Tag Archives: Earplugs

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

UNIQUE SAFETY NEEDS OF WELDERS (GUEST POST)

The Unique Safety Needs of Welders

Practically any industrial production job involves some degree of risk to workers, and welding certainly provides its share. The application of high-temperature torches onto metal surfaces inevitably creates dangerously bright light, hot sparks and flying debris. As a result, welders must use specific types of clothing and equipment to meet their unique safety needs. Let’s look at some of these modes of protection.

Eyes and face – The most obvious threat to a welder involves hot sparks, bits of metal or other debris flying up into the face, eyes or hair. For this reason alone, a welder would always need to wear protective headgear that includes both a faceguard and a helmet. Additionally, however, welders must protect their eyes against dangerous frequencies of ultraviolet light that can cause serious eye damage or even blindness after prolonged or repeated exposures.

While many construction workers might simply don a pair of safety goggles (tinted or un-tinted) to keep foreign matter and bright sunlight out of their eyes, welders must be equipped with a specially designed welding hood that includes ANSI-certified shading against the hazardous UV frequencies generated by their work. Since different types of welding torches generate different degrees of UV, welders should select a model that includes protection against their specific type of job or project, based on an IR scale of 1.5 (minimum shading) to 14 (maximum shading).

Some models, such as the Pyramex Auto Darkening Helmet, can provide IR shades ranging from #9 to #13. This design also includes plenty of interior room for a respirator if needed.

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Welders must use suitable eye and face protection against blinding, scorching sparks.

Head and ears – While a full-scale welding hood may protect the entire head, welders using just a faceguard may need to add a separate helmet to protect their hair from sparks. At the same time, however, they should also worry about flying debris entering the ear canals and causing blockages, infections or serious damage. Earplugs can close off the ear canals against this threat, while earmuffs such as the Pyramex PM1010 also protect the outer ear, provided that you can fit them underneath your helmet. These products have the added advantage of protecting your hearing in a noisy manufacturing or construction environment.

Hands and feet – A welder’s hands come closer to the source of dangerous sparks and flying debris than any other part of his body, so thick, fire-resistant gloves should be on every welder’s essential equipment list. Choose gloves specially designed for welding and other high-heat applications, such as Goatskin Tig Leather Welders or Kevlar Wool Lined 14-inch Gloves.

At the same time, however, keep in mind that sparks may also fall downward toward the feet, igniting ordinary cloth shoelaces, or a heavy piece of substrate may slip and drop onto them, causing serious injury. Leather boots with steel-reinforced toes can help protect against both of these dangers, while shoe covers can keep sparks off of laces.

Other considerations – Even if welders own all of the above items, they may need to take additional measures to protect themselves when welding. Gulfport Indura coveralls or similarly flame-resistant garments can reduce the risk of a stray spark igniting on the shirt or pants, for example. Heavy organics such as wool and cotton always make better choices than synthetics, which tend to melt when ignited.

Pants should always fit over boots instead of tucking inside them so debris or sparks cannot fall inside the boots. The sleeves should extend over the arms at all times.

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Don’t forget the flame-resistant coveralls!

When properly used by workers (and properly required by management), these protective items can make all the difference between tragedy and “just another day at the office,” so make the effort to safeguard yourself or your employees. Happy welding!

William Reynolds has worked as a freelance copywriter since 1997. William specializes in website content, ghost-blogging, print marketing content and audio/video scripts for providers of health and safety products such as Miracle-Ear.

(Images courtesy of gameanna and suwatpo /FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

General Safety Issues, Hearing Protection

U.K. Hearing Loss Statistics (Guest Post)

Our thanks again to Thomas Fairclough for sending this guest post  from Asons Solicitors. If you would like to learn more about industrial deafness,or the hearing loss claims process information is available at www.asons.co.uk

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An alarming 1/6 of the UK population suffer from some form of hearing loss. Of those suffering from hearing loss around 6.4 million are over the age of 65+ and about 3.7 million are of working age. Surprising about 3.7 million people aged 16 – 65 have hearing loss, and around 135,000 of them are severely or profoundly deaf.

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Of the 10 million who suffer from hearing loss, more than 800,000 people are severely or profoundly deaf.

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About two million people in the UK need hearing aids, but only 1.4 million decide to use them regularly. Of those who suffer from hearing loss more than six million would benefit from the use of hearing aids.

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About 10% of adults in the UK suffer from constant tinnitus. 1% of adults have tinnitus that affects their quality of life. Similar to hearing loss, the risk of developing tinnitus increases with age. Up to 30% of over 70s experience tinnitus, compared to 12% of people in their 60s and just 1% of people aged under 45.

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Due to the increasing age of the UK population, there will be an estimated 14.0 million people with hearing loss by 2031. The World Health Organisation predicts that by 2031 adult onset hearing loss will b one of the top ten diseases in the UK, more common than diabetes and cataracts.

On average it takes people ten years to finally address their hearing loss. Even when they do decide to take action, 45% of people with hearing aids say that initially their GP failed to refer them directly to an audiologist when they first mentioned that they felt they were suffering from hearing loss.

Note: Hearing loss can be prevented if those exposed to loud environments will wear earplugs or earmuffs that are designed to protect their hearing.  Once the damage is done, it is permanent.  pb

General Safety Issues, Hearing Protection

EFFECTIVE HEARING CONSERVATION IN THE WORKPLACE (GUEST POST)

Occupational hearing loss is an important issue that employers must not only acknowledge but also take precautionary measures to prevent. When your employees work in a dangerously loud environment, without preventive measures in place, they are risking their health and safety on your watch. You may be surprised to know that an environment only needs to have a noise level of 85 db to begin causing damage to the human ear.

A kitchen blender, diesel truck, and city traffic all fall within this range; a noise level most of us don’t think twice about. It only takes a few hours of unprotected hearing before this range (or higher) begins to do irreversible damage. Here are a few examples of ways your company can promote hearing conservation in the workplace.

Provide Employees with Hearing Protection
Hearing protection should be compulsory for employees in all noisy areas. This is made easier when employers have ample hearing protection available that is conveniently located in an area proceeding a workplace with higher noise levels. Mark the area clearly with signs. Consider holding a safety class to educate employees on noise levels in their workplace, proper ways to use the hearing protection, and the risk they take if they choose not to use it.

Decrease Workplace Noise Level
As well as promoting hearing protection awareness in the workplace, you can also take steps to decrease the amount of noise as a whole. Setting a noise target will help your company create a plan, and you will be able to make adjustments accordingly. Consider upgrading older equipment and machinery to quieter newer models and purchase new machinery that has noise control as part of its intended design. Simpler, less expensive measures can also be taken to effectively lower noise in the workplace. Carpeting or other types of noise barrier between certain machinery and employees can be effective at reducing noise levels.

Create Hearing Protection Zones
By clearly marking zones with higher noise levels, workplace hearing awareness will be increased. As a responsible employer, hearing protection should be required in any marked zone. The hearing protection zone should have clear signs that not only mark the area as a dangerous noise area, but also remind employees to use their hearing protection before entering.

Initiate a Workplace Safety Code
To strengthen the importance of workplace safety within your company, you may wish to consider including an official addition on hearing conservation and safety in general in your company code of conduct. Not only does this reinforce safety protocol, but it shows that your company takes employee safety very serious.

Excessive noise does much more than cause hearing damage for your employees, studies have shown that working in a noisy environment increases stress levels, impacts emotional and psychological well-being, and lowers concentration. Chances are if  your company operates with a noisy workplace, employees concentrating on the job at hand is likely detrimental to job safety and the smooth running of the work environment. As an employer you are legally responsible for the well-being of the employees who work for you; hearing safety is vitally important for their safety and your own.

Jessica Galbraith is a writer who has worked in several workplaces under excessive noise. As an advocate for hearing conservation, she also runs a small business entrance mats enterprise.  Sent to us by Debbie Allen.

Hearing Protection

TIPS FOR PROTECTING YOUR HEARING AT WORK (GUEST POST)

As you must already know, your hearing is integral to living an easy, high-quality life. Without your hearing, life would become significantly more problematic – not only would you be unable to hear things like your child’s first words or even just your favourite TV show, but you’d be putting yourself at risk when crossing the street or working in dangerous environments.

You’ll want to take good care of those ear drums; they’re precious, and there’s not a great deal you can do once you’ve lost them. When you work in a loud environment, you’re at a much greater risk of damaging your hearing. Thankfully, with a few simple precautions you can protect your ears from harm.

How Can Noise Damage Hearing?

Too much exposure to loud noises can hurt your ears. On the short term, you can temporarily lose your hearing, but prolonged exposure can lead to permanent hearing loss, tinnitus, or even deafness.

If you work around loud noises, exposure to a sound of over 85 decibels for eight hours a day can seriously affect your hearing. An idling tractor and a conveyor are two examples of 85dB noise.

Anything above this – like power tools, chain saws, and jet engines – are even more dangerous.

If noise is causing damage, there are some tell-tale signs you should watch out for. If you hear a ringing in your ears, or have trouble following a conversation with more than one person, or struggle to hear high-pitched sounds, you should get your hearing checked out.

The best way to do this is to see a trained audiologist. You can book your hearing test online, and the test is quick and painless.

How Can You Protect Your Hearing on the Job?

Thankfully, it only takes a bit of common sense and a few simple preparations to stop your hearing from suffering harm as you work. One of the best – and easiest – methods is to just wear safety ear plugs
whenever you are exposed to loud sounds; so, before using that jackhammer, for instance.

If you are, for whatever reason, averse to putting things inside your ears, a great alternative is to wear safety earmuffs. These sit over your ear, covering the entire thing, thus blocking out most noise.

Both ear plugs and ear muffs are measured in terms of effectiveness in cancelling out noise – this is known as the NRR or Noise Reduction Rating. As you’ll be around loud noises for long periods of time, you’ll want to make sure you get your hands on ear plugs or ear muffs with an NRR number of 25 or above.

This number means that it reduces the total noise level by 25 decibels, thus bringing that 85dB tractor engine down to a comfortable 60dB.

If you’re using reusable ear plugs, make sure you wash them with warm water and soap after each use. That’s all the maintenance they need, so there’s really no reason to shy away from using them – your hearing is valuable!  If you feel that your hearing is already damaged then it would be wise to get a hearing test done. You can book one for free at Boots Hearingcare just to put your mind at ease.

 

 

 

General Safety Issues, Head Protection, Hearing Protection

IS ANYONE SAFE AT A NASCAR RACE?

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I don’t intend to hang a big, black cloud over the race that is scheduled to start in about one hour, the “Superbowl of Racing,” the Daytona 500.  Race fans look forward to another season of spectacular driving, and talented drivers.  Yesterday’s accident, during the NASCAR Nationwide, marred the victory for veteran driver Tony Stewart, as two cars collided, sending one of the car’s motor and some of its tires through a hole in the fence, caused by the impact, or over the fence, injuring approximately 28 persons.  Fourteen were taken to a nearby hospital and the other fourteen were treated at the track. 

Through the years, NASCAR’s focus has been on safety – not only of the drivers, but also that of the pit crews, tracks, and fans, and of course, safer cars.  Maintaining safety for the cars and drivers is a challenge for both NASCAR and the owners and designers, because cars are becoming faster and faster.  Yesterday’s freak accident may deter some fans from attending, but I am betting most of them will go back for today’s race. 

The accident involved twelve cars, but none of the drivers were injured.  Stewart, when interviewed, stated, “We’ve always known since racing started, this is a dangerous sport, but it’s hard.  We assume that risk, but it’s hard when fans get caught up in it….I could see it all in my mirror, and it didn’t look good from where I was at.” 

One neat thing for female fans, is that Danica Patrick won the pole position for today’s race.  It will be interesting to see where she finishes today.  She is a very tiny person, 5’2”, and around 100 pounds, but she has proven to be as tough as the guys.  Many of the drivers will attest to it.  Jeff Gordon and Carl Edwards both took their daughters to meet her last week, at the Stewart-Haas garage. 

If you plan to attend any NASCAR events, Texas America Safety Company has NASCAR hardhats, which might prove to make you a little safer, and also fun to wear at work.  For sure, you could also use some quality hearing protection earplugs.  It gets noisy out there. 

Let’s send our thoughts and prayers out to those fans who were injured yesterday, that fans, drivers, and crews have a very safe day today and throughout the racing season.

General Safety Issues, Hearing Protection, Uncategorized

HAVE YOU HEARD THE LATEST?

Chances are you haven’t, if you are among the 22 million U.S. workers who are exposed to hazardous noise on the job, with about 9 million suffering from noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).  Did you know that NIHL is the most common, permanent, and preventable occupational injury in the U.S?  Occupational hearing loss costs an estimated $242.4 million per year in disability extended across the workforce of our nation, according to NIOSH.

It is up to the employer to make the workplace quieter.  Prolonged exposure to excessive noise levels can cause permanent hearing loss.  They must know the levels of the noise that workers are exposed to and the risk to their hearing.  Employees who are exposed to a rate of 90 decibels or more an eight hour shift should have the noise level in their workplace reduced, or wear protective gear.  Sometime you have probably had tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or your ears felt stuffed up, when you walked away from a noisy area.  If this continues, you may have some hearing loss.

There are noise control devices that employees may wear, but require proper training on their use, as well as how to care for them. 

  • Industrial Earmuffs.  They totally cover the ears and should fit tightly, with no hair or other object to interfere with the seal.  The seals and inside of the earmuffs should be kept clean, and the headband should furnish good tension.
  • Hearing Protection Earplugs.  There are many types of earplugs that also should fit properly.  Workers should never share them, and have clean hands before inserting them.  The ear canal is 1 1/4″ long, and most earplugs are only 1/2″ to 3/4″ long.  They are premolded or have stems with which to insert them.

Hearing protection lowers the noise level of equipment, but does not eliminate it.  Workers are still able to hear the equipment and voices of co-workers.  A good sign that you need hearing protection is if you have to raise your voice to talk to someone an arms’ length away, or if you experience ringing or dull sounds after leaving a noisy place.

Work isn’t the only place that we are exposed to too much noise.  You might consider buying earplugs to wear in large crowds, concerts, car races, or sporting events.  I’ve been to some very loud football games, and the World Cup Soccer event proved that noise even interferes with the players’ concentration.  If you enjoy using power tools, earplugs will help protect your hearing.

There’s just one pair of ears to a customer, so take care of yours.  If you heed our warning, you won’t miss out on the latest news or juicy gossip!

General Safety Issues, Hearing Protection

WORK RELATED HEARING LOSS

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, (NIOSH), work-related hearing loss continues to be a serious workplace issue for safety and health.  Noise-induced hearing loss is 100 percent preventable, but once it happens, hearing loss is permanent and irreversible.  Employers and workers must take precautions to protect workers’ hearing.
One of the most common occupational diseases is hearing loss.  High numbers of exposed workers in the following industries include:

  • Military
  • Mining
  • Agriculture
  • Transportation
  • Construction
  • Utilities
  • Manufacturing

The most effective way to prevent noise-induced hearing loss is through controls, such as building an acoustic barrier or muffler in the workplace.  Earplugs and earmuffs should be used when a safe level of noise cannot be attained otherwise.
This is not a new danger; it has always been a threat.  Repeated exposures to loud noise can cause permanent, incurable hearing loss or tinnitus, (buzzing, ringing, or other sounds in ear caused by defect or damage to the auditory nerve).  Employers need to provide hearing protectors in situations where dangerous exposures are not eliminated.
Worker education, along with employers’ assessments of noise situations, need to be consistently enforced.

Source: NIOSH
Gateway Safety