Did you know there are 3 types of inspections you should be doing for your rigging gear? Those inspections are: Initial, Frequent, and Periodic. All three are important for safety while using rigging gear.

On today’s episode of Safety Saturday, Tim guides us through each of the three types of inspections for rigging gear and their importance for keeping employees safe while using rigging gear. The initial inspection is visual to make sure tags are present and the setup matches. The frequent inspection is hands-on to check for damage and should be conducted prior to each use. The periodic inspection is extensive and should be conducted every 12 months.

Additionally, chain slings, which are one of the most common pieces of rigging equipment, require extra attention to detail when being inspected.

Until next week, from everyone at W. L. French, stay safe out there!

#ConstructionSafety #Rigging #ChainSlings #StayPrepared #SafetySaturday #SafebyChoice #wlfrench #WEMOVEBOSTON

Construction is dangerous by nature and we take steps every day to ensure the safety of ourselves and those around us. It’s important to stay focused and fully engaged in the task at hand and avoid distractions at all costs.

On today’s episode of Safety Saturday, Eddie talks about the importance of limiting distractions while at a job site. Losing focus for just one moment could lead to a mistake that could change the course of your life completely. Tasks can range from driving, operating machinery, and working around heavy equipment, all of which require precise focus to be aware of all hazards. Distractions can include cell phones, external factors in one’s life, and pressure to meet deadlines.

If you notice your mind wandering or you aren’t fully engaged while working, take a break and refocus. If something needs to be addressed, talk to a supervisor and discuss ways to mitigate it. This can make all the difference in preventing a work-related accident and/or injury.

Until next week, from everyone at W. L. French, stay safe!

#ConstructionSafety #LimitingDistractions #StayFocused #StayPrepared #SafetySaturday #SafebyChoice #wlfrench #WEMOVEBOSTON

There’s one hand tool that demands your respect over many others in the workplace, a tool that can cut you to the bone in an instant … the utility knife. Utility knives are very useful for cutting strapping, puncturing shrink-wrap, and opening packaging. But one wrong move and these blades can do serious harm.

On today’s episode of Safety Saturday, Tim walks us through both the reasons behind injuries involving utility knives and how to prevent them. Steps you can take to prevent injuries while using a utility knife include wearing safety glasses and cut-resistant gloves, proper technique, and disposing of dull blades.

Until next week, from everyone at W. L. French, stay safe out there!

#ConstructionSafety #UtilityKnives #UtilityKnife #StayPrepared #SafetySaturday #SafebyChoice #wlfrench #WEMOVEBOSTON

In today’s Safety Saturday, Eddie discusses Fire Extinguishers. Fire extinguishers are essential safety devices designed to combat small fires before they escalate into larger, more dangerous situations.

These devices come in various types, each tailored to extinguish specific classes of fires, including those fueled by ordinary combustibles like wood and paper, flammable liquids such as gasoline and oil, electrical fires, and combustible metals.

Typically, fire extinguishers contain pressurized agents like water, foam, dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, or specialized gases to smother flames and deprive them of oxygen. Proper placement of fire extinguishers in homes, workplaces, and public spaces, along with regular maintenance and training in their use, can significantly reduce the risk of fire-related injuries and property damage.

However, it's crucial to remember that while fire extinguishers are invaluable tools, they are only effective when used correctly, and in certain situations, it may be safer to evacuate and call emergency services rather than attempt to extinguish the fire yourself.

#ConstructionSafety #FireExtinguishers #FireSafety #StayPrepared #SafetySaturday #SafebyChoice #wlfrench #WEMOVEBOSTON

The very presence of scaffolding at a job site creates a hazardous work environment. Falls, falling objects and structure instability are all dangerous possibilities and pose a threat to safety in the workplace.

On today’s episode of Safety Saturday, Tim guides us through OSHA’s fourth most cited standard - Scaffolding. There are general requirements that companies should follow according to OSHA standards when it comes to scaffolding. These general requirements include capacity, platforms, supported and suspended scaffolds, use, fall protection, and more. Another important requirement is distance. Scaffolding cannot get any closer than 3 ft from insulated power lines of less than 300 volts, and no closer than 10 ft from uninsulated power lines of less than 50 kV.

Each employee who performs work while on a scaffold must be trained by a person qualified in the subject matter to recognize the hazards associated with the type of scaffold being used and to understand the procedures to control or minimize those hazards.

Until next week, from everyone at W. L. French, stay safe out there!

#ConstructionSafety #OSHA #Scaffolding #StayPrepared #SafetySaturday #SafebyChoice #wlfrench #WEMOVEBOSTON

Material handling equipment such as forklifts are commonly used in construction and general industry to efficiently transport heavy loads while also reducing the amount of manual handling by workers. Although these can be useful tools, inadequate training, planning, and maintenance can introduce more hazards into the workplace.

On today’s episode of Safety Saturday, Eddie walks us through OSHA’s fifth most cited standard - Powered Industrial Trucks. There are several requirements that powered industrial trucks should follow to keep employees safe and follow OSHA guidelines. This includes design and construction requirements, labels and laboratory approval, machine power designations, fuel and battery storage, and more.

Remember, when operating or working around forklifts and other heavy machinery, it’s important that everyone is aware of the planned activity. If the plan changes, make everyone in the area aware. Follow procedures for travel paths and pedestrian areas and minimize distractions when you’re in the workplace.

Until next week, from everyone at W. L. French, stay safe!

#ConstructionSafety #OSHA #PoweredIndustrialTrucks #StayPrepared #SafetySaturday #SafebyChoice #wlfrench #WEMOVEBOSTON

One of the hazards too often overlooked is associated with stored or potentially hazardous energy, otherwise known as Lockout/Tagout. Failure to use proper Lockout/Tagout procedures could be because people think it’s just for electrical work – which is far from true.

On today’s episode of Safety Saturday, Amy guides us through OSHA’s sixth most cited standard of 2023, Lockout/Tagout. She walks us through the importance of complying with this standard because failure to properly Lockout and Tagout equipment can result in injuries to the workers who are servicing, repairing, or adjusting the equipment. Amy discusses important safety tips for performing Lockout and Tagout.

Workers should be trained and familiar with how Lockout/Tagout could affect them, how to recognize when Lockout/Tagout is needed or is in place, and what is required before doing any job that requires Lockout/Tagout. Lockout and Tagout should be used together to maximize safety.

From everyone at W. L. French, until next week, stay safe out there!

#ConstructionSafety #Lockout #Tagout #OSHA #StayPrepared #SafetySaturday #SafeByChoice #wlfrench #WEMOVEBOSTON

Confined spaces, dust-filled shops, and other environments that could make the simple act of breathing dangerous are all in a day’s work for some industrial workers. While keeping contaminants out of the air workers breathe is the first line of defense, proper respiratory protection is also essential.

On today’s episode of Safety Saturday, Tim walks us through OSHA’s 7th most cited standard - Respiratory Protection. According to OSHA requirements, companies should have respiratory protection programs in place that include: written details about how the program is administered, assessments of knowledge of respiratory hazards, procedures of respiratory protection equipment, medical evaluations, and more. Tim also talks about the different types of respiratory hazards, which is another important piece of information to keep employees safe.

Respiratory protective devices vary in design, application, and protective capability. Therefore, you must assess the inhalation hazard and understand the specific use limitations of available equipment to assist in proper selection.

Until next week, from everyone at W. L. French, stay safe out there!

#ConstructionSafety #OSHA #RespiratoryProtection #StayPrepared #SafetySaturday #SafebyChoice #wlfrench #WEMOVEBOSTON

Workers on a jobsite may be exposed to falls greater than 6’ or more to a lower level. Because of this, it is imperative that employees are trained in fall protection according to OSHA guidelines.

On today’s episode of Safety Saturday, Eddie talks about OSHA’s 8th most cited standard - Fall Protection: Training Requirements. OSHA’s requirements for training in fall protection include understanding and correcting fall hazards, the use of different types of fall safety systems, and retraining an employee in fall protection when employers deem it necessary.

Remember, written certification records should be prepared for employees for proof of training and should include the name of the trained employee, the date of training, and the signature of the competent person who conducted the training.

From everyone at the W. L. French Safety department, until next week, stay safe!

#ConstructionSafety #OSHA #FallProtection #TrainingRequirements #FallProtectionTraining #StayPrepared #SafetySaturday #SafebyChoice #wlfrench #WEMOVEBOSTON