Safety Blog

Falls Through Holes and Openings

Occupational fatalities caused by falls remain a serious public health problem throughout the United States.

Holes and openings are made in roofs and floors of buildings, both when they are built and when they are torn down. Workers can be injured or killed if they fall through the holes.

FAQ's for Hearing Protection

How do I insert a foam earplug?

  1. Roll the earplug
  2. Pull up and away on the top of your ear with your opposite hand
  3. Hold the earplug after inserting it

 

How long can someone be in a loud noise before it's hazardous?

The degree of hearing hazard is related to both the level of the noise as well as to the duration of the exposure. But this question is like asking how long can people look at the sun without damaging their eyes.

Occupational Noise Exposure

Occupational hearing loss is one of the most common
work-related illnesses in the United States.

Each year, about 22 million U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work. Over 30 million U.S. workers are exposed to chemicals, some of which are harmful to the ear (ototoxic) and hazardous to hearing. In addition to damaging workers’ quality of life, occupational hearing loss carries a high economic price to society.

March is Ladder Safety Month

The American Ladder Institute (ALI) sponsors its third annual National Ladder Safety Month.

Ladder Safety Checklist

Did you know that, on average, work-related ladder falls result in one death and more than 180 nonfatal injuries every two days in America?

This Ladder Safety Checklist is provided from the American Ladder Institute
 
Reminders About Your Ladder
  • Determine what type of ladder is appropriate for your current work environment
  • Confirm that the ladder is the appropriate length for the task

OSHA – Recordkeeping & Reporting

OSHA Injury and Illness Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements

Many employers with more than 10 employees are required to keep a record of serious work-related injuries and illnesses on OSHA Form 300: “Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses”. (Certain low-risk industries are exempted.) Minor injuries requiring first aid only do not need to be recorded.

OSHA’s Focus Four

Worker injuries, illnesses and fatalities

5,190 workers were killed on the job in 2016 (3.6 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers) on average, more than 99 a week or more than 14 deaths every day.

Ladders. Where would we be without them?

Is the Injury a Recordable Condition?

If the injury or illness only requires the following type of treatment, consider it first aid and DO NOT record.

Safety Pays: Know Your EMR Number

Experience Modification Rate numbers (EMR) have a strong impact upon a business. It is a number used by insurance companies to gauge both past cost of injuries and future chances of risk. The lower the EMR of your business, the lower your worker compensation insurance premiums will be. An EMR of 1.0 is considered the industry average. If your business has an EMR greater than 1.0 the reason is simple. There has been a worker compensation claim that your insurance provider has paid. To mitigate the insurance company’s risk, your worker compensation premium is raised.