Steve Wilder
Steve Wilder, CHSP, STS, is president and chief operating officer of Sorensen, Wilder & Associates (SWA), a healthcare safety and security consulting group based in Bourbonnais, Ill. SWA performs workplace safety compliance audits and security vulnerability assessments in all types of healthcare facilities. Wilder can be reached at (800) 568-2931 or swilder@swa4safety.com.
When domestic violence comes to work
Employers should create safety policies and procedures for handling domestic violence before it arrives on the doorstep. Read More »
When domestic violence doesn’t stay at home
Employers should create safety policies and procedures for handling domestic violence before it arrives on the doorstep. Read More »
Should you allow employees to carry concealed weapons at work?
"My employees want to carry a concealed weapon to work." The decision to allow or prohibit "concealed carry" on your premises is a lot more complicated than you think, even if state law allows it. Read More »
OSHA penalties to increase Aug. 1
OSHA, which last adjusted its penalties in 1990, plans to adjust the fines for inflation each year from now on, as per Congressional rule. Read More »
OSHA launches anti-retaliation rules for injury and illness reporting
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has passed rules that forbid retaliation and discrimination for reporting injuries, including post-accident drug testing and "incentive" programs that retaliate against those who bring workplace safety violations to light. Read More »
Educating AND training for safety
Safety training only goes so far unless you train employees’ hands as well as their heads, says safety training expert Steve Wilder. Read More »
New bill aims to eliminate manual lifting
Many in the long-term care industry applaud the proposed legislation to require assistive devices in all lifting cases, but no one is sure how compliance will be enforced—or who's going to pay for all the equipment. Read More »
New budget includes significant increases for OSHA violations
The new budget signed this week includes hefty increases in fines for occupational (OSHA) violations Read More »
Powering up for power outages
Short power outages can wreak havoc on a skilled nursing facility's processes and ability to care for residents. Long outages can be devastating. These tips can help you beef up your preparedness. Read More »
Gearing up for OSHA lifting policy changes
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is about to get tougher on injuries casued by lifting- and transferring-related activities. Here's how to rework your lifting protocols and educate your staff. Read More »
5 steps to a total security solution
A completely secure long-term care environment only can be accomplished with thoughtful planning and performance. Take five steps to keep residents, staff, visitors and property safe. Read More »
The security vulnerability assessment
Your first step in creating a secure facility is to engage a healthcare security professional to take a hard look at your long-term care operation to offer recommendations and solutions to security issues. Read More »
Accident investigations improve safety, Part 2
In part two, Wilder explains why an accident investigation must be thorough, unbiased and informative to be effective. Read More »
Accident investigations improve safety, Part 1
Part one of a two-part series focuses on the benefits of conducting thorough accident investigations. The lessons learned help create safer workplaces. Read More »
What to expect from OSHA in 2015
Will the new Congress soften the agenda of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and be kinder, gentler and less aggressive? Read More »
OSHA’s here! Know your rights
When OSHA surveyors come knocking, neither the organization nor its employees can be bullied. Compliance expert Steve Wilder explains everyone's rights during an inspection. Read More »
When domestic violence comes to the workplace
Do your employees and administrators know what to do when someone's domestic violence problems follow them to work? Long-Term Living's safety expert explains what facilities can do to protect themselves and others. Read More »
Take employee safety concerns seriously
You cannot retaliate against an employee just because he or she exercised the right to demand a safe work environment and perhaps filed a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. But here's what you can do. Read More »
3 keys to facility security
Three steps can help long-term care facility administrators ensure that security is an integral part of their overall management plans. Read More »
Long-term care emergency preparedness
Have you shaken the dust off your emergency preparedness plan lately? The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has added some new requirements to what must be in an emergency operations plan and how employees must be trained. Read More »
Identifying hazards before an event occurs
OSHA safety compliance goes well beyond the National Emphasis Program on Long-Term Care. Are you watching for these other risks? Read More »
‘Active shooter’ events: Balancing resident, staff safety
The mission statement and core values of your facility probably contain wording and ideology related to compassionate resident care. The active shooter policy for your facility also should consider that care, and it must consider the safety of employees, too. Part 2 in our series. Read More »
Preparing for ‘active shooter’ events: Lockdowns
Does your facility have policies and procedures to handle the potential presence of armed intruders? Unfortunately, the scenario is not as unlikely as you might suspect. Lockdowns are one part of any good response. Part 1 in our series. Read More »
Improving the safety culture in 2014
Nowhere in a facility is entirely free of safety hazards. Finding and fixing the potential areas of risk is key to an effective and compliant safety program. Read More »
OSHA’s 35-lb. lifting limit
When was the last time a staff member lifted something heavier than 35 lbs? Enforcement of this rule might be getting a lot stiffer soon. Read More »
Minimizing workplace violence in LTC facilities
OSHA is taking a harder look at workplace violence in long-term care facilities. These tips can help you prepare your staff and shore up your documentation procedures. Read More »
So OSHA is at your door—now what?
When it is time for the walk-around tour, take the compliance officer where he or she needs to go and nowhere else. You may be proud of your facility and want to show it off, but that doesn’t mean they will see it in the same light as you. Read More »
