The Safety Brief

Chemical safety in the workplace requires solid cooperation between management and employees. Workers must wear the proper PPE, which will vary based on the chemicals being handled. More: https://www.thesafetybrief.com/chemical-safety/

It's easy to forget how dangerous tools can be. They're around every worksite, in constant use. But tool safety is everyone's responsibility. / / Training is the first step in tool safety. Employees can't be expected to know the proper operation of a tool. Train them on even basic tools, but especially power tools. / / Maintain tools to ensure tool safety. Lubrication prevents overheating and seizing. Proper storage keeps tools from becoming trip hazards or falling objects. Also, you're just asking for trouble if a broken tool remains in service. / / PPE use is required for many tools to protect from flying debris, arc flash, toxic fumes and many other hazards.

Lean safety is the result of implementing lean methodology. Lean makes businesses less wasteful, more efficient and more profitable. An efficient workplace is a safer workplace.

More here: https://www.thesafetybrief.com/lean-safety/

Safety tape, the floor marking tape, is better than painting lines on a factory floor. Keep workers safe with color coding that lasts a long time. Employees can avoid struck-by accidents if their work area is visually marked. / / Clean the floors well prior to installing safety tape. Avoid chlorine or citrus based cleaners, because they inhibit adhesion. Install the tape in a straight line, then compress it with at least 250 pounds to ensure a strong bond. / / Forklifts and trucks may drive on the tape after 24 hours. However, to prolong the life of the tape, they should not accelerate, brake or do extreme turns on the safety tape. / / Cleaning is easy. Mop it like you would all flooring areas.

Hazard labels give critical information. Labels are the glue that hold the whole safety system together. / / From manufacturing to office settings, proper labeling of hazards is important for employee safety, and fit well with 5S, Six Sigma and Lean systems. / / Hazard labels should be put on dangerous chemical containers to GHS standards, and pipes. / / The labels are visual indicators for important safety devices such as fire extinguishers, eyewashes, and AED stations. / / Another benefit from hazard labels is organization. They can inform workers of PPE, tools, storage areas, and to be aware of falling objects. / / Vinyl hazard labels are durable, and can be ordered from a third party. However, it is faster, and in the long run, cheaper to have an in-house industrial label printer.

A fireproof workplace and personal protective equipment are critical for safe welding. Welding is a hot work process due a gas flame, an electric arc, a laser or other dangerous heat source. / / Employees must be properly protected from the high heat and arc flash produced in the welding process. Follow rules in ANSI Z49, the guide for safe welding. / / Flame resistant (FR) clothing will prevent burns. UV filters in goggles and helmets will shield the welder from eye injuries such as arc eye and flash burns. / / Maintain industrial hygiene with a breathing zone for workers with adequate ventilation, masks or respirators to avoid toxic fumes.

Silica dust is common in worksites, can scar the lungs and cause cancer. Symptoms sometimes don't appear for 10 years. / / The source of silica dust is the element silicon, which is common in quartz and other rocks. The rocks themselves aren't a danger, but when crunched into dust, scarred lungs and cancer can result from silicosis. / / Workers sandblasting, tunneling, or using concrete or mortar are at risk. / / Silicosis may take up to 10 years to show symptoms of chronic coughing and other breathing issues. There is no cure. / / Protect workers from silica dust with industrial hygiene planning, appropriate PPE, and by using other materials, if available.

An OSHA inspection can happen without notice, but with preparation, facilities can be ready for scrutiny. / / Prepare the employees so they are used to working while being observed. The safety planning team should know who will meet with the inspector, and have access to site accident history, and safety procedures. / / Prepare the facility by complying with all regulations relevant, such as personal protective equipment (PPE), arc flash, combustible dust or others. Safety labels and signs should be properly posted. Mock inspections can uncover hidden safety problems. / / OSHA's consultation division can also advise on facility compliance. They are unrelated to the inspection division.

Industrial labels are cheaper to make in-house. And quicker. For a manufacturing, in a warehouse, or almost any work site, consider buying a quality industrial label printer. / / Think about about all the signs a workplace might need: safety signs, 5S and Lean labels, warehouse markings, pipe markings, arc flash, chemical labels. / / Doing industrial labeling yourself is less expensive than sending the job out, and substantially faster.

Loud sound in the workplace can sneak up on people causing hearing damage. 60% of workers are exposed to sound so loud, they could suffer occupational hearing loss. / / Managers and employees should be award of the three kinds of dangerous sounds, continuous, intermittent and impulsive, and how to protect hearing from them with their PPE. / / Companies can avoid occupational hearing loss for employees by reducing the noise levels, providing hearing protection and conducting annual hearing tests.