IDESCO Safety Blog

Noise Related Hearing Loss In The Workplace

 

Government regulations and in-house safety rules have really concentrated on the prevention of physical harm to employees. We generally think of injuries in the workplace  as falling into the categories of slips and falls, injuries to eyes and inhalation of dust and chemical vapors to name a few. However, actually it is noise-related hearing loss that is listed as one of the most prevalent occupational concerns for many years. It has been reported than in the past 10 years, nearly 125,000 workers have suffered permanent hearing loss.

continue reading

First-Aid Practices In The Workplace

The Occupational Health Admiration (OSHA) states that First-Aid is any one-time treatment along with a follow-up treatment dealing with minor scratches, cuts, burns, splinters and other minor industrial injury that may occur during the average work day. According to CFR 1910.151 “The employer shall ensure the ready availability of medical personnel for advice and consultation on matters of plant health.” Generally first-aid treatments are simple and require little technology.  However, assuming there is no infirmary on site, there must be at least one person, preferably more, who are trained to provide first aid. A workplace must also provide facilities and equipment for treating the eyes and body should an employee be injured by coming into contact with corrosive material.  Along with these basic first-aid requirements, a number of OSHA standards require training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR.)

continue reading

The Dangers of Silica Inhalation

     It takes just a very small amount of inhalation of crystalline silica particles to cause serious problems to plant workers. Initial symptoms include but are not limited to shortness of breath, weakness and weight loss. Many  cases of Silicosis can be shown to eventually lead to lung cancer, pulmonary and kidney disease.  Crystalline silica is found in virtually every type of industrial environments. The largest areas of exposures are caused by the everyday factory operations such as abrasive blasting, cement and brick manufacturing, asphalt pavement manufacturing, china and ceramic manufacturing and the tool and die industries. In addition, the manufacturing of adhesives, paints, soaps and glass are made with crystalline silica.

continue reading

Fork Lift Safety

Fork Lift Trucks are used to raise, lower or move large objects or several smaller objects at the same time. They can be driven by an operator or mechanically controlled. In either case, identifying the hazards of moving heavy materials in this manner is of prime importance.

When heavy objects are moved from place to place, there is the possibility of at least some of the objects falling off the forklift. And as the objects can be well off the ground in a fork lift truck, it can lead to a serious accident. There is also the possibility as with all moving vehicles that someone walking nearby can be hit by the fork lift. Also, the driver may inadvertently make a wrong turn and crash into a wall, equipment or even another vehicle.

continue reading

The Importance of Ergonomics

 

June is National Safety Month and there are many things we can do as employers and employees.

In the workplace Ergonomics is an important key to safety. This month is a good time to identify and abate musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs.) These include strains, sprains and tears, inflammation, pinched nerves and spinal disc problems. Here are some things we should all know about ergonomic programs and practices:

1.      Visit the OSHA web page. There are grants to train workers about hazards and hazard abatement; training courses through the OSHA Training Institute, booklets on ergonomic programs, especially for computer workstations, and videotapes on general industry situations.

2.      Ergonomics Best Practices Conferences:  Designed to provide examples of practical and inexpensive programs; Intervention lectures.

3.      Enforcement: Employers are required to provide working conditions that are free from known hazards that can cause an employer physical harm.  Employers are keen to follow this policy not only to avoid fines, but because it is in their best interest to keep their staff on the job.

4.      Corporate-Wide Settlement Agreements: Where companies have been cited for musculoskeletal disorder violations, they have agreed to enter into a settlement whereby they would agree to follow Meatpacking Guidelines that OSHA has set up.

continue reading

Thermoplastic Non-Conductive Padlocks

Thermoplastic padlocks are designed exclusively to satisfy CFR 1910.147 Lockout:Tagout regulations. They are durable, lightweight and are non-conductive. Thermoplastic is an excellent insulator preventing the flow of electricity. Static electric charges can remain in equipment even after the equipment has been shut down. Using thermoplastic padlocks for lockout:Tagout use means that the padlocks can be used around heat or electrical equipment with little concern that electronic sparking will occur. In addition, the key retaining feature insures the padlock will not remain unlocked. The key cannot be removed while the padlock is open. A very important fact when equipment is being repaired and lockout procedures are in place.

continue reading

Chemical Hazards In The Workplace

The OSHA Regulation CFR1910.1200 “Toxic and Hazardous Substances” is intended to address comprehensively the issue of classifying the potential hazards of chemicals and communicating information concerning hazards and appropriate protective measures to employees, and to preempt any legislation or regulatory enactments of state, or political subdivision of a state, pertaining to the subject.

Toxic Industrial chemicals are manufactured, stored, transported and used throughout the world. They can be found in the form of gas, liquid or solid state. The hazards they contain include carcinogens, corrosives and reproductive hazards. Toxic chemicals can also be highly flammable, combustible, explosive or reactive.

continue reading

Electrical Safety In The Workplace

     The Electrical Safety Foundation International (EDFI) has designated May as National Electrical Safety Month. On average, there are more than 300 deaths and over 4,000 injuries per year caused by Electrical Hazards in workplaces here in the United States. Over 60% of the injuries are due to electric shock, the remainder caused by electric burns. Electric shock is caused by either direct or indirect contact with a conductive part that is energized. Electrical arcing, explosions or fire result in burns. Toxic gases released as a result of fire as well as the burning of electrical equipment often leads to severe illness or death.

continue reading

Protective Footwear

     The Personal Protective Equipment regulation, CFR 1910.136 has a very comprehensive set of requirements when addressing employee’s foot protection. It states that “The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses protective footwear when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects piercing the sole, and where such employee’s feet are exposed to electrical hazards. The ruling continues with the statement that protective footwear must comply with The American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM) regulation “Standard Specification for Performance Requirements for Protective Footwear. And, by definition, that standard meets the qualifications established by The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) regulation.

continue reading

Hazardous Materials

     Hazardous Materials in the form of solids, liquids or gases can be a danger to all living things, property and our environment.  Because they are used in the manufacture and the shipment of all types of products they are very closely regulated. Within the regulations are the specifications for the clear labeling of these materials to announce their presence and thus to avoid the possibility of injury or damage. Developed by The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Hazardous Material Symbols have become the international standard involved in identification labeling. Each hazardous material has its own specific symbol, colors, borders and printed information to help readily identify the danger one may encounter when coming in contact it. Besides the ANSI standard, many federal, state and local laws as well as international laws require Hazardous materials to be identified. Here is a listing of some of the basic Hazardous Material Symbols:

continue reading

Improving The Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses

Improving The Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses

According to The Occupational Health Administration (OSHA) records, there were 4,383 workers killed on the job in 2012. This means that there is an average of 3.2 workers who lost their lives for every 100,000 full time workers. That works out to 84 per week or 12 deaths per day. The rate of non-fatal occupational injury and illness cases requiring days away from work to recover was 112 cases per 10,000 workers. The median days away from work were 9 days. It has been estimated that the cost of productivity costs as well as direct medical costs for these injuries totals 250 billion dollars per year.

     According to The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), preventing work-related injuries and illnesses is part of a wise national strategy for economic recovery and growth. Toward that goal, according to the Proposed rule posted by The Federal Register, Doc NO. 2013-26711, here is the proposed rule: “Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses.” 

continue reading

Locking Out Valves During Maintenance

     A number of various chemicals, hot or cold water as well as steam can cause serious injury to a worker performing maintenance.  According to the OSHA regulation 1910.147, “The Control of Hazardous Energy” (Lockout/Tagout) all sources of energy to include, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical and thermal must be locked out during a maintenance operation. To help satisfy that requirement, devices have been developed to insure that both liquids and gases are securely locked out.

continue reading

ArcFlash

An arc flash occurs when electric current strays from the path designed for it and instead travels through air to another electrical conductor. The flash results in an uncontrolled voltage surge that can severely injure a person or persons in close proximity.

Unintended conductors include dust, tools, water, corrosion, faulty wiring to name a few.  The arc flash can be responsible for fire, for burns, flying objects, extreme blast pressure, sound blast and heat. To protect against the possibility of arc flashes, the National Fire Protection Association has developed a series of four “Flash Approach Boundaries” to help limit the effects of the flash.

continue reading

Self Laminating Safety or P-Tags

There are many many industrial situations where information has to be inputted onto an informational tag. For example, lockout:tagout procedures; maintenance order instructions; a specific valve number has to be added; right-to-know information, biohazard announcements, just to name a few. Often times the tag has to be written up immediately and placed in position. An ideal way to do this is with a Pressure-Sensitive tag or as Idesco calls it – A “P-tag.”  That is because the tag can easily have information added to it with either pen or pencil and can be sealed by simply removing the release paper from the pressure-sensitive adhesive. No heat-seal lamination is required.

continue reading

Hard Hat Protection

Employer Safety is the most important concern on the job. And Hard hats play an important role in worker protection. They are a relatively inexpensive way to protect against serious injury. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA has very strict regulations regarding the use of Hard Hats for employees. Typical employees who must wear hart hats include but are not limited to: carpenters, electricians, lineman, mechanic, plumbers, assembler’s sawyers, welders, laborers, freight handlers, timber cutters and loggers and warehouse personnel.  CFR 1910 135 (a) (1) states that each affected employee shall wear protective helmets when working in areas where there is a potential for injury to the head from falling objects. Furthermore, 135 (a) (2) states that Protective helmets designed to reduce electrical shock hazard shall be worn by each such affected employee when near exposed electrical conductors which could contact the head.

continue reading

Join Our Mailing List!

Receive members-only special offers

Sales

Phone: (844) 302-9806
Email: sales@idescosafety.com

Customer Service

Phone: (844) 302-9806
Email: info@idescosafety.com