Engulfment Hazards Engulfment can occur when a worker is surrounded, buried, or submerged by a flowing or collapsing material. Soil, sand, gravel, grain, seed, sawdust, powders, water, chemicals, and other materials can move unexpectedly and trap a worker within seconds. Engulfment can cause suffocation, drowning, crushing, constriction, or other serious injuries and...

Animal Processing Safety Animal processing facilities combine several serious workplace hazards, including live animals, sharp tools, moving machinery, wet floors, biological exposures, electrical equipment, and temperature extremes. Employees should be trained in the specific equipment, processes, and animal-handling procedures required for their work. Working Around Live Animals Animals can react unpredictably, particularly when...

Safety Training - Effective Training Steps Safety training is most effective when it is properly prepared, clearly presented, actively practiced, and followed up in the workplace. Training should give employees the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize hazards and perform their work safely. Guide for Discussion Preparation Effective training begins before the training session. ...

Dry Cleaner Safety Dry cleaning operations expose employees to a combination of chemical, heat, steam, ergonomic, machine, fire, and slip-and-fall hazards. Employees should understand these hazards and follow established procedures for safely operating equipment, handling chemicals, and performing repetitive tasks. Chemical Hazards Dry cleaning and spotting operations may involve solvents and other hazardous...

Butcher Safety Butchers and meat-processing employees perform tasks involving sharp knives, powered cutting equipment, heavy materials, repetitive motions, cold environments, hot surfaces, and raw animal products. Proper training, equipment safeguards, sanitation, and safe work practices are essential to preventing injuries and illnesses. Material Handling and Ergonomics Boxes of meat, carcasses, and other supplies...

Scaffold Safety - Safe Use of Scaffolds Scaffold safety requires proper erection, inspection, access, fall protection, and use to prevent falls, falling objects, scaffold collapse, and other serious injuries. Employees must never use a scaffold that is damaged, improperly erected, or otherwise unsafe. Guide for Discussion Inspect Scaffolds Before Use Before each work shift...

Boiler Safety Boilers are closed vessels that heat water or other fluids to produce hot water or steam for heating, power, processing, and other industrial applications. Because boilers operate under high temperatures and pressure and may use combustible fuels, a malfunction can result in serious burns, fires, explosions, or other injuries. Boiler...

Emergency Action Plan An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) establishes the procedures employees must follow during fires, explosions, severe weather, chemical releases, workplace violence, medical emergencies, and other events that could threaten employee safety. Employees must understand how emergencies are reported, when to evacuate or shelter in place, where to assemble, and...

Bike Messenger Safety Bike messengers work in busy environments where they regularly interact with cars, trucks, buses, pedestrians, construction zones, and changing roadway conditions. Safe riding requires proper protective equipment, a well-maintained bicycle, compliance with traffic laws, and constant awareness of surrounding hazards. Wear a Helmet Always wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet....