Tag Archives: systems

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

PEOPLE CAN’T FLY; THAT’S WHY WE NEED FALL PROTECTION!

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One thing that scares the heck out of me is being in high places!  It’s weird, because it doesn’t bother me to fly in an airplane, but if I have to climb more than one step on a ladder, my legs just start to fail me!  When I look up and see workers building skyscrapers, all I can do is get weak in the knees and hope they are hooked up to something to keep them safe.  There are several types of fall protection, so let’s talk about some of them:

  • Fall Prevention.  This is where the use of handrails or barriers are placed to keep employees from falling.  Many have been known to fall under the rails or barriers anyway.
  • Fall Protection.  Fall restraint from an alternative approach.  Fall protection systems that refer to the entire science of protecting employees who have to work far off the ground.  Ladder cages are part of fall prevention; however they only work if the person falling off the ladder grabs one of the cage bars.
  • Fall Arrest.  If someone actually has fallen off a ledge and his body harness catches him some distance away, this is a fall arrest, because it stops the fall in mid-action.  However, injuries can still occur.  Depending on the length of time a person hangs, serious pooling of the blood system can be caused, possibly damage to the extremities.  Other injuries can occur from the arrest jolt.
  • Fall Restraint System.  Is the actual gear that is used to prevent falling while working at heights.  It could be a belt with a hook, or a full body harness and fall speed reduction system with impact buffers. (I think I would want that one!)  A proper fall restraint system has a shortened strap, rope, or strap attached to a secure surface, making sure that the worker can’t get too close to a ledge.
  • Prevention seems to be the least harmful choice for the best protection, and least costly of all fall protection aspects.

Flyposter

In the construction industry, falling is the #1 killer of employees.  In this single industry, there are between 150 to 200 fatalities annually, and more than 100,000 injuries per year because of falls.  OSHA has created standards that will better protect workers from falling hazards.  These standards require wearing fall protection when you are working over dangerous machinery.  Also, if employees are working at or above four feet, they must wear a safety harness and fall protection.

Almost all situations now require a full body harness.  These fit around the chest, waist, and legs, offering full support to a person involved in a fall.  The lanyard is the lifeline that connects a three-part fall protection system in order to prevent serious injury.  The three parts are: the anchor, safety harness and lanyard.  Lanyards are designed to bring a worker to a complete stop when falling.  OSHA regulates that all ropes, and straps for lanyards should be made of synthetic materials and capable of supporting dead weight of 5,000 lbs.

Studies on ergonomics have become more critical in recent years as workplace safety product designers learn about comfort in an effort to prevent fatigue, reduce injuries, and increase production.  Quality features in a fall protection harness include removable tool belts, strong yet light-weight materials, padded backpads, strap adjusters, shoulder pads, three D-rings for back and hips, sliding back D-rings, indoor pads, seat straps with aluminum bars and carry-all bags.

Employers must provide the fall protection for its workers and proper training for its use.  The employee is responsible to wear the harness properly as required.  This is personal protective equipment that cannot be ignored by those working in high places.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

ELEVATORS, ESCALATORS, AND MOVING SIDEWALKS SAFETY TIPS

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Elevators, escalators, and moving sidewalks are very efficient mass transit systems.  Because we use them in museums, zoos, theme parks, airports, theatres, hotels, apartment complexes, office buildings, hospitals, and many other places, we probably take them for granted.  These ways of moving hundreds of people every day or night require continuous safety monitoring and are required to meet OSHA safety regulations and standards.  They must be inspected annually. 

Elevators began to appear in city buildings in the 19th century.  Although the fatality rate is very low – around 30 or so per year, here are some safety tips to keep in mind when you enter an elevator. 

  •          First, if you are uneasy about anyone on the elevator you are planning to enter, wait and catch the next one.  Never take an unnecessary chance.
  •          Use caution around closing doors.
  •          Never attempt to slide in at the last minute. 
  •         Enter and exit cars only at designated floor alignments.
  •          Be sure the elevator is lined up with the floor.
  •          Push the call button only once; you just slow down the service if you keep pushing the buttons.
  •         Should you become trapped inside the elevator, call for help.
  •          Never put your hand in between the doors to stop them from closing; there is a button that will do that for you.

Elevators have multiple safety features, such as platform sensors, backup power, manual systems (in case of power outages), emergency phone, alarms, and automatic controls.  Call for help and wait for crews to properly align the car, should it get stuck midway.   

Escalators are used about 120 billion times annually in the United States.  I have always been more careful when getting on or off an escalator since I got “popped” off one when I was a kid, and wasn’t paying attention when it reached the floor I needed to exit.  One tip is to make sure that your shoes are tied before getting on one.

Here are some other things to keep in mind when riding an escalator: 

  • Do not ride an escalator if you are wearing soft-sided flexible clogs or slides.
  • If you wear bifocals, take extra care stepping on and off the escalator.
  • Find the escalator emergency shut-off buttons in case you need to stop the escalator.
  • Never ride an escalator if you are using crutches or a cane.
  • Take an elevator rather than riding the escalator if you feel dizzy or have problems keeping your balance.
  • Hold your child’s hand firmly.
  • Don’t carry large packages, bags or rolling luggage onto an escalator.
  • Stand in the middle of the escalator step and don’t lean on the side.
  • Keep loose clothing clear of steps and sides. 

Information from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says that about 20,000 escalator-related accidents require emergency room treatment each year.  The majority of the incidents were from falls, but 10 per cent occurred when hands, feet or shoes became entrapped.  Many accidents could have been prevented by the use of basic safety precautions. 

Moving sidewalks are very helpful, especially in large airports when you need to get from one part of the building to another.  They require the same safety monitoring as elevators and escalators.  If you plan to ride only on the moving sidewalk, stand to the right side of it.  Those who are walking should stay on the left side, in order to pass those who prefer not to walk on the moving sidewalk.   As with escalators, hold onto the handrail. 

It may seem simple to those who use these types of transportation on an every-day basis.  However, we cannot stress the importance that safety plays when using these means of transportation.  For those who own, operate, or service elevators, escalators, or moving sidewalks, liability is a major concern.  They all require certified inspections that meet federal safety regulations.  These types of heavy, moving equipment should be taken seriously.  We may take them for granted, but think about how many stairs you would have to climb or steps you would have to take if they didn’t exist.  Stay safe, and enjoy the ride!