We all have different reasons for why we choose to do certain things and why we may not choose to do others. When it comes to working safely we should all want to choose to make the right decision. We all are different in the way we think, but there are many common reasons why we should choose to work safe. No matter what your motivator may be keep these five reasons in mind as to why we should all strive to should work safe.
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We often face new situations or challenging times whether that is at home, at work, or just in life overall. For many of us, it can be hard to swallow our pride and seek out help from others when we need assistance. That being said, it is important to understand your limits and know when you need help from someone else.
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Everyone has seen the commercials and the billboards warning people of the dangers of texting while driving. What about the dangers of using a cellphone while walking? There are many videos online of individuals who are distracted while walking and end up injured. While some of these videos can be innocent and funny, the consequences of this unsafe act can be severe.
Read MoreIt is human nature to be reactive instead of being proactive in many aspects of life. Our health is one area where many people do not takes steps to improve it until after a problem occurs. This is a reactive approach. It is important to have a proactive approach to protecting your health. Going to your doctor for an annual checkup is an important part of a proactive approach towards maintaining good health.
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Back injuries are some of the most prevalent and hardest-to-prevent injuries on the job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than one million workers suffer back injuries each year, and back injuries account for one of every five workplace injuries or illnesses.
Read MoreVison loss and severe eye injuries occur all too often in today’s workplaces. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each day, about 2,000 U.S workers sustain a job-related eye injury that requires medical treatment. Due to the severity and frequency of these injuries, there is no room for shortcuts or excuses when it comes to protecting your eyes on the job.
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The term “line of fire” is very common when talking about the hazards of a work task. Depending on the work being completed, there may be many different lines of fire or there could be very few. It is important to understand what the “line of fire” is and how to avoid being in it to avoid injuries.
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There are many times when quick reactions put people in the line of fire where they can be hurt. A person sees a situation occurring and in an instant, their mind tells their body how to react. At work, an impulsive decision to jump in and try to help in a situation going wrong may be the last decision a person makes. It is important to consider what our first reaction may be to certain situations and attempt to fight the urge to react impulsively without thought.
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Heat stress creates many hazards in the workplace for those employees who have to work in a hot environment. Hot environments can create indirect safety hazards, causing employees to lose focus on their work task or become fatigued. Heat stress also causes more direct illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. According to a report published by the CDC, during 2004–to 2018, an average of 702 heat-related deaths (415 with heat as the underlying cause and 287 as a contributing cause) occurred in the United States annually.
Read MoreIf your workplace or job requires the use of a respirator, it is vital to understand and follow the proper procedures for using the respirator issued to you. Proper donning and doffing of the respirator are critical aspects of using this equipment. Donning means to put on and doffing means to take off. In addition to any required fit testing, a user seal check should be performed every time a respirator is put on. This safety talk provides a general overview of donning, performing user seal checks, and doffing common types of respirators.
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Effective communication is critical to every aspect of a successful job. Being able to work safely especially relies on effective communication between everyone involved in a work task or on a job. Effective communication requires having honest conversations, which includes bringing up and discussing issues as they arise.
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Strokes, just like heart attacks, are serious medical emergencies that occur all too often. They are the leading cause of serious long-term disability and are the third leading cause of death in the United States. Each year over 795,000 people experience a stroke in the US. Over 75% of stroke victims are over the age of 65 according to StrokeCenter.org.
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Workplace violence is any threat, disruptive behaviors, intimidation, physical aggression, or act of violence in the workplace including homicide. Homicide in the workplace is currently the fourth leading cause of death on the job. In 2017 alone, there were 458 deaths on the job due to homicide. According to OSHA, over 2 million people report being victims of workplace violence every year.
Read MoreHeavy equipment is used on many different kinds of work sites all around the world. This equipment is very effective for the job it was designed to do, but it can also be very hazardous. Proper work planning as well as operating equipment within its designed limits are important basic steps for safe operation.
Read MoreThere are many different types of injuries that can occur while using a pressure washer. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 6,057 people went to an emergency room with injuries related to pressure washer use in 2014. While the pressure of the water can be considered the biggest exposure to risk during this work task, there are certainly many more hazards to be considered.
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There are many reasons as to why incidents occur that result in property loss or injury on the job. Oftentimes, there have to be multiple failures in the safeguards that are put into place (or not put into place) for an injury to occur due to an exposure to a hazard. A major reason there is a failure in the safeguards that are supposed to protect employees is that individuals take the easy way out when completing the work task instead of doing it the right way. It is necessary to recognize the importance of doing tasks the right way every time and the consequences of not doing so.
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Hydrogen sulfide, also known as H2S, is a gas found both in nature and also produced by many industrial processes. Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless, flammable, extremely hazardous gas with a “rotten egg” smell. There are many dangers if exposed to too much H2S gas in a short time (acute exposure) or a lesser amount over a long time (chronic exposure). Many workers have been overcome and killed in environments that have had a large amount of H2S gas present. It is important to be familiar with the characteristics of hydrogen sulfide and the effects it can have on your health.
Read MoreThere are many different sources of pressure individuals face at work for getting the job done. Time, or the lack of it, is a major driver in whether or not workers feel that they need to rush to get a job complete. It is important to plan work accordingly to avoid having to rush work tasks.
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With all of the moving equipment, flying debris, and falling objects on a construction site it can be a very dangerous place for an individual on the ground. It is important to understand the specific hazards of the work for that day as well as the job site overall as ground personnel who will be on the job site. Furthermore, everyone needs to work together to eliminate or mitigate the hazards that result in struck-by incidents.
Read MoreCompanies that hold general housekeeping of work areas to a high standard usually have a better safety culture than those companies that do not. Housekeeping is an important part of a robust safety program. Poor housekeeping promotes inefficiency as well as leads to injuries and property loss.
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