These safety goggles are lined with a layer of durable resistant foam on the inside.  The foam has periodic air spaces to prevent fogging and moisture build up.  They are very popular especially in the lab environment.  They also come with impact resistant molded lens with SuperCoat™ anti-fog coating.  The Elvex Go Specs can be viewed here: http://www.safetyglassesinc.com/Elvex/Safety-Goggles/Elvex-Go-Specs-Clear-Anti-Fog-Safety-Goggles/.

Technorati Tags: Safety Glasses, safety goggles, workplace safety

The top three causes of death for tree trimmers is electrocution, falls and being hit by parts of the tree.

Some important safety equipment when cutting down trees: safety glasses, ear protection, gloves, boots and chainsaw chaps. Also the appropriate ropes and harnesses if applicable. Remember to be prepared for the unexpected and properly educate yourself before attempting any DIY tree projects. OHSA has some great etool resources that are very helpful in better understanding hazards & solutions to them.

Thanks to my neighbors for allowing me take and post these photos.

Technorati Tags: chainsaw prote, safety don'ts

How is stress effecting you? Stress can lead to health problems and a decline in worker productivity. It’s in everyone’s interest to address stress in the workplace
Here’s some interesting numbers from workers surveyed:
-40% of workers report their job is “very or extremely stressful.”
-26% of workers report they are “often or very often burned out or stressed by their work.”
-3/4th of workers believe the worker has more on-the-job stress than a generation ago.
-Workers who report high levels of stress have health care expenditures nearly 50% greater than their counterparts. Yikes!

We know it exists and some of us have faced the more serious side of stress. NIOSH recommends Stress Management and Organizational Change as two actions reduce job stress. The following are suggestions from American Psychologist are on how to change organizations to prevent job stress:

• Ensure that the workload is in line with workers’ capabilities and resources.
• Design jobs to provide meaning, stimulation, and opportunities for workers to use their skills.
• Clearly define workers’ roles and responsibilities.
• Give workers opportunities to participate in decisions and actions affecting their jobs.
• Improve communications-reduce uncertainty about career development and future employment prospects.
• Provide opportunities for social interaction among workers.
• Establish work schedules that are compatible with demands and responsibilities outside the job.

Enjoy the day!

Technorati Tags: national stress awareness

Here’s a great story that emphasizes the need for chainsaw chaps.

“Chaps actually saved my life once (I’m convinced, anyway). I was working for a builder in Michigan, clearing out some of his land for new houses. The lots were heavily wooded and his method was to push the trees over with the backhoe and we would buck them up on the ground, and sometimes this resulted in fairly large piles of trees.

I was working on one of the piles, cutting upwards from underneath the bottom of a limb that was lying more or less horizontally, when the balance of the pile shifted and the upper tip of the blade hit something where I couldn’t see it, and the whole blade kicked back across my upper leg. The chainsaw was running at full speed but the threads in the chainsaw chaps stopped the thing cold.

At first I didn’t even realize what had happened – I thought the saw had bound in the branches or something, and even gave the trigger a few kicks to try and loosen it again. That was when I felt it trying to tug at my pants and realized what had happened. We were miles away from nowhere; I am sure I would have bled to death in minutes if that thing had gone through my leg. So yeah, I’m a big believer in chaps.”

Thanks Joel for your story. The photo used is from another person’s chain saw injury (ugh – blood).  Joel’s leg is just fine.

Be safe working on your Spring Projects outside!

Technorati Tags: chainsaw chaps, chainsaw protection

Age Restrictions (Laws that protect teens from doing dangerous work)

No Worker Under 18 May:
-Drive a motor vehicle as a regular part of the job or operate a forklift at anytime.
-Operate many types of powered equipment (like meat slicer, circular saw, bakery machine)
-Work in wrecking, demolition, excavation or roofing.
-Work in mining, logging or a sawmill.
-Work in meat packing or slaughtering.
-Work where there is exposure to radiation.
-Work where explosives are manufactured or stored.

No Worker 14 or 15 Years May:
-Bake or cook on the job (except at a serving counter)
-Operate power-driven machinery, except certain types which pose little hazard such those used in offices.
-Work on a ladder or scaffold.
-Work in warehouses.
-Work in construction, building or manufacturing.
-Load or unload a truck, railroad car or conveyor.

Resources: NIOSH & OSHA

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/adoldoc.html

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/teenworkers/teenworkers.html

http://www2.worksafebc.com/Topics/YoungWorker/Home.asp

Technorati Tags: workplace safety, workplace safety for youth

The Safety Guru group on Flickr has an interesting collection of safety photos from different contributors in locations around the world. I visit occasionally to see what’s new. Unfortunately I only post photos with direct permission from the photographer so I can’t use the 3rd party photos from that group. But you still can check it out and laugh… or groan.

Today’s photo was provide by P. Adkin which he shot when he was in China.  Thanks so much for allowing us to use your photo.

Stay safe!

• What can the agency do to enhance and encourage the efforts of employers, workers and unions to identify and address workplace hazards?

• What are the most important emerging or unaddressed health and safety issues in the workplace, and what can OSHA do to address these?

• How can the agency improve its efforts to engage stakeholders in programs and initiatives?

• What specific actions can the agency take to enhance the voice of workers in the workplace, particularly workers who are hard to reach, do not have ready access to information about hazards or their rights, or are afraid to exercise their rights?

• Are there additional measures to improve the effectiveness of the agency’s current compliance assistance efforts and the on site consultation program, to ensure that small businesses have the information needed to provide safe workplaces?

• Given the length and difficulty of the current OSHA rule making process, and given the need for new standards that will protect workers from unaddressed, inadequately addressed and emerging hazards, are there policies and procedures that will decrease the time to issue final standards so that OSHA may implement needed protections in a timely manner?

• As we continue to progress through a new information age vastly different from the environment in which OSHA was created, what new mechanisms or tools can the agency use to more effectively reach high risk employees and employers with training, education and outreach? What is OSHA doing now that may no longer be necessary?

• Are there indicators, other than work site injuries and illness logs, that OSHA can use to enhance resource targeting?

• In the late 1980s, OSHA and its stakeholders worked together to update the Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) (exposure limits for hazardous substances; most adopted in 1971), but the effort was unsuccessful. Should updating the PELs be a priority for the agency? Are there suggestions for ways to update the PELs, or other ways to control workplace chemical exposures?

There was some great discussions out in the blog & twitter world in response. You still can watch the different panels via webcast or get a written transcript and comments of the meeting here. What would your advice to OSHA be?

Technorati Tags: osha

I hear you’re the fall protection expert who’s in the know. Here’s my question for you:
Can I install the anchor points over my roof shingles?

Sincerely,
Ted

This is a common question I get asked all the time and here’s  the answer in a nutshell:

You must secure the anchor directly to the surface of what it is approved for.

Now here’s the reason why:  It all goes back to when manufacturers test the anchors. Manufacturers do their pull out tests on what they approve it for. For example, if they approve their anchor for 3/4″ plywood. What they’re going to do is attach the anchor directly to the Plywood and do the testing and see if it holds up. (I am just simplifying what actually goes on) They approve it.  So now, if you take and put a shingle in between the anchor and the plywood you are changing the parameters and creating a totally different test because the shingle creates a gap that can change the results. Therefore it is not approved to do this in the field.

Why don’t they test it with shingles and see if it holds up? Great questions – it’s because there are so many different roofing materials out there that would make it near impossible to test for everyone. And there is a huge liability by allowing the workers to install these in the field this way – too many different variables means too many risks in these situations.

Technorati Tags: anchor points, fall protection, fall safety advice

The same day in Florida, construction worker Daniel Caldwell, 40, died after a 25 ft fall off a roof.

Two weeks ago construction worker David Pink, 25, was injured in a 60 ft construction fall. Pink was taking plywood off the top floor of a building when the wind caught him and he went off the edge head first.

Most recent sources say that Pink’s 30 ft retractable did not engage and when he hit the end of the retractable he flipped and the cable snapped. After the cable snapped he continued to fall another 30 ft, shattering his hip and the side of his face. What saved his life was that he was working across the street from a hospital and the ambulance, as well as a doctor, arrived in minutes. He was able to get to the UW Trauma center immediately.

Most retractables need to be re-certified every 2 years and it was believed this retractable was closer to 3 years. OSHA is investigating this accident.

Most people don’t get do overs. Stay safe! 100% tie-off, check your equipment, keep up to date, train your workers properly! DO what you need to do for everyone to stay safe and alive.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, workplace accidents, workplace safety

—
WASHINGTON, Pa. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has fined the C.A. Franc construction company $539,000 following the investigation of a roofing worker who fell 40 feet to his death at a Washington worksite. The Valencia, Pa.-based roof installer – whose owner is Christopher A. Franc – was cited for 10 per instance willful citations for failing to protect workers from falls.

“Mr. Franc knowingly and willfully failed to protect his workers from falling to their death,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. “We will not tolerate this type of blatant and egregious disregard for the health and safety of workers.”

OSHA began its investigation immediately following the worker’s death on Aug. 15, 2009, and found the C.A. Franc company had failed to provide any fall protection to its employees working on a pitched roof 40 feet off the ground. In addition, Mr. Franc failed to train a newly hired college student in hazards and the necessary safety measures for roofing work. As a result of the investigation, the company has been cited for 10 alleged per-instance willful violations, one for each employee working unprotected on the roof, with a proposed penalty of $490,000, and one additional alleged willful violation for failing to train the new employee, with a penalty of $49,000.

General contractor Hospitality Builders Inc. also has been cited with one willful violation and a proposed penalty of $70,000 for failing to ensure that C.A. Franc workers had fall protection.

“This fall fatality was one of five that occurred during a 15-day span in the Pittsburgh area,” said John M. Hermanson, OSHA’s regional administrator in Philadelphia, Pa. “Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry. Failure to provide employees with fall protection is unconscionable. We urge construction companies to take the necessary action to ensure their workers are protected.”

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=

Technorati Tags: osha fines, osha violations

Today OSHA has proposed $70,000 in fines (for one willful violation), citing a failure to protect workers from falls. The company was also cited for the same violation in 2007 but failed to remedy the situation. OSHA defines a willful violation as, “one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.” and gives the company, “15 days to comply, request a conference with OSHA officials, or contest the ruling and fine.”

Detailed information about fall hazards and safeguards is available on OSHA’s Web site at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/construction.html.

Technorati Tags: fall protection harnesses, workplace accidents, workplace safety

Photo by NIOSH

One workplace safety hazard I never considered until recently was the weather, specifically cold weather. I live in frick’n cold Wisconsin. A good friend (who lives in frick’n cold Minnesota) shared about his new job where he works outside installing satellite dishes. I asked if work was ever canceled because of the weather conditions – he said never. I found that concerning. Working on a slippery roof, below freezing weather, and installing stuff… sounds like a recipe for disaster.

I asked around one of the safety groups I belong to and one of the NIOSH guys sent me a great link that discussed the dangers of cold weather:  http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/coldstress/

If you read through the whole article there are recommendations for employers and workers. I am sorry to say that my friend’s employer does very little to protect the workers. Seems like it takes an injury or death for something to change.

“Employers should take the following steps to protect workers from cold stress:

• Schedule maintenance and repair jobs in cold areas for warmer months.
• Schedule cold jobs for the warmer part of the day.
• Reduce the physical demands of workers.
• Use relief workers or assign extra workers for long, demanding jobs.
• Provide warm liquids to workers.
• Provide warm areas for use during break periods.
• Monitor workers who are at risk of cold stress.

Provide cold stress training that includes information about:

• Worker risk
• Prevention
• Symptoms
• The importance of monitoring yourself and coworkers for symptoms
• Treatment
• Personal protective equipment”

Stay warm and stay safe.

Technorati Tags: cold weather work, workplace safety

I think it is interesting to note that December 30th, 1969 was when the Coal Act was signed. Below is an excerpt from MSHA’s Assistant Secretary, Joe Main.

“…I want to note a very important anniversary in mine safety and health. This year we will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, known as the Coal Act. Signed on December 30, 1969, this law represents a watershed moment in the improvement of occupational health and safety in the United States. It was the precursor to the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, which created MSHA, and it was the basis of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) of 1970. The Coal Act forever transformed occupational safety and health in the United States.”

Laws can make a difference. You can make a difference.

Technorati Tags: coal miner's safety, workplace safety

This question is often asked. I’ve seen harness that needed to be disposed after one year and others that are in great condition after a decade. Here’s what you need to know:

Most fall protection companies use the ANSI standard and the five year life as a guideline. This is only a guideline. You must inspect your harness and follow the maintenance guidelines that go with the harness. Do you see damage? Has it been left out in the elements? Has it been exposed to chemicals or intense heat? How it’s taken care of may shorten it’s life. Good care and maintenance may extend it (store at room temperature away from chemicals, moisture, and ultra-violet light). Your harness and lanyards should have instructions for their use, inspection and cleaning. Check it out.

Fall protection companies require that, “all fall protection products to be visually inspected prior to use and regularly inspected by a ‘Competent Person’, such as defined by OSHA or CSA.”

Technorati Tags: fall harness, fall protection question

Think about what goes into our landfills. At the end of a product’s life cycle it’s going to end up in the garbage and then a landfill. Lead-free products won’t contaminate a landfill which is a win-win for green-conscious businesses and individuals. Choosing products, like True Grip Traction tapes, that are Lead Free and RoHS Compliant is a great idea. To be considered RoHS Compliant, products must follow the regulations of RoHS which looks at equipment/products containing lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, PBB, & PBDE flame retardants.

Technorati Tags: safety tapes, safety tips

This weeks tip:  Chose acrylic adhesives instead of rubber adhesives for anti-slip tape.

If you have the choice, go with the acrylic adhesives. It’s going to save you time and money in the long run when you eventually go to remove the safety tape. (The tape has to be replaced sometime!) When pulled up, the acrylic adhesives leaves behind no residue (yeah!) but if it’s a rubber based safety tape you’re going to need some acetate and some good old fashion elbow grease to rub away the residue. From a maintenance standpoint, the choice is clear -save your knees and time.

Technorati Tags: anti-slip tape, safety tape advice

This weeks tip: Acrylic adhesives vs rubber adhesives for anti-slip tape.

If you have the choice, go with the acrylic adhesives. It’s going to save you time and money in the long run when you eventually go to remove the safety tape. (The tape has to be replaced sometime!) When pulled up, the acrylic adhesives leaves behind no residue (yeah!) but if it’s a rubber based safety tape you’re going to need some acetate and some good old fashion elbow grease to rub away the residue. From a maintenance standpoint, the choice is clear -save your knees and time.

Technorati Tags: safety tapes, safety tips

The America’s Safest Companies Award was founded in 2002. It honors companies that achieve specific criterias in safety. This year the criteria got even harder, where the selection team picked companies that demonstrated “Visionary thinking… were practically perfect…and over the top” in safety.

EHS Today, sponsors of this award, wrote that these companies, “provide a safe working environment for tens of thousands of employees, protect the environment and act as advocates for health and safety.”
The criteria:

• Support from management and employee involvement.
• Innovative solutions to safety challenges.
• Injury and illness rates lower than average for their industries.
• Comprehensive training programs.
• Evidence that prevention of incidents is the cornerstone of the safety process.
• Good communication about the value of safety.
• Way to substantiate the benefits of the safety process.

This years winners:

AMEC Earth & Environmental Inc.,The Concrete Pipe Div. of CEMEX, Medtronic Inc., Morin Actuator, RQ Construction Inc., Trendmaker Homes, Trihydro Corp., and Wood Group Power Plant Services.

Source: http://ehstoday.com/safety/asc/

Technorati Tags: Safety award, workplace safety

There are costs (fines, injuries, lives) to not following rules. Interestingly, the blogger chat about this company was mostly about short cuts. Shorts cuts in building and short cuts in protecting employees. It will be interesting to see what happens.**

**All companies, after receiving a citation and proposed penalties, have 15 business days to either comply, meet with OSHA or contest the findings.

Technorati Tags: osha fines, osha violations

In a nutshell, that is where your body best takes the load in a free fall without doing internal damage. Many people do not understand that just because a harness has d-rings on the side you can never be solely attached to those -they are used for positioning. If you did take a fall while just being connected to one of those rings, it could potentially snap your back. Ouch.

Technorati Tags: d-rings, fall protection questions

OSHA is currently listing individuals who have had their status as a OSHA outreach trained suspend or revoked. Trainers who are falsifying information are subject to criminal prosecution. Complaints about training fraud and abuse? Complaints about program fraud abuse? The new outreach fraud hotline is (847)0297-4810.

Technorati Tags: osha, osha violations

Let us know if it’s useful or about your favorite free resources. We like to pass them on.
Be Safe!

Technorati Tags: workplace safety, workplace safety resources, workplace training resources

Chain saw injury. Logging can be dangerous!

Is your job on “The List”? Last month I noticed a flurry of “Ten Most Dangerous Jobs” lists floating around. From year to year when the list is reissued I notice the order changes a little but the same jobs are on the list.

For me, the list puts life into perspective when the most dangerous thing I face in my job is a sore butt from being at my computer too long or wanting to smash my laptop when I see the blue screen of death.

Here’s the most recent list I have seen. I wonder what kind of life insurance rates they get?

1. Logger

2. Pilot

3. Fishermen

4. Iron/Steel Worker

5. Garbage Collector

6. Farmer/Rancher

7. Roofer

8. Electrical Power Installer/Repairer

9. Sales, Delivery, and Other Truck Driver

10. Taxi Driver/Chauffeur

Technorati Tags: workplace safety

1.The CDC is encouraging people to get the seasonal flu vaccine along with the novel H1N1 vaccine. They are meant to be used together – the regular flu vaccine isn’t going to protect you against H1N1 and vice versa. The CDC site states the novel H1N1 vaccine is still in production and may not be available in the fall to everyone. Most likely specific groups recommended to receive the novel H1N1 vaccine – pregnant women, young children (for full list click here) will be first to get the novel H1N1 vaccine.

2. A recent Hong Kong Study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, gave advice that was to “help reduce the transmission of influenza within the household if the measures are implemented in good time.”  So, frequent hand washing and the use of face masks, if used early (within 36 hours of earliest symptoms), can reduce transmission of the illness. Using one or the other is not as effective, they must be used together.

No need to panic. Just be safe and aware.

Technorati Tags: flu, H1N1 Flu

Eric’s picture captured my attention immediately since I like to “spiff up” my own safety glasses. Eric’s glasses are bedazzled – gotta love a little bling!

My favorite pair has flowers and butterflies. It’s a great way to keep my husband’s hands of my safety glasses when he misplaces his own. I would think it would be great at the workplace to make it clear which pair is yours.

Have you personalized your safety glasses? Send me a picture!*

*Safety Reminder for the Oblivious: It’s important to make sure that designs don’t inhibit your eye sight. You don’t want to cause an accident because you can’t see.

Technorati Tags: Safety Glasses

Photo provided by Ricecracker on FlickR

As I was checking out the “What’s New” section at NIOSH for the month of July, the topic Jackhammers caught my attention. NIOSH was specifically addressing hazardous dusts workers are exposed to when breaking concrete pavement and some safety precautions.

That started me thinking about all the hazards construction workers using jackhammers have to be aware of and protective steps they need to take. Noise is often one of the most common safety hazards that’s forgotten when working with power tools. Damage to the ears isn’t as obvious and can develop over time. Considering all the proper PPE required is important!

Ladies want to see that amazing upper body you developed from working that jackhammer – not the injuries.

Technorati Tags: ear protection, eye protection, workplace safety

While this strain of the flu is still mild, it could mutate into something more deadly. It is a definite wake-up call to workplaces to prepare a Pandemic Plan. Businesses and organizations need to consider how a pandemic will affect business continuity. How would a business continue day to day operations if much of their workforce were sick?

If your company still does not have a pandemic plan, now is the time to do so.  A quick Google search of “Pandemic Preparedness Plan” will result in excellent ideas and tutorials to make the task easier.

Resource:  Washington Post

Technorati Tags: N95 masks

I took the excerpt below from Tim Garnder’s post (with his kind permission). Although I usually read his posts on the safety community we both belong to, he also writes a personal blog, Safety By Choice.

“For the next several years we used his [the safety manager's] expertise to create an environment where everyone was their own safety manager, teams cultivated experts in safety systems and investigation processes, and we experienced the best performance for similar facilities in our company….Everyone has to accept the fact that ultimately, they are their own safety manager. You [the safety manager] are just there to help them be the best safety manager they can be.”

I was intrigued by the positive results Tim and his team got at the company he worked for by upholding to the philosophy that EVERYONE is a safety manager and the actual safety manager – they were there just to help out. He said it took a lot of work upfront, but eventually people got it and it made a huge difference.

How are you being your own safety manager? How can your safety manager better support you?

Technorati Tags: ppe, workplace safety

Sassy Safety Queen's Tri Training Favorite

I have to share about my new favorite, multi-purpose safety glasses – Elvex Avion Indoor/Outdoor Safety Glasses. They are great for many reasons but I LOVE Indoor/Outdoor safety glasses because I don’t need to have tons of pairs lying around to meet different needs.

Besides being great for yard projects where I am going in and out of sunny areas or in and outside, I have also been using them for biking! I am training for a triathlon and I am riding outside regularly. I need to keep the wind, sun and bugs out of my eyes (especially important for contact wearers like me). The Indoor/Oudoor Safety Glasses have enough sun reflection to keep the sun off my eyes but are clear enough to keep wearing when the sun goes behind the cloud so that I don’t have to worry about them being too dark. Who wants to lug around extra stuff like another pair of glasses? I don’t like really dark sun glasses for biking anyway – I save those for boating.  Also, Elvex’s Avion has a snug fit that’s not too tight.

(check out http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/smallbusiness/sbrefa.html if you need more info about OSHA consults)

Today was beautiful and I started itching to work on projects.

You know what kind of projects I mean – the DIY house and yard projects which lead us to need PPE (personal protection equipment). Eye protection, hand protection, ear protection, feet protection…okay you get the idea.

The weather’s too nice to be cooped up in an Urgent Care room. Take care of yourself!  Now is a great time to update your supplies. Scratched safety glasses? Update with a great looking pair of Safety Glasses you can work in or wear on the road. Need some ear protection? Why not have some music to go with it and check out the Elvex ComMuff Ear Muffs? They plug into CD players, MP3 players and standard radios. Listen to your favorite tunes as you mow or work power tools. Music can make any project go faster.

Be Safe!

Technorati Tags: ear protection, elvex commuff, eye protection, occ safety glasses

The most recently released Top Ten list of “Most Disabling Workplace Injuries” from Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index are as follows:

1.      Overexertion
2.      Fall On Same Level
3.      Fall To Lower Level
4.      Bodily Reaction
5.      Struck by Object
6.      Struck Against Object
7.      Highway Incident
8.      Caught In/Compressed By
9.      Repetitive Motion
10.  Assaults/Violent Acts

What preventative measures are you taking? Do you have safety plans in place? Do you follow them?

Technorati Tags: disabling injuries, workplace accidents, workplace injures

In my experience as a Paramedic/Fire Fighter, I have observed that most of the injury related calls I have responded to were not at the work site, but rather in homes or areas where people were participating in recreational activities. On one large construction site the safety personnel noted that there were four to five times more off the job injuries than on.

Some organizations have been monitoring off the job injuries. One company I have spoken for noted that their ratio between on and off the job injuries were astounding. They had up to 15 times more off the job injuries than on the job injuries. Home can be a very dangerous place.

Most people at a work site take safety training courses and wear proper personal protective equipment. The safety rules should be and can be enforced by the company. Many people who would refuse to use an unsafe ladder at the worksite will go home and use a ladder that is unstable, broken or too short for the job. Often the result is injury.

We have to realize that safety is a twenty-four hour a day concern. The safe work habits developed on the job should not be left at the office or in the locker along with the steel toe boots, hard hats and safety goggles.

Many companies are starting to recognize that encouraging and promoting off the job safety saves money. It doesn’t matter where a worker is injured, the company pays. This can be in increased WCB or sick time.

The sinking of the Titanic reminds me of two things in regard to safety…

One. The ship sank.  Which could be a pretty blatant metaphor about businesses today.  People are panicking that they’re ship will sink, so they decide to throw all of the “dead weight” overboard to stay afloat a little bit longer.  Your safety program is not dead weight!

Two. The Titanic was billed as the “Unsinkable Ship.”  Unfortunately, I think that’s how a lot of workers feel on the job site.  That they are impervious to pain and that accidents don’t happen to them.  After all they’re unsinkable!  No one is unsinkable.  Don’t let pride and ego cost you your life.

Technorati Tags: safety, safety programs

So what’s a boy to do?  Flammable safety cabinets are the answer.  Plain and simple.  There are safety cabinets for paints, inks, corrosives, pesticides.  You name it.  They’ve got a big metal box you can put it in.  I know it’s all very confusing, because there are sizes, regulations, and insurance crap to work about.  So you could head over to a place like Safety Plus and look around…

Technorati Tags: flammable cabinets, safety cabinets

1. Not wearing your safety glasses for an entire day
2. That new duct tape harness you created to save a few bucks
3. Telling your boss you slept with his wife
4. Leaving flammable materials sitting by the burn pile
5. Seeing how close you can get your face to your machine without wearing safety glasses
6. Testing the theory that legs can grow back by not wearing chainsaw chaps
7. Lifting anything with your groin
8. Trying to determine how bad an anvil to the head would hurt without head protection.
9. Letting co-workers yell in your ear all day without ear plugs to see if  you’ll lose your hearing.
10. Using your dog’s leash as a fall protection lanyard because you forgot yours at home.

Technorati Tags: chainsaw chaps, fall protection, Safety Glasses

If you are anything like me, there are certain movies that “get to you.”  Personally, I find myself choking up every time I watch the movie “Field of Dreams”.  At the end of the movie, Ray Kinsella realizes that the reason he built the baseball field on his farm was to resolve an issue with his father.  The coup de gras is when they get to have a game of catch, and when I watch that scene I experience real emotions that bind me to the story.  This is what happens during Step #2 in the process: You create buy-in by using vicarious experiences, or stories.  Share stories with your employees of real people who were affected both negatively and positively by safety-related events.  A great example that comes to mind is the poem, “I Could Have Saved A Life That Day,” which describes an actual supervisor who decided not to confront a safety violation that ultimately resulted to an employee’s death.  Vicarious experiences like this have a huge impact on employees’ motivation, and consequently their level of commitment to safety.

Step #2 is an ongoing process during which you motivate your people to buy-in to the vision created in Step #1.  Once that is accomplished, it is time to move to Step #3: Change your organization’s culture by connecting employees’ performance directly to the safety vision that they committed to in Step #2.  This is done through both praise and discipline.  For example… “Joe, we all agreed that our goal is to be incident free this quarter, and when you reminded the team to have a JSA meeting before starting the job you helped us meet that goal.  Thanks.”  It takes 10 seconds to praise someone using the vision statement, and every time you do this it strengthens the employee’s resolve to carry out the safety vision.

There are also times when we must discipline because of unsafe acts.  For example… “Sam, we all agreed that our goal is to be incident free this quarter and I noticed that you were grinding without a face shield…”  By using the vision statement that everyone has already bought into, you are tying the specific action back to a common, and much larger purpose.

Creating a culture of safety is complex and requires, among other things, that we do not overlook people’s motivation to work safely.

Continue to work diligently on your safety journey and remember why you do so; it’s the right thing to do.

Technorati Tags: motivation, rad group, safety

Is the slowing economy causing more companies to cut corners on safety, creating a more dangerous work environment? Some analyst and labor officials think so. Recent headlines shout, “Bad Economy Leads to More Work Place Fatalities” and “Workplace Litigation Risk Heats Up as Economy Cools.”

Tough times are here and we don’t know when things are going to turn around. Until they do, here are some smart things to remember about safety in the workplace. Heck – it’s good stuff to remember even when the economy is great.

·   Doctor bills, workman’s compensation, and the like are much more expensive than Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). Spending the money on PPE can keep your costs down in the long run.

·   Don’t skimp on safety training. More companies are hiring newbies right now (cheaper, but less experienced employees). Safety training is even more important than ever when you have less experienced people on your payroll. We are researching safety consultants to give our readers better resources. If you can recommend anyone, please let us know!

·   Save money by checking out clearance and overstock items to keep your costs down. Let someone’s ordering error be to your advantage.

·   Consider case pricing – if case pricing isn’t listed, be bold and ask! Many companies will bend over backward to do this for you.

Do you have any “workplace safety advice during hard economic times” that you want to share? The best advice is from those in the trenches – like you!

Technorati Tags: case pricing, ppe, safety advice, workplace safety

In this post we’re going to focus on how we can influence change by targeting personal motivation and how we impact the motivation of others.  Your goal should be to create a culture in which people not only abide by their organization’s safety programs, but also see those programs as their own.  I once had someone ask me why we should care if employees buy-in to safety, because, according to this particular skeptic, “Safety is a condition of employment.”  The best answer can be found in this short anecdote.

In the early 1900s there was a very skilled Italian sculptor that decided to move to New York City in hopes of making it big.  He soon found that selling his sculptures to the local galleries was nearly impossible.  So, to make ends meet, he took a job as a mason for a local construction company.  For months on end, he carved half circles and diagonal lines into 4 foot by 4 foot blocks of granite.  Eventually, he began to hate his new life.  Not only had he not made it as a sculptor, but he had fallen so low that all he did was carve half circles and diagonal lines day after day.  He decided to take a walk one day to ponder his plight.

As he walked through an unfamiliar part of the city, he saw a newly built office building in the distance.  It was the most beautiful sight that he had seen since arriving in America.  As he got closer to this masterpiece, the detail become evident to his unsuspecting eyes.  As he stood in front of the building, he began to weep.  You see, this entire building was made of 4 foot by 4 foot granite blocks with the most beautiful designs on them – half circles and diagonal lines.  This was his creation.  His dreams of being an artist had not been broken.  Rather, he was the victim of a common management flaw.  The fact is, we care a great deal about things once we understand “what’s in it for me”.

So how can we go from showing employees “what’s in it for them” to their taking ownership in our safety culture?  We have found that the best organizations follow three common steps.

The first step is to create a vision statement.  This can come in many forms, but ultimately a great vision statement should tell people where you want to go and how you want to get there.  For instance, “Our goal is to have an incident free quarter (where you want to go) by eliminating hazards, communicating any risks that may still be present, and holding one another accountable to our safety policies and procedures (how you’re going to get there).  Once you have your vision statement created, make it visible everywhere your people work.  That’s step number one.

In our next post we will talk about steps 2 and 3.  Step 2 will focus on how we can transform a vision statement into to the driving force of the organization’s safety culture, and step 3 will address how we can motivate people to behave safely by using our vision statement.

Until then, continue your safety journey with great passion and always remember:  The ONLY reason we stress safety is because it’s the right thing to do.

Technorati Tags: rad group, safety

A recent discussion group on an online safety site was discussing passive and active fall protection. Safety experts weighed in on their preferences between the two.

First of all, for those of you who need a quick 101 in fall protection, follow along. An example of Passive Fall Protection Systems would be guardrail safety rails, netting or warning lines. It doesn’t require active participation from workers. Active fall protection would be fall harnesses, lanyards, horizontal lifelines, trolley systems and fixed point anchors.

The overwhelming majority of these safety professionals preferred passive systems when it was cost efficient (and you were able to do so) because the less one has to rely on operator, the better. There are so many more opportunities to screw things up when you throw a human into the mix.

Technorati Tags: active fall protection, fall protection systems, guardrails, horizontal lifelines

So what’s up with the relaxing regulations? Well for one, the recession is affecting so many businesses that fining most companies is an empty gesture that does more harm than good, as it’s causing companies to go belly up. So, poof they’re gone. Also, I heard that OSHA got sick and tired of prosecuting morons for the same crap over and over again. Apparently, the head of OSHA said, “piss on ‘em. If they want to die let ‘em.”

Okay so maybe this is a bit of April Fool’s fun, OSHA’s regulations are alive and well. Yet, sometimes I think we tend to forget why they exist in the first place. To help us stay safe. Besides, OSHA only becomes a hassle when you let down your end of the bargain.

Technorati Tags: osha, osha fines, osha regulations

It’s easy to blow off PPE until you see the cold hard facts.

Be Smart and Safe. And if you’re not, please email me your “I’m An Idiot” story. I really love hearing those. Even the gross pictures. Just warn me ahead of time so I don’t open it too close to lunch.

Technorati Tags: chainsaw chaps, chainsaw safety, ppe

So we are looking for people and businesses that have actually used different online training sites. We want to know about the good, the bad and the ugly. If you have had good experiences, we want to know!

I do think it’s relevant to point out that it’s not just online businesses that we need to research, there are trainers that do onsite OSHA training that are bogus. Currently, that is an issue coming up in New York. After the high number of construction deaths this past year (19) and injuries (181), the city has started requiring anyone working 15 stories or higher on a building to take the OSHA 10 training course by July 2009. However, reporters have discovered this “training” has been less than stellar. One class they infiltrated had a little over 2 hours of actual teaching time once “beer breaks” were factored in. Some industry experts say, “…classes are often a joke… insiders have noted a rise in bogus training.”

What are you noticing out there?

Technorati Tags: health and safety training, osha training, safety training

“Just as sunglasses help vision in very bright light, so hearing protectors enhance speech understanding in very noisy places. Even in a quiet setting, a normal-hearing person wearing hearing protectors should be able to understand a regular conversation.

Hearing protectors do slightly reduce the ability of those with damaged hearing or poor comprehension of language to understand normal conversation. However, it is essential that persons with impaired hearing wear earplugs or muffs to prevent further inner ear damage in very noisy places.

It has been argued that hearing protectors might reduce a worker’s ability to hear the noises that signify an improperly functioning machine. However, most workers readily adjust to the quieter sounds and can still detect such problems. If a worker is already hearing impaired, he or she needs expert advice about how to protect against further damage. In some cases hearing aids can and should be used under earmuffs.”

Technorati Tags: ear plugs, ear protection, earmuffs, hearing protectors

For some of us, we can get a little trigger happy with the chainsaw.  I have certainly seen the end results of that – not that I am naming any names, cough*Tony* cough.

It’s important to make sure you have the qualifications and proper equipment (chainsaw chaps, boots, face/head protection, ear protection, and gloves) to safely take care of the job.  Please prove to your wife (or husband) that you’re not an idiot.

Some tips for DIY (Do-It-Yourselfers):
·         DO make sure it’s a job you can handle. (Don’t be afraid to call in the pro!)
·         DO cut through one log at a time.
·         DO read your owner’s manual on how to prevent kickbacks.
·         DO use extreme caution when working on partially fallen trees.
·         DO work with a partner.
·         DON’T start a chain saw while the blade is pinched in a log.
·         DON’T stand on the log you are cutting.
·         DON’T ever turn the chain saw upside down to cut.
·         DON’T cut trees in a cluttered area.
·         DON’T ever cut with the saw’s tip. (Kickback is a b’otch)

Not sure if you’re up for the job? Check out Missouri’s Department of Conservation, Tree Care After the Storm, for more information.  http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/Documents/10133.pdf

Technorati Tags: chainsaw chaps, chainsaw safety, hearing protection

I see it as something like a red hat society for men, but instead of using red hats they use hard hats.  So if you’re interested check them out.  I thought it would be something interesting to take a look at.  Nobody likes the guy that talks about safety all the time.

Technorati Tags: hard hat brotherhood, hard hats, safety

Class A: These helmets are for general service. They provide good impact protection but limited voltage protection. They are used mainly in mining, building construction, shipbuilding, lumbering, and manufacturing.

Class B: Choose Class B helmets if your employees are engaged in electrical work. They protect against falling objects and high-voltage shock and burns.

Class C: Designed for comfort, these light-weight helmets offer limited protection. They protect workers from bumping against fixed objects but do not protect against falling objects or electric shock.

Technorati Tags: hard hat classes, hard hats, head protection

“Chaps actually saved my life once (I’m convinced, anyway). I was working for a builder in Michigan, clearing out some of his land for new houses. The lots were heavily wooded and his method was to push the trees over with the backhoe and we would buck them up on the ground, and sometimes this resulted in fairly large piles of trees.

I was working on one of the piles, cutting upwards from underneath the bottom of a limb that was lying more or less horizontally, when the balance of the pile shifted and the upper tip of the blade hit something where I couldn’t see it, and the whole blade kicked back across my upper leg. The chainsaw was running at full speed but the threads in the chainsaw chaps stopped the thing cold.

At first I didn’t even realize what had happened – I thought the saw had bound in the branches or something, and even gave the trigger a few kicks to try and loosen it again. That was when I felt it trying to tug at my pants and realized what had happened. We were miles away from nowhere; I am sure I would have bled to death in minutes if that thing had gone through my leg. So yeah, I’m a big believer in chaps.”

Thanks Joel for your story! And thanks for your amusing picture wearing cowboy chaps. We are happy to say that Joel, despite his appearance in the photo, does indeed own chainsaw chaps (real ones), a chainsaw helmet/mask and steel-toed boots.

Technorati Tags: chainsaw chaps, chaps for logging, forrest safety

However with safety products it’s a completely different situation. Reading and better yet understanding the directions can make the difference between life and death or functioning and vegetable.

As trite and cliched as it may sound, it truly is better to be safe than sorry. That is unless of course you enjoy feeling guilty. Regardless, take the time to read the directions, and understand exactly how your safety equipment is supposed to be working.

If you know how it’s supposed to work, it will be easier to identify when something is amiss. Real Men Read Directions, especially if you buy a universal remote (those things are tricky bitches).

Technorati Tags: instruction manuals, reading directions, safety equipment

Technorati Tags: emergency sunglasses, how to, Safety Glasses

The average chainsaw injury requires 120 stitches. That’s an even bigger problem.

Think about this – the cost of one stitch is about the same as a pair of chaps. Since the majority of injuries occur on the upper and lower leg, it makes sense to wear protection on this area.

As one logger recently posted “You will feel so much better about spending money on chaps when you go to buy your second pair of chaps that are replacing the ones that saved your leg.” Can I hear an “Amen” Bro’tha?

Photo Credit: chubfisherman

Technorati Tags: chainsaw chaps, chainsaw protection, chaps for logging, preventing chainsaw injuries

Here are some ideas to help energize safety meetings.

1. Plan meetings around a specific objective.
2. Determine what’s most valuable, relevant and interesting to your group. (Not sure? Ask.)
3. Limit your points (3-5 main points).
4. Make it Interactive. Can you get people talking?
5. Vary the format. (i.e. use outside experts).
6. Discuss ‘near miss’ situations as a means to constructively learn.
7. All meetings are better with food. That’s just my personal philosophy.

Resource: Dr John Kello, Professor of Industrial -Organizational Psychology.

Technorati Tags: safety, safety coordinators, safety meetings

8. Yoko, you single handedly broke up The Beatles.
7. Umm…
6. Ah…

Okay that’s about all I’ve got. But remember, if you don’t take the extra effort to seek out, demand, and wear your safety gear, you have no one to blame but yourself. Even if the new guy at work really is a douche.

Technorati Tags: safet gear, safety, yoko ono

And, for those of you who didn’t know, if you’re running a job site where a head injury could occur you need to provide hart hats.  So to help you out, here are some guidelines…

1. Employers are responsible for ensuring that a safety helmet is worn on a construction site where:
* There is a possibility that a person may be struck on the head by a falling object.
* A person may strike their head against a fixed or protruding object.
* Accidental head contact may be made with electrical hazards.

2. Every person on a construction site should wear a safety helmet:
* Where there is a risk of a head injury.
* If required to do so by an employer and/or the person in control of the workplace.

Technorati Tags: hard hats, head injury, head protection

Judging by the way irony works in this world, the odds are extraordinary that the day you forget to put on your safety glasses or harness is the day you’ll get jabbed in the eye or fall. Think about it.

It only take one day, one hour, one nano-second for an accident to happen. I kind of like the idea of being boringly safe everyday and going home every night.

Of course in a similar note from Ground Hog Day, if you see your shadow don’t be startled and fall off a roof.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, Safety Glasses, safety harness

• Limit your exposure to cold, duh!
• Wear layers of loose, dry clothing
• Keep moving
• Cover your head, hands, feet, and face
• Take regular breaks in heated areas
• Know the symptoms of frostbite (Same goes for hypothermia)
• Act quickly if frostbite/hypothermia strikes (Get medical attention!)

These of course are just the basics.  For more detailed instructions head over here.  They’ve got a great list.

Technorati Tags: cold weather work, frostbite, hypothermia, safety tips

The most basic of course is Ear Plugs.  Ear plugs fit tightly into the ear canal, and in most cases are disposable.  The important thing to look for in ear plugs is fit.  If these little guys don’t close the ear canal then their use is limited.  And remember not to jam them too far into your ear.  That’s a good general rule for anything really.

Next we have Ear Canal Caps.  Ear canal caps minimally close the ear canal and are mounted on a headband for easy use.  They may be more comfortable, but in most cases aren’t as effective.

Finally, you’ve got Earmuffs.  Earmuffs are mounted on a head band and sit over the ear, and are generally more comfortable because they don’t enter the ear at all.  However, many workers can’t stand earmuffs in hot weather.  You can be the judge.  Some earmuffs even come with radios!  That last part was a bit random.

Well, those are your options for ear protection. Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: ear plugs, ear protection, earmuffs, hearing protection

We were recently informed that Snug Harnes and Safety Glasses Inc. both received and A+ from BBB Online.  That would be the Better Business Bureau.  Which is an agency that measures the quality of businesses for consumer protection, and not a well made dresser for businesses as I originally thought.

So to those fine sites we say congratulations, and keep up the good work selling the safety gear we frequently talk about.  Huzzah!

Technorati Tags: BBB Onlines, safety glasses inc., snug harness

Number six on Top 10 Safety Stories was OSHA’s requirement of Employer’s to pay for their employee’s  PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). This went into effect this past May. In a nutshell, if OSHA standards require you to wear PPE – then your employer needs to pay for it. Safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, goggles, safety shoes, welding helmets and, faceshields, chemical protective equipment, and fall protection equipment are some examples of PPE.

Exceptions to this OSHA ruling are as follows, “…specialty safety-toe protective footwear, boots with built-in metatarsal protection, logging boots and everyday work clothes used solely for protection from weather.”

We are curious on how many of you benefited directly by OSHA’s ruling this past year? How many already had employers providing your PPE?

Technorati Tags: fall protection, osha, Safety Glasses

All noise-reducing products are required to have a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). The NRR formula is complicated and annoying to write about succinctly – if you can write about it clearly in three sentences or less I will buy you a beer. Just know that higher the number, the better the product.

You also should know:

• Always use hearing protection when exposed to 100dB or more, even if the exposure is short.
• Regular exposure to noise above 85 dB will cause a gradual hearing loss in a significant number of individuals. Louder noises will accelerate this damage.
• When noise measurements indicate that hearing protectors are needed, the employer must offer at least one type of earplug and one type of earmuff without cost to employees.
• Snoring husbands are the number 67th cause of divorce in Wisconsin.
• Sassy’s Favorites: DeWalt Interceptor Ear Muff (light weight, foldable & inexpensive without being cheap); Radians Maximus Electronic Earmuffs (if you want to spoil yourself); Elvex Uni-Fit Foam Ear Plugs.

Resource:  American Academy of Otolaryngology

Technorati Tags: ear protection, earmuffs, hearing protection

1. The Vest Harness emerged as the best harness solution on the market.  Sure, it debuted more than a year ago, but 2008 was the first year that the vest harness began to establish some sort of dominance over the marketplace.  It single-handily combines everything you’d want from a harness, and I don’t see this freight train slowing down any time soon.

2.  Wiley X obliterated the bar on designing safety glasses that people would actually want to wear.  Gone are the days of using windshield sized plastic for eye protection.  It would seem that if people think their safety glasses look cool, they’re more likely to wear them.  A novel concept.  And kudos, to the gang at Wiley X for being innovative and introducing transition safety lenses.

3. Ladder safety became a bigger concern in 2008.  Sure, it’s always been an issue, but it would appear that this year OSHA and the gang realized how many average joes hurt themselves falling off ladders.  You don’t have to be building a multi-billion dollar structure to fall off of a ladder, and it’s nice to know steps and products are being made available for Joe the Plumber.

4. The Bucket of Safety is still the best all in one solution.  Another year, and no one has yet to top the novelty and simplicity of the bucket of safety.  It really doesn’t get much simpler than this.  I’m confident that the bucket of safety has single-handily increased compliance across the industry and put guys in harnesses that would have been naked (in safety terms) five years ago.

5.  People began to pay attention to rescue and retrieval this year.  It’s almost as if some one said, “Hey guys, we got all this crap to prevent people from plunging to their death, but what do we do when the jackass is just hanging there.”  As a result manufacturers began pumping out rescue equipment like crazy this year.  Which is a good thing.

Those are my defining insights from 2008.  What will you remember from the safety world this past year?

Technorati Tags: bucket of safety, fall protection, Safety Glasses, wiley x

To actually do the things we know we should be doing.  You know, listening to that little voice in our head that says,  “eh hem, excuse me mister, but you should be wearing safety glasses when you’re grinding metal and hacking apart drywall.”  Everyone has it.  I encourage you to actually listen to that little guy this year.

For the most part, you already know what we’re talking about on this blog.  You’re not learning anything earth shattering or mind boggling.  You know what you need to be doing, but time after time we ignore that little voice.  Listen.  He may save your life.

And to cheer you up, I’ve added a little joke to the end of this post.

“On New Year’s Eve, Marilyn stood up in the local pub and said that it was time to get ready. At the stroke of midnight, she wanted every husband to be standing next to the one person who made his life worth living.Well, it was kind of embarrassing.  As the clock struck – the bartender was almost crushed to death.”

Technorati Tags: safety, Safety Glasses

1.  People will continue to teach safety practices in the lamest and most outdated ways possible.

2.  Safety glasses may actually tip the scale, with fashionable glasses outweighing clunky obnoxious styles.

3.  Consumers will continue to order safety equipment online about three seconds before they need it.

4.  Guardian Fall Protection will invent a Jell-O Anchor.  Finally.

5.  People will continue to forgo ear protection and still hear that constant buzz.

6.  Fall Protection companies will keep making uncomfortable harnesses for next to nothing.

7.  Chainsaw Chaps will become fashionable for everyone, not just loggers, strippers, and the Village People.

8.  Wile E. Coyote will turn down a lucrative branding offer from Wiley X Safety Glasses.

9.  Some moron will tie off to the back of a pickup truck that will inevitably drive away.

10. Elvex will develop a hard hat with can holders on the side.

11. FogTech will find its way into the bedroom

12. The Bucket of Safety finally pop the question to Mr. Bucket.

Technorati Tags: chainsaw chaps, fall protection, guardian, Safety Glasses, wiley x

Here is an interesting little picture found in the instruction manual of a chainsaw.  There are two things we can take away from this picture.  One, our brain power as collective whole is decreasing at an alarming rate.  Two, people are rushing…  Which probably explains this picture.  When we’re rushing to get something done, we often throw caution to the wind and end up in predicaments like this one.  If a picture was taken every time you took a short cut it would most likely look shockingly dangerous in hindsight.  Take your time.

P.S. Notice how the man in the picture still bothered to put on a hard hat, face protection, ear protection, and gloves.  Hilarious.

Photo Credit: http://dadintheheadlights.wordpress.com

Technorati Tags: chainsaw chaps, chainsaw safety

Warnings:
“For external use only!” — On a curling iron.
“Do not use while sleeping.” — On a hair dryer.
“May irritate eyes.” — On a can of self-defense pepper spray.
“Do not use for drying pets.” — In the manual for a microwave oven.
“Do not use as ear plugs.” — On a package of silly putty.
“For indoor or outdoor use only.” — On a string of Christmas lights.
“May be harmful if swallowed.” — On a shipment of hammers.
“Do not attempt to stop the blade with your hand.” — In the manual for a Swedish chainsaw.
“Warning: May contain nuts.” — On a package of peanuts.
“Warning: Misuse may cause injury or death.” — Stamped on the metal barrel of a .22 calibre rifle.
“Do not use orally after using rectally.” — In the instructions for an electric thermometer.
“Not to be used as a personal flotation device.” — On a 6×10 inch inflatable picture frame.
“Do not put in mouth.” — On a box of bottle rockets.

Disclaimers:
“Do not drive cars in ocean.” — From a car commercial which shows a car in the ocean.
“Always drive on roads. Not on people.” — From a car commercial which shows a vehicle “body-surfing” at a concert.

Signs and Notices:
“These rows reserved for parents with children.” — A sign in a church.
“Fits one head.” — On a hotel-provided shower cap box.

Safety Procedure:
“In case of flood, proceed uphill. In case of flash flood, proceed uphill quickly.” — One of the emergency safety procedures at a summer camp.

Instructions:
“Open packet. Eat contents.” — Instructions on a packet of airline peanuts.
“Use like regular soap.” — On a bar of Dial soap.

Share your dumb warnings with us in the comments section.

Technorati Tags: safety, safety warnings

Bright Ideas for Lights
* Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets.

* Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord.

* Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.

* Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.

* Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use insulated staples to hold strings in place, not nails or tacks. Or run strings of lights through hooks (available at hardware stores).

* Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks.

* Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.

Got any other helpful tips?

Technorati Tags: christmas safety, safety