Safety Alert for Supervisors: 8/31/2026

Incident summary Two crew members who didn’t know the hazards posed by confined spaces were overcome by toxic fumes while laboring inside a 14-foot-deep pit. What happened A two-person work crew was assigned to apply waterproofing primer to the walls of a 14-foot-deep pit. Before starting the job, the men weren’t provided with the safety data sheet for the primer they were using. As a result, they didn’t know the substance was highly toxic. One of the crew members climbed down a ladder to access the pit and begin applying the primer. No mechanical ventilation had been set up prior to the task, and there wasn’t much airflow inside the pit due to its narrowness and depth. Shortly after starting the job, the worker applying the primer was overcome by toxic fumes and fell off the ladder to the bottom of the pit. When his crewmate noticed him in distress, he too descended into the confined space. Because he hadn’t been trained in confined space rescues, the man was also overcome by the toxin and fell to the bottom of the space. Firefighters arrived a short time later. They donned protective equipment and descended into the confined space. They were able to pull both men out of the pit. The staffers were badly hurt, but they survived the incident. Findings The company that employed the two victims hadn’t identified the pit as a permit-required confined space. It also failed to train the employees on confined space safety procedures. Had the men been aware of the danger, they would’ve ventilated the space before starting the job and put on self-contained breathing apparatuses prior to entering the danger zone. Unaware of the danger, two men felled by airborne toxin Crew failed to adequately ventilate hazardous confined space You make the call: Staffer expands her job duties, has three fingers sliced off “ I was disappointed to learn that you had a bunch of workers standing next to a hazardous piece of equipment even though the safety guard for the device had been disabled,” said Tammy, the compliance officer. “I’m citing you for failing to adequately guard a dangerous machine.” “We had a legitimate reason for letting those crew members stand next to the unguarded equipment,” said George, the supervisor. “What reason?” asked Tammy. “The crew was analyzing the equipment to determine whether we could increase its efficiency,” said George. “For that task, the guard had to be raised.” Reached into machine “I suppose that explains why the guard had been disabled,” said Tammy, “but now you have to tell me why one of your crew members reached into the unguarded machine and had three of her fingers sliced off.” “I wish I could explain that,” said George. “The injured crew member had been told days beforehand never to reach into an unguarded hazardous piece of equipment. She’d also been informed that while she was observing the machine, she was supposed to let the operator clear jams. There was absolutely no reason for her to reach into the danger zone of that equipment.” “Well, she did reach into the danger zone, and now she has three fewer fingers,” said Tammy. Couldn’t have foreseen “We couldn’t have foreseen that the injured staffer would expand her job duties in such a reckless manner,” said George. “We’ll challenge your fine.” Did the company win? 2 Safety News New advisory provides tactics to help prevent fatigue-related injuries. 2 Quick Ideas Why staffers shouldn’t point pressure washers at air hoses, coworkers. 3 Legal Developments Man’s life changed after he removed his safety gear for “just a minute. ” 3 Horror Stories Crew member crushed to death while performing seemingly routine task. 4 Safety Meeting Conveyor-related injuries often begin with small, ordinary movements. In this issue ■ Make your call, then go to page 3 for the court’s ruling. August 31, 2026 SafetyAlert FOR SUPERVISORS The No. 1 source of actionable information to help supervisors keep their people safe Including: Supervisor’s Safety Toolbox

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: JIM MCCANNEY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: FIONA HERNANDEZ OFFICE MANAGER: SHARON CONNELL Safety Alert for Supervisors (ISSN 1541-7379), August 31, 2026, Vol. 24, No. 558, is published 24 times per year by Institute of Business Publications, P.O. Box 1340, Havertown, PA 19083; PHONE : 484-472-8227; FAX : 484-472-8708. Phone: 866-572-1352 Web: iobp.com Subscription Rate (for 24 issues): Users Annual price Users Annual price 1-5 $265 flat 25-29 $44/user 6-9 $53/user 30-34 $43/user 10-14 $49/user 35-40 $42/user 15-19 $47/user 41+ Call 20-24 $45/user 866-572-1352 Smart scheduling can lower the chances of fatigue-related injuries Here’s one way you can lower the chances that a fatigued member of your crew will make a mistake that leads to an injury: Schedule low-risk tasks when workers are most likely to be tired, e.g., 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. So suggests a hazard advisory recently released by the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA). Titled “Managing fatigue in the workplace,” the IHSA advisory points out that tired staffers are more likely to make mistakes that lead to injuries because of reduced mental and physical functioning, slowed reaction times, impaired judgment and concentration, and reduced motivation levels. The advisory also reveals how you can apply smart scheduling techniques to lower the chances of injuries caused by fatigue. For instance, you can rotate crew members through high-risk tasks to head off mental fatigue. And you can ensure breaks are long enough for staffers to rest – figure about 10 minutes for every hour of strenuous work. Plus, you can encourage staffers to work in bursts of 25 minutes at a time followed by a short break. Incident reinforces the importance of storing toxic substances safely If you’re unsure of the importance of safe storage practices, consider a newly released report from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) on the September 2024 fire and toxic release incident at the KIK Consumer Products plant in Conyers, GA. According to the CSB, the incident – which led to the evacuation of 17,000 nearby residents – happened when water leaked from a corroded sprinkler and came in contact with reactive chemicals stored in the warehouse. There were nearly 14 million pounds of chemicals in a warehouse approved for only 6.2 million pounds. And the sacks containing the toxins weren’t waterproofed and were stacked so haphazardly that they prevented firefighters from reaching the initial fire. Worker fatally trapped inside crawl space while operating mini-excavator Proceed cautiously before allowing crew members to modify equipment in a manner that makes the machinery less safe. Such advice comes too late for D.L. Bandy Constructors Inc., which was just hit with a proposed fine of $276,399 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) following a fatal incident in Converse, TX, in which a worker was trapped while using a mini-excavator in a crawl space. OSHA said the employer removed the rollover protective structure from the mini-excavator and added fabricated parts that made the device less safe. safety news for supervisors 2 Safety Alert for Supervisors August 31, 2026 Alert: Workers shouldn’t point washer nozzles at other people Let your crew members who sometimes operate pressure washers know that they should never point the nozzle at air hoses, safety lines, equipment, or other people. That’s because 0º and 15º washer tips force out water at a velocity high enough to cut through concrete. Bonus: Due to the high pressure, staffers should also never try to repair a leak while the system is pressurized. Do your staff members know the key risk factors for heat illness? Now might be a good time to remind your workers of the key risk factors that increase the chances of a heat-related illness: • poor physical conditioning • obesity • chronic illnesses such as diabetes or heart disease • the use of alcohol or drugs Sure, you can’t control your staff members’ lifestyle choices, but you can at least make them aware that, if any of these factors apply to them, they should take extra precautions such as working in the shade, going on periodic rest breaks and drinking lots of water whenever they’re laboring in high temperatures. Why it’s important to remove dirt, debris from wound injuries Keep in mind the importance of removing debris from wound injuries. If there’s still debris in a wound after it has been washed, use tweezers cleaned with alcohol to remove the particles. If that doesn’t work, seek help from a medical professional. Key: After cleaning the wound, apply a thin layer of antibiotic cream or ointment to moisten the surface and prevent infection. Then cover the wound with a bandage to keep out dirt and bacteria. SafetyAlert FOR SUPERVISORS Click Here to Subscribe Now Copyright © 2026 Institute of Business Publications. Reproduction of this material is prohibited without prior permission. All rights reserved in all countries. quick ideas

legal developments Safety insight: Staffers who think it’s OK to remove their safety gear for “just a minute” should know that doing so could lead to a life- altering injury. What happened: A company hired a third-party contractor to handle a roofing job. The written agreement stipulated that the contractor would be solely responsible for safety at the work site. What people did: A contract employee was wearing a safety harness and lanyard while laboring on the roof. He needed to retrieve some materials from another section of the work site, but his lanyard was too short. So he unhooked his safety gear for just a minute. A short time later, he slipped and fell off the roof. He was severely injured. He eventually received workers’ comp benefits for his injuries. Legal challenge: The contract employee sued the host employer for negligent hiring, contending that the contract company that employed him had a history of safety violations related to fall protection, and that the host employer was aware of the contractor’s shoddy safety record. Result: The host employer won. The court ruled that the worker’s negligent hiring case couldn’t proceed to trial. The judge said the injured contract employee couldn’t sidestep the workers’ comp system by trying to shift responsibility for his injuries to the contract company that employed him. Rather, he was entitled to comp benefits but nothing more. In addition, the record showed that the host employer didn’t control the means and methods of the roofing work. The skinny: Courts are reluctant to allow hurt staff members to use a backdoor way to effectively blame their own employer for their injuries and circumvent the workers’ comp system. Cite: Suquilanda v. Skyway Roofing, Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, No. SJC-13878, 8/17/26. horror stories Summary A skilled tradesman was fatally pinned between two dies when the routine task of replacing a die went horribly wrong. The incident Most of the employees at Thai Summit America Corp., Howell, MI, knew Joseph Hopper to be a skilled die setter. They also were aware that Hopper took great pride in the quality of his work. So everyone was surprised when things went horribly wrong while Hopper was helping to set up a die. Hopper had climbed atop a die that was being lowered by a crane operator into position to replace another die. The crane operator noticed that the locating pin was set in the wrong position, so he lifted the die back up. Hopper climbed off the die to look for the pin when the raised die got caught on another piece of machinery, which caused the die to swing back and forth. Suddenly, the raised die struck Hopper and crushed him against the other die. The response The crane operator jumped from the cab and raced over to help Hopper. Responders arrived a short time later, but Hopper’s injuries were too severe and he was soon declared dead. The aftermath Hopper, 34, left behind his wife, Monaclaire, and their five children. “Joe was a devoted father, husband, son, grandson and above all else, the kind of man who showed up, worked hard and loved deeply,” read his obituary. “Joe was a man of faith who knew that eternal life comes through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,” continued Hopper’s obituary. “His Christian faith carried him through life and in his passing, it remains a source of comfort and strength for his family as they walk through this difficult time. Joe will be forever in our hearts.” August 31, 2026 Safety Alert for Supervisors 3 You make the call: The decision (See case on page 1) Yes. The company won. An appeals board overturned the citation. The board said the crew member exceeded the scope of her job duties when she reached into the machine to clear the jam. Just days beforehand, the injured staffer had been specifically warned not to reach into equipment to clear jams. She was also told it was the duty of the equipment operator to free blockages; she was only supposed to observe the machine in operation. Because the employer couldn’t have foreseen that the woman would expand the scope of her job duties, it wasn’t liable for the safety violation. What it means: Workers often expand their duties As many times as you might warn crew members not to expand their job duties, the unfortunate reality is that people will sometimes take on tasks for which they haven’t been trained, then get hurt. In this case, the woman had been told not to clear jams, but she tried to remove a blockage anyway. As a result, she now has three fewer fingers. Your takeaway: Regularly remind your crew members to avoid potentially hazardous tasks that they haven’t been trained to handle. Plus, if you see someone expanding his or her job duties and engaging in unsafe work, be sure to immediately discipline the individual. Based on CalOSHA v. Blue Diamond Growers. Bad idea: Worker removed his safety gear for ‘just a minute’ Routine job goes wrong; man replacing die fatally crushed

W hen you consider that high-speed industrial conveyor belts move at speeds as fast as 600 feet per minute, you know these commonly used pieces of equipment can represent a significant workplace hazard. Keep in mind that once a piece of clothing or a body part makes contact with a moving conveyor belt or a roller, entanglement can happen within seconds. And the force generated by the system is far greater than what most people can resist. Remember: By the time a trapped crew member realizes what has happened, the hazardous machine might already be pulling him or her into moving equipment parts. Ordinary movements The risks posed by conveyor systems are particularly worrisome when you consider that potentially fatal incidents oftentimes start with small, ordinary movements such as reaching across a belt to reposition an item, leaning in to clear a jam, or cleaning underneath a conveyor that’s still running. And once someone’s clothing, hair, or body part gets stuck in a moving conveyor component, the force of the machinery takes over and can cause a significant injury. Common injuries Common conveyor- related injuries include the amputation of fingers, hands, or arms; crushing injuries to limbs or the torso; deep lacerations or fractures; and scalping injuries when hair gets caught in rotating parts. (What are some of the most common causes of conveyor-related incidents?) Recent investigations of conveyor-related injury incidents conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have identified several common causes, including: • missing, broken, or inadequate safety guards • lack of adherence to lockout/tagout procedures • inaccessible, broken, or insufficient emergency stop devices • failure to investigate previously reported equipment problems Fortunately, there are several things we can do to reduce the chances someone here will suffer a conveyor- related injury. For instance, you should tie back long hair, remove jewelry and wear tight-fitting clothing near conveyors – loose- fitting items can get snared in rotating parts within seconds. Avoid pinch points In addition, keep clear of pinch points – locations where two mechanical parts come together – that can trap fingers, hands, or clothing. These dangerous areas are often found near drive pulleys, belt idlers and tensioners. It’s also important to follow lockout/tagout procedures before cleaning, servicing, or repairing a conveyor. And never walk, sit, or stand on a conveyor. Instead, use a designated walkway or platform. Thanks for your attention. And remember, let’s stay safe out there! Subject: Static electricity While we’ve all felt static electricity when we’ve touched a doorknob after walking across a carpet, we might not immediately recognize the significant danger posed by static electricity in the workplace. For instance, a static spark could ignite flammable vapors and cause a massive explosion. What to focus on Here are three things to keep in mind to reduce the risks posed by static electricity. 1. Bond containers. Before transferring flammable liquids between containers, bond the two containers by attaching a bonding strap or a wire to both of them. Doing so will ensure there’s no difference in the electrical potential between the two containers, so no sparks will form. 2. Use suitable equipment. Select conductive or static- dissipative hoses, footwear, containers, tools and safety equipment when transferring hazardous liquids. 3. Reduce the flammability of the atmosphere. Before transferring hazardous substances or otherwise engaging in activities that could produce static electricity in an explosive environment, ensure ventilation levels are adequate and take steps to control the volume of combustible dust in the air. Today’s safety meeting ✔ Topic: Conveyor safety ✔ Today’s Date: __________________ ✔ Attendee Signatures: Tailgate talk Supervisor’s safety toolbox SafetyAlert FOR SUPERVISORS 4 Safety Alert for Supervisors August 31, 2026