Insect Toolbox Talk
Baba Flores
Often overlooked, injuries and deaths due to bees, spiders, and other insects are a concern that companies should manage as seriously as any other hazard in the workplace. Fatal on-the-job injuries do occur as a result of bites and stings from insects and spiders, with the majority of these deaths from bee stings.
If employees are working outdoors or in any area where ants, insects, bees, wasps, ticks or spiders could be present, it would be a good idea to have an annual safety meeting on insects, bees & spiders. Topics should include how to recognize and avoid potential areas where insects may be lurking, what clothing is best to wear in the working environment, reminders to keep work areas clean and basic first aid tips if any employee is bitten or stung.
When it comes to injuries and deaths due to insects, bee stings cause the most damage because many people are allergic to them, so one sting or many could prove fatal. If bees or wasps could be a threat in the work environment, emphasize these points during the safety meeting.
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If you are injured at work, you must report the accident to your workplace as soon as possible. Every workplace will have their own process and reporting system for accidents. Do you know how to report an accident in your workplace?
High concentration of airborne contaminants can cause adverse health effects. Poorly controlled dust and odours can irritate eyes and airways, affecting not only workers, but also neighbouring businesses and residential areas. Indoor air quality poses more of a health risk to workers, as there are more potential hazards such as accumulation of dusts, gases, or vapours, which can lead to additional health and safety risks.
Alcohol and the effects of alcohol at work is not only a hazard risk to yourself, but also your work colleagues. Alcohol abuse can have a significant impact not only to individuals but also to work colleagues and potentially their employers. In this toolbox we will look at the safeguards required by employers (PCBUs) and employees.
Asbestos is a known human cancer-causing substance (carcinogen) of the lungs, intestines, throat, and ovaries. It is also known to cause other diseases such as Asbestosis, which can significantly reduce the amount of oxygen that can enter the bloodstream (lung function).
They may be small, but depending on where you are working these little critters can be a bi hazard. Insects like wasps and poisonous spiders can be found in our workplaces. Not only can they directly cause us harm, but they can also distract us from the task at hand. Talk about what to do if a nest is found and have a conversation about repellents.
Falls through unprotected opening and building shafts are a serious hazard to workers that can result in serious injuries and death. Open holes and building shafts are common in roadworks, construction, demolition, and renovation works. Falls through open holes still remain one of the most prevalent risks on a construction site.
Combustible materials are always present on many worksites. Reviewing the solids, liquids, and gases that could be hazardous to your site's safety can help prevent unfortunate accidents from happening. It is important to review what material might ignite them (solids, liquids, gasses) as well as potential ignition sources then establish safe handling procedures so they don't become dangerous fires.
Confined workspaces are especially dangerous due to limited access and they have poor ventilation. The words "confined space" sounds small, but they could be big. Examples include tanks, access shafts, utility vaults, sewers, pipes, truck or rail tank cars, boilers, manholes, silos, and storage bins. This is a must-do topic if people are working in confined spaces at your site.
Every day, accidents cost lives and have a massive financial impact on not only the business but also the people involved. Accidents result in missed work hours which can lead to lost wages or even job loss for workers if they're unable to continue working at their current position due to injury. This is just one of many reasons why it's important that everyone takes steps towards preventing these incidents from happening again - talk about what we all stand to gain by taking preventative measures now!
When certain work-related events happen, these are called notifiable events and must be reported to a regulator for most businesses the regulator is Worksafe. There are two exceptions: Maritime is the regulator for ships at sea & work on ships and Civil Aviation Authority covers aircraft in flight and operation.
For some of us, the most dangerous thing we do every day is the drive to and from work. For others, driving is simply part of the job. Take the time to talk about defensive driving to, from, and at work.
The potential risk of serious injury during demolition projects is high. People at risk include employees, contractors, and the public. Demolition workers have a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act to work safely. Therefore, demolition work should be planned carefully so that all risks can be managed appropriately.
DSE has become a staple in many workplaces, but if they're not used correctly, there is the chance that workers may experience neck or shoulder pain. This can lead to fatigue and eyestrain as well as other symptoms like arm discomfort. Have a chat about correct usage and taking breaks.
Driving can be a deadly task when drivers are not paying attention to the road or on-site. These dangers become even bigger risks for distracted drivers, causing them to fail at driving defensively and putting themselves in danger of being involved in an accident. Start a conversation about what people think common distractions are. E.g Phones - Leave your phone alone until you reach your destination!
Drugs at work is not only a hazard risk to yourself but also your work colleagues. Drug abuse results in higher rates of workplace injuries, fatalities, and absenteeism. In this toolbox we will look at the duties required by employers (PCBUs) and employees, and drug testing in the workplace.
Dusts can cause chronic or irreversible respiratory conditions. Some dusts such as respirable crystalline silica can cause Silicosis, certain hard wood dusts are known to be carcinogenic and other dusts can cause asthma and irritation of the airways. In this toolbox we discuss ways to minimise your dust exposure.
Earthquakes occur daily around the world and certain areas are more prone to earthquakes than others. Earthquakes range in severity, from being barely noticeable to being a natural disaster. If your workplace is in an earthquake prone area it is important that your workers know how to stay safe during and after an earthquake, to prevent injuries.
Working with electricity is dangerous. There are many daily hazards that can lead to injury or death, such as overhead power lines and faulty electrical tools. In the workplace, there are a number of ways in which electric currents may be present: from service within buildings to powerlines used outside. Take the time to remind people of best practices.
When it comes to protecting workers from the dangers of a work environment, there are many ways machine guards can help. Guards protect moving parts that could cause severe workplace injuries such as crushed fingers or hands, cuts or amputations, and burns. When used correctly, guard equipment helps prevent clothing and body contact with dangerous machinery which will keep you safe in your workplace!
Ergonomics is all about the science of making work safer and more comfortable for humans. Topics that fall under this category include stretching, proper manual handling techniques, preventing repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis from overuse (especially in high-risk industries), and limiting exposure to vibration.
Evacuation procedures should be in place for each workplace and everyone on site needs to know what to do and where to go in an emergency. No two emergencies are the same so understand the differences in your plans for different events. There will be people who have been assigned specific roles in an emergency, so make sure everyone knows what they are and how these people will be identified.
Proper planning is important when a ground breaking operation takes place. Many hazards can be eliminated or mitigated properly at the beginning of digging operations if identified in the initial stages. Common risks include location, surrounding property and structures, people near to site, and cave-ins.
Eye injuries are a constant threat to the safety of any workplace. Flying particles, dust and flashes can cause serious damage in an instant if you're not wearing protection or proper eyewear for your job type. Protective eyewear includes things like:
Eye strain happens when your eyes get tired from intense use. Examples of activities that can cause eye strain are driving for long periods, working in low light, glare from computer screens, or sun glare from vehicle windscreens or the road conditions.
Anchor points are important for workers, who are working at heights as part of a Fall protection system. A worker will connect their lifeline to an Anchor, which is the secure connection point for a Fall protection system. This Anchor point must be the right type and correctly installed to protect the worker from hitting the ground.
Fatigue is a state of mental or physical exhaustion that reduces your ability work safely and effectively. Fatigue can be work related or non-work related or a combination of both and can build up over time. This can lead to workplace incidents and injuries.
Fire in a workplace can cause injury, death, and severe damage to property. It is important that employers and employees know how to prevent fire, practise fire safety and what to do if a fire occurs.
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