5/17/2011 Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls

Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls

Did you know that slips, trips, and falls are second only to automobile accidents in causing personal injury? On stairways alone, falls result in almost two million disabling injuries yearly. There are thousands more minor injuries caused by slips, trips, and falls each year. Most alarming of all is the fact that industrial falls cause over 1000 deaths each year. Today's safety topic discusses what can be done to prevent slips, trips and falls. Most of the suggestions in this article can be used on the job and at home.

Slips occur when there is too little friction between a person's feet and the walking surface. Many factors can cause a slip. Ice, oil, water, cleaning fluids, and other slippery substances are probably the most obvious causes. However, the flooring may be inappropriate-perhaps it is a slick material-or the person who slips may not be wearing proper shoes. To prevent slips, avoid walking in areas which pose slipping hazards if at all possible. Always promptly clean up spills of slippery substances. Better yet, prevent the spills in the first place. If an area is a chronic problem, re-route foot traffic in order to avoid it. If flooring is a problem, replace it or coat it with a non-slip surfacing material. Always follow your company's safe shoe policy. Most safe shoe policies require a slip-resistant sole.

Trips occur when a person's foot contacts an object and they are thrown off balance. The main cause of tripping is obvious--anytime something is in a walkway it could cause someone to trip. Another culprit is an object which projects into the walkway--perhaps material stored low on a shelf. Poor lighting and uneven walking surfaces also cause tripping. Prevention of trips is simple but does require diligence. Keep objects that could cause someone to trip out of the way. Repair uneven flooring and install proper lighting if required.

Falls can be caused by a number of things. Slips and trips frequently result in a fall. Falls also occur for other reasons. Improper use of ladders and scaffolding can result in a fall-usually a very serious one. Falls also happen when people climb objects without using fall protection equipment. Don't risk serious injury by taking shortcuts. If you are working on a ladder, scaffold, or other elevated platform, make sure you know the requirements for using them safely. Always use fall protection equipment when it is required.

Slips, trips, and falls cause numerous injuries every day. But they are among the easiest hazards to correct. Take the time to look around your worksite for these hazards and work to prevent them. Take care not to cause any slip, trip, or fall hazards as you go about your daily activities. Follow the instructions set in your safety program. Don't let a slip, trip, or fall keep you from enjoying all that life has to offer.

5/16/2011 Sleep Injuries

Ever wake up with a neck pain that you didn’t go to bed with? Having a stiff neck can be a painful distraction at work. Today’s brief is from a 2009 Harvard Medical School Special Health Report, Say “good night” to neck pain:


As with so many things, when it comes to neck pain, an ounce of prevention may be worth a pound of cure. It’s true that some causes of neck pain such as age-related wear and tear are not under your control. On the other hand, there are many things you can do to minimize your risk. One place to start is to look at how you sleep and what effect this may have on neck pain.

Getting in the best position

Two sleeping positions are easiest on the neck: on your side or on your back. If you sleep on your back, choose a rounded pillow to support the natural curve of your neck, with a flatter pillow cushioning your head. This can be achieved by tucking a small neck roll into the pillowcase of a flatter, softer pillow, or by using a special pillow that has a built-in neck support with an indentation for the head to rest in. Here are some additional tips for side- and back-sleepers:

1. Try using a feather pillow, which easily conforms to the shape of the neck. Feather pillows will collapse over time, however, and should be replaced every year or so.

2. Another option is a traditionally shaped pillow with “memory foam” that conforms to the contour of your head and neck. Some cervical pillows are also made with memory foam. Manufacturers of memory-foam pillows claim they help foster proper spinal alignment.

3. Avoid using too high or stiff a pillow, which keeps the neck flexed overnight and can result in morning pain and stiffness.

4. If you sleep on your side, keep your spine straight by using a pillow that is higher under your neck than your head.

5. When you are riding in a plane, train, or car, or even just reclining to watch TV, a horseshoe-shaped pillow can support your neck and prevent your head from dropping to one side if you doze. If the pillow is too large behind the neck, however, it will force your head forward.

Sleeping on your stomach is tough on your spine, because the back is arched and your neck turned to the side. Preferred sleeping positions are often set early in life and can be tough to change, not to mention that we don’t often wake up in the same position in which we fell asleep. Still, it’s worth trying to start the night sleeping on your back or side in a well-supported, healthy position.

Beyond sleep position

Emerging research suggests that not just sleep position, but sleep itself, can play a role in musculoskeletal pain, including neck and shoulder pain. In one 2008 study, researchers compared musculoskeletal pain in 4,140 healthy men and women with and without sleeping problems. Sleeping problems included difficulty falling asleep, trouble staying asleep, waking early in the mornings, and non-restorative sleep. They found that people who reported moderate to severe problems in at least three of these four categories were significantly more likely to develop chronic musculoskeletal pain after one year than those who reported little or no problem with sleep. One possible explanation is that sleep disturbances disrupt the muscle relaxation and healing that normally occur during sleep. Additionally, it is well established that pain can disrupt sleep, contributing to a vicious cycle of pain disrupting sleep, and sleep problems contributing to pain.

5/13/2011 Setting a Good Example

Setting a Good Example

We sometimes seem to be living in a copycat world. If one automaker’s leasing offer attracts consumer interest, every other car company will soon be riding the same bandwagon. No sooner does the latest buzz-word appear on one food or detergent label than the shelves are filled with products proclaiming "no trans-fat," "low calorie," or "organic and biodegradable." It’s clear, though, that what they’re really trying to copy is success and profit.

Why mention this in a talk about safety? Because although we may occasionally be tempted to take an unsafe shortcut just because we’ve seen someone else do it and get away with it, we’re more likely to do things safely because we’ve seen others doing them that way. That’s one of the fringe benefits of doing things the safe way. We all profit from each other’s good examples.

"Don’t do as I do; do as I say" is a pretty tired expression. It became tired because we all have repeated it many times—not just verbally but in our actions, which we all know speak louder than words.

When we leave our safety glasses resting on our foreheads rather than in place over our eyes, or when we kick an empty sports drink bottle under a bench rather than pick it up, we’re not selling safety effectively. Our actions are saying: "I believe in wearing eye protection but not in protecting my eyes. And I know that trash can cause a tripping accident, and a hygiene problem, but it isn’t important enough to make me pick it up."

There’s another angle to good examples. Too often people dress to impress others with their good taste rather than their knowledge of safety. Wearing rings, bracelets, and other ornaments is dangerous around machinery and on jobs in which it’s possible for jewelry to catch on objects and cause injury to the wearer. Long sleeves, floppy pant legs, and long hair can be hazardous on some jobs, too.

So we should always dress for the job. Our image as a fashion expert may suffer, but it’ll give way to the more important and more beneficial image of safety.

Some of us probably feel we have already set good examples for safety, and perhaps we have. But consider just for a moment how, when we think about an accident, it’s usually in regard to someone else. Accidents are a reality. Make your personal safety just as real, and you’ll have a good chance of not becoming that "other person" to whom accidents are always happening.

5/12/2011 Save Your Back When Working In Awkward Positions

 

SAVE YOUR BACK WHEN WORKING IN AWKWARD POSITIONS

 

 

We have all been told to avoid back injury by bending our knees when we lift, keeping the load close and avoiding twisting motions. These safety rules may be appropriate for simple, direct lifting of materials, but what about back care when you are working in awkward positions? Work tasks that require you to reach or stretch away from your body while handling materials can also put excessive strain on the vertebral discs and soft tissues in the back. An awkward position is a work posture that distorts the spine from its natural curves, puts unbalanced pressure on the discs, and can strain arm, leg or back tissues if held for any length of time.

 

What are some work situations that may put you in "awkward" positions?

1. Jobs that require you to bend and reach into bins or containers to retrieve or place material.
2. Overhead work, installing or servicing equipment, pulling wire, cleaning ceilings, etc.
3. Floor or ground level jobs such as installing or servicing equipment, cleaning, etc.
4. Work tasks in confined or small spaces where there is limited range of motion such as boilers, hatches, pipes, tanks, vaults, crawl spaces, etc.
5. Jobs on ladders, work platforms or scaffolding where you may over-reach to adjust, clean, install or service.
6. Pulling loads, instead of pushing them, when removing equipment or other materials.
7. Repetitive tasks that require twisting of the back such as loading or handling material 90 deg. to 180 deg. from the starting point.

How can you avoid injury when working in awkward positions?

• Raise bins and containers off the floor and/or tilt them to reduce bending and over-reaching.
• When working overhead, stand on a steady and adjustable platform. Keep your back posture in its natural curve to avoid uneven spinal loading.
• If working on the floor, avoid bending over to work. Squat down using your leg muscles and wear cushioned knee pads if you have to kneel at work.
• In confined spaces, plan your work, and reduce clutter in the area which confines you further and increases the need to twist or overreach. Also arrange for adequate illumination.
• Don't hold an awkward position for too long. Pause often to stretch and straighten out.
• When leaning forward to work, support the weight of your upper body on your free hand and arm, whenever possible. This greatly relieves pressure on your lower back.
• Position yourself as close as possible to the job, avoid overreaching and/or use tools with longer handles when working on ladders or scaffolding.
• Never lift heavy loads that are far from your body's center of gravity. Get help in such cases.
• Position your work below the shoulder and above the knees to minimize over-reaching.
• Push, rather than pull, loads to help maintain the spine's natural curve.
• Remember that a back support belt may remind you to lift correctly, but it will not protect your spine if you overreach or twist with a load.

What specific awkward positions do you face in your work?

 

How can you "work smarter instead of harder" to prevent injuries?

5/10/2011 Cuts and Burns

Hello Safety blog followers.  Today I had a really tough time getting the words to come out.  At times during the presentation it felt as though I had a mouthful of peanut butter and a brain stuck in neutral.  So you might want to just read this one as opposed to listening to it, but I added the link to the audio anyway.  I apologize for the poor audio quality, and can only attribute this to poor sleep last night...but the show must go on, right?  Thanks for your patience with this one! -- As always, your comments are welcomed and appreciated...even today!

CUTS AND BURNS

Nicks, cuts, scratches and burns are minor injuries that can occur to any one of us no matter how careful we are; minor injuries to the skin that are often ignored. But it must be remembered that skin is a vital organ; one that should not be ignored. Not only is skin the largest bodily organ, it also keeps the good stuff in and the bad stuff out. So what do you do when you get a minor injury? If you are like many, you realize a doctor's visit is not necessary and try to treat the injury yourself. How do you know when and when not, to seek professional treatment? How do you treat injuries that do not require a doctor's visit?

Cuts: Cuts require immediate professional attention if:

• There is severe bleeding, especially arterial wounds, which literally pump blood from the body.
• Puncture wounds, such as those caused by a rusty nail or animal bite. These will require a tetanus booster shot.
• Cuts more than one half inch long and one quarter inch deep, which will require stitches.

To treat any cuts, first stop the bleeding and then treat to prevent infection. Place a sterile gauze (or if you do not have any gauze, a clean cloth) over the wound and hold it until the bleeding stops. Apply pressure continuously. If the gauze or cloth soaks through, simply place another cloth over the first and resume the pressure. When the bleeding has stopped, wash the cut with soap and water, followed by a disinfectant. If the bleeding does not stop, get professional treatment. After the cut is clean, look for any foreign object(s) in the cut and remove them. If you do not, a threatening infection may set in. To aid in keeping the wound clean while it heals, you can cover it with a bandage. However, if you use a bandage, remember it will need attention too. Change it twice daily and use an antibiotic cream to prevent further infection. Keep in mind that wounds exposed to air heal faster. But it is also very important to keep a wound clean and dry to prevent infection.

Treatment for a scrape is the same, except you do not have to worry about stopping blood flow as there is very little.

Burns:

Burns are classified as first, second, or third degree. A first degree burn causes redness. Blistering is caused by a second degree burn. Charred, blackened or blanched skin are signs of a third degree burn. Furthermore, burns can be caused by heat (thermal burns) or by contact with chemicals. Seek professional, medical treatment for:

• All third degree burns.
• Second degree burns involving more than one fifth of the body or if the burn has affected the face, hands, feet, or genitalia.

First aid treatment for a burn involves relief of pain, infection prevention and treatment or prevention of shock. If a burn begins to blister, cool it by placing your hand or foot in cold, still (not running) water. You will need to use an ice pack on any other part of the body. Gently clean the burn and cover the area with a sterile, non-stick gauze. Change the dressing twice a day. Never puncture a blister. This just opens the door for infection. Never use butter, oils, or petroleum jelly on burns.

If the burn is due to a chemical exposure, flush the burned area with running water for at least 15 minutes. While you flush, remove any contaminated clothing, especially clothing in the area of the burn. Check the first aid instructions for the chemical. These are found on the container and/or Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). Treat as specified. Cover the burn with a clean dressing and call a doctor.

• If a third degree burn is involved, get professional medical treatment quickly. Call an ambulance first. While awaiting professional help, make sure any fire is out and/or remove the victim from the burn source. DO NOT REMOVE ANY CLOTHING OR APPLY ANY DRESSINGS. Treat for shock and make sure the victim is still breathing.

Use common sense in all situations. Maintain a well stocked first aid kit and be familiar with first aid procedures. Being knowledgeable and prepared may be the smartest first step of all.

5/09/2011 Spider safety in Mid-South is serious business!

Spider safety in Mid-South is serious business!

by Dean Davis, Safety Specialist, Memphis District, USACE

Overview

Most spiders are absolutely harmless to humans. In fact, of the 20,000 different species of spiders that inhabit the Americas, only 60 are capable of biting humans. Within that small group, only four are known to be dangerous to humans: brown recluse, black widow, hobo or aggressive house spider, and the yellow sac spider. Within this select group, only the brown recluse and the black widow spider have ever been associated with significant disease and very rare reports of death.

These spiders are not aggressive and bite only when threatened, usually when pressed up against the victim's skin. They seek out dark, warm, dry environments such as attics, closets, porches, barns, basements, woodpiles, and old tires. Its small, haphazard web, found mostly in corners and crevices, is not used to capture prey. Most bites occur in the summer months.

Outlook

The majority of brown recluse bites cause little permanent skin damage, although, in some cases, moderate to severe tissue destruction is possible. The full extent of damage to tissues is not known for days. It may take many months for the wound to completely heal. Brown recluse bites are noted for somewhat slow development and often take up to 12 hours to reveal themselves. Necrosis of skin (death of the skin), if it occurs, does so in the first 96 hours. Bites older than this not revealing tissue death have not been reported to worsen.

Black widow spider bites result in a halo lesion consisting of a pale circular area surrounded by a ring of redness. The initial bite of the black widow spider is usually painful and the victim will often note the spider during the bite. This bite can result in numbness, tingling, rashes, sweating, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, cramps, rigid abdominal muscles, chest tightness, weakness, and difficulty breathing. The abdominal pain due to the spider bite can be so severe that it mimics abdominal medical conditions such as pancreatitis.

Spider Bite Treatment

If a black widow spider or brown recluse spider bite is suspected, you should see your doctor or go to an emergency department immediately. Wash the bite with soap and water and remove all jewelry. Swelling can occur and will make it difficult to remove some jewelry. The pain resulting from a black widow spider bite is usually so severe that it will require strong pain medications such as opioids. Definitely DO NOT cut into the wound or apply suction.

Prevention

Reducing the possibility of an encounter with a brown recluse spider starts with eliminating known spider habitations. Perform routine, thorough house cleaning and reduce clutter in garages, attics, and basements. Move all firewood, building materials, and debris away from the foundation, install tight-fitting window screens and door sweeps, and clean behind outside shutters. Consider installing yellow or sodium vapor light bulbs outside entrances because these lights are less attractive to insects and draw fewer spiders to the area, and if needed consider professional pest elimination.

Identification

Brown recluse                                        Black widow

 

 

                       courtesy photo                                              Jon Wilson photo

Brown recluse spiders are notable for their characteristic violin pattern on the body part to which the legs attach. The violin pattern is seen with the base of the violin at the head of the spider and the neck of the violin pointing to the rear. These small non-hairy spiders are yellowish-tan to dark brown in color with darker legs. They measure with legs about 1 inch in length.

The black widow spider is a shiny, inky black spider with a large round tail segment (abdomen). Including its legs, the black widow generally measures from one-half inch to one inch in length. Red to orange-colored markings, usually in the shape of an hourglass, are found on the underside of the belly.

5/6/2011 Eye Protection: Preserve Your Vision!

EYE PROTECTION: PRESERVE YOUR VISION

Today's brief is going to require some effort on your part! I'm assigning everyone a homework task. But don't panic, this homework will be a piece of cake! What I'd like you to do on your way home today is spend the evening observing the many beautiful things in this world! For just one evening, stop taking your eyesight for granted! Let me suggest the following:

As you leave the shop today, look up, down and all around, observing the beauty around you. See the blue sky, the many shades of leaves in the trees, and the different birds that occupy them. When you get home, watch your children playing in the yard and pay attention to how their eyes light up when Daddy or Mommy gets home. Have you ever stopped to think how wonderful your eyesight really is? Well, think about it. For about two minutes, close your eyes completely and contemplate how life would be if you lost your eyesight! That's it-your homework is complete! Did you come up with visions about how your life would change if you couldn't see? Did they include any of the following?

· When you and your family are on vacation, they will have to describe the scenery to you.
· You would have to be led wherever you want to go.
· Your spouse would have to describe the way your children's eyes light up when they open their presents at Christmas.
· No more leisurely activities such as hunting or fishing, watching movies or TV.
· No more driving the new truck you just bought.

Does this sound like something you want to go through? I didn't think so! Is there a way to prevent this from happening? You bet-wear your eye protection! A recent article in Safety & Health states that every day approximately 1,000 eye injuries occur in the U.S. OSHA estimates that 90% of eye injuries are preventable through the proper use of safety eye wear. What does this tell us? Many people are not wearing proper eye protection! Let's examine a few operations that present eye hazards:

· Grinding, hammering, chiseling, wood working or any other activity that might cause large fragments or small particles to fly through the air and into the eyes;
· Painting, spraying, sanding, metal working, spot welding or any process that may cause dust, fumes or tiny particulate to become airborne;
· Work tasks such as electric welding and cutting with a torch, furnace tending or operations around radiant energy or intense heat;
· Operations such as handling acids and caustics, and hot metal casting and babbitting where gases, vapors, liquids or splashing metals are generated.

Your eyesight is a precious gift. Please do not wait until it's too late to come to your senses. If your work presents an exposure to eye hazards, wear your eye protection.

Don't take chances. Open your eyes and protect your vision!

5/5/2011 Ladder Safety

LADDER SAFETY

We have all worked with ladders at some time in our lives, either at work or at home. The following are some tips that may make your interaction with ladders less hazardous:

• Before using a ladder, inspect it for faults, such as broken rungs or rails. If it is an extension ladder, inspect the pulleys, ropes and locks for excessive wear. Also, check the footings and pads to make sure they still provide a non-slip surface. If any defect is found, the ladder should be tagged unsafe and taken out of service. If it cannot be fixed, make sure it is disposed of properly.
• When setting up a ladder, make sure the ground it is set upon is level and stable. Do not set the ladder up on a muddy surface or you may find yourself falling over. Do not use bricks or other material to raise the height of the ladder. If it is not tall enough, you are using the wrong ladder.
• The ladder should reach a minimum of three feet above the "point of support" and should be secured at this point.
• When using extension ladders, abide by the 1:4 rule. This means if you are using a 12 foot ladder, the base should be three feet from the structure. Some ladders provide a picture guide on the ladder itself to assist you in this. When using a stepladder, make sure the folding cross braces are locked in the proper position before you step onto it.
• Always face the ladder when ascending or descending, and have both hands free to grasp it securely. If you need tools, they should be carried in a tool belt or pulled up with a rope once you have reached your destination.
• Remember the "3-Point Rule": At least two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand, should be in contact with the ladder at all times.
• Keep your body between the side rails of the ladder. This reduces the chance of tipping it over and/or falling off.
• Do not climb higher than the third rung from the top on straight or extension ladders or the second tread from the top on stepladders.

By following these rules, you greatly reduce your chances of being injured while working on ladders. Remember, the life you save will be your own!

5/04/2011 Sun Safety



SUN SAFETY

At some point we’ve all been burned by the sun. Sunburn is the effect of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the skin. Ultraviolet light is beaming down on us every day, and always has. But now there’s less protective ozone in the atmosphere and risks of exposure have increased.

UV rays are more powerful than visible light rays. They’re so powerful that they can cause cancer.

Ultraviolet radiation can also cause cataracts, other eye damage, and premature aging of the skin.

When you work in the sun, especially in spring and summer, you need to minimize the hazards of UV exposure.

1. Wear a shirt and long pants to cover most of your skin.

2. Protect the rest of your skin with sunscreen. Use SPF 30 or higher. Follow the instructions about how often to reapply. Don’t forget your ears. The more you sweat, the more often you need to reapply sunscreen.

3. Protect your eyes. Wear safety sunglasses if the tint doesn’t interfere with vision. (Most safety glasses—clear or tinted—decrease your UV exposure.)

4. Avoid contact with substances known to cause photosensitization, such as coal tar.

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor.

Multiply the SPF number by 10 to know how many minutes you can stay in the sun without burning.

Use a UV-blocking lip balm too.

Sunlight doesn’t have to be direct to do damage. Light reflected off surfaces such as sand, water, concrete, and snow can also cause UV exposure.

Weather reports now include a UV index. This gives you an idea of how intense the ultraviolet radiation will be under clear sunshine or light clouds.

When the index is high (7 or higher) you can get sunburned in only 15 to 20 minutes.

The highest exposure of the day is from noon to 2.

Sunscreen should be standard equipment for anyone working outside during spring and summer. Be sure to keep a bottle handy in your toolbox.

5/3/2011 Allergies, Antihistamines & Drowsiness

ALLERGIES, ANTIHISTAMINES & DROWSINESS

Spring is here! It is time to put away the heavy coats and break out the sunglasses. But the weather conditions that lead to "spring fever" also give rise to another affliction that affects many of us-hay fever.

Hay fever can make those who are sensitive to pollen miserable, interfering with work and play. Fortunately, modern medicine has developed drugs which give temporary relief from hay fever's common symptoms. As users of antihistamines and decongestants know, however, there are side effects to these over-the-counter drugs. The side effect most often experienced is drowsiness.

A Gallup survey of allergy sufferers was conducted several years ago. This survey found that the package warnings against driving or operating heavy machinery while taking the medicine are largely ignored. If you think about it, this shouldn't be surprising-since people take the medication so that they can continue with their normal activities, and they attempt to do so.

We hope that people will be aware of the drowsiness problem and watch out for it while working or driving. However, a recent article in the Cal-OSHA Reporter indicates this is not the case. A University Medical Center research team conducted an allergy workshop and concluded that most workers who are trying to control their allergies with over-the-counter drugs are not aware that they are sedated. In addition to feeling drowsy, other side effects of being sedated are reduced coordination, slowed reaction time and impaired judgment. These may be even less recognizable than drowsiness, but any of this can happen when a person is not fully alert. The use of allergy medication can also affect one's ability to focus on the work to be done by causing dizziness, nervousness, nausea or headaches.

Working in a hazardous industry is dangerous enough in itself. You must be alert at all times and able to react to production issues, recognize safety hazards, and be an asset to the crew. So what can be done to reduce the discomfort of hay fever season, yet keep you effective at work? The following tips may be helpful:

• Consider taking the medication for only significant allergy attacks-particularly if your job involves operating machinery or power tools.

• If you need the medicine, take the smallest dose possible that will still provide a level of relief that you need.

• Before taking the medication, read not only the warnings on the outer package, but also on the product insert. This small piece of paper, with equally small print, usually has much more detailed information about the product and possible side effects.

• Follow the recommended dosage. More is not necessarily better. Taking "extra doses" may only provide more side effects-and not more relief.

Finally, if you have any questions about allergy medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Some products may be less troublesome than others. Spring allergies can be very uncomfortable, but an accident or an injury could bring an even greater problem into your life.

5/2/2011 Extension Cord Safety

EXTENSION CORD SAFETY-TAKE NO CHANCES!


We use extension cords almost every day both at work and at home. These are very useful devices, but they can present a fire or shock hazard when either worn out or used improperly.

Types of extension cords:

Extension cords come in either two or three-wire types. Two-wire extension cords should only be used to operate one or two small appliances. Three-wire cords are used for outdoor appliances and electric power tools. The third wire on this cord is a ground and this type of cord should never be plugged into any ungrounded electrical outlet. Only grounded extension cords are to be used with power tools unless the tool is double insulated.

Construction sites require extension cords which are specified by the National Electric Code for hard usage or extra hard usage. Approved cords may be identified by the word "outdoor" or the letters "WA" on the jacket.

Care and inspection of extension cords:

Extension cords must be treated with care and checked regularly for damage or deterioration. The cord itself should never be pulled to disconnect it from an electrical source; remove it by the plug. They should not be placed under rugs or furniture and should never be strung through doorways, windows, walls, ceilings, or floors. Damaged cords present a potential fire or shock hazard and should be destroyed and replaced immediately.

An extension cord should never be used as a substitute for permanent wiring. They should not be fastened to a building or structure, even though staples are sold for this purpose at many hardware stores. Avoid plugging two cords together to make a longer one. It's best to use one cord in a continuous length from the receptacle to the appliance or tool. Extension cords which are either connected together or are too long will reduce operating voltage and operating efficiency of tools or appliances and may cause motor damage.

Extension cords are convenient devices which we often take for granted in our everyday activities, but which need proper care and attention. Use good housekeeping practices at home and at work, to keep extension cords from being a tripping hazards or becoming damaged. Inspect them regularly for wear and replace defective units.

Prevent potential electrical hazards that may lead to someone's injury!

4/29/2011 General Safety - Attitude And Behavior

GENERAL SAFETY - ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOR


Humans instinctively seek to avoid pain and death. And yet, we may behave in a manner that is a threat to our well-being. There are a couple of reasons why this occurs. The first is lack of knowledge. What you do not know, can hurt you!. The second reason we may act in a risky manner is attitude. Now might be a good time to do a quick self-analysis. What is your attitude toward safety?

When asked, some may say they are all for it. Others may complain about any safety effort being made. The difference between the two is one of attitude. Your attitude affects almost all that you do and how you do it.

Have you ever noticed that people who are successful in life, or are just happy, tend to have a positive attitude? And so it is with safety. Look at it this way. . . safety rules and procedures are written to protect you from harm. They are not written to make your work life more uncomfortable or inconvenient. After all, safety equipment and training costs your employer additional up front money.

If you cooperate in safety matters, not only is there a lesser likelihood of you getting hurt, you will not be doing battle with the boss who is just trying to do his job by enforcing the safety rules. In addition, you should feel more confident on the job knowing you have a better chance of making it throughout the day without injury. Less fear of injury and the boss no longer on your back has to brighten your day!

We are not perfect. Even the best of us can forget or make errors in judgment. To maximize our safety efforts, we must look out for one another. If someone tells you that you are not working in a safe manner, do not become angry or defensive. They are just looking out for your well-being. If you did not know you were doing something wrong, be thankful your errors were noted before someone got hurt. If you simply forgot or got a little careless, be grateful that someone cares enough to get you back on track. If you see someone doing something unsafe, speak up, but do so diplomatically. Treat others just as you would like to be treated in the same situation.

Remember, attitude affects behavior. If you have a positive attitude, odds are you will exhibit safe behavior. A negative attitude toward safety will only cause conflict, stress and, ultimately, an accident.

4/28/2011 Housekeeping Is Safe-Keeping At Work

 

HOUSEKEEPING IS SAFE-KEEPING AT WORK

 

"You never get a second chance to make a good first impression." Never has this phrase been so true as when it comes to housekeeping at work. The negative impressions and implications of poor housekeeping can affect you and co-workers for a long time to come. Morale is lowered for most people who must function every day in a messy, disorderly work environment, although they may not be aware of the cause.

 

Safety is an even more critical issue. If your housekeeping habits are poor, the result may be employee injuries-or even death, citations by OSHA (or another regulatory agency), and even difficulty in securing future work. How can such a "minor" issue have such serious consequences?

 

Here are some results of poor housekeeping practices:

• Injuries, when employees trip, fall, strike or are struck by out-of-place objects;
• Injuries from using improper tools because the correct tool can't be found;
• Lowered production because of the time spent maneuvering over and around someone else's mess, and time spent looking for proper tools and materials;
• Time spent investigating and reporting accidents that could have been avoided;
• Fires due to improper storage and disposal of flammable or combustible materials and wastes;
• Substandard quality of finished products because of production schedule delays, damaged or defective finishes, ill-equipped employees, etc.;
• Lack of future work due to a reputation for poor quality;
• "Wall-to-wall" OSHA inspections due to the "first impression" of the compliance officer.

 General housekeeping rules to remember are:

• Clean up after yourself. Pick up your trash and debris and dispose of it properly, or place it where it will not pose a hazard to others. Institute a routine cleaning schedule.
• Keep your work area clean throughout the day. This will minimize the amount of time needed to clean a "larger mess" at the end of the day.
• Dispose of combustibles and flammables properly. If improperly discarded, they will increase the potential for a fire.
• Remove protruding nails and other sharp objects or hammer them flat to prevent someone from stepping on them or snagging themselves.
• Stack materials and supplies orderly and secure them so they won't topple.

 

Do you value your health and safety, your work reputation, as well as your future employment? If you do, practice these general housekeeping rules.

 

An uncluttered workplace shows respect for those who work there. Help keep it that way!

4/27/2011 Reasons To Drink Water

Reasons to Drink Water

Water is a critical element of the body, and adequate hydration is a must to allow the body to function. Up to 75% of the body's weight is made up of water. Most of the water is found within the cells of the body. This is called the intracellular space. The rest is found in what is referred to as the extracellular space, which consists of the blood vessels also known as the intravascular space and the spaces between cells also known as the interstitial space.

Dehydration occurs when the amount of water leaving the body is greater than the amount being taken in. The body is very dynamic and always changing. This is especially true with water in the body. We lose water routinely:

• when we breathe and humidified air leaves the body;

• when we sweat to cool the body; and

• when we urinate or have a bowel movement to rid the body of waste products.

In a normal day, a person has to drink a significant amount of water to replace this routine loss.

The body lives within a very narrow range of normal parameters, and signs and symptoms of dehydration will occur quickly if the water is not replenished. The body is able to monitor the amount of fluid it needs to function. The thirst mechanism signals the body to drink water when the body is dry. As well, hormones like anti-diuretic hormone, or ADH, work with the kidney to limit the amount of water lost in the urine when the body needs to conserve water.

Aside from the risks of becoming dehydrated, here are 9 more reasons you may not have considered to help make drinking water a part of your routine:

1. Weight loss

Water is one of the best tools for weight loss, first of all because it often replaces high-calorie drinks like soda and juice and alcohol with a drink that doesn't have any calories. But it's also a great appetite suppressant, and often when we think we're hungry, we're actually just thirsty. Water has no fat, no calories, no carbs, and no sugar. Drink plenty to help your weight-loss regimen.

2. Heart healthy

Drinking a good amount of water could lower your risks of a heart attack. A six-year study published in the May 1, 2002 edition of the American Journal of Epidemiology found that those who drink more than 5 glasses of water a day were 41% less likely to die from a heart attack during the study period than those who drank less than two glasses.

3. Energy

Being dehydrated can sap your energy and make you feel tired -- even mild dehydration of as little as 1 or 2 percent of your body weight. If you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated -- and this can lead to fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness and other symptoms.

4. Headache cure

Another symptom of dehydration is headaches. In fact, often when we have headaches it's simply a matter of not drinking enough water. There are lots of other causes of headaches of course, but dehydration is a common one.

5. Healthy skin

Drinking water can clear up your skin and people often report a healthy glow after drinking water. It won't happen overnight, of course, but just a week of drinking a healthy amount of water can have good effects on your skin.

6. Digestive problems

Our digestive systems need a good amount of water to digest food properly. Often water can help cure stomach acid problems, and water along with fiber can cure constipation (often a result of dehydration).

7. Cleansing

Water is used by the body to help flush out toxins and waste products from the body.

8. Cancer risk

Related to the digestive system item above, drinking a healthy amount of water has also been found to reduce the risk of colon cancer by 45%. Drinking lots of water can also reduce the risk of bladder cancer by 50% and potentially reduce the risk of breast cancer.

9. Better exercise

Being dehydrated can severely hamper your athletic activities, slowing you down and making it harder to lift weights. Exercise requires additional water, so be sure to hydrate before, during and after exercise.

Remember: You can help your body by drinking water when you're thirsty and drinking extra water when it's warm out. Your body will be able to do all of the things it is supposed to and you'll feel great!

4/26/2011 Teamwork in Safety

TEAMWORK IN SAFETY

Whether in the sports arena or in the workplace, the most effective results come from people who realize that their goal is best achieved by teamwork. Injury preventing teamwork on the job consists of a combination of thoughtfulness and responsibility—for co-workers’ safety as well as your own. For example:

* Lending a hand when asked, or offering help when noticing a need. This also helps to reduce workplace stress, and you may even feel good about helping out.
* Cleaning up a mess or spill that you cause—but even doing it for someone else’s mess in order to keep anyone from getting hurt.
* Leaving your work area and equipment in safe condition for the next shift
* Turning in a defective tool for repair
* Reminding a co-worker of safe behavior (such as putting on safety glasses)
* Reporting a potentially hazardous condition to your supervisor

Here’s what company managers have said about the importance of teamwork:

* “It takes everyone working together cooperatively for everyone to be truly safe.”
* “Teamwork means taking the time to show someone else the safe way to do a job and asking for help if you are not sure what to do.”
* “Cooperation of this sort is necessary because we’re all in this together—in life itself—and life, like work, is not only safer and more productive but even more fun when we cooperate.”

But it’s not just the brass who feel strongly about teamwork and safety. Here’s what employees at a company with a zero-accident goal had to say:

* “The secret is personal commitment and communication, and looking out for one another, too.” (office worker)
* “Anybody who does something unsafe in the shop gets jumped on by the rest of us—but never maliciously or to downgrade the person. We police one another because we care about one another.” (welder)
* “I’ve learned that safety is a two-way street: The worker has to be involved, but the go-ahead from the top is essential.” (mechanic)

So, What do you have to say about safety on the job? Ask yourself, Are you a safety team player?

4/25/2011 Pallet Safety

PALLET SAFETY

Webster defines a pallet as a "support for freight." As a support, it has the potential to take a lot of abuse. A lot of old pallets are never discarded when they should be.  They are stacked in a corner and not used except as a last resort when there are no good ones left.  Many times we hear that a pallet has broken and the freight has fallen to the floor. This not only causes freight damage but can also result in equipment damage--or worse yet, in employee injury or death. Please take a moment to review the following safety tips for working around palletized loads:

*Before you use a pallet, inspect it for cracks, weaknesses and other damage. If you find damage, mark it unsafe for use until it is either fixed or thrown away. This can prevent a lot of potential problems.

*When loading a pallet, make sure the load is centered and not out of balance.

*If the pallet is holding several loose items, make sure the entire load is secured with shrink wrap or banding.

*Exercise caution when stacking several pallets high. Make sure the stack is not leaning, because of weak or broken segments, which may cause the whole pile to fall over.

*Always know the load limits of the pallets, and the pallet jack or forklift you are using. Neither the pallets nor mechanical lifting devices should ever be overloaded.

*Load limits should also established and marked on warehouse floors, balconies, mezzanines, etc. Always comply with these.

*Make sure your forklift has an overhead cage or screen to protect the driver from falling objects when items are being stacked or loaded overhead.

Remember--thinking ahead can save a lot of trouble. It is a waste of production time and effort to reload a pallet that has fallen. But, more importantly, an effective pallet safety plan can prevent injuries and save lives!

4/22/2011 Can We Eat Where We Work?

Does OSHA Prohibit Eating and Drinking in the Workplace?

Question: Does OSHA prohibit eating or drinking any food or beverage in the workplace? Many people have reported that their employer or manager has told them that OSHA rules prohibit having any food or anything to drink where they work.

Answer: The best answer to the question of food and beverages (eating and drinking in the workplace) has to do with the hazards and potential for hazard that this would bring. All OSHA standards require that employers evaluate workplace hazards and determine whether what is required to ensure safety and health of employees.

For example, 29CFR 1910.142 requires that no employee be allowed to have food or beverages in an area where they could be contaminated with toxic or infectious materials. Obviously, it would not be appropriate to eat and drink in proximity to chemicals, such as at pesticide factory in the production area, but employees in an average bank, could (under OSHA) safely drink a coke at their desk.

Summary: OSHA does not have a rule that flatly prohibits workers eating or drinking in the workplace. Each workplace is different and the employer has the responsibility to evaluate the particular hazards and make a reasonable determination.

Since it is up to the employer, here's VSE's stance:

COMPLIANCE PROGRAM FOR HAZARD COMMUNICATION

(HES-101)

11.0 PERSONAL HYGIENE AND WORK PRACTICES

The potential exists for significant chemical exposure due to poor personal hygiene practices. No eating, drinking, application of cosmetics (including lip balm) or smoking is permitted in work areas, or where hazardous chemicals are being used or stored. Eating is allowed only in designated areas (such as an employee lunch room). Workers will remove coveralls and wash their hands, arms and faces prior to eating, drinking, applying cosmetics or smoking.

Dependent upon the type of operations performed at each VSE facility/project, various work practices and personal hygiene activities may be required to ensure employees’ exposures to chemicals is minimized. The appropriate Safety Coordinator is responsible for conducting internal assessments to determine appropriate work practices.

4/21/2011 Hazard Awareness--The Little Things Count

HAZARD AWARENESS--THE LITTLE THINGS COUNT

Most of us have probably heard the old saying, "It's the little things that count."

There are many small things that influence our lives, and ignoring them can sometimes have serious consequences -- particularly when it comes to safety. We have all been trained to watch out for the big hazards that could harm us, but the little ones can sometimes cause serious injuries too.

One company became very concerned when its accident frequency showed a large increase over a three-month period. Management began an in-depth check of systems, equipment, and material that are considered to be high-hazard: heavy machinery, ventilation, toxic substances, machine guarding, etc.

Much like here at VSE, to everyone's surprise, none of these things were the cause of their accidents. Chemicals were properly labeled and stored; machines were in good repair and properly guarded; the exhaust fans, sprinkler systems, respirators, etc., were all in good working order. Instead, accidents stemmed from a variety of "little things" that had been ignored until an injury occurred. For example, they found that serious falls had been caused by:

1.) A puddle of oil on the floor from a leaking forklift. No one had poured absorbent on the spill because it was "too small to worry about." It wasn't too small, however, to make a passing employee slip and fall when he didn't notice it. (Furthermore, the leaking forklift needs to be repaired so this accident won't happen again.)

2.) A box of supplies that had been left on the floor in front of a shelf, instead of properly stored. It had been walked around dozens of times before someone finally tripped over it.

3.) A ladder that was placed in front of an outward-opening door "just for a minute" to change a light bulb. It was knocked over by another worker coming through the door, and both he and the worker on the ladder were injured.

All these "accidents waiting to happen" had been ignored because they didn't really seem that dangerous to the workers involved. Employees all knew about, and carefully avoided, the major hazards found when repairing energized electrical equipment or bypassing machine guards.

We often intend to report a defective tool, extension cord, or stepladder to the maintenance department but don't take the time, or forget about. It is important to follow through on our good intentions, since these are just the sort of "little things" that can result in a serious injury to ourselves or to other workers.

Little things do count and if we take a few minutes to pay attention to all the potential hazards around us we can prevent serious injuries from happening to ourselves and other employees.

4/19/2011 Refueling Equipment

Refueling Equipment

Refueling equipment is a necessary part of the heater project. As such, it is important that this operation be conducted in as safe a manner as possible. Remember that fuels are manufactured specifically to cause an explosion (hopefully in the engine). Today, we want to talk about simple refueling rules.

Concentrate on the task to be performed.
Never smoke during refueling operations.
Don’t refuel near an open flame or near a sparking situation.
Keep a fire extinguisher within 25 feet.
If the equipment is on wheels, and may accidentally move, chock the wheels.
Always shut the engine off.

If necessary, allow the engine to cool.

Be sure both fuel dispensing tank and equipment are grounded.

Don’t spill the fuel. (Spilled fuel is a safety, health and environmental hazard). You can avoid spillage by using a funnel.

Don’t overfill the fuel tank. On hot days, allow for expansion.

Always clean up any spills.

Remember: If there is a specific refueling area, be sure it is clearly marked and keep the area neat at all times. Whether you are filling a bulldozer or a chain saw, a lawn mower or even your car, it's better to do it properly than to risk an explosion that could ruin or end your life and the life of those all around you. Remember, the fuel you are using was designed to explode when ignited.

4/18/2011 Avoiding Back Injuries

Avoiding Back Injuries

 
The amount of force you place on your back in lifting may surprise you!


Think of your back as a lever. With the fulcrum in the center, it only takes ten pounds of pressure to lift a ten pound object.

If you shift the fulcrum to one side, it takes much more force to lift the same object. Your waist acts like the fulcrum in a lever system, on a 10:1 ratio. Lifting a ten pound object puts 100 pounds of pressure on your lower back.

When you add in the 105 pounds of the average human upper torso, you see that lifting a ten pound object actually puts 1,150 pounds of pressure on the lower back.

Now let’s talk about some of the causes of back injuries.  Anytime you find yourself doing one of these things, you should think:

DANGER! ... My back is at risk!

Try to avoid heavy lifting . . Especially repetitive lifting over a long period of time.
Avoid Twisting at the waist while lifting or holding a heavy load . . . this frequently happens when using a shovel.
Avoid Reaching and lifting over your head, across a table, or out the back of a truck.
Avoid Lifting or carrying objects with awkward or odd shapes.
Avoid Working in awkward, uncomfortable positions or Sitting or standing too long in one position.  Believe it or not, sitting can be very hard on the lower back.
And remember that It is also possible to injure your back slipping on a wet floor or ice.

Prevention:
Avoid lifting and bending whenever you can.
Place objects up off the floor.
Raise/lower shelves.
Use hand trucks, carts, dolleys, cranes, hoists, lift tables, and other lift-assist devices whenever you can.
Test the weight of an object before lifting it by picking up one corner or a side.
Get help if it’s too heavy for you to lift it alone.

When you do have to lift something, Use proper lift procedures
Follow these steps when lifting:
1.) Take a balanced stance, feet shoulder-width apart.
2.) Squat down to lift, get as close to the load as you can.
3.) Get a secure grip, hug the load.
4.) Lift gradually using your legs, keeping the load close to you, and keeping your back and neck straight.
Once standing, change directions by pointing your feet in the direction you want to go, and turn your whole body uniformly. Avoid twisting at your waist.
To put load down, use these guidelines in reverse.

Here are some things we can all do:
Minimize injuries to your back by doing exercises that tone the muscles in your back, hips and thighs. Before beginning any exercise program, you should check with your doctor.
Exercise regularly.
Warm up slowly . . . A brisk walk is a good way to warm up.
Inhale deeply before each repetition of an exercise and exhale when performing each repetition.

Take care of your back…And it will take care of you!
Exercise daily.
Avoid Heavy Lifting.
Get Help with heavy or bulky objects.
If you must bend over, do it properly.
Avoid twisting at the waist when carrying objects.
Always watch where you’re going.

4/15/2011 Wet Weather Driving

Wet weather driving

Driving in the rain can be a safety challenge. According to the National Safety Council, losing control of a vehicle is avoidable by following these preventative measures.

Prevent skids by driving slowly and carefully, especially on curves. Steer and brake with a light touch. When slowing or stopping, don't brake hard or lock the wheels and risk a skid. Maintain mild pressure on the brake pedal.

If the car begins to skid, remain calm, ease off the gas pedal and carefully steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go. For cars without anti-lock brakes, avoid using the brakes. This procedure, known as "steering into the skid," will bring the back end of the car in line with the front. If the car has anti-lock brakes, brake firmly as you "steer into the skid."

To avoid hydroplaning, keep tires properly inflated, maintain good tread and replace them when necessary. Slow down when roads are wet and stay away from puddles. Try to drive in the tire tracks left by the cars in front of you.

If the car is hydroplaning, don't brake or turn suddenly. This could cause the car to skid. Ease off of the gas pedal until the car slows and you can feel the road again. If you need to brake, do it gently with light pumping actions. If the car has anti-lock brakes, then brake normally; the car's computer will mimic a pumping action, when necessary.

Stay safe on the roadways and always use caution when driving in inclement weather.

4/14/2011 Parts Washing Tanks - A Safety Checklist

PARTS WASHING TANKS --A SAFETY CHECKLIST!

A common piece of equipment in most shops is a cleaning tank which uses solvents to clean parts and tools. Many hazards are associated with this equipment, but it often receives little attention when it comes to maintenance and safety. There are several important things to remember about the safe and proper use of any parts washing tank:

Splash Hazards - There is always the possibility of cleaning tank chemicals being splashed onto employees or surrounding surfaces. To protect workers be sure there are clean face shields or splash-proof goggles, chemical resistant aprons and gloves to protect against skin contact and absorption of chemicals. These items must be located near the cleaning tank. An eyewash station, with no obstructions en route, should also be nearby and ready for emergency use.

Fire Hazards - All cleaning tanks should have a functioning lid with a fusible link retractor. If your tank is missing this link, one can be ordered from a parts catalog. In the case of fire the fusible link will melt and separate, causing the lid to close automatically, which will usually smother the fire. A properly rated fire extinguisher should be mounted nearby for easy access.

Only an approved solvent should be used in the tank. These solvents are considered combustible rather than flammable, as the flash point is approximately 100 F. Never use gasoline as a cleaning solvent! (The flash point is -45 F!) Be sure that all sources of ignition are kept away from the area. NO SMOKING should be allowed near the combustible solvents used in parts washing tanks! When not in use, the tank lid should be closed.

Housekeeping - As with any work area it is very important to keep the immediate area clean and free of obstacles. Cleaning solution in the tank should be changed as necessary to avoid cross contamination of other chemicals which may have dissolved from parts being cleaned. Dispose of used chemical solutions according to local and/or state environmental regulations.

Adequate Lighting - Tanks are sometimes located on a back wall or corner of a shop. As with any work station, this area should be well lit to reduce the chance of a mishap.

Cleaning Tank Safety Checklist:

*Retractable lid mechanisms
*Fusible link
*Work light
*Face shield, gloves and apron
*Eye wash station
*Fire extinguisher
*No Smoking signs
*Adequate ventilation
*Watch for leaks--and take care of them.
*Proper Solvents used.

Watch for cleaning tank leaks-and take care of them immediately!

4/13/2011 Crane Operations - Using a Tag Line

4/11/2011 Ten Steps to Avoid a Fall

4/4/2011 Your Right to Know