 Across the United States, it is estimated that 22 million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise in the workplace each year. Prolonged exposure to this type of noise can kill receptor cells in the inner ear, resulting in permanent hearing loss and continuous ringing or buzzing sounds known as tinnitus. Since hearing protection can easily prevent these hazards, knowing how to measure the noise and when protection is needed can keep your ears and hearing free from the damaging effects of noise exposure.
How to Measure Excessive Noise Sound is a vibration traveling through a medium (typically the air) that is captured through your ear. We measure sound in decibels (dB) and its damaging effects through the number of decibels and exposure time to them. OSHA standards allow for workers to be exposed to sound levels of 85dBs over a regular 8-hour period. If this is exceeded, employers are required to provide engineering controls or safety measures to reduce their exposure to noise. To measure this noise, the two main ways include:
Types of Protection As the noise level increases, the exposure time will need to decrease or employers will have to provide engineering controls or protection for their workers. Some engineering controls include:
Typical hearing protection includes:
Hearing loss in the workplace is easily preventable. When exposed to prolonged or high levels of noise, employers need to make sure the jobsite is tested and protections are added to keep workers and their ears safe. To keep the conversation going, download the Hearing Protection Toolbox Talk (TBT) or comment below.
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 Workplace fires account for over 5,000 injuries and nearly $1 billion in property damage each year. Being able to prevent a fire from becoming life threatening is the main purpose of equipment like fire extinguishers. Below we will review important steps you should take to train employees on the proper use and maintenance of fire extinguishers.
Location & Placement Fire extinguishers are great tools to help prevent fires from spreading. Two key factors in extinguishers being effective for a fire are location and placement. While there are many types of extinguishers based on hazards in the workplace, most common extinguishers (Type A) are required to be:
PASS Method When using a fire extinguisher, the preferred method for proper use is the PASS method. This training procedure stands for: Pull the pin from the extinguisher handle Aim the extinguisher hose at the base of the fire Squeeze the handle to release the chemicals Sweep the base of the fire until extinguished Be sure to only use an extinguisher if you are properly trained and able to safely without putting yourself further in danger. If the fire cannot be contained from the use of an extinguisher, continue to follow proper evacuation procedures and allow emergency fire services to respond and handle the fire. Inspection & Maintenance Monthly visual inspections are required for all types of extinguishers to make sure they are in proper condition for emergency responses. Visual inspections should be done by a competent person and include:
Internal inspections may be required annually as part of the maintenance requirements of extinguishers. These inspections should be completed by a qualified person as they review the mechanical parts, extinguishing agent, expelling means, and physical condition of the extinguisher. Fire extinguishers are the front lines to any life safety plan as they give you a chance to stop fires before they spread. Making sure your employees are trained to properly locate, use, and maintain these tools can make sure they are ready and available when an emergency arises. To keep the conversation going, download the Fire Extinguisher Toolbox Talk (TBT) or comment below.  From building foundations to underground utilities, trenches and excavations lay the groundwork for any project. Due to the unpredictable nature of earthwork, these excavations can be dangerous and even fatal. In this blog we will review some basic safety measures you should always take when working in and around open trenches and excavations.
Trench & Excavation Definitions OSHA defines trenches and excavations as: Trench - a narrow excavation made below the surface of the ground; generally the depth is greater than its width and does not exceed 15ft Excavation - any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in the Earth’s surface formed by earth removal Safety Before Working Before you begin working in an open trench or excavation, be sure to:
Safety While Working When working around an open excavation, be sure to:
Preventing excavation cave-ins and collapses are easy when basic safety measures are followed every single day. Preparing safety measures before you begin work and continually inspecting as you go will allow workers to safely identify hazards before they become catastrophic. To keep the conversation going, download the Trenching & Excavation Toolbox Talk (TBT) or comment below.  When new tasks are introduced or refresher training is needed on a job, a great way to inform workers is through toolbox talks. A Toolbox Talk (TBT) is a short, safety meeting focused on safety topics relevant to jobsite tasks. These talks can inform, train, refresh, and reorient your workers to prepare them for the job at hand and recognize new hazards that may be present. Today we will review what OSHA says and some benefits surrounding TBTs.
What Does OSHA Say? While OSHA requires job briefings (Job Hazard Analysis) before beginning work, there are no regulations or requirements for TBTs or similar safety meetings. However, this does not mean that TBTs aren’t strongly encouraged. Short, informative meetings like TBTs are great ways to keep safe practices and job hazards in the forefront of everyone’s mind and allow safety to be the driving factor on a job. Reducing recordable incidents is one of the many benefits employers can see when TBTs are used on a regular basis. Benefits of TBTs Reducing recordable incidents is one of the many benefits of incorporating TBTs into a safety program. Additional benefits can include:
Toolbox Talks are great ways to keep safety on everyone’s mind and encourage workers to think safely about the tasks they face. When safety is top of mind, good habits will be formed. To keep the conversation going, download the Health & Safety Plan TBT or comment below.  Summertime is full of outdoor projects and enjoying fun under the sun. When working or playing outdoors, it’s important to make sure you stay hydrated to prevent any type of heat illness. Keep reading below to see some helpful hydration tips and things to steer clear of when you are outdoors for an extended amount of time.
Why is Hydration Important? When you exert yourself for an extended amount of time, your body begins to sweat. This natural cycle is the way your body cools itself down to prevent over exhaustion and heat stroke. Staying hydrated helps keep your body full of liquids and minerals to allow yourself to sweat and make sure your body temperature does not rise too quickly. Hydration Tips for Workers Before you begin work, make sure to plan ahead if you are in the heat all day. Some helpful tips to remember are:
Some things to avoid on hot days include:
Staying hydrated is the best and safest way to combat heat illness when working outdoors. Be sure to hydrate continuously and avoid questionable drinks or meals to give your body the most it needs to keep cool. To keep the conversation going, download the Heat Stress Toolbox Talk (TBT) or comment below.  OSHA defines a near miss as “a potential hazard or incident in which no property was damaged and no personal injury was sustained, but where, given a slight shift in time or position, damage or injury easily could have occurred.” These near misses tend to become an injury if employees aren’t encouraged to report them so management can act accordingly. Today let’s explore the importance of tracking near misses and how to properly report them.
Why Track Near Misses? OSHA estimates that for every injury on the job, there are over 300 near misses that go unreported. Tracking these incidents before they turn into injuries can help employers identify hazards or weaknesses in their safety programs and promptly fix them before an injury can occur. When near misses are reported, you can take a proactive approach to safety and safeguard employees from future injuries. How to Report Near Misses When an employee sees unsafe conditions, unsafe behavior, or an event where an injury/property damage could have occurred, they must be encouraged to report that near miss immediately. OSHA provides employers with their Incident Report Form to help identify what happened so management can review and respond quickly. Once management has been notified of the near miss, an Incident Investigation can be conducted. These investigations help to identify hazards, provide engineering controls or plan adjustments, and create new training techniques to prevent the incident from happening again. From the investigation, employers then communicate any changes to staff to make sure all hazards have been identified and mitigated. Even after investigations have been conducted, it is important for employers to encourage near miss reporting to allow for continuous improvement to overall health and safety. Remember, these reports should not be subject to disciplinary action unless the behavior is negligent, malicious, or violent. Near misses are accidents waiting to happen. Encouraging employees to report them and properly eliminating the hazards at hand can help keep everyone in the workplace safe. To keep the conversation going, download the Near Miss Toolbox Talk (TBT) or comment below.  Falls continue to be the leading cause of workplace injuries with nearly half a million reported injuries each year. There is no surprise then that Fall Protection and Ladders were two of the top five most cited standards in 2024 with nearly 9,000 violations between them. Below we will discuss the two main types of ladders and the safe operating standards to help keep you from becoming another preventable statistic.
Stepladder Also known as a portable ladder, stepladders are self-supporting with an a-frame design that connects braces or steps between the rails. These ladders are typically used indoors and at heights below 12ft. Before using a stepladder, make sure to:
Extension Ladder Extension ladders are ladders with two sections connected by brackets that allow the sections to slide and adjust in length. Since these ladders are typically used outdoors, they are not self-supporting and need a structure to connect to. Before using an extension ladder, make sure to:
Ladders are an easy and portable way to work at heights on the jobsite. When using ladders, always make sure to check your surroundings, inspect before use, and maintain proper contact/work zone to stay as safe as possible. To keep the conversation going, download the Ladders toolbox talk (TBT) or comment below.  With nearly 4 million miles of roadways in America, proper maintenance and upkeep is an important task to local, state, and federal governments. With billions being spent each year to build and maintain these roadways, a pivotal task is providing safe working space for road workers while allowing pedestrians to safely navigate around the construction. In this blog, we will explore Traffic Control Plans and specifically review the areas that are found within traffic control zones.
What is a Traffic Control Plan? A Traffic Control Plan or Temporary Traffic Control Plan is a plan that describes the safety measures used to guide pedestrians through a traffic control zone. These plans, typically diagrams or sketches, will describe all safety measures that will be used to warn pedestrians of incoming roadwork, guide them through the work zone, and eventually notify them of where the work zone ends. Traffic Control Zones There are four main areas to a traffic control zone with each providing specific elements that keep both workers and pedestrians safe. Let’s review each area and what they provide to complete the control zone: Advance Warning Area – section of the roadway where pedestrians are informed about the upcoming work zone. Many will utilize bright orange signage or sometimes flashing signals to warn pedestrians to prepare to slow down Transition Area – if traffic needs to be shifted for the work ahead, a transition area is used to combine traffic lanes or direct traffic to a new path around the work zone. These areas are to be clearly marked, typically with traffic cones or barriers to allow traffic flow to properly and safely pass the work zone Activity Area – section of the roadway where work is taking place. This area is made up of the work space, traffic space, and buffer space; designated areas for workers and equipment to safely operate separately from the pedestrian traffic. Buffer spaces between the work space and traffic space are free of any people, vehicles, or equipment and typically begin with an arrow board directing traffic away from the work zone Termination Area – section of the road to safely return pedestrians to the normal path. This area typically extends well past the work zone and is completed by an ‘End Road Work’ sign. With over 100,000 crashes estimated to happen each year within work zones, proper Traffic Control Plans help facilitate safe passage for both workers and pedestrians. Knowing the control zones and how to navigate through them as a worker and pedestrian will keep everyone safe. To keep the conversation going, download the Work Zone Toolbox Talk (TBT) or comment below.  Power tools are the equipment that propels over 8 million construction workers on a daily basis. With thousands of tools available, these pieces of equipment make our jobs easier, but when used incorrectly can become hazardous in an instant. Below we will review the safety features of power tools and the hazards you need to be aware of when working with them.
Safety Features Most power tools have new safety features to reduce the risk of injuries. Depending on the type of power tool, you may need to make sure each feature is available and in working condition. Let’s review some common safety features of power tools and what OSHA recommends:
Power Tool Hazards Even though power tools are used on a regular basis, employers are still required to provide training and hazard recognition for power tools that employees will use. Below we will review the three common types of power tools and the most common hazards associated with them: Electrical
Battery Operated
Pneumatic
Power tools help us build efficiently and reduce strains on workers. Making sure you select proper power tools and use their safety features to reduce hazards will help keep all employees safe on the job. To keep the conversation going, download the Power Tools Toolbox Talk (TBT) or comment below.  In construction, millions of workers use scaffolds to erect building envelopes and finishes. Scaffolds can be a cost-effective solution for large scale projects and where heavy loads are required to reach new heights. When scaffolds are in use, it is important to remember that many need to be designed and erected by professional, competent employees. Let’s review some of the ways scaffolding can be erected and used in a safe manner.
Erecting Your Scaffolding Before erecting your scaffolding, you will need to make sure it is designed by either a Qualified Person or an Engineer. An Engineer is required to design your scaffolding system when:
After the design has been made, your major scaffold components will include:
Safe Scaffold Use Before beginning work from a scaffold, an inspection will need to be completed by a Competent Person to check for defects or changes to the structural integrity of the system. When an inspection has been completed, be sure to tag the system so workers know it is safe to use. When using a scaffold system, some safe working tips include:
Scaffolds are a common solution when working at heights but falls and load failures will always be a hazard. Make sure your scaffold is designed by a Qualified Person or Engineer, inspected by a Competent Person, and workers are trained and know how to safely operate from a scaffold. To keep the conversation going, download the Scaffold Safety Toolbox Talk (TBT) or comment below. |
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