Bench Grinder Safety Almost every maintenance shop has a bench or pedestal grinder. They are most commonly used to shape or sharpen the cutting edges of tools such as chisels or lawn mower blades. These are powerful, useful tools; but they are also potentially dangerous because users take them for...
Struck-By Safety Being struck by an object on the job is one of the leading causes of injuries and deaths in the construction industry. According to OSHA, struck-by hazards are one of the four most deadly hazards in the construction industry and account for around 10% of all industry fatalities...
Rigging Safety Rigging looks like an easy operation, one that doesn’t seem to require any particular skill or experience. But don’t be fooled. Many people who’ve thought that “anyone can do it” have lost fingers or hands or suffered more serious injuries. We don’t want anyone injured while rigging on...
Loading Dock Safety Loading docks are busy areas. Trucks, trailers, and forklifts move throughout loading areas. Trailers, dock levelers, and rolling doors can cause pinch points and elevated docks pose a fall hazard. Workers must pay attention to these hazards and focus on safety training, the proper equipment, and strict...
Silica Safety Crystalline silica is a basic component of soil, sand, granite, and many other minerals. Quartz is the most common form of crystalline silica. The dust may become respirable-size particles when workers chip, cut, drill or grind objects that contain crystalline silica. Silica exposure remains a serious threat to...
Slips, Trips, and Falls Safety Falls are of two basic types: elevated falls and same-level falls. Same-level falls are most frequent, but elevated falls are more severe. Same-level falls are generally slips or trips. Injury results when the individual hits a walking or working surface or strikes some other object...
Compressed Gas Safety Compressed gas cylinders contain a great deal of energy. If the cylinders are mishandled or treated roughly, that energy can burst into an explosion – especially if the shut-off valve isn’t covered. Some cylinders commonly found in the workplace are restraining up to two tons of pressure....
Working in Cold Weather Exposure to cold can result in cold stress which can lead to serious trouble, such as frostbite, hypothermia, and even death. The likelihood of illness depends on many factors, including physical activity, clothing, wind, humidity, and a person’s age and general health. Hypothermia is the most...
OSHA’s Record-Keeping Update OSHA’s updated recordkeeping rule expands the list of severe injuries that all employers must report to OSHA. Establishments located in states under Federal OSHA jurisdiction must begin to comply with the new requirements on January 1, 2015. Establishments located in states that operate their own safety and...
Preparing for an Emergency Emergencies in the workplace cannot be eliminated. But if you have an emergency action plan in place and workers have been trained to respond quickly and appropriately, you can optimize efficiency, relieve anxiety, and in some cases, save lives. As with most safety-related issues, the first...