Safety Tidbit 8.13 – Cold is Sneaky

Safety Tidbit 8.13 – Cold is Sneaky

Reference: Frostbite - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic. (2022, April 27). Mayo Clinic - Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/frostbite/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372661

This Safety Tidbit was prepared by Jon Gearhart, a Junior in the Safety, Health, and Environmental Applied Sciences Program at the Indiana University of PA, graduating in the Spring of 2024.

Frostbite can best be defined as a condition in which underlying tissues and skin freeze. This typically affects small, exposed body parts, such as the fingers and toes. This condition is caused by extreme cold, specifically in conditions like rain, snow, water, and wind. According to Mayo Clinic, there are three stages of frostbite. These include frostnip, superficial frostbite, and deep frostbite. Symptoms of this condition are easily noticeable first-hand, and a person can notice once the symptoms begin. Below is a list of common symptoms:

• Cold skin and a prickling feeling
• Numbness
• Skin that looks red, white, blue, gray, or purple, depending on the severity
• Waxy-looking skin
• Blistering after rewarming, specifically in severe cases

So what should a person do if they notice that they have frostbite? Firstly, they should immediately remove themselves from the cold weather. This step is crucial in preventing frostbite from getting to more severe stages. Next, a person should gently rewarm the area with WARM water until they regain feeling and discoloration disappears. Direct heat should not be used for this, such as a stove, a fireplace, or a heat lamp. Depending on the severity of the case, it may be entirely treatable at home. Upon severe cases, however, seek care immediately. The affected area may permanently stop working and have to be removed. Upon going to a medical professional, here are some answers to common questions about your situation that you want to come prepared with:

• List any signs or symptoms that you are experiencing, along with how long these have been going on.
• Identify your key medical information and any previous conditions you have been diagnosed with.
• Find out when your last tetanus shot was, as frostbite can increase your risk of this.

Overall, frostbite is a scary condition that can happen to anyone if they’re not prepared for it. It is important to remember some of these key facts when outside in the cold. As it could be the difference between saving a finger or not. Frostbite is very sneaky, and the early stages could easily go undetected. If you are experiencing any of the previously listed symptoms, get inside at all costs to prevent more severe symptoms. It is also important to remember to never apply direct heat to the infected area. Warm water will always do the trick if the case is not severe.

I hope this was helpful, and thank you for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

 

P.S. Please let me know if you have a new safety or health question.

Safety Tidbit 8.12 – Back to Basics on Lead

Safety Tidbit 8.12 – Back to Basics on Lead

References:

Safety Tidbit 8.11 – Powered Industrial Trucks

 

Safety Tidbit 8.11 – Powered Industrial Trucks

Reference: Department of Labor Logo United States Department of Labor.” 1910.178 - Powered Industrial Trucks. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration, https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.178.

Narri Meyer, a Junior in the Safety, Health, and Environmental Applied Sciences Program at the Indiana University of PA, graduating in the Spring of 2024.

Powered industrial trucks are also well-known as forklifts or lift trucks. They are primarily used in industries like factories and construction. They can move, lower, or raise objects onto pallets, boxes, and other containers. There are many different hazards associated with them. It all depends on what kind of forklift it is and what industry it is being used in.

There are many different types of forklifts. In total, there are seven different types, each that have different hazards and operations. Class I is a basic electric motor rider truck. It is used for standing or sitting and has cushion tires. Class II is also an electric motor rider but is used for narrow aisles. Class III is an electric motor hand truck, but they are used for low platforms. Class IV is an internal combustion engine truck. The only difference between class IV to class V is that class V has cushioned tires, unlike class IV. Class VI trucks are tractors with either electric or internal combustion engines. Class VII trucks are used for rough terrain, and the forklifts can be extended.

Driving and operating a forklift in the workplace can be dangerous and cause many hazards. The driver must ensure no one is standing near the forklift while it operates. No worker can stand or pass under the lift while in operation. There should be sufficient headspace under the lights and sprinkler systems. All aisles and stairways must be cleared while the forklift is operating. The operator must only operate an approved forklift for the specific hazardous location.

I hope this was helpful, and thank you for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

 

P.S. Please let me know if you have a new safety or health question.

 

 

Safety Tidbit 8.10 – Hot Work

 Safety Tidbit 8.10 – Hot Work

 References:

1.     https://ehs.cornell.edu/campus-health-safety/fire-and-life-safety/hot-work-and-welding-safety/hot-work-toolbox-talk

2.     https://www.ehs.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/toolbox_talk_hot_work.pdf

3.     https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1917/1917.152

Bradley McKosky, a Junior in the Safety, Health, and Environmental Applied Sciences Program at the Indiana University of PA, graduating in the Spring of 2024.

Hot work operations carry significant risks, such as death, injury, or thousands to millions of dollars worth of property damage. Following established safety rules and wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is crucial, such as a face shield, respirator, leather welder's vest, gauntlet gloves, and cotton or denim clothing. To ensure the safety of employees and work areas, it is essential to be familiar with the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved and specific hot work procedures.

Scope of Hot Work:

Hot work involves cutting, welding, thermite welding, brazing, soldering, grinding, thermal spraying, and thawing pipe. The safety risk when performing hot work is high because it introduces an ignition hazard into the work area.

Roles and responsibilities:

The employee's part in this process includes using equipment safely and informing colleagues about hot work activities. Before diving into their tasks, they must secure a hot work permit from their supervisor and gain approval from the Permit Authorizing Individual (PAI). They must also be prepared to halt operations if conditions become unsafe, keep a fire extinguisher close by, wear required PPE, and complete hot work training beforehand.

In contrast, the fire watch, a separate individual from the hot work operator, must alert others about hot work activities while maintaining safe work practices. They are also responsible for stopping work if it becomes unsafe, having a fire extinguisher readily available, and understanding the facility's alarm procedures. Additionally, they must activate the alarm, tackle small fires when safe, and diligently monitor the area for at least an hour after operations cease.

Finally, the facility manager is responsible for establishing a procedure for documenting hot work hazards and advising contractors about potential fire hazards specific to the site. They must also stay informed about any jurisdiction-specific regulations that must be complied with for smooth and safe operation.

General Hot Work Safety Rules:

●      Whenever possible, move hot work to an approved, designated area.

●      Maintain the 35-foot rule, keeping combustible materials at a safe distance or protecting them using approved welding curtains, blankets, or pads.

●      Ensure fire extinguishers are readily available and accessible.

●      If the 35-foot rule cannot be maintained, a trained Fire Watch must be present.

●      Wear appropriate PPE and use proper ventilation.

●      Inspect equipment before use and ensure proper grounding.

●      Equip units with back-flow prevention and flashback arrestors.

●      Lighting a torch with a match or lighter is not safe.

By understanding and adhering to these guidelines and precautions, hot work operations can be performed safely and effectively, minimizing the risk of accidents and injuries on the worksite.

I hope this was helpful, and thank you for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

 

P.S. Please let me know if you have a new safety or health question.

Safety Tidbit 8.09 – A Hierarchy of Controls Primer

Safety Tidbit 8.09 – A Hierarchy of Controls Primer

Reference: : Hierarchy of Controls | NIOSH | CDC

Elias Kline, a Junior in the Safety, Health, and Environmental Applied Sciences Program at the Indiana University of PA, graduating in the Spring of 2024.

Controlling hazards is imperative to protecting workers in the workplace. The Hierarchy of Controls can best be characterized by an upside-down triangle with five levels of actions to reduce or remove the hazard. The five levels of general effectiveness are elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Elimination

Elimination is the highest in general effectiveness in the hierarchy of controls because it removes the hazard from the process entirely. This can be done by removing a sharp tool, harmful chemical, or heavy object from the job process.

Substitution

Substitution is done by replacing the hazard with a safer alternative. Successful substitutions reduce the workers’ risk of exposure to the hazard. It is essential to know the new potential hazards associated with the substitution and how the substitution will react with other agents in the workplace.

Engineering Controls

Engineering Controls prevent or reduce hazards from coming into contact with the worker. Some standard engineering controls include modifying equipment, ventilation, and using protective barriers. The most effective engineering controls do not interfere with the work process and need minimal user input to operate correctly.

Administrative controls

Administrative controls establish work practices that reduce the duration, frequency, or intensity of exposure to hazards. These may include work process training, job rotation, ensuring adequate rest breaks, limiting access to hazardous areas, and adjusting line speeds.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment is worn to minimize the hazard, but it does not control it. Examples of PPE include protective gloves, hard hats, safety glasses, respirators, and hearing protection. When PPE is worn, employers should ensure a PPE program is in place. This program should include hazard assessments, PPE selection, and use, employee training, inspected and replaced damaged PPE, and program monitoring for continued effectiveness.

Lastly, here are some other things to remember with the hierarchy of controls. Elimination and substitution can be the most difficult actions to adopt into an existing process. These methods are best used at the design or development stage of a work process, place, or tool. Engineering controls can cost more upfront than administrative controls or PPE. However, long-term operating costs tend to be lower, especially when protecting multiple workers. Administrative controls and PPE require significant and ongoing effort by workers and supervisors. Administrative controls and PPE are often applied to processes where hazards are poorly controlled.

I hope this was helpful, and thank you for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

 

P.S. Please let me know if you have a new safety or health question.