When you’re done making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, you put the lids back on the peanut butter and jelly jars. This keeps both ingredients sanitary, prevents pests from swarming around the containers and prevents the jelly from spilling all over the fridge if the container gets tipped.
At work, an open container, like a drum or pail, can lead to workplace injuries and illnesses. Keeping containers closed when something isn’t being added or removed prevents fugitive emissions, limits the chance for leaks and spills if the container gets knocked over, minimizes the chance for cross-contamination and lowers the risk of slip and fall injuries.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires containers of certain hazardous materials to be kept closed when they are not in use. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires any container holding a hazardous waste to be kept closed unless contents are being added or removed from the container.
If you’re storing any of these materials at your facility, containers must be closed at all times. Even if you don’t store flammables, hazardous waste or other flammable materials at your facility, keeping containers closed is a best management practice that improves safety and protects the environment.
Download the toolbox talk below to discuss this crucial topic with your workers.
Make it personal: What types of materials do you have onsite that must be stored in closed containers?
Looking for tips on how to give a talk? Check out this blog post.
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