Cell phone use increases by the millions each year. People of all ages use them for business, pleasure, entertainment, and emergencies. Now that cell phones offer features like games, pictures, video and internet they have not only become more practical but a serious safety concern.

Anaya Welding & Lease has implemented a cell phone policy in order to protect the safety of it's employees and those around us. Leave cell phone usage for your breaks, in the event of an emergency avoid using cell phone while operating heavy equipment. Studies show that cell phone users have slower reaction times and are mentally distracted even when there eyes are on the road.

Follow these safety tips anytime you drive with your cell phone in the car:

- Make driving your priority.
- Turn off phone to keep from being distracted.
- Avoid unnecessary calls.
- If you must use phone pull over to make call. Never dial while driving.
- Familiarize yourself with your phone before operating while driving.
- Use features like speed dialing or one-touch.

There are enough dangers on the road to keep you busy while you drive. Don't put your life at risk for the sake of a phone call!

OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard covers all workers exposed to hazardous chemicals in all industrial sectors including construction. An important element of the Haz Com standard is labeling of hazardous chemicals. Labels must be in English but can include other languages that the crew speak.
Every container of the hazardous material must be labeled, tagged or marked with the following information:
1) the identity of hazardous chemical
2) appropriate hazard warnings - words, pictures, symbols
3) the name and address of manufacturer, importer or other responsible party.

Hazard information is often described using the hazard identification diamond, sometimes called the NFPA diamond. These container labels provide essential health and safety information. The diamond consists of four colors.
RED: Identifies flammability hazard
YELLOW: Identifies a reactivity hazard
BLUE: Identifies a health hazard
WHITE: Identifies a specific hazard

The number 0-4 in each colored section indicates the level of hazard, with higher numbers indicating greater hazards.
i.e. In Blue health hazard a 4 indicates Deadly.

Make sure to know the labeling system and be familiar with all chemical handling procedures. Make sure all containers are clearly labeled. Always wear PPE and wash your hands thoroughly after working with chemicals. Never store flammable or explosive materials near a heat source or flame.

3 Hr Training Saturday 24, 2011
By: Manuel Pescador Jr.

Our work involves digging ditches, trenches, excavations so it's important for us all to familiarize ourselves with the hazards. OSHA defines an excavation as any man-made cut, cavity, trench or depression in the earth surface, formed by earth removal. A trench is defined as a narrow excavation made below surface of the ground. Generally a trench is deeper than it is wide, but no wider than 15 feet.

Cave-Ins pose the greatest risk to workers and are most likely to result in a fatality than any other excavation related accident. It is our company responsibility to ensure that our employees are safe so it's important to know the rules. This Saturdays training educated us all in the following:

-Sloping or Benching: forming an incline or horizontal levels on the sides of an excavation.

- Shoring: using site-built structures (often plywood) to support the sides of an excavation.

- Shielding: using permanent or portable structures called trench boxes to prevent the walls from collapsing on workers.

When you're working in a trench, always be alert for signs or sounds that may indicate a possible collapse.
NEVER ENTER AN UNPROTECTED TRENCH!

As of March 1999 OSHA requires every operator be trained before operating forklifts. Watch the video above for informative tips about Forklift safety and inspection. Please note this is not a training video but rather an educational tool.