Our Blog

Timely briefs on topics specific to the industries BITCO serves. Subjects include worker safety, worksite hazards, best practices, new research, industry updates, regulations, public liability, property protection and more.

Flame-Resistant Clothing

| November 20, 2023

How It Works and Why It's Important

Flame-resistant clothing is worn by people who work in industries where they are exposed to heat sources – such as oil and gas, welding, manufacturing, mining, and electrical. It is crucial for employers to provide their workers with flame-resistant clothing when working in high-risk environments. This not only helps protect employees from injury, but also helps to comply with safety regulations and reduce the risk of workplace incidents.

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Forestry Equipment Fire Response

| October 4, 2023

Reduce the Risk of Fire and Be Prepared to Battle a Blaze

Equipment used in the forestry industry has a high risk of being damaged or destroyed by fire due to the "fire triangle" components: oxygen, heat, and fuel. The best way to prevent equipment fires is to regularly remove accumulations of debris from all areas of the equipment. Take time to prepare your crew on ways to reduce the risk of fires and how to be prepared if one does occur.

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National Preparedness Month

| September 28, 2023

Prepare for the Unexpected - Are You Ready?

As today's weather becomes more unpredictable, ensuring the safety and preparedness of your business and its employees is extremely important. September is National Preparedness Month. Use this month as an opportunity to focus on natural disasters that can have a significant impact on your business, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes. By implementing storm protection strategies, you can protect your business and employees from possible damage.

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A Burning Issue: The Hazards of Oil Rags and How to Prevent Combustible Waste Fires

| September 26, 2023

Recommendations for Fire Hazard Risk Assessment, Fire Prevention, and Training

Workers who drill or service oil wells handle a variety of hazardous materials, which are often highly combustible. The most common type of spontaneous combustion fires is those caused by improperly disposed combustible fluid or oil-soaked rags. Continue reading to learn our recommendations for fire hazard risk assessment, fire prevention, and training on oil rags and combustible waste.

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Hard Hats 101

| August 29, 2023

How to Choose, Use, and Maintain Your Gear

Wearing a hard hat is a crucial aspect of personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to protect the head from potential injuries in hazardous workplaces. However, simply wearing a hard hat is not enough to ensure safety. Proper care, replacement, and use are all critical to maximizing the hat's effectiveness.

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Common Construction Tools, Equipment, & Materials Handling Techniques

| August 22, 2023

In construction, there are many instances of manually handling objects, tools, or materials that are awkward or bulky and don’t fit the lift-with-your-legs-while-picking-up-a-box technique. Such activities might be moving broken concrete/asphalt, pipe/conduit, rigging, scaffolding, a concrete chute, a roll of fence, a shovel/rake, or a ladder. What activities do your workers engage in? Train your team on these best practices to apply to your project tasks to minimize injury.

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