All of us have exposed ourselves to possible injury by taking shortcuts when a few extra seconds would have meant doing something the safe way. We did this as children when we jumped the fence instead of using the gate. We do it today when we cross streets between intersections instead of at corners.

Respirators are an effective method of protection against designated hazards when properly selected and worn. Respirator use is encouraged, even when exposures are below the exposure limit, to provide an additional level of comfort and protection for workers. However, if a respirator is used improperly or not kept clean, the respirator itself can become a hazard to the worker.

If you are required to repair or maintain any machinery or equipment, or any electrical power source, start the job by locking out and tagging out all energy sources and starting mechanisms. Locking or tagging out is the only sure way to prevent other employees from accidentally activating the system.

Some people believe that low voltage shocks can’t harm them. Actually, these low voltage jolts can be fatal. The severity of a shock is measured by three factors-the quantity of current flowing through the body; the path of the current as it passes through the body; and the duration of the current.

In recent years there has been a concentrated effort in our country to reduce accidents and save lives -- in the process, the word safety has been used so often that many of you may think of it as a "Preaching Word", or a word that forces you to alter your ways or change bad habits.

You are probably aware that it is the gasoline vapors that burn and not the gasoline itself. The vapors, which are heavier than air, can collect in low areas.

There's one industry where today's fashions just don't make it. That‘s construction. Fancy duds are likely to get caught or snagged and cause you to fall or to get hurt in some other way. Your clothing should not only be appropriate but rugged enough to stand up to the use it'll get.

Wearing a back belt does not make you super strong, or allow you to lift anything heavier than you would normally be able to lift. We have to use proper lifting techniques while wearing the belt. Here are the five RULES OF LIFTING.

High blood pressure causes more preventable deaths than any other disease. High blood pressure occurs when either the blood vessels become too narrow, causing a strain as the heart pumps harder to get the blood through, or the heart itself overworks, pushing too much blood through with each beat and placing a strain on the vessels. If left unattended, this disease can lead to heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and premature death.

Safety planning calls for first things first. The first step in construction is the planning of traffic flow through or around the work areas. Many sources of injuries involving the public and the workers during Highway Construction are Collision with construction equipment, Pedestrians falling into open excavation work, Driving into open excavation work, and, Driving into work areas.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to avoiding chemical/concrete burns. The problem is being aware that this can be a problem, especially when the problem is not that obvious until it’s too late.

One of the keywords in accident prevention is “anticipate”. By anticipating what could happen, it is possible to take safety steps to prevent an accident.

That old saying about taking care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves probably applies more to safety in construction than in any other occupation.

As a supervisor or an employee you have a responsibility to prevent accidents. Safety is a cooperative undertaking requiring a total safety consciousness on the part of every employee. No one likes to see someone injured, but if an accident occurs, in addition to treating the victim, prompt reporting must take place, and corrective action is taken to prevent additional problems

Lightning doesn't have to strike often to do a job on you. Just once usually is enough. And it's the same with overhead loads. If one falls on you, it generally makes a permanent impression. That's why we always should stay out from under cranes, booms, and buckets. This means concrete buckets as well as backhoe buckets. Your first accident may be your last.

A good operator knows how to handle earth-moving equipment efficiently and safely. Only an experienced operator should handle this type of equipment. Only the operator should be in the seat or on the operating platform while the equipment is in use.

Power tools present greater injury potential than hand tools. The most frequent injuries involving power tools are cuts, punctures, electric shock, burns, and eye damage.