Don’t be a fool, use the proper tool!

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Selecting the right tool for the job is as critical to preventing injury as it is to getting the job done right. We must be educated on proper tool selection and the risks in improvising (i.e. using a screwdriver as a chisel).  When used safely, power tools are among a worker’s most valuable assets. But when used in an unsafe manner, the same capabilities that make these tools so effective can also create a high risk for injury. Every year, thousands of workers miss work time after a power tool injury. Continue reading →

Driving, Hazards, & Risk Assessments

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Before diving into the risk associated with energy sources and sources of harm, let’s get a quick reminder of what is a hazard and what is risk.

A hazard is any source of potential damage, harm or adverse health effects on something or someone under certain conditions at work.  So, a hazardous energy is any electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, chemical, nuclear, thermal, gravitational, or other energy that can harm people.  Some energy sources are obvious, such as electricity, heat in a furnace, or an object that might fall.  Others may be hidden hazards such as air pressure in a tank or a compressed spring.

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