Close Calls - Take a Close Look at Close Calls Close calls or accident without injury is easy to shrug off and forget. But, there is a danger in brushing off accidents that don’t hurt, harm or damage. When a “close call” happens, it should immediately send up a red warning flag that something was wrong, unplanned, unexpected, and could happen again. The next time it happens, it could result in serious damage, injury or death. For every accident there are usually several contributing factors, most of which can be controlled. The best way to prevent the reoccurrence of an accident is...

Accident Investigation Establish an accident investigation team: Include employees who have been trained to conduct an effective investigation. A typical team might include: An employee from the work area where the accident occurred A supervisor from a work area not involved in the accident A maintenance supervisor or an employee who understands equipment or processes associated with the accident The safety supervisor A safety committee representative Gather information: Record the facts about the accident. Interview witnesses and others involved. Analyze the facts: Identify the accident’s causes and contributing factors. Determine how the accident could have been prevented. Report the findings:...

Drywall Installation Drywall Installation - Drywall installers are at risk for back injuries, falls and respiratory exposure to dusts, including silica. Drywall sheets range from 50 to 120 pounds each.  Handle these sheets with care during transport and installation to prevent strains and sprains to backs, shoulders, and arms.  First, have the sheets delivered and stacked as close to the installation site as possible.  Next, use forklifts, dollies, and drywall lifts and/or jacks to move and position sheets. Minimize hand carrying and installation.  Pick up one sheet at a time.  Special sheet gripper tools or grip-dot gloves help you hold sheets securely...

Concrete Construction Safety Concrete is a versatile and strong material for construction. Concrete workers are just as versatile when performing excavations, carpentry, metalworking, pouring, and smoothing to create concrete structures. Pay attention to the variety of hazards while you work with concrete. Personal protection equipment (PPE) keeps you safe on the job. For digging, forming, and exposure to concrete, wear sturdy gloves and safety boots to protect your hands and feet. A hard hat protects your head from falling objects and bumps. Consider ear plugs depending on the noise level of your equipment and job site. Safety glasses and face shields protect...

Chainsaw Injuries Cutting down on chainsaw injuries Chainsaw injuries can lead to serious injury and even death. Each year, hospital emergency rooms see approximately 30,000 catastrophic injuries from chainsaws. The most frequent chainsaw injuries occur to the left leg and the back of the left hand. These injuries are usually related to kickback and losing control of the saw. Learning about chainsaw accident and injury risk reduction techniques can help you to avoid becoming a statistic. Kickback occurs when the tip of the saw touches an object or when the wood closes and pinches the chain. Tip contact makes the chainsaw immediately reverse...

Don't Get Caught in the Crush Crushing accidents occur when the body or any part of the body is squeezed between two moving objects or caught between one moving and one stationary object. Minor crushing accidents can cost workers in many ways, in pain, disability, and the loss of a job. Major crushing accidents can even cost a life. There are some simple things workers can do to lessen their chance of experiencing crushing injuries. The first, and most important thing, is for workers to know when they are placing themselves or any of their body parts in a situation of possible...

Diesel Exhaust What is Diesel Exhaust? The diesel engines in automobiles, buses, and trucks produce exhaust from the combustion of diesel fuel. Diesel exhaust is made up of harmful chemicals including very small toxic particles and hazardous gases. Some of the hazardous gases in diesel exhaust (e.g. nitrogen oxides, benzene, sulfur dioxide and formaldehyde) have been found to possibly cause cancer. Health Hazards of Diesel Exhaust Breathing diesel exhaust is the most common method of exposure. As we breathe, the fine particles and toxic gases in diesel exhaust can enter into the lungs. Being exposed to diesel exhaust for short periods of time may...

Cal/OSHA Inspections Cal/OSHA inspectors make unannounced visits to ensure California workplaces are safe and healthy. If your business has a documented uncontrolled hazard and, as a result, receives a Cal/OSHA citation, the resulting penalties, legal issues, and lowered employee morale and publicity can have serious financial and business impacts. Managers, supervisors, and employees need to know what to expect during a Cal/OSHA inspection and how to respond appropriately. Cal/OSHA conducts site inspections in cases of imminent danger or industrial accidents. A fatal injury to one or more employees; a serious injury or illness; a serious exposure; or the inpatient hospitalization, regardless of duration,...

Lawyer Safety Practicing law is usually more than a full time job. A lawyer and his or her team spend countless hours doing legal research, writing, court appearances, client visits, and extensive driving lead to fatigue and stress. Computer use, phone work, and heavy case files increase your ergonomic injury risks. Interface with clients and the public exposes you to workplace violence. Acknowledge the risks and plan strategies to prevent injuries. Long office hours can lead to ergonomic injuries; consider an ergonomic evaluation or use online tools to assess your workstation. Maintain good posture by keeping your monitor and keyboard directly in...

Stay Safe At All Hours When you find yourself alone in the workplace because you: work early or late hours, work at mobile remote sites, or provide services on the go, you must keep yourself safe at all hours by following your own gut instinct, and following your employers established safety procedures. Perform a walk through with your employer to identify the potential hazards you may encounter while performing your duties. Once the hazards are identified, devise safety solutions to control or eliminate the situation. Some solutions may include: Personal panic alarms Sensored path lighting Security cameras Walkie Talkies/Cell phones Create and implement...