Chemicals
Where Can I Find a Chart of All the Chemical Hazard Signs?
If you’ve ever stood in front of a chemical storage cabinet or a laboratory shelf and stared at those red diamond symbols without quite knowing what they meant — you’re not alone. Chemical hazard signs appear on everything from 200-litre industrial drums to the bottle of drain cleaner under your kitchen sink, yet most workers couldn’t name more than two or three […]
Say no to pesticide spraying effortlessly
EPA research shows that U.S. pesticide usage totaled over 1.1 billion pounds yearly in both 2011 and 2012. An obvious sector that uses these pesticides is agricultural farm lands and product residues. Most of the produce grown in farms today are sprayed with synthetic pesticides to deter insects and rodents, and prevent weeds from destroying […]
Lead poisoning in children? Blame old bathtubs
October 20 – 26, 2013 was National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week and safety experts told us some alarming truths about lead poisoning in children. Despite being banned in 1978, lead-based paint continues to be the number one source for lead exposure in children. But it is not the only source. New cases reveal that lead […]
What’s wrong with this compressed gas cylinder? #HazardSpotting
#HazardSpotting is a community safety initiative that helps raise awareness about dangerous workplace safety violations. Our audience submits pictures, and we write an article with insight from featured safety professionals. In our twelfth edition, we’re examining transportation and storage hazards of compressed gas cylinders with guest insight from Frank Fox. Some things you stumble upon […]
PPE on a near-atomic level: are workers safe from nanomaterials?
Advancements in science allow us to see more of the world around us, but often raise more questions than answers. Such is the case with engineered nanoparticles, and the dilemma of how “standard industrial hygiene practices” apply to a potential hazard that isn’t yet fully understood. Little particles, big question marks Nanomaterials are defined by […]
Welding fumes increase risk of hearing loss
Welders are routinely exposed to arc flashes, intense heat, and blinding light, putting them at risk for vision loss and burns. However, recent findings show that welders are also at a high risk for hearing loss. While an obvious reason seems to be their noisy work environment, prolonged exposure to welding fumes could also be […]
The West Texas tragedy: Can oversights lead to an overhaul?
All too often, safety oversights are brought to light because of a tragedy. In the case of the deadly explosion at the West Fertilizer Co. in Texas last month, early investigations have revealed a patchwork of reporting requirements and safety thresholds that may have left workers and the community dangerously exposed. An article on Salon.com states […]