Worksite Safety – Oil or Solvent-Soaked Rags The accumulation of oil- or solvent-soaked rags in the normal daily function of a shop, manufacturing, or construction environment can be a major safety issue. Oil-soaked rags are a spontaneous combustion hazard because as the oil oxidizes, heat is released. If the heat...
Working with an Air Compressor Compressed air mishaps usually involve abuse, misuse, or inattention to hoses or nozzles. Lack of attention to safety or not knowing the proper procedures when handling compressed air have led to many accidents and deaths. Compressed air can strike you blind, deaf, or dead at...
Worksite Safety – Power Tools Accidents involving portable power tools happen all the time. You’ve all heard of cases where a chip flew off a drill and hit someone’s eye or of someone getting a shock because a tool had a faulty ground. And then there’s the person who lost...
Worksite Safety – Housekeeping 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 don’t keep...
Workzone Traffic Safety Employees being struck by vehicles or mobile equipment on a construction job site leads to many work zone injuries and fatalities. Work zones are required to have traffic controls consisting in signs, cones, barrels and barriers. Drivers, employees on foot, and pedestrians must be able to see...
Working In Cold Environments As the weather becomes “frightful” during winter months, construction workers who must brave the outdoor conditions face the occupational hazard of exposure to the cold. You need to be especially mindful of the weather, its effects on the body, and proper prevention techniques. Workers at risk...
Heavy Equipment Safety Consideration should be given to issues related to working around heavy equipment: Inspect the equipment prior to operation to ensure that all lights and audible alarms are working properly. Define a route and clear visual path for the operator when moving equipment from the point of origin...
Safe Winter Driving Driving conditions in the winter months can be full of treacherous hazards including winter ice, poor visibility, strong winds, snow, rain, and more. We all know that driving in snow and on ice covered roads can be perilous. Regardless of your driving skill or vehicle preparation, there...
Hazards of Silica Silica exposure is a serious threat to nearly 2 million U.S. workers, including more than 100,000 workers in high risk jobs such as abrasive blasting, foundry work, stonecutting, rock drilling, quarry work, and tunneling. The seriousness of the health hazards associated with silica exposure is demonstrated by...
Working Safely with Aerial Lifts Jobsites are not always at ground level. Sometimes workers need to use aerial platforms. All work has hazards and risks involved in it, but when you work at an elevated height, extra training and attention to safety procedures is a necessity. The most important tip...