If you stop to think about it, how many hand tools do you have around your house?  Most houses have hammers, flashlights, pliers, screwdrivers, knives, scissors, shovels, hoes, staplers, and wrenches.  Tools are such a common part of our lives that it is hard to remember that they could pose hazards.  The tools are designed with safety in mind, but tragically, a serious accident often occurs before steps are taken to search out and avoid or eliminate tool-related hazards. 

In the workplace, to remove or avoid hazards, workers must learn to recognize hazards associated with different types of tools and the safety precautions necessary to prevent those hazards.   Hand tools are non-powered.  This includes everything from axes to wrenches.  Misuse and improper maintenance are two of the greatest hazards posed by hand tools.  The employer is responsible for the safe condition of tools and equipment used by employees – however, the employees are responsible for properly using and maintaining tools. 

Hand tools are indispensable helpmates.  They have played a vital role in helping in endless tasks like cutting, drilling, chopping, slicing, stripping, striking, punching, gripping, etc.  They have a very important place not only in daily routine work and home repairs but also in various industries, farm shops, vehicles, machinery or facility repair.  If they are not used with care and maintained properly, they can lead to serious injuries, such as: loss of eye; puncture wounds, contusions, severed fingers, and broken bones. 

Here are tips for hand tools safety:

• Always choose the right tool for the right job: for example, don’t use a knife as a saw or a wrench as a hammer or screwdriver as a chisel, etc.
• Use the right size tool – forcing a small hand tool to do the job of a large one may result in tool damage or injury.
• Proper training: users should know how to use the tool correctly.  One example: a wood chisel should be driven outward and away from the body.
• Wear the right protection for the job.  Protective clothing such as eyewear, goggles, facemasks, coveralls, and appropriate shoes should be chosen for the particular job.  Gloves can sometimes be bulky and make gripping difficult, so if there is a need for gloves, choose ones that furnish a good grip.
• Keep cutting tools sharp and in good condition.  Dull tools are considered to be more hazardous than sharp ones.  The tools and work area should always be kept clean.  Dirty, oily and greasy tools should be cleaned after use.
• Inspect tools before using.  Don’t use tools that are loose or cracked.
• Tools with “mushroomed heads” during use should be sharpened regularly.
• Sharp-edged and pointed tools should be handled with care.
• Store tools and materials vertically, with points and heavy end down.
• Don’t force screws; make sure that the correct screw for the job is being used.
• All small work and short work should be secured with a vise or clamp.
• Never use a screwdriver to check if electrical circuits are hot. (Ouch!)
• Never use a carpenter’s hammer instead of a machinist’s hammer.
• Never strike a hardened steel surface using a steel hammer, because a small piece of steel may break off and injure someone.
• Do not use pliers in place of a wrench.
• Razor blades, saw blades, knife blades should be disposed of in a puncture-resistant sharps container.
• Never use wrenches if their jaws are sprung or loose. 

We hope those who use these types of tools in their line of work will take every precaution to work safely.  I, for one, have decided I will let my husband do all the little carpentry work that I thought I could do.  I’ve even stuck myself when chopping ice with an ice pick, so I can only imagine what damage I could do with a saw or wrench!  That’s not to say there aren’t lots of women out there that can compete with the men!  (There’s all sorts of P.P.E. sized for the ladies.  Click on womens gloves to view several items sized especially for the girls).  When you reach for that wrench, knife, shears, bolt cutters, or whatever, use with caution! 

P.S. As stated on our home page, if you need any safety products, go to www.tasco-safety.com, and be sure to mention “safety blog 5% discount offer.”

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The appropriate use of personal protective equipment is mandated by OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standards.  This requires employers to provide proper personal protective equipment and clothing free of charge to employees.  Employees with occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens must receive extensive training. 

Those who work in the field of healthcare, i.e., medical, dental, nursing homes, EMS, and others such as law enforcement, are trained to take Universal Precaution: the approach to infection control with regard to human blood and potentially infectious materials as if they were known to be infectious.  About 8,700 health care workers each year are infected with HBV, and 200 die from the infection.  It is estimated that 5.6 million workers in the health care industry are at risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, such as:

• Hepatitis B, which is more transmittable than HIV; affects liver.
• HIV; Human Immunodeficiency Virus;
• Hepatitis C.  This is the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States, most often caused by needlestick injuries.  If not treated properly, it can lead to active liver disease.

Gloves, masks, gowns, lab coats, face shields, goggles, and glasses with sideshields should be utilized as needed, as they drastically reduce health risks to workers.  Other types of PPE that may be required are shoe covers, surgical caps and hoods.  This gear should be readily accessible to employees, and available in appropriate sizes.  The PPE must be removed by the employee before leaving the work area or if the PPE becomes contaminated.  The employer is responsible to clean or launder clothing and equipment, and repair or replace it as necessary.  Hand washing facilities should also be available to employees, and designated areas should be assigned for washing, storage or discarding of PPE. 

Should an employee’s skin or mucous membranes come into contact with blood, he or she is to wash with soap and water and flush eyes with water as soon as possible.  In addition, workers must wash their hands immediately after removing protective equipment.  If soap and water are not available immediately, employers may provide other hand washing measures such as moist towelettes.  Employees still must wash with soap and water as soon as possible.  They must refrain from eating, drinking, applying cosmetics or lip balm, and handling contact lenses in areas where they may be exposed to blood or potentially infectious materials. 

Employers must have Exposure Control Plans and provide post-exposure prophylaxis and follow-up treatment of workers’ exposure incidents. 

Source: OSHA

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The industrial environment is challenged with trying to prevent accidents at the workplace.  Just think how much they must spend on personal protective equipment, training, and if an accident happens – loss of work and productivity, insurance claims, material damage, loss of life, and much time spent writing accident reports.  Because everybody acts of their own free will, sometimes it isn’t easy to get them to follow what you want them to do.  Ironically, those same people are the cause of most accidents!  If your workers don’t obey the rules that you have established, or don’t wear their protective equipment, or don’t practice good safety when they aren’t being supervised, chances are something will probably happen, and it won’t be good!  The key to controlling accidents is safety awareness; this type of safety awareness is critical in any construction site.  One unsafe act can bring your safety record down in a few seconds.

What is a good way to deliver your safety message?

Researchers have found that people remember 50% more in what they see than in what they hear. Promoting safety through visuals is a very effective way to get people’s attention.  Most people enjoy posters that are humorous.  Pleasant thoughts generate more receptive learning.  Using humor drives a point that is so easy to understand when done correctly.  Cartoons can illustrate dangerous situations, which might be impossible to capture on film in real life.

Check out a couple of examples of the safety posters found at tasco-safety.com:

FAILING TO PAY ATTENTION CAN BE A BIG STEP IN THE WRONG DIRECTION seems to be pretty self-explanatory.

The first poster, PPE ONLY WORKS IF YOU WEAR IT – depicts work boots, respirator, earmuffs, hardhat, glasses, earplugs, and gloves, all in one picture.  It reminds employees to wear the specific things that are required to keep them safe in their work.

Good luck to all safety instructors in getting the message across.  We hope the posters will help get the attention of your workers.  It’s also good to stock up on several and post different ones on a periodic basis, so employees will be watching for new ideas.

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We’re betting that there are quite a few of “Do It Yourself’ers,” “Weekend Warriors,” or others who are hoping that Santa brings them some power tools this year.  You may be someone who wants to try a new hobby or save money by repairing broken things around the house without calling a professional.  We want to share ten things that you should pay attention to in order to possibly avoid an emergency room visit. 

1. Know what you are doing, or don’t do it!  Practice makes perfect.  Even if you know what you are doing, taking a class ahead of time could pay big dividends.  Power tools are hazardous when improperly used.  You should be trained in using all tools, not just power tools.  Know the potential hazards as well as the safety precautions to prevent the hazards from happening.

      2.  Plan ahead.  Visualize the project and think of anything that might be dangerous about it.  For example, if you’re going to cut something, practice saw safety.  Experts will tell you to ask questions and fine-tune your level of concentration when using power tools, and choose your projects based on knowledge, time, cost, and risk.  Tools are not your friends.  You must get to know how to use them, put the blades in correctly, clean and care for them and operate them correctly.  Otherwise, they can stick, stab, cut, or kill you.

      3.  Dress for success.  If you wear the proper safety gear for the intended project, you can decrease the risk for injury.  Cover up.  These should be included in your safety gear:

• Safety glasses – They come in all shapes and sizes, including sun protection, and keep mists, paints, and dust out of your eyes.
• Earplugs and muffs – These protect you from hearing loss.
• Respirators – When using toxic or caustic chemicals or cutting fluids, a respirator will reduce the risk of injury or death from airborne hazards.
• Kneepads – If you are kneeling on hard surfaces, you can’t do without these!
• Gloves and shoes – Cover your hands and feet to decrease injury due to everything from chemical exposure to sharp objects.
• Coveralls – Coveralls keep clothing from getting caught in machines and are flame-retardant.  If you spill something on your clothing, you are going to take it into your home and car.  Cotton and denim are good choices if you do not have coveralls. 

       4.  Never wear loose clothing or jewelry that can get caught in the tool.

        5.  Know about electricity.  Use an electrical tester to ensure that your power is off at the circuit for minor repairs.  Unless you are an electrician or an electrical engineer, you shouldn’t try to do electrical wiring.

       6.  Have your “work space” neat and clean.  It’s the same as for those who work in manufacturing:  clutter and debris can cause slips, trips, falls, and falling objects.  Floors should be kept as clean and dry as possible to prevent accidental falls around dangerous hand and power tools.

       7.  Keep family and observers at a safe distance while you are working.

       8.  Tools should be maintained with care – kept sharp and clean in order to perform well.  Follow instructions in the users manual for lubricating and changing accessories.

      9.  If portable electric tools are damaged, they should not be used until repaired.

     10.  Be sure to keep good footing and maintain good balance. 

We hope these tips will come in handy when you open those tools Santa left.  Use them with care, and you will be surprised at all the things you can do.  Just read the instructions first and exercise caution.  Safety counts!

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Working under state and federal regulations requires that workplace health and safety posters must be posted on the worksite.  These regulations govern what work safety posters must be on display in the workplace, but employers should think about posting other information in addition to the ones that are required, to promote a safe and healthy workplace environment.  First, a business must know which federal and state OSHA health and safety posters that are required to be on display.  There is a poster that allows you to select your state to view the required posters and order them directly.  Workers must be able to learn what employer obligations are and the employee rights pertaining to safety and health. 

Workplaces are also wise to share information about general healthy habits that can be promoted within the workplace.  If the posters are updated on a regular basis, a variety of tips on how to maintain a healthy and safe workplace will be noticed by more persons than if the same old ones stay up.  Keep a supply of different topics to change occasionally. 

Did you know that employers could be subject to state or federal fines and penalties if the required safety information is not on display?  Your place of business has its own specific health and safety concerns, so those topics should be addressed.  It’s a good idea to remember past accidents that have occurred, which would be helpful reminders to your employees. Many times posters that contain exact data and statistics of past accidents or incidents will catch the attention of the employees.   Posters alone won’t educate employees, but they exist to remind your workers that their safety is important to the company. 

Different posters apply to every type of work environment.  Regardless of the workplace being a factory, fleet of vehicles, warehouse, or an office, a certain amount of risk is involved, more in some than others.  Posters that promote good attitudes are excellent motivators for teamwork.  A poster that promotes healthy lifestyles, and exercise would be fitting for an office setting.  For those who do lots of heavy lifting, posters on the proper methods of lifting and the results of wear and tear on the body.  If there’s a danger of debris or cuttings getting into workers’ eyes, there are all types of safety glasses posters.  Don’t forget about places that are extremely loud, and the importance of hearing protection.  There are posters for just about every hazard; that’s why it would be a good idea to have several different ones and change them often. 

Employees’ rights are explained on the state and federal posters, but one wonders how many people stop to read them?  By doing this, workers can ensure their company is providing the proper safety instructions and protective products that keep them safe.

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Today’s Guest Blog is from Joseph Morris at http://www.buy-pepper-spray-today.com.  Here are his thoughts on how we can stay safe at the workplace. 

Most of us take our jobs for granted. We wake up, go to work, get paid and go home. The thought of an accident or injury is not one that crosses most people’s minds. However, almost all jobs involve some sort of risk – be it large or small – and the awareness of these hazards, and the proper use of safety equipment, is critical to mitigating the incidence of injury on the job. 

One of the most important aspects of work safety is training and awareness. New employees, especially those in industries which involve heavy machinery, heavy lifting, chemicals, noise, repetitive movement and heights, need to be trained properly. It is critical that they understand how the equipment that they operate works and what the dangers in their work environment are. 

However, training and awareness are not enough. Any industry and its workers would benefit from using the correct occupational safety products. These products can help to protect workers from physical injury, improving productivity and employee confidence, while decreasing employer liability. Let’s discuss some of the most important occupational safety products. 

Hearing Protection 

The ears are designed to withstand sound pressure levels up to a certain point. After that point, however, hearing damage can occur. The damage may take place over a long period of time, or may have a rapid onset after sudden exposure to loud noise. Ears can be protected with ear muffs or earplugs.   

Ear muffs fit over the whole ear – they resemble large headphones.  Some ear muffs are adjustable; they can fit on any size of head. In certain industries, muffs which are made of dielectric materials – meaning that they are poor conductors of electricity – are important; they should not attract live currents to the workers head.  Some ear muffs offer special acoustic filters which provide an even attenuation of external noise, allowing the worker to hear everything around them at a reduced level, instead of muffling the sound, while protecting their hearing.  Ear muffs should be made of resilient material, be lightweight and allow the worker’s ears to breathe. 

Earplugs are much smaller than muffs. They fit directly in the ear, and are usually made of a pliable foam or silicone material. The advantages of plugs are that they are lightweight, easy to transport, inexpensive, discrete and easily replaced. Some workers may find them more comfortable than ear muffs. However, some earplugs do not offer sufficient attenuation of outside noise. It is important that the attenuation capabilities be compared with those of ear muffs. If the former cannot provide adequate hearing protection, then the latter must be chosen. 

Head Protection 

The skull protects the brain, and the head rests upon the neck. Injury to either one can have a serious impact on a person’s functioning and quality of life. Protecting the head on jobs where heavy objects in motion, and the risk of falling objects, are regular occurrences, is critically important. The “tried and true” method of protecting the head is the helmet. 

Helmets, most often referred to as “hard hats”, are made of hard, durable plastic, often high density polyethylene. Many hardhats include adjustable chin straps to ensure a snug fit. Inside, a suspension system evenly distributes the helmet’s weight over the head More recently, small sizes designed for women, children and men with smaller skulls have been made available, improving both worker compliance and confidence in the appearance of the hard hat. Hard hats should be made of a dielectric material, be able to withstand whichever impacts might take place within a given industry, and be resistant to chemicals which may be used on-site. Some hard hats include ventilation and attachment points for flashlights, radios and other tools. 

Work Gloves 

Virtually every activity we do, both on and off the job, involves our hands. Protecting the hands at work, from impact injuries, cuts, abrasions, caustic chemicals and repetitive stress, should be a priority. Work gloves help to keep the hands safe. Such gloves may range from the simple, rough leather style to more complex gloves, with elasticized cuffs, palm and finger grips, vent holes, knuckle reinforcements and flexible fabric. 

The characteristics found in the more complex gloves, such as the ones mentioned above, are an ideal choice for most work environments. They allow the worker to retain dexterity while protecting the hands from most injuries. Jobs which involve dangerous machinery or heavy items may dictate that  thicker gloves be used, sacrificing dexterity for the sake of protection. 

Ear muffs, earplugs and work gloves are not the only types of occupational safety products. Many others, including ergonomic office products, first aid products, protective clothing, respirators for environments with poor air quality, safety glasses, safety boots and shoes and lighting and communications systems, should be utilized when and where necessary. Remember, worker safety starts with training and awareness, and is completed by using the correct safety products.

Thank you, Joseph, for this great information regarding the important safety aspects of personal protective equipment and proper training in its use.

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There’s one in every family…..someone who has everything, and is impossible to shop for!  Most of us receive gift items that get recycled, (be careful to remember who gave it to you!), or stuck in a drawer somewhere.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that you show how much you really care by giving emergency preparedness items as gifts.  It would be a unique idea to give a friend or someone you love a gift that might possibly save his/her life.  You may see what we have to offer, and order by going to Texas America Safety Company, http://www.tasco-safety.com/.

Our grandson recently got a truck for his 16th birthday.  I am willing to bet that he doesn’t have a highway safety kit, flashlight, blanket or other emergency equipment that would come in handy in case he became stranded.  These types of emergency kits could be fun to put together for Mom and Dad’s cars, as well. 

If you know someone who wears hardhats at work, we’ve got just the deal for you!  What better way to show your pride in America than by wearing a Patriotic hardhat?  There are other cool hardhats that represent NFL, NBL, NCAA, NHL, NASCAR, and MLB teams.  Shucks, we even have cowboy hardhats that are approved for most types of use.   

T.a.s.c.o  also has many choices of gloves (industrial and medical); some of the leather ones would be great for winter driving.  Mechanix gloves are great for those who need a good, sturdy glove.  There are pink Mechanix gloves, too, for ladies’ smaller hands.   If you know someone who walks early in the morning or late in the evening, what better gift than a high-visibility vest to wear over a jacket, or some high-visibility decals to draw attention to them?  A wide variety of safety glasses are available, too.  They look just as good as those you’d pay several times over for.  If you have a friend who wears safety glasses, check out the styles; you’ll be giving a great gift that offers protection. 

Have a skier on your list?  In addition to warm gloves, we have great selections of protective goggles.  Know someone who works in an industrial setting that requires earmuffs?  Try our Bilsom AM/FM Radio Earmuffs.  You can find them in the earmuffs section.  They are lightweight and durable for industrial work, and do not sound louder than 82 dB.  For those of you who have a welder on your list, T.a.s.c.o has a stock of the coolest welding helmets that can stand the heat! 

We invite you to see for yourself the many items that we offer that will be useful gifts.  Not only will you have the convenience of shopping at home, but for an added Christmas bonus, we’d like to offer you a 10% discount on your purchase!  (Just mention 10% Blog in the Special Instructions space, or remind the customer service person that you order from.)  We also have the capability to customize many items in-house.

We hope the upcoming days bring a wonderful holiday season to you and your loved ones.  Please stay safe, as traffic will be busier than usual.  Best Wishes for safety and happiness during this holiday time from all of us at Texas America Safety Company.  Our toll-free number in the U.S. is 800-646-5346.

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Most successful companies understand that the best way to meet compliance standards in regard to employees wearing their personal protective equipment is to furnish them some really “cool” products.  Products such as gloves, safety glasses, and hardhats that keep them safe while bringing out their personalities at the same time! 

We recently received the following note, which sets the example:   “I received the hardhat yesterday and I love it. It’s been the talk of the town here for the past two days in my motor pool in Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. My 1stSgt, Co Gunny, and my CO all think it’s the coolest thing since sliced bread. It has not only provided my cranium protection, it’s given a sizable morale boost too to the Marines I work with. I wish to thank you one last time for ensuring its delivery here. I’d also like to thank your company for making the ordering process so easy and the site easy to navigate. Take care.”  (Goodness knows -  if anyone could use a lift, it’s our service personnel.) 

Many workers complain that their P.P.E. just doesn’t fit or look right.  Now, women’s products come in smaller sizes, from safety glasses to gloves and hardhats made just for them, some even in pink!  There are coveralls and other protective outerwear that is not just “one size fits all.”  Because people come in all sizes, companies should have their safety leaders include part of the workforce to make the decisions in the products they select.  It is unsafe for workers to have to perform their jobs in clothing that doesn’t fit.  Loose gloves and clothing can become caught in moving equipment. 

If companies allow their employees to wear, for example, say, hardhats that have sports team logos on them, it lets workers show support for their team, which in turn, might cause a little competition, along with a winning spirit.  We hope this encourages others to be aware that all safety glasses are not “Plain Janes.”  There are so many cool styles of glasses that surpass those found in optical stores, because not only do they look good, but furnish UV safety, as well as protect the eyes from foreign objects.  The look of safety equipment depends on the materials it is made from.  Therefore, many types of gloves and goggles or glasses are designed for protection and not style.  Whether they are industrial grade or medical grade gloves or outer clothing, chemists, medical personnel, food handling workers, and others who are engaged in types of work that require these special protective barriers are happy to wear them, knowing they are protected.  

The main concern toward keeping employees safe is to ensure they are compliant with safety rules.  PPE is the last line of defense when it comes to protection.  However, it won’t protect them if they don’t wear it!  The employee is responsible to know how to use this PPE for the particular purpose it was designed.  It is the responsibility of the company’s safety leader to ensure that they are trained and understand how to take care of their PPE, knowing when it is damaged and how it can be repaired if possible, or replaced when necessary.  It can be much more fun when workers to get to wear some type of PPE that puts a smile on everyone’s face.   

We thank our Marine for the kind words regarding the hardhat he ordered.  It is our hope that he and his buddies remain safe and return home soon!

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Guest Blog
America’s oldest volunteer eye health and safety organization, Prevent Blindness America, reminds us that October is designated as Home Eye Safety Awareness Month.  Of the 2.5 million eye injuries that occur every year, more than half happen within or around the home.  According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Ocular Trauma, the most common place of injury is the yard or garden.  Home repair and/or the use of power tools in the home cause one in four eye injuries, as well.

“When doing everyday chores around the house or repair work in the garage, we can become complacent about remembering to use the proper eye protection,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America.  “But, we must remember that an eye injury that can occur in a split second can have lifelong impact on vision.”  Protective eyewear that has been approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) should always be worn before doing any home or car repair, or during any other activity that could be potentially dangerous to the eyes. 

  
Another tip for avoiding eye injuries is to provide effective lighting in your home.  Better light reduces eye strain and also improves safety in the home, especially when stairways are well lit, or in areas where good light can reduce the risk of falls and other injuries.  Rehabmart offers a wide variety of table and floor lamps to help you better illuminate your home.  The Daylight Slimline Magnifying Lamp is a perfect choice for those who may have already suffered some vision loss as well as for those who want to help prevent vision loss.     

The Daylight bulb technology in this uniquely stylish lamp helps to reduce eye strain and improves the contrast of what you are looking at, helping you to see more clearly.  The flicker-free and low-heat technology soothes you and your eyes for hours, while you use 80% less energy compared to conventional lighting choices.  You additionally have the option of adding on a table base or floor stand, converting this lamp to your own needs and specifications.  The Daylight Slimline Magnifying Lamp also includes two easily changeable 5 inch glass magnifying lenses to help you see tiny details more clearly, making this the perfect choice for anyone who does beading, sewing or other detailed crafts.

 Many people may be familiar with ‘Eye Wash Stations” in their workplace, but few think about the importance of having this available in their homes as well.  Yet keeping eye washes on hand and ready to use at home can mean the difference between a temporary eye problem and lifelong vision loss, especially considering how more than half of all eye injuries occur in the home. 
Vision and eye health are important and everyone should take care of their eyes by getting regular eye check ups and screenings with their ophthalmologist.  The Prevent Blindness America organization also sponsors many screenings and vision programs for low-income children and adults who might not otherwise have access to this health care and prevention.  Rehabmart celebrates Home Eye Safety Awareness Month by continuing to offer a wide and varied choice of the best products to help prevent eye injuries in the home and elsewhere…because prevention of an eye injury is so much better than living with the long-term effects of an eye injury, especially when it could have easily been prevented.   

We at BLOG4SAFETY wish to thank:
Carol Koenigsknecht, Medical Consumer Writer and Hulet Smith, OT, Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO for this great article and sharing their concern with us and our parent company, Texas America Safety Company, about the importance of eye protection both at home and work.

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