Tag Archives: safety equipment

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

BLACK LUNG INVESTIGATION

Black lung disease is the common name for coal workers pneumoconiosis (CWP).  It once was a disease that affected coal miners over the age of 50;  however, investigations show that younger mine workers are developing the disease as well.  The name was given because inhalation of heavy deposits of coal dust makes miner lungs look black instead of a healthy pink.  Since the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, average dust levels have fallen.  The 1969 law also set up a black lung disability benefits program to compensate coal miners who have been disabled by on-the-job dust exposure.  

An investigation by the Center for Public Integrity and ABC News, (Brian Ross, Matthew Mosk, and Chris Hamby), brings up the terrible reality that many of America’s coal miners have been denied their black lung benefits.  Although they were diagnosed as having the disease by their primary doctor, a particular physician at Johns Hopkins University and Medical Center has reviewed more than 1,500 x-rays of claimants since 2000, and never identified a single case of black lung disease.  In many cases, it took the miner’s death, and an autopsy that followed, to prove what the miner claimed all along, that the cause of his diminishing health was brought on by the dust he breathed while working underground.  Johns Hopkins is reviewing its Black Lung Program.  The Center for Public Integrity also reviewed the work of one of the coal industry’s “go-to” law firms for black lung cases, finding instances in which the firm withheld evidence of the disease while fighting the miners’ claims. 

ABC News identified a group of specialists with affiliations who help the coal companies defeat the miners in numerous cases.  (The disability benefit is around $1,000 per month).  A corps of lawyers, doctors, and experts have helped these companies deny the benefit to workers they so desperately need to fight the disease, rather than legal and medical experts. 

ABC News featured “Black Lung, Out of Breath” on Wednesday night’s evening news with Diane Sawyer.  It also aired on “Nightline” later that evening. Hopefully,  public awareness will help support the cause of protecting the mine workers who become ill, and receive their benefits, as promised in that 1969 law. 

Unless one has worked in industries such as mining, oil fields, or any other occupation that produces the energy our country needs, (or other countries, as well), persons do not realize the hazards that are involved in this kind of work.  Let’s not take those workers for granted.  Even though they are equipped with respiratory protection, hard hats,  and all types of safety gear, through the years the accumulation of coal dust and other particulates in mines may take its toll. 

Note:  Johns Hopkins Medicine has suspended its black lung program pending a review in response to an ABC News investigation with the Center for Public Integrity that showed how medical opinions from doctors at the prestigious hospital have helped the coal companies thwart efforts by ailing mine workers to receive disability benefits. 

Source: ABC News, Center for Public Integrity

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

WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY (GUEST POST)

Work Health And Safety – Knowing Your Responsibilities At The Workplace 

Employees spend a great majority of their waking lives at the workplace. As such, this greatly exposes them to risks and hazards that cannot be encountered elsewhere. This is the reason why both employees and business owners must put a premium on work health and safety, not only in relation to the physical wellbeing of a person, but also in relation to mental health. 

Risks and hazards refer both to substances and behaviours which can harm a person at the workplace. These can refer to toxic chemicals, and in the construction sector, falling debris and improper use of machinery. 

Stressing the need for awareness of safe practices, minimising risks and hazards, and keeping up with changes in the workplace, the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 came into effect on January 1, 2012, effectively replacing and updating the Occupational Health and Safety acts of the previous years. 

The major difference of this act from its previous iterations is its goal to harmonise the work and safety laws across Australia’s states and jurisdictions which, prior to the enforcement of the act, differed one way from another across different places. For business owners, particularly those operating in more than one area, this means complying with a single set of rules and regulations, effectively lessening costs. 

The act tackles several important issues. Most important of these is the need for the active participation of all stakeholders, from the workers to employees to unions, to actively work together to promote health and safety at the workplace through information, use of safety equipment and good work practices. 

In the construction sector, safety and health at the workplace is promoted through various practices and requirements including the requirement of a White Card or Occupational Health and Safety Certificate for those who work in construction. This includes labourers, apprentices, supervisors and project managers. A White Card can be obtained through either online or face-to-face training. 

Getting a White Card is not merely a mandatory requirement. It will teach those seeking employment in the construction industry to understand the various concepts involved in occupational health and safety as well as their responsibilities in promoting these. 

Should a worker without a White Card be found working in a job site, both the worker and the employer will be fined heavily. But apart from the economic cost, working without a White Card increases the likelihood of injuries and accidents both for the worker and for those who are around him. 

Author Bio

Sarah Miller is a business consultant by profession and a content creator, writer and blogger by passion. Having been exposed to the different aspects and faces of businesses, she frequently does research on useful information regarding the different methods and techniques to further improve business marketing, sales, performance and shares her passion of business management through blog/content writing.  She wrote this article for http://www.whitecardinfo.com.au.

 

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

PROTECTING TEETH DURING SPORTS (GUEST POST)

Sports injuries are a leading cause of dental problems and tooth loss; flying balls, heavy objects, body contact and unpredictable surfaces can all spell danger for one’s teeth, but there are some simple and effective ways of reducing the risk of injury and preventing accidents when participating in sport. 

Sport participation is a great way of keeping fit and healthy, meeting new people and getting rid of pent-up stress and energy. But, though you may not immediately think so, it can be dangerous too. Thankfully, there is a great deal of safety equipment available for sports players of all abilities. 

Ways to protect your teeth 

If you play sport on a regular basis or play a contact sport a mouth guard is essential. Mouth guards can be purchased from sports shops and you can take them home and mould them using hot water to fit your mouth. However, a dentist-made mouth guard is the best option as they are designed to fit your mouth perfectly. They can take a little getting used to, but if your mouth guard fits well it should be relatively comfortable and it will protect your teeth from damage from balls, falls and contact with other people or objects. 

This kind of equipment is generally recommended for people who play rugby, hockey, lacrosse, ice hockey and boxing. They are also available in a range of colours and designs. You can even buy models that use the latest sports science technology to improve your sporting performance. Additional safety equipment such as helmets can also help to prevent head and facial injuries. 

Reducing your risk of injury 

Sport has many benefits, but it is often a cause of injury. You can reduce your risk of suffering a mishap by following these tips: 

  • Always warm up before you start exercising
  • Wear protective clothing and use protective equipment
  • Follow the rules of the game
  • Wear suitable and supportive footwear
  • Cool down after exercising
  • Increase the intensity of exercise gradually

Raising awareness of sporting injuries 

Many people know about the risks associated with playing sport, but if you only play sport now and again or if you assume that because you’re just an amateur you don’t need to wear protective clothing, you are putting your safety at risk. Dental injuries may seem like unlikely if you just play an hour of sport now and again, but accidents can happen at any time, in any place and there is as much chance of you suffering an injury in that hour as any other hour. Wearing a mouth guard will protect your teeth and potentially save you from losing one or more teeth; your teeth create your smile, which most people regard as their most important feature, so losing teeth can have a significant impact on your confidence, as well as the appearance of your smile. 

If you don’t know much about safety in sport or you think others would benefit from leaning about playing sport safely and preventing dental injuries and other potential hazards, why not organise a sporting event at work to raise awareness of the importance of taking safety measures when playing sport? You can combine fun, team work and getting fit with informing people about safety in sport. 

This is a blog article from the good folk at www.dentalimplant.co.uk where there is more info on protecting your mouth and finding solutions for dental health problems.

General Safety Issues

WHY SAFETY COMPLIANCE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN BUSINESS (GUEST POST)

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Compliance training and safety should are the priority of a conscientious business owner. Without meeting safety standards, you should not be running a business, because you are risking the welfare of your employees and your company too. You can consult with a company like Safetrac about training your employees to acceptable standards, and exactly what you should be doing in your industry to make sure you are running a safe business. Complying with these standards will make your company a friendly and hospitable (and safe!) company to work for, and will also make you seem legitimate and ‘above board’ to all of your clients and the rest of your industry.

As a business owner or manager, you have to think of things like safety training and safety equipment as an investment rather than as an expense, because using it promotes the longevity and legitimacy of your business and also prevents expensive distractions from business such as legal action from employees. If your company happens to undergo a government audit, failure to have complied with safety standards leaves you vulnerable to serious legal consequences as well as expensive fines. By complying with standards and training all of your employees in industry standards you give them all the tools to be responsible for their own safety, which takes the pressure off management.  To ensure compliance with the standards applicable to their risk assessments, companies must furnish the correct OSHA safety supplies to protect their workers.  This is another area that they must be trained on the use of such equipment, how to take care of it, and know when to replace it.

So what can safety compliance strategies do for you? The benefits of maintaining a safe work environment are many, safety is about what managers and employers can do to protect their workers. Employers should send their workers home in the same condition they came in. No one can argue with the fact that workplace safety is important, yet it’s often overlooked sometimes unintentionally leaving workers exposed to risk. 

Ivy Delfin is a copywriter working with Safetrac who offer compliance training programs providing businesses with an opportunity to improve employee performance and business operations. When Ivy’s not writing content she enjoys cooking, swimming and walking her Great Dane.

 

Back Safety, Ergonomics, Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

WORKPLACE SAFETY: DON’T OVERLOOK THESE COMMONLY FORGOTTEN RISKS (GUEST POST)

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By Maire Hunter

Have you ever taken the time to consider the risks that surround you when you’re at work? Unless someone’s been paying close attention, there could be a hazard around every corner of your workplace. While you don’t want to be paranoid, you do want to be aware of the potential dangers you face, so you can take steps to avoid them. Here are some common workplace safety hazards that are often overlooked.

Gas

Gas is often an odorless hazard. Not only can it lead to a risk of fires, but it can also lead to asphyxiation risks. There are many types of hazardous gases potentially found in the modern workplace, from carbon monoxide to natural gases and even corrosive contaminates, and many cannot be detected without special detection equipment. Gas detection equipment is an essential part of keeping workers safe on the job. Simply set up the gas detector you need, calibrate it and you won’t have to worry about gas leaks endangering your employees.

Falling

That puddle of water may seem innocent enough, but an unsuspecting worker could easily slip and fall, injuring himself in the process. Workers should be taught to attend to spills quickly, whether they cause them or simply see them. Leaving spills on the floor puts everyone at risk. Other fall risks include unsafe climbing, leaning on rails and failure to use safety harnesses when working on scaffolding or ladders.

Fire

Sure, everyone in your workplace knows that fire is dangerous, but do they really know how risky it is at your specific location? Make sure that your employees know what fire hazards are affecting them at work, and what they should do in the event of a fire. A fire drill may seem like something for kids in school, but it’s a good practice to have one occasionally. You need to know that your workers know how to get out if they need to evacuate quickly.

Lifting Injuries

That box you are about to lift actually is a workplace safety hazard. Sure, it might look innocent enough, but lift it incorrectly and you’re left with a strained back or slipped disk. Proper lifting technique is an often-overlooked part of workplace safety. Always lift using the muscles in your legs, not your back. This means bending at the knee, picking up the item, and then using your leg muscles to lift yourself and the item back to a standing position. Pay attention to the weight on the box, because many boxes are heavier than they look and may require two people to lift.

Yes, the workplace can be a dangerous place if you’re not paying attention. Even an office with few serious hazards can present potential risks. So take the time to think about safety around your workplace, and don’t forget to consider these often forgotten hazards. By doing a little planning now, you can protect yourself or your workers from serious injury later. Combine safety equipment, awareness and training to keep everyone safe.

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

WORKING AT HEIGHTS: HOW TO AVOID DAMAGE AND SERIOUS INJURY (GUEST POST)

Sent to us by Karl Young.

Most people would be surprised by what the definition of working at heights is: work at height means working in any place where, if precautions were not taken, a person could fall down and injure themselves.

Work at height means working in any place where you work above ground level, could fall from an edge, through an opening or fragile surface; or could fall from ground level into an opening in a floor or hole in the ground. If your job requires you to work with any of the above dangerous then you will be working at height. If on a day to day basis you use working platforms such as scaffolds, tower scaffolds, cherry pickers, scissor lifts and podium steps, work on a roof, piece of plant or equipment; or use ladders or stepladders you and your employer need to be following the working at heights regulations.

Precautions

More often than not you will only be working at heights as a one off, you might be changing a light fitting or climbing a ladder to access storage space.  One of the best ways to ensure injury prevention at height is to carry out a risk assessment; this is a simple process which will help you choose the right precautions to take when working at heights.

Small businesses are often the ones that don’t have the right equipment in place to protect their employees from the dangers of working at heights. In most cases injuries and damage can be avoided by investing in long handled tools and other equipment that can sometimes be used to safety carry out a task from ground level.  Long handled brushes, roller paint brushes, water fed poles and hatch openers are just a few pieces of equipment that can enable any user to perform a basic task without the need to move above ground level.

Prevention

Employees are most often at risk from falling when working at heights, there are several methods of prevention for falling in the work place that can easily be implemented.  You can ensure the fixtures around you are safe and tight, ensure the roof of your premise if accessible is fitted with guard rails. You should always ensure that equipment purchased as a safety precaution is safe to use and has regular checks and maintenance.

Additional measure can be taken at work to reduce the risk of a fall. When using any equipment for work at height you need to ensure that:

  • The people using it are trained to use it safely;
  • It is regularly inspected and well maintained; and
  • The work is supervised to check people are working safely

The consequences of a fall can be minimised if you try and avoid and the prevent a fall before using measures that will only minimise or limit the consequences. A good example of this are safety nets, they can be installed around the edge of a premises roof to minimise the risk of injury if someone falls. Fall arrest equipment will also minimise injury if someone falls, providing the equipment is set up correctly, users know how to look after it and they understand its limitations.

The key to a safe and happy workplace is a knowledgeable employer and employee.  The failure to follow and adhere to regulations when working at heights can result in hefty fines and extreme cases employees being injured resulting in a lawsuit. It is best to be knowledgeable and smart when your employee needs to work at heights, visit your local authority’s website for more information on working heights regulations and precautions.  

The post was created by Karl Young on behalf of Loxam Access a leading specialist in the rental of Access Platforms, Access Equipment and Cherry Pickers.

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

ENSURE SAFETY IN GRAIN STORAGE BINS

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While working with a flood cleanup crew in Minot, North Dakota, a quality assessment representative for the town was watching a private business owner and contractor assemble a group of workers to enter a grain storage bin.  Noting that there was no safety equipment present, and knowing the hazards involved,  the representative from Minot called an OSHA inspector in the area, who quickly arrived on the scene.  There was no retrieval gear for the workers, the atmosphere had not been tested, and no training in grain bin entry had been given to the workers.  Due to this intervention, a potential tragedy was prevented. 

Unfortunately, a terrible accident in Colorado in 2009, did not have the same results.  A 17-year-old worker lost his life in a grain bin.  The company pled guilty to violating OSHA regulations that resulted in the death of this young man.  There was a lack of safety and rescue equipment on site; however,  three teenagers entered the bins without the benefit of personal protective equipment, such as a body harness and lanyard.  The only instructions given to the crew were to watch out for one another and be careful.  Cody, the victim, was allowed to enter the bin despite knowing that the bucket elevator was not locked out and grain was flowing from the bin.  While inside the bin, he was engulfed by the flowing grain and sucked under, where his chest was crushed and he died of asphyxiation.  Despite the efforts of Cody’s co-workers, they were unable to locate and rescue him.  

The facts of the investigation revealed  that it was common practice for this company to hire high school-age teenagers from the local area.  These teens were assigned various hazardous tasks, which included bin entry, “Walking the Grain”, working in and around unguarded mechanical equipment, unsafe electrical devices, confined spaces, and exposure to explosive grain dust.  Employees regularly entered the bins to “walk down grain”, the practice of walking around the edge of a bin to dislodge clumps of grain while it was flowing from the bin, without the appropriate safety harness with lanyard.  A center-grain-unloading auger draws grain from the top center and the grain forms a cone as the bin is emptied. 

There are many deadly hazards of engulfment and suffocation while working inside grain storage bins.  Grain bins are used to store bulk raw agricultural commodities such as wheat, corn, and oats.  If workers stand on moving or flowing grain, it can be like “quicksand” and pull them under.  If they stand on or below “bridged” grain, it can collapse and bury workers.  Also, if they try to loosen grain, it can cave in on them.  OSHA’s Hazard Alert warns how workers can become engulfed in these bins, and lists precautions that employers must take to protect workers.  These include:

  • Disconnecting equipment that presents a danger;
  • Prohibiting workers from walking on the grain to make it flow;
  • Providing workers with personal protective and rescue equipment;
  • Requiring an observer outside the bin who is trained on how to perform rescue operations. 

In the case of the teenager who lost his life, the company paid $500,000 to his family, as well as fines to OSHA.  OSHA Assistant Secretary David Michaels stated, “This is a terrible tragedy that should never have happened.  Money won’t bring back this young man’s life, but we can make every effort to ensure that these tragedies don’t happen again.”  The company involved is required to implement safety provisions that include providing safety training and refresher training to its employees, and develop a procedure that includes harnesses and lanyards or similar safety equipment in anticipation of bin entry at any of its grain elevators.  If they violate any of these terms of probabion, they could be potentially liable for up to another $500,000 fine.

Parents: don’t hesitate to find out what kind of job your teenager is going to be asked to do.  It’s not worth taking a chance.  Companies should never gamble with their employees’ lives, especially when they put them in hazardous situations that are entirely preventable. 

Source: OSHA

General Safety Issues, Head Protection

USE YOUR HEAD – WEAR THAT HARDHAT!

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The key to a successful safety program is to protect employees from head injuries.  The easiest and most important way is by wearing safety hard hats.

These protect workers from the shock of a blow to the head, and penetration.  The shell should be 1 to 1 ¼” away from the head to cushion impact, and the hardhat should have instructions for proper adjustment and replacement of suspension and headband.  Proper fit is of the utmost importance.

Most hard hats have slots to accommodate safety glasses, face shields, mounted lights, and/or earmuffs.

Three industrial classes of hardhats are:

  • Class A – Impact and penetration resistant and limited voltage protection – up to 2,200 volts.
  • Class B – Highest level of high-voltage shock and burn protection – up to 20,000 volts.  These protect from impact and penetration hazards such as falling/flying objects.
  • Class C – Lightweight comfort and important protection but not electrical hazard protected.

There are some important facts one should know about their hard hats:

  • Hard hats won’t last forever.
  • Hard hats should be replaced after no more than 5 years of use.
  • The suspension of a hard hat should be replaced after no more than 12 months of use.
  • Hard hats must meet ANSI Z89.1-2003 requirements.
  • Hard hat suspensions should not be interchanged with other manufacturers’ suspensions.
  • The service life of a hard hat starts when it is placed in use, not when it is manufactured.  This date should be placed inside the helmet.

Personal protective equipment such as hard hats, should be maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition.  It can only be effective if used properly and the user understands its care, maintenance, and limitations, according to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132.

There was a time when hard hats were pretty “Plain Jane”, but no longer.  Workers can choose from NCAA/TEAM/NASCAR, World War II themes, Patriotic, Glow-In-The-Dark, customized ones with logos, and even Cowboy styles!  Different types of hard hats allow persons to reflect their personalities, as well as be safety compliant.