Next week, Canadians and Americans will be enjoying their traditional patriotic celebrations. And that can mean only one thing: It’s officially summer! It’s time for the backyard BBQ, fireworks and fun in the sun with family and friends. As a safety professional, you’re probably thinking E. coli, burns and heat illness. (This kind of thinking [...]

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According to the US Fire Administration, every year barbecue grills cause approximately 6,500 fires. The peak month for grill fires? July.
The top ignition factor, accounting for 43% of grill fires, is mechanical failure or malfunction, such as part failure, leak, break or lack of maintenance. Other ignition factors include:

Misuse of heat of ignition – such [...]

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As summer approaches, it’s time to think about an added safety hazard in the workplace. High temperatures and humidity can cause heat illness. While most people adjust to hot weather when given enough time, this illness can range from mild to deadly. Here’s a safety talk on heat illness to share with your workers.
The Danger [...]

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New California laws require employers to provide shade in temperatures warmer than 85°F (29°C) and also to provide drinking water, plus ice for drinking water in temperatures exceeding 90°F (32°C). All California employers who have staff working outdoors must develop a program to protect workers against heat illness.
Pack Fresh Produce, a California company, is using [...]

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Looking for a fun way to increase your workers’ safety awareness? Get them thinking about Heat Illness with this safety puzzle.
For more puzzles like this, go to www.safetysmartonline.com and click on the “Puzzles and Games” in the Training Tools Section. If you’re a subscriber to Safety Smart! Online, you’ll get full access to the puzzles. [...]

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Many of us have had the unpleasant experience of finding a tick attached to some part of our body, especially after a day of working or playing outside. It’s a creepy and startling situation that requires some savvy intervention. Here are some facts about ticks, how to avoid them and what to do if you [...]

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Question: What can:

Jump 150 times its own length;
Consume 15 times its own body weight in blood every day;
Lie dormant – without food – for several months;
Reproduce within 36 to 48 hours after its first meal; and
Transmit two types of bubonic plague?

Answer: The tiny but mighty flea.
As temperatures rise, so does the possibility of flea [...]

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