There are approximately 400,000 back injuries each year. They are the leading source of lost time injuries and cost billions of dollars annually, not to mention the hours, days, or even months of disabling pain. In construction work, material is constantly being moved or lifted, and most often the lifter...
January is National Radon Action month, and many people don’t realize that radon is the second leading cause of lung disease, right behind smoking/vaping. The Environmental Protection Agency, the American Lung Association, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention all have information on their websites about radon, its effects,...
We collect many articles to work within our work areas. Materials lying around can easily be ready to present us with some troubling conditions. Many items are not normally considered hazardous but can easily become hazardous especially when they might become trip, contact, puncture or splinter hazards. Good housekeeping is...
Prolonged exposure to cold and/or freezing temperatures while on the job may cause serious health problems such as trench foot, frostbite, and hypothermia. In extreme cases, exposure to cold temperatures can lead to death. Important Tips to Prevent Cold Stress: Wear proper clothing for cold, wet, and windy conditions; Take...
The following safety rules are recommended when abrasive blasting work is being performed: Allow only authorized and properly trained personnel within the blasting area. All blasting equipment must be inspected and properly assembled with all approved safety devices and gauges. Employees must wear the appropriate personal protective equipment including NIOSH...
Prolonged exposure to cold and/or freezing temperatures while on the job may cause serious health problems such as trench foot, frostbite and hypothermia. In extreme cases, exposure to cold temperatures can lead to death. Cold-stress Controls: Employees must recognize the early stages of cold stress in themselves and others. The...
Overhead shop cranes move heavy items in manufacturing and production areas. Although shop cranes are useful, “overhead” can sometimes be “out of sight and out of mind” when it comes to safety. Workers need training on crane hazards and operation, and they should never forget the safety hazards moving overhead....
A burn can be painful or painless, according to the degree. The degree of a burn is determined by its location on the body and the number of skin layers affected. A burn can be caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, or radiation. The first response in a burn situation is...
Mercury (Hg), also known as “quicksilver,” is a liquid at room temperature but easily evaporates into a gas. Fluorescent tubes and lightbulbs contain varying amounts of mercury vapor and liquid mercury. When a tube or bulb breaks or is crushed, easily-inhaled toxic vapor is released into the air. Such vapor...
Anhydrous, or “without water” (from Greek) Ammonia is a colorless, liquified gas with a distinctive sharp, pungent smell that can form explosive mixtures in air. A flammable chemical compound that is considered hazardous by the OSHA HazCom Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200). Anhydrous ammonia is a lung damaging agent, irritant and...