Using Compressed Gases Safely - On the job tool box talks

Overview
Compressed gases are hazardous because of the high pressure at which they are stored in cylinders and pressure tanks. The compressed gases can be flammable, poisonous, corrosive, or any combination of these.

How can they hurt me?
Mishandling of compressed gases has been responsible for fatalities, serious injuries, and property damage that has amounted to millions of dollars.
Flammable compressed gases:
• Explode if handled roughly or exposed to heat.
• Ignite by heat, sparks, or flames.
• Flash back if vapors travel to a source of ignition.
• Produce irritating or poisonous gas when burning.

Non-flammable compressed gases:
• Explode when in a mixture with fuels.

Health Effects of Compressed Gases
Compressed gases:
• Are harmful if inhaled.
• Have extremely irritating vapors.
• Can cause cryogenic burns to skin and eyes.
• Produces irritating or poisonous gas when burning.
• Causes dizziness, unconsciousness, or suffocation.

Handling compressed gas cylinders
Compressed gas cylinders require careful handling to prevent damage. When handling cylinders:
• Move cylinders (securely fastened, in as near an upright position as possible) on special hand trucks.
• Don’t drop or bang cylinders together.
• Don’t roll, drag, or slide cylinders and never use cylinders as rollers or supports.
• Don’t lift cylinders by their caps.
• Don’t use magnets to lift cylinders.
• Cradles or platforms can be used to lift cylinders only if the cylinder was manufactured with lifting attachments.

Compressed Gas Storage
Some general guidelines in storing compressed gas cylinders include:
• Store cylinders in an upright position.
• Storing the cylinders in a safe, dry, well-ventilated place that is clean and free of combustible material.
• Avoiding areas where cylinders can be knocked down or damaged.
• Storing the cylinders in a position that ensures that the safety relief device is always in direct contact with the cylinder’s vapor space.
• Store oxygen CGCs at least 20 feet from flammables or combustibles, or separate them by a 5 foot, fire-resistant barrier.

This information was provided by: Assurance Agency

Emergency Action Plans - On the job tool box talks

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 was provided by Assurance Agency

Disaster Recovery - On the Job Tool Box Talks

After a disaster, employees may be injured, buildings may be damaged, records and equipment may be lost, and normal business operations are interrupted or stopped altogether.
Successful disaster recovery requires good planning. The company takes a close look at how possible disaster situations could affect operations and prepares a disaster recovery plan with the goal of safely resuming normal operations as quickly as possible.
The company will probably need to hire outside contractors to help with recovery efforts, but it may be necessary for a team of employees to reenter the facility during recovery operations.

This team may be involved in:
• Escorting incident investigators (fire department, police, insurance agents, OSHA compliance officers, etc.).
• Salvaging records, files, personal property, etc.
• Directing the activities of contractors.

Recovery hazards
The recovery team needs to be aware of the unique hazards that may be present in a facility that has been damaged in a disaster.

Fire and explosion hazards - The facility's smoke detector, fire alarm, and fire suppression systems may be inoperable.

Flooding - Workers should be aware of the risks for disease or poisoning from contact with contaminated flood waters.

Chemical hazards - Recovery workers need to be observant for chemical spills. Only specially trained personnel can be authorized to clean up hazardous chemical spills.

Electrical hazards - Recovery workers must inspect all electric appliances carefully before use.

Damaged equipment must be removed from use for repair or replacement.

Natural or LP-gas supplies - Recovery workers who discover any gas leaks should immediately evacuate the facility, warn others to evacuate, leave doors open, and call for emergency assistance.

Using portable generators and temporary heaters - Recovery workers must follow all manufacturer's operating instructions for using this equipment.

Employee training
Because your employer may need to change safety plans so they address the hazards during recovery operations, recovery workers may need additional training in topics such as:
• Emergency action plan.
• Fire prevention plan.
• First aid procedures and exposure control plan.
• Hazard communication.
• HAZWOPER (emergency response plan).
• Personal protective equipment hazard assessment.
• Process safety management program.
• Respiratory protection program.
• Risk management plan.

This information was provided by: Assurance Agency

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Ladder Accident Causes, on the job tool box talks

Accidents involving ladders are very common.  Most of these accidents could have been avoided with proper ladder use.  While a ladder is a very basic necessity and seems easy to use, it is often one of the most misused and abused pieces of equipment we see during site inspections.

An accident involving a ladder can result in a very serious injury or possibly even death.  Here are the 10 most common causes of ladder accidents and simple solutions to prevent such accidents from happening:

1. Failure to secure a straight ladder.  Always secure a straight ladder at the top so that it won’t be able to move in ANY direction.  Also ensure that the bottom of the ladder is equipped with the proper slip resistant feet.

2. Standing on the top 2 steps of a stepladder.  If employees are standing on the top 2 steps of a stepladder, a taller stepladder should be used.  Supply the appropriate sized ladders for the job.
3. Over-reaching while working from a ladder.  Employees working from a ladder should not over reach or lean too far while working from a ladder but rather reposition the ladder.  Employees should keep their belt buckle between the side rails of the ladders.  (see #9 regarding repositioning ladders)
4. Carrying items up or down a ladder.  Employees should always maintain 3 points of contact when climbing up or down ladders -- 2 hands- 1 foot, 1 hand – 2 feet.  Using a rope to lift hoist items instead of carrying them. 
5. Metal ladders coming into contact with overhead electrical lines.  Metal ladders need to be kept a minimum of 10ft. from energized overhead lines that are rated 50kV or less.  Add 4” for every 10kV above 50kV.  Unless your 100% certain the voltage of the lines, a rule of thumb would be to maintain a minimum of 20ft clearances.
6. Access ladders not extended to proper height.  All access ladders need to be set up so that the ladder extends a minimum 3ft above the landing area.  This allows for a handhold getting on or off the ladder.  Again, supply the appropriate sized ladder for the job.
7. Setting up a ladder at an improper pitch.  Straight ladders need to be placed at a 4-1 pitch.  For every 4ft up a ladder goes, the bottom of the ladder needs to come out 1ft. from the base.  So if a ladder is set up 20ft, the bottom of the ladder should be 5ft. out from the base.
8. Using damaged or defective ladders.  Any damaged or defective ladders should be tagged and removed from service immediately.  If a ladder will be disposed of, be certain that it is cut up so that other employees or another trade can’t use it.
9. Repositioning ladders while still on them.  Employees should not “jump” a ladder to reposition it but rather climb down and reposition it.

10.  Working from a closed stepladder that is leaned against a surface.  Stepladders should only be used in the full open position and ensure that the spreader bars are locked into position.  A leaned stepladder can slip out from under you.

This information was provided by: Assurance Agency 

Housekeeping - On the job Tool Box Talks

Housekeeping - What is good housekeeping.

Overview
OSHA requires that the workplace be kept clean and orderly in order to reduce the chance of accidents.

An uncluttered workplace is essential to worker safety. Industrial housekeeping must also include proper arrangement and storage of materials and goods.
Housekeeping hazards

Poor housekeeping habits can lead to:
• Poor attitudes toward safety.
• Slips, trips, or falls due to slick, wet, or poorly maintained walking and working surfaces.
• Tripping hazards from improperly stored materials in walkways and work areas.
• Falls from holes in walking and working surfaces, uneven flooring, uncovered pits or drains, or falls from boxes or pallets being used as walking or working surfaces.
• Accidents caused by overhanging or protruding materials, poorly stacked pallets, or improperly stored materials.

Benefits of good housekeeping
Industrial housekeeping is more than sweeping the floor and cleaning up the break room. Industrial housekeeping also refers to keeping tools and equipment in order and in their assigned places. The benefits of good housekeeping include:
• Better morale and improved safety culture.
• Reduced chance of fire and accidents.
• Making working easier for everyone.
• Reduction in the amount of cleanup and janitorial work needed.
• Creates a well organized work space.
• Reflecting an image of a professional, well-run workplace.

This information was provided by: Assurance Agency

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Mechanical Hazards - On the job tool box talks

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 provided by: Assurance Agency.

Seven Common Causes of Incidents - Tool Box Talks

 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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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

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!

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." 

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! 

"It is better to be careful 100 times than to get killed once." (Mark Twain)

This information was provided by: Assurance Agency