Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
October is National Crime Prevention Month, a great time to train your employees to help keep violence and theft out of your workplace. Encourage them to be alert to potentially violent behavior. Tell them to be concerned if a customer or co-worker: Threatens violence Threatens to “get even” with you, co-workers, or supervisors Tries repeatedly […]
Yesterday, we talked about workplace amputation risks. Today, we look at machine safeguards, the primary method for preventing amputations.< The two primary methods used to safeguard machines are guards and safeguarding devices. Guards provide physical barriers that prevent access to danger areas. Safeguarding devices either prevent or detect operator contact with the point of operation […]
Amputations are among the most severe and disabling workplace injuries, and amputation risks are widespread in industry. The risk of amputations is unfortunately widespread in industry and involves a variety of activities and equipment. Bureau of Labor Statistics data from a few years back indicate that there were some 8,400 non-fatal amputation cases in private […]
Ladders are simple devices—and that may be their biggest fault. Workers tend to mistake simplicity for harmlessness, often overlooking necessary precautions. More precautions are necessary to stay safe on portable ladders than your employees might think. For example, even before setting up a ladder, the site has to be checked for safety. Say the site […]
Attention to ladder safety prevents injuries, some of which can be fatal. Are your workers paying attention? According to OSHA, falls from portable ladders (step, straight, combination, and extension) are one of the leading causes of occupational fatalities and injuries. Accidents occur frequently in both construction and general industry. Accidents can be serious, and frequently […]
October 4–8, 2010, is Drive Safely Work Week, sponsored by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS). “This year’s campaign is focused on the dangers of distracted driving.” Use the statistics in “Why It Matters” to make your employees aware of just how dangerous distracted driving is. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration […]
It takes only one tragedy to remind us of the critical importance of workplace fire prevention and emergency preparation. Don’t wait for fire to break out. Act today. Fire prevention is a combination of common sense, attention to detail, and follow-up. Emergency response is all about preparation. As you sit in your office reading this, […]
Preparation is the key to effective response to workplace fires. Fire drills help prepare employees to respond quickly, calmly, and safely. Fire drills play a very important role in workplace fire safety. Although OSHA does not require fire drills, it strongly recommends them.
Powered conveyors are extremely useful time- and energy-savers. But they’re also potentially extremely hazardous—especially to workers without proper training. Conveyors are one of the earliest forms of automation and are widely used as a means of moving materials efficiently and safely. Cutting down on the amount of materials handled manually can reduce the risks of […]
Almost every employee is a material handler at some time on the job. Everyone lifts and shifts something, and that means everyone needs to be trained to handle materials safely. Virtually every job involves some handling of materials—even your job. You likely lift the odd box, move piles of folders, or carry home a loaded […]