Chemicals exist on virtually every single worksite. Many chemicals used on the job are hazardous to humans depending on how an individual comes into contact with them as well as the amount of the chemical they are exposed to.
Read MoreAmputations are a very serious health and safety concern in the workplace. OSHA reports there is an average of seven amputations that occur in US workplaces every single day.
Read MoreWhen planning work tasks for the day and addressing hazards it is easy get caught up on the big hazards. We focus on issues such as falls from heights, electrocution, and chemical asphyxiation during a confined space entry when they are present.
While these hazards need to be taken serious and properly addressed, the bigger hazards can be responsible for taking almost all of the attention from the “little things”….
Read MoreContinual learning is critical for success in any area of our lives; whether that is as a parent, spouse, employee, leader, community member, etc. Having a growth mindset when it comes to work separates those who stay stagnant in their position at work and those who eventually land better opportunities for themselves. Continually learning and expanding your knowledge in regards to what you do at work will allow you to be a safer and more efficient worker.
Read MoreThe goal of operating safely is first to protect life and secondary is to protect property…..
Read MorePeople drive drunk an average of over 300,000 times a day in the United States, but fewer than 4,000 are arrested for it, according to the FBI. The decision to drive impaired is a deadly one.
Read MoreGasoline is common both on the job and at home for use in both vehicles and equipment we use every day. It is important to practice safe handling and storage of gasoline to avoid spills and fires. Improper use and storage of gasoline leads to many injuries as well as property damage year after year.
Read MoreHorseplay leads to many injuries and property loss damage incidents in the United States every year. A quick search on YouTube or Google will show you hundreds of these types of incidents. While you should enjoy the work that you do, your work should always be completed safely and responsibly.
Read MoreMosquitos are responsible for more human deaths every single year than any other insect or animal. According to Bill Gate’s website gatenotes.com, mosquitos are responsible for over 725,000 deaths a year. That number of deaths is more than the deaths caused by humans, dogs, snakes, roundworms, tapeworms, crocodiles, hippos, elephants, lions, wolves, and sharks combined on an annual basis.
Read MoreOperating heavy equipment or a motor vehicle is inherently a hazardous task, however, backing up creates more risk for incidents to occur. According to the National Safety Council, backing accidents cause 500 deaths and 15,000 injuries per year. All too often, unnecessary backing is responsible for injuries or property damage incidents. It is important to consider the hazards of backing and what can be done to mitigate these hazards.
Read MoreWeather plays a huge role in our ability to work safely when working outdoors. While rain, snow, ice, and hot temperatures are often discussed, less focus is given to the hazards wind can create for workers. It is important to realize the different hazards high winds can pose and what can be done to work safely in these conditions.
Read MoreThere are multiple safeguards to control any single hazard. Each level of these safeguards serves to protect employees. Some safeguards or controls are more effective than others. The hierarchy of controls outlines the controls used to mitigate a most effective to least effective hazard.
Read MoreOutside of the direct consequences such as heat stroke, heat stress can cause incidents due to loss of focus or excessive fatigue on the job….
Read MoreOur hearing is precious to us. Once we diminish or lose our hearing we can never fully recover it. Both on the job and at home there are many sources of noise that can damage our hearing. These sounds can damage sensitive structures in the inner ear and cause noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Approximately 26 million Americans have some type of noise-induced hearing loss.
Read MoreFire extinguishers can be an important tool in preventing a small fire from growing larger. However, they should not be used to combat large or rapidly spreading fires. The most important thing to do during a fire is to get yourself to safety then call the proper authorities to combat the fire….
Read MoreIndividuals who come to work under the influence of drugs and alcohol are a big concern for many employers across the world. In the United States, it is estimated over 60% of employers conduct pre-employment drug screen. The cost of these tests are anywhere from $20 to $60 a piece. Since employers are willing to spend this amount of money on screening employees many find that the benefits outweigh the costs.
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.
Read MoreAn important but often overlooked aspect of safety is what we decide to wear each day on the job. Safety rules, weather, type of work, hazards of the work, and many other factors weigh in on what type of clothing is optimal for the tasks being completed that day. It is vital to consider the impact clothing can have on safety at work.
Read MoreThere has been much discussion about silica dust in the past few years. OSHA has issued a regulation to help protect workers from overexposure to this dust. It has been largely unregulated in the past, and because of this, many workers have been faced with overexposure to silica dust. The CDC reports that an estimated 1.7 million U.S. workers are exposed to silica dust on the job.
Read MoreSlips, trips, and falls are one of the leading causes of injuries and fatalities in the workplace. According to OSHA, slip, trip, and fall incidents cause 15% of all accidental deaths and are second only to motor vehicle incidents as a cause of fatalities on the job. These types of incidents can result in life-changing injuries to the employees who suffer them. These incidents are also very costly for businesses. HUB reports that the average slip and fall injury costs $20,000.
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