There’s one hand tool that demands your respect over many others in the workplace, a tool that can cut you to the bone in an instant… the utility knife. Many workers use utility knives to cut drywall, strapping, puncture shrink-wrap, and open packaging. But one wrong move and these retractable...
Many people have been seriously injured or killed by machinery and electrical equipment. Often, these tragedies happen because people carelessly try to repair or maintain the equipment without making certain all the energy sources have been stopped or shut off. Many times, the accident has happened when a worker restarts...
For some of you, welding is a hands-on job; but welding safety is really up to everyone. It involves not only the welder, but also those working in the vicinity of welding operations. We also need to watch out for hazards should a contractor enter our facility to do a...
A worker received an electric shock on a piece of equipment he was using. He was not injured and he did not report the incident. A few days later another worker also received a shock from the same defective equipment and he too did not report the problem. Within days...
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. Hearing protection is essential when noise exposures can’t be controlled...
In the event of a fire, the correct use of a portable fire extinguisher could mean the difference between suffering a minor loss or a major one. Portable fire extinguishers, if used properly, can make that difference. But there are several things to consider in using fire extinguishers. For instance,...
Pallets are used at many job sites and companies every day. From shipping product out the door to moving items internally, pallets are part of our daily life. Pallets are a fundamental part of warehouse and industrial life. They’re immensely helpful in allowing workers to move loads around in a...
Some workers may not be aware of this, but static electricity can become a huge threat in the workplace, especially when working on or around fueling operations. If there is a discharge of static electricity while fuel is being dispensed, there is a possibility of an explosion or fire erupting....
One of the most significant health hazards in the welding process is the generation of fumes and gases. Do you weld on galvanized metals? Zinc is the coating used on galvanized metals and, when you heat the metal, it produces vaporized metal droplets, which are called “fumes.” This is the...
Unplanned release of a chemical can have devastating effects. Skin and eye burns, damage to the lungs, fire and explosion, corrosive damage to materials, pollution of air, soil, and water, and danger to the public are just some of the possible consequences of a chemical spill. Chemical spills can be...