Most of us have heard of the saying “it is not a big deal until it is.” Whether it is related to production or safety, there are always issues that are recognized, but nothing is done to correct them in a timely matter. These issues are left unchanged until something occurs, and then it becomes a huge deal to upper management or someone else.
This kind of situation occurs every day at many companies. When these situations occur when dealing with workplace safety, leaving hazards unaddressed can lead to injuries or worse.
Unaddressed Hazards in the Workplace
How many hazards are knowingly walked past every day at work? Why is this a common occurrence at many jobsites? Are employees lazy? Are managers careless? Does no one care? The list of reasons why hazards are walked past and left unaddressed can be a long one. A few common related responses when asking why a hazard is left unaddressed are:
“It’s not a big deal”
“It will be okay”
“It has always been like that, no one is worried about it”
The problem with these responses is that it shows that there is complacency towards the situation, as well as there are multiple people not taking action to correct the hazard. These types of responses often show that bigger problems are present, not just the carelessness of one or two individuals.
When a Hazard Becomes a Big Deal
As mentioned above, we have all witnessed situations that are much like ticking time bombs in the workplace. For the most part, we all know what needs to be done, and we know what the expectation is for the work that we do, including working safely.
Often times the upper management of a company has high expectations for their worksites to work safely; however, hazards are left unaddressed at an individual site level or in part of a facility. When an injury occurs due to a hazard that has been recognized but not corrected, this is when it becomes a big deal for everyone involved.
Summary
Do not wait for an issue to become a big deal before addressing it, especially when it comes to hazards at work. We do not always have total control over each and every situation, but there is always something we can do to try to bring it to light or get it corrected.
We use batteries to power our cars, trucks, tractors, forklifts, construction equipment, and power tools. There are different types of batteries. For example, a lead-acid battery usually uses sulfuric acid to create the intended reaction. Zinc-air batteries rely on oxidizing zinc with oxygen for the reaction. Potassium hydroxide is the electrolyte in common household alkaline batteries. The most common electrolyte in lithium batteries is a lithium salt solution.
Because of these chemical reactions, if you handle and recharge batteries, you should use caution and follow safe work practices.
Four Main Battery Hazards
These are the four main hazards associated with batteries:
Acid. The electrolyte in a battery is corrosive and can burn skin or eyes, eat holes in clothing, or even scratch a concrete floor.
Flammable gas. Batteries emit hydrogen gas, which is flammable. It ignites easily and can cause a fire or explosion if allowed to build up in a small area.
Electrical shock. Many of us are aware of this danger because we may have seen sparks fly when jumper cables are attached to a car battery. Some battery systems are capable of discharging at extremely high rates of current. Accidental shorting of terminals or cables can result in severe electrical arcing, causing you to get burned and shocked.
Weight. Batteries, like those used in forklifts, are heavy and require proper material handling equipment to lift them safely.
Safe Battery Handling
A primary safeguard when handling batteries is utilizing the proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Examples include:
Safety glasses or goggles and a face shield to protect your eyes and face from chemical splashes.
Rubber gloves provide both acid protection and electrical resistance to prevent shocks.
Chemical apron—your clothes and body need protection as well.
Safety shoes or boots to protect your feet from a spill.
Be sure to know where the eyewash and shower facilities are located—within 25 feet of battery handling areas. An eyewash facility should be capable of flushing both eyes simultaneously for 15 minutes, and a safety shower that is capable of drenching the body.
Follow these best practices for charging batteries safely:
Only complete this work task if you have been trained to do so.
Charge batteries in designated areas to avoid open flames and sparks.
Use appropriate equipment to load/unload batteries from equipment.
Keep tools and other metallic objects away from uncovered batteries.
Be sure the proper charger is being used for the particular kind of battery.
Check that vent caps are in place to prevent overflow and spilling of electrolyte.
Shut off the charger when connecting or disconnecting the battery.
Use baking soda or an approved cleaning agent to neutralize spilled acid.
The Four Routes of Entry of Hazardous Chemicals (Safety Talk)
Chemicals exist on virtually every single worksite. Many chemicals used on the job are hazardous to humans depending on how an individual comes into contact with them as well as the amount of the chemical they are exposed to. There are four ways a chemical or substance can enter the human body.
The Four Routes of Entry (source: www.ehs.unl.edu)
1. Inhalation– Inhalation is the most common route of entry a person comes into contact with a chemical. Once inhaled, chemicals are either exhaled or deposited in the respiratory tract. Upon contact with tissue in the upper respiratory tract or lungs, chemicals may cause health effects ranging from simple irritation to severe tissue destruction. The chemical can also go onto affecting organs that are sensitive to the chemical.
2. Absorption– Getting chemicals onto the skin or eyes can result in redness and irritation all the way to severe destruction of tissue or blindness. The eyes are especially sensitive to chemicals. Some chemicals have the ability to pass through the skin and get into the bloodstream of a victim. This can lead to systemic problems in the organs.
3. Ingestion– Chemicals that inadvertently get into the mouth and are swallowed do not generally harm the gastrointestinal tract itself unless they are irritating or corrosive. Some chemicals can be absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, where they enter the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, they can cause damage to the organs.
4. Injection– Though not common, injection of chemicals into the body can occur. A sharp object can be contaminated with a chemical or substance and penetrate the skin. The chemical is then in the body and can make its way into the bloodstream, where it can damage organs or other tissue.
Safe Work Practices When Working with Chemicals
Know the chemicals you are working with. Read the SDS to understand the safe handling procedures and what to do if you come into contact with the chemical.
Eliminate chemical hazards where possible. Do not use extremely hazardous chemicals unless absolutely necessary. Substitute a less hazardous chemical in place of a more hazardous chemical.
Engineer chemical hazards out of the workplace. Engineering controls include ventilation such as fans, barriers to create distance, or a shield from chemicals, filters, etc.
Wear the correct PPE to protect yourself from the chemical. PPE such as respirators, goggles, a face shield, chemical gloves, and a lab coat are some examples of creating barriers between your body and a chemical.
There are many different types of injuries that can occur while using a pressure washer. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 6,057 people went to an emergency room with injuries related to pressure washer use in 2014. While the pressure of the water can be considered the biggest exposure to risk during this work task, there are certainly many more hazards to be considered.
Hazards and Injuries Associated With Pressure Washing
Hose/ connection failure
Flying debris
Strains/ sprains
Burns
Slips, trips, falls
Lacerations/ bruises
Safeguards to Prevent Pressure Washing Injuries
Set up your work area where other people are not in the line of fire of the water stream or flying debris.
Use a longer wand that makes it hard for the individual who is using the pressure washer to make contact with their own body. However, weigh the pros and cons of using a longer wand if the task is being done over a long period of time which may lead to repetitive stress or sprain injuries.
When using a pressure washer that is also supplied with heat, do not turn it all the way up. Using heat can be more effective in removing debris; however, it also creates the opportunity for a burn.
Maintain good housekeeping. Keep the area free of trip hazards. Remove excess mud to prevent slip injuries.
Wear the proper PPE. Depending on what is being cleaned and the power of the pressure washer will dictate what exact PPE is needed. A good start is rain gear, safety toe boots, gloves, safety glasses, and face shield.
Never use a pressure washer to spray off yourself or your boots.
Never use zero tips. These tips are usually painted red. Choose a tip with a wider angle of spray to reduce the chance of a severe injury if the stream makes contact with the body.
Summary
Consider all of the risks of pressure washing and what steps you need to take to protect yourself and the others around you. While the main hazard considered is the pressure of the water, there are many more secondary hazards that could lead to the actual injury.
Tornadoes are a serious threat for many areas across the country. In an average year, about 1,000 tornados are reported in the United States, according to NOAA. Many of these tornadoes occur in the same geographical areas each year; however, many places across the United States have the right conditions for a tornado. It is important to know about tornadoes and what to do both at home and work if there is one.
Tornado Statistics (source: NOAA.gov)
The top three states that have the highest average of tornadoes each year are Texas, Kansas, and Florida.
Tornadoes mostly occur in the months between April and July in the United States.
In 2020, 76 people were killed by tornadoes. In 2011 however, there were 553 deaths. Many of the deaths that year were caused by a tornado in Joplin, Missouri which killed over 150 people.
Tornado Safety at Work and Home
The first thing to know when it comes to tornadoes is the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. A watch is when tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. A warning is when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. A warning indicates there is a tornado that is an imminent danger to life and property in that area.
Have a plan for when a tornado threat is in your area. Pick a room in your home where it is safe to go during a tornado. Areas such as basements or an interior room on the lowest floor are the best places to take shelter during a tornado.
At work, know how you will be notified by the company that tornado conditions could be in the area. Know where the tornado shelter is onsite or if the company uses one in the community. Some companies that do not have a tornado shelter onsite will send everyone home as soon as there is a tornado watch in effect. Knowing what to do and executing the emergency plan is essential to protecting yourself and those around you.
SORT Your Way to a Safer Work Environment Safety Talk
The acronym S.O.R.T. is a tool that can help remind us to take steps to address hazards and create a safe work environment. S.O.R.T stands for Stop, Observe, Recognize, and Take Ownership.
Stop- It is necessary to take time not only at the beginning of the work shift to evaluate both the work area and equipment for hazards but also as conditions change. When we are rushed, we miss the small details that matter. Always take the time before a task begins to evaluate the work task you are about to do. Anytime conditions change, or things are not going as planned, stop work and evaluate what needs to be done to correct the situation.
Observe- Take time to evaluate the environment around you. How are the weather conditions, lighting, and temperature at the work area? Are the needed personnel and tools in the work area ready to go? Has all equipment been thoroughly inspected prior to starting the work task? Has all necessary paperwork, such as SOPs, JSAs, or permits, been reviewed and completed?
Recognize- Once you have stopped and observed the work area, what hazards do you see? Your ability to recognize hazards comes down to utilizing training, safety meetings, company policies, lessons learned, safety shares, and past experiences. Much time is spent discussing and training everyone onsite to be able to recognize hazards in order to mitigate them and protect ourselves from injury.
Take Ownership- Ownership is the most important part of the process. Once you recognize hazards or potential issues while on the job, own them. See through that they get properly corrected in a timely manner. It is easy to just walk past an issue and think that it is not your problem. In reality, any hazard on the job is your problem. If someone else is hurt or there is property damage due to the hazard you recognized and walked past, it will have some sort of effect on you. Taking ownership means more than just communicating the hazard to the other people in the work area. Stop work if necessary and get the right people involved to address the hazard correctly.
Summary
While these four steps are very basic, it is easy to skip some of them and just go through the motions due to complacency or time restrictions when at work. We often complete many of the same work tasks in the same way every day. This makes it easy to fall into a trap of having blinders on to hazards that could lead to an injury. Use the S.O.R.T. tool to remind yourself to take the time to really evaluate your work area for hazards and to take ownership of them.
Every single year there are 735,000 Americans who suffer heart attacks, according to the CDC. Out of that number, 525,000 of them are first-time heart attack victims. Heart disease and heart attacks are an unfortunate reality in our country. There is a good chance that sometime in your lifetime, you will witness someone suffer from a heart attack or you yourself will be a victim.
It is important to know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. It is equally important to know what to do if someone around you is having a heart attack. Recognizing an emergency and getting the individual the proper care quickly can mean the difference between life and death.
Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack
In movies and TV, we often see a person turn completely white and begin to clutch their chest when they are having a heart attack. While this could be the case in real life, it often is not. Many of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack are much more subtle. Here are some of the signs the CDC lists on their website:
Chest pain or discomfort.
Upper body pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or upper stomach.
Shortness of breath.
Nausea, lightheadedness, or cold sweats.
Not all of these have to be present to be a heart attack. Pay attention to your body and what it is telling you. If you think you or someone around you is displaying heart attack symptoms, do not brush them off.
What to Do If Someone Has a Heart Attack
Call 911. Even if it ends up not being a heart attack, it is truly better to be safe than sorry. Getting the proper medical attention quickly for a heart attack victim is their best chance to live.
Try to keep the person calm, and have them sit or lie down.
Have the person take an aspirin as long as they are not allergic and are conscious to do so.
If the person stops breathing, you or someone else who is qualified should perform CPR. If you don’t know CPR, the 911 operator can assist you until the EMS personnel arrive.
Summary
Take heart attack symptoms seriously. We know most of the people we work with pretty well. If something seems wrong, talk to the person or get a supervisor involved. Know what the emergency response plan at your worksite for a medical emergency like a heart attack. Knowing who to call, what the address of the worksite is, and who is CPR trained onsite can save the victim’s life.
Discussion point:
About how many people will experience a heart attack in a single year?
What is the first thing you should if someone is having a heart attack?
Strokes, just like heart attacks, are serious medical emergencies that occur all too often. They are the leading cause of serious long-term disability and are the third leading cause of death in the United States. Each year over 795,000 people experience a stroke in the US. Over 75% of stroke victims are over the age of 65 according to StrokeCenter.org.
It is important to know the signs and symptoms of someone who is experiencing a stroke. Knowing the symptoms along with the proper emergency response is critical. Understanding this information can make all the difference in whether a victim of a stroke receives the medical attention they need to save their life.
Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke (source: WebMD.com)
Sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body.
Abrupt loss of vision, strength, coordination, sensation, speech, or the ability to understand speech.
Sudden dimness of vision, especially in one eye.
Sudden and severe headache with no other cause followed rapidly by loss of consciousness — indications of a stroke due to bleeding.
Sudden loss of balance, possibly accompanied by vomiting, nausea, fever, hiccups, or trouble with swallowing.
Brief loss of consciousness.
Unexplained dizziness.
Emergency Response for a Stroke Victim
If an individual is showing any of these symptoms and you suspect they may be suffering from a stroke, prompt medical attention is crucial to minimizing the effects the stroke can have or prevent death. Some of the treatments for victims must begin within a few hours and if they do not then the victim can face debilitating injuries if they survive. Just like any other type of medical emergency, never hesitate to call 911. It is always better to err on the side of caution when dealing with something as serious as a stroke.
Summary
Because of the sheer number of strokes each year, there is a good chance someone you know could experience one. Knowing what to look for when dealing with someone who is having a stroke is critical. You can be the difference in whether a victim gets the care they need quickly.
We all have different reasons for why we choose to do certain things and why we may not choose to do others. When it comes to working safely, we should all want to choose to make the right decision. We all are different in the way we think, but there are many common reasons why we should choose to work safely. No matter what your motivator may be, keep these five reasons in mind as to why we should all strive to should work safely.
Five Reasons to Work Safe
Your health. Obviously, your health and well-being should be the biggest motivator as to why you should choose to work safely. Once we lose our health or impact it severely, it may never be the same. It is important to really think about how a severe injury would change the rest of your life.
Providing for your family. Your family depends on your ability to earn an income. When you are injured or ill, you can lose that ability very quickly. Even if it is only for a short time, the financial and emotional effects on your family can be drastic.
Your reputation. While productive employees are still very much rewarded at many companies, working safely is often recognized right along with production. Your reputation at work not only affects you in your current position, but it also can affect whether or not you earn a future promotion at your company or land opportunities at other companies. No one wants to reward a risk-taker or put them in a position of power. If it is known that you are a worker that cuts corners or does not work safely, it could make all the difference in whether or not you get the chance at a better opportunity.
Your coworkers. Making the choice to take a shortcut can not only harm yourself, but you can also harm a fellow coworker. Everyone’s safety on the job depends on not only on their own choices but the choices of all the workers there.
Your company as a whole. Whether you love the company you work for or not, the job they provide you with pays your bills. Working safely allows business to continue, thus providing the opportunity for you to continue to pay your bills as well as your fellow coworkers to do the same.
Summary
Think about how the choices you make on the job affect not only you, but also how they affect your family, your coworkers, and the company as a whole. Reminding yourself of the far-reaching consequences an incident can have on many different people can reinforce making the right decision when working safely. Keep these five reasons to work safely in mind the next time you see a coworker taking risks at work.
Unsafe driving behaviors contribute to the majority of motor vehicle accidents. It can be easy to become complacent when driving since it is an activity that we complete so frequently. It is vital to exercise caution and follow safety best practices when behind the wheel to reduce the risk of a crash occurring.
This post discusses common unsafe driving behaviors that often contribute to accidents. These behaviors include distracted driving, speeding, driving too fast for conditions, engaging in road rage, keeping loose cargo in the vehicle, ignoring traffic signals and signs, driving under the influence, driving while fatigued, and not wearing a seatbelt.
Behavior #1: Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a serious problem on today’s roadways. The National Highway Safety Transportation Administration reported that 3,142 lives were lost in 2020 due to distracted driving. The true number may be significantly higher.
Cellphones are the most significant contributor to drivers not paying attention when behind the wheel. Despite most states banning cellphone use while driving unless using a hands-free device, an estimated 80% of all drivers (who have a cell phone) use their cellphone while behind the wheel.
Using a cellphone when driving is not the only common unsafe behavior that can distract a driver. Other distracting activities include eating, drinking, looking at a GPS, interacting with passengers, applying makeup, looking at surroundings, etc.
It is vital to focus your attention on the road and what is occurring around your vehicle when driving to avoid allowing distractions to cause an accident.
Behavior #2: Speeding
Speeding is a contributing factor to many accidents every single day. Speeding can lead to severe auto accidents due to increased forces experienced at the time of impact. According to the NHTSA, speeding killed 9,478 people in 2019. This figure equates to 26% of all fatal accidents in 2019.
Always follow the posted speed limits. Adjust your speed to the environmental conditions and traffic conditions around you to ensure your safety.
Behavior #3: Road Rage
Dictionary.com defines road rage as, “a fit of violent anger by the driver of an automobile, especially one directed toward and endangering other motorists or pedestrians”. Road rage often encompasses various unsafe driving behaviors packed into a brief but tense situation with other drivers. Drivers may get upset with someone else around them and decide to engage in unsafe behaviors in an attempt to “get back” at another driver.
These behaviors may include swerving in front of another driver, stopping abruptly, blocking other vehicles from passing, or even purposely making contact with another vehicle.
There is no winning when choosing to engage in road rage with other drivers. These behaviors can easily lead to yourself or others on the roadway being injured or killed. Always choose to be the bigger person to diffuse the situation.
Behavior #4: Keeping Loose Cargo in the Vehicle
Loose cargo such as objects or trash in the vehicle can lead to various issues for drivers. Rolling objects can become stuck under the pedals, resulting in not being able to use the pedals when needed. Loose cargo can also become projectiles in the event of an accident. Heavy or sharp objects that are loose in the cab are especially dangerous if an accident occurs. These objects can strike vehicle occupants
Behavior #5: Ignoring Traffic Signals and Signs
Traffic signals and signs are put on or along the roadway for a reason. Traffic signals help to safely control the flow of traffic and traffic signs communicate vital information for those on the roadway.
Going through a traffic signal, such as a red light or stop sign, can lead to a severe accident. Not following traffic signs can lead to accidents as well. Signs often communicate safety information for drivers and by not following the instructions or warnings provided, accidents can occur.
Behavior #6: Driving Too Fast for Conditions
As mentioned above, speeding does not just include driving over a posted speed limit. Environmental conditions and traffic conditions may require drivers to drive well below the posted speed limit to ensure safety. Common environmental conditions that can require drivers to slow down include sun glare, snow, ice, rain, fog, etc.
Many states have enacted laws that require drivers to travel at a speed that does not increase the potential for harm to occur. For example, Pennsylvania has a law that states:
“No person shall drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing, nor at a speed greater than will permit the driver to bring his vehicle to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead”.
Always adjust your driving speed for the conditions that are present. When possible, schedule travel around weather conditions that lead to dangerous driving conditions.
Behavior #7: Not Wearing a Seatbelt
Seatbelts save lives. It is estimated that seatbelts save over 14,000 lives per year.
These safety devices were put in some of the earliest vehicles. While the first seatbelts that were invented were lap belts only, in 1968 the first federal law mandating all new cars be equipped with both lap and shoulder belts in the front seat was introduced. The majority of states also have laws in place that require all vehicle occupants have their seatbelts on.
Wear your seatbelt every time you are in the vehicle. Ensure the seatbelt is worn correctly and is functioning as expected.
Behavior #8: Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is one of the most unsafe driving behaviors an individual can partake in. The CDC reports that every day, 29 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. This is one death every 50 minutes.The annual cost of alcohol-related crashes totals more than $44 billion.
Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It is also important to understand how prescriptions can affect your ability to drive as well. Many medications can impede your driving ability or can interact with alcohol or other medications.
Behavior #9: Driving Fatigued
Fatigue is rampant in today’s society. The CDC reports that 37% of the US population does not get the recommended seven hours of sleep per night.
Never drive while fatigued. Always get the recommended amount of sleep and practice healthy habits to ensure you are fit to drive.
Summary
Any of the above behaviors can contribute to an accident occurring. These behaviors are especially dangerous when drivers are combining multiple unsafe behaviors when driving at the same time. Be mindful of your decisions the next time you drive. Monitor whether or not you are making unsafe choices when driving.
Do not allow complacency to lead to an accident, which can lead to serious injuries or death.
, safety glasses, and face shield.