OSHA’s latest rule on cranes and derricks in construction went into effect on November 8, 2010 and now impacts equipment not typically categorized as cranes in the past. The new rule, meant to prevent the leading causes of crane-related accidents and fatalities, now includes definitions referring to “multi-purpose machines”. Defined as “[machines] configured to hoist and lower (by means of a winch or hook) and horizontally move a suspended load”, users of these non-traditional crane products should be aware of these changes and how the new regulations will impact how they use their equipment. Click here to visit the OSHA site and download a PowerPoint Presentation on the new law.

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According to OSHA §1910.335(b),employers are required to use safety signs, labels and tags to warn and protect employees from hazards that could cause injury due to arc flashes, electrical shock, burns or failure of electrical equipment.  This is one example of how to utilize labels in your workplace.  Seton provides labeling solutions to meet all your business needs.  We offer 1,000’s of labels ranging from standard OSHA and shipping labels to custom bar code and promotional labels made to your specifications.

Whatever your labeling needs, Seton is here to safeguard your assets, facility, equipment and property.

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Employers are required to protect employees from workplace hazards that can cause injury; including sharp edges, falling objects, flying sparks, chemicals, noise and a variety of other potentially dangerous situations. To learn more about OSHA’s requirements for PPE use in the workplace visit: OSHA.gov

Some general guidelines for introducing PPE:
- Know the different types of PPE
- Selecting appropriate PPE products for a variety of workplace situations
- Understanding the proper use and care of PPE

Seton offers a full selection of PPE to meet all your needs – welding and protective clothing, safety eyewear, headwear, hearing protection, gloves, fall protection and respirators from the brands you have come to trust. Check it out today!

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Back on August 2nd I posted a blog about an announcement made July 28, 2010 by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). It was on that day we heard OSHA would be issuing a new rule addressing the use of cranes and derricks in construction. This new rule is suppose to take effect on Nov. 8, 2010, but it seems that there are many unanswered questions about this new rule and people are asking for more time to review and understand the new rules before they are enforced.

A recent article posted by DJC Oregon states: “New Occupational Health and Safety Administration rules intended to improve safety for crane operations are set to go into effect Nov. 8, but some industry stakeholders say the rules are too complex to be implemented so soon.”

So what exactly is the issue? It appears that the new rules were presented in a 1,100-page report and although many seem to be pleased with the new ruling, 1,100 pages is a lot to read and take in. Concern has been expressed that there are things in the report that need clarification and are asking that OSHA extend the new ruling.

To read more about this please visit djcoregon.com

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“A school in Canada has teamed up with traffic safety groups to install something new to get motorists to slow down. The persuasive obstacle? The appearance of a girl running into the road as she chases a ball…”

Click here to read the full article and watch a video to see how the illusion works.

While some traffic experts feel that this new “illusion” will prove effective in slowing down traffic, others feel that the image will desensitize drivers to the point where they’ll stop paying attention. This inattention would ultimately prove deadly if there were an actual child darting into the street and drivers failed to stop, thinking it was just another illusion.

Seton offers wide variety of more traditional and proven ways to slow down traffic including speed limit signs and speed bumps.

Vist seton.com to view our entire selection.

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As school starts across most of the country, it’s time to sharpen our senses and refresh our “school safety” skills.

Here are some tips for both motorists and pedestrians to stay safe in school zones.

Drivers:

• Welcome back school buses to the road and take extra caution around them. Anticipate children, especially in a school bus “danger zone” — the area around a bus where most injuries and deaths occur.
• Stop for the red flashing lights on buses or when their stop arms are extended. Red flashing lights on buses indicate students are entering or exiting the bus. Motorists must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus that is displaying red flashing lights – both when driving behind a bus and when approaching it in the opposite direction.
• Reduce speeds around bus stops and in school zones.
• Watch for school crosswalks. If a crossing guard’s STOP paddle is up, you can’t drive through a crosswalk no matter if the guard is standing on the sidewalk or is in the crosswalk.
• Check for no parking signs before dropping your children off curbside. Many posted signs prohibit stopping of any kind, which includes dropping off or picking up your children.
• Pay attention to the no-turn signs as you leave your child’s school. Many left turns are prohibited into and out of many of the driveways.

Pedestrians:
• Cross only at intersections or crosswalks.
• Obey all crosswalk signals and traffic signs.
• Don’t enter a crosswalk if a vehicle is too close or moving too fast to stop safely.

Seton offers a variety of crosswalk signs and school zone signs to make the areas around your school safer for both motorists and pedestrians alike.

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It’s too bad there isn’t a spell check for pavement markers!

Seton offers a wide variety of marking paint and pre-worded stencils that help you prevent these kind of mistakes.

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Road and Travel Magazine compiled a list of tips to help refresh your safety skills when parking and walking in a parking lot. Here are their suggestions for parking lot safety.

• Don’t approach your vehicle if a van or other large vehicle with tinted windows is parked next to it. Find a security guard to walk you to your car. If a security guard isn’t available, look for a nearby couple walking to their car and ask them to keep an eye on you until you get into your car. Most people are happy to lend a moment and ensure your safety.
• Walk with purpose. Multiple studies have shown that a quick, purposeful walk sends subconscious signals to predators that you are not an easy mark. They typically decide to wait for another victim.
• Keep one hand free at all times. This at least gives you the opportunity to attempt to fend-off a would-be attacker.
• Have your key ready to open the car door. Never stand next to your car searching through your purse. Robbers, car-jackers and sexual predators all watch for this type of distraction.
• Once in your car, lock the doors immediately. This is the time that a bystander could quickly and simply open a car door and get in, a frequent tactic since it doesn’t attract a lot of attention from passersby.
• Get moving. Don’t sit inside of your vehicle adjusting the stereo, rummaging through shopping bags or your purse, or talking on your phone, especially if the lot is not well populated. Instead, drive to a well-lit area and stop the car (but leave it running) and then search for the item, make a phone call, etc.
• If you have an unlocking button or keyless entry system, make sure you unlock only the driver door. Most keyless systems let you unlock either the driver door or use two punches to unlock all doors. Unlocking all doors allows a predator to simply slide into your car from the passenger side.
• Make sure that your dome light is always functioning properly. As you unlock your vehicle at night, glance into the back seat and make sure that an attacker has not gained access to your car.

Seton offers a wide variety of parking lot signs and security signs to warn criminals away and help make your parking lot a safer place.

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Do you have an effective storage system? Have you ever planned out a storage system that you know is effective in storage and picking of inventory items? It is a simple step that can really help ensure better productivity within your warehouse or plant.

Start out by evaluating the types of products that will be stored. Look at the items size and weight and than determine if that item belongs in a bin, drawer or on a shelf. You can divide products into groups of small, medium and large. You can than evaluate their weight from light to heavy. This exercise will further help to evaluate the best place to store an item.

Make sure that workers who pick and stock items follow certain guidelines that will help them work more effectively,

- Items that are lighter should be stored above because they are easier to lift down

- Items that are small and normal weight should be stored by the waist line so they are easily visible and won’t cause strain while lifting

- Heavy-duty, heavier items should be stored below the waist line so they can be lifted by using the legs and other muscles so that strain is not caused

- Also keep into consideration the depth of bins, workers should be able to easily see small items if they are in shallow bins

All these simple steps will aid in making your workplace storage run more effectively.

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