Construction
PPE signs come to your rescue at job sites
The top 10 OSHA citations in 2016 included at least two violations for non-use of protective gear. Fall protection leading the list at # 1 and respiratory protection at #4. Year after year, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) remains a top concern for safety inspectors, necessitating more awareness among workers about PPE. Most workers don’t wear […]
Overhead power lines pose highest risk during non-electrical work
Since 1992, when the Bureau of Labor Statistics began keeping track, overhead power lines have caused more work-related electrical injuries than any other type of electrical contact. They were also the No. 1 cause of electrical fatalities from 1992 through 2010, accounting for 44 percent. While power line construction and electrical work see the highest […]
A refresher: Scissor lift safety
In the construction industry, working at heights even as low as 6 feet can be a dangerous proposition, with falls ranking as the leading cause of worker deaths on construction sites. When compared to the deficiencies of a ladder, scissor lifts often provide enhanced safety and efficiency, but it’s important to remember that they have […]
Bangladesh garment factories face shut down after Accord’s report
Top brands often farm out work to local factories in poorer nations to take advantage of low wages but it is hard for these sweatshops to maintain adequate safety measure for their workers. The committee investigating Bangladesh garment factories that produce merchandise for companies like Adidas, H&M, Forever New, Marks and Spencer, and Mothercare among others, has […]
How high is too high? Evolving fall protection standards
Fall prevention in residential construction has become a major campaign for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), for good reason. Falls cause about 50 percent of residential construction fatalities, and 80 percent of residential roofing fatalities, according to a study published in September’s American Journal of Industrial Medicine. Regulations intended to protect these workers […]
The 5 things every employer should know about heat stress
Summer is the time when outdoor workers — construction crews, farmhands, roofers, and pavers, to name a few — are right in the sun’s line of fire. This puts them at a higher risk of heat stress resulting in heat stroke, cramps, and rashes. Severe heat with humidity also makes them vulnerable to physical injuries (by […]
A year after disaster: Progress and peril for Bangladeshi factory workers
Just over a year ago, management at a garment factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh ordered employees to report for work, despite warnings of critical structural problems in the building. During the morning rush hour, the eight-story Rana Plaza building collapsed, killing 1,100 workers and injuring thousands more. The Bangladeshi government vowed reformative action. American manufacturers […]
Growing opposition to OSHA’s proposed silica rule
As the public comment period for the proposed crystalline silica rule closes, several big organizations have unanimously disapproved the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) recommended regulations. OSHA estimates that the rule, once implemented, would significantly decrease the number of deaths caused each year due to silica dust hazard. However, industry experts think the proposed […]
How many safety violations can you find in this construction site? #HazardSpotting
#HazardSpotting is a community safety initiative that helps raise awareness about dangerous workplace safety violations. Our audience submits pictures, and we write an article with insight from featured safety professionals. Our fourteenth installment is large-scale construction project. Along with our anonymous tipster, we welcome two construction safety experts, Max Everett and Brian Bennett, who conducted […]
Staying safe around heavy equipment
Here at MySafetySign, we sometimes feature guest blog posts written by our expert readers who are out there in the field and on the job sites every day, keeping workers safe. This post comes from Bill Jaworksi, who writes for Rock & Dirt. Safety should always be a primary concern at any construction site. However, it’s […]
Higher injury and fatality rate for Hispanic workers
As the Senate’s immigration reform bill awaits approval in the House of Representatives, a new report from Congress’ Joint Economic Committee underscores the need for improved workplace protection for the growing number of Hispanic workers – many of whom speak English as a second language. According to the report released by committee vice chair Senator […]
