H ere’s a statistic that might surprise you: Every year in the U.S., more than 1,200 employees die from traumatic brain injuries. That amounts to more than three worker deaths every day from injuries to the head. And these deadly head injuries happen in a wide variety of ways, including falling objects striking someone on the head; workers tumbling from elevated locations; people slipping, tripping, or falling on the same level; and crew members contacting energized electrical circuits. More straightforward While the causes of fatal head injuries can vary quite a bit, the steps needed to prevent mishaps are more straightforward. Before the start of every job, evaluate the task to determine whether head protection might be needed. Scan above and around you to identify low beams, scaffolding, moving loads, overhead work and tools or materials stored overhead. If you spot anything that could cause a head injury, you’ll need to wear a hard hat during the task. You can also reduce the chances of suffering a head injury by keeping your work area and shared walkways clear of electrical cords, tools, debris, liquids and loose materials that could cause a trip and fall. Avoid suspended loads Furthermore, it’s best to never walk or work under suspended loads, to stay clear of struck-by zones around equipment, to use designated walkways, and to obey warning signs for overhead work, low clearances and restricted areas. It’s also important to wear seat belts while operating industrial trucks – one of the leading causes of fatal head injuries is vehicle crashes. (What other steps can we take to reduce the chances of a head injury?) In addition to safe work practices, you lower the likelihood of an injury by putting on a hard hat whenever you could be exposed to hazardous conditions. To obtain the most effective protection, select the correct hard hat for the dangers you could face. If, for instance, you could be at risk for blows to the top of the head only, put on a Type I hard hat, which specifically protects the top of the head. If you could be at risk for blows to the top, back, or sides of the head, select a Type II hard hat, which provides more protection than does a Type I hard hat. Heat protection When you’ll be laboring in a high-temperature environment or engaging in a task with potential exposure to molten metal, choose head protection with advanced heat-protection properties – marked as HT on the label. And if you could be exposed to electrical hazards, select a Class E hard hat, which is designed to provide maximum protection against electrical current. Thanks for your attention. And remember, let’s stay safe out there! Subject: Lathe safety Those among us who sometimes operate lathes know these machines can be dangerous because they have so many moving components spinning at high speeds. But we might not know exactly how hazardous these devices actually are. Consider: There are approximately 3,000 lost- time injuries linked to the operation of lathes every year in the U.S. What to focus on Here are two things to keep in mind in order to stay safe while operating a lathe. 1. Inspect the lathe before using it. Before turning on the machine, examine it for damage. Ensure that safety guards and shields are in position, remove chuck keys and hand-turn the chuck to check for binding. Confirm that the emergency shutoff button is readily accessible, that all tools are sharp and that the workpiece has been securely mounted. 2. Follow safe operating practices. During operation, never touch rotating parts or chips with your hands – use a brush or a rake after you’ve stopped the machine. Stand clear of the work path, and avoid leaning on the lathe. Follow job specifications for the speed, feed and depth of the cut for the materials. And adjust the tool and the tool rest so they’re slightly above the center of the workpiece. Today’s safety meeting ✔ Topic: Head protection ✔ Today’s Date: __________________ ✔ Attendee Signatures: Tailgate talk Supervisor’s safety toolbox SafetyAlert FOR SUPERVISORS 4 Safety Alert for Supervisors March 9, 2026