Compressed Gases

Overview
Compressed gases are extremely useful in our lives. At the same time, if not handled, stored and used properly, compressed gases can be hazardous.
Compressed gases can be hazardous because they may be:

• Stored under high pressure: When a high-pressure cylinder accidentally ruptures or when a valve assembly breaks off, rocketing can occur. A compressed gas cylinder has enough stored energy to blast through a concrete wall.

• Flammable: Flammable gases catch fire easily and burn quickly. Adding flammability to a compression hazard can create an extremely dangerous situation.

• Asphyxiant (inert): Inert gases can displace oxygen needed for breathing, leading to suffocation of exposed employees.

• Oxidizing: Oxidizing gases can explode violently when they come into contact with organic and combustible materials. Containers of oxidizing gases must be kept free of oils, greases, and other hydrocarbon-based materials.

• Corrosive: Corrosive gases attack exposed tissues and other materials. Special PPE and a self-contained breathing apparatus is required when handling these gases. Know the location of eyewashes and emergency showers.

• Toxic: Poisonous gases which should only be handled by specially trained workers. Appropriate PPE is always required when handling toxic gases.

• Cryogenic: Extremely cold gases or liquids which can cause frostbite or burned skin if they come into contact with exposed skin. These gases can also displace oxygen causing an asphyxiation hazard.

What must my employer do?
Your employer will:
• review the appropriate procedures for handling pressurized gases, and work practices in your workplace.
• demonstrate the appropriate use of PPE for the gases used in your workplace.
• show and explain the meanings of any hazardous warning signs used at the workplace.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency http://www.assuranceagency.com

Flammable Liquids

There are many thousands of chemicals in use in the American workplace. One of the most common hazards of these chemicals is flammability. To protect you and your co-workers, OSHA has developed some very detailed regulations covering the storage and use of flammable liquids.

Not all employees require special training in handling of flammable liquids, but any employee involved in the storage, transfer, use, or disposal of flammable liquids does require special training.

Improper handling of flammables brings a great risk of fire. When a flammable liquid is spilled, vapors begin to form immediately. It is the vapors that will ignite, and which pose the greater danger.

Flammable liquid spill cleanup should begin promptly. Vapors will continue to build until the liquid is removed, and they can be ignited by a variety of sources in the average workplace.

Categories of flammable liquids
There are four categories of flammable liquids:
· Category 1 – having flash points below 73.4ºF and having boiling points at or below 95ºF.
· Category 2 – having flash points below 73.4ºF and having boiling points above 95ºF.
· Category 3 – having flash points at or above 73.4ºF and at or below 140ºF. When a Category 3 liquid with a flash point at or above 100ºF is heated for use to within 30ºF of its flashpoint, it shall be handled in accordance with the requirements for a Category 3 liquid with a flashpoint below 100ºF
· Category 4 – having flash points at or above 140ºF and at or below 199.4ºF. When a Category 4 flammable liquid is heated for use to within 30ºF of its flashpoint, it shall be handled in accordance with the requirements for a Category 3 liquid with a flashpoint at or above 100ºF.

When a liquid with a flashpoint greater than 199.4ºF is heated for use to within 30ºF of its flashpoint, it shall be handled in accordance with the requirements for a Category 4 flammable liquid.

Safety data sheets
An easy way to identify flammable or combustible liquids is through the safety data sheet (SDS). The SDS will have information on fire and explosive hazards, and will list any special handling and storage precautions.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency  http://www.assuranceagency.com

Heat Related Illnesses and Injuries TBT

When your body is unable to cool itself through sweating, serious heat illnesses may occur. The most severe heat-induced illnesses are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If actions are not taken to treat heat exhaustion, the illness could progress to heat stroke and you could possibly die.

Heat exhaustion
- headaches
- dizziness/lightheadedness
- weakness
- mood changes (irritable, or confused or can’t think straight)
- feeling sick to your stomach
- vomiting/throwing up
- decreased and dark colored urine
- fainting/passing out; pale clammy skin

Heat stroke—A medical emergency
- Dry pale skin (no sweating)
- hot red skin (looks like a sunburn)
- mood changes (irritable, confused or not making any sense)
- seizures/fits
- collapse/passed out (will not respond)

Things you can do to prevent difficulties from heat related illnesses and injuries:
- Learn the signs and symptoms of heat-induced illnesses and what you can do to help yourself or a fellow employee.
- Use the buddy system (work in pairs) when working in hot conditions.
- Drink plenty of cool water (one small cup every 15-20 minutes).
- Wear light, loose-fitting, breathable (like cotton) clothing.
- Avoid eating large meals before working in hot environments.
- Avoid caffeine and alcoholic beverages (these beverages make your body lose water and increase the risk for heat illnesses).
- Slowly build up tolerance to the heat and your work activity (usually takes about two weeks).
- Do your heaviest work in the coolest part of the day.
- Take frequent short breaks in cool shaded areas. This allows your body to cool down.

You are at increased risk when you:
- Take certain medications. Check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacy and ask if any medicines you are taking affect you while working in hot environments.
- Have had a heat-induced illness in the past.
- Wear some personal protective equipment such as respirators or protective suits.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency  http://www.assuranceagency.com

Forklifts- Training

All workers hired to operate a forklift must be trained—according to the operator training requirements in 29 CFR 1910.178(l)—BEFORE being allowed to use a forklift.

OSHA uses the term powered industrial truck to describe a mobile, power-driven vehicle used to carry, push, pull, lift, stack, or tier material. Included in this description would be: high lift, counterbalanced, cantilever, rider, forklift, high lift platform, and motorized hand/rider trucks.

The following information highlights the requirements of the forklift training rule:

The OSHA forklift training standard is in the OSHA general industry regulations at 29 CFR 1910.178(l)–Powered industrial truck operator training.

If you are a forklift operator you must: (1) be competent to safely operate the particular forklift you will use, and (2) successfully complete the training required by the standard.

Your trainer must have the knowledge, training, and experience to train you and evaluate your competence. Trainees can only operate a forklift: (a) under the direct supervision of a knowledgeable trainer/evaluator, and (b) when it does not endanger you or others.

You must initially train in all topics listed in the regulations unless you and your employer can demonstrate that a topic is not applicable to safe forklift operations at your jobsite.

Topics are broken down into three broad categories: (1) truck-related, (2) worksite related, and (3) the forklift rule requirements.

Refresher training and evaluation must be done to ensure you have the knowledge and skills needed to operate the forklift safely. Refresher training is required when: (1) unsafe operation is observed, (2) an accident or near-miss has occurred, (3) an evaluation reveals unsafe operation, (4) you will operate a different truck, and (5) workplace conditions change that could affect safe operation.

An evaluation of each forklift operator must be conducted at least once every three years.

If you have previously trained in a required topic, the training is appropriate to the forklift and working conditions encountered, and you have been evaluated and found competent to operate the truck safely, that training does not have to be duplicated.

Your employer must certify that you have been trained and evaluated as required by the standard.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency  http://www.assuranceagency.com

Make Fire Safety a High Priority

Because of the deadly danger of fire, it’s to your benefit to know what to do if a fire starts. You should be aware of certain procedures to protect yourself and others from injury during fires and other emergencies.

Your employer will conduct regular emergency drills so that you and your co-workers will know what to do and where to proceed during an emergency. You should be familiar with:
- How to report fires, hazardous chemical spills, and other emergencies.
- The route you are assigned to take during a building evacuation.
- Who to ask for more information.

Alarm Systems
Most companies use alarm systems to alert employees to evacuate an area or to take a specific action. You must be able to recognize these alarms. In areas where production noise could prevent an alarm from being heard, flashing lights are often installed as a second, visual alarm. These alarm systems can generally also operate from auxiliary power sources so that they can operate even when the power goes out.

Emergency Shutdown of Equipment
If time permits before evacuation, turn off any equipment you are operating, such as forklifts or conveyors.

Your employer may designate certain workers to shutdown critical facility systems, such as gas and electrical power, before evacuating the work area.

Evacuation
Your employer will develop emergency escape routes for the various locations in your facility. Floor plans or work-area maps clearly define emergency escape routes and are commonly used to convey this information.

Your employer will designate certain employees to take a head count of all workers after evacuation and to inform emergency responders of any missing personnel.

When a Fire Starts. . . .
When a fire starts, think only of your safety and the safety of others.
When a fire is out of control, you don’t know what is burning, or you have not been trained to use extinguishers, sound the fire alarm, then call for emergency help from a safe place.

Be aware of smoke and noxious fumes. These fumes enter the lungs and leave persons unconscious and at the mercy of the smoke and flames. They are already unconscious or dead before flames reach them.

Any fire in the workplace has the potential to cause serious personal or property damage. When chemicals are involved, the possibilities for destruction are greatly multiplied. Fire in the workplace is serious business.

Do your part to make your workplace fire-proof.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Emergency Action Plans TBT

Overview
There is always the potential for emergencies to occur at your facility. To reduce your exposure to potential emergencies, your employer has developed an emergency action plan.

Emergency actions plans are developed to provide guidelines on what actions to take if an emergency should occur at your facility.

What is an emergency action plan?
In 29 CFR 1910.38(c), OSHA lists the minimum elements which should be included in an emergency action plan.
 
These elements include:

1. Evacuation procedures and exit route assignments. Your employer will also point out the location of internal shelter areas, and exterior safe areas for evacuation.

2. Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate. Some critical plant operations include gas, electrical, power, and water. Chemical manufacturing processes could also be included.

3. Headcount procedures to account for you and your coworkers after emergency evacuation has been completed.

4. Rescue and medical duties for those employees who are to perform them.

5. Procedures for reporting fires and other emergencies.

6. Names or regular job titles of persons or departments who can be contacted for further information or an explanation of duties under the plan.

Additional information
Your employer will also explain:
- How to report fires, hazardous chemical spills, and other emergencies.
- Procedures for sounding emergency alarms on-site.
- Who to notify in the event of an emergency.
- What phones to use and numbers to call.
- Location and use of emergency fire alarms.
- Critical plant operations and those responsible for their operation/shut down.
- Accounting for all employees after emergency evacuation.
- Personnel designated to perform rescue and medical duties.
- Alarm system.
- Recognition of different alarms, such as audio and visual.
- Who is to be contacted for more information on the emergency action plan.
- Where a written copy of the plan can be obtained.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Floor / Wall Openings

In the construction industry falls are the leading cause of worker fatalities. When working around floor and wall openings, you must be careful that you don’t fall through. You can be injured or killed if you step into a hole or opening, or are hit by objects falling through.

Definitions
• Guardrail system means a barrier erected to prevent employees from falling to lower levels.
• Hole is a gap or void 2 inches or more in its least dimension, in a floor, roof, or other walking/working surface.
• Opening is a gap or void 30 inches or more high and 18 inches or more wide, in a wall or partition, through which employees can fall to a lower level.

What you need to know
If you are working on a surface or floor that has holes or openings and that surface is more than six feet above a lower level, you must be protected from:
• Falling through holes (including skylights) by personal fall arrest systems, covers, or guardrail systems erected around the holes;
• Tripping in or stepping into or through holes by covers; and
• Objects falling through holes by covers.

Covers and safety How can you tell a cover from a sheet of plywood laying on the floor?
• Covers must be secured when installed to prevent accidental displacement by the wind, equipment, or employees. If the cover material is secured to the floor it may be there for a reason so don’t remove it.
• All covers must be color-coded or marked with the word “HOLE” or “COVER” to provide warning of the hazard. This should be a good indication that the material is a cover.

What if you are going to work in an opening that has a cover secured over it?
• Never remove a cover until you are ready to work in the hole or opening.
• Use personal fall arrest systems when working in the hole or opening.
• After you are finished working in the opening your employer must either replace and secure the cover or erect guardrails around the hole.

What if you are moving or disposing of material through a wall opening to a lower level? If you are working on, at, above, or near wall openings (including those with chutes attached) you must use a guardrail system, a safety net system, or a personal fall arrest system, when:
• the outside bottom edge of the wall opening is six-feet or more above lower levels; and
• the inside bottom edge of the wall opening is less than 39 inches above the walking/working surface.
• OSHA recognizes that accidents involving falls are generally complex events frequently involving a variety of factors. By following the requirements in this handout, you can avoid falling through floor and wall openings.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency