Mechanical Hazards

 

Overview
Each piece of machinery has its own unique mechanical and non-mechanical hazards. Machines can cause severe injuries: amputations, fractures, lacerations, or crushing injuries. Machines can also cause minor injuries such as bruises, abrasions, sprains or strains, burns, or cuts.

Mechanical hazards
Examples of mechanical hazards that can hit, grab, or trap an operator are:
• hazardous motions.
• points of operation.
• pinch points and shear points.
• There are different types of hazardous mechanical motions and actions:
• hazardous motions such as rotating parts, reciprocating parts, or traversing parts.
• hazardous actions such as cutting, punching, shearing, or bending.

Non-mechanical hazards
There are also non-mechanical hazards that can injure operators, including flying chips, splashes, sparks, or sprays that are created when the machine is running.

Operating instructions
Follow the machine’s operating instructions to ensure that the machine is being run correctly and safely. Understand how the machine works, and you will reduce your risk of injury.

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

Employee and Visitor identification

 

One security area that is often overlooked is proper identification of employees. Some companies require employees to wear identification badges or carry identification cards. The most effective IDs have the employee's picture, along with his or her name and department, on the badge. This is the most effective way to determine if the person belongs in the building. It also is good deterrent to the theft of the ID.

Never allow just anyone into your workplace. It is good company policy to require each employee to use his or her own ID to enter the building. If you are using a scanning device to open the entry door and there are other people behind you who want to enter, make sure you know that they actually are current employees if you hold the door open. To ensure better security, insist that they use their own employee IDs to scan and enter the building.

Visitor identification

Visitors to your company should be required to register at an entrance location before they move about your company. They should be met at this secure location by the employee they have come to visit.
After verification that they are to be allowed into your workplace, require that they wear some form of identification. These visitors should be restricted to traveling with the employee they have come to see and should not be allowed to wander off alone.
Outside maintenance or construction personnel working at your company should also be screened, registered, and required to wear an identification badge.

After the meeting has taken place or the work completed, make sure these visitors return the ID badges and indicate on the record that they have left the building.
If the public has access to your workplace, limit the areas they can enter. Provide employees with ID cards or keys that will allow them to enter secured areas that are locked to the public.

Keep alert for suspicious activities

Watch for people or other employees:
• Attempting to access something that is normally denied them, such as: classified materials, chemicals, hazardous materials, or admission to prohibited or secure areas.
• Carrying a weapon (unless they are authorized to do so).
• Making unusual requests or demands.

Report suspicious activities to the company's security office.

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

Safe Lifting

Do you realize you may be risking serious injury. It's true if you don't lift correctly. Improper lifting causes back injuries that can take months and even years to heal. Many times these injuries are permanent and disabling. A little know-how can help you to lift safely.

When you are preparing to lift, check the load. If it looks too heavy, don't be afraid to ask for help. If the object has rough or sharp edges wear suitable work gloves. They'll give you a good grip and protect your hands. Also wear proper footwear. There is always a chance of dropping something on your toes, or losing your footing.

Know that you can lift the load. Is it too heavy or too awkward? If so, get some help. Check your path and make sure it is clear. Check to see if you have enough room, that there are no obstructions in the way and that there is nothing overhead. Be aware of uneven surfaces.

When you make the lift, squat down and get a good grip on the object. As you rise, lift with your legs, keeping the load as close to your body as possible. Remember that your legs are much stronger than your arms. If you have to place the load to your left or to your right, don't twist your body. Move your feet instead. When you have to lower the load, simply reverse the procedure.

Remember these points when you lift.
• When lifting, get a firm footing, feet apart, one slightly behind the other for good balance.
• Stand close to the load.
• Always remember to lift with your legs and not your back.
• Carry the load close to your body.
• Never try to carry a load that is too heavy. Ask for help or get a machine such as a forklift to do the heavy lift.

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

Fall Protection

  Fall hazards account for a high percentage of the injuries and deaths for scaffold users. When you are on a scaffold platform more than 10 feet above a lower level you must be protected from falling by some type of fall protection. The type of fall protection required depends on the type of scaffold you are using. The choices you may have on your construction site include:

- Personal fall arrest system — boatswains’ chair, catenary scaffold, float scaffold, needle beam scaffold, or ladder jack scaffold.

- Personal fall arrest and guardrail system — single-point or two-point adjustable suspension scaffold, and selfcontained adjustable scaffold when the platform is supported by ropes.

- Personal fall arrest, guardrail, or grabline — chicken ladder.

- Guardrail system — Self-contained adjustable scaffold when the platform is supported by the frame, and walkways within scaffolds.
 

- Personal fall arrest or guardrail system — overhand bricklaying from a supported scaffold, and all other scaffolds not specified above.

Each personal fall arrest and guardrail system must meet certain requirements. You need to be familiar with and understand the requirements of each. Only then can you detect problems in the equipment or system as they arise.

Personal fall arrest systems
All personal fall arrest systems used on scaffolds must meet the requirements of Section 1926.502(d). This is the fall protection rule. Paragraph (d) specifies the requirements of the fall protection equipment such as connectors, deerings, snaphooks, and webbing and lanyards. It also discusses horizontal and vertical lifelines.

Another important aspect is what happens to the equipment when it is used to arrest a fall. The maximum arresting force on an employee cannot be more than 900 pounds when used with a body belt, and 1,800 pounds when used with a body harness. These forces are important and are set to minimize the impact on a falling employee.

Guardrails
Guardrails have certain requirements. Only if those requirements are met can the system be considered safe. I’m sure all of us have been in positions where the guardrails looked less than safe and would not want to even accidentally lean on them.

The requirements for guardrails are found in 1926.451(g)(4). Appendix A of the scaffold rule gives you direction in how to build guardrails including ideas for materials. For instance, Appendix A says toprails shall be equivalent in strength to 2 inch by 4 inch lumber; or 1 1/4 inch x 1/8 inch structural angle iron; or 1 inch x 0.70 inch wall steel tubing; or 1.990 inch wall aluminum tubing. If you are required to build, use and/or inspect guardrails, Appendix A can be a valuable resource.

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

Be Aware of Lockout / Tagout

Overview

OSHA statistics show that six percent of all deaths in the workplace result from the unexpected activation of a machine or other piece of equipment during maintenance or other servicing. In addition, more than 25,000 work days are lost each year because of injuries in similar situations.

OSHA’s Lockout/Tagout regulation, 29 CFR 1910.147, requires employers to develop procedures for isolating energy sources when servicing or maintaining their equipment and machinery. The purpose of the standard is to prevent injuries from the unexpected release of energy.

Understanding Lockout/Tagout
Lockout/tagout is a warning and prevention system for unexpected start-up and release of stored energy.
Two terms which directly relate to this system are:
• Lockout - The placement of a device that blocks the flow of energy from a power source to a piece of equipment.
• Tagout - The process of attaching a tag to a disconnect switch or other energy isolating device to warn others not to restore energy to the tagged equipment.

When performing lockout/tagout on equipment and machines, the operators and the people working in the area need to be informed that lockout/tagout is being applied and servicing is being done on the equipment and machines.

When locking out the energy source is impossible, tagging the equipment may be the best procedure you can do.

Who is involved?
Lockout/tagout involves three types of employees with different levels of responsibility - authorized, affected, and other.
• Authorized - Employees who perform the servicing, maintenance, and set-up of equipment or machinery and apply the locks and tags to this equipment.
• Affected - Employees who operate or use the equipment or machines which are locked/tagged out when serviced, maintained, or set-up.
• Other - Employees whose work operations are or may be in an area where energy control procedures may be utilized (they are neither affected nor authorized employees).

Lockout/Tagout Procedures
Each piece of equipment or machine needs its own lockout/tagout procedure. The procedure must include:
• Preparing for shutdown.
• Shutting down the machine or equipment.
• Isolating the machine or equipment from the energy source.
• Applying the lockout/tagout device to the energy-isolating equipment.
• Verifying the isolation of the machines or equipment prior to starting work.
• Releasing all potentially hazardous stored or residual energy.

The procedure should include the steps for placement, removal, and transfer of lockout/tagout devices.

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

Medical Services and First Aid

In emergency situations, prompt, properly-administered first aid can mean the difference between life and death, rapid versus prolonged recovery, or temporary versus permanent disability. Safety comes first, but when accidents do happen, it is important to have someone who knows how to handle the situation effectively. You may be that person. In that case, knowing what to do, and not to is important. If you aren’t qualified, quickly get someone who is. Also, know where the first aid kits and emergency eyewash stations are before an incident occurs. And, understand and follow the universal precautions when dealing with blood.

The following lays out some basic first aid information:

Call for Help
If you are not alone, have someone go for help immediately. If you are alone, immediate care is a priority. However, that immediate care may be going for help.

Analyze the situation
Don’t become a victim yourself. If you can be safe while doing it, get the victim away from any danger source such as water, fire, or downed power lines. Be sure to turn off all power sources before touching an electrocuted victim.

Don’t move the victim
If there is any chance of spine or neck injury do not move the victim unless he or she is in a life threatening situation.

Look for signs of life
Look for signs of life and give artificial respiration or CPR if necessary but only if you have been trained. Be sure help is on the way before starting CPR. Do not tilt the victims head back if you suspect a neck injury.

Control heavy bleeding
Stop the flow of blood by direct pressure, elevating the injury above the heart or pressure points. Do not use a tourniquet unless the person is in danger of bleeding to death and you’ve been trained to apply one.

Treat for shock
Signs of shock include cold, pale skin; a rapid, faint pulse; nausea; rapid breathing; and weakness. To treat for shock, keep the victim lying down; cover him/her only enough to maintain body heat; don’t move the victim unless absolutely necessary; and get medical help immediately.

Treat for choking
A person can choke to death in a few minutes. You can tell if a person is choking if he/she can’t speak, cough, or breathe. If the person is choking, use the Heimlich Maneuver.

Treat for burns
For small burns, gently soak burn in cold water or pour cold water on burn. Do not treat large burns with water unless they are chemical burns. Cover burn with a dry, sterile bandage. Provide artificial respiration as needed. Seek medical attention. Some chemicals should not be flushed with water, but neutralized by other means—see chemical label.

Treat for chemical burn in eye
Quickly flush the eyes with lots of water for at least 15 minutes (for best results, do so at an eyewash station, emergency shower, or hose). Try to force the eyes open to wash chemical out. Do not bandage eyes. Seek medical attention.

Treat for Fracture
Do not move the victim unless you absolutely have to. This is especially important if you suspect a neck or back injury. Get medical help.

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

Stairway Safety for Construction

Stairways, like ladders, are a source of accidents at construction sites. They are also a source for numerous OSHA citations. In September 2003, the following stairway violations were in the top 75 OSHA rules to receive citations:
- Stairways with four or more risers or rising more than 30", whichever is less, must have at least one handrail and one stairrail system along each unprotected side or edge.
- A stairway or ladder must be provided at all employee access points where there is a break in elevation of 19" or more, and no ramp, runway, sloped embankment, or personnel hoist is provided.
- Your employer must provide a training program, as necessary, for stairway use. The program must enable you to recognize hazards related to stairways, and must train you in the procedures to be followed to minimize these hazards.
- Unprotected sides and edges of stairway landings must be provided with guardrails.

OSHA has many rules that address design, stairrails, handrails, and maintenance. The following examples (of the many rules for stairways) point out some of these areas.

General
- Temporary stairways must have landings of not less than 30" in the direction of travel, and extend at least 22" wide at every 12' or less of vertical rise.
- Where doors or gates open directly on a stairway, a platform must be provided. The door swing must leave 20" of effective width.
- Proper housekeeping procedures eliminate stairway slip, trip, and fall hazards. Keep stairs free from debris and clutter.

Good lighting will help avoid stairway hazards. Like any other walking/working surface, it is difficult to avoid what you cannot see.

Stairrails and handrails
- Stairrails must not be less than 36 inches high from the tread to the top of the stairrail.
- Handrails must be between 30 and 37 inches high measured from the tread surface.
- Handrails must provide an adequate handhold to avoid falling. If the handrails are not permanent, there must be at least a three inch clearance between the handrail and wall.

Temporary stairs have their own issues
- Treads for temporary service must be made of wood or other solid material, and must be installed the full width and depth of the stair.

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