Everyone appreciates manicured lawns, beautiful gardens and the smell of fresh cut grass in the summer. Not everyone has the time to devote to yard maintenance. Landscaping and lawn care companies provide this valuable service. They use fuel-powered equipment like lawnmowers, chain saws and blowers daily. But working with gasoline comes with risks of fire and explosion.
No workplaces or industries are void of danger. Despite safety measures, exposure to potential workplace hazards such as chemical splash, welding sparks, metal shavings or fine particulates can occur. Receiving immediate and proper treatment in the first 10 seconds following exposure can be key to minimizing serious injury. Emergency shower and eyewash stations help protect workers when an incident occurs.
Safety cans are used to safely store and transfer chemicals. But did you know putting an incompatible chemical into a safety container will affect the integrity of the can? Eventually it could rupture causing an incident and potential injuries.
From violent volcanoes to terrifying twisters, you never know when disasters will strike. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) protects and serves Americans during emergencies. A significant part of their mission involves emergency preparedness.
Ever ask yourself, can I throw aerosol cans in the trash? The answer is complicated. It’s not the can, but the contents of the can that may cause issues. Many cans used in the workplace contain hazardous materials. Either the product or the propellant used to spray the product is harmful to the environment. Aerosol disposal must be handled carefully.
Many workshops, industrial facilities and laboratories generate small quantities of hazardous waste. Anything from contaminated solvents, used oil and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) waste needs temporary storage before safe disposal. OSHA inspectors check for flammable liquids in open containers. They impose fines for non-compliance to regulations and putting employees at risk.
At an airshow in San Diego in 1989, famous test pilot Bob Hoover was entertaining the crowd in his small, piston-powered Shrike Commander plane with a couple thrill-seeking passengers in tow. At about 300 feet off the ground during takeoff, the engine lost all power.
Whether you are dealing with a widespread spill on the scale of Deepwater Horizon, or a few drips from a leaking pump seal, every spill must be cleaned up. But did you know using the wrong absorbent material may make the situation worse?
Using a safety can to store and dispense flammable liquids might seem like a minor issue when running a busy waste collection facility. Yet, one company learned the severity of non-compliance the hard way. OSHA cited the company for improper transfer of flammable liquids, along with other unsafe conditions. The penalty? Nearly $300,000 in fines.
