There are many different types of injuries that can occur while using a pressure washer. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 6,057 people went to an emergency room with injuries related to pressure washer use in 2014. While the pressure of the water can be considered the biggest exposure to risk during this work task, there are certainly many more hazards to be considered.
Read MoreThere are many different sources of pressure individuals face at work for getting the job done. Time, or the lack of it, is a major driver in whether or not workers feel that they need to rush to get a job complete. It is important to plan work accordingly to avoid having to rush work tasks.
Read MoreIt's a terrible thing to realize that hardly a workday goes by without a construction worker falling off a scaffold to his death. And those who survive scaffold falls are often crippled for the remainder of their lives.
These tragedies are sometimes caused by faulty design or poor construction. But in most cases, the basic cause is poor maintenance or improper use - something that you can do something about.
Read MoreWe use our hands for virtually all work tasks that we do. Because of how often we use our hands, they are put in the line of fire where they can be injured. Hand injuries are the second leading type of injury on the job in the United States.
Read MoreAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2013-2017 there were 97 trenching fatalities in the construction industry – an average of 19 per year, from a low of 10 deaths in 2014 to a high of 33 in 2016 [BLS, 2019]. Excavations are a common sight on construction sites all across the United States. This work can come with numerous hazards, but excavation work can be made safe by following basic safety guidelines.
Read MoreMosquitos are responsible for more human deaths every single year than any other insect or animal. According to Bill Gate’s website gatenotes.com, mosquitos are responsible for over 725,000 deaths a year. That number of deaths is more than the deaths caused by humans, dogs, snakes, roundworms, tapeworms, crocodiles, hippos, elephants, lions, wolves, and sharks combined on an annual basis.
Read MoreThere are many injuries while using hand tools on the job. Many of these injuries occur from improper use, but there are also injuries that involve a tool that was broken or in need of repair. What tool is being used will decide what needs to be inspected on it. In this safety talk, we will discuss basic handheld tools that are not electric or pneumatic.
Read MoreDump trucks are widely used in a variety of different industries today. These trucks can vary greatly in design, but the basic premise of the job they complete is universal; they haul material and dump it. Despite varying designs and uses of these trucks, many of the hazards of operation remain the same. Overturn of the bed of the truck or the entire truck itself is one of the major hazards for the operation of these trucks.
Read MoreIf your workplace or job requires the use of a respirator, it is vital to understand and follow the proper procedures for using the respirator issued to you. Proper donning and doffing of the respirator are critical aspects of using this equipment. Donning means to put on and doffing means to take off. In addition to any required fit testing, a user seal check should be performed every time a respirator is put on. This safety talk provides a general overview of donning, performing user seal checks, and doffing common types of respirators.
Read MoreEffective communication is critical to every aspect of a successful job. Being able to work safely especially relies on effective communication between everyone involved in a work task or on a job. Effective communication requires having honest conversations, which includes bringing up and discussing issues as they arise.
Read MoreHeavy equipment is used on many different kinds of work sites all around the world. This equipment is very effective for the job it was designed to do, but it can also be very hazardous. Proper work planning as well as operating equipment within its designed limits are important basic steps for safe operation.
Read MoreWorkplace violence is any threat, disruptive behaviors, intimidation, physical aggression, or act of violence in the workplace including homicide. Homicide in the workplace is currently the fourth leading cause of death on the job. In 2017 alone, there were 458 deaths on the job due to homicide. According to OSHA, over 2 million people report being victims of workplace violence every year.
Read MoreStrokes, just like heart attacks, are serious medical emergencies that occur all too often. They are the leading cause of serious long-term disability and are the third leading cause of death in the United States. Each year over 795,000 people experience a stroke in the US. Over 75% of stroke victims are over the age of 65 according to StrokeCenter.org.
Read MoreOur eyes are one of our greatest assets. They give us the ability to see the world around us. If we do not protect our eyes from injuries while at work we could easily lose that ability.
Read MoreAllergies are an issue that many people have to pay attention to every day both on and off the job. There are many sources of allergens that can cause an allergic reaction. Common allergens include pollen, dust mites, food, drugs, latex, animal dander, insect stings, and mold. A few of these allergens may be an issue while on the job. It is important to know what you are allergic to as well as communicating it to others in case of an exposure resulting in an emergency situation. In this safety talk, we will discuss two common allergens that could be the source of a severe allergic reaction on the job.
Read MoreNo matter if you or someone else is responsible for implementing a safeguard, safeguards should be verified that they are in place prior to beginning work….
Read MoreTheft is a major concern for all companies. Construction companies especially deal with unique challenges in protecting themselves.
According to the National Equipment Register, construction jobsite theft costs the industry up to $1 billion each year. It is important to consider the challenges of protecting a worksite from theft and take steps to prevent it from occurring.
Read MoreEvery single year slip, trip, and fall injuries are some of the most common and costly injuries that occur in the workplace. Many people probably assume that falls from heights cost companies more every year than falls on the same level, but this is not the case.
Read MorePeople drive drunk an average of over 300,000 times a day in the United States, but fewer than 4,000 are arrested for it, according to the FBI. The decision to drive impaired is a deadly one.
Read MoreWhen planning work tasks for the day and addressing hazards it is easy get caught up on the big hazards. We focus on issues such as falls from heights, electrocution, and chemical asphyxiation during a confined space entry when they are present.
While these hazards need to be taken serious and properly addressed, the bigger hazards can be responsible for taking almost all of the attention from the “little things”….
Read More
