Safety Tips

Tips to Make Your Workplace Safer

Arbill University provides valuable safety product information and tips to help you create a culture of safety within your workplace.

Situations that require retraining for PPE include changes in the workplace that invalidate previous training, changes in types of PPE to be used and inadequacies in an employee's knowledge or use of the assigned PPE.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employers must provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) training for each employee who is required to use PPE in the workplace. This training must address when and how to wear and adjust the PPE, any limitations and proper care, as well as maintenance and disposal of the PPE.
Any PPE that has been previously used must be disinfected before being issued to another employee.
In environments with severe exposure to impact hazards, workers are required to wear secondary protective devices, such as face shields, in conjunction with primary goggles or spectacles with side shields.
Inspection of eye protection must be performed on a regular basis. Worn out, sweat soaked, loose or twisted headbands don’t hold eye protectors in the proper position.
The first step to preventing death in confined spaces is identifying areas that may have low oxygen or high toxicity levels and monitoring them regularly.
Helmets should not be stored in the rear window of vehicles because sunlight and extreme heat can dry out the exterior and cause it to crack.
70% of eye injuries occur because of falling objects or sparks hitting the eye.
Absorption of chemicals into the skin can cause skin disorders, which are some of the leading diseases contracted in the workplace.
Hearing protection is required if an employee is subject to noise above 85 decibels over an eight-hour period. This protection must include regular hearing tests performed by trained professionals.
Safety nets should be as close as possible to the area where employees are working and should not be more than 30 feet below. Nets must be inspected for damage once a week, at minimum.
Telescopic mop poles allow employees to adjust the poles to match their height, which makes mopping easier and causes less back strain.
Shoes with tread grips are valuable in environments with rugged terrain. But on a smooth floor with a slippery substance, there is often not enough traction to prevent slipping.
If there is not a hospital nearby, it’s a good idea to ensure that someone in the company is trained in first aid so that he or she can tend to serious injuries immediately.
An effective hazard communication program includes a written plan, labels on hazardous materials, material safety data sheets and training for employees.
The most effective way to test for cuts and tears in chemical protective gloves is to fill them with water and inspect for leaks.
Employees are more likely to wear protective gloves if they are comfortable and come in colors that are more attractive than typical work gloves.
You are required to provide employees with a choice between earplugs and earmuffs and help them choose which would be the best fit depending on their personal work environment.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employers must provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) training for each employee who is required to use PPE in the workplace. This training must address when and how to wear and adjust the PPE, any limitations and proper care, as well as maintenance and disposal of the PPE.
Eye injuries alone cost more than $300 million per year in lost production time, worker compensation and medical expenses.
Head protection is required if there is risk of objects falling from above, or possible contact with hard, fixed objects or electrical hazards. The most common head protection is the hard hat.
No single fabric can protect against all hazards in the workplace. Therefore, it may be necessary to provide several types of gloves depending on the work environment.
Reusable or disposable earplugs can be inserted into the ear to protect against hearing loss. Earmuffs can also be used; however, these require a complete seal around the entire ear to be effective.
Respirators are classified as either tight-fitting or loose-fitting – with tight-fitting devices offering more protection, but with restricted mobility and portability.
Protective clothing should be selected based on quantitative criteria, including contact time, permeation rate, breakthrough time, penetration and degradation. Note: There is no material that protects against all chemicals and chemical combinations, or prolonged chemical exposure.
Gas detection systems can trigger ventilation devices, as well as provide alerts to important personnel.
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) mandates that fall protection must be provided at varying heights in different industries. General industry workplaces are required to provide protection at four feet and higher, shipyards at five feet, construction at six feet and longshoring operations at eight feet.
The function of first aid programs in the workplace is to educate workers on how to provide basic emergency medical care while waiting for emergency medical personnel.
If they are used, trash containers must be emptied every workday. The receptacle must either be disposable or cleanable.
Toe guards made of steel, aluminum or plastic can be worn with regular shoes to protect workers’ feet from impacts and compression.
You should create an emergency action plan to ensure you are protected in a crisis. This preparation can save lives.
All flammable liquids must be stored inside and away from areas that are commonly used for walking.
If employees are exposed to high temperatures for too long, they risk losing concentration, becoming sick, fainting and possible death.
Ergonomics is the science of designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely. This helps to foster a better work environment for employees and reduces the risk of injury on the job.
Situations that require retraining for PPE include changes in the workplace that invalidate previous training, changes in types of PPE to be used and inadequacies in an employee’s knowledge or use of the assigned PPE.
To determine the risk of eye and face hazards, a hazard assessment must be conducted. Types of hazards include impact, heat, chemicals, dust and optical radiation. The assessment considers examples of each hazard type and common related tasks.

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