safety should be prioritized by employees using lasers at work, not only for their personal safety but also for the safety of others.</p>


Is there an OSHA regulation for lasers?

Are all classes of lasers hazardous?

Is PPE the only laser control measure?

Laser Safety FAQs

Laser Safety

<p>Smoke detector inspections, similar to <a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/environment-and-natural-resources/carbon-monoxide-detectors-state-statutes.aspx" rel="noopener">carbon monoxide detector inspections</a>, are important to realtors and homeowners since they are a prerequisite to acquiring a smoke certificate, or Certificate of Compliance, when selling a property. The smoke certificate, awarded by a local fire department, assures potential buyers that the property they are purchasing comes with functional smoke detectors.</p>
<h2>Smoke Detectors and Smoke Alarms: What’s the Difference?</h2>
<p>Smoke detectors and smoke alarms both provide an early warning system to ensure the safety of properties and its inhabitants. These terms are often used interchangeably, but they are not synonymous. Here is how the <a href="http://www.nfpa.org/" rel="noopener">US National Fire Protection Association</a>’s (NFPA) 72, or National Fire Alarm Code, describes each:</p>
<h3>Smoke Detectors</h3>
<p>Smoke detectors operate as an interconnected system of smoke-sensing devices that send a signal to a building’s fire alarm system when there is a significant amount of visible or invisible particles of combustion. These are not self-contained devices, which means they lack control components and alarm notifications typically found in smoke alarms. Smoke detectors must be connected to a fire alarm system control panel which will then inform smoke alarms to sound. Smoke detectors are often used for commercial purposes and are commonly found in hotels, schools, offices, and other industrial buildings.</p>
<h3>Smoke Alarms</h3>
<p>Smoke alarms are self-contained, single, or multiple-station devices with built-in speakers, control components, and smoke sensors. Unlike smoke detectors, smoke alarms are often used for smaller properties such as private homes.<br />
Note: Some system-powered smoke detectors found in hotels, apartments, dorms, and lodging houses may sound audible alarms similar to a home smoke alarm system, even though they are industrial smoke detectors part of a larger, interconnected fire safety system utilized by a building.</p>
<h2>What is the Code Requirement for Smoke Detectors?</h2>
<p>Smoke detector requirements can vary per state, however, property owners can generally refer to the NFPA 72 (2019 Edition) to know the <a href="https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=72" rel="noopener">latest safety provisions to fire detection, signaling, and emergency communications.</a></p>
<h2>How to Prepare for Smoke Certification</h2>
<p>To earn a smoke certificate, property owners must apply through their local fire department who will conduct an inspection to ensure that smoke detectors and other fire-protection systems meet the standards and requirements of NFPA 72.<br />
Here are some points to remember when preparing for a smoke certification inspection:</p>
<ul>
<li>Trace back when the property was built and the date the last building permit was issued for construction or renovation.</li>
<li>Verify the date in which your home was built, including the date in which the last building permit was issued. Additionally, coordinate with your local fire marshals regarding state specific requirements. All of these elements influence smoke detector installation requirements for your property.</li>
<li>List the location of all smoke detectors and fire alarms in your property, and determine the age of each alarm. On average, smoke alarms degrade and <a href="https://www.amherst.edu/offices/enviro_health_safety/fire/building-fire-and-safety/fire_alarm#standard" rel="noopener">expire 10 years after initial installation</a>.</li>
<li>If your smoke detectors and fire alarms do not meet state requirements, you can purchase and install new equipment yourself or hire professional help as an added precaution.</li>
<li>After your new smoke detectors and fire alarms are installed, test them.</li>
</ul>


Smoke Detector Inspection

A technician checking workplace smoke detector

Fire Safety

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<h2>Importance of CDM Regulations</h2>
<p>The <a href="https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/industry/" rel="noopener">2020 Health and Safety Executive</a> (HSE) key statistics reported that at least 81,000 workers suffered from work-related illnesses to construction sector workers from 2018 to 2019 in Great Britain alone. These incidents can be avoided beginning in the early stages of project development through compliance with CDM regulations. Proper implementation of CDM regulations can:</p>
<ul>
<li>help identify and manage construction risks concerning the project;</li>
<li>pick qualified workers for the required jobs; and</li>
<li>coordinate and communicate risks with personnel involved in the project.</li>
</ul>
<h2>What is CDM Risk Assessment?</h2>
<p>A CDM risk assessment is performed to minimize the likelihood of risks as construction work progresses. It evaluates whether identified risks are avoidable or unavoidable so the appropriate controls can be applied to bolster safety.; A good CDM risk assessment reduces the risk of accidents, near misses, and fatalities during construction work.</p>
<p>This article will feature: 1) CDM requirements based on personnel duties; 2) consequences of non-compliance with CDM regulations; 3) tool used to streamline CDM risk assessments; and 4) free downloadable CDM risk assessment templates you can customize and use.</p>
<h2><span data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Construction Design and Management&quot;}" data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:4289,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;9&quot;:1,&quot;10&quot;:2,&quot;15&quot;:&quot;Arial&quot;}">Construction Design and Management</span> Requirements Based on Personnel Duties</h2>
<p>CDM regulations are applied to different roles in construction work. Listed below are the responsibilities of the most common work roles in the construction industry:</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Commercial clients</strong> are organizations or individuals who employ the services of construction professionals to complete construction projects. They are responsible for ensuring that the principal architects, engineers, and contractors perform their work duties in a responsible and safe manner. They also have crucial influence over the health and welfare management of workers during the construction phase.</li>
<li><strong>Designers/Architects</strong> are professionals who are responsible for creating and/or modifying designs for construction projects. They assess the plausibility of design proposals, ensuring that they are structurally sound to ensure the safety of the workers and the building’s future tenants.</li>
<li><strong>Contractors</strong> are responsible for comprehending the blueprint presented and approved by the designer/architect and performing the actual construction work. They are liable for monitoring and managing workers by ensuring they are adequately trained to perform their duties, and that they are aware of site safety practices through <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/toolbox-talk-templates/" rel="noopener">toolbox talks</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Workers</strong> are individuals who execute manual labor. They are responsible for complying with construction site rules and procedures, including incident reporting protocols for identified risks during construction work.</li>
</ol>
<h2>Consequences of Non-Compliance with CDM Regulations</h2>
<p>Construction personnel are expected to comply with CDM regulations to avoid legal and ethical repercussions. Failure to adhere to CDM regulations can lead to the following:</p>
<h3>Increased construction risks</h3>
<p>Safety is paramount across the construction industry. Overlooked construction risks increase the likelihood of accidents from happening. CDM regulations aim to protect employees from construction risks such as accidental falls, being struck by an object, accidental electrocutions, and being caught between objects and machines.</p>
<h3>Cost blowout</h3>
<p>Failure to adhere to CDM regulations during the planning and construction stages of a project may lead to &#8220;budget blowouts&#8221; due to the inefficiencies and technical difficulties the construction team may encounter during the course of work. Adhering to CDM regulations help make the scope of work clear so work can be completed faster with fewer hindrances.</p>
<h3>Increased penalties</h3>
<p>Noncompliance with HSE and CDM regulations may result in substantial fines and criminal liabilities. Construction personnel and key project stakeholders can avoid this by assessing and monitoring risks from the beginning until the completion of a project.</p>


CDM Risk Assessments

CDM risk assessment|CDM Risk Assessment|CDM Checklist Template

Risk Assessment

<h2>Importance &amp; Benefit</h2>
<p>Without <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/types-of-packaging/">packaging</a> quality control audits, the entire supply chain can be compromised. <a href="https://www.infoentrepreneurs.org/en/guides/manage-your-suppliers/">Suppliers</a> are susceptible to distributing products with incomplete shipping markings, and manufacturers may end up using the wrong materials for production. <span style="font-weight: 400;">Ensuring the quality of the packaging is crucial for safeguarding brand reputation, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and requirements, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Performing quality control checks can reap various benefits such as: </span></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Maintain consistency</strong> by reducing variations that affect product quality and customer perception</li>
<li><strong>Reduce additional costs</strong> caused by reworks, returns, and customer complaints</li>
<li><strong>Enhance brand loyalty</strong> and influence positive brand associations by delivering products in high-quality packaging</li>
<li><strong>Protect product from damage</strong> due to handling, transportation, and storage</li>
<li><strong>Increase efficiency and profitability</strong> with the enforced quality control processes in packaging</li>
</ul>
<h2>Crucial Checkpoints</h2>
<p>Seeing the big picture of packaging quality control can help suppliers, packaging companies, and manufacturers become more intentional when performing packaging quality control checks. Although it may seem like it plays a minor part in the entire process, consistently ensuring packaging quality safeguards product quality itself. Here are crucial checkpoints in the production process where packaging quality control should be done:</p>
<h3>Upon receipt of products or packaging components</h3>
<p>Manufacturers should use only the <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/incoming-inspection/" rel="noopener">specified raw materials</a> for production. They need to ensure that the delivered products are properly assorted to avoid receiving damaged, missing, or incorrect materials. Packaging companies also need to verify if the components to be used for packaging products such as carton, foil, and wood are properly packed to prevent waste and delays.</p>
<h3>After manufacturing or packing products</h3>
<p>Individual units start undergoing quality assurance <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/check-sheet/" rel="noopener">as soon as they enter the production line</a>. Performing packaging quality control for the finished product helps maintain the same high-quality observed during the production and assembly phase. Inspecting the products after packing prepares them for safe storage and transportation while keeping quality intact.</p>
<h3>While products are in storage</h3>
<p>One of the most overlooked quality control checks is regularly validating the packaging integrity of products awaiting transport in the <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/warehouse-safety/" rel="noopener">warehouse</a>. Faulty or deteriorating finished product packaging can cause accidents, incidents, or near misses, especially when moved across <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/racking-inspection/" rel="noopener">pallet racks</a> using <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/forklift-checklists/" rel="noopener">forklifts or other lifting equipment</a>.</p>
<h3>After packing products for transport</h3>
<p>Additional packaging might be required by the courier or <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/industrial-logistics/">logistics</a> team to prevent product damage in transit and ensure its safe delivery. Quality control in this area of the supply chain can also be accomplished through free-fall drop testing. This practice entails intentionally dropping packages on its corners, edges, and surfaces to simulate realistic conditions encountered during shipment.</p>
<h2>What is a Packaging Quality Control Checklist?</h2>
<p>A packaging quality control checklist is an assessment tool used to determine if the condition of packaging components, packaged raw materials, or finished product packaging meets quality standards. Suppliers, manufacturers, packaging companies, and retailers should use mobile packaging quality control checklists to mitigate the risks of manufacturing unsafe, low-quality output.</p>
<h3>What should be included in the checklist?</h3>
<p>A good packaging quality control checklist should include checking the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>Clear and legible shipping mark on the outer or inner carton</li>
<li>Correct purchase order information on shipping mark</li>
<li>Correct carton markings and no damage on carton itself</li>
<li>Correct package size</li>
<li>Matching package printing, material, contents, size, and color with the signed sample</li>
<li>Package securely sealed</li>
<li>Correct and complete distributor information</li>
<li>Complete logo, hangtag, or warning label</li>
<li>Product manual intact and not damaged</li>
</ul>
<p>It is worth noting that quality control checks on packaging are not limited to these only. Factors like local regulations can subject to amending the items checked during quality control.</p>


Packaging Quality Control Checklist

supplier personnel doing packaging quality control

Manufacturing Procedure

Packaging Quality Control

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