/in , , , , /by

Whether it’s at a construction site, in the factory or manufacturing plant, or in the office, our common spaces can become crowded at times. Avoid collisions or near misses in the workplace. Not only will these tips keep you safe, they are common courtesy. Read more

/in , , /by

Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 350 of the 937 construction fatalities recorded in 2015 (BLS data). Those deaths were preventable. Read more

/in , , , /by

As the weather warms up it is likely that we will be working outdoors, side-by-side with some potentially hazardous insects. Here are some samples of bothersome bugs that could result in serious health hazards. Read more

/in , /by

Most of us know that accidents are caused by only two things – unsafe acts or practices, and unsafe conditions. Some of us even know that 9 out of 10 accidents are the result of unsafe acts, or things we do when we know better. This is kind of strange if you think about it. We have more to fear from our own actions than from any other job hazards around us. Why do we deliberately expose ourselves to injury every day? Read more

/in , /by

It takes both the employer and employee, working together, to establish a safe work environment. Read more

/in , , , /by

Moving machinery is everywhere! Construction equipment, production machinery, process equipment, transportation devices such as automobiles and bicycles, home shop and yard equipment, and even office photocopiers contain moving parts to be avoided. Read more

/in , /by

Safety GearAccording to OSHA, personal protective equipment (PPE), is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. These injuries and illnesses may result from Read more

/in , , /by

About 26 construction workers die each year from using aerial lifts. More than half of the deaths involve boom-supported lifts, such as bucket trucks and cherry pickers; most of the other deaths involve scissor lifts. Read more

/in , /by

Work Place Safety Training Manual

The United States Department of Labor, OSHA, requires that employers provide employees with the skills and tools to identify, correct, or eliminate a hazard. Employees must have training in all aspects of their working career and is an ongoing requirement. Specialized training, general awareness, and operation training come to mind for employees. Sometimes this can be handled with the OSHA 10-hour or OSHA 30-hour trainings. Unfortunately, the 10- and 30-hour trainings are general awareness and are many times not detailed enough to be considered as operations level training. In these cases, employers must ensure that employees receive additional training on the topic to ensure they are fully aware of the requirements for safe work. Fall protection training for example is based on compliance with the regulations and not what a manufacturer may require. This leads to a need for additional training.  Read more

/in , , /by

Electrical safety in the office is extremely important. Even a small amount of electrical current can be damaging to our body. It can cause nerve damage or paralysis. Misusing electricity could result in many accidents, including fire. Read more

/in , , , , /by

Falls from portable ladders (step, straight, combination and extension) are one of the leading causes of occupational fatalities and injuries. Take a few minutes to review ladder safety and to make a Safe Plan of Action before your next climb. Read more

/in , /by

Recently, a worker lost his life on a job site, where SSOE is providing design services, when he was electrocuted while hooking up a welding machine. Safety policies and procedures are not suggestions. It is mandatory to follow all safety procedures at all times Read more

/in /by

Most of us will go through our careers without a workplace incident, but it takes just one disaster to put your life in jeopardy. Companies should have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place to protect employees during a crisis. Read more

/in , , /by

10-3-2016-how-to-use-a-fire-extinguisherTo avoid putting workers in danger, fire extinguishers should be located throughout the workplace and readily accessible in the event of a fire. You can usually find them in hallways, meeting rooms, kitchens, mechanical /electrical rooms, and near exit doors. Read more

/in , , , , /by

In the United States there are two regulatory agencies that can cite employers for not properly protecting employees. Both agencies fall under the United States Department of Labor; Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA), and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). These regulatory agencies are responsible for enforcing the safety and health laws to protect employees. Read more

/in , , , , /by

7-25-2016 Electrical ProfessionalThe main hazard: electricity is difficult to assess because you cannot directly see it. The only way to identify electricity’s presence is to properly use the right tools; a meter, or proximity detector. Only qualified persons should work directly with electricity. Even working indirectly with electricity, or around electrical systems requires you to be competent.

Do you have the skills and abilities to work around electricity? What about directly? So, what does OSHA say? Read more

/in , , , , , /by

As a part of our Construction Safety Talk Series, we discussed how electrical hazards expose workers to burns, electrocution, shock, arc flash / arc blast, fire, or explosions. Accidents involving electricity can be fatal. To prevent electrical incidents, every time you enter a job site remember to: Read more

/in , , , /by

During thunderstorms no place outside is safe. If you can hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike. Some workers are at greater risk than others. People who work outdoors in open spaces, on or near tall objects, with explosives, or with conductive materials such as metal have a greater exposure to lightning risks. Read more

/in , , , /by

5-23-2016 RefereeHave you ever wondered how to communicate quickly with a worker that is too far away?  What about a language barrier that prohibits you from communicating with them?  A worker that is not easily accessible?

Many times it is not always possible to provide face to face communication or one on one feedback for safety observations.  The SOS card allows for immediate visual feedback to a worker depending on the color of the card being displayed. Read more

/in , , , /by

Housekeeping at a construction site, office, or home can often provide an indicator for the level of safety culture and expectations for that project or facility.  When housekeeping is highly maintained, injuries are typically quite low. When housekeeping is low, you can expect injuries will increase.  Why?
Poor housekeeping provides more safety hazards in the work and home environments, causing more chances for injuries to occur. The most obvious hazards of poor housekeeping are slips, trips, and falls from cluttered and dirty walkway areas. Read more

/in , , , , , /by

5-2-2016 Fall HazardsAccording to OSHA, Fall Hazards are defined as: Anything at your work site that could cause you to lose your balance or lose bodily support and result in a fall. Fall Hazards led to 349 construction worker deaths in 2014 (40% of construction site fatalities).
By identifying these hazards, and understanding how they happen, we can take steps to protect ourselves. Read more

/in , , , , /by

4-11-2016 Caught-In or -Between HazardsAccording to OSHA, Caught-In or -Between Hazards are defined as: Injuries resulting from a person being squeezed, caught, crushed, pinched, or compressed between two or more objects, or between parts of an object. By identifying caught-in or -between hazards, and understanding how they happen, we can take steps to protect ourselves. Read more

/in , /by

This is Scott Goodwin bringing you highlights of yesterday’s game between The Employees and The Injuries. The Employees have been winning all season, and last night was no different as they took an early lead to dominate the entire game. “We run the plays on the field just like we practice them; no exceptions,” explained The Employees coach. “Each player used all the right moves to avoid strains, sprains, and back injuries.”

Defensive Strategy for Avoiding Sprains and Strains Read more

/in , /by

2016 brings the final implementation of OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to become fully compliant with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals  (GHS). Read more

/in , , /by

What Are The Hazards? Fire and Electrocution are the two main hazards associated with Office Electrical Safety. Overloaded circuits can also cause power loss, work interruptions, and loss of productivity. A “rats nest” of tangled electrical cords not only creates a fire hazard but also a personal injury risk from slips / trips / falls. Many personal offices, cubicles, and work areas are not set up to handle the additional electrical load from items such as space heaters, fans, coffee makers, and printers. Read more

/in , /by

Why is safety training so important to new workers and / or to someone who is moving into a new job or position? New workers are 5 times more likely to be injured on the job than experienced workers, and most of those injuries occur within 90 days after starting a new job. Here is a sobering example from a newly released fatality report that describes a such an incident: Read more

/in , , , , /by

Consider this: you walk out to your car and you see that one of your tires is flat. You immediately think that the flat tire is the problem. That is incorrect. The fact that your tire is flat is NOT the problem. The fact that your tire is flat is the condition. The problem is that you no longer have enough air in the tire which has caused it to go flat. Read more

/in , , , , /by

March is “Eye Safety Month”, which serves as a timely reminder that we need to protect our eyes at all times. Interestingly, most eye injuries occur to people who are performing their regular jobs. In addition, most eye injuries occur to workers who are either not wearing the correct eye protection for the job or to those who are not wearing any eye protection. The obvious conclusion is that most, if not all, eye injuries can be prevented simply by wearing the proper eye protection for the job being performed. Read more

/in , , /by

Looking at the Injury Event Triangle, you will see that Three things must be in place for the event or injury to occur. There must be a Motive (Hazard / Risk), a Target (YOU), and an Opportunity (Bad Decision). Read more

/in , , , , /by

Stepladders can be a quick and easy way to extend your reach, however, every time you use a stepladder there is a risk for permanent injury or death. Those hazards can be greatly reduced by following good safety practices.

Eliminate the Common Hazards by:
 Read more

/in , , , /by

Arc Flash is a sudden release of electrical energy or fireball that is caused by a short circuit in electrical equipment. That fireball can release dangerous levels of thermal energy with temperatures over 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The rapid expansion of gases and temperatures, or pressure waves, during an arc-flash incident can send shrapnel, molten metal, tools, and other objects through the air at speeds over 700 mph. Add to that a sound pressure of 165dB (decibels) and an arc-flash incident can be the equivalent of a small explosion. Arc flash incidents can result in a loss of life, serious potential career ending injuries (including burns, loss of eyesight, and hearing that require extended recovery time), and extensive property damage. Read more

/in , , /by

Moving machinery is everywhere!  Construction equipment, production machinery, process equipment, transportation devices, such as automobiles and bicycles, home shop and yard equipment, and even office photocopiers contain moving parts that can cause injuries.

If it revolves, swings, spins, slides, opens, closes, or moves in any way at all, it can hurt or kill you. We often think about fingers or other extremities that might get caught in machinery, however a person could be dragged into many pieces of equipment and be injured or crushed even before they have a chance to cry out for help. Injuries related to machinery and equipment often result in death or permanent disability. Read more

/in , , /by

In an ideal work team environment we like to think that we all have each other’s backs. However, when it comes down to taking care of the physical health of our backs and spines, the responsibility falls onto the individual person. Statistics show that nearly 80% of Americans will suffer from back pain or back injury at some point during their lives. Back strains are second only to the common cold for lost work days. Read more

/in , , /by

Does the person in the mirror always make the safest decisions? Is your safety reflection something that you would want your co-workers and family members to see or emulate? Do you see a few cracks in your mirror? Is the image cloudy? If left unchecked, those cracks might eventually shatter the image with dire consequences. It’s never too late to repair those cracks or to clean and polish your safety image! Here’s how: Read more

/in , /by

Headlines:

“Two workers, ages 14 and 19, were suffocated when they were engulfed by corn in a grain silo”
“18 year old dies when his clothes get tangled in a portable mortar mixer”
“17 year old assistant pool manager was electrocuted when she contacted an ungrounded motor”

Young workers between the ages of 16 and 24 are twice as likely to suffer an injury or an illness on the job as more experienced workers. Read more

/in , , /by

Can you imagine what it would be like to lose the use of one or both of your hands because of an injury? Our hands and wrists have 27 bones along with the soft tissue that allows us the flexibility and strength to be able to perform tasks. Even a minor hand or finger injury will remind us how important it is to have the full use of our hands.

Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that close to 20% of all days away from work injuries are hand related. In fact around 10% of all hospital emergency visits are related to hand injuries and 40% of these injuries involve lacerations or cuts. Read more

/in , , /by

What does this mean? All members of a group support each individual member. They all have a common goal and work together to reach that goal. Read more

/in , , , , /by

A review the OSHA stats regarding fatalities readily highlights trends on how workers are being hurt and killed. In fact in the latest report, five of the first seven incidents listed, show workers who died from some sort of fall. It is important to remember here that non-work related injuries and fatalities often mirror the OSHA statistics. Read more

/in , , , /by

What does March Madness and safety have in common? Stop and think about your favorite winning sports team. How do they do it? Do they have a superstar that will always carry the team? Sometimes but not likely! Consistently winning teams are made up of individual players who all maintain a high level of intensity and share a collective mind-set that they will not be defeated, and that tis how they succeed as a team. Every team member puts in the hard work and practice that gives them the confidence and ability to make the winning plays when the game is on the line. Read more

/in , , , /by

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), thousands of people are blinded each year from work related eye injuries. Nearly 60% of those injuries occurred to workers who were not wearing the proper eye and face protection. In fact, not wearing the proper Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to protect your eyes is like throwing darts with your eyes as the intended target. Would you actually do this? I don’t think so! Read more

/in , /by

There are no shortcuts to safety! Most people try to get their jobs done with the least amount of time and energy, which leads us to continually look for better ways for completing our work – as it should be. However, safety hazards increase when those “better ways” are only short cuts that don’t consider how to do the job safely or disregard the safety systems already in place. Read more

/in , , , , /by

Proper glove use is crucial to helping prevent hand injuries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 70% of workers who experienced hand injuries were not wearing gloves. Many workers who were wearing gloves and sustained injuries were not wearing the proper gloves for the job. Read more

/in , /by

OSHA recently announced its fiscal year 2012 top 10 most frequently cited violations in the workplace. Many of these violations make the top 10 list year after year, although the order changes slightly. Note that fall protection has garnered the top spot for the last two years. Read more

/in , , , /by

Portable fire extinguishers can help save lives and reduce property damage from small fires. In case of a fire, first sound the alarm or call 911. Remember — You should never attempt to extinguish any fire if there is a threat to your personal safety. If the fire is small and there is no heavy smoke present AND you have an escape exit available, it may be safe to use an appropriate extinguisher for that class of fire. Read more

/in , , , , /by

Always take a few minutes to review the task at hand before starting any work. Consider how to complete the task safely by using the right Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), tools, and equipment for the job. Take the time to make a Safe Plan of Action (SPA) for every task. STOP is a good formula to follow for all your work, home, and recreational activities. Read more

/in , , /by

Safety starts with an attitude that you will do every task in a way that will eliminate hazards and the potential for injury. Thousands of workplace injuries occur every year, and even more injuries happen on the commute to and from work, and home. The potential for injury is always there, no matter how simple, complex, or often you have done that task. Read more

/in , , , , /by

The opposition! Slips, Trips, and Falls (ST&Fs) account for 20% of all work related injuries each year. Many of these injuries occur when a worker climbs in or out of heavy equipment, trucks, or trailers. Falls from portable ladders and slips on stairways are also included in these accident numbers. Inclement weather, poor housekeeping, defective equipment, rushing to get the job done, and lack of hand supports all increase the chances for injury. Most of these incidents result in injuries to shoulders, arms, backs and ankles. Read more

/in , , , /by

Fatigue is a safety concern year round, however summer often finds us more tired than usual. Longer daylight hours and additional activities all come at the expense of quality rest and sleep. Even after an enjoyable and much needed vacation you are likely to feel tired and will find it difficult to get back into the work routine. For whatever reason, if you are tired you are at a greater risk for errors and accidents. Read more

/in , , , /by

Exposure to heat can cause illness and death. The most serious heat illness is heat stroke. Other heat illnesses, such as heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash, should be avoided. There are precautions you should take any time temperatures are high and the job or activity involves physical work. Read more

/in , , , /by

Slips, trips and, falls are the second highest cause of accidental deaths and injuries, behind motor vehicle accidents. Each year, almost two million disabling injuries and thousands of minor injuries occur on stairways. While slips, trips and falls are the cause of numerous injuries and deaths every day, they are among the easiest to correct. Read more

/in , , , , /by

The Statistics

  • In 2009, 667 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in highway work zones and more than 30,000 were injured.
  • About 85 percent of those killed in work zones are drivers and their passengers.
  • Distracted driving causes 25% of all traffic accidents.

Read more

/in , , /by

Being a Safety Champion is everyone’s responsibility! Each person is responsible to make hundreds of decisions necessary to function every day, and to acquire the knowledge to make the safest choices possible. By doing so, each one of us can become a Safety Champion. Read more

/in , , /by

Can you imagine what it would be like to lose the use of one or both of your hands because of an injury? Our hands and wrists have 27 muscles and 27 bones that allow us the flexibility and strength to be able to perform tasks. Even a minor hand or finger injury will remind us how important it is to have the full use of our hands. Read more

Contact Us

Have a question regarding our services? Need assistance with an upcoming project? Send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you and will follow up soon.

Contact Us

Our Services

© SSOE GROUP 1948-2025
Legal | Privacy Policy | CA Privacy Policy

Employee Portal
Vendors / Subcontractor

Website designed and developed by
Raincastle Communications, Inc.