An important reason to have a Fire Prevention Plan (FPP) is to identify and mitigate the causes of fire, prevent loss of life, and prevent loss of property caused by fire. The FPP should be developed to comply with the OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.39, Fire Prevention Plans. A quality FPP does the following: Provides […]
An emergency is a chaotic time, as part of a quality emergency response plan, there are specific considerations a workplace may require beyond a basic plan. Below I review some of the special considerations you may need to include in your plan. Persons with Disabilities During an evacuation, a workplace may have employees requiring […]
Confined Space Entry is a complex topic to say the least. These entries are different every time even though the same equipment is used each time. The same crew may be utilized as well, however conditions more than likely will differ on each occasion. These could include toxic fumes, gas leaks and reduced oxygen levels. […]
A Toolbox Talk is an informal safety meeting, conducted at the job site prior to the commencement of a job or work shift. Toolbox talks focus on safety aspects related to the specific job at hand. These meetings are normally 10-15 minutes, and cover topics such as workplace hazards and safe work practices. Toolbox talks […]
Fall protection is often seen as only a construction standard for safety, but it is equally important for general industry employee safety as well. A quality fall protection program is the basis for ensuring employee safety when working at heights, this can include using powered equipment such a scissor lifts or order pickers, or working […]
Welding is a general term for various processes used to join metal parts by producing a coalescence, called a weld, at a joint. This is usually done by applying heat and energy when bringing the pieces of metal together. Welding has many applications. Some welded products include ships, aircraft, automobiles, electric and electronic parts, and […]
Moving machine parts have the potential to cause severe workplace injuries, such as crushed fingers or hands, amputations, burns, or blindness. Amputations, lacerations, and abrasions are costly and have the potential to increase workers’ compensation premiums.(Amputation is one of the most severe and crippling types of injuries in the occupational workplace, often resulting in permanent […]
The safe use of mobile ground ladders is often overlooked, as many employers assume employees know how to use them, since it is equipment used in most households. Any assumption when it comes to safety is a potential hazard. A ground ladder safety policy sets expectations of use for employees, in the safe operation of […]
The Hazard Communication Standard 2012 is now aligned with the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) that provides many benefits, including: Providing a common and coherent approach to classifying chemicals and communicating hazard information on labels and safety data sheets; Improving the quality and consistency of hazard information in […]
The Hazard Communication Standard of 2012 requires chemical manufacturers, distributors, or importers to provide Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) (formerly MSDSs or Material Safety Data Sheets) for each hazardous chemical to downstream users to communicate information on these hazards. SDSs are required to be presented in a consistent user-friendly, 16-section format. We will discuss this format […]