Globally Harmonized System (GHS) For many years now, employees could gather limited information about the hazardous chemicals they work with by looking at container labels and reading Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs). However, there was no set format to govern how the companies that produced or distributed those chemicals categorized...
Spill Clean Up Chemical spills can be in the form of liquids, solids such as pellets, gases, or vapors. They can be flammable (quick to burn or explode), corrosive (damaging to human tissue or other materials), or toxic (poisonous to humans and other living things). The time to deal with...
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, toxic gas that interferes with the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood. CO is non-irritating and can overcome persons without warning. Many people die from CO poisoning, usually while using gasoline powered tools and generators in buildings or semi-enclosed spaces without adequate...
Dangers of Hydraulic Hoses Leaks from high-pressure hydraulic lines are not just messy, they are dangerous. Leaks create slip and fall hazards, fire danger, and they contaminate the environment. Leaks can cause skin burns and, under high pressure, can penetrate the skin. The most common causes of leaking hoses are...
Chemical Inventory The Hazard Communication Standard requires employers to make a chemical inventory list of the hazardous chemicals present in the workplace. The chemicals on these lists are identified with markers to easily find the corresponding safety data sheet (SDS). Additional benefits include: Employees are able to find information on...
Picking the Proper Glove Hand injuries account for approximately 1/3 of all disabling job-related injuries each year. Over 80% of these injuries are caused by pinch points. These injuries are of all kinds–cuts, bruises, fractures, and amputations. Approximately 20% of these injuries become infected. Hand injuries are most common in...
Suspension Trauma When a worker is suspended in a fall harness, the body has no way of going horizontal. The blood keeps pooling and cannot flow properly. This is suspension trauma. And unless the worker is rescued promptly, venous pooling and orthostatic intolerance occurs. This may result in serious damage...
Fall Protection 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. No work should proceed unless the necessary fall protection is in place. The use of...
Working Safely from Scaffolding Every year nearly 100 fatalities and 10,000 injuries occur on scaffolding across the country, despite numerous safety regulations aimed to prevent such incidents. The good news is that proper training can prevent almost all scaffold accidents. Scaffold hazards: Falls from elevations due to lack of fall...
Amputation Hazards Amputations are some of the most serious and debilitating workplace injuries. They are widespread and involve a variety of work activities and equipment. Amputations occur most often when workers operate unguarded or inadequately safeguarded machines. Amputation protection: Machine safeguarding with the following equipment is the best way to...