Speaking of Safety
Proper lifting technique prevents injuries. Lower, upper, spinal or otherwise, experiencing back pain is practically an aging rite of passage. Four out of five people will experience back pain in their lifetime and, considering sprains and strains are the most common work injury, it’s not unlikely that injury will occur in the worksite. So how can you prevent back injuries when lifting, bending and schlepping are all just part of the job?
OSHA credits struck-by hazards as a leading cause of fatal injuries and the chief cause of non-fatal Injuries within the construction sector. In 2019, 170 deaths were the result of struck-by injuries and almost half of them involved moving transport vehicles. Struck by incidents are the most investigated work zone incidents. Once an assessment is performed it offers opportunities to improve worker safety.
For many, lockout and electrical safety is something that is taken for granted. Everyone expects they can go into work, do their job, and return home safely at the end of the day. But what many people don’t realize is how big of an undertaking it is to ensure the workplace is safe and up to code. It’s more than just implementing an effective lockout or electrical safety program, it’s creating a system of audits, training, inspections and procedures to ensure the program you implemented is effective and up-to-date. Being up-to-date is key.
Head protection policies for construction are being updated in a move away from traditional hard hats. Many companies are adopting safety helmets meeting ANSI Type I & EN 12492, as well as ANSI Type II & EN 14052 hard hats, addressing the higher risks and hazards on today’s job sites. Hard Hats in the US must meet the Z89.1-2014 safety standard set by ANSI/ISEA. So what is the difference between ANSI Type I and Type II head protection? The standard establishes the types and classes of hard hat options that provide appropriate protection for hazards in their specific workplaces. Read on to learn about the differences of head protection and the implementation of MIPS® technology.
When deciding on footwear, slip resistance is one of the most important factors to consider for wearer safety. While other countries had long ago established slip resistance ratings for footwear, the US did not have an established SR specification. As of July 2021, the US finally introduced ASTM F3445. This new Slip Resistant requirement establishes minimum coefficient of friction requirements to label footwear as slip resistant or “SR”. It also levels the playing field by which all manufacturers are evaluated and to which Safety Managers can refer when specifying or purchasing footwear.
Sodium plays an important role in allowing the human body to function properly, but most people are consuming far more than their bodies really need—and this can cause more harm than good. The American Heart Association found that an astounding 90% of Americans consume too much sodium, with an average of 3,400 milligrams each day. Only 15% of this sodium is naturally occurring. More than 70% of it comes from processed and restaurant foods, with an additional 10% added during cooking or eating.