EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: JIM MCCANNEY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: FIONA HERNANDEZ OFFICE MANAGER: SHARON CONNELL Safety Alert for Supervisors (ISSN 1541-7379), September 14, 2026, Vol. 24, No. 559, 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 Horseplay gone wrong: One man dead, another could be going to jail For new proof of the importance of disciplining crew members when they engage in foolish horseplay, consider the recent tragic death of Tyler Lynch at a job site in Apple Valley, MN. Lynch and coworker Christoper Crimmins were trimming trees when they decided to start fooling around. As Crimmins sat in the cab of a truck operating a hydraulic grapple attached to the truck’s boom and Lynch was on the ground bundling tree branches, the men noticed that the sunlight was casting shadows of both the grapple and Lynch. Crimmins decided to play a joke by making it appear that the shadow of the grapple was grabbing the shadow of Lynch. While Crimmins was playing shadow puppets, he failed to notice that the grapple was getting perilously close to Lynch’s head. When Crimmins closed the grapple, it immediately crushed Lynch’s head and killed the 26-year-old man. Following the incident, Crimmins, 34, of Brainerd, MN, was charged with second-degree manslaughter. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $20,000. Job rotation can reduce worker exposure to dust that causes lung disease Here’s one way to reduce the level of airborne toxic dust that could cause your crew members to develop a severe respiratory illness: Adopt a daily, ongoing and consistent housekeeping schedule that ensures the removal of dust from floors, walls and other surfaces. So suggests a hazard alert recently released by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. The alert was issued following a big increase in the number of cases of silicosis, a deadly lung disease, among stone countertop workers. The alert notes that employers can also lower the risk of silicosis by rotating crew members in and out of jobs that could expose them to hazardous levels of toxic dust. Organization cited for letting oil-soaked rags accumulate on the floor Do your staffers know how to safely dispose of rags soaked in oil or chemicals? If you’re not sure, now might be a good time to review your employer’s policies on hazardous waste disposal. By doing so, you’ll avoid a plight similar to that of Monro Inc., an automotive services company that just agreed to pay $174,000 to settle citations issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration following an inspection of the company’s facility in Norwich, NY. The employer allowed oil-soaked rags to pile up on the floor when they should’ve been deposited in a metal container. safety news for supervisors 2 Safety Alert for Supervisors September 14, 2026 How longer wands on pressure washers can head off injuries If you’re concerned that your crew members could suffer an injury while using a pressure washer, consider providing them with washers that have longer wands. Reason: A longer wand makes it less likely that a user will spray himself or herself while operating the pressure washer. Do staffers know to inspect ladders from the top down? When they’re inspecting a ladder before using it, workers should know to examine the ladder from the top down. During the inspection, staff members should confirm that the rungs are sturdy, clean and not slippery from grease or oil. In addition, the upright legs should be strong and not have cracks, splits, or bent edges. The braces should be tight, as should be screws, bolts and other fasteners. Furthermore, the ladder’s feet and nonslip base should be in good condition. As many as 42 employees die every year in crane incidents Should any of your crew members question the importance of following safety procedures when they’re operating cranes, let them know this fact: An average of 42 workers per year suffered fatal injuries in crane-related incidents over a recent six-year period, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Crew member fatigue linked to 13% of injuries in US workplaces Alert: New data reinforces the significance of making sure your crew members are well rested before they start potentially hazardous jobs. According to the data, 13% of injuries in U.S. workplaces can be attributed to employee fatigue. 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