Much of the time spent talking about safety on the job is focused on educating workers to be able to recognize or identify hazards on the job….

For most of us, we have been doing our jobs long enough to know what the right way is to do something and what falls short to “good enough”. When it comes to workplace safety “good enough” does not cut it….

Dropped objects are a serious hazard at many worksites. In 2017, there were 237 workplace fatalities due to falling objects (the most recent statistics available) in the United States according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Furthermore, OSHA estimates that over 50,000 “struck-by a falling object” incidents occur each year on construction sites alone.

Ladders are an essential tool on many job sites and at home across the United States. Because of their widespread use and the inherent danger of working at heights, they are responsible for a significant number of injuries both on and off the job. Understanding the hazards of using a ladder, following the necessary safe work practices, and avoiding complacency can be a lifesaver.

Water is one of the most important substances on Earth. All plants, animals, and people need water to survive. Water serves important purposes to our bodies and our bodily functions- some of which you may not even be aware of….

Work area inspections are an important basic safe work practice that should be done before beginning a task. In general industry there are many work areas that remain the same day in and day out. On the other hand, there are areas that we work in that are constantly changing…..

When we see someone struggling with a task the first thing we naturally want to do is jump in and help.

Most times, this is perfectly fine and there is no issue that comes of jumping in to help. There are times however, when it is better to let someone else intervene or to not intervene at all…

Vison loss and severe eye injuries occur all too often in today’s workplaces. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each day, about 2,000 U.S workers sustain a job-related eye injury that requires medical treatment. Due to the severity and frequency of these injuries, there is no room for shortcuts or excuses when it comes to protecting your eyes on the job.

The term “line of fire” is very common when talking about the hazards of a work task. Depending on the work being completed, there may be many different lines of fire or there could be very few. It is important to understand what the “line of fire” is and how to avoid being in it to avoid injuries.

There are many times when quick reactions put people in the line of fire where they can be hurt. A person sees a situation occurring and in an instant, their mind tells their body how to react. At work, an impulsive decision to jump in and try to help in a situation going wrong may be the last decision a person makes. It is important to consider what our first reaction may be to certain situations and attempt to fight the urge to react impulsively without thought.

Heat stress creates many hazards in the workplace for those employees who have to work in a hot environment. Hot environments can create indirect safety hazards, causing employees to lose focus on their work task or become fatigued. Heat stress also causes more direct illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. According to a report published by the CDC, during 2004–to 2018, an average of 702 heat-related deaths (415 with heat as the underlying cause and 287 as a contributing cause) occurred in the United States annually.

The goal of operating safely is first to protect life and secondary is to protect property…..

Gasoline is common both on the job and at home for use in both vehicles and equipment we use every day. It is important to practice safe handling and storage of gasoline to avoid spills and fires. Improper use and storage of gasoline leads to many injuries as well as property damage year after year.

People 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.

When 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”….

Continual learning and improvement is critical for success in any area of our lives; whether that is as a parent, spouse, worker, leader, community member, etc.

Having a growth mindset when it comes to work, separates those who stay stagnant in their position at work and those who eventually land better opportunities for themselves.

Continually learning and expanding your knowledge regarding what you do at work will allow you to be safer and more efficient.

On the other hand, having a fixed mindset when it comes to work will not only hold an individual back from better opportunities, but it can also lead to injuries on the job….

It is no secret that our roadways can be a dangerous place. Year after year, vehicular accidents are responsible for a countless number of injuries and fatalities. Just over 35,000 people lost their lives on U.S. roadways in 2015 according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They also estimate that 2.44 million people were injured in crashes in 2015. One common unsafe act that can lead to accidents on our roadways is driving while fatigued.