It is important to establish a safe work zone around every job. Each time we step into certain work areas, we are exposed to nearby hazards. These may include high voltage, high-pressure air, rotating machinery,
Zone Defense to Cover Your Bases
Trenching & Excavations
General Requirements Excavations and trenches 5 feet in depth or greater must be protected from cave-in by sloping, shoring, shielding, or must be designed by a registered professional engineer. If the potential for a cave-in
The “5S” Principles Support Safety
5S is a foundation for more disciplined actions. It enhances housekeeping but it is not housekeeping. 5S must be a team effort and the results must enable anyone to “tell at a glance” what is
How to Improve Safety Culture in the Workplace
Safety culture is more than workplace safety rules, safety equipment, and procedures. It has to do with organization-wide approach and attitude regarding workplace safety. If your company shares a strong safety culture from the CEO
The Thin Line Between Safety Routine and Complacency
A Safety Supervisor’s Experience Safety professionals like to talk about establishing safety “routines.” I’m not so sure that this is exactly the right approach. The dictionary definition of “routine” is an “unvarying or habitual method
How to Limit Mobile Equipment Fuel Leaks & Spills
Best Management Practices (BMP’s) There is always a risk for an oil spill when dispensing fuels and oils. Leaks and drips are common, but they are also preventable. Below are some BMP’s that may help
Near Misses
What’s a Near Miss? Usually, a near miss or hit is defined as an accident that almost happened. For example, the situation where someone trips and almost falls down the stairs but manages to grab
The True Risks of DIY
A self-employed farmer died when an unsupported, raised front-end loader bucket fell as he repaired the hydraulics, crushing him against the front of the machine. There were no witnesses. It appears that the farmer raised
7 Safety Tips for Forklifts on Rough Terrain
OSHA classifies a telescoping forklift as a “variable reach type”. They are categorized as a class VII: Rough Terrain Forklift Truck. Rough terrain forklifts require the right operators to handle them or it can lead
Tips to Avoid Overexertion
Overexertion occurs when the load, whether lifted, carried, pushed, pulled or otherwise handled, exceeds the limits of the human joint system doing the work. Overexertion injuries generally fall into two categories: Sprains – stretching or