It is not always clear as to when to (or when not to) ground (connect to the earth) a portable electrical generator. There are many factors that influence the decision. It may surprise you to know that sometimes you should NOT supply an additional grounding rod to the generator; sometimes it really doesn’t matter; and sometimes you should ground your generator. So it is important for you to know the difference so that you can have your system in a safe operating condition at all times.

Portable generators are used to generate electricity on a much smaller scale then the utility companies. For that reason, they are ideal for temporary, remote or emergency electrical service. Depending on how the generator is being used, it will need to be properly wired for the application. It is nearly impossible to address every application in this forum.

This article was intended to be a general overview of when to ground a generator without diminishing the fact that electricity can be very dangerous and requires a knowledgeable expert (a licensed or qualified electrician) to understand and appreciate all the details associated with each application.

Proper grounding and bonding is important to help prevent shocks and electrocutions. You can find information on grounding and bonding in the National Electric Code (NEC) at www.nfpa.org. Your local electrical codes are probably based on the NEC, but they might have some additional requirements that you should be familiar with.

In my mind, there are two different ways to use a generator. The first is as an isolated system in which the generator is powering aspecific piece of equipment like concrete saw through the receptacles on the generator. I call this the cord and plug system. The other method is to use the generator as a means to supply power, much as the utility company would supply power, at a remote location or for emergency power. Typical elements receiving power in this case would be a complete job site, a trailer, a structure or a house. I call it a power source system.

If you are using the cord and plug system, typically you do not need to supply an earthgrounding rod with the generator. There are no other sources of electricity, lightening surges, or fault currents that you would need to contend with. The housing/frame of the generator will serve as an adequate ground for the fault currents generated by that particular generator. You will still need to have a grounding conductor running from the piece of equipment to the generator and the grounded pin in the receptacle, the neutral element will have to be properly bonded to the grounding source at the generator, the generator housing or frame. In addition, all of the non-current-carrying metal parts of the generator and the vehicle or trailer that it is mounted to must be bonded to the grounding source, the generator housing/frame. You can supply a grounding rod if you want for the cord and plug system, but it is not necessary.

Using a generator as a power source system to provide temporary, remote or emergency power for a house, trailer or complete job site is a much more complicated scenario in terms of whether or not to drive a new grounding rod. Either way, the generator used this way must have the proper earth grounding, for example, a grounding rod. The generator will need an additional earth-grounding rod if it is a separately derived system. If it is not a separately derived system, there is a good chance you should not have another earth grounding rod. This is where it gets complicated, and this is where you must use a licensed or qualified electrician.

To overly simplify the reason why, you must first understand that the power source system is wired to a circuit breaker panel by means of a transfer switch. The transfer switch is simply a means to transfer power from the utility power source to the generator. If the transfer switch only switches the hot, then the generator is not a separately derived system and must be bonded to the grounding rod of the utility power at the transfer switch since it can be unsafe to have a potential difference between the two grounding points.

If the transfer switch switches both the hot and grounded (neutral) conductors, then it is considered a separately derived system and must have a proper grounding rod in place for the fault currents such as lightening, line surges, unintentional contact with other voltage sources or back feeding currents.

“To ground or not to ground, that is the question.” Keep in mind, that this article is strictly a guide as to the simple concept ofwhen or when not to ground a portable electrical generator. For practical applications, please remember that electricity can be very dangerous and requires a knowledgeable expert such as a licensed or qualified electrician to safely wire and configure the system.

Monday, 6 January 2025

Reporting Safety Observation

www.safetygoodwe.com

Topic: Safety Article

Reporting Safety Observation

ReportingSafety observation is a process that involves employees identifying and documenting unsafe behaviours, conditions or potential hazards in the workplace. This methods empowers workers to act as extra " eyes and ears" for safety, providing real-time insights that might otherwise go unnoticed by management. it fosters a safety-first culture where everone contributes to maintaining a safe environment.

It palys a vital role of creating a safe workplace contributes to morale, productivity and well being. By engaging employees in the safety process, build a strong safety culture were employees responsible for maintaining safety standards. This proactive approach not only prvent accidents but also save lives.

Hence, its a proactive tool vital for fostering a sfae working environment and ensuring everyone gets home safely at end of each workday. So understanding its importance to implementing and optimizing safety practices to be encouraged in organization.

Importance of reproting safety observation

Early Hazard Identification: It enables the early detection of potential hazards, allowing you to address issues before they escalate into accidents or injuries.
Accident Prevention: By consistenly monitoring and reporting you significantly reduce the risk of accident and injuries.
Improve Safety Culture: A robust observation program enges employees making them more aware of their safety responsibilities.
Regulatory Compliance: Regular obervations helps ensure that your workplave adheres to organizational safety regulations and standards.

Implementing safety observation process.

Implementing an effective safety observation program can be broken down into several key steps.

Preparation for observation

Gather Materails : Ensure you have necessary tools like observation forms. pens and any personal protective equipments (PPE) you might meed.
Familiarize with safety regulations: Know the standards releveant to your workplace to recognize violations.

Identify key areas for observation

Focus your attention on high-risk zones,such as:

Areas with heavy machhinery
Locations involving hazardous materials
Areas with a lot of foor traffic

Observe and Document

Use a standardized observation form to record details of any unsafe conditions or behaviors.
Look for:-

Improper equipment use
Inadequate PPE
Blocked emergency exits
Unsafe practices, like standing on unstable surfaces.

Provide Feedback

If you spot unsafe practice in action, offer immediate, constructive feedback to the employees involved. This promtes an open dialogue about safety and encourages a positive culture.

Report Findings

Compile your observations into a formal reports. Highlight crucial areas of concern and suggest timely corrective actions.

Follow Up

After reporting, revisit observed ares or behaviors to verify that corrective measures have been taken. Continous monitoring helps prevent reocurrence.

Examples of effective safety observations

Here are some common sfatey observation examples:

Unsafe operation of construction equipments
Lack of barricades around hazardous areas
Failure to use a harness while working at height
Spills on working surface not cleaned promptly
Inadequate signage warning about potential hazards

Building a culture of safety

To foster a safety conscious environment, it's essential to encourage everyone to participate actively. Here are some tips:-

Train Employees : Regular training sessions can enpower employees to take ownership of safety.
Set a good example : Management should model desired safety behaviors to encourage others.
Clebrate sfaety wins : Recognize and reward teams for their safety observations and improvements.
Create open line of communication: Encourage discussions around safety and listening to suggestions.
Evaluate and Adapt: Regularly review your safety observation program and make necessary adjustments based on feedback and outcomes.

Wednesday, 1 January 2025

SA : Culture and Principle Aspects For An Effective Safety

www.safetygoodwe.com

Topic : Safety Article

Culture and Principle Aspects For An Effective Safety

Safety culture is an important topic but time consuming to inspect (because of the sample required) and difficult to tackle. It is recommended that it is only be taken on where there is good reason to believe that there is a significant issue to address, such as a poor safety record over a period, and wherethe company is likely to be receptive to advice.

An organisation’s culture can have as big an influence on safety outcomes as the safety management system. ‘Safety culture’ is a subset of the overall company culture (and is defined in the box on the right).

“The safety culture of an organisation is the product of individual and group values, attitudes, perceptions, competencies, and patterns of behaviour that determine the commitment to, and the style and proficiency of, an organisation’s health and safety management. Organisations with a positive safety culture are characterised by communications founded on mutual trust, by shared perceptions of the importance of safety and by confidence in the efficacy of preventive measures.”

Many companies talk about ‘safety culture’ when referring to the inclination of their employees to comply with rules or act safety or unsafely. However we find that the culture and style of management is even more significant, for example a natural, unconscious bias for production over safety, or a tendency to focussing on the short-term and being highly reactive.

Symptoms of poor cultural factors can include:

Widespread, routine procedural violations;
Failure to comply with the company’s own SMS (although either of these can also be due to poor procedure design);
Management decisions that appear consistently to put production or cost before safety.

In inspection, it is possible to gather evidence about a company’s culture, although this requires interviewing a suitably representative sample of people from all levels.

Principle aspects of an effective culture:

Management commitment: this commitment produces higher levels of motivation and concern for health and safety throughout the organisation. It is indicated by the proportion of resources (time, money, people) and support allocated to health and safety management and by the status given to health and safety versus production, cost etc. The active involvement of senior management in the health and safety system is very important.

Visible management: Managers need to be seen to lead by example when it comes to health and safety. Good managers appear regularly on the ‘shop floor’, talk about health and safety and visibly demonstrate their commitment by their actions – such as stopping production to resolve issues. It is important that management is perceived as sincerely committed to safety. If not, employees will generally assume that they are expected to put commercial interests first, and safety initiatives or programmes will be undermined by cynicism.

Good communications between all levels of employee: in a positive culture questions about health and safety should be part of everyday work conversations. Management should listen actively to what they are being told by employees, and take what they hear seriously.

Active employee participation in safety is important, to build ownership of safety at all levels and exploit the unique knowledge that employees have of their own work. This can include active involvement in workshops, risk assessments, plant design etc. In companies with a good culture, you will find the story from employees and management being consistent, and safety is seen as a joint exercise.

Inspection

Inspection needs to involve interviewing a suitable cross-section of the company, particularly a reasonable number employees, who need to be interviewed in a non-threatening manner. The number needs to be sufficient to take account of differing views and experience. Given this condition the open questions given in the question set will provide a helpful picture of the overall style of the company.

The inspector should have significant personal experience of trying to tackle safety culture, it would be best to simply reflect back what has been found, and give general rather than specific advice on how to improve it.

Specific documents

In addition to the general documents that should be requested prior to the visit, it is recommended that the following documents, which are specific to this topic, should also be requested:

Results of climate/attitude/opinion surveys;
Results of procedure surveys.

Enforcement and advice

Clearly, safety culture itself is not enforceable, and interventions are generally reserved for receptive companies, or as part of an overall incident investigation. However there can be enforcement to address outcomes of a poor culture. For example if a company is unsuccessfully relying on procedural controls to avoid major accidents, there could be enforcement of management arrangements to either ensure compliance or provide alternative safeguards through the hierarchy of control.

An Improvement Notice has been issued on implementing an Safety Management System including identification and control of human reliability risks - the company subsequently managed to reduce accidents. The result of an investigation into cultural factors underlying a series of major incidents. There have now been several other field interventions, generally seen as valuable by the company and inspector.

Sunday, 1 December 2024

Improve Understanding Of Work Related Stress And Psychosocial Risks.

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IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING OF WORK-RELATED STRESS AND PSYCHOSOCIAL RISKS

Work-related stress is a growing problem around the world that affects not only the health and wellbeing of employees, but also the productivity of organisations.

Psychosocial risk is anything that could cause psychological harm. Psychosocial risks can create stress. This can cause psychological or physical harm.

Psychological harm may include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep disorders, it also include musculoskeletal injuries, chronic disease or fatigue related injuries.

Stress is thought to contribute to about half of all lost working days, along with other psychosocial risks. Around 4 in 10 workers think that stress is not handled well in their workplace

If workers are stressed often, over a long time, or the level of stress is high, it can cause harm. So,

Promote management of these risks.
Prevent significant negative effects.
Provide support and guidance for workers and employers.
Encourage the use of practical, user-friendly tools.

Psychosocial risks arise from

Poor work design, organisation and management;
Unfavourable social context of work; and
May result in negative psychological, physical and social outcomes, including work-related stress.

Work-related stress

Is an organisational issue and not an individual fault;
Occurs when demands at work are beyond the worker’s capacity to cope with them.

A poor psychosocial work environment may be the result of

Excessive or conflicting work demands;
Lack of participation and influence over the way the job is done;
Poor communication and lack of support;
Psychological and sexual harassment and third-party violence;

A poorly managed organisational change and job insecurity

The negative effects

For the individual

Difficulty in concentrating and making mistakes
Burnout and depression
Problems in personal life
Drug and alcohol abuse
Poor physical health

For the organisation

Poor overall business performance
Increased absenteeism and presenteeism
Increased accident and injury rates

Managing psychosocial risks

Only about 30% of organisations in Europe have procedures in place for dealing with psychosocial risks*.
Dealing with those risks is often considered as more difficult compared to ‘traditional’ OSH risks.

But…

Psychosocial risks can be assessed and managed in the same systematic way as other OSH risks.
The benefits of managing psychosocial risks and work-related stress clearly outweigh the costs of implementation for organisations of all sizes.

Benefits of managing psychosocial risks

Improved workers' well-being and job satisfaction
A healthy, motivated and productive workforce
Improved overall performance and productivity
Reduced absence and staff turnover rates
Reduced costs and burden on society as a whole
Compliance with legal requirements

The role of management

Employers are responsible for implementing a plan to prevent/reduce psychosocial risks.
Managers should promote a supportive workplace environment, encouraging workers to raise concerns and suggestions.
Middle managers have a crucial role to play as they interact with workers on a daily basis.
Good leadership and people management skills help create a good psychosocial work environment; these skills can be learned and developed.
Implementing voluntary measures to promote mental well-being can also make an important contribution to a healthy workplace.

The importance of worker participation

While good leadership can help to reduce work-related stress and psychosocial risks, worker participation is also key.
There must be two-way dialogue between employers and the workforce.
Workers and their representatives have the best understanding of problems in their workplace and can help to shape planning and implement solutions.
Consulting workers will help to improve overall morale and ensure that measures put in place are both appropriate and effective.

How to manage stress and psychosocial risks

Even with only limited resources, psychosocial risks can be effectively assessed and managed.

Being proactive and having a plan in place to pre-empt problems is the most effective way to tackle psychosocial risks in the workplace.

A risk assessment is essential to identify hazards and appropriate solutions.

Practical tools and guidance facilitating effective management of psychosocial risks are available.

Get involved

All organisations and individuals can take part.
Get involved by:-

Distributing and publicising campaign messages and materials;
Using and promoting the campaign’s practical tools;
Taking part in campaign events or organising your own.

Sunday, 3 November 2024

Chemical Identification & Controls

www.safetygoodwe.com
Safety Article

Topic : Chemical Safety

Uncontrolled exposure to chemicals can have adverse health effects on workers.

Many of the chemicals used in the workplace / Jobsite including mineral oils, mould oils and cement can cause skin problems – which can lead to cancer in extreme cases.

Chemicals, including alkalis, acids and chromates (found in cement) can cause ulcers.

Constant exposure of the skin to wet cement, e.g. screeding, kneeling in wet screed, pouring concrete, or concrete getting into boots, can result in very severe concrete burns to the skin which can result in deep scarring and pain.

Solvents such as paraffin and white spirit dissolve oils within the skin, increasing the chances of infection.

The proper identification and control of chemicals is one of the most critical components of a safety system.

Always make sure chemical bottles, including secondary containers such as spray bottles and dispensers, are marked with the chemical contents and a clear and legible label.
Ensure you use an easily identifiable label that clearly denotes and hazards of the product within the container.
Ensure you know about the various chemicals you utilize and check the original label or MSDS sheet to for information of reactivity with other substances.
Once a secondary container is designated for a certain chemical, never utilize it for a different chemical component.

The following combinations have the potential to create very hazardous vapors:

Mixing of bleach and ammonia
Mixing of bleach and acids (vinegar, some glass cleaners, lime/calcium/rust removers)
Do not use two drain cleaners together, or use one right after the other.
Today, check around your work area and ensure all chemical bottles are marked and that you know the hazards associated with each. If you have questions or concerns, see the label, MSDS sheet or your supervisor.

The job specific controls & requirements of this particular with regard to:

PPE
MSDS
Method Statements & Risk Assessments
Chemical safety training awareness

Saturday, 2 November 2024

SA : SHORTCUTS - I WAS IN HURRY

www.safetygoodwe.com
Safety Article

Topic : Behavioural Safety

Taking SHORTCUT is usually a common practice and usually associated with the word I was in HURRY. Many takes a shortcut at one time or another. In many cases a short cut involves danger.

These are two phrases most commonly used to fix the blame for an unpleasant happening.

I was just in a big hurry.
I had to hurryto get the job done in time.

If you have a habit of taking dangerous shortcuts, brake it. In work it can be deadly. If you had not been in such a hurry, perhaps accident would not have happened, or, May be the next time you won‟t be in such a hurry.

Avoid dangerous situations or routes. If are told to go to a particular work area, the company expects you to take the safe route, not the shorter route. Avoiding the dangerous shortcuts is up to only you, and it is part of your responsibility to warn anyone else you see taking shortcuts.

Shortcuts are more dangerous at heights. Even though the job may take but a few minutes, don‟t climb on false work or improvised platforms. Use the ladder or scaffold, and don‟t go from one elevation to another by climbing a column or sliding down a column. Ladders, steps and walkways are built to save your neck as well as your convenience.

Getting greater productivityis misunderstood by many workers and supervisors. They believe that productivity will be improved by working faster and taking more shortcuts! but to speed-up often lead to mistakes that reduce productivity. Better productivity is achieved by working MORE effectively, NOT faster. To do this requires approaching the job with one‟s head not his muscles. Always seeking to improve the operation.

When any one goes in a big hurry he causes confusion and THE FAST WAY IS NOT THE SHORTEST WAY, BUT IT IS THE SAFESTWAY FOR SURE!

Friday, 1 November 2024

SA : Flying Debris and Neatness At Construction Site.

www.safetygoodwe.com
Safety Article

Topic : Construction Safety

Working on construction sites is a way of life for many individual. Most injuries at these sites are serious but preventable.

Use common sense.
Be alert.
Make eye contact.

Flying debris can be caused by construction projects and can include wood, plastic, metal, paint chips, concrete, and nails. This debris can cause serious eye injuries, including permanent loss of sight.

Flying debris at construction jobsites includes sparks, metal scraps, hydraulic fluid, and rocks.

Sparks from a cutoff saw or pipe saw are particularly dangerous.

Wear safety goggles when working with or around these types of saws. Maintain a safe distance from flammable materials when using a saw, and position your work so sparks fly away from flammables. Watch out for how sparks may affect co-workers.

Broken pieces of metal flying off flaring tools or other hammered pieces of steel.

To prevent this hazard, grind off any burrs on the piece of metal being worked. Do the same for any striking heads of bars or flaring tools that are mushrooming. Whenever possible, use a brass or nonmetallic hammer.

Broken hydraulic hoses on loaders, excavators, and backhoes can expel hot hydraulic fluid.

This is another reason to keep your distance from heavy equipment. If a hose breaks when you are working on a piece of equipment, turn off the equipment immediately.

Rocks and dirt can be launched by pipe ruptures or by rolling tires.

Keep round rocks off construction roads and trafficked areas. Remind workers in trenches to watch out for flying rocks when dump trucks pull up to or away from a trench. If a water or gas line is broken, beware of dirt and rocks flying out of the trench.

Keeping the Site Neat

A lot of debris that can cause harm at a construction site can be stored elsewhere or put safely in a dumpster. What is true around the office or the lunchroom is also true on a construction site: a little housekeeping can go a long way toward a safer site.

Here are some recommendations:

Keep the construction site as clean as you can. Pick up and properly discard scrapmaterials and debris, including wood, protruding nails, forms, and fasteners. They can cause injury and are health hazards.
Work areas, passageways, and stairs should be kept clear and free of debris.
Provide separate waste containers for the collection of construction debris waste and rancid trash or garbage. Make sure trash is disposed of at regular intervals.
Provide appropriate containers with lids for the collection of hazardous wastes, such as oily rags and flammable solvent. Keep incompatible materials separated.

If everyone works together, accidents can be prevented. Remember, safety is everybody’s job.

Thursday, 31 October 2024

SA : Handy Tips for Hand Safety

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Safety Article

Topic : Hand Protection

Every year, about millions of workplace hand injuries are getting reported and treated for acute and serious hand, finger, and wrist injuriesa. In these many injuries resulted in amputations.

The most common identification for victims experiencing hand, finger, and wrist injuries were not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). and damage wore gloves or PPE that were inadequate, damaged, or wrong for the type of work being performed.

Employers to determine the most appropriate types of PPE for employees’ hands based upon the specific work conditions and potential workplace hazards of the task to be performed.

Many employers have found success in having their employees conduct their own hazard assessment for hand safety. It makes sense that involving employees in the assessment process increases their safety awareness. For example, when opening up a discussion about hand safety, ask the employees to list all the ways their hands might be injured on a particular job. This might include:

Cuts, lacerations, punctures, and even amputations
Abrasions from rough surfaces
Broken fingers and bones in the hand
Chemical burns and severe skin irritation
Thermal burns from touching extremely hot objects
Absorption of hazardous substances through unprotected skin

It has been proven that wearing gloves reduced hand injuries by number of times. Although gloves will help protect against many of the above hazards, not just any kind of glove protects against all hazards.

So, how do you select the right gloves for the job? As with any PPE selection process, the first step is to conduct a risk assessment to identify and understand the potential hazards.

Identify the substances (particulates, liquids, and gases) present in the work site and the hazards associated with these substances. Survey the work site and list all physical and environmental hazards such as sharp instruments, rough surfaces, or machinery. Also, make a list of employees who will be wearing the gloves, the work each person will do, and what equipment will be used. Keep in mind that some hand injuries (lacerations, crushing, broken bones, amputations) cannot be prevented by gloves.

Gloves should be evaluated by the following criteria:

Mechanical protection: resistance to cuts, punctures, and abrasions
Chemical protection
Full protection: no holes or tears
Heat and flame protection
Vibration reduction
Allowing dexterity for the job at hand

In addition, consider other hand protection features such as length, size, and areas of coverage, type of cuff, surface finish, and any attributes affecting function or comfort. Also consider the materials the gloves are made of.

Select gloves that offer the optimal combination of features and performance. Periodically reevaluate your choices with your employees.

When it comes to choosing appropriate hand protection, gloves materials and conform is much important so it now made of materials such as vinyl, nitrile, and neoprene easy to use and durable.

The standard addresses the classification and testing of hand protection for specific performance properties related to chemical and industrial applications.

Wednesday, 30 October 2024

SA : Listen Up to Protect Your Hearing

www.safetygoodwe.com

Safety Article

Topic : Hearing Safety

When sound vibrations enter your ear, tiny hair cells in the inner ear change the vibrations into nerve impulses. The nerve impulses are then transmitted to the brain where they are translated into the sound we hear. When the hair cells are subjected to excessive noise, they begin to lie down just like the grass does when we step on it. After the noise subsides, the hair cells stand back up. Over time, the more noise the hair cells are exposed to, the longer it takes for them to stand back up. Eventually, they fail to return to normal, resulting in permanent hearing damage.

Wear Hearing Protection

The point behind wearing hearing protective equipment is to reduce the outside noise to below 85 decibels (dB). This is the level considered safe to work in throughout an 8-hour day. Prolonged exposure to any noise above 85 decibels can cause gradual hearing loss. The higher the decibel level of noise you are exposed to, the shorter the amount of the 8-hour day you are allowed to work around the noise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that regular exposure to 110 dB for more than 1 minute risks permanent hearing loss. This is the level of sound an average chainsaw makes. An ambulance siren is about 120 dB.

When the noise levels vary, a mathematical calculation is used to determine a timeweighted average of the noise exposure (11 dB = 0.5 hour). If the sound level is a constant 95 dB, you would be able to work in the noisy environment for a total of 4 hours out of your 8-hour work shift. If the sound level was a constant 100 dB, you would be able to work a total of 2 hours.

The noise level can be reduced by wearing appropriate hearing protection. All hearing protection must be labeled to show its effectiveness. This is done via the noise reduction rating (NRR). The higher the NRR, the more protection provided. If the outside noise is 110 dB, hearing protection with an NRR of at least 25 dB would be needed to keep the noise level at 85 dB (110 dB – 25 dB = 85 dB). Additional protection can be obtained by wearing an earmuff over earplugs. Don’t be fooled, however,into believing that the protection will be the total of both NRRs added together; the increased protection will only muffle about 2 to 5 dB.

The highest NRR ratings are provided by moldable earplugs—if they are worn correctly. This can be made of foam, wax, silicone, or other materials and fit directly in the ear canal. Next is the earmuff, which can be custom fitted. The least effective are semi-insert plugs that are two earplugs held over the ends of the ear canal by a ridge headband. But remember, there can be a wide range of NRR ratings for the same type of protection. Read the label and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for wearing and maintaining the products.

Tuesday, 29 October 2024

Fire Prevention Comes First

www.safetygoodwe.com

Safety Article

Topic : Fire Safety

Every year, fire incident causes many deaths than other nutural /manmade disasters. If your facilities were severely damaged by fire, you and your co-workers could be injured or even lose your lives. Your customers would lose, too, because they depend on your services.

So what can be done to prevent a fire? First, understand that there are three essential ingredients to all ordinary fires: air (oxygen), ignition source, and fuel (paper, wood, solvents, etc.). To extinguish a fire, simply remove one of the basic ingredients. This can be accomplished by

Preventing ignition (usually temperature or heat control)
Smothering (oxygen control)
Isolation (fuel control)

Fires are classified according to what is burning (its fuel):

Class A fires involve general combustibles, such as wood, cloth, paper, or rubbish. These fires are usually controlled by using water to cool or smother the material.

Class B fires involve flammable liquids, such as gasoline, oil, grease, or paint. They are usually smothered by using foam, carbon dioxide, or dry chemicals.

Class C fires involve electrical equipment and are usually smothered by oxygen control but never by using water! Typically, carbon dioxide or dry-chemical extinguishers, nonconductors of electricity, are used.

Class D fires occur in combustible metals, such as magnesium, lithium, or sodium, and require special extinguishers and techniques.

Class E fire is an electrical fire that occurs when live electrical equipment is involved in a fire. They are common in homes and offices and can be caused by: Frayed wiring, Overheating, Using the incorrect cord, and Using the incorrect grade of extension cord.

Class K fire is fueled by flammable cooking liquids, such as cooking oil, and animal or vegetable-based greases. These liquids, when brought up to high temperatures, become volatile and can easily ignite. Due to their high flammability, they also spread rapidly.

Fire prevention is everyone’s job, so prevent fires by doing the following:

Practice daily good housekeeping
Eliminate electrical hazards
Keep fire and heat away from flammable liquids
Make sure cigarettes and cigars are out completely

Practice good housekeeping. Work areas should be kept free of empty boxes and stacks of unused paper. Fire extinguishers and other firefighting apparatus should be accessible and their location clearly marked. All fire doors, emergency exits, stairways, hallways, and aisles must be clear of obstructions.

Eliminate electrical hazards. Check electrical cords for cracks, broken plugs, and poor connections. If you find damaged cords, replace them immediately. Never use makeshift wiring. Never overload extension cords. Too many appliances plugged into an extension cord can cause the cord to overheat and ignite the cord’s insulation.

Protect flammable liquids. When you store flammable liquids, remember that they

are just that—flammable! Carefully read the labels on all products you routinely use

or keep in a storage cabinet to see if they are flammable.

Observe careful smoking habits. Smoking is the single largest cause of home fires. Discarded cigarettes and cigars left in waste cans and receptacles cause thousands of fires each year. Obviously, do not smoke while fueling a vehicle or when standing near vehicle fuel pumps. Always observe the “no smoking” rules in company buildings, facilities, and vehicles.

Sunday, 27 October 2024

A Manhole May Look Simple, But . . .

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Safety Article

Topic : Confined Space

A confined space is an area with limited entry and exit containing known or potential hazards that is not intended for continuous human occupancy. The most common confined spaces in the utility industries are manholes and vaults.

At times, manholes and unventilated vaults must be entered for work. Confined-space operations in manholes pose hidden hazards. The most common of these hazards are exposure to:

Combustible or flammable vapors and gases from underground storage or piping facilities.
Oxygen deficiency by displacement with other gases and the introduction of nitrogen from cable pressurization.
Toxic gases from decomposing vegetation and soil, chemical spills, and enginecombustion exhaust (from vehicles and equipment).

Manhole Entry Equipment

Several pieces of equipment are required for safe entry into a confined space:

Work-area protection devices, such as traffic (reflective) vests, traffic cones, manhole guards, and work-area protection signs.
Manhole cover lifter and manhole hook.
Atmospheric tester for oxygen deficiency, combustible gas, and other toxics.
Power ventilator (blower).
Manhole pump to remove water.
First-aid kit.
Portable fire extinguisher (dry chemical).

Atmospheric Conditions

Atmospheric conditions are considered unacceptable if oxygen levels are less than 19.5 percent or greater than 23.5 percent. The following levels of other hazards are unacceptable:

A flammable gas, vapor, or mist greater than 10 percent of its lower flammable limit (LFL). LFL means the minimum concentration of the flammable material that will ignite if an ignition source is present.
An airborne combustible dust at a concentration that obscures vision at a distance of 5 feet or less.
An atmospheric concentration of a substance greater than the allowed limit in the material safety data sheet for that substance.

Testing Procedures

After all work-area protection devices are in place and the atmospheric test equipment

has been tested as operational, proceed as follows:

Lower the sampling hose approximately 6 inches through the hold in the manhole cover to make the first pre-entry test. If no combustible gas is found, remove the cover and proceed. If the flammable gas concentration is above 60 percent LEL (lower explosive limit), suspend operations and follow company procedures.
After the manhole cover is removed, continue to test for combustible gas by lowering the sampling tube within 12 inches of the manhole or vault floor. If no flammable gas is found, purge the manhole with the power blower for the period of time based on the blower capacity and manhole configuration, following company procedures.

Ventilation

If flammable gas is detected and is above 10 percent but below 60 percent LEL, purge and ventilate the manhole for a minimum of 10 minutes, depending on the manhole or vault size. If combustible gas was detected but subsequently cleared, continue to monitor and ventilate to maintain the flammable gas level below 10 percent LEL.

When ventilating a manhole, insert the blower hose in the manhole opening, positioning the blower hose to direct the flow of air horizontally, midway between the manhole’s floor and roof toward an end-wall, and away from the work area, if possible. To minimize the intake of exhaust fumes from passing vehicles, the blower intakeshould be positioned away from the flow of traffic. Wind direction also must be considered. Ventilation of the manhole must continue as long as the manhole is open to avoid the possible development of a hazardous atmosphere.

If the confined space is vacated for any period of time, the atmosphere of the confined space should be retested before re-entry is permitted. Further testing shouldbe conducted with ventilation systems turned on to ensure the contaminants are removed and that the ventilation system is not causing a hazardous condition.

Remember, when entering any manhole, follow the written confined-space entry

procedures.

Saturday, 26 October 2024

Powerful Protection with PPE !

www.safetygoodwe.com
Safety Article

Topic : Personal Protective Equipments

A most serious misstep is tackling a job without wearing the right personal protective equipment (PPE).

PPE is equipment designed to protect the eyes, face, head, respiratory tract, and body extremities from potentially hazardous conditions. It includes such items as goggles, face shields, hard hats, respirators, dust masks, gloves, protective clothing, welding aprons, and safety shoes.

The workplace (or work site) must be assessed to determine if hazards are, or may be, present that will necessitate the use of PPE. The right PPE must be selected and employees fitted and trained in its proper use. Let’s briefly review some of the most common PPE.

Head Protection

When working in an area where the potential exists for head injuries resulting from falling objects or impact hazards, employees must wear head protection, which usually comes in the form of hard hats. Again, as with other forms of PPE, hard hats must be manufactured to federal standards and worn properly to afford proper head protection.

Eye and Face Protection

Eye and face protection is necessary when there is potential exposure to flying particles and dust (wood, glass, metal), molten metal (welding spatter), potentially injurious light radiation (welding glare), or chemicals in any form—liquid, vapor, or gaseous. Eye and face PPE can include safety glasses with side shields, chemical goggles, or a full-face respirator. All devices must comply with strict federal standards.

Remember, not all eye or face protection will protect you from all hazards! Protective glasses with side shields are fine for particulates but provide no protection from hazardous chemical vapors. Remember, the PPE must fit the hazard.

Respiratory Protection

The first step in controlling potentially hazardous dusts, mists, fumes, smoke, or gases in the workplace is the installation of engineering controls such as mechanical ventilation systems. But if such measures are not fully effective (or infeasible, such as at a field work site), then respiratory PPE must be used.

The two basic types of respirators are:

Air-purifying, and
Atmosphere-supplying.

The first device simply filters the ambient air by using an air-purifying filter, cartridge, or canister. The second type actually provides breathing air to the user from an independent source.

The category of respirator, i.e., air-purifying or atmosphere-supplying; style, whether half or full-face; and type of filter or canister all must be carefully selected. Employees must be properly fitted for PPE and trained in when and how to use it. A medical evaluation of a person’s ability to effectively wear and use a respirator must also be conducted.

Hand Protection

Hand injuries are common in workplace. This is because the hands are engaged in almost all activities on the job. Can you imagine any occupation that does not make use of the hand?

Hands are so important because of their utility. They provide us with the dexterity needed to perform most daily activities. In fact, hands, as tools, are so versatile and can perform many intricate functions more than any single known tool developed by man.

Suitable gloves should be worn when chemicals and harmful temperature are present or when employees are at risk for cuts, lacerations, abrasions, punctures or burns. Glove selection should be based on performance characteristics of the gloves, conditions, duration of use and hazards present. One type of glove will not work in all situations.

The first step in glove selection for use against chemicals is to determine the exact nature of the substances. Read instructions and warnings on chemical container labels and Material Safety Data Sheets before working with any chemical. Recommended glove types are often listed on such labels in the PPE section.

Hearing Protection

Hearing is a precious gift. Continual exposure to elevated noise levels can seriously damage your hearing. If noise levels are too high, employees must be supplied with hearing protection. Hearing protection can be provided by simple disposable earplugs or high-tech earmuffs. It all depends on the nature of the hazard and the type of job.

Foot Protection

Just as with the head, there are potential hazards to the feet from falling or rolling materials, sharp objects that can pierce the sole, or electrical shock; employees must wear appropriate protective footwear. This commonly takes the form of steel-toe safety shoes, often equipped with steel shanks and heavy-duty soles.

Other PPE

Other PPE can take the form of, welding aprons, chemical protective suits, coveralls, and back support braces. All are designed to protect a very important person—you—from potential hazards you might encounter on the job.

But remember, no PPE will protect your vision, your lungs, your head, or any other part of your body unless you wear it and wear it correctly. Be fashionable—be safe!

HSE - Safety Goodwe

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