Tag Archives: respiratory

Ergonomics, Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Hearing Protection, Respiratory Safety

KEEPING FOOD AND BEVERAGE EMPLOYEES SAFE (GUEST POST)

Workers of food and beverage industry are subjected to a large number of hazards. The primary of them are mentioned below:

  • Workers are often subjected to same level falls arising from slippery conditions. Such falls may cause strains and sprains.
  •  They are exposed to sharp instruments like knives.
  •  Workers may collide with internal transport like containers and forklifts.
  •  The workplace often has poorly designed process flow and inadequate space of work. Workers are exposed to repetitive work and manual lifting. These factors lead to problems caused by poor work posture.
  • Workers are exposed to excessive levels of noise caused by operations like use of beverage bottle fillers, conveyors, bottling and canning.
  •  Workers in this industry are exposed to chemical hazards caused by handling of chemicals used in disinfection and cleaning operations.
  •  They area also exposed to biological hazards caused by ingestion and inhalation of dust. Working in highly humid conditions also exposes the workers to microbiological and biological agents.
  •  This industry involves varying temperature conditions arising from activities like freezing, chilling and heat treatment. Workers are exposed to high temperatures during canning processes and pasteurization. They are exposed to chilling cold conditions while working in refrigerated spaces.

Measures to be taken for minimizing risks and hazards and maximizing workplace health and safety:

  • The working surfaces and walkways should be kept dry and clean to prevent slips and falls. Workers should be provided with footwear having anti-slip features.
  • Workers should use gloves while working with knives and other sharp instruments. This would safeguard them from cuts and similar injuries.
  • Working areas and transport passages should be deferentiated. Handrails should be placed on stairs and platforms.
  •  Spillage of liquids and water on floor should be avoided.
  • Training should be provided to workers on proper lifting techniques. To maximize the workspace of the workers, workstation should be created for each worker.
  • For reduction in the noise levels, it is important to undertake engineering control measures.
  • Emphasis should be made on the personal protection of workers.

Conclusion:

It is important for the safety personnel of food and beverage industry to design effective accident prevention methods and strategies aimed at making the workplace healthy and safe for the employees. A safe and healthy workplace would also lead to increased productivity of workers.

Author’s Bio: Alisa Martin is a guest blogger who writes quality articles on workplace safety. In this article she has written about workplace health and safety in food and beverage industry. Her articles are highly informative and useful to the readers.

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

INFLUENZA UPDATE – JANUARY 8, 2013

In the U.S., influenza is widespread over eighty percent of the country.  There are three particular strains that are circulating – the  H3N2, is the dominant one this year, and can cause a more serious illness.  Because vaccines were given for both A and B strains of influenza, the third strain doesn’t respond to those shots.  

Some persons became infected before receiving the vaccination, or shortly after the vaccination.  The flu shot takes time to become effective.  Doctors state that even if you get a strain not included in the flu shot, the vaccination should reduce the severity of the illness.  The flu is spreading earlier and faster this year. 

Anyone who is at least 6 months old should get a flu vaccine this season.  Those to whom it is especially important to receive the vaccine are:

  1. People with certain medical conditions, including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.
  2. Pregnant women.
  3. Persons 65 years and older.
  4. People who live with or care for others who are at risk of developing serious       complications such as asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease. 

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses infecting the nose, throat and lungs.  Some cases are mild to severe; however, the flu can be lethal.  Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, tiredness, chills, head and body aches, runny nose, and occasionally diarrhea and vomiting.  Some people with these symptoms, however, may not have the flu.  Many are being treated for bronchitis or severe allergies. 

The flu is spread through contact with bodily discharges.  When someone infected sneezes or coughs around them, chances are they will also become infected.  Things that we touch, such as elevator buttons, phones, keyboards, salt shakers, and other items in public places make us all susceptible to it. 

If you are ill, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.  Wash your hands very often, and keep hand sanitizer handy.  Use disinfectant sprays in the home to kill germs.

Last, but not least, stay home if you are sick.  Do not be in a rush to return to school or work until you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours.  During seasons that bring contagious diseases, it’s not a bad idea to stay home and away from crowds as much as possible.  Some folks may be coming down with something, yet are unaware of it until they actually get sick. 

Stay well, my friends!

 

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

PROTECTING WORKERS’ SAFETY & HEALTH DURING RESCUE AND RECOVERY, PART II

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Rescue workers and emergency responders never know what type of hazards they may face, depending on the particular type of disaster that occurs.  We began listing general precautions that they should take in Part I of this article.  Although we know that they are prepared for all types of emergencies, we want to share this information in hopes that it will be of assistance. 

Rescue workers and emergency responders will more than likely be exposed to blood or body fluids, or pathogens from sewer system breakage.  It is very important that they wear gloves, other protective clothing, and respiratory protection.  Decontamination of workers and equipment (P.P.E.),  before leaving the site is very important to prevent adverse health effects, contain any hazards to the site, and prevent secondary contamination of off-site facilities (e.g., fire stations, or workers’ homes) or additional equipment, such as ambulances.  Slips, trips and fall hazards from holes or protruding rebar may exist.  Fall protection equipment, with lifelines tied off to suitable anchorage points (e.g., bucket trucks) should be used whenever possible.  Hardhats should be worn when working around unstable structures where there is a potential for secondary collapse.  Also, there could be types of over-hanging debris that could fall on workers. 

In Part I, the use of respiratory protection was mentioned.  N-95 or greater respiratory protection is acceptable for most activities with dust exposure, including silica and cement dust.  Use full-face respirators with P-100 organic vapor-acid gas combination cartridges if airborne contaminants are causing eye irritation.  

Workers should be monitored for signs of heat/cold stress, such as altered vital signs, confusion, excessive sweating, and fatigue.  Work schedules should be adjusted to rotate personnel, and additional workers should be added to work teams.  Everyone should refrain from food and beverages in areas exposed to toxic materials. 

Because so many disasters have already occurred this year, it is important to know that when large-scale disasters overwhelm State and local assets, the National Response Framework (NRF) Worker Safety and Health Support Annex can provide technical assistance needed to help protect Federal, State, Tribal, and local organizations’ response and recovery workers.  According to OSHA, depending on the scope, complexity, and hazards associated with the incident services of the NRF include the following: 

  1. Identifying and assessing worker health and safety hazards present at the site and in the environment.
  2. Assessing the resources needed to protect workers and identifying sources available to meet those needs.
  3. Providing technical expertise in industrial hygiene, occupational safety and health, structural collapse engineering, safety engineering, radiation safety, biological and chemical agent response, and occupational medicine.
  4. Managing the creation and implementation of a site-specific health and safety plan (HASP).
  5. Monitoring and managing worker safety and health hazards through on-site identification, evaluation, analysis, and mitigation, including personal exposure monitoring.
  6. Providing assistance with developing, implementing, and monitoring the personal protective equipment (PPE) program, including the selection, use and decontamination of PPE.
  7. Coordinating the collection and management of exposure and accident/injury data to identify trends and facilitate data sharing.
  8. Coordinating and providing incident-specific response and recovery worker training.
  9. Assisting with the development and distribution of educational materials on preventing and mitigating hazards. 

Although we wish that this year’s disasters were over, it is only May, and there are seven months left in this year.  We know that thunderstorm season is here, as well as flooding disasters, with hurricane season not too far behind.  We owe our thanks to those emergency workers who stand by, prepared to serve whenever and wherever needed. 

Source: OSHA