Give Jacks, Lifts, and Hoists the High Safety Priority They Deserve Each year serious injuries and deaths occur in the workplace as a result of unsafe jacks, stands, lifts, and hoist use.  Although safety responsibility for these devices must be shared between employer and employee, the ultimate responsibility for safety lies with the individual worker.  Even where there is close supervision, the worker makes the final decision on how to do the job. Jacks Workers must select a jack with the rated lifting capacity that equals or exceeds the load it will support.  Jacks must be placed on a firm, level surface...

Managing & Reducing Stress Stress is an everyday fact of life. When you have too much stress, or it lasts too long, it can be harmful. At work, unmanaged stress can lead to illness or injury, low productivity, and unsafe acts. But not all stress is bad. The best level of stress is that amount which improves a person’s performance without causing harmful side effects. You can manage stress and make it a more positive force in your life when you identify your stress, understand them, and take charge of the stress by relieving or preventing it. Using alcohol or drugs will...

First Aid What would happen today, if there was an accident at your workplace? Would employees and management know what to do? Would the injured person get the best possible care? When an accident happens, a first aid program that meets the requirements of the law and is tailored to the type and size of the workplace can literally make the difference between life and death, or between recovery and permanent disablement. Employers should insure that all employees know where emergency information is posted at the work site. The emergency notice should state the phone numbers of the closest ambulance service, fire/rescue unit,...

Safe Lifting Techniques Back injuries account for about one in every five job-related injuries in workplaces.  Disabling back injuries are no laughing matter for workers who lose time from work or from personal activities.  The sad truth is that most of the pain and lost time can been prevented if you are aware of how the back functions and how to lift safely to protect your back. The back is a network of fragile ligaments, discs, and muscles which can easily be thrown out of order.  The back’s complex design breaks down when it’s forced to perform activities it was not designed...

How Workers Get Hurt Types of Injuries Accidents can happen anywhere and at any time. Many workplace accidents and injuries can be prevented if workers know the causes of accidents and they are taught how to protect themselves to avoid injury. Although no one wants to get hurt at work, there are four major causes for injuries on the job. Back injuries The number one cause of on-the-job injuries is physical overload. These injuries are cause by lifting (too heavy a load or lifting improperly), straining, overreaching, bending, and twisting. To protect your back against injury, learn and use proper lifting techniques, never bend...

Remember to Lockout &Tagout Anyone who operates, cleans, services, adjusts, and repairs machinery or equipment should be aware of the hazards associated with that machinery.  Any powered machinery or electrical equipment that can move in a way that would put people in danger is a hazard that can be prevented by following locking or tagging procedures.  Failure to lockout or tagout power sources on equipment can result in electrocutions, amputations, and other serious-sometimes fatal-accidents. What are the most common causes of these accidents? The machine or piece of equipment was not completely shut off before a maintenance or repair operation. Not only...

Conveyor Safety Conveyor Safety - When used incorrectly, they can be dangerous. Conveyors are a wonderful invention and conveyor safety is important.  They move large amounts of materials quickly and safely.  They allow workers to reduce the amount of materials handled manually thereby increasing work capacity and production output.  Decreasing manual material handling also lessens the chance of injury to a worker’s back and hands. Conveyors are safe when used correctly, but they can be dangerous, and even deadly, if workers fail to follow safety procedures when working on or around them. Materials should be placed on the conveyor so that they...

Fire Extinguishers Even though your company may be equipped with automatic sprinklers or other means of fire protection, the portable fire extinguishers are the first line of defense in the control of fires at their start. Most fires, in the beginning stage, can be extinguished easily with portable equipment, but only if the equipment is readily accessible and the employee knows how to use it. The reaction time, from when the fire is first realized, is extremely important. If time is wasted in a search for the proper fire extinguisher and a review of the operating instructions, a small, easily controlled fire...

Portable Abrasive Saws & Grinders Before use, tools, cords and accessories should be inspected to ensure safe operation. The equipment operator should be protected from electrocution by a ground-fault circuit interrupter or an assured equipment grounding conductor program. No one should ever be permitted to use an electrical tool in wet or damp areas. Operators of compressed air and hydraulically operated tools should make certain that supply pressure does not exceed the tool manufacturer’s recommendations. Excessive pressure can rupture hoses, damage tools, and increase operating speed beyond safe limits. Some abrasive saws are gasoline powered and should only be used in well...

Sun Protection, No Skin off your Nose A suntan may look and feel good, but the sun’s rays can cause serious problems, when exposure is excessive. Radiation from the sunlight damages the skin. Besides sunburn it has been known to cause various types of skin cancer, including deadly melanomas. Having tanned or naturally dark skin does not eliminate the need for sun protection against the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. The best precaution is to stay out of the sun as much as possible, but if your job requires you to be outdoors in the sun, wear sunscreen and cover your skin...