Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Update - Oct. 2014

Source: Ohio BWC

When airborne dust, fumes and vapors are not controlled, they can lead to many dangerous problems at your work site. Some materials such as sugar, spice, pesticides and tobacco can become combustible when in dust form. Other products can be absorbed through skin or accidentally inhaled, potentially leading to different forms of lung disease and cancer.

Monitoring the levels of dust and fumes is difficult to do without the proper tools and knowledge. Fortunately, Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation offers resources and information to protect your employees from the dangers of dust and fumes.

BWC recommends taking the following steps to make your work site safer:

• Assessing air contaminants and noise levels to determine exposures

• Enclosing dust-producing equipment

• Using rock dusting or wetting to reduce dust

• Deploying local exhaust ventilation to capture air contaminants at the source

BWC also offers industrial hygiene consulting services, safety intervention grants, training courses and Safety Talks on how to protect your employees. BWC can assist you with making your workplace safer in other areas such as:

• Confined spaces

• Getting struck by moving equipment and falling/flying objects

• Slips/trips/falls

• Overexertion

Working with BWC can help you avoid those costly accidents at your work site, and keep your employees safe and healthy.

For more information, connect with a BWC safety consultant at 1-866-569-7805 or via email at besafe@ohiobwc.com.