Tag Archives: hazards

General Safety Issues

DIY GAS SAFETY TIPS FOR HOMEOWNERS (GUEST POST)

Homeowners often forget the hazards gas leakages can cause. Even though it’s common sense that smoking near inflammable things is hazardous, candles left overnight can cause fire hazards, but rarely does anyone pay attention to the safety of his or her home when it comes to gas hazards.

If you’re one of the many people who have unintentionally overlooked the importance of gas safety, here are some DIY tips for you. Make sure to use these tips to avoid gas hazards and ensure a safe and secure home for you and your family.

1.       Buy a Carbon monoxide Detector

The thing about gas is that you can’t see it. Since carbon monoxide is gas, you can’t see it but it can kill you if it spreads in your home due to a gas leak in a pipe, stove or fireplace. Buy a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector that can detect gas and alert you instantly so you can take necessary action.

2.       Keep Your Home Well Ventilated

Keeping your home well ventilated can prevent many hazards as cross ventilation allows an outlet for gas to move out of your home. Tight and congested places can contain gas, and the hazardous affect can come to surface sooner than you can call for help.

3.       Check Stoves, Fireplaces , Chimneys

Even though many people do follow this tip, it is extremely important to mention because gas leaks can cause severe hazards, fires and explosions. Always make sure to turn off stoves properly before stepping out of your home. Also, check for gas leaks around fireplaces and heaters. In addition, make sure the air passage from the chimney is clear; a blocked chimney can contain gas indoors and cause fire hazards.

4.       Keep a Look Out for Hazard Signs

Keep a check on all your gas appliances. If you see any condensation in the room, or dark patches around a gas appliance, may be its time to have it checked. If you see dull yellow flames when you turn on your stove, and see low gas pressure; it’s a sign of possible gas leakage. Be cautious of these signs and get in touch with a gas safety professional instantly.

Be Safe Rather than Sorry

Even though the above DIY tips come in handy, and are essential to know to ensure your home is safe, sometimes you can’t prevent hazards on your own. It’s better not to DIY gas related problems, such as fixing a gas leak, etc; leave it to the pros because they know best.

Many plumbing solutions providers offer expert plumbers who can fix your plumbing problems be it a gas leak or a hot water pipe burst. Get in touch with a professional gas plumber in Melbourne who knows his or her job well and is able to identify the problem and solve it in time for you. Many plumbing solution companies in Melbourne provide best quality gas plumbing services round the clock; because a gas leak doesn’t occur in day time, afternoon, or office hours – it can happen at any time of the day and it’s not a good idea to delay getting it fixed.  Qualified gas plumbers in Melbourne (or your home town) can help prevent gas hazards and make your home a safe haven.

Author Bio:

Alan Alaxandar is a writer having an experience in writing for small businesses currently he is writing for Doherty Plumbing Solutions who are professional plumbers in Melbourne, VIC. Find Alan on Twitter, Facebook, and on Google+

 

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

DECEMBER 6TH – NATIONAL MINERS’ DAY!

In 2009, Congress proclaimed that each December 6th would be recognized in remembrance of the 1907 Monongah coal mine disaster, which resulted in the deaths of 362 miners, becoming the worst industrial accident in American history. The Proclamation designates this date ‘in appreciation, honor and remembrance of the accomplishments and sacrifices of the miners of our Nation; and encourages the people of the United States to participate in local and national activities celebrating and honoring the contributions of miners.’  Being unaware of this occasion, I failed to write about this important day; however, we still can ask Americans to appreciate these mine workers everyday, and be aware that December 6th is “National Miners’ Day.” pb
American miners play a much larger role in our lives than most people realize: Raw materials that they extract, such as coal, copper, phosphate, silver, limestone, iron and zinc–ores that are essential components in the products we use every day. Do you know that coal, and the electricity generated by coal power, play prominent roles in our homes, businesses and communities?  The roads we travel are full of gravel, crushed stone, tar, asphalt, road salt and cement – materials produced by miners to make travel safer. Miners also produce rock and mineral products for bridges we build to span canyons and rivers.

Thousands of everyday consumer goods are made with the fundamental materials secured by miners. These range from cosmetics to toothpaste, from cookware and dinnerware to appliances.  Think about the components in electronics that we use every day, such as smartphones, computers, and televisions.  Gold, silver and copper wiring, silicon processing and memory chips, as well as ceramic insulators are essential components in those electronics.  These components are the brought to you by our hard-working miners, who deserve protection on the job from workplace hazards that have killed tens of thousands and injured hundreds of thousands of miners throughout our history.

We are making progress. In 1907, the same year as the Monongah disaster, 3,000 miners died in tragic accidents. Fatalities numbering in the thousands were not uncommon during the first part of the 20th century. These numbers decreased to about 140 in the 1970s due in large part to the passage of the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. The 1977 Act created the Mine Safety and Health Administration in the U.S. Department of Labor to oversee the safety and health of miners. Thirty-five years later, we have seen the lowest fatality rate in this nation’s history. And, through the “End Black Lung–Act Now” initiative and other occupational health efforts, we are making progress in limiting miners’ exposure to respirable dust and other harmful contaminants. While more needs to be done to prevent death, injury and illness in the nation’s mines, our efforts and collaboration with labor and industry stakeholders are showing positive results.

From the Department of Labor: “We will continue to work hard to send miners home safe and healthy at the end of every shift. On this National Miner’s Day, we honor their contributions and thank them for the sacrifices they have made on behalf of this nation. We hope the American people will join us in commemorating this day of recognition.”

Source: Department of Labor

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues

FIVE PRACTICAL TIPS TO PREVENT EYE INJURIES WHILE WORKING (GUEST POST)

You never know what kind of hazard will be waiting for you when you go to work. Each day, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) “about 2000 U.S. workers have a job-related eye injury that requires medical treatment”. Injuries require medical treatment and those injured usually end up missing work due to their injury.

Metal slivers, wood chips, dust, and cement chips, nails, staples, or slivers of wood or metal penetrate the eyeball and can result in permanent loss of vision, or blindness. Burns to one or both eyes routinely damage workers’ eyes and the surrounding tissue of the eye.

Infectious diseases can be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the eye as a result of direct exposure, or from touching the eyes with contaminated fingers, or other objects. The infections may result in relatively minor conjunctivitis, or the transmission of the HIV, B virus, or possibly even avian influenza.

What does a worker need to know to protect themselves, and others from an injury. Well,  that is pretty simple really. A leading ophthalmologist in New Jersey recommends these five tips to prevent injury to your eyes when working in hazardous conditions.

1. The right working tools for the job. Take steps to create a safe work environment. Remove and clean up hazardous material before it causes injury. Make sure all tools, and equipment used are in working order, and used properly.

2. No admittance. No one should be in the working area when you are working. If they are they need to use safety equipment to avoid injuries.

3. Eye protection that fits you and the job. Wear the proper face, and Z87 eye protection . Make sure the equipment used for your protection is clean, intact, and fits properly. The eye protection should stay in place, and protect you from fine and large sized debris.

4. Shake the dust off. After working take necessary measures to clean off any debris that has accumulated from on your eye, or face protection BEFORE removing them. Fine, dust likes, particles can land in your eyes if you remove protective eyeware before you have followed this step.

5. No rubbing allowed. Do not rub your eyes with dirty hands or clothing, which can result in cross contamination that can cause infection, and disease.

Remember if you are injured, seek medical attention immediately. Prompt treatment for an injury can treat the current injury, and prevent further injury. Fine particles are dangerous because they are small, and not visible. Unseen potential for injury are a threat because they are not seen, or ignored. Take steps to protect your eyes from injury. Maintain a safe work environment.

As always take the necessary steps to keep your eyes healthy by getting regular yearly eye exams, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 

Author Bio:  

Diana Neal graduated in 2012 from the University of Colorado with a MS in nursing with a focus in healthcare informatics.  She is currently participating in an internship with an online marketing company. She spends a great deal of time in front of her computer writing, researching, and participating in outreach. If you are interested in an online marketing internship she highly recommends you give it a try. You can connect with her at http://about.me/indiananeal

 

 
 
Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

LASER CUTTING: THE DANGER OF THE LASER AND HOW TO PROTECT YOUR STAFF (GUEST POST)

Laser cutting is a dangerous process. The high temperatures and electrical voltages involved mean that staff must be well trained and aware of the dangers posed by this equipment.

Working with lasers is no easy task, and employees must be well-trained in order to operate them. Every workplace that includes the use of lasers should have laser risk management documentation in place, which should be part of its health and safety reading material and which all employees should be aware of.  Some points to be aware of are:

Burns to the skin and eye damage

Laser lights pose significant risk to sight. Care must be taken to ensure that none of the light enters the user’s, or any bystanders’, eyes. If the laser beam does enter the eye it can cause retinal damage.  To avoid this, the machine should have a guard fitted. It should always be engaged during use. Regular maintenance should be performed to make sure the guard is up to task.  It is worth keeping in mind that some frequencies of laser beam may be invisible to the naked eye.  Proper safety equipment should always be worn when operating the machinery to protect against burns.

Electrical failure and shock

Laser cutting equipment requires very high voltages. There is a danger of electrical shock if the laser casing is broken or the interior workings are exposed in any way. To minimise risk, the casing should be inspected regularly and any damaged components should be fixed immediately.

There are huge health and safety issues at work here, so you must keep your employees and your workplace safe by monitoring your equipment at all times.

Fume inhalation

When metal is cut, noxious gases are given off. These gases can be especially hazardous to the health of the user and bystanders.
To minimise risk, the work area should be well ventilated and safety masks should be provided and worn at all times. Cutting speeds should be set correctly so the machine isn’t producing an excessive amount of fumes.

As you can see, there are lots of things that you need to do to keep your workplace safe, and your employees safe from harm. To ensure you protect your staff, make the most of this information. 

This piece was written by Mark Enright, a writer for http://www.laserprocess.co.uk Laser Process,  experts in laser cutting services.

General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection

STEPS TO STAY SAFE IN THE WORKPLACE (GUEST POST)

We all have the right to feel safe and secure in our workplace, whatever line of work you are in. Although all employers are legally obliged to take precautions to minimize health and safety risks in the workplace, we also need to take personal responsibility for our own safety.

The good news is that you don’t need to wrap yourself in bubble wrap and constantly wear a crash helmet to keep yourself safe, it is mainly basic common sense. These are a few tips to help you protect yourself whilst at work-

  • Communication is vital, not just for your safety, but your colleagues and customers as well. If you notice that equipment is getting worn or something looks faulty, notify your supervisor or health and safety representative as soon as possible.
  • Familiarize yourself with your company’s health and safety procedures. Every employer needs to conduct a risk assessment which will include ways to avoid hazards and the correct, safe way of performing tasks to avoid injury. You should also be made aware of the location of emergency exits, evacuation assembly points and first aid boxes as part of your orientation.
  • If you ever out on the road as part of your job or spend time working alone, consider downloading a personal safety application on to your smart phone, such as the personal safety app from Lookout Call. These have features that ensure that you get a speedy response if you are in danger and to locate you if you break down in the middle of nowhere.
  • When you are in a profession where you have to enter stranger’s premise, for example if you are an electrician or plumber, you can sometimes get a bad vibe straight away. Always trust your gut instinct and arrange for somebody to call you so that you have an excuse to leave if you feel unsafe. If this isn’t a viable option, try to get a personal safety app for your phone with features that autodial for you or that will raise an alarm if you don’t respond to a prescheduled call.
  • Don’t use any machinery or perform any tasks that you have not been trained to do. If you have been trained but can’t remember the correct or safest way to do it, don’t be nervous of asking your supervisor or trainer for some refresher training.
  • It may sound very basic, but ask anybody entering your premises, such as delivery or repair persons for ID. If you work in a space by yourself, for example in a petrol station or cleaning in the evening, try not to let anybody in that you are not expecting.
  • When you have to travel for work, make sure that somebody knows where you’re going and what time you are expected to be there so you can arrange ‘check in’ calls.
  • If you work with hazardous chemicals always read the bottle and act on any safety precautions the manufacturer’s advice, such as the use of gloves and ensuring you have ventilation.

It is very easy to keep safe at work as long as you maintain good communication with your employers and colleagues and don’t take unnecessary risks.

BIO: Katie Matthews is a manager within lookout call, a  loneworker applications and safety specialist in the UK.  Katie has worked in the technology industry for a number of years and has reviewed and written about a number of technology niches.

 

 

 

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

GRAIN STORAGE WORK IS HAZARDOUS: WAYS FOR WORKERS TO STAY SAFE

Good news for corn farmers: the Department of Agriculture is predicting a record-breaking corn crop this year.   Hopefully, this will be a good year for farmers who grow other types of grains.  OSHA continues to educate the agri-business community and workers about dangers in the grain handling industry, especially in the storage of grain.

“It could take less than 60 seconds for a worker to be completely inundated in a storage bin. More than half of all engulfments result in death by suffocation,” said Nick Walters, OSHA regional administrator for six Midwestern states. In July, a 55-year-old worker was fatally buried in a grain bin in Sidney, Ill., in addition to other incidents this year, bringing about investigations and stressing the urgency of OSHA’s grain bin safety initiative.  After 26 workers died in 2012, OSHA developed a local emphasis program across 25 states to address the recurring number of preventable injuries and deaths that occur each year.

On August 4, 2010 and again on February 1, 2011, OSHA issued warning letters to the grain handling industry, (approximately 13,000)  following a series of incidents, including the suffocation of 2 teenagers in an Illinois grain elevator.   OSHA warned the employers to not allow workers to enter grain storage facilities without proper equipment, precautions (such as turning off and locking/tagging out all equipment used so that the grain is not being emptied or moved into the bin), as well as safety training.  In response to the rising number of workers entrapped and killed in grain storage facilities, OSHA has also issued a new fact sheet, “Worker Entry Into Grain Storage Bins” in August 2010 for workers and employers, re-emphasizing the hazards of grain storage bin entry and the safe procedures that all employers must follow.

Suffocation is a leading cause of death in grain storage bins. According to a report issued by Purdue University in 2010, 51 workers were engulfed by grain stored in bins, and 26 died—the highest number on record.  Suffocation can occur when a worker becomes buried (engulfed) by grain as they walk on moving grain or attempt to clear grain built up on the inside of a bin. Moving grain acts like “quicksand” and can bury a worker in seconds. “Bridged” grain and vertical piles of stored grain can also collapse unexpectedly if a worker stands on or near it. The behavior and weight of the grain make it extremely difficult for a worker to get out of it without help.  Other major hazards in the industry include  falls, auger entanglement,  electrocution,  combustible dust explosions, fires, suffocation, entrapment, crushing injuries and amputations from equipment for handling grain.

When workers enter storage bins, employers must (among other things):

  1. Have a permit  issued for each time a worker enters a bin or silo, certifying that the precautions listed above have been put in place.
  2. Turn off / lock out all powered equipment associated with the bin, including augers used to help move the grain, so that the grain is not being emptied or moving out or into the bin. Moving grain out of a bin while a worker is in the bin causes a suction that can pull the worker into the grain in seconds.
  3. Forbid walking down grain and similar practices where an employee walks on grain to make it flow.
  4. Provide all employees a body harness with a lifeline, or a boatswains’ chair, and ensure that it is secured prior to the employee entering the bin.
  5. An observer must be stationed outside the bin or silo being entered by an employee. Ensure the observer is equipped to provide first aid, and that his/her only task is to continuously track the employee in the bin. Have at least two people at the bin to help in case problems come up.  Use a safety harness or safety line when entering the bin.
  6. Train all workers for the specific hazardous work operations they are to perform when entering and working inside of grain bins.
  7. Test the air within a bin or silo prior to entry for the presence of combustible and toxic gases, and to determine if there is sufficient oxygen. If detected by testing, vent hazardous atmospheres to ensure that combustible and toxic gas levels are reduced to non-hazardous levels, and that sufficient oxygen levels are maintained.
  8. Never allow children to play in an area where there is flowing grain.
  9. Warning decals should be placed at all bin entrances.
  10. Install a permanent life-line, hanging from the center of the bin for a person to grab on to.  Although a life-line is attached, it does not mean it is safe to enter the bin.

To prevent dust explosions and fires, employers must (among other things):

  1. A written housekeeping program with instructions to reduce dust accumulations on ledges, floors, equipment and other exposed surfaces should be developed and implemented.
  2. Identify “priority” housekeeping areas in grain elevators. The “priority” housekeeping areas include floor areas within 35 feet of inside bucket elevators, floors of enclosed areas containing grinding equipment and floors of enclosed areas containing grain dryers located inside the facility. Dust accumulations in these priority housekeeping areas shall not exceed 1/8th inch;  this amount of accumulation is more than enough to trigger fuel occurances.
  3. Minimize ignition sources through controlling hot work (electric or gas welding, cutting, brazing or similar flame producing operations).
  4. Inside bucket elevators can undergo primary explosions. OSHA’s grain handling standard requires that belts for these bucket elevators purchased after March 30, 1988 are conductive and have a surface electrical resistance not exceeding 300 megohms. Bucket elevators must have openings to the head pulley section and boot section to allow for inspection, maintenance, and cleaning.  These bucket elevators must be equipped with a motion detection device, which will stop the elevator when the belt speed is reduced by no more than 20% of the normal operating speed.
  5. A preventative maintenance program should include regularly scheduled inspections for mechanical and safety control equipment, which may include heat producing equipment such as motors, bearings, belts etc. Preventive maintenance is critical to controlling ignition sources. The use of vibration detection methods, heat sensitive tape or other heat detection methods can help in the implementation of the program.
  6. Install wiring and electrical equipment suitable for hazardous locations.
  7. Design and properly locate dust collection systems to minimize explosion hazards. All filter collectors installed after March 1988 shall be located outside the facility or located in an area inside the facility protected by an explosion suppression system or located in an area that is separated from other areas by construction having at least a one hour fire resistance rating and which is located next to an exterior wall vented to the outside.
  8. Install an effective means of removing ferrous material from grain streams so that such material does not enter equipment (grinders, pulverizers, and hammer mills.)
  9. Be prepared to make fast decisions about grain storage problems once they are detected.
  10. Safety first.  This should be first and foremost on the minds of all who are working near grain storage bins.  Exercise caution.

When traveling down life’s country roads, one can picture the peace and tranquility of farms, animals, silos, barns, that describe peacful country living.  The next time you see a silo or grain storage facility, think about the hazards that are possibly lurking within each day. The agriculture industry feeds our country, and we must insist that owners of these businesses keep their workers safe by following OSHA regulations.

Source: Department of Labor; OSHA; Harvest Land Cooperative

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

WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES ISN’T FOR EVERYONE!

1 Comment

The thought of working in a small, enclosed space makes me gasp for air!  Certain people feel smothered in situations when their work involves being placed in a closed or partially closed space.  Confined spaces should be made safe for the worker by taking the proper precautions to ensure that it is secure.  Those with claustrophobia can’t help this feeling, and should seek other jobs. 

There are many regulations that deal with confined space entry.  A Confined Space Hazard Assessment and Control Program must be conducted prior to the beginning of work.  Confined spaces can be more hazardous than other workspaces for several reasons.  Workers are killed and injured each year while working in confined spaces, and an estimated sixty per cent of the fatalities have been among rescue workers.  

Let’s review some of the places that people must work that are considered confined spaces:

  • Open ditches; (possibility of collapse);
  • Silos
  • Manholes
  • Wells
  • Tunnels
  • Cold storage units
  • Tanks
  • Culverts
  • Vaults
  • Rail tank cars
  • Caves
  • Underground mining
  • Sewers
  • Pipes
  • Boilers

Reasons for these  being considered confined spaces are that they have a restricted entrance or exit by way of location, size or means.  Also, they are not originally designed for human occupancy.  Places such as this can indicate a risk for the health and safety of anyone who enters, due to the materials and substances in it (bad air), and the way it is designed.  Other hazards include fire hazards, noise, temperature extremes, uncontrolled energy, barrier failure and visibility.  All potentially hazardous energy sources: electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, chemical must be de-energized and locked out prior to entry to the confined space, preventing accidentally turning on power sources. Ventilation is of the utmost importance while working in these conditions.  Natural ventilation is not reliable and insufficient to maintain the air quality.  It is usually necessary to maintain air quality through mechanical ventilation (fans, blowers).  While workers are inside confined spaces, there should be someone standing close by that is prepared to get them out, in case of an emergency.  This plan of action should be in place prior to entering the space, and communication between the inside and outside should be constant.  

Confined space hazards are mainly controlled through traditional methods, such as engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment.  Special precautions not usually required in a regular worksite may need to be taken.  Mechanical ventilation is the engineering control regularly used.  Entry Permit system is a type of administrative control, and personal protective equipment (respirators, ear plugs, hardhats, and gloves) is commonly used in confined spaces as well. 

It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure their workers are safe while working under these conditions.  If the worker feels proper precautions were not taken, they should not enter until it is made safe by additional means.

 

Source: CCOHS (Canada)

General Safety Issues

SAFETY RISKS IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY (GUEST POST)

Whether you work in the healthcare industry or you just happen to have a lot of interactions with professionals in this field, you likely already know that healthcare is a complicated field, with big rewards and big risks. If you’re looking to get into this field, then you should definitely educate  yourself on the risks it entails, especially in regard to your personal safety. It’s hard to sum up all the risks succinctly, because they are extremely varied, but there will always be recurring dangers and hang ups. What are some of the biggest problems healthcare professionals experience? Read on to find out!

Malpractice Issues
Here we have a huge, double-faceted problem. While we wouldn’t say that it riddles the healthcare industry, you can certainly find plenty of cases of it. It poses a major risk for the patients, as they could be injured, or even killed, on the operating table or as a result of a treatment. That said, working in the industry also means that you may be subject to malpractice, regardless of your role in a procedure or treatment. Doctors are most at risk obviously, and they must protect themselves with comprehensive malpractice insurance.

Other Types of Lawsuits
As you probably know, malpractice is one type of lawsuit. The healthcare field can be held accountable for so many different problems though. Consider the sheer amount of people who walk into and out of doctors’ offices on a daily basis. Between private practices, hospitals and other such entities, hundreds, or even thousands, of people in your own town are going through those doors each day. Healthcare professionals must be extremely careful when it comes to handling confidential information, interacting with distraught or confused patients and giving anyone advice – every word you say and action you take can and will have consequences. One mistake on a prescription could potentially cost your office millions if it’s exploited or misinterpreted.

Bodily Hazards
This is something many worry about on a daily basis. Coming into contact with sick patients can potentially lead to physical harm or negative health consequences. Being stuck with a needle from a patient who is HIV, HCV or even HSV positive could potentially lead to health problems, as could being accosted by an angry or distraught psychiatric patient. Coming into contact with someone who has SARS or Bird Flu could also be hazardous. Most health professionals understand that this is an inherent risk to the profession and are willing to take that risk,  but you must understand that it comes with the territory if you plan to make a career out of it. All health care facilities will emphasize gloves, washing hands and other best practices to minimize the chances of any of these incidents from happening. 

Your Conscience
Most people enter the healthcare industry to make a difference – they care about their fellow man (or woman). However, there will always be those looking to game the system, and it’s up to you as a healthcare professional to prevent their success. It may be hard to imagine that someone would make up a story about pain in order to attain free medication, but it can and will happen. It may also be hard to accept that people just die in hospitals everyday – but they do, and you may need to adjust your worldview or attitude about why you have the job you do.
 
As you can see, all different types of safety risks exist in the healthcare industry. Some of them relate to the safety of money, and others relate to physical safety. Knowing about the field as a whole is quite important for anyone looking to enter it. More information can be found about healthcare professions at websites like thebestcolleges.org
 
Joseph Rodriguez writes about the his experiences in the healthcare industry as an administrator at a health center on the west coast.
Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Hearing Protection, Respiratory Safety

SAFETY TIPS EVERY TRADESMAN SHOULD KNOW WHEN WORKING WITH ELECTRICITY (GUEST POST)

 

As many of you may know, working with electricity does have its risks and tradesmen working with the hidden dangers of household and industrial electricity on a daily basis should be on their guard, exercising safety and caution at every turn. According to a recent survey by Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) in the past decade 46,000 workers have been injured on the job by industrial electrical hazards, but what can you do to ensure you don’t form part of this statistic?

Check out the following four safety tips for industrial professionals to ensure they get through their working day safely and without encountering all-too-common hazards and resulting electricity-related accidents…

Never Assume Safety

Forgetting the basics of electrical safety, whether working with industrial alkaline batteries on a small installation or live conductors at a large scale manufacturing plant, results in the majority of injuries, such as electrocution, electric shocks, burns and falls. Never assume that an electrical component you are handling is safe, always run the necessary checks to ensure that the component you are working with is free from hazards before starting your project.

Know the Warning Signs

The second part of the ‘never assume safety’ rule is knowing how to confidently determine the warning signs and dangers that come with electricity and electrical components. If you are unsure about how to identify these hazards, then get clued up before you take on the project with professional training and assistance from a more qualified industry expert. After all, even if you have experience working with household voltages, this does not mean that you can work safely with commercial or industrial application voltages.

Use the Right Safety Equipment

As well as using your industry knowledge to identify the warning signs of electrical safety, it is also necessary to know what type of safety equipment is appropriate when dealing with electrical faults, devices, panels and other equipment to avoid serious injury. Always wear the appropriate safety gear; safety glasses, ear protectors, gloves, dust masks and rubber soled shoes are all essential accessories for completing an electrical project.

Test, Test and Test Again

Testing all electrical components before you start work is also an important step in electrical safety and testing should be completed thoroughly before checking whether a device is even on or off, or industrial batteries are energised. A non-contact voltage tester is every electrician’s best friend so make it yours; this handy tester can pinpoint whether a circuit is on before you even touch the switch or remove the panel to view its internal wires. Keep up to date with the latest electrical safety equipment and see the risk of electrical injury diminish!

Bio: Brittany is from Steatite Batteries, a market leading supplier of industrial technology solutions. Using over 75 years of experience, Steatite design and manufacture custom battery packs and industrial alkaline batteries.

 

 

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

HOW SAFE ARE “LONE WORKERS?”

How many of you know of someone who works alone?  How many jobs can you name that apply?  We may be unaware that there are several types of occupations that fall into this range, and each one has certain hazards or risks.  Some persons enjoy working alone, and for that reason, choose solitary jobs.  If you are working alone, be ready to work as safely as possible when fulfilling your duties.

Those who work alone are grouped into five broad categories:

  1. Workers who handle cash, such as convenience store clerks, retail food outlet workers, taxi drivers, liquor store employees, jewelry store clerks, and some law enforcement officers.
  2. Workers who are at risk of violent attack because their workplace is isolated from public view. This includes security guards and custodians.
  3. Workers who travel away from base office to meet clients:  sales workers, home care workers, social services workers and law enforcement officers.
  4. Workers who do hazardous work but have no routine interaction with customers or the public. This includes workers in the logging and oil and gas industries.
  5. Workers who travel alone but have no routine interaction with customers or the public. This includes truck drivers and business people in transit: deliverymen and mail carriers.

Each of these situations has different hazards and means of controlling them:

OSHA requires that employers must account for every employee having been checked on at regular intervals.  They should be notified at the end of the job assignment or end of work shift.  This should be done by sight or verbal communication.

Here are some ways to stay safe when working alone:

  • Employers must assess the hazards of the workplace.
  • Talk to workers about their work. Get their input about the work they do and possible solutions. Talk to your boss about how to minimize the hazards of the job.
  • Investigate incidents at the workplace, and those from similar workplaces.
  • Eligible employees could be given a personal locator beacon with GPS.
  • Avoid having a lone worker whenever possible, especially for jobs with a known risk.
  • Take corrective action to prevent or minimize the potential risks of working alone.
  • Provide appropriate training and education.
  • Report all situations, incidents or “near misses” where working alone increased the severity of the situation. Analyze this information and make changes to company policy where necessary. Ask for the “buddy system”, where you can take a coworker into high risk situations.  Ensure that this system is available to employees.
  • Establish a check-in procedure. Make sure regular contact is kept with all workers.
  • Establish ways to account for people (visually or verbally) while they are working.
  • For most lone workers, the telephone will be the main source of contact. If work is at a desk or station, have a telephone close by. If work is away from a main office or work station, keep your cell phone charged.  If a cellular phone is unreliable in the area, be sure to have alternative methods of communication available (such as use of public telephones, site visits or satellite technology.
  • Schedule high risk tasks during normal business hours, or when another worker is capable of helping if an emergency situation arises.
  • Position workers, where possible, in locations of highest visibility; don’t allow store windows to be covered up with signs, in order to keep employees visible to the public.
  •  Use a security system such as video surveillance cameras, mirrors, observation windows, etc., however, ensure that informed consent is obtained from employees prior to use. 

Other points for employers to consider:

Length of time the worker will be working alone:

What time of the day will the worker be alone?

  • Is it legal for the worker to be alone while doing certain activities? (For example:   In many jurisdictions, working alone in confined space or during lock-out/tag-out operations is restricted.).
  • What is a reasonable length of time for the worker to be alone?

Communication: Is voice communication adequate, or is it necessary to “see” the work?

  • What forms of communication are available?
  • If the communication systems are located in a vehicle, do you need alternate arrangements to cover the worker when away from the vehicle?

 Location of the work: Is the work in a remote or isolated location? (Remember, a remote location does not have to be far away. Storage rooms that are rarely used can be considered remote or isolated.) Transportation necessary to get there; if so, what type of transportation?

  • What are the consequences if the vehicle breaks down?
  • Is the vehicle equipped with emergency supplies such as – food, drinking water and a first aid kit?
  • Will the worker have to leave the vehicle for long periods of time?

Type or nature of work:

  • Is there adequate training and education provided for the worker to be able to work alone safely?
  • Does the work include working with money or other valuables?
  • If personal protective equipment is required, is it available, is it in good working order, and has the worker been trained in its use, care and storage?
  • What machinery, tools or equipment will be used?
  • Is there a high risk activity involved?
  • Are there extremes of temperature?
  • Is fatigue likely to be a factor?
  • If the worker is working inside a locked building, how will emergency services be able to get in? (For example: a night cleaner in a secure office building.)
  • Does the work involve seizing property or goods (such as repossession, recovering stolen property)?
  • Is there risk of an animal attack, or poisoning/allergic reaction from insect/animal bites?

Characteristics of the individual who is working alone:

  • Does the worker have experience and training? (For example: relevant administrative procedures, first aid, communication systems repair, vehicle breakdowns, and/or outdoor survival.)
  • Are there pre-existing medical conditions that might increase the risk? 

Most of us don’t think of being alone in an office a kind of danger.  However, if this is the type of work that you do, check to see how many exits there are in your room?  There should be at least two ways of escape if you feel threatened.  Also, have a communication system with your home base or an employee working somewhere else in the building.  We hear of “workplace violence”, and many times it happens in an office setting.

Sources:

OSHA; Safety.BLR (Free Toolbox Safety Talks; Alberta Department of Human Resources