Safety & Protection Products

As times change and we become more aware of our environment, the need to work safely and protect our health becomes more important. Although even with the wealth of information available on working safely many folks still overlook the importance of their personal safety. Following you will find one simple statistic that should help you realize how important it is to work safely.

Preventing Eye Injuries

Did you know that every day, about 2,000 U.S. workers have job-related eye injuries requiring medical treatment? One-third of those injuries require emergency hospital treatment, and more than 100 result in one or more days of lost work. Most of these injuries result from small particles or objects striking or abrading the eye.

In addition to the safety and health protection products available at Woodstock Hardware, there is a wealth of information available to support your safety and health protection efforts. You will find helpful information at the following Federal Web Sites and Safety & Health sites.

Federal Web Sites

• American Public Transit Association
• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Bureau of Transportation Statistics
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs)
• DOT - Department of Transportation
• EPA - Environmental Protection Agency
• FDA - Food and Drug Administration
• Federal Railroad Administration
• Mine Safety and Health Administration
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Nuclear Regulatory Commission - NRC
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - OSHA en Espanol
• U.S. Coast Guard
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
• U.S. Fire Administration

Safety and Health Sites

• Acoustical Society of America (ASA)
• ADA
• AHA
• American Association of Poison Control Centers
• American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH)
• American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist Inc. (ACGIH)
• American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
• American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
• American Society for Testing Manufacturers
• Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
• Canadian Standards Association
• Ear and Hearing Information
• ErgoWeb
• Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)
• International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH)
• International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA)
• MSDS Search
• National Center for Health Statistics
• National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA)
• National Fire Protection Association
• National Safety Council
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration U.S. Dept of Labor (OSHA)
• Underwriters Laboratories
• World Health Organization

As an example following you will find simple, yet important, information relative to the use of hand tools.

Safe Use of Hand Tools

A good set of hand tools is essential in virtually any workplace. Unfortunately, tools also contribute to countless injuries when used incompetently. Here are some tips for using tools safely:

• Use the correct tool for the job.
• Keep tools in good condition. Handles should be tight and free from defect. Cutting tools should be kept sharp. Wedges and punches should be free from “mushroom heads”.
• Use and maintain power tools according to their instructions.
• Make sure power tools are properly grounded or are double insulated. Never cut the three-prong plug off or use a two prong adapter.
• Switch off and unplug power tools before changing blades or servicing and repairing.
• Wear clothing with no strings or loose ends to catch on things.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as glasses, goggles, face shields, dust masks, hearing protection, etc.
• Keep bystanders at a safe distance.
• Keep all guards and shields in place. Learn to use a “push stick” with table saws.
• Unplug and put tools away after use. Consider locking out power tools to prevent others from using them without permission, especially young children.

Information supplied by the National Safety Council.

We are confident you will find both the supplies and technical expertise at Woodstock Hardware you need to protect both your safety and health during your next project. So the next time you start shopping for an upcoming project, don’t forget to include the products you need to work safely and protect your health.