Housekeeping at Work Good housekeeping is more than keeping the workplace looking neat. It is an important part of accident prevention, fire prevention, productivity, and maintaining a professional work environment. Poor housekeeping can create hazards that lead to slips, trips, falls, cuts, struck-by injuries, fires, and damaged equipment or materials. A cluttered...

Forklift Safety – Elevating Personnel Safely Forklifts and other powered industrial trucks are designed primarily to move materials—not to serve as personnel lifts. However, certain forklifts may be used to elevate employees when an approved personnel work platform is used and all applicable safety requirements and manufacturer instructions are followed. Never allow...

Preventing Heat Stress Preventing heat stress requires recognizing heat-related hazards early, staying hydrated, allowing workers to acclimatize, and responding immediately when symptoms develop. Heat stress can occur when the body cannot adequately cool itself during work in hot or humid conditions. Physical exertion, direct sunlight, protective clothing, limited air movement, and inadequate...

Landscaping Safety Landscaping safety requires awareness of the hazards associated with powered equipment, chemicals, electrical sources, outdoor conditions, lifting, and working at heights. Inspect the work area and equipment before beginning each task and use the appropriate controls and personal protective equipment (PPE). Power Tools and Equipment Inspect mowers, trimmers, chainsaws, blowers,...

Hazard Recognition Workplace incidents do not simply “just happen.” Most have identifiable causes, such as unrecognized hazards, poor planning, unsafe conditions, improper equipment, inadequate controls, or unsafe work practices. Recognizing hazards before work begins—and as conditions change—is one of the most effective ways to prevent injuries. What Can Go Wrong? Even when employees...

Protection Against Workplace Violence Workplace violence can include threats, intimidation, harassment, verbal abuse, physical assault, robbery, or other threatening or violent behavior that occurs at or is related to the workplace. Incidents may involve employees, customers, clients, visitors, contractors, or members of the public. All employees should understand potential risk factors, recognize...

What Does an Accident Cost? Every workplace accident has a cost. Some costs are obvious, such as medical expenses and damaged equipment, while others are less visible. An accident can affect the injured employee, coworkers, family members, and the company long after the incident itself. Understanding these consequences reinforces why preventing accidents...

Motion Injury Prevention – General Safety Motion injury prevention starts with thinking about how everyday movements, lifting techniques, posture, and repetitive tasks affect the body. Poor body mechanics or repeatedly performing the same movement can lead to strains, sprains, back injuries, and other musculoskeletal disorders. Many of these injuries develop because a...