Drug abuse is spinning out of control in today’s American workplaces. Upwards of ten percent of all employees have problems with chemical dependency. Substance abuse and/or addiction in the workplace is extensive, affecting every industry at all employee levels, and is a situation that will not solve itself. Problems Drug...
Concrete cutting is a tough job that requires more than high-powered tools and concrete cutting skills. Common sense and a wise judgment are important factors in getting the job done successfully. These will save you and the people around you from accidents. Things You SHOULD Do: Select the proper tools...
Inhalation of cement dust may occur when workers empty bags of dry cement material to make concrete, cut concrete work tiles, and use jackhammers to break up a sidewalk or road during repairs. This exposure can cause nose and throat irritation. Long- term exposure to concrete dust containing crystalline silica...
Many workers are injured every year due to slips, trips, or falls generated by improper walking and working surfaces. Most of these accidents can be prevented if proper safety precautions are initiated. Slips, trips, and falls can be caused by conditions such as ice, standing water, grease, polished floors, loose...
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...