Fall hazards are the leading cause of construction worker deaths, accounting for almost half of all fatalities in construction each year. OSHA estimates that approximately 65 percent of construction workers perform some work on scaffolds each year. Without an understanding of the hazards of scaffolding, this could lead to dangerous situations for construction workers and operations…
A health and safety committee, comprised of worker and management representatives who meet regularly, brings the internal responsibility system into practice. This system recognizes that the employer and workers have a shared responsibility for workplace health and safety, with the employer having the final authority and responsibility. In most Canadian jurisdictions a health and safety…
Health and Safety: Risk Management is the clearest and most comprehensive book on risk management available today. This newly revised fifth edition takes into account new developments in legislation, standards, and good practice. ISO 45001, the international health and safety management system standard is given comprehensive treatment, and the latest ISO 9004 and ISO 19011…
New workers are more vulnerable to getting sick or injured, especially during the first month on the job. To help prevent these incidents, there are a number of tips, reminders, and questions that new workers should take into consideration to make sure they are starting their jobs safely and are being protected by their employers….
Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) are critical predictors of unfavorable events that can adversely impact organizations. They monitor changes in the levels of risk exposure and contribute to the early warning signs that enable organizations to report risks, prevent crises, and mitigate them in time. KRIs – independently or in conjunction with other risk environment-related data,…
Workplace inspections are an important prevention tool that can prevent injuries and illnesses and ensure that your health and safety program is working. The goal is to find any unsafe acts or conditions and implement necessary controls. The photo of today will outline Inspection tips, types of inspection, and hazards to look for during work…
Fire protection systems third editions by A.Maurice Jones, jr. A. Maurice Jones, Jr. is the Supervisor, Fire Protection Systems in the Operations Division, Community Risk Reduction Section of the Alexandria (Virginia) Fire Department.Over his 20-year career, he has been responsible for all fire protection system-related issues throughout the city including fire protection systems plan review,…
This article provides the basic guidelines for the selection of fire and gas detectors like linear heat detector, rate of rise heat detector, optical smoke detector, ionization chamber smoke detector, open path gas detector, catalytic sensor type combustible gas detector, and flame detector. Linear Heat Detector The linear heat detectors shall sense an overheat condition at any point along…
Ergonomics can be complicated, but this article provides a simple explanation all employees can understand. Ergonomic controls are used in almost all workplaces to prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDS), often called cumulative trauma disorders or repetitive stress injuries. Workers often ignore the signs and symptoms of these disorders until a chronic condition has developed and they…
Emergencies and disasters can strike anywhere and at any time bringing workplace injuries and illnesses with them. Employers and workers may be required to deal with an emergency when it is least expected and proper planning before an emergency is necessary to respond effectively. This photo of the day is designed to help workers and employers plan…
The removal of flooring or decking on elevated structures during construction works have a high potential of falling to workers and consequently, Death or undesired injuries, ( Read: crewman-fell-to-his-death-through-faulty-grating/ )and the most such incident of falling occurs due to the following reasons : The grating was not securely fastened and became loose during nearby activity…
Work-related mental health conditions take a huge toll on worker health and productivity, with the negative impact felt by individuals, their families, and colleagues. Take a look at the photo of today which shows the rate, type, and causes of work-related mental health conditions to help you focus on how to reduce these statistics. Mental…
Trenching is an important part of any construction project. It involves digging and removing the dirt, forming a narrow depression into the ground, which is then utilized for a variety of projects. They’re used for a wide variety of civil and engineering projects, including laying pipes and telephone wire. In fact, trenching is so critical…
The forms today contain 77 electrical inspection checklists taken from the 2014 Electrical Inspection Manual with Checklists. The checklists are in PDF format and can be completed electronically or printed and used as hard copies.The checklists are intended to help inspectors keep track of the numerous aspects of an electrical installation that must be checked,…
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO), which extends to non-domestic premises and the communal areas of houses in multiple occupations (HMOs) in England and Wales, charges the “responsible person” with the safety of everyone on the premises at any time, whether working, visiting or sleeping there. The duties of the responsible person(s) are…
Dangerous goods are materials or items with hazardous properties which, if not properly controlled, present a potential hazard to human health and safety, infrastructure, and/ or their means of transport. The transportation of dangerous goods is controlled and governed by a variety of different regulatory regimes, operating at both the national and international levels. Prominent…
The main goal of safety and health programs is to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths, as well as the suffering and financial hardship these events can cause for workers, their families, and employers. The recommended practices use a proactive approach to managing workplace safety and health. Traditional approaches are often reactive –that is, problems…
Some of the deadliest hazards we can face are the conditions that exist inside confined spaces such as manholes, tanks, and similar areas. Controlling access to confined spaces and the hazards they contain can prevent injuries and save lives. The photo of the day provides an overview of confined space entry operations and explains the…
From Accidents to Zero: A Practical Guide to Safety Culture is positively different from traditional safety and health books. Sharman points out that we need to go beyond the “business as usual” if we want to approach zero harm at work. Even excellent workplaces and organizations tend to have difficulties in continuing to improve safety….
When an on-the-job injury occurs, we know that a proper investigation can reveal the root cause of that injury. Then ways to prevent similar incidents can be devised and implemented to improve the overall safety of our workplace. Other sources we can study that provide critical information for improving safety programs are close calls and…
The United States’ Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has published BSEE Panel Report 2021-001 into a fatal fall from a platform in the Gulf of Mexico in 2019. What happened A night shift production operator died when he fell into the sea through a rusty grating on the platform. His body was never recovered. Less…
Summer is starting with a bang this year as a heatwave moves from the Midwest to the East coast. For employees working outdoors or in hot indoor environments, the heat can lead to serious illness. Heat and humidity are a serious safety threat to workers during the summer from utility workers to agriculture, construction, firefighters,…
We all are aware of the dangers of distracted driving, but there are other activities we engage in that demand our full attention to avoid accidents and injuries. Many people are hurt or killed when they become distracted while working or walking. Distraction has taken and destroyed a lot of lives and it will continue…
What do you use in your lifting applications, welded chain sling or mechanical chain sling? Have you ever compared the two to see which is better for your company? In the following article, you will start on the journey to help you make the best choice for your company. Chain slings are an important part…
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