Back injuries are the most common injury in the workplace and the cause of most missed work time. The injury can be caused by a strain, spasm, or sprain to the ligaments or muscles of the back. This can happen due to lifting something that’s too heavy or over-extending (overstretching)...
January is National Radon Action month, and many people don’t realize that radon is the second leading cause of lung disease, right behind smoking/vaping. The Environmental Protection Agency, the American Lung Association, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention all have information on their websites about radon, its effects,...
Good housekeeping is a very important safety concern. This should not be a surprise, especially when we consider all the many articles normally necessary in a productive work area. Even materials lying around could easily be ready to present troubling conditions. Items that are not normally considered hazardous can become...
What are the best ways to prevent cold stress injuries and illnesses, and what is the best clothing to wear in cold environments? Cold stress isn’t just a hazard for outdoor workers. Anyone working in a cold environment may be at risk for cold stress. This could include an indoor...
Abrasive blasting may have several hazards associated with it at any given time. Abrasive blasting is more commonly known as sandblasting since silica sand has been a commonly used material as the abrasive, although not the only one always used. Abrasive blasting entails accelerating a grit of sand- sized particles...
Cold stress, or hypothermia, can affect workers not protected against it. When the body cannot maintain its warmth, serious cold-related illnesses and injuries can occur. This may lead to permanent tissue damage or even death. It is natural for your body to try to maintain its core temperature (chest and...
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....
A burn can be painful or painless, according to the degree. The degree of a burn is determined by its location on the body and the number of skin layers affected. Heat, electricity, chemicals, or radiation can cause a burn. The first response in a burn situation is to stop...
Mercury (Hg), also known as “quicksilver,” is a liquid at room temperature but easily evaporates into a gas. Fluorescent tubes and lightbulbs contain varying amounts of mercury vapor and liquid mercury. When a tube or bulb breaks or is crushed, easily-inhaled toxic vapor is released into the air. Such vapor...
Anhydrous, or “without water” (from Greek) Ammonia is a colorless, liquified gas with a distinctive sharp, pungent smell. A flammable chemical compound that is considered hazardous by the OSHA HazCom Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), Anhydrous Ammonia can form explosive mixtures in air. The Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) for ammonia in...