How to prevent eye injuries, plus knee & back supports when working

Here is a frequent, ironic, question/statement made by some of the more “seasoned veterans” when they come in to buy knee pads; “why did I refuse to wear knee pads when I was young to protect my knees and wait until I ruined them and need to buy knee pads now so when I am working on the floor/ground, I can get down on my knees?”  Can it be said any better?   

Protect yourself and your body when you are young or suffer as you get older and then need to wear the same safety gear just to survive another day!  You only get two eyes, two ears, one set of lungs, why not use safety equipment?   

And what about just being safe at work? After parking on the side street or in a driveway where there is a lot of traffic did you ever say, “boy I wish I had a few orange traffic cones to put out so people would be aware I am here and maybe slow down a little?”  Or after you were already up on a steep roof have you found yourself saying, “I should have gotten a safety fall protection kit before I got started today?”  Well if you didn’t, you should have, and when you do, let Woodstock Hardware help you meet your needs. 

Preventing Eye Injuries 

Every day, about 2,000 U.S. workers have job-related eye injuries requiring medical treatment. One-third of those injuries require emergency hospital treatment, and more than 100 result in one or more days of lost work. Most of these injuries result from small particles or objects striking or abrading the eye. 

In addition to the safety and health protection products available at Woodstock Hardware, there is a wealth of information available to support your safety and health protection efforts. Find helpful information when you look up following Websites: 

Federal Agencies That Help Employee Safety

• American Public Transit Association
• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Bureau of Transportation Statistics
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs)
• DOT – Department of Transportation
• EPA – Environmental Protection Agency
• FDA – Food and Drug Administration
• Federal Railroad Administration
• Mine Safety and Health Administration
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Nuclear Regulatory Commission – NRC
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – OSHA en Espanol
• U.S. Coast Guard
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
• U.S. Fire Administration
  

Safety and Health Sites

• Acoustical Society of America (ASA)
• ADA
• AHA
• American Association of Poison Control Centers
• American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH)
• American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist Inc. (ACGIH)
• American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
• American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
• American Society for Testing Manufacturers
• Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
• Canadian Standards Association
• Ear and Hearing Information
• ErgoWeb
• Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)
• International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH)
• International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA)
• MSDS Search
• National Center for Health Statistics
• National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA)
• National Fire Protection Association
• National Safety Council
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration U.S. Dept of Labor (OSHA)
• Underwriters Laboratories
• World Health Organization 

As an example following you will find simple, yet important, information relative to the use of hand tools. 

Safe Use of Hand Tools 

A good set of hand tools is essential in virtually any workplace. Unfortunately, tools also contribute to countless injuries when used incorrectly. 

• Use the correct tool for the job. 
• Keep tools in good condition. Handles should be tight and free from defect. Cutting tools should be kept sharp. Wedges and punches should be free from “mushroom heads”. 

• Use and maintain power tools according to their instructions. 
• Make sure power tools are properly grounded or are double insulated. Never cut the three-prong plug off or use a two prong adapter. 
• Switch off and unplug power tools before changing blades or servicing and repairing. 
• Wear clothing without strings or loose ends that can catch on things. 
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as glasses, goggles, face shields, dust masks, hearing protection, etc. 

• Keep bystanders at a safe distance. 
• Keep all guards and shields in place. Learn to use a “push stick” with table saws. 
• Unplug and put tools away after use. Consider locking out power tools to prevent others from using them without permission, especially young children. 

(Information supplied by the National Safety Council.)