Category: Safety

  • Rationalizing Unsafe Choices

    Rationalizing Unsafe Choices Safety Talk

    Making the decision to follow every single safety rule or procedure does not come naturally to us. We constantly have to work towards making the right decisions every single day. Many times individuals find ways to rationalize not working safely. It is important for each worker to recognize this error trap and address it when it arises.

    Why We Rationalize Unsafe Choices

    For the most part, we all know what the right choice is when it comes to safety during a specific work task. Safety training, policies, procedures, labels, etc., all communicate what needs to be done in order to mitigate hazards and work safely. The problem is, there are many factors that affect whether or not we want to make the right decisions at a given moment. A few of these factors include:

    • Time pressure
    • Lack of supervision around
    • Lack of enforcement of rules
    • Energy levels
    • Mood

    Individuals facing one or more of these factors will use them to rationalize to themselves why a certain safety rule does not need to be followed. For example, “I forgot my fall protection, but it will only take a minute to go up and right back down, so I will be fine.” We have all rationalized poor choices- whether it was choosing not to wear fall protection or rationalizing hitting snooze seven times before getting out of bed.

    rationalizing unsafe choices at work“It is the Normal Thing to Do”

    When there are other people around who are not making the right choices when it comes to safety, it becomes the “normal” thing to do despite not being the correct thing to do. When the norm is working unsafe, it makes it difficult for even the individuals who want to work safely to do so. Do not rely on a supervisor or safety person to have to tell you to do the right thing. Make the choice to do what is right despite what others may be doing.

    Summary

    Recognize when you are falling into the trap of rationalizing a poor decision, whether that is in your personal life or while on the job. Fight the urge to make the easy decision. Be a worker who follows the rules and helps reinforce a norm of adhering to safe work practices and procedures.

    Discussion point: What is an example of rationalizing a decision to work unsafe?

    Rationalizing Unsafe Choices

  • E-ZPass Text Scam Alert

    Delaware DMV warns of E-ZPass text scam demanding fake toll payments. E-ZPass Delaware never solicits payments via text or email. Avoid clicking links, report scams to the Internet Crime Complaint Center and visit E-ZPass Delaware for official account information. (Delaware.gov)

     

  • What is a Confined Space?

    What is a Confined Space?
     John Jacobs
     Confined Space
    A confined space does not necessarily mean a small, enclosed space. It could be rather large, such as a ship’s hold, a fuel tank or a pit.
    One of the first defining features of a confined space is it’s large enough to allow an employee to enter and perform work. The second defining feature is it has limited means of entry or exit. Entry may be obtained through small or large openings and usually there is only one way in and out. The third defining feature is that confined spaces are not used for continuous or routine work.
    Permit or not
    All confined spaces are categorized into two main groups: non-permit and permit-required. Permit-required confined spaces must have signs posted outside stating that entry requires a permit. In general, these spaces contain serious  health and safety threats including:
    • Oxygen-deficient atmospheres
    • Flammable atmospheres
    • Toxic atmospheres
    • Mechanical or physical hazards
    • Loose materials that can engulf or smother
    Although the danger in a confined space is obvious, the type of danger often is not. For example, a confined space with sufficient oxygen might become an oxygen-deficient space once a worker begins welding or performing other tasks.
    These are some of the reasons confined spaces are hazardous:
    • Lack of adequate ventilation can cause the atmosphere to become life threatening because of harmful gases.
    • The oxygen content of the air can drop below the level required for human life.
    • Sometimes a confined space is deliberately filled with nitrogen as a fire prevention technique. Nitrogen cannot sustain human life, so you must use respiratory protection.
    • Many gases are explosive and can be set off by a spark.
    • Even dust is an explosion hazard in a confined space. Finely-ground materials such as grain, fibers and plastics can explode upon ignition.
    • Confined spaces often have physical hazards, such as moving equipment and machinery.
    • Tanks and other enclosed confined spaces can be filled with materials unless the flow process for filling it is controlled.
    Before entering any confined space, you must test the atmosphere to determine if any harmful gases are present. There must also be radio contact with an attendant outside the confined space and a rescue team at the ready in case of an emergency.

  • Mapping the Lewes Campus

    UD students used autonomous robots to map the Lewes campus, creating a 3D-printed model and VR twin. The project provided hands-on experience in robotics, data analysis and environmental mapping, preparing students for careers in the Blue Economy. (UDAILY)

     

  • Battery Safety

    Battery Safety
     Safety Toolbox Talk Webmaster

     

    Batteries provide a portable – and usually safe – source of electrical power for countless applications. From tiny cells used in wristwatches to industrial-size utility backups, batteries keep things working for us.
    There are some hazards associated with batteries, however. The chemical reactions required to generate electricity involve toxic and explosive substances, harmful to humans and the environment. Large batteries can deliver fatal electrical shock.
    Consider the many uses for batteries in your workplace, such as personal lights, UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) units for electronic equipment, power for handcarts and forklifts, alarm and testing equipment, clocks, communications and bar code readers.
    Batteries produce hydrogen gas, also known as H2. This gas is explosive. When an accumulation of hydrogen gas mixes with oxygen in the air and meets an ignition source such as a spark, an explosion occurs. The result is often an eye injury from fragments of a battery or tool. The explosion also propels the hazardous content of the battery, such as sulfuric acid or lead. While it does not happen often, even an ordinary flashlight can explode.
    Excess hydrogen gas is likely to be produced when batteries are being charged, and when batteries are mismatched, connected incorrectly, damaged, overcharged or otherwise misused.
    These general safety tips apply to batteries of all sizes:
    • Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
    • Do not mix batteries of different brands.
    • Do not mix old and new batteries.
    • Do not mix batteries of different types, such as alkaline and non-alkaline, or rechargeable and non-rechargeable.
    • Do not use damaged or leaking batteries.
    • Observe the correct polarity when installing batteries.
    A battery explosion is a serious matter in any work environment, but especially when the atmosphere of the work area is flammable. For use in hazardous atmospheres, observe all safety precautions to prevent fire and explosion. As directed, use lights and batteries designed to minimize the hazards of sparks. Make sure the batteries are in good condition and installed correctly. Open the battery compartment to allow any accumulated hydrogen gas to escape. Of course, you must not inspect your light in a hazardous area or near an open flame.
    Many workplaces have battery rooms where large batteries that power mobile equipment are charged and changed. Handling these batteries requires special training to prevent explosions and other kinds of exposure. The rooms have to be well ventilated. Workers need to use the correct battery lifting devices to avoid injury. Heavy batteries being moved from delivery vehicles to storage can also fall and crush toes.
    Large stationary batteries are also present in utility settings where they provide temporary power in an outage until the fuel-powered generator kicks in.
    These high voltage batteries are stored in secure, well-ventilated power rooms. Only trained, authorized personnel who know how to avoid shock, electrical arcing, blast and chemical hazards should handle them. Even an apparently discharged battery of this size can retain enough electrical power to kill. Combustible materials, sources of ignition – and unauthorized personnel – must be kept away from these areas.

  • Explore Spring Exhibits and Special Collections

    UD presents seven free exhibitions in spring 2025, featuring art, history geology and activism. Highlights include Old College history, Black womens artivism, Lincolns legacy, global minerals, Indigenous struggles, sculptural copper, and historical keepsakes. (UDAILY)

     

  • Awareness on the Job

    Awareness on the Job

    Over 80% of all workplace injury arises from worker behaviour. We make mistakes, errors in judgement or simply do not have our full attention on the job and something happens. There is also a tendency to get so focused on getting the job done that we do not recognize the obvious.

    A few years ago in the main shops there was an incident where a fairly new worker fell into a hole in the floor and required several stitches in his leg. The opening was well flagged off and the whole affair seemed a mystery. The post incident interview went something like this: So, you saw the caution tape? “Yes”. And you do understand what caution tape means? “Oh, yes.” And you stepped over the caution tape and fell into the hole? “Yes, that is pretty much what happened.” Either this guy was a complete moron or there was some other explanation.

     

    On further questioning, it turned out that he was on the end of a tag line at the time. He was so focused on keeping the plate steady that the consequences of stepping over the caution tape did not register. At first this seemed unbelievable. However, some recent research on workplace injury confirmed that focussed concentration on a task reduces the capacity to recognize obvious hazards. And a significant number of workplace injuries result from this kind of inattention.

     

    This applies directly to vehicle operation such as forklifts or even pickup trucks. There is a felt sense of pressure to get something done, we are driving totally wrapped up in the job and do not even seen the person walking in the path of travel. Every year there are countless incidents like this.

    Are there pressures and intense focus in our jobs? You bet. But it is how we deal with the pressure, how we handle the intense focus that is important. Now and again we have talked about the four second reset as a way of attuning ourselves to the hazards around us. Sometimes all it takes is a big breath when we sit behind the wheel of a vehicle. In truth, it is some conscious act of getting outside of the pressure or job focus that prevents this type of incident. How we do this is our individual preference or way of psychologically handling the job demands here.

    There is an old story about a man who is riding a very fast horse. As he gallops past a bystander the person shouts, “Where are you going in such a hurry?” The man answers, “I don’t know. Ask the horse.” The very same situation happens with many of us at work. We get caught up in the busy day. Direct the horse once in a while and you won’t ride over one of your co-workers or fall into a hole.

    https://safetytoolboxtopics.com/General/wally.html

  • Black History Month

    UD celebrates Black History Month with events, discussions, a book giveaway, an exhibition on Black women’s activism, educational resources, highlighting Black contributions, resilience, and storytelling in history, culture and social justice. (UDAILY)

     

  • Stopping Work

    Stopping Work Safety Talk

    When there are hazards present or some other issue that interferes with being able to perform a work task safely, then it is important to feel comfortable to stop the work until it is safe to continue. Many companies stress the importance of being able to stop work without punishment, but there are many employees who do not feel comfortable doing this for many reasons.

    Reasons Why Individuals Are Afraid to Stop Work

    • Afraid of punishment from supervisors
    • Want to avoid conflict with others
    • Do not want to be seen as scared or a “snitch”
    • Do not want to slow work down

    redoing work tasks safety talkIt is easier said than done to stop work in the name of safety, but it needs to be communicated that it is encouraged and okay to do so. Even if the highest levels of management in a company stress the importance of being able to stop work, a single individual can make it hard for the employees on the worksite actually to do so comfortably. Employees need to know different avenues of reporting safety hazards to the management in a company.

    If a certain manager or supervisor makes it uncomfortable for you to stop work or report a hazard, go to another supervisor or your safety officer to do so. You should be able to go to someone who will work to fix the problem, as well as not disclose who reported the hazard in the first place if you feel that you could be punished for doing so. Outside of the company, you have the right as an employee to report safety issues to OSHA without the fear of retaliation. You can do so confidentially.

    Reasons to Stop Work

    • To protect yourself and your fellow coworkers
    • To protect property or equipment from damage or loss
    • To protect the company’s bottom line and reputation

    Situations Where Stopping Work is Necessary

    • When there is an unaddressed hazard.
    • When the correct personnel are not a part of the task. For example- a company policy states that a spotter is needed while working on an aerial lift, and the spotter needs to leave the area. You need to stop work until the spotter returns.
    • When you do not have the right tool or equipment for the job. Using tools not designed for the task can lead to an incident.
    • When you do not understand the work task or procedures. Stop and get clarification for the task.
    • When you do not have the correct knowledge or training to do a task safely.

    Summary

    These are just a few of the situations where stopping work is necessary. Individuals need to feel comfortable stopping work to address whatever the problem is to be able to complete the work safely and efficiently. Many times the fixes that will make a job safer are quick and easy. You have the power to make a difference and stop work when it is needed. Despite how uncomfortable some of these situations can be, if an incident occurs, it is much more painful for everyone involved.

    Discussion points:

    -What are some situations that could come up in your work today where stopping work is necessary?

    -Do you feel comfortable stopping work? Why or why not?

    -Discuss a past incident and how stopping work could have prevented it.

    Stopping Work

  • Bridging Academic Learning and Real-World Experience

    UD Lerner College launched the Lerner Delaware Early Career Co-op program which offers paid, credit-earning internships to students while connecting businesses with future talent. The initiative aims to retain graduates in Delaware and strengthen academia-industry ties. (UDAILY)