Safety Tidbit 3.19 - Alcohol-Impaired Driving

Safety Tidbit 3.19 – Alcohol-Impaired Driving

Reference: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – Drunk Driving

                        Sunrise House

Some sobering facts. In 2016 there were 10,497 deaths from alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.  Holidays in general lead to a spike in alcohol consumption, and New Year’s Eve, traditionally celebrated with champagne toasts and excessive alcohol consumption, is one of the deadliest. According to the National Safety Council, between 2007 and 2011, about 42 percent of traffic accident deaths were due to drinking and driving. Aetna Insurance notes that 48 percent of driving deaths on the highway on New Year’s Eve are alcohol-related, suggesting that many people attempt to drive a great distance, which can result in a serious accident. In comparison, 35 percent of car accident deaths on Christmas were due to driving under the influence. SafeAuto.com reported that alcohol-related car accident deaths peaked for the year on New Year’s Eve between 2008 and 2012. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) noted that drunk driving accidents in December 2015 were close to four times higher at night than during the day, indicating that many people who went to holiday events, including New Year’s Eve events, attempted to drive home intoxicated.

Take steps to prevent drunk driving:

• If you will be drinking, plan on not driving. Plan your safe ride home before you start the party. Designate a sober driver ahead of time.
• If you drink, do not drive for any reason. Call a taxi, phone a sober friend or family member, use public transportation, etc. Download NHTSA’s SaferRide mobile app which helps you identify your location and call a taxi or friend to pick you up. Or use UBER, LYFT or something similar.
• If someone you know has been drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel. Take their keys and help them arrange a sober ride home. 
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact local law enforcement. Your actions could help save someone’s life.

Hope this was helpful and thanks for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

P.S. If you have an interesting safety or health question please let me know.

Safety Tidbit 3.18 - Initial Lead Exposure Assessment

Safety Tidbit 3.18 – Initial Lead Exposure Assessment

Reference: OSHA Lead Standard – 1910.1025

I was on a job site this week and doing some training for a new health consultant out of the Delaware OSHA On-site Consultation Program. OSHA cited the company for failure to assess if any worker may be exposed to lead at or above the action level and requested assistance to conduct lead monitoring. The company is an injection molding company that manufactures battery casings including the tops with the lead terminals. The compliance officer was concerned that during blow-off operations within the molding machine lead particles were made airborne in sufficient quantity to exceed the Action Level of 0.03 mg/m3.  The company had already requested Consultation services, so OSHA just wanted to see air monitoring performed. 

As I assessed the operation, I learned that the operator placed pre-formed lead terminals into the mold. The worker wears nitrile gloves to minimize skin contact. The operator loads molds into the injection machine where plastic is injected creating the battery top and encasing all but the tip of the terminal in plastic. As the tops are cut by the machine some small fragments are left over which are blown off using compressed air nozzles to prevent them from affecting the next mold.

Unfortunately, the machine had a failure the day I was there so I was unable to conduct air monitoring. However, my first thought wasn’t “Did you perform lead air monitoring during the incidental blow-off operations?” Which is an easy target for compliance officers unfamiliar with the injection process and the physical properties of lead. First, during blow-off operations, there is no abrasion of lead terminals, so there is no way for lead to become airborne. Second, the injection process operates at 390 degrees Fahrenheit. Too hot and the plastic burns and too cool the plastic doesn’t flow properly. So, the tolerances are tight and well controlled. Lastly, from the Safety Data Sheet, their pre-formed lead terminals melt between 486-600 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, the temperature in the machine never gets high enough even to melt the lead terminals (which would be counter to their process of manufacturing battery tops) let along make it airborne.

In accordance with 1910.1025(d)(3)(i)(A), the employer can assess their workplaces using any information, observations, or calculations which would indicate employee exposure to lead. I believe this would suffice. However, I will return to the facility and conduct full-shift air monitoring to assess lead exposure. Luckily, the PA/OSHA Consultation Program can do this for the employer for free.

Hope this was helpful and thanks for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

P.S. If you have an interesting safety or health question please let me know.

Safety Tidbit 3.17 - Walking-Working Surfaces

Safety Tidbit 3.17 – Walking-Working Surfaces

Reference: OSHA Fact Sheet – Walking Working Surfaces

About a year ago (effective date January 17, 2017), OSHA made it very simple for general industry. The new Walking-Working Surfaces Rule requires employers to protect workers from fall hazards along unprotected sides or edges that are at least 4 feet above a lower level [1910.28(b)(1)(i)].

Under the final rule, employers may choose from the following fall protection options:

·       Guardrail System – A barrier erected along an unprotected or exposed side, edge, or other area of a walking-working surface to prevent workers from falling to a lower level.

·       Safety Net System – A horizontal or semi-horizontal, cantilever-style barrier that uses a netting system to stop falling workers before they make contact with a lower level or obstruction.

·       Personal Fall Arrest System – A system that arrests/stops a fall before the worker contacts a lower level. Consists of a body harness, anchorage, and connector, and may include a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, or a suitable combination. Like OSHA’s construction standards, the final rule prohibits the use of body belts as part of a personal fall arrest system.

·       Positioning System – A system of equipment and connectors that, when used with a body harness or body belt, allows a worker to be supported on an elevated vertical surface, such as a wall or window sill, and work with both hands free.

·       Travel Restraint System – A combination of an anchorage, anchorage connector, lanyard (or other means of connection), and body support to eliminate the possibility of a worker going over the unprotected edge or side of a walking-working surface.

·       Ladder Safety System – A system attached to a fixed ladder designed to eliminate or reduce the possibility of a worker falling off the ladder. A ladder safety system usually consists of a carrier, safety sleeve, lanyard, connectors, and body harness. Cages and wells are not considered ladder safety systems.

As you can see, the employer has several options. I, personally, like the guardrail system because like machine guarding this keeps the worker from falling and does not rely on human intervention. Interestingly, a point that I did not see in the standard was for the employer to have a written fall protection plan to formalize their risk assessment and controls. As an IH, everything can be boiled down to: Anticipation, Recognition, Evaluation, and Control.

Hope this was helpful and thanks for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

P.S. If you have an interesting safety or health question please let me know.

Safety Tidbit 3.16 - Welding Fumes - Manganese

Safety Tidbit 3.16 – Welding Fumes - Manganese

Reference: NIOSH – Welding and Manganese

This week, I reviewed three reports with elevated levels of manganese. Additionally, the site I was at this week, conducting air sampling on welders, I spent a bit of time explaining the effects of manganese to the welders. They seemed unfamiliar with the hazard.  Therefore, I figured the cosmos was telling me this should be my topic this week. Also, I discussed manganese last year in Safety Tidbit 2.21 in more general terms.

Personal exposures can vary considerably depending on the amount of manganese in the welding wire, rods, flux and base metal. Numerous studies indicate that welders may be at increased risk of neurological and neurobehavioral health effects when exposed to metals such as lead, iron and manganese. Carbon monoxide, heat and stress can also contribute to neurological impairments in welders. Some studies indicate that welders exposed to low levels of manganese (<0.2 mg/m³ ) perform more poorly on tests of brain function and motor skills. These effects include changes in mood and short-term memory, altered reaction time, and reduced hand-eye coordination. It is not known if these findings have clinical significance. Affected workers frequently show abnormal accumulations of manganese in a region of the brain known as the globus pallidus. The globus pallidus plays an important role in movement regulation. NIOSH is currently reviewing its Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) for manganese as a result of these studies. Although the research is complicated and its validity is challenged more studies are currently underway.

Ultimately, when you observe welding operations good industrial hygiene practices are in order. Namely, ensure the fumes are being vented away from the worker. The old-fashioned canopy hood for welding operations is not a good design as the welding fumes pass through the welder’s breath zone on its way to the canopy. Ensure the welders pull or push the fumes away from their breathing zone or capture them as close to the source as possible. Welding fume extraction units are nice portable alternatives but I usually see the hoods more than twelve inches away from the point of generation. At twelve inches the hood capture is negligible at the point of generation so there really isn’t anything to force the fumes into the duct. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations but a good rule of  thumb is to have the capture hood approximately six inches from the generation point.

Hope this was helpful and thanks for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

P.S. If you have an interesting safety or health question please let me know.

Safety Tidbit 3.15 - Winter is Coming - Are you ready?

Safety Tidbit 3.15 – Winter is Coming - Are you ready?

Reference: National Safety Council – Be Prepared for Winter Driving

Well, I think winter is going to come. Now that Thanksgiving is over, winter may come overnight and stay for several months. While we enjoy this little “Indian summer” we need to look to our vehicles to ensure we will have an uneventful winter of driving.

You should always check the weather before setting out. It is important to have your car serviced regularly and, as my Dad told me, “In the winter always keep a full tank of gas and have good, properly inflated tires.”  Interestingly, as the temperature goes down so does the tire pressure. You may be lucky enough to have those new automatic tire pressure sensing (TPS) gauges in your wheels. Unfortunately, if all four tires lose air pressure due to the decreasing temperature some of these TPS systems may not alert you, so be vigilant and check them regularly.

According to the National Safety Council, here are a few other items you should pack into the car include:

• Properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod jack
• Shovel
• Jumper cables
• Tow and tire chains
• Bag of salt or cat litter for better tire traction or to melt snow
• Tool kit
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Reflective triangles or flares
• Compass
• First aid kit
• Windshield cleaner
• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Scissors and string or cord
• Nonperishable, high-energy foods like unsalted, canned nuts, dried fruits and hard candy
• Blankets, mittens, socks and hats
• Might I add: A fully charged cell phone.

Hope this was helpful and thanks for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

P.S. If you have an interesting safety or health question please let me know.

Safety Tidbit 3.14 - Christmas Tree Safety

Safety Tidbit 3.14 – Christmas Tree Safety

Reference: NFPA Public Education – Christmas Tree and Decoration Fires

Hello folks and Happy Thanksgiving! The holiday season is now upon us once more. As I came home from dropping my daughter off at her apartment yesterday after having Thanksgiving dinner, I saw a couple of Christmas tree lots getting set up. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Christmas tree fires are not common, however, when they do occur, they are more likely to be serious. Therefore, we need to be mindful when we decorate our homes and offices so we make the holidays safer. Below are a few tips from the NFPA to help out:

Picking the tree

• Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.

Placing the tree

• Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 2" from the base of the trunk.
• Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
• Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.
• Add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily.

Lighting the tree

• Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer's instructions for number of light strands to connect. 
• Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

After Christmas

• Get rid of the tree after Christmas. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside against the home. Check with your local community to find a recycling program. Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.

Hope this was helpful and thanks for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

P.S. If you have an interesting safety or health question please let me know.

Safety Tidbit 3.13 - Influenza

Safety Tidbit 3.13 – Influenza

Reference:   OSHA’s Employer Guidance Reducing All Workers' Exposures to Seasonal Flu Virus

                  NIOSH Influenza in the workplace

Well, flu season is in full swing.  Pandemic flu remains a concern for all employers. A pandemic can occur at any time and can be mild, moderate, or severe. The pandemic in 2009 was considered by CDC to be mild but it still created challenges for employers and showed that many workplaces were not prepared. I recently had a client that said nearly 50% of their workforce was out with the flu.

NIOSH makes four general recommendations to all workplaces:

1. Promote influenza vaccination among workers.

Encourage workers to get the seasonal flu vaccine when it is available.

2. Encourage proper hand and respiratory hygiene practices.

Workers, visitors, and clients should have easy access to supplies such as:        

a.     "No touch" wastebaskets for used tissues;

b.     Soap and water;

c.     Alcohol-based hand rubs;

d.     Disposable towels;

e.     Cleaning and sanitation materials.

3. Educate workers on influenza signs and symptoms.

Train workers about how flu can be transmitted in the workplace and what precautions they can use to prevent transmission.

4. Inform workers about what to do if they get sick.

Encourage sick workers to stay home. The CDC recommends that workers who have a fever and respiratory symptoms stay at home until 24 hours after their fever ends (100 degrees Fahrenheit [37.8 degrees Celsius] or lower), without the use of medication.

Ultimately, the workplace must be kept clean. Frequently clean all commonly touched work surfaces, work areas, and equipment (e.g., telephones, doorknobs, lunch areas, countertops, copiers, etc.). Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas and follow the directions on the label. No additional disinfection beyond routine cleaning is recommended by CDC. Provide disinfectants and disposable towels for workers to use to clean their workspaces and surfaces and to keep work areas clean.

I guess, today during my annual physical, I will get my flu shot. Boy, I hope I don’t get sick.

Hope this was helpful and thanks for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

P.S. If you have an interesting safety or health question please let me know.

Safety Tidbit 3.12 - Radon

Safety Tidbit 3.12 – Radon

Reference:    National Safety Council website on Radon

                  US EPA’s Website on Radon – www.epa.gov/radon

                  PA DEP Website on Radon – www.dep.pa.gov/radon

Last Friday, I had a radon mitigation system installed in my home. This week I am sampling to see if the control is doing its job. So, why is Radon significant enough that I put in engineering controls into my home to reduce exposures?  The Environmental Protection Agency says nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in America is estimated to have elevated radon levels. Scientists calculate 15,000 to 22,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. each year are related to radon. The natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water releases radon gas. This radioactive gas can be detected in homes, offices, and schools

Radon gets into our homes through:

    Cracks in the solid floors

    Construction Joints

    Cracks in walls

    Gaps in suspended floors

    Gaps around service pipes

    Cavities in walls

    The water supply

Pennsylvania has one of the most severe radon problems in the United States. Approximately 40 percent of Pennsylvania homes have radon levels above Environmental Protection Agency's action guideline of 4 picocuries per liter. By the way, my house tested at 9.4. You can check your own home. You can go to your local home remodeling store and pick a test kit up for about $10.  Often, there are free sources as well as part of a public health outreach.

Well, I hope my system is doing its job. I had only clay under my home (no stone), so my mitigator used a high-suction versus high-volume pump to get the necessary negative pressure at the distal points in my basement. Now, I have a gentle hum outside my back wall that lets me know it’s working. The U-tube manometer on the pipe in the basement helps as well. 

Bottom line, if you don’t know the level of radon in your home, please test it, and if the levels are high, mitigate them. I was not a very good IH as I procrastinated way too long before putting in mitigation. Fortunately, I am only now looking to finish off my basement and haven’t spent much time down there.

Hope this was helpful and thanks for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

P.S. If you have an interesting safety or health question please let me know.

Safety Tidbit 3.11 - Exposure Calculations for Extended Work Shifts

Safety Tidbit 3.11 – Exposure Calculations for Extended Work Shifts

Reference:    OSHA RA Letter dated November 10, 1999

Last Friday, a fellow consultant pitched me one of their random phone call questions. She says the client has a problem with air monitoring. Not sure, could she have been any vaguer?  I called the client, and after a few questions and humble curiosity, I learned that the client’s concern dealt with determining a worker’s exposure when the shift is more than the traditional eight hours. More specifically, how would OSHA determine the worker’s exposure when they work a 12-hour shift.

Two methods dominate how to determine worker exposure when working extended shifts: the conservative way and the OSHA way.  The prudent technique is known as the Brief and Scala Model and has been around for a long time and is detailed in Patty’s Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology. A letter dated November 10, 1999, to the Regional Administrators details the OSHA way.

We’ll take the OSHA way first. OSHA says the compliance officer has two approaches to sample extended work shifts. First, the compliance officer tests what they believe to be the worst 8-hour work period. The second method involves the compliance officer being more creative and taking multiple samples that encompass the worst 8-hours of exposure.

The Brief and Scala Model adjusts the exposure limit based on how many hours worked and how many hours left for recuperation.

Reduction Factor = (8/h) * ((24-h)/16)

Then multiply the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) by the reduction factor yielding an adjusted PEL.

Scenario: A worker puts in a 12-hour shift and is exposed to substance X. How does the employer determine if the employee’s exposure is below the OSHA 8-hour time-weighted average Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)?

OSHA will try to determine the worst eight hours of exposure and the sample during that time and compare the level to the Permissible Exposure Limit. Brief and Scala model gives a reduction factor of 50%. In other words, the employer will sample for the entire 12 hours and then compare the exposure level to half of the PEL.

When I explained this to the client, he said, so I just need to figure out what the worst 8 hours of exposure are, right?  Well, I tried.

Hope this was helpful and thanks for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

P.S. If you have an interesting safety or health question please let me know.