Workplace Distractions Some workplace distractions and interruptions are unavoidable but others – if not properly controlled or regulated -- could lead to injuries, lost productivity, and a decrease in worker morale. Work interruptions are a distraction that can result in work errors or accidents. Before addressing or responding to another person, workers should shut down or disengage any work tool, equipment, or processes. Job training should include instructions not to interrupt others during a critical job phase or process. Instruction manuals and procedural guidebooks should be kept on site to answer frequently asked questions and thereby eliminate the need to interrupt or distract other...

AirBag Safety Vehicle air bags (including front, side and head curtains) rapidly inflate to cushion and protect drivers and passengers in traffic accidents. Air bags have deployed 3.8 million times since first used in the 1980’s and have saved 5,000 lives. Installed in 56 million vehicles, the air bag is a supplemental vehicle safety device; the first line of defense is the seatbelt. The risk of death in an accident is reduced by 65% with seat belts alone; seat belt use in combination with an air bag reduces risk by an additional 15%. Air bag benefits are proven, but most of us...

Drywalling Safety Drywalling Safety - Drywallers put the finishing touches on our home and office interiors by installing and finishing sheetrock walls. Physical stamina is required to lift, cut, and maneuver heavy sheets of drywall and fix them in place. Finishing and sanding seams is also an ergonomic and physical challenge. Consider that this demanding work is often done on a construction site and at heights, and it is clear that drywallers need to think safety on the job. Lifting and maneuvering tools and heavy, awkward sheets of drywall pose an ergonomic risk for drywallers. Maintaining good physical condition and using proper...

Machine Shop Safety In a machine shop, metals and composites are cut and shaped into finished products using hand tools and machines such as saws, lathes, drills, and grinders. Common injuries in machine shops include debris in the eye, cuts, and caught/crush machine injuries. Choose proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for the machine shop.  Wear safety glasses at all times in the shop.  At any time, debris may fly out of a machine and into your eye.  Consider a face shield when you are working up close with grinding and cutting job tasks.  Wear comfortable shoes with a non-slip sole. Consider toe...

Commercial movers face safety challenges on the job. Commercial movers face challenges, whether moving a business across town or a family across the country, movers must focus on proper ergonomics, material handling, and proper housekeeping. Ideally, in preparation of the move, visit the sites that you will be packing from and moving into. If this isn’t feasible, consider a site checklist you can send to the client or site contact to evaluate unusual scenarios or any potential hazards. Also, prepare ahead for types of environments you will be working, such as locations on hills, narrow, winding, or flights of stairs, or other features...

Disposable Respirators Filtering facepiece respirators are disposable and come in various styles and designs to protect you from non-hazardous contaminants in the workplace. The filtering material in the disposable respirator can be made of cloth or paper that cleans the air as you breathe it to prevent you from inhaling irritating substances. Some filtering facepiece respirators (dust masks) are used to control nuisance contaminants such as dust, non hazardous fibers, animal dander, and pollen. Other filtering facepiece respirators can have added features for use with infectious diseases, organic vapors, chemical fumes, and nuisance odors. While disposable respirators are convenient, you should be...

Bloodborne Pathogens What are Bloodborne Pathogens? Bloodborne pathogens (BBP) are microorganisms that can cause disease when transferred from an infected person to another person through blood or other potentially infected body fluids. The microorganisms are capable of causing serious illness and death. The most common diseases spread in this manner are Hepatitis B (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Examples of other bloodborne diseases include malaria, Hepatitis C and syphilis. Who is at Risk? Workers in health care and public safety jobs could be potentially exposed to these disease pathogens. These workers include, but are not limited to, doctors, dentists, nurses, paramedics, police, laboratory...

Chemical Inventory Lists Hazard Communication Standard, requires employers to make a chemical inventory list of the hazardous chemicals present in the workplace. The chemicals on these lists are identified with markers to easily find the corresponding safety data sheet (SDS). Quick and easy access to the chemical inventory list and safety data sheets allows employees to find important information about the chemicals in their workplace. Additional benefits include: Employees are able to find information on chemical hazards, properties, first aid, personal protective equipment (PPE), emergency procedures, and disposal methods. Emergency responders can quickly access chemical safety and hazard information. Regulatory chemical and waste...

Pesticides - Agricultural Pesticide Use Regulations Pesticides can be hazardous to workers if they are exposed to them through the skin, eyes, mouth, or the air we breathe. Agricultural pesticide handlers should get the proper certificates, permits, and training to use pesticides safely, correctly, and according to the requirements of the law. The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) governs pesticide use in agricultural operations and classifies pesticides as “general” or “restricted” use. Workers must be certified to buy, use, or supervise the use of restricted pesticides and usually require a permit from the local to do so. Workers must read and follow...

Aggressive Driving Every year, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports approximately 500,000 collisions with 200,000 injuries and 4,000 fatalities as a result. Unsafe speed, improper turning, failure to yield the right of way, and obey traffic signals were the most frequent causes, which led the Department of Transportation (DOT) to estimate that two-thirds of traffic fatalities may be caused by aggressive driving. Aggressive driving can be caused by longer commutes, traffic congestion, and other drivers’ behaviors. It can also be caused by your own mood, reactions, and ability to deal with stress on and off the road. Aggressive driving is triggered by...