Hazard communication is often essential to workplace safety, an GHS labels are a cornerstone of HazCom. Originally introduced and developed by the United Nations in 1992, the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals has been required by OSHA since 2012. In this post we look examine each component of a compliant label and how to ensure your facility is aligned with the GHS…
The “NFPA 704: Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response” is a standard developed and maintained by the National Fire Protection Association. The standard is a system consisting of a label with a “fire diamond” or “safety square” that communicates with both workers and emergency personnel on the severity and other components on nearly any type of chemical container. Paramedics, police…
Electricity can pose a dangerous a hazard to employees and the workplace. People can be severely injured, a fire could be started, and electrical incidents could even result in death. Although there are a number of requirements and tips for achieving proper electrical safety, here are just a few to get you started. Identify hazards in a Gemba walk: One of the best ways you can effectively…
Arc flashes are one of the most dangerous hazards found in a workplace. The potential property damage of an arc flash includes metal on equipment melting, a fire breaking out, or even break windows and splinter wood, and the potential for human injury is extremely serious. Workers who experience an arc flash could be burned badly, be electrocuted, have permanent hearing or eyesight damage, and can be…
Eyes are one of the most vulnerable organs of the human body, and as an employer you areobligated to keep your workers safe, including their eyes. Providing compliant and effective personal protective equipment (PPE) can dramatically reduce the chance of eye injury and even vision loss. Whether your workplace is a construction site, a laboratory, or a manufacturing warehouse, there are a number of hazards the eye…
Kaizen is both a methodology and a philosophy at the core of Lean manufacturing. Continuous improvement is synonymous with kaizen, meaning no process is fully developed, people should always be looking for ways processes can be improved. Kaizen focuses on improving processes, standardizing processes, involving workers from all levels, and much more. The following are five strategies, out of many, that kaizen uses: Gemba: The phrase “go…
Hazard and visual communication are essential to safety in the workplace. Hazard communication encompasses all types of signs and labels: caution signs, danger, notice, warning, and safety instruction signs. ANSI Standards The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has developed some of the most widely adopted standards used in the workplace. One of the essential set of standards is the ANSI Z535 series, regarding the design of safety…
Have you heard of 6S? You might be familiar with 5S, a manufacturing methodology aimed to reduce waste and optimize productivity through creating and maintaining an organized workplace utilizing visual cues. 6S builds upon the original five steps, rounding it out with the sixth S: safety. Safety is an important component of productivity and waste and can effectively reduce downtime, reduce expenses, impact work quality, and create…
Since construction industry involves a lot of risks which cause frequent accidents therefore it is very much essential to carry safety products. The safety products are mainly carried for getting acute protection against probable construction risks. To be more precise, dangerous accidents causing dreadful consequences especially physical damages can be easily and efficiently avoided with the use of safety products. But you need to make sure that…