ZIP Safety Newsletter - October 2022
How to properly wear and maintain your hard hat
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Hard hats are a vital piece of personal protective equipment. The most common question that arises is “Do hard hats save lives?” The answer is yes. Hard hats are worn in workplaces to protect the head from flying objects, collision impact, debris, and shock among other hazards. But it isn’t enough just to know you may need to wear a hard hat. It is also essential to understand which one is appropriate for the task at hand, how to do a proper visual inspection to ensure it is safe for use, and to maintain it and wear it properly.

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SAFETY SPOTLIGHT:
Zachary Thomas’ years of diverse safety experience guide his work with COH

Zachary Thomas brought more than three decades of safety experience with him when he joined the City of Houston in 2011. He brought not just years of experience, he brought a diverse background after leaving the Department of Criminal Justice Risk Management Division that guides what he is able to do for the city.

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TIME CHANGE:
Do more than just to turn your clock back, remember to adjust for safety

It’s time to “fall back” and turn your clocks and watches back one hour. The time officially changes at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6. But adjusting for the time change is not the only thing to consider. It’s also important to be mindful of safety considerations that come with shorter daylight hours in the fall and winter.
TIME CHANGE SAFETY TIPS
 
Safety Training Days: Sept. 13 Virtual Session

Your Safety team has a new virtual Safety Training Days session scheduled for 9-11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 13. This event’s topic is “Working from Heights.”
REGISTER
 
ZIP Website is Your
Safety One-Stop-Shop

Zero is Possible is a standards-based safety program with the primary goal of driving the City’s occupational safety awareness and mindset toward zero accidents, zero injuries and zero safety compromises. Our new ZIP website includes safety material ranging from ZIP tips to Safety Bulletin links to newsletters, a photo gallery, ZIP resources and FAQs.
 
Preventing work-related hearing loss

In nearly every industry, there are workers at risk for work-related hearing loss. It’s among the most common work-related illnesses thanks to the many occupational noise hazards workers face each day. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health provides guidelines and recommendations for employers and workers to help prevent hearing loss.
TIPS FOR PREVENTING HEARING LOSS
 



HAZCOM NEWS: Employees and departments pass safety hazard audits with flying colors


Kudos to those City of Houston departments that passed their Texas Hazard Communication Act audits.

Those departments included:
• Houston Airport System, Chavis Blanchard.
• Fleet Management Department, Terrance York.
• Solid Waste Management Department, Debra Blackshear.
• Parks and Recreation Department, James Bourgeois.
• General Services Department, Anzil Ellison.

All those listed above are the Hazard Communication Coordinators for their respective departments.


 
Report a safety hazard

Want to report an employee safety hazard, serious injury or have
workers' compensation questions?

Call 832-393-SAFE
(832-393-7233)