The Safety Brief

The Safety Brief

By Dan Clark. Brief safety industry updates and tips for the safety manager.BusinessEducation
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The Safety Brief episodes

  • Cleaning Chemicals And Safety

    Cleaning chemicals can be as dangerous as other workplace chemicals. Be aware of potential health hazards, even with 'green' products with less odor. In this podcast, we talk about less toxic fumes of green cleaning chemicals, and their harsh predecessors.

    Also, we discuss how both categories can still be dangerous to the skin. There are three types of cleaning chemicals: cleaners, sanitizers and disinfectants. Each is stronger than the previous. Avoid strong cleaning chemicals for good industrial hygiene. The least potent is best for the job.

    3 min
  • Flame-Resistant Clothing Breakthroughs

    FR wear finally has an improvement. Now you can buy lightweight, comfortable, breathable garments made from a new polyester. Flame-resistant clothing has a well-earned reputation for being heavy, hot and uncomfortable. So much so, workers sometimes don't wear it. In this podcast, we tell about modern polyester flame-resistant technology from Bulwark FR and Millikan.

    4 min
  • Lockout-Tagout Shortcuts That Kill

    Lockout-tagout (LOTO) is not just for major equipment repairs. Do it for maintenance, cleaning, and even retrieving stuck items, or it could be fatal. In this podcast we discuss the importance of not taking shortcuts.

    Workers and managers should always 'do it right' and use lockout-tagout signs and labels. Implementing this element of 5S and visuality will keep workers safe. OSHA requires their use. But LOTO also a good idea.

    3 min
  • Ammonia Hazards
    Ammonia hazards are more common than you think. Many companies use this dangerous substance for refrigeration, and workers need to know the risks. / / In this podcast, we describe anhydrous ammonia, and how it?s used in breweries, cold storage warehouses, processing milk, cheese and meat. / / Ammonia hazards include its high flammability, and toxicity to the skin, lungs and eyes. / / Always use precautions when working with ammonia for good industrial hygiene. Wear the appropriate PPE. Proper pipe marking is critical, as is GHS and NFPA labeling. The MSDS should be readily available.
    3 min
  • Hand and Arm WMSD Hazards
    WMSD means pain. WMSD means Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorder. We cover WMSD in hands and arms in this podcast. / / Swinging a hammer all day can give you WMSD. So can using a computer keyboard and mouse. Repetitive motions, awkward postures and using heavy force can all cause WMSD. Find relief from these tasks to avoid prolonged injury. / / Listen for the different types of WMSD, and how to avoid them with good hand safety and tool safety!
    4 min
  • Earthquake At Work
    Earthquake at work? If a tremor happens, there?s a good chance it will hit when employees are on the job. Learn how to stay safe at work in this podcast. / / Think about it. Workers don?t have a pantry full of food at their workplace. Local transportation may be at a standstill, so workers could be stuck at the facility. Employers need to provide emergency food, water and other supplies in case of an earthquake at work. / / Safety leaders should have a disaster plan, including evacuation drills. They should survey the workplace for potential falling objects and other dangers that would be produced by an earthquake at work.
    3 min
  • Available Fault Current Labels
    Available fault current is the maximum current in a short circuit. Electrical service panels must be labeled with the current, and the date it was calculated. If it changes, the label needs to be replaced with the new calculation and date. / / In this podcast we review the change in the NFPA 70 National Electrical Code 2011. The code requires continually updated available fault current labels. If your service equipment labels were placed before 2011, they are in violation and need to be changed. / / Available fault current labels are different from arc flash labeling. Both must be independently placed, based your facility?s situation.
    3 min
  • Powered Industrial Truck Labels
    Powered industrial trucks, also known as forklifts, need clear labeling to keep operators and pedestrians safe. / / This podcasts details the three main types of labels, CAUTION, WARNING and DANGER. We also discuss the factory-supplied nameplate, and what?s on it. / / Good labeling increases visuality for the operator. They will be more aware of the truck?s limits and how to operate it safely.
    3 min
  • Machine Safety At Work
    Machine safety at work requires constant attention. In our industrial age, there are many moving parts and sharp edges. Listen for tips on machine safety. / / In this podcast, we review nine rules to keep workers safe around machines. / / Important issues covered include lockout/tagout, loose clothing; flame resistant clothing, PPE, and more. / / In the battle of human vs. machine, machines usually win?unless you are careful. Employ good machine safety.
    3 min
  • Cooling Shirts, PPE For The Heat

    Cooling shirts are a water cooled PPE for working in heat. They are used by industrial workers, athletes and medical professionals for comfort and to avoid heat illness. The shirts have a system of narrow tubes which circulate cool water through an ice pack.

    There are mobile and stationary types, offered by many manufacturers. Listen to this podcast to hear the costs, names of manufacturers and what OSHA thinks of these Auxiliary Body Cooling systems.

    3 min

About The Safety Brief

From the publisher's feed

The Safety Brief is a compilation of short Radio-Casts produced by Creative Safety Supply, LLC and Dan Clark, our resident all-round safety guru. In our radio-casts, we give short but valuable…