The Safety BlogThe Safety BlogA professionally written occupational safety and health blog. Contains extensive and in depth topics about construction, manufacturing and workplace safety for industry professionals. Sponsored by Safety Services Company
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Legionnaires Disease
2008-05-06 15:33:00 As the summer season approaches, those of you in the air-conditioning industry will be very busy, so I thought that I would do an article on ?Legionnaires Disease ? it?s a very real hazard and potentially fatal if the proper precautions are not used. I know it?s not something that comes to mind as you go through your work day. But it?s something you really need to be aware of. Take a little time to read this article, and make sure your doing all you need to do, to be safe. I want to give you a little history on the disease and the things you can do to prevent it. Legionnaires Disease is a common name for one of the several illnesses caused by Legionnaires' disease bacteria. It is an infection of the lungs and is a form of pneumonia. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) first identified Legionnaires disease in 1977 as the cause of an outbreak of pneumonia that caused 34 deaths at a 1976 American... More About: Articles , Industry News
OSHA Hosts Informal Hearing on Proposed Rule on Confined Spaces in Construc
2008-05-01 22:18:00 From the OSHA RSS Feed : "OSHA is inviting the public to participate in an informal public hearing on the proposed rule for Confined Spaces in Construction. The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 22, 2008, at the U.S. Department of Labor's Frances Perkins Building in Washington. On Nov. 28, 2007, OSHA published the proposed Confined Spaces in Construction Standard to address construction-specific issues as they relate to confined spaces and to establish comprehensive procedures to protect employees." More details available in the April 21st Federal Register More About: Industry News , Hearing , Rule , Hosts
Carbon Monoxide Dangers
2008-04-29 21:03:00 What is Carbon Monoxide and is it Poisonous? We al have seen the news, or read in the papers, stories of people, entire families dying of carbon monoxide poisoning, their space heater had a leak and filled the home with the poison gas, the family was sleeping and never knew it. that is just one extreme example, but there are many instances where your exposed and your not even aware of it. maybe you have a small leak in your car exhaust, or your garage isn't properly ventilated as you run a gas powered tool. You really need to be careful. Any amount of carbon monoxide exposure can be dangerous. Read the article below and see if your being as safe as you can be. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, highly poisonous gas created when any fuel such as gasoline, kerosene, propane, acetylene, or wood is burned. Dangerous situations can develop when combustion by-products are not properly vented to the outside atmosphere, where they would quickly dissipate. Carbon Monoxide ... More About: Articles
North American Occupation Health and Safety Week (2008)
2008-04-25 22:03:00 NAOSH week was first launched in June of 1997; Canada had been running it 10 years prior to that. In 1997 the United States and Mexico joined in. Canada has been a great help to both countries in their support and experience in occupational health and safety. NAOSH week helps to bring safety and health to the forefront for all North American workers. It starts the first week of may every year. Getting started : Participation and enthusiasm are critical for success. We need to establish long term partnerships during NAOSH week. From business leaders, safety committees, the government, suppliers. We want all safety and health organizations to participate through education, meetings and safety demonstrations. This should be a week of fun, friendship, knowledge and safety. When the week is over and you return to work, we want you to be excited and share your experience with those you work with. Get them involved, start planning what you can do as a person, a company, or a community... More About: Health , Safety , Articles , Industry News
Proper Tank Storage Procedures (Venting)
2008-04-25 00:41:00 The consequences of improper tank storage : In this video a large train-car sized storage tank is purposefully imploded to show the danger of not venting you storage tanks. This can lead to serious injuries, as you can clearly see the amount of power involved. More About: Storage , Tank , Offbeat
Top 10 OSHA Fines for Small Construction Companies
2008-04-23 22:03:00 A common mind set for many small construction companies and independent contractors is that they do not see a need for a safety program, because they have so few employees. Luckily every year OSHA Posts it's compilations of top citations and dollar amounts per inspection. I want you to take a look at the 2007 list and hopefully realize just how important safety is. It?s not only important. It?s the law. If you need information on any of the subjects listed below. #10 - Hazard Communications Number of Inspections: 623 Number of Citations: 1311 Total Amount Fined: $175,265.00 Average Fine: $281.00 Hazard communication is very important to the health and safety of your employees. You need to have a list of all hazardous materials on your jobsite. This list must be posted for all employees to see. They must be trained in the proper use of personal protective equipment. Material safety data sheets must be on site. These are just a few reasons why companies get fi... More About: Companies , Articles , Industry News , Construction , Small
Grain Handling Facility Safety
2008-04-23 17:50:00 Grain handling facilities can be extremely hazardous and you need to take all appropriate steps to ensure safety. In this article I want to go over training, safety, emergency procedures, and entry into the grain storage facilities. In upcoming articles I will discuss many other important things you need to know when working in the grain handling industry. If you have any comments, questions or information you would like to share, please let me know. You safety and well-being are the reason I write. Training : Training for an employee who enters grain storage structures includes training about engulfment and mechanical hazards and how to avoid them. Hot work permit. The employer shall issue a permit for all hot work, with the following exceptions. Where the employer or the employer's representative is present while the hot work is being performed. In welding shops authorized by the employer. In hot work areas authorized by the employer which are located outside of the grain hand... More About: Safety , Articles , Grain
OSHA Now Offers RSS Feeds
2008-04-22 16:01:00 OSHA now offers RSS feeds of it's news content for your reading pleasure. This is a great tool to keep up to date on recent updates and postings, as well as to take advantage of the extensive resources which often go unnoticed on the OSHA website. For those of you who don't know, an RSS feed is simply the technical name for a feed of information. It can help to get you the information you want without having to go to several websites to get it. To read and subscribe to these feeds, you can either download an RSS Reader, or you can use your mail client to receive these updates. Click on the links below for tutorials on how to setup your Outlook to receive RSS updates : Windows Users (XP, ME, 2000, Vista, etc) - How to Setup Outlook to Receive RSS Updates (Microsoft) Mac Users (10.5.x+) - Using Mail to Receive RSS Updates (AppleInsider) Click here for other RSS Reader Programs Currently the only RSS feed available is the major news releases, howeve... More About: Articles , Industry News , Offers
OSHA Launches 2008 Teen Workers Safety Campaign
2008-04-21 16:56:00 OSHA has launched a sub-site dedicated completely to providing safety information for the working teenagers of the US. What is already there is full of great information and it's all posted in an easy to read format. The current content includes a Teen Safety Fact Sheet and an article on Building a Safe Work Foundation. There are also miscellaneous sub-sections for parents, educators and employers. According to the site, they will provide answers to questions 'often asked by the working teen', details about workers right's and responsibilities as well as links to other educational resources. This comes not a moment to soon, as recent figures indicate that an average of 70 teens a year die in work related injuries. (citation) Among the recommendations for employers, listed are the following : 1. Pay special attention to the applicable laws of the FLSA. - The types of jobs and the hours available for teens to work are restricted by these laws. - Of course, all laws... More About: Articles , Workers , Industry News , Campaign
Refrigerant Handling Safety
2008-04-21 15:00:00 Summer is approaching fast, and you?re going to be servicing your air conditioning units as well as your customers, it?s a very busy time for the air conditioning industry and you need to take care and follow all the safety guidelines. Avoiding injury to yourself, property damage, as well as damage to the environment. Refrigerants used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems must be used properly to avoid potential hazards. Most refrigerants have low boiling points and present dangers of frostbite and eye damage. Refrigerant liquids with higher boiling points can cause respiratory and skin irritation. Refrigerants can also damage the environment if handled improperly. In the mid-1970s it was suggested that Freon and other CFCs were, by chemical reaction, destroying the ozone present in the stratosphere. Depletion of the ozone could create a threat to animal life on the Earth because ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation that can induce skin cancer. The use of Freon in aerosol-s... More About: Safety , Articles
Portable Hydraulic Power Safety
2008-04-18 15:02:00 How to keep yourself safe while using this powerful tool Todays post may seem like some bogus corporate 'paid recommendation' but I promise you it's not. The name ?Porta Power ?doesn?t really tell you the potential life saving aspects of this tool. But if you?re ever in a serious accident you?ll be thankful for this tool. It?s also known as the portable Jaws of Life. If you've never seen one, try a google search for "10 ton Porta Power". Hydraulically operated jacks and equipment are available in a wide variety of types, many for specific applications. Many jacks use hydraulics as a means of pressing, pushing, lifting, supporting, and stabilizing. Using hydraulically operated equipment is a very efficient way of performing these tasks. It is important that the proper safety procedures be practiced, prior to, and during the operation, or maintenance of hydraulic equipment. I am including some safety guidelines for operating and repairing jacks with hydraulics: Personal prote... More About: Safety , Articles , Portable
Blasting Safety for Construction and Mining Sites
2008-04-17 21:25:00 Blasting on the Construction / Mining Site I have been to blasting sites before, I was at quite a distance so I never really knew what all was entailed in the process. Blasters have to go through extensive training, have permits, and follow strict rules and regulations. It?s by far one of the most dangerous jobs you can have. Safety is of the utmost importance. Any shortcuts could end your life as well as many others. Employee Responsibilities: An employee shall not handle, transport, or use an explosive unless the employee has received training in, and is authorized to work with, explosives or is under the supervision of the blaster. An Employer Who Drives A Vehicle: An employee who drives a vehicle carrying an explosive shall have knowledge of and follow federal and state rules and regulations governing the transportation of explosives. Employee Qualifications: A blaster shall be qualified by reason of training, knowledge, or experience in the field of transporting, storing, ... More About: Articles , Sites
Crane Safety and Considerations
2008-04-08 23:13:00 I would like to talk a little about crane safety, I know that what I am enclosing is common knowledge to you, and hopefully they are things you use in your everyday duties, I just want to give you a refresher on some things, and maybe a few things you don?t know. The hazards are many, being alert and aware of your surrounding are so important, following hand signals, watching for power lines and people, always check and double check before lowering and lifting the boom and hook. These are just a few things that come to mind. I am enclosing a list of safety suggestions and guidelines. I hope they are helpful and you can use them as you do your job. I have much more information available, so drop me a line if I can be of more help to you. Make sure all cranes are safe for operation. Use rail clamps and wind indicators. Make sure the rated load markings are on the cranes. Maintain the proper clearances. Provide safe access to the cranes. Provide stops for all cranes. Provide stops, bum... More About: Safety , Articles
Shoring and Excavation, Operating Safely
2008-04-08 23:13:00 I want to discuss safety with you today, we know how dangerous excavating and shoring operations can be, and in fact statistics show they are some of the most hazardous in the construction industry. However, most of these hazards can be eliminated from the jobsite by proper work and safety techniques. All persons involved in excavation and shoring operations must be properly trained in safe work methods and practices and be able to recognize unsafe conditions when they occur. The most common hazards of excavation and shoring operations are: ? Death by suffocation or crushing ? Tools or equipment striking utilities ? Materials or tools falling into the trench ? Personnel falling into the trench ? Personnel working too close together ? Hazardous atmospheres Death by suffocation or Crushing ? Proper sloping, benching, or support. Trench cave-ins are the leading cause of death in trenching operations. Death may be caused by suffocation, b... More About: Articles , Operating
Working with Natural Gas
2008-04-08 01:43:00 We all have heard of the dangers associated with natural gas, we?ve seen spectacular fires and explosions, and the resulting injuries and deaths. I?ve made a list of some safety guidelines for those of you working in the natural gas industry. As you well know common sense is the key, being careful and cautious. Any slip or bump could be fatal. The primary dangers created by liquefied gas are fire, explosion, carbon monoxide poisoning, asphyxiation, and extreme cold. When a gas is liquefied, the pressure can increase rapidly as the temperature rises. Heating can come from natural sources such as the sun. Under normal circumstances, a relief valve on the storage cylinder will release gas in a controlled manner to prevent the cylinder from exploding due to over pressurization. When a cylinder or valve is not properly maintained and rapid pressure build-up occurs due to exposure to fire or other sources of extreme heat, a cylinder failure and subsequent explosion can occur. The phys... More About: Articles , Natural Gas , Natural , Industry News , Working
Asphalt Safety
2008-04-08 01:43:00 Working on the ground during asphalt paving can be a high risk occupation. There are hazards of working close to vehicle traffic, heavy equipment, complex machinery, and hot asphalt. Ground workers must always be aware that the traffic is ultimately controlled by individual drivers who may be inexperienced, unskilled, inattentive, or impaired. There is often no safeguard against these drivers other than the asphalt workers constant alertness, and attention to the conditions of the jobsite and fellow workers. I know it?s hard, back-breaking work, most times you?re working in the heat of summer and you may not always be as alert as you should be. Read over these safety guidelines, and be safe. Make sure all ground workers are well trained for the assigned job and familiar with the crew?s particular routine. Assure that workers have been properly educated about the hazards of asphalt fumes. Read all MSDS applicable. Do not move between the paving machine and backing trucks. Do not wor... More About: Safety , Articles , Asphalt
Drywall Safety Tips
2008-04-03 15:55:00 Working with drywall in the construction trade usually involves working at a fast pace. When you?re working new construction, time is money. Sometimes we overlook the safety. You really need to take the time when lifting, cutting, screwing, and taping. And let?s not forget the dust from sanding, using a mask of respirator. I?ve made a list of some important safety tip and guidelines. If you have any other ideas or suggestions, please send them my way. The materials used in drywall construction are gypsum board, plywood, fiber-and-pulp boards, and asbestos-cement boards. These large, rigid sheets are fastened directly to the frame of the building with nails, screws, or adhesives, or are mounted on furring strips of wood nailed over the studs, joists, rafters, or masonry, which allow free circulation of air behind the interior wall. Following are safety guidelines when working with drywall: ? Clear your pathway of obstacles before starting. ? Avoid small injuries to m... More About: Safety , Articles , Tips
Wood Lathe Safety Tips
2008-04-03 15:54:00 Lathes are great to work with, you can create so many things, table legs, baseball bats, staircase rungs, just to name a few. But it can be a dangerous tool if you are inexperienced, not trained properly, or careless. You can be hurt severely or even killed. Proper safety training is very important. The wood rotates between the headstock and tailstock to permit carving. Rotating speeds range from 200 to 4,000 rpm. Following are safety guidelines for safe operations of wood lathes. Read these and know them well : ? Operators should carefully inspect all parts of the lathe for defects before beginning operations. Strictly adhere to the rules for correct handling of woodturning tools and hand position on the lathe?s tool rest. Make sure to follow the guidelines on turning speeds, especially for roughing operations. ? Select stock carefully and inspect it closely before undertaking a project. Avoid using wood with knots or splits. ? Be sure to allow lamin... More About: Safety , Articles , Tips , Wood
Sand and Gravel Safety
2008-04-03 15:37:00 Working in sand and gravel pits can be so dangerous, the hazards are many, and being alert is probably the most important safety tip. There is so much traffic coming and going, flying sand and rocks, water, just to name a few. It?s important to dress properly for the job, keep your sleeves and pant cuffs tight, keep long hair tied up and inside a hard hat, wear safety glasses or goggles, hearing protection is also a must. Don?t wear necklaces, scarves, or rings while you?re working. Always check your footing getting on and off equipment. Check for uneven, slippery, or cluttered surfaces. Check for equipment not locked/blocked/tagged out. Post a guard at the access to dumps and high-traffic areas to prevent injury from mobile equipment. Wear a safety belt or harness with lifeline for both worker and guard. Place your lock and tag on the power source, not just on the nearest switch. Prohibit equipment from moving while being worked on: Check for power left on, and equipment not block... More About: Safety , Articles , Sand , Gravel
Construction Waste Management
2008-04-03 15:36:00 Let?s discuss waste on the job site; it?s not only unsightly, but hazardous as well. People can fall, twist, strain, or scrape and cut themselves. Those are just minor things, much worse can happen depending on what?s laying around, please read the following safety and waste handling tips. The construction of an average home usually results in at least 8,000 pounds of construction waste. You must plan ahead to reduce waste when performing construction, demolition, or renovation projects. Many of these materials can be hazardous and must be handled and disposed of properly. Following are safety guidelines for safe handling and disposal of construction waste: Personal protective equipment: When working on construction sites, wear protective clothing and equipment that is appropriate for the job. Handling construction waste will require the use of important items such as hard hats, safety goggles, dust masks, respirators, hazardous materials suits, rubber boots, heavy-duty gloves, and... More About: Articles , Management , Construction , Waste , Waste Management
Arc Welding
2008-04-03 15:35:00 My first job 30 years ago was working in a welding shop. We made ornamental iron products for the local tourist industry. The old guys there didn?t do any teaching on safety, so I had to learn some first aid to be able to take care of all sorts of burns, cuts and scrapes. My boss didn?t provide the proper items needed to work in welding. Everyone had to buy their own. I learned the hard way the do?s and don?ts of the welding trade. I am enclosing a good list of safety tips, I hope they are helpful, if you need or want any further information please let me know. I?m happy to help. The electric arc welder is one of the most useful and timesaving pieces of equipment used in metalworking, fabrication, or repair. Most welders are typically AC/DC 240 volt transformer types that use standard electrical current as the energy source. Portable welders are powered by diesel/gasoline engines and derive their power from built-in AC/DC generators. If properly installed and used the arc welder i... More About: Welding
Construction and The Economy
2008-03-19 00:55:00 While getting ready for work this morning, I was watching the news, and as you well know the housing industry has been dominating the news. New construction is way down, People can?t afford to build right now. Most are struggling just to make it from week to week, gas for the cars, heat for the homes, groceries. It?s tough. The economy whether it?s up or down affects our industry greatly. Money is tight for everyone from the large corporation to the single family. A lot of it has to do with the lending industry; they have made a mess for all of us. In the construction industry we have been forced to lay off our people, new home and business sites are being bid on by everyone, instead of a few. There just isn?t enough work. We all know the economy will turn around, hopefully sooner than later. We just need to hang in there cut costs where we can, for example; car pooling, running our equipment only when necessary. Put emphasis on controlling waste. There is so much we can do to ... More About: Economy , Articles , Industry News , Construction , Offbeat
Using Extension Cords in Construction
2008-03-19 00:46:00 Extension cords are invaluable in the trades, we all use them, we haul them off the truck plug them in and proceed to attach all of our power tools to them. Do you ever inspect them for cracks, cuts, or frayed wires? Believe me I know firsthand the hazards of a small cut in one. It was raining one day, I didn?t give it a second thought. I just kept working, part of my cord was under water, I was using a hamer-drill, installing an outside railing. I got zapped a good one. I was sick to my stomach, had a pounding headache. It could have been a worse. Needless to say I learned my lesson. I check my cords all the time, it only takes a minute. A minute that could save your life. The Following are guidelines to help select the safe and proper extension cord for the tools or equipment that are to be used on the job: Use the right extension cord. The size of wire in an extension cord must be compatible with the amount of current the cord will be expected to carry. The amount of current de... More About: Articles , Construction , Extension
Hearing Protection and OSHA
2008-03-19 00:37:00 Hearing Protection Most of us take hearing for granted. It?s just something we don?t think about. When we go home at the end of a workday and when we get up in the morning, we expect to hear. Our amazingly sensitive ears can distinguish 400,000 different sounds and can detect sounds so quiet that they cause the eardrum to vibrate less than 1/80,000,000 of an inch. But that remarkable sensitivity doesn?t have a lifetime guarantee; in order to maintain hearing sensitivity, it must be protected. Noise-induced hearing loss is the term for hearing damaged by excessive noise. People differ in their sensitivity to noise, however, and there?s no way to determine who is most at risk. Factors such as sound pressure (decibel level), frequency (hertz), and exposure time all play a role in determining whether noise is harmful or just annoying. However, you should consider your hearing at risk if noise affects you in one of the following ways: ? Have to shout above noise to ma... More About: Articles , Hearing
Whistleblower Protection Program
2008-03-19 00:32:00 Let?s go over a few things about the word ?whistleblower?. Let?s look at the media; they portray it as David v. Goliath, the lowly hourly employee bringing down the big corporation. They make a big fuss; the poor person is paraded around like a circus clown. When he should be congratulated for a job well done. A whistleblower isn?t a rat or stool pigeon; it?s someone who is concerned about their company and their wellbeing. It?s no different than seeing a bank robbery and calling the police. It?s part of being a good citizen; you see something wrong you report it. If no one at your workplace is willing to listen, then go to the civil authorities. Wrong is wrong, if your company covers it up report them. It?s not only your duty as a citizen, but as a concerned employee. You may be saving your own life and wellbeing as well as those around you. OSHA has standards and regulations in place to protect those that ?report their employers for wrong doing. 1) You cannot be... More About: Articles , Program
Preventing Falls Through Skylights and Roof Openings
2008-03-17 20:57:00 First and foremost is educating your employees about safety, many situations arise in the workplace that may and very well could cause injury or even death. One of the most important things is to be aware of your surroundings, take note of floor openings, be cautious when working on or around skylights, take extra care when on a roof. If you?re not sure of something don?t hesitate to ask questions. Your safety is important to you as well as the company. We keep written safety meetings on all ares of our company. As workers you should take the following steps to ensure/protect yourself from any and all types of falls. Skylights, floors, and roof openings are just a few of the hazards that can arise in the workplace. 1. Never sit on, lean against, or step on a skylight lens or covering placed over a hole in a roof or floor. The material used for the cover may not support your weight. 2. Guard or securely cover all holes you have created or uncovered before you leave the work area. ... More About: Articles , Roof , Falls
Unguarded Protruding Steel Rebar?s
2008-03-17 20:56:00 I would like to talk about the hazards and safety required when working with steel rebar. Webster?s dictionary describes it as a steel rod with ridges for use in reinforced concrete. First used in 1953. There are dangers associated with it in the shop as well as on the job site. When you work with rebar you need to aware of your surroundings at all times. It may be hanging on the back of the truck, someone carrying it, or it may be sticking out of the ground. Serious injury can result from walking into it or falling on it and impaling yourself. Rebar caps are very important tool with regards to safety. How Do I Avoid Hazards? 1. Guard all protruding ends of steel rebar with rebar caps or wooden troughs, or 2. Bend rebar so exposed ends are no longer upright 3. When employees are working at any height above exposed rebar, fall protection/ prevention is the first line of defense against impalement. 4. Always be sure of your footing when you?re working above exposed rebar, being in t... More About: Articles , Steel
Robert W. Campbell Award (2008)
2008-03-11 23:17:00 Today it is my pleasure to showcase a great post written for us by John Dony, from the National Safety Council. As you know, the NSC is arguably the country's headquarters for Health and Safety information. Their efforts in promoting and supporting injury prevention and workplace safety are unparalleled by any. John Dony contacted me regarding the 2008 Robert W. Campbell award, which is a highly prestigious honor given to companies who go above and beyond the bare minimum, and strive to provide an excellent working environment for their employees, customers and the rest of the world. Without further introduction, I give you John's words : The Robert W. Campbell Award is currently accepting applications for the 2008 Award year. This international Award honors organizations that achieve high levels of excellence by integrating environmental, health and safety (EHS) management into their overall business operating system. Built upon scientific rigor and using an evidenc... More About: Articles , Industry News
MSHA Increases Standards on Training and Rescue Response Time
2008-03-07 18:51:00 MSHA has mandated stricter rules for underground mines in the country. Miners are now required to train for 96 hours a year, more than doubling the 40 hour requirement currently stated. These changes in rules come as a result of a study performed more than 2 years ago. MSHA also wants the 2 hour response time for rescue workers decreased to 1 hour. Rescue Workers say this is a tough goal, but achievable. MSHA has given mine operators until May 8th to come up with the new training plans, and until august to have rescue stations within an hour of ground travel. (Source) More About: Standards , Time , Training , Industry News
Southwest Airlines to receive $10.2m Fine for Lax Inspection Habits
More articles from this author:2008-03-07 17:40:00 The Federal Aviation Administration dealt a 10.2 Million Dollar Fine to Aviation Powerhouse "Southwest Airlines ". Supposedly 46 Jets made just under 60,000 flights carried out without inspection, when the airline found out, just under 1,500 more were made deliberately without inspection. Remember guys, this is an extreme case but we all are responsible for making sure the proper safety procedures are followed. When you don't follow the rules it can cost you big time, and sometimes MORE than money. -Patrick Brayton More About: Industry News , Habits 1, 2 |
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