Compressed air is present across just about every industry. Companies use compressed air for many functions, from running huge equipment to powering simple air tools. Compressed air is a valuable utility and is a safe power source when used properly. As with any other energy-carrying power source however, compressed air...
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. By its nature, electricity will take the path of...
Everyone takes a shortcut at one time or another. You could cross the street between intersections instead of using the crosswalk. Or, it could be that you jump a fence instead of using the gate. But in many cases, a shortcut can involve danger. The decision to take a shortcut...
Caffeine is commonly used in today’s society to get more energy, to feel more alert. While caffeine has been around for hundreds of years, caffeinated energy drinks have been gaining in popularity over the past few decades. Energy Drink Hazards: Over consumption of caffeine and other energy producing ingredients found...
Falls are among the most common causes of serious work-related injuries and deaths. Employers must take measures in their workplaces to prevent employees from falling off overhead platforms, elevated workstations, or into holes in the floor and walls. Falls are the second leading cause of occupational fatalities and disabling injuries...
In the workplace, ‘good housekeeping’ is the term used for keeping the worksite clean and free of hazards that can cause injury. This isn’t just a matter of appearances – it is a safety issue. There are, of course, many advantages to good housekeeping. A neat, clean workplace makes it...
As summer continues, you may notice a lot of insects buzzing around outside. People with an allergy to stinging insects will want to take extra precautions this time of year to avoid being stung. Many people are at risk for a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction from insect stings. This...
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...
A “near miss” or accident without injury is easy to shrug off and forget. But there is a danger in brushing off accidents that don’t hurt, harm, or damage. When a “near miss” happens, it should immediately send up a red warning flag that something was wrong, unplanned, unexpected, and...
Every year nearly 100 fatalities and 10,000 injuries occur on scaffolding across the country, despite numerous safety regulations aimed to prevent such incidents. There are several different scaffold types, each with different rules and regulations surrounding it’s assembly, fall prevention requirements, and inspection procedures. The good news is that proper...