Defensive Driving – It May Save Your Life Our jobs may require us to spend a lot of time on the road. On any city street you are likely to see delivery vans, couriers, salespeople, and utility persons making frequent stops as they conduct their business. Some people spend many hours in traffic just going to and from work. Even though the mileage may be small, the amount of time spent on the road is very long. Every hour spent on the road increases your chance of having an accident. Certainly speed is a factor in accidents. Many accidents happen simply because the driver...

Hydraulic Hoses and the Danger of Leaks You may find it hard to believe, but hydraulic hose assemblies are not designed to leak--though they do. And when they do, something is wrong. Leaks from high-pressure hydraulic lines are not just messy, they are dangerous. Leaks create slip and fall hazards, fire danger, and they contaminate the environment. Leaks can cause skin burns and, under high pressure, can penetrate the skin. The most common causes of leaking hoses are abrasions and improper assembly. If you work with hydraulic hoses, you should become skilled at anticipating problems, preventing them and fixing them. Preventing Problems:...

Bench And Pedestal Grinders grinderAlmost every maintenance shop has a bench or pedestal grinder. They are most commonly used to shape or sharpen the cutting edges of tools such as chisels or lawn mower blades. These are powerful, useful tools, but they are also potentially dangerous because users take them for granted. Serious injury and even death can result from improper handling, installation or use of abrasive wheels. Cracked or defective grinding wheels can "explode" when in use. Secure both pedestal and bench style grinders securely to the floor or work bench to prevent movement during usage. Store grinding wheels carefully on...

Construction Equipment Dangers Construction equipment used on construction jobs often creates dangerous conditions. This Tailgate Safety Topic examines a few situations which should be watched for at all times. Any moving equipment, such as skip loaders, back hoes, trenchers, cranes, hi-lifts, trucks, you name it should be respected and avoided. Don’t just assume that the operator sees you. You could wind up injured or worse. And don’t depend on hearing a horn or an alarm to warn you that moving equipment is near. You may not be able to hear equipment’s alarm over other construction noise. When you see that equipment is traveling...

The Three-Point Rule - Truck Safety You Don't Have To Fall Off A Truck! Falling while getting into or out of heavy equipment, a truck or tractor cab, hooking up air and electrical lines, or mounting or dismounting trailers is a sure way to get seriously hurt. An insurance industry study showed that falls from vehicles produced injuries that were almost 25% worse than other types of injuries. Even an ankle sprain can play havoc with your ability to use the clutch. Minor injuries can cost you big in terms of lost income and downtime. The biggest single cause of falls from a vehicle...

Safe Fleet Driving Do you drive a company vehicle? It is your responsibility to continuously evaluate and recognize accident-producing situations. Your worst nightmare could be right around the corner. Recent studies have revealed that each year, more than one in three company vehicles are involved in an accident. According to the National Safety Council, two-thirds of these accidents were at least partially caused by a driver error while traveling on highways. Here are some safe driving tips to exercise while operating your personal or company vehicle: Whenever possible, pre-plan your travel route by studying a map or getting directions. If you are...

Allergies, Antihistamines & Drowsiness Spring is here! It is time to put away the heavy coats and break out the sunglasses. But the weather conditions that lead to "spring fever" also give rise to another affliction that affects many of us-hay fever. Hay fever can make those who are sensitive to pollen miserable, interfering with work and play. Fortunately, modern medicine has developed drugs which give temporary relief from hay fever's common symptoms. As users of antihistamines and decongestants know, however, there are side effects to these over-the-counter drugs. The side effects most often experienced is drowsiness. A Gallup survey of allergy sufferers...

Don't Get Sore At Your Computer! It's hard to imagine getting along without computers today. Many of us spend hours at the keyboard-both at home and at work-writing letters, reports, memos, keeping records, etc. With a computer, we can do most of our work sitting in one place, with little need to go to the file cabinet, the pencil sharpener, or the mailbox anymore. As a result, many people stay fixed in front of their VDT monitor for hours at a time-which is not a normal, healthy way for the body to operate. Muscles, tendons and joints put up with it...

Crane Operations Working Under The Load When you think about it, the human body is totally out-matched when it tries to go against crane operations working under the load. Think of the dangers for a moment. First, the load is being lifted by a mechanical device operated by a human being. We know that both are subject to limitations and failures. Something can go wrong despite our best intentions. Loads can be heavy, difficult to rig, and are subject to unexpected movement. There is only one sure way to avoid injury, stay clear of the load! Crane movements should always be considered...

Slow Down in Road Construction Areas! Even when all traffic control measures are taken, a confused or unaware driver can crash through a work site, or a daydreaming worker can step into the path of a speeding vehicle. Some drivers take reckless chances by running stop signs or changing lanes without signaling. These unsafe acts jeopardize other drivers who may lose control of their vehicle while avoiding a collision. Follow these safety procedures: Planning: All traffic control must be carefully planned and approved by governing authorities before work begins. If you are responsible for this planning, drive through the traffic pattern before any...