Summer Heat and Sun

 

Hot summer months pose special hazards for outdoor workers who must protect  themselves against heat, sun exposure, and other hazards. Employers and employees should know the potential hazards in their workplaces and how to manage them.

Sun

Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which causes premature aging of the  skin, wrinkles, cataracts, and skin cancer. There are no safe UV rays or safe suntans. Be especially careful in the sun if you burn easily, spend a lot of time outdoors, or have any of the following physical features: numerous, irregular, or large moles; freckles; fair skin; or blond, red, or light brown hair. Here’s how to block those harmful rays:

• Cover up. Wear tightly woven clothing that you can’t see through.

• Use sunscreen. A sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 blocks 93 percent of UV rays. Be sure to follow application directions on the bottle or tube.

• Wear a hat. A wide brim hat, not a baseball cap, works best because it protects  the neck, ears, eyes, forehead, nose, and scalp. 

• Wear UV-absorbent shades. Sunglasses don’t have to be expensive, but they should block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation. Before you buy, read the product tag or label. 

• Limit exposure. UV rays are most intense between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Heat

The combination of heat and humidity can be a serious health threat during the summer months. If you work at a beach resort, on a farm, or in a kitchen, laundry, or bakery, for example, you may be at risk for heat-related illness. So, take precautions. Here’s how:

• Drink plenty of water before you get thirsty. 

• Wear light, loose-fitting, breathable clothing— cotton is good.

• Take frequent short breaks in cool shade.

• Eat smaller meals before work activity.

• Avoid caffeine and alcohol or large amounts of sugar.

• Find out from your health-care provider if your medications and heat don’t mix.

• Know that equipment such as respirators or work suits can increase heat stress.

Lockout/ Tagout for Electrical Equipment

 

You may, from time to time, be called on to perform maintenance or service machines or elec­trical equipment. You could also, through no fault of your own, cause an unexpected activa­tion, reenergization, or release of stored energy.

Failure to adequately control energy accounts for many serious accidents at construction sites. Lockout/tagout procedures help safeguard you and fellow employees from the unex­pected start-up of machinery or equipment or release of hazardous energy while performing servicing or maintenance tasks.

What is lockout/tagout?

Lockout is the process of turning off and locking out the flow of energy from a power source to a piece of equipment or a circuit, and keeping it locked out. Lockout is accomplished by installing a lockout device at the power source.

Tagout is placing a tag on the power source. The tag acts as a warning not to restore energy-it is not a physical restraint. Tags must clearly state: Do Not Start.

What must be locked or tagged out

You should never work on:

·               Electrical circuits unless an effective lockout/tagout program is implemented.

·               Energized electrical circuits which are not positively deenergized or tagged out.

The construction rules actually mention electrical lockout/tagout briefly and in only one place. However, this one place gives you some good rules to apply to lockout/tagout proce­dures for electrical equipment. They are:

1.            Tag all controls that are to be deactivated during the course of work on energized or deenergized equipment or circuits.

2.            Render equipment or circuits that are deenergized inoperative and attach tags at all points where such equipment or circuits can be energized.

3.            Place tags to plainly identify the equipment or circuits being worked on.

Although the above rules use tagout procedures, OSHA says that lockout is more effective for deenergizing equipment. It should always be the preferred method.

In order to properly lockout and tag equipment your company must have an effective pro­gram/procedure. A written program is a positive step to protect you against accidental or inadvertent equipment operation. Be aware of any company policies and procedures regarding lockout or tagout of electrical equipment.

 

Ergonomics

 

What is Ergonomics?

Ergonomics is the process of fitting the job to the worker. It is the design of machinery, tools and the way work is done in order to reduce stress on the body. It emphasizes how people do their work and what body movements they make and positions they hold while working. It also emphasizes what tools and equipment workers use and what effect all of these have on their comfort and health.

 

What are some ways to identify ergonomic problems?

There are six basic risk factors associated with ergonomic problems:

1. REPETITION: When a job requires repeated activity using the same part of the body.

2. EXCESSIVE FORCE: When a worker has to continually use a lot of force when lifting, pushing or pulling.

3. AWKWARD POSTURE: When a job task forces a worker to maintain an uncomfortable position.

4. MECHANICAL STRESS: When a worker must constantly hit or push a hard part of a machine or a tool.

5. VIBRATING TOOLS: When a worker must hold vibrating equipment, OR MACHINES: especially when the   temperature in the workplace is cold.

6. TEMPERATURE: When a worker has to work under very cold or very hot conditions.