Yearly Archives: 2012

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

SAFETY DEVICES FOR SNOW SKIERS

“Three advanced skiers died Sunday when an avalanche pushed them down the back side of a mountain pass and ski area in Washington’s Cascade Mountains, while a fourth survived the slide by using an inflatable safety device. The skiers thought they were in a safe zone, but ended up being swept in the avalanche.  One pro skier, Elyse Saugstad, told the media that she credited her airbag device for saving her. 

The deadly avalanche surprised a group of 15 skiers who were exploring outside the resort boundaries in search of fresh powder at Stevens Pass, about 80 miles northeast of Seattle. Stevens Pass is one of the most popular outdoor recreation areas in the Nodrthwest, ideal for skiing, backpackers, and snowboarders.  Skiing outside the boundaries as a practice is not illegal, but it is considered dangerous.  “It’s public land so the Forest Service basically requires to have open boundaries so people can ski out in the open ski area if they want, if they are on their own,” John Gifford, general manager of Stevens Pass told ABC News. 

The Northwest Avalanche Center had put out a warning telling the public of a high-avalanche-danger alert for areas above 5,000 feet, indicating that warm weather could loosen snow. Police officials confirmed the group knew about the warning.  “Everyone that is skiing was an experienced skier, and they were all wearing their avalanche beacons,” Deputy Chris Bedker of the King County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue said, referring to a device worn to help find people who have been buried in snow.  Around noon Sunday the avalanche took three men and one woman downhill almost 3,000 feet. The three men who died were swept about 1,500 feet down a chute in the Tunnel Creek Canyon area, King County Sheriff’s Sgt. Katie Larson told the Associated Press.

Among the three men who died were free-skiing world tour judge Jim Jack, Stevens Pass Marketing Director Chris Rudolph and skier John Brenan. ESPN’s free-skiing editor Megan Michelson was also skiing with the group but was not caught in the slide that killed the three men. The other skiers in the group were able to free themselves from the snow, and quickly made their way to dig out those still buried. They performed CPR on the victims but were unable to revive them, Sgt. Larson told the AP. 

About two hours south at Snoqualomi Pass, a snowboarder was killed after another avalanche struck Sunday and he went over a cliff. Rescue video taken earlier this month shows a man being rescued when an avalanche buried him next to his snowmobile. There have now been 13 avalanche deaths this winter season, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. Experts have said that a weak base layer of snow caused by a dry winter has lead to the dangerous conditions.” 

After reading this story, we decided to search for some of the safety devices that have been developed to save lives of skiers, including  the airbag system that saved Saugstad.

Avalanche airbags – Avalanche airbags help a person avoid burial by making the user an even larger object relative to the moving snow, which forces the person toward the surface. Avalanche airbags work on the principle of inverse segregation. Avalanches, like mixed nuts and breakfast cereal are considered granular materials and behave fluid-like (but are not liquids) where smaller particles settle to the bottom of the flow and larger particles rise to the top. Provided the airbag is properly deployed, the chances of a complete burial are significantly reduced. 

Beacons –  Beacons or “beepers”,  should be worn by every member of the group.  They emit a beep via 457 kHz radio signal in normal use, but may be switched to receive mode to locate a buried victim up to 80 meters away.  Using the receiver effectively requires regular practice.  Since about 2000, nearly all avalanche rescue transceivers use digital displays to give visual indications of direction and distance to victims. Most users find these beacons easier to use, but to be effective still requires considerable practice by the user. Beacons are the primary rescue tool for companion rescue and are considered active devices because the user must learn to use and care for their device. 

Probes – Portable (collapsible) probes can be extended to probe into the snow to locate the exact location of a victim at several yards / metres in depth. When multiple victims are buried, probes should be used to decide the order of rescue, with the shallowest being dug out first since they have the greatest chance of survival.  Probing can be a very time-consuming process if a thorough search is undertaken for a victim without a beacon. In the U.S., 86% of the 140 victims found (since 1950) by probing were already dead.   Survival/rescue more than 2 m deep is rare (about 4%). Probes should be used immediately after a visual search for surface clues, in coordination with the beacon search. 

Shovels – Shovels are essential for digging through the snow to the victim, as the snow is often too dense to dig with hands or skis. A large strong scoop and sturdy handle are important. Plastic shovels often break, whereas metal ones are less prone to failure.  As excavation of the avalanche victim is extremely time-consuming and many buried victims suffocate before they can be reached, shovelling technique is an essential element of rescue.  Shovels are also useful for digging snow pits as part of evaluating the snowpack for hidden hazards, such as weak layers supporting large loads.

Recco rescue system – The Recco system is used by organized rescue services around the world. The Recco system is a two-part system where the rescue team uses a small hand-held detector. The detector receives a directional signal that is reflected back from a small, passive, transponder called a reflector that is included into outerwear, boots, helmets, and body protection. Recco reflectors are not a substitute for avalanche beacons. The Recco signal does not interfere with beacons. In fact, the current Recco detector also has an avalanche beacon receiver (457 kHz) so one rescuer can search for a Recco signal and a beacon signal at the same time.

Avalung – Recently, a device called an Avalung has been introduced for use in avalanche terrain. The device consists of a mouth piece, a flap valve, an exhaust pipe, and an air collector. Several models of Avalung either mount on one’s chest or integrate in a proprietary backpack.  During an avalanche burial, victims not killed by trauma usually suffer from asphyxiation as the snow around them melts from the heat of the victim’s breath and then refreezes, disallowing oxygen flow to the victim and allowing toxic levels of CO2 to accumulate. The Avalung ameliorates this situation by drawing breath over a large surface area in front and pushing the warm exhaled carbon dioxide behind. This buys additional time for rescuers to dig the victim out.

Other devices – More backcountry adventurers are also carrying Satellite Electronic Notification Devices (SEND) to quickly alert rescuers to a problem. These devices include the This device can quickly notify search and rescue of an emergency and the general location (within 100 yards), but only if the person with the EPIRB has survived the avalanche and can activate the device. Survivors should also try to use a mobile phone to notify emergency personnel. Unlike the other devices mentioned above, the mobile phone (or satellite phone) provides two-way communications with rescuers.

On-site rescuers (usually companions) are in the best position to save a buried victim. However, organized rescue teams can sometimes respond very quickly to assist in the search for a buried victim. The sooner organized rescue can be notified the sooner they can respond, and this difference can mean the difference in living or dying for a critically injured patient. The International Commission for Alpine Rescue recommends, “early notification is essential, e.g., by mobile phone, satellite phone, or radio, wherever possible”  Other rescue devices are proposed, developed and used, such as avalanche balls, vests and airbags, based on statistics indicating that decreasing the depth of burial increases the chances of survival.  

Although inefficient, some rescue equipment can be improvised by unprepared parties: ski poles can become short probes, skis or snowboards can be used as shovels. A first aid kit and equipment is useful for assisting survivors who may have cuts, broken bones, or other injuries, in addition to hypothermia. 

If skiing is your choice of sport, be prepared ahead of time, be sure someone checks to see if there is a possibility of an avalanche.  There is equipment to determine this.  Most of all, if it is thought to be a dangerous area, stay out.  It not only risks the lives of skiers, but of the rescue personnel whose job it is to search and rescue.

 

Source: ABC News

General Safety Issues, Protective Clothing

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING ANSWERS

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While researching protective clothing,  I checked our parent company,  Texas America Safety Company,( www.tasco-safety.com) and borrowed these charts that will be helpful to those who purchase protective clothing for their employees.  These figures may not be of interest to those who do not require this type of P.P.E.; however, I hope it will help others learn more about all the requirements and research that goes into keeping employees protected from the particular hazards they encounter in their every day jobs.

Industrial Standards

When the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) to be responsible for the health and safety of workers in and around areas of hazardous materials and contaminated waste, OSHA responded by formulating an all encompassing compendium of safety regulations that prescribe operating standards for all aspects of OSHA projects. Almost 2 million people are affected by the OSHA Standard today.In 1990, additional standards proposed and developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) were accepted by OSHA. NFPA Standard 1991 set performance requirements for totally encapsulated vapor tight chemical suits and includes rigid chemical and flame resistance tests and a permeation test against 21 challenge chemicals.The basic OSHA Standard calls for 4 levels of protection, A through D, and specifies in detail the equipment and clothing requited to adequately protect the wearer at corresponding danger levels.  
  Level A represents the greatest danger of respiratory, eye or skin damage from hazardous vapors, gases, particulates, sudden splash, immersion or contact with hazardous materials. It calls for total encapsulation in a vapor tight chemical suit with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or supplied air and appropriate accessories. Level A chemical protective clothing can also be manufactured to meet NFPA 1991 specifications.
  Level B situations call for the highest degree of respiratory protection but a lesser need for skin protection. It calls for SCBA or positive pressure supplied air respirator with escape SCBA, plus hooded chemical resistant clothing (overalls and long sleeved jacket; coveralls; one or two piece chemical-splash suit; or disposable chemical-resistant coveralls.

Glossary of Terms

Polypropylene – A breathable material used for non-hazardous environments. Provides protection against dry particulates, paint, and light chemicals.

Tyvek – A material that provides protection in all kinds of industrial applications. Provides an excellent barrier in light splash situations, and dry particulates such as asbestos, lead dust and radioactive dusts. Also provides protection in food processing and painting.

Tyvek QC – Polyethylene coated. Provides excellent lightweight splash protection from many acids and other liquid chemicals, and pesticides.

PE Coated – A polyethylene coating which provides lightweight industrial chemical protection. Not suggested for use with extreme chemicals.

Tychem 9400 – A tough, durable, tear-resistant material which provides excellent protection against a broad range of chemicals.

Tychem SL – A lightweight fabric providing effective and economical protection against a broad range of industrial chemicals, including those used in agriculture and petroleum markets.

Vinyl Aprons, Hemmed – Made of high quality virgin vinyl resistant to acids, alkalis, solvents, chemicals, oils, fats, grease and salt. Provide reliable tear, abrasion and puncture resistance. Used in food processing, meat packing, assembly, restaurant work, and industrial maintenance.

Unhemmed Aprons – Identical to the above, but unhemmed. Used mainly with food processing, industrial maintenance, and other hygienic applications. Unhemmed are more economical.

Die-cut Aprons – Provide medium-duty splash protection and flexibility in industrial applications. Neck straps and tie straps are incorporated in this one-piece design making it even more economical.

Urethane Aprons – These aprons are lightweight, long lasting and very economical where water splash is likely. Ideal for food processing and heavy industrial abrasion areas.

PVC Aprons – Made from a thick 20 mil. PVC material. Used in rigorous work environments. Recommended for use in aircraft production, or battery manufacturing.

Hycar Aprons – Nitrile blend provides reliable abrasion and cut resistance for longer protection against oils, fats, chemicals, acids and grease. These rubber protective aprons can withstand the deteriorating effects of animal fats and greases while remaining flexible in cold environments.

Particulate Holdout – The filtration efficiency of a material, measured by the number of particulates per 100 that can be pulled through the material. Reported for 2 micron size particles.

Penetration Resistance – Material resistance to liquid penetration is measured using ASTM F903 – the outside surface of the material in question is exposed to the test chemical for one hour.

Permeation Resistance – ASTM F739 is used to measure the permeation resistance of materials. Permeation is the molecular movement of chemicals through a material. If exposure to chemical vapors is a concern, this data should be analyzed.

Tensile Strength – The force required to break a material apart by pulling it from opposing directions. Measured in pounds and is reported in two directions.

Burst Strength – The force required to break through a material.

MATERIAL PROPERTIES
  DuPont Tyvek® DuPont Tyvek® QC DuPont Tychem® SL
(SARANEX)		 DuPont Tychem® BR
(9400)
Basis Weight
(ASTM D3776-85; oz./yd.)		 1.2 2.1 3.1 5.3
 
Thickness
(ASTM D1777; mils)		 5.3 6 7.1 21
 
Strip Tensile
(ASTM D1682; MD lbs./in./CD lbs.)		 7.9/7.6      
 
Work to Break
(ASTM D1682; MD in.-lbs./CD in.-lbs.)		 2.4/2.1      
 
Tongue Tear
(ASTM D2261; MD lbs./in./CD lbs./in.)		 2.2/2/4      
 
Breaking Strength–Grab
(ASTM D1682-64, Sec. 5.3; MD lbs./CD lbs.)		   25/35 43/45 99/95
 
Mullen Burst
(ASTM D3786-87; psi)		   66 65 190
 
Tearing Strength–Trapezoid
(ASTM D1117-80; MD lbs./CD lbs.)		   7//5 11//10 25/24
 
Flammability
(CS-191-53; Section 1610)		 Class 1 Class 1 Class 1 Class 1
 
Shelf Life
(Years)		 5 10 4 10
  SARANEX 23P SARANEX 23P SARANEX 23P SARANEX 23P
WHICH GARMENTS SUIT YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT?
TYPE MATERIAL USAGE FEATURES
Dry Particulate DuPont Tyvek® Limited Excellent barrier to many harmful dry particulates including asbestos, lead dust, glass-reinforced fibers and radioactive dusts.
  Polypropylene Limited Greater breathability than Tyvek, but not the same protection. Use for non-hazardous, low-linting applications; i.e. non-toxic spraying.
 
Chemical Protective Polycoated Du Pont Tyvek® QC Limited Tyvek which has been “quality coated” with 1.25 mils polyethylene. Offers splash protection against many inorganic acids, bases and other liquid chemicals.
  Dupont Tyvek®/Saranex® 23-P Limited A laminate of Dupont Tyvek® and Saranex 23-P film. Offers an effective barrier against a broader range of chemicals than polycoated Tyvek.
  Dupont Tychem® BR
(9400)		 Limited Excellent chemical resistance against a broad range of chemicals. Strong and durable, and offers the low cost, convenience and safety of a limited-use fabric. Used in Haz- Mat, industrial & other chemical applications.
  Hycar Reusable Nitrile rubber offers excellent chemical resistance and maximum wear.
  Vinyl Reusable Withstands fats, grease & cold; comfortable.
 
Cut & Abrasion Denim Reusable Abrasion resistant.
  Hycar Reusable Nitrile rubber; excellent wear.
  Du Pont KEVLAR® (knit & weave) Reusable Excellent cut resistance.
 
General Purpose Denim & Cotton Reusable Multi-purpose use.
  Poly Cotton Reusable Multi-purpose use.
  Leather Reusable Multi-purpose use.
     

Hopefully, these charts from Texas America Safety Company will answer questions you have regarding the most suitable protective clothing.  Once you have made your choice, training and proper maintenance of the PPE should be mandated.  T.A.S.C.O. can answer your questions about the right selections in all types of safety wear; and, remember, if you mention Blog4Safety with an order, you will receive a 5% Discount!

General Safety Issues, Hand Protection

PROTECT YOUR TEN BEST FRIENDS – YOUR FINGERS!

Our hands are very important parts of the success in performing our work correctly.  Regardless of the type of work – industrial, driving, or working in the healthcare field, our fingers essentially do the walking and talking for us many times.  Gloves play a very vital role in keeping our hands safe.  It would be hard to name the many types of gloves, but there is basically a glove for every task.  Cotton gloves work well for material handlers, chemical-resistant gloves protect those who work with chemicals, leather gloves for welders, metal-mesh gloves for meat cutters, and ballistic nylon gloves for chain-saw users.  Every occupation is considered in the design and manufacture of gloves.  All environments require certain gloves: for extreme cold in freezers or outdoors in winter, to extreme heat in welding, to lint-free, high technology areas, to radiation-protection in nuclear plants, wearing the correct type of gloves is very important.   In the United States, gloves that are used for food handling, food processing, and the medical industry are certified by the U.S. Drug Administration.  Many workplaces approve gloves by joint health and safety committees.  Some employers set their own standards to ensure their workers are adequately protected. 

There is a definite difference in the requirement of a good fit of work gloves between men and women.  Ill-fitting gloves are a great problem, because workers won’t use them if they feel awkward.  Some women have to make do with gloves that don’t fit – fingers too long or too wide, palm circumference too large, and gauntlet or wristlet too big.  One size does not fit all.  Texas America Safety Company has a choice of gloves for every hand – their manufacturers have ensured that the gloves they sell meet all needs – large enough for big hands, yet selections that fit the hands of smaller men, as well as all types of gloves for women.  Some of the gloves even come in pink, so guys, “hands off” her gloves! 

In choosing safety gloves, here are some things to look for:

  • Follow manufacturer’s instructions to get a proper fit.
  • Select all exposed skin that is covered by gloves.
  • Ensure the glove’s finger length and width, and palm circumference are correct.
  • Ensure that the glove offers a safe grip, to prevent tools or materials from sliding from your hands.
  • Gauntlets or wristlets should fit over the clothing and be stream-lined to the arms to prevent gloves from catching on machinery or debris from falling inside.
  • Be sure that the gloves allow skilled and easy use of the hands.
  • Gloves should not be clumsy or awkward to wear. 

Ill-fitting equipment can detract from a worker’s ability to do his/her job.  It could lead to:

  • Less efficient work;
  • Slower work;
  • Greater number of errors;
  • Difficulty in doing certain tasks – jobs that require detailed movements. 

There’s no reason to purchase gloves that are not going to fit your employees, because now you have choices for every size and need.  Take the time to inventory all your employees’ hand sizes and order enough to cover those “ten friends” the best way to ensure safety, and a good job performance.

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues

ANOTHER SHADE OF EYE PROTECTION!

A new OSHA fact sheet, Eye Protection against Radiant Energy during Welding and Cutting in Shipyard Employment,* is intended to help prevent worker eye injuries in the maritime industry. Electromagnetic energy given off by an arc or flame, commonly referred to as radiant energy or light radiation, can injure workers’ eyes. For protection from radiant energy, employers must ensure that workers use the necessary personal protective equipment, such as safety glasses, goggles, welding helmets or welding face shields. This equipment must have filter lenses with a shade number that provides the appropriate level of protection. A shade number indicates the intensity of light radiation that is allowed to pass through a filter lens to one’s eyes. The higher the shade number, the darker the filter and the less light radiation that will pass through the lens. Tables in the fact sheet below provide the proper shade numbers to be used under various conditions when performing welding operations including gas and metal arc welding and oxygen cutting. 

Eye and Face Protection

Thousands of people are blinded each year from work-related eye injuries that could have been prevented with the proper selection and use of eye and face protection. Eye injuries alone cost more than $300 million per year in lost production time, medical expenses, and worker compensation.  OSHA requires employers to ensure the safety of all employees in the work environment. Eye and face protection must be provided whenever necessary to protect against chemical, environmental, radiological or mechanical irritants and hazards.  Eye and face protection is addressed in specific standards for the general industry, shipyard employment, longshoring, and the construction industry.

The following is a guide for the selection of the proper shade numbers.   These recommendations may be varied to suit the individual’s needs.

____________________________________________________________________
                                                         |
             Welding operation                           | Shade No.
_________________________________________________________|__________
                                                         |
Shielded metal-arc welding - 1/16-, 3/32-, 1/8-,         |
 5/32-inch electrodes .................................  |       10
Gas-shielded arc welding (nonferrous) - 1/16-, 3/32-,    |
 1/8-,  5/32-inch electrodes ..........................  |       11
Gas-shielded arc welding (ferrous) - 1/16-, 3/32-, 1/8-, |
 5/32-inch electrodes .................................  |       12
Shielded metal-arc welding:                              |
 3/16-, 7/32-, 1/4-inch electrodes ....................  |       12
 5/16 -, 3/8-inch electrodes ..........................  |       14
Atomic hydrogen welding ................................ |    10-14
Carbon arc welding ..................................... |       14
Soldering .............................................. |        2
Torch brazing .......................................... |   3 or 4
Light cutting, up to 1 inch ............................ |   3 or 4
Medium cutting, 1 inch to 6 inches ..................... |   4 or 5
Heavy cutting, 6 inches and over ....................... |   5 or 6
Gas welding (light) up to  1/8 inch..................... |   4 or 5
Gas welding (medium) 1/8 inch to 1/2 inch .............. |   5 or 6
Gas welding (heavy) 1/2 inch and over .................. |   6 or 8
_________________________________________________________|__________

NOTE: In gas welding or oxygen cutting where the torch produces a  high yellow light, it is desirable to use a filter or lens that absorbs the yellow or sodium line in the visible light of the operation. 

We hope that this information will be useful to anyone in the industries that utilize welders and welders helpers.  It is of the utmost importance that their eyes are protected from the hazards of their jobs.

 

Source: OSHA

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

TOP TEN SAFETY APPS – Guest Blog

Guest Blog – Jesse Harwell is today’s guest author.  We know you will enjoy reading about ways to stay safe, and can benefit from this safety advise.  With these types of safety apps, how much “smarter” can our cell phones get?

Top 10 Safety Apps

There are a number of smartphone apps on the market designed to keep you and your family safe in emergency situations. They cover everything from safe driving and emergency alerts to first aid instructions. Here are the top ten safety apps.

1. Life 360 – Android (Free)

This app is the perfect tool for families in an emergency situation. It has a number of features vital in any disaster situation, such as GPS tracking on family members’ phones, disaster planning tips, communication tools, neighborhood maps of safety points.

2. MyMotolingo – Windows phones ($5/month)

This app is good for parents of teen drivers or spouses of drivers with road rage. It monitors all driver distractions, such as text messages and phone calls, and provides a report of phone activity. It also logs aggressive acceleration, speeding, trip length, and time that can be provided in email reports or tweets. Make sure your loved ones are keeping themselves safe on the road.

3. Playsafe – iPhone ($0.99)

Another factor that distracts drivers is playing and changing music on a mobile device. It makes the iPhone screen into a large button to play and pause music. A simple sideways swipe on the screen changes the track.

4. Silent Bodyguard – iPhone ($3.99)

This app acts like a silent panic button. Press it and the system will send e-mails, texts and social media messages with your location every 60 seconds to everyone on your emergency contact list. Best of all, it’s silent in case you’re in a situation when you wouldn’t want your attacker to know you’ve called for help.

5. Safety NET – Android ($3.99)

If you have loved ones who have medical issues, you might want to have them install this app. It uses a smartphone’s built-in accelerometer to monitor for falls, collisions, or shakes and immediately alerts all the contacts listed in the user’s “Safety Net.” If you accidentally drop your phone or don’t need help, you are also given 15 seconds to cancel the alert.

6. Pocket First Aid & CPR – iPhone, Android ($1.99) 

This app comes from the American Heart Association and provides basic instructions for performing first aid and CPR for adults, children, and infants. This should not be a substitute for complete first aid and CPR training, but it could save a life in an emergency. It also has several videos and illustrations to help you perform first aid and CPR correctly.

7. Emergency Radio – iPhone ($1.99) 

If you’re in an emergency situation without access to power, this app allows you to listen in on radio frequencies from first responders, such as the police, fire department, coast guard, as well as weather stations and air traffic control frequencies. It is currently available for major cities in the U.S., as well as a few around the world like London, Toronto, and Sydney.

8. ICE – iPhone ($0.99)

ICE stands for In Case of Emergency. This app allows first responders and emergency personnel to find your emergency contacts, medical information, and allergies all in one place.

9. Help Me! –Android (Free)

This app provides personal information such as blood type, medical conditions, allergies, and an emergency call button. When the app is open, the screensaver is disabled so that anyone helping you can see the information at all times.

10. Personal Safety – Android ($1.99)

This app provides lots of information to keep you and your family safe. It alerts you of high-crime neighborhoods, severe weather, allergens, air quality, and speed limits wherever you are.

Jesse Harwell is a former private investigator who now owns and manages the site  Master of Homeland Security. It is a resource for students looking to earn a Master’s Degree in Homeland Security.

Wow!  What great information, thank you so much, Jesse!  This is good advice to assist everyone, as we never know when an emergency will happen.  Please pass this on to your family and friends.  Go to Jesse’s website for more ways to stay safe!

 

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Protective Clothing

THE IMPORTANCE OF EYE PROTECTION

Safety standards cover various kinds and classes of eye and face protection, including glasses with and without side shields, eyecup goggles, goggles, welding helmets, and face shields.  Safety glasses are both non-prescription and prescription, and are common items of personal protective equipment, PPE.  Some look like regular glasses, and are available in sleek frames that offer protection, as well as looking stylish, yet less expensive as those found in optical stores.  Special tasks such as grinding, woodworking, chemical spraying, degreasing and gas cutting and welding require safety goggles.  When choosing goggles, be sure that they seal around the face – there should be no gaps.  Goggles should have an adjustable strap.  Do not pull the strap so tight that the lens distorts your vision or the goggles hurt your face. 

Be sure that the safety eyewear is appropriate for the particular hazards of the job.  For those that work where there is debris flying around in the air, goggles would be the best choice.  Some glasses work well with side shields, which fit the temple of the frames and protect the sides of the eyes.  There are safety glasses that fit over prescription glasses (OTG’s).  A qualified person should assist in the proper fitting of protective eyewear.  Special attention must be paid to the eye, temple areas, and bridge.  If glasses are not secure, they will slip down the nose when the head is tilted downward. 

Women who wear safety goggles and glasses often have more problems with fit and comfort.  Some goggles are “one size fits all”, and may be too big.  This can be a serious health and safety hazard if gaps around the seal to the face allow flying objects and particles, sparks, chemicals, or other substances to enter the eye area.  Fogging of the lenses is common and can lead to accidents; this may be the result of poor ventilation.  Mishaps can occur if the wearer takes his/her goggles off to clear them and is hit by flying debris, or if she/he cannot see well enough to do work properly. 

The company should require that their employees have their eyes checked annually by a doctor to determine if and what kind of prescription eyewear is needed.  For those who work outdoors, safety glasses that furnish UV protection are a must.  These lenses are also helpful in protecting the eyes from bright sand, snow, or the reflections off lakes or rivers.    Texas America Safety Company features small safety glasses that fit women, small men and children.    Companies have long been designing vests, coveralls, harnesses, glasses, hardhats, work boots, and all types of safety gear for smaller men and working gals.  Our military,  as well as women in law enforcement, also want their female personnel dressed in appropriately fitting uniforms.  Some or many types of PPE are needed in most occupations.  Look for the best fit in safety glasses to protect your vision for the job you choose.

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Head Protection

A “VALENTINE’S DAY” SAFETY MESSAGE TO EMPLOYERS

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February 14th is a special time to remind your loved ones, especially your sweetheart, that they are very special to you.  It’s also a time to think about your employees, and the fact that they are special to you, as well.  Without their hard work and cooperation, your business wouldn’t be successful.  Let them know how much they are appreciated by providing the safest work environment possible.  Here are some thoughts on how you can accomplish this goal: 

  • Be a fanatic about health and safety.  Let this be a top priority in your workplace.
  • Assign a safety committee with responsibility for conducting periodic safety audits, and be involved in it.
  • Reward suggestions for improved health and safety measures.
  • Post emergency phone numbers in prominent locations throughout the workplace.
  • Distribute a safety and emergency procedures and instructions manual.
  • Make workers aware through regularly scheduled safety campaigns and safety training programs.
  • Make cleanliness a requirement.
  • When you say that hard hats, head protection or other P.P.E. (personal protective equipment) are required on the work site, mean it!
  • Safety evacuation drills should be conducted where appropriate.
  • Frequent equipment inspections and safety checks should also be performed, and be relentless in practicing preventative maintenance.
  • Insist all hazardous substances and materials be tightly sealed and properly stored.
  • If workers think there is a risk or problem, listen to their concerns, because there probably is one.
  • Local health department experts can be called in to evaluate conditions and recommend corrective steps if they discover a health hazard.
  • Be sure your employees follow all OSHA guidelines, standards, and recommendations.
  • Follow all provisions of the Americans With Disabilities Act.
  • Follow manufacturer’s suggested safety procedures such as wearing safety goggles or installing  guards on machinery.  Ensure employees do not remove guards on machinery.
  • Never encourage safety short-cuts, no matter how economical or profit-friendly they may be.  Also, don’t tolerate grandstanding, showing off or other macho behavior that is unsafe.  Being safety conscious isn’t being a sissy – it’s working smarter.
  • Mark all hazardous zones and items.
  • Monitor absenteeism due to illness or injury and review all accident reports and injury claims.  Look for patterns which may be clues to existing hazards.
  • Post safety posters throughout the workplace, and change them every now and then.  Place them in break rooms, and other places where they are most visible. 

As an employer, your liability increases dramatically whenever the person in charge does nothing about existing and potential problems.  Handling hazards before illnesses, accidents or harmful allergic reactions occur is always a winning strategy.  You know most of the hazards in your workplace.  It is your responsibility to ensure your employees that you have trusted supervisors that know where the risks are, and that precautions have been taken to protect them.  There are many businesses that have health and safety hazards that often go unnoticed and unattended.  The result is countless work-hours lost each year due to injuries, illnesses and allergies.  Some hazards are major health or safety risks; however others are troublesome, but not serious.  All merit attention. 

By showing your employees that you are sincerely concerned about their health and safety, they will reward you with hard work and loyalty.  So, this Valentine’s Day, and every day, “show them a little love” by keeping them safe.  This, and a “thank you for a job well done” is gift enough.

General Safety Issues

PREVENTING WRONG-WAY ACCIDENTS

Has anyone out there come up with the solution to prevent wrong-way accidents?  Probably not, because they are still happening and lives are being lost.  If you do have a suggestion, please send it to us, and we will do a follow-up article on this subject.  It would be good to see how many different ideas we can think of.  One thing that has been suggested for the motoring public to do is immediately report someone driving in the wrong direction to law enforcement.  The law does provide an exemption for cell phone use while driving in case of an emergency. 

If wrong-way driving is seemingly rare, why is it that about 350 people are killed and thousands more are injured every year as a result of people driving the wrong way?  This problem isn’t going away, even though researchers are looking for a way to keep it from happening.   In an attempt to curb a rising number of wrong-way crashes in the Fort Worth area, the Texas Department of Transportation, along with the Texas Transportation Institute, researched the causes of this deadly driving phenomenon.  Their findings were, not surprisingly, that most drivers were under the influence of alcohol or drugs and that most wrong-way drivers entered the highway by getting on at an exit ramp.  Their findings also showed that crashes between vehicles going the wrong way are usually severe and more likely to result in serious injury or death.  Also, they may be more likely to involve elderly drivers, and happen usually at night or early morning. 

A common suggestion is to place road spikes at exit ramps.  This type of barrier has been tested to determine if they could be used at off-ramps to stop vehicles from entering the wrong way; however, this idea isn’t feasible.  The spikes, even modified in shape, do not cause the tires to deflate quickly enough to prevent a vehicle from entering the freeway.  Stubs could also be left to damage the tires of right-way vehicles.  And, as it was pointed out, if you did stop a wrong-way car with road spikes, then you have a stalled car sitting at the exit ramp.  (Of course, that’s  better than on the freeway).

Another approach being tried by the state of Texas is installing sensors in the asphalt on several highway on-ramps that can detect when a car is travelling the wrong way.  The sensors can’t prevent drivers from getting on the highway going the wrong way, but they can send an alert to local police, who could possibly have a better chance of stopping the driver than for a driver to phone in a 911 call.  Florida and New Mexico have installed sensor systems that can detect wrong-way drivers and alert oncoming cars of potential dangers. (Good plan).

The TTI study showed that impaired drivers are looking down at the road in front of their car, and don’t look up, so they don’t see the “Do Not Enter” or “Wrong Way” signs that are displayed about 7-feet high.  The federal government wants to approve 2 ft. high reflective signs, which will also help drivers with poor night vision.  Another possible solution is reflective pavement bumps placed at ramps to indicate the correct direction.  The bumps are arranged to form an arrow that points in the correct direction to travel. 

It is agreed by authorities that elderly or confused drivers on the wrong side of the road, will pull over, once they have realized what’s happening.  Inebriated drivers are not that concerned with signs, or anything else.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, automakers, and other companies are working on a system that is designed to prevent anyone with a blood-alcohol content higher than 0.08 from operating a vehicle.  Then drunken or drugged drivers couldn’t leave their parking spots.  That would eliminate a large number of the crashes that occur.  Hopefully, when this technology is developed, it will become standard on all cars.  Until that scenario comes to pass, we must encourage drivers to have designated drivers when they plan to drink at a party, or stay home!  There may be occasional cases when someone with a health problem cannot get control of their car.  In this instance, it would be better if they had someone else drive them to their destination rather than take a chance.

Lastly, if judges would punish the DUI offenders by keeping them off the streets, we would all be much safer.  Too often, you read a story about an innocent person(s) who lost their life to a driver under the influence, who had already been convicted of DUI more than one time.  Where’s the justice for those victims?   Think about it this way, you wouldn’t want to meet someone going the wrong way in your lane.  We must pay attention when we are driving and avoid any “chance meetings”.

Seriously, please send in your comments and ideas on how we can correct this deadly problem! Thanks.

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

DOES YOUR WORKPLACE LEAVE YOU BREATHLESS?

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Millions of people experience allergies caused by everyday exposures to agents such as dust mites, cat dander, and pollens.  Workers who encounter agents can also develop allergic reactions such as asthma, nasal and sinus allergies, hives, and even severe anaphylactic reactions.  Work-related asthma, which is caused by exposure to an agent in the workplace, is the most common occupational respiratory disorder in developed countries.  An estimated 15% of asthmatic cases reported in the United States are occupation-related.  In Canada, asthma affects over three million citizens.  Many are not aware that certain agents at their work place could lead to hyper-responsiveness of airway or aggravating pre-existing asthmatic symptoms.  Because of that, it is likely that the cases of occupational related asthma are under reported. 

Asthma is a common lung disease that creates narrowing of the air passages, making it difficult to breathe.  It can affect your ability to work, and your overall quality of life.  When asthma is not managed, it can even threaten your life.  If you are exposed to certain workplace chemicals or agents, you may be at risk for developing occupational asthma.  Many people with work-related asthma don’t realize that their symptoms are related to their work because they are the same as those for regular asthma: attacks of difficult breathing, tightness of the chest, coughing, and wheezing.  In work–related asthma, the symptoms are worse on workdays and improve when the person is away from the workplace, such as on the weekend, days off, and vacation.  Also, symptoms may be more severe at the end of the week, as compared to the beginning of the week. 

Risk factors for occupational asthma include frequent exposure to the agents involved, allergies, family history of allergies, or asthma, and smoking.  A good clinical history will help in identifying the possibility of work-related asthma.  An occupational physician could carry out a walk-through survey in the workplace to identify the possible agents that cause asthmatic attack.  Also, a look at the list of chemicals in Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) would give a clue to that. 

There are many agents that can cause occupational asthma.   Here are some examples:

  • Certain chemicals;
  • Metals and metal-working fluids;
  • Dyes, drugs, and enzymes;
  • Grains, flours, plants, and gums;
  • Natural rubber latex;
  • Animal and shellfish proteins;
  • Fungi;
  • Wood dusts, including red cedar.

Factors that can trigger work-aggravated asthma:

  • Vapors, gases, dusts, mists, sprays or fumes from industrial materials and cleaning products;
  • Dust mites or mold/fungal spores;
  • Indoor air pollution resulting from poor ventilation;
  • Outdoor air pollution and smog (for outdoor workers). 

Both employers and employees can help control or prevent work-related asthma.  Employers should:

  • Eliminate the asthma-causing agent from the workplace.
  • If elimination is not possible, substitute a less hazardous agent.
  • Apply administrative controls such as policies, procedures, safe work practices, and job rotation to minimize exposure time of workers.
  • Control the exposure.
  • Install ventilation systems to contain emissions, such as gases or vapors at the source.
  • Provide Personal Protect Equipment, such as breathing respirator masks.  PPE should not be used as the only method of exposure control when exposures are ongoing.
  • Train employees on the proper use, storage and maintenance of PPE, proper handling procedures, avoidance of spills, and safe working and good housekeeping procedures.
  • Monitor the exposure level of hazardous agents in the workplace. 

Employees should:

  • Learn about the hazards in your workplace by speaking to the employer, health and safety or union representative, or an occupational health professional.
  • Be aware of the symptoms of work-related asthma.
  • Use PPE that is provided.
  • Report any problems with equipment, PPE, or ventilation systems to the supervisor.
  • Attend training courses on work-related asthma and occupational health and safety, and participate in all health and safety programs in the workplace. 

If not recognized and treated early enough, work-related asthma is a serious illness that can result in disability and job loss. Fortunately, when potential hazards are recognized, work-related allergies and asthma can often be prevented, or their effects minimized. Employers and employees must work together to prevent work-related asthma, so all can breathe easy at work.

Source: Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

HEART FACTS WE ALL SHOULD KNOW

Because February is American Heart Month, we want to share more information regarding heart health.  There are some important numbers you should know.  You could keep this list, and the next time you have a physical, including blood work, ask your doctor to explain just exactly where your numbers are. 

  • 120/80 or under is normal blood pressure for adults.
  • Less than 200 mg/dl is a desirable cholesterol level.
  • Less than 100 mg/dl is an optimal level of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol.
  • More than 40 mg/dl is a desirable level of HDL, or “good” cholesterol.
  • Less than 150 mg/dl is a desirable level of triglycerides.  This blood fat, like LDL, can make your arteries harden or narrow.
  • Less than 35 inches for women, and less than 40 inches for men, is the best waist size.  Too much fat around the waist ups heart disease risk.  To measure your waist, put a tape measure around your midsection, just above your hips, and breathe out.
  • Between 18.5 and 24.9 is a normal body mass index (BMI).  A higher BMI can increase your risk for heart disease.
  • ZERO is your ideal exposure to tobacco, including secondhand smoke.
  • At least 30 minutes most days is how much to exercise.  Regular exercise can lower your resting heart rate.  According to a recent study in American Heart Journal, a resting heart rate higher than 90 doubled the risk for heart disease. 

FACTS WOMEN SHOULD BE AWARE OF

Many women think of heart disease as a man’s problem; however, each year, almost as many women as men die of heart disease.  Women may be less likely to survive heart attacks as men.  Why? One possible reason is women’s smaller hearts and blood vessels are more likely to be damaged.  Another reason is women may not recognize or respond to heart attack symptoms. 

Both genders usually experience the most common sign of a heart attack – pain and discomfort in the chest.  Women are more likely than men to have other signs of a heart attack.  Here are some of the symptoms they may have:

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Shortness of breath
  • Extreme fatigue, sometimes for days or weeks beforehand
  • Pain in the back, neck, and jaw
  • Light-headedness or a cold sweat
  • Heartburn, coughing, heart flutters, or loss of appetite 

These symptoms can come on suddenly or develop over days or weeks.  The more signs you have, the likelier it is to be a heart attack.  Every minute counts: treatment within an hour offers the best chance for survival.  If you suspect a heart attack, call 911 immediately.  On a personal note: my sister-in-law is an E.R. nurse, and she told me that too many times men come to the E.R. complaining of indigestion, when in fact, they are having a heart attack.

Don’t ignore the symptoms.  Get to an emergency room in order to be sure of what is causing the pain.  My husband thought his problem was indigestion; however, when he finally decided to go to the E.R., he was immediately taken by ambulance to a larger hospital, where they discovered he needed four bypasses.  Thankfully, he is doing well now.  

Please take care of your ticker – it’s the only one you have! 

Sources: CDC; American Academy of Family Physicians, National Women’s Health Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and American Heart Association.