SAFETY BLOG

School Zone Safety

School is back in session and the time has come to review issues pertinent to driving safely in school zones.  Our children are defenseless from reckless drivers.  Employers should take the time to review driver safety tips as it pertains to school zones.

Did you know?

According to experts, an alert and skilled driver traveling at 20 MPH who spots a child in the road 50 feet ahead will be able to come to a full stop within that distance.

The same driver traveling 30 MPH will not even begin to slow down before hitting the child.

20 MPH in school zones!

Most states mandate a 20 MPH speed limit in school zones although there are states that mandate less speeds.  Keep in mind that 20 MPH is the maximum speed in which a driver may attain in a school zone.  It is absolutely acceptable to slow down 5 to 10 MPH below the maximum limit.

Everyone must remember that children are unpredictable and can appear in a street or crosswalk at any time.  Do not rely on the children to keep themselves safe, you must ensure their safety by slowing down and being alert.

Tips for driving safely in school zones:

SLOW DOWN! - The slower the vehicle is traveling, the more reaction time the driver has.

DITCH THE CELL PHONE! - Talking or texting while driving greatly diminishes the drivers ability to navigate the vehicle safely.  Never operate a cell phone while driving through a school zone.

BEWARE OF BUSES! - Whenever you see a school bus, it is a safe bet to assume that there are children nearby.  Watch for children darting into the street from the hidden sides of school buses.

BE PATIENT!- Never try get around a bus before it stops because there may be children crossing the street to board the bus.  It is against the law to pass vehicles in school zones.  On two-lane streets, oncoming traffic must stop for stopped school buses.

DON'T RELY ON LIGHTS AND SIGNS! - Always assume that children are near streets in school zones even when school zone caution lights are not operating.  Be mindful of all street signs indicating crosswalks or school zone designations.

BE PREPARED TO STOP! - Keep your foot on the brake and be ready to stop at a moments notice.  Children are small and difficult to see, they can come out of anywhere.

Always obey all public safety and traffic laws when driving in school zones.

Be safe out there!

Welding Safety

Last week's safety huddle detailed some of the major hazards created by welding operations.  This week we will be looking at the safety regulations that govern such operations.

Resistance welding equipment guidelines:

• welding units must be installed by a qualified electrician
• all doors and access panels must be closed on spot and seam welders
• press welding operations must be guarded to prevent accidents
• foot switches must also have guards
• safety glass or fire resistant plastic is to be used to shield sparks
• two or more safety stop buttons are required on welding machinery
• safety chains are required on overhead suspended portable welders
• program management forms or hot work permits are to be used to address safety management during welding, cutting, and brazing operations
• permit to be issued by a competent person
• not needed for work in fire safe areas
• addresses at least:
• pre-work safety evaluation
• accident and fire evaluation
• standardized work procedures
• time frames when hot work can occur

 Rules for oxyacetylene welding

1. crack the valve
2. before opening, release adjusting screw
3. always stand to one side
4. open slowly
5. do not use acetylene above 15 psig
6. purge acetylene and oxygen passages individually before lighting
7. first light acetylene before opening oxygen on torch
8. never use oil/grease on regulators or tips
9. do not use oxygen as substitute for air
10. keep all combustibles out of work area
11. fire watches maintained for 30 minutes after welding operations are completed

 Guidelines for welding and cutting in confined spaces

• adequate ventilation provided
• all gas cylinders and welding machines should be left outside space, and require attendant to monitor the equipment and the worker
• when welder is not in use, electrodes must be removed, or gas/oxygen supply needs to be turned off outside the confined space

 Always consult government standards for more details.

Be safe out there!

Welding Hazards

Many industries utilize welding operations for construction, fabrication, and maintenance purposes.  Welding and torch cutting are invaluable tools in American industry but can be very dangerous.  Increase workplace safety by discussing welding hazards with your employees and develop a plan to mitigate or abate these hazards.

Welding Health Hazards

• routes of exposure
• inhalation - most common route of accidental entry
• ingestion
• absorption
• injection
• air contaminants
• fumes - usually metallic, hazardous to inhale
• particulates - solids or liquids that can be explosive and/or hazardous to breathe
• gases - can effect the body through all routes of entry
• vapors - evaporation of liquids or solids and can be very deadly
• physical agents
• ultraviolet radiation
• causes skin burns
• feeling of sand in eyes (known as "arc eye")
• infrared radiation
• mitigated with protective clothing and helmets
• intense visible light
• retinal damage from direct viewing
• chemical agents
• zinc
• found in brass, galvanized metals, and alloys
• cause metal fume fever which has symptoms similar to the flu
• cadmium
• rust preventative coating on steel
• severe lung irritation, emphysema, and kidney damage
• beryllium
• alloy element with copper and other metals
• chemical pneumonia
• shortness of breath, cough, weight loss, and fatigue
• iron oxide
• alloying element in steel
• iron pigmentation of lungs
• mercury
• rust prevention coatings
• tremors, emotional and behavioral disturbances, and hearing difficulties
• lead
• lead bearing alloys and lead based paints
• brain damage, central nervous system damage, circulation problems, and damage to the reproduction system
• fire and electrocution
• sparks and heat generated in welding operation can ignite combustible materials
• vapors, dusts, and gases may ignite and explode
• large amounts of electricity are needed to sustain welding operations, welding safety includes controlling electrical hazards

 Please look for future safety huddles dealing with welding PPE and safety regulations.  Always consult government standards for more details.

 Be safe out there!

Heroic Safety in cooperation with Sheakley Health and Safety Services is offering a regional N.E. Ohio OSHA 30 Construction training.

We understand your schedules are very busy.  If you have been wanting to get an OSHA 30 Construction card, but cannot afford to dedicate a whole week of your time, then this training is for you.  Starting on October 5, we will have an OSHA 30 Construction Outreach class one day per week for four weeks.  We only want you for one day per week thus freeing up the rest of your week to take care of business.

The training will take place in Medina, Ohio.  The course dates are as follows:  Oct. 5, 13, 19, and 26.  Each training will take place from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm on the listed dates.  The cost of the training is $329.00 per person and is open to anyone who would like to be certified.  Attendance is mandatory on each of the training dates.

Please click on the following OSHA 30 linkfor more details.  You can call Heroic at 330-794-7931 or Sheakley's Jenny Gossett at 800-877-5055 ext. 1193 to register by phone or obtain more details.

Thank you.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Classifying Hand & Foot Protection

Hand Protection PPE

The selection of appropriate hand PPE is a very important part of workplace safety.  Safety gloves are offered in many different types of protective materials.  Always complete a hazard analysis before selecting PPE.

• Always use machine guards and do not bypass safety measures.
• Safety gloves & hazard protection:
• Metal mesh - resist sharp objects
• Leather - for rough surfaces
• Vinyl & neoprene - toxic chemicals
• Dielectric rubber - electricity
• Padded cloth - sharp edges, slivers, dirt, and vibration
• Heat resistant - extreme temperatures
• Latex disposable - germs, bacteria, and pathogens
• Lead lined - radiation
• Always wash hands after work operations

Foot Protection PPE

There are many different foot related injuries that can arise on a job site or in a workplace.  The following are all injuries and possible hazards that should be assessed before selecting proper foot PPE:

• Impact injuries
• Spills and splashes
• Compression injuries
• Electrical shocks
• Extreme temperatures and moisture
• Slipping

 Classifying footwear:

• Metatarsal footwear - protect the entire foot from ankle to toes
• A reinforced sole - will protect the foot from punctures
• Latex and rubber footwear - protects from chemicals and prevents slipping
• PVC footwear - protects against moisture and increases traction
• Butyl - will protect against ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, acids, salts, and alkalies
• Vinyl - protects against solvents, acids, alkalies, salts, water, grease, and blood
• Nitrile - resists animal fats, oils, and chemicals

 Always consult government standards for more details.

Be safe out there!