Being struck by an object or piece of equipment or tasks where an object can strike an employee is commonly recognized as a “struck by hazard.” Struck by incidents typically result in serious injury. Imagine an employee working around an excavator. This type of equipment swings and a common source of struck by incidents comes [...]
2019 LOTO 1910./147, https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/factsheet-lockout-tagout.pdf So your company works repairing water, oil, hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical devices. Each of these items can be “stored energy”. Your employees from time to time undertake a task that directly contacts a system handling any of the above. Employees must have a clear understanding of how to safely work with [...]
I’ve been a safety professional for approximately 20 years. During that time I frequently heard about fire, electricity, falls, confined spaces and chemical exposure safety hazards. Was I surprised to learn that the number one cause of workplace injuries/fatalities was motor vehicle accidents. What makes this so? A lot of business uses motor vehicles for [...]
To be informed is to be safe. Safety Data Sheets, also known as SDS, are created for each chemical. SDS's offer explanations about safe handling and protective measures for the specific chemical. SDS’s provide employers and employees with important information regarding safety precautions. And protective measures when working with that chemical. Chemicals, unlike mechanical hazards, [...]
Falls. What goes up must come down. An old saying you’ve likely heard before. It is true because gravity is everywhere. But did you know 38% of all deaths in the construction work place are falls. And, fall injuries typically constituted the longest recovery time as well as the long term disability. Falls can occur [...]
Protecting employee’s hands from workplace injury is important. But did you know hand protection goes beyond cuts and bruises? Did you know employers are required to assess the types of hand hazards employees face and provide the appropriate hand personal protective equipment? Yup. If employees are/can be exposed to harmful chemicals (skin absorption, chemical burns) [...]
Training, it’s not just for newbies. Training and refresher training is an excellent method of keeping in front of employees. This applies to top management to new hires. Training keeps employees abreast of not only OSHA safety regulations but your company’s safety policies and practices. Knowing how to safely carry out work tasks is simple, [...]
What you can’t see (or smell) can hurt you. What is being discussed here is workplaces where hazardous and toxic gases are known to be present or may be present. The operative words here are “known to be present or may be present”. Here’s why. There are gases which are odorless and are not toxic [...]
Learn how to not burn. This safety task is fairly simple. According to OSHA identify potential sources of flammable gases and then identify potential ignition sources. You identify potential sources of flammable gases by knowing what flammable gases which could potentially be on site. Do this by examining your job site and identify activities involving [...]
OSHA General Duty Clause. You are likely familiar with OSHA and the safety rules it sets forth. And you also likely know that OSHA can enforce those express safety rules in non-complying conditions. But did you know that OSHA can issue citations for unsafe conditions not specifically listed in its safety rules? The OSHA General [...]