I’m just about done updating the New Pig safety manual, but now I’m going to flip back through it to see if it addresses how to properly assault a vending machine.

A man in Illinois recently fractured his hip on the job while ramming a vending machine to dislodge a bag of chips for a coworker. He was judged eligible for workers’ comp because he wasn’t on break, he was coming to the aid of another worker (Illinois law recognizes “Good Samaritan” cases) and the employer knew the machine was faulty (a “reasonably foreseeable” situation in Illinois).

Good Samaritan? Yes. Safe worker? No.

Image © Stephen Finn - Fotolia.com

Here’s a worthwhile page from OSHA aimed at the cleaning industry, including both front-line workers in cleaning and maintenance and suppliers of cleaning products and services.

It includes links to info on health and safety standards, common hazards and related solutions, implementing a health and safety program and more.

Image © Roman Milert - Fotolia.com

Let’s “paws” for a quick reminder that aside from the occasional birthday cake, there is no place for candles in most workplaces. Churches, restaurants, yes. Your workplace? Think about the hazard that you’re introducing.

Happy 65th Birthday, Smokey Bear! Hope you have no plans to retire! Who else would keep the real time wildfire map up to date?

Take a simple but vital lesson from a story that I just read. I’ll accept it as true because the writer says he saw photographs related to it.

A police officer is chasing an armed robber. The thief pitches his gun. The cop’s shoestring comes loose. He trips on it, hits his head and is knocked out. The criminal circles back, takes the officer’s gun and kills him.

It’s a tragic tale with a common-sense reminder for workers: No shoes, slip-resistant or not, protect against falls if a shoelace is flapping loose. Knot them good.

Image © Lisa F. Young - Fotolia.com

Here’s the list. Bravo.

Related post:

How to feel if a loved one’s death or injury follows shoddy safety training

UCLA has a plan for improving lab safety about 7 months after a deadly accident served as a wake-up call and prompted attention including our post.

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SkillTV is offering prizes for the best photos of kids coming in contact with maintenance.

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How toast is manufactured.

The National Truck Driving Championships will happen in Pittsburgh August 18-22. They bring together winners of state and regional competitions to demonstrate their professionalism in driving, inspection and knowledge.

This video featuring UPS drivers at the 2008 National Championships (Episode 1 of 6) caught my eye because UPS is one of our main carriers. I feel like a better person for having watched it. The drivers and their families personify salt of the earth. Look at the truckers’ pride in excelling at their jobs, and their families’ pride in them. Great stuff.

That gives me extra pride that trucks steadily stream in and out of New Pig. Not only that, but there are trucks all across the country equipped with a variety of PIG® products for responding to on-the-road leaks and spills (see below). Safe travels, drivers.

Image © Elenathewise - Fotolia.com

PIG® products for trucks:

PIG® Pop-Up Containment Pools

PIG® Repair Putties

PIG® Universal Spill Kits in Bags

PIG® Oil-Only Spill Kits in Bags

PIG® Hazardous Materials Spill Kits in Bags

Related posts:

New in loading dock safety: “Trailer occupied” lights

Map-A-Spill special edition: Burger and beer spills spawn best news lead ever

Last-minute Friday-the-13th story of quick spill response

Mud flaps that increase safety and cut fuel use up to 3.5%

What’s a Health & Safety Management System?

This article offers an illustration: It’s a way to help ensure that bonding/grounding wires are in place where needed. It provides answers to such questions as:

• Who tells employees about the relevant OSHA regulation?
• Who inspects wires?
• How often are wires inspected?
• Who reports broken wires?
• Who gets new wires?
• Who installs wires?
• Who okays the installation?
• How soon must a faulty wire be replaced?
• Does work stop when there’s no wire in place?

If your site uses bonding/grounding wires, and you don’t have ready answers to those questions—maybe you’re not ensuring your employees’ health and safety, and maybe you need a Health and Safety Management System.