Safety Meeting Toolbox Topics and Tailgate Talks
Workplaces often use a wide variety of compressed gases for a broad spectrum of purposes. Yet these fascinating materials all have one thing in common – if stored improperly, they can be deadly. Storage hazards may include injury from falling cylinders, exposure to toxic gases, asphyxiation, frozen body tissues, fire or explosion.
Every year fires occur throughout industry which could have been prevented had employees used a hot work permitting process. This includes effective hot work procedures, training, communications among employees, inspections and periodically auditing the process to ensure compliance and safety.
Fires from welding operations are started by sparks, hot slag, and flame from the torch. Sparks often drop or are carried long distances by the wind. Slag falls on surfaces or materials below. And a welding torch flame can ignite many substances within a radius of several feet. Be familiar with the standard safety rules for welding so you can spot and report any problems.