Tag Archives: fatalities

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

MAY IS NATIONAL ELECTRICAL SAFETY MONTH

Every year in the United States, workplace electrical incidents result in more than 300 deaths and 3,500 injuries.  While electrical hazards are not the leading cause of on-the-job injuries and fatalities, they are disproportionately fatal and costly.  For every 13 electrical injuries, a worker dies.   Knowing best practices of electrical safety are critical to reducing these staggering statistics because most of these injuries could be prevented. 

Electricity and electrical products play a fundamental role in how we conduct business every day. However, if not used or maintained appropriately, they can pose serious risks. Over the last ten years, more than 30,000 workers have been injured in workplace electrical accidents. These injuries not only disrupt the lives of the workers and their families, but also impact the productivity of employers. 

An arc flash is a sudden release of electrical energy through the air when a high-voltage gap exists and there is a breakdown between conductors. An arc flash gives off thermal radiation (heat) and bright, intense light that can cause burns and other injuries. Exposure to extreme temperatures burns the skin directly and ignites the clothing that the worker is wearing. 

An arc flash can be spontaneous, or can result from inadvertently bridging electrical contacts with a conducting object. Other causes may include dropped tools, the buildup of conductive dust, or corrosion. While great advances are being made to improve equipment design and thereby reduce the number of arc flash incidences, there is still much to be done. Each year, 2,000 workers are admitted to burn centers for treatment of severe arc flash burns. 

High-voltage arcs can also produce considerable pressure waves by rapidly heating the air and creating a blast. This pressure burst, or arc blast, can hit a worker with grenade-like force and send metal droplets from melted copper and aluminum electrical components shooting out at speeds up to 700 miles per hour – fast enough for the tiny shrapnel to penetrate ones body.  

Here are some important ways to prevent injuries and fatalities when working with electricity:

Every year, workers are injured or killed by circuits they thought were safely turned off. Simply shutting off the power is not enough. Hazardous conditions can still exist. You may not get a second chance to learn this important lesson, so always test before you touch! 

Most electrically-related fatalities and injuries could easily be avoided. Responsibility for your safety begins with you. Take steps to protect yourself everyday and make safety an integral part of how you do business. 

The number one way to prevent electrical injuries and fatalities is to turn off the equipment being worked on. It may take a little more time and planning, but your life and your health are worth it. Be proactive about de-energizing equipment and taking steps to ensure that your work environment remains safe. Working on energized equipment increases your risk of injury or death.

 

 Each day, nearly 3 million professionals participate in work activities where lockout/tagout procedures should be used. Unfortunately, too many workers still put themselves at risk by working energized or neglecting to follow their company’s lockout/tagout procedures. Year after year, failure to comply with the lockout/tagout standard is listed as one of the top OSHA violations. If the standards are followed, an estimated 120 fatalities and 50,000 injuries could be prevented annually. Get in the habit of doing this important step every time! 
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be the major factor in differentiating between an electrical event you walk away from and one that requires months of painful healing. PPE comes in many different forms, including: hard hats, gloves, goggles, safety shoes, flame-resistant clothing, dielectric safety glasses, face shields, fall protection equipment, etc.Be sure to choose the PPE that is right for you and your circumstances. PPE should be:

  • Worn CORRECTLY; zipped, buttoned, etc
  • Appropriate for the hazard
  • Worn as the outermost layer
  • Maintained properly and removed from service when needed

This month serves as a reminder that we must always be extremely careful when working around electricity. 
  Source: ESFi (Electrical Safety Foundation international)
Back Safety, Ergonomics, Eye Protection, Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Health Issues, Hearing Protection, High Visibility Safety, Respiratory Safety

Fatal and Non-Fatal Injuries In The Workplace

This interesting infographic is from Rebecca Fox, of Westermans International, a UK-based welding company.  We appreciate this shared information and can learn what illnesses are prevelant in their respective industries.   

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

A GUIDE TO SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR RENOVATION AND CONSTRUCTION (Guest Post)

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under the United States Department of Labor, there were 4,690 workplace fatalities in 2010 alone out of which 774 were in construction. These deaths were mostly related to safety hazards that could have been potentially avoided. The number one cause of death was falling, followed by electrocution, then being struck by an object, and lastly getting caught in or between things. These four major causes were addressed by OSHA and guidelines were provided to ensure safety among construction and renovation workers.

The proper use of safety equipment can also prevent injuries and fatalities at construction sites. Although required by law in many states, a large number of workers tend to ignore the importance of safety equipment. The following steps are guide to using safety equipment for renovation and construction work.

Avoiding Falls With Proper Fall Protection Equipment

Personal fall protection equipment is a necessity at any construction site. Whether the renovation or construction requires climbing high buildings or remodelling a small home, safety equipment is absolutely essential. Falling is the number one cause of death at construction sites, making protection against it highly important. Some of the main reasons for falling include floor openings, unprotected walls and side holes, wrong scaffold construction, protruding steel and iron bars, and portable ladder misuse.

OSHA requires that any openings six feet or more should be protected with a guardrail or safety net system. Moreover, all construction sites should be inspected prior to work for any hidden openings or holes that can pose a danger to workers. These “fall prevention systems” are known to be a better option than “fall protection systems.” Fall protection systems consist of safety equipment like safety belts, full body harnesses, lanyards, lifelines, rope grabs, shock absorbers, carabiners, and anchors. All fall protection systems must be checked for size, manufacturer’s identification, usage, date of manufacture, and model number.

Safety Equipment to Avoid Electrocutions

Electrocution is the second main cause of deaths among construction workers. Some of the serious forms of danger that workers are exposed to when working around electrical materials include thermal burns, arc flashes, electric shocks, and blasts. There are two protection systems that need to be in place when working with electricity: Insulating Protective Equipment (IPE) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

1. Insulating Protective Equipment (IPE)
According to OSHA the following insulation protection should be included when dealing with electricity: 

  • Insulation should be provided for “(rubber) line hose, blankets, and hoods”
  • Insulation for “barriers made of fiberglass or phenolic resin”
  • “Live-line tools, such as hotsticks, switchsticks, and shotgun sticks”
  • “Plastic or fiberglass hardcover items that can be installed with live-line tools”

2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Workers are required to use Personal Protective Equipment and workwear to protect against electrical hazards. The US Department of Labor suggests that all workers should be provided with training on how to properly use PPE. Security and hazard assessment should also be performed prior to any electrical work to judge the amount and level of PPE needed. Here are some of the PPE frequently used when working with electrical equipment:

  • Eye and face protection, such as safety glasses and face shields
  • Rubber gloves with insulation and leather protection
  • Industrial Hard hats
  • Safety shoes
  • Insulating sleeves
  • Chemical protection gloves
  • Flare resistant clothing

 Similarly, “struck-by” and other construction related fatalities can be avoided if proper measures and safety plans are put in place. OSHA requires that these measures are also taken care of when using construction vehicles. All vehicles must be fully inspected to guarantee functioning lights, brakes, mirrors, and other areas operating safely. To prevent hazards from falling objects, always make sure to wear a hard hat, goggles, and other protective gear. Load-carrying vehicles should be checked for safety prior to usage and all tools should be secured in place to avoid falling on people.

Almost all injuries and deaths can be avoided if workers are provided with proper guidelines on how to operate under different conditions with the necessary safety equipment. While some workers often tend to neglect these safety measures assuming that they are mere hindrances to their workflow, these measures are put in place for a reason — the safety and security of themselves and those around them. 

Below are listed some useful resources for those people that want to find out and read more about this topic:

Resources
http://www.osha.gov/oshstats/commonstats.html
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/index.html
http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/health_and_safety/by_topic/assets/pdf/fall_protection.pdf

 

Our thanks to Lucy James for this very helpful article! pb

General Safety Issues

PAY ATTENTION, ALL DRIVERS!

This is one article that we hope drives home the importance of paying 100 percent attention when you are behind the wheel of a vehicle.  They say a “picture is worth a thousand words,” but the two pictures we are presenting to you are worth much more than that, if they serve to save one life, or many lives.

 

 

Wreck1

Wreck2

The make and model of these two pickups are hard to detect; however, they both were fairly new.  One driver reportedly drifted into oncoming traffic at the bottom of a blind curve, striking the other pickup.  The man in the correct lane was crushed inside the wreckage of the pickup, while the vehicle that veered into his lane caught fire, with the driver inside.  Both died at the scene.  It was reported that the impact was so severe that both vehicles came to an abrupt stop.

You must always drive defensively, as you never can forecast what the other driver may do.  Some may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, while others are busy texting or talking on their cell phones.  There are other times for using phones and/or drinking, and doing so while driving is not appropriate.  It is unknown whether the driver of the first vehicle was using a cell phone, went to sleep, or the exact cause of the accident.  It happened on a curvy State Highway, and in an area where there are very few places to pass.

The pictures deliver the message:  forget about any distractions you might have to contend with.  Wait to talk on the phone when you get home, or pull over and stop.  Turn the radio down enough that you can hear what’s going on around you.  Don’t drink and drive, or drive under the influence of medications.  It’s the same old saying:  distracted driving kills.  Please be careful; don’t become a statistic!

Our thanks to the De Leon, Texas Free Press for sharing their pictures and information

General Safety Issues

COMMUNICATION IS A KEY ELEMENT TO WORK SAFETY

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Have you ever thought how much simpler life would be if those in charge of the workplace could just “spit it out”, in plain, concise words, so that their employees totally understand what they are expected to do, and that they are expected to perform in the safest manner possible?  Many times, managers will beat around the bush to avoid hurting someone’s feelings.  Workers may allow anger issues to fester rather than openly talk about an issue and risk confrontation.  Direct communication isn’t always easy to express, because too many of us try to be “politically correct.”  

Have you noticed how many people are in your workplace, yet you rarely interact with them?  Everyone has different experiences from various workplaces and feels that their way is probably the right way.  That is where communication is so important.  Get acquainted with co-workers; you may be surprised how much you can learn from them, or teach them.  Listen to your supervisor tell a group what he wants them to do, and then watch and see how many got that message or interpreted it in different ways. 

Today, I noticed an article in the Billings Gazette about the lack of a culture of safety.  Wyoming’s state occupational epidemiologist, Timothy Ryan, said in a memo to Governor Mead, dated December 19, 2011, and released Tuesday by the governor’s office, that the lack of a “culture of safety” is the common theme tying together the state’s high rate of workplace deaths.  “Safety occurs as an afterthought,” Ryan stated.  In interviews with employees around the state, Ryan was told a typical work environment included:

  • A communication breakdown regarding safety between upper management, supervisors and employees.
  • A lack of safety training enforcement.
  • Cases in which employees were told to “get the job done,” despite a failure to enforce safety rules.
  • A wide range of safety standards at any one site. 

More than 85 per cent of fatality reports show that workplace safety procedures weren’t followed, and the number neared 100 per cent in the oil and gas industry.  Ryan’s report also showed that during the past decade, an average of one worker died every 10 days in the state. Ryan reviewed 17 years of workplace fatality data, covering 1992 to 2008, fatality cases reports, and conversations with employees in the state’s major industries.  Wyoming’s workplace death rate has ranked first or second among U.S. states since 2001, except when it ranked fourth in 2009.    

Communication between workers and their supervisors or trainers can literally mean the difference between life, injury, or death.  If employees are trained by the rules, but the rules are broken, there has been a lack of communication and supervision.  When workers are told to rush through a job, with no enforcement of safety rules, it would seem that the bottom dollar line is more important than the employees.  If safety standards are ignored at the worksite, the message either wasn’t stated in the correct way, or the workers failed to understand the safety message. 

Sometimes workers will find that the persons they fear talking to because of repercussion may actually be the one they need to confide in.  If safety is compromised, and nothing is done about it, the man or woman at the top can see that it is corrected.  Document your concerns and see if things improve after communicating with the person you hope will listen.

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Head Protection, Protective Clothing, Respiratory Safety

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

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In yesterday’s segment on this subject, we described several different types of confined spaces, as well as the numerous hazards associated with them.  Today, we will include a checklist of recommendations from OSHA for safe entry.  Government statistics show that around sixty percent of the fatalities associated with confined spaces accidents are of well-meaning, but untrained, would-be rescuers who lost their own lives in the process of trying to save someone else.  Here is an actual accident that resulted in death because of a lack of hazard awareness and unplanned rescue attempts:
A self-employed plumbing contractor entered an underground water line vault to inspect a backflow device.  The contractor collapsed shortly after entering the vault.  A supervisor noticed the man down, and entered the vault in a rescue attempt.  Both men had entered an untested oxygen-deficient atmosphere, and died as a result.
If proper guidelines had been followed, these fatalities and other similar ones could have been prevented.  The two sample checklists below show the importance of attention to detail that must be given before anyone enters a confined space and during work being performed.  Standby attendants must be qualified and trained in proper rescue techniques.
Here is one sample checklist, (Appendix D-2) to Standard 29 CFR 1910.146:
In yesterday’s segment on this subject, we described several different types of confined spaces, as well as the numerous hazards associated with them.  Today, we will include a checklist of recommendations from OSHA for safe entry.  Government statistics show that around sixty percent of the fatalities associated with confined spaces accidents are of well-meaning, but untrained, would-be rescuers who lost their own lives in the process of trying to save someone else.  Here is an actual accident that resulted in death because of a lack of hazard awareness and unplanned rescue attempts:
A self-employed plumbing contractor entered an underground water line vault to inspect a backflow device.  The contractor collapsed shortly after entering the vault.  A supervisor noticed the man down, and entered the vault in a rescue attempt.  Both men had entered an untested oxygen-deficient atmosphere, and died as a result.
If proper guidelines had been followed, these fatalities and other similar ones could have been prevented.  The two sample checklists below show the importance of attention to detail that must be given before anyone enters a confined space and during work being performed.  Standby attendants must be qualified and trained in proper rescue techniques.
Here is one sample checklist, (Appendix D-2) to Standard 29 CFR 1910.146:
Osha-checklist
I hope that by sharing this detailed information we will all realize how important it is to be aware of the risks that people who work in these type of situations face and how they must comply with the safety rules and regulations; that those who would help them in times of emergencies would be as prepared to enter these places as the ones already inside.  This information could possibly save your life, or the life of a co-worker.  Rescue agencies (fire departments, police, etc.) are trained to enter confined spaces with the right equipment.  One thing to remember: an unplanned rescue could possibly be your last one.
General Safety Issues

YOUNG WORKERS AND DISTRACTED DRIVING

When young people are new to the world of work, they bring special talents and advantages to the workplace, but may need increased protections and guidance.  Occupational health and safety risks may jeopardize their well-being.  They may only vaguely understand  the dangers of various work situations and mistakenly be willing to take risks.  This is where specialized training is required in order to keep them safe and help them realize that the real world of work has real-world hazards.  

The enthusiasm that a young person brings to a job cannot be duplicated.  However, their eagerness to please their supervisor may limit their judgment in certain circumstances that could result in an injury or accident.  On-the-job driving is one of the tasks that older workers may handle best, until the new worker is ready.  The Fair Labor Standards Act prohibits workers under 18 years of age from working as a motor-vehicle driver or outside helper on any public road or highway except that 17-year-olds may drive automobiles and trucks on an incidental and occasional basis if certain criteria are met.  

Not wishing to be unfair, I have seen any number of older persons distracted while driving.  However, here are some facts regarding young drivers:

  • In the U.S., the crash rate per mile driven for 16-to-19 year-olds is 4 times higher than the risk for older drivers.
  • A total of 4,054 teenagers ages 13-19 died in motor vehicle crashes in 2008. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Fact Sheet).
  • One in four (26%) of American teens of driving age say they have texted while driving.
  • One-half (50%) of all teens ages 12 to 17 say they’ve been a passenger while a driver has texted behind the wheel. (Was it their parent?)
  • The percentage of young drivers who text or use other hand-held electronic devices is increasing annually.
  • Drivers under 20 years old had the highest proportion of distracted drivers involved in fatal crashes (16%).
  • The 20-to-29 year-old age group had the next greatest proportion of distracted drivers.  (Distraction.gov/stats-and-facts). 

Every company should have safety policies that prohibit the use of cell phones, unless the vehicle is stopped.  Cell phones should be used for company business only.  This is for the safety of the driver and for everyone else on the road.  Many companies will dismiss employees if they are caught texting and driving a company vehicle. 

There’s a great social movement by Allstate – designed to curb distracted driving.  This is on facebook and features a combination of celebrity support, online engagement, and in-person events.  This integrated social media and traditional grassroots campaign is making a difference.  Over 100,000 X the TXT fans are building an activist community, and saving lives, with more than 125,000 people who have taken the pledge either online or at live events not to text and drive.   
These statistics are intended for everyone that drives a vehicle, not just young people:

In a study done by Michael Sivak and Brandon Schoettle of the University of Michigan, U.S. road fatalities dropped by 22 percent from 43,501 to 33,963, (2005 to 2009), mainly due to better use of seat belts, air bags, and a reduction in traffic because of the economy.  Their studies reported, however, that federal statistics that included a code for factors involved in fatal crashes indicated a large increase in inattentive driving.   Researchers at the University of North Texas Health Science Center calculated last October that drivers using cell phones killed 16,000 people from 2001 to 2007.  In 2009, the U.S. government blamed distracted driving for 16 per cent of road deaths, or 5,800 persons.  As we know, distractions can include conversations within the vehicle, eating, putting on makeup, reading, looking at the GPS, adjusting music, drinking, driving under the influence of drugs, as well as talking or texting on the cell phone.  

Think about these facts the next time you hit the road.  Leave the distractions at home. Turn the cell phone off and check for messages when you get to your destination.  When you send your youngster to that new job, be sure he/she understands that there are many responsibilities in any job, and safe driving is a very important one.