Disaster Preparation

Guide to PPE for Construction Safety

Posted on by Danny Kanev

Guide to PPE for Construction Safety

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Though it’s almost impossible to remove all hazards on a construction site, one effective way to keep employees safe is the use of PPE. PPE is essential on construction job sites when there is no other way to remove the risk or hazard. Continue reading to learn more about PPE and what types of risks workers exist for workers on construction sites. The article will explain an introduction to PPE and workplace hazards, and we will explain how software can help manage construction safety programs and inspections.

What is PPE?

PPE is short for Personal Protective Equipment. It includes all devices that employees use to prevent risks in the workplace. PPE protects against injuries to the eyes, head, skin, lungs, and ears. 

Some examples of Personal Protective Equipment for construction safety include:

  1. Gloves
  2. Shoes
  3. Safety glasses
  4. Earmuffs
  5. Vests
  6. Coveralls
  7. Full bodysuits
  8. Respirators
  9. Hard hats

Why is PPE important?

PPE becomes essential after exhausting other measures of risk prevention. Personal Protective Equipment limits exposure to objects or chemicals that can cause harm to workers on the construction site. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Act) requires employees to wear PPE whenever necessary.

What hazards exist in the workplace?

A workplace hazard creates room for potential harm to the workers. Though employers are responsible for removing these hazards, employees should have a keen understanding of workplace safety hazards. OSHA agents may carry out routine inspections of construction sites to ensure site managers comply with safety requirements.

While construction safety is non-negotiable, common hazards in the workplace include:

  • Safety hazards
  • Biological hazards
  • Chemical hazards
  • Physical and ergonomic hazards

Safety hazards

Safety hazards are conditions or activities in the construction area that cause accidents, injuries, or death. Some actions or scenarios that constitute safety hazards are:

  1. Walking on slippery floors.
  2. Using a faulty working tool.
  3. Standing on an insecure scaffolding.
  4. Absence of fall protection equipment.
  5. Working in a poorly ventilated environment.
  6. Tight working schedules.
  7. Working in buildings with no alternative entrance and exit.

Chemical hazards

Chemical hazards expose a worker to direct contact with a harmful liquid. Construction site managers must provide workers with the correct equipment and put all measures to prevent leakage of chemicals. All employees that handle chemicals should have Safety Data Sheets for routine inspection and reports. 

Biological hazards

Biological hazards can come from exposure to viruses, bacteria, infected animals, or humans. A typical example is a Covid-19 pandemic. To prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the workplace, workers should adhere to WHO guidelines for wearing PPE.

Physical hazards

Construction workers face noise problems and should wear earplugs to prevent harm. Employers must enforce the use of PPEs to reduce the risk of employee injury from physical hazards.

Ergonomic hazards

Excessive physical activities also expose workers to the risk of injuries. A worker who often lifts heavy objects or fails to use the correct object carrying-posture risks skeletal injury. Employers should provide work tools and switch to automation processes to limit ergonomic risks. 

What are the types of PPE?

Types of PPE fall under the category of protection. PPE includes helmets, goggles, boots, safety harnesses, reflective dress, gloves, earplugs, etc. Employers must assess the risks in the job site and provide a suitable PPE. 

Use of PPE for construction safety should be for:

  • Head protection
  • Hands protection
  • Feet and leg protection
  • Face and eye protection
  • Hearing protection
  • Lungs protection
  • Skin or body protection

Head protection

All construction sites require head protection. While employers remove hazards, workers need to wear the correct helmets. Conditions for adequate head protection include:

  • Ensuring the helmet is in good condition. If the headgear is faulty, throw it away while the employer replaces it.
  • A helmet should fit comfortably on the head. And the size should match the individual.
  • Head protection equipment should not prevent someone from wearing earplugs.
  • Only buy headgear from a reliable supplier.

Foot or leg protection

Construction workers must wear protective footwear on the job site to prevent foot injuries. A suitable foot PPE comes equipped with steel toecaps to protect the wearer from falling objects, and it should also protect against puncture wounds from sharp objects.

Ear protection

Construction workers experience high noise levels, which could lead to ear damage. Noise level and duration of exposure are the most significant risk factors for hearing issues. For example, there could be damages if the duration of exposure is short, but the noise level is high. Hence, workers should wear hearing protection that matches both duration of exposure and noise level.

Ear protection must protect without preventing the use of a helmet. Employers must train workers on PPE applications to ensure absolute construction safety. Possible options for ear protection devices include:

  • Earplugs
  • Semi-insert caps
  • Canal caps
  • Earmuffs

Face and eye protection

Eye and face protective devices prevent dust, gas, flying metals, liquid splashes, gas, and sun glare. The selection of eye protection must match the task and fit the worker; otherwise, wearing it becomes useless.

PPE for facial protection are:

  • Goggles
  • Safety glasses
  • Face shields
  • Visors
  • Face screens

Respiratory protection

Construction workers require protective devices that prevent the inhalation of dust, vapors, and gasses that damage the lungs. Like face protection, it’s essential to select a lung-protective device that fits the user and the intended purpose. If there’s no shrug fit of the respiratory PPE, use enough seal to boost protection levels. 

Examples of respiratory protection are:

  • Respirators
  • Filtering face-pieces
  • Fresh-air hose
  • Breathing apparatus
  • Powered respirators

Skin and body protection

Workers on construction sites also deal with harmful dust and chemical splashes. Employees should wear disposable coveralls or aprons that can withstand fluid hazards.

What does OSHA require for PPE?

PPE promotes construction safety by reducing exposure to hazards in job locations. OSHA states that PPE should pass safety standards for design and construction. Other OSHA requirements are:

  1. PPE must be easy to maintain, clean, and store.
  2. Should provide a comfortable fit
  3. PPE must be reliable, effective and encourage the worker to use

What PPE is needed for COVID-19?

Construction workers are at risk of contracting Coronavirus in the workplace, hence gear up. For prevention of Covid-19, the employer shall provide the following kits where applicable:

  • Gloves
  • Face shields
  • Googles
  • Non-surgical masks
  • N95 masks
  • Gowns

Who is required to pay for PPE?

The employer is required to cover the costs of purchasing the PPE for employees. Besides, the employer is responsible for each worker’s training on the use of the specific PPE free of charge. Each employee must demonstrate a proper understanding of the use and maintenance of the PPE. Where necessary, the employer is responsible for retraining the workers on PPE applications.

What are PPE inspections?

PPE Inspections are regular checks performed by companies to ensure total compliance to OSHA and construction safety standards. Pre-use PPE inspections help detect devices’ problems, exposing employees to hazards.

Inspections help identify issues with the equipment before an accident happens. Completing an inspection checklist can confirm whether the PPE is suitable for use or not. Sometimes, cleaning a protective device is all that is needed to put it into shape. But it’s also reasonable to shelve an item that performs below standard.

PPE inspections are an important part of construction safety and regular PPE inspections ensure the devices function as intended. PPE inspections can also be performed during an OSHA inspection, and employers should make sure to prepare for an OSHA safety inspection by creating a clear inspection plan. 

How can you provide safety training for PPE to employees?

As mentioned earlier, employers must train employees on PPE. Such training sessions can be individually or in groups, and they must address the hazards, selection, and use of the PPE. How the employer delivers the safety talk can determine its effectiveness, and the address cannot create positive results if only given to satisfy OSHA requirements.

Consider the following tips for practical safety training for PPE to employees:

  • Present the talk and not read – the presenter should understand the subject and speak in a practical tone. Be clear when speaking and avoid mumbling.
  • Choose competent presenters – A foreperson or supervisor with rich experience in safety should deliver the talk. Junior employees will take the program seriously when a superior engineer presents the safety talk.
  • Bar all distractions – Hold the talk in a serene environment.
  • The talk must be straightforward as it addresses the worker’s safety.
  • Make your topic concise.
  • Avoid generic talk that could distract the employees.
  • Use props where available
  • Document the safety training session

Benefits of managing safety programs with software 

Analyzing safety programs and creating safety checklists with mobile apps can prevent accidents to employees. The use of software can make your construction site safer and keep your business in compliance with OSHA’s directives. 

GoCanvas offers practical and easy-to-use OSHA mobile apps to enhance your OSHA’s compliance efforts.   Get in touch to learn how managing safety programs with software is essential for maintaining construction safety standards.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

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Free Employee Incident Report Template

Posted on by Danny Kanev

Free Employee Incident Report Template

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Incident reports are used to document when an accident or near-miss happens at work. Instead of using paper forms, many organizations choose to file incident reports digitally as PDF files that can be sent via email. Templates are commonly used to give employees a standard form to file when an incident occurs. Proper reporting is required by OSHA and it helps companies address safety issues by bringing to light any problems or potential areas for concern. 

What is an employee incident report?

OSHA requires employers to file timely incident reports. The employee incident report from OSHA is designed to encourage employees to fill out the document and share it with their supervisor when injuries, illnesses, or near-miss events occur. No matter how minor the event may seem, it’s important to file employee incident reports to have an accurate understanding of events in the workplace. The employee incident report gives the employee’s account of the incident, and then the supervisor also gives a separate account when investigating an accident. All of these forms are designed to capture the details of the incident and document what happened for reporting purposes.

Why do you need an employee incident report?

It’s important to encourage employees to self-report incidents. You don’t want a culture where safety issues go unnoticed, as this can lead to further issues and impact employee satisfaction. Employees should feel empowered to voice concerns and share when incidents or near-miss events happen. Providing a digital incident form for employees gives them the ability to submit information on their mobile devices instantly. 

What should you include on the form?

Incident report forms follow a standard template that is used to capture all of the pertinent details of the event. Here are some examples of what to include on the form:

  • Type of incident. Injury, incident, near-miss.
  • Personal details. Name of employee, name of workplace, job title, supervisor, and the date.
  • Details of incident. A detailed account of where it happened, what happened, and names of witnesses.
  • About the incident. Note if this has happened before, could have been prevented, or required medical care.

Why Go Digital with Incident Reports?

Going digital can simplify and standardize your company’s safety management programs. Here are the top three reasons to go digital:

Central, cloud-based platform for safety management

Providing a central location for employees to access and manage safety information can simplify workflows for your employees. If an incident happens, they know to open the safety app and find the appropriate form. If they need to access inspection forms, toolbox talks, and any other safety program documentation — everything is stored in a central location. This helps to increase compliance by making it easier for employees to follow safety program best practices.

 

Greater visibility into safety program results

Incident reports are one part of a safety program that you would want to analyze the data to understand patterns and trends. Are certain job sites or teams having higher than average incidents? Which teams are participating in required toolbox talks? With a digital safety management solution, you can easily view summarized data in real-time. Leveraging dashboards and analytics, your organization can use data to inform safety programs and minimize risk.

 

Avoid lost paperwork and manual workflows

Paper forms can be easily lost or misplaced over time. This ultimately creates more challenges if important documents can’t be found. Likewise, paper forms create manual work for employees to fill out paperwork, drive to an office, enter the data into a computer, or rely on mailed documents. All of these workflow challenges create extra work when performing a safety inspection, submitting an incident report, or filling out any number of other safety forms your teams use. Going digital can help automate how work gets done and streamline work for employees. Simply fill out forms using a mobile device or tablet and instantly sync information to the cloud.

Try the Employee Incident Report Template

GoCanvas offers a free trial where you can try out the employee incident report template. Our no-code form builder allows you to digitize paperwork, so employees can submit information from the field on a mobile device. Employees fill out the digital forms and a PDF report is automatically generated and shared with the office. GoCanvas customers have found that by digitizing their safety programs, they’re able to lower risk and liability by 18%.

Access the incident report template here on the GoCanvas App Store.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

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10 Construction Safety Topics to Cover [+ Examples]

Posted on by Danny Kanev

10 Construction Safety Topics to Cover [+ Examples]

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Keeping construction workers safe is a top priority for managers and business owners. This guide covers some of the most common safety meeting topics to cover and provides links to examples to get you started.

What are some good safety topics?

While there are many safety topics you can cover, the best topics are going to be the ones that are most frequent problems in your organization. You can find good safety topics by analyzing your data to understand what types of incidents are most common by job site, and use that to inform what safety topics should be addressed to minimize accidents. 

If you don’t have the ability or time to analyze your own data, another place to find good safety topics is to look at OSHA’s top 10 most common violations, as this gives a picture overall on construction safety trends.

What is GoCanvas and how does it work for safety?

In this article, we will share examples of safety meeting topics you can cover using the GoCanvas templates provided. We compiled a list of the most common safety meetings or toolbox talks that construction pros use on the GoCanvas platform.

GoCanvas is a comprehensive safety management solution that helps to keep your workers safe and productive. By leveraging mobile forms and apps in the field, workers can access all safety program information in a centralized, cloud-based software solution. Easily complete toolbox talks from anywhere, file an incident report from a tablet device on a job site, and complete routine job site safety inspections – all within the GoCanvas platform. 

10 Construction Safety Topics to Cover with GoCanvas Templates

Continue reading for templates that can be used on specific safety meeting topics. Follow the links below to learn more and sign up for a free trial to test out the experience. We’ve made it simple to leverage our existing safety meeting templates to host your own toolbox talks without having to start from scratch. Keep track of safety compliance and ensure that all of your safety program data is accessible from the field or in the office.

1. Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Safety Meeting Topic

This safety meeting topic provides an easy way to monitor, track and record the employees who have participated in taking measures to become informed on the basic protective measures against the new coronavirus (COVID-19).

This effective tool provides videos that are imperative for all employees to view and learn; what can people do to protect themselves and others, why it is recommended to avoid close contact, and how the coronavirus is affecting people who get it. Using this app, each workplace member who views the video can provide their information and signature to confirm they have watched the videos as required by the employer in efforts to prevent the spread of virus and infection. 

Working people at increased risk are those who frequently interact with potentially infected individuals. Increased risk for the contagious spread is health care workers, emergency responders, airline operators, correctional facility staff, educators, cleaning personnel, and other workers with broad exposure working with the public.

Access the safety meeting topic here.

2. Protective Eyewear – Safety Meeting Topic

This toolbox talk covers the topic of protective eyewear. This safety meeting topic is ideal for helping refresh workers’ knowledge on protective eyewear and related safety practices, standard operating procedures and preventive actions, completing last minute safety checks, reviewing company policies and industry standards, as well as new safety rules and laws. Encourage workers to discuss their experiences with planning, preparation, supervision, and documentation of safety procedures.

Access the safety meeting topic here.

3.Setting Up a Ladder – Safety Meeting Topic

This safety meeting topic is designed to mitigate dangers associated with setting up ladders. Falls from ladders and other hazards can cause severe bodily harm or death to workers. Use this safety meeting topic to help spotlight fall protection when using ladders. The meeting topic covers how to avoid injuries when working with ladders and how to prioritize the health and safety of workers.

Access the safety meeting topic here.

4. Hazard Recognition and Control – Safety Meeting Topic

This toolbox talk covers the topic of hazard recognition and control.  This hazard recognition and control toolbox talk is ideal for helping refresh workers’ knowledge on hazard recognition and control and related safety practices, standard operating procedures and preventive actions, completing last minute safety checks, reviewing company policies and industry standards, as well as new safety rules and laws. Encourage workers to discuss their experiences with planning, preparation, supervision, and documentation of safety procedures.

Access the safety meeting topic here.

5. Scaffold Requirements – Safety Meeting Topic

The Scaffold Requirements safety meeting topic is used to facilitate a discussion surrounding the requirements for scaffolding including erecting and dismantling of scaffolding, the placement of vertical supports, the base support for scaffolding, ensuring safety protocols are followed such as using guardrails, stable materials for the base of scaffolding, that manufacturer instructions are followed for bracing scaffolding, and more.

Access the safety meeting topic here.

6. Defensive Driving – Safety Meeting Topic

The defensive driving safety meeting topic is designed for companies that operate vehicles on the job and need to be aware of best practices for driver safety. In all cases, while operating a motor vehicle, drivers should practice defensive driving techniques. Defensive driving is the art of driving so as to prevent and avoid traffic crashes, regardless of the unsafe conditions and actions created by other drivers and adverse road and or weather conditions. This app lays out eight techniques that good defensive drivers do.

Access the safety meeting topic here.

7. Slips, Trips, and Falls – Safety Meeting Topic

This toolbox talk covers the topic of slips, trips, and falls. These types of accidents are common on job sites when the ground is wet or loose from snow, rain, ice, or other liquids. Use this template to cover best practices on safe walking and tips on how to avoid slips, trips, and falls in the workplace.

Access the safety meeting topic here.

8. Hand and Power Tools – Safety Meeting Topic

It’s easy to overlook the hazards associated with the common tools that are used on a daily basis. This safety meeting topic aims to bring some awareness to the potential hazards of these tools and how to minimize them. The toolbox talk reviews training, pre-inspection use, proper use, and storage of hand and power tools. Workers must always wear personal protective equipment, such as eye protection, when using tools to avoid injuries.

Access the safety meeting topic here.

9. Safe Lifting Practices – Safety Meeting Topic

The Tool Box Talk Safe Bending, Lifting, and Carrying app is a toolbox talk app used in construction and work environments to protect workers against musculoskeletal disorders resulting from poor or improper lifting techniques. When trying to lift a load of a heavy weight, workers are prone to injuries such as strains, sprains, and “throwing out” backs. Knowing the hazards of bending, lifting, and carrying items, as well as other handling techniques, such as lifting from the knees, and stretching certain muscles, and go a long way to promote the health and safety of personnel.

Access the safety meeting topic here.

10.  Proper Use of Foam Earplugs – Safety Meeting Topic

This meeting promotes discussions of hearing protection, specifically foam ear plugs, in the work place. Noise-induced hearing loss is caused when loud noises such as those generated by tools and equipment on a construction site occur and penetrate the ear plug as there is protection such as foam ear plugs which block noise from entering the ear canal. Unprotected individuals are subject to problems such as hearing loss, tinnitus, ear pain, head aches, and more.

Access the safety meeting topic here.

Thousands of Templates for Construction Safety

Need more ideas for safety meeting topics? You can always search the GoCanvas App Store for the specific toolbox talk or safety meeting topic you have in mind. With thousands of templates to choose from, GoCanvas makes it easy to access and customize safety meeting templates. Going digital with safety programs can help increase your productivity and eliminate manual work. Contact our team to learn more about GoCanvas Safety or sign up here for a free trial to see it in action.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

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3 Reasons to Digitize Your Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)

Posted on by Danny Kanev

3 Reasons to Digitize Your Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)

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You’re required to have safety data sheets if your business handles hazardous chemicals. OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard states that “Employers must ensure that the SDSs are readily accessible to employees for all hazardous chemicals in their workplace.”

Most safety management solutions on the market today have the ability for your business to digitize their safety data sheets. More companies are implementing digital programs for safety management, bringing this information online using cloud-based tools. Continue reading this article to learn the top reasons why you should go digital with your safety management programs.

Reason 1: Greater accessibility for employees

Digitizing your SDS sheets and your larger safety management programs can benefit your business by providing greater accessibility for employees. The safety management system becomes a central solution for employees when they need to take action. This makes it easy for employees to find the resources they need, for example when they go to find an SDS sheet, file an incident report, or attend a safety meeting. Having all of these resources available in a software tool for safety will benefit employees by having clearly documented processes, in a digital format that can be easily completed from anywhere on a mobile device or tablet.

All of this goes to build an organization’s culture of safety. By providing easy access to safety programs in a digital format, employees are encouraged to follow best practices and there is a clear investment in employee safety. Robust safety programs managed digitally help to promote employees’ well-being and ensure that accidents and incidents are avoided. If an accident does occur on-site, SDS sheets and other important safety documentation are easy to find when needed and the appropriate response can be taken.

Reason 2: More visibility for management

Another important factor for implementing digital safety management systems is greater visibility for management. With a distributed workforce, across many different job sites and locations, it can become difficult for companies to effectively track safety compliance. Specifically for SDS sheets, it’s hard to know with paper sheets if they are being accessed in the field. Are employees viewing the documents? Is the latest or updated version available on site?

With digital documentation, management has a greater understanding of how documents are being used and can ensure compliance across job sites. Digital systems provide the ability to keep records of who has viewed the safety document, giving companies the insight needed to take action and avoid potential safety and compliance issues.

Going digital provides real-time job site visibility and analytics that can enable management and operations teams to spot safety trends and make data-informed decisions. A recent study found that 96% of data in the engineering and construction industry goes unused, suggesting that harnessing there’s potential for organizations to leverage their data to have an impact on key outcomes like safety and productivity. Safety management solutions help build better data processes for the business and enable faster reporting to make that information actionable and available to anyone that needs it.

Reason 3: Compliance with OSHA

As mentioned throughout the article, compliance with OSHA is a requirement for businesses, and failure to comply will inevitably lead to fines, penalties, and negative outcomes for the business. 

Digital tools for safety management and SDS sheets will help to ensure that your job sites are always prepared in the case of an OSHA inspection. Most safety management solutions today will allow you to store the SDS sheets digitally for easy access, as well as hosting your other safety programs to stay in compliance. 

This includes things like hazard management, incident reporting, job safety analysis, inspections, audits, and more. Having a central and cloud-based system for safety management in place will make it easier to track compliance and be prepared in case of an on site inspection with OSHA.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

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We’ll help you put together the right solution for your needs.

Let’s Build A Plan Together

What are Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)?

Posted on by Danny Kanev

What are Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)?

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What is a SDS and what is its purpose?

The term SDS refers to a Safety Data Sheet that is used by chemical companies to stay in compliance with the regulations set by OSHA in the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). Companies that manufacture, distribute, or import chemicals are required to provide Safety Data Sheets to inform workers of the hazardous materials they are handling.

The main purpose of a SDS is to provide companies with a standard template they can use for communicating critical information about their hazardous materials for the safety interests of their workers. 

SDS Information You Should Know

In 2012, OSHA updated the HCS to be aligned with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). It’s important to point out that Safety Data Sheets are part of the legislative process at OSHA, meaning that they can change over time and new amendments can be enacted by the administration. 

The changes that occurred in 2012 were enacted in part to reduce trade barriers globally for American companies and to provide consistent standards for communicating and classifying hazardous chemicals. As part of these changes, the long-used material data sheets (MSDS) also became obsolete, and companies were forced to move to the new 16-section SDS format to stay in compliance and avoid any applicable fines. 

What’s included in the current 16 section SDS format?

OSHA structures the Safety Data Sheets into 16 sections so that all companies have a standard template to keep things consistent. Each of the sections has a distinct purpose for classifying hazards and below we have included a high-level summary provided by OSHA’s website of what’s included in each section of the Safety Data Sheets.

Sections 1 through 8 

OSHA states that “Sections 1 through 8 contain general information about the chemical, identification, hazards, composition, safe handling practices, and emergency control measures (e.g., fire fighting). This information should be helpful to those that need to get the information quickly.” 

  • Section 1: Identification
  • Section 2: Hazard(s) Identification
  • Section 3: Composition/Information on Ingredients
  • Section 4: First-Aid Measures
  • Section 5: Fire-Fighting Measures
  • Section 6: Accidental Release Measures
  • Section 7: Handling and Storage
  • Section 8: Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

Sections 9 through 11 and 16

OSHA states that “Sections 9 through 11 and 16 contain other technical and scientific information, such as physical and chemical properties, stability and reactivity information, toxicological information, exposure control information, and other information including the date of preparation or last revision. The SDS must also state that no applicable information was found when the preparer does not find relevant information for any required element.”

  • Section 9: Physical and Chemical Properties
  • Section 10: Stability and Reactivity
  • Section 11: Toxicological Information
  • Section 12: Ecological Information (non-mandatory)
  • Section 13: Disposal Considerations (non-mandatory)
  • Section 14: Transport Information (non-mandatory)
  • Section 15: Regulatory Information (non-mandatory)
  • Section 16: Other Information

Why are sections 12 through 15 labeled as non-mandatory?

As we mentioned earlier in this article, the 2012 changes to the SDS format were designed to bring more consistency between the SDS format and the globally recognized GHS standards. That’s why sections 12 through 15 are now included in the template and marked as non-mandatory.

It’s important to note that OSHA “will not enforce the content of these sections because they concern matters handled by other agencies.” While these sections are not mandatory to be in compliance with OSHA standards, it makes sense to use these sections if your company works internationally and also needs to comply with the GHS.

Can a SDS be stored digitally?

As more companies invest in digital transformation initiatives, it means that companies are moving towards housing much of their critical information in secure, cloud-based platforms. When it comes to SDSs, OSHA indicates that safety data sheets can absolutely be stored as digital documents. OSHA just requires that these SDSs are easily accessible for all employees who need to understand the hazardous chemicals that are being used for their job site. 

Another best practice can be to assign a person or team to manage the SDSs and make sure that they are always accessible and up to date. Having these documents stored digitally and made available through a mobile application will help your team manage the documents and ensure that your workers know where to find the latest version of the SDS. 

In the rare case of a power outage or emergency situation, it makes sense to have a hard copy of your SDS available for workers. But otherwise in today’s digitally connected world, it’s going to make sense to have digital copies available for your SDSs that can be readily accessible in a secure mobile device on-site.

Covering SDSs in Safety Toolbox Talks

Toolbox talks are a great way to educate your workers on best practices in the workplace by sharing everything they need to know on staying compliant with regulations for jobs and projects. You can use these daily safety meetings as an opportunity to review the SDSs, covering how to find them and how to interpret the information that is provided, making sure to highlight the potential risks involved with chemicals on site. 

Your leadership team may also want to consider implementing a safety management solution to help manage compliance with OSHA and to ensure your employees have access to the latest data sheets.

By moving these processes online, it will also allow you to analyze which employees and job sites have actually completed the training programs, so you can identify and address any potential issues before they result in an accident or fines.  

Safety Data Sheet examples and templates

If you are looking for free SDSs sheets, you may be interested in the GoCanvas app store where we have built out safety data sheet examples and templates that you can use as a starting point.

Companies that deal with potentially hazardous materials are starting to implement chemical management programs and mobile applications have proven to be effective for tracking and managing these programs. 

Our safety data sheet templates can be used to contain a range of information about chemicals and materials being handled. They are meant to communicate to the reader any protective equipment needed when handling the chemicals or materials, hazard communications such as signage or pictograms, information about hazardous substances that may make up component materials or ingredients of the subject of the SDS, and how to handle spills or exposure to hazardous material.

Construction companies that move to GoCanvas have found that it helps them track and report on their safety programs in real-time, giving them a better place to manage their SDSs and helping to improve the health and safety initiatives at their workplaces.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

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Five Steps to Successful Job Safety Analysis

Posted on by Danny Kanev

Five Steps to Successful Job Safety Analysis

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Step One: Choose a Job to Analyze

Every effective safety program starts with identifying and addressing hazards before incidents occur. Ideally, you will want to perform a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) for every task performed at your worksite. But safety managers and employees have limited time to analyze all of the various jobs associated with their operations. So it’s important to prioritize the jobs to be analyzed, to ensure the most critical are examined first.

OSHA recommends the following criteria when deciding job analysis priority:

  • Jobs with the highest injury or illness rates
  • Jobs with the potential to cause severe or disabling injuries or illness, even if there is no history of previous accidents
  • Jobs in which one simple human error could lead to a severe accident or injury
  • Jobs that are new to your operation or have undergone changes in processes and procedures
  • Jobs complex enough to require written instructions

Step Two: Identify Job Site Needs and Task Breakdown

Once you have decided on a specific job to analyze, you should break down the entire job into a list of tasks to be performed. You will want to list every necessary step from start to finish. 

For example, operating a piece of equipment may include:

  • Preparing for the job
  • Turning on the device
  • Performing the task
  • Shutting down the machine
  • Completing any necessary clean-up

Doing this sort of breakdown and analysis may seem time-consuming, but each of these steps require different safety measures and personal protective equipment (PPE). So it is vital to analyze every step for an overall picture of what hazards could occur during a job.

Step Three: Determine Hazards and Risks

Now we come to the focus of any JSA – identifying the potential hazards associated with a job. Once you’ve broken down a job into individual steps, you can more easily see the risk present in each task. Many safety managers will even identify hazards in tandem with the task breakdown, as they will be more aware of the environment and potential risks of every step.

As you proceed through the sequence of tasks for a job, it is important to address the following questions:

  • What type of hazard is present?
  • What is the risk level of this hazard?
  • How probable is this hazard?

The answers to these questions can vary depending on the specific potential hazards and work environments associated with each job. Consulting with employees who regularly complete a job is a solid tool to properly identify hazards, as well as using established checklists and resources from digital safety solutions.

Step Four: Develop Preventative Controls

Reducing risk and preventing incidents on a job comes down to taking proper preventative measures. The types of prevention available depend on the potential hazards, and can be generally broken down into five categories:

  • Elimination – Physically remove the hazard from the environment
  • Substitution – Replace the hazard with a safer option
  • Engineering controls – Isolate your team from the hazard
  • Administration controls – Change the way people work to avoid the hazard
  • PPE – Protect your team with personal protective equipment

Step Five: Document and Share Job Hazard Analysis Reports

Once a JSA has been completed, the related reports should be documented and made available to your employees. Every worker who performs a job needs to be aware of the associated hazards and what preventive measures will help keep them safe. 

This also means making sure that the reports are easy to access and understand. When a worker is training for a particular job, the related JSAs should be provided to them and confirmed that they were read. This helps keep your team safe and ensures accountability if an incident were to occur on a job.

Looking for a safety solution that covers every step of an effective Job Safety Analysis? GoCanvas Safety includes pre-built digital forms so you can collect accurate and complete information for every job. Established PPE checklists, environment photo capture, and hazard analysis tables means that you get the vital details every time, so you can focus on taking the appropriate actions to keep your team safe. Learn more here.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

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What are the Safety Road Blocks for Oil and Gas? (Infographic)

Posted on by Danny Kanev

What are the Safety Road Blocks for Oil and Gas? (Infographic)

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The oil and gas industry is a crucial, but risky industry. While the industry has gotten much safer over the years, a recent study by Draeger reveals major gaps we can fix. 

Want to learn more about how mobile technology and data can be used in the oil and gas industry?

Take a look at our new eBook, 4 Ways Big Data is Transforming Oil and Gas.

In it, you’ll learn:

  • How to predict when equipment will fail, and how best to structure your maintenance schedule
  • How data collection can help keep track of complex environmental regulations
  • How to enable quicker decision-making to improve worker safety and health

About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

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7 Best Oil and Gas Safety Apps

Posted on by Danny Kanev

7 Best Oil and Gas Safety Apps

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The oil and gas industry is among the most dangerous industries for workers, with a fatality rate seven times higher than any other U.S. industry. Safety management in the oil and gas industry is a crucial part of operations and one in which every detail matters.

Working in this industry, in safety management or not, requires all individuals to be diligent and knowledgeable about the different safety risks associated with this field of work. Although it can be repetitive, thorough safety training is very important; management wants to know that crew members are complying to their safety training while on site. Stakeholders understand that occupational safety and staying environmentally compliant is not just the right thing to do, but also better for oil and gas businesses in the long run.

One of the best ways to improve oil and gas safety processes is through better data capture and standardization of processes on site.  Capturing data electronically through mobile apps (instead of on paper) gives management real-time business insights to ensure protocols are being met and ensures problems can be resolved quickly if not avoided entirely.

Here are several must-have oil and gas safety apps to track job site safety!

1. Rig Inspection Checklist

The Rig Inspection Checklist app helps ensure the operational integrity of your land rigs. By performing inspections in real time you can ensure your team is always in compliance with the latest regulations. This mobile inspection form lets you conduct drilling rig inspections on: personnel certifications, rig site accommodations, Gensets and engines, SCR room, accumulator, mud pumps, mud tanks and more. Since this Rig Inspection Checklist App is editable you can extend it to include workover rig inspections, drilling inspections, and equipment checklists.

2. Oil and Gas Drilling Safety Checklist

The Oil and Gas Drilling Safety Checklist App helps improve safety operations and performance. This app can be used for anyone is the oil and gas industry looking to improve safety measures and can be used even by those who are dedicated to the occupational health and safety of the job site. This app can be used not just to ensure industry compliance but can be used to entirely prevent worksite injuries for employees. Update this app template to include other particular topics including but not limited to site safety checklists and toolbox talks.

3. Daily Self Inspections

The Daily Self Inspection App helps ensure employees are taking the appropriate precautions when starting their day. In this app employees will be prompted to run through a variety of checklists related to accident prevention, DOT safety audits, hazardous conditions, PPE for employees and more. Once the form is completed the submission will automatically save for your records in accordance with OSHA and MSHA record keeping standards. With features such as required fields, photo capture, and offline capabilities management can ensure that workers have the right personal protective equipment on hand and that hazardous locations are secured before work begins each day.

4. Confined Space Hazards Assessment

The Confined Space Hazards Assessment App is used for pre-work audits to ensure site and environmental safety. Employees will be prompted to inspect atmospheric hazards, work-related hazards, confined space hazards, and human factors. As a supervisor of employees, define entry procedures for potential hazards for health and safety, such as ventilation leading to oxygen deficiency, engulfment hazards, atmospheric hazards, and physical hazards. As with all GoCanvas apps you can add or remove whatever you and your team find important.

5. MSHA Inspections or OSHA Inspections

Whether your business must comply with OSHA or MSHA regulations GoCanvas has hundreds of apps specific to these regulatory bodies. Every oil and gas business needs to ensure that their workplace is up to industry safety standards. These apps help make sure every safety form is not just accurate but also always accessible. Regular use of these inspection checklists can help reduce workplace injuries and keep the work area safe. These apps help both the employees and employers reduce the risk of injury and illnesses.

6. Emergency Response Plan

Proactive risk prevention is essential within the oil and gas industry. The Emergency Response Plan App helps management mitigate the impact of problems if in the off chance they do occur. To help your team feel comfortable with emergency readiness and preparation this app will help guide them through how management expects them to prepare. This app was created specifically for underground coal mine safety, but can be edited to fit whatever environment your team works in. As supervisors and safety professionals, identify where corrective actions are needed according to regulations and requirements as part of OSHA compliance.

7. Job Safety Analysis (Health and Safety Plan)

The Job Safety Analysis App helps staff identify project hazards and specify engineering and administrative controls and personal protective equipment necessary to mitigate the risks associated with these hazards. As new hazards are reported a JSA or JHA must be conducted to stay compliant with industry regulations. This app makes it so staff can submit these reports from their mobile device and assists in emergency response planning of the specific project.

Where does GoCanvas help in improving your oil and gas safety? GoCanvas offers each of these apps as templates that you can customize yourself…or we can help you do it! This automates the way information is captured in the field and makes it easy to deploy these apps through a single platform where data is stored centrally, users can easily be managed and results can be visualized in real-time.

Although increasingly more programs and products are created to promote employee safety, the effectiveness of these tools must be tracked and when it comes to safety the data needs to be real time so corrective action can be taken immediately. Automation is necessary to oversee inspections, performance, and maintain safety in oil and gas extraction with no lag time in communications. When situations arise in the field it is important to have tools in place to prevent and mitigate damage at a moment’s notice. Luckily, operators and contractors in the field can use mobile forms to monitor exposure of chemicals, metals, NORM, and more, then create programs to keep oil and natural gas drilling workers safe. Over 900+ mobile forms are available for the Mining, Quarry, Oil, Gas & Chemicals industry within the GoCanvas Application Store.

Want to learn more about how mobile technology and data can be used in the oil and gas industry?

Take a look at our new eBook, 4 Ways Big Data is Transforming Oil and Gas.

In it, you’ll learn:

  • How to predict when equipment will fail, and how best to structure your maintenance schedule
  • How data collection can help keep track of complex environmental regulations
  • How to enable quicker decision-making to improve worker safety and health
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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

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Keep Your Trucks on the Road: How Complete Inspection Records Lead to More Revenue

Posted on by Danny Kanev

Keep Your Trucks on the Road: How Complete Inspection Records Lead to More Revenue

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For a driver, carrier, or fleet owner, driving time means more revenue. Every minute your vehicles aren’t on the move, you’re losing money.

What’s the secret to minimizing time off the road? Often, it comes down to thorough documentation. Keeping complete and up-to-date records of your inspections can help you reduce downtime — whether due to repairs, out-of-service (OOS) violations, accidents, or otherwise — and keep your trucks generating revenue.

Of course, the method you use to maintain your records can affect the value and utility of that documentation. If you and your drivers are constantly scrambling to find paper forms (which may or may not be up to date), your documentation probably won’t be very effective in keeping your fleet moving. But by capturing data digitally with mobile inspection apps, you’ll be able to access updated information on demand, from anywhere — and that can have a significant impact on driving time. Here’s how.

Immediately identify preventive maintenance needs


The key to high-performing vehicles is preventive maintenance. Keeping the components and systems on your trucks properly maintained can keep them running safety and reliably. However, that can be a challenge for companies that rely solely on paper documentation, as it can be difficult to track and communicate back to the office which vehicles need which services, and when.

Mobile inspection forms can help you better track data for each of your trucks, such as mileage and completed repairs. Equipped with those records, you can more accurately time preventive maintenance and communicate when necessary services, like repair orders, need to be performed before minor issues turn into breakdowns or violations during roadside inspections.

Maintain quick-to-complete and accurate pre-trip inspections


During a recent blitz of roadside inspections performed by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, over 62,000 vehicles were inspected — and more than 20 percent (one in five) were immediately placed out of service. Some experts think drivers could avoid many of those violations if they kept better records.

Consider this: Jeff Langloss, the federal program manager for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), recently examined the violation records of 10 randomly selected companies in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, area. He found that of the 4,296 total violations, 3,309 — 76.3 percent — could have been avoided with a pre-trip inspection. While that’s only a small sampling of the country, it’s clear that pre-trip inspections can be a helpful tool in avoiding common inspection violations.

Mobile pre- and post-trip inspection forms help drivers quickly and accurately assess the major systems and features of their vehicle, and determine if it’s safe to drive. Mobile pre-trip inspection forms cover:

  • Tires (inflation, tread, condition of spare)
  • Leaks (oil, fuel tanks)
  • Gauges
  • Dashboard warning lights
  • Lighting system (headlights, brake lights, turn signals, hazard lights, reflectors)
  • Safety equipment (fire extinguisher, reflective triangles/flares, spare bulbs, emergency contact info)
  • Trailers (brake connections, coupling chains/king pin, doors, landing gear, tires/wheels)
  • Other (windshield wipers, fans/defroster, brake system, mirrors, horn, exhaust system, seatbelts)

Collecting that data prior to each trip can help drivers and carriers pinpoint issues before they result in roadside inspection violations.

Increase safety to avoid damaging (or even fatal) accidents


Keeping accurate documentation can even help prevent crashes that are all too common in the trucking industry.

For example, an Ohio-based commercial driver was recently involved in a fatal accident. Following the crash and investigation, the driver’s family learned that the vehicle had been equipped with a badly worn tire and front axle. A crash reconstructionist who looked into the accident determined that the truck had so many maintenance issues that it shouldn’t have been on the road in the first place.

While not all crashes can be prevented, thorough documentation of truck maintenance and pre-trip inspections can help catch issues before they cause damaging or even fatal accidents that can affect your drivers and other motorists.

Minimize litigation by having accurate documentation


Accidents can also bring legal issues for carriers and other businesses that have trucks on the road.

For example, in another accident, a commercial vehicle that was hauling bales of hay lost 10 bales as its driver tried to keep the load from shifting in a curve, killing a driver and passenger in a nearby vehicle.

Ultimately, the truck’s owner and driver faced charges for failing to secure the load — a violation that should have been caught in a pre-trip inspection and certainly would have been caught during a roadside inspection. But federal records showed that the vehicle hadn’t undergone a check in about 15 years. Had the owner maintained regular inspections and records, he could have used that documentation during the litigation — and moreover, he likely could have prevented the accident altogether.

Mobile inspection forms aren’t just more convenient for your drivers; they’re more effective in keeping your documentation up to date and readily accessible — which can be key to keeping your trucks on the road. Learn more about how mobile inspection apps can benefit your business in the interactive eBook, “4 Ways Mobile Inspection Forms Can Keep Your Trucks on the Road.”

Then get started by trying out GoCanvas free (no credit card or contract required). We’ll help you create your first app, whether it’s for regular inspections, maintenance logs, or managing documentation.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

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Ready for an OSHA Inspection? Tips to Avoid Violations and Fines

Posted on by Danny Kanev

Ready for an OSHA Inspection? Tips to Avoid Violations and Fines

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Ready for an OSHA InspectionOwners of small- and medium-sized business find the prospect of having an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspection scary, especially since the agency is now inspecting businesses from bakeries and liquor stores, to construction companies, tire stores, and performing arts companies.

OSHA doesn’t warn you before they send an inspector, so being prepared is the best way to stay clear of citations and fines — especially since fines increased almost 80% over the past year.

Here’s what to expect and how to prepare your company and staff for an inspection:

Know OSHA’s most-cited hazards — OSHA puts out an annual list of its top 10 most-frequently cited standards. Review it – and think of the areas you should focus on during your internal preparations as they apply to your industry.

Develop safety checklists — OSHA puts out a checklist to help you prepare, but consider it a guide. Inspectors routinely develop their own policies via a “General Duty” clause, and will cite your company for violations of regulations that aren’t written down.  Create your own safety inspection checklists specific to your business.

Put an OSHA inspection plan in place — Put a plan in place so that your employees know their roles and responsibilities on inspection day. Assign an inspection team and prepare them in advance with mock questions, and even surprise inspections.

Know what to do on inspection day — OSHA inspections are rarely announced in advance. Knowing what to do when the OSHA inspector actually arrives makes everything run more smoothly. Only offer the inspector documents that he or she specifically asks for, and if you can immediately correct something cited, you should do so.

No matter how well you prepare, OSHA might find something that you need to correct. But with the right preparation, you’ll be less likely to be cited for serious violations that bring large fines. Most importantly, you’ll have a strong system in place to keep your employees safe and free from workplace hazards.

Want more details on prepping your organization for the OSHA inspector? Download our new interactive eBook, 4 Steps to Prepare for OSHA Safety Inspections.

What’s in the interactive eBook?

  • OSHA’s inspection priorities and a full list of most-cited hazards.
  • Quizzes and facts on OSHA standards, inspection policies, and fines.
  • Tips on how to develop safety checklists unique to your business.
  • Facts on how to use mobile apps to create checklists to help with inspections.
  • Notes on what your staff should do on inspection day — and after.
How to Prepare for OSHA Safety Inspections

About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

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