Combustible dust is any “finely divided solid material that is 420 microns or smaller in diameter and presents a fire or explosions hazard when dispersed and ignited in air.” Materials such as sugar, flour, animal feed, plastics, paper, wood, rubber, furniture, textiles, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, paints and resins, dyes, coal, and...
Avoid Chipper Accidents, Follow These Precautions: Suit up for the job. Anyone working near a chipper should wear eye and hearing protection, tight-fitting clothing, a hard hat or helmet, and gloves with no cuffs. Work boots with skid-resistant soles can prevent slips and falls near the feed chute. Leave 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....
Compressed air is a valuable utility and a safe power source when used properly. As with any other energy- carrying power source, compressed air should be regarded with caution and handled with care to avoid accidents and user injury. General Safety Requirements for Compressed Air: All pipes, hoses, and fittings...
In the workplace, ‘good housekeeping’ is the term used for keeping the worksite clean, neat, and free of hazards that can cause injury. Housekeeping is a safety concern that is often overlooked or taken for granted. But far too many accidents happen because people didn’t keep their work areas neat...
Nearly everyone has experienced an insect bite or sting at some point in his or her life. Most of the time, these stings and bites lead to mild pain or itching, right where they occurred. Sometimes, however, people can experience more severe reactions that could be caused by an allergy...
Heat stress is a buildup of body heat generated either internally by muscle use or externally by the environment. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke result when the body is overwhelmed by heat. As the heat increases, body temperature and the heart rate rise painlessly. Workers should avoid exposure to extreme...
Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can result in a painful sunburn. It can also lead to more serious health problems, including skin cancer, premature aging of the skin, cataracts and other eye damage, and immune system suppression. Most people are not aware that skin cancer, while largely...
There are many examples of people being seriously injured or killed by machinery and electrical equipment. Often, these tragedies happen because people carelessly try to repair or maintain the equipment without making sure its energy source has been shut off. Most Common Causes of Accidents: The machine or piece of...
Hand injuries account for 80 percent of all occupational injuries. This is because the hands are engaged in almost all activities on the job. Can you imagine any occupation that does not make use of the hand? Hand Safety Dos and Don’ts Make sure your workers learn and remember these...