Tag Archives: testing

General Safety Issues

SAFETY TIPS WHILE HANDLING ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (Guest Post)

Safety Tips While Handling Electrical Appliances sent by Penny Cooper.  ‘Penny is an expert associated with Pass Ltd., providers of PAT training and PASS training & development courses in and around England. Click here for more information.’

Taking precautionary measures when you handle electrical equipment is highly imperative. If you aren’t careful and don’t follow best practices, there is a high risk of injury resulting from electrical shock to you and those around you. Whether it’s your home or your workplace, accidents can happen at any time if you do not follow the safety rules properly. Safety and health training teaches people how electrical equipments and sources can be dealt with in a responsible and safe manner. It is important to follow these rules to keep electrical dangers at bay. Following is some crucial information in safety and health training. 

There should be no moisture around electrical equipment or cords. You should not use damp hands to handle electrical equipment. Doing so can cause an electric shock or fatal injuries. Torn or broken cords must be replaced immediately. Workers must familiarise themselves with the exact location of circuit breakers and fuses in a building. This could be very important in times of crisis or an emergency situation. Safety posters with procedures for electrical safety must be put up in rooms that are prone to electrical hazards. 

The importance of testing and maintaining electrical equipment  

Make sure that you get conductors and circuits tested before a worker can handle them. You should also put tag-out and lockout procedure into place when you handle electrical equipment. These methods play a major role in ensuring your safety and keeping you away from injuries. You must test and maintain electrical equipment on a daily basis so as to ensure safety. When electrical sockets are not being used, it is important to cover them with safety covers. This reduces the risk of getting an electrical shock. 

Check for signs and eliminate hazards  

If you want to ensure that your home or workplace is free from electrical dangers, you must look into a few things. Check for signs of overheating or burning when you are using any electrical equipment or cords. See if you get small jolts of shock when you use a certain electrical appliance. Make sure that all of your electrical equipment is working fine, and if not, ensure that only certified electricians are carrying out the task of repairing them. Make sure that all extension cords and wires are arranged properly so as to ensure that no one trips and falls. Also make sure that all appliances that are being used are properly grounded.

 Training courses for health and safety will encourage you to pay attention to the electrical outlets and ensure that not too many plugged items are overloading them. These courses will also teach you how an electrical burn injury must be dressed. If someone is stuck to an electrical current, the training teaches you to find the source of power and then shut the electrical current as soon as possible in such situations. If you’re afraid of shutting off the current directly, you may use anything that is made from wood to move the person away from the current.

General Safety Issues, Protective Clothing

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING ANSWERS

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While researching protective clothing,  I checked our parent company,  Texas America Safety Company,( www.tasco-safety.com) and borrowed these charts that will be helpful to those who purchase protective clothing for their employees.  These figures may not be of interest to those who do not require this type of P.P.E.; however, I hope it will help others learn more about all the requirements and research that goes into keeping employees protected from the particular hazards they encounter in their every day jobs.

Industrial Standards

When the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) to be responsible for the health and safety of workers in and around areas of hazardous materials and contaminated waste, OSHA responded by formulating an all encompassing compendium of safety regulations that prescribe operating standards for all aspects of OSHA projects. Almost 2 million people are affected by the OSHA Standard today.In 1990, additional standards proposed and developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) were accepted by OSHA. NFPA Standard 1991 set performance requirements for totally encapsulated vapor tight chemical suits and includes rigid chemical and flame resistance tests and a permeation test against 21 challenge chemicals.The basic OSHA Standard calls for 4 levels of protection, A through D, and specifies in detail the equipment and clothing requited to adequately protect the wearer at corresponding danger levels.  
  Level A represents the greatest danger of respiratory, eye or skin damage from hazardous vapors, gases, particulates, sudden splash, immersion or contact with hazardous materials. It calls for total encapsulation in a vapor tight chemical suit with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or supplied air and appropriate accessories. Level A chemical protective clothing can also be manufactured to meet NFPA 1991 specifications.
  Level B situations call for the highest degree of respiratory protection but a lesser need for skin protection. It calls for SCBA or positive pressure supplied air respirator with escape SCBA, plus hooded chemical resistant clothing (overalls and long sleeved jacket; coveralls; one or two piece chemical-splash suit; or disposable chemical-resistant coveralls.

Glossary of Terms

Polypropylene – A breathable material used for non-hazardous environments. Provides protection against dry particulates, paint, and light chemicals.

Tyvek – A material that provides protection in all kinds of industrial applications. Provides an excellent barrier in light splash situations, and dry particulates such as asbestos, lead dust and radioactive dusts. Also provides protection in food processing and painting.

Tyvek QC – Polyethylene coated. Provides excellent lightweight splash protection from many acids and other liquid chemicals, and pesticides.

PE Coated – A polyethylene coating which provides lightweight industrial chemical protection. Not suggested for use with extreme chemicals.

Tychem 9400 – A tough, durable, tear-resistant material which provides excellent protection against a broad range of chemicals.

Tychem SL – A lightweight fabric providing effective and economical protection against a broad range of industrial chemicals, including those used in agriculture and petroleum markets.

Vinyl Aprons, Hemmed – Made of high quality virgin vinyl resistant to acids, alkalis, solvents, chemicals, oils, fats, grease and salt. Provide reliable tear, abrasion and puncture resistance. Used in food processing, meat packing, assembly, restaurant work, and industrial maintenance.

Unhemmed Aprons – Identical to the above, but unhemmed. Used mainly with food processing, industrial maintenance, and other hygienic applications. Unhemmed are more economical.

Die-cut Aprons – Provide medium-duty splash protection and flexibility in industrial applications. Neck straps and tie straps are incorporated in this one-piece design making it even more economical.

Urethane Aprons – These aprons are lightweight, long lasting and very economical where water splash is likely. Ideal for food processing and heavy industrial abrasion areas.

PVC Aprons – Made from a thick 20 mil. PVC material. Used in rigorous work environments. Recommended for use in aircraft production, or battery manufacturing.

Hycar Aprons – Nitrile blend provides reliable abrasion and cut resistance for longer protection against oils, fats, chemicals, acids and grease. These rubber protective aprons can withstand the deteriorating effects of animal fats and greases while remaining flexible in cold environments.

Particulate Holdout – The filtration efficiency of a material, measured by the number of particulates per 100 that can be pulled through the material. Reported for 2 micron size particles.

Penetration Resistance – Material resistance to liquid penetration is measured using ASTM F903 – the outside surface of the material in question is exposed to the test chemical for one hour.

Permeation Resistance – ASTM F739 is used to measure the permeation resistance of materials. Permeation is the molecular movement of chemicals through a material. If exposure to chemical vapors is a concern, this data should be analyzed.

Tensile Strength – The force required to break a material apart by pulling it from opposing directions. Measured in pounds and is reported in two directions.

Burst Strength – The force required to break through a material.

MATERIAL PROPERTIES
  DuPont Tyvek® DuPont Tyvek® QC DuPont Tychem® SL
(SARANEX)		 DuPont Tychem® BR
(9400)
Basis Weight
(ASTM D3776-85; oz./yd.)		 1.2 2.1 3.1 5.3
 
Thickness
(ASTM D1777; mils)		 5.3 6 7.1 21
 
Strip Tensile
(ASTM D1682; MD lbs./in./CD lbs.)		 7.9/7.6      
 
Work to Break
(ASTM D1682; MD in.-lbs./CD in.-lbs.)		 2.4/2.1      
 
Tongue Tear
(ASTM D2261; MD lbs./in./CD lbs./in.)		 2.2/2/4      
 
Breaking Strength–Grab
(ASTM D1682-64, Sec. 5.3; MD lbs./CD lbs.)		   25/35 43/45 99/95
 
Mullen Burst
(ASTM D3786-87; psi)		   66 65 190
 
Tearing Strength–Trapezoid
(ASTM D1117-80; MD lbs./CD lbs.)		   7//5 11//10 25/24
 
Flammability
(CS-191-53; Section 1610)		 Class 1 Class 1 Class 1 Class 1
 
Shelf Life
(Years)		 5 10 4 10
  SARANEX 23P SARANEX 23P SARANEX 23P SARANEX 23P
WHICH GARMENTS SUIT YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT?
TYPE MATERIAL USAGE FEATURES
Dry Particulate DuPont Tyvek® Limited Excellent barrier to many harmful dry particulates including asbestos, lead dust, glass-reinforced fibers and radioactive dusts.
  Polypropylene Limited Greater breathability than Tyvek, but not the same protection. Use for non-hazardous, low-linting applications; i.e. non-toxic spraying.
 
Chemical Protective Polycoated Du Pont Tyvek® QC Limited Tyvek which has been “quality coated” with 1.25 mils polyethylene. Offers splash protection against many inorganic acids, bases and other liquid chemicals.
  Dupont Tyvek®/Saranex® 23-P Limited A laminate of Dupont Tyvek® and Saranex 23-P film. Offers an effective barrier against a broader range of chemicals than polycoated Tyvek.
  Dupont Tychem® BR
(9400)		 Limited Excellent chemical resistance against a broad range of chemicals. Strong and durable, and offers the low cost, convenience and safety of a limited-use fabric. Used in Haz- Mat, industrial & other chemical applications.
  Hycar Reusable Nitrile rubber offers excellent chemical resistance and maximum wear.
  Vinyl Reusable Withstands fats, grease & cold; comfortable.
 
Cut & Abrasion Denim Reusable Abrasion resistant.
  Hycar Reusable Nitrile rubber; excellent wear.
  Du Pont KEVLAR® (knit & weave) Reusable Excellent cut resistance.
 
General Purpose Denim & Cotton Reusable Multi-purpose use.
  Poly Cotton Reusable Multi-purpose use.
  Leather Reusable Multi-purpose use.
     

Hopefully, these charts from Texas America Safety Company will answer questions you have regarding the most suitable protective clothing.  Once you have made your choice, training and proper maintenance of the PPE should be mandated.  T.A.S.C.O. can answer your questions about the right selections in all types of safety wear; and, remember, if you mention Blog4Safety with an order, you will receive a 5% Discount!

General Safety Issues

NATIONAL RADON ACTION WEEK……

was this past week!  There were so many things to focus on during the week of October 17-23, it was difficult to address all of them.  Today, we will explain some things about radon, (Rn), a gaseous radioactive element.  It is an extremely toxic, colorless gas and can be condensed to a transparent liquid and to an opaque, glowing solid.  It derives from the radioactive decay of radium and is used in cancer treatment, as a tracer in leak detection, and in radiography.  The source of this technical explanation is Condensed Chemical Dictionary and Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 

Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water, and gets into the air you breathe, or sometimes the water you drink.  It is located all over the United States, and can be found in homes, offices, and schools.  The home is the most likely place to furnish the most exposure, because that’s where you spend most of your time.  Radon from soil gas is the main cause of radon problems.  It can enter the home through well water, but mostly it enters the home through the soil.  Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe.  These particles can cause damage to lung tissue and lead to lung cancer over the course of a lifetime.  Not everyone exposed to elevated levels of radon will develop lung cancer, and the amount of time between exposure and the onset of the disease may take many years. 

You can’t see, smell, or taste radon.  It is thought to cause many thousands of deaths each year.  The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. today.  Only smoking causes more lung cancers deaths; if you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high. 

The only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon is testing.  The Surgeon General and EPA recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon, as well as testing in schools.  Call your state radon office about radon problems in schools, daycare, and childcare facilities, and workplaces in your area.  

It’s Not Hard to Find Out if You Have a Radon Problem 

Testing is easy and fast.  Radon in the air is measured in “picocuries per liter of air,” or “pCi/L.”  There are many kinds of low-cost “do-it-yourself” radon test kits you can order or find in hardware stores.  If you wish to use a qualified tester, you can also call your state radon office for information.  There are short-term tests, and long-term tests.  If you take a short-term type, and the result is 4 pCi/L or higher, take the follow-up test or a second short-term test.  Consider fixing your home if the average of both tests is this amount or higher. 

Home-buyers and renters are asking more often about radon levels before they buy or rent a home.  If you are thinking about selling your current home, make plans now to test for radon rather than run the risk of slowing down your home sale later.  Many new homes today are built to prevent radon from entering.  Ask the owner if the home has radon-resistant features.  If there is a test result of 4 pCi/L or more, a vent fan can be added to an existing passive system for around $300, and further reduce the radon level in your home. 

It requires persons with technical knowledge and special skills to lower high radon levels.  There are contractors who are trained in this field; they can study the radon problem and help you choose the correct treatment method.  Your state radon office can furnish names of qualified or state certified radon contractors in your area.  For more information, please go to www.epa.gov/radon/radontest.html.   Radon reduction systems work, and are not too costly.  Some radon reduction systems can reduce radon levels in your home by up to 99 per cent.  Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels, according to the EPA.

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

SCIENCE LESSON FOR THE DAY: KEEPING OUR LUNGS HEALTHY

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One of the most important things we can do for good health is to protect our lungs.  Smokers probably don’t want to think about it, but we should do everything possible to be able to breathe easily!  I looked up a few words that pertain to helping those with work exposure to respiratory hazards, and want to share what I learned.  Those who are involved probably already know all about the subject, but for those who don’t, bear with us. 

According to McGraw-Hill Science & Technology Dictionary, spirometry is the measurement, by a form of gas meter, (spirometer) of volumes of air that can be moved in or out of the lungs.  Spirometers are instruments used to test lung capacity; spirometry is the gold standard for diagnosing and monitoring the progression of C.O.P.D.  Spirometers can be stand-alone, diagnostic PC-based, or pocket-sized.  Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is the 4th leading cause of death in the U.S., affecting more than five per cent of the adult U.S. population. 

Respiration, according to Briticannica Concise Encyclopedia, is the process of taking in air for oxygen and releasing it to dispose of carbon dioxide.  The amount of air inhaled and exhaled in an average human breath is about one-eighth the amount that can be inhaled after exhaling as much as possible.  Nerve centers in the brain regulate the movements of muscles of respiration (diaphragm and chest wall muscles).  Blood in the pulmonary circulation brings carbon dioxide from the tissues, to be exhaled and takes up oxygen from the air in the pulmonary alveoli to carry it to the heart and the rest of the body.  Because the body stores almost no oxygen, interruption of respiration – by asphyxiation, drowning, or chest muscle paralysis – for more than a minute can cause death. 

Spirometry Monitoring Technology

From the Centers for Disease Control, spirometry monitoring is recommended for persons with occupational exposure to respiratory hazards, and is best done as part of an overall health maintenance program in which results of spirometry evaluations are linked with exposure control, smoking cessation, and general health-promotion interventions. Spirometry monitoring should be done to prevent development of disabling chronic lung function impairment through early intervention on excessive lung function loss. Spirometry plays an important role in an occupational respiratory health surveillance program. It can assist the health professional by determining if a worker demonstrates a specific pattern of respiratory impairment and can help to assess the effectiveness of measures implemented to protect the individual worker. In addition, results from defined groups of workers can be evaluated in relation to potential workplace hazards.

Protecting the health of individual workers is a primary objective of various workplace surveillance programs. Results from an individual should be further assessed if abnormalities are detected or if pulmonary function values show an excessive decline in comparison to the individual’s previous tests. After ruling out technical causes for low or declining pulmonary function, efforts must be made to identify the cause. If the cause is related to a workplace exposure, then steps must be taken to better control or eliminate the exposure and prevent further damage to the worker’s lungs.

 NIOSH recommends the use of half-facepiece particulate respirators with N95 or better filters for airborne exposures to crystalline silica at concentrations less than or equal to 0.5 mg/m3. The Occu­pational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also specifies the use of at least a 95-rated filter efficiency [29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.134]. The recommendation for a 95-rated filter efficiency reflects the improved filter efficiency of N95 filters over the earlier dust and mist (DM) filters. A comprehensive respirator program must be instituted prior to the use of 42 CFR 84 respirators. The requirements for a comprehensive respirator program are included in the OSHA respiratory protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134).

Monday, September 26, 2011, National Mesothelioma Awareness Day 2011, carries special meaning, because mesothelioma is a relatively rare form of cancer that strikes as many as 3,000 Americans each year. A common cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Victims tend to be electricians, plumbers, contractors, or armed forces veterans – anyone who worked with or around asbestos. The condition develops decades after exposure, but the disease can prove fatal within a year of diagnosis. At present, there is no cure.  Sadly, family members also often fall prey to mesothelioma as a result of secondary exposure to asbestos fibers carried into the home by the primary victim.  That’s why it is very important for the worker to shower and change clothes before leaving the worksite. 

This article wasn’t meant to be “long-winded,” however, we want employers and employees to realize the importance of well-planned and executed programs for respiratory protection.  (After all, science lessons are very important!)