Safety Tips

Scaffolds can be a safer and more productive way to work than ladders, but they must be set up correctly, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health warns, noting that the majority of fatal falls among construction workers in Massachusetts involve scaffolds.

A 35-year-old material handler was killed after she was crushed against a podium by a backing forklift. The forklift was in good operating condition and the back-up alarm was working at the time of the incident.

As winter approaches, one thing outdoor workers should know about is the “cold stress equation.” According to OSHA, low temperatures plus wind speed and wetness equals injuries and illnesses.

Tungsten carbide is a metal alloy commonly used in manufacturing because of its hardness and resistance to wear and high temperatures. According to the New Jersey Department of Health’s Division of Epidemiology, Environmental and Occupational Health, exposure to tungsten carbide may result in lung issues, as it often contains nickel and chromium, which can trigger asthma.

Fall is a time when crop harvests across the country are being brought in and heavy-duty machinery use is in full swing. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, about half of the state’s 500 reported farm machinery and equipment injuries occur each year between August and November.

A 47-year-old auto mechanic died when gasoline he was pouring into a motor vehicle ignited and burned him. The victim had worked at the auto shop for two years. His employer did not have a written safety program, Injury and Illness Prevention Program, or job training program that provided safety training to employees.

Can you explain the new ANSI/ISEA 201-2012 voluntary standard about classifying insulation apparel for cold-weather environments?

When workers cut or grind concrete, brick or stone, the resulting dust may contain crystalline silica. According to the New Jersey Department of Health Division of Epidemiology, Environmental and Occupational Health, when workers inhale crystalline silica dust, silica particles can scar the lungs and cause a disabling and incurable lung disease called silicosis.

Although truck drivers and delivery workers are exposed to a number of traffic-related hazards every day, one hazard that may not be apparent is the risk of falling from a vehicle.

Knowing how and when to exit a building is critical in an emergency situation. All employees should be properly trained on emergency exit procedures, and evacuations should be routinely practiced.