Stairs And Walkways Stairs and walkways in all businesses can be the cause of injury accidents. These passageways do not typically get the maintenance they need since they are "only" access ways and not production areas. Here are ten safety tips to help eliminate exposures at your company. Always keep one hand free to use the handrails, both up and down the stairways. Keep all stairs and walkways clear of debris and potentially slippery substances such as; ice, snow, water, oil, or grease. Keep passageways free of tools, equipment and other materials. Always practice good housekeeping in these non-production areas. When...

Safety With Pneumatic Tools Pneumatic tools present many of the same hazards as their electrically powered counterparts, plus hazards you may not have considered. Here are things to remember when using air tools: Air pressure: Electrical tools are powered from a source that provides a well-regulated standard current. However, with air powered tools, air may be delivered at varying pressures and flows. If the pressure/flow exceeds the manufacturer's rating, the tool itself could over-speed, delivering too much torque or other excessive force. This is hazardous due to the increased possibility of tool or workpiece breakage. Inadequate pressure or flow could also result...

Hard Hats Your head is the most important part of your body. It contains the matter that controls your ability to think, speak, and move. So, it’s head from injury on the job. Wearing your hard hat is the first line of defense against head injury. A hard hat is meant to protect your head from the impact of falling material and accidental bumping. The hat’s suspension components act as a shock absorber and are designed to absorb or deflect a blow and distribute the impact over a large area. Even if the hat dents or shatters, it can still take some force...

Floor Buffer Safety Floor buffer machines come in many styles and power levels from the standard electric stick model to battery and propane - powered walk-behinds and ride-ons. They use different pad types and abrasive factors to clean, wax, buff, and strip hard surface floors. Because floor maintenance involves using powered machinery and concentrated chemicals, it is important to keep safety in mind. Get training and read the manufacturer’s instructions for your floor machine. Read the safety data sheets (SDS) for all floor maintenance chemicals and get training on the use and proper mix ratios. Because these chemicals are sold in concentrated...

Machine Guards If a machine has a part, function or process, which can cause injury, it needs a safeguard. Guards are installed on machinery to protect you and others from injury. This means that when a machine is in operation, its guards must be in place. A guard must never be bypassed or removed during use. If a guard is removed for machine cleaning or repairing, it must be put back into place before reuse or storage. Before beginning any work on a machine, check its moving parts to make sure that all guards are properly functioning and securely in place. Checking...

Office Safety - Avoid Common Office Injuries It is generally accepted that in heavy industry, you'll find dangerous work environments that expose employees to potential injury. But fewer companies recognize the potential risks found in everyday office environments. Office work, too, can lead to injuries if appropriate safe work practices are not followed. Learn to avoid these common hazards: Musculoskeletal strains and sprains associated with material handling: If you must walk and carry an object, make sure the object is carried in a way that avoids blocking your vision. Never lift objects that are too heavy to handle comfortably. Get help,...

PPE - Picking The Proper Gloves Your hands are one of your most valuable assets. Without them, you wouldn't be able to touch, hold, feel write or gesture. In fact, you couldn't do much of anything. Too often, however, we take them for granted. We don't pay attention to how we treat or mistreat them! Just a few examples of when your hands should be protected is whenever you are cutting, painting, welding, or handling sharp metal, chemicals, needles, or blood samples. And it is very important to wear the right gloves for each specific task since no one glove protects...

Foundation Construction Foundation construction can involve power and cutting tools, excavations, the use of concrete and mortar, and other techniques that require training and proper safety equipment. First, wear personal protective equipment suitable for the job.  Safety shoes protect your feet from crushing injuries and punctures.  Long pants and sleeves protect your skin from cuts, scratches, and exposure to chemicals and concrete.  A hard hat protects your head from falling items and bumps.  Wear leather gloves when moving equipment and materials, wear chemical resistant gloves if you work with chemicals and concrete.  Consider hearing protection and a respirator for specific job sites...

Die Setting Safety Die setting safety - Die setters set up, maintain, and operate presses and cutting machines used to form and cut metal, plastic and other materials into shapes for manufacturing. The die plate sets can be casting shapes, cutting implements, or press plates. Die plates are usually manually inserted into machinery and adjusted so the tooling will function properly and safely. Die setters require proper training and awareness of the hazards involved with this work. Most importantly, die setters must be familiar with the process and safety features of the machinery that they operate. When performing setup and maintenance on...

Cemetery Worker Safety A cemetery worker operates year round and in all weather. Tasked with job duties including grounds keeping, excavating, and equipment moving and setup, cemetery workers should use good work practices and get training on job hazards such as field safety, ergonomics, and excavation. Grave digging at a cemetery may be done by hand or with excavating equipment. Before you dig, ensure that there are no underground hazards such as pipes or utilities; don’t assume the area is clear. Get training on the use and maintenance of excavating equipment and inspect it before each use. If you use manual digging...