Tag Archives: protect

General Safety Issues

UNVEILING #8 AND #10 ON TOP TEN OSHA VIOLATIONS – 2010

We have been talking about the Top Ten OSHA violations for fiscal year 2010, and the only two left to cover are #8 – Powered Industrial Trucks, general industry (29 CFR 1910.178), and #10 – Machines, general requirements, general industry (29 CFR 1910.212).  On the OSHA website, violations are listed, along with the amounts that companies paid.  Many of them pay for repeat violations.  It seems that it would be better to fix the problem than to keep paying fines.  After all, human lives are at stake, and employers are not supposed to put their employees at risk. 

Powered industrial trucks, (forklifts or lift trucks), are used primarily to move materials.  They can be used to move, lift, lower, or remove large objects or a number of smaller objects onto pallets or in boxes, containers, or crates.  The operator of a powered industrial truck may be moving steel around the job site, and must be trained in its safe operation in order to avoid exposing employees to being struck or crushed by the vehicle.  An example of an expensive violation was OSHA’s determination that a certain manufacturer had twenty (count ‘em) violations for failing to properly train workers who operated powered industrial trucks.   Also, for failing to protect workers from other workplace hazards, the company was fined a total of $274,500.  OSHA states that failing to train, monitor and evaluate employees’ skills puts workers at unnecessary risk. 

Both formal and practical training for operators must be provided.  Formal may be by lecture or video.  Practical includes demonstration and practical exercises.  Employers must also certify that each operator has received the training and evaluate each operator at least once every three years.  The employer must evaluate the operator’s performance prior to operating the truck, and determine the operator to be competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely.  If an operator demonstrates a deficiency in the safe operation of the truck, refresher training is needed.  

Last, but not least, coming in at #10 on the list is Machines, general requirements, general industry (29 CFR 1910.2120.  Oddly enough, the same company that had fines for failing to properly train powered industrial truck operators, also received citations for alleged willful violations to fail to ensure machinery guards were in place at points of operation.  A willful violation is one that is committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law’s requirements, or plain indifference to employee safety and health. 

Another company was cited for alleged willful, repeat and serious violations of workplace safety and health standards following the death of a worker who was pulled into a machine.  The company failed to guard various moving parts on the machine against employee contact.  Not guarding moving machine parts has the potential to cause severe workplace injuries, such as crushed fingers or hands, amputations, burns, or blindness.  Safeguards are necessary to protect workers from these preventable injuries.  The point of operation of a machine whose function exposes an employee to injury, shall be guarded.  The guarding device shall be in conformity with any appropriate standards, therefore, or, in the absence of applicable specific standards, shall be so designed and constructed as to prevent the operator from having any part of his body in the danger zone during the operating cycle. 

This same standard violation (machine guarding), was also listed as #5 on the highest penalties assessed by OSHA in 2010.  Anyone who runs a machine that is not properly guarded should not take the chance on being injured.  He/she should go to their supervisor and the supervisor should take action to remedy the situation. 

This concludes our review of the Top Ten OSHA Violations for 2010.  We will complete the list of Highest Penalties assessed for 2010 in tomorrow’s article.  Again, it is costly to pay fines; but why not correct something that is a known violation of OSHA standards, rather than risk someone’s life?

Source: OSHA

General Safety Issues

AN INTERESTING JOB – BODYGUARD!

Most of the time we see bodyguards in movies, or television shows, and it looks like a very glamorous job.  Actually, we have no clue as to the actual responsibilities their job entails.  Of course, the United States Secret Service is one of the first occupations  that comes to mind.  They are highly trained officers, many of whom have combat experience.  These agents are willing to lay their lives on the line, if necessary, to protect their President, his family, other Executive Officers, former Presidents and Vice-Presidents. 

Weaponry that bodyguards may use depends on the jurisdiction where they work.  Some may legally carry concealed handguns, batons, pepper spray, or taser guns.  Others with more high-risk vocations may carry sub-machine guns or assault rifles.  Specialized weapons such as sniper rifle and shotguns, may also be used to protect clients.  Secret Service Counter Assault Teams are armed with a large variety of guns and rifles.  Those in high-risk assignments also wear body-armor vests, and carry folded bullet-proof shields that look like briefcases.  The United States Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security protects U.S. missions overseas.  Officers that were agents of the U.S. Treasury Department are now assigned to the Department of Homeland Security. 

Being a bodyguard involves all types of detailed work, such as pre-planning every trip or event their client has scheduled.  They have to check out buildings, hotel rooms, backgrounds  of people their client will be in contact with, and inspect the vehicles to be sure there are no bombs or other traps.  Some bodyguards serve as drivers, but there are usually other bodyguards along, as well.  There are close-protection officer ancillary units that check for IED’s and electronic “bugs.”  Most politicians and dignitaries around the world require bodyguards. 

Other types of bodyguards include those who protect their celebrity clients from paparazzi and stalkers.  Lance Armstrong has had the same two bodyguards since 2000, Erwin Ballarta, and his partner, Serge Borlee.  They are both well trained in defensive tactics.  Ballarta is a defensive tactics instructor for the Texas Department of Public Safety, and has 22 years of law enforcement experience.   Ballarta and Borlee have accompanied Armstrong on every Tour de France competition.  They meet with local law enforcement ahead of time to map out the entire ride, locate medical stations and trauma doctors, and even run along beside him across the finish line for each stage of the race to protect him from overzealous fans, boisterous crowds, and/or some even wanting to do him harm. 

Many private companies offer security for individuals on a continued  basis or for special occasions.  Their personnel may offer special cars, transportation, and take many other safety measures to protect their clients.  It is amazing how many people worldwide require bodyguards and special security systems.  The job requires being physically fit, having good hearing and vision, and available to work long hours.  They are very dedicated to the duty of shielding their client, whether a dignitary, celebrity, or any other person in need of protection. 

We should appreciate those people who have the expertise and are willing to keep others safe in a world that makes this such a necessity.