Fire can be one of our deadliest enemies. It can mutilate us, kill us, and destroy in a few minutes what took a lifetime to build. Fire can take away our workplaces and our jobs. How can fires be stopped? The answer is prevention. However, to prevent fires, we must...
There has been much discussion about silica dust in the past few years. OSHA has issued a regulation to help protect workers from overexposure to this dust. It has been largely unregulated in the past and because of this, many workers have been faced with overexposure. The CDC reports that...
In the typical workplace, drums are used to store material, to ship it, to dispense it for use, and to store wastes. All these drums must be moved from time to time. Like most things, there’s a right way to move a drum and several wrong ways to do it....
High-visibility (or hi-vis) apparel is a familiar sight, so it’s easy to take for granted. But wearing the right type can save your life. When I got to the site, I realized I left my safety vest in the truck. I was only going to be there for a few...
Foot protection means guarding your toes, ankles and feet from injury. Believe it or not, your feet have 26 bones for support and 38 joints for movement in each foot. Feet also have blood vessels, ligaments, muscles, and nerves, which is why it hurts when you stub your toe or...
This year, in the U.S. alone, approximately 800 people will be killed by faulty electrical appliances and power tools; hundreds more will be severely injured. Worn insulation, wire damage, and moisture- induced short-circuits can make these devices as “hot” as the power lines to which they are attached. The most...
Electricity is an essential source of energy for most work-related operations. However, fewer sources have a greater potential to cause harm than electricity. Working safely with electricity is possible if you are trained in, understand, and follow certain basic ground rules. Electrical hazards are doubly hazardous in that there is...
Failing to properly use and maintain electric-powered tools causes thousands of cuts, punctures, pinches, amputations, and electrocutions each year. Tools can seriously injure or kill the user if not properly maintained or used. Everyone who uses tools must learn to recognize the hazards associated with the different types of tools...
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 confined space is one that is large enough to enter and perform assigned work in; it has limited or restricted ways to enter or exit the space; and it was not designed to be occupied continuously by a worker. A permit space is a confined space that has one...