Portable Ladder Safety

Falls from portable ladders (step, straight, combination and extension) are one of the leading causes of occupational injuries. Be sure to familiarize yourself and your employees on the following safety tips before using a ladder. Read and follow all labels/markings on the ladder. Avoid electrical hazards! – Look for overhead power lines before handling a…

Top 10 Most Cited OSHA Violations in 2019

Safety+Health unveils finalized Top 10 data for FY 2019 (which ended Sept. 30) Fall Protection – General Requirements is OSHA’s most frequently cited standard for fiscal year 2019. This marks the ninth consecutive year it has stood atop the agency’s “Top 10” list. Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501) Hazard Communication (1910.1200) Scaffolding (1926.451) Lockout/Tagout…

Chain Saw Safety

Operating a chain saw is inherently hazardous. Potential injuries can be minimized by using proper personal protective equipment and safe operating procedures. Check out these OSHA QUICKCARD tips: Before Starting a Chain Saw Check controls, chain tension, and all bolts and handles to ensure that they are functioning properly and that they are adjusted according…

Fall Protection Safety

Fall protection and safety is a major concern at construction sites. In fact, OSHA cites injuries from falls as one of its top 10 worksite injuries. Falls and falling objects can result from unstable working surfaces, ladders that are not safely positioned and misuse of fall protection. Workers are also subject to falls or the…

OSHA’s Silica Rule

About 2 million construction workers are exposed to respirable crystalline silica in over 600,000 workplaces. OSHA estimates that more than 840,000 of these workers are exposed to silica levels that exceed the new permissible exposure limit (PEL). Exposure to respirable crystalline silica can cause kidney disease, silicosis, lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. Here is…

Controlling Workers’ Compensation Costs

Has your construction business experienced rising workers’ compensation costs due to on-the-job accidents? If so, your first response was most likely aimed at trying to reduce insurance costs and spending. While this may seem like the best approach, a sound safety program designed to continuously improve can yield significant savings by reducing injuries and illnesses—ultimately…