Tag Archives: boots

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

MINING SAFETY AND PROTECTIVE GEAR (GUEST POST)

2 Comments

Mineworkers that wear full safety clothing can address several dangers. All mines need to stipulate the mining safety and protective clothing required and the kind of activity to be carried out.

Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour

Purpose of the protective gear

Improved visibility: A gear with high visibility is critical in a mine particularly if dealing with high traffic. Retro reflective strips and bright colors always make the workers at the mining site visible.
Abrasion Resistance: Thick and tough leather offers high abrasion resistance in case of a crash though fabrics like cordura are also able to provide significant protection. Fabrics are waterproof, easy to maintain, cheap and quite comfortable during hot weather. Thick leather is uncomfortable during hot weather and could result in the loss of control and heat stress. There are fabric gears designed into a mesh-like pattern which provides cooling plus a more stable surface to attach the padding.
Padding: Quality pants and jackets offer significant extra padding within the joint regions that are more vulnerable. This takes the form of dual-density foam or simple foam padding. The integrated pieces are available inside some jackets.
Weather Protection: Protection against weather elements is very important in mines. At times, extreme weather makes the working conditions rather dangerous or unbearable.

What is the required protective gear for greater safety during mining?

Approaching safety experts is the best answer. Every safety expert is exposed to a number of risks in the mines and is a witness of accidents, nearing accidents, hazards and falls in all the weather conditions. Some of their recommendations on mine worker safety include:

  • Protective gear needs to conform to the anatomy but not the surrounding slide
  • The hands, head, knees, hips, shoulders and elbows are all vulnerable areas
  • A protective gear should be purchased not as some fashion statement but for protective purposes

Examples of specific protective gear items

  • Full-face helmet: This offers the most protection.  It is imperative that hardhats be worn.
  • Gloves: Gloves need to be designed specifically for a given mining activity. It is commonly made using cordura, Kevlar, leather or other given combinations. There are some with carbon fiber knuckle protection and other rigid padding forms. There are gloves that offer wrist protection.
    Jackets: Most jackets are made from ballistic nylon, leather, Kevlar, cordura and other related synthetics. Many jackets feature a special padding on the spine, elbows or shoulders.
    Pants: They include special protection for hips and knees. Cotton denim jeans that have Kevlar are preferred by some people.
    Boots: It’s specifically designed for the undertaken mining activity and includes plastic caps and reinforcement on the ankles or the toe area.
    Helmet Visor or Goggles: Something of utmost importance is eye protection. Metal pieces or pebbles that are kicked up towards your eye have sufficient momentum to render significant damage.
    Ear plugs: These devices offer protection against any hearing damage and reduce fatigue.
    Vests: Made using retro reflective materials with high-visibility color. It is possible to wear them over jackets so as to increase the possibility of remaining visible. This will more critical in adverse weather conditions.

Author bio:
This has been a post by Danny, a blogger from Australia. He is writing about business and human resources on behalf of Australia Mining, a company that provides information to people looking to get a job in mining.

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

WINTER ITEMS TO HELP THOSE WHO WORK OUTDOORS STAY WARM

1 Comment

For all those persons who have to work outside – either during winter months or hot summer months, there are many ways to help you stay warm or cooler, depending on the season.  Since it’s winter for sure, let’s talk about the many safety items that offer extra warmth.  (We just happen to know where you can find several types of these, too): 

  1. Winter Liners:   There are different types of winter liners, all made to help keep your ears and neck warm underneath your hardhat or other type of headgear you must wear on the job.  Some have drawstrings so you can tighten them up, and others are stretchy so they can be pulled back over the brim of the hardhat.  These are not only excellent for workers, but for hunters, and others who enjoy the outdoors. 
  2. Warm Gloves: Nothing says “warm” like a toasty pair of gloves.  If our fingers are stiff, we aren’t able to function; frostbite may be just a nip away! 
  3. Hand or Foot Warmers:  These handy little hot packs keep the cold away.  They last for hours, too. (Please scroll down on this page to see the hot packs and some other excellent information.)
  4.  Boots: Everyone knows you must have a good foundation: boots that are comfortable in cold weather, and have good soles to keep you well-balanced all day! (Kind of like the cereal you have for breakfast!)
  5. Polarized Safety Glasses:  These won’t keep you warm, but our eyes risk being damaged by UV rays, winter or summer.  Glare off snow and ice can hurt your eyes.  Keep them protected by wearing some safety sunglasses with UV protection.
  6.  Heavy duty rainsuits and boots:  If you work in areas that are prone to rain, it’s good to keep this kind of personal protective equipment in your work vehicle.  That way it’s handy when you need it to keep you dry.

We hope all you outdoor workers and outdoorsmen and women stay safe, warm and dry this winer.  There is a myriad of occupational products just designed to help you stay that way. Our Parent Company, Texas America Safety Company, and Blog4Safety thank you for the opportunity to make these suggestions for your winter warmth.

 

 

Eye Protection, Fall Safety, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection

HERE’S A NEW SPIN ON SAFETY: WATCH THIS VIDEO (GUEST POST)

In our everyday quest to bring safety to the forefront, we welcome guest authors from all over the world to present their take on safety.  It is amazing how many ways we all think about safety.  We recently heard about this video.  Based on the tune to “I’m Sexy and I Know It,” there’s a new version called “I’m Safety and I Know It”.  We think you will find it amusing, as well as presenting much of the safety equipment that is required to keep everyone SAFE!  Here is Dave Clare’s (General Manager of ATC) response to our request to share this video:

G’day Pat, 

We would be pleased if you would share about our video. As a non-profit organisation, we are hoping to reach out to as many people as we can about working safe. There are different regulations all around the world about safety, but the end game is all the  same, lets help people embrace safety as a part of what they do and how they do work and let everyone come home alive and in one piece. 

Safety is our No.1 core value at ATC and we wanted to find a fun way to make it relevant to a broad range of people. 

Sit back and enjoy this Australian video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=PGxKPf9eEhg

Apprentice & Traineeship Co. Midwest is a not for profit company that works with engaged partners to inspire the development of tomorrows leading workforce…today!

 

 

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Protective Clothing

STEP UP TO FOOT SAFETY!

1 Comment

If your feet hurt, it seems that you hurt all over!  I wonder just how many women have spent years of their working lives in high heels, thinking more about the fashion statement they are making than the toll that their feet are taking?  Many times working men and women suffer injuries to their feet, which can result in time lost, and possible surgery to repair whatever damage has been done. 

OSHA dictates that as in all personal protective equipment, (PPE), companies should choose the appropriate footwear for the hazards of the particular job the employee does.  The standard from OSHA (29 CFR 1910.136) requires protection “where there is danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole and where..exposed to electrical hazards.”  There are also hazards such as impact when heavy materials are being handled, compression protection for work involving manual material handling carts, bulk rolls, and heavy pipe, and puncture protection from sharp objects, such as nails, screws, tacks, and scrap metal.  

Here are a few problems where the feet are at risk:

  • Chemical hazards; boots and shoes made of rubber, PVC or neoprene are needed.
  • Heavy objects – steel toes are to protect against falling objects, which cause about 60 per cent of all foot injuries.  If there are electrical hazards, a fiberglass toe should replace the typical steel toe.
  • Slips and falls – shoes with good traction are needed. 

There are at least two distinct areas of foot protection that are mentioned in the realm of safety shoe covers.  In industrial and construction situations, OSHA and ANSI are concerned with safeguarding the “impact and compression” of the foot.  Medical, industrial, and laboratory environments are the other areas of foot protection issues.  Shoe covers for medical personnel can protect from spatters, liquid, and chemicals that could pose a danger.  Also, using shoe or boot covers protects others from receiving contaminants from you.  Those that are involved in “clean” manufacturing conditions, such as computer chips, digital medical equipment, precise engineering instruments, etc., must be careful to not transfer contaminants to sensitive objects.  Clean rooms must remain as germ and contaminant free as surgical environments; therefore, shoe covers are an important component. 

Even those involved in sports, such as cycling, can use shoe covers.  While your back, arms, and legs are stressed during high level cycling, nothing takes a worse pounding than your feet.  There are products that offer a line of covers and booties to protect shoes from road abuse from rocks, mud, and other hazards. 

One last “footnote”:  I recently read an article in the AARP Bulletin, written by Candy Sagon, regarding assisting people with dementia or Alzheimer’s who could possibly wander off from caregivers or nursing facilities: a locator shoe with a built-in Global Positioning System device now makes it easier to tract down its wearers.  Manufactured by GTX Corporation, the shoes look like a typical walking shoe but have a miniature GPS unit implanted in the heel.  The cost of the shoes is around $300.  The shoe works by allowing caregivers or family members to set up a perimeter, called a “geo-fence,” allowing wearers to move freely around a specific area.  When they stray beyond the perimeter, a Goggle Maps message pops up on a computer or phone to alert caregivers.  What a great investment to help with the task of keeping these patients safe. 

Regardless of the reason that your company has safety footwear to keep you safe, be sure you wear it every time you are on the job.  Those responsible for choosing footwear or any other type of PPE should select comfortable, and proper fitting protective clothing, head to toe.  There may not be a magic formula for the feet, but there are steps that can be followed to be sure feet are protected.

Source: OSHA, AARP Bulletin

General Safety Issues, Protective Clothing

WHERE DO YOU STAND ON FOOT PROTECTION?

Every year, OSHA cites a handful of companies for violations of its foot protection standard, but about 200,000 workers experience toe or foot injuries annually, as reported by the National Safety Council.  OSHA’s personal protective equipment (PPE) standard dealing with footwear (29 CFR 1910.136) requires protection “where there is danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole and where exposed to electrical hazards.”  Part of the problem is that employers and employees may not know how to select the proper foot protection. 

Employers should go beyond OSHA’s sketchy guidelines, according to Michael Ziskin, a consultant who specializes in PPE in industry and on hazardous waste sites.  Ziskin, Chairman of the American Industrial Hygiene Association’s Protective Clothing and Equipment Committee, states, “The more you know about the limitations of the products, the less you know about how they will perform in specific work situations.”  It’s up to employers to determine how the products will be used and how effective they will be for the tasks.  Foot-related risks can include everything from chemical hazards and heavy objects to slippery or uneven surfaces that can cause slips and falls. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 329,000 lost workdays from slips and falls in 1994.  This proved the need for shoes that provide good traction.  When working in the healthcare or chemical industries, boots and shoes made of rubber, PVC, or neoprene (depending on the chemical) are needed.  Needless to say, if you’ve been in a hospital, you see all types of workers – doctors, nurses, lab techs, etc. wearing those funny looking shoe covers.  They protect everyone – you, the patients, the surroundings, and objects that may be touched.  Medical personnel are also able to protect themselves against splatters, liquids, and chemicals that may be dangerous.   

In industrial settings, steel-toed boots are a must.  They protect the foot from impact and compression injuries; sixty per cent of all foot injuries are caused by falling objects.  If there are electrical hazards, a fiberglass toe should replace a typical steel toe.  Plastic shoe covers protect the shoes in dirty work environments. 

Having a successful foot protection program depends on the employer doing their homework on assessing all of the hazards involved in the workplace, and using engineering controls, work practices, and providing the proper safety footwear.  Workers should also be trained to mark spills until they can be cleaned up.  They should ensure that the footwear is comfortable; otherwise, it might not be worn.  Take the “right steps” to see that everyone walks away from the job safely at the end of the day!

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.