Emergency! Where’s the Fire Extinguisher? A fire can grow rapidly. Knowing where fire extinguishers are located, what type to use, and when to evacuate instead of attempting to fight a fire can prevent a small emergency from becoming a serious injury or fatality. Imagine walking toward the maintenance shop and smelling something...

Grinders Grinders are powerful tools used to cut, shape, sharpen, clean, polish, and finish metal and other materials. Bench grinders are typically mounted to a workbench, while pedestal grinders are secured to a floor-mounted pedestal. Portable grinders are designed to be handheld and must be used according to the manufacturer's instructions. Grinding...

Everyone Is Responsible for Safety Safety is a shared responsibility. Management is responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace, but every employee also plays an important role in preventing injuries, illnesses, and incidents. Safe workplaces are created when management provides appropriate resources, training, equipment, and procedures—and employees consistently follow those procedures,...

Listening Safety Listening safety means staying alert to the sounds around you and recognizing changes that may warn of equipment problems, approaching vehicles, alarms, or other hazards. On a busy construction site, your ability to hear and recognize warning signals can help prevent serious injuries. Why Listening Matters Tools, machinery, vehicles, and equipment...

Ventilation An Important Aspect of Welding Safety Proper ventilation is one of the most important methods of controlling exposure to welding fumes and gases. Welding, cutting, brazing, and related operations can generate airborne contaminants that may be hazardous to the welder and other employees working nearby. Whenever possible, welding fumes should be controlled...

Children and Construction Construction sites can be especially attractive to children because equipment, excavations, scaffolds, materials, and partially completed structures may appear to be places to explore or play. Children may not recognize construction hazards or understand warning signs as readily as trained workers. For this reason, preventing unauthorized access is...

Metal Polishing Safety Metal polishing safety is important because grinding, buffing, and polishing operations can expose workers to rotating equipment, metal dust, hazardous chemicals, excessive noise, flying particles, and ergonomic hazards. Proper machine guarding, ventilation, PPE, and safe work practices can prevent serious injuries and harmful exposures. Metal polishing may involve fixed,...

Material Handling Safety Material handling safety is an important part of every jobsite because materials must often be received, moved, lifted, stored, and transported throughout the work area. Improper material handling can result in strains and sprains, crushed hands or feet, struck-by injuries, falls, and collapsing materials. Plan the work before moving...

Material Storage Safety Material storage safety is an important part of maintaining an orderly and efficient construction site. Materials that are improperly stacked, secured, or located can fall, shift, roll, obstruct access, overload structural surfaces, or expose employees to fire and other hazards. Materials should be stored correctly when they are first...