Rigging Safety Rigging is a critical part of construction work. Rigging is used to lift heavy materials to heights with cranes and other devices. Riggers also act as signalmen. Improper rigging of a load or a rigging failure can expose riggers and other workers nearby to a variety of potential...
Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Safety Individuals who are infected with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) may not show symptoms and may not know they are infectious. For this reason, all human blood and body fluids should be considered as if infectious, and all precautions should be taken...
Fuel Transfer and Static Electricity Safety 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...
Welding Galvanized Steel Safely 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...
New Hazard Communication Requirements In May of 2012, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced it was revising the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). The revision aligns HCS with the United Nations’ global chemical labeling system or Global Harmonization System (GHS). The alignment will prevent an estimated 43 deaths and...
Working Safely with Corrosives Corrosive materials are present in almost any workplace, either by themselves or contained in other products, such as cleaning agents. Common acid corrosives include hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, acetic acid, and nitric acid. Common alkaline/bases include ammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and sodium hydroxide (caustic soda). Cement...
Portable Grinder Safety Portable grinding wheels are designed to operate at very high speeds. If a grinding wheel shatters while in use, the fragments can travel over 300 miles per hour. The potential for serious injury, material damage, and other losses from these shooting fragments is great. To ensure that...
Accident Investigation Accidents are unplanned and unexpected events that cause injury, property damage, and/or financial loss in the workplace. Incidents or “near misses” don’t result in loss, but have the potential to do so. Ideally, safety programs focus on preventing accidents and incidents, but if one occurs, have an accident...
Asbestos in Construction ‘Asbestos’ is the name given to a group of a naturally-occurring minerals used for fireproofing and many other applications. These minerals are mined from rock in the form of a fiber that can be spun or woven into fabric and other products. Its many qualities led to...
Using Hand Tools Safely Your tools enable you to perform your job. When they aren’t in proper working order, or when you don’t handle them properly, you can’t perform your job. That means that you might be endangering yourself or others. Before handling any tool, whether it was furnished by...