Floor Openings Floor openings are common during construction, renovation, and repair activities. Openings may be created for stairways, elevators, mechanical systems, material access, skylights, or other construction activities. An unprotected opening can expose workers to serious or fatal falls and can also allow tools and materials to fall onto employees working...

Flammable Liquids - Safe Handling and Storage Safe handling of flammable liquids is essential because many commonly used products—including gasoline, solvents, paints, coatings, adhesives, and cleaning products—can produce vapors that ignite easily. Improper storage or handling can result in fires, explosions, chemical exposure, serious injuries, and property damage. Understand the Hazard In most...

Flagger Safety Flaggers protect workers, motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians traveling through or around temporary traffic-control zones. Because flaggers work close to moving traffic, they must remain alert and follow the approved traffic-control plan and established flagging procedures at all times. Training and Qualifications Only employees who have received the required flagger training and...

Emergency Showers Emergency safety showers provide immediate flushing when hazardous chemicals contact the body. When employees work with injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing must be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use. Chemical exposures can cause serious injury within seconds. Employees who may be exposed...

Work Safely with Concrete and Cement Concrete and cement are used throughout construction for roads, foundations, floors, buildings, bridges, blocks, and many other applications. Although these materials are common, they can cause serious injuries and illnesses when workers are not properly protected. Workers who mix, pour, finish, cut, drill, grind, or remove...

Auto Body Work Auto body repair involves a variety of tasks, including cutting, sanding, grinding, welding, chemical use, and material handling. These activities can expose workers to flying particles, hazardous dust and fumes, sharp metal, chemicals, burns, noise, and ergonomic injuries. Employees should be trained in collision repair techniques and the safe...

Excavations An excavation is any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in the earth's surface formed by removing soil. Excavation work can expose employees to cave-ins, falling materials, hazardous atmospheres, underground utilities, water accumulation, mobile equipment, and falls. Because conditions can change rapidly, excavations must be properly planned, protected, and inspected...

Ergonomics – Breaks, Rest Periods, and Stretches Ergonomic risk factors include forceful exertions, repetitive motions, awkward or sustained postures, vibration, and insufficient recovery time. When muscles are repeatedly stressed without adequate recovery, fatigue can develop and increase the risk of discomfort and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Think of yourself as an industrial...