Protecting your eyes from workplace hazards should be a priority. Those hazards can exist in a variety of workplaces and in a multitude of forms. According to the American Optometric Association, eye protection is necessary when these eye hazards are possible: Projectiles (dust, concrete, metal, wood and other particles) Chemicals (splashes and fumes) Radiation (especially visible light, ultraviolet radiation, heat or infrared radiation and lasers) Bloodborne pathogens (hepatitis or HIV) from blood and body fluids The AOA lists these occupations as those with a high risk of suffering eye inju ..read more

While eyewash stations are meant to prevent further injury when a worker’s eye is exposed to a hazardous substance, these stations can actually cause harm to workers if they are not properly maintained. According to OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration), water found in poorly maintained eyewash stations can contain organisms that cause infections. Those organisms are Acanthamoeba, Pseudomonas and Legionella, and they can produce a wide range of symptoms, from eye redness and pain to fevers, chills, muscle aches and headaches. To keep your eyewash stations infection-free, OSHA s ..read more

Nearly every job with a physical component involves workers using clothing and equipment to protect themselves from many different potential hazards. Shoes, work gloves, respirators, goggles and hearing protection all play roles in keeping employees safe. When employees are properly shielded from the many dangers they may encounter on the job, they can go about their duties without worrying about harmful exposures and interactions. Your facility benefits from committing to employee safety, avoiding downtime and fulfilling requirements enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administrat ..read more

There are many potential hazards in the workplace that can put workers’ hand safety at risk. From chemical burns to abrasions, cuts, and even fractures and amputations, a worker’s hands can be injured in several ways. Employers must provide proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) in the form of hand protection to keep workers’ hands as safe as possible on the job. Gloves are perhaps the most common form of hand protection.  But how do you know what to choose? OSHA notes the following factors to consider when making a decision about protective gloves for your workers: Types of chemicals han ..read more

A furniture retailer faces $431,000 in OSHA fines for failing to protect workers from machine hazards. The retailer faces more than $1.8 million in fines issued earlier in the year at other locations. This recent citation was given after OSHA found that the company didn’t implement procedures to prevent machines from unintentional start-ups when operators changed tables, cleaned machines and cleared jams. The company also failed to ensure machine operators used proper lockout/tagout procedures. Read more here. Contractor and Subcontractor Cited for Exposing Workers to Asbestos A contractor fa ..read more

As an employer, you need to promote and enforce the use of eye protection when it is necessary. Educate your workers about the importance of eye protection so they will automatically reach for it before they put their eye health at risk. Safety glasses provide good protection. They provide even better protection if they properly fit and are cared for. According to OSHA requirements, employees must receive training in care, maintenance and disposal of all PPE (personal protective equipment). OSHA offers these tips regarding the care and cleaning of safety eyewear: Replace scratched lenses. Dis ..read more

During the summer months, it’s not uncommon for companies—especially manufacturers—to shut down their operations for a week or more. It provides the opportunity to conduct much needed maintenance and repairs on equipment, ensuring productivity in the workplace the rest of the year. Sometimes, old equipment is replaced during summer shutdowns. If your facility has summer shutdowns every year, you’re probably getting ready for one right now. Do you have all of the safety supplies you need to ensure equipment and machinery repair work is done without causing any worker injuries? Before the shutd ..read more

Fall prevention will receive its annual burst of attention next month—from May 2-6—when the National Safety Stand-Down happens once again. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) coordinates the event as a way in which to increase awareness of preventing falls in the construction industry. The main goal of the Stand-Down is to encourage communication between employers and employees about safety and how to prevent falls. Companies of all sizes are encouraged to participate. OSHA has many suggestions on how you can conduct a Stand-Down in your workplace, such as toolbox talks, cond ..read more

A contractor faces fines of more than $48,000 for fall hazards on a job site. The contractor was cited by OSHA for five repeat and two serious violations. Four employees were found not wearing fall protection, and three of those workers (who were on a roof) had not received fall protection training. The one employee on a scaffold had not been trained to identify scaffolding hazards. To read more about these violations, click here. Worker Loses Finger in Machine Accident A manufacturer faces OSHA fines of $76,000 for two repeated, four serious and one other-than-serious safety violation. OSHA ..read more

Cuts, sprains, strains, fractures, burns, amputations—these are all injuries that can occur on hands. How do you ensure that your workers protect their hands when performing their job duties? Do you encourage the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)? How else do you promote hand safety on the job? Because our hands are so important for work and for life, it’s important that your workers take the proper precautions to protect their hands from various hazards in the workplace. The Center for Construction Research and Training (CCRT) offers these safety tips: Always stay alert and focused ..read more