Tag Archives: Safety

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection

TRIED AND TRUE CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY MEASURES (GUEST POST)

Tried and True Construction Site Safety Measures

Construction is the most dangerous private sector industry in the U.S., but that does not mean that workers have to be put in constant danger. Instead, many of the issues that plague construction sites can be avoided by simply adhering to basic construction site safety measures that have been mandated by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Unfortunately, many construction sites fail to utilize the necessary measures due to time and financial constraints. When this happens, the results can be disastrous. In fact, 721 people died on a construction site in 2011, and approximately 150,000 workers are injured every year.

Basic Safety Measures

  • Warning Signs  The importance of securing a construction site cannot be emphasized enough. After all, the fatality and injury rate is disproportionate to every other private sector industry, and this means that it is necessary for every employee to take extra precautions. The most common construction site accidents are tripping and falling. To avoid these issues, it is imperative for the work site to be cleared of extraneous debris, and any potential hazards such as cracks need to be either patched up or clearly pointed out. Utilizing signage is the best way to let workers know that there is a trip hazard or a slick surface, and these signs should be visible from every access point. 
  • Secured Ladders  The majority of falls that happen involve ladders. A simple way to reduce the number of falls is to ensure that each worker is tethered to the ladder. If workers are required to be 30 feet up on a ladder it makes sense for them to be secured. Workers should always wear safety hard hats to reduce the risk of head injuries, and it is also a good idea to use construction bubble wrap underneath the ladder if the conditions appear to be difficult. In other words, if a worker is going high up a ladder on a windy day, extra safety measures should be used to prevent an injury or fatality. 

The Importance of Documentation

In addition to using basic safety measures, it is also imperative for each construction site to properly document everything. After all, if a required safety inspection is performed but the results are not written down, it will be difficult to prove that the inspection took place. The safety leader at each construction site needs to inspect the site on a regular basis for any potential hazards, and all of the equipment should also be checked for defects.

Workers’ Compensation Claims

Failure to follow the proper procedures will make it difficult for an employer to turn down a worker’s comp claim. On the other hand, if an employee fails to follow the safety measures that are in place, they could forfeit their right to make a claim. There is a bill currently pending in North Carolina that would require employees to go through the legal system before they are eligible to file a worker’s compensation claim. Although this law may come into play, personal injury attorneys Charlotte based will confirm that under worker’s compensation laws in North Carolina, a worker who gets hurt doing any job-related task is entitled to benefits and a claim should be placed. There are specific rules in place in each state that need to be followed, and the law is constantly changing.

Regardless of the state that you are working in, it is vital to report any safety violations. After all, this is the best way to protect yourself and your co-workers. However, if you are still involved in a work site accident, you should contact a construction accident attorney immediately.

The wife of a Special Inspector, Nickey Williams knows a great deal about construction safety. The Auger & Auger personal injury attorneys Charlotte based understand that employers and insurers sometimes fail to live up to their legal obligations, and therefore, fighting for the benefits you are legally entitled to is their top priority.

 
General Safety Issues

WARNINGS ABOUT FIREWORKS FROM THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the grounds of the National Mall, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued its annual report of deaths and injuries involving legal and illegal fireworks for calendar year 2012. Fireworks can have a life-altering impact on consumers, including severe eye injuries, loss of limbs, and even death. CPSC works closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP); the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Fireworks, and Explosives; the Department of Transportation; and the Department of Justice to enforce federal safety standards and raise awareness about the dangers of fireworks.

Last year, CPSC received reports of six men who were killed by professional-grade, homemade or banned firework devices.  In addition, an estimated 8,700 consumers were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments for fireworks-related injuries.

Between June 22, 2012 and July 22, 2012, more than 5,000 consumers were treated in hospital emergency rooms due to fireworks-related injuries. Sixty percent of all fireworks injuries occur during the 30 days surrounding the July 4 holiday. More than half of these reported injuries involved burns to the hands, head and face. About 1,000 reported injuries involved sparklers and bottle rockets, fireworks that are frequently and incorrectly considered safe for young children.

Follow-up investigations of incidents showed that most injuries were associated with malfunctioning fireworks or improper use. Malfunctioning fireworks often resulted in unexpected flight paths and dangerous debris.  Improper use included igniting fireworks too close to someone, lighting fireworks in one’s hand and playing with lit or used fireworks. Most victims recovered from their injuries or were expected to recover completely; however, several victims reported that their injuries might be long term. 

 “These figures represent more than numbers; they represent the lives of real people who have been affected well beyond the Fourth of July” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “The federal government is working hard to keep the public safe by monitoring the ports, the marketplace, and the transportation of fireworks.  Now, we need consumers to do their part and celebrate safely.”

Working with CBP, CPSC conducts surveillance on imported fireworks. During 2012, the agencies collected and tested shipments of imported fireworks for compliance with the Federal Hazardous Substance Act (FHSA). About 30 percent of the tested products were found to be in violation of the law and were immediately stopped at the U.S. port. This import surveillance program strives to keep violative and dangerous fireworks off of U.S. store shelves and roadside stands.

“The solid partnership between CBP, CPSC and other agencies at the Import Safety Commercial Targeting and Analysis Center (CTAC) enables greater sharing of information and targeting to ensure the safety of imported fireworks,” said CBP Assistant Commissioner Allen Gina.  “Interagency collaboration at the CTAC results in the identification and interdiction of potentially unsafe imported merchandise, including non-compliant fireworks, and truly exemplifies working together as one U.S. Government at the Border to protect American consumers.”

At the national level, CBP, CPSC and the Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) work side-by-side at the CTAC in Washington, DC to effectively combat the importation of illegal fireworks.  The CTAC provides a platform for the agencies to share data, analyze import trends and conduct joint risk-based targeting to identify fireworks shipments that pose a safety risk.

“Fireworks are explosives. Protecting the public means making sure that our safety regulations work when these explosives are being transported,” said PHMSA Administrator Cynthia Quarterman.

“As the federal law enforcement agency charged with enforcing federal explosives laws, ATF actively works with other federal agencies, such as CPSC, through its fireworks enforcement program to protect the public from the dangers of illegal explosives devices,” said ATF Acting Director B. Todd Jones.

Consumers who decide to purchase legal fireworks are urged to take these safety steps.

  • Make sure the fireworks you want to buy are legal in your area before buying or using them.
  • Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers. Parents may not realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees ─ hot enough to melt some metals.
  • Always have an adult closely supervise fireworks activities if older children are allowed to handle devices.
  • Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and could pose a danger to consumers.
  • Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
  • Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
  • Never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away.
  • Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
  • Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
  • Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
  • After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding the device to prevent a trash fire.
  • ATF encourages the public to report the manufacture or sale of illegal fireworks to your local law enforcement agencies or to the ATF hotline at 1-888-ATF-BOMB (1-888-283-2662).

Source: USCPSC

Note: Please pay attention to these tips.  During my high school days, some boys threw some type of firecracker at a girl, and it broke her foot.  She paid for their prank with pain and discomfort.  As the article says, these are explosives; leave the handling of them to the experts. pb

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

SAFETY CONCERNS OF WINDOW CLEANERS WORKING ON HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS (GUEST POST)

To some, it might not seem like the most hazardous job in the world, but being a window cleaner does involve a lot of risk. Merely cleaning ground-floor windows is fairly risk-free, however in most cases, workers within this profession have to scale entire buildings to make sure that every window pane looks spotless.

Back in the day, window cleaners very rarely had to clean any building more than three storeys high. However, as skyscrapers, tower blocks and modern glass-fronted offices became more widespread, so did the number of difficult jobs for window cleaners. In extreme cases, some jobs involved scaling heights of over 500 feet, which can be especially challenging if it is your first day on the job.

Material world
Today, height isn’t the only challenge that window cleaners face. Many modern high-rise buildings are covered almost entirely in glass. This means that they have to clean a larger surface, which requires greater mobility.
At the same time, glass-fronted buildings are also more difficult to hold on to, meaning that the safety of cleaners when working on such structures is even more questionable.
The Empire State Building is a prime example of a glass-fronted skyscraper which can be a nightmare to get cleaned. That, coupled with its impressive height, makes it one of the most dangerous buildings on earth that a window cleaner could possibly work on. A lack of friction on the surface means that cleaners have no choice but to use a harness.

Strings attached
In order to scale large buildings, window cleaners tend to use:

  •          (For buildings that are no taller than four storeys); A really long ladder
  •          A harness for really tall buildings that don’t have straight, flat surfaces
  •          A large suspended scaffold for some skyscrapers that’s erected at the top of the building and moved up and down when needed by someone at ground level

All three are, with supervision, safe to use when everything has been checked. Unfortunately, there’s still an inherent risk in this form of work, with the danger of plummeting hundreds of feet to the ground, should the harness or scaffold used be unstable or insecure.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Safety Issues

Thirty Blogs Parents of Teens Learning to Drive Must Read (Guest Post)

Sent to us by Barbara Williams of http://findababysitter.org.  We can never find too many tips on applications that help our teens realize how important the task of safe driving .  These blogs should offer insight into that responsibility.

It can be a scary time for parents when their teenagers are finally old enough to drive.  While you are in the car with her you may feel like you have some sense of control because you’re there to help her make good decisions.  However, when she takes off for her first solo drive, you probably will feel a bit anxious.  The more you can teach your teen before her first drive by herself, the better off she will be.  Here are 30 blog entries that can help the parents of teen drivers.

Cell Phones and Driving

It’s not unusual these days to find that your teen is tied to her cell phone morning, noon and night.  Because of this, it’s important that your teen knows that distracted driving is not only dangerous, but is also a leading cause of teenage accidents.  Implementing a rule regarding your teen’s cell phone use while driving is important, and could save her life.  These five blog posts will explain further.

Texting and Driving

Texting while driving is a dangerous concern for your teen, perhaps even more so than talking on the phone while driving, because you need to type on your phone. Many teenage deaths have occurred because of sending or reading a text from a friend or family member. It’s not just teens who are at risk, though; laws are being put into place to stop texting while driving for everyone.  These five blog articles will explain the reasoning behind the changes.

Proposed Law Changes

Here are five blog posts sharing some of the proposed law changes as they relate to teenage drivers.  Many have heard about cell use and texting being banned, but others are related to how many passengers you can have in the car.  Read these posts and educate yourself and your teen driver.

Driving Safely

Obviously, parents want their children to drive safely on the road, but how do you teach them everything that they need to know?  There are drivers’ education classes that you can send your child to and you can drive with your kids, but is that enough? Some people don’t think so.  Here are five blog articles that will show some other ways to teach teens to drive safely.

Winter Driving

Winter driving can be treacherous and deadly for an experienced driver, let alone a less experienced teenager.  Make sure that you practice driving with your teenager in all weather conditions.  Letting your teen know how the car could react during certain weather conditions is an important part of teaching your teen to drive.  These five blog posts will give you tips on how to teach your teen to drive safely during the winter.

Parents’ Role

At the end of the day it is up to the parents to make sure their teen is ready to get behind the wheel.  As a parent, do you know everything you need to know in order to make your teen into the best driver that he can be?  Here are five blog posts explaining what the role of the parent is in teaching teens to drive.  Maybe you will know them all, but you may also pick up a tip or two.

General Safety Issues

FIVE SAFETY ITEMS TO ENSURE A SAFE AND SECURE GARAGE (GUEST POST)

Most people take their garage door opener safety for granted but there are several things to take into consideration when owning a garage door opener.  Here are some helpful tips that should ensure your experience stays safe and secure for you and your loved ones:

 1)  Replace Old Springs – Your garage door’s springs are arguably the most important and can be the most dangerous part of your door.  Springs do wear out and when they break, an injury could be the result.  If you have an older garage door, have a professional inspect the springs and replace them if needed.

 2) Check Your Cables – Visually inspect the cables that attach the spring system to the bottom brackets on both sides of the door.  If these cables are frayed or worn, they are in danger of breaking, which can cause injury.  Due to the dangers associated with high spring tension, these cables should be replaced only by a trained technician. 

3) Squeaky Springs? – Springs can squeak and be noisy.  This is caused by normal wear and tear and does not necessarily indicate a problem.  Before calling a professional service technician, use a spray-on lubricant.  If the noise continues, call a professional garage door installer for service. 

4) Safety Cables – If your garage door has extension springs, you need a safety cable that runs through the spring and secures to the wall or ceiling at each end.  When your garage door is down, extension springs are under high tension.  If the spring breaks, it may cause injury.  A safety cable can keep that broken spring contained.  If you have extension springs but do not have a safety cable, call your local dealer for a safety inspection. 

5) Struggling Door – If your door does not go up and down smoothly, you may have an unsafe condition.  Even older door systems should operate smoothly.  If the awkward operation continues when the door is manually operated, you may have a spring system out of balance.  This can cause premature wear and tear on other important door components.  Spring systems are dangerous and should be repaired only by trained professionals. 

Be sure not to place your fingers between the door sections to pull down on the door.  If you manually open or close the door, use the handles or safe gripping points.  Your garage door is probably the largest moving part in your home and is typically used everyday.  Over time parts can wear out and break creating potential safety problems.  Monthly safety checks and necessary maintenance are recommended.  An annual visit from a trained door systems technician can keep your door operating safely and smoothly for a long time. 

Author Bio: I am Aaron Lerner and my team and I write about the Garage Door Industry! We help expose all the Garage Door Hardware companies to give you the TRUTH! We provide extremely relevant information about all Garage Door Openers, Remotes, Parts, and more through our blog. Our experience of 20 years in the garage doors industry makes us an authority to provide you FREE and IMPORTANT information. For more info click here.

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

MORE ELECTRICAL SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE TIPS (GUEST POST)

 We all use electricity on a daily basis; it’s become a necessary part of everyday life. However we must remember the dangers of electricity as it can kill or severely injure a person or cause damage to properties. This could be from contact with an electrical current causing shock or burns, faults which could cause a fire or an explosion where electricity could be the source. Electrical hazards are estimated to cause around 300 deaths and 4000 injuries in US workplaces each year. It should not be forgotten about or underestimated. 

Electrical safety in the workplace is vital as we use electricity in in every job we do, from typing on our computers to boiling the kettle. It is something that all business owners and managers should be conscious of and in order to reduce the risk of accidents with electricity, it’s important to take some precautions. 

Electrical equipment should be tested on a regular basis. This could be checking them yourself or using PAT testing services, which is completed through visual checks and electronic tests to ensure safety is maintained. If you already suspect that something is faulty then take it out of use as soon as possible to prevent any hazards. 

Where equipment is being used every day, this is most important. Computers and tills are used in the workplace constantly and therefore pose a safety threat if not maintained. Kettles, ovens and food processors are used in cafes and restaurants but also in offices. As they are used so frequently in these environments, appliances need to be fit for use. A switch could be provided near each piece of equipment in order to cut off power in an emergency. When in a factory, electricity is heavily relied on and can be the most dangerous if anything goes wrong. The right safety measures need to be in place so this does not happen. 

Signs should be present to alert workers to electricity dangers. Low voltage cables are still hazardous and should be clearly marked to avoid anyone touching them. 

Employees need to have proper training to ensure that they can carry out tasks safely. Accidents can always potentially happen, but as an employer you need to keep your workers as safe as possible, otherwise if anything was to happen then legal action could be taken. If you are a business owner then it is your responsibility to make sure your employees are working in a safe environment, ultimately this should be paramount to your company policy.

The correct PPE should be furnished by the employer, protective gear that meets the needs of the workers.  Dielectric glasses, proper gloves, and hardhats that do not conduct electricity should be worn. 

Bio 

David Quarmby is an expert in electrical compliance and testing for businesses and is part of the ElectricalCerts group.

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

TRUCKING INTO A HEALTHIER FUTURE (GUEST POST)

Author Introduction

Hank Barton is a second generation trucker-philosopher with a penchant for the written word. He enjoys blogging about long haul trucking, safe driving practices and life on the open road. He writes for E-Gears, an online CDL Practice Test authority that specializes in a variety of study guides. 

For those going into the trucking industry, planning ahead in terms of health and fitness may be the key to a long and fruitful career. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is implementing rules that will require that truck drivers get a physical to identify health problems that can be a safety concern. Unfortunately, there are a number of health concerns truckers face which are inherent to the trucker lifestyle. 

A 2007 study by the Journal of the American Dietetic Association showed that 86 percent of truck drivers were overweight and the majority of those were obese.  Aside from the more obvious safety issues stemming from being overweight or obese, such as heart attacks or diabetic shock, many truck drivers suffer from sleep apnea, which may disrupt sleep such that a driver ends up tired or falling asleep on the road. Additionally, studies suggest that a majority of truck drivers are smokers, compounding the health concerns. 

Current truck drivers suffering these health conditions may be in jeopardy of being unable to renew their trucking license and potential truck drivers are wise now to plan on avoiding these pitfalls. According to FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro, “Better health means safer drivers behind the wheel.” A safer driver is a more marketable driver and now, the health regulations make a certain degree of physical fitness essentially part of the job. Not to mention, healthy truckers also spend much less on health insurance. 

Sadly, until recently, truckers have hardly been catered to in regard to providing healthy options. However, the recent focus on the safety issues presented by this lack have shifted some focus toward providing help for truck drivers who want to stay healthy and keep on trucking. 

While it may be easy for a person in great or even moderate physical condition to think that they can maintain their health while on long hauls, there are a number of things to consider. 

The Eating Healthy Conundrum 

We are not using many calories when we are on the road, so the main goal here is to consume fewer calories. The lion’s share of truck stop food may taste great as well as save time, but is fat and calorie heavy. Fast food and buffets are not kind to the waist line. Fortunately, some truck stops are now offering healthier menu options. Still, the best option is having a small refrigerator and microwave on board. This can keep your healthy options much more varied and appealing. Also, as we are all too aware, eating truck stop food is quite expensive so packing store bought food can save a good deal of money in addition to the health benefit. 

A good multivitamin is also advisable. We put the right fuel into our rig, but we often forget our body is a machine that needs the right fuel too. On the same hand, beware of diet pills or extreme diets. Many of these pills are largely untested and have side effects that could be catastrophic for someone driving a large truck. Extreme diets also often a side effect of fatigue that can be dangerous on the road. 

Working Out with Sedentary Work 

Exercise is a difficult issue for many truck drivers. It is also a critical part of staying healthy. In a job where the bulk of the work is done seated, creativity is the key. Walking and stretching at truck stops is always a good idea. Some truckers have even taking to packing a fold-up bicycle they can ride at stops, which is a great idea since cardio is going to be the best weapon against an excess of calories. There are also a number of stationary cardio exercises every trucker would do well to add to their repertoire, such as jumping jacks, mountain climbers, crunches, flutter kicks, etc. 

One promising prospect is that gyms have begun to look toward a trucker clientele. Snap Fitness is a 24-7 gym that recently opened its first truck stop location and there are plans to open five more around the country this year. While this may not be an option for many right now, it does mean that the future of fitness on the road does not look so bleak. 

Whatever road you choose to take in taking care of your health, remember that your body can break down just as easily as your truck. Give it the necessary maintenance to keep it running for yourself, for the people who love you, and to be a better truck driver.

General Safety Issues

TEN TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR TEEN BABYSITTER SAFE (GUEST POST)

Shared with us by Barbara Williams of Babysitting.org:
 
Now that you’ve found a good, reliable babysitter to look after your children and keep them safe, your next step is to ensure the same for her. There are some very effective steps you can take to make your home safer for both your sitter and your family while you’re away. Consider these 10 safety tips that will provide you and your babysitter some peace of mind:
  1. Notify Neighbor – Let one of your trusted neighbors know when you’re going out for the evening, preferably someone nearby whom the sitter can call for help if necessary. You might also ask them to check in on occasion to make sure everything’s OK.
  2. Emergency Numbers – Keep emergency contact information posted near the phone, preferably programmed into the phone on speed dial. Make sure your sitter knows how to access the numbers and which ones to call in the event of an emergency.
  3. Security Alarm – If you haven’t already installed one, consider doing so. A good home alarm can deter potential burglars from choosing your home as a target. Let the sitter know what the access code is and make sure the alarm is activated when you leave. You can set a specific code just for the babysitter, which can always be changed later.
  4. Dog – A family dog, particularly a large one, is a great deterrent to intruders. If he’s in the house, so much the better, but having one on the premises somewhere nearby will do the trick too.
  5. Police – Depending on the community in which you live, you may have the option of notifying the community policing program that you’ll be away with a sitter minding the house, and request a walk or drive by periodically.
  6. Your Contact Number – Make certain you can be reached. Have at least one cell phone charged and available and, if possible, provide the phone number of your location (restaurant, theater, etc.) where the sitter can have you paged.
  7. External Lighting – As with most of these steps, this one is a good idea for home security in general. A well-lit exterior is a highly effective crime deterrent and denies potential intruders any cover near the home.
  8. Keep Windows Shut and Locked – Admittedly, this is not always the most comfortable arrangement depending on the weather, but for safety’s sake it’s still your best option, at least on the ground level.
  9. Fire Hazards – Restrict the use of a fireplace or space heater during the winter months, make sure the sitter is familiar with the layout of the home and knows where all the exits are, and give the sitter instructions for what to do in case of fire. You might even want to limit kitchen use to microwaveable meals only.
  10. Power Outage – Have a non-electrical standard telephone plugged into the phone line. Consider installing a back-up generator, but at least have emergency lights that turn on when the power goes out. Plug-in emergency lights can be purchased inexpensively at any hardware or home improvement store.

It’s better to be prepared for an emergency than to be caught off guard. While you hope your sitter and children’s safety is never a concern, having a few safeguards in place will give everyone peace of mind.

General Safety Issues

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

From all the gang at Texas America Safety Company and Blog4Safety:

We wish you a very safe and Happy Halloween.  In the past, we have  encouraged parents to take all safety precautions so their little ghosts and goblins have a great time while scaring their neighbors and friends.  Have an adult or older teen sibling go with them, and be sure their costumes have some reflective bright colors or markings in order for them to be seen!

Go through all the treats to ensure that they are safe to eat.  If you must drive during this time of trick or treating, exercise caution, drive slowly and watch for all the little ones.  They aren’t thinking about watching for cars, so we must all watch for them.

Have fun!

General Safety Issues

HALLOWEEN AND ZOMBIE SAFETY (GUEST POST)

By Jack Rubinger, www.DuraLabel.com, 503-469-3024, jarubinger@graphicproducts.com 

Hazard check for October: maintain walkways to eliminate soggy leaves; adjust outdoor lighting; get brake jobs for auto fleet; and most importantly—protect your workers from zombie invasions.

As the undead begin to encroach during the waning daylight hours, it’s critical to make sure your safety signs are OSHA-compliant. OSHA’s primary hazard classifications for danger, warning, caution, and biohazard are designed to be noticed—important when you want to ensure your employees show up for work alive the next day. Use the following information to keep your employees alive and safe, and at the same time avoid being fined by OSHA.

DANGER

Danger signs indicate an immediate hazard which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury. Danger signs should be reserved for the most serious hazards and signify special precautions are necessary.

The Danger signal word is printed in white letters on a red background and preceded by the safety alert symbol. The message panel, beneath the signal word, is where the safety message is printed, usually in black or red over white. You can also print in white over a black safety panel. Pictograms may be used to help workers recognize hazards sooner and from safe distances.  In the case of zombie hazard, we recommend the following:

DANGERKeep Clear: Zombie Hazard Imminent 

 WARNING

Warning signs are one hazard level below danger signs. They describe a hazard which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

The Warning signal word is written in black on an orange background header and proceeded by a safety alert symbol. The text in the message panel may be printed in white letters on a black panel or black letters on a white panel. Warning signs and labels can be any size and printed in a landscape or portrait format. Keep in mind, alternative design and color options should only be used to improve worker comprehension.

When warning of zombies, we recommend the following:

WARNINGAvoid Contact with Zombies. Always wear Personal Protective Equipment if contact is unavoidable. Contact with skin may result in zombification.

CAUTION

A caution sign indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury. Caution signs are used in areas where potential injury or equipment damage is possible, or to caution against unsafe practices. Caution signs should only be used if there is a risk of personal injury.

The Caution signal word is written in black letters on a yellow background and is preceded by a safety alert symbol, except when used for a non-personal injury. The message panel below the signal word contains the safety message and any additional safety symbols. Everything printed inside the message panel is black text on white or white text on black.

Here’s an example of a useful caution sign. Does your facility have a zombie evacuation plan?

 CAUTIONZombie Evacuation RouteKeep aisles clear.

 BIOHAZARD

OSHA 1910.1459(e)(4) states, “The biological hazard warnings shall be used to signify the actual or potential presence of a biohazard and to identify equipment, containers, rooms, materials, experimental animals, or combinations thereof, which contain, or are contaminated with, viable hazardous agents… presenting a risk or potential risk to the well-being of man.” The symbol design must conform with the example shown right and contain the word “Biohazard” or “Biological Hazard.”

The biohazard symbol can be black, fluorescent orange, or an orange-red color. Background color is optional as long as there is sufficient contrast for the biohazard symbol to be clearly defined. A biohazard can also be indicated on a danger or warning sign and may include the safety alert symbol.

If incapacitated zombies are strewn about your work area, they should be tagged with biohazard signs, as shown below:

 BIOHAZARD Avoid skin contact with contaminated tissue

 OSHA also has compliance standards for Notice, general safety signs, fire safety signs, and admittance signs. See the DuraLabel site for a selection of OSHA-compliant signs for zombie hazards and any other purpose.

Thanks, Jack, for these important warnings to protect our workers!  Safety posters placed in just the right spots may help, as well.