Safety Tips

The use of farm irrigation systems brings with it an increased risk of electrocution. Safe Electricity, a public awareness campaign created by the Urbana, IL-based Energy Education Council, urges workers to know and follow proper safety precautions to avoid electrical injuries when operating and handling watering systems.

Two 35-year-old workers using floor sanders were killed and two others were seriously burned in a house fire after the lacquer floor sealer they were using ignited.

Working in the hot summer sun can cause more than just discomfort. Serious medical conditions such as dehydration, fainting and heat stroke can send many workers to the hospital – and can even prove fatal in some cases.

Workers should be trained on safe procedures for working with tools. Tools can pose a safety risk when they are misplaced or improperly handled by workers.

Failure to recognize a chemical hazard can threaten workers’ lives by risking chemical burns, respiratory problems, fires and explosions.

Improper hitching to a tractor can cause severe injury and even death. NIOSH warns that attaching a tow chain at a point above the tractor’s drawbar can cause the vehicle to roll over backward – a highly dangerous occurrence.

A 19-year-old golf course employee was killed after being pinned under an overturned tee box mower.

Working with concrete and masonry walls can be risky because of the extremely heavy loads that need to be supported. According to OSHA, serious injuries or even fatalities can occur when jacks or lifting equipment are used to position slabs and walls, or when shoring is required before structures are fully stable.

Explosives can be a quick and effective way for loggers to clear obstacles. However, if improperly used, stored or transported, explosives can also be extremely dangerous.

One serious risk of outdoor work is Lyme disease, which is spread when individuals are bitten by infected ticks. Initial symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, fatigue and skin rash.