Tag Archives: leaks

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, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Hearing Protection, Respiratory Safety

THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT TRAINS, PART I

Have you ever wondered as you drive down the highway about those trains you see rolling along, and what on earth could be in all those cars?  You also see lots of graffiti, done by some local “artists” along the way, and can’t help but question all the places that train has been.  One thing you need to understand, is that many of those cars are carrying hazardous materials, and in the event of a derailment, or spill, you need to drive away from the area as soon as possible. 

Railroad companies are overseen primarily by the Federal Railroad Administration, but also answer to the Department of Transportation, and the National Transportation Safety Board.  No person may transport a hazardous material in commerce unless that material is properly classed, described, packaged, marked, labeled, and placarded and is in condition for transportation according to DOT regulations.  Railroad Company computers are able to track the trains at all times. 

For your information, here are the hazard classes and divisions:

  • 1 – Explosives (1.1 – Explosive with mass explosion hazard; 1.2 – Explosive with projection hazard; 1.3 – Explosive with predominantly fire hazard; 1.4 – Explosive with no significant blast hazard; 1.5 – Very insensitive explosive; blasting agent, and 1.6 – Extremely insensitive detonating substance.)
  • 2. – Gases (2.1 – Flammable gas; 2.2 – Nonflammable, nonpoisonous, (nontoxic), compressed gas; and 2.3 – Poisonous (toxic) gas (by inhalation).
  • 3 – Flammable Liquids
  • 4 – Flammable Solids and Reactive Solids/Liquids (4.1 – Flammable solid; 4.2 – Spontaneously combustible material, and 4.3 – Dangerous when wet marked.)
  • 5 – Oxidizers and Organic Peroxides  (5.1 – Oxidizer; 5.2 Organic peroxide.)
  • 6 – Poisonous (Toxic) Materials/Infectious Substances (6.1 – Poisonous (Toxic) material; 6.2 – Infectious substance.
  • 7 – Radioactive Materials
  • 8 – Corrosive Materials
  • 9 – Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials

Worded Classes

Combustible Liquids (regulated in bulk packaging only)

ORM-D (Other Regulated Materials – D) (regulated in air transportation only; not regulated in rail transportation. 

Shipping hazardous materials are time-sensitive.  Those under a 20-day time limit to arrive are:

  • 1.      Ethylene, refrigerated liquid
  • 2.      Hydrogen, refrigerated liquid
  • 3.      Chloroprene, stabilized
  • 4.      Flammable liquid, N.O.S.
  • 5.      Hydrogen chloride, refrigerated liquid
  • 6.      Vinyl fluoride, stabilized

Those having a 30-day shipping limit are:

  1. Styrene monomer, inhibited
  2. Flammable Liquid, (Recycled styrene) 

When transporting hazardous material shipments in a train, a member of the train crew must also have acceptable emergency response information and a document showing the current position of each hazardous material in the train.  This documentation provides railroad and emergency response personnel with accurate information for every hazardous material being transported. 

Next, In Part II, we will talk about what type of training railroad crews experience to be prepared for a hazardous material spill caused by a railroad derailment or railroad car leak.  Please read on…..

Source: Daniel Burlison, Retired Manager, Train Operations 

 

 

General Safety Issues

OWN YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

A long time ago, my husband, who owned a machine shop for a number of years, made the statement, “no one knows what being in business for themselves is like until they have actually done  it.”  Overhead, insurance, waiting to get paid, paying employees, maintenance, and many other headaches contribute to being in private business.  With that in mind, we’d like to encourage businesses everywhere to think about how safe their enterprises are. 

One of the first things is to hire good employees.  You can be a victim of internal theft, as well as external.  Do thorough background checks on all applicants.  Know whom you are allowing access to your buildings.  Be sure that keys cannot be duplicated without the master key.  There should be a locked closet that holds the master key to every door, with only certain employees having access to it.  Encourage staff to confidentially report any dishonesty by colleagues that they are aware of. 

How safe is your business equipment?  Keep an up-to-date inventory, including leased equipment that is not insured by the leasing company.  There are many types of security systems, including sensors on doors, closed-circuit cameras, and contract security companies that alert authorities when there is a problem.  Adequate lighting should be provided at all times.  Clear away any shrubs, bushes, or trees that could provide hiding places for thieves.  Installing dead bolts or coded locks may be another deterrent.  Develop safe procedures that protect every employee, from the very first person arriving to work in the morning until the last person leaves each evening. 

Building maintenance is very important.  Water leaks can cause costly damage.  Pipes, drains, and appliances should be checked often.  A crack approximately 1/8 of an inch in a pipe can release up to 250 gallons of water per day.  There are two types of water leak detection systems – active and passive.

  • Active systems are battery operated and can set off an alarm when moisture is detected as well as stop the water flow with some sort of shut-off valve.
  • Passive systems are battery operated and usually stand-alone units, with moisture sensors on the bottom of the apparatus, and will activate an alarm.  They are easily installed.

Roofs should also be inspected often for damage, or possibility of water leaks.  In the fall, it’s a good idea to insulate water pipes to avoid freezing later on. 

Of course, businesses should install sprinkler systems and smoke detectors, and have appropriate fire extinguishers ready for use in case of fire, depending on the types of equipment that are involved.   Individuals can plug in surge protection devices; however, the electric service meter surge protection devices must be professionally installed.  

This is probably just the tip of the iceberg; however, we hope the things that have been pointed out will help businesses be a little safer.  We salute both the small and large business owners, who make keep our communities going, by offering jobs that are so badly needed.