Yearly Archives: 2014

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

What Are Landlords’ Gas Safety Obligations? (Guest Post)

Landlords have a duty of care to ensure the health and safety of their tenants, and should take reasonable steps to do so. One of the most important regulations landlords in the UK must adhere to is the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. These oblige landlords to ensure that every relevant gas fitting and flue is maintained safely in order to prevent their tenants suffering from illness or injury.

This involves conducting gas appliance services every 12 months and keeping a record of these checks for two years. The record should answer the following questions:

–          When was the appliance or flue checked?

–          What address did the check occur in?

–          What is the name and address of the landlord or agent that controls the property?

–          Where are the appliances located?Gas-safety

–          What kind of gas appliances are they?

–          Were any problems noticed?

–          Were any defects repaired?

–          Was the flue’s effectiveness checked?

–          Was the supply of combustion air examined?

–          Was the heat input or operating pressure examined?

–          Was the operation of the appliance checked?

–          Was the landlord or agent notified of any defects?

–          Who carried out the check?

–          What the Gas Safe Register registration number of the person who carried out the check?

This record should also be provided to the tenants of the premises, and when a new tenant moves into a property, they should be provided with a copy of the most recent record.

Landlords’ gas safety obligations are not solely confined to the rooms their tenants live in, but also any communal areas, such as hallways and walkways. Landlords must also not merely ensure their gas appliances are serviced, but are also responsible for any repairs and maintenance that their appliance may require. It is best practice to repair any defects as soon as possible – not only could delays cause harm to tenants, but tenants may even try to reclaim part of their rent through the small claims court if they do not feel that their landlord kept their property up to standard.

Gas appliances that are in parts of a building solely occupied for non-residential use do not come under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, nor do any gas appliances tenants provide themselves. However, it is best to have any gas appliances owned by the landlord and any flues that are connected to tenant’s gas appliances checked annually; this may help landlords to meet any additional duties they have under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

If a tenant’s central heating shuts down due to a boiler breakdown or disconnected by an engineer, landlords must provide their tenants with alternative emergency heating until the heating is back on. It is illegal to use gas appliances that have been deemed as unsafe or that are suspected of being hazardous; therefore, landlords must not encourage their tenants to use any appliances that have been classed as unsafe and should arrange repairs as quickly as possible. Landlords who have any doubts over an engineer’s advice should still adhere to their advice, but can contact the Gas Safe Register for further assistance in the interim.

Kevin Burke

Kevin Burke writes about health and safety on behalf of boiler breakdown cover specialists 247 Home Rescue.

General Safety Issues, Health Issues, Respiratory Issues

ARE WE READY FOR A BIOLOGICAL ATTACK? (GUEST INFOGRAPHIC)

We just received this very interesting infogram from securitydegreehub.com/bioterrorism.  No one wants to even think about such a terrible thing happening to anyone; but from the history and information below, it has occurred with devastating results.   We must be better prepared. 

General Safety Issues, High Visibility Safety

WARNING TO ALL YOU FOUR-WHEELERS AND EIGHTEEN-WHEELERS: IT’S NATIONAL BIKE AND MOTORCYCLE SAFETY MONTH!

National Bike Safety Month

May is National Bike Month, and is sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists.  It is celebrated nationwide.  This observance is the time to showcase the great benefits of bicycling, and encourage more people to try it.

Whether you bike to work or school; ride to save money or time; pump those pedals to preserve your health or the environment; or simply to explore your community, National Bike Month is an opportunity to celebrate the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons we ride.  Please note: Wednesday, May 7th, is National Ride a Bike to School Day.  If your child is not in the habit of riding their bike to school, be sure you  know that they are prepared to do so.  Friday, May 9th, is National Ride a Bike to Work Day.  The most important thing any cyclist can do is to put that helmet on, buckle it up and make sure it’s level.  It’s not going to do its job if it is tilted to the side to look cool.
As a national sponsor, the League provides resources to help you plan an event in your area, and each year the number and diversity of Bike Month celebrations continues to grow, accelerating the momentum around bicycling nationwide.

National Motorcycle Safety Month 

Most experienced motorcyclists know the rules of the road and hopefully follow them.  When riding on a busy highway, it is important that they stay on their part of the road, and that drivers are alert and watching their every move.  Good motorcycle riders wear all the right stuff – helmets, jacket, gloves, and other protective equipment.  All that gear comes in bright colors, as well as black, and the colors give more warning to drivers.  Wearing a high-visiblity vest over the jacket would help, too.

There’s nothing greater than feeling the wind and open air; but it gives us a fright when someone is seen riding their motorcycle or bike without a helmet.  Believe me, I know some pretty hard-headed people out there, but none that could survive hitting the road, a tree, or sign head-first! 

With warm weather finally getting here in many parts of the country, it’s time to get out the cycles and check them out, tires and all, to be sure they are in tip-top condition.  Go out there and have some fun, and also save some of that high-dollar gas we are paying for.  Just please ride safely.

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

LIGHT STEEL FABRICATION: THE BACKBONE OF SECURITY GRILL DOORS IN MELBORNE (GUEST POST)

Have you observed the tall buildings that are raised all over the city?   Taking a close look to these structures will show that these buildings are actually made of metal structure. Yes! Metal fabrication is the process that has made it possible. This article discusses as to how this metal structure has played the role of backbone for these skyline.

In modern times, almost each and every object that exists around us is made of metal. History says that metal has literally helped in shaping up the world that we see now. Though plants have always been necessary and favoured fabric in most of our lives, but for homes, workplace and buildings, construction is impossible without the existence of metal. At present, metal fabrication has raised its head as one of the popular choices and key components to raise strong buildings and constructional structures all around the world. 

Going back to the history of ‘fabrication’:

As we have mentioned the term, ‘fabrication’, do you know what it actually means? ‘Fabrication’ is a process under which metal structures are built in different ways. These manufacturing processes include cutting, milling, bending, and shaping of the metal using machines and computer numerical control (CNC) that is used for welding, laser cutting process, press breaks and so on. As mentioned earlier, metal fabrication stands as the backbone of architectural structure, but that’s not the only material used to exist earlier. Taking back to the primitive days, the fabrication processes begins with crude materials like mud, rock, thatch, clay that was primarily used as substantial materials for construction. Slowly and steadily with the civilisation, people started to look for strong structural material and thus, metal was discovered. With this, metal fabrication was also born. 

Use of the fabricated metal:

This fabricated metal became the de-facto material for large buildings so that the buildings got strong foundation. On the other hand, the increasing demand of strong metal also led to the necessity of advanced metal fabrication method. This advanced fabricated metal is used not only for constructional purpose. It is also used for related services like covering a building from both outside as well as inside. In order to serve this purpose, steel has turned up as the standard metal. That’s why; steel fabrication technique is simultaneously popular in the market at present.

Now, when you look at highrise buildings in the city, a close view into it will show the existence of steel structure in these buildings. Similarly in the architectural field, need for steel—especially light fabricated steel—becomes prominent. 

Getting fabricated steel from the proper location:

As the demand for lightweight fabricated steel increases, similarly the customers also begin to look for the place where they can get this metal of best quality. When the question arises about best quality, you can vouch on laser cut stainless steel panels. These panels are around 63 cm in width and 143 cm in length. Now, if you are the customer and are looking for such précised laser cut stainless steel, you will obviously look for those places where you can get such high quality metal. Above that, if your project demands a strict deadline, it will become necessary to receive these parts within the next few days. In such instance, it becomes pertinent that you choose a dealer who should not only be capable of giving high standard metal but that too within the promised date as well. 

Author Mark Aurthur says, “Where should you go then?   Reputed metal working companies offering light steel fabrication for Security Grill Doors in Melbourne that can meet all your metal structure based needs in a short span of time. One such company is Dandenong Wrought Iron.  If you want, you can definitely approach Dandenong Wrought firm to get assured services. Beside this, the internet is also there to help you out with appropriate information to meet your requirements. 

 Note: Because welding is a common fabrication process, workers in this environment must be provided with personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, hearing protection, protective footwear and head protection.  Local exhaust ventilation should be used to remove harmful welding fumes from metals and/or gases.  In the U.S., OSHA requires compliance with their safety regulations regarding the fabrication process.  We know our friends in Australia also comply with the safety regulations established byWHS (Work and Health Safety).

Source: OSHA; docstoc.com

General Safety Issues

ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH NAOSH WEEK?

North American Occupational Safety and Health Week strives to focus the attention of employers, employees, the general public, and all workplace safety and health partners on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home and in the community.

NAOSH Week is led by the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), and Labour Program, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC). NAOSH Week continues to be a truly continent-wide event, celebrated in Canada, along with North American partners: Mexico and the United States.

How to Make Safety a Habit in Your Workplace
North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week, May 4-10, is a time in which attention turns to the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home and in the community. This year’s theme is Make Safety a Habit, and organizations all over North America are promoting their activities. If you are looking for ideas on how to celebrate health and safety at your workplace, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has a few suggestions: participate in a Steps for Life Walk in your community; watch the new free webinar Healthy Workplaces: A Team Effort; listen to podcasts for safe work tips; or display posters to promote health and safety messages. Observed annually, North American Occupational Safety and Health Week, or NAOSH Week happens during the first full week of May. Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day (OSHP Day) falls on the Wednesday of that week. Each year, American Society of Safety Engineers offers employers and co-workers the opportunity to recognize the outstanding efforts of their occupational safety health and environmental professional through our “Salute your Safety Professional” initiative. American Society of Safety Engineers urges everyone to get involved in NAOSH Week in an effort to better educate the public about the positive benefits a safe workplace provides not only for workers, but for their families, friends, businesses, their local communities and the global community. Our neighbors to the south –  Mexico, also participates this week of health and safety promotion in businesses. Thousands of companies in our continent support this important event. 

Make Safety a Habit is the theme that explains it all. If workers get in the habit of ensuring their equipment is in good shape, and follow all their safety training, it will be a much safer environment for all. Let’s let that apply to our homes and communities, too!

 Source: Canadian Society of Safety Engineering; American Society of Safety Engineers

  
Back Safety, Ergonomics, Hand Protection

PREVENTING BACK INJURIES IN THE WORKPLACE (GUEST POST)

 
A back injury is nothing to make light of. This type of injury can derail someone’s life, especially when it happens in the workplace. That’s why it’s important to take steps to avoid back injuries in the workplace. 

Here are some tips that will help to avoid back injuries: 

  • Always use correct techniques for bending, lifting, and moving loads
  • Exercising can help strengthen back and abdominal muscles, which will help support the back
  • Always wear comfortable, supportive, and nonslip shoes
  • Proper posture helps ease strain on the back
  • Losing weight helps put less strain on the back, so if you’re over weight, try losing some pounds to give your back a break

All employers in the United States adhere to Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines for proper techniques to be used for specific jobs. Following these techniques helps reduce back injuries. 

If lifting is a part of the job, here is important information to keep your back healthy even while lifting heavy objects.

  • Make sure there is enough room to lift the item. That means test its weight and make sure you’re able to do the lifting safely.
  • Get help for something that is too heavy or awkwardly shaped. Use a dolly to move heavy objects or split the load into multiple smaller loads if possible.
  • Keep loads close to the body when lifting to reduce strain.
  • Your feet should be shoulder-width apart to form a solid base of support
  • Grip what you’re lifting tightly
  • Always bend at the knees, not the waist
  • Do not rely on a back belt to provide necessary support for proper lifting; back belts do offer support, but shouldn’t be used as the only method of support
  • Take breaks when lifting multiple items
  • Avoiding twisting as you lift.
  • Use gloves when necessary for lifting to help with traction and protection

The Frequency of Back Injuries

According to the Centers for Disease Control, back injuries account for 20% of all injuries and illnesses in the workplace. These injuries cost 20 to 50 billion dollars each year. The most effective way to prevent back injuries is to implement an ergonomics program that helps redesign the work environment and work tasks to reduce any hazards associated with lifting, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. 

There are many products that can help prevent back injuries in all types of industries. Whether an employee is working on a loading dock or in an office, ergonomic products help maintain proper positioning at all times so that the body stays in alignment. 

What Injuries Mean for Businesses

It’s important for businesses to keep abreast of the injuries that can and do occur in the workplace. Keeping accurate data of these cases is necessary so that all information is compiled and company heads are able to stay focused on the big data bottom line. 

This information can include everything from the number of injuries and incidents to customer satisfaction. Most of all, it helps everyone from employers to employees to stay safe and keep the flow of work steady. 



photo credit: Nicholas_T via photopin cc

Dana Rasmussen writes about workplace safety tips and how to prevent injuries. She’s a big fan of ergonomically correct computer accessories.

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Health Issues

HOW YOUR BODY REACTS TO STRESS (GUEST POST)

Accidents at work can be frightening and dangerous, but knowing how your body reacts to stress will help you stay calm and take action as needed. While chronic stress can be damaging, temporary stress can help you survive dangerous situations and solve problems, especially if you encounter an emergency at work.

When your body perceives danger or stress it reacts with what is commonly called a fight or flight response. Increased production of hormones like epinephrine and cortisol change the way your body behaves. Here are four things your body does when you are stressed.

1. Extra Glucose is Released

Your body uses sugar as fuel, so in times of stress, cortisol tells your body to release extra sugars and fats for your body to use. If you need to move quickly to dodge a falling object or use every ounce of strength you have to lift a heavy beam off of a coworker, you will need all the extra energy you can access.

2. Heart Rate Increases

An increased heart rate helps circulate the extra sugar so it can get to the parts of the body that need it most. When your heart rate increases, your blood pressure also rises. If you feel your heart racing when you encounter an accident at work, don’t panic. It is a normal reaction.

3. Breathing Becomes Rapid and Airways in Lungs Widen

Along with sugar, your body also needs oxygen to react in dangerous situations. When you are stressed your breathing speeds up and the airways in your lungs widen so you can take in more oxygen.

4. The Immune System Shuts Down

The immune system requires a lot of energy to do its job, so in extremely stressful situations, it shuts down so your body can use that much needed energy to survive. Fighting off a cold is not a top priority if your arm has been sliced open.

These reactions all help you survive in short term dangerous situations. Because of these reactions, your thoughts become sharper, your pupils let in more light to improve vision, and your pain receptors shut down. This means that your body is ready to take whatever action is needed.

According to 911 Industrial Inc., pre-hospital care at the site of the emergency “helps reduce response time, loss of life, and severity of injuries.” While professionals who specialize in industrial safety services are best equipped to handle safety emergencies at work, you can take advantage of your body’s natural reactions to act quickly in emergencies before the professionals arrive.

If a co-worker is in trouble, take advantage of your increased energy and sharper thoughts to seek out help and make quick decisions. If you’ve been injured, try not to panic and remember that your body’s natural reactions are working toward minimizing the damage.

Author Byline

Michael David is a blogger who loves learning new things about science and health.

 

General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Hearing Protection

SAFETY MEASURES FOR PROFESSIONAL RACING DRIVERS (GUEST POST)

Professional racing is a huge industry worldwide and can cover a whole range of differing disciplines, but whether it’s Formula 1 racing in Monaco or the Dakar Rally in a Freelander, safety is always top of the drivers’, officials’ and governing bodies’ agenda. However, whilst Formula 1 drivers hit the top speeds, they do so in an incredibly controlled environment — the track. Rally drivers, who have to drive in a standard road-car body shell, must contend with public roads, rough terrain and hairpin bends, all of which can mean the challenge of maintaining driver and spectator safety is a big one.

In most cases, rally cars must be based on a standard four-seat production model which has been produced for use on public roads and in numbers greater than 25,000. However, there are some races for specific vehicles, such as the Defender Challenge. This is a ‘one-make’ rally for drivers of Land Rover Defender 90 Hard Tops. A similar race is the British Cross Country Freelander Challenge, which features the RACE2RECOVERY team (comprising former British servicemen who have been injured in combat operations).

Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Rover_Defender

However, regardless of the race type or the levels of heroism shown by the competitors prior to taking up the sport, the cars you see flying over hills and haring round tight corners are not the same as the standard car sitting on your driveway. They are fitted with specially designed enhancements designed to keep the drivers, co-drivers and spectators safe.

One of the first features you’ll see as you peer through the rally car window is that all unnecessary fittings, including the rear seats, have been removed. This is as much about ensuring the cars are fast as it is about safety. The two seats that remain are fitted with racing harnesses akin to those in an F1 car, with the belt positioning designed to ensure the torso of the driver (or co-driver) is restrained, thus reducing injury. The seats themselves are made of molded carbon-fiber, which is also intended to reduce the effects of any impact.

Perhaps the most crucial safety feature for a car guaranteed to be cornering at high speed is the metal roll-cage. This is made from tubular steel and is welded into the chassis of the car to prevent the roof from collapsing if the car tips over. In addition to this, all rally cars are also fitted with side-impact protection, which aims to dissipate the force of any impact and prevent serious injury to the driver and co-driver. You can check out Dynamic Metals for info on the best materials for automobiles, and also info on them sponsoring the Race2Recovery Freelander Challenge.

Finally, the speeds at which these cars race make braking a priority, and the brake discs on a rally car, which are made of carbon-fiber, are massive. In some cases, these brake discs are bigger than the wheels of a standard car and will heat up so much during braking that they will glow red-hot.

Whether you’re racing in Wales, Africa, or the U.S., on roads or off-road, ensuring your car is safe is vital. Making the right choice in metals for your roll cage and making sure all of your security features are top-notch can be both vital and a basic entry requirement for happy and safe racing.

Author Bio.

Jack writes for Dynamic Metals, a company sourcing and supplying high-grade and exotic metals for all major industries including: Motor Racing, Aerospace, Defense, Advanced Engineering, Medical and Oil & Gas. He covers topics on the safety and effectiveness of specific metals chosen.

Note: for those who love to attend these races, we would suggest you wear earplugs to protect your hearing! pb

 

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Issues

HOW REFRESHING! MAY IS CLEAN AIR MONTH

Beginning today, May 1st, the American Lung Association wants to educate us about the importance of breathing fresh, clean air. Clean air does not contain allergens or pollutants, but is a combination of nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. Clean air helps us stay healthy, so now is the time to take the proper steps to learn more about it. 

Here are some of the problems affecting our air that makes us sick by harming the environment: 

  • Sulphur Dioxide
  • Particulate Soot
  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Lead
  • Toxic Air Pollution
  • Ozone
  • Acid Rain 

Clean Air Month is recognized in many states across America. Events are held throughout the month of May to promote awareness. These have included ‘Bike To Work Days’ and ‘Share A Car Days’. (We will also be talking about Bike Safety during the month). Some states offer Air Management Programs and timely reporting on state and federal air quality issues. 

Clean Air Month is a time for many states to celebrate the impact the Clean Air Act has had on the way people think about the environment and on the overall health of its people. Just think of the improvements we have made since the Clean Air Act became official in 1970. For example, in Wisconsin during 1986, the Clean Air Act influenced legislation which was passed to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions from state power stations; by 1990 sulfur dioxide emissions had fallen by 46 percent. 

Everyone of us has the responsibility to keep our atmosphere clean. Many vehicles don’t do that. Manufacturing and other industries release pollutants into the air. Poor air quality in working environments require respiratory protection.  Here are some ways you can help and hopefully save money in the process! 

  • Make easy changes to your everyday routine;
  • Don’t let your car idle;
  • Keep your vehicle’s maintenance up to date;
  • Combine automobile trips;
  • Use environmentally friendly cleaning products;
  • Avoid painting or cleaning on poor air quality days;
  • Limit outdoor activities on these days.

We must do all we can to keep our environment clean.  This is the time to teach our children how valuable fresh air and a clean supply of water is to our future.  Don’t pollute the lakes and streams that cities and towns rely on for water.

Happy “May Day”

Eye Protection, Fall Safety, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Weather Protection

WORKING FROM HEIGHT, ARE YOU DOING IT RIGHT? (GUEST POST)

Working at height is a common requisite of almost any construction, maintenance or development work and should be conducted with extra care. According to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), falls from height remain one of the most common causes of fatality in any workplace, with a large proportion of these being a result of proper checks and basic assessments having not been carried out.

If you are an employer running your own business where working at height is frequent, it is crucial that you are familiar with the Working At Height Regulations 2005 and that you are continuously implementing the right health and safety protocol within your work site. If you are an employee, it’s important to be aware of the necessary safety checks so you can be sure you are not putting yourself in danger whilst at work. 

1.     Assess the work to be done.

Thorough and practical assessment of the work to be carried out will allow the work to be controlled responsibly throughout, minimising the likelihood of setbacks or emergencies.

It is stressed by the HSE that work should be done at height only when absolutely necessary. Ask yourself: can this work be done from the ground, with specialised equipment? Or can it be done using lower-level or interval platforms, reducing the risk of fall or injury?

Also identify the risks themselves, including the height of the work to be done, and how realistically accessible it is, even with the use of elevated platforms and other equipment. Determine how many people are required to complete the work, so as not to compromise the safety of more than what is absolutely necessary. Decide whether the work to be done is of a long or short duration (short duration is work that is measured in minutes rather than hours). 

2.     Take note of environmental conditions.

Work at height should never be undertaken or allowed in extreme weather conditions that could endanger anybody’s health and safety. Also bear in mind the surrounding environment of your work site, such as a noisy environment that could affect communications between those working at height and those co-ordinating on the ground. Nearby unstable matter can also pose an extra risk of injury, distraction or obstruction, so it’s important to maintain the worksite and its surrounding area to as high a standard as possible.

Although environmental conditions very often cannot be controlled, they can be noted and prepared for accordingly. 

3.     Check the relevant equipment.

Use of the right equipment is obviously the backbone of any work being carried out at height; whether this involves ladders, scaffolding, or the use of mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPS) such as scissor lifts or cherry pickers.

What should not be overlooked, however, is the checking and maintenance of this equipment on a regular basis. Different equipment and machinery will have various maintenance specifications; scaffolding checks for example, ought to be carried every seven days, whilst harnesses require a pre-use check, detailed inspection and interim inspection at various stages of their lifetime.

Equipment checks should ideally be carried out by someone assessed under a registry body (such as the Construction Industry Scaffolders Registration Scheme), or at least with sufficient experience in the use of the height equipment being used. 

4.     Ensure employees have the right training.

In light of the previous point, anybody using specific height equipment should have had the right training in its operation – this is essential. If your business engages in the use of mobile elevated platforms, it is absolutely crucial that all employees have undergone IPAF training and hold a current Powered Access Licence card (PAL) that proves they are capable of operating MEWPs safely.

IPAF training can be carried out by an IPAF approved training provider, and courses can be completed in just one day, with different packages to suit your business’ needs. If you are an employee, speak to your employer about possibly setting up a course to secure a fully qualified workforce (and some excellent team building opportunities). 

5.     Prepare for the worst.

It sounds simple, but the law requires that there is always a plan in place for emergencies and rescues when working at height. Use all means possible to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall should one occur, such as safety nets or bean bags; rest platforms at regular intervals, and the wear of safety clothing.
“Adele Hallsall writes for Kimberly Access, which provide access platform equipment for construction jobs. They have been serving businesses with access equipment for many years now and have a loyal customer base. They also provide training such as IPAF training.“