Category Archives: Hearing Protection

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

SAFETY TIPS FOR AUTUMN

In the Northern Hemisphere, the first day of autumn, (or Autumnal Equinox) is Friday, September 23rd.  The word equinox comes from the Latin words for “equal night.” The fall and spring equinoxes are the only days of the year in which the hours of day and night are equal as the Sun crosses the celestial equator.  From here on out, the temperatures begin to drop and the days start to get shorter. The four seasons are determined by changing sunlight (not heat)—which is determined by how our planet orbits the Sun and the tilt of its axis.

As days begin to cool off, chances are you will be in the mood to get out there and do some of the tasks required to prepare your yard for winter.  Raking leaves is usually one of the big jobs waiting for you.  Be sure you own a good rake and a good pair of work gloves.  When picking up the leaves, bend at the knees, not the waist, or you’ll have a sore back.  As the weather becomes cooler, certain allergens blow in, just the same as in the spring.  A dust mask will help when you are working outdoors.  Watch for snakes lurking under the leaves! 

More than 400,000 victims of lawn and garden tool accidents are treated in U.S. emergency rooms annually, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.  Always wear safety glasses when doing yard work, as well as earplugs, if you are working with power tools.  Be sure you use the correct tool for each job.   If you have to use a ladder to prune trees or clean out gutters, be sure the ladder is in good condition, and set it on level space.  Move it more often as needed rather than stretch to reach something.  Many falls are attributed to faulty ladders, so it’s important to have a sturdy one.

Following the extremely hot and dry weather that many areas in the U.S. have struggled with this summer, it would probably be hard to find anyone that isn’t looking forward to the fall season.  Watching the leaves turn, taking walks on cool mornings, and enjoying the wind-up of baseball season – leading to the World Series, as well as backing your favorite college and professional football teams, should furnish pleasure to everyone. 

One other word of caution: deer are out and about more during the fall season, so please be sure to keep a watch out for them.  Many times, they get spooked and run across highways without fear of cars.  This can be a dangerous situation for drivers and passengers, as well as the animals.  So, please use caution when driving. 

Fall is such a great time of the year – make it a safe one, and enjoy!

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Hearing Protection, Respiratory Safety

NATIONAL FARM SAFETY WEEK, SEPTEMBER 18 – 24

An important September observance in the United States is National Farm Safety Week, sponsored by the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety.  Working in the agricultural field ranks among the most hazardous industries in our country.  Farmers and family members who work side by side are at high risk for fatal and non-fatal injuries.  Most farmers have made their living by working the soil generation after generation.  They are aware of the hazards their occupation presents.  Accidents happen, though, and we want to share with you some of the things that might happen on a farm or ranch. 

Every day, approximately 243 agricultural workers suffer lost-time injuries, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, (NIOSH).  Young people are particularly susceptible to injury, if precautions are not taken.  Many young persons are injured by machinery (including tractors) and motor vehicles (including ATV’s).  

  • PTO’s (power take-off) devices are extremely dangerous to workers, especially children.  These are pieces of farm equipment, such as augers, that are attached to tractors.  They rotate at 540 to 1,000 revolutions per minute.  Loose clothing could get caught in one of these, and there is simply no time to get out of this situation without serious injury.  
  • Tractors should be equipped with a rollover protective structure (ROPS.)  There should not be extra riders on tractors or other farm equipment.  The person driving the tractor should always use handholds and care when getting on or off the tractor; slips and falls cause injuries.  A friend of ours who has farmed all of his life fell off his tractor one day, breaking his collarbone.  
  • ATV’s are very popular on farms and ranches; they are designed for a single rider.  There is a risk of overturn when riding an ATV.  Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when operating machinery, such as a helmet when riding an ATV. 
  • Animals present certain obstacles, as most farmers and ranchers will tell you.  Avoid quick movements and loud noises when working with animals.  One should know their characteristics.  Movement in an animal’s blind spots may startle it.  Be sure there is a quick escape if you go inside an animal pen.  The same goes for having a good escape route when working with animals in close quarters, such as chutes and stalls. 
  • Hired farm workers should be aware of farm safety; they should have training and direct communication to ensure that they understand what they are expected to do.  Direct supervision when they are performing dangerous duties, particularly when the worker is new to the job.  Be sure there are no language barriers limiting the effectiveness of training or supervision. 

There are many other obstacles included in farm work.  Pesticide exposure could cause pulmonary disease.  Hearing loss from operating loud equipment over a long period of time, stress, and musculoskeletal disorders may result from this occupation.  The use of personal protective equipment is important when working outdoors.  Safety sunglasses, good work gloves, and respirators for working in dry, dusty environments are just part of the necessary protective measures to use. One never knows when that first aid kit will be needed, either. 

As always, we salute those who work in the agricultural field.  Without them, we’d be pretty hungry!  We wish for safety for all of them; and empathize with those who have lost their crops this year due to drought, flooding, wildfires, or other natural disasters.

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

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT COMPLIANCE

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OSHA recently issued the Enforcement Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment in General Industry.  This is a directive that provides enforcement personnel with instructions for determining whether employers have complied with OSHA personal protective equipment (PPE) standards.  The directive was effective February 10, 2011.  Replacing Inspection Guidelines for 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I, the revised PPE Standards for General Industry which were issued in June, 1995, the updated standards include clarifying what type of PPE employers must provide at no cost to workers, and when employers are required to pay for PPE.  It also provides guidance that lets employers use PPE that meets current consensus standards and updates PPE enforcement policies based on court and review commission standards. 

These standards require employers to provide – at no cost to workers – protective equipment, such as goggles and face shields that fit properly without restricting vision; earplugs and earmuffs when they will reduce noise to acceptable levels, and are less costly than administrative and engineering controls; and respirators to protect workers from exposure to air contaminants.  The directive lists PPE and other items exempted from the employer payment requirements and includes questions and answers useful in clarifying PPE payments concerns.  The guidance can be downloaded as a pdf by visiting OSHA’s Safety and Health Topics page on PPE.  

Workers are not always compliant.

Many companies have a problem with workers wearing the PPE that is furnished to them.  In a 2010 survey of safety professionals attending the American Society of Safety Engineers annual conference, an exceedingly high 98 per cent of respondents said they had observed workers not wearing safety equipment when they should have been.  Even worse, 30 per cent of these respondents said this had happened on several occasions.  All survey respondents reported that workers’ compliance with PPE protocols was cited as the top workplace safety issue.  These findings reflect the fact that safety decisions relating to PPE use are not just made at the management level.  Individual workers make decisions on a daily basis to whether to follow PPE wearing protocols or not.  

Most of the reasons for PPE noncompliance were different; however, the biggest complaint was that is was uncomfortable, selected by 40 per cent of respondents, in addition to:

  • Not available near the work task;
  • Poor fit;
  • Too hot;
  • Unattractive looking. 

No matter the reason for not complying with the safety policies of wearing PPE, there must be things leaders can do to encourage compliance.  Some of the ideas are: purchasing more comfortable PPE; increased monitoring of employees; incorporating compliance to individual performance evaluations; buying more stylish PPE; and developing incentive programs to encourage greater PPE compliance. 

One of the complaints was that PPE was  not always available near the work task.  There are many products that make it very convenient for the employee – hardhats that have slots to accommodate hearing protection, winter liners, neck protection, and even a pencil holder.  Glove Guards are easily hooked onto the belt loop to keep gloves ready for use.  So this is simply a matter of looking into the detailed features of some ppe products, and seeing exactly what they provide.

Personal protective equipment products have come a long way to ensure comfort and looks.  Polarized safety glasses are as stylish as those one would pay several times more in an optical store.  Gloves are made in all styles for men, and also designed to fit the smaller hands of women –  and are available in pink!  Team and patriotic hardhats ensure compliance for those workers who enjoy showing team support.  Those who make the choices on what’s right for their employees should shop around and see just what all is available for workers to help them feel good about their PPE, as well as knowing it will help keep them safe (when worn). 

Source: Kimberly Clark Professional

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

WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY, WHY NOT JUST GO BY THE RULES?

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Not long ago, we talked about keeping protective guards around machinery to keep employees from amputations or other injuries.  In OSHA’s “Quicktakes” for the month of July, it is amazing the amount of money that companies pay for severe violations.  It seems money spent on safety would be more cost-effective, as well as keeping employees safe. 

OSHA fined a stamping products company $426,100, and cited the company for 27 safety and health violations, including one willful violation for failing to report two amputation injuries that occurred at the company’s metal stamping plant in Cleveland.  While operating mechanical power presses in the plant before OSHA’s January inspection, two employees had fingers severed and crushed.  The company was cited for a total of nine willful safety violations, which included failing to train press operators in safe work methods and failing to ensure the flywheel on the mechanical power presses were adequately guarded.  

A willful health violation is one that is committed with intentional knowing or voluntary disregard for the law’s requirements, or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.  The above company received one willful health violation for the lack of proper chemical hazard communication and training, in addition to twelve serious safety violations.  Those include failing to perform a required workplace hazard assessment, ensure employees had appropriate eye protection, train employees in the use of portable fire extinguishers, conduct performance evaluations for employees who operate powered industrial trucks (fork lifts), complete annual crane inspections, ensure proper machine guarding on the shear, spot welding machines, and mechanical press, and establish die-setting procedures.  They also had four serious safety violations including exposing employees to excessive noise, having improperly stored compressed gas cylinders and allowing various electrical safety hazards.  They have been placed in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program.  This mandates targeted follow-up evaluations to ensure compliance with the law. 

A second company was fined $214,830 by OSHA, and cited the company with four safety violations, after two workers suffered amputation injuries at the company’s metal stamping facility.  The company willfully disregarded the law’s requirements by failing to lock out/tag out hazardous energy sources prior to performing maintenance operations and to have point-of-operation guarding on two press brakes that caused the worker amputations in two separate incidents.  They were also cited with a serious violation for failing to use safety blocks when dies were being adjusted and repaired.  Before this inspection, the company had been cited by OSHA for 47 violations since 1988.  They have also been placed in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program. 

Workers have the right to go to work and expect to return home intact.  When companies show a blatant disregard for the safety of their workers, they are shirking their responsibility to those who come to perform a job without being in danger.  Hopefully, by being placed in this enforcement program with regular inspections, they will wake up and start paying attention to safety, rather than fines.

OSHA “Quicktakes”

 

Eye Protection, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Hearing Protection

HAVE A SAFE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!

The Memorial Day holiday weekend ushers in the beginning of warm weather outings, as most students have finished their school year.  There is always much anticipation in the air about planned trips, summer jobs, or whatever new things are to be enjoyed.  We want to remind you that the highways will be heavily travelled, so leave a little early in order to not be rushed.  Be careful if you are traveling alone about where you take rest stops.  It is wiser to stop at convenience stores, or where there are many people, than some of the public roadside rest stops.  Also, be aware that your friendly state troopers will be out in full force, with the sole purpose of keeping you safe!  Don’t let any distractions get in the way of safety, stay off the cell phone (hands free, only), NO TEXTING WHILE DRIVING, and don’t drink and drive!

One pesky little detail I’d like to mention is that, according to the travel organization, AAA, there should be almost 35 million Americans traveling either by train, plane, or cruises.  For those that are doing so, or staying in hotels, the National Pest Management Association advises people to keep bed bug prevention and detection tips in mind. “The good news is that summer is finally here; the bad news is that bed bugs continue to lurk in places people typically visit during a vacation,” said Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NPMA. “Although bed bugs are a year-round pest, people have a greater chance of picking up this hitchhiker during the summer as travel increases. Bed bugs are a souvenir no one wants to bring home.”

Here are several NPMA tips to help travelers remain bed bug-free. More information can be found at AllThingsBedBugs.org.

  • Pull back hotel bed sheets, inspect the mattress seams, box spring, around and behind the headboard, sofas and chairs for telltale brownish or reddish spots, shed skins or bugs.
  • Avoid putting luggage on the bed or upholstered furniture.
  • If changing rooms, be sure the new room is not adjacent to the possibly infested room.
  • Use a large plastic bag to store luggage.
  • Upon returning home, inspect and vacuum suitcases thoroughly before bringing them into the house.
  • Wash and dry clothes on hot – whether worn or not or have them dry cleaned.
  • Consumers suspecting an infestation should contact a licensed pest professional.

Many people are wondering if the high price of gasoline will affect travel, beginning this Memorial Day weekend.  The American Auto Club Association’s holiday travel projection that was released nationally, is that about 100,000 more Americans will be traveling this year than last.  According to the group, travelers will find other ways to compensate for the near record fuel costs by cutting down on other areas of their travel budgets.  Many may make the choices of less expensive vacations, such as hiking and other outings rather than more expensive meals and shopping.  And others may simply choose to stay home, maybe throw some ribs on the grill, and enjoy watching the big race, basketball playoffs, and baseball games.  That’s not such a bad idea.  Sometimes waiting to travel when it isn’t a holiday is safer.

It should be a long, hot summer, so stock up on sunscreen, and don’t forget those safety safety sunglasses, and earplugs for any loud events you plan to attend, say, the Indianapolis 500? Don’t overdo it in the sun.  A tan looks great until you get older, and then just adds to the wrinkles!

Most important of all, don’t forget the reason for this holiday.  Memorial Day is always celebrated in the United States on the last Monday of May.  This is a legal holiday that pays tribute to the memory of those who died while serving the United States in wars.  It was first observed in 1866.  We continue to honor those who gave their lives in the process of holding on to the freedoms that we enjoy.  We must also honor those who are now serving in far-away places, away from the celebration of family, and pray for their safe return.

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

HOW TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM DANGERS IN CONFINED SPACES – PART I

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The safety poster shown below is graphic, but it conveys excellent information for those persons whose jobs require them to work in areas considered to be confined spaces.   These vessels, etc. are normally sealed so the dangers within, whether it is high-pressure, hot, or toxic materials, or gases, mechanical or electrical hazards, stay within.  When a human enters to inspect or service what’s inside is when the danger begins.

According to OSHA, many workplaces contain spaces that are considered “confined” because their configurations hinder the activities of employees who must enter, work in, and exit them. Confined spaces include, but are not limited to underground vaults, tanks, storage bins, manholes, pits, silos, process vessels, and pipelines. OSHA uses the term “permit-required confined space” (permit space) to describe a confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics: contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere; contains a material that has the potential to engulf an entrant; has walls that converge inward or floors that slope downward and taper into a smaller area which could trap or asphyxiate an entrant; or contains any other recognized safety or health hazard, such as unguarded machinery, exposed live wires, or heat stress. Repeating, OSHA’s definition of  “Confined space” means a space that:
(1) Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; and
(2) Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (for example, tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits are spaces that may have limited means of entry.); and
(3) Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.

“Acceptable entry conditions” means the conditions that must exist in a permit space to allow entry and to ensure that employees involved with a permit-required confined space entry can safely enter into and work within the space.

According to NIOSH, when the entry of a worker is necessary,  prior to entry into any type of confined space, several things must be done to ensure the safety of the persons required to work there.  The atmosphere should be tested, at all levels – top, middle, and bottom.  The area should be well ventilated with blowers or fans, and re-tested to ensure that it is ventilated correctly before anyone enters.  There are many locations that have insufficient air movement, which results in oxygen deficiency, flammability, or toxic situations.  Persons inside may be involved in welding, cutting, or brazing operations, and others may be painting, scraping, sanding, or degreasing.  Workers must have the appropriate personal protective equipment, such as hardhats, gloves, rubber boots, and the proper type of respirators.  Some may need air purifying ones, those that filter dangerous substances from the air, or air supplying types that furnish safe breathing air from a tank or uncontaminated area nearby. Only air-supplying respirators should be used in confined spaces where there is not enough oxygen.

Other hazards of confined spaces include extreme temperatures, engulfment hazards, such as loose materials in bins – sand, coal, grain – materials that a worker could fall into and suffocate.  Being in small spaces also amplifies noise; some are slick and wet, adding to the risk of electric shock, and others may have falling objects dropped into the area by work being done above the entrance.  All of these hazards add up to the fact that it takes very special kinds of workers that are willing to do this type of work, and companies that do their very level best to meet the needs and requirements to keep these folks safe.

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Tomorrow, we will discuss the way these workers should be protected by having attendants at the entrance, and rescue operations at the ready, as well as a checklist that contains recommendations for a safe entry.  Please stay tuned…………………………

Source: OSHA, NIOSH

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Hearing Protection, High Visibility Safety, Protective Clothing

NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE SAFETY MONTH MEANS “WEAR THAT GEAR”

Yesterday, we talked about May being National Motorcycle Safety Month, and how motorcyclists and vehicle drivers must “share the road.”  We know that there are careful drivers and careless ones; but the roads need to be free from distracted drivers and/or riders.  Today, we want to mention the several types of gear that motorcyclists need.  It’s advised that upon purchasing that long-dreamed of “bike”, one allows another $500 to $1000 to outfit themselves with the appropriate gear – gear that will keep them safe, while looking cool!  In the past, motorcyclists wore all black; however, studies have shown that by wearing reflective or fluorescent clothing, risk of a crash was reduced by 37%, by using headlamps all the time, the risk was reduced by 27%, and by wearing white helmets compared to black, the chance of collision was reduced by 24%.   Vests that are high visibility may be worn over jackets to increase being seen. 

Here are some other items of “personal protective equipment” for safe riders:

  •          Gloves.  Choose gloves that have surfaces that help maintain grip and control.  Some have a carbon fiber shell over the knuckles and padding on the palm.  Some gloves are designed specifically for riders.
  •          Pants.  These should be made of Kevlar, cordura, or a thicker leather than  popular leather jackets.  Ones made of Kevlar, ballistic nylon or cordura are cheaper than leather and easier to maintain, waterproof, and cooler in warm weather.  Also, some pants come with padding, removable liners, and reflective materials.
  •          Jackets.  Choose a quality jacket, preferably one with some type of reflective material, and that has special padding for spine, elbows, and shoulders.
  •          Boots.  Boots come in lightweight styles, but are very tough.  They should have rubber soles, reinforced and plastic caps on ankles and toe area.
  •          Goggles or Full Face Visors.  Be sure to choose excellent eye protection.  Goggles or visors keep bugs and debris out, and you need that added face protection that visors offer.
  •          Earplugs.  After you ride for a while, the noise from the wind, etc. can possibly damage your hearing.  You will still be able to hear horns, sirens, etc. while wearing earplugs.
  •          Vests.  Vests are made from sturdy and reflective materials that deflect light in all directions. 
  •          Off-road neck protection.  Although this is something new, these devices offer the possibility of prevention of or may reduce severe spinal column injuries from spills involving head compression.  On-road testing has not been as successful as off-road due to the fact that the devices limit head rotation, and therefore, visibility.  Someday they may become more popular among off-road riders.
  •          Helmets.  Now, for a very important piece of every rider’s gear!  It is a proven fact that helmets save lives.  The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that all helmets sold in the U.S. meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218.  This standard meets the minimum levels of performance that helmets must have to protect the head and brain in the event of a crash.  You can even customize your helmet with some high visibility decals!

We’re not through about helmets, yet.  Do not purchase novelty helmets.  Many riders know that they are unsafe, but wear them anyway.  Helmets that meet the minimum Federal safety standard have an inner liner usually about one-inch thick made of firm polystyrene foam.  You should be able to feel its thickness. Unsafe helmets normally contain only soft foam padding or a bare plastic shell with no padding at all.  Helmets that meet the DOT standards have sturdy chinstraps with solid rivets, and they generally weigh about three pounds.  Be sure to check the manufacturer’s label and look for the DOT sticker on the outside back of the helmet.  Labels inside the helmet showing that it meets the standards of private, non-profit organizations such as Snell or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) are good indicators that the helmet also meets the Federal safety standard.  To date, the NHTSA has not seen a novelty helmet that has a phony DOT sticker in addition to a phony Snell or ANSI label, but always check for those labels.   And remember, helmets won’t protect your noggin if you don’t wear them! 

This last message applies to all drivers and riders – do not drive or ride and drink alcohol!   Alcohol affects skills essential to ride a motorcycle, such as balance and coordination.  Alcohol abuse plays a big role in motorcycle fatalities; the percentage of intoxicated riders in fatal crashes is greater than the percentage of intoxicated vehicle drivers on the roads.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration encourages all who drive or ride, to be smart and sober riders/drivers.  

Last, to all our motorcycle-riding friends, the rule-of-thumb: “ALL THE GEAR, ALL THE TIME!”  Ride safely, and watch for the traffic, as it watches for you.

General Safety Issues, Health Issues, Hearing Protection, Uncategorized

WORKPLACE NOISE MAY DAMAGE YOUR HEART

It is a proven fact that persons who work in loud places for long periods of time can suffer loss of hearing, but researchers are now saying that they may also risk developing heart disease.  Can you imagine spending eight or ten hours per day working in an atmosphere where you have to yell at each other to be heard?  More than twenty million Americans work in noisy industrial settings. 

A new finding from animal research also shows evidence that too much noise can be bad for the heart; however, some scientists suggest that the changes may be no more than part of the body’s general response to stress.  Research over the past twenty years suggests that noise exposure contributes to high blood pressure, which has been apparent in studies.  It makes sense that the excessive noise can be as stressful to the body as extreme physical exercise or high-anxiety. Noise increases the body’s level of adrenaline and cortisol, (stress hormones), meaning that your heart could be affected.  Whether at the factory or on a construction site, noise at work is a known health hazard, with studies showing it increases hearing loss, sleep problems and psychological stress, but what about the heart? 

Currently, researchers have analyzed data on more than 6,0000 working adults, age 20 and older, to see if those working in a loud environment for at least three months have a higher risk of heart disease and related problems.  Data was taken from a large ongoing study called the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which included interviews of participants about their health and lifestyle, as well as work situation.  They were given medical exams, as well.  The findings were striking – after taking into account several factors that are known to increase the risk of heart problems, (age, smoking, and overweight), researchers discovered that workers in loud environments were twice as likely to have heart disease compared with those in quieter settings.  They were almost three times as likely to have chest pain (angina).  The link was particularly strong for people under 50, who were between three and four times more likely to have angina or heart disease.  These workers’ “bad” cholesterol levels were not particularly high, nor were their overall blood pressure readings.  However, they were twice as likely to have high diastolic blood pressure (the lower number on a blood pressure reading).  Raised diastolic pressure has been linked to a higher risk of heart disease. 

Workplace noise is an occupational hazard that managers and employers should be concerned about.  It should be discussed by workers with their managers for prompt corrective measures, not only because it could possibly lead to heart disease, but more importantly, it can cause hearing impairment.  There are not too many options to reduce noise hazards in the industrial setting.  The most straightforward is wearing of earplugs, which can lower noise intensity by 20-30 decibels.  Finding the connection between industrial noise and heart disease is perplexing; some researchers think that noise is the stressor, so maybe that is where it all starts.  More research is being done on this important subject, but in the meantime, this study provides extra incentive to take precautions, such as wearing earplugs or safety earmuffs, to minimize noise exposure.

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!

Hearing Protection

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? (OCCUPATIONAL HEARING LOSS)

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Controlling occupational noise can be one of the most cost-effective yet important facets of protection that companies can provide for their employees.  In the United States, every year, approximately 30 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise.  Noise-induced hearing loss can be reduced or eliminated through engineering controls and hearing conservation programs.  Even though hearing loss is one of the most common occupational illnesses, it is often ignored because there are no visible effects, it develops over a period of time, and with the exception of rare cases, there is no pain.  Persons experience a progressive loss of communication, socialization, and response to their environment.  

If you work in an industrial setting or operate loud machinery, you may experience short-term problems from too much noise, and your ears feel stuffed up, or you have temporary ringing in the ears (tinnitus.)  Repeated exposures to loud noise can lead to permanent, incurable loss of hearing or tinnitus.  Employers should reduce the noise exposure to below 85 dB (decibels.)  Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is a number that appears on the labels of all hearing protection products sold in the U.S.  This rating equals the level of noise reduction in decibels provided by the particular type of protective equipment (earmuff, earplugs) in a laboratory setting.  Since these conditions may be different from the actual working circumstance, the real work setting should have a walk-around survey, and possibly more complete evaluation to screen for noise exposure.  By checking the particular areas and how long the noise exists, needs for the correct protection can be determined. 

For factory or other environments, employees should choose options that decrease workplace noise levels.  They should select hearing protection that is comfortable, convenient, and easy to put on and off as needed.  Some of the choices are:

  • NRR Earmuffs: completely cover the ear.
  • Canal Caps: earplugs that are on a metal or plastic band that can go around the neck when taken off.
  • Premolded, reusable plugs: silicone, plastic, or rubber – “one size fits all,” as well as available in various sizes.
  • Expandable foam earplugs: made of formable material designed to expand and conform to the shape of each individual’s ear canal. 

Employers understand the risks associated with not controlling the noise level in their business, such as:

  • When employees cannot hear clearly, they may miss warnings from other workers and may be unable to avoid an accident.
  • Creates stress.
  • Reduces productivity.
  • If the noise level is 80 dB, persons have to speak very loudly to be heard.
  • If the level is between 85 and 90 dB, persons have to shout to be heard.
  • If the level is above 95 dB, persons would have to move closer to hear each other at all.

For example, after a survey is done of the work environment, if the time-weighted average noise level of, say 97 dB, the worker would need earmuffs with an NRR rating of at least 16 or earplugs with an NRR rating of at least 24, based on the ratings on the packaging. 

Not only can persons get hearing damage or loss from their work environment if they do not wear the proper protective gear, but young persons should pay heed to their parents’ advice to turn their music down.  When our son was a teenager, we could hear him a block away from the house, because the music was so loud in his truck.   I have noticed our grandson’s I-pod is so loud, I can hear the beat of the music he’s listening to with the speakers in his ears!  (Evidentally, they didn’t listen to me!)  Persons have been known to have hearing damage from noise levels at events such as World Cup soccer, football games, car races and other sporting venues.  It’s a good idea to invest in a pair of earplugs if you plan to attend a noisy concert or any loud event. 

Employers must make a decision that if there is a risk to their employees from exposure to noise, on how they can prevent or control this exposure to all sources of noise, even personal stereos.  Regular hearing checkups for employees can be useful to find out if they are experiencing any loss of hearing.  A unique tool, (individual dosimeter) is a personal sound noise measurement  device.  This system consists of a small dosimeter that is worn by employees in a shirt pocket or on the back of a hardhat.  It has special earplugs or an earmuff with integrated microphones that record real-time, in-ear noise levels, with a connecting harness.  An infrared reader allows safety managers to retrieve data from the dosimeter at the end of each shift or work-week and analyze the results on a personal computer.  The Personal Attenuation Rating determines the effectiveness of the employee’s earplug over a range of frequencies.  Then safety managers know if their employees are getting the best protection, or if they need additional training on how to fit their earplugs, or try something different. 

Think about this: noise-induced hearing loss is the second most-often reported occupational injury, and hearing loss is permanent and irreversible.

 

Sources: OSHA, NIOSH, HSME