Most people don't fear being seriously injured in a fall at work, yet 8,102 deaths - nearly 540 per year - from falls were recorded between 1980 and 1994 in the workplace throughout the United States. In 2007, there were 67 mine fatalities nationwide.

Eric Freeland, a certified safety trainer and employee at Bridgeport Equipment and Tool in Bridgeport, said accident numbers in the workplace have been staggering in the United States. He did some research through the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health that revealed some sad statistics in workplace settings.

Everything from equipment accidents to snake bites took the lives of thousands of workers in recent decades.

These statistics only give impetus to Freeland's dedication to safety training. He conducts numerous industrial safety programs, including forklift, skid-steer, aerial platform and compact excavator operations. The training can take place on site at the various companies or at Bridgeport Equipment. Most classes take about five hours to complete.

"Every big company or plant has some sort of safety program or job site inspector, but these training sessions go a step further," Freeland said. "I tell them that my goal is to keep everyone safe. My expectation for them is that they go home safely every day."

Freeland's hands-on approach to training gets his audience's attention right away. Inside, seated around a table, Freeland produces all types of toy replicas of actual forklifts, cranes, skid loaders and other commonly used equipment.

"When I can show them with these toys how accidents can occur, they really respond. We also can go outside and train with the actual equipment, it just depends on the weather."

Freeland noted that his training programs teach a host of scenarios that can happen on the job, many based on actual accidents that have occurred. He said while common sense is key to operating many machines, there are particular safety issues associated with each piece of equipment at a job site.

"When it comes to power lines, we use the MAD theory - Minimum Approach Distance. When you get on a piece of equipment or even a ferris wheel, it's in our nature to look down when we really should be looking up toward the power lines."

It's those kinds of common sense concepts that Freeland said can make a work site or plant safer for everyone.

He also offers sessions on chain saw safety, fall protection and asphalt planer operations. Freeland has provided free safety programs to Boy Scout troops, 4-H groups and volunteer fire departments as part of his work toward improving safety.

Lisa Hertler, sign department manager at Bridgeport Equipment, said something as simple as having proper signage on equipment and in a business setting can prevent accidents and fatalities.

"I do all types of signs and stickers that are all geared toward safety," Hertler said. "Sometimes people repaint their equipment and don't think about replacing the safety signs and decals, but that's important to maintain."

Hertler noted that with the upturn in the local mining industry, they have added more mining equipment to their retail store. That includes 13 different styles of boots geared toward coal miners. She said every industry has specific needs when it comes to outfitting its workers.

For instance, workers in chemical plants must wear fire-resistant clothing that self-extinguishes in two seconds. These items are clearly marked with "FR" denoting "fire resistance."

Ironworkers wear special boots that prevent their heels from being caught on the beams they cross.

Even boots and specially designed chaps will prevent more serious injuries for chain saw operators in the event of an accident. Safety glasses can prevent eye injuries while ear plugs are a must for heavy equipment operators.

Safety training programs offer two benefits, Freeland noted.

"The employees are safer, and the employer keeps his compensation costs down," he said. "Everyone wins when we can make them think."