Category Archives: Hand Protection

Eye Protection, Fall Safety, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, High Visibility Safety, Protective Clothing, Respiratory Safety, Weather Protection

SEARCHING FOR MUDSLIDE VICTIMS; LATER SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS

The Washington State area devastated by a mudslide Saturday, March 22nd, has seen much clear-cut logging.  Native American tribes and environmentalists have long warned that clear-cut logging could raise the risk of landslides.  Although the mountain ranges of the Pacific Northwest may appear solid and stolid, they are a geologically active part of the physical environment, including regular earthquakes, landslides, and the occasional volcano. Sometimes, human activities – including the clear-cut logging that patch-marks much of the region – have an important impact on forests, soils, and water patterns. 

The massive mudslide that hit  Saturday, March 22,  about 55 miles northeast of Seattle was part of that picture, all but wiping out the community of Oso across the North Fork of the Stillaguamish River.  As rescue and recovery efforts continued Friday morning, officials reported that the number of confirmed dead remains at 17 with another nine bodies located but not yet recovered. Ninety more individuals are still unaccounted for – large numbers in a small community of around 180 people.

The demand for lumber, plywood, paper, and other wood products is part of an industry that once dominated Washington State and Oregon.  Logging’s impact has been a concern for a number of years. Large, older trees take up more water than younger stands, which can take decades to mature and may be cut down before they reach full maturity. The Tulalip Tribes were so concerned with landslides hitting the Stillaguamish River and its prime salmon habitat that they blocked a proposed timber sale above an earlier slide in 1988.”There were some very large clear-cuts planned for that area, which made us very concerned,” Kurt Nelson, a hydrologist with the tribes, told KUOW, the NPR affiliate at the University of Washington in Seattle.  “That reach of the North Fork has multiple, ancient, deep-seated landslides,” Mr. Nelson said. “There’s a lot of unstable terrain in that area.”  Landslides have followed logging in that area at least four times, KUOW reported.

“This had been known at least since the ’50s as one of the more problematic areas on the Stillaguamish for perennial landslides,” Mr. Kennard,  (Geomorphologist Paul Kennard, who worked for the Tulalip Tribes in the 1980s and now works for the National Park Service at Mt. Rainier) reported.  Although state logging regulations have been tightened in recent years, The Seattle Times reports that a clear-cut nine years ago “appears to have strayed into a restricted area that could feed groundwater into the landslide zone that collapsed Saturday.” 

Heavy rains and winds are hampering rescue efforts, by both professional rescue teams and volunteers. The careful use of heavy equipment, helicopters, and other means of rescue continue.  Personnel are wading through debris, muck, trees, ice, and foul water.

 Meanwhile, the request by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) for more federal assistance to help with recovery efforts in the Oso area has been approved. The money will be used to help local and state government agencies recover a portion of the estimated $4.5 million expected to be spent on emergency response, protective measures, and debris removal. Safety precautions should be used by all; pros and volunteers.  Wearing respiratory protection, gloves, goggles, hardhats, and protective clothing is important for the safety of those exposed to all types of hazards.

At his briefing Friday, Snohomish County Fire District Chief Travis Hots asked corporations and businesses in the region to donate money to help those affected. “Some of these people have lost their homes, some have lost their cars, some have lost their entire family,” he said. “Funerals will have to be paid for. Please dig deep.”  Chief Hots is the spokesman for search and recovery efforts.

 

Source: Christian Science Monitor, Associated Press

General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Health Issues

THE EFFICACY OF WASHING YOUR HANDS AND DISINFECTING SURFACES TO REMOVE WORKPLACE BACTERIA (GUEST POST)

Anago Savannah Guest Blog Post – The Efficacy of Washing Your Hands and Disinfecting Surfaces to Remove Workplace Bacteria: 

A CNN report from last week talked about the rise of drug-resistant superbugs that are beginning to plague hospitals all across the nation, and that “the overuse and misuse of antibiotics is contributing to an increase in drug-resistant bacteria, which render antibiotics useless.” The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) agrees, adding that “drug-resistant germs called carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, or CRE, are on the rise and have become more resistant to last-resort antibiotics during the past decade… Currently, almost all CRE infections occur in people receiving significant medical care. CRE are usually transmitted from person-to-person, often on the hands of health care workers.” 

According to “Effectiveness of Hand Washing and Disinfection Methods in Removing Transient Bacteria After Patient Nursing,” a study conducted by the US National Library of Medicine discussed why “in hospitals, none of the washing and disinfection methods always removed all patient-borne bacteria from the hands,” and stated an emphasis on “the importance of always using gloves when nursing a profuse spreader of bacteria or one who must be protected from infection.” The general consensus of the study is that even in areas that the general public imagines and hopes would remain sterile, such as medical facilities, the war against germs of all kinds can be long-standing and difficult to win.

When an ordinary citizen reads these sorts of reports, their assumptions of the ways in which modern advancements in technology and the mass proliferation of medicine are combating the germs we encounter on a daily basis are rapidly dashed. If hospitals cannot fight the proliferation of microbes, how then can the other places we visit on a daily visit? One source of major concern for most Americans is the cleanliness of the workplace. Many people spend over eight hours each day in a small environment surrounded by others. For this reason, it is somewhat worrying to consider how the standard work environment could already be a potential hive for harmful microorganisms that are ready to pounce. 

If you are wary about the overall cleanliness of your workplace, there are many areas to look out for, including kitchen counters, bathroom surfaces, doorknobs and toilet seats that may be contaminated with bacteria, even when they do not look visibly stained or “dirty”. Regular cleaning products successfully remove some types of dirt, but only antibacterial cleaning products and powerful disinfectant cleaners can effectively kill germs that cause serious health problems. 

According to Web MD’s “The Six Dirtiest Places in your Office” article, the following places scored the highest when tests were carried out to see if they provide a breeding ground for bacteria: break room sink-faucet handles, microwave door handles, computer keyboards, water fountain buttons, refrigerator door handles and vending machine buttons. Many pairs of hands come into contact with these places during the day. Due to the fact that “80% of common infections are spread by hands,” it is extremely important to wash your hands thoroughly. Always remember that proper hand sanitation is the best way to decrease the possibility of infection and illness in the workplace. 

Seeing as the majority of office workers use a keyboard for long periods of time, it is imperative that you clean it out at least once a week. Unfortunately, it is a sad fact of life that germ levels will keep increasing. Consequently, you should have some disinfecting wipes close at hand for the surrounding desk area, as well as a strong alcohol-based sanitizer to clean the keyboard. Before doing so, a few sprays of compressed air can help to uproot any keyboard gunk and food crumbs that have accumulated over time. 

It is vital that everyone partakes in disinfecting their own desk. This is because, no matter how spotless your own area is, germs can multiply swiftly and, if your neighbor is guilty of having a filthy workstation, then all of your hard time and effort will be for naught in the long run. Germs can travel from one desk and/or cubicle to another unless those who work in your vicinity do enough to curb their propagation themselves. It is essential that you wipe clean and disinfect areas in the kitchen, break room or around your desk, including your keyboard and telephone. 

Regardless of the time of year, an extensive spring-clean will help you to carry out the proper precautions necessary to curtail the spread of bacteria. After all, untidy, disorganized and overcrowded workplace areas help no one and are a hindrance to everybody’s general wellbeing! 

Anago are proud to offer their green cleaning services to residents living in the Greater Savannah area, including Beaufort County, Sheldon, Pooler, Georgetown, Savannah, Thunderbolt, Allenhurst, Ridgeville, Townsend and Brunswick. Anago specializes in affordable cleaning services for auto dealerships, restaurants, country clubs, healthcare facilities and government buildings. Please visit us online at

Anago Cleaning Systems or call 912-544-6401 today for more details.

Sources:

http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2014/03/05/cdc-hospitals-contributing-to-rise-of-superbugs/http://www.cdc.gov/media/dpk/2013/dpk-vs-hai.htmlhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2133933/Ibid. http://www.healthunit.org/infectious/handwashing.htm

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection

SAFETY TIPS FOR GARAGE DOOR PROFESSIONALS (GUEST POST)

 Garage doors having worn out parts can pose serious safety challenges for both novices and veterans. Read on to know what garage door professionals should keep in mind when at the site!   

Garage doors are highly useful for numerous reasons including storage and safety, but they always have certain potential risks associated with them. Since your garage door is the biggest moving thing within your home, it can lead to serious injuries and damages when out of order or wrongly used! 

Handling a garage door, especially during repair and maintenance work, can be risky not only for homeowners, but also trained and experienced professionals. There are several complicated parts such as a torsion spring that can turn highly dangerous after wearing out.

Considering this, ASAP has come up with some handy and useful safety tips for garage door experts to practice when at work:

Stay Attentive While Replacing Broken Springs

While torsion springs are doubtlessly the most important part of a garage door, it is equally true that they can be highly risky to handle when worn out. Since broken springs become easily breakable, they often cause injuries during garage door inspection and repair.

When replacing a torsion spring, use complete safety equipment including gloves and safety glasses. Also, if the garage door you are repairing has two springs, consider replacing both with new ones, even if only one has worn out. This will prevent any serious mishap from happening in future and keep the door functioning with all its efficiency.

Check Cables Carefully

It remains important to be careful when visually inspecting the cables that combine the entire spring system with the bottom brackets at each side of the door. When worn out, they can break easily and lead to serious and fatal injuries. The right way to handle these cables is to stay fully equipped and always use the right tools. You need to be a little extra considerate when completely replacing cables, for they are associated with high-tension springs.

Tackle a Struggling Door with Care

A garage door that doesn’t properly go up and down implies a risky and dangerous situation, regardless of how old a garage door system you are repairing. If you are trying to operate the door manually and the problem is still the same, it must be due to a faulty spring system. And since an out-of-order spring system is dangerous, it should be tackled with complete care. Make sure you fully replace the broken spring system as it can wear and tear other door components that are adjacent to it.

Get the Old Track Replaced

Most homeowners want to save some dollars by using the old track while getting a new garage door replaced. As a garage door expert, however, it is on your part to make the garage owner understand why changing the old track is important.

Technically, a new door will barely fit well on an old track because of the difference in the weight of the door, thickness of sections and several other parts. Emphasize on the installation of the track that best fits the garage door.

Author Bio

Oren Linder is author and founder of ASAP Garage Door Services Inc. He usually writes for garage door repair, safety tips and garage door installation etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection

HOW TO PREVENT WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS (GUEST POST)

When it comes to safety in the workplace, there should be a cooperative effort between the employer and workers to avoid accidents and injuries while on the job. As the employer you are legally responsible to ensure that proper safety procedures are in place in the workplace, and as an employee it is in your best interest to follow them. By taking preventive action you can drastically decrease accidents and create a work environment that is void of hazards and promotes your company’s stance on health and safety. 

According to the latest statistics from the UK’s Health and Safety Executive, HSE, between 2012 and 2013 there were 27 million working days lost due to workplace injuries or illness, 78,000 officially reported injuries and 148 deaths. 

Almost all work-related injuries are preventable, yet they are still happening at an alarming rate. Employers need to take responsibility for the health and safety of their employees by creating stringent policies that are strictly enforced. These three steps will help you to avoid accidents in the workplace, and move forward toward a safer and brighter future for all.

 Implement Company Safety Policies 

Every employer should have formal safety rules and procedures in place for their employees to follow. If you don’t have an official company policy yet, this is a great place to start. Creating a Health and Safety section in your company handbook that employees can reference not only provides helpful guidance, but is there officially when an employee does not follow official protocol. 

There should be a person in your company that is in sole charge of safety at the workplace. This safety coordinator ensures that protocols are followed, policies are adhered to, and government regulations are being met. 

Perform a Thorough Inspection of the Workplace 

Once you have a clear company safety manifesto in place, along with a person in charge of it’s implementation, you should do a top to bottom inspection of your workplace to pinpoint safety risks and create a response plan.

Identify areas that could be improved or that require further safety protection, and meet with the area’s supervisors to discuss possible solutions to the issues. 

Common problems include faulty vehicles, lack of proper personal protective equipment, debris and clutter, and areas prone to spillage. Do frequent checks to make sure your vehicles and machinery are inspected frequently and repairs are done as necessary. Requiring your employees to keep a certain standard of housekeeping and to wear protective equipment such as eye safety goggles, hard hats, and steel toe shoes will go a long way. Always be sure that any areas with safety concerns have clear signs informing employees, as well as company protocol that addresses the best way to handle those concerns. 

Provide Comprehensive Safety Training 

Safety in the workplace is an ongoing issue and should be addressed with your employees by providing regular training. Any new employee should be required to go through full training before stepping foot on the work floor, and permanent employees should have refresher trainings at least annually and anytime they will be using new equipment or performing a task they haven’t in the past. 

Putting a transparent and enforced safety policy in place at your workplace will help to decrease accidents and injuries on the job. Employees will be more productive and happier when safety concerns are at a minimum, and you will have done your legal duty to protect those under your watch. 

This article was provided by Essential Industrial, specialists in bearings and power transmissions and provide PPE equipment.

 

 

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Hearing Protection, Respiratory Safety

TOP FIVE TIPS FOR CREATING AN EFFECTIVE SAFETY PLAN FOR ONSITE EQUIPMENT OPERATION (GUEST POST)

Onsite equipment operation can put operators at high risk for injury, no matter their skill or experience level. In fact, it was reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that in just one year, 8,450 amputations were performed due to occupational injuries caused by machine operation. To significantly reduce the risk of worker injury, it is imperative that employers make equipment operation as safe as possible on their job sites. While there is always risk for injury, there are certain measures you can take to eliminate a substantial amount of risk in your operations. To give you a better idea of how you can start developing a plan for safer equipment operation, we’ve provided the following five safety tips to help you get started!

  1. Safety equipment

Safety equipment is a vital component of any workplace, especially for onsite equipment operations. To increase the safety of your workers, facilitate and enforce the use protective clothing and gear. Goggles should always be supplied and used to protect your workers’ eyes. Depending on the type of equipment you operate on your site, you may want to use full face goggles. It is also imperative that your employees wear gloves and closed toe shoes. Hard hats are, of course, another important item to include in the safety gear you provide your workers with. You will also want to include ear protection, dust masks, safety signs, and first aid kits.

       2.  Training

Workers face fewer hazards when they have the proper training and information necessary to operate the machinery onsite. Employers need to provide employees with training, offer instruction manuals, and make certain that each employee can effectively operate their equipment before allowing them to work independently.

         3.  Driving and Operating

Before your employees operate any equipment, it is important that you make sure that it has been properly inspected and serviced. Training your employees to thoroughly check surroundings and confirm full clearance before moving or backing up will also prevent accidents. It is important that your employees know to never leave a machine on an inclined surface with the engine running and never allow additional riders on equipment that does not permit them.

       4.  Maintenance and Repair

When gear is under repair, place a sign saying “Under Repair” in the seat, remove the start key, or lock out controls. Remind your workers to stop engines during refueling and shut off equipment before making repairs. It will also be important to carefully inspect all used construction equipment before putting it to work to ensure that it has been properly maintained and is ready for safe operation.

         5.  Parking and Security

Remind your workers to always lower allocates and set the parking brake before dismounting the equipment. Be sure that they are securing the equipment when finished for the day, making sure it is clear of foot traffic. If it is not clear, they will need to mark it with glares or red lights and lock it up.

Your employees need proper training, safety evaluated work areas, proper safety equipment and effective operation procedures to operate industrial machinery and high-tech equipment. Safety is always the most important objective when operating heavy equipment. Now that you know how you can create a safety plan, it’s time to get to work! Start by developing policies, ordering necessary safety equipment, and updating your workers’ training as well as your machine maintenance. 

 

 

 

General Safety Issues, Hand Protection

Industrial Gloves Raises Safety Level of Its Workers (Guest Post)

 
There are specific Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) laws in place that makes protective equipment like gloves and sleeves mandatory for industrial workers. Indeed, without the use of these protective and secure gloves, it is quite possible that workmen may the victims of damages to, or even total loss of their hands through accidents caused by moving parts of machinery, chemical exposures, electrical shocks, fire and burns, hand injuries caused during welding and a host of hazards that make the protection of hands through industrial gloves mandatory and absolutely necessary to avoid damages or losses, either of temporary or permanent kind. 
To a very large extent, the kind of industrial gloves that would be necessary depends largely on the kind of industrial activity that is being carried out. However, the main types of gloves are:
  • Fire Resistant types
  • Cotton gloves
  • Inspection Gloves
  • Latex gloves
  • Knitted gloves
  • Leather gloves
  • Rubber gloves
  • Any other synthetic materials that is warranted due to danger of industrial activity
It must be remembered that the hands of industrial workers, especially when handling dangerous and moving parts of machines or welding, are highly risky and accident prone, and thus need full gloved protection while handling. There have been cases and instances when the entire ungloved hand of the workman had been severed by moving machine parts, or welding burns causing  third-degree burns perhaps beyond medical treatment, thus raising the bar for safety measures and regulatory regimes regarding the use of industrial gloves.
  1. The demands of the trade measure the quality, kind and toughness of the industrial gloves: Indeed choices of gloves are work based, the more hazardous the work, the more tougher, protective and robust the gloves need to be. Gloves made of asbestos (fireproof), leather or rubber (fire and acid proof) and latex gloves (liquids and water proof) are major kinds in demand, although certain activities specify the kind of gloves needed.
  2. Heavy work requires a tough pair of gloves: Protection against rough and unidentified objects, fire sparks, heat, fire and dust particles, need leather gloves that are all resistant and also durable and non-abrasive. Rubber gloves offer protection against chemical spills and oils too. 
  3. Sometimes a combination of gloves may be needed: for some hazardous and tough jobs, where the palms also begin to sweat profusely, it becomes necessary to have inner coating of cotton gloves (mops up sweat and body fluids) with outer coating of leather or synthetic gloving. While dealing with electricity and electronic devices, it is best to use insulating rubber gloves which offer better protection against leakages and shocks. In nuclear plants, specially designed gloves are required. 
  4. Workmen must be trained and educated on the safe and efficient use of gloves: During times of emergencies, it is important that workmen make good use of putting on and removing gloves and other hand safety devices and they need to be trained and modulated on the techniques of hand protection and other issues. 
In the context of industrial protection and safety, hand protection devices are indeed very critical and important, making the difference between safety and hazard, and thus gloves need to be a fully integrated port of workmen’s armory, both for defense and safe working. Historical records bear testimony on the number of accidents which could have been avoided if there had been sound and practiced safety measures and factory managers need to learn from past mistakes and learn for the future betterment and Zero Accident Tolerance standards. 
 
 
Author Bio: Christy Nelsen is a good researcher. And for the past several years, concentrated on academic assignments for students who require top-quality articles to accomplish their assignments and other projects. He helps students for write to learn many subjects.  He enjoys writing about current trends and innovations in education, technology and traveling.  
 
 
 
 
Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Hearing Protection, Respiratory Safety

Unseen Dangers of Workplace Nobody Will Tell You About (Guest Post)

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It would not be wrong to say that every workplace has some dangers lurking for the employees. These often go unnoticed by the employees,  sometimes causing much damage and irreparable injury.  It could be a result of carelessness on the part of the management, lack of required security for workers or simply ignorance about the existence of the danger a particular activity or device holds. This post looks into those potential dangers and discusses workplace hazards we need to be careful and alert about. 

Workers in the Hospitality and Services Industry 

All those working in hotel kitchens and whipping up delicious dishes would probably never have thought about constant dangers they are exposing themselves to. The heat and fumes that they are constantly functioning in are extremely damaging to the health of the lungs. The hot pans and bulky vessels are other sources of burns and injuries that workers in the kitchen often work with and take little care. Poor lighting in kitchens, uncared for inflammable substances are other dangers lurking around in the kitchen. 

The owner of the place must ensure proper lighting, storage, ventilation and functioning appliances in proper condition for the employees.   On the other hand, the relatively innocent looking fryers and pans could also be sources of danger. While there should be a warning board displayed in every restaurant kitchen for newbies, that isn’t the case always. And so nobody will tell you that you never put anything frozen in a fryer, the oil will bubble up and burn your hands. Similarly you must always use gloves to handle pans and pots, even those that have handles. Also a slightly unwelded or loose handle can cause the pan and its contents to fall on you. Sharp objects in the kitchen exist in abundance and you must always be careful when handling knives, scissors, peelers and other sharp objects. 

Workers in the Construction Industry 

Construction workers have one of the most high risk jobs. They are constantly exposed to all sorts of danger at work. Four workers falling to their death on Christmas Eve in Toronto was a complete jolter and again brings into focus the nonchalant, lackluster attitude some employers have towards the safety of their workers. 

While working around a backhoe, being electrocuted, cut by machines and crushed between boulders and vehicles are the obvious dangers workers are encountering at all times, there is another latent kind of danger that is of late becoming increasingly common in the construction industry. It is this phenomenon called “independent contractors”. A lot of desperate, migrant workers function as cheap labor and pump in their blood and sweat (literally) into these industries. The scarey fact here is, that employers are completely exploiting these “independent contractors” as they are not properly covered within the employment benefits.  The employers as well as the insurers can get around not paying them benefits and worker’s insurance coverage. 

States must take into account these desperate workers and make laws that help them to cover expenses and financial blows experienced due to an injury at the workplace. These workers can also seek legal counsel from aggressive and dedicated personal injury lawyers who will fight for their rights and litigate to secure them the best possible settlement in the given circumstances. 

Besides these, construction workers are exposed to a number of other things that can be highly dangerous to them. Contaminated building products lead to a lot of damage in the worker’s bodies but one building product that few people know is very harmful for workers is asbestos. Painters, demolition workers, roofers, masons and bricklayers are all exposed to asbestos in some form or the other. There has been an increased incidence of peritoneal cancers and lung cancers in asbestos exposed workers. Studies have revealed that employers are using much higher concentration of asbestos than recommended,  which is immensely harmful for the employees.  Respirator protection, eye protection, and safe gloves are required for these workers.

When Working as Drivers

Motorbike delivery services, truck drivers, taxi-drivers, chauffers may get into the job thinking it is relatively risk-free. After a few days into the job they will know it’s not. You are expected to meet deadlines when you are in the delivery service and travelling on a bike, you will be speeding for your job. A fall or an accident can never be too far and you are always at risk.

Those jobs that involve loading and unloading can give you serious spine and back injuries. Many drivers also become a victim of violence and assault while on the road, which most of them do not expect and are not prepared for.  Prolonged sitting on the job  can lead to a lot of health problems like backaches and bad posture. Handling of constant communication tools even while on the road is dangerous though not deemed so by the owner of the vehicle or the driver. If you are in this profession, avoid using your cell phone as much as possible. Moreover, your job can involve engines, brakes, doors malfunctioning anytime, which can again lead to serious accidents.Regular servicing and maintenance of the vehicle is a must to make the automobile/truck as safe as possible for the drivers.

When You are a Farmer or a Rancher

While many believe farming as one of the most safe and satisfying occupations, the truth is slightly deviated from that. Satisfying, yes, probably for most, however, there are a lot of dangers lurking in farming as well. Constant exposure to various types of chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides can lead to breathing problems as well as allergies. Ask a farmer and you will believe me.  In addition, you are also dealing with some pretty big animals (who have horns and teeth) on your ranch. They are well behaved and somewhat tame, but if any of these animals get out of control, they can severely injure you – causing fractures, deep cuts, or spinal injuries.  Hence, it is not surprising to know that the death rate percentage among farmers and ranchers as high as 21.3 per cent, which makes it  actually counted as one of the most dangerous occupations in U.S.A.

Conclusion

Most of us spend the largest chunk of our lives at the workplace whether it is a farm, car or office. Each place and each job comes with some inherent risks and potential dangers. Some of these dangers are known to us and we know how to tackle them. But there are other physical and emotional dangers associated with the job as well, which we may not be aware of and that is what makes them all the more risky. If you have discovered any such unknown danger at the workplace, letting others know will help save many from injuries, fatigue and fatalities.

Author’s Bio: 

Attorney Mike Hulen is a personal injury lawyer at the Law Office of Hulen & Leutwyler, LLC in Colorado. Hulen has more than 30 years of legal experience in helping the people to rebuild their lives after being injured in accidents.  Whether you are looking for a strong representation in your personal injury case or need immediate help, call us at 888-717-7891.

Eye Protection, Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Hearing Protection, High Visibility Safety

SAVING LIVES ON CONSTRUCTION SITES BY REDUCING HAZARDS (GUEST POST)

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In order to keep the staff and management safe on construction sites, it is important that both parties participate in the proper safety standards and regulations. Not adhering to safety rules can put everyone involved in danger, can damage equipment and can cost the project time and money. Construction sites are some of the most dangerous work environments because of falls, equipment malfunctions, cuts, electrocution, backovers and so much more. Here are few suggestions for keeping your construction safe for all present and to finish your project with all of your staff still intact.

1) Employee Training

         When hiring a staff to perform construction duties, it is easy to want to hire the cheapest labor possible, but that also means you may be paying for less experience and training. Many people assume that any able-bodied person can work with a construction company but this is a job that requires equipment knowledge and experience to perform the proper safety measures. Taking the time to educate your staff on safety standards and OSHA regulations can protect your staff from injury and your company from legal consequences. Making sure new hires are familiar with safety techniques, equipment and tools can save from surprises later on down the road. Having continuous education for your staff on new innovations in the field is another way to keep them safe and valuable.

2) Equipment Maintenance

         Keeping equipment properly maintained and updated is essential to keeping construction staff safe. When you start to notice that certain tools or instruments used by your crew are beginning to malfunction or fall apart, be sure to mark them and put them aside from the other tools. Construction equipment is expensive and can break easily but it is better to throw these pieces away instead of having someone pay for negligence with a visit to the emergency room or the morgue. Every six months, inspect the tools and equipment the labor uses and be sure that your managers are informing you and the staff when certain equipment is out of commission.

3) Loose Wires and Exposed Hoses

         Usually there is a lot going on at the average construction site. And in the confusion it can be easy for something small like a loose wire or an exposed hose to become to a big problem. During the process of installing the electrical systems, there are often hanging wires and loose cables lying around a site. These wires are dangerous because they can cause electrocution to a member of the staff or become entangled in equipment and be damaged. Improper electrical work will cost time and money later on and likely cause the finish date of your project to be postponed. Instead, use cable protectors from companies like Brahman Systems to protect the cables and wires that your staff need to operate. Exposed hoses are also a common site during the construction process. Hoses should be protected with steel reinforced hose protectors so that what they supply or transport can be properly maintained and not damaged by vehicles or materials.

4) Proper Uniform

         The proper uniform should always be present at construction sites and is the employee’s first line of defense against injury. Proper uniform includes rubber soled shoes, hard hat, gloves, safety goggles, denim jeans, and reflective vest if working at night. If the employee is going to using equipment that is extremely loud like a jackhammers or nail guns, be sure they are wearing protective earmuffs or foam earplugs. Another aspect of proper presentation should be that no employee be found under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When one employee is not of proper state of mind, they put everyone at the site in danger and place the company under huge liability. Construction sites should have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to drugs and alcohol on the job.

 This post was written by M.G. Bachemin in association with Brahman Systems, a Louisiana producer of cable and hose protectors that decrease worksite hazards.

 

Eye Protection, Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, High Visibility Safety, Protective Clothing, Respiratory Safety

Interesting Trends in the Oil & Gas industry: A (Guest) Infographic

If you have never been involved with the energy industry, take time to read these interesting facts sent to us by Grattan Boyland of http://northseaworkwear.com.  He has given historical information in an infograph highlighting just how much is demanded of workers who work in oilfields on land, or offshore.  Providing us with power is a hazardous job that puts huge demands on workers, who must have the equipment to stay safe on the job.  Texas America Safety Company, our parent company, also provides the same personal protective equipment that is required for worker safety.  North-Sea-Workwear-IG

Ergonomics, Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection

HOW TO TEACH WORKPLACE VIOLENCE SAFETY (GUEST POST)

Workplace safety involves a few topics such as personal hygiene, and personal safety against physical violence to name the most important ones. These apply to almost all fields of work whereas accidents by materials happen only in certain industries. Proper orientation and awareness and also education toward workplace safety need to be taught to all employees in order to avoid any hazard in the workplace.

Personal Health Safety: All companies should educate their employees on the relevance of personal hygiene, diseases and the most probable causes of such diseases. People working in laboratories and industries regularly come in contact with chemicals which could be allergens or irritants. Therefore, employees need to be aware of the use of protective gloves, masks and skin cream etc. in order to safeguard themselves from these health issues.

How to Teach Personal Health Safety: · Posters can be hung at places where workers wash their hands, at rest rooms, and where they change their uniforms and all. A seminar or some talks can be arranged to make the employees aware of the risks involved in their workplace in case they do not take care of themselves properly.  Tours to such other companies can be organized in order to show the workers how other companies manage to be risk-free.

Slip and fall safety: This is one of the most common causes for workplace accidents. Several steps can be taken to prevent these accidents. It is highly essential to be aware of the possible spots of danger namely water spills, spots of grease or oil. Every employee needs to know these spots and be on alert when negotiating these places.  Slopes or low-lying areas pose dangers and employees should wear proper foot wear which would save them from the possible mishaps.   Hanging posters or holding meetings, or awareness programs would help a great deal in protecting oneself from workplace accidents.

Workplace Violence Safety: Workplace safety is a point of serious concern since violence could happen due to misbehavior’s of other employees let alone the accidents that happen by environmental conditions.

How to Teach Workplace Violence Safety: · Pamphlets and seminars would be of a great help to employees. Since workplace violence is a sensitive issue workers should have a provision to complain  anonymously about the issues they face at the workplace.  Employees could also hold group discussions on these issues and share the possible remedies that they can think of.  Visuals always give extra effect to all things. Showing videos on workplace violence would have a great impact on workers.

Ergonomics: Ergonomics is the scientific discipline which concerns with the understanding of humans and other systems. In simple terms, this would involve keeping things at the proper heights in the workplace to prevent muscular, skeletal and other injuries. Ergonomics could also be taught to employees by way of distributing pamphlets, by holding talks and seminars for workers etc. Companies could also bring ergonomic experts to personally teach the employees how to take care of themselves while at work.

This article was sent to us by Christy Nelson of buyessays.us.