A complaint on unsafe working conditions led OSHA’s Hartford office to inspect Pfizer’s Groton campus.  The inspection revealed 5 violations related to workspaces and work practices, one of which is unsafe clearance near electrical equipment. The violations, which OSHA termed as serious, were specifically found in the pharmaceutical company’s Buildings 260 and 230 which are office buildings, not laboratories.  Because of these violations, OSHA asked Pfizer to pay more than $15,000 last week.

In spite of the fine, OSHA assured Pfizer that if the allegations turn out to be wrong, the latter can contest the agency’s findings.  However, if the findings are not contested or if OSHA’s findings turn out to be true, the violations will have to be posted on Pfizer’s workplace.

Due to this incident, Pfizer, together with its contracted facility management firm, Jones Lang LaSalle, is partnering with OSHA to address the safety needs.  The company said it welcomes suggestions on workplace safety.

What lessons can be learned from this experience?  What measures could Pfizer have done to avoid such unnecessary notice?  Since one of the violations is particularly about electricity, the bigger question is, how does one work safely around it?  The Safety Blog will try to address these issues by offering some safety reminders not just for Pfizer but for every workplace.

• We are all aware about the hazards of working around electricity.   Exposure to it can cause shock, burn, electrocution and even death.  Therefore, it is very important for live electrical components such as switches, power outlets and breaker boxes to be guarded.  Guarding may be done by using permanent barriers and insulating materials; locking electrical equipment in storages, rooms, and other enclosures; and locking out/tagging out them.  Guarding is an effective way of avoiding worker exposure to electricity.
• Equip yourself.  If necessary, wear the appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing that are approved and certified by the proper authorities.  Also, avoid wearing metallic accessories while working with electrical equipment.
• Always check that the electrical equipment is in good working condition.  Malfunctioning machines are often dangerous.
• Water is an effective conductor of electricity.  It is therefore important that you keep your workplace, especially the locations of electrical equipment, clean and dry.
• Keep sources of spark and combustion away from electrical sources.
• Communication in the workplace is also very vital.  Use labels, signs and permanent markings.  Add information about the electrical equipment’s power. Make sure that they are readable, understood and posted where they are easily seen by the workers.
• Always be ready.  Have fire extinguishers and other fire-fighting equipment in your workplace.  Make sure that they are up-to-date.  Also, be trained in administering first aid especially CPR.  Have emergency contact numbers and keep communication tools working and available.  Have an emergency action plan.
• Check that the electrical equipment are turned off and are guarded before leaving them.

Here are important things that particularly cater to Pfizer’s violation on unsafe clearance near electrical equipment.

• There should be safe and adequate clearance or working space around electrical equipment.  This is necessary so that workers can move around these equipment without getting electrocuted or hurt.  The space must be big enough for them to work comfortably, productively and safely.  The distance usually depends on the voltage and the nature of the equipment.  Thus, it is very crucial to have the equipment’s information as well as the authority’s standards, regulations and recommendations handy.
• Keep the working space free from obstructions.  This will ensure smooth movement as well as maintain a fire- and explosion-free environment.
• Ensure that the working space is well-lighted; it is risky to work in the dark.  Also, keep your area well-ventilated to prevent the equipment from overheating.

Take note that there are also situations that happen outdoors such as cranes getting in contact with overhead power lines and electrocution while repairing utility poles that also concern safe clearance around electricity.   Thus, it is your responsibility to have full knowledge and understanding of your assigned task and know the precautionary measures that you have to take to prevent any electrical accident.  Remember to always stay safe at work!

OSHA convened small business employers regarding proposed rules on exposure to diacetyl, a potentially harmful substance found in food flavorings.  The goal is for the employers to review the proposal before OSHA publishes the rules.

Prior to this convening, there have already been cases of workers’ deaths due to respiratory problems reportedly caused by prolonged exposure to diacetyl.

Why these deaths?  If diacetyl exposure causes death, does ingestion of it also cause the same?

The chemical diacetyl is responsible for the butter-like flavor in several food products.  It is found in dairy products, coffee, brandy and rum.  Artificially, it is used as flavoring in popcorns, baked goods, cake mixes and even in pet foods.  Yes, frequent and repeated inhaling of its vapors in high concentrations may lead to lung problems; however, ingestion does not since it is classified as “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) for consumption by the Food and Drug Administration.

Aside from lung problems, diacetyl purportedly causes skin, eye, nasal and upper respiratory burns too.

For workers assigned in flavor-making plants or in facilities that coat food products like popcorns with flavorings that contain diacetyl, extreme caution is therefore important.  Here are exposure control methods that must be followed.

1. Know your health condition.  If you have sensitive lungs, ask your employer if you can be assigned to tasks that will limit or not expose you to diacetyl vapors.
2. Be properly trained – in detecting the release of diacetyl, its physical and health hazards, and the control measures necessary such as work practices, emergency procedures, and the use and maintenance of PPE.  Training should be done as often as necessary.
3. Read the Material Safety Data Sheets or MSDS of diacetyl before you use them.
4. Take note that diacetyl is flammable so keep it away from fire or any source of spark.
5. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after working with diacetyl.
6. Clean up spills and leaks immediately.
7. Ensure safety when cleaning and maintaining tanks and other containers.  Make sure that the cleaning areas are isolated.  Rinse tanks and containers with cold water first; do not use compressed air in cleaning powdered butter-flavoring chemicals.  If you need to enter tanks and containers, make sure that you comply with confined space entry requirements.
8. Implement engineering controls:

• Close or cover mixing tanks.  Provide local exhaust ventilation from the mixing and holding tank to the outside of the facility.  Make sure that you comply with environmental regulations when doing this.
• For transferring purposes, utilize pumping system instead of manual transfer to minimize exposure.  Provide a separate room or enclose a room used for butter flavored popcorns.  Make sure that there is negative air pressure in the mixing room in relation to the rest of the facility.
• Use the appropriate PPE.  If you operate or work inside the mixing room, make sure that you use the proper respirator.  In choosing the proper respirator, consider your operations, the working condition, and other factors.  For microwave popcorn facilities, a NIOSH-certified air-purifying respirator with organic vapor cartridges may be used.  In hot mixing rooms, another kind of respirator called powered air-purifying respirator or PAPRs may be considered.
• Aside from the respirator, you may also need to wear eye protection as the vapors may also irritate your eyes; gloves and apron made of butyl rubber to prevent skin irritation; and chemical-resistant gloves or sleeves to avoid dermal injury.
• Keep your workplace well-ventilated.  When using ventilation, make sure that the other areas of the facility do not get contaminated.

These are important control methods from OSHA that you must follow if you want to have a safe working environment.  Be fit, healthy and safe at all times!

Three separate deaths of workers in Michigan, Oregon and Pennsylvania, occurred last week due to accidents while using machinery tools and equipment.

The first incident in Michigan involved a 21-year-old window washer who fell while rigging down the Grand Rapids Art Museum on Wednesday afternoon.  Reports say that his rig gave way as he made his way down from the roof of the building.

The second death happened in North Portland on Wednesday night while a man was operating a 40-foot lathe and got caught in it.  None of his co-workers saw what happened until they heard noises and that’s when they turned off the machine.

The last incident in Northern Pennsylvania on Thursday was a drilling accident where a worker’s skull was crushed when his head was caught between a control box and a drilling rig.

OSHA is looking into all three cases.

Let’s look at some issues that were raised from these three incidents and what needs to be done to avoid them from happening in your workplace.

1.  For the window washer incident, why did the rig give way?  Was it not properly anchored?  Was it too windy?

• First and foremost, always remember that you need a certificate on professional window washing before you can do the task.
• Since you’ll be working on suspended platforms, keep your tools to a minimum.  Bring only what is necessary.  Know the platform’s load capacity and do not overload it.
• Also, keep the platform clean (oil- and grease-free) and clutter-free so that you avoid any slipping or tripping accident.
• Check that the supports and anchors of the platform are strong enough.
• Be knowledgeable of fall protection systems.  Wear the appropriate body harnesses.  See to it that all connections are fastened, locked and secured.
• As much as possible, do not wash windows on windy days, especially at high altitudes.  This is dangerous.  Clean when the weather is more peaceful.

2.  For lathe safety, remember that it is your responsibility to safely operate and properly maintain the machine.  The following are some tips for you:

• Read, understand and follow the owner’s manual.
• Taking off from the second incident, do not wear loose clothes and dangling accessories that might get caught in moving or rotating parts of the machine and might pull you towards it.  If you have long hair, tie it.
• Remove objects from the lathe bed before turning it on.
• Keep your hands away from moving parts.  Specific lathe parts should be guarded.
• Wear durable PPE that will protect your eyes from flying objects.
• Wear sturdy and closed shoes that will protect your feet from any sharp objects on the floor or that might fall on the floor.
• Start a lathe at low speed and then increase the speed gradually if necessary.
• Never leave a lathe that is turned on.

3.  For drilling safety that refers to the last incident, here are useful reminders for you.

• Wear hard hats all the time.  Use gloves when working with ropes.
• Don’t forget to install machine guards and other safeguards where necessary.
• Use forklifts properly.
• Make sure your pipe racks are leveled properly.
• When there are suspended or moving pipes and other objects, remember to stand clear.  Always be aware of your environment.  Keep your hands away from moving chains.
• Use the proper techniques in handling pipes, tools and equipment.  Apply proper hand placement.
• Keep your work area clutter-free and oil- and grease-free.
• Lubricate what needs to be lubricated.  Make sure everything is in good condition.
• Keep all machines and equipment clean and well-maintained.

The above safety tips and reminders are just some things that you have to keep in mind.  Constant training is very important for you to escape death from machine and equipment accidents.  Yes, these accidents happen; but remember, they can be avoided.  Stay safe at work!

OSHA recently called the attention of a firearms manufacturing company because of its alleged violations on health and safety standards.  The Newport plant of Sturm Ruger & Co. Inc was inspected between November 2008 and May 2009 and was discovered to have violated standards on PPE and machine guards, fire and explosives as well as inadequate recordkeeping among others.  Due to this, OSHA wants to fine the company $255,150.

To avoid having a similar experience, be reminded of the safety practices in every step of manufacturing gun and other firearms.  Whether casting metal or polishing firearms, be sure you are following the rules and regulations that are set in place by your employer and your local authority.  Here are some ways you can avoid being fined by OSHA.

• Use the necessary PPE such as respiratory protection every time you do your work.  This is to avoid inhaling lead and other dangerous chemicals that are transmitted through air.  Use the proper eye protection too such as safety goggles as well as the proper clothing – usually, long sleeves and pants to protect your skin.  Your employer must be able to provide you with these.  Maintain your PPE and clothing well.
• Follow every step carefully and be sensitive to your environment.  Remove all clutter and unnecessary items in your workplace to avoid fire and explosions.
• Always guard machines that have rotating or dangerous parts.  Don’t leave them exposed.  This is for everyone’s safety.
• Equip your workplace with fire extinguishers and other fire-fighting equipment.  Make sure they are inspected regularly to ensure that they work effectively when the need arises.
• Keep your machines well-oiled, if necessary.  Always inspect them to make sure that all parts present are in good condition.  Replace parts that need to be replaced and repair machines that need to be repaired.  Don’t forget to turn off machines and unplug them before doing these.  Keep in mind the lockout and tagout regulations too.
• If there is a need to post print outs of reminders and safety checks for everyone, do so.
• Keep your workplace well-ventilated to avoid suffocation and sudden explosions.  Keep flammable items away.
• Do not smoke while you are at work to avoid sparks.
• Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before eating, drinking or smoking to avoid lead poisoning.  Better yet, wash whole body and change into clean clothes after working.
• Check electrical connections from time to time to prevent electrocution and other electrical accidents.
• Clean all surfaces of your work area after working.  Use the appropriate cleaner and detergent for removing lead that has settled down.  Use also the proper disposal bags for safe waste elimination.  Keep the whole workplace clean, tidy and organized all the time.
• Practice effective record-keeping.

Keeping up with safety precautions in gun making is more than just avoiding fines imposed by OSHA.  It is, more importantly, about protecting yourself and your co-workers from the hazards brought about by the nature of your work.  Wherever you are working, always keep your workplace a safe one!

In the news three days ago, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) partnered with yet another company in its desire to improve the health and safety of workers all throughout the country. This is the thrust of OSHA’s Strategic Partnership Program (OSPP).

In OSSP, a company and OSHA will come up with a unique and customized agreement with specific goals, strategies and performance measures that will be set in place for the benefit of the company. Such program – which is based on OSHA’s existing guidelines – is hoped to encourage, assist and recognize the efforts of stakeholders such as the employers, employees, professional or trade associations, labor organizations, and even State On-site Consultation projects to be models of safe and healthy workplaces.

Marlette Homes – a company that specializes in building, selling, financing and insuring manufactured homes – will receive assistance from OSHA in the areas of safety and health management systems. This will ensure that its workers – both the management and the employees – will be protected from injuries and illnesses by effectively identifying, reducing and eliminating hazards in the workplace. In return, the company must promote, institute and maintain risk analysis, hazard prevention and control, and training amongst its workers. Marlette Homes must do all these aside from managing the workplace and encouraging leadership and employee involvement.

When this company from Lewistown, Pennsylvania, is able to maintain or even reduce its injury and illness rates based on OSHA’s standards, it can then apply and be part of OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) for a period of two years.

So what is this VPP for? VPP is actually OSHA’s way of recognizing employers and employees who are commendable for their occupational safety and health management systems. In this way, it promotes these kinds of system all the more. The VPP establishes cooperative relationships among the management, the labor force and OSHA. Such cooperation reduces the number of injuries and illnesses in the workplace which translates to greater profits that benefit the employers as well as the employees. The VPP recognition also puts a good name and positive outlook on the company.

What lessons can be learned from OSHA’s OSPP and VPP?

• Submit to the authorities. They have been placed there for very special purposes. Refer to the laws and standards, policies and regulations as well as rules and programs of OSHA. Try to meet them as much as possible. This is for your own good.
• Maximize the opportunities offered by OSHA such as the Strategic Partnership Program. This is an effective safeguard for the safety and health systems that you have in your workplace and will even encourage you to improve on these.
• Aim to meet the standards of the OSPP so that your company can be eligible for the Voluntary Protection Program. It is one thing to cooperate with OSHA in regards to your safety and health management systems and it is another thing to be commended for this and to set an exemplary example to other workplaces.
• There’s no way but up. Always aim for improvement – for the good of all the stakeholders.
• Cooperation and open communication are effective keys in intra- and inter-organizational relationships. Make use of them.

Marlette Homes is an addition to the many entities that have joined OSPP. It is hoped that the company and OSHA will have a healthy working relationship for the benefit of both. Maybe it is time to assess your own safety and health management systems too.

Five days ago, in a non-contested decision in San Diego, the Cal/OSHA Standards Board adopted two new regulations on communicable disease – the General Industry Safety Orders §§ 5199 and 5199.1 or the aerosol transmissible and zoonotic disease standards.

These are the first-ever standards in the country that protect workers in the health care industry and other workplaces from diseases that are spread by coughing and sneezing as well as by animals.

Whether it’s tuberculosis, novel influenza virus, bird flu, or H1N1 flu, do not panic. Pandemic flu may be widespread but you can fight against it. As the standards are in place, you only need to cooperate and do your part to prevent you and the people you work with from being infected by any pandemic flu.

The initial step is not to get the flu. Yes, you can run away from it. You can prevent it from getting inside you. You can NOT allow it from infecting you. Here are random ways on how you can.

• Plan and prepare. Know what pandemic flu is and how to face it. Encourage your workplace to conduct seminars about the flu.
• Always be alert. Know what’s happening around you.
• Be well-informed. You’re not a hermit, are you? Be a discerning news watcher.
• Stay healthy, whether there is or there is no pandemic flu. If you want to be prepared for anything, strengthen your body’s defenses. Eat a balanced diet. Drink lots of water and fluids. Exercise regularly. Get enough rest.
• Observe cleanliness. Always wash your hands especially before eating and drinking. Wash your hands too after using the bathroom, working with chemicals and sneezing or coughing. Use a sanitizer or hand gel if water and soap are not readily available. Take a bath once or twice daily. Keep your environment clean too. Sanitize the things that you use regularly.
• Practice good hygiene. Don’t sneeze in front of people or food. Use tissue to cover your nose and mouth. Throw used tissues in the trash bag. If you do not have immediate access to tissue, use the upper sleeve of your top.
• Avoid touching or kissing your co-workers especially if you have cough and colds. Keep some distance. Better yet, stay at home and get some rest.
• Don’t share or borrow personal things like toothbrush, handkerchief and spoon and fork.
• Get the necessary vaccine shots. These will not exempt you from having the flu but this will prepare your immune system to fight it in case it gets inside you.
• Wear a good mask or respirator to protect yourself especially if you are in a highly populated area. If you can, avoid these areas. If you need to cancel large events or projects, do so.
• Be observant of your own self. Go and see a doctor immediately if you’re having fevers, coughs and colds, and muscle aches.
• If you’re sick, stay at home. Don’t force yourself to go to work. Be concerned of yourself, your co-workers and your clients as well.
• If you have an assignment in a different country, do your research first. Consult the travel advisor. If you do travel, monitor your health for the first weeks after you’ve returned. If you feel that something is wrong, inform your doctor and your workplace’s health officer about the details of your travel.
• Wherever you are, check the food that you eat. If you prepare your own food, buy raw products from trusted and approved sellers. You may also opt to avoid poultry and other animal products. If not, remember to thoroughly cook all your food.
• When you’re being down and feel that the flu is eating you away, do not lose hope. Pray and have faith. They can do wonders. They can even wipe out the worldwide pandemic flu.

Pandemic flu must neither be taken for granted nor be a cause for panic. Having the proper information, following the authority’s standards and doing your own preventive measures will all help you and your workplace from being infected. Always be conscious and discerning of your actions. Remember to stay safe at all times!

A chemical leak has just occurred last week in a cold storage warehouse in Louisville, Kentucky leaving two workers dead and leading authorities to monitor the incident.  Prior to this, the warehouse had an ammonia leak in 2007 where three workers were injured.

The leak that happened last Wednesday in Louisville’s American Cold Storage that killed two maintenance workers is being monitored for a possible investigation.

Ammonia leak is a well-known chemical accident in the country though it is said to be rarely fatal because its odor easily provides a warning.

An online report said that the warehouse’s CEO, Sam Bradshaw, still has no idea what caused the leak as they can’t get inside because the place is still filled with ammonia.  However, Bradshaw claimed that neither of the workers was working on refrigeration equipment that uses ammonia as a coolant.  This is also a reference to their 2007 ammonia spill that happened during a routine maintenance of their refrigeration system.

Ammonia or anhydrous ammonia, may affect the eyes, skin and the respiratory system as it is corrosive to these.  Inhalation or skin contact may actually lead to death.  It is flammable at certain concentrations.  These and other reasons are why ammonia is considered a health hazard.  However, it cannot be dismissed from the workplace because of its many uses in different industries.

While authorities are monitoring and deciding whether to open an investigation on the leak, let us look at the ways on how to prevent ammonia leaks in your workplace.

Lessons from the Louisville ammonia leak:

• Be trained.  After the 2007 spill, seven employees of the warehouse were trained to recognize potential ammonia releases.  Four employees also underwent training at University of Louisville.
• Be careful when working with refrigeration systems. The 2007 ammonia leak in the warehouse occurred when the refrigeration system was being maintained.
• Make regular assessments. A risk assessment by the warehouse identified the worst case scenarios that may happen due to ammonia spills, vaporization and leaks.
• Plan. Do risk management plans.  The Louisville warehouse was asked to prepare one since it uses ammonia, a hazardous substance.  The plan may include limiting the amount of ammonia that you are allowed to use.  While you’re at it, have an emergency plan too.  Implement the suitable safeguards to prevent ammonia from being accidentally released.
• Be active in your safety. Having knowledge that ammonia is dangerous is not enough.  Shanks, one of two workers killed in the incident, supposedly knew that he needed to watch the ammonia.  Take the necessary precautionary steps to ensure that you are protected while working.
• Learn from past mistakes. Since 1996, the warehouse reportedly had 19 violations.  One of the company’s other warehouses purportedly had serious violations too, one of which is the failure to provide respiratory protection.
• Upgrade your workplace. Always strive for improvement to meet the requirements of the law for a safe and sound workplace.  The warehouse was apparently upgraded and became cleaner, better and more improved after the 2007 inspection.

Additional safety tips when using ammonia:

• Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and proper clothing. Wear safety glasses, face shields and gloves.  Use a lab coat or coverall to prevent contact to skin.  Ensure too that your workplace is well-ventilated.  Have wash stations nearby.
• Read and follow the Material Safety Data Sheet or MSDS. Use, handle and store ammonia correctly.  Never combine ammonia with household bleach.  Use only the right amount and concentration.  Store it away from incompatible materials.
• Do not violate the law. Take note of exposure limits of ammonia.  Don’t wait for your workplace to burn up before the authorities discover your shortcomings.
• Watch out for symptoms. Too much exposure to ammonia may cause irritation in your eyes, nose and throat.  Your cornea may also burn.  Other symptoms include coughing, chest pain and skin burns.  See a doctor immediately.
• Always be prepared. Know what to do in case of emergencies.  Have a first aid kit with you.  Coordinate with your health officer.  Make sure that all communication lines are open.
• Wash your hands. Ammonia can cause burns to your mouth, throat and stomach so wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before grabbing that snack or that cigarette stick.

Avoid being fined for irresponsibility.  It’s a waste of money on your part and it is not a very good statement by your workplace.  Be reminded of the lessons and safety tips above so that you avoid a chemical leak similar to what happened to Louisville American Cold Storage.  Whichever workplace you are in, remember, safety first!

Initial investigations on the recent collapse of the Dallas Cowboys’ practice facility in the city of Irving, Texas exposed some issues on legality related to planning, building and maintaining the facility.  Reports revealed the lack of the building’s blueprints and other specifications as well as the lack of an engineer’s seal on the planning documents.  These and some other lapses may seem menial at first, but they can prove to be very important – especially in case facilities collapse and lives of people are harmed.

Owners, building contractors, engineers and even the local authorities can learn from this incident.  Here are some lessons from the Dallas experience.  Take note of them and make sure you don’t make the same mistakes.

• Keep records and copies of all work-related documents such as blueprints and other building specifications.  Submit required files to the proper authority.  Apparently, the city of Irving lacked files of the facility, including a record of the engineer who signed off on the facility’s design.

• Make sure that your planning documents have an engineer’s seal.  Remember that those who violate this will be punished.

• Check that your facility builder has a state license.  They need this before they can build or even design your facility.  The investigators of the states’ board of engineers found that the builder of Cowboys’ had no license when they designed and built the facility.

• Follow the local building code.  Have any re-covering or any improvement on your facility inspected.  The Cowboys’ roof was reportedly replaced last year but no inspection on it was done.

• Examine the reputation of your facility’s builder.  Their years of experience should be matched by good records.  The company that built the Cowboys facility has a record of a building that collapsed years ago, allegedly due to the company’s negligence in design and construction.

• When your facility collapses, have it inspected (usually by the National Institute of Standards and Authority) for future recommendations.  Don’t let others experience the same fate due to the familiar lapses in legality.

Other lessons that can be useful in preventing such accidents are:

• Maintain your facility properly and regularly.  Always eliminate hazards.

• Provide safety measure for your facility’s occupants.  Train your workers too on what to do and who to call in case of emergencies.  Always be prepared.

• Know and follow the law.  Don’t wait for any accident to happen before you keep up with your local standards and policies.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is reportedly set to release a report on the Cowboys’ incident in about six months.  Hopefully, more valuable lessons will be learned from this and applied in the building and construction industry.

Falls are among the most common hazard in construction sites. Every year, hundreds of workers get injured or killed after falling from scaffolds, windows, roofs and ladders.

But even with the right kind of fall protection system, workers are under threat by another kind of fall: falling or flying objects. By wearing hard hats or helmets and following these work practices, construction workers can be saved from this fatal risk:

• Wear a hard hat or helmet appropriate to the kind of hazards present at the workplace.

• Never work too near or beneath scaffolds, cranes and other equipment, structures and tools that could likely fall on you.

• Don appropriate safety goggles or glasses, face shields, etc. in areas where tools or machines may cause particles or debris to fly.

• Stack materials to prevent falling, sliding or collapse.

• Install toeboards, debris nets, guardrails, screens, canopies or catch platforms to catch or deflect flying objects.

• Prior to use, inspect all tools like lathes and saws to ensure that their protective guards are securely in place.

• Check all cranes and hoists to ensure that their hooks, chains and other components are in good condition.

• Never move under loads that are being transported or moved.

• Never exceed the load ratings of equipment like cranes and hoists.

• Place barricades on hazard areas and post warning signs.

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While a very basic tool, hammers can cause serious injury when not used properly. In fact, a misplace hammer alone can break a bone in your wrist, hand or fingers, as well as cause minor scrapes, cuts and bruising to any part of your body. Here are basic and very important guidelines in using a hammer safely:

• Always keep your work area free of debris and other objects that may cause trip or slip hazards.

• Before using a hammer, ensure that its handle is not loose, cracked or splintered. Make sure, too, the handle fits securely.

• Use hammers or mallets with electrically insulated handles for work on or around exposed energized parts.

• Wear appropriate eye protection since flying debris from shattered materials can injure your eyes.

• Make sure you have enough clearance from fellow workers when performing work with a hammer or mallet.

• Choose a hammer with a cushioned handle to protect you from vibration, impact and squeezing pressure.

• Select a hammer with a weight appropriate to your size and capacity, as well as the job at hand.

• Ensure that you have secure footing and good balance while using a hammer.

• You can use clamps or a vise to secure the piece you are striking with a hammer.

• Use only a hammer when driving nails into an object or material. Never use a rock, brick or other tools for this purpose or risk getting injured.

• Avoid using hammers with sharp edges as they can cut off circulation in your finger after long periods of use.

• When pulling nails or prying material apart, ensure that the claw of the hammer is in the proper position and the right leverage is applied.

• Avoid awkward positions when using the hammer to prevent strains and other kinds of stress.

• While working on a ladder, never hammer by extending your torso outside the side rails of the ladder.

• Keep hammers and other tools organized by placing them in tool chests or tool boxes.

• Never leave hammers and other tool strewn about in your work area.

• Use pegboards for larger tools so that you can hang them securely and save space at the same time.

• Make sure to immediately repair damaged or defected hammers and other tools. Only qualified personnel must perform repairs.

Related Links:

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