I hear stories everyday about presenters and trainers in the risk and safety space peddling simplistic snake oil as the pathway to success. Often the idea being presented is based on a kernel of something good but then extended out to be something quite dangerous. Unfortunately the safety industry is susceptible to a host of …
Tag: manufacturing
What GHS Hazard Communication Labels Mean to Workers
The United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS hazard communication) is due to be fully implemented in the United States within the year. According to OSHA, “The new standard covers over 43 million workers who produce or handle hazardous chemicals in more than five million workplaces across the country. The …
A Guide to Workplace Hazards in Manufacturing
The manufacturing industry is a large but diverse part of the employment sector. While the industry is responsible for creating parts, products, and tools that we need to live, there can be many workplace hazards in manufacturing businesses. Employees are required to work production lines and often operate heavy machinery. Some of the most common …
Safer workplaces start with failure
Safer workplaces always get there by failing first. When we compare workplaces to determine which one is safer, we often think the employer has got everything all ‘honkey dory’. However, we couldn’t be further from the truth. “Success comes through rapidly fixing our mistakes rather than getting things right first time.” -Tim Harford As I …
Is Treating All Hazards the Same Endangering Lives?
This blog started as an exercise in intellectual pursuit. A purely academic pursuit. You see I discovered that (as I’m sure that most of you have) that there are different categories of hazards and these different categories of hazards represented a distance from an injury. I’m not talking about probability or even severity, more like …
OSHA cites auto parts manufacturer for willfully exposing workers to amputations
Jan. 28, 2016 OSHA cites auto parts manufacturer for willfully exposing workers to amputations, other hazards at Alabama facility Employer supplies parts to Kia and HyundaiEmployer: Daeil USA Corp. Inspection site: 1135 Towel Ave., Valley, Alabama 36854 Citations issued: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued citations to the employer on …
The 4-Letter Word That Should Guide Your Safety Efforts
That word is OSHA. (Yes, technically, it’s an acronym, but stick with me here.) According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), “Slips, trips, and falls constitute the majority of general industry accidents. They cause 15% of all accidental deaths, and are second only to motor vehicles as a cause of fatalities.” In fact, …
“Dangerously Close”: CSB Examines the Fatal Explosion in West, Texas
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) on Jan. 29 released a safety video that explores the fatal April 17, 2013, fire and explosion at the West Fertilizer Co. in West, Texas, which resulted in 15 fatalities, more than 260 injuries and widespread community damage. The deadly fire and explosion occurred when approximately 30 tons of …
OSHA cites Mississippi plastic manufacturer after severe worker injuries
Jan. 19, 2016 OSHA cites Mississippi plastic manufacturer after severe worker injuries Agency says two employees suffered debilitating hand injuriesEmployer name: Mississippi Polymers Inc. Inspection site: 2733 South Harper Road, Corinth, Mississippi Citations issued: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued citations to the employer on Jan. 14 for 11 serious …