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Showing posts from July, 2018

Lockout Tagout

Lockout Tagout Anyone who operates, cleans, services, adjusts, and repairs machinery or equipment should be aware of the hazards associated with that machinery. Any powered machinery or electrical equipment that can move in a way that would put people in danger is a hazard that can be prevented by following locking or tagging procedures. Failure to lock out or tag power sources on equipment can result in electrocutions, amputations, and other serious-sometimes fatal-accidents. In many accidents  workers who died doing their job related to not having control of hazardous energy. What are the most common causes of these accidents? The machine or piece of equipment was not completely shut off before a maintenance or repair operation. Not only must the machine be turned off but also the power source that goes to it. The machine was turned on accidentally, either out of carelessness or because the person who turned it on didn't realize that another worker was there and could ge...

GP : GUARDRAILS

www.safetygoodwe.com Chapter : Guarding Protection . GUARDRAILS  Guardrails protect you from falls that can seriously injure or even kill. The amount of protection guardrails provide depends on how they are constructed and maintained. Most guardrails are built of strong materials and are usually solid when first put up. As time goes by, however, guardrails often are abused, weakened, broken, or moved and not replaced. MISSING OR WEAKENED GUARDRAILS Sometimes sections of guardrails must be taken down so that materials or equipment can be brought in. These sections often aren't replaced or if they are, they're hastily thrown back up. Weakened guardrails are sometimes more dangerous than no guardrails at all, because they give a false sense of security. FOLLOW THESE RULES We can help avoid guardrail accidents if we follow a few simple rules: 1. As you go about your job, get into the habit of checking guardrails. If you discover a ...

Hearing Loss A Bigger Safety Problem Than You Might Think

www.safetygoodwe.com Chapter : Hearing Protection Hearing Loss A Bigger Safety Problem Than You Might Think As per the research number of workers goes to work each day in in noisy work area and have a noise-related hearing loss, workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise each year. All worker exposures to noise should be controlled below a level equivalent to 85 decibels (dB) for 8 hours to minimize occupational noise induced hearing loss. therefore recommends a 3 dB exchange rate so that every increase by 3 dB doubles the amount of the noise and halves the recommended amount of exposure time. Hearing Conservation Programs The managements should carry out hearing conservation program in their factory where noise exposure is prevailing greater than 90 db. Such program can be prevented from ‘Noise induced hearing loss’. Over the past few decades, many organizations much has been learned about the implementation of hearing loss prevention programs.  The...

Six Essential Components of HAZWOPER Site Analysis

Six Essential Components of HAZWOPER Site Analysis Topic: Chemical Safety In order to protect workers, it is essential that a qualified person conduct a preliminary investigation of a hazardous waste site before they enter it. The analysis will help you determine what is necessary to protect employees. Once you have entered the site, a more detailed survey will help you better identify site hazards and refine your selection of engineering controls and personal protective equipment (PPE). The six essential components of initial and detailed site hazard analysis include: Hazard identification. All conditions that may pose inhalation or skin absorption hazards that are immediately dangerous to life or health or other conditions that may cause death or serious harm must be identified during the preliminary survey and evaluated during the detailed survey. Hazard examples include confined space entry, potentially explosive or flammable situations, visible vapor clouds, or...

HAZWOPER Chain of Command Is Only As Strong As Its Weakest Link

HAZWOPER Chain of Command Is Only As Strong As Its Weakest Link Topic: Chemical Safety If you’re operating a hazardous waste site, you must develop a written safety and health program for operations and cleanup. One of the things you must clearly identify and outline in your written plan is who’s in charge of what, and exactly what the lines of authority are. Remember, your HAZWOPER chain of command, like any other chain, will be only as strong as its weakest link. Organizational Structure Requirements Your health and safety program organizational structure must show how a chain of command is established, specify responsibilities of supervisors and employees, and establish a clear line of authority and communication necessary to ensure the implementation and enforcement of safety and health rules. The structure must include: The name of a general supervisor with the authority to direct all operations at the site The name of site safety and health supervisor(s) wi...

There's Still Time for a Little Spring Cleaning

There's Still Time for a Little Spring Cleaning A good spring cleaning can enhance  safety  in your workplace if it's done with an eye to eliminating hazards. Spring cleaning is an annual ritual that coincides with warmer weather and the ability to open up homes that were tightly battened down against the winter's chill. The idea of an annual cleaning binge is useful in the workplace, too, enabling you to catch up on things that could otherwise be pushed to the back burner indefinitely. Take a look at the occasional and infrequent tasks below and decide whether it's time for a good spring cleaning. De-Clutter Clutter causes hazards. Flammable clutter is a fire hazard; general clutter may create tripping and blocked-exit hazards. De-cluttering, then, is not just an aesthetic pursuit—it also improves  safety . Now is the perfect time to dispose of: Chemicals.  Old or unused chemicals create unnecessary workplace hazards. They may be flammable or tox...

Workplace That Can Lead to Forklift Accidents

www.safetygoodwe.com Chapter : Forklift Safety Workplace That Can Lead to Forklift Accidents Surface or ground conditions are an important part of safe powered industrial truck operation. In today's Advisor we focus on hazardous conditions in your workplace that can lead to forklift accidents. Physical conditions in the workplace that can lead to forklift accidents include slippery conditions, obstructions and uneven surfaces, flooring and load limits, overhead clearances, and ramps and grades. Slippery Conditions Hazards Danger of skidding when traveling on oil, grease, water or other spills Danger of tip over when traveling on ice, snow, mud, gravel and uneven areas Safe Practices Avoid the hazardous surface when feasible. Spread absorbent material on slick areas that you cannot avoid. Cross the slippery area slowly and cautiously. Report the area to prevent others from slipping. Post a sign or warning cones until the area can be cleaned. Drive slowly! Maint...

Can Your Workers Identify Heat Stress Symptoms and First Aid Measures?

Can Your Workers Identify Heat Stress Symptoms and First Aid Measures? In hot weather, the body normally cools itself by sweating. But when temperatures soar and the humidity level is high, sweating may not be enough. Body temperature can rise to dangerous levels, and a person can develop a heat illness. Heat-related illnesses  include: Heat cramps—muscle pains or spasms that happen during heavy exertion in hot weather (e.g., exercising strenuously or performing heavy physical work). Heat rash—skin irritation from excessive heat. Heat syncope—dizziness or fainting because of the heat. Heat exhaustion—the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating caused by overexertion in the hot weather. ( Note:  Heat exhaustion can become heatstroke if not treated right away.) Heatstroke—a life-threatening illness in which body temperature may rise above 106° Fahrenheit in minutes. Symptoms of heatstr...

HAZWOPER Health and Safety Plan Checklist

HAZWOPER Health and  Safety  Plan Checklist OSHA's HAZWOPER standard (29 CFR 1910.120) requires employers to develop and implement a written  safety  and health plan (HASP) for their employees involved in hazardous waste operations. The plan should be designed to identify, evaluate, and control  safety  and health hazards, and provide for emergency response for hazardous waste operations. Here's a short checklist of key HASP requirements: According to 1910.120(b)(1), the HASP must be written and incorporate the following elements: Organizational structure Comprehensive work plan Site-specific  safety  and health plan Safety  and health training program Medical surveillance program Standard operating procedures for  safety  and health Any necessary interface between general program and site specific activities The HASP must be made available to: Employees and their designated representatives Contractors or subc...

Preventing Heat-Induced Illnesses and Injuries

Topic: Heat Stress Preventing Heat-Induced Illnesses and Injuries The heat-induced occupational illnesses, injuries, and reduced productivity can occur with excessive exposure to a hot work environment. Heat-induced disorders include: Transient heat fatigue, Heat rash, Fainting, Heat cramps, Heat exhaustion,  and Heatstroke. Aside from these disorders, heat poses the threat of injuries because of accidents caused by slippery palms as a result of sweating, fogged-up safety glasses, and dizziness. Severe burns can also occur as a direct result of accidental contact with hot surfaces and steam. The information on heat-induced occupational illnesses, injuries, and reduced productivity, as well as methods that can be taken to reduce risk. The individuals can avoid heat-related illness by advice includes: Drink mor e fl uids,  regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor ge...

DEVELOPING SAFETY PROCEDURES

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Forklift Safety Training, Who Needs Forklift Training

www.safetygoodwe.com Chapter : Forklift Safety Forklift Safety Training, Who Needs Forklift Training The forklift safety to be taken very seriously. In fact, they’ve beefed up the standard to include very specific operator training requirements.S tandard on Powered Industrial Trucks has specific requirements for operator training  that require a combination of formal training (classroom, videos, etc.) with practical instruction, as well as an evaluation and certification process. The standard says that only those who are already competent operators can provide this training, and also specifies a long list of required training topics. Once trained, operators need refresher training and evaluation at least every  3 years or as per Local goverment / Organizational statndards  ;  more often for operators that have a record of accidents or near-misses. And speaking of near misses: Don’t take them lightly! Use them as an opportunity for formal o...

Forklift Workers & Maintenance Safety

www.safetygoodwe.com Chapter : Forklift Safety   Forklift Workers & Maintenance Safety A forklif t, also known as fork truck, is a motor-driven industrial truck used for lifting and moving goods on a pallet within the premises of a warehouse, storage facilities and distribution centre. Depending on the design, some Forklifts allow the operators to sit while driving or operating the machine. When it comes to forklift safety, a lot of emphasis is placed on operators and their training. But maintenance is also critical to forklift safety—and workers who perform forklift repairs and maintenance face hazards that must be addressed with worker training and attention to the work environment. Only “authorized” persons may make repairs to and perform maintenance on forklifts. A worker’s authorization may be only for a specific task, such as refueling or battery replacement. Training requirements for workers who perform forklift maintenance are found in the Powered I...

Lock Out Accidents with an Effective-Lockout/ Tag out Program

Lock Out Accidents with an Effective Lockout/ Tag out Program Workplace accidents resulting in amputations are often severe, sometimes disabling, and always preventable. The standard identifies three employee roles: Authorized employees are those who service and maintain machinery and equipment. Affected employees are the ones who operate machinery and equipment but do not service and maintain them. Other employees are those who do not service or operate equipment, but who work nearby and need to know about energy hazards and control procedures for their protection. When Lockout Must Be Used Any machinery or equipment that contains or stores hazardous energy is subject to lockout/tagout. Examples include: Presses Power saws Conveyors Pumps Production equipment Trash compactors Lockout/tagout devices must be used: Whenever machinery or equipment is being serviced, maintained, or repaired When hazardous energy exi...

Lock Out Accidents with an Effective-Program and Training Requirement

Lock Out Accidents with an Effective Program and Training Requirement Compliance with Lockout Requirements As an employer, you are required to establish written procedures for locking out the piece of machinery or equipment that will be worked on and to provide training for all employees who might be injured if those procedures are not properly followed. Your written procedure must include specific steps for: Shutting down, isolating, blocking, and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy The placement, removal, and transfer of lockout or tagout devices, and the responsibility for them Testing the machine or equipment to determine and verify the effectiveness of any control measures used Employee Training You must also provide training to ensure that your employees understand the purpose and function of the energy control program and acquire the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, ...