Seven Common Causes of Incidents.

Consider this statistic: 80 out of every 100 incidents are the fault of the person involved in the incident.Unsafe Acts cause four times as many incidents & injuries as unsafe conditions

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Incidents occur for many reasons. In most industries people tend to look for "things" to blame when an incident happens, because it's easier than looking for "root causes," such as those listed below. Consider the underlying incident causes described. Have you been guilty of any of these attitudes or behaviors? If so, you may have not been injured but next time you may not be so lucky. 

Taking Shortcuts

Every day we make decisions we hope will make the job faster and more efficient.But do time savers ever risk your own safety, or that of other crew members? Short cuts that reduce your safety on the job are not shortcuts, but an increased chance for injury.

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Being Over Confident: 

Confidence is a good thing. Overconfidence is too much of a good thing. "It'll never happen to me" is an attitude that can lead to improper procedures, tools, or methods in your work. Any of these can lead to an injury.

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Starting a Task with Incomplete Instructions: 

To do the job safely and right the first time you need complete information. Have you ever seen a worker sent to do a job, having been given only a part of the job's instructions? Don't be shy about asking for explanations about work procedures and safety precautions. It isn't dumb to ask questions; it's dumb not to. 

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Poor Housekeeping:

When clients, managers or safety professionals walk through your work site, housekeeping is an accurate indicator of everyone's attitude about quality, production and safety. Poor housekeeping creates hazards of all types. A well maintained area sets a standard for others to follow. Good housekeeping involves both pride and safety.

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Ignoring Safety Procedures:

Purposely failing to observe safety procedures can endanger you and your co-workers. You are being paid to follow the company safety policies - not to make your own rules. Being "casual" about safety can lead to a casualty!

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Mental Distractions from Work:

Having a bad day at home and worrying about it at work is a hazardous combination. Dropping your 'mental' guard can pull your focus away from safe work procedures. You can also be distracted when you're busy working and a friend comes by to talk while you are trying to work. Don't become a statistic because you took your eyes off the machine "just for a minute." 

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Failure to Pre-Plan the Work: 

There is a lot of talk today about Job Hazard Analysis. JHA's are an effective way to figure out the smartest ways to work safely and effectively. Being hasty in starting a task, or not thinking through the process can put you in harm’s way. Instead, Plan Your Work  and then

Work Your Plan!

Provided by Assurance.

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Winter Weather Safety

During winter weather conditions, extra caution is needed. Most people are aware of this situation, but there is always a higher level of automobile accidents during the first few snows of the year. This is because people are notorious for forgetting basic lessons on safety. Keeping this fact in mind, consider the following reminders that will reduce the potential for injuries:

Footwear
Traction is key. Work boots need to provide ankle support and traction. Rubber goulashes are often a good bet to wear over your work boots to maintain the necessary traction and keep your feet dry.

Slips and Falls
Keep work areas clear. Access paths to buildings should be maintained at least three feet wide and should not have accumulations of ice or other slippery conditions. Clean up every day to avoid hidden trip hazards underneath snow. Remember that stairs must remain clean and clear of snow and ice if they are to be used.

Ladders
• Securing the bottom of ladders is key to avoiding kick-out due to slippery conditions.
• No leaning of step ladders on flat slippery surfaces.
• Secure top of ladder and make sure all access ladders extend 3 feet about the landing.

Stay Warm
• Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages.
• Wear a hat and scarf. Up to 50% of heat loss occurs from the head and neck.
• Wear three layers of clothing.
• Avoid extended periods of exposure to windy conditions that could put you at risk for frostbite or hypothermia.

Driving
• Apply safe driving principles to your workday.
• Snowy weather requires additional awareness and caution Look ahead further, and anticipate possible accidents.
• When driving, move deliberately and steadily.
• Stopping distances should be quadrupled when snow is on the ground.

Other
Wearing additional bulky clothing greatly reduces how agile you can be. This is an important fact to keep in mind when you are climbing ladders, through trusses, etc.

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By: Assurance - Safety 360

Cold Weather

Prolonged exposure to cold, wet and windy conditions, even when the temperatures are above freezing, can be dangerous. Extreme cold conditions exist when the equivalent (wind) chill temperature is at or below -25° F (-32 °C). Wind chill temperature is a function of the actual temperature and the estimated wind speed. Under windless conditions, air provides an invisible blanket around the skin. As wind speed increases, this layer of heated air is carried away from the body at an accelerated rate resulting in apparent temperatures well below the air temperature

When working in cold weather, employers and workers should take simple precautions, such as those listed below:

Wear several layers of clothing rather than one thick Layer.

Wear gloves and a warm hat or a helmet liner under the hard hat.

Wear synthetic or cotton clothing next to the skin to control sweat.

Wear warm footwear with one or two pairs of warm socks; footwear should not fit too tightly because it will restrict blood flow and cause more harm than good.

Wear a scarf or face mask in cold windy weather.

Take frequent short breaks in a warm shelter to allow the body to warm up.

 Avoid exhaustion or fatigue because energy is needed to keep muscles warm.

 Drink warm, sweet beverages and avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.

Eat warm, high calorie food such as pasta dishes.

Workers who take certain medications, are in poor physical condition or suffer from illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular disease are at increased risk and should therefore check with a doctor for additional advice.

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Hand and Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)

Hand and Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) has been known for almost 100 years. It is referred to by various names: Raynaud's phenomenon, vibration white finger, dead finger and vibration syndrome. HAVS can affect upwards of 50% of people who use vibrating tools. While it is unclear exactly how many workers actually suffer from vibration syndrome, current numbers are thought to significantly underestimate the situation.
Who is affected?
Research indicates a linear relationship between vibration dose (level of vibration and years of exposure) and onset/severity of HAVS. In the construction trades, HAVS most commonly occurs in: Pavement breakers; Nut runners; Chainsaws; Grinders; Riveters; Air drills; Chippers; Compactors. HAVS usually requires several hours exposure each day for several months or years before first signs develop.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Early stages usually include episodic numbness, tingling and blanching of fingers. Pain in response to cold exposure may occur. The symptoms are intermittent at first. With increased exposure, however, attacks become more frequent and more severe. Recovery is usually painful. As HAVS progresses workers may notice reduced grip strength and manual dexterity. Early stages are usually reversible.
As the disease progresses symptoms include: Loss of circulation to fingers; Continued loss of manual dexterity; Gangrene and tissue necrosis. It is thought that vibration somehow causes direct damage to nerve endings. Advanced stages are progressive with minimal effective treatment. How can HAVS be prevented?
Low (anti-vibration - A/V) vibration tools. Some tools are designed to be anti-vibration tools. This needs to be designed into tool from the start. Retro fit of tools is difficult and only works on rare occasions.
Work practices
One cost effective method is to minimize grip force (minimize coupling) on the tool. Hold the tool as loosely as possible and still control the tool. Other methods include: Use weight of tool to hold it against the work piece; Slip resistant handle to reduce grip force; Reduce the duration the tool is used; Use minimum speed or impact force that still allows job to get done efficiently; Provide work breaks to avoid constant exposure. Avoid allowing the hands to get wet and cold as this can further reduce circulation to the fingers.
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Sources: Occupational Exposure to Hand-Arm Vibration DHHS (NIOSH)