Backing Vehicles Safely
According to the National Safety Council, nearly one in four vehicle accidents involves backing. When considering how much distance is covered each day by backing vehicles, as compared to those moving forward, the frequency of backing accidents is quite staggering. Backing accidents cause approximately 500 deaths and 15,000 injuries each year in the United States. […]
SAFELY OPERATING AND WORKING AROUND HEAVY EQUIPMENT
Heavy equipment designed to handle large loads can be dangerous if not operated properly. Operators need to remain alert and know how to properly use the equipment, while bystanders should be aware of their surroundings. OPERATOR TIPS Only operate the equipment if you’ve been trained Check the brakes and other controls prior to starting the […]
Job Hazard Analysis: A Step-by-Step Guide
Job hazard analysis (JHA) is a technique for identifying and addressing hazards created by the jobs your employees do every day. You focus on one job at a time, breaking it down into its component steps and identifying all the hazards associated with each step. Don’t be intimidated by JHAs. The process can seem complicated, but […]
Dump Truck Safety
As end-dump truck bodies and semitrailers have increased in length, the frequency of units tipping over has also increased. The construction and trucking sectors should be aware of this tip-over hazard, the contributing conditions and methods of prevention. Stability The primary hazard is related to the stability of the unit when the box is in […]
Working in Hot Environments
Although heat-related discomfort is a complaint of many workers, it is not the most serious problem associated with working in high temperature and humidity. Workers who are exposed to hot environments face additional hazards to their safety and health, such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion and fatigue. These hazards can be avoided by introducing engineering […]
Shoulder Injury Prevention for Truck Drivers
Long-haul truck drivers sustain injuries and illnesses that keep them off the road at double the rate of workers in other professions considered to be hazardous, including construction and farming, fishing and forestry. A National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) survey found that 26.3% of reported truck driver injuries were to their arms, […]
4 Steps to Help Prevent Hot Work Fires
Hot work doesn’t mean that workers are sweating in an extremely warm building or working out in the blazing summer sun. Rather, it involves performing tasks that can cause fires or explosions. These tasks include welding, grinding, cutting, brazing, soldering, and similar operations which produce heat and sparks. These sparks are extremely mobile, scattering as […]
7 Tips for Hiring a Qualified Roofing Contractor
If you’ve properly maintained and repaired your business’s roof, it should have a long life. However, eventually you will need to repair or replace it. When you do so, you’ll want to ensure you hire a qualified roofing contractor to do the job. EMC Engineering Services Supervisor Kody Daniel says he has heard horror stories […]
Protecting Your Facility from Power Surges
It’s no secret that most organizations rely on computers and electronic equipment to do business. This means they need to be aware of the major damage electricity can cause—in the form of stray voltage, a power surge or a lightning strike. These surges aren’t small matters. It’s estimated that power surges cost $26 billion a […]
How to Keep Roofs Draining Properly
Drains are a humble, hidden feature we all depend on. Sink drains and floor drains take water away from the inside of our businesses, while storm drains keep our parking lots and streets safe from surging and standing water. Equally as important, drains also protect the exterior of our buildings. Drainage systems help move water […]