According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), workers exposed to extreme cold or working in cold environments may be at risk of cold stress.

Date Posted: 02/17/2024

Workers exposed to extreme heat or working in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress. Exposure to extreme heat can result in occupational illnesses and injuries. For example, heat stress can result in heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes

Date Posted: 10/24/2023

Around 5,000 people from all industries die from asbestos-related diseases every year. According to the Washington State Department of Health, asbestos is a mineral fiber found in rocks and soil. It was once widely used in building materials and products to strengthen them and provide heat insulation and fire resistance. It is still used in some products today.

Date Posted: 04/24/2023

It is estimated that more than 5 million workers use respiratory protection regularly as part of their work. Respirators protect the user from various airborne contaminants, including harmful dust, fog, smoke, mists, gases, vapors, and sprays. Air-supplied respirators protect workers from oxygen-deficient environments also.

Date Posted: 04/24/2023

Hard hats in construction are commonly used to protect workers from a head injury caused by falling objects, striking one’s head against an object, or electrical hazards, including shock and electrocution. The hard hat is a piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to protect a worker when all other protection methods cannot.

Date Posted: 04/24/2023

Protecting your hands is vital for your work and quality of life. Work-related hand injuries are one of the leading reasons workers end up in the emergency room and miss work. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 1 million workers are treated in the emergency room due to hand injuries.

Date Posted: 04/24/2023

Protective footwear worn on construction sites is designed to protect your feet from physical hazards such as falling objects, punctures through the soles of the footwear, extremely hot or cold temperatures, slippery surfaces, corrosive chemicals, and general foot fatigue.

Date Posted: 04/24/2023

Your eyes are vital for experiencing the fullness of life. Losing the capability to see is not worth the risk of taking shortcuts in your work for any reason. According to OSHA, thousands of people are blinded each year from work-related eye injuries that could have been prevented with the proper selection and use of eye and face protection.

Date Posted: 09/25/2016

Portable grinders are one of the most potentially dangerous tools on any work site. The majority of injuries associated with portable grinder use are foreign bodies to the eyes and lacerations to the hands and body. These injuries typically result from the improper selection of tools, improper use or operation of tools, failure to utilize the correct personal protective equipment, improper abrasive/grinding wheel selection, improperly inspected and maintained equipment or using equipment without proper guarding.

Date Posted: 09/24/2016

It is a misconception that most or all asbestos has been eliminated from buildings. It might be surprising that asbestos has been found in buildings built in the 1990’s and later. Awareness of asbestos is important.

Date Posted: 09/22/2016

Chainsaws used for construction use must be equipped with all guards and safety devices in good working condition, including throttle interlock and chain brake. Prior to using an electric or gasoline-powered chainsaw, personnel must be qualified to operate the saw and follow the manufacturer’s recommended safe operating procedures

Date Posted: 09/22/2016

Hospital emergency room visits account for approximately 10,600 visits annually due to improper usage of circular saws.

Date Posted: 09/22/2016

Construction workers can be exposed to extreme weather during the winter months. Cold weather can negatively affect a person’s senses; seeing, smelling, feeling. Productivity is difficult when a worker is cold. Therefore, it is important to choose clothing appropriate for the cold weather conditions.

Date Posted: 09/21/2016

Some of the most dangerous situations arise out of common mistakes that can be easily avoided. This Toolbox Talk will focus on some of the more common (and commonly overlooked) safety issues that should be prevented to help improve safety performance.

Date Posted: 09/21/2016

Concrete is used on most construction sites. There are hazards resulting from the act of forming, placing and finishing concrete.

Date Posted: 09/19/2016

Welding and cutting pose several hazards on the jobsite. Following proper guidelines and wearing appropriate attire, you can eliminate the possibility of an accident.

Date Posted: 09/10/2016

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is a severe, sometimes fatal, respiratory disease in humans caused by infection with a rodent infected with hantavirus. Rodent infestation remains the primary risk for hantavirus exposure. Healthy individuals can be at risk for HPS infection if exposed to the virus.

Date Posted: 09/10/2016

Hard hats are an essential part of head protection. The brain is the body’s command center; it offers the body a way to function and must be protected. Hard hats are a type of helmets worn in workplaces to protect the head from flying objects, collision impact, debris, and shock.

Date Posted: 09/09/2016

To provide and maintain a safe and healthy worksite, owners, contractors, employers, supervisors, and workers must accept and follow their own level of responsibility.