CHAINSAW SAFETY

Any tool powerful enough to slice through wood can do the same to human flesh, so chainsaw injuries are often serious. If you rent a saw, be sure to get a demonstration of how it works, including its safety features. Then make sure your saw is sharp, properly tensioned, and in good condition.

Some chainsaw injuries are caused by operator error. But, kickback is the greatest cause of injuries. In kickback, the upper chain “grabs” in the wood or an obstruction & forces the saw backward, causing operator to either lose control of the saw or lose balance. This brings the saw in contact with the body. Some chainsaws have chain brakes designed to instantly stop after kickback. These don’t prevent kickback, but can reduce severity of injury.

Carry the saw below your waist, with the engine off and guide bar pointed to the rear, so if you trip the saw drops behind you. It’s dangerous to work alone with chainsaws. Have a companion within calling distance.

If your saw is electric, make sure you use an extension cord that’s approved for outdoor use and don’t use the saw in a damp environment. Fuel your gasoline powered chainsaw outdoors -careful not to overfill or spill fuel. Never refuel a hot saw. Let it cool down & have a fire extinguisher near.

ATV SAFETY ON THE FARM

If you own or operate an ATV for agricultural work in California, the ATV should be licensed with the Dept.of Motor Vehicles.

Protective gear keeps you safe and in control of your ATV. Helmets certified for ATV use provide head protection & cut death risk by 1/2; they should be secure & impact resistant, yet allow peripheral vision. A helmet face shield, goggles, or glasses can provide eye protection from flying dirt, rocks, insects, or vegetation.

Gloves and boots protect your hands and feet, and allow you to maintain a firm grip and control over the ATV. Long sleeves & pants protect exposed skin; padded & reinforced clothing is ideal.

When riding, scan ahead and to the side for obstacles, uneven terrain, vehicles, people, & animals. Reduce speed to at least 15 mph if you see a potential hazard. Pay attention to guy wires & barbed wire fences; they are low profile and difficult to see.

Keep the ATV off of public roads; ATVs are only allowed to cross public roads. If you must cross a road, remember that ATVs are low to the ground and may not be visible. Lights, reflectors, & flags can make the ATV visible.

In CA, there are specific regulations for riders under 18-years of age. For more information, call your local Cal/OSHA office or visit the website www.atvsafety.org.

What is a Work Related Injury?

An injury or illness must be work-related to be covered under OSHA Injury and Illness Recordkeeping requirements (29 CFR 1904). That is, a causal connection must exist between the employment and the injury of illness for a case to be recordable.

OSHA has concluded that the employer is in the best position to determine work-relatedness, not an M.D. or the OSHA inspector. However, inspectors may second-guess employers, so you might consider erring on the side of caution. Use your best judgment, being aware that the consequences of over-reporting are minimal whereas underreporting can result in citations as well as a negative impression of the workplace on the part of the OSHA inspector.

OSHA considers an injury or illness to be work-related if an event or exposure in the work environment either caused or contributed to the resulting condition or significantly aggravated a pre-existing injury or illness. Work-relatedness is presumed for an injury or illness resulting from events of exposures occurring in the work environment, unless an exception in Section 1904.5(b)(2) specifically applies or the employer can prove it is a pre-existing condition and nothing in the workplace aggravated it.

National Eye Institute - A Great Informative Site on Eye Info :

http://www.nei.nih.gov/tools/sitemap.asp

Eye injuries account for an estimated 100,000 physician visits per year at a cost of more than $175 million.

90% of sports-related eye injuries can be avoided with the use of protective eyewear. Protective eyewear includes safety glasses and goggles, safety shields, and eye guards designed for a particular sport. Ordinary prescription glasses, contact lenses, and sunglasses do not protect against eye injuries. Safety goggles should be worn over them.

EYE INFO FOR COACHES & PARENTS:
http://www.nei.nih.gov/sports/

Eye Protection for Workers Near Eye Hazards – Regardless of Contact Lens Wear

NIOSH recommends workers be permitted to wear contact lenses when handling hazardous chemicals, provided that the safety guidelines below are followed & that contact lenses are not banned by regs or contraindicated by medical or industrial hygiene recommendations.

Still conduct a workplace eye injury hazard evaluation by including assessment:
• Chemical exposures
• Contact lens wear among affected employees
• Appropriate eye and face protection for contact lens wearers

At a minimum, an evaluation of the properties of the chemicals in use—include concentration, permissible exposure limits, known eye irritant/injury properties, form of chemical (powder, liquid, or vapor), and possible routes of exposure. An assessment for contact lens wearers needs to include a review of info about lens absorption, absorption for class of chemicals in use, & an account of injury experience for the employer or industry, if known.

NIIOSH says that wearing contact lenses do not appear to require enhanced eye protection. For chemical vapor, liquid, or caustic dust hazards, the minimum protection consists of well-fitting non-vented or indirectly vented goggles or full-face piece respirators. Close-fitting safety glasses with side protection provide limited chemical protection but do not prevent chemicals from bypassing the protection.

Meet Al : Introduction Video from 2009

 from 2009

HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM

For employees who use chrome plating baths, weld or cut chromium-containing metals, such as stainless steel; handle dry chromate-containing pigments or spray chromate-containing paints and coatings, this pertains.

• Hexavalent chromium enters the body in two ways: (1) inhaled when chromium dust, mist, or fumes are in the air, 2) particles can be swallowed if the dust gets on hands, clothing, or beard, or in food/beverages.

• Hexavalent chromium can irritate the respiratory tract in the nose, throat, & lungs. Repeated or prolonged exposure can damage the mucous membranes of the nasal passages causing ulcers. In some cases, septum damage (the wall separating nasal passages) develops a hole.

• Prolonged skin contact can result in dermatitis and skin ulcers. Some workers develop an allergic sensitization to chromium. Kidney damage has been linked to high dermal exposures.

• Hexavalent chromium is an eye irritant. Direct eye contact with chromic acid or chromate dusts can cause permanent eye damage.

• Wear respiratory protection.
• Wear protective clothing & eye-face protection if there is the potential that hexavalent chromium can come in contact with eyes or skin.
• Always use change rooms & washing facilities provided before eating, drinking, smoking, or using toilet.
• Remove contaminated clothing B4 entering designated eating & drinking areas.
• Use HEPA filter vacuuming to keep surfaces as free as possible of material containing hexavalent chromium.
• Collect/dispose of all waste in sealed, impermeable containers.
• Flush eye area immediately for at least 15 min. & get medical attention.
• For skin exposure, wash thoroughly with soap and water. Get medical attention if irritation persists.
• For inhalation, move the person to fresh air & get medical attention.

EXTENSION CORD – zap!

• Insert plugs fully so that no part of prongs is exposed when the extension cord is used.
• Disconnecting? – pull the plug rather than the cord.
• Use only three-wire extension cords for appliances with three-prong plugs. Never remove the third (round or U-shaped) prong. It is a safety feature designed to reduce risk of shock & electrocution.

• Where furniture may be pushed against an extension cord where the cord joins the plug, use a special "angle extension cord," designed for use in these instances.
• Noticeable warming of plastic parts is expected when used at maximum rating. However, if cord feels hot or with softening of plastic, this is a warning that the plug wires or connections are failing & cord should be discarded / replaced.
• Never cover any part of an extension cord with newspapers, clothing, rugs, or any objects while the cord is in use. Never place an extension cord where it is likely to be damaged by heavy furniture or foot traffic.
• Don't use staples or nails to attach extension cords to a baseboard or to another surface. This could damage the cord and present a shock or fire hazard.
• Don't overload extension cords by plugging in appliances that draw a total of more watts than the rating of the cord.
• Use special, heavy duty extension cords for high wattage appliances such as air conditioners, portable electric heaters, and freezers.
• When using outdoor tools and appliances, use only extension cords labeled for outdoor use.
(From the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)

FORKLIFT BATTERY CARE RULES

1. Add approved water only — not acid.
2. Keep electrolyte level above separator protectors.
3. Keep battery top clean and dry.
4. Keep flame and metal away from the battery top.
5. Keep vent caps tightly in place.
6. Do not use battery with specific gravity below 1.120.
7. Cool before charging or operating if battery is above 115ºF.
8. Charge only at proper voltage and ampere-hours.
9. Keep truck compartment and battery cover open during charging.
10 Have an eyewash station nearby! (or a sink converted into an eyewash)
.......CAUTION - DO NOT OVERFILL........

Approved Water — in most areas of the U.S., tap water is satisfactory of use in lead acid batteries. But, your manufacturer may advise otherwise upon request & area. Use distilled water when in doubt if the public water source is not approved.

ELETRICAL SAFETY TIPS FOR SUPERVSORS

1. Develop a zero-tolerance policy toward energized work. Get serious about "no hot work." This includes conducting an electrical hazard analysis for energized work.
2. Get out and see what your workers are doing – in the shop or field).
3. Develop checklists or other ways to track who's qualified to perform which tasks (e.g. job-task analyses to provide a blueprint of employees' activities).
4. Train your employees–to be qualified to perform tasks. They must know the construction, operation, and hazards associated with the equipment they're using. Supervisors should be responsible for knowing what employees can do safely.
5. Develop safe work practices and procedures. Practices like energized electrical work permits, clearance procedures, & switching orders can help prevent accidents & can help document that right steps were taken. (Especially important in case of an accident.)
6. Perform periodic safety audits. When workers know they’ll be subject to random audits, they’ll try to maintain safe work procedures & practices.
7. Conduct job briefings any time the scope of the work changes significantly & when new or different hazards occur.
8. Be cautious about implementing safety awards programs, especially if they may discourage accident reporting.
9. Become familiar with NFPA 70E and the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Guide for Performing Arc Flash Hazard Calculations.
10. Document everything. Show a good-faith effort; OSHA will notice. "If it’s not in writing, you never did it."

FLAMMABILITY

FLAMMABILITY is defined as how easily something will burn or ignite, causing fire or combustion. The degree of difficulty required to cause combustion of a substance is quantified through fire testing. Internationally, a variety of test protocols exist to quantify flammability. The ratings achieved are used in building codes, insurance requirements, fire codes & other regulations governing the use of building materials as well as the storage & handling of highly flammable substances inside & outside of structures and in surface and air transportation. For example, changing occupancy by altering the flammability of the contents requires the owner of a building to apply for a building permit to make sure that the overall fire protection design basis of the facility can take the change into account.

* National Burn Awareness Week, observed the first full week in Feb.

Hand Washing - Simple Enough - for Flu Season that is...

Here are some facts about hand washing from the Oregon Department of Health Services:

Hand washing is the single most important thing you can do to avoid the flu or to avoid spreading illness. Adequate hand washing requires soap & clean, running water. Warm water is preferable. Lather up & scrub for 20 seconds.

Why use soap? It mixes with skin oil and loosens grease and dirt that may hold germs. If not available, use an alcohol-based gel as a substitute. Plain soap is a better choice than antibacterial soaps.

Wash your hands often. The average person touches eyes, nose, and mouth at least 200 times a day.

The most important times to wash hands are before preparing or eating food, after going to the bathroom or diapering a baby, before and after caring for someone who is sick or bleeding, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, and after handling an animal, animal waste, or garbage.

USEFUL OSHA RULES FOR STAIRS & STEPS WHEN ADDING THEM

Stair strength: Fixed stairways shall be designed and constructed to carry a load of five times the normal live load anticipated but never of less strength than to carry safely a moving concentrated load of 1,000 pounds.

Stair width of fixed stairways shall have a minimum width of 22 inches.

Handrails are important: If steps are greater than 44” wide then handrails must be on both sides; less than 44” tread – only one side.

Vertical clearance: should be at least 7 feet measured from the leading edge of the tread above any stair tread to an overhead obstruction (so you don’t it your head).

Winding stairways may be installed on tanks and similar round structures where the diameter of the structure is not less than five (5) feet. However, usually shall not be permitted except for special limited usage and secondary access situations where it is not practical to provide a conventional stairway.

Angle of stairway rise: Fixed stairs shall be installed at angles to the horizontal of between 30 deg. and 50 deg.

WELDING HAZARDS

Welding sparks can travel as far as 35 feet, and spatter can bounce on the floor or fall through openings. About 6 percent of industrial fires resulting in loss of human life are due to unsafe welding or cutting operations.

These are the sources of hazards & body parts most vulnerable and some steps to prevent injuries:

1. Fire (from flame, sparks, & hot slag):
—Remove combustible materials from the area.
—Clean all flammable substances from the work surface.
—Cover wooden floors if possible.
—Keep a sand bucket and fire extinguisher nearby.
—Wear fire-resistant clothing.
—Perform welding in areas with fire-resistant floors or floors covered with fire-resistant shields.

2. Fumes (from heated metal):
—Work area should be well-ventilated.
—Wear approved respirator if required.
—Stop working if you feel ill.
—Use respirators to prevent inhaling dangerous fumes & gases.
—Check that ventilation is adequate when welding, and set fans to blow fumes away from you.

3 . Face (injuries to the face and eyes):
—Wear a face shield to protect against eye injuries from sparks, flying particles, and radiation.
—Realize that goggles may also be needed when chipping metal.

Gas welders:
—Check cylinders regularly for leaks.
—Store cylinders upright and secured in a separate, dry, ventilated, fireproof room.
—Keep cylinders away from heat and flammables, and keep oxygen away from flammable or explosive gases.
—Turn off cylinders when not in use.
—Don't drop or roll cylinders.

Arc welders:
—Turn off welders before touching electrical parts.
—Have separate ground for object being welded.
—Use the correct size cable, with intact insulation.
—Don't wear metal jewelry or weld in the rain.

Standing at Workstations

-->Precision work, such as writing or electronic assembly— should be 4"above elbow height.
-Light work, such as assembly line or mechanical jobs—just below elbow height.
-Heavy work with demanding downward forces—4"-6" below elbow height.
NOTE: If the work surface is not adjustable, provide a platform for shorter workers or pedestals on the work surface to raise the work up for taller workers.
-->Footrests:
At standing workstations, provide employees with either a sand-alone footrest or rail at least 4"-6" high. Elevating a foot puts the arch (called "lordosis") back in the low back, combats fatigue, & helps in recovery.
-->Footwear:
-Your feet can only be as comfortable as the footwear permits.
-Wear shoes that do not change the shape of your foot.
-Choose shoes that provide a firm grip for the heel. If the back of the shoe is too wide or too soft, the foot will slip causing instability & soreness.
-Wear shoes that allow freedom to move your toes. Pain & fatigue result if shoes are too narrow or too shallow.
-Ensure that shoes have arch supports. Lack of arch support causes flattening of feet.
-Tighten the lace instep of your footwear firmly. This helps prevent the foot from slipping inside the shoes or boots.
-Use padding under the tongue of the shoe or boot if you suffer from tenderness over the bones at the top of the foot.
-Consider using shock-absorbing cushioned insoles when walking or standing on cement or metal floors.

STORAGE RELATED SAFETY

To avoid storage accidents (like a heavy-laden falling shelf), sharp edges that stick out of stored items, or other risks:

DO’s :
• All storage racks & shelves are securely anchored in good condition.
• Employees stack materials on a flat base.
• Workers place heavy objects on the bottom.
• Use a ladder to reach stored items overhead.
• Workers wear gloves when handling materials to avoid splinters, fasteners, nails & sharp edges.
• Employees watch out for plastic or metal strapping, which can snap without warning.
• Proper disposal of trash and debris.
• Employees know how to use conveyors, cranes, hoists & other lifting devices.
• Make sure to have fire extinguishers that can contain storage classes of fires:
Class A — Combustibles (paper, wood, cardboard)
Class B — Liquid fuels (solvents, oil-based paints, gasoline)
Class C — Electrical fires

DON'T:
• Stack items so high that they block the fire sprinkler heads
• Pile materials too close to sources of heat or electricity
• Leave remnants of packing material on the floor
• Place items so that they stick out into walkways
• Stand under or beside loosely piled materials
• Lift improperly or lift more than one can carry safely

Why are Nanoparticles a Health Concern?

Little is known about the health effects of nanoparticles on workers. Because of their very small size, nanoparticles (and ultrafine particles) may present unique safety and health concerns which are not present in larger-sized particles. Upon inhalation, they are deposited in the lungs to a greater extent than larger respirable particles. In experimental studies, these small-sized particles were shown to pass through skin, enter the bloodstream from the lungs, cross cell membranes, and even travel through nerves directly into the brain. Some studies have also shown that, for a given mass dose, the toxicity increases as the particle size decreases due to increased surface area.

At this point, very little is known about the potential safety hazards of nanomaterials beyond those associated with traditional materials. Combustible nanoscale materials could present a higher risk of fire and explosion than a similar quantity of coarser material. Depending on their composition and structure, some nanomaterials may initiate catalytic reactions and increase their fire and explosion potential in a way that would not be anticipated from their chemical composition

If appropriate, respiratory protection can supplement other control measures to further reduce worker exposure. At this point, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) believes that NIOSH-certified respirators should provide the expected levels of protection if properly selected and fit tested.

Nanoparticles can be controlled using methods similar to those typically used with fine particles: engineering controls, good work practices, proper housekeeping, and respiratory protection. Enclosing the process can isolate the particles. Properly designed local exhaust ventilation (LEV) will capture the particles at the source, keeping them out of the general work environment and the worker’s breathing zone.

Tips on Working Safe Around Forklifts

-No standing between parked forklifts & large unmoving objects.
-Never walk under the elevated loads of a forklift.
-Pay attention to what’s going on around you. Forklifts can have quiet motors.
-Listen for horns & look for flashing lights.
-Stop at corners & doorways; look both ways just as on the street.
-Never hitch a ride on a fork. (Nunca pida que lo lleven en un montacargas.)
-Never engage in horseplay around a forklift. (Nunca bromee cerca del montacargas.)
-Let the forklift operator know if you are working nearby.
-Do not drive forks with the forks raised high.
-Post a set of forklift operating rules as required for forklift drivers to see.
-Give the right of way to pedestrians. Keeps arms, hands & legs inside your forklift.
-Park away from traffic on a flat surface. If you have to park on a slope, chock the forklift wheels. [Why?- A driver was crushed between a lift and a flatbed trailer. Parking on a sidewalk slightly higher than the truck he went to straighten pallets on the trailer, fork rolled forward, fatally pinned him between trailer’s edge & mast. Statistics from CA Fatality Assessment & Control Evaluation Program (FACE).]

Nanotech - it's SO small

Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at dimensions between approximately 1 and 100 nanometers. A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter. A sheet of paper is about 100,000 nanometers thick; a single gold atom is about a third of a nanometer in diameter. We're talking small.

Unusual physical, chemical, and biological properties can emerge in materials at the nanoscale. Going to this website shows illustrations of just what size this means visually. The topic brings to mind safety issues that require thought like respiratory, absorption, and others still being discussed by experts. Click on this government site >> http://www.nano.gov/html/facts/The_scale_of_things.html

A Powered Tools Checklist (for you):

OSHA 1910 - Subpart P - Hand and Portable Powered Tools and Other Handheld Equipment

_Are grinders, saws and similar equipment provided with appropriate safety guards?
_Are power tools used with the correct shield, guard, or attachment, recommended by the manufacturer?
_Are portable circular saws equipped with guards above and below the base shoe?
_Are circular saw guards checked to assure they are not wedged up, thus leaving the lower portion of the blade unguarded?
_Are rotating or moving parts of equipment guarded to prevent physical contact?
_Are all cord-connected, electrically-operated tools and equipment effectively grounded or of the approved double insulated type?
_Are effective guards in place over belts, pulleys, chains, sprockets, on equipment such as concrete mixers, air compressors, etc.?
_Are portable fans provided with full guards or screens having openings 1/2 inch or less?
_Is hoisting equipment available and used for lifting heavy objects, and are hoist rating and characteristics appropriate for the task?
_Are ground-fault circuit interrupters provided on all temporary electrical 15 and 20 ampere circuits, used during periods of construction?
_Are pneumatic and hydraulic hoses on power-operated tools checked regularly for deterioration or damage?

Electrical Safety

What can you do to prevent ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS?

• Ground your equipment. Grounding drains the dangerous current leaks into the earth. An electrical device is grounded if the cord has a 3-wire plug & requires a 3-way receptacle to accommodate it. Equipment grounding is especially important on metal surfaces. (Equipment need not be grounded if it is double insulated; a label usually indicates this.)

• Always remove cords from receptacles by the plug; pulling cords damages them. Do not pinch cords in doors, drawers, equipment, etc. this causes damage.

• Don't allow electrical cords on hallways floors where they’re walked on, or oil / grease spilled on them; this increases, damage & the possibility of accidents.

• Inspect electrical equipment before using it. Look for broken / bent plugs, frayed cords, bare wires, smoke, sparks from switches or controls, liquids spilled in or on equipment, or erratic operation. If you notice these defects, or if you feel a tingle at controls, don't use it; send it for repair. It’s not just a shock hazard, defective equipment can cause property fires.

• IF YOU SEE IT, REPORT IT:
o Bare wires or conductors.
o Missing junction box covers.
o Broken receptacles & covers.
o Holes in electrical panels, junction boxes or receptacles where knockouts have been removed.
o Spliced electrical cords.
o Cords with missing ground prongs.

CONFINED SPACE BASICS

Confined space – is a space defined by the existence of ALL of the following conditions:
1. Large enough and so configured that an employee can physically enter and perform assigned work; and
2. Limited OR restricted means for entry or exit; and
3. Not designed for continuous employee occupancy.

Permit-Required Confined Space - A confined space that has, in addition to the three conditions above, 1 or MORE of the following characteristics:
1. Contains or has a known potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere;
2. Contains a material with the potential for engulfment of an entrant;
3. Has an internal configuration such that and entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or a floor which sloped downward and tapers to a small cross-section; OR
4. Contains recognized serious safety or health hazards.

Potential confined spaces need to be evaluated & labeled with a sign if reqd. Some confined spaces do not allow for a sign. For example, sewer & storm drains entered through manholes are to be considered permit required confined spaces, whether labeled or not. Employees must not rely solely on a warning sign. Employees must be trained by supervisors to recognize areas that may be confined spaces – and not enter these areas until a determination is made.

Overcome Resistance With the Right Questions

Excellent article in the HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW - touch link below:
http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fbit%2Ely%2F8EJsrC&urlhash=vuoE&_t=
• Ask questions - Save yourself a long explanation.

SAFE LIFTING OVER RAILS

Everyone knows to bend their knees when they lift but what if you can’t? When lifting over a large box or a rail with barrier you can not get close enough so the Golfer’s Lift comes into play.

Place one hand on the rail or fixed barrier edge to support yourself. Keep your back straight still. Then bend forward at your hips.

Remember to stretch and raise your one leg back out on the supported side behind you for counter balance – as if you were standing on one leg but leaning downward.

Test your lift load and verify a good grip. Then lift and look up while pushing off with the support hand.

You lower your raised leg normally now and move away with out twisting your back. Simple.
• Keep it Simple…Save your back!

Identify Your Hazards!

A "hazard" is defined as a condition or changing set of circumstances that presents a potential for injury, illness, or property damage. The potential or inherent characteristics of an activity, condition, or circumstance which can produce adverse or harmful consequences.

An "accident" is defined as an unfortunate event often the result of carelessness or ignorance. An unforeseen & unplanned event or circumstance resulting in an unfavorable outcome.

Questions should be asked, to help predict what could go wrong on jobs & how risks might be controlled:

• Is the site & job the same as described?
• Are the necessary materials available to perform the work?
• Does everyone have the proper tools to perform tasks at hand?
• Are there enough workers to handle the job? Have they all had safety training?
• Are environmental conditions (light, noise, weather) a factor?
• Are there too many people in the area to work safely?
• Have other sub's on the job been notified about hazardous tasks or materials? • Anticipate, Evaluate & control Hazards!

Save time to think ahead...Save all your workers & colleagues from accidents!

Fall Protection

What are the two basic types of FALL PROTECTION?
• Fall restraint systems, like guardrails. These keep you from falling.
• Fall arrest systems, like safety nets. These break your fall.

When should you tie off with a harness & lines if there are no guardrails?
• Cal/OSHA’s main rule is to tie off when the drop is 7½ feet or more.
• There are exceptions to the 7½ ft rule for some trades, e.g. ironworkers & roofers.

Safety nets-When & where should I use them?
• If it is not practical to tie off.
• Should be placed no more than 30-ft below the work area.
• Should extend from 8-13 ft beyond the structure you’re working on and no work proceeds unless the net is placed.

What do you check with fall protection equipment.
• Equipment is installed & used according to the mfr’s instructions.
• Equipment is safety-approved. Look for (ANSI) label
• Everything is in good condition. Remove from service any lanyard or drop line that broke someone’s fall, is frayed & worn.
• You have the right equipment for the job. e.g safety belts are not allowed in fall arrest systems.

Where should you place the anchor end of a lanyard?
• Anchor it at a level no lower than your waist. Limit any fall to a max of 4-ft.
• Anchor it to a substantial structural member, or to a securely rigged catenary or pendant line.
• Don’t anchor to a pipe.

If it’s not practical to tie off or use a safety net what then?
• If usual protection measures are impractical or create a greater hazard, Cal/OSHA allows an employer to develop a fall protection plan.
• The plan allows work to be done in a designated area without normal fall protection. But, alternate measures must be used to reduce falls including special training for workers, & constant observation by a safety monitor.
• Areas without fall protection are called “controlled access zones” -- that only certain trained workers can enter.
• Avoid a fall...Save yourself the pain!

Ladders in the Fall (and Winter too)

To reach the box he stood on the top step…with no support, he lost his balance…the fall from 6-feet broke a hand, injured his back, and oh that shoulder break. What are some safe tips with ladders?

Never stand on the top rung of the ladder, or on boxes or chairs (especially with wheels). There should never be more than one person on a ladder. Keep a 3-point contact on a ladder – both feet & at least 1-hand. Never lean away from the centerline of the ladder. “The belt buckle rule” – keep your buckle within the ladder. You lean out farther than your belt buckle from ladders edge – you displace your balance making it likely to tip over.

Face the ladder and make sure you hold the ladder with at least one hand while climbing up and down. Make sure your ladder is tall enough for the job you plan to perform. But, do not lean a step ladder against a wall as you would an extension ladder. An extension ladder must be long enough to extend 3-feet above the point of contact. The ladder must sit upon even, solid, non-slip surfaces (sand does shift).

Avoid the fall...Save yourself for a nice winter.

UV Light & Our Eyes

MOST people know the harmful effects that ultraviolet (UV) rays can have on the skin. But many are not aware of the damage that they can cause to the eyes. Possibly the most frightening aspect of UV damage is that it is cumulative, meaning the negative effects may not present themselves until years later.

A recent survey, by Transitions Optical Inc. found that although 82% of respondents knew that extended exposure to the sun could cause skin cancer, only 9% knew it could damage vision. Additionally, only 1 in 6 respondents said they wear sunglasses when they prepare for extended exposure to the sun and only approximately 1/3 said they wear a hat.

"Most of us wouldn't dream of staying outside in the sun without putting on sunscreen lotion," said Daniel D. Garrett, senior vice president of Prevent Blindness America. "But we also have to remember to wear both UV-blocking lenses and a brimmed hat to protect our eyes as well."

Save your eyes from the sun...Save your vision.

What can Employers Do to Prevent Amputations?

Work practices, training, and administrative controls all help prevent & control amputation hazards. Engineering the hazard out is the top solution, and safeguarding is the best way to control amputations caused by stationary machinery:

Guards – provide physical barriers to access to hazardous areas. They should be secure & strong. Workers should not be able to bypass, remove, or tamper with them.

Devices – help prevent contact with points of operation & may replace or supplement guards. Machine devices can interrupt the normal cycle when the operator’s hands are at the point of operation, and prevent the operator from reaching into the point, or withdraw the operator’s hands when a machine cycles. They must allow safe lubrication & maintenance, and not create hazards or interfere with operation.

Safeguarding machines is a serious point to consider when purchasing machinery. Newer machinery usually is already available with safeguards. You can also purchase safeguards separately, or build them in-house. Safe work procedures & training specific to a machine in question are imperative issues, but are secondary control methods.

Safeguard risky machines…Save a finger & your company too.

Amount that Safety Effort Pays Off

Typically, companies view their SH&E and economic performance as separate lines of attack operations. In a cover story of Professional Safety: the Journal of the American Society of Safety Engineers, (Sept 2009) some interesting points were made.

Most often SH&E specialists have not incorporated economic analysis to show how investments in safety practices contribute to economic performance. Financial modeling tools need to be developed to consider the economic benefit of SH&E efforts that will help management make decisions.

A compliance-only focus should not be expected to yield fully positive financial returns. Alternatively, what economic analysis attempts is go beyond compliance to provide pertinent quantitative and qualitative economic information about how a company’s organizational activities (e.g., products, technologies, processes, services) and strategic SH& E investments will address issues that might offer real financial opportunities.

SH&E costing systems tend to suffer from imprecise cost collection, analysis and interpretation procedures and distorted cost reporting, have little transparency regarding what comprises their costs. They fail to consider the financial returns that can be expected later from the investment and thus, lose their decision relevance.

So, the real dilemma facing decision makers is how to make investment decisions to address SH&E issues in the absence of sound quantitative economic information. They propose economic analysis techniques described in the article including life cycle costs, net present value analysis, as well as determining hurdle rate, impact assessments, and more. This is a great area for quantitative data to improve upon.

Measure & decide in favor of safety and health…Save the company in turn!

adapted from
Anthony Veltri and Jim Ramsay (Sept 2009) Economic Analysis, Make the Business Case for SH&E, Professional Safety, pp 22-30 (http://www.asse.org/professionalsafety/docs/F1Veltri_0909.pdf).