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General Safety Issues, Weather Protection

COLD STRESS EQUATION – PART II

When the body is unable to warm itself, serious cold related illnesses and injuries may occur, and permanent tissue damage and death may result.  These illnesses can slowly overcome a person who has been chilled by low temperatures, brisk winds, or wet clothing.  The result can be frost bite or hypothermia; listed below is information on what happens to the body, and what should be done:

Frost Bite:  Freezing in deep layers of skin and tissue; pale, waxy-white skin color; skin becomes hard and numb; usually affects the fingers, hands, toes, feet, ears, and nose.

What Should Be Done: (land temperature)

  • Do not leave the person alone; move him/her to a warm dry area.
  • DO NOT rub the affected area, because rubbing causes damage to the tissue and skin.
  • Remove any wet or tight clothing that may cut off blood flow to the affected area.
  • Gently place the affected area in a warm water bath and monitor the water temperature to slowly warm the tissue.  Do not pour warm water directly on the affected area because it will warm the tissue too fast, causing tissue damage.  Warming takes about 25-40 minutes.
  • After the affected area has been warmed, it may become puffy and blister.  The affected area may have a burning feeling or numbness.  When normal feeling, movement, and skin color have returned, the affected area should be dried and wrapped to keep it warm.  Note: if there is a chance the affected area may get cold again, do not warm the skin.  If the skin is warmed and then becomes cold again, it will cause severe tissue damage.
  • Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Hypothermia: (Medical Emergency) Normal body temperature (98.6° F) drops to or below 95°F; fatigue or drowsiness; uncontrolled shivering; cool bluish skin; slurred speech, clumsy movements; irritable, irrational or confused behavior.

What Should Be Done: (land temperatures)

  • Call for emergency help
  • Do not leave person alone; move person to a warm dry area.
  • Replace wet clothing with warm, dry clothing or wrap person in blankets.
  • Have person drink warm, sweet drinks (sugar water or sports-type drinks), if they are alert.  Avoid drinks with caffeine (coffee, tea, or hot chocolate) or alcohol.
  • Have person move their arms and legs to create muscle heat.  If they cannot do this, place warm bottles or hot packs in the arm pits, groin, neck and head areas.  Do Not rub the person’s body or place them in warm water bath.  This may stop their heart.

What Should Be Done: (water temperatures)

  • Call for emergency help.  Body heat is lost up to 25 times faster in water.
  • Do Not remove any clothing.  Button, zip, buckle, and tighten any collars, cuffs, shoes, and hoods because the layer of trapped water closest to the body provides a layer of insulation that slows the loss of heat.  Keep the head out of the water and put on a hat and hood.
  • Get out of the water as quickly as possible or climb on anything floating.  Do Not attempt to swim unless a floating object or another person can be reached, because swimming or other physical activity uses the body’s heat and reduces survival time by about 50 per cent.
  • If getting out of the water is not possible, wait quietly and conserve body heat by folding arms across the chest, keeping thighs together, bending knees, and crossing ankles.  If another person is in the water, huddle together with chests held closely.

Hopefully, this will never happen to you or anyone you are with, but this information from OSHA is too important not to pass on.

General Safety Issues, Weather Protection

COLD STRESS EQUATION – PART I

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With winter coming up on us soon, we want to share important information regarding the dangers of working in the elements, such as extremely cold weather.  The combination of low temperatures, wind speed, and wetness can add up to injuries and illness.  Our first installment describes how to protect workers from the hazards of weather-related illnesses, and the second installment gives instructions on what should be done in cases of hypothermia and frostbite.

Protection for workers includes:

  • Understanding workplace and environmental conditions that can lead to potential cold-induced injuries and illnesses.
  • Training the workforce about such illnesses and injuries.
  • Allowing frequent short breaks in warm dry shelters to let body warm up.
  • Working in pairs (buddy system).
  • Wearing layered clothing to adjust to changing temperatures.  Wearing proper clothing for cold, windy, and wet conditions, including hats and gloves.
  • Performing work during the warmest part of the day, if possible.
  • Because energy is needed to keep muscles warm, avoiding exhaustion or fatigue.
  • Eating warm, high-calorie foods like hot pasta dishes.
  • Drinking sports-type drinks, sugar water, warm sweet beverages.  Drinks with caffeine (coffee, tea, or hot chocolate) should be avoided, as well as alcohol.
  • Knowing the symptoms of cold-induced illnesses/injuries; recognizing what to do to help the worker.

If workers have predisposing health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension or cardiovascular disease, they are at an increased risk.  Also, if they take medications that would affect them while working in cold environments, they need to check with their doctor or pharmacists.

OSHA

Eye Protection, Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Hearing Protection, Protective Clothing, Respiratory Safety

PPE: A Summary

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Last week, we covered different types of personal protective equipment and the applications for each.  With all of the technological advances and machinery used in today’s world, understanding and using proper PPE is more important than ever before.

In determining the proper PPE for industries, a walk-through survey should be done by employers to develop an organized safety program.  Both workplace physical and health hazards must be analyzed.  Employers then would determine what types of PPE would be needed.  It is suggested that a higher level of protection than the minimum be chosen to ensure employees are protected from hazards.  Written certification is required which includes the Hazard Assessment Date, Company Identification, and Name of the Document.

Personal Protective Equipment is available to protect you from such hazards as:
¨    Chemicals – Coveralls, Gloves, Face Shields, Goggles
¨    Heat/Cold- Gloves, Earmuffs,
¨    Biologic (blood, infected materials)-Lab Coats, Disposable Gloves, Coveralls
¨    Light Radiation-Safety Glasses, Goggles, Welding Hoods
¨    Harmful Dust-Respirators, Goggles, Side shields
¨    Sharp Objects-Cut Resistant Gloves
¨    Falling Objects-Hard Hats

Take the time to determine what hazards are present in your particular situation.  Once determined, take the steps to supply yourself and your employees with the needed equipment.

Source:
OSHA

Protective Clothing

PPE: Foot And Leg Protection

Workers who should wear protective footwear are those who are exposed to hot substances, corrosive or poisonous materials, molten metal, splashes, falling or rolling objects such as barrels, tools, penetrating materials, (nails, spikes), hot, wet slippery surfaces, or electric hazards.  Non-conductive footwear should be worn in electric hazard situations; conductive footwear is required for those who work where there are static electric conditions.

Types of protection for legs and feet are:

  • Leggings – Protection for lower legs and feet against heat hazards; safety snaps allow leggings to be quickly removed.
  • Metatarsal Guards – May be strapped to outside of shoes to protect instep area from compression and impact.  Usually made of aluminum, steel fiber or plastic.
  • Toe Guards – Fit over toes of regular shoes, also made of aluminum, steel or plastic.
  • Safety Shoes – Have heat resistant soles and impact resistant toes.  Some have metal insoles for protection from puncture wounds.
  • Foot and Shin Guards – May be used in addition to toe guards when more protection is needed.

Special Purpose Shoes are Electrically Conductive Shoes, which as previously stated, protect against buildup of static electricity in the body, which could produce a spark.  This type of shoe is required for those who work in occupations such as explosives manufacturers or grain elevators.   Non-Conductive Electric Hazard safety-toe shoes prevent wearers’ feet from completing electric circuit to the ground, while working in jobs that may present electric hazards.  Foundry Shoes are made of snug- fitting leather, leather-substitute, and have leather or rubber soles, rubber heels.  All foundry shoes must have built in safety toes.

Source: OSHA

Protective Clothing

PPE: Body Protection

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Workers who face bodily injury during performance of their jobs need the appropriate type of body protection.  Some hazards that contribute to the need for this protection are: weather extremes, impacts from tools or machinery, chemicals, hot splashes from liquids or molten metals, infectious materials; there are other hazards too numerous to name.
A variety of protection ranges from lab coats, vests, jackets, aprons, surgical gowns, coveralls to full body suits.  If full body suits are needed, the suit must fit correctly for total functionality.
Body protection materials include:

  • Treated Wool or Cotton – Comfortable, fire-resistant, protects against dust, abrasions, rough and irritating surfaces; adapts well to changing temperatures.
  • Paper-like Fiber – Disposable suits for splashes, dust.
  • Leather – Helps withstand dry heat and flames.
  • Duck – Tightly woven cotton fabric; prevents cuts and bruises when handling rough, heavy or sharp materials.
  • Rubber, Rubberized Fabrics, Neoprene and Plastics – Works against chemical and physical hazards.  When working with chemicals, the manufacturers label must be checked to ensure protection from the specific chemical.

Employers and employees should both take interest in protection.  Do a survey of what types of hazards exist in your particular line of work.  Then determine what type or types of clothing is needed to help protect you against those hazards.

Source: OSHA

Hand Protection

PPE: More About Gloves

We want to help you make the right decision when it comes to protecting your hands.  There are so many types of gloves to choose from, we want to share the following background information:

  • Leather Gloves – Provide protection from cuts and burns.  They also help sustain heat from sparks, blows, and rough objects.  Leather gloves make excellent driving gloves.
  • Aluminized – Furnish insulating and reflective protection from heat; require an insert of synthetic materials for protection against heat and cold.
  • Aramid Fiber – Cut and abrasion-resistant, these gloves wear well and protect against heat and cold.
  • Synthetic – Cut and abrasion resistant, heat and cold protective, they may withstand some diluted acids.  They do not stand up against alkalis and solvents.
  • Fabric Gloves – Constructed from cotton or other fabrics, insufficient for protection against rough, sharp or heavy materials.  They work well to keep out dirt, slivers, and prevent chafing and abrasions.
  • Coated Fabric Gloves – Cotton flannel with napping on one side.  The plastic coating is good for general-purpose gloves, adds slip-resistance from handling materials, bricks and wire to handling chemical lab containers.
  • Chemical and Liquid Resistant Gloves– Made from different types of rubber (natural) – butyl, neoprene, or various plastics: polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl alcohol, or polyethylene.

Types of Chemical and Liquid Resistant Gloves:

  • Butyl – Synthetic rubber, stands up well to a wide variety of chemicals.
  • Natural (latex) Rubber – Very popular and comfortable, these gloves perform with most water solutions of acids, alkalis, etc.  For those workers who are allergic to latex, glove liners, hypoallergenic, or powderless gloves are good alternatives.
  • Neoprene– Synthetic rubber – Offer good dexterity.  They have superior chemical and wear resistance, compared to natural rubber gloves.
  • Nitrile – Copolymer, provides high sensitivity and dexterity, and stand up to heavy use.

Source: OSHA

Hand Protection

PPE: Hand and Arm Protection

Employers must take care by conducting extensive hazard assessments to ensure that potential injury to arm and hands of workers is avoided.  The employer should determine which type of protection is needed for the utmost security, by selecting the proper glove, finger guards, arm coverings, or elbow-length glove that is appropriate for the task at hand.
There are numerous selections of gloves and hand protection available.  We encourage you to consider what hazards exist in your work surroundings and then make your choice.  Whether you are an employer, employee, or performing jobs at home, it’s important to make the right choices.

Factors that should influence your decision in choosing gloves:

  • Types of chemicals you are exposed to.  Also the nature of contact (splash, total immersion.)
  • Duration of contact.  Area of body that requires protection.
  • Grip.  (Dry, Wet, or Oily).
  • Thermal Protection.
  • Size and Comfort.
  • Abrasion/Resistance Required.

Gloves generally fall into four groups:

  • Fabric and Coated Fabric
  • Chemical and Liquid-resistant
  • Insulated Rubber Gloves

Check back tomorrow and we’ll hand you a little more specifics on gloves!

Source: OSHA

General Safety Issues, Head Protection

PPE: Head Protection

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The key to a successful safety program is to protect employees from head injuries.  The easiest and most important way is by wearing safety helmets/hard hats.  These protect workers from the shock of a blow to the head, and penetration.  The shell should be 1 to 1 ¼” away from the head to cushion impact, and the hardhat should have instructions for proper adjustment and replacement of suspension and headband.  Proper fit is of the utmost importance.
Most hard hats have slots to accommodate safety glasses, face shields, mounted lights, and/or earmuffs.

Three industrial classes of hardhats are:

  • Class A – Impact and penetration resistant and limited voltage protection – up to 2,200 volts.
  • Class B – Highest level of high-voltage shock and burn protection – up to 20,000 volts.  These protect from impact and penetration hazards such as falling/flying objects.
  • Class C – Lightweight comfort and important protection but not electrical hazard protected.

Bump Caps are for low head clearance areas where hard hats are not required.  Made to protect from bumps and bruises, bump caps are constructed from polyethylene.

Baseball Cap/Bump Caps have a PE lining inside the cap to protect from bumps and lacerations, as well, and are intended for workers who are not mandated to wear hard hats.

Safety is important, but just because you need to be safe, doesn’t mean you can’t have some style.  There are many different hard hat styles that are all ANSII approved.  Full brim and cap style hats are available in a variety of solid colors.  You can also find hats with different patterns on them, including flames, camouflage and flags for various countries.  You can even purchase hard hats displaying your favorite team. NFL, NCAA, NHL, MLB, NBA, NASCAR styles are all available.

Source: OSHA

General Safety Issues, Hearing Protection

PPE: Hearing Protection

According to NIOSH, (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health), prevention measures must be taken by employers and workers to ensure the protection of workers’ hearing.  Noise-induced hearing loss is 100 per cent preventable but once acquired, hearing loss is permanent and irreversible.
The most effective way to prevent noise-induced hearing loss is through engineering controls, such as acoustic barriers or mufflers.  Hearing loss prevention programs for all workplaces with hazardous levels of noise should be customary.
Factors to be determined are duration of exposure to noise, decibels (dB) involved, and if workers are between locations, the decibel difference.  Occupational noise at or above 85dB per eight-hour work-days requires employers to establish a hearing conservation program, which includes regular testing of employees’ hearing by qualified professionals.

Different types of hearing protection:

  • Single Use Earplugs – Self-forming, made of foam, fiberglass wool, silicon rubber, or wax.
  • Pre-formed or molded – Must be individually designed by hearing professional.
  • Earmuffs – Seal the ear.

There are many different types and styles of ear protection, suitablefor continuously noisy workplaces or intermittent racket. There are earplugs, earmuffs, earplugs that can be worn around your neck, under the chin, handy for use when needed. (Also, you just might want some earplugs to take along to a concert, or NASCAR race!)
Source: OSHA
NIOSH

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues

PPE:ANSI Standards and Eye Protection

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The American National Standards Institute has been developing safety standards since the 1920’s, when they approved the first safety standards to protect the eyes and heads of industrial workers.

FYI:  The proper standards are listed below:

  • Eye and Face        ANSI 787.1 – 1989
  • Head            ANSI 789.1 – 1986
  • Foot            ANSI 741.1 – 1991

EYE AND FACE PROTECTION

Work-related eye injuries alone cost over $300 million dollars per year, in lost production time, worker compensation, and medical expenses.  Workers who are exposed to hazards such as molten metal, dust, dirt, wood chips, liquid chemical splashes, flying particles, gases or vapors, caustic liquids, infection-related materials, and light radiation must wear the appropriate eye and face protection.  Improper or poor-fitting eyewear will not ensure safety from eye injury.  If workers wear prescription lens, there are safety glasses that comfortably fit over the prescription glasses, or some safety eyewear can be made with the prescription in them.  Contact lens wearers must wear eye/face protection when working in hazardous settings.
Types of Eye/Face Protection:

  • Safety Spectacles – Impact resistant lenses; safety frames are usually made from metal             or plastic. Side shields may be added for further protection.
  • Welding Shields – Vulcanized fiber/fiberglass with filtered lens, protect from infrared burns, radiant light sparks, slag chips, and metal.  Shades on the shields are numbered, and the welder must use the correct shade number according to tasks being done to secure eyes from harmful light radiation.
  • Laser Safety Goggles –Protect from intense concentrations of laser light. These are special goggles.
  • Face Shields – Sheets of transparent plastic, (sometimes polarized), which goes from eyebrows to below chin and across width of head.  They do not absorb impacts; however, they work well with goggles or safety spectacles against impact hazards.  Protect face from splashes, dust, sprays, etc.

Source: OSHA