Tag Archives: safety gear

Eye Protection, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Protective Clothing

ESSENTIAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR MOTOCROSS (GUEST POST)

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Essential Safety Equipment for Motocross 

Needless to say, Motocross is an exciting but very risky sport. As they usually take place in the outdoors, chances of accidents and subsequent injuries are higher. Flying particles like rock, dust, mud and other debris can compromise your vision and cause accidents. Alternatively, it is also possible that your motorbike may face mechanical difficulties during the race. To keep possible injuries to a minimum, it is important to invest heavily in safety.  

Most common Motocross injuries 

Being an extreme sport, injuries are very common in Motocross races. A medical research shows that at least 95% of Motocross racers sustain injuries after a race. These researchersafety s also pointed out that engaging in Motocross causes extreme stress to all parts of the body with most injuries commonly occurring during falls or crashes. Owing to the high speed and the force of crashes, injuries in Motocross events can be serious, including fatal spinal cord injuries. 

These injuries occur at bends of the track and during landing, making protective gear even more important. Some of the most common injuries include broken wrists, collar bones, ankles, joint sprains and the rupturing of the knee joint. Most physiotherapists recommend the use of knee braces, shoulder supports, wrist supports, ankle braces and wrist casts for motocross injuries. For muscle strains caused by the sport, you should opt for regular ice packs and cold therapy. Keeping a first aid kit handy is also a good option. 

Safety gear for Motocross events 

Considering the past record of Motocross events, injuries are a part and parcel of the game. However, there are many steps you can take to keep your injuries to a minimum. Every rider taking part in Motocross is required to have safety gear without which they are not allowed to participate. 

Motocross helmets are undoubtedly one of the most important parts of the safety gear as they are responsible for safeguarding your head and neck. You should also invest in high quality goggles made from tough and scratch resistant polycarbonate. This ensures that the goggles do not crack on impact and continue to shield your eyes. You should also invest in strong boots to protect your ankle, shin and foot from the stress of riding. Invest in quality gloves to protect your hands from impact. Boots and gloves also help you maintain a grip on your bike without being bound to it. 

Motocross clothing generally includes protective jackets, shirts and pants. It is important to protect your legs from injuries. To avoid small rocks and other particles hitting your legs and affecting your race, you should opt for padded motocross pants with additional internal lining for cushion. Riders also opt for Motocross jackets with chest guards as it is the largest area of impact during a crash. The chest is also most often exposed to strain from handle bars and protecting it with a multilayered shirt or jacket is a wise idea. 

Penny is an expert associated with POA Racing. a UK based online seller of quality Motocross equipment. The store stocks branded Motocross safety gear for racers including Motocross helmets, clothing and other essentials.

Thank you, Penny, for this interesting post on Motocross safety.  It is a very exciting sport for those who love taking risks; however, some folks may prefer a simple little bicycle for their mode of transportation!  We appreciate your participation on our Blog4Safety. pb

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Health Issues, Protective Clothing, Respiratory Safety

ASBESTOS EXPOSURE AND RESPIRATORY SAFETY: STAYING CLEAR OF MESOTHELIOMA CANCER

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Today’s article was sent to us by Guest Author, Rachel Jones of mesotheliomasymptoms.com.  She had expressed an interest in sharing ways of protection for contractors who work around asbestos . 

On September 26, the eighth annual Mesothelioma Awareness Day will take place in the United States. Congress has set aside this time to help raise both awareness and funding related to this deadly cancer that still affects up to 3,000 new patients a year. With direct linking to asbestos exposure, the tie between this cancer and safety gear is crucial, especially with those involved in the asbestos abatement process.

There is an extensive amount of protective gear that is required to keep workers and abatement professionals safe from the dangers of asbestos exposure. Some of the common examples of protective gear aren’t nearly as capable of preventing these dangerous levels of exposure from occurring. For example, a common safety mask made out of paper is unable to protect from the inhalation of these fibers.

Mesothelioma is a cancer in which the lining (mesothelium) of the lungs, abdomen and heart can become compromised by asbestos. Because the lungs are highly susceptible to being affected by asbestos fibers, a respirator is probably the single most important type of protective gear to abatement contractors.  Dual cartridge respirators which serve to cover half of the face are the most common type used. It’s also greatly imperative that they include HEPA filters with a NIOSH rating of N100, P100, or R100. This means that the filters are small enough to prevent asbestos fibers from being inhaled. Just as is the case with any necessary respirator use, the fit of the gear is crucial, as an ill-fitting mask would be unable to prevent from all leaks.

Along with the importance of respirators, there is a great need to protect both the skin and eyes when contact with asbestos is taking place. Just as is the case with most construction projects, safety goggles or other protective eyewear is highly recommended. Protecting the skin is a much more complicated process, however.

Some states vary on the advised protective and safety gear from a clothing standpoint, while most recommend that disposable coveralls and gloves are the best option. A few states even suggest wearing multiple sets of coveralls. In any case, the protective clothing worn during the process of asbestos abatement must always be disposed in a sealed asbestos waste bag.

This great amount of safety and protection is a major necessity. While many remain uninformed and unaware of the dangers of this cancer, it has posed a threat to industrial workers and others for decades. Even though the use of asbestos as a common material has largely decreased in the last few decades, the long latency period of mesothelioma will ensure its affect on people for years to come.

This latency period involves a large gap (often decades long) between an original exposure to asbestos and the onset of symptoms. With extremely long gaps between exposure and the arrival of symptoms, mesothelioma life expectancy is on average, very low (between four and 18 months after a diagnosis).

With the dangers of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma set to have a major affect into the future, the importance of proper safety gear and awareness of this disease go hand in hand. Just as staying informed on the dangers of asbestos exposure can help future patients, proper safety gear will allow contractors to keep safe in the process of having asbestos removed.

Thank you, Rachel, for this very informative article.  Hopefully, those who are working around buildings containing asbestos will take all the necessary precautions to stay protected and healthy.  You can find more interesting articles about mesothelioma at the website: www.mesotheliomasymptoms.com.

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

NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE SAFETY MONTH MEANS “WEAR THAT GEAR”

Yesterday, we talked about May being National Motorcycle Safety Month, and how motorcyclists and vehicle drivers must “share the road.”  We know that there are careful drivers and careless ones; but the roads need to be free from distracted drivers and/or riders.  Today, we want to mention the several types of gear that motorcyclists need.  It’s advised that upon purchasing that long-dreamed of “bike”, one allows another $500 to $1000 to outfit themselves with the appropriate gear – gear that will keep them safe, while looking cool!  In the past, motorcyclists wore all black; however, studies have shown that by wearing reflective or fluorescent clothing, risk of a crash was reduced by 37%, by using headlamps all the time, the risk was reduced by 27%, and by wearing white helmets compared to black, the chance of collision was reduced by 24%.   Vests that are high visibility may be worn over jackets to increase being seen. 

Here are some other items of “personal protective equipment” for safe riders:

  •          Gloves.  Choose gloves that have surfaces that help maintain grip and control.  Some have a carbon fiber shell over the knuckles and padding on the palm.  Some gloves are designed specifically for riders.
  •          Pants.  These should be made of Kevlar, cordura, or a thicker leather than  popular leather jackets.  Ones made of Kevlar, ballistic nylon or cordura are cheaper than leather and easier to maintain, waterproof, and cooler in warm weather.  Also, some pants come with padding, removable liners, and reflective materials.
  •          Jackets.  Choose a quality jacket, preferably one with some type of reflective material, and that has special padding for spine, elbows, and shoulders.
  •          Boots.  Boots come in lightweight styles, but are very tough.  They should have rubber soles, reinforced and plastic caps on ankles and toe area.
  •          Goggles or Full Face Visors.  Be sure to choose excellent eye protection.  Goggles or visors keep bugs and debris out, and you need that added face protection that visors offer.
  •          Earplugs.  After you ride for a while, the noise from the wind, etc. can possibly damage your hearing.  You will still be able to hear horns, sirens, etc. while wearing earplugs.
  •          Vests.  Vests are made from sturdy and reflective materials that deflect light in all directions. 
  •          Off-road neck protection.  Although this is something new, these devices offer the possibility of prevention of or may reduce severe spinal column injuries from spills involving head compression.  On-road testing has not been as successful as off-road due to the fact that the devices limit head rotation, and therefore, visibility.  Someday they may become more popular among off-road riders.
  •          Helmets.  Now, for a very important piece of every rider’s gear!  It is a proven fact that helmets save lives.  The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that all helmets sold in the U.S. meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218.  This standard meets the minimum levels of performance that helmets must have to protect the head and brain in the event of a crash.  You can even customize your helmet with some high visibility decals!

We’re not through about helmets, yet.  Do not purchase novelty helmets.  Many riders know that they are unsafe, but wear them anyway.  Helmets that meet the minimum Federal safety standard have an inner liner usually about one-inch thick made of firm polystyrene foam.  You should be able to feel its thickness. Unsafe helmets normally contain only soft foam padding or a bare plastic shell with no padding at all.  Helmets that meet the DOT standards have sturdy chinstraps with solid rivets, and they generally weigh about three pounds.  Be sure to check the manufacturer’s label and look for the DOT sticker on the outside back of the helmet.  Labels inside the helmet showing that it meets the standards of private, non-profit organizations such as Snell or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) are good indicators that the helmet also meets the Federal safety standard.  To date, the NHTSA has not seen a novelty helmet that has a phony DOT sticker in addition to a phony Snell or ANSI label, but always check for those labels.   And remember, helmets won’t protect your noggin if you don’t wear them! 

This last message applies to all drivers and riders – do not drive or ride and drink alcohol!   Alcohol affects skills essential to ride a motorcycle, such as balance and coordination.  Alcohol abuse plays a big role in motorcycle fatalities; the percentage of intoxicated riders in fatal crashes is greater than the percentage of intoxicated vehicle drivers on the roads.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration encourages all who drive or ride, to be smart and sober riders/drivers.  

Last, to all our motorcycle-riding friends, the rule-of-thumb: “ALL THE GEAR, ALL THE TIME!”  Ride safely, and watch for the traffic, as it watches for you.

Back Safety, Eye Protection, Hand Protection, Hearing Protection, Home Safety Products, Respiratory Safety

SAFETY TIPS FOR “DIY-ERS”

“Do It Yourself” projects became popular in the 1950’s, when people decided to make repairs or home improvements without paying professionals to do the job.  Sixty years later, there are many home improvement businesses that sell materials and tools for these projects, and even offer classes to “weekend warriors”.  Television launched the idea with “This Old House” with Bob Vila in 1979.  Today, there are many Do It Yourself programs on television, making any project look like a snap! 

Do It Yourselfers have a lot of determination and are willing to do the work involved, and take pride in their accomplishments.  These people are also aware that safety plays a big part in a successful project.  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that more than 4 million injuries occur during do-it-yourself projects.  One rule of thumb in playing it safe is to read instructions before tackling that task.  Manufacturer’s information is placed on all tools, and labels on paint, solvents and other products have safety guidelines to follow.  Wearing the right type of safety gear for the particular project is very important.  We’ve listed a few safety items that will help ensure your project is successful and that you emerge unscathed: 

  •     Safety glasses
  •     Respirators
  •     Earplugs/earmuffs
  •     Coveralls
  •     Gloves
  •     Kneepads
  •     industrial safety goggles 

Be sure that all power tools, extension cords and electrical outlets are in good repair.  Walls or surfaces for possible electrical wires or pipes should be checked before cutting, drilling, or hammering.  Special detectors are available at your local home improvement store.  Be sure that you power off and unplug power tools before making any adjustments. 

As always, be sure you lift heavy objects correctly, don’t bend your back. Last but not least, never wear loose clothing or jewelry, and pull back long hair when operating power tools, as they could become entangled. 

With safety in mind, forge ahead, and have fun with your project.