Safety Meeting Toolbox Topics and Tailgate Talks
Electrocution is one of the leading causes of death in the workplace. More than half of these deaths are caused by two things: defective electrical equipment or failure to follow safe procedures. Even if an electric shock doesn't kill you, it can still cause serious injuries, such as burns, damage to muscles and internal organs, and heart attack.
Chain saws can be great labor saving tools, but if not operated properly and with respect, they can quickly cause severe injury and death. At least two people died from injuries related to chain saws during the first week of cleanup after Hurricane Hugo several years ago.
Like anything else we use constantly, we tend to take our hands for granted – that is, until we injure a hand or finger. Suddenly the simplest tasks, like buttoning a shirt, signing your name, or twisting open a jar lid becomes difficult, if not impossible. More than a half million disabling hand and finger injuries happen on the job every year, and there are many ways you can be affected.
If power tools are underrated as a source of potential danger, hand tools are even more so. They might look harmless, but they are the source of many injuries. In fact, an estimated 8% of all workplace compensable injuries are caused by hand tool accidents. These injuries can be serious, including loss of fingers or eyesight.
It's that time of year again! Mowing, weed-eating, and trimming can create various safety hazards that employees need to be reminded of, even though these are typical chores performed around the home every week. Because these tasks are performed on-the-job, any associated hazards must be addressed in the same manner as any other work-related hazard.