Infolific » Workplace Safety

Safety Culture Begins at the Top

Guest Author — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 13:07:39 +0000

The term 'safety culture' was first introduced by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as a result of its analysis into the nuclear reactor accident at Chernobyl in 1986. There are a variety of definitions of safety culture but the common strand is having a system of shared values and [...]

Workplace Safety Risk Assessment

Rick Henard — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 10:40:41 +0000

A risk assessment is a process by which a work site is evaluated for safety. It should be done before work commences by a competent, qualified, non-biased person. There are usually five steps to a risk assessment. 1. Identify the hazards: A hazard is anything that can cause harm. It [...]

Excavating Safely Below Ground

Rick Henard — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 21:29:46 +0000

One of the biggest risks while excavating is that of walls collapsing on top of workers. It is almost impossible to predict when an excavated wall will collapse, and therefore all excavations should be considered temporary. With this in mind, steps must be taken to reduce the risk of a [...]

Safe Exposure Limits in the Workplace

Rick Henard — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:09:51 +0000

There are some situations where workers are exposed to certain substances that are considered harmful, but it has been established that a certain amount of exposure is acceptable. The substance in question and the concentration of it will determine how long a worker can be exposed. There is a short-term-exposure [...]

Explosives Safety in the Workplace

Rick Henard — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 21:24:24 +0000

An explosion is a very rapid chemical reaction. The gases rapidly expand and give off a lot of heat. There are some situations where a worker is responsible for explosives. It can include things such as; ammunition, fireworks, detonators, etc. If this is the case extensive training is vital. There [...]

Worker Pulled Through Wood Chipper

Rick Henard — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 08:11:12 +0000

An investigation finds that a lone worker was likely operating a wood chipper in an unsafe manner. The lack of a panic bar left the worker with no option to stop the machine and save his own life.

Using a Shovel Safely

Rick Henard — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 07:57:34 +0000

Shoveling is quite a simple task, but it is important to realize that it places a great deal of stress on the back and shoulders. If done incorrectly, or too much weight is lifted, it can cause a chronic (over use) or acute injury (immediate). When shoveling always use your [...]

Safe Lifting Techniques

Rick Henard — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 19:48:51 +0000

In many work sites, or work environments, lifting is simply part of the job. When machines cannot be used for such work, therefore it must be done manually. Safety Precautions If something is heavy ask for help. Communicate with your lifting partner as to when to lift, where you are [...]

Warning Signs of An Unsafe Workplace

Rick Henard — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 18:44:04 +0000

Have you ever walked into a work area and right away thought to yourself that something is wrong? It is no secret that accident prevention does not happen by itself. It takes a lot of work, planning, implementing, and commitment from all levels of the organization. Accident prevention requires extensive [...]

Fall Arrest Systems

Rick Henard — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:11:30 +0000

This is a system where a worker uses a harness and is secured onto an immovable object, via a proper rope. Some examples of when fall arrest systems are used include working on the roof of a house, climbing up a utility pole, and walking on scaffolding around a building [...]

Working with Compressed Gas

Rick Henard — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 08:01:35 +0000

A compressed gas is a chemical product in its gaseous form and it is compressed in some kind of cylinder under pressure. There are many products that are classified as compressed gas. Because of this pressure all compressed gases are considered hazardous. If the cylinder were to break or the [...]

Concrete Pump Hose Whips Out of Control

Rick Henard — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 19:22:37 +0000

A worker is killed after being knocked over by a concrete pump hose that whips out of control. A hose whipping hazard such as this is created when air gets trapped in the delivery system and pressure builds.

High Altitude Safety

Rick Henard — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 05:05:48 +0000

When the term altitude is used it usually refers to being at higher than sea level, to a point where the body cannot function as efficiently as at sea level. The human body becomes accustomed to a certain altitude, then has difficulty if that altitude increases. The reason this happens [...]

Farmer Crushed Under Tractor's Tires

Rick Henard — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 15:24:47 +0000

An investigation into how a farmer was crushed by the tires of a tractor. The lack of a barrier and a vehicle braking system could've prevented this accident.

Ladder Safety

Rick Henard — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 00:51:11 +0000

When working at a height, even a few feet, safety precautions need to be taken. Most workers underestimate the seriousness of working at a height, especially if the height is only a few feet. But falling even 3-4 feet can cause broken bones and even concussions. Safety Precautions All work [...]

Trench Collapses Just as Safety Inspector Arrives

Rick Henard — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 00:09:21 +0000

Accidents can happen at any time as proven by this video when a trench collapses just moments after a safety inspector arrives at the work site.

Electricity Definitions

Rick Henard — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 04:50:10 +0000

Electricity is the flow of electrons (electric current) through a substance (conductor) from one object to another. Electricity can be Direct Current (DC) or Alternating Current (AC). DC is usually used for small appliances and in batteries. AC is produced by a rotating alternator and causes an oscillation of the [...]

Free Workplace Health and Safety Manual

Marios Alexandrou — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 15:37:34 +0000

Safety is no accident. Every worker has the right to a safe working environment. Every worker has the right to be properly trained. Every worker has the right to refuse unsafe work. It is everyone's responsibility to assure that any work undertaken meets minimum safety requirements. There is no work [...]

Safety Equipment

Rick Henard — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 12:00:01 +0000

There are some very basic safety precautions that need to be undertaken regardless of the type of work environment that exists. Personal Safety Equipment Hard hats to provide protection from falling objects and from moving objects at ground level. Safety goggles to safeguard the eyes from dust or other debris, [...]

Worker Trapped in Collapsed Trench

Rick Henard — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 09:40:31 +0000

Despite a promising recovery effort, Juan Oviedo dies after being buried. Reported by WISN TV in the Town of Somers.