Workplace Safety Articles and News

Why a Screwdriver Will Not Puncture Aerosol Cans Safely

May 15, 2019

Many companies use aerosol cans every day but hate the high costs of hazardous waste disposal. They may choose to recycle their used or empty aerosol cans. In many cases, they’re unsure of how to empty the cans. They may even puncture them with a screwdriver, draining out the remaining contents.

Proper Chemical Storage in Flammable Safety Cabinets

Apr 23, 2019

In August 2018, teachers and staff at a middle school in Norfolk, MA, were preparing for the start of the school year as the annual fire inspection took place. In a science classroom, the town building and fire department officials noticed a strange chemical odor coming from a chemical storage cabinet. The garlicy smell was due to a reaction that had occurred in a container of calcium carbide.

Safety Experts’ Tips and Best Practices for Using Flammable Safety Cabinets

Apr 12, 2019

The mission of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) is to protect all workers from occupational hazards. AIHA volunteer groups work with OSHA to identify and educate on common hazards within specific industries. For instance, the Laboratory Health and Safety Committee reviews lab safety incidents.

How to Safely Store Lithium Ion Batteries

Mar 18, 2019

In today’s world, we expect much from our smart phones. A key feature for most buyers is long battery lives and quick charging times. But, this stretches lithium ion technology to its limits. Not even global tech companies are immune, as seen in 2016 with the Galaxy Note 7.

Organic Chemical Vapor Safety: How to Remove Volatile Vapors from Inside a Safety Cabinet

Mar 14, 2019

Safety cabinets store flammable, corrosive or hazardous chemicals. They protect them from fire and keep them secure for controlled use. Both OSHA and the EPA require the use of original packaging or sealed containers for the chemicals inside your safety cabinet. But, even with these precautions organic chemical vapors may still be present.

Flammable Safety Cabinets vs. Outdoor Chemical Storage Lockers – What is the Difference?

Feb 28, 2019

Working with flammable, and combustible or corrosive liquids can be confusing and dangerous. To ensure a safe workplace, there are many regulations that apply to their storage, handling and dispensing. Besides the obvious safety risks, fires and explosions can also cause property damage, financial losses and environmental incidents.

Justrite's Guide to Safe Grounding and Bonding Practices

Feb 14, 2019

Most people are familiar with static electricity. They’ve heard the crackling when removing clinging fabrics from the dryer, or they’ve felt a slight electric shock when touching a door knob or other metal object after walking across a carpeted floor. During the winter, or when the air is very dry, the effects of static electricity are more noticeable. But, did you know static discharge is also a major cause of industrial fires and explosions?

Don’t Slip Up! 6 Tips for Avoiding Spill-Related Falls in the Workplace

Feb 6, 2019

Slips and falls can be fatal in the workplace. In 2017, falls were the second highest cause of occupational death according to the U.S. Department of Labor. They accounted for 887 fatalities on the job. An estimated 25 percent of all disability claims per year, amounting to more than $25 billion, result from falls.

Five Tips for Preventing Accidents with Flammable Safety Cans

Jan 9, 2019

Justrite flammable safety cans include many features to prevent fires or injuries when working with flammable liquids. Automatic positive pressure relief vents between 3 and 5 psi to relieve pressure and avoid an explosion. Flame arresters dissipate heat to stop flashback ignition. Type II safety cans include hoses to make it easy to pour into narrow openings, reducing the chance of spillage.

How to Manage Chemical Waste Disposal in Academic Labs

Nov 29, 2018

Due to the nature of academic work and research, labs often generate many types of hazardous wastes. Volumes for each experiment are normally small. But, there are many individual points of chemical waste generation in an academic institution. Annual student turnover in campus labs makes difficult to maintain a high level of training and accountability.