Tag Archives: High Visibility

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, High Visibility Safety

PREVENTING AUTO ACCIDENTS IN WORK ZONES – KEEP YOUR WORKERS SAFE! (GUEST POST)

Road workers brave many of the most unsafe working conditions around, including inclement weather, dangerous heavy equipment, work performed from heights, and potential electrical hazards. On top of these already risky conditions, motor vehicle traffic speeds by the work site constantly, threatening the unwary worker with serious injury or death.

Motor vehicle collisions with road workers are an all-too-common occurrence.  According to a recent U.S. Bureau of Labor study, 962 workers were killed at road construction sites from 2003 through 2010. Of these deaths, nearly half (442) occurred when a worker was struck by a vehicle or moving equipment. The study found that workers are equally as likely to be struck by highway traffic as they are mobile construction equipment.

To reduce the risk of injury and death, road workers and construction managers can implement a few simple procedures:

Increase Visibility

When it comes to keeping workers safe from highway traffic, visibility is key.  The Bureau of Labor study found that of the 92 people killed while flagging or performing traffic control duties, only 20 were wearing reflective or high-visibility clothing at the time.

Every precaution should be taken to ensure that workers are visible to oncoming traffic. High-visibility clothing should be worn by every person, but especially those conducting traffic. Yellow or green reflective clothing is preferable to orange, as different colors keep workers from blending in with orange construction signs.

Slow Traffic Down

According to several studies around the country, one of the most effective ways to slow down traffic before entering a construction zone is to plant a stationary police vehicle ahead of where road work begins. One Virginia study showed that the presence of a police vehicle slowed traffic by an average of 12 to 14 miles per hour.

In addition to a police presence, traffic can be slowed by using funneling or lane reduction techniques. Single lanes of traffic tend to move much slower than two or three lanes of traffic. In addition, cars are less likely to try and pass slower vehicles when there is only a single lane. This can prevent an aggressive motorist from swerving into a construction zone while trying to pass.

Use Traffic Barriers

Cones, barrels, and other lane separation techniques keep motorists at a safe distance from workers. Barriers also provide a cushion of safety from inattentive or distracted drivers. A driver who does hit a barrier will hopefully be jolted into awareness before driving into and injuring road workers.

Train Workers on Safety Awareness

Every worker should be trained on the best way to minimize their vulnerability while working next to traffic. A worker’s situational awareness is vital for avoiding both highway traffic and heavy construction equipment moving around the site. Thirteen per cent of all deaths in the Bureau of Labor study were caused by workers simply passing through the construction site. Teaching workers the proper techniques for entering, exiting, and passing through a site can significantly decrease the number of injuries and deaths reported every year

Analyze the Activity Area

Trained safety professionals should review a changing worksite on a regular basis to look for potential hazards. These professionals should try and minimize the zones where heavy equipment will need to back up, and should look for ways to implement any engineering, administrative, or personal protection measures that are needed to improve safety.

No matter what precautions workers take, injuries can still happen, especially with inattentive, distracted, or impaired drivers on the road. By taking the proper precautions, however, road workers can minimize their risk of injury and increase their odds of returning home safely. 

These road worker safety tips are provided by the South Florida personal injury firm of Gordon & Doner. Our firm is dedicated to holding negligent and irresponsible drivers accountable for the injuries caused to road workers in construction zones.

Our thanks to Jason Swilley for these great tips.  Again, April 7-11 was National Work Zone Awareness Week, and we can’t remind drivers too many times to slow down and watch for those who build our roads and keep them safe! pb

 

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

FIVE WAYS TO DECREASE THE DANGER OF YOUR SMALL WORKSPACE (GUEST POST)

Workplaces and warehouses can be dangerous places;  it is important that they allow you to work quickly, efficiently, and safely. Small workplaces such as garages and small warehouses can often be poorly ventilated, and cluttered with numerous hazards. Here are five tips to help improve and maintain the safety of your workspace.

At the height of winter small workplaces can not only be a burden to work in, but also be a threat to your health. It goes without saying that warm clothing should be used including fingerless gloves which will not hamper you when performing any manual tasks. Professional standard space warmers should also be considered, as many domestic heaters are not up to the job and are highly inefficient. It is also worth checking the efficiency of any windows and doors, they should be providing a notable barrier from the cold and not allowing any heat to escape. The price of new energy efficient widows and doors may be costly initially, but they could save you a considerable amount on your heating bill and help to keep you warm during any harsh winter days. Heated flooring could also be considered, but the expense can be very large, and wearing thick socks and professional standard boots can be enough to stave off cold feet.

If you work with any large or dangerous machinery,  a cluttered workspace can become a death trap. Working around cluttered spaces is bad enough, but tripping or falling into heavy machinery can be fatal. To decrease clutter it is worth utilising some shelving for items that are frequently used, and find designated areas for items that are less frequently used (a place where they can be stored for long periods of time without being in your way). Any heavy machinery should be out of the way of other items, so space organising around machinery should be of the upmost importance.

If you have a large quantity of clutter, or some very bulky items, it can be worth contacting a professional clearance company. For example companies such as A1 Clearances specialise in the removal of large scale or bulky items from a workspace, and will often consider any item for removal regardless of size. If the clutter you have is manageable then you should designate one day to sift through everything in your workspace and take any redundant items to nearby skips or recycling facilities. By clearing out redundant items you will find that you have more shelf space as well as floor space, hence making your work less dangerous and more efficient.

Make Precautions For Fire 

Even if you are working in a small garage it is important that you lay down your own fire safety regime. The most important part of this is identifying and maintaining a fire exit. In a warehouse you should have an official fire exit and this should never be blocked. In a garage or similar workspaces you should have an exit that can always be reached, and no heavy machinery or other items should be in the way of this exit. Things you can normally dodge will become more of a tripping hazard when panicking due to fire and smoke. You should have the correct fire extinguishers in your workspace as well. For example, a water based extinguisher should be used for any wood or textile based fire, and a CO2 extinguisher for any flammable liquids or electrical equipment. Failing to use the right extinguisher can not only make a fire worse but could also cause a fatal explosion. 

Be Seen At All Times 

If a forklift truck is in operation then high visibility clothing must be worn by all others in the workspace. This simple precaution costs very little but it a proven lifesaver. A forklift truck can easily crush anything in its way, but wearing high visibility clothing can help the driver identify a potential hazard much more quickly. A hard hat should also be used when driving a forklift incase anything heavy is knocked off a high shelf.

 

Author Bio: Robert works with A1 Clearances , a UK-based domestic clearance & removals business.

 

General Safety Issues, High Visibility Safety

WHAT’S NEW IN THE WORLD OF SAFETY VESTS?

From time to time, I like to stroll (actually drive) over to headquarters in Brownwood, Texas, to check out the latest safety gear, so I can mention it in case you haven’t spotted it on our http://www.tasco-safety.com/ website!

For the many workers who must wear safety vests all day long, there is an abundance of hi-visibility ones with logos already on them, such as “Think Safety”,  (which happens to be on sale right now).  Check out the new black vests – many law enforcement officers prefer to wear black, and these can have any logos or names imprinted right in our own facility!

There are “cool” hot pink vests for the girls, and even white, with hot pink stripes.  The white appear to be a cool choice.  For girls with an attitude, we offer a black vest with hot pink stripes!

For more info, this comes straight from our website:

We carry inexpensive vests such as the plain soft mesh version, surveyor’s safety vests, ANSI Traffic Safety Vests, and also company imprinted safety vests. We are offering from SM to 5X sizing, both solid materials and mesh materials; as well as, many different reflective stripe combinations. We also carry the standard Orange and Lime colors in most designs, and we recently introduced special color identification vests including Pink, Royal Blue, ANSI Red, Black, Green, White and more. Whether on the jobsite, in a traffic area, or on a busy roadside we have the perfect safety vest for you.

For those who work in extremely hot weather, we carry a body cooling vest that will help you keep your cool.  Golfers, yard workers, and others who are out in the heat would probably love them, too! 

While you are browsing, don’t forget to take a look at our similar high visibility safety product pages. This section offers high visibility clothing from head to toe.  If you purchase an item, please remember to mention that you read about it on the blog so you can receive a 5% discount!  Thanks for reading my little commercial.  We want you to be safe, seen, and cool this summer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Safety Issues, High Visibility Safety

HOW MANY CONSTRUCTION WORKERS ARE INJURED BY SPEEDING DRIVERS (GUEST POST)

Tall buildings and scaffolding often come to mind when people think of construction dangers, but there are other construction workers who face just as many hazards without actually having to be around either of the aforementioned dangers. Road workers are definitely part of the construction industry, and their lives are put in danger every day by daily commuters who travel through their work zones. Everyone should understand the dangers that these workers face, and it’s imperative for the workers themselves to know what their employer should be doing to keep them safe. 



Construction Zone Injury Statistics

It would seem common sense that working in an area that speeding cars travel through would be dangerous. Between 2008 and 2010, highway construction zones saw the deaths of over 100 workers annually. Statistics also show that there were well over 600 deaths in these construction zones between the years of 2003 and 2007. 

Between the same years (2003 to 2007), the construction industry as a whole saw a little over 8,100 deaths. This means that the deaths related to road construction represented 7.9 percent of all deaths related to the construction industry. Considering the fact that highway construction only makes up a small percentage of the total construction work in the nation, this statistic is sobering. 



Types of Injuries Sustained in Highway Work Zones

Injuries sustained in highway construction work zones literally run the gamut of personal injuries. These mishaps can be anything from a broken foot caused by a dump truck rolling over it to an injury sustained by a speeding driver. Many construction sites are so busy that there are times when a driver receives a ticket and he was not the car that was speeding. Whether you receive a Florida speeding ticket or a speeding ticket in Ohio, it is possible to get help to fight the charges if this was the case.

Some construction sites are so congested that the workers don’t have much room to work and they are often working in a dangerous area. This is where they can receive some of the worst types of injuries. These accidents often cause injuries related to traumatic brain damage, serious spinal cord injuries or other types of internal bleeding, hemorrhaging and damage. These injuries are usually detrimental, so besides staying safe on the jobsite, workers should know their legal rights or seek out someone who does if they’re seriously injured on the job.

How Highway Construction Workers can Stay Safe

There are several ways that highway construction workers can stay safe while making their living. Many of these safety procedures are under the control of the construction company or the state itself. It’s absolutely vital that temporary traffic control (TTC) be set up for the duration of construction. This will ensure that commuters know that work is being performed and are prevented from driving too close to where workers are doing their jobs. 



It’s also important for workers to wear high visibility clothing while on the job. This includes reflective clothing like vests, trousers, overalls, jackets and anything else that can help visibility. One of the most important ways for workers to remain safe, however, is to receive proper safety training. This is because, most of the accidents on road construction sites are caused by on-site work vehicles or equipment. The Federal Highway Administration provides training materials, which should be taught to all construction workers, which include information on how to avoid being injured by construction vehicles or equipment. 



Highway work zones ensure that thousands of people across the country have jobs at any given time, but there is definitely an inherent danger to this work. This danger becomes inflated when the worker, drivers or construction employers don’t heed safety warnings related to the area and job itself. The types of injuries that road workers can sustain are nearly limitless, and this makes it imperative for them to observe proper safety measures. In a world where many drivers act in negligent ways, it’s sometimes necessary for road workers to handle their own safety.

Kelly Kovacic is a paralegal who wants to bring awareness to the safety hazards of construction work. However, not everyone who receives a Florida speeding ticket is in the wrong. For those who were falsely accused of speeding, you need to get professional help to fight for your rights. The Ticket Team Inc. has lawyers who can defend you and protect your driving record.

Thanks, Kelly, for this informative article.  As you mentioned, there should be proper safety training, and the correct personal safety equipment provided for each worker.  Drivers are warned that they are entering a work zone, and they should obey the law and respect the rights of others to be able to perform their jobs safely. pb

General Safety Issues, High Visibility Safety

FIVE STEPS FOR RUNNING OUTDOORS SAFELY (GUEST POST)

It’s not uncommon for a runner to choose to run alone, whether they’re seeking solidarity or trying to hit training run paces, and many don’t think twice about choosing to lace up and hit the pavement by themselves. However running solo can open the door to many safety risks, and there are some running safety rules that runners should keep in mind as they head out alone:

1.      Always let someone know where you’re going and how long you expect to be gone. If no one knows that you’re going out for a run then hours can pass before anyone may realize that you’re missing. You should always let someone know where you’re planning to run at and how long you plan to be out there, and then tell them when you’re back to your car safe and sound. That way if you don’t show up when you’re supposed to, whether it’s because you’ve hurt yourself or you’ve been abducted, someone will notice right away.

2.      Run with your cell phone. It may be a little cumbersome to have to carry your phone with you while you’re running, but that small inconvenience can end up being a lifesaver if you’re hurt out on a trail and are unable to get yourself back to your car.

3.      Wear bright colors and say hello to everyone you pass. You should acknowledge the people that you run past for three reasons: 1. They’re more likely to remember you if you say hello to them, 2. Making eye contact and showing that you know they’re around can be a deterrent for people with less than friendly motives, and 3. It’s just nice practice. Wearing bright clothes in addition to acknowledging other runners will also help make you more memorable to anyone you pass by should something happen and you go missing.

4.      Only carry mace if you know how to use it. While having mace on you is a great way to fend off attackers, if you don’t know how to use it then it can easily end up being used against you. Practice using it before you run with it.

5.      Run without music. It may be hard at first to switch from running with music to running without it, but running with headphones on makes it hard to hear any cars or people coming up behind you and makes you less aware of your surroundings. When you’re out by yourself you need to be very aware of anything and everything happening around you.

If you choose to run alone then you need to be aware of the risks that come with it and take any and all necessary precautions to ensure your safety. Failure to take the necessary safety measures has consequences that extend far past listening to your favorite song while you run or not wanting to bother anyone with your schedule.

Author Bio:

Roxanne Porter is a freelancer & a regular contributor for nanny classifieds.  She helps in providing knowledge about nanny services & love writing on nanny related articles. She helps in giving a fair knowledge about nanny Jobs to the community. You can be in touch with her at roxanne.porter1@gmail.com.

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

SAFETY TIPS FOR TWO-WHEELERS!

 

The Month of May recognizes two types of riders: first, Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and second, Bike Month.  We felt that this would be a good time to feature both forms of riding,  and the safety factors involved to keep all cyclists safe on the roads. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) supports Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.  Temperatures are on the rise and motorcyclists and bicyclists are taking to the roads.  This is the time to remind all drivers to share the highways and streets.  The League of American Bicyclists sponsors Bike Month. This year Bike to Work Week is May 14-18, (so think about it), and Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 18th.  The inaugural Bike to School Day is May 9, 2012.  This is a chance to celebrate the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons we ride.  Regardless of your reason to ride – commuting to work or school, saving money or time, preserving your health or the environment, exploring your community –  get involved in Bike Month, and possibly recruit more people in your community to ride bikes, as well! 

First, we want to furnish safety tips for bicycle riders; however, many of them apply to motorcyclists, as well. 

  • Follow the rules of the road.
  • Ride with traffic and obey the same laws as motorists.
  • Use the rightmost lane that heads in the direction that you are traveling.
  • Always look back and use hand and arm signals to indicate your intention to stop, merge, or turn.
  • Obey all traffic control devices, such as stop signs, lights, and lane markings.
  • Be visible.
  • Ride where drivers can see you.
  • Wear brightly colored clothing at all times.
  • At night, use a white front light and red rear light or reflector.  Wear reflective tape or clothing.
  • Be Predictable.
  • Ride in a straight line and don’t swerve between parked cars.
  • Do not ride on the sidewalk.
  • Make eye contact with motorists to let them know you are there.
  • Anticipate conflicts.
  • Be aware of traffic around you and be prepared to take evasive action.
  • Be extra alert at intersections.
  • Learn braking and turning techniques to avoid crashes.
  • Wear a helmet.
  • Make sure that the helmet fits on top of your head, not tipped back or forward.
  • After a crash or any impact that affects your helmet, visible or not, replace it immediately. 

Are you aware that over two-thirds of vehicle-motorcycle accidents are caused by drivers, not motorcyclists, and lead to more serious injuries and deaths?  The main reason is that drivers tend to look for other vehicles and don’t notice cyclists until it is too late.  There are no seatbelts on motorcycles, of course, so a rider can easily be thrown off in an accident.  Here are some safety tips for motorcyclists:

  • Practice defensive riding.  Avoid riding in blind spots, use turn signals, and extra caution when passing a vehicle.
  • Position yourself to be seen.  Lane placement will help you see further and others see you.
  • Protective eyewear and protective clothing will serve as a buffer from the impact of an accident.
  • Wear a helmet even if it is not required in your state.  Generally speaking, those who wear a helmet suffer far less head injuries and/or are less seriously injured. 

Last, but not least, here are some safety tips for drivers of automobiles and trucks:

  • Be aware of motorcycles and bicycles at intersections and when they may be making a left turn or changing lanes.
  • Anticipate a rider’s maneuver: obstructions that you do not notice may be deadly for a rider.
  • Don’t follow too closely behind a motorcycle; allow plenty of room. 
  • Be courteous to bicycle riders.
  • Be mindful that motorcyclists and bicyclists have the same rights and privileges as other drivers. 

Increased safety will result in increased awareness.  Drive friendly!  Let’s make it a safe summer for everyone.

 

Source: League of American Bicyclists; NHTSA

General Safety Issues, High Visibility Safety

NATIONAL WORK ZONE AWARENESS WEEK

April 23-27 is set aside as the week to remind drivers to be aware of the workers who build and repair our highways and bridges.  Those workers must face not only speeding drivers, but the hazards of working around heavy equipment, as well.  From the time you see a flagger, slow down to the speed limit and drive with care.  He/she will be wearing a high viz safety vest, so they are not that hard to spot.  These are state and/or contract workers who have the duty to keep our roads operable, in addition to building new ones, because of the growing demands of more and more traffic.  They want to go home when their shift is complete, just as the rest of us.  Working in all types of weather is another factor that they contend with, just to keep us rolling. 

Each year in April, National Work Zone Awareness Week is held to bring national attention to motorist and worker safety and mobility issues in work zones.  Since 1999, FHWA has worked with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the American Safety Services Association to coordinate and sponsor the event.  Other transportation partners have joined the effort to support NWZAW, over the thirteen years that this observance has been highlighted.  This years’ theme is “Don’t Barrel Through Work Zones! Drive Smart to Arrive Alive!” 

We also want to share this information from OSHA, who renewed an alliance with the Roadway Work Zone Safety and Health Partners to protect workers while working in roadway construction work zones.  The Alliance will concentrate on preventing worker injuries and deaths from construction vehicle runovers and backovers by focusing on increased outreach to non-English-speaking or limited-English-speaking workers.  David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, said, “most fatalities that occur in road construction work zones involve a worker being struck by a piece of equipment or other vehicle.  This group of concerned Partners will help reach workers and employers with critical education and information to reduce preventable injuries and death.”  

The Alliance will provide fact sheets for paramedics, police officers, truck drivers and other work zone visitors on the proper personal protective equipment and high-visibility apparel to wear, and how to enter and exit a work zone during the day and night.  Additional fact sheets will also be developed for less knowledgeable contractors detailing which traffic control requirements apply, particularly focusing on short-term temporary work zones. 

The Partners comprise a group of construction industry associates committed to protecting the health, safety and rights of workers, and understanding the responsibilities of employers, representing more than 1.2 million members and workers nationwide.  Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees.  OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and providing training, education, and assistance.  

When you see the signs indicating that there is Road Work within so many miles, you might also notice that the fine for speeding through these work zones doubles.  So not only are you respecting the safety of the workers, you can keep a little more money in your billfold by being extra cautious!  Drive friendly!

Eye Protection, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Head Protection, High Visibility Safety

SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR CRANE OPERATORS AND LIFTING CREWS

About the authors:
Pat Brownlee writes for Blog4Safety.com, a part of Texas America Safety Company, (tasco-safety.com), who wishes to share safety advice. Texas America Safety Company has been in the safety supply business for over twenty years, serving the world with quality safety products. Our phone number is 800-646-5346 or 325-646-5346.
Nathan Gladwin is the business development manager of Harold Potter Ltd.  They provide lifting equipment, heavy duty cranes and overhead cranes for construction, manufacturing and industry in the United Kingdom.  Their website is haroldpotter.co.uk.  Our phone number is  01159-838-111.  In this piece, two companies come together as experts within their respective fields to discuss the safety requirements and protective equipment that crane operators and heavy lifting crews should be deploying to reduce and minimise the dangers and inherent risks of working within heavy industry.

Accidents keep happening every day, often due to someone’s irresponsibility. It isn’t surprising to learn that cranes at construction sites, drilling rigs, and mines are popular places for serious injuries, and sometimes death. If Personal Protective Equipment, PPE, had been used, possibly these accidents could have been prevented, or at best, less serious injuries may have occurred.

Nathan: “One of the tasks I perform every Friday morning is to see what news and developments are happening in our industry, this often finds me encountering health and safety incidents and accidents at work involving cranes. It’s important to know the mistakes others are making so that we can adequately address the needs of our customers.  Due to the sheer number of silly accidents and fatalities I decided to seek out opportunities to speak about personal protective (PPE) and safety equipment that in our opinion should be issued to crane operators and lifting crews working within heavy industry.”

There is much responsibility for crane companies to train their operators and ground crews to go about their business as safely as possible. In the United States, OSHA requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce employee exposure to hazards. The lifting, maneuvering and moving of heavy loads means the chances of impact or collisions are quite likely at some point.

Pat: “Flame resistant clothing, gloves, head protection, eyewear and protective footwear are all examples of PPE. The particular job hazards will dictate the type of PPE that is needed for a certain crane project. All protective clothing and equipment should be appropriate and specific for the job and the potential hazards. Workers must always ensure that their PPE is clean and functional. In the case it is damaged, they should return it to their supervisor for replacement.”

Nathan: “It’s often not a question of if, but when it will happen. A hard hat will protect you from knocks or impacts that would cause concussion or may potentially result in a death. It’s not just swinging loads; people have been seriously hurt and injured from tripping into hardened or blunt stationary objects.”

Pat: “Yes, operators should wear a hardhat; most hardhats have the capability for face shields or other safety products to be attached as necessary.”

Can you give us an example as to how and why hard hats should always be worn? Do you find people are complacent about their own health and safety?

Nathan: “A particularly memorable example that comes to mind is that of a bizarre death involving a crane operator carrying out lifting at a cargo port. The straps that were used to secure a load of heavy steel were either not suitable for the job or were possibly fatigued and in a state of disrepair. In any case, the straps buckled under pressure and a metal bolt was projected at high velocity striking the operator in the head. This sadly concluded with the operators’ death. A hard hat may have saved his life.”

Pat: “…yes, it was too hot, or too uncomfortable, on and on. Now, manufacturers and designers have designed protective clothing, safety glasses, and gloves that fit small persons, large persons, and women, who usually require smaller clothing. So, there’s really no good excuse for not wearing your PPE.”

Nathan: “As a crane operator, there will be something to meet the specific environment you work in. PPE and hi-vis clothing comes available in everything from light waist coats, pants, coveralls to extreme all weather suits and jackets.”
Is some PPE more important than others?

Pat: “We believe all PPE is vital, so it’s hard to classify which one is the most important. First aid kits should be available – both in the crane and on the ground. Gloves that are good for gripping gears should be used, and if necessary, there are flame resistant coveralls, jackets, etc. Fire equipment should also be on board.”

Nathan: “…It can be heart sinking to discover missing kits or whereby they have not been replenished over time when they’re needed. It’s not really possible to answer what’s most important, as the risk will be different dependent upon the situation or project.”

Pat: “For eye protection, there are impact resistant safety glasses, goggles, and over-the-glasses safety glasses. Most workers want to wear good safety shoes, ones that have steel-toes, (unless they work around electricity), and that will equally keep them safe from slips, trips and falls.

What would you recommend for specific roles within lifting crews?

Pat: “For the signalers, who know all safety regulations pertaining to cranes and the work that is being performed, hardhats would be a must. Regulations allow only one person to be the signaler, being sure the operator acknowledges every signal, and maintains constant sight with the operator. Signalers are to stop the operation at once if communication with the crane operator is lost.”

The laws of gravity govern that what goes up must come down; the question of how to stay safe will be on many peoples’ minds when in close proximity to or involved in such activity.

Nathan: “Safety shoes, boots or trainers of the sufficient safety grade will prevent your feet from getting crushed, and it’s never nice to hear about how someone had to have a foot or limb amputated when simple equipment can make all the difference.”

Pat: “For those who are part of boom assembly or disassembly, and working on tower cranes, OSHA requires the use of fall arrest systems when working at an unsafe height.”

Cranes and lifting equipment are used in all sorts of challenging locations such as shipping ports, dry-docks, drilling rigs, building and construction sites or manufacturing workshops. I imagine being able to clearly hear a persons’ voice over the background noise can be challenging even when conditions are ideal. How do people stay safe in these conditions?

Nathan: “If you cannot be heard, then it’s imperative that you can be seen! Much of today’s modern and robust safety clothing and garments feature high visibility materials and fabrics, reflective surfaces and dyed in bright colours. They are of course the iconic sign that you work in industry and you’re to be taken seriously. You backup your chances of remaining safe in dangerous or hazardous conditions by ensuring if that you’re not always sharp to seeing a potential threat, that at least someone else can be looking out for you.”

Pat: “The rest of the crew should be wearing hi-visibility vests or jackets, hardhats, gloves, and safety glasses. The use of hi-visibility hardhats, vests, and gloves would be very important in these situations. There are gloves that have bright colors, and unless this interferes with the hand signals they give the crane operator, this would be helpful.”

What are your concluding thoughts?

Nathan: “We can be sure PPE isn’t an outright replacement for common sense, intelligence and foresight thinking; however it does in fact compliment this extremely well and will prevent companies from experiencing the negative repercussions.”

Pat: “Training is the main key to a successful crew. We are in agreement with the statement you made that PPE isn’t an outright replacement for acting properly.   In case of emergencies, the employer should know that the crews are well-trained in CPR, first aid, and emergency response. Operating any type of heavy equipment is a huge responsibility, with others depending on the operator’s skill and knowledge of safety.”

General Safety Issues, High Visibility Safety

HELPFUL INFORMATION ABOUT SAFETY VESTS

1 Comment

A very important component of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the safety vest, or surveyors vest.  Just about anywhere you go, you will see all types of workers wearing safety vests.  These vests play an important role to ensure that workers are more visible, especially in traffic areas.  There are several things to consider when purchasing safety vests. 

In your search for traffic safety vests, it’s likely you have come across products called A.N.S.I. Surveyor Vests.  ANSI stands for the American National Standards Institute.  ANSI, founded in 1918, is the voice of U.S. Standards and conformity assessment system.  The official U.S. representative to the International Standard Organization, the main mission of ANSI is to help along operational and business standards that allow the United States to become competitive in the global market.  OSHA identifies rules and regulations for all types of workplace vests, including fire safety vests, traffic vests, and vests worn by law enforcement.  It should be noted that ANSI does not directly set standards, but OSHA normally uses ANSI data, after both institutions have fully done their own testing.  OSHA also analyzes volumes of data regarding workplace safety and PPE.  In the protective equipment area, however, OSHA most often takes ANSI standards and uses them as their own.  Because ANSI safety vests are approved with a high standard that meets both reflective and observed visibility minimums, OSHA will also recommend that ANSI approved vests promote worksite safety and accident avoidance. 

Colors and Materials of Vests

 Non-ANSI approved traffic safety vests are used in Class 1, for low traffic areas (such as parking lot attendants.)  Most popular colors are orange, yellow, and lime green.  Class 2 (ANSI approved) traffic safety vests are used by workers where traffic speeds are usually 25 mph or less.  These vests are orange, yellow, or lime green.  Class 3 (ANSI approved) traffic safety (speeds in excess of 50 mph) vests must be the same colors for Class 2 and 3 ANSI safety vests, using highly reflective material, which can also be worn for nigh work.  Night work greatly increases potential hazards, meaning their vests should have reflective strips for high visibility.  There is also another, the LED safety vest, that lights up while working at night. 

Typical safety and surveyors vests are made up of mesh and solid materials.  Mesh furnishes a cooler vest in warm weather.  Some vests are made of mirror-like material that shines at night when exposed to a light source.  The vests also have different types of stripes on them, which adds to their visibility. 

Surveyors vests contain many more pockets than safety vests.  There are pockets both inside and outside the vests, as surveyors have to carry many small instruments, measuring tape, and other small tools, so the pockets are a necessary part of the vest.  Another type of vest is the Incident Command Vest.  These are different colors, such as navy, red, or black, and are used by law enforcement, EMS, and firemen.  These vests have a place for an identifying badge, or can be imprinted with professional identification. 

These days, people are staying out longer during the days and evenings, such as those who enjoy riding bicycles, jogging or running.  Safety vests are an ideal way for them to be seen, as well.  Safety products for work for athletes because they are sleek and not bulky, and are intended to keep citizens safe, too, as well as those who wear them to work each day.  Another good idea is to purchase some reflective strips for your children’s bikes, to help them be more visible to drivers.

Source: Life Tips, (Texas America Safety Company), OSHA

General Safety Issues

MANEUVERING THROUGH HIGHWAY WORK ZONES

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Drivers often get frustrated when they approach a highway work zone, especially with the warning that “fines are doubled in a work zone.”  The leading cause of highway construction worker injuries and fatalities is contact with construction vehicles, objects, and equipment.  Through a number of good practices, these injuries and deaths can be preventable. 

More roadwork is being done as our highway infrastructure ages, and many transportation agencies are focusing on rebuilding and improving existing roadways.  Therefore, more roadwork is performed on roads that are open to traffic.  Traffic continues to grow and create more congestion, especially in urban areas.  Some urban areas are doing more night work in order to avoid major lines of traffic during peak travel periods.  With more work done alongside increasingly heavier traffic and greater use of night work, increased safety considerations should be given to highway workers.  They are doing their job in order to make your highways safer and better.  Two regulations and resources on good practices that can help workers perform their jobs safely are: 

  • MUTCD Part 6, Section 6D.03:  Requires the use of high-visibility safety apparel by workers who are working within the rights-of-way of Federal-aid highways.
  • High Visibility Standard: Provides a guide for the design, performance specifications, and use of high-visibility and reflective apparel including vests, jackets, bib-jumpsuit coveralls, trousers, and harnesses. 

Roadway maintenance activities occur close to traffic, which creates a potentially dangerous environment for workers, drivers, and incident responders.  In many cases, a Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) Zone will be needed to protect both workers and incident responders, as well as to allow for the safe movement of road users through or around these zones. 

All workers who are involved with planning, installation, maintenance, and removal of a TTC Zone should have the appropriate safety and TTC Training.  Drivers should be given adequate advance warning about the upcoming work zone to all road users by using the appropriate traffic control devices, such as cones or signs.  Highway workers do not want to interfere with traffic; however, it is up to drivers to slow down, relax, and pay attention.  The “double your traffic fine in work zones” should get your attention. 

Mobile work moves intermittently or continuously.  The same devices and vehicles apply to mobile work can be used for short duration operations.  Examples of mobile work include:  pavement marking installation; pavement sweeping; mowing in the highway right-of-way; and snow removal.  Law enforcement officers and first responders may be involved in assisting persons involved in accidents; drivers should stop if necessary or get out of their way if possible.  All persons working on or around work zones should be given the courtesy of working safely.  Drivers should watch for temporary signs, lights, or other warning devices and begin to slow down in plenty of time. 

Let’s keep our highways safe, for ourselves, and for the men and women who work to keep them safe for everyone.