All posts by pat brownlee

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

WELDING IS “HOT WORK”

To say the least, welding, cutting and brazing operations are hazardous hot work.  Persons who do this type of work must know the risks of their jobs, and how to control them.  Dangers are always present in welding tasks.  It has been pointed out that the leading cause of welding accidents is carelessness.  Welders need to take this type of work seriously, and leave it to the professionals.  A good pro welder can teach a novice how to make the connection between skill and safety.

Several methods of welding are used in order to join metals together through melting and creating a tight bond:

  • Gas.  A propane torch is used to sweat a joint or solder two pieces of metal together.  This is the lowest heat, used for small jobs.
  • Oxyacetylene torch.  The most universal type of welding tool, which allows more heat.
  • Oxypropane. A less costly type of welding than gas or oxyacetylene.
  • Arc welding.  A machine creates heat through an electric arc.  There are two types of arc welding: Mig (Metal Inert Gas )  and Tig (Tungsten Inert Gas ). 

Overall, while both MIG and TIG are gas shielded arc welding processes, the primary difference lies in the way the filler metal is added to produce the weld. With the TIG process, the arc is created between a tungsten electrode mounted in a hand-held torch and the work piece to be welded.  The MIG process uses a filler metal which is the electrode and the arc is created when the filler metal comes into contact with the work.  An advantage of MIG welding is that it is faster than TIG welding, and somewhat easier for a novice welder to use.  TIG welding requires more skill, therefore, the user of a TIG welder should have sufficient experience as a welder.  Regardless of the welding method that is used, this type of work comes with many risks, and requires welders to be outfitted with the correct personal protective equipment.  Remember, welding is a way of heating pieces of metal using electricity or a flame so that they melt and stick together, – thousands of degrees! 

Virtually all parts of  welders’ bodies must be protected by the proper gear: beginning with a welder’s cap, safety goggles, glasses, and a welding hood with the correct lens filter for the particular task.  Welders must wear the right kind of gloves, and clothing that covers their skin and can’t catch sparks.  Leather aprons, and leggings are needed for the hot work, and dry welder’s gloves are for arc welding.  Good boots are needed to protect the legs and feet. 

The work areas where welding is done should be free from combustible and flammable materials, ventilation should be adequate, and all persons should  review MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) that apply to the particular job.  A fire extinguisher should be nearby.   If a welder is working in confined spaces, there should be a trained partner standing by with first aid equipment, in case of emergency. 

If that’s not “hot work,” I don’t know what is!  Not only are they working with heated metal and welding sparks, but in the summer time, all the protective clothing  they must wear is very bulky!  Welding is an integral part of creating and repairing many things that we take for granted.  Being a welder means being a member of a specialized work group.

Uncategorized

ADDITION TO ANSI STANDARD FOR EYE AND FACE PROTECTION

According to our friends at Gateway Safety, there have been changes in coverage, categories, and hazard marking requirements regarding eye and face protection.  In September, 2010, ANSI implemented a new version of the ANSI Z87.1 standard on April 16, 2010.  First, here is the version of Z87.1-2003, Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices.  Sets forth criteria related to the description, general requirements, testing, marking, selection, care, and use of protectors to minimize or prevent injuries, from such hazards as impact, non-ionizing radiation, and chemical type injuries, in occupational and educational environments including, but not limited to, machinery operations, material welding and cutting, chemical handling, and assembly operations. 

 Here are explanations of the changes of additional criteria to the old version of the standard (ANSI Z87.1-2003): 

  • Coverage Requirement: Extended side protection.  Certain spectacles with thin temples will require side shields if they don’t pass the new side coverage requirements.
  • Categories of Eye and Face Protection: “Impact” or “Non Impact.”  Previously, products were categorized as either Basic/High Impact protection, or as a Secondary/Primary protector.  Now, if a product has a plus sign “+” after the standard (Z87.1+), it will indicate that the product is “Impact” rated.  No plus sign “+” after the standard (Z87.1) will indicate that the product is “Non-Impact” rated.
  • Hazard Markings: Based on the risk of impact, splash, dust, etc.  Hazard-based markings are entirely new and meant to encourage users and employers to evaluate the specific hazards in their environment and to select the appropriate eye and face protection based on that hazard evaluation.  Certain lens types will require new markings, such as welding and splash goggles.  

According to OSHA, thousands of people are blinded each year from work-related eye injuries that could have been prevented with the proper selection and use of eye and face protection. Eye injuries alone cost more than $300 million per year in lost production time, medical expenses, and worker compensation.  OSHA requires employers to ensure the safety of all employees in the work environment. Eye and face protection must be provided whenever necessary to protect against chemical, environmental, radiological or mechanical irritants and hazards.  There is a myriad of choices of Eye Protection safety glasses; there’s sure to be one that fits the bill for every type of work environment.  Plus, safety glasses aren’t the old plain types that once were all that were available.  Just check them out and see if you won’t be stylin’!  

Eye and face protection is addressed in specific standards for the general industry, shipyard employment, longshoring, and the construction industry.

Source: Gateway Safety

                 OSHA

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH AT 2 A.M.

For those who live in the Daylight Saving Time zone, be sure to set your clocks back one hour next Sunday, November 4th!   (So set your clocks back Saturday night.) The pros and cons of this decision made by the government are debated year after year.  Many people enjoy having extra daylight to enjoy outdoor activities, and others wish it were just left alone and not changed. 

During World War I, Daylight Saving Time was instituted in the U.S. in order to save energy for war production, by taking advantage of the daylight between April and October.  Between the wars and after World War II, communities and states were able to choose whether they wanted to observe DST.  During World War II, the government again required the states to observe this change.    In 1966, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act, which standardized the length of Daylight Saving Time.    

Since 2007, DST is four weeks longer, due to the passage of the Energy Policy Act in 2005.  This act extended four weeks – from the second Sunday of March to the first Sunday of November, hoping that it would save 10,000 barrels of oil each day through reduced use of power by businesses during daylight hours.   Unfortunately, it is very difficult to determine energy savings from this plan, based on a variety of factors.  Many persons speculate that little or no energy is saved by this time change.  Power usage increases in the early morning hours, as people must get up for work while it is still dark to prepare for their day.  Some even have to commute before daylight. 

Although research shows that traffic fatalities are reduced when there is more daylight, the early morning darkness brings more danger for workers driving to work, and children walking to catch the school bus while it’s still dark.  With the time change, statistics show an increase in evening traffic accidents immediately following the time change in November, as drivers face going home in a darker environment, and possibly children are on their bikes returning home from after-school activities.

To ensure that we don’t “fall backward” on safety, this marks an excellent time to do a home safety evaluation.  The National Fire Protection Association recommends that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms be checked once a year.  Their figures show that around ninety per cent of homes in the United States have smoke alarms; however one-third of those are estimated to have dead or missing batteries.  They also recommend that smoke alarms be replaced after 10 years.  Some newer types of alarms have remote controls, making it easier than ever to check them. 

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be:

  •        Installed on every level of the home, and in sleeping areas
  •        Tested once a month
  •        Equipped with new batteries annually 

Also, keep a fire extinguisher handy, and have a fire escape plan for every member of the family.  While you are doing your home safety evaluation, also ensure that your door locks function properly,  keep your home locked, and have a stocked first aid kit, just in case.

Enjoy that extra hour of sleep we lost in the spring!

General Safety Issues

TIME TO WARN DRIVERS TO WATCH FOR DEER!

Last year, we posted an article “Don’t Veer for Deer!” and it’s time again to remind you to be watchful for our four-legged friends.  Apart from humans, these beautiful creatures are the mostly deadly animals in the U.S.   According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, there are approximately 1.5 million car-deer collisions in the U.S. annually, causing around $1 billion in losses.  These accidents cause around 10,000 persons to suffer personal injury, averaging 150 fatalities each year. 

It’s not the fault of the deer; urban sprawl is taking over their habitat in many parts of the country.  Combining hunting season with deer breeding season increases the number of deer moving about.  State Transportation Agencies post deer crossing signs in heavy populated deer environments.  High fences are another deterrent for deer; however, these prove to be very expensive.   Deer are spooked by the sound of their hooves on pavement, become blinded by car lights, and cannot judge the speed or distance of vehicles.  They are very nocturnal animals, and are busy foraging for food. 

Here’s some helpful reminders for all of us during this season, as we travel down the highways or country roads:

  • Slow down and be attentive.
  • Remember, dawn and dusk are prevalent times of day when deer are active.
  • Don’t rely on deer whistles; they have been proven to not be efective.
  • If you see a deer approaching your lane, do not swerve; many deaths  have occurred when vehicles veered into other cars, or flipped out of control.
  • Again, brake and hold the wheel straight!
  • Avoid rural roads as much as possible.
  • Ask your passenger to help you watch for them.
  •  Keep your lights on high beam in order to be able to see the side of the road better.
  • If you injure a deer, do not attempt to help it.  Pull over, and call he police or highway patrol.  Animals that are hurt may hurt you!

No one wants to kill an animal with their car; however, it is better that the animal is killed or injured, rather than humans.   The number of collisions with deer has grown 21% in the last five years, according to a report from State Farm Insurance.  Deer populations in the suburbs are growing, where hunting is prohibited, thus offering a safe haven to deer. 

A friend told me that she loved deer until she got a job that required her to travel around 90 miles round trip every day in deer country.  She swears that they hit her, and others have told me the same thing.  So, be watchful when you are traveling in their habitat.  Fall is deer mating season, so they aren’t too concerned with traffic.  A collision with a large deer can be dangerous for everyone in the vehicle. 

(I still love deer, and hope one never hits me!)  October through December are the months with the highest number of deer-car collisions.  Then it begins to taper off through January and February.  Please drive with care.

General Safety Issues

WAYS TO PRACTICE WORK SAFETY

1 Comment

Today’s article is presented by guest blogger, Corey Palmer.

When you are at work, you want to stay safe. It can be hard to do, but there are some things that you can do in order to ensure that you are safe. Here are some of those tips for you that you should use when you are working.

One of the first things you can do is be aware of your surroundings. There are many who have said that they have looked around their place of employment and have found that there are things that can be taken care of. When they look at this, they find that there are things that are at the moment a danger.

When you are looking around, one of the areas that is where most accidents happen are on the floor. Falling is something that many have done and it can be prevented. One way is that spills need to be cleaned up and wet areas need to have some kind of protection like rubber matting for better grip while walking. When they are cleaned up, you save others from falling. You need to wipe shoes during rainy or snowy weather as well to prevent this.

Crime is something else that you have to be careful about. Many think that just because there is security there that they are safe. This might very well be so, but you never can assume anything. Many things have happened when security is there. So, to prevent break-ins or car theft, you need to take in your purse and other belongings that might be worth something. You also need to make sure that if you are going to your car at night,  you are walking with someone.

There are many things about safety that we often take for granted. There are some things that many of you might not even consider as a safety concern. One of those things is sexual harassment. This needs to be addressed and for some of you, you need to realize that if you are being sexually harassed at work, then you aren’t safe. So, know what it is and who to go to if this is an issue.

The last thing that one needs to do is know the rules that your company has. The other thing is that you need to make sure that you adhere to the rules that they have. They are there to protect you. Many think it’s just so the job can cover it’s butt. To some extent, this is true. For you though, it’s to keep you safe.

These are the things you can do. Wear the uniform. Follow the rules. It’s all really that simple whether you think so or not.

Thanks, Corey, for submitting this great information.  We hope to hear from you again!

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

ARE YOU SUFFERING FROM WORK OVERLOAD?

In today’s busy, hectic world, it seems most people are burning their candles at both ends.  Because many companies have downsized, persons may be asked to perform their usual job, and have other duties added to it.  For our friends in the United Kingdom, “Stress Awareness Day” is observed on November 3rd.  Here, in the United States, it’s April 16th.  But what the heck, let’s go ahead and talk about stress in our lives both now and in April!  Maybe we’ll think of some pointers that will ease the stress in your life. 

As we said, companies are operating “lean and mean.”  This means you may be doing more than one job.  If you feel that your load is too heavy to handle, you need to think about how you can better deal with it.  No job in the world is worth losing your health over.  You may place too much emphasis on your career, and when that happens, you become stressed out.  Then, not only you, but your family and friends are affected. 

Some of the consequences of work overload can show up in many forms:

  • Physical – you may experience aches and pains, frequent colds or sickness, ulcers, heartburn, indigestion, hyperventilation, grinding teeth, weight loss or gain, blood pressure and heart problems, panic attacks, and fatigue, in general.
  • Physiological – you may become emotional to the point of mood swings, sensitivity, out of control, lack of motivation, easily irritated, tearful, angry, frustrated, or low self-esteem.
  • Psychological – you may develop a lack of concentration, memory lapses, be easily distracted, worried, depressed, anxious, or less creative. 

Have you experienced any or all of these symptoms?  Many persons can probably list quite a few of them.  When you get down to it, though, the most important thing to do to avoid any and all of these pressures is to figure out the underlying cause, and do something about it.  If you are trying to perform your work and/or duties at home at an unfavorable comfort level every day, you are under too much stress!   (You also may need to consult your physician for advice on preventing serious illness that possibly could be caused by your daily work experiences.)

We have talked previously about how fatigue causes accidents.  When a person is extremely tired or stressed, they become more prone to incidents where they or a coworker can be injured.  Most industrial work environments, such as manufacturing and construction require workers to be on their toes at all times.  An example of a stressful job that comes to mind is an air traffic controller.  He/she must be constantly alert in order to protect the safety of thousands of persons every day.  

If you feel that you have too much work to do, and too little time to do it, there are two things that will help you cope.  Plan and organize.  Take the time to write down exactly what you must do the next day.  Prioritize the important tasks that must be done.  Think about how much time you spend throughout the day on your computer checking emails, answering phone calls, and handling other interruptions.  Allow yourself a certain amount of time to do these things, and then concentrate on finishing the tasks that deserve the most attention.  You can’t avoid interruptions, but try to move on as quickly as possible. 

Stick to your daily plan, manage the time you are going to spend on the items at the top of your list.  Keep a calendar, either on your computer, or your desk, and mark down everything that you must do that day.  Check it off when it’s completed.   If you work in a situation where you feel outside interruptions cause you to lose time, talk to your supervisor about how you can manage your time more effectively.    If you work with someone who is very efficient, ask them to share ideas that can help you.  Know that you can only do so much during your shift.  When you have taken care of the work at the top of your list, chances are  the other tasks can wait until tomorrow.   

Make time for your family and friends, and enjoy life.

General Safety Issues

IT’S NOVEMBER, 2010!

It’s hard to believe that the last two months of 2010 are here!  Most of us live in such a scattered whirlwind, that we haven’t stopped to smell the roses lately.  Hopefully, we can make the most of November and December before we greet 2011.  Because our focus is on safety – at home, at work, and at play, we want to encourage you to enjoy these two months that are full of holiday plans and preparations, by keeping safety in mind.

First, in the United States, we have an important day coming up this Tuesday, November 2nd, Election Day.  This is your chance to make your wishes known.  Please vote on Tuesday.  Hopefully, those who are elected will represent their constituents to the best of their abilities, and not be influenced by outside interests.  We depend on our leaders to do what is best for the country.  If you agree, get out and vote! 

With your safety in mind, we wish to remind you that the upcoming holidays – from Thanksgiving until after New Year’s Day, bring about serious warnings from law enforcement that driving is more dangerous during this time.  Whether it is drunk drivers, distracted drivers, or those simply in too big a hurry, this is the time to decide that you are going to pay special attention to getting to your destination safely.  Plan ahead and leave a little early, in order to avoid rushing.  

Thanksgiving is a holiday that brings families together, and we can reflect on the many things that we have to be thankful for.  One is to have this time before the Christmas rush, although many businesses skip Thanksgiving,  hurrying to get ready for Christmas.  We will talk  more about Thanksgiving closer to time. 

November is time for the Great American Smoke-Out, an important project that  brings  awareness to the health problems associated with smoking.  Attention is also focused on  American Disabilities, Alzheimers’, Diabetes, and Epilepsy during November.  The eleventh month is also Child Safety and Protection Month.  We have previously shared information on many of these topics, and each one is very important to the health, safety, and well-being of those we love. 

As we go through November, we ask you to slow down and savor every day you are given.  Each day is a gift, to be unwrapped the moment you wake up, with all sorts of pleasant surprises,  if you just look for them.  At the end of that day, be thankful for what it has brought, and look forward to the next one.  Try to see your glass as half-full, rather than half-empty.

And please, do as one of our posters says, “Uncle Sam Wants You – To Be Safe.”   That’s our theme.

General Safety Issues, Weather Protection

STORM SAFETY TIPS

Because our area of the United States has been hit by thunderstorms and tornadoes lately, we decided it might be a good idea to review some safety tips, just in case.  The first lesson, of course, is to be prepared for any disaster.  We think we are prepared, but are we really?  Have you taken these precautions?

BEFORE THE STORM:

  • Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, local television or radio for the latest  alerts.
  • Remember: WATCH: means conditions are right for a weather incident; WARNING: means a tornado or dangerous thunderstorm has been sighted.
  • Unplug electrical appliances and equipment.
  • Prepare an emergency kit with non-perishable food, medicines, baby supplies, pet food, flashlights, battery-operated radios and extra batteries, water, your cell phone and first aid kit.
  • Evacuate immediately, if told to do so by the authorities. If you can’t leave, seek shelter or call local authorities for assistance.
  • If someone in your home is dependent on electric life-sustaining medical equipment, make arrangements to relocate quickly.
  • Keep your pets with you.

DURING A STORM:

  • Stay tuned to the local radio stations, using battery-operated radios, to know when it’s safe to re-emerge from shelter.
  • Use flashlights or battery-operated lamps. Do not use candles or open flames.        
  • Don’t attempt to reset circuit breakers.

BEFORE AND DURING A TORNADO:

  •  Know the danger signs – dark, greenish sky, low-lying clouds.                 
  •  If there is a tornado warning, and you are in a mobile home or vehicle, leave and go to the lowest floor of a nearby sturdy building or storm shelter.
  • Stay indoors if you are in a structure with a safe room, storm cellar, or basement.  Otherwise go to the lowest level and have as many walls as possible between you and  the outside.  Get in a closet or hallway.
  • Stay away from windows and doors.
  • If you are outside, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression, cover your head with your hands.  You will be safer in a flat location. Do not try to outrun it if you are in a vehicle.  Find safe shelter, and leave your vehicle. 
  • Do not stay under an underpass.
  • Watch for flying debris, which causes many fatalities and injuries.

AFTER A STORM:

  • Be patient. Local utility crews will be activated to restore power immediately after the storm.
  • Stay away from downed or sparking power lines. And be sure to report them immediately.
  • Check appliances for water damage and ensure all cords are dry before plugging them into wall sockets.
  • Do not stand in water when operating switches or plugging and unplugging appliances.

Families should have a plan of action.  If they have school-age children, they need to contact their schools and find out what plans they have for emergency situations, how they will contact parents, and where parents can pick up their children, if time allows.

Our weather forecasters do their best to predict storms by warning us in time to take shelter.  However, sometimes Mother Nature sneaks up on us, so be prepared.

Source: FEMA, TXU

General Safety Issues

DO SECURITY CAMERAS BELONG IN THE WORKPLACE?

TODAY’S POST IS BY REBECCA, WITH SPYTOWN.COM.  We welcome our guest author, and hope you enjoy reading about security at your workplace. 

There’s at least one news story every day about schools adding security cameras, public parks mounting security cameras on lamp posts, and working parents installing nanny cameras in their child’s room to see what both their little one and the nanny are doing during the day. But how about the workplace? Should security cameras monitor your movements while you’re on the job, especially if they could help prevent safety issues in the future? Or should the company trust its employees and conduct regular safety training to educate employees? The Security Camera Systems experts from SpyTown.com are here to shed light on this controversial topic. 

Business Security Cameras Look Out For Employees 

Many businesses have added security cameras to genuinely protect their employees from any kind of misconduct or verbal/physical abuse from other employees. Team building exercises help employees work with each other, but if there is a situation, security camera feeds can be the unbiased eye-witness on the scene. 

Security cameras also act as a safeguard to see where any safety mishaps are occurring or identify potential safety issues. Be sure to have each department manager review the tapes weekly and point out any safety concerns, and develop a plan to minimize those concerns for the future. 

Have quality control checkpoints? Security cameras act as just another step in your quality control route, and are your eyes in the sky to document what’s happening throughout the production process. Review the tapes often to see if they spark any ways to increase efficiency and safety for your employees. 

Companies Should Trust Their Employees, Instead Of Watching Over Them 

The other side of the coin says that businesses should invest time into choosing talented employees they can trust, eliminating the need to “monitor” these employees to ensure they’re doing their jobs. Regular performance meetings and quality reviews can also help to ensure the employees are performing up to the company’s standards. Savvy management and solid leadership can identify a top performing employee and have the know-how to spot an employee in need of motivation and additional training. 

Another argument against security cameras in the workplace is that regular safety training should educate employees on workplace safety best practices, and safety reviews should be conducted at regular intervals. In addition, management should also be looking out for gaps in workplace safety, rather than security cameras watching over the employees. 

What’s our take? We have helped many companies choose the business security cameras right for their business, and we’ve heard firsthand experiences where security cameras have been an invaluable tool. Of course, security cameras should complement safety training, quality control checkpoints, and employee performance reviews, rather than replace them.  In addition, it’s important to be open and honest with your employees as to the location of the security cameras and reasons you have installed them, rather than having them feel as if you distrust their movements or “big brother” is watching. This goes a long way in helping your employees feel like valuable contributors to your organization and doing their part to ensure their workplace safety is top notch.

(Thank you, Rebecca, for this invaluable information from SpyTown.com.)

 

 

 

 

Back Safety, Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Hearing Protection, Respiratory Safety

AUTUMN LEAVES CAN BREAK YOUR BACK!

This is my favorite time of year, the leaves are falling, mornings are cool and crisp when Buddy and I go for our daily walk, football is underway, and THE TEXAS RANGERS ARE GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES!    What more could one ask for? 

But getting back to the subject, the leaves are falling off our pecan trees at a pretty fast pace now, and my husband isn’t looking forward to raking all of them.  He takes care of  the outside duties, such as mowing, gardening, and well, all of it, to be honest.  I don’t know if he would listen to any of the safety tips for doing all this yard work, but hopefully, some of you will find this helpful.

Wait until all the leaves have fallen off the trees before you start raking them.  If you overextend yourself at first, you may get tennis elbow or tendonitis.  Be sure to stretch first and warm up about 10 minutes before beginning.  You will need the right tools to make the job easier.  First, a good rake is worth a few extra dollars.  Be sure the rake is compatible to your height.  Wear leather gloves that help you grip the rake, and shoes with slip-proof soles, because wet leaves can be slippery.  When picking the leaves up, bend at the knees, not the waist to save your back.  Overloading the bags with leaves will make it too heavy, so use more bags.  If you suffer from allergies, wear a N95 dustmask. Many persons have allergies as severe in the fall as in the spring.  Also, you might want to spray your clothing with some type of bug repellent. 

Another fun fall project is pruning trees.  Be sure to look over the area around the trees and be sure there are no power lines running through them before you position your ladder.  Use the right tool for each job.  If you are using power tools, you may want to wear earplugs to soften the noise.  Also, watch for falling limbs, you never know when a big limb is going to come tumbling out of a  tree. 

Cleaning gutters is another job I’d rather not do.  But for those who have to do this, be sure the ladder you plan to use is in good condition and set it on a level place.  It is better to move the ladder as often as needed than stretch to reach something while you are on it.  An extension ladder is good for checking the roof or cleaning gutters. 

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says that there are more than 400,000 persons treated in emergency rooms annually that are victims of lawn and garden tool accidents.  Whether you are working with a mower, wood chipper, leaf blower, or any power tool, use caution.  Always wear safety glasses when doing yard work to protect your eyes.

There’s a lot to be said about the great outdoors, whether it’s your yard, somewhere you walk, or a favorite place you take your kids for an adventure.  The best policy is to be safe and aware of your surroundings.  There may be snakes that are hiding under leaves until they choose to hibernate.    Just be sure you are safe wherever you are.   One other tip, wildlife (such as deer)  is more active during this season, so watch for them while driving. 

Enjoy every minute of this fall, because one morning you’ll wake up, and there will be frost on the pumpkin!