Section

Safety

Articles and resources on safety practices and equipment for trades and DIY work.

Electrician in full arc flash gear narrowly escapes a powerful arc flash explosion with intense heat and flying sparks.

What Are Arc Flash Safety Principles for Electricians and Why Do They Matter?

The heat generated by an arc flash can reach temperatures exceeding 35,000°F.

Ben Foster· May 4· 5 min
Farmer using accessible equipment in a modern farm field, showcasing the benefits of universal design for inclusivity and safety.

Why Farmers Are Embracing Universal Design for Safer Fields

At a small family farm in rural Iowa, a self-closing latch on a stall door, a seemingly minor detail, has enabled a farmer with limited mobility to continue his lifelong work.

Ben Foster· Apr 23· 3 min
A home electrical panel sparking, illustrating the danger of electrical hazards and the importance of prevention in homes and businesses.

How to Prevent Electrical Hazards in Homes and Businesses

In 2023 alone, electrical malfunctions ignited 23,700 residential fires, claiming 305 lives and incinerating over $1,501,600,000 in property value, according to the USFA .

Ben Foster· Apr 22· 5 min
Construction workers on a high-rise site, demonstrating the critical need for OSHA fall protection standards and safety equipment.

What are OSHA fall protection standards for construction sites?

In 2021 alone, 372 construction workers were killed by falls to a lower level, making falls the leading cause of death in the industry despite clear federal regulations, according to KIPRC .

Ben Foster· Apr 19· 5 min
Worker performing a Lockout Tagout (LOTO) procedure on industrial machinery, ensuring safety during maintenance.

What are Lockout Tagout (LOTO) principles and procedures?

In over 58% of reviewed fatal workplace incidents, the life-saving Lockout/Tagout procedures were never even attempted, according to research published in PubMed .

Ben Foster· Apr 17· 5 min
Industrial workers implementing strict lockout tagout procedures on complex machinery in a modern factory to ensure safety during maintenance.

Improving Lockout Tagout Procedures for Industrial Worker Safety

In fiscal year 2023, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recorded 2,554 Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) citations, marking a 17% increase from the previous year.

Ben Foster· Apr 15· 5 min
A skilled tradesperson demonstrating correct ergonomic posture while lifting heavy materials, highlighting injury prevention in skilled trades.

What Are Ergonomic Principles for Skilled Trades Injury Prevention?

Block masons manually lift over 200 concrete masonry units (CMUs) each day, with individual units weighing 16.

Ben Foster· Apr 14· 6 min
Close-up of an overloaded electrical outlet with faint sparks, symbolizing a hidden danger in a home.

How to Improve Home Electrical Safety Protocols

In 2021, United States fire departments reported an estimated 24,200 residential electrical fires.

Ben Foster· Apr 13· 5 min
A skilled tradesperson demonstrating correct ergonomic posture while working with machinery, emphasizing safety and injury prevention in the workplace.

Why ergonomic principles are crucial for skilled trades injury prevention

More than 90% of participating construction firms had a written safety program, yet the majority lacked trade-specific ergonomic interventions, according to a study published in PubMed .

Ben Foster· Apr 13· 8 min
A safety inspector carefully inspecting a large piece of construction heavy machinery on a busy worksite, highlighting the importance of thorough checks.

How to Inspect Heavy Machinery Safely: Best Practices Guide

Even with a 50% decline in machinery-related fatality rates between 1980 and 1992, heavy equipment still caused approximately 404 deaths annually in construction from 1992 to 2010.

Ben Foster· Apr 12· 8 min
Technician safely performing machine maintenance in a 2026 workshop using lockout tagout procedures and clear safety protocols.

How Do Electrical Safety Protocols and Lockout Tagout Procedures Work in 2026?

Every year, the proper application of electrical safety protocols and lockout tagout procedures prevents an estimated 120 fatalities in workplaces across the United States.

Ben Foster· Apr 10· 6 min
A modern smoke and carbon monoxide detector mounted on a white ceiling, glowing softly, symbolizing home safety and protection against unseen dangers.

How to Install and Maintain Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: A Complete Guide

Understanding how to install and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors properly is a critical aspect of property safety. This guide provides a complete overview of installation, maintenance, and common pitfalls to ensure your alarms are always functional.

Ben Foster· Apr 9· 8 min
Skilled tradespeople using ergonomic tools and proper posture in a well-designed workshop, illustrating injury prevention and productivity through applied ergonomic principles.

A Workplace Ergonomics Guide for Skilled Trades: Injury Prevention and Productivity

For skilled trades, understanding and applying ergonomic principles is crucial for injury prevention, productivity, and career longevity. This guide explores how to design workspaces, tools, and tasks to minimize physical stress and reduce musculoskeletal disorders.

Ben Foster· Apr 6· 8 min
A trade professional wearing safety glasses and gloves carefully inspects a power drill on a workbench, emphasizing safe power tool handling and maintenance practices.

How to Use Power Tools Safely: A Complete Guide to Handling and Maintenance

A comprehensive power tool safety guide is crucial for trade professionals to prevent severe injuries. Learn systematic practices, pre-use inspections, and proper PPE to mitigate risks and ensure a secure work environment.

Ben Foster· Apr 4· 8 min
Technician applying a red lockout device and "DO NOT OPERATE" tag to an electrical panel, emphasizing safety to prevent unexpected machine startup and mitigate electrical hazards.

How Lockout/Tagout Works: A Complete Guide to Mitigating Electrical Hazards

Lockout/Tagout (LO/TO) is a fundamental safety procedure designed to prevent injuries from unexpected machine energization. This guide details the step-by-step process and key considerations for mitigating electrical hazards in the workplace.

Ben Foster· Apr 3· 8 min
Diverse trade workers in a high-risk industrial environment, wearing advanced PPE, demonstrating adherence to specialized safety protocols like LOTO, ensuring workplace safety.

A Guide to Specialized Safety Protocols for High-Risk Trades

For professionals in high-risk trades, understanding specialized safety protocols and equipment is a critical component of daily survival. Adherence to these guidelines is paramount for safeguarding personnel against severe injury or fatality.

Ben Foster· Mar 31· 9 min
A professional electrician inspecting a modern electrical panel, showcasing various wiring types and safety measures, with tools and blueprints in the background, emphasizing precision and compliance.

A Comprehensive Guide to Electrical Wiring: Types, Applications, and Safety Codes

Understanding electrical wiring types is crucial for safety and functionality in any building. This guide details primary wiring types, their applications, and vital safety considerations mandated by current electrical codes.

Ben Foster· Mar 31· 7 min
A safety technician carefully applying a red lockout device and tag to an industrial machine's energy isolation point on a factory floor, demonstrating critical LOTO procedures.

How to Implement Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Procedures: A Complete Guide

Lockout/tagout (LOTO) is a critical safety procedure designed to prevent workplace injuries from unexpected energization of machinery. This guide provides a complete, step-by-step approach to implementing effective LOTO protocols.

Ben Foster· Mar 30· 7 min
An electrician in safety gear carefully inspects a home's electrical panel, ensuring wiring compliance and preventing hazards like shock or fire, demonstrating best safety practices.

How to Follow Electrical Wiring Safety Best Practices and Regulations

Understanding electrical wiring safety best practices and regulations is crucial for preventing severe risks like electrical shock, fire, and equipment damage. This guide provides essential steps for safe electrical work, hazard prevention, and knowing when to call a professional.

Ben Foster· Mar 30· 8 min
A person wearing safety goggles, gloves, and a mask while working on a home improvement project, highlighting essential protective gear.

Top 4 Essential DIY Home Improvement Safety Gear Picks

Last year, over 400,000 Americans visited emergency rooms for DIY-related injuries.

Ben Foster· Jun 9· 4 min
Tradesperson carefully inspecting a pipe for potential asbestos hazards in a dimly lit construction environment, emphasizing safety awareness.

What Are Asbestos Hazards and Safe Removal Practices for Tradespeople?

88% of Gen Z and millennial tradespeople have cut into suspicious materials on the job without knowing what was in them, according to an asbestos survey.

Ben Foster· Jun 19· 4 min
A construction worker demonstrating proper ergonomic posture and technique to prevent musculoskeletal injuries on a job site.

Workplace Ergonomics for Tradespersons Injury Prevention

More than a third of surveyed construction workers reported musculoskeletal problems.

Ben Foster· Jun 19· 3 min
Electrician in full arc flash suit working near a sparking electrical panel, highlighting the dangers and safety precautions in electrical work.

What are arc flash hazards and how to prevent them in electrical work?

Serious arc flash hazards, capable of producing temperatures often exceeding 35,000°F, can erupt from electrical systems operating at voltages as low as 120 V, according to data from Paulson Manufactu

Ben Foster· Jun 18· 4 min
Industrial worker safely performing maintenance using clear lockout/tagout devices on complex machinery in a factory setting.

How Lockout Tagout Procedures Prevent Industrial Accidents

OSHA estimates that full compliance with lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures could prevent 50,000 injuries and 120 deaths annually, according to Humulo .

Ben Foster· Jun 18· 4 min
Trade professionals practicing CPR during a safety training session on a job site, emphasizing the importance of emergency preparedness.

How to Choose First Aid and Emergency Preparedness for Trade Pros

Learning life-saving CPR skills is simpler than many believe.

Ben Foster· Jun 10· 3 min
Close-up of hands using a continuity tester to check a power tool cord in a home workshop, emphasizing safety precautions.

How to Follow Safety Protocols for Home Workshop Power Tools

Before plugging in any power tool, a quick check with a continuity tester could reveal a hidden electrical fault, saving a workshop enthusiast from a potentially fatal shock.

Ben Foster· Jun 9· 4 min
Construction workers on a busy site, some adjusting their ill-fitting hard hats and safety vests, emphasizing the importance of proper PPE fit for safety.

What is OSHA's new PPE fit rule for construction sites?

Despite personal protective equipment being a cornerstone of construction safety, 64.

Ben Foster· Jun 9· 4 min
A clean and modern workshop with an advanced ventilation system, highlighting a safe and healthy working environment for employees.

Why Workshop Ventilation Systems Matter for Health and Safety

In specialized environments like preparation rooms, accepted industry practice demands a minimum of 15 air changes per hour to ensure worker safety.

Ben Foster· Jun 8· 4 min
Construction worker cautiously working near a building with prominent overhead power lines, highlighting the risk of electrical hazards in the workplace.

What are essential workplace electrical safety practices?

Overhead power lines cause nearly half of all workplace electrical fatalities, despite decades of safety regulations and increased awareness.

Ben Foster· Jun 7· 4 min
A clean and safe workshop environment with advanced ventilation systems actively filtering air, ensuring worker well-being and compliance.

What Are Workshop Ventilation Systems and Why They Matter?

Even after a hazardous operation concludes, if a single employee remains in the contaminated zone, OSHA mandates continuous ventilation.

Ben Foster· Jun 6· 3 min