Arc Welding Safety Arc welders use a powerful electric arc to make and repair plain, coated, or treated metal items. Welders can be stationary, electric powered or portable, diesel/gas powered. Install electric-powered arc welders to code. To provide arc welding safety, ground equipment and place it on an independent circuit with the correct-sized fuse or circuit breaker. Overloading circuits or improper installation can lead to fire, a ground fault, or equipment failure. Mount a safety disconnect switch near the user work area. Operate diesel/gas powered arc welders in well-ventilated areas to control combustion fumes. Do not add fuel to the engine while...

Auto Transmission Repair Work Auto transmission repair can range from simple adjustments to parts replacements and complete overhauls. Work safely during auto transmission repair by wearing your personal protective equipment, understanding the chemicals you work with, and following safe work practices. Wear personal protective equipment during your repair work. Safety glasses prevent flying debris from damaging your eye. Side shields or goggles prevent splashes when you are working with fluids. Wear chemical resistant gloves to protect your hands and skin. Consider mechanics gloves for certain tasks to give you a better grip and prevent cuts and scrapes. Use kneepads to protect your...

Forklift Battery Use and Maintenance Every time you operate a forklift or other powered industrial truck, inspect it to ensure that it is operating properly. Ongoing battery maintenance is critical so that the forklift is always safe and ready to get your work done. First and foremost, the forklift must be checked for enough battery charge to get the job task done. Forklift batteries are generally lead acid or nickel iron. They are charged by plugging the forklift into a fixed station or an “on-board” charger may be brought to the forklift itself. Because the batteries contain corrosive chemicals that can burn...

Eye Protection The protection of your sight requires three extremes: extremely easy, extremely important, and too often, extremely forgotten. Once you have lost an eye or your ability to see, it’s too late. Protecting your eyes is the easiest thing to do, if you care about your eyes. Guide for Discussion Types of Eye Injuries Small flying objects such as dust or other microscopic objects. Particles resulting from chipping, grinding, sawing, brushing, hammering or using power tools (including nail guns). Liquids such as chemicals, tar, asphalt solvents, paints or masonry cleaning solutions. Invisible light rays such as those generated by welding operations or...

Handle Tools for Your Safety Each tool is designed to do a specific task. The greatest hazards posed by a hand tool are from its misuse or improper maintenance. It’s up to you to select the right tool for the job and to use and care for it properly. Hand tool safety begins by selecting the right tool for the task and using it the way it was designed. Using the wrong tool for a job is likely to result in an accident. Before you start a job, inspect the tool for defects. Check to be sure that the handle fits tightly...

Traffic Control Almost every job at one time or another needs traffic control. This often involves the use of flaggers and signs. It should be remembered that the intent of traffic control procedures is to prevent a tie-up in the operation of the construction project and to allow the general public to move as efficiently as possible around the construction site. It is important that all flagger remember that they represent the company and will come into contact with many people while flagging. Therefore be courteous at all times. Guide for Discussion Is the flagger trained and certified? Set-Up Pre-plan the entire traffic control operation. ...

Yarding Safety (Logging) Yarding is the logging operation that moves felled trees from the slash pile to the landing or storage area prior to transportation. Rigging crews hook cable systems (simple, high-lead, shotgun, skyline, etc.) to the felled trees. Yarding workers manually or mechanically (using skidders and yarders) activate the cable systems to move the logs and slash to the appropriate areas. Moving these heavy materials on often unstable and/or sloping terrain makes yarding a dangerous part of the logging operation. With careful planning at the felling stage, you can improve the safety of the system for everyone working on the yarding....

Cold Storage Safety Cold storage spaces include refrigerator or freezer boxes or rooms in which food and other materials can be stored or processed at controlled, cool temperatures. When you work in and around such spaces, get training and be aware of the hazards that might be involved with cold storage: cold stress, slips and trips, confined space, chemical storage, and ergonomics. Dress in warm, layered clothing for proper insulation to maintain your body temperature to prevent cold stress. Your head loses the most body heat; for extra warmth, wear a warm cap with ear flaps. Fingers, hands, toes, and feet are...

Head Protection There are some practical reasons for wearing a hard hat. They help keep your head cooler in summer; dry during rain; and helps shield your ears from noise. But the main reason to wear a hard hat is that it protects the control center part of your body—your head. Guide for Discussion What a Hard Hat Does Protects you from falling objects. Protects your head in case of a fall or a bump into an object. Protects you from electrical shocks and burns if it's a non-conductive hat. It is a neat place to put stickers and decals, such as first...

Latex Safety - Avoiding Allergic Reactions to Latex Most people who encounter latex products have no health problems, but some workers, are continually exposed to latex gloves and other products containing natural rubber latex, develop allergic reactions. Those who work where latex products are manufactured or who have multiple allergic conditions may also be affected. A latex allergy can result in serious health problems. Workers with ongoing exposure to natural rubber latex should follow the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommendations which include: reducing exposure, using appropriate work practices, training and education, monitoring symptoms, and when possible, substituting non-latex...