Monthly Archives: November 2013

Ergonomics, Eye Protection, General Safety Issues

DO-IT-YOURSELF-ERS, PAY ATTENTION TO SAFETY RULES! (GUEST POST)

Redecorating at home can be a fun and fulfilling process. However, the activity may also come with its fair share of mishaps and accidents. Many homeowners, maybe because they don’t know any better or do not anticipate the worst, can get into situations that can be dangerous for their health and well-being. Avoid this route by knowing the possible risks that come with doing a redecorating job by yourself. Here are a few things that you need to watch out for. 

Be careful when lifting and moving pieces of furniture around- Because our background is in the mid century modern furniture industry, we are all too aware as to how much furniture can weigh. This should not be taken lightly, especially if you are working alone. When lifting or transferring pieces of furniture, or heavy items, make sure that you can actually carry the weight. If you can’t, please do not attempt to do so. Instead, call in extra reinforcements, and people who may be able to help you. You certainly do not want to throw your back because of the strain of the weight. 

Be aware of the dangers of paint- We’re big proponents of painting a space to change it up and give it a new look. It is actually one of the easiest and most impactful redecorating tips out there. However, not all paint is created equal. Certain kinds contain harmful chemicals such as VOCs, that can trigger conditions like asthma, and have even been linked to cancer. When painting with these kinds of paint, it is not unusual to feel dizzy or get headaches. Some people even black out! If you’re really dead set on painting, we advise using a water-solvent kind that should have a milder smell, and are also lower in toxins. You may also want to explore varieties of VOC-free paint. Another tip is to always wear a face mask while painting, and of course, to keep kids out of the room. Before fully using the room, give it a few days to air out, so most of the strong odor goes away. 

Invest in the right tools for stripping wallpaper- stripping wallpaper with the wrong tools may lead to cuts and bruises. Make sure you are armed with a proper stripping knife and do not substitute for any similar-looking tools. It is also a good idea to keep the kids out of this project. You don’t want them picking up sharp tools and cutting themselves. 

Never forget to wear your safety goggles- Redecorating may sometimes involve sanding a floor, retiling a surface, or even cutting and sawing some wood to create new pieces of furniture. In all of these activities, it is always a good idea to ensure that your eyes are protected. Little particles of dust, wood and other debris may get into your eyes, possibly causing cuts, infections, irritation, and even potential loss of vision. Goggles are inexpensive and readily available, so there is absolutely no reason why you should work without them.

These are just a few tips that anyone who wants to redecorate should take note of. There is no price for safety and at the end of the day, it is always better to be safe than sorry. 

Check out http://mid-centuryonline.com/blog for more about furniture and home décor info.

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues

FIVE PRACTICAL TIPS TO PREVENT EYE INJURIES WHILE WORKING (GUEST POST)

You never know what kind of hazard will be waiting for you when you go to work. Each day, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) “about 2000 U.S. workers have a job-related eye injury that requires medical treatment”. Injuries require medical treatment and those injured usually end up missing work due to their injury.

Metal slivers, wood chips, dust, and cement chips, nails, staples, or slivers of wood or metal penetrate the eyeball and can result in permanent loss of vision, or blindness. Burns to one or both eyes routinely damage workers’ eyes and the surrounding tissue of the eye.

Infectious diseases can be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the eye as a result of direct exposure, or from touching the eyes with contaminated fingers, or other objects. The infections may result in relatively minor conjunctivitis, or the transmission of the HIV, B virus, or possibly even avian influenza.

What does a worker need to know to protect themselves, and others from an injury. Well,  that is pretty simple really. A leading ophthalmologist in New Jersey recommends these five tips to prevent injury to your eyes when working in hazardous conditions.

1. The right working tools for the job. Take steps to create a safe work environment. Remove and clean up hazardous material before it causes injury. Make sure all tools, and equipment used are in working order, and used properly.

2. No admittance. No one should be in the working area when you are working. If they are they need to use safety equipment to avoid injuries.

3. Eye protection that fits you and the job. Wear the proper face, and Z87 eye protection . Make sure the equipment used for your protection is clean, intact, and fits properly. The eye protection should stay in place, and protect you from fine and large sized debris.

4. Shake the dust off. After working take necessary measures to clean off any debris that has accumulated from on your eye, or face protection BEFORE removing them. Fine, dust likes, particles can land in your eyes if you remove protective eyeware before you have followed this step.

5. No rubbing allowed. Do not rub your eyes with dirty hands or clothing, which can result in cross contamination that can cause infection, and disease.

Remember if you are injured, seek medical attention immediately. Prompt treatment for an injury can treat the current injury, and prevent further injury. Fine particles are dangerous because they are small, and not visible. Unseen potential for injury are a threat because they are not seen, or ignored. Take steps to protect your eyes from injury. Maintain a safe work environment.

As always take the necessary steps to keep your eyes healthy by getting regular yearly eye exams, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 

Author Bio:  

Diana Neal graduated in 2012 from the University of Colorado with a MS in nursing with a focus in healthcare informatics.  She is currently participating in an internship with an online marketing company. She spends a great deal of time in front of her computer writing, researching, and participating in outreach. If you are interested in an online marketing internship she highly recommends you give it a try. You can connect with her at http://about.me/indiananeal

 

 
 
General Safety Issues

YOUR CELL PHONE CAN BE YOUR BEST FRIEND

We hope you will find this information useful, while you are traveling for the holidays and every other day of the year.  Please stay safe.  Blog4Safety and Texas America Safety Company wish all who observe Thanksgiving Day a very happy holiday.  We are thankful for our loyal customers and those who follow our blog.  Also, I am especially thankful to all the guest authors who contribute to our safety blog.  It is an honor to hear from friends in the U.S., United Kingdom, including Australia and Scotland.  Pat

It is currently estimated in the United States that there are an additional 30,000 cellular phones in use every day.  When people use cellular phones while driving motor vehicles, particularly when dialing a number, they are often distracted and traffic accidents occur.   The following are a series of safety tips for cell phone users:

Get to know your cell phone and its features such as speed dial and redial. Carefully read your instruction manual and learn how to use the automatic redial and memory dial.  Up to ninety-nine numbers can be stored in most phones. 

Use hands free devices.  A number of hands-free cell phone accessories are readily available today.  Some experts feel that hands-free devices will help keep you safer; however, you still must have your mind on driving and not on your conversation. 

Position your phone within easy reach.  Make sure you place your cell phone within easy reach, usually the console in your car.  If it rings at a bad time, just let the voice mail answer it.  

Suspend conversation during hazardous conditions or situations. Let the person you are speaking to understand that you may have to complete the call later because of heavy traffic or hazardous weather.  Your first responsibility is to the road.  Also, if you are going through a school zone, you need to tell your friend that you are unable to talk.  Many states have laws that prevent you from using a cell phone in a school zone. 

Pay attention to the road.  Do not take notes or look up phone numbers while driving. If you are reading a text message or message on your car’s screen, you are not watching where you are going.  Use common sense and don’t get caught up in a dangerous situation because of that mistake. 

Dial sensibly and assess the traffic; if possible, place calls when you are not moving or before pulling into traffic.  Better yet, pull over.  Plan your calls before you take off and if necessary, call while you are at a stop sign or red light.  A good suggestion is to dial only a few numbers, check the road, and mirrors, and continue to complete the dial.

Do not engage in distracting conversations. Stressful or emotional conversations and driving do not mix – these can be dangerous if you allow that type of distraction while you are behind the wheel.  Tell the person that the conversation will have to wait until you are off the highways. 

Use your phone to call for help. Your cellular phone is one of the greatest tools you can own to protect yourself and your family in dangerous situations.  Remember, help is only three numbers away: 9-1-1 in case of traffic accident, road hazard, fire, accident, or medical emergencies.  It is a free call on your cell phone. 

Use your phone to help others in emergencies.  Your cellular phone provides you a perfect opportunity to be a “Good Samaritan” in your community.  Call 9-1-1 if you witness an auto accident, crime in progress, or other serious emergency where others lives are in danger.  You would want others to do this for you.

Call roadside assistance.  There are special cell phone non-emergency assistance numbers to call when necessary.  Certain situations may require attention but are not urgent enough for a 9-1-1 call.  Your cell phone can still lend a hand.  If there is a broken traffic signal, minor traffic accident with no injuries, broken-down vehicle, call roadside assistance or other special non-emergency wireless number.  You can look up your state’s roadside number and keep it in your phone.  In Texas, it is *DPS, or *377.

Reference “The Complete Campus Crime Prevention Manual” by The AEGIS Protection Group.  From the University of Texas at San Antonio Police Department, Crime Prevention.

General Safety Issues

CELL PHONE SAFETY TIPS

We hope you will find this information useful, while you are traveling for the holidays and every other day of the year.  Please stay safe.  Blog4Safety and Texas America Safety Company wish all who observe Thanksgiving Day a very happy holiday.  We are thankful for our loyal customers and those who follow our blog.  Also, I am especially thankful to all the guest authors who contribute to our safety blog.  It is an honor to hear from friends in the U.S., United Kingdom, including Australia and Scotland.  Pat

It is currently estimated in the United States that there are an additional 30,000 cellular phones in use every day.  When people use cellular phones while driving motor vehicles, particularly when dialing a number, they are often distracted and traffic accidents occur.   The following are a series of safety tips for cell phone users:

Get to know your cell phone and its features such as speed dial and redial. Carefully read your instruction manual and learn how to use the automatic redial and memory dial.  Up to ninety-nine numbers can be stored in most phones. 

Use hands free devices.  A number of hands-free cell phone accessories are readily available today.  Some experts feel that hands-free devices will help keep you safer; however, you still must have your mind on driving and not on your conversation. 

Position your phone within easy reach.  Make sure you place your cell phone within easy reach, usually the console in your car.  If it rings at a bad time, just let the voice mail answer it.  

Suspend conversation during hazardous conditions or situations. Let the person you are speaking to understand that you may have to complete the call later because of heavy traffic or hazardous weather.  Your first responsibility is to the road.  Also, if you are going through a school zone, you need to tell your friend that you are unable to talk.  Many states have laws that prevent you from using a cell phone in a school zone. 

Pay attention to the road.  Do not take notes or look up phone numbers while driving. If you are reading a text message or message on your car’s screen, you are not watching where you are going.  Use common sense and don’t get caught up in a dangerous situation because of that mistake. 

Dial sensibly and assess the traffic;  If possible, place calls when you are not moving or before pulling into traffic.  Better yet, pull over.  Plan your calls before you take off and if necessary, call while you are at a stop sign or red light.  A good suggestion is to dial only a few numbers, check the road, and mirrors, and continue to complete the dial.

Do not engage in distracting conversations. Stressful or emotional conversations and driving do not mix – these can be dangerous if you allow that type of distraction while you are behind the wheel.  Tell the person that the conversation will have to wait until you are off the highways. 

Use your phone to call for help. Your cellular phone is one of the greatest tools you can own to protect yourself and your family in dangerous situations.  Remember, help is only three numbers away: 9-1-1 in case of traffic accident, road hazard, fire, accident, or medical emergencies.  It is a free call on your cell phone. 

Use your phone to help others in emergencies.  Your cellular phone provides you a perfect opportunity to be a “Good Samaritan” in your community.  Call 9-1-1 if you witness an auto accident, crime in progress, or other serious emergency where others lives are in danger.  You would want others to do this for you.

Call roadside assistance.  There are special cell phone non-emergency assistance numbers to call when necessary.  Certain situations may require attention but are not urgent enough for a 9-1-1 call.  Your cell phone can still lend a hand.  If there is a broken traffic signal, minor traffic accident with no injuries, broken-down vehicle, call roadside assistance or other special non-emergency wireless number.  You can look up your state’s roadside number and keep it in your phone.  In Texas, it is *DPS, or #377.

Reference “The Complete Campus Crime Prevention Manual” by The AEGIS Protection Group.  From the University of Texas at San Antonio Police Department, Crime Prevention.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

HOW TO KEEP A ROOF IN GOOD REPAIR (GUEST POST)

Damp is one of the biggest problems you will encounter when it comes to your roof. In order to prevent it from causing damage, your roof should always be kept in a good state of repair. When your roof is fully maintained it will be efficient at shedding rainwater. This will prevent damp from entering and causing problems further down the line.

If you own a house that was built before the development of modern transport links, it is likely that your roof materials were sourced from the area you live in. The type of maintenance work your roof will require depends on what it is made from. Most commonly, they are made from:

Tiles

A commonly used roofing material, tiles can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They offer an extremely durable surface, where the only real concern is tiles becoming cracked or dislodged. By staying vigilant and checking your roof often, you can identify potential problems before they become serious.

When you identify a problem tile, they are easily removed and replaced.  If your roof needs to be fully re-tiled, then it is standard practice to replace the wooden battens that they are attached to.

Stone or Slate

The most durable choice for roofing, stone or slate can last years without needing anything more than general maintenance. However, when the roof does start to deteriorate, large-scale repairs are generally needed. Be aware that the nails attaching your slates to the roof can decay and rust, leading to further problems.

Thatch

Available in many different forms, a thatched roof will require the most maintenance. This type of roof traditionally has a layer added to it when needed, leading to a buildup of materials. Eventually, when the weight becomes too much, the entire roof will need replacing.

With a thatched roof, you need to keep on top of its condition at all times. Things such as moss or algae can cause a lot of expensive damage if left unchecked. Remove this kind of growth at regular intervals and get rid of any overhanging trees; these can restrict airflow to the roof and make existing problems worse.

If your home is a listed building then you may have to obtain planning permission before you carry out any work.

Flat roofs

If your home has a flat roof, it will usually be over something like a porch or extension. The most common material for flat roofs is lead.  The main thing to look out for here is corrosion. Corrosion can lead to small holes in the roof. These will require a specialist contractor to fix, so keep an eye out for damage, and get it fixed before it becomes a large problem.

Flashings

Flashings are added to the point where your roof is connected to things such as chimneys. They provide a waterproof seal at junctions and are the part of the roof which is most prone to deterioration. As with flat roofs, they are usually made from lead. Keep an eye out for deterioration and if it has begun to set in, get in touch with a professional contractor.

Depending on when your home was built, you will need to figure out which roofing type your home is fitted with. Once you know this, you can find out how it can be repaired.

This piece was written by Mark Enright, a writer for Beddard Roofing, specialist roofing contractors.

Note:  Anyone doing their own roof repair will need good fall safety protection. Don’t take a chance! pb

 

General Safety Issues

FIRE DOORS: ADVANTAGEOUS OR JUST PLAIN IRKSOME? (GUEST POST)

Bad reputation

Fire doors often get a bad reputation due to their bulkiness and impracticality within the workplace, particularly within hectic business environments. It can prove quite an inconvenience if have to barge your way through a cumbersome door that blocks the central office walkway or the main access point between your pub kitchen and bar. 

In these situations it can be tempting to prop open the doors as a means of making a walkway more accessible. However,what many people fail to realise is that by implementing such practices they are actually breaking the law. Many businesses have managed to land themselves with hefty fines for breaking fire regulations after being found guilty of propping open fire doors with door wedges or heavy objects so as to allow for ease of access within the workplace. 

Ironically it seems, it is often those at greatest risk of fire that are most guilty of these wrongdoings. The catering and hospitality industry is of particular threat due to the high-risks associated with working in a kitchen – cooking food, working over open fires and handling flammable substances on a daily basis. It is essential that if a fire breaks out in a kitchen it does not spread to other parts of the premises. Nevertheless it is not uncommon to see fire doors being propped open to allow for the constant influx of people from the kitchen to bar area. 

Why do we need fire doors?

Fire doors are mandatory for a reason; thanks to their heftiness they help to prevent the fire from spreading throughout the building. This buys you some valuable time in which to evacuate the premises and get everyone out safely. In the occurrence of someone becoming trapped inside a building when it is ablaze, a fire door will protect the individual from the extreme heat and harmful fumes emitted, ultimately making the difference between life and death. 

The most common type used within commercial settings is the FD60, which will withstand fire for up to an hour. Building regulations still make reference to FD20 (20 minutes) fire doors, but it is common practise to fit FD30 fire resisting doors as a minimum. All fire doors must have the appropriate proof of performance for the ratings they carry. 

Another great benefit to fire doors is that they prove very effective at sound reduction. This is ideal for those of you that work within a hectic office environment and require some sections of a room to be shut off from the noise – perfect for private meeting areas or for offices within busy call centres. 

The alternative

 If the design of a conventional fire door just isn’t practical within your workplace there are some alternatives that you ought to consider. Regulations state that if you need to keep your fire door open, it should be fitted with a door retainer.  These safety-approved devices, also known as the ‘free door’ will close your fire door automatically when an alarm sounds. This ensures the safety of your staff and means you can go about your daily activities without the worry of breaking any fire regulations.

Our thanks to Kirsty Boden for this information. pb

 

 

Our thanks to Kirsty Boden for this informative article. pb

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

HOLIDAY HAZARDS

The U.S. holiday season begins this week, with the observance of Thanksgiving, Thursday November 28th.  On Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, more travelers will be either on the roads or catching planes to reach their destinations of the homes of family or friends.   This time of the year brings the deadliest season of highway accidents.  From Wednesday through January 1st, motorists are asked to observe MADD’s (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) campaign, “Tie One On For Safety.”  Place a red ribbon on your car, or find one of their stickers at your local MADD office.  This will remind other drivers to be more alert than ever during this busy time of the year.  If you spot someone you suspect is drunk or under the influence of drugs, report it to the police or highway patrol.  Keep your cell phone charged and if you need to call, it’s toll-free: 9-1-1.   If you witness a non-emergent event, such as a car that has been stalled, instead of 9-1-1, call your state number for highway assistance.  Texas is *DPS or #377. These numbers are listed by states.  One source is ou.edu./oupd/highway-cell.htm.

As you begin to travel this holiday season there are a few tips you should remember to ensure a safe trip:
* Leave early in order to arrive safely without speeding
* Sleep at least seven to nine hours the night before the trip
* Stop every two hours and walk around
* Be a defensive driver and watch for fatigued or drunk drivers
* Schedule a routine maintenance check on your car before leaving (tire pressure, oil, battery,  windshield wipers, etc.)
* Pack emergency equipment including first aid kits, flashlights, water, and blankets
* Be responsible and don’t drink and drive or text and drive 

In addition to heavy traffic hazards, many parts of the country have deer and other wild animals lurking about.  Control your speed in order to avoid hitting an animal, which can cause havoc to you, the animal, and your vehicle!  Watch for them, because they don’t do a very good job of watching for you. 

One holiday mistake you might make is getting carried away at holiday parties.  Plan ahead that either you or one of your companions will be the designated driver.  Take a cab or call someone to pick you up if you are alone and unable to drive.  Remember, friends don’t let friends drive drunk.  The best idea is to make up your mind that you won’t celebrate too much.  You will thank yourself the next day. 

Highways will be full of law enforcement officers, watching for speeders and dangerous drivers.  Their work assignment is to keep our highways safe for all drivers.  Make their job easier by observing the speed limits.  You will save time for them, and save money for you. 

As you travel, remember the reason you are even driving at all is to spend time with family and friends.  They want you to arrive safely so you can spend precious time together.

Don’t be a statistic this year; be thankful you are able to enjoy the holiday season in the coming few weeks.

TEXAS AMERICA SAFETY COMPANY and BLOG4SAFETY wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and safe holiday season.

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection

THE IMPORTANCE OF SEISMIC RETROFITTING (GUEST POST)

For owners of older houses and buildings that are on the Pacific Coast, an important consideration they must take into account is the need for seismic refitting. This method of refitting older buildings to make them safer from earthquakes is an important part of being a responsible citizen. Not only is it the owner’s duty, but there can also be financial penalties for building owners who do not comply.

When an earthquake occurs, the shaking ground moves buildings in a side-to side manner that causes them to shake and shimmy. When this occurs, the most vulnerable parts of the house are the cripple walls. The cripple walls are the walls found along the perimeter of the home. These are the walls that are under the most stress when an earthquake happens, and it is these walls that will first collapse from the stress of a seismic tremor.

Therefore, the first step in seismic refitting is…

1. Secure the cripple walls

The cripple walls are braced with plywood that will give them added strength to resist the violent movement they experience during an earthquake.

2. Bolt the cripple walls to the foundation

Once the cripple walls are reinforced, they will not be easy to break. However, now the house itself will be in danger of sliding off the foundation during an earthquake. In order to prevent this, the next step in seismic refitting is to bolt that cripple walls to the foundation. When this is done, the home will stay securely attached to the foundation during the violent side-to-side movement of the earth’s surface that occurs during earthquakes and their aftershocks.

3. Bolt the floors to the cripple walls

The next important step in the seismic refitting process is to bolt the floors of the house to the cripple walls. If this is not accomplished, then the other procedures will mean little. The house will simply shake back and forth until it tips over due to the outstanding force involved. Nailing the floor to the cripple walls will prevent this.

The floor will be attached to the sturdy cripple walls, which are in turn attached to the even sturdier foundation. These structures reinforce each other so that the building is now a secure structure that will be able to withstand the force of all but the most violent temblors.

Prepare your staff

If you own an office building, seismic retrofitting is only part of earthquake preparedness. Be sure that have an emergency plan in place, and ensure that all of your employees are adequately prepared to reach safely in the event of an earthquake.

Also, whether you’re protecting an office or your home, be sure to secure anything that could cause injury or death if it were to fall or move. This may include attaching large pieces of furniture to the wall, and ensuring that everything at risk is properly braced or secured.

Protect your building
The key to making your home or business safe from the ravage of earthquakes is in following these three steps to seismically refit them, and taking all the necessary precautions. These methods have been proven to strengthen even the oldest home, bringing them up to code. Doing this will not only keep your buildings safe, but it will provide your family with a secure structure that they can weather the violent motion of an earthquake in. This is a great feeling of peace of  mind when you have a safe zone like this.

If you fail to take these steps, you may be liable for financial penalties depending upon your jurisdiction. You also could face a lawsuit if anyone was hurt in your home during an earthquake. Do the right thing. Get a seismic refitting done on your old building today.

Jason Kane firmly believes that workplace safety should always be the number one priority in any workplace. He is a blogger for Federal Steel Supply, Inc.

Note: This is not a DIY project, but one for professionals, who have the training to undertake such an important task.  These workers should be equipped with hardhats, gloves, safety glasses, and other personal protective equipment.  pb

General Safety Issues

WORKER SAFETY IN PORT TERMINALS (GUEST POST)

Between 2010-11 and 2011-12 Australian sea exports increased by 6.1% to $236.2 million, with the tonnage of these exports increasing by 10.4% to 973.2 million tonnes. Imports valued at $182.2 billion and weighing 94.9 million tonnes also increased by 13.3% in the same time frame. These increases have important implications for specialist transport and work related safety in Australian port terminals.

A freight safety report published by the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) found that the main threats to work related safety were associated with heavy machinery and the massive loads that are moved around the docking areas. Increased risks included inadequate workplace infrastructure and insufficient container information.

The two areas of worker related safety of concern in ports are therefore due to the environment and to the unpredictable nature of container freight.

Environmental safety concerns

These are only a few of the injuries, some resulting in death, that highlight the emotional topic of worker safety in ports both within Australia and overseas.

  • On November 12, 2013 a worker was seriously injured when he was trapped between a forklift and a scissor lift at BAE Systems Shipyard in Western Australia.
  • In August 2013, a lack of training in safety procedures caused a protest at Station Pier in Port Melbourne blocking the movement of freight into and out of the dock.
  • In 2012, a stevedore died at Newcastle, NSW due to the fall of a break-bulk cargo of unstable ingot packs which crushed the worker. In the previous 2 and a half years there had been 5 other instances of unstable ingot cargoes falling – but without worker injuries.
  • In 2010 a stevedore was crushed to death between 2 containers as they were being loaded aboard ship at the Port Botany terminal, NSW. The death was attributable to the worker placing himself in a dangerous position just as a twistlock failed.
  • In 2010, a 2.5 tonne steel drum fell as it was being lifted at Appleton Dock, Melbourne killing a port employee. The transport company was fined $300,000.

The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau states that complacency about safety is one of the main causes of onsite accidents or fatalities in ports.

In April 2013, the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) submitted a proposal to Safe Work Australia for a Stevedoring Code of Practice. To support their submission the MUA stated that the rates of death and injury in port terminals had reached crisis levels in Australia with a rate of 2.8 deaths per 100,000 workers during 2010-11.

Given the death and injury rate within Australia, the MUA would prefer statutory safety regulations however, given the unwillingness of the government and employers to support any regulations – a Code of Practice was essential to worker safety.

Freight safety concerns

A 28 tonne container that was severely overloaded fell 12 metres and narrowly missed 2 workers at Darwin Port on February 25th 2011. The container was listed as weighing 4 tonnes but the true weight was 28 tonnes – which exceeded the load limit of the lifting crane causing it to break free and crash to the dock.

An overloaded forklift fell forwards after its container load shifted in a container yard in west Melbourne on May 9th, 2011.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in an effort to combat these and other problems intends to amend the Safety at Sea Convention (SOLAS). Specific to the weight of containers – the problem is that there is no universal agreement on weighing containers and the decision made by the IMO appears set to adopt a compromise which allows governments to choose how and when and by whom the containers are weighed prior to loading.

The ITF president Paddy Crumlin has stated that it should be a legal requirement that containers are weighed accurately and he does not believe that the proposed SOLAS amendments will enforce this requirement in a satisfactory framework. The undeclared and inaccurate weights of containers is an ongoing problem – and many more container incidents have been reported by the IMO.

In conclusion, the number of fatalities and injuries occurring in our ports is detrimental to the Australian import and export industry. It therefore behoves all specialist transport businesses to stand behind our Australian wharf workers and support a regime of both safety and transparency within our ports.

Author Bio

This article was submitted by AllWord Logistics, an international freight forwarding company based in Melbourne, Australia who provide efficient and effective sea and air freight services.

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

BLACK FRIDAY: IS IT WORTH IT?

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays:  a special day set aside for families to be together, spend time sharing and making memories:  eating too much food, and maybe watching too much football.  It seems that this holiday almost gets ignored, except by those who enjoy this tradition with family and friends. 

As soon as the Halloween masks, costumes, and decorations are removed, here come all the Christmas products.  What happened to Thanksgiving?  Sorry, this article isn’t about how I feel about this holiday; rather, it is about an ongoing topic that comes the day after Thanksgiving: Black Friday!  Now, surprise:  spoiling the Black Friday plan is the fact that many of the popular retailers are planning to open on Thanksgiving Day for certain hours, carrying their sales on through Black Friday.  It would be nice if their workers could  have some time off to spend with their families on the holiday.

This is a shopper’s dream: having November 28th, (Thanksgiving Day), plus Black Friday to fill their holiday stockings and purchase gifts at special prices.  Retailers know that they always have to be ready to manage crowds for Black Friday; because this will probably remain the least safe shopping day for customers, here are some tips from OSHA for retailers that hopefully will keep their employees safe from stampeding crowds. 

Five years ago, a Wal-Mart employee died at the opening of a “Black Friday” sale.  OSHA reminds employers that they are responsible for keeping their workplace safe.  Much planning should be done ahead of time, in order for things to go smoothly.  Last week, letters were sent to all firefighters and fire marshals, in addition to retail trade groups and C.E.O.’s of large retail companies from OSHA Assistant Secretary of Labor, Dr. David Michaels, who informed them that crowd control and proper planning are critical to prevention of injuries and death.

Death?  We are all aware that money is tight, and everyone wants to cut corners anywhere they can, but is it worth risking life and limb to save a few dollars?  You can read all the instructions that OSHA has in its Fact Sheet about Crowd Safety Management and Safety Guidelines for Retailers.  Here are a few, for instance: 

  • Hire extra workers
  • Ensure that workers are trained to manage the event
  • Designate a worker to contact local emergency responders if necessary
  • Be sure that the building meets public safety requirements
  • Have an emergency plan prepared
  • Set up barricades or rope lines outside the store
  • Barricade lines should have breaks and turns to reduce the risk of customers pushing from the rear and possibly crushing others, including employees
  • Have communications for outside workers
  • Make sure that all employees and crowd control personnel are aware that the doors are about to open (or that the stampede is about to take place!)
  • In emergency situations, have first-aid kits and Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) available and have personnel trained in using AED’s and CPR onsite at all times. 

Good luck –  retailers are counting on you to shop during the beginning of the Christmas season. We are certainly not trying to be “Scrooge” about Black Friday, just wanting to warn you to be ready to battle serious shoppers! 

 In the meantime, have a Happy Thanksgiving! pb