Safety Video
Workplace Fatalities Decrease Slightly in 2011 - The Bureau of Labor Statistics released workplace fatality data for 2011. A preliminary total of 4,609 fatal work injuries were recorded in the United States in 2011, down from a final count of 4,690 fatal work injuries in 2010, according to results from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) program conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The rate of fatal work injury for U.S. workers in 2011 was 3.5 per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, as compared to a final rate of 3.6 per 100,000 for 2010. To read the full the full release, click on the headline.
ASSE: 2011 Workplace Fatality Figures are “Unacceptable” - The preliminary occupational fatality count for 2011 is in, and the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSE) finds the numbers “alarming” and “unacceptable.”
Fall Protection Tops OSHA’s List of Most Cited Violations for 2012 - Fall protection, hazard communication and scaffolding violations once again fought for the top spots in OSHA’s annual top 10 most frequently cited violations list.
Fall Protection Product Recall and Stop Use Notice for 3M™ G-Series Retractable Lanyard Models - 3M identified a limited number of units which do not properly achieve lock up during the user pre-inspection pull test on the webbing. 3M requests that you immediately remove from service and quarantine all models of G-Series Self-Retracting Lanyards within your inventory.
Swivel Snaphook Inspection Notification - Inspect all Guardian Fall Protection (GFP) featuring a specific SWIVEL SNAPHOOK shipped from GFP after August 26, 2011. FP was made aware of a non-injury incident involving a GFP self-retracting lifeline (SRL) where a swivel snaphook experienced a failure. The nut that holds the swivel eye to the hook body backed off the hook stem and came loose.
Product Recall & Stop Use Notice for 3M™ Series Self Retracting Lanyards - 3M is recalling the THOR family of Self-Retracting Lanyards units manufactured by IKAR from November 01, 2011 to June 25, 2012 (M-, RLD- and 205G- Series) as result of concerns with the brake pad material found in this family of retractable lanyards.
OSHA Issues Alert on CSE Corporation's SR-100 Self-Contained Self-Rescuer: Defective Respirators Can Result in Life-Threatening Hazards - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued an alert to employers and workers using the CSE Corporation's SR-100 Self-Contained Self-Rescuer (SCSR). Some of these devices have a critical defect that may cause the release of insufficient oxygen during start-up, a defect that could immediately result in a life-threatening situation for workers using the respirator.
“Struck By” Accidents - There has been an alarming upward trend of serious and fatal injuries involving workers who are being crushed, run over and pinned or struck by moving mining equipment.
BatteriesPlus Recalls Replacement Battery Packs Used with Cordless Tools Due to Explosion Hazard - This recall involves RAYOVAC-branded replacement battery packs used with cordless power tools. "RAYOVAC," "NI-CD" and a part number beginning with "CTL" are printed in white lettering on the product. The battery packs were sold in voltages ranging between 2.4 and 18 volts in various sizes and shapes. They were sold as replacement batteries to the following brand tools: Black and Decker, Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Panasonic, Ryobi and Skil.
DeWalt Large Angle Grinder Safety Notification - DeWalt has identified a potential safety hazard with certain large angle grinder side handles. Under certain circumstances a small number of side handles could exhibit a condition where the handle could break causing the user to lose full control of the unit.
Maintenence and Inspection Safety Alert: Telescopic Forklift Incident - Load Dropped Due to Chain Failure - For the highlights needed to verify maintenance and inspections, click on the headline.
Protecta Shock Absorbing Lanyards Recall Notice - Be aware of a reported inadvertent disconnection during use of the locking snaphook used in a series of Y-shaped Protecta lanyards with twin elastic lanyard legs that both attach directly to the eye of the snaphook. The locking snaphook used on these lanyards is part number 9502573. Click on the headline for details.
Fall Protection Product Recall / Stop Use Notice for 3MTM G-Series Retractable Lanyard Models - 3M requests that you immediately remove from service and quarantine all models of G-Series Self-Retracting Lanyards within your inventory. The G-Series model numbers are: GW-7, GW-11, GW-7-0241A, GW-7-0241H, GW-11-0241A, GW-11-0241H, GW-11NS, DLGW-7, DLGW-7-0241A and DLGW-11-0241A. Click on the headline for full details.
Vivid Proof That Eye Protection Works - While working with a chain saw a firefighter hit a nail and the nail shot upward, hitting the firefighter's eye protection and deflecting into the nearest soft tissue.
Near Miss Incident at Fort Patrick Henry Hydro - The oxygen hose of an oxygen/acetylene rig burst, because moisture collected inside a regulator and froze, which damaged the regulator's diaphragm. Click on the headline for details.
STIHL Inc. Recalls Chain Saws Due to Laceration Hazard - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with STIHL Incorporated of Virginia Beach, VA, announced a voluntary recall of the STIHL MS 361C chain saws (C-Q version) due to a potential laceration injury to the user or a bystander. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Click on the headline for more information.
Double Action Snap Hook- Beaver Brands Pty Ltd-BSM0007 Double Action Snap Hook is being recalled. The hook may open inadvertantly and the hook operates in a single action manner. Consumers should return the product immediately to Beaver Brands or to the place of purchase for inspection and testing. For more information, click on the headline.
How to Save Your Child from Drowning- Drowning is almost always a deceptively quiet event. The waving, splashing and yelling that television has prepared us to look for, are rarely seen in real life. Click on the headline to learn how you can save a life.
US Department of Labor's OSHA Publishes Final Rule on Cranes and Derricks in Construction - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced that it is issuing a new rule addressing the use of cranes and derricks in construction, which will replace a decades-old standard.
Safety Alert: Texting While Driving - Carpenters and their families need to know the dangers. This dramatic video tells the story of two men who were killed by the actions of another texting driver.
Manitowoc Tower Crane Spigots- Manitowoc has discovered a potential deviation in the characteristics of the spigots used in early 2007 to make the connection between K masts type K637, K639 and K839 including all R,M and T variations. Manitowoc hereby instructs all tower crane users to check the batch number of the four spigot castings of all K637, K639 and K839 masts, including R, M and T variations shipped in 2007. The check has to be performed before the next erection of the mast. Click on the headline for details.
Safety Video - We want our members to consider safety at home, at work and commuting. Click on the video above to watch this gripping 1 minute and 28 second video about why safety is important to you and your family.
The Amazing SawStop Table Saws - Learn about the risks and consequences of a table saw accident. To view the 7:47 video that includes interviews with an injury victim, risk management professionals and workers comp experts, click here. For a short 2:01 demonstration by Erica from HotForTools, click here.
Genie Aerial Lifts Incorrect Loading Information - Genie Industries has issued an alert warning that some of their aerial lifts were manufactured with wrong floor loading information. The information indicates that the maximum wheel load is less than the actual maximum wheel load. Incorrect floor loading information may result in the user operating the machine on a surface that is not capable of supporting the maximum wheel load. For details and the correct information, click on the headline.
OSHA to Protect America's Workers with Severe Violator Program and Increased Penalties - The new Severe Violator Enforcement Program is intended to focus OSHA enforcement resources on recalcitrant employers who endanger workers by demonstrating indifference to their responsibilities under the law.
EPA Requires Contractors to Become Lead-Safe Certified - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced it expects more than 125,000 renovation and remodeling contractors to be trained in lead-safe work practices by April 22, the effective date for a rule requiring such training. The agency is on target to implement the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, which will protect millions of children from lead poisoning, on April 22, 2010. Read more ...
Statement of CSB Investigations Supervisor Don Holmstrom Updating the Public on the CSB's Investigation of the Catastrophic Accident at Kleen Energy, Middletown, CT - This accident occurred during a planned work activity to clean debris from natural gas pipes at the plant. To remove the debris, workers used natural gas at a high pressure of approximately 650 pounds per square inch. The high velocity of the natural gas flow was intended to remove any debris in the new piping. At predetermined locations, this gas was vented to the atmosphere through open pipe ends that were located less than 20 feet off the ground. These vents were adjacent to the main power generation building and along the south wall. The open pipe ends are visible here in the photographs. Read more ...
Safety notice and recall for the Fluke 1AC-I VoltAlertTM Voltage Tester - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Fluke is voluntarily recalling its Fluke 1AC-I VoltAlertTM voltage tester, a product that was first released for sale on September 29, 2009. The affected model number is listed in the table below. If you own a Fluke 1AC-I (1AC-A1-I), please stop using it and send it back to Fluke for a replacement unit.
US Labor Department's OSHA Proposes More Than $3 Million in Fines to BP-Husky Refinery Near Toledo, Ohio - OSHA has cited BP North American Inc. and BP-Husky Refining LLC's refinery in Oregon, Ohio, with 42 alleged willful violations, including 39 on a per-instance basis, and 20 alleged serious violations for exposing workers to a variety of hazards including failure to provide adequate pressure relief for process units. Proposed penalties total $3,042,000. Read more ...
Safety - Manlift Fatality - A double fatality occurred when a man lift toppled over at a construction site on the AstraZeneca pharmaceutical company campus in Waltham, Massachusetts. The two men were operating a Genie S85 telescopic boom on uneven ground and had incorrectly positioned the Lift's counter weight on the downhill side of the slope.
Howard Berger Recalls Extension Cords and Power Strips Due to Fire Hazard - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Howard Berger Co. Inc., of Cranbury, N.J., announced a voluntary recall of indoor and outdoor extension cords and power strips. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Confined Space Double Fatality- On February 16, 2010 at approximately 18:00 hours two contractor welders made unauthorized entry into a confined space and were overcome by an atmosphere that was low in oxygen and rich in argon. To see what happened and what you can do to prevent such accidents, click on the headline.
