8/30/2021 One of the requirements for field work is spill control. Spill control is designed to….well, control spills! And depending on the type and amounts of materials anticipated at a work site, specific materials and equipment need to be available in the event of an unwanted or unplanned release. In Read more
8/9/2021 A few years ago, a major defense facility suffered multiple lost time accidents due to employees slipping on icy sidewalks. And while these incidents took place during Winter and we are currently experiencing record-breaking heat conditions in the middle of Summer, one of these incidents caught my attention and Read more
9/5/2011 As I sit in an airplane, thousands of feet in the air, I find it somewhat amusing that I am about to talk about the worst disaster in commercial airline history. While I have told this story a few times, I think the lessons to be learned from this Read more
11/8/2010 Mac’s face was turning as red as a beet. “Come on, Ethyl! Why are you making such a big deal out of this? No one was hurt, nothing was damaged, at least, nothing noticeable. No harm, no foul, right?! “Absolutely wrong, Mac.” Ethyl Mercaptan, Senior Safety Rep for Property Read more
6/13/2011 Last week the sports world announced that another baseball pitcher, reliever Joba Chamberlain of the New York Yankees has sustained a torn ligament in his elbow and will need Tommy John Surgery. “Tommy John Surgery?” I asked myself. “What is that?” Tommy John Surgery is a medical procedure in Read more
3/22/2021 We recently had some “grubbing” that needed to be performed on one of our projects. Grubbing is the process of removing brush and their roots as well as clearing land due to heavy plant growth. This activity is typically performed so that other activities can be conducted and usually Read more
11/23/2020 Just a short message this week. This one is quite sobering. It’s a message that cannot be overstated with the implication of never taking anything for granted. Last week, in the nearby mountains where I work, a young couple, boyfriend/girlfriend, were driving when another car hit them head-on. It Read more
10/26/2020 Human nature: According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, human nature is the fundamental dispositions and traits of humans. Human nature encompasses the physical, biological, social, mental, and emotional characteristics that define our tendencies, abilities, as well as our limitations. One of the innate characteristics of human nature is imprecision. That Read more
10/19/2020 Working around heavy equipment has its challenges. Indeed, ensuring these pieces of yellow iron are properly maintained and that the work environment is adequate for their proper operation is essential. Poor maintenance and inadequate space for these pieces of equipment to maneuver can result in significant contact with other Read more
10/5/2020 Visit any city or town in the US and chances are you will find road construction. Lanes shut down, intersections crowded with vehicles, jammed to a standstill. People tend to get a little frustrated and, in many cases, decide to take matters into their own hands and break a Read more