Yearly Archives: 2016

General Safety Issues

Check These Things before Letting Tradesmen Walk into Your House

Check These Things before Letting Tradesmen Walk into Your House

The old saying “Buyer beware!” is important to remember when you need work done in your home. You are the one responsible for vetting, hiring and making sure you get a quality product or service before you’ve paid your bill. Contractors who do work on your home can put a lien on it if you don’t pay the bill, so the best option is to try to make sure the person you hire is going to do what you’ve asked them to do in the time you’ve allotted for the job. If you’re not sure how to properly screen tradesmen that walk through your door, read up on these five ways to get started before you’ve signed the actual contract.

5 Ways to Screen and Vet Tradesmen

When you need to call a commercial plumber in Sydney right away, you should already have someone in mind who you’ve screened ahead of time. Any professional that will be doing work in your home should go through a careful screening process, which takes time. Thus, get those contact numbers ahead of time by checking out your local tradesmen before you actually have an emergency. You need to find out:

1. If They’re Insured – People who work in your home can also cause fires, have an accident, or just do damage to the home during the course of their work. It doesn’t matter if you are having a roof replaced or your windows cleaned. You need to be sure they have their own insurance that covers them as well as any damage to the property, in case that happens. You don’t want to be stuck for the bill for something that was not under your control.

2. Referrals – Check out local referrals from your neighbors and even third party online sites that deal with tradesmen in your area. Local reviews on online forums can help you decide ahead of time whether someone has good customer service, how they deal with the public, and the quality of their work. It also lets you know if you can trust them or not.

3. Get a Contract – If you have a lawyer, have them review it. If not, read carefully to know ahead of time what you will be signing and how it obligates you to pay, whether the work is done shoddily or late. You should have some way to get out of a contract where the tradesmen do not hold up their end of the bargain. The contract will also indicate any liens that might go on the house to secure payment for the work done.

4. Professional Reputation – Is this tradesman in good standing with their certifying organization? How long have they been in business? You don’t want to just hire someone who is off the street, or new, who can’t prove they know what they’re doing. They should have some sort of certifying paperwork or be a member of a professional organization within their trade.

5. Their Payment Policies – Tradesman differ in how they accept payment. Some will accept half before they start a job and half on completion. Others wait until the job is fully done to take payment. Some take some form of credit, but not all. Some will offer discounts for new customers or those that have given them a paid referral. You can even get a bulk deal for a year-round attention to the home, as a maintenance package, that you either pay monthly or yearly.

Ergonomics, General Safety Issues

Six Advantages to Manual Handling Training for Employees

Six Advantages to Manual Handling Training for Employees

Manual Handling Training looks to ‘prevent’ workplace injuries that can be endured when competing tasks such as Manual Handling.
Using method ‘prevention is better than cure’, we will outline 6 better ways of Manual Handling that will improve your employee’s knowledge, training and experience of good safe practice within the workplace. This will help to reduce and hopefully prevent any further injuries as a result of poor Manual Handling training.

To learn from the following 6 benefits to manual handling training for your employees; sit-up straight, make sure your back is stretched and the lights in your room are lit well enough for reading. Once you have completed those steps, please begin the 6 advantages to Manual Handling Training for Employees:

1) Raises Awareness

One of the biggest mistakes that an individual tasked with manual handling tasks make is to have a poor awareness of the risks associated to manual handling and the injuries that they may incur as a result of poor form and practice.

Manual Handling Training will raise awareness to your employees to the possible risks and dangers directly related to Manual Handling, heightening the importance of good practice within your employees and bettering their understanding of the potential outcomes if practices are ignored and Manual Handling techniques are not employed. Raising Awareness is not a stand-alone practice that will ensure good Manual Handling practice is met and implemented within their work, regularly!

2) Good Practice

An excellent outcome of Manual Handling Training is the understanding and learning of form and good practice. Manual Handling instructors will provide employees with the knowledge of best, safe and most effective practice. By understanding the best method to carry out Manual Handling, employees should understand the opposites; bad practice.

By teaching an understanding of the differences of good and bad Manual Handling, employees may be able to start implementing good practice techniques within their own work.

3) Employees in their Environment

One of the most valuable Manual Handling Training practices is to host the course on-site, within the environment employees will be using their training on a daily/ frequent basis. This method helps to cement the knowledge accrued within their own working environment rather than needing to ‘mentally’ envisage using the taught Manual Handling techniques at their own workplace (which may not have an identical layout, many variables can enter the training process etc.)

4) Teaching Employees How to Use Mechanical Aids

An extremely positive outcome of Manual Handling Training courses on-site is to enable the instructor to show the intended and correct use of Mechanical Aids within their own working environment to ensure employee safety when using such machines. Typically, employees using mechanical aids will have already been briefed and understood the additional safety requirements necessary to operating those particular machines.

By teaching employees on-site, best practice techniques can be ensured to be passed on and understood. Teaching employees within their own environment has an instrumental impact on the effectiveness of Manual Handling Training for employees, this is heighten when Mechinical Aids are involved within the process.

5) Learning through Experience

For employees, learning through experience in their workplace may be a critical aspect to bettering their understanding of the best work practices/ techniques within their own work environment – improving confidence.

Due to the inclusiveness of learning from experience, many employees may be able to provide insight into their past methods and techniques which have now been corrected. This level of teaching may be highly beneficial to individuals.

In addition, employees that have picked up and developed bad habits which are translating into their daily work practices have a chance to ‘refresh’ their understanding in a learning environment with an expert which should help to improve their abilities to fulfil the role and improve the safety of their work.

6) Promotes a Healthy Workforce

One of the most under-estimated benefits from Manual Handling Training for Employees is the promotion of a safer, healthier and happier workforce with a greater understanding of the roles and jobs they are to fulfil.

It has been widely cited that a healthy workforce has benefits on productivity. Manual Handling Training promotes this by teaching good, efficient and safe practice within the workplace.

For your business to benefit from Manual Handling Training, please visit our website at www.ofi.co.uk.

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

Before You Hit the Road: Tips for a Safer Commute

The workplace isn’t the only place where you should strive for safety. The roadways can be equally as dangerous and an accident before work can start you off on the wrong foot. If you are like millions of other drivers, commuting may be one of your least favorite parts of the day and for good reason, according to the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), a division of Texas A&M University, the average commuter spends about 42 hours a year in traffic congestion.

Not only can traffic congestion cause major headaches and stress, it is also a contributing factor in accidents across the U.S. Texas, alone, is notorious for some serious traffic jams. Here are some tips to having a safer commute and ways to prepare for your morning drive before you even hit the road:

Get Enough Sleep

Sleep can be hard to come by, particularly when you’re putting in overtime and trying to balance a life outside of work. A good night’s sleep is essential to physical and mental health, productivity and safety at work as well as safety on the road. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) recommends that adults get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep at night. Additionally, NSF also reports that at least 100,000 crashes occur each year due to sleep deprived drivers. Do yourself a favor and get enough sleep, even it means skipping the nightly news report or chatting with friends on social media.
Prep for the Day the Night Before

Remember how Mom used to urge you to set out your clothes for school, the night before? It’s not a bad idea. The more prepared you are for your day, the better. If your morning is full of too much to do before you even get behind the wheel, you may leave the house stressed out, running late, and as a result, you may drive more recklessly thus increasing your risk of an accident.

Relax

Some drivers really hate commuting. It can be stressful, it can cause anxiety, and it can cause rage. If you get in the habit of relaxing before you leave for work, you may be and feel ready to face morning gridlock. While a relaxing bubble bath may be out of the question, some yoga poses or even brief meditation could put you at ease, making you more focused and less likely to lose your cool while driving. Relaxing exercises not your thing? Consider going for a brisk walk, a short run, or even hit the gym before work, it may have the same benefits.

Check Out The Traffic Beforehand

For many commuters, traffic is traffic, but sometimes taking a look at the traffic before you head out the door can help you prepare for what you can expect or what you may want to avoid. Check out traffic cams or download an app like Waze to get an up-to-date look at the roads and any delays due to accidents or construction. It’s always a good idea to check the weather forecast, too, as a rainy morning in Texas can make for a nightmarish commute. Preparedness may not always reduce the hassles of a morning commute, but it can help you stay safer.

Uncategorized

Workers’ Compensation, Injuries, In Steel Industry

Workers’ Compensation, Injuries, In Steel Industry

When you think about the importance of having employees covered, then you first need to think about what it really means. Injuries can happen each and every day regardless of where you are or what you do. However, when you consider the specifics of injuries on the job, the last thing you want to do as an employer is have an employee sue you for being hurt in the line of their job duties. That’s exactly why workers’ compensation exists and it’s also why people in tough industries such as the steel industry pay such high rates.

What is Workers Compensation?

Workers Compensation itself is the basis for which injuries are paid. It prevents employees from suing their employers, tying up the courts with simple claims, and even harming small businesses as they are dealing with constant injury lawsuits. When you think about the specifics of workers compensation over the course of an operational day then you can see how necessary it is to have workers compensation insurance. Throw in the fact that industries like the steel industry have much more risk associated with them and you can see how it would help to pay medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and more.

What Could Happen That Needs Covered?

Thinking about the specifics of how the steel industry works will let you see why you need to have workers compensation coverage in the first place. Bending and stooping, twisting and turning, and even the shocks to an employee’s body from a significant amount of weight in awkward positions can all be hard on the body.

What About Long Term Damage?

You also have to consider that in addition to the blunt force or trauma that can occur with significant weight and mass of steel, you also have long term damage that can be caused due to the repetitive nature of twisting and turning. The fact of the matter is when you throw in the heavy machinery there can be a significant amount of damage or physical harm done in a short period of time.

Steel Industry Specific Payments

When it comes to the specific payments of workers compensation, an employee is able to be taken care of for medical bills as well as much more. There could be a potential for the employee to receive a scheduled amount of money for anything from a scheduled injury, to even receiving lost wages for being off of work. This will all come down to the specifics as listed in the workers compensation insurance policy, but for the most part the insurance will kick in and the employee will be covered. Whether that is medical bills, rehabilitation, ambulance costs, and etc. All of these items can be covered by workers compensation insurance.

When you are thinking about the steel industry, you have to be sure the employees are covered. There is a significant amount that could go wrong and the last thing you want is for bills and money to be a problem in addition to the physical damage and suffering that can occur.

Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Federal Steel Supply, Inc., a leading supplier of carbon, alloy and stainless steel pipes, tubes, fittings and flanges.

Eye Protection, Fall Safety

Safety Tips for Workers Involved in High-Risk Jobs

Safety Tips for Workers Involved in High-Risk Jobs

Some people choose to work in a nice, safe office all day. Others choose a more dangerous line of work. If you are planning to work a high risk, dangerous job, you should follow proper safety tips. If you protect yourself on the job, you will be less likely to be in an accident that could cause injuries or even death.

Never Do a Job that You Aren’t Trained For

If you are considering working a high-risk job, you need to be properly trained and qualified. If you take up a job that you are not trained for, not only are you putting yourself in harms way, you are also putting your co-workers and the people around you in harms way as well.

Wear the Required Uniform

The reason that employers require you to wear a uniform is not so that you look silly, it is so that you remain protected. For example, if you are working in a factory or as a mechanic, you might be required to wear Dickies overalls to protect you from a burn or a chemical spill. Many kitchen jobs require you to wear non-slip shoes. This is to prevent a slip and fall accident on the job. If you are wearing the required uniform, you will be less likely to be injured.

Use Proper Safety Equipment

Certain jobs require that you use proper safety equipment in order to be safe on the job. For example, goggles should be worn by a chemist or a welder to prevent injury to the eyes. Construction workers should wear a hard hat to prevent a head injury on the job. While a doctor is not considered a dangerous job, safety precautions are taken there as well by wearing gloves. If your employer requires that you wear safety equipment, you should listen.

Fall Prevention

If you are working a job that takes you to great heights, such as repairing or installing a roof, you should make sure that you are using the proper safety equipment for fall prevention. First, you should make sure that you are attached to a safety harness at all time such that even if you lose your footing, you don’t fall off the roof. Also, if the roof is very high, you should consider using scaffolding. It will help you reach the heights that you need, safely. Finally, you should always wear a hard hat on the job to prevent a head injury if you were to fall or if something were to fall on you.

Listen and Participate in Safety Seminars

Employers who hire people to work dangerous jobs will often hold seminars to be sure that their employees are safe while they work. To ensure employees’ safety, you should partake in and listen during safety seminars. The more information that you have on being safe while working, the less chance there will be for injuries.

Always Be Alert on the Job

It is a good idea to be alert at any job, however, it is even more important to be alert if you are working a dangerous job. When you are alert, you will be able to recognize that an accident is about to happen, and you can get out of harms way before it is too late.

Some people choose a dangerous job because these jobs pay well. Others choose dangerous jobs simply because it is the line of work that they are interested in. Whatever the reason that you have chosen a high-risk job, you need to take the proper precautions so that you can be sure that you are safe on the job.

Man On Ladder

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

Choose the Best Steel Lockers for Your Office

Purchasing a locker for your office means you need to be well-informed before you make a buying decision. Depending on your requirements, you can customise your office’s locker system as well as select the accessories that will enhance it. The most important consideration you need to make is how many tiers you will need. This one variable will assist you in quickly determining what characteristics will work for your storage and security needs. Always double-check the dimensions and description for verification as well.

Handle Types
You also have to consider the handle type. Locker systems are featured with a lift handle, door pull or recessed handle design. Lift handles supply the user with fast and convenient access to the items or content within a locker. This kind of handle makes it easy to add a padlock for securing the handle and preventing any kind of access that is unauthorised.

Recessed handles are designed to keep vandals from striking the handle component in order to obtain access. Door pull handles, like lift handles, provide an easy way to affix a padlock. Most of the box lockers that are sold feature a door pull handle design. Now that you have become acquainted with the three main handle designs, you need to think how the locker will be used, the style of locker you will need and the size and colour options.

Compartment Storage Lockers
For instance, compartment storage lockers are ideal to choose when you need to store and safely secure personal items or equipment. These types of lockers come with either latch-fitted or key-operated locks. The lockers are good for storing equipment when you are not using it.
Niche Type Storage and Security
Other locker storage solutions for the office include the post locker, which is made to safely store snail mail. and the laptop, which enables an employee to store his laptop or laptop accessories. You can also use headset lockers that are available for storing headsets.

Laptop Storage
The laptop storage lockers that are used provide a cost-efficient way to store laptops. The lockers come fitted with either latch or key-operated locks. You can choose a separate frame and door colour or keep the frame and door color the same. Usually, the frame on this sort of locker is grey whilst the door may be grey, red or blue.

Headset Lockers
Another storage option – a headset locker – is usually divided equally among sixteen compartments. Typically, the lockers are offered in one size and each of the compartments feature a standard key-operated lock.

Quality Features
Any locker you choose should offer an air vent system on the door, a welded front frame, through frame locking, welded internal door strengthener and knuckle hinges. The locker should feature, as standard, an anti-bacterial powder coating as well. Using this type of coating prevents the spread of MRSA and E-coli bacteria at bay. MRSA stands for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which causes different infections in the body.
The office locker you choose should be quality engineered so it will supply a dependable and sturdy storage and locker system for many years. Any built-in security adds extra confidence that office electronics and personal items will not be stolen or seized. Make sure the office locker you select offers replacement keys or locks, if necessary too. Numbered cards that show locker numbers are usually available.

You can get a better idea of the various locker styles by visiting such sites as locker-selector.co.uk. When you have this kind of reference, you can better visualise how a locker system can be incorporated into your office environment.

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

The importance of Fire Safety Training

Fire safety training is essential to know especially when you review the recent statistics concerning fire.

Some Important Fire-related Statistics

Over the span of a year, from 2011 to 2012, local rescue services in Britain were called out to almost 585,000 fires or false alarms. Of these call-outs, approximately 272,000 were for actual fires whilst 312,000 were false alarms. Of the 70,000 building fires reported, approximately 44,000 took place in private dwellings. Of the primary fires recorded, around 6,000 took place in dwellings whilst 7,300 happened in other structures. About 14,000 of the fires involved a fire in a car.

When you review the above statistics, fire safety training is not the kind of knowledge you can blithely sweep under a rug or scan over randomly. In order to reduce any risk of liability and ensure the safety of household members or employees, you need to take fire safety training yourself or offer the a course or program to people in the workplace. By taking this approach, you not only reduce your costs for liability cover, you will also establish a safer working environment for your employees and yourself.

Fire Awareness Education

Fire safety trainers today feature courses that are highly interactive as they provide fire simulation equipment that mimics emergency occurrences. These hands-on courses give participants the confidence they need to handle certain fire-related events. Fire demos are featured by trainers that allow participants to hone their skills using a fire extinguisher as well.

Legally, employers are obligated under the Fire Safety Order or Regulatory Reform of 2005 to make sure that fire safety training requirements are met. To make scheduling easier, safety trainers can come to your work site. Therefore, there is no practical reason why you cannot provide fire safety training to your staff.

Types of Fire Safety Training for Employees

Staff members can take one of various fire-related courses, including –
• Fire extinguisher maintenance
• Fire extinguisher maintenance (refresher course)
• Practical fire extinguisher course work
• Fire warden training
• Fire safety awareness

A fire safety awareness course usually lasts about two hours and combines practical sessions with theoretical learning. This educational format permits staff members to learn how to respond efficiently in a fire emergency. Delegates taking the course normally receive a comprehensive manual and a certificate.

Class Participation/Interaction: What is Involved

Participants are given the chance to use a fire extinguisher to control a live fire using a fire-friendly simulation apparatus. Therefore, a fire safety awareness course is important as it not only assists employees in handling a fire emergency, it also ensures that your company remains compliant with the relevant and local health, fire and safety laws. In fact, the course includes a section that covers fire legislation. Not only that, students learn proper evacuation procedures, review the common causes of a fire, and learn about various fire extinguishers and their uses.

Some of the causes of a fire relate to flammable liquids, faulty wiring, lighting fixtures and heat sources. For instance, it is important to have the wiring in your business regularly checked. Double adaptors and power-boards can both overload power points. Make sure the correct fuses and safety switches are installed and used as well.

You can obtain the above-described fire safety training by contacting companies, such as ifast in the UK. Use a provider that will continually work with you to raise an awareness among your staff about the importance of safety and security. Stay safe and work safe by arranging for training today.

Health Issues, Protective Clothing, Weather Protection

Be Aware and Prepare to stop spread of Zika virus.

As Congress haggles over how many millions or billions of dollars to spend to help stop the spread of the Zika virus in the U.S. before summer, researchers at New Mexico State University are already testing wearable mosquito repellent devices to determine which ones can best help us protect ourselves against these insects.

“The goal is to find out what works and what doesn’t,” said Immo Hansen, an NMSU associate professor of biology involved in the investigation. “There are so many products on the market that simply don’t work, so I think it’s really important to test them in a scientific way.”

This month, a group from Hansen’s Molecular Vector Physiology Lab, in the College of Arts and Sciences, began a series of tests to determine the effectiveness of a dozen commercially available wearable repellents, including clip-ons and wristbands. Though the study is ongoing, preliminary data revealed that citronella-based bracelets and wristbands have little effect on mosquitoes, whereas OFF Clip-On devices not only repel mosquitoes, they also kill them.

“Some people are really resistant to putting repellents on their skin, so they would rather choose a wearable device,” said Stacy Rodriguez, manager of NMSU’s Molecular Vector Physiology Lab and lead researcher on this project. “Right now, we are just trying to see if the wearable devices are as effective as the spray-on devices.”

The group plans to publish the results of this research by mid-summer.

This analysis is a follow-up to a study the group conducted last fall on 10 commercially available spray-on repellents. During this experiment, Rodriguez and her colleagues recognized the most reliable sprays as DEET products and lemon eucalyptus-based insect repellents.

For the current study, the group is testing the wearable devices using a 70-foot wind tunnel located in an NMSU research facility. After taking baseline readings, the researchers put on the repellent devices and position themselves upwind of a series of test cages. Depending on the product’s repellency, the caged mosquitoes either fly away from the test subjects or toward them.

The wearable devices are being tested against the same two species of mosquito used in the spray repellent study: the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) and the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti), both of which carry the Zika virus.

“These two mosquitoes have very different levels of attraction to even one certain individual,” Rodriguez said. “Since attraction varies, repellency is also going to vary, so it’s important to test multiple species when you’re looking at repellents and their efficacy.”

Thanks to body chemistry, mosquitoes are also more inclined to bite someone who “smells” good to them.

“Everybody has a different bacterial flora on his or her skin,” Hansen said. “The bacteria break down components of sweat and produce a different set of olfactory clues for the mosquitoes. Some people just smell better to mosquitoes than others, and there’s really nothing you can do about that except wear repellents. There’s nothing you can do to change the bacterial flora on your skin.”

Consequently, these chemical differences can impact which repellents work best for you.

“Something that might work for one person because of his or her body chemistry, might not work for somebody else because he or she has different chemistry,” Rodriguez said.

While the Asian tiger mosquito hasn’t established significant populations in New Mexico, Aedes aegypti – one of the primary vectors of dengue, Zika virus and yellow fever – can be found in your backyard in Las Cruces.

“Be aware; prepare,” Hansen said. “Get yourself a good repellent, wear long sleeves, long pants. Try to avoid getting bit.”

The mosquito that carries the Zika virus can breed in as little as one centimeter of standing water, Hansen explained. For those with ponds, his recommendation was to get Gambusia, or mosquito fish, from the Doña Ana County Vector Control to keep backyard mosquito populations at bay.

Next fall, Hansen and Rodriguez plan to investigate mosquito attractants for use in baits. Surprisingly, even though humans attract mosquitoes all the time, Rodriguez explained that creating a chemical to attract mosquitoes is actually harder than repelling them.

“We have such complex odors that it’s actually hard to emulate that in cream or a bait trap,” she said. “It’s actually much more complex than creating something that disguises your human smell.”

Article Provided by…

Molecular Vector Physiology Laboratory
New Mexico State University
Immo Hansen, biology professor
immoh@nmsu.edu (575) 646-7719

Eye Protection

Proven Ways to Safeguard your Vision at Work

1 Comment

700,000 workers in the US suffer a job-related eye injury annually. A third of these injuries are treated in hospital emergency departments and more than a hundred of these injuries lead to loss of work and money. The majority of these injuries result from small particles or objects striking or abrading the eye. These injuries are the result of small particles or objects striking the eye.

Eye and face protection is mandatory for the general industry, shipyard employment, long shoring, and the construction industry where most eye-related injuries occur. Luckily for you, these injuries can be avoided with the tips provided in this article.

Causes of On- Job Eye Injuries
Eye hazards are found in all industries. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that more than 40% injuries occur amongst craft workers (Mechanics, Carpenters and Plumbers). Labourers suffer 20% of eye injuries. Half the injured workers were employed in manufacturing as compared to the 20% in construction.

Causes of Eye Injuries
BLS found that 70% of all eye-related accidents were a result of flying particles, most of which were smaller than a pin head. These particles were said to be moving faster than a hand thrown object.
Contact with chemicals during work or chemical industries causes 20% of the eye related injuries. Other causes of eye injury were caused by swinging objects such as chains or ropes.

Protecting Against Eye Hazards
• Projectiles
70% of all eye-related accidents are a result of flying particles. These projectiles are made up of dust, concrete, metal, wood and other particles. This may infect the eyes as well as causing abrasion to sensitive areas that are unreachable, and rubbing only makes it worse. Some particles may penetrate the eye ball resulting in a permanent loss of vision.

• Chemicals
These largely occur in chemical industries or working with cleaning products. Splashes of chemicals results in chemical burns to the eyes which is extremely painful as well as stressful to the eyeball and the nerves.

• Radiation
Thermal burns to the eyes are prominent among welders, their assistants and nearby workers which routinely damages their eyes and surrounding tissues.

• Blood borne Pathogens (Hepatitis Or HIV) From Blood And Body Fluids
Lab staff, janitorial workers and animal handlers are at the highest risk of getting infected by diseases through ocular exposure. Direct exposure to blood, bodily fluids and from touching the eyes with contaminated fingers. This leads to minor reddening or soreness in the eyes which may lead to life threatening diseases such as HIV or B Virus.

Defence Against An Eye Injury

The best defence against eye injury is wearing eye protection regularly. 90% of eye injuries can be prevented by using proper protective eyewear.

Non Prescription and Prescription of Safety Glasses
Safety glasses are specially designed for general working conditions to protect the eyes against dust, chips and flying particles. They are made of strengthened glass which must match the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), be sure to look for the Z87 mark on the lens or frame.

Goggles
Safety goggles are impact resistant and provide protection from dust and chemical splashes. Goggles create a secure shield around your eyes.

Face Shields and Helmets
Full face shield protect workers who are regularly exposed to chemicals, heat and pathogens. Helmets are used for welding and working with molten materials. Face shields and helmets should be used with safety glasses or goggles to get maximum protection.

Special Protection
Helmets or goggles with special filters to protect the eyes from optical radiation exposure should be used for welding or working with lasers.

How to Handle Eye Emergencies

You should seek medical attention at an Eye Care Centre as soon as possible if you are experiencing pain in your eye, blurred or loss of vision.

About the Author: Aaron Barriga aspired to become an Eye Doctor when he was younger, but his fantastic knack for understanding people and his outgoing personality led him into the field of Marketing. Working at Insight Vision Centre as their Online Marketing Manager, he has the best of both worlds. He blogs with a mission of informing readers about the latest eye care technology and topics related to eye care and eye health. He loves collecting coasters from the different bars and restaurants he visits during his travels.

safety glass girl pic

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Issues, Respiratory Safety

Is Asbestos Eradication Realistic?

At the tail end of last year, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Occupational Safety and Health called for urgent action to be taken to tackle the legacy of asbestos in Britain’s workplaces. Building occupants may be exposed to asbestos, but those most at risk are persons who purposely disturb materials and they become airborne such as maintenance or construction workers. This often leads to mesothelioma – an incurable disease of the lungs which is fatal.

With an estimated 5000 people dying as a result of asbestosis and mesothelioma every year, and a vast majority of these deaths coming as a result of exposure just decades ago, the All-Party Parliamentary Group argued that it is wrongly seen as an issue of the past as the use of the material has been banned since 1999. However, they believe the time has come to put regulations in place that will lead to the safe removal of all asbestos that is still in use in buildings throughout the UK. This is to ensure that future generations do not suffer the same asbestos-related deaths which have blighted the workforce of the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s.

But is this proposed asbestos eradication realistic? While asbestos is still around us and can be found across both domestic and non-domestic premises, people are still knowingly being exposed to asbestos whether they’re working in maintenance, refurbishment or demolition. In their report, the group have called for:

• Commercial, public, and rented domestic premises should have to conduct a survey to indicate whether asbestos is present in the building, registering the results with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
• If asbestos is identified, any refurbishment or repair to the building should include its removal.
• The HSE must develop a programme of workplace inspections to ensure asbestos material is identified, marked and managed and that eradication plans are in place with a projected timetable.

Ian Lavery, chair of the all-party group said: “We believe that the Government needs to start now on developing a programme to ensure that asbestos is safely removed from every workplace and public place so that we can end, once and for all this dreadful legacy which has killed so many people, and will continue to kill until asbestos is eradicated.”

Whether asbestos eradication is realistic or not, it always helps to be fully informed on an issue that remains prominent in the public conscience. If you’re unsure of the impact asbestos may have on your property or business, Praxis42 are available to offer eLearning and consultancy to suit your needs. Our Asbestos Condition Surveys are provided as part of an estate and facilities risk management service, whereas our Asbestos Awareness eLearning course aims to help organisations meet their legal obligation to train employees whose work could lead to exposure to asbestos containing materials.

Asbestos