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...
Hydrogen Sulfide, or H2S, is a toxic gas that is colorless and highly flammable. Other names for H2S include sewer gas, swamp gas, manure gas and stink damp. In addition to gas form, H2S can exist as a liquid compressed gas. H2S gas occurs naturally in hot springs, crude petroleum,...
Almost every maintenance shop has a bench or pedestal grinder. These are powerful, useful tools, but they are also potentially dangerous because users take them for granted. About 3,200 people nationwide received hospital treatment for workshop grinder, buffer, and polisher injuries during 2016. Serious injury and even death can result...
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, maintenance workers, including plumbers, experience more injuries and illnesses than nearly any other occupation. Fortunately, responsible plumbers can avoid the vast majority of these threats by adhering to plumbing safety tips and using proper protective gear. Plumbing Accidents: The type, frequency, and severity...
Arc Flash is a phenomenon in which a flashover of electric current leaves its intended path and travels through the air from one conductor to another or to ground. This often results in a very violent release of energy. When a person is unfortunate enough to be near this arc...
Falls are the second leading cause of occupational fatalities and disabling injuries in the United States. Each year, over 500 workers die in fall-related accidents and over 300,000 workers suffer a disabling injury. Fall protection is defined as any means or system used to protect employees from falling from an...