Shield of Armor Safety

04/22/2026

Know the risks. Prevent the violations. Protect your people.

OSHA's Top 10 Most Cited Violations are the same hazards that cause the most workplace injuries — and they are 100% preventable with the right training and support. Don't wait for a citation or worse, an injury, to take action.

At Shield of Armor Safety, we help businesses nationwide stay compliant, keep workers safe, and build a culture of safety from the ground up.

Our Services Include:
-Safety Training
-Compliance Consulting
-Equipment Maintenance
-Jobsite Safety Staffing
-Safety Apparel and Gear
-Many More

Ready to protect your team? Contact our Director of Safety Services today at Alamson@shieldofarmorsafety.com and let's get to work.

04/21/2026

If you see this on a jobsite, stop work immediately.

A worker standing on stacked pallets elevated by a forklift is not a solution it is a fatality waiting to happen.

OSHA Violations visible here:
29 CFR 1926.451 - Scaffolding: Pallets are not approved scaffolding material.
29 CFR 1926.453 - Aerial Lifts: Workers must be in an approved, secured aerial lift platform.
29 CFR 1926.501 - Fall Protection: No guardrails, no harness, no compliance.
29 CFR 1910.178 - Powered Industrial Trucks: Forklifts cannot be used to elevate workers on improvised platforms.

Each of these violations carries fines starting at $16,131 per citation. Willful or repeat violations can reach $161,323 per violation — and that does not include the legal costs, project shutdowns, or the human cost of a preventable injury or death.

The most common hazards are also the most preventable. Know the standards. Follow them.

Disclaimer: This photo was not taken by Shield of Armor Safety and is shared for educational purposes only.

04/17/2026

Safety Week is May 4–8, is your team ready? 🦺

There's still time to get your crew outfitted with custom high-visibility gear, but orders need to go in THIS WEEK to arrive on time. Vests, jackets, long sleeves, shirts, and caps — all branded with your logo and built to keep your team seen and safe.

Don't miss the deadline. Contact us today for pricing and let's get your order in.

Contact us at orders@shieldofarmorsafety.com

04/14/2026

This is a disaster waiting to happen. A worker is actively smoking in a clearly marked flammable gas zone, putting not only themselves but everyone nearby at extreme risk.

What’s wrong here?
Ignition source (cigarette) near flammable gas
Failure to follow posted hazard warnings
Lack of proper hazard control and enforcement

Applicable WAC Violations:
WAC 296-24-475 – Storage and handling of flammable gases
WAC 296-155-655 – Fire protection and prevention (ignition sources must be controlled)
WAC 296-800-300 – Employer responsibility to maintain a safe workplace

Bottom line: Signs aren’t decorations—they’re life-saving warnings. One spark is all it takes.

04/13/2026

What does your safety culture actually look like on the ground? Not on paper, not in a binder. Out there where the work is real, the stakes are high, and every decision counts.

At Shield of Armor Safety, we don't just talk safety. We live it and we build it alongside you. Our professionals bring the experience and the attitude to transform your workplace from the inside out, because every worker deserves to go home safe.

If you're ready to stop settling for "good enough" and start building a culture of uncompromised safety, we're ready to get to work.

Hire Safety Professionals today at shieldofarmorsafety.com

04/01/2026

We’re live at Maritime & Construction Safety Day's Conference!

Shield of Armor Safety is here showcasing some of the high-quality safety apparel and gear we’re proud to offer, from PPE essentials to custom-branded safety wear that keeps your team protected and looking professional.

If you’re attending, make sure to stop by our booth, check out the gear, and connect with us. We’d love to talk safety solutions for your crew.

03/16/2026

This image is a clear example of how demanding underground utility work can be and why strong safety practices matter on every job.

Relevant WAC codes for work like this include:

WAC 296‑155‑657 — Protective Systems: Requirements for trench protection such as sloping, shoring, shielding, or trench boxes.

WAC 296‑155‑655 — General Excavation Safety: Covers safe access, soil stability, spoil placement, water control, and equipment distance from trench edges.

WAC 296‑155‑615 — Earth‑Moving Equipment Operation: Rules for safe excavator operation, operator training, communication, and worker clearance.

These guidelines exist to protect workers in exactly these kinds of high‑risk environments. Following them consistently helps ensure everyone goes home safe at the end of the day.

03/09/2026

Unsafe Work at Height

This image shows a boom lift being supported by a telehandler/forklift while a worker is elevated. Using equipment in ways it was not designed for creates a serious fall and tip-over hazard.

Potential Washington WAC Violations:

WAC 296-869-20005 – Safe Use of Elevating Work Platforms
Employers must ensure aerial lifts are used according to manufacturer requirements. Supporting a boom lift with another piece of equipment is not an approved use.

WAC 296-863-20025 – Forklifts Lifting Personnel
Forklifts may only lift workers when using an approved personnel platform secured to the forks. Using a telehandler to support another lift does not meet this requirement.

WAC 296-880-20005 – Fall Protection Requirements
Employees working at height must be protected from fall hazards and equipment must be stable and properly positioned to prevent collapse or tipping.

Safety shortcuts can quickly turn into serious incidents. Always use equipment only as designed and according to safety standards.

02/24/2026

This is a serious incident waiting to happen.

An employee is standing on unsecured pallets lifted by heavy equipment with no fall protection, no approved work platform, and no safe access method. This setup creates extreme fall and struck-by hazards.

Potential Washington State WAC Violations:

• WAC 296-155-24609 – Employees exposed to fall hazards of 10 feet or more must be protected by an approved fall protection system.
• WAC 296-155-527(1) – Prohibits employees from riding on loads, hooks, or lifting devices not designed for personnel.
• WAC 296-155-475(3) – Requires proper use of material handling equipment and prohibits unsafe lifting practices.
• WAC 296-155-305 – Employers must ensure a safe workplace free from recognized hazards.

Using pallets as a makeshift work platform on heavy equipment is not an acceptable or compliant access method. Use an approved man basket or aerial lift designed for lifting personnel.

One shortcut can lead to a lifetime consequence. Work safe.

02/05/2026

This image shows a worker standing on exposed steel with no visible fall protection, while another worker reaches from an aerial lift to assist. One slip. One misstep. One life changed forever.

Falls remain one of the leading causes of serious injury and death in construction and this is exactly why Washington has strict safety requirements.

Potential WAC violations include:
• WAC 296-155-24505 – Fall protection required
Fall protection is required when employees are exposed to falls of 4 feet or more in construction.
• WAC 296-155-24510 – Personal fall arrest systems
Workers must be properly tied off when exposed to fall hazards.
• WAC 296-155-61530 – Aerial lift work practices
Employees must not climb out of or work outside the guardrails of an aerial lift or use it to access another surface.
• WAC 296-155-61520 – Aerial lift training requirements
Operators and occupants must be trained on proper and safe use.

Employees working on structural steel must be protected from fall hazards.

Compliance isn’t optional. It’s lifesaving.
Train your crews. Use the right equipment. Follow the code.

If you want to avoid citations, injuries, and shutdowns — safety has to come first.

01/29/2026

This photo shows a worker hanging from a crane hook with no fall protection or approved personnel platform. This is not just unsafe—it’s a serious violation of Washington State safety laws and could easily result in a fatal fall.

Broken WAC rules include:

• WAC 296-155-53302 – Fall protection is required when employees are exposed to falls of 10 feet or more
• WAC 296-155-53402 – Cranes may not hoist personnel unless very specific requirements are met, including a certified personnel platform
• WAC 296-155-53400 – Employees are prohibited from riding crane hooks, slings, or loads
• WAC 296-800-16005 – Employers must provide a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause serious injury or death

One equipment failure, one slip, or one sudden movement could be catastrophic.

This is exactly why fall protection, proper lift planning, and crane safety training are non-negotiable on any job site.

01/28/2026

Workers’ Comp Injury Fraud Case in Washington

A Washington State bus driver is facing felony charges after investigators say he collected workers’ compensation benefits for an injury while claiming he was unable to work yet continued working other jobs at the same time.

According to Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, workers’ comp benefits are strictly for employees who are truly unable to work due to a job-related injury. Collecting benefits while earning wages elsewhere can be considered theft and fraud.

Cases like this highlight why accurate injury reporting, medical documentation, and compliance with L&I rules matter for workers, employers, and the system as a whole.

Read the full article below for all the details:

A news release from Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.