AlaCOMP provides news and OSHA Updates to all members. Each entry is packed with vital safety tips, updates to claims processes and information on the annual seminar devoted to safety and workers’ compensation subjects.
General Construction Safety
July 23, 2020
Serious injury or death is a risk when a construction worker steps foot on a job site. Hazards can exist in manySerious injury or death is a risk when a construction worker steps foot on a job site. Hazards can exist in many places, from ladders and scaffolding to powers tools and heavy machinery. All workers on a construction site must work together to prevent injury and death, from the foreman all the way down the work chain. Everyone is…
MOREAnother Top 10 OSHA List: Machine Guarding
June 22, 2020
Machine guarding appears number eight on OSHA’s 2019 top ten list of most frequently violated standards. Machine guarding received citations for 1,743 violations in 2019. Approximately 18,000 injuries and 800 fatalities occur each year from machinery operations that often lack proper or inadequate guarding. Today, machinery-related injuries exist as some of the worst in the industry. Workers become caught in machines and can suffer severe injuries such as crushed arms, legs,…
MOREThink Safe, Work Safe, Stay Safe
June 09, 2020
No matter the type of work environment, safety rules should always exist. The company’s primary objective is to provide safe and healthy working conditions for all employees. Each employee should become familiar with, and follow, all general and department safety rules. Most accidents can be prevented if everyone uses assigned safety equipment and follows safety rules. The type of business will determine necessary general and operating safety…
MOREAvoiding Pinch Points
May 21, 2020
Pinch points are points where a person could get caught between a machine and its moving or stationary parts or other materials. Often pinch-point injuries are the result of untrained or improperly trained workers who do not realize the dangers of machinery. Workers take shortcuts to get the work done more quickly, often resulting in injury. Never perform a task without proper training. Taking shortcuts or bypassing procedures could become serious. Some pinch points are obvious. Other pinch…
MORE6 Steps for LOTO Procedure
May 07, 2020
For equipment or machines with stored energy, LOTO procedures are mandatory along with how to release the equipment from the lockout/tagout. These procedures can help safeguard employees from hazardous energy release. Below is a brief outline of the steps for a proper LOTO procedure, shutting the machine/equipment down for maintenance and then releasing LOTO once maintenance is completed. Implementing these procedures can help prevent accidents during repair or maintenance. Prepare…
MOREImportance of Accident Prevention Program
April 30, 2020
Within any workplace setting, injuries may occur. Employers should implement an Accident Prevention Program and train employees to reduce the chances of injury for the following reasons: help reduce injuries/accidents identify hazards before they cause accidents ensure employees are properly trained to understand safety rules and proper procedures proper handling of an accident upon occurrence An Accident Prevention Program can help reduce the number of accidents within the workplace and lower…
MORETop Citations by OSHA: No. 4 LOTO
April 16, 2020
Each year, Lockout Tagout (LOTO) ranks among the top 10 most cited OSHA violations. For the 2019 fiscal year, LOTO was number 4 with a total of 2,975 citations. Within the LOTO violations, the top 5 citations mainly involved training employees and following the proper LOTO procedures. LOTO procedures exist to control hazardous energy during servicing and maintenance of machines. Several different classifications of hazardous energy can present a hazard to employees: …
MORESafely Entering and Exiting Vehicles
April 06, 2020
Entering and exiting large commercial vehicles can become dangerous when the person is not focused and using the steps or handles of the vehicle. Often people become complacent. Skipping a step into or out of the vehicle or not using handles can cause a slip and fall injury. Falls and jumps from a commercial vehicle may cause broken bones, sprains, and sometimes fatalities. Proper procedures to enter and exit a commercial vehicle, proper shoe attire and care for commercial…
MOREHow to Choose a Harness
April 01, 2020
If guardrails or safety nets will not work on a job, use personal protective equipment (PPE) – fall-restraint systems, personal fall arrest systems or work positioning systems. Restraint systems prevent falling. Fall-arrest systems stop falls. All of these systems are mandatory when falling in the work area is possible. If a fall occurs, a properly fitted harness spreads the stopping force over thighs, pelvis, chest and shoulders. When choosing a harness, be sure to select the correct one…
MORE4 Step Emergency Plan
April 01, 2020
A formal company-wide emergency plan that applies to any type of emergency is highly recommended. Not only does it provide a procedure for employees in case of an emergency, the plan also shows the business’ investment to keep employees safe. Below find a 4 Step Emergency Plan every business should implement: Build a Team: put together a working team and clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each member. Also, as quickly as possible, discuss a potential budget for any…
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