Safety Meeting vs Training

There’s a lot of discussion lately and even more research on how people actually retain safety information. Traditional training programs often rely on long sessions, slides, and structured formats. But is that really how we learn best? Personally, I’m a big believer that hands-on, kinesthetic training is one of the most powerful tools we have. When people do the work (touch it, move through it, rehearse it) it just hits different. So I’m curious—what’s your take? Do you lean more toward structured training, short-form safety talks, or something in between? What’s actually helped your people remember and apply safety principles on the job? Let’s hear it, Safety Knights.

Secondary Labels - Holding Up In Harsh Environments?

Thought I found an answer to get secondary labeling to stand up in harsh environments. We bought Avery "Ultra" Labels that are advertised to hold up in a 90-Day Salt Spray Booth test. They did not hold up 24-Hours in a printing company environment. We just used a standard laser printer. Anyone have any tips and or tricks to offer. We are going to try plastic shipping take over the labels. What do you do that works? Thanks! Fitz

WEBINAR: Is Your Workforce Prepared for a Medical Emergency?

We all know how the old saying goes - "Let's go home the same way we came in - with all of our fingers and toes!". While we certainly never want anyone to get hurt, we have to plan for the unthinkable - what if there's a major incident and one of your co-workers gets severely injured? Are your employees properly prepared to respond to a worker who is in cardiac arrest? Can they stop severe bleeding to prevent a person from dying before Fire/EMS arrive on scene? Would they know how to treat a worker who fell from 10+ feet off the ground with a potential spinal injury? During this free 1-hour webinar, we will help you understand some of the essentials when it comes to planning for a medical emergency in the workplace. Topics covered will include, but not be limited to: • Various Types of Workplace Injuries/Illnesses • OSHA and ANSI Requirements • State-Specific Requirements • CPR Training vs. First Aid Training • First Aid Kit Contents • AED Considerations • General Treatment Guidelines • Industry Best Practices • AND MUCH MORE! Register at the link below: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6517490726285/WN_ZStShkfTR6esh5BmtA6gYw

ASSP & NSC national safety conferences...Are you in or out?

I haven't posted on here for a while,e but I was curious about how many of our members are going to be attending: ▶️ ASSP Safety 2025 (July in Orlando) ▶️ NSC Safety 2025 (September in Denver) I will be attending both and am very thankful for the opportunity to speak at the ASSP Leadership Conference the day before the main show, and getting to speak at the main NSC conference. Let me know if you will be there or not...

NSC Safety Maturity Assessment

Hey everyone, it's been awhile since I've posted in here but I work at National Safety Council now! I'm happy to answer any questions on membership whether you're already a member or are interested. We have a Safety and Health Maturity Assessment in beta mode. It is a free tool that helps organizations identify where they’re at on their safety journey and offers next steps to help improve safety. NSC aims to continuously improve this tool with your help. If you could take 15 minutes to complete this assessment and then share your feedback via a short survey, that would be amazing! The survey is open to anyone regardless of NSC membership status. https://www.nsc.org/safety-and-health-maturity-assessment/maturity-assessment-feedback

Confined Space?

Looking for some help. Temperature chambers - confined spaces or not? Does anyone have a definitive means of identifying confined spaces so as to take the subjectivity out of classification? Thank you!

New Quiz

This week is CPR & AED Awareness Week, so I will be posting various quizzes this week to check your CPR and/or AED knowledge. Go over and check it out! https://safetyknights.com/quiz/683df7546f5428e18729c9c7/oxygen_given_during_cpr

Ladder Compliance

Is this ladder set up conpliant? It is a fixed ladder, bolted to floor and top landing. Are stairs needed? Should there be handrails the whole way, or at least to support getting to the top landing ?

California's New Boating Card Requirement

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel that California's new boating card requirement is more about money than safety? As an owner of a pontoon boat, I must take a 3-hour online class and pass a test to operate a boat on the lake. But if I had no boating experience and rented a boat, I would not be required to have the class or the card. That is just plain ridiculous.

Hello new here

Hello I'm soon to be 33 and going to get a degree in Finance. I'm thinking about jumpship and going into safety. I hear osha 511 is where I should start. Should I get certs instead of getting a masters? Thanks.

PIT Collision Prevention System

We're in the process of getting Crown's Info Link setup as a PIT Monitoring system (yay!) We are being asked by operations to see if there is a way that we can safely have two orderpicker trucks in our very narrow aisle storage aisles at the same time. The aisles are anywhere from 8-12 bays long. Crown JUST announced a proximity sensing system, but it is so new that our local rep didn't have any information on it yet. We would prefer a more active system that if two trucks are on the same aisle, they cannot get within say 2 bays of each other. Crown's system: https://www.crown.com/en-us/newsroom/articles/product-news/crown-equipments-lidar-based-proximityassist-system-reinforces-operator-training-and-best-practices.html

What signage needs to be included on a outside propane cage

We are just about ready to move into a new facility at one of our locations and want to secure our forklift propane tanks outside in a cage. What, if any, signage or placards are required? Do we need to placard for NFPA 704? I'm assuming a no smoking sign if not required is a best practice?

Cooling Towels

Has anyone been able to find a cooling towel product that works? We tried the PIP brand, and they did not stay cool longer than 30 - 45 minutes. Thank you in advance for your thoughts.

Email Newsletters

What email newsletters is everyone subscribed to these days? I'm interested in giving my inbox a refresh and I want to see what's out there!

Laboratory Safety

I am working on a safety manual for my company and part of what we do involves laboratory work. I am hoping that somebody out there may be able to help me with some policies pertaining to lab work, because that is not my area of expertise lol

Emergency equipment access

Is there a requirement for access to emergency equipment (AEDs, first aid kits, etc.)? I am aware of the 36-inch clearance for fire extinguishers and 54-inch clearance for AEDs, but is there a requirement similar to egress path standards regarding the minimum lane width needed to access this equipment?

Safetyhub-Online Safety LMS

Hello everyone, Has anyone had any experience with the online LMS platform, Safetyhub? My company is considering standardizing the platform across all of our North American sites, including mine. I don’t have any prior experience with Safetyhub, so I’m curious to hear about your experiences. Thanks!

Summer EHS Co-Op available in Rochester, NY.

Join our team for the summer (or fall... or both!) We are hiring an EHS Co-Op to assist at our Distribution and Packaging Center in West Henrietta, NY. This is a fulltime, paid position. Pay rate and other details are in the link below. Please reach out with any questions! https://hcjy.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/7841/?utm_medium=jobshare&utm_source=External+Job+Share

Job Safety Analysis (JSA): A Foundation for Safer Workplaces

In high-risk industries, safety isn’t just a compliance measure—it’s a culture. One of the most effective tools we have to promote that culture is Job Safety Analysis (JSA). JSA breaks down each job task, identifies potential hazards, and outlines the safest way to complete the work. It's not just paperwork—it's proactive risk management. ✅ Improved communication ✅ Stronger safety culture ✅ Fewer incidents ✅ Empowered teams who understand the “why” behind procedures Incorporating JSA into daily operations doesn’t just protect workers—it also enhances productivity and builds trust. Safety is everyone's responsibility, and JSA helps make that responsibility clear, actionable, and shared. Let’s keep pushing for safer, smarter job sites—one task at a time. #SafetyFirst #JSA #WorkplaceSafety #RiskManagement #ConstructionSafety #EHS #Leadership

Flame Cabinet Question

My facility uses a lot of 99% isopropyl alcohol. We currently have three flame cabinets, each holding a 55-gallon drum. The issue we have encountered in the past is that team members do not empty the drum. It is also hard to take inventory, and we either have too much or are about to run out. My Solution was to get a 275-gallon IBC and store it in a flame cabinet. Then order 55-gallon drums and pump those into the IBC when we receive them. The search for a flame cabinet or spill containment to hold a 275-gallon IBC has been unsuccessful. I only found one that cost around $20,000. Does anyone know of a company that sells those types of cabinets? I was given a budget of $ 5,000 to find one. I can go for maybe $ 1,000 more, but $ 20,000 is a hard sell. Thank you in advance for any help, and keep safe.

Would these flammable containers be compliant in the workplace and still work for diesel fuel?

I keep finding Arnold Palmer Ice Tea jugs being brought into the workplace to use for diesel fuel cans while techs prime fuel filters in refrigeration units. Would these cans work as replacements? Justrite's site says they are OSHA compliant but I cannot find yellow ones. They seem to only come in white or red. https://www.justrite.com/oval-safety-can-for-flammables-s-s-hardware-flame-arrester-1-gallon-self-close-cap-poly-white-12162

Warehouse lift driving hazards

What if any technology have you used to keep OPs or forklifts from hitting poles, racks etc.

Injuries UnReported

What Percentage of Incidents Do You Believe Go Unreported At Your Site?

Willing to Learn

So I have taken lots of OSHA classes but I want something that dives a little deeper. What would you all recommend? My background is HR but I have dual roles so I'm trying to get some training. I thought about getting a certificate but not sure where to start. My company may pay for some things but not all.

EHS Compliance Gap Analysis Template, Resources

Hello Safety Knights! Received a request to perform a EHS compliance gap analysis for one of our manufacturing sites. Basically a self-assessment. They want to avoid outsourcing this work/paying any consulting fees and prefer to have it done in-house. However, I currently do not have any comprehensive templates to work off of. Anyone have any templates or resources they could share? Thank you!!

My WEBSITE - Safety Fitz LLC

Safety Friends, Seven years ago I started my consulting business as a part-time gig! My family is quick to remind me that I am supposed to be taking it easy in my maturity, some call retirement. I use most of the money I make for my toys and travel, that I could never afford paying off my college loans, putting three daughters through school and college, marrying two off (one more to go on that one), a mortgage on a home, insurances, and all the other related bills. I enjoy getting out there and meeting people and mentoring them!! That all being said here is my question. I have had a website for my business since I started. I put it up myself. It is at www.safetyfitz.com The first couple years I tried to use it to generate leads for the business. I wrote several articles which I posted there. Cost me about $1500 to put it up and about a $1000 a year since. The first 2-3 years I checked it often. So far 7 years in I do not think I have gotten one customer through the website. The last couple years I hardly ever look at it. I do not seem to have the time to write articles as I have all the business I want right now. I just got my bill from Bluehost for another $1000. I have been thinking about just closing it down. I wanted to get your input before I do so. What do you think? Thank you! www.safetyfitz.com

Big Win for PPE

Hey Everyone! I wanted to share a great way I found to get your workers to wear their PPE. We call the program the Safety Bucks Program. I hand out punch cards that look like dollar bills to everyone. Anytime I go out to the site and see that they are wearing all their PPE they will get a punch on their Safety Buck. In turn they can take those punches and exchange them for new safety items that I carry on my truck. I keep extra vests (5 punches), nicer safety glasses (5 punches), hard hats (10 punches), etc. This has absolutely changed my site walks. We have about 120 workers and I went from catching 5+ workers a day missing one or more pieces of PPE to maybe 5 a week. If you have any questions or ideas for this please let me know!

Safety Interlocks

Need some guidance here. Recently had an OSHA inspection due to a reportable injury. The injury was part of a NEP so the inspection was pretty thorough. We have an older cold saw that they looked at and it is equipped with interlocks but the Inspector thinks the interlocks are not safety rated. What would make it safety rated? Would adding another interlock help? I am a bit confused on this one.

How Safety Managers Can Conduct Instant Emergency Roll Calls in Microsoft Teams

Manually tracking employees during emergencies (fires, natural disasters, security threats) creates dangerous delays. Many organizations still rely on: - Spreadsheets (prone to errors) - Group chats (messages get buried) - Verbal roll calls (chaotic & slow) ____________________________________________________________________ The risks? - Delayed evacuations - Missing employees in crises - Compliance gaps with OSHA/safety regulations ___________________________________________________________________ A Faster Alternative: Digital Roll Calls in Microsoft Teams Some teams now use dedicated apps within Teams to: - Launch emergency status checks in seconds - See real-time updates (Safe/Help Needed/No Response) - Auto-escalate unresponsive cases - Maintain audit logs for compliance _________________________________________________________________________ Why Manual Methods Fail—Especially for Remote/Hybrid Teams - Hard to track dispersed employees in real-time - Missed responses during chaos - No documentation for audits Example: During a fire drill, one manager spent 20+ minutes chasing email replies—digital roll calls cut this to under 60 seconds. __________________________________________________________________________ Real-World Use Cases: ✔ Fire/evacuation drills ✔ Severe weather (hurricanes, floods) ✔ Workplace security threats ✔ Industrial accidents (spills, equipment failures) Has your team tried digital emergency roll calls? What methods work best for you?

Experiences with ergonomic mat companies wanted

Hello Knights! We are on the hunt for a custom ergonomic mat solution for our warehouse. We replaced mats about 3 years ago but in that time we've had 5 recordables due to ankle sprains because the mats that were purchased don't stay in place, and weren't big enough for the application. Any recommendations for companies that do a great job, and warnings about products that don't work too well are welcome.

Chemical Substitution Examples

When I managed a Plating Shop back in the day - historically they had a UST filled with Trichlor. Big spill - turned into a brownfield facility. They made the switch to Bromopropane - but never did proper due diligence to ensure safe usage. When I arrived years later, I ended up making a recommendation at the time to get a better degreasing tank to minimize exposure, but was costly so they ended up opting to requiring PAPR's for the users. Hopefully today, they have found an even better substitution - since Bromopropane is on the Sunset list in Europe (not good stuff) Can anyone else talk about some good examples of chemical substitution they've made over the years?

Office Chair for Tall Employee?

Hey everyone! I did an office ergo assessment on a rather tall employee and the seat pan was not able to extend far enough out to support their legs/thighs properly. I was wondering if anyone has recommendations for office chairs suited for taller employees? Perhaps the 6’3 to 6’7 range?

Wisconsin Safety Show in Wisconsin Dells

I am going this year and am wondering who else is going? Let's connect.

Thank You

I can't say it enough—thank you to everyone who made the Safety Knights ♞ Heat Safety Summit possible! 🙌 Huge shoutout to our incredible sponsors for keeping the event free and accessible to everyone: 🔥SlateSafety® 🔥EcoOnline Global 🔥Protective Industrial Products 🔥OptiCare Connect And to our powerhouse lineup of speakers who brought their passion and expertise to the stage: 🔥Drew Hinton, PhD, CSP, CHMM, EMT 🔥Kamryn Johnson 🔥David Picton 🔥Richard Tipper MBE, FRSA 🔥Bruce Sylvas Jr 🔥Russell Pink 🔥Kerry Schimelfenig 🔥Chris Ward 🔥Tracie Wagman 🔥Tera Champion

Lithium-Ion Batteries & Emergency Response

Happy Friday, Safety Knights! A fun, nuanced topic for you all on this lovely Friday! I am supporting a company that manufactures FPV drones. One of the main programs we are currently developing is emergency response measures in the event a lithium-ion battery pack begins smoking or catches fire/enters thermal runaway. A few questions I have for this community: 1. Best Extinguishing Agent: the company originally procured Class D fire extinguishers to extinguish any lithium-ion batteries that catch fire. However, it is my understanding that Class D fire extinguishers are not ideal and are meant for lithium-metal batteries and combustible metal/metal alloy fires. The company's batteries are not lithium-metal batteries. They have lithium-ion batteries with a flammable liquid electrolyte, a battery anode that is graphite/silicone monoxide based, and other metal components (according to the SDS.) For smoking batteries, the proposed approach is to place the smoking battery in a bucket of sand to smother it and ensure it doesn't catch fire (with mandatory use of respiratory protection and other PPE during this handling procedure.) For batteries that have caught fire/enter thermal runaway, I have read that dousing the battery in water is the general recommendation, however there is the caveat of it further reacting to the water and therefore causing a more severe reaction and releasing toxic gases. Any recommendations on best extinguishing agents or practices for smoking batteries and batteries on fire/entering thermal runaway? 2. Air Quality Monitoring: lithium-ion batteries emit toxic gases when they catch fire/enter thermal runaway. Any recommendations on cost-effective air monitoring devices (portable and/or fixed). The intent of the monitoring is to 1. understand the air quality for emergency response and to notify employees when it is safe to re-enter the work area AND 2. to have stationed by storage/charging areas where workers may not routinely be occupying (there is potential for a battery to catch fire without someone knowing, the air monitor would hopefully act as an alert system.) 3. PPE/Respiratory Protection: for those employees that are trained and equipped to respond to a li-ion battery fire, what type of respiratory protection is recommended? I was initially thinking full-face respirator (at minimum) but have also seen suggestions on using PAPRs or SCBAs. In addition, we have discussed using the following PPE: leather gloves (welders type), FR coveralls or other protective clothing that will ensure the employee does not catch fire or be exposed to potential electrolyte leaks. Lots of information to read and digest but would greatly appreciate any support and guidance on these topics. THANK YOU!!!

Best free webinars on OSHA subjects

I wanted to share with you the best free webinars on OSHA subjects that I have come across from Conn Maciel Carey LLP is a boutique law firm focused on Labor & Employment, Workplace Safety, and Litigation. https://www.connmaciel.com I just viewed, The Usual Suspects: How to Avoid the Five Most Expensive (and Frequently Cited) Types of General Industry Citations, and picked up a detail of LOTI periodic inspection that I had previously overlooked. https://www.connmaciel.com/osha-webinar-library?pgid=lrjgdssi-f8641c33-1200-4a59-9011-627ad2eb394d • Talk with all other authorized employees even though they may not be implementing the energy control procedure. 1910.147(c)(6)(i)(D) - Where tagout is used for energy control, the periodic inspection shall include a review, between the inspector and each authorized and affected employee, of that employee's responsibilities under the energy control procedure being inspected, and the elements set forth in paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of this section. Sign up for upcoming webinars or view previous years' recorded ones from their library. You can also sign up for blog updates like “The OSHA Defense Report.” It will definitely be worth your time. Stay safe and keep learning - Bob

NDIR Technology

Do you understand NDIR technology and know when it's needed in confined space, HAZMAT, leak detection, and other situations requiring air monitoring? 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐑 Introduced in the 1930s, non-dispersive infrared ("NDIR", commonly just referred to as "IR") sensors have been a staple in the gas detection industry for decades. These sensors operate based on the principle of measuring the absorbance of infrared light at specific wavelengths. Initially, it was a military technology and remained classified until the 1940s. The first widespread civilian use was in medical applications—specifically, measuring CO2 levels in patients to confirm proper intubation. Over the years, it’s been refined and improved, making it cheaper and more effective. If you break down the word itself: • "Non-Dispersive" means the light stays on a straight path and doesn’t scatter. •" Infrared Light" is a part of the electromagnetic spectrum that we can’t see with our eyes, but we can feel as heat. Prior to the development of NDIR sensors, catalytic bead sensors (aka "wheatstone bridge" or "pellistor") were primarily used for flammable gas detection. Since NDIR technology addressed many of the limitations found with catalytic bead sensors, they were a giant leap forward for gas detection technology, especially when used for detecting methane and other flammable gases. Many advantages come with using NDIR technology, but they also come with some drawbacks that you should consider. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐬 (𝐀𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬) • Can detect most hydrocarbons, as well as Carbon Dioxide (CO2) • Can operate in low-oxygen and inert environments • Not susceptible to sensor poisoning • Longer operational life and lower maintenance costs due to not consuming the target gas during measurement • Less susceptible to sensor drift and far more stable • Resistant to sensor poisoning • Require less power to operate • Can detect above the LEL 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬 (𝐀𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬) • Inability to detect Hydrogen (H2), Acetylene (C2H2), and other gases that do not absorb IR light at the wavelengths used by NDIR technology • Generally more expensive • More susceptible to interference from high humidity, drastic temperature and pressure changes, fog, ambient IR light, and dust • The output from infrared sensors is inherently non-linear and response curves vary for different species of gas • Longer warm-up times

Emergency Alarm Switch

What kind of requirements are there on Emergency Alarm Activation Switches? The method by which the employees may activate the Alarm System in the plant.

Ensuring safety from dog attacks at your client's doorstep

When approaching a customer's front door and hearing the sound of dogs barking inside, it is crucial to take necessary precautions. In cases where there is a sturdy outswinging door, it is advisable to use your foot to keep it securely shut, thereby preventing the dogs from escaping and potentially biting. However, if the door is not outswinging, it is important to maintain a safe distance of approximately 10-12 feet. This distance allows you sufficient reaction time in the event that the owner opens the door and the dog manages to get out.

Bone Conduction vs. In-Ear or Over-the-Ear Headphones

What are the latest research, approaches, or policies regarding the use of bone conduction headphones in a work environment? Are people allowing them vs. fighting the use of in-ear or over-the-ear headphones and unpopular policy enforcement? The over and in-ear products are obvious risks in a warehouse or on a jobsite, but does bone conduction avoid situational awareness pitfalls, allowing employees to still listen to music, podcasts, etc.? For many (most?), some music or other background noise can help with job satisfaction and ultimately productivity. Can we balance that and safety with this "newer" technology? For the purpose of this discussion, assume noise exposure and related PPE is not a factor. (Pic for attention. Not a product promotion.)