Monthly Archives: September 2012

General Safety Issues

Steps through which you can Implement Health and Safety Training (Guest Post)

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Sent by Jayanta Chatterje

Business owners should ensure that every employee working within the organization is provided with a safe environment so that in case of any accidents the employees should have the complete knowledge of the preventive measures. The organization has certain legal obligations due to which they are bound to provide with the safety training to their employees. But, if any organization fails to provide the training and maintain the safety then they are subject to prosecution and it might also happen that they are charged with a heavy compensation amount and in worst condition the company can also be subject to shut down.

But, it is also essential to understand that the law is not the only obligation for which you should provide health and safety training to your employees. It is the best way through which you can improve the productivity and also provide a good and secured life to your workers. You can easily improve the revenue and earn more profits as the employees suffer from less illness and injury and this contributes to the overall improvement of the workplace. It is found that in a year millions of people get injured in their workplace and  in order to avoid such situations,  it is essential on the part of the organization to ensure a safer environment.

There are certain steps through which you can implement the health and safety training in your organization:

  • It is essential to understand the requirement of the organization and should search for the skills and the knowledge that is necessary for the employee to work in the particular organization. It is the duty of the organization to understand the skills that the employee possesses and the skills that the company needs and work on the necessary field to reduce the gap.
  • The company should also prioritize the training and understand the requirement of the health and safety course within the organization. It is the duty of the organization to focus on the area where there is a lack of information and should provide training in that particular area so that the employees can enhance their skill as well as their knowledge.
  • The organization should also adopt the proper training method so that the employees can learn every aspect of safety and can be sure to implement them while the necessity arises. There should be proper classrooms, coaching centers, information passing mechanism and is also provided with improved interactive training so that every employee can have a better understanding of it.

Organizations that involve high risk jobs have to spend huge amounts of money on their employees, as everyday some or the other person gets injured and die due to the careless handling and lack of knowledge on how to perform their duty in the workplace. Providing safer working environment can reduce the absence of the workers and improve the productivity that will lead to the ultimate revenue generation of the business. A sense of security among the employees can lead to the improvement of the business and help them to perform and reach the desired goal.

Another important responsibility of every company is to ensure that they provide the correct personal protective equipment that fits each particular job.  Employees must be trained to wear their PPE at all times, keep it maintained, and ask for a replacement when it is damaged. pb

 

 

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

FIVE HEALTHY TREATS FOR KIDS OR THE “YOUNG AT HEART” (GUEST POST)

 

Sent to us by Joyce Del Rosario

Kids tend to be picky eaters and finding foods they actually want to eat throughout the day, while still ensuring that they get the nutrients and vitamins they need, can be quite a challenge.  Some adults are picky, too, so these ideas might tickle their taste buds!

In addition to this, most children don’t eat much in one sitting so you have to plan numerous smaller meals throughout the day, which makes it difficult to think of new and interesting things to serve at snack times.

Snacks, despite being merely a supplement to the main meals, should still be a good mixture of vegetables, protein, vegetables and whole grains.

The key to getting kids to eat healthy is to present the food to them in a fun and appetizing way. Here are five excellent ideas for healthy and delicious snacks that your kids will enjoy.

Popsicle smoothies

Popsicles are sure to go down smoothly with even the pickiest of eaters, but rather than serving the store-bought varieties that are generally full of sugar and preservatives, you can simply make a batch of your own at home.

This is also a good way to keep snacks on hand for those days when you just don’t have time to look for the right ingredients to whip up something edible for your young charges.

You can make your smoothies in a popsicle tray, but if you don’t have one, an ice tray or even small cup and popsicle stick (or teaspoon) will work just fine.

You can make different varieties, although its best to stick to using sweeter fruits that kids will enjoy, such as grapes, apples, pears and peaches. You can even add some yogurt or natural fruit juice to the mix.

Once you’ve blended everything, just pour the liquid into the mold add the popsicle stick and pop it into the freezer to use for the rest of the week.

Orange jelly smiles

Orange jelly smiles can be made with oranges or grape fruits and are full of vitamin C, calcium and fiber, making them a perfect afternoon snack. Just squeeze the orange juice from a couple of fresh oranges, add a little jelly and then pour it back into the orange halves.  Once the jelly has hardened in the refrigerator, you can slice them into thinner pieces (hence the name orange jelly smiles) and serve them on a plate.

Ants on a log

This is a fun snack that will have your kids eating their vegetables without complaining, it’s also a simple one to make and doesn’t require much pre-prep so you can have it on a plate and in their bellies within a matter of minutes.

Just wash and slice a few celery sticks and spread some cream cheese over them. Then add a few raisins to the top and serve on a plate. The name itself is half the fun as kids are very visual, so make sure you spark their imagination by explaining that it looks a bit like ants crawling on a log.

You can also do this with peanut butter instead of cream cheese, depending on what your children prefer.

Hummus or white bean dip with whole grain crackers

Kids tend to love dips, so making a great hummus or white bean dip is a great way to eat their beans, and in combination with a few whole grain crackers, you couldn’t wish for a healthier snack.

You can use either canned beans or dried beans, depending how quickly you want to prepare it. Using dried beans involves soaking and boiling them beans in advance, so you’ll need to plan ahead of time. Canned beans work just fine, though, and kids won’t know the difference.Cook the beans till they are soft, and add some roasted garlic, lemon juice, spoon of olive oil and some salt. For kids you’ll want to make sure that the garlic taste is not overpowering.

Once you’ve added all the ingredients you can let them cool and put the mixture through a food processor or blender to finish off the dip. If you don’t have whole wheat crackers, you can always use a piece of toast or bagel for an equally delicious snack.

Popcorn

Popcorn has gotten a bad rep as a junk food, mainly because of its popularity at movie theaters and fairgrounds. However, it actually has a number of health benefits and if prepared properly, is known to contain antioxidants that can prevent cancer and heart disease. It is also rich in fiber which clears the digestive tract and prevents constipation.

If you choose to serve your kids popcorn as a snack a few times a week, avoid the microwavable kind, which often contains additional calories, grease and other flavorings and chemicals. To enjoy the benefits of popcorn, go for the natural type that can be made in the pan and use oil and salt sparingly. 

General Safety Issues

GETTING YOUR CHILD READY TO RIDE THE SCHOOL BUS (GUEST POST)

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 Sent to us by Molly Cunningham.

Since school has already started you may have already experienced this transition; however, it’s never too late to be aware of safety for your child who may be riding a school bus for the first time. pb

When the time comes for your little one to begin attending school, it can be heart-wrenching to watch his tiny little form clamber up the steps of the massive school bus, knowing that he’s growing up no matter how much you may not want him to. Even though you can’t stop him from getting older, you can help him prepare for this transitional age in his life, starting with what to expect when riding the school bus. There are a wide variety of things that your little scholar should know before he takes his first school bus ride, but these five are among the most important.

  1. How to Follow the Rules – Though some rules can seem unnecessarily strict to young children, your child should understand that those rules are in place to protect him and ensure his safety, as well as the safety of others. Shouting, standing up, roughhousing, or otherwise misbehaving can cause him to be subjected to disciplinary action up to and including suspension of bus privileges. Your child’s school will inform you about the rules governing bus behavior and will usually include a dedicated section in the school handbook. Taking the time to go over these rules and ensuring that your child understands what is and is not allowed when riding the bus can help him avoid any disciplinary problems and ensure a safe riding experience.
  2. What to Do if the Bus Is Late – While the system governing school transportation is usually an efficient and effective one, it’s important for parents and kids to understand that the system is run by human beings, who are not infallible. Buses can be late, delayed by inclement weather or other situations out of the drivers’ control. A late bus can cause children who are eagerly waiting to return home from school to panic. To prepare your children for this situation, be sure that they know what they should do and who they should contact to notify them of the situation.  Instill in them the notion that the most important thing to do is follow the instructions of their teachers and school administrators until the bus arrives. Almost all schools will have a contingency plan in place for just such an event, but your child needs to know that he will be taken care of and that the event, while new and scary to him, is one that the school staff is trained to handle.
  3. Pay Attention At All Stops – Very few experiences that your child has on the bus are as disconcerting as realizing that their stop has been passed and that they’re now in unfamiliar territory. While many drivers will keep in mind that a very young, inexperienced rider could be distracted by socializing and the novelty of riding a school bus, most will only wait so long to see if a child is present for their stop before heading to the next. Sleeping children are particularly difficult for a driver to see, so your child should be taught the importance of paying attention, staying awake, and getting off at the right stop.

4.        General School Bus Safety – Kids should know general bus safety guidelines before their first bus trip to ensure that they don’t inadvertently engage in unsafe behavior. It’s important to teach your child that he should always step away from the curb as the bus is approaching, and should only walk towards it after the bus has come to a complete stop. He should also know that he should never stoop to pick up objects that have fallen under the bus, and that he should only cross the street in front of the bus and at a distance of at least ten feet to ensure that the driver can see him. The small stature and quick movements of younger children make it difficult for drivers to spot them, and also makes it harder for a child to spot oncoming vehicles and other obstacles.

5.  The Dangers of Bullying – Bullying is a very serious problem, and it’s one that often occurs in the raucous environment of the school bus. Because bus drivers can have difficulty hearing everything that’s being said to an individual child over the collective din of many little voices, you simply cannot rely on the bus driver’s ability to detect and prevent bullying. Your child should understand the dangers of being a bully themselves, and know what to do if they’re the victim of bullying from other children on the bus. Assuring him that he can always tell an adult about any problems that he’s having or difficulties he’s forced to endure on the school bus is very important, because he may feel as if he has nowhere to turn if he becomes a target of school bus bullies.  The school principal should be notified, as well.

To get children prepared for their first trip on the school bus, role play various scenarios and talk about what to expect from the trip. Be sure to include everything from boarding the bus, to paying attention at each stop, to exiting the bus safely, and everything that could happen in between.  This is a very big step for your child.

Our thanks to Molly Cunningham, of Liveinnanny.com  for these excellent words of advice.  pb

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Head Protection

THE SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT ELECTRICAL SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE (GUEST POST)

This article was written by PAT, providing information about PAT testing for the UK.  

With many health and safety laws now in place, it is essential that employees are safe and protected while it is also important that you protect yourself as a business owner. When you are working with electricals it’s extremely important that you are aware of safety in the workplace. All business owners should be aware of steps that can be taken to ensure electrical safety and all employees should follow these steps to keep themselves safe. 

When you are a business owner it’s important that you are responsible for ensuring that everyone works safely at all times. As electrical appliances and machinery can be potentially dangerous you need to ensure that your equipment is safe so that accidents don’t happen. If you are fully prepared for when it comes to electrical safety, it is unlikely that these accidents will occur. Before assigning staff to equipment you must make sure your employees are fully trained in using the equipment as you could be facing a legal battle if they use the machinery incorrectly. 

As an employer, you should make sure that all of your electrical equipment is tested regularly to ensure that it is safe for use. PAT testing will find out if there are any damages or defects that could make your equipment unsafe when used. For this you can either hire a PAT tester or complete an inspection yourself if you are fully qualified.

Employees also need to be trained properly in order to avoid accidents and other steps need to be taken to ensure that everyone in the workplace is safe.

Here are a few places where electrical safety should be monitored:

Factories

Depending on the type of factory, both employers and employees need to check all the electrical appliances being used to make sure they are safe and comply with electrical safety guidelines.  Unsafe factory equipment can cause huge problems if it is not monitored effectively as it is crucial when protecting employees.

Computers

As computers are used via the main electrical ports, you need to check that your computers are checked for safety as they can pose a threat if they are not maintained properly.  Computers should also be PAT tested to ensure that they are safe to use.

Till Points

As a till is used in the same way as a computer, it is important that you take the same precautions. In the same way that computers are tested, a till should be tested to ensure that there are no damages or defects that could pose a hazard when they are used.

Kitchen Equipment

Whether you are an employee or an employer, you need to make sure the kitchen equipment the staff use is in good working order and works effectively. Microwaves, ovens and other appliances should be regularly inspected to ensure against damage or defects. Accidents are fairly common in commercial kitchens; therefore ensuring your electrical appliances are in good working order will help to reduce the amount of accidents in the workplace. 

Keeping your workplace safe doesn’t take long and will help your staff to feel safe and protected. If you are a business owner, it is your legal responsibility to provide your employees with a safe working environment; therefore you should do everything in your power to make this happen. 

Visit http://www.pat.org.uk/ for more information.

Employers should provide their employees with the proper dielectric PPE to ensure their safety. pb

 

 

 

 

General Safety Issues

WHY CONGESTION CHARGES WORK (GUEST POST)

By James Maloney

Transportation in urban areas around the world has been bogged down due to heavy congestion. There are simply too many vehicles for the roads to handle. However, in 2003 Transport for London found a simple, yet effective way to reduce congestion – they applied congestion charges. Congestion charges are fees that vehicle owners have to pay for their vehicles to be on the streets of London between 7 in the morning and 6 in the evening during weekdays (excluding official holidays).

Transport for London claims that the scheme has reduced the number of vehicles on city roads by as much as 70,000 per day thereby reducing congestion by 25%. Right now, this would hardly be noticeable as there are still many streets that are always busy, but the main reason for congestion is still the number of works done on roads and gas lines.

The primary benefit of the congestion charging scheme is of course to reduce congestion in urban areas, but there are quite a number of other benefits as well.

For instance, the fees that are accumulated during the scheme are used to improve the London public transportation systems – more busses have been improved and also the subway system (known locally as the Tube) is constantly being improved to accommodate the billion passengers it takes every year. Pollution on city streets has also been greatly reduced, creating a healthy environment. Reducing the number of vehicles on the roads by 70,000 has definitely reduced the amount of carbon that enters the atmosphere.

Safety has also improved in Greater London and within the charging zone. Collision reports have been reduced by as much as 6%. In the charging zone, this was reduced by as much as 8%. A reduction in congestion has meant that vehicles were able to get to their destination a lot faster. The delivery of goods and services has improved and London is running smoother.

The congestion charging system is very effective. The charging zone has been fixed with over 300 high quality cameras that take photos of vehicle license plates. The plate numbers are then entered into the database and matched against the plate numbers of those who have already paid the congestion charge and those that are exempted from paying.

The ones left are those that have not paid the congestion charge either before they entered the zone or within the day. Penalties are quite heavy for those who weren’t able to pay the congestion charge. The penalty is £120 ($190 U.S. dollars, ouch!), but is dropped to £60 ($85)  if it is paid within 14 days or two weeks. Paying the fee on time will save a vehicle owner a whole lot of money from having to pay the penalty.

Drivers do not know whether or not a photo of their license plate was captured whilst they were in the c-zone. If they drive within the zone and do not pay the congestion charge, a notice will be sent to them by mail with the corresponding amount that they will need to pay in penalty charges.

The congestion charge ranges from £9 ($14) to £12 ($19)  and discounts are offered to those who are driving “green” and eco-friendly vehicles or vehicles that use alternative sources of fuel. There are many popular car brands focus their marketing efforts on their cars being cheaper to run in London because they use alternative sources of fuel like electricity, hybrid hydrogen, and other sources of fuel.

The congestion charging scheme has certainly helped London reduce the number of vehicles on the city streets and improve the quality of their public transportation systems, and the quality of life of their residents at the same time.

 This would probably compare to U.S. Toll Roads.  Any way to reduce busy highway traffic is great.  Our thanks to James Maloney for this great info!  Also, for telling me how to convert your pounds into U.S. bucks! pb

@JamesOnCars

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Safety Issues, High Visibility Safety

CYCLING ON THE SAFE SIDE: BIKE LIGHTS (GUEST POST)

This article is brought to you by Batterymax.

There’s nothing that can really compare to the exhilarating feeling cruising the roads and streets on your bike.  The cool refreshing wind is blowing on your face.  You’re working on the pedals and with every motion; you get closer to your destination and healthier body.  Cycling in the daytime and in the evening provides distinct experiences.  Mostly with night cycling, there’s an added element of risk.  This is mainly why you need to have essential tools on your bike like bike lights to lower the risk of getting into an accident.

Bike Lights:  What These Mean for You

Bike lights or mountain bike lights can make a huge difference with your experience for night cycling.  It can keep you away from danger and it lessens the risk of you getting into any kind of accident while you’re riding around at night.  In a word, bike lights translate to safety.

How Bike Lights Protect Your Safety from mountain bike lights is a general idea.  You might be thinking about how these can really work to protect you.  Whether you’re using the 900 lumen bike light headlamp set or the Cree 1400 lumen bike light, these tools will give you the light you need so you can see more clearly in the dark – and also it makes you visible to other motorists.

It isn’t hard to imagine how you can get into accidents when it’s pitch black while you’re riding your bike.  There might be a hole on a paved road that can trip you over if you can’t see it.  You would never know how close you are biking on the edge of a ditch if there’s nothing but darkness around you.  What if just as you were riding under a street lamp, it goes out?  When you have bike lights on the handlebars of your bike and a light that’s affixed to your helmet, you can see where you’re going, avoid potholes and stay right on track with safety.

Visibility in cycling is always equated with the bike reflectors.  As useful as these are, they can sometimes fail as it doesn’t reflect light back so that other motorists in the road can see you.  Perhaps if you had your bike covered with reflectors, it might do you some good.  But clearly, you would still need the help of tools like mountain bike lights.  Attached at the back of your bike, and on the sides, you’ll less likely get into a collision with cars and even pedestrians.

If you like cycling, you have to think seriously about getting your bike equipped with safety features.  Whether you’re riding in the daytime or in the nighttime, it’s always better to be on the safe side – and always away from harm’s way.
 
Visit their site  http://www.batterymax.com.au/

P.S.  It’s always a good idea to wear a hi-vis safety vest that shows up well during both day and night.  pb

 

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Protective Clothing

LAW REQUIRING PPE PROVISIONS ISN’T ENFORCED BY EMPLOYERS (GUEST POST)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is defined as personal and protective specifically against the hazard or hazards that have been identified. PPE must be compatible and work effectively with other equipment. Correct PPE equipment is required to ensure that employees are protected from injury or disease through their work and provides a last line of defence when other risk management strategies have failed in some way. 

PPE is legally the responsibility of employers within the UK. The law currently emphasizes that employers must provide their staff with free of charge PPE. However, a recent TUC article has highlighted that over one in five workers are being forced into providing or replacing PPE equipment that they needed for their work. This is relevant particularly across the electrician and construction industries. 

Notably out of these, the survey highlighted that 11.6% of workers were required to use safety equipment at work and yet it was not provided or paid for by their employer. An additional 8.9% were responsible for any damage or replacements for employer provided PPE. 

An example would be the need to invest in good quality Arc Flash Hood in a usable and working condition as is essential for many electricians; the expense of which should be footed entirely by employers as dictated by the law. 

Compounding the poor levels of PPE provision there are two further factors to consider: 

  • Employers, where they do offer PPE, often buy low quality PPE of a standard size in an attempt to maximise profit through minimising costs. Employees therefore find that they are limited to uncomfortable, incorrectly sized PPE which is not effective against hazards and therefore often buy their own equipment. 
  • Within the current market place many workers within the construction or electrical engineering sector are now termed as self-employed, or are working through an agency. This enables employers to shirk around the law regarding satisfactory PPE and increasingly opens the doors to the requirement of self-funding for PPE provision. 

Interestingly, the law also goes as far as to state that every employer should ensure that all PPE provided is fully maintained (including replaced or cleaned where appropriate). This means kept in good repair and in efficient working order. With this in mind it’s also perhaps surprising to learn that a staggering 60% of those with employer provided PPE that requires regular cleaning are held responsible for the task. Their employers made no investment or provision for cleaning of PPE equipment. 

Unfairly, it seems that it’s most often than not workers from lower paid roles that are held responsible for the costs, and disproportionately it is female employees that are required to provide their own attire. This means there are many newly qualified electricians having to spend money they can least afford gaining test and commission, cherry-picking other types of certificates as well as investing in or maintaining their  Electrical PPE in order to make themselves more employable. 

Naturally the electrical companies currently benefit a lot from the individuals’ efforts to land work and are happy with the current situation. Until the law is backed up through pressure on companies, including those in the construction industry, to employ on a PAYE basis things look set to remain problematic. There is already little enforcement of the existing law and as a result many are forced to pay from their own pocket or go without, which is unthinkable within the construction industry. The government’s future plans to reduce the number of workplace inspections are set to increase the chance of the situation getting worse for the little guy before there’s any improvement.

Sent to us by Pete Clydesdale, of Clydesdale.net.  Pete, thanks so much for pointing out that many contractors do not furnish the correct ppe for the employees, or none at all.  In the U.S., OSHA has very much the same regulations, and through inspections they have penalized many companies for these violations.  It is lawful that every person have the right to safe working places and the correct protection. 

For quality safety products from glasses to gloves, and inbetween, check out Texas America Safety Company.

 

General Safety Issues

AVOID POTENTIAL DANGERS IN THE WORKPLACE THROUGH OSHA SAFETY MARKINGS (GUEST POST)

Safety is a very important element in the workplace which is why the OSHA or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has imposed various guidelines when it comes to placing safety markings on facilities like factories and warehouses. Since most of these facilities have their own 5s or Kaizen program, OSHA has come up with a way to standardize these programs. 

About OSHA Floor Marking

Essentially, workplaces and other facilities should have proper safety line marking on their passages, aisles and other areas to promote the safety and the best interest of the workers. Hence, all facilities should ensure that they comply with the OSHA standards that are actually light compared to the more complicated details of the other features of workplace safety.

 All of the OSHA regulations are relevant and meet  with the legal standards. The OSHA has given a few instructions when it comes to marking facilities such as workplaces. These should be followed in order to promote maximum safety in the workplace and at the same time comply with the rules of the Department of Labor which heads OSHA. 

The OSHA Floor Marking Guidelines

Proper placing of OSHA  floor marking is a must for all facilities so they must refer to OSHA for the basic rules in setting up passages, aisles and safety markings. The rules are very simple and easy to follow so if you want to have more ideas,  you can take a look at the following:

  • The line markings should always be a full line which means no broken lines should be used
  • The markings can contain dots, shapes and icons
  • The aisle and passageways should be adequately covered
  • The minimum measurements for line markings should be 2 inches wide and 2-3 inches in length
  • The width of the aisle should be 3ft larger than largest equipment that will pass on it
  • The aisle should not be less than 4 ft

Safety Marking Colors

In the past, the most common color being used in safety markings are red and yellow. Yellow is associated with the meaning “caution” making it the most ideal color to mark sections where the incident of falling or having an accident is at the highest. Red is often used in locating items like fire extinguishers and other equipments that can combat fire.

These two colors are the thing in the past since OSHA comes up with more experimental color schemes with their floor markings. The OSHA scheme encompasses all the colors included in the rainbow and each of these has its own meanings that are relevant to general safety conditions or specific hazards. You may encounter purple which actually denotes radiation hazard as well as safety marks in orange which means possible danger from equipments.

Truly, the safety markings in the workplace play a big role in the safety and overall condition of the workers. Being knowledgeable of the color scheme meanings and particular symbols lets you avoid potential dangers just by taking a glance at these markings.  

Written by Mike Wilson –

 Mike, thank you for sending us this important information.  The badge that I wore when working in a hospital had the color codes for which emergency, i.e., Code Blue, etc. on the back of our name tags.  That way, we always had easy access to those codes.  New employees would profit from some type of identification of their company’s particular codes if they have them with them at all times. pb
General Safety Issues

HOW TO PROMOTE ELECTRICAL SAFETY IN YOUR HOME (GUEST POST)

Written by Paul Dickinson

Electricity has become a very important part of society in recent years, especially when it comes to the home and most houses in the UK are now very heavily reliant upon electricity to perform a range of tasks and to ensure that our appliances are working efficiently. Although electricity is something that we have come to acknowledge as second nature, it still has the potential to be dangerous so it’s important that we take the appropriate steps to ensure electrical safety around the home. 

Ensuring that your items are well tested, purchasing quality assured products and looking carefully before making any second-hand selections are all good ways that you can help to ensure your safety and if you do happen to have young members of the family then it’s very important that you take the appropriate measures to ensure their protection. 

What steps can you take to make your house safe? 

There are a number of steps that you can take to help improve safety around your home and in general this means looking at your electrical equipment and ensuring that it’s kept up to date and well-maintained at all times. Electrical equipment has the ability to degrade over time so you need to take particular care with items which might be slightly older and might therefore require a little extra care.

The main problem with electrical testing is that most people don’t do it – some can’t be bothered and others doing realise that your appliances actually need it – the reality is that electrical appliances don’t last forever and that’s why it’s crucial that you take the appropriate steps to ensure that you are able to extend their lifespan as much as you possibly can. This means testing your equipment at regular intervals and if necessary, getting an expert to help you out.   

What equipment can you use? 

Electrical testing equipment might seem completely unnecessary in your home, but this is simply not the case and there is a range of equipment that you can use to help ensure the safety of both yourself and your family around the home. Items include:

  • Plug covers – these can be easily inserted into open electrical sockets to prevent young children from putting their fingers into the sockets
  • PAT testers – can be used to quickly and easily test portable electrical appliances
  • Solar panel testers – if you are looking to incorporate solar power into your home then these are often invaluable devices
  • Energy monitoring equipment – can help to test how your electrical appliances are working and hopefully identify any potential problems before they happen, helping to save you both time and money as well as to promote your safety.

Article provided by http://www.isswww.co.uk/ISSWWW, a leading retailer of electrical safety and testing equipment.  Written by Paul Dickinson.

Another tip is to never overload extension cords.  pb

 

 

 

 

 

General Safety Issues

IMPORTANT ELECTRICAL WORKPLACE SAFETY ADVICE (GUEST POST)

By Kyle Mitchell

Electrical safety in the workplace, just like anywhere else, is of paramount importance. As an owner of any kind of business where it is required for employees/members of the public to interact with electrical equipment, it’s extremely important that the safety of those people is a high priority, and it is also important that those people at work are aware of the potential dangers of electricity.

The following table outlines just how much of an effect electrical current can have on the human body:

Physiological effect 50Hz AC
Generally not perceptible 0.5mA
Threshold of perception, tingling sensation 1mA
Maximum “let go” current                                            5mA
Painful, can’t let go 10-20mA
Severe pain, muscular contraction, difficulty breathing 30mA
Possible Ventricular Fibrillation after 3 s, death possible 0.1A
Skeletal muscle damage – death likely 1.5A

 As can be seen, electricity isn’t to be trifled with. It’s a very real danger, and it’s important to respect electricity, and find ways to prevent electrical accidents in the workplace.  Here are some common errors in the workplace that can be avoided, simply by following regulations and being vigilant.

Appliances and Faulty Wiring

Appliances are extremely common in the workplace. From computers to power tools, it’s likely that practically everyone within the organisation at some point will have to use electrical appliances.

When using these, it’s important that the user always makes sure that wiring supplying electricity to the appliance is in good, safe working order. Educating your workers on the correct appearances of wires, and how to inspect them for obvious damage such as common faults, frays, exposed wiring or cracks within the casing will allow them to determine whether an appliance is safe for work or not.

If there’s something wrong with the wire, the appliance simply shouldn’t be used. It’s as simple as that.

Correctly Hiding Trailing Wires

Live wires supplying huge amounts of power should never be left exposed – they provide a huge danger to everyone, particularly because accidents can happen at absolutely any time.

By making sure wiring isn’t exposed, and is installed behind walls etc, it ensures that all of your employees are protected from the vast risks that exposed wiring can have to your employees.

Heating Equipment, Ovens Etc.

Although it may seem obvious, these forms of equipment pose a massive risk to the workplace. They’re a huge fire risk, and leaving such items unattended for long periods of time could be an extreme danger.

It is particularly important to assess any heaters that come from external sources (IE, your employees) as these could be faulty and directly cause a fire. Portable Appliance Testing should be carried out on these forms of equipment to ensure their operation is safe, and they should be constantly monitored and ALWAYS switched off.

Electrical Repairs

No matter how minor it might seem, electrical repairs should NEVER be carried out by anyone except a qualified electrician. As can be seen by the table above, electricity can be an extremely dangerous form of energy, and without the correct knowledge and respect of how it works, it is very hazardous for anyone to tamper with who doesn’t know what they’re doing.

If something is faulty within your organisation and you need it repairing, always contact a fully certified electrician to carry out the work for you. It is your responsibility as an employee to ensure the safety of your workers, and tampering with electrical equipment puts them at a truly massive danger.

Don’t Overload Plug Sockets

Ever seen those pictures of people who’ve literally built what seems to be a LEGO-inspired collection of double adapters and then plugged them into a socket? They’re scary photos, particularly as the added weight and amount of power being supplied out to electrical items creates a huge danger.

It’s important to either use a designated surge protector with multiple plug sockets that can lie on the floor or to either plug in one or two items to a plug socket. This makes sure that the plug socket can’t overload, causing electrical burns, sparks, or even fire.

Wet Hands/Feet

It’s one of the most common electrical safety pieces of advice given for a reason. Electricity and water simply don’t mix, and it is important that your company makes sure that any employees that have been exposed to water are not interacting with anything remotely electrical.

This extends from anything from plugs to appliances like PCs. It simply isn’t worth the risk to mix water and electricity, particularly as water acts as a source for current and can cause massive electrical shocks to the person with wet hands.

Electrical Overhead Power Lines

If anyone in your organisation works at a height, it is important to relay the dangers of electrical power lines. These overhead cables carry massive amounts of power, and are more likely to cause death than injury if touched.

Absolutely anybody working at a height must always make sure to check carefully for electrical cables.

Perform Regular Testing Procedures

Under several regulations it is the organisation’s responsibility to ensure the safety of all employees. In order to do this you should regularly make sure all equipment is inspected and passed as being completely safe by a certified individual, although regular inspection checks can be performed by employees who can flag up anything that might be amiss within the organisation’s equipment.

Similarly it is also important to regularly check the status of fixed wire installations throughout the building, as these can degrade over time and become increasingly more dangerous.  If fixed wire points are dangerous, anything plugged into power points can then become a hazard, so make sure these are regularly checked over to make sure that safety within the organisation is as good as it can be.

Have Staff Complete an Electrical Awareness Course

Although they’ll decrease your productivity for a few hours, having staff take part in an electrical awareness course will help them to understand the potential dangers electricity can have, and how to avoid accidents in the workplace.

A lot of it may seem like common knowledge but there’s every chance an employee doesn’t know the procedures and regulations relating to electrical equipment. By educating them in this field you turn your workplace from a potential minefield of dangerous electrical outlets to an educated area full of people with a larger amount of respect for the power of electricity.

Similarly, developing an electrical safety regulations guidebook for your organisations for people to refer to can also be a great help in raising electrical safety. 

The article was written by Kyle Mitchell, an employer of PASS ltd who specialise in testing equipment, electrical training and wire testing in the UK. You can visit their new website tester.co.uk for more, or visit the electrical testing section for equipment information. 

 Equipment Sales: www.tester.co.uk – www.pass-thermal.co.uk

Training: www.electricaltrainingcourse.co.uk – www.pat-testing-course.com

Thank you, Kyle, for this very important information regarding safety while working around electricity.  Most workplaces should have first aid kits available.  Employees should be furnished the correct dielectric personal protective equipment, (i.e., hardhats, boots or rubber-soled shoes, and dielectric glasses.) pb