MSHA issued a bulldozer alert because of some accidents that recently occurred. A non-fatal accident occurred when a bulldozer over-turned on an embankment, rolling onto a bench below. Low temperatures and frozen ground created the condition, which lead to the accident. The alert makes a nice handout or toolbox talk for operators and non-operators alike.
The pdf of the alert is here.
We all should be concerned about knowing more about the chemicals used in the workplace, but just because we buy products for home use doesn’t alone mean they are any safer. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has a very helpful Household Products Database online. You’ll even find many of the chemicals you may use at work that can be purchased at the local hardware or department store. Check it out here.
What ARE the seatbelt laws across the country. My own state of Pennsylvania is in the minority with no Primary seat belt enforcement, meaning you have to be stopped for another infraction to receive a fine for not wearing a seat belt. I happen to like Wyoming which, although it has no primary enforcement either, you get a $10 reduction on your other fine if you had your seat belt on! Wow, positive reinforcement on the highway!
If you’re traveling across the company you can use the information on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s web page to stay within the law. Better yet, ALWAYS BUCKLE UP!
Click Here for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Seat Belt and Child Restraint Laws for all 50 States
Accessing, operating or maintaining self-propelled mobile equipment often requires activities such as climbing ladders or walking on machinery surfaces which expose miners to fall hazards, in all types of working conditions. Modern mobile equipment is designed to minimize slip and fall hazards; but large machinery, new and old, can require work at heights with a fall potential that can cause serious injury or death. 25 miners died as a result of falls from heights from 2005 through 2012 in Metal and Nonmetal mines.
Get a pdf of MSHA’s Fall Protection safety flyer here.
Those of you who have been in my class have seen this little toy. I have it labeled “LOCK-OUT/TAG-OUT NOT REQUIRED even though it’s an electrical device, because it’s smarter than most. It doesn’t do much, but as I say, I’m easily amused. In fact, all it does if you flip the toggle switch on the top is turn itself back off… hence the safety without LOTO. Turn it on and a little plastic piece comes out, turns itself back off and then quickly retreats into the box for the next round.
You can buy kits or find your way to free plans here. There are also some entertaining videos to watch of useless boxes in action.
June is National Safety Month and the National Safety Council has posted some great materials to protect you from falls at home or work. Click here to check them out.
The mining industry recently experienced four mining deaths within four days. In an effort to remind operators, miners, and contractors to stay focused on preventing fatalities and injuries, the Mine Safety and Health Administration is distributing best practice and preventative measure information in the form of a Safety Alert and a 2011 3rd quarter fatality update.
The Safety Alert is a poster that can be displayed in the mine to remind operators, miners, and contractors of the fatalities that occurred between Oct 28 -31, 2011. It lists actions to take to prevent these kinds of accidents.
The 3rd quarter fatality update analyzes the mining fatalities for the third quarter of 2011 and best practices to prevent them.
Click here for: MSHA 3rd Quarter Fatality Review for Metal/Nonmetal (pdf), MSHA 3rd Quarter Fatality Review for Coal (pdf), Safety Alert Poster (pdf)
MSHA has issued an alert for October based on numbers that show that for Metal/Nonmetal mines it is the deadliest month.
Of course it’s a good idea to pay extra attention to safety any month, any week, or any day, but this certainly indicates there are factors in the industry that could make October a special month to pay attention to safety. Download the printout below from MSHA to post or distribute to your miners.
Click here for: MSHA Alert (pdf).
Check out the OSHA Noise Exposure Resource online here.
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NIOSH has issued a new Workplace Solutions publication on Using Lockout and Tagout Proceduresto Prevent Injury and Death during Machine Maintenance. The four page publication reviews the exposure of the hazard in OSHA industries and the OSHA Standard. It examines a case report of a fatality involving a Millwright and lists recommendations for employers, workers, and manufacturers. You can download a copy in pdf format here.