Respirators cover everything from simply sweeping the shop floor all the way up to entering an area with H2S. Knowing which respirator is needed for the job is crucial. Respirators fall into two categories: air purifying and supplied air (with some sub categories). let’s break it down.

Air purifying respirators will be the most common on site. These respirators will not protect you against oxygen deficient areas or heavily toxic areas. They are mostly designed to keep out particles and some gases. Under this category are, dust masks, half and full masks and powered air purifying respirator or PAPR. Make sure to read the MSDS to ensure you are using the right cartridge or filter for the job.

Air supplying respirators are used in the most hazardous areas. This is what you would wear to do a H2S rescue or to enter other very toxic or oxygen deficient areas. They include self contained breathing apparatus or SCBA and positive pressure air line respirators.

On most sites there will be some training that goes along with your respirator. You will learn about which respirator is required for a certain job, how to store it and how to clean it. For some jobs, respirators are optional but I strongly encourage you to take advantage of using them. Even though you may be working in an area that does not cause immediate harm, over time, whether it’s painting, welding or even sweeping, these particles or vapors can build up in your lungs and cause you all sorts of damage. So mask up and be safe.

I know wearing all your gold and diamonds to work might sound fabulous, but there are some serious flaws with doing so. Most sites don’t allow your to wear it at all.  If you do wear it, there is a chance your bling may go unnoticed, giving you the idea that it’s okay or that you just look that good; but that’s not the case. Wearing any jewelry is a serious hazard. You may think just because your jewelry is small and you are not rockin’ a Lil Wayne chain that it’s perfectly safe. But the truth is, size doesn’t matter. Even a small chain can get stuck on moving parts and pull you in, causing lacerations, breaks and death. Even if you’re not working on heavy equipment, just tripping and catching your ring on the way down can lead to ring avulsion (this means all the flesh is torn away from the bone). Wearing any metal on your body will conduct a current, meaning that even a small incident can lead to some gruesome burns where your jewelry is located. Not to mention when a normally harmless swollen finger is now a trip to the ER to get the jaws of life (okay I’m being dramatic) to cut the ring off so you don’t lose your finger (that’s not being dramatic, the ring will cut off blood flow and you will lose it). I know this is hard for some people who want to wear their wedding bands, I get it, eternal love and all that stuff. But keeping all of your digits is a huge romantic jester if you ask me. Make it a habit to take off all your jewelry every morning before heading to work, keep it safe at home. This will keep your bling shiny, new and most importantly, you, all intact for another day of flashing all your swagger.

Regardless of what trade you work in, lifting will be included in your duties. Back injuries are one of the top reported injuries on sites, so know the proper way to handle a heavy lift.

First thing is to warm up. You know the warm up your foreman makes you do every morning, this is why. Even though trying to touch your toes is impossible (it’s all the PPE… wink-wink) it’s necessary. The more you warm up your muscles the less chance you have of injury.

You also need to know the proper technique. Ever see a toddler pick something up off the floor? They usually have perfect posture. Somewhere along the way we lose that and start bending at the waist. Always lift with your knees, have a firm grip, keep items close to your body and always use your core (this may even help you reach those toes.. eventually).

Know your limits. If something is too heavy, get help. If you start to get sore, take a break. A back injury can put you out for months, if not longer. So do what you need to avoid it. It’s pretty standard that 50 lbs is the maximum you are allowed to lift unassisted and that doesn’t mean you have to lift it alone if it’s under 50 lbs. I can’t stress this enough…don’t try and be a hero…get help. Except when you’re trying to touch those toes…sorry that one is all you.

Whether you’re a welder, crane operator, or a foreman, your company truck or rig will need to be refueled. Most sites have fuel trucks that come around with trained individuals to fill you up. Either way you should know what precautions to take when refueling whether you or someone  else is doing it.

Always make sure you’re at least 7 1/2 meters away from any ignition source. This means  keeping clear of welding sparks, any sort of static electricity, cell phones that are in use, and of course anyone smoking. Always turn the vehicle or machinery off before refueling or even taking the cap off. Make sure to ground equipment before refueling and if it has mounted equipment drop it to ground. Never modify the refueling equipment. Yes this means the old  “jam your wallet in the handle to press the trigger so you can fill up while staying warm in the truck” trick is a NO GO. Sorry, it only takes a few minutes to fill up. You won’t get hyperthermia in this time frame so do it safely. This will also help avoid over fills and spills. Always have a fire extinguisher close by just in case.

Always play it safe when refueling your equipment or vehicle. With the price of fuel these days, be thankful that it’s not coming out of your pocket while on site.

Pinch points can occur in a number of places, mostly from machinery with moving parts like a lathe or band saw. But incorrect rigging or even a desk drawer (insert eyeroll here) can be culprits too. Pinch points are a big factor in the trades and every trade has their own hazards to worry about. Here are a few quick tips to keep all your fingers and other parts out of jeopardy.

Before you even step foot on site, you can do a lot to protect yourself. Wear clothing that fits. Loose clothes can get caught and snagged on moving parts. Pull the drawstring out of you hoodies (some sites don’t allow hoodies at all, for this very reason). Pull your hair back if it’s long and make sure it’s tucked away so it won’t get caught either. Jewelry is a definite no-no.  Just ask Jimmy Fallon about ring avulsion. Always wear the proper PPE. Different gloves may be needed for work on various machines. Now that you’re dressed for success, this is what you can do on site.

If you haven’t been trained on a piece of machinery then don’t touch it… That simple. Get someone who’s trained to help you, or ask to be trained yourself. Never modify or remove guards from anything, they are there for a reason. If a guard has to be removed for maintenance make sure to replace it before use. Always do pre-work inspections. Never leave machinery running unattended and always make sure that machinery is off and completely stopped before doing any maintenance. Lock outs may also be needed. Keep floors surrounding this machinery clean, a slip or trip could be deadly. Keep warning signs clean and legible. Use your daily hazard assessment to identify the pinch points you may encounter during the day.

Pinch points can cause cuts, broken or crushed bones, amputation and even death so take all precautions necessary to keep all your fingers and other parts intact.