Your respirator may be the most important tool of your job. It protects your most precious asset— your health. Yet, more often than not, respirators find their way to the bottom of tool bags where they become damaged and/or very dirty inside and out. Both of these conditions compromise the...
Air that’s contaminated or lacks oxygen can be very harmful to your health. Inhaling chemical vapors, gases, or fumes and dust can irritate and even seriously damage the lungs, respiratory systems, or other organs, sometimes fatally. Respirator Basics: Respirators must always be inspected prior to donning. The inspection should check...
Nearly every type of work or occupation has the potential for causing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Factors that Contribute to the Development of WMSDs Include: Force – the strength to perform a task; Repetition – the frequency or number of times a task is performed during a shift; Posture – positioning...
Noise is unwanted sound that can affect job performance, safety, and your health. Psychological effects of noise include annoyance and disruption of concentration. Physical effects include loss of hearing, pain, nausea, and interference with communications when the exposure is severe. Here’s How to Protect Your Hearing: Reduce the noise reaching...
About 100 workers are killed each year as a result of forklift accidents. Basic Forklift Safety Practices: Here are a few common safety rules to follow during forklift operation: Use the seat belt. It will keep you secured in the seat in the event of a tip over. A parked forklift...
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...
With the average 55-gallon drum weighing between 400-600 lbs., manually transporting, decanting, or otherwise handling drums is not only physically demanding, but a potentially dangerous task for any worker. Risk Factors: At least four serious injuries can occur if a 55 Gallon Drum is not handled safely: Fractures; Lacerations; Hernias;...
Flammable liquids are those with a flash point of less than 100 degrees Celsius. This is the lowest point at which the liquid produces enough vapor to form a flammable mixture with air. Red labels that contain a fire symbol are used to identify flammable liquids. OSHA defines a “safety...
Foot protection means guarding your toes, ankles, and feet from injury. Believe it or not, your feet have 26 bones for support and 38 joints for movement in each foot. Your feet are a critical part of your body that you use every day and, in some cases, enable you...
Failing to properly use and maintain electric-powered tools causes thousands of cuts, punctures, pinches, amputations, and electrocutions each year. Tools can seriously injure or kill the user if not properly maintained or used. Everyone who uses tools must learn to recognize the hazards associated with the different types of tools...