Category Archives: Eye Protection

Eye Protection

PROTECTING CHILDREN’S EYES

To continue promoting National Eyecare Month in January, we need to tell you that it is not only important for adults to have regular eye examinations and do everything possible to prevent eye disease and blindness, but also very important to be aware of the damages that can occur to young eyes.  The World Health Organization has stated that 80% of a person’s lifetime exposure to UV rays is received before the age of 18.  Children are at risk of UV damage because the lens of their eyes are more transparent, which allows more short wave lengths to reach the retina, according to the American Optometric Association.  UV damage is cumulative, building up over time.  The damage of UV exposure has been linked to cataracts, macular degeneration, and other eye problems. 

I think most young persons wear sunglasses because it makes them look “cool”, and it does!  They may not realize that they are protecting their eyes while looking good!  In all honesty, when my children were young, I was not aware of the possibility of damage to their eyes, which can be caused by, of course, the sun, and reflections off water, sand, pavement, and even snow.  Children should be encouraged to wear UV-blocking eyewear for all daytime outdoor adventures, specifically between the hours between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m, when UV rays are the most intense.  We all should wear eye protection even during overcast days.   Here are some suggestions from Prevent Blindness America for parents to remember to protect their eyes by doing the following: 

  • Purchase wraparound sunglasses to protect eyes as well as the delicate skin around the eyes.
  • Choose lenses that are not glass, but are made of polycarbonate and are impact resistant, unless otherwise prescribed by a doctor.
  • Make sure the lenses are not scratched or damaged.
  • Only purchase sunglasses that offer 99% to 100% UV protection.
  • Make sure the sunglasses fit the child’s face and shield the eyes from all angles. 

Parents can set a good example by wearing protective sunglasses and will find that safety glasses fit the bill.  They are not that expensive, therefore, they can be easily replaced.    Many persons are required to wear safety glasses at work, and safety glasses are as stylish as the kind sold in department stores.  There are types of safety sunglasses made especially to fit women and children.  One can also find specialty stores that offer sunglasses to fit infants and toddlers. 

We all want to do the right thing by our children, and protecting their eyes is such an important part of ensuring they will grow up to enjoy healthy vision.  When they get involved in sports, there are all types of eye protection available to keep them from experiencing eye injuries.  We know that you want to keep an eye out for them through every step of their young lives.

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues

ARE YOUR EYES “WIDE OPEN” WHEN IT COMES TO KEEPING A CHECK ON THEM?

Because eye health care advocates, such as Prevent Blindness America, and The National Eye Institute are focusing on January’s National Glaucoma Awareness Month, we also suggest that there are many ways we must take care of our vision, beginning with a good eye exam.  Not too long ago, I asked a friend to drive for me after I had my annual eye examination by my ophthalmologist, because my eyes would have to be dilated.  My friend noted that she had never had hers dilated.  Dilation is necessary to allow the ophthalmologist or optometrist to see inside the eye, checking for disease, glaucoma, macular degeneration, or any other future problem.  Dilation is done with simple eye drops, and even though you may look like an owl for a few hours, and your vision is not perfect, there are reverse drops to help it wear off a little faster.  It is good to have an annual vision checkup, but in general, the recommended frequency of comprehensive examination through dilated pupils without other symptoms or risk factors is:

  • Ages 20-39, Every 3 to 5 years
  • Ages 20-39, African American and Hispanics, Every 2 to 4 Years
  • Ages 40-64, Every 2-4 Years
  • Ages 65 and over, Every 1-2 Years

Prevent Blindness America and the National Eye Institute during January’s National Glaucoma Awareness Month are striving to educate the public on what they can do to help save their vision.  “Our key message is that, unfortunately, there is no cure for glaucoma.  But the good news is that if detected and treated early, the effects of vision loss can be diminished,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America. 

Many of us may not be aware that an eye exam cannot only help to protect eyesight, it can uncover evidence of other diseases including diabetes or hypertension.  And, for eye diseases such as glaucoma, the damaging effects may be detected through an eye exam before a patient notices any symptoms.  In fact, patients in the early stages of glaucoma usually have no symptoms, no noticeable vision loss and no pain, which is why it is called the “sneak thief of sight.” By the time symptoms start to appear, some permanent damage to the eye has usually occurred.

According to the study “Vision Problems in the U.S.” by Prevent Blindness America and the National Eye Institute (NEI), there are nearly 2.3 million Americans ages 40 and older who have glaucoma.  Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world and the leading cause of blindness in African American and Hispanic populations in America.  Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes loss of sight by damaging a part of the eye called the optic nerve. This nerve sends information from the eyes to the brain. When the optic nerve is damaged, peripheral vision begins to diminish.  If left untreated, over time, glaucoma may also damage central vision. Unfortunately, once vision is lost to glaucoma, it cannot be restored.  Vision loss can be lessened, however, if glaucoma is detected and treated early.

Here are many risk factors for glaucoma, including:

  • Age: The older you are, the greater your risk.  Those that are 40 and older are more likely to develop glaucoma.
  • Race: As stated earlier, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in African American and Hispanic populations in America.  
  • Family History: If you have a parent or sibling who has glaucoma, you are more likely to develop the disease.
  • Diabetes: People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing glaucoma.
  • Nearsightedness: People who are very nearsighted are at greater risk.
  • Eye Injury or Surgery: Those who have had eye surgery or eye injuries may develop secondary glaucoma.
  • Steroid Medication: Steroids, when used for extended periods of time, may increase the risk of glaucoma.

Prevent Blindness America offers a dedicated website for free information on glaucoma at preventblindness.org/glaucoma.  Additional information may also be obtained in English or Spanish by calling (800) 331-2020.  We thank Prevent Blindness America for this important message and want to add to Mr. Parry’s (President and CEO of PBA)wish to all for happiness and health in 2011, and that everyone will have a good eye examination.  Take that hour or two to see an expert and protect your vision.  It’s a good investment for all:  you, your employer, and family.  And, if you need protection for your eyes at work, keep those safety glasses or goggles on!

Eye Protection

UNDERSTANDING THE VALUE OF EYE SAFETY

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As we begin a new year, the economy may still be causing employers to examine ways to cut costs, and many times, safety budgets may be the primary avenues they take.  Safety experts say many companies see safety as an overhead cost; but eye injuries alone account for more than $300 million per year, according to OSHA.  This figure includes medical expenses, worker compensation, and lost production time. 

January is National Eyecare Month.  Once good vision is lost, it can’t be easily replaced.  Prevent Blindness America reports that an estimated 94,500 persons are treated in emergency rooms for eye injuries every year in the United States.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that around 2,000 people suffer eye injury at work each day.  That’s one in every ten, leading to at least one or more missed workdays.  The correct eye protection could either prevent 90% of those injuries or lessen the severity of damage to the eyes. 

Employers must furnish personal protective equipment that matches the particular hazards of the job.  Protective Safety goggles, safety glasses, sideshields, faceshields, and full-face respirators are designed to protect the eyes from impact, flying objects, dust, tools, chemicals, radiation, and many other hazards.  Companies must assess eye safety dangers and eliminate hazards before employees begin their work.  Employees should be trained to know that they should wear safety eyewear and other protective equipment at all times that there is risk of injury.   

Safety lens may be made of the following materials that meet or exceed the requirements for protecting the eyes:

  • Polycarbonate lens:  Protect against splatter, are not likely to fog; stronger than glass or plastic, have higher impact resistance than the others; but are not as scratch-resistant as glass.
  • Plastic lens: Also lighter weight than glass, not likely to fog either, but are not as scratch-resistant as glass.
  • Glass lens: are not easily scratched, and can be used around harsh chemicals.  They can be made with corrective prescriptions; however, they are sometimes heavy and uncomfortable. 

If a person is working with chemicals, they should wear goggles.  Working near hazardous radiation, such as welding, lasers, or fiber optics requires the worker to wear special-purpose safety glasses, goggles, face shields, or welding hoods designed for that particular task.  If the work area contains dust particles, flying objects, or other like hazards, safety glasses with side protection (side shields) should be worn, unless the employer feels that goggles would be safer. 

The “bottom line” is the fact that although companies think they may save money by cutting down on safety budgets, they might face higher costs because of an eye injury.  Prevent Blindness America estimates that the average eye injury costs a company $28,000 in medical expenses, lost time, and production slowdowns.  How many of their products would the business need to sell to offset that kind of expense, after a serious workplace accident?  They may feel that although accident protection is important, it may not be that urgent until something happens.  Let’s hope that isn’t the case.

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

CLEARING SNOW SAFELY

Many parts of the United States have been pummeled with heavy snow storms, and for those areas, having a snow blower is another important part of machinery that must be operated with care, just as a lawnmower, tractor, or automobile.  The US Consumer Products Safety Commission estimates that around 5,000 injuries from snow blowers happen each year. 

There are snow blowers that can be ridden, as well as those that are operated by walking behind them, the same as lawnmowers.  It is very important to be familiar with every aspect of equipment, and the best way to do that is by doing something we many times avoid – reading the manual!  And, if we don’t understand the manual, we should go back and read it again.  How many people do you know that actually refer to the manual before they jump right in, feet first?  Once you have become accustomed to your snow blower, you should keep it in good condition.  Warm up the engine before you start using it, and once your job is finished, let it run just a little in order to keep the moving parts from freezing. 

Hopefully those who are already using your snow blowers this winter, are following these common-sense safety tips.  However, some folks might learn something new, so here goes: 

  • Repeating: read the manual first.
  • Do not drink before or while operating any kind of machinery.
  • Before you begin, check the area for rocks or other debris that could be thrown and cause damage to the machine, property damage, or personal injury.
  • Keep hands and feet away from moving parts.
  • Never add fuel to an engine that is hot.
  • Don’t wear loose clothing that could get entangled.
  • Be aware that although some snow blowers have small engines, they can cause serious injuries.
  • Never leave a snow blower running in a shed or enclosed area, because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Watch for holes or curbs where you are clearing.
  • Reduce speed on turns and slopes.
  • Always pay attention to traffic.
  • If you walk behind your snow blower, wear anti-skid boots to help keep you from falling, and back up very carefully.
  • When running electric-powered equipment, be vigilant of the location of the cord, and never use frayed cords.
  • Never operate snow blowers when the visibility is poor.
  • Never allow youngsters under age 15 to operate snow blowers, and then only if they are mature enough to make good decisions.
  • When doing maintenance on the snow blower, such as changing the oil or removing blades for sharpening, pull the wire off the spark plug to ensure the engine won’t start.
  • Do not remove any safety devices.
  • Wear NRR ear plugs and cool safety glasses to protect your hearing and vision, and by all means, winter warm gloves and clothing. 

Last, but not least, we mentioned earlier that there are thousands of injuries from improper or careless use of snow blowers each year.  Snow blower accidents are a leading cause of amputations.  If the chute gets jammed, never try to clear it with your hands.  Turn the machine off, disengage clutch, and wait more than five minutes for the blades to stop rotating.  Beware of  a brief recoil of motor and blades that can occur after it is turned off.  Use a stick or handle to remove debris.  Many snow blowers have a clearing tool for clogs that is stored within easy reach, giving a strong incentive for easy and safe cleaning.  Injuries such as cuts, loss of fingers, toes, broken bones, burns and infection have occurred because of lack of respect and safety toward the machine that is being operated. 

There’s much more snow to fall this winter, so be thankful you have a machine to clear it for you.  If you do have to shovel it, please do so with care – don’t slip and fall!

Ergonomics, Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection

CONVEYOR BELT SAFETY

Conveyor belts are one of the most effective means of transporting bulk materials.  Because persons are working with a movable piece of equipment, there is a very serious chance of  injury or death if employees are not trained on how to work around conveyor belts.  Training is the basic and most fundamental part of preparing employees on how to keep themselves safe in all industrial settings.  Management must convey all safety issues to their new employees and be certain that they understand about how dangerous the equipment that they will be working from can be.  

Listed below are some general requirements from Occupational Safety and Health Administration:

  • An audible signal shall be sounded immediately before starting up the conveyor.
  • If operating station is at a remote spot, similar provisions for stopping motor or engine shall be provided at the motor or engine location.
  • There should be an emergency stop switch arranged so that the conveyor cannot be started again until the actuating stop switch as been reset to running on the “on” position.
  • Screw conveyors shall be guarded to prevent employees’ contact with turning flights.
  • Guards shall be provided to protect employees required to work below the conveyors that pass under work areas, aisles or thoroughfares.  Those crossovers, aisles, and passageways shall be conspicuously marked with suitable signs.
  • Conveyors shall be locked out or rendered inoperable and tagged with a “Do Not Operate” tag during repairs and when operation is hazardous to employees performing maintenance work.
  • All conveyors in use must meet applicable requirements for design, construction, inspection, testing, maintenance and operation as prescribed in ANSI B20-1-1957, Safety Code for conveyors, cableways and related equipment. 

Conveyors contribute to the one of the most common ways of being injured.  When visitors are in the facility, they should be informed of the ways to be safe around conveyors and other moving equipment. 

Other important rules regarding conveyor belt safety are:

  •          Only authorized maintenance personnel should service conveyors.
  •          Never ride, step, or sit on a conveyor belt at any time.
  •          Never remove guards.  They are there as protection from moving parts, such as gears and chains. 
  •          Know the location of start/stop controls, and keep the area free from obstructions.
  •          Clean only when the conveyor is stopped.
  •          Report all unsafe practices to your supervisor.
  •          Never load a stopped conveyor or overload a running conveyor.  This will assist in preserving your equipment, as well as not overheating it. 
  •         Trying to clear converter jams can create unsafe conditions and possibly damage equipment.
  •         Use correct lifting techniques.  Unsafe position and posture  could cause injuries while working around conveyors.
  •         Be sure the area is clear of debris and tripping hazards.
  •         If persons work beneath conveyors, there should be nets installed to catch any falling items. 
  •         Maintenance should never be performed on the conveyor until all hydraulic, electric and gravity energy sources    have been locked out and blocked.
  •          It is recommended that the right Personal Protective Equipment be used, relevant to the task and work area.  Gloves that furnish good grip are needed for handling bulky items, safety glasses should be worn when the materials on the belt are hazardous, and safety back supports will assist workers required to do lifting.
  •          Keep hair, loose clothing, fingers, and all body parts away from the conveyor belt. 

Anyone who does this type of work knows that it isn’t like the old “I Love Lucy” episode when Ethel and Lucy were working at the candy factory  and couldn’t keep up, when the conveyor belt started going faster.  They tried to eat the candy and hide it in their aprons!   This is a very serious occupation and those companies that train their employees to be vigilant toward safety are to be commended.  It requires a good safety plan, excellent training, and dependable supervision to be successful in protecting conscientious workers.

Eye Protection, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Head Protection, Home Safety Products

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS HARD TO SHOP FOR?

There’s probably one in every family – the person who has just about everything you can imagine, and may be just a little hard to please.  Did you ever think about checking out safety products, as a unique gift?  It might be fun to try something different, and give him/her that special gift that also serves as a safety tool.  Here are some suggestions: 

  • How many persons have a Highway Safety Kit in their car?  Hopefully, none of us will ever get stranded, but especially in these winter conditions, it would be a great item to have in the trunk, just in case.  Always take water,  snacks, cell phone, blankets, and other supplies when traveling on a long trip.  The safety kit would alert other drivers that you need help.
  • If you are shopping for someone who wears hardhats, why not give them one with their favorite NCAA or professional football, basketball, or hockey team on it?  Hardhats are a great way of showing their patriotic spirit, as well.  If you want a one-of-a-kind gift, World War II or Vietnam era types of hardhats are a great show of respect for those who served. 
  • For a really unique gift, and for that want-to-be cowboy, there’s nothing more fun than a western hardhat!  They are ANSI-certified for all jobs that require hardhats, (except electrical work), and they look like the real thing!  Yee-hah! 
  • For the athlete on your list, brim lights for ball caps are pretty cool.  They are a great way to see and be seen while walking or running.  Clip-on LED lights would also be something neat to put under the tree!  Any high-visibility item, either vests or gloves, offer a safer walk or run.  An AM/FM earmuff radio would be neat to have while walking, running, or doing chores around the house. 
  • Give someone who thinks they’re pretty cool a nice pair of polarized safety glasses!  These are safety glasses that provide protection from the sun’s glare on snow, ice or the highway, and are just as stylish but not nearly so expensive as those in department stores.

These are just a few ideas that express to your loved ones that you have put much thought into keeping them a little safer.  There are many items that are geared toward safety, but we take them for granted –  everyday items like flashlights, NOAA Weather radios, First Aid Kits, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and the numerous products that can help us in times of emergencies.  These things may not be as glamorous as jewelry, clothes, or electronics, but they may play a vital part in providing safety for a loved one.

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.

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!

Eye Protection, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Hearing Protection

HAZARDS OF HOT WORK

Welding, cutting, soldering, and brazing in construction, maintenance, and fabricating activities are considered “hot work” when there is a potential fire hazard present.  Many lives have been lost due to explosions caused by vapors contained in tanks or storage vessels that were ignited by a spark or welders’ torch.  The U.S. Chemical Safety Board has investigated numerous accidents that had been caused when doing this type of work, and found that many companies had not filed for a permit to do the work, or conducted any safety planning beforehand for contract welders and other workers.  Risks involved in performing hot work are asphyxiation, electric shock, air contamination, fire, and explosions. 

When hot work is being performed in confined spaces, such as silos, ship compartments, furnaces, pipelines, vessels, pits, vats, tanks, degreasers, these procedures are essential to ensure the safety of all involved in the work: 

  • Have written permit identifying hot work to be done;
  • In-depth hazards evaluation of location;
  • Safety training in the hazards of hot work;
  • Empty and purge tanks beforehand;
  • Check tanks, vessels, and pipe for corrosion;
  • Test atmosphere for suitable oxygen content;
  • Perform gas monitoring;
  • Gas detectors should always be used prior to and during hot work;
  • Vapors rise as outside temperature warms up, so continuous monitoring is important;
  • Keep vents open;
  • Be sure valves are leak-free;
  • Be sure all power sources are turned off;
  • Have NIOSH/MSHA approved breathing devices when required;
  • Equipment should never block exits;
  • Have constant communication with rescue personnel close-by. 

If there is any doubt regarding the hot work to be performed, a professional environmental specialist should check the air quality and make specific recommendations for the welding/cutting situation.  Special precautions should be taken.  Welders perform all sorts of work on a daily basis.  They know the risks involved and are specialists in their field.  They also understand that there are several types of PPE that they must utilize:

  •         Fire retardant welder’s cap;
  •         Welding helmet that contains the correct filter shade lens;
  •        Gloves that are tough, long-lasting, comfortable, and meet the   needs and hazards of the particular job;
  •         Earplugs or muffs in case of loud noise while performing the job, as well as protect the ears from debris;
  •        Goggles to protect the eyes. 

Welding is a job that requires much training and skill.  It is up to each company that hires either its own welders or contract welders to ensure their safety at all costs.

Source: CSB

                 AWS.org

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

INFORMATION ABOUT COMBUSTIBLE DUST EXPLOSIONS

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Most industrial settings have hazards of all types.  One kind of hazard that is particularly acute during winter months is combustible dust.   We feel  it is important that we share some information on this dangerous situation that may be present in many businesses. 

The National Fire Protection Association indicates that 1/32” of  an accumulation of this kind of dust can rise to an explosion.  This is an amount equal to the thickness of a dime.  Any combustible material (and some materials normally considered noncombustible) can burn rapidly when in a finely divided form. Powdered products that are stored and transported in bulk bags can form combustible dust when the bags are filled or discharged. If such a dust cloud is hovering in air in the right strength, it can become explosive. Any source of ignition; a flame, heating elements, frictional spark, or electrostatic discharge can cause a detonation. Such an explosion can cause employee deaths, injuries, and destruction of entire buildings. These events have killed many employees and injured hundreds over the past decades.  Materials that may form combustible dust include metals (such as aluminum, iron, zinc, and magnesium), wood, coal, plastics,  paper, soap, and certain textiles. In many accidents, employers and employees were unaware that a hazard even existed.  Other industries at risk of combustible dust explosions are:  food, (e.g., candy, sugar, spice, starch, flour, feed), grain, tobacco, pulp, rubber, furniture, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, dyes, and fossil fuel power generation. 

Dust Explosions are preventable.  The National Fire Protection Association has comprehensive information that can help manufacturers avoid these catastrophes.  They can assist company safety personnel, management, and others who are responsible for recognizing dust fire and explosion hazards byadvising  them in establishing control measures. Good housekeeping is of the utmost importance. Many manufacturers use industrial dust and fume collection systems in their facilities. 

One of the most important engineering controls available for improving or maintaining the quality of air in the work environment is ventilation. Ventilation is a way of controlling the environment with airflow. Facilities failing to furnish adequate maintenance of ventilation equipment, those workplaces operated to maximize energy conservation, windowless areas, and areas with high occupancies or confined spaces may have poor ventilation.

Personal protective equipment for employees in these industries includes respirators, hardhats, gloves, and eye protection, such as safety goggles.  Protecting the employees by furnishing the right PPE, and controlling risk factors in the facility should be the main goal of any business.  Those in charge should be aware of any previous fires their company has experienced.

Some of the above information was obtained from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, an independent federal agency that investigates chemical accidents.  These board members are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.  They are comprised of chemical and mechanical engineers, safety experts, and others with vast experience in public and private sectors.  Following their investigations, they make recommendations to OSHA, EPA, individual organizations and labor groups. 

In 2003, the CSB launched investigations of three major industrial explosions involving combustible powders. These explosions – in North Carolina, Kentucky, and Indiana – cost 14 lives and caused numerous injuries and substantial property losses. The Board responded by launching a nationwide study to determine the scope of the problem and recommend new safety measures for facilities that handle combustible powders. The CSB issued its final report at a public meeting in Washington, DC, on November 9, 2006, calling for a new OSHA regulatory standard designed to prevent combustible dust fires and explosions.