"Moving machine parts have the potential to cause severe workplace injuries, such as crushed fingers or hands, amputations, burns, or blindness. Safeguards are essential for protecting workers from these preventable injuries. Any machine part, function, or process that may cause injury must be safeguarded. When the operation of a machine or accidental contact injure the operator or others in the vicinity, the hazards must be eliminated or controlled."

--OSHA on "Machine Guarding"

5 Most Common Ways of Machine Guarding

1. Barrier Guards
2. Presence Sensing Devices (PSD)
3. Pullbacks/Restraints
4. Two-hand Controls/Two-hand Trip
5. “A” and “B” Gates

Barrier Guards

These are designed to keep the operator’s hands and arms from entering the “danger zone” as prescribed by the particular machine. They are appropriate safeguards for full revolution and part revolution mechanical power presses. They are usually the first point-of-operation safeguard considered for machines.

Regulation: 29 CFR 1910.217

• Barrier guards on power presses must prevent the entry of hands or fingers into the point of operation by reaching through, over, under or around the guard.
• The barrier guards must conform to maximum permissible openings tables.
• The barrier guard itself must not create pinch points between the guard and moving machine parts.
• The guard must not be easily removable.
• The guard must not interfere with machine inspection.
• The barrier guard must offer maximum visibility of the point of operation consistent with the other requirements.

Presence Sensing Devices

These are designed to automatically stop the machine stroke if sensing field is interrupted. Proper use provides protection not only for operators but also for other employees in the area. They are one of the most common safeguards for automatic feed part revolution clutch presses, and have many requirements that must be met before they can be installed as point-of-operation safeguards.

Regulation: 29 CFR 1910.217

• Presence sensing devices (PSD) cannot be used on machines using full revolution clutches.
• A PSD must protect the operator by preventing or stopping normal stroking of the press if the operator’s hands are inadvertently placed in the point of operation. The PSD must also be interlocked into the control circuit so that the slide motion will stop the downstroke from continuing if any part of the operator's body is within the sensing field at that time.
• Guards must be used to protect all areas of entry to the point of operation not protected by the PSD.
• PSDs cannot be used as a tripping means to initiate slide motion.
• Should a failure occur within the system, the PSD must be constructed so that the normal stopping action is still applied when required, but prevents the start of the next stroke until the failure is corrected. The failure must be indicated by the system.
• “Muting” or bypassing of the PSD during the upstroke of the press slide is permitted for parts ejection, circuit checking, and feeding.
• The safety distance from the sensing field to the point of operation must be greater than the distance determined by the safety distance formula.

Pullbacks/Restraints

Pullbacks

These are safeguarding devices on both full and part revolution power presses. They are similar to restraints, but are designed to pull the operator’s hands away from the area of the closing dies (point of operation) during each stroke of the power press.

Regulation: 29 CFR 1910.217

• Attachments must be connected to and operated by the press slide or upper die.
• Attachments must be adjusted to prevent the operator from reaching into the point of operation or to withdraw the operator’s hands from the point of operation before the dies close.
• A separate pullout device must be provided for each operator if more than one operator is used on the press.
• Each pullout device in use must be inspected and checked for proper adjustment at the start of each operator shift, following a new die set-up, and when operators are changed. Necessary maintenance or repair on both must be performed and completed before the press is operated.
• Inspection and Maintenance Records. It is the responsibility of the employer to make periodic and regular safety inspections and keep accurate records of them.

Restraints

Sometimes referred as “holdouts,” restraints are similar to pullbacks and are appropriate safeguards for both full and part revolution mechanical power presses. When properly anchored, restraints are adjusted so that the operator can never reach the point of operation. The size and type of restraint depends on the size and type of press.

Regulation: 29 CFR 1910.217

• A holdout or a restraint device must protect the operator by preventing the operator from inadvertently reaching into the point of operation at all times and must include attachments for each of the operator’s hands.
• Attachments must be securely anchored and adjusted and separate set of restraints must be provided for each operator if more than one is required on a press.

Two-hand Controls/Two-hand Trip

Two-hand Controls

These are safeguarding devices in the single stroke mode of operation on part revolution clutch presses. It is similar to the two-hand trip; this device keeps the operators hands away from the point of operation during the entire machine stroke.

Regulation: 29 CFR 1910.217

• Press operations requiring more than one operator must provide each operator with separate two-hand controls where each set must be engaged to complete a machine stroke. The removal of a hand from any control button will stop the slide.
• Each two-hand control must meet the construction requirements of paragraph 29 CFR 1910.217(b)(7)(v).
• The safety distance between each hand control device and the point of operation must be greater than the distance determined by the safety distance formula.
• Two-hand controls’ position must be fixed so that only a supervisor of safety engineer is capable of relocating them.

Two-hand Trip

These are safeguarding devices used on a full revolution clutch power press only. It requires the joint operation of two trigger buttons located away from the “danger zone” of the press. It is similar to two-hand controls in that it requires the operator’s hands to be away from the point of operation to activate the machine stroke, but differs in that activation of the machine stroke requires only a "trip" of the controls whereas a two-hand control requires continued pressure.

Regulation: 29 CFR 1910.217

• When used in press operations requiring more than one operator, separate two hand trips must be provided for each operator, and must be designed to require concurrent application of both operators to activate the slide.
• A two-hand trip shall have the individual operator's hand controls protected against unintentional operation and have the individual operator's hand controls arranged by design and construction and/or separation to require the use of both hands to trip the press and use a control arrangement requiring concurrent operation of the individual operator's hand controls.
• The safety distance between the two-hand trip and the point of operation must be greater than the distance determined by the safety distance formula. 
• Like two-hand control devices, two-hand trips’ position must be fixed so that only a supervisor or safety engineer is capable of relocating the controls.

“A” Gates/”B” Gates

Type "A" and "B" Gates are both recognized methods for power press safeguarding. The "A" gate is used in both full and part revolution clutch presses while the "B" gate is for part revolution presses only.

Type “A” Gates

These protect the operator during the entire machine stroke. This means the gate will not open until after the crankshaft rotation is complete (360°) and the machine is stopped at top dead center. Although Type "A" Gates can be used on either part or full revolution clutch presses, best safety practice is the "A" gate should be used only on full revolution clutch presses.

Type “B” Gates

These protect the operator during the downstroke only. The gate starts to open before the crankshaft rotation is complete (generally after 180° crankshaft rotation). The gates must open on the upstroke of the machine cycle before the crankshaft rotation is complete.

Regulation: 29 CFR 1910.217, 29 CFR 1910.212

• In both cases (“A” & “B” Gates), operators must be prevented from placing their hands or any other body parts in the point of operation during the die-closing portion of the press stroke.
• The guard itself must comply with applicable standards.

"Revising OSHA's Hazard Communication standard will improve the quality and consistency of hazard information, making it safer for workers to do their jobs and easier for employers to stay competitive."

--U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis

If you are not already aware that the Hazard Communication is undergoing a huge change in that “Material Safety Data Sheets” (MSDS) will now be known as simply “Safety Data Sheets” (SDS) as the Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) is now aligned with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). This update was made to provide a common approach to classifying chemicals and communicating hazard information on labels and SDS.

In OSHA’s words:

“Once implemented, the revised standard will improve the quality and consistency of hazard information in the workplace, making it safer for workers by providing easily understandable information on appropriate handling and safe use of hazardous chemicals. This update will also help reduce trade barriers and result in productivity improvements for American businesses that regularly handle, store, and use hazardous chemicals while providing cost savings for American businesses that periodically update safety data sheets and labels for chemicals covered under the hazard communication standard.”

In order to ensure chemical safety in the workplace, information about the identities and hazards of the chemicals must be available and understandable to workers. OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires the development and dissemination of such information:

• Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import, and prepare labels and safety data sheets to convey the hazard information to customers.
   
• All employers with hazardous chemicals in their workplaces must have labels and safety data sheets for their exposed workers, and train them to handle the chemicals appropriately.
   

• Hazard classification: Now provides specific criteria for classification of health hazards, physical hazards and mixtures.
   
• Labels: Chemical manufacturers and importers will be required to provide a label that includes a harmonized signal word, pictogram, and hazard statement for each hazard class and category. Precautionary statements must also be provided.
   
• Safety Data Sheets: Will now have a specified 16-section format.
  • New 16 section format:

1. Identification
2. Hazard(s) identification
3. Composition/information on ingredients
4. First-Aid measures
5. Fire-fighting measures
6. Accidental release measures
7. Handling and storage
8. Exposure controls/personal protection
9. Physical and chemical properties
10. Stability and reactivity
11. Toxicological information
12. Ecological information
13. Disposal considerations
14. Transport information
15. Regulatory information
16. Other information, including date of preparation or last revision

• Information and training: Employers are required to train workers by December 1, 2013 on the new labels elements and safety data sheets format to facilitate recognition and understanding.
  • Training to be included:

  • Training on label elements

  1. Product identifier
  2. Signal word
  3. Pictogram
  4. Hazard statement(s)
  5. Precautionary statement(s)
  6. Name, address and phone number of the chemical manufacturer, distributor, or importer

• Training on the new 16-section format

The first deadline in the implementation phase is Dec. 1, 2013. By this date, employers must train workers on the new label elements and safety data sheet format. OSHA’s Hazard Communication website has the following QuickCards and OSHA Briefs to assist employers with the required training.

• Label QuickCard

• Pictogram QuickCard

• Safety Data Sheet QuickCard

• Safety Data Sheet OSHA Brief

Let Safety Training Services help you through this first deadline by getting yourself and your staff trained on the new Hazard Communication Standard today! Find out how we can do so by clicking below!

Today's blog article comes with a great infographic to sum up its information. Courtesy of the Editors at Best Choice Reviews. They write great articles on a multitude of subjects from fitness to personal shopping to electronics/technology. Check them out!

Anyways, today's subject will be "Everyday Ergonomics." Thank you again Best Choice Reviews for providing this information!

Everyday Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the science of efficient work. Use our guide to promote health and focus at home, on the road, and in the office.

Commuting
The average commute is 25.5 minutes, or 51 minutes a day. And 8.1% of Americans commute for an hour or more both ways.[1] That’s a long time to mistreat your back and neck.

Train or bus?[5]
Essentials:

• Loose clothes
• Comfortable shoes
• Feet flat
• Use railing to balance

Car?[4]
Essentials:

• Base of your spine touching back of the seat.
• Rolled towel, or some form of support filling the gap between mid rib cage area and seat
• Don’t slump
• Lift your back up
• Adjust headrest and tilt head back onto it
• It takes time to adjust to sitting correctly. With practice it will feel comfortable.

Back pain is the second most common reason for missed work. Don’t ruin your day before it starts.[9]

Work
Workplace health is a marathon, not a sprint. That doesn’t mean that you aren’t an “industrial athlete.” Let us coach you into the right place.

Work-space: [7][6][10]

• Monitor 15 degrees above eye level horizon is easiest on eyes and neck.
• Tilt monitor back slightly.
• Feet flat on floor.
• Lower back supported.
• Monitor one arms’ length away.
• Forearms and hands in straight line.
• Should be comfortable to look at the center of the screen for prolonged periods.
• Lighting should only be as bright as the room’s lighting.
• Avoid glare from the sun.

Habits:[8]

• Get up and walk/ stretch at least once an hour.
• Talk to colleagues in person instead of sending intra-office emails.
• Take the stairs.
• Hold “walking meetings.”
• Walk to a farther bathroom.

The Average worker spends 5 hours 41 minutes sitting at work. Leading to higher rate of sedentary lifestyle, decreased mental stability, and increased muskulo-skeletal problems.[11]
Almost 60% of work related injuries can be avoided with proper ergonomics. Why risk it?[9]

Luggage 

• Push, don’t pull rolling bags.
• Use bags with two straps to spread weight equally across body.
• Choose longer straps when using single strap bags and drape across body on the opposite shoulder.
• Only carry what you need.

Manual Labor [3]

• Use knee pads for prolonged kneeling
• Mix up repetitive actions
• Store heavy items within reach (see “work zone”)

Core concepts

In 1700 Ramazzini, a Paduan professor of medicine, outlined the importance of neutral posture and the “work zone” in maintaining muskulo-skeletal health. [12]
We’ve known about ergonomics for hundreds of years. It’s up to you to change.

The Neutral Posture [2]
The position where each joint is resting. Least tension on nerves, muscles, tendons, and bones.
Often seen in astronauts under conditions of weightlessness.

Fingers: gently curved, not spread apart.
Wrists: in line with forearm
Forearms: With thumb up.
Elbows: Bent from 90-110 degrees. Close to torso.
Upper Arms: hangs straight down
Shoulders: resting. not up, down, forward, or back.
Neck: balanced on the spinal column.
Spine: an ‘s’ shape. Upper region bends out. Lower region gently bends in.
Lower body: hip and knee joints slightly bent.

The greater the deviation from the neutral posture, the greater the risk of injury and discomfort.
Cumulative trauma disorders develop over weeks, months, or years from the repeated stress on a particular body part. Start changing your habits now.
Repetitive motion disorders are muscular ailments.
Examples: Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, Dequervain’s Disease,Tendinitis, Trigger Finger

The “work zone” [3]
The best work zone:

• Never do heavy lifting outside of it.
• As far forward as your wrist with arms slightly bent.
• As wide as your shoulders.
• Upper level at about heart height.
• Lower level at about waist height.

The “ok” work zone:

• As far forward as your hand with arm outstretched.
• A foot to either side of shoulders.
• Upper level at shoulder height.
• Lower level at fingertips when arms relaxed at sides.

If you could make the choice to live without pain. Wouldn’t you make the choice everyday?

Citations

1. http://www.census.gov/hhes/commuting/files/2012/ACS-20.pdf
2. http://www.oehc.uchc.edu/ergo_neutralposture.asp
3. https://www.osha.gov/ergonomics/guidelines/retailgrocery/retailgrocery.html#stocking
4. http://www.wikihow.com/Sit-in-a-Car-Without-Back-Pain
5. http://www.chiropractic-uk.co.uk/gfx/uploads/member%20area/Posture%20sheets/Mind%20your%20posture%20-%20commuting.pdf
6. http://ergocanada.com/ergo/monitors/monitor_height_guidelines.html
7. http://www.ors.od.nih.gov/sr/dohs/Documents/ORS_Ergonomics_Poster_Rd5.pdf
8. http://www.forbes.com/sites/alisongriswold/2012/06/12/to-work-better-just-get-up-from-your-desk/
9. http://www.nclabor.com/osha/etta/A_to_Z_Topics/ergo.pdf
10. http://www.gatoroffice.com/monitor_ergonomics.htm
11. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120113210203.htm
12. http://ergonomenon.com/ergonomics-articles/bernardino-ramazzini-the-first-ergonomist-and-what-have-we-learned-from-him/

What is “Arc Flash?”
 

Arc flash is a phenomenon that results from an arcing fault, where an electric current strays from its intended path and travels through the air causing an electrical explosion. Between the instantaneous explosion and the resulting radiation and shrapnel, an arc flash often causes violent and serious results;

• Severe skin burns
• Respiratory system damage
• Hearing damage
• Eye/face injuries
• Even death

This is the sixth and final installment of Safety Training Services, Inc.'s second "Office Safety" web blog series. Directly below you will find links to the previous topics:

Part One | Two | Three | Four | Five 

Series #1: Part One | Two | Three | Four 

Now that you've caught yourself up (if need be), we will now discuss two topics in this article: "Safe Driving" and "Recycling." 

Safe Driving

OSHA really says it best, "You are your employer's most valuable asset!" When it comes to driving, we need to understand that the way you drive says everything about you and your company.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than 1,766 deaths a year result from occupational transportation incidents. That number is more than 38 percent of the 4,547 annual number of fatalities from occupational injuries. While fatal highway incidents remained the most frequent type of fatal work-related event, transportation incidents accounted for nearly 2 out of every 5 fatal work injuries in 2010 and more than 2 out of every 5 fatal work injuries in 2011.

There were 152 multiple-fatality incidents in 2011 (incidents in which more than one worker was killed) in which 354 workers died.

So what do we do to address this?

Luckily, many of these incidents/injuries are preventable. As does anything else safety-related, it simply requires a bit of knowledge and making a positive statement by following some easy, but mindful guidelines. Luckily, OSHA has done some of the work for us! Here are some their work-related safe driving practices in a quick and easy format:

• Stay Safe!
• Use a seat belt at all times - driver and passenger(s).
• Be well-rested before driving.
• Avoid taking medications that make you drowsy.
• Set a realistic goal for the number of miles that you  can drive safely each day.
• If you are impaired by alcohol or any drug, do not drive.
• Stay Focused!
• Driving requires your full attention. Avoid distractions, such as adjusting the radio or other controls, eating or drinking, and talking on the phone.
• Continually search the roadway to be alert to situations requiring quick action.
• Stop about every two hours for a break. Get out of the vehicle to stretch, take a walk, and get refreshed.
• Avoid Aggressive Driving!
• Keep your cool in traffic!
• Be patient and courteous to other drivers.
• Do not take other drivers' actions personally.
• Reduce your stress by planning your route ahead of time, allowing plenty of travel time, and avoiding crowded roadways and busy driving times.

We all have someplace to be, let's make sure we all get there safely!

Why Recycle?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the cornerstones of any waste reduction program are waste prevention, recycling, and buying/manufacturing recycled-content products. Waste prevention is the process of preventing or reducing the generation of waste. If this is not achievable and when waste cannot be prevented, recycling is the next best option. It saves energy and helps keep valuable materials out of landfills and incinerators. 

• In 2008, the EPA estimated that of the 250 million tons of waste generated in the U.S., approximately one-third, or 83 million tons, was recycled or composted.
• Since 1985, the percentage of waste recycled in the U.S. has doubled, and the trend is likely to continue.

Recycling really deserves it own blog article, but for now, I want to hit on two main topics in an office setting-recycling paper and batteries.

Top 5 Reasons to Recycle Paper:

1. Economic Benefits - Creates new jobs, can make extra money for communities, you can re-sell the paper.
2. Preservation of Trees - Do we really still not know how much trees do for us? Here are 22 benefits of trees; need I say more?
3. Reduce Pollution - Air & water; these are necessities of life! Let's keep it clean, folks.
4. Health Benefits - Indirectly, but yes, less pollution=better air/water. Better air/water=better health. Healthy people don't have to go to the doctor as much and don't need as much medications. You like saving money, right?
5. Greater Sustainability - There's only one Earth that I know of, so we need it to last as long as possible. Recycling paper uses less natural resources and that equates to longer life on Earth. Unless, you're working on a plan for sustainability on other planets in your spare time, check out which bin you're tossing that paper into.

Bad, Bad, Batteries: The Facts

• Inside a battery, heavy metals react with chemical electrolyte to produce the battery’s power. 
• Batteries contain heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and nickel, which can contaminate the environment when batteries are improperly disposed of.
• One way to reduce the number of batteries in the waste stream is to purchase rechargeable batteries.
• Recycling batteries is good for the environment. It keeps them out of landfill, where heavy metals may leak into the ground when the battery casing corrodes, causing soil and water pollution.
  
• When incinerated, certain metals might be released into the air or can concentrate in the ash produced by the combustion process.
  
• If you put your batteries into the normal garbage, they will be taken to landfill sites and the resources lost.
  

And for more general information on OSHA's Recycling Standards & Hazards, click here.

And, as always, contact Safety Training Services with any further questions, or simply leave it in our comments section below.

To have or not have....that is the question.

Oh wait--no its not! When it comes to workplace first aid kits, the answer is HAVE! In fact, the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a First Aid standard (29 CFR 1910.151) that requires trained first-aid providers at all workplaces of any size if there is no "infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees." And what is a band without its instruments? A first aid kit is a necessity for ANY workplace!

Before we jump too far into specifics of standards, first aid kits, and contents of, let us take a moment to discuss the full purpose of these items and how they fit into a workplace first aid program.

What is First Aid?

As stated by OSHA, first aid is emergency care provided for injury or sudden illness before emergency medical treatment is available. The first aid provider in the workplace is someone who is trained in the delivery of initial medical emergency procedures, using a limited amount of equipment to perform a primary assessment and intervention while awaiting arrival of emergency medical services (EMS) personnel.

A workplace first aid program is part of a comprehensive safety and health management system that includes the following four essential elements.

1. Management Leadership and Employee Involvement
2. Worksite Analysis
3. Hazard Prevention and Control
4. Safety and Health Training

When designing and implementing a workplace first aid program remember to:

• Aim to minimize the outcome of accidents or exposures.
• Comply with OSHA requirements relating to first aid.
• Include sufficient quantities of appropriate and readily accessible first aid supplies and first aid equipment (*cough* automated external defibrillators or 'AEDs' *cough*)
• Assign and train first aid providers who:
• receive first aid training suitable to the specific workplace.
• receive periodic refresher courses on first aid skills and knowledge.

What's the Risk?

Let's talk numbers for a moment. In 2004, the private industry had 5,703 work-related fatalities. That same year had 4.3 million total workplace injuries and illnesses, with 1.3 million resulting in days away from work.

Occupational illnesses, injuries and fatalities in 2004 cost the United States’ economy $142.2 billion, according to National Safety Council estimates. The average cost per occupational fatality in 2004 exceeded one million dollars.

To cover the costs to employers from workplace injuries, it has been calculated that each and every employee in this country would have had to generate $1,010 in revenue.

OSHA Requirements

In addition to first aid requirements of 29 CFR 1910.151, several OSHA standards also require training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) because sudden cardiac arrest from asphyxiation, electrocution, or exertion may occur. CPR may keep the victim alive until EMS arrives to provide the next level of medical care.

If an employee is expected to render first aid as part of his or her job duties, the employee is covered by the requirements of the Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030). This standard includes specific training requirements.

Automated External Defibrillators

As we are in 2013, AEDs are no longer just a tool used by non-medical personnel such as police, fire service personnel, flight attendants or security guards; these are potentially life-saving devices used by anyone trained to used them (and even then, there are some that ANYONE can use with no prior knowledge). The best part, these devices are now widely available, safe, effective, portable and just plain easy to use! Using AEDs as soon as possible after sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), within 3-4 minutes, can lead to a 60% survival rate. CPR is of value because it supports the circulation and ventilation of the victim until an electric shock delivered by an AED can restore the fibrillating heart to normal. Do not neglect to include AEDs in your workplace safety program, they can and WILL save lives!

What Goes in my Workplace First Aid Kit?

At this point, we should discuss what actual items should be included in a first aid kit. For this, we will reference the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard (ANSI Z308.1-2009) which was revised in 2009. This standard is the minimum fill for workplace first aid kits. The new changes in the standard brought two new items and eliminated latex from first aid kits altogether. Here are the ten items for a minimum workplace first aid kit fill.

• (1) First Aid Guide
• (1) Absorbent Compress 4"x8" minimum
• (16) 1"x3" Adhesive Bandages
• (1) Adhesive Tape 2.5 yard roll
• (10) Antiseptic Treatment 0.9 grams
• (6) Burn Treatment 0.9 grams
• (4) 3"x3" Sterile Gauze Pads
• (2) Pair Medical Exam Gloves
• (1) Triangular Bandage 40"x40"x56" minimum
• (6) Antibiotic Ointment 0.5 grams

The following are not required, but recommended items:

• Analgesic (oral, non-drowsy formula)
• Bandage Compress 2"x2" minimum
• Breathing Barrier (single-use)
• Burn Dressing 12 sq. in.
• Cold Pack 4"x5" minimum
• Eye Covering 1/4" thick minimum
• Eye/Face Wash (Sterile) 4 oz. minimum
• Roller Bandage 2"x4" yards minimum
• Hand Sanitizer

The above required kits may be suitable for your company. However, keep in mind, that more adequate means may be necessary for certain hazards of individual work environments. This may be evaluated by a competent person in your workplace, or by another safety professional. Safety Training services, Inc. is available for said service and our safety professionals provide free "walkthroughs" of your workplace and will help prescribe a first aid kits modeled to your workplaces' individual hazards and/or needs.

Training

OSHA recommends 5 key elements in a first aid training program for the workplace. 

1. "Hands-on," skill based teaching methods.
2. Instruction and discussion in preparing to respond to a health emergency with an emphasis on prevention as a strategy.
3. Including logical and well-informed assessment of the scene and victims.
4. Designed and adapted for the specific workplace in responding to life-threatening emergencies.
5. Designed and adapted for the specific workplace in responding to non-life-threatening emergencies including management of wounds, burns, bites/stings, and bodily injuries.

Always make sure to keep updated on proper first aid requirements and trainings. The first aid program should be reviewed periodically to determine if it continues to address the needs of the specific workplace. The first aid training program should be kept up-to-date with current first aid techniques and knowledge. Outdated training and reference materials should be replaced or removed. If you do not have an adequate first aid training program, or feel that your hands are full with other workplace duties, allow Safety Training Services, Inc. to be your first aid training provider! Your facility or ours, we provide "Real Training" in hands-on scenarios with state-of-the-art equipment. CPR and AED can be included in the training program to be certain you and your employees will be ready and able to respond immediately and correctly in the event of a workplace emergency!

Slips, trips, and falls are some of the worst yet most common type of office injuries in the workplace, but they are also the easiest to correct.

Office safety is very essential in today's world. Not only is it essential but it is also very important to be aware of several safety rules and regulations as this could hamper the smooth functioning of your office due to legal issues. This article does not focus on the legislation regarding workplace safety, but on providing several tips for ensuring that you and your employees have a safe working environment. Staying alert minimizing the risk!

Be sure take time to look around your work area and help to prevent these hazards. Slips, trips, and falls constitute the majority of general industry accidents and can result in back injuries, sprains and strains, contusions, and fractures. Slips, trips and falls, sidelined 25,790 workers in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistic (BLS). The National Safety Council says employees are twice as likely to suffer a disabling fall in an office setting as anywhere else. Falling, specifically, is the most common office accident and results in numerous and disabling injuries.

Slips & Falls

Standing on chairs – particularly rolling office chairs – is a significant fall hazard. Workers who need to reach something at an elevated height should use a stepladder.  Stepladders must be fully opened and placed on level, firm ground. Workers should never climb higher than the step indicated as the highest safe standing level. 

Carpeting and other skid-resistant surfaces can serve to reduce falls. Marble or tile can become very slippery – particularly when wet, according to the National Safety Council. Placing carpets down can be especially helpful at entranceways, where workers are likely to be coming in with shoes wet from rain or snow.

Some other simple changes to the workspace can be effective in eliminating hazards and reducing the number of fall injuries. 

• Clean up all spills immediately
• Close all file cabinets when not in use
• Ensure sufficient lighting
• Always use a ladder or stepstool to retrieve anything above shoulder level
• Remove obstacles from hallways and other high-traffice areas
• Do not lean back in chairs
• Regularly have the floors moped clean and dry

History of Electricity

600BC: A mathematician in Greece named Thales (one of the 7 sages of Greece) is thought to be the first person to discover what we know as static electricity by rubbing amber with animal fur.

Late 1500s: An English scientist, William Gilbert (one of Queen Elizabeth’s physicians) found out that amber was not the only conductor. He added many more substances to the list and coined the term electricity.

Early 1700s: Stephen Gray discovered conductivity and that even water could be electrified. Charles Du Fray, in Paris, performed experiments based on Gray’s work and came to the conclusion that everything and everybody contained electricity (leaving out lightning, ironically).

1752: Ben Franklin conducted his famous kite experiment. In the process, he proved that pointed rods conduct electricity better than balls do and that lightning is a form of electricity. Franklin then invented lightning rods and sold them throughout colonial America.

1870s: Thomas Edison built a DC (direct current) electric generator in America and later provided all of New York’s electricity.

1879: FIRST FATAL ACCIDENT DUE TO ELECTRIC SHOCK.

1800s: Nikola Tesla invented the AC (alternating current) system for electrical transmission. This is what is used today over DC due to its many advantages; the biggest is that you can generate much more power from AC than DC. He also invented motors that run on AC and designed the world’s first Hydroelectric Plant.

The short answer to “What is electricity?” as OSHA states it, is the flow of electrons though a conductor. Since atoms make up any and everything, and electrons are particles that make up an atom, electrons are therefore everywhere. Because of this, electricity is everywhere. We are going to discuss how this affects us and how it is paramount to take a few extra steps in our daily lives and remember a few tips to keep ourselves safe with regards to electricity and electrical apparatuses.

Electricity is conducted through some materials better than others. Returning for a moment to the definition given earlier about electricity being the flow of electrons through a conductor, we know that conductors are materials that loosely hold electrons. Great examples of these are most metals: copper, aluminum, or steel. Other things hold electrons very tightly, these are called insulators. Insulators include: rubber, cloth, plastic, glass, or dry air. 

Electricity has a few important properties:

• It must have a complete path (or circuit) to continuously flow.
• Without two points of contact on the body for current to enter and exit, respectively, there is no hazard of shock. In fact, this why birds and squirrels can sit on power lines; there's only one point of contact!
• It will all paths back to the source, but it will follow paths proportionally according to the conductivity of each path.
• When impedance (resistance to electrical currents) increases even slightly, the electrical current seeks other paths to ground, such as through a person in contact with an energized surface.

In short, there are only 3 things needed to achieve this.

1. Understanding how electricity works.
2. Recognizing potential electrical hazards.
3. Learning about safety devices that prevent shock.

Welcome to part two of our new 6-part web series on office safety. In this blog article, we will be covering a once overlooked topic that has now been brought more to light, “Mental Health in the Workplace.”

The workplace is most definitely a double-edged sword. It can be a great contributor to one’s mental well-being, giving them an opportunity to feel productive, but also contribute to mental health problems and illnesses including depression and anxiety. Most adults spend as much time (if not more, an average of almost 9 hours) at their workplace as their own homes. This makes it an important topic to discuss and vital to general office safety. In fact, just over 26% (almost 58 million) of Americans ages 18 and older (the demographic that make up the American workforce) are affected by ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) alone.

Workplace mental health is a factor that actually impacts both productivity, employee retention, and well, the bottom line really. It is a crucial factor in maintaining a successful business that is often likely to be overlooked. Mental health and substance abuse disorders are costing American businesses an estimated $80 to $100 billion annually. You can calculate the cost of depression and alcoholism in your workplace by utilizing some free Web-based calculators (for example: www.alcoholcostcalculator.org).

A recent study was made by Harvard University Medical School of the financial impact of 25 chronic physical and mental issues for employers. Here are the top five:

1. Depression (single most expensive ailment for employers)
2. Obesity
3. Arthritis
4. Back and neck pain
5. Anxiety (an extraordinarily common occurrence in the stressful modern workplace)