Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
In November 2013, a 42-year-old employee of a real estate company was struck and killed by a large section of a 60-foot (ft)-tall eucalyptus tree he was helping to remove from the employer’s property. Cal/OSHA investigated the incident and found that neither he nor any of the other construction laborers employed by the company had […]
The material in today’s e-mail is adapted from BLR’s 7-Minute Safety Trainer session, “Respiratory Protection.” Employees need to inspect respirators before and after each use to ensure they retain their protective ability. Report to your supervisor: Connections that aren’t tight; Holes, cracks, tears, or other damage; Wear or deterioration, especially in rubber parts like the […]
Here’s what the court said: In analyzing the facts of this case, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania had to determine whether the company was negligent and, if so, whether negligence caused Wyatt’s injury. In addition, the court had to decide whether Wyatt knew before the accident that he was required […]
A worker, who was not wearing work gloves when he was injured, claimed that his employer did not instruct him that wearing the leather gloves was a mandatory safety precaution. What Happened “Wyatt” started working for SMS Rail Lines in February 2006 as a boom truck operator and railroad track laborer. As required, he passed […]
To reiterate: Training is a vital part of your safety program, it may be required by specific standards that apply to your workplace, and it can provide a natural environment for communication between management and employees about safety and health issues. But not all safety training will accomplish these ends. Badly planned, poorly executed training […]
Hazardous wastes need special handling. Failure to do so can result in tragedy. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited a hazardous waste treatment facility and levied heavy fines in the wake of a tragic fire and explosion. The incident killed one worker and severely burned another. The agency did not hold back […]
Craig Galecka is a fall protection specialist with LJB, Inc., a facilities and infrastructure design firm in Dayton, Ohio. Galecka is a professional engineer and certified safety professional. He designs conceptual and final fall-hazard solutions for public and private clients. Recent projects include an assessment of 40 Michigan government buildings for roof fall hazards and […]
March 16 through 22 is National Poison Prevention Week, so this is a good time to retrain on poison prevention precautions. Check with the safety data sheet (SDS) and your supervisor for the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to use, which may include: Gloves Safety goggles or glasses Protective suits or other clothing Protective boots […]
Overexposure to certain materials we work with can cause health problems. There are three ways these materials can get into our bodies: Inhaling hazardous airborne vapors, dusts, or fibers can be harmful to health. Effects range from headaches, nausea, and respiratory problems to far more serious—sometimes even fatal—ailments. Swallowing hazardous substances can poison you or […]
Hazardous materials specialists are workers who respond and provide support to hazardous materials technicians. Their duties parallel those of the hazardous materials technicians, but they require more-specific knowledge of the various substances that must be contained. Hazardous Materials Specialists The hazardous materials specialist also acts as the site liaison with federal, state, and local authorities […]