Compressed Gas Safety Compressed gas cylinders contain a great deal of energy. If the cylinders are mishandled or treated roughly, that energy can burst into an explosion – especially if the shut-off valve isn’t covered. If the cylinder ruptures or the valve breaks off, that pressure is released suddenly and...
Working in Cold Weather Exposure to cold can result in cold stress that can lead to serious trouble such as frostbite, hypothermia, and even death. The likelihood of illness depends on many factors including physical activity, clothing, wind, humidity, and a person’s age and general health. According to OSHA, more...
OSHA’s Record-keeping Update OSHA’s updated record-keeping rule expands the list of severe injuries that all employers must report to OSHA. Establishments located in states under Federal OSHA jurisdiction must begin to comply with the new requirements on January 1, 2015. Establishments located in states that operate their own safety and...
Preparing for an Emergency Emergencies in the workplace cannot be eliminated. But if you have an emergency action plan in place and workers have been trained to respond quickly and appropriately, you can optimize efficiency, relieve anxiety, and in some cases, save lives. Emergency evacuations can be started in response...
Cuts and Lacerations Safety Each year millions of workers suffer workplace injuries that could have been prevented. Some of the most common and preventable injuries are cuts and lacerations. Although statistical data differs from study to study, cuts and lacerations often rank as the second or third most frequent workplace...
Walking and Working Surfaces 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,...
Electrical Power Tool Safety Hand and power tools are a common part of our everyday lives and are present in nearly every industry. These tools help us to easily perform tasks that otherwise would be difficult or impossible. However, these simple tools can be hazardous; they have the potential to...
Confined Space Entry Confined spaces present a special type of danger – a danger that you may not recognize until you’ve already entered a confined space and encountered the hazard. By then, it may be too late. Toxic gases, lack of oxygen, shifting materials inside, and other hazards can cause...
Handling Chemical Spills 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...
Cold Weather – Harmful Effects Summer and fall are gone and the winter months are upon us. Even though it’s cold outside we still have to work and get the job done. There are several things we can do to keep warm and prevent injuries related to cold weather. Most...