16 Jun Landscaper Safety
Landscaper Safety A landscaper works outdoors to maintain and beautify the scenery. Their work involves tasks that could prove hazardous: electric and gas power tools, ladders, mowers, noise, sun, and weather exposure. It is prudent for landscapers to cultivate safety while they plant and prune the pansies. Landscapers use powered equipment such as trimmers, mowers, and chain saws to trim and prune grass and plants. Inspect these tools each time you use them to ensure that they are in proper working order. When using flammable fuels, ensure that the storage containers are approved for flammable liquids. Practice safe handling by...
14 Jun Hazard Recognition
Hazard Recognition I’ve never met a worker who intentionally injured himself or herself. This should go without saying. Unfortunately, many workers are seriously injured each year and many people still believe that accidents “just happen.” But, accidents do not just happen! What Goes Wrong? Usually, an error that is within the control of one or more people is at the bottom of things. Often, several errors take place, at the same time, for an accident to occur. So when we analyze accidents, we should focus on which aspects of a task were controlled and which were not. Assuming that workers...
12 Jun Personal Protection Against Workplace Violence
Protection Against Workplace Violence Each year in the workplace, an estimated 1.7 million workers are injured in assaults and approximately 800 homicides occur. Workplace violence incidents include verbal assault, simple or aggravated assault, robbery, rape and homicide. Anyone can become the victim of a workplace assault, so it is important to know the risk factors. Factors that increase the risk of workplace violence include contact with the public; the exchange of money; and guarding or delivering valuable property. Other factors include mobile workplaces (cars or trucks); working in high-crime areas, and working late night or early morning hours. Finally, workers...
10 Jun What Does An Accident Cost?
Posted at 10:13h
in Accident, Safety Manual, Safety Meeting Topics, Safety Topics, Tailgate Safety Meetings, Toolbox Talks, Toolbox Topics
What Does An Accident Cost? Every accident has something in common: It costs everyone involved something. There are direct and indirect costs, both to the employee who was injured and the employer who eventually will pay for the accident. The costs are more than dollars. Guide for Discussion Employee Direct Costs Lost regular wages and overtime Employee Indirect Costs Mental anguish, physical pain and suffering Decreased active participation with their family and friends (It’s tough to be at a ball game when laying up in a hospital bed) Inability to be productive on or off the job Employer Direct Costs...
10 Jun Motion Injuries
Motion Injuries – General Safety Taking the time to think about everyday tasks and their affects on our bodies is a good way to prevent injuries. The following scenarios will demonstrate how inadequate planning leads to pain and disability, affecting on- and off-the-job activities. At the breakfast table you rush to clean everything up before going to work. You stretch awkwardly across the table to lift your infant baby out of the highchair. Half standing, you start to lift your baby, but then stop, reacting to a sharp pain in your back. Instead of using your leg muscles to lift,...
09 Jun Warming Up
Posted at 08:55h
in Safety Manual, Safety Meeting Topics, Safety Topics, Tailgate Safety Meetings, Toolbox Talks, Toolbox Topics
Warming Up Introduction: “Construction is an athletic event” The importance of being warmed up prior to starting construction work (or any work involving heavy lifting) is just like getting ready for a sporting event. Stretching is a means to avoid the most common body sprain/strain injuries. Stretching before lifting is especially helpful to avoid back injuries. According to safety experts, over half of all workers’ compensation claims and costs were due to sprain/strains. Guide for Discussion Overexertion effects: Backs; Trunks (Waist, Hips); Knees; Shoulders, Arms and Elbows The hardest injury to live with is a back injury; once you are...
09 Jun Inspect Your Slings
Inspect Your Slings Inspecting your synthetic web slings prior to use is one of the easiest ways to prevent a serious accident from occurring. By adhering to the following suggestions, you can spot potential problems before you find yourself, literally, over your head in trouble. Inspect your equipment before, during and after use. This increases your chance of catching a defective sling before anyone uses it. What do you look for when you inspect a sling? Look for obvious abnormalities in the integrity of the material. Run your hands along the fabric and feel for irregularity such as tears, holes,...