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