Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Gimmie a push, will ya?

Keeping all your fingers attached can come in handy in life, and one way to do that is to be very careful when working around table saws.  ADS Tool Designs (http://www.tablesawpushstick.com/) offers a nifty push-stick for helping you run your wood materials past the blade in your table saw.  The easy to see orange plastic won't tear-up your saw blade if it gets nicked, and it's big enough to keep your hand away from the blade.


And here is an even more stable pushstick system that reduces the potential for kick-back and board lift from Rockler Tools (http://www.rockler.com/)

GRR-Ripper

And there is a great bunch of Saw Safety Videos at:

Monday, May 24, 2010

Friday, May 21, 2010

Multilingual Fall Protection Guides from WorkSafeBC

An Introduction to Personal Fall Protection Equipment BK60


This booklet outlines the safe use and limitations of personal fall protection equipment, including safety belts, harnesses, lanyards, and lifelines.

Source: WorkSafeBC

http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/health_and_safety/by_topic/assets/pdf/fall_protection.pdf (English, PDF 545 KB)


Also available in the following languages:

个人高空作业保护装置入门 - www.worksafebc.com/publications/translated_publications/assets/pdf/chinese/simplified/BK60sc.pdf - (Simplified Chinese, PDF 776 KB)

個人高空作業保護裝置入門 - www.worksafebc.com/publications/translated_publications/assets/pdf/chinese/bk60c.pdf - (Traditional Chinese, PDF 776 KB)

ਡਿੱਗਣ ਤੋਂ ਬਚਾਓ ਦੇ ਨਿੱਜੀ ਸਾਜ਼ੋ-ਸਾਮਾਨ - www.worksafebc.com/publications/translated_publications/assets/pdf/punjabi/bk60p.pdf - (Punjabi, PDF 624 KB)

Una Introducción al Equipo Personal de Protección Contra Caídas - www.worksafebc.com/publications/translated_publications/assets/pdf/spanish/bk60s.pdf - (Spanish, PDF 489 KB)

Bảo Vệ Cá Nhân Chống Té Ngã - www.worksafebc.com/publications/translated_publications/assets/pdf/Vietnamese/bk60v.pdf - (Vietnamese, PDF 1.5 MB)

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Theatre Safety is a Priority in Canada

Safety Guidelines for the Live Performance Industry in Ontario

The guidelines in this booklet recommend realistic procedures to protect those working in live performance. They are not laws or regulations, nor do they replace any existing laws or regulations. They are safeguards, to advise and educate both workers and management. Education is the foundation of any health and safety program, with knowledgeable performers, support staff and management working together.

Source: Ontario Ministry of Labour

http://www.theatreontario.org/theatresafety/downloads/guidelines_mol_v3.pdf

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Sorry Miss, but you have to cover that up, it's just to shocking to leave exposed.

Things that can kill you if you stick your finger where it doesn't belong:

Broken Light Switch Cover


Light Fixture with Missing Glass


Power Outlet with Broken Face

Missing Outlet Cover Plate
(& ungrounded outlet, too!)

. . . and this is still in use every day . . .
Yikes!

Monday, May 17, 2010

May is National Electrical Safety Month

This is a good time review electrical safety practices.  Increasing electrical safety awareness, following electrical safety guidelines, and using tools and technology designed to address electrical hazards are all components of a safety program.


The most recent data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that on average, there are over 400 electrocutions in the United States each year.  Here are some electrifying statistics:
  • Electrocutions from wiring hazards, including damaged or exposed wiring and household wiring together totaled approximately 20 percent.
  • Ladders contacting power lines caused 9 percent of electrocutions.
  • Another 5 percent of deaths were due to victims coming in contect with high voltage power lines.
  • Power tools were responsible for another 9 percent of deaths.
  • Annually, electrical hazards are listed as the cause of approximately 4,000 injuries.
  • The National Safety Council indicates that electrical hazards cause nearly one workplace fatality every day.
  • Electrocutions do not tell the entire story. Electricity is the cause of over 140,000 fires each year,
    resulting in 400 deaths, 4,000 injuries and $1.6 billion in property damage.  Total economic losses due to electrical hazards are estimated to exceed $4 billion annually.
Tips to keep you alive and kickin':
  • Inspect tools and portable equipment before using them to make sure that cable strain reliefs are properly secured, ground pins are not accidentally or intentionally removed, and cable insulation is not nicked or frayed.
  • Replace damaged electrical equipment or have it repaired at an authorized repair center.
  • Observe and report any junction box covers or light fixture covers that you see missing or loose.  Have the maintenecne department secure covers so that wiring and lamps are protected.
  • Review Electrical panelboards to see that they have complete directory listings and that the power source disconnect locations are clearly identified.
  • Make sure power strips, cords, and surge suppressors are designed to handle the loads for their intended use.
  • Avoid overloading circuits by plugging too many items into the same outlet.
  • Use Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection on portable tools to protect against electric shock.
  • ALWAYS unplug or disconnect the power to equipment be for servicing it (this includeds changing light-bulbs, too!)
  • Workers using ladders, scaffolds, manlifts, boom-arm lifts, working in or near broadcast trucks with telescoping masts, and those carrying aluminum siding, poles, fencing and even lumber, should be aware of and stay clear of power lines.
Resources:
Electrical Safety Foundation International - http://www.electrical-safety.org/, http://www.esfi.org/
National Safety Council - http://www.nsf.org/
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission - http://www.cpsc.gov/
National Electric Code (NFPA 70 & 70E) - http://www.nfpa.org/

ZAP Artwork courtesy of Robert Crumb (http://dgtweb.nmsu.edu/bgiles/main_page.html)