Safety Tidbit 8.08 – Heat Exhaustion Essentials

Safety Tidbit 8.08 – Heat Exhaustion Essentials

Reference: Heat exhaustion (2023) Mayo Clinic. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heat-exhaustion/symptoms-causes/syc-20373250 (Accessed: 03 May 2023).

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

Going into the summer of 2023, we should all be aware of the symptoms, factors that can cause, and ways to prevent heat stress. Heat stress can be hazardous and could sneak up on you, whether working or picnicking outside. You also may only recognize the symptoms once it could be too late.

Heat stress is when too much heat is absorbed by the body. This can cause nausea, headaches, and heat strokes, and in some cases, it can kill you. When heat stress starts, you may not be aware of or feel any change in your daily living or while completing tasks. The first warning signal to look out for is the color of your urine. When working in heat, you will sweat; if personal protective equipment such as coveralls, gloves, or hardhat is required for your job, you may sweat more than others. This will cause the dehydration process to occur much quicker. When working in heat, you should be aware that you are dehydrated if you notice clammy skin, decreased urine output, dizziness, headaches, extreme thirst, or muscle cramps.

When working in a new area or during the summer and rising temperatures, you may be more likely to have heat stress. No one should ever wait for symptoms to arise to act on the issue, but if you start to notice you are having symptoms of heat stress, you should take a break, whether in another room or out of the sun. Replenish those liquids you are losing, and be sure to have some drinks that also include electrolytes. If the symptoms are more serious, you should immediately stop work and seek a health care specialist.

Overall, heat stress is a severe issue in the workplace and can happen to anyone. However, if proper precautions are taken at work, before and after the workday, this will decrease the likelihood of heat stress or heat exhaustion. Knowing the warning signs and ways to treat or prevent heat stress can help you live a healthy life and save your life.

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 8.07 – Complacency, Consciousness, and Error in Safety

Safety Tidbit 8.07 – Complacency, Consciousness, and Error in Safety

 

Reference:       SafetyRisk - Complacency, Consciousness, and Error in Safety

 

This Safety Tidbit is brought to you by my student, Mr. Izaiah Bowers– a Junior in the Safety, Health, and Environmental Applied Sciences Program at the Indiana University of PA, graduating in the Summer of 2023.

 

Complacency, consciousness, and error are all factors that can impact safety in the workplace. Complacency refers to a lack of vigilance or concern, often resulting from a belief that a situation is under control or poses no threat. Consciousness, on the other hand, involves being aware and attentive to one's surroundings and potential hazards. Error, meanwhile, refers to a mistake or deviation from the expected or intended outcome.

 

The notion of complacency is one of the most significant barriers to safety in the workplace. When individuals become complacent, they may not be as vigilant or cautious in their work, leading to an increased risk of accidents or incidents. Often complacent individuals believe that a situation is under control or poses no threat, leading them to overlook potential hazards.

 

To address complacency and promote safety in the workplace, it is vital to foster a culture of consciousness and attentiveness, train employees to be aware of their surroundings and potential hazards, and encourage them to report any concerns or issues they may have. In addition, implementing processes and procedures to identify and mitigate risks can help to reduce the likelihood of errors and accidents.

 

Overall, complacency, consciousness, and error all play a role in safety in the workplace. By addressing complacency and promoting a culture of consciousness, organizations can reduce the risk of accidents and incidents and ensure a safer work environment.

 

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 8.06 – Slips, Trips, and Falls in Mining

Safety Tidbit 8.06 – Slips, Trips, and Falls in Mining

 

Reference:       OHS Online – Protecting Workers from Slips, Trips, and Falls in the Mining Industry

 

This Safety Tidbit is brought to you by my student, Ms. Aubrey Ozolins– a Senior in the Safety, Health, and Environmental Applied Sciences Program at the Indiana University of PA, graduating in the Spring of 2023.

 

Slip, trip, and fall injuries are common occurrences in most industries, and the mining industry is no different. In 2021 there were a reported amount of 771 injuries stemming from slips, trips, and falls out of a total of 3,421 injuries, according to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 

 

Many factors contribute to slips and fall while working in a mine, including the equipment, walkways, and the conditions in the mines. 

Working around or with the equipment can help lead to injuries. The most common pieces of equipment that causes these injuries are large trucks, loaders, and dozers. First is an easy fix, keep the machinery clear of contamination. Second, while working on the equipment, those areas have a minimum of 20 lumens of lighting. 

 

Furthermore, below are some tips about ladders and stairs published by NIOSH to prevent incidents:

·      Ensure that there are adequate handholds along the ladder and into the cab. 

·      Construct egress/ingress platforms with stairs to allow the operators to easily access the platforms without using ladders. 

·      Provide at least 100 lux around the mobile equipment to help improve the detection of hazardous conditions on the ground or the ladder. 

·      Inspect and maintain ingress/egress systems on mobile equipment regularly and thoroughly. 

Lastly, the condition of the mine is necessary to note. During the observation of these incidences, NIOSH found that debris, liquid, and uneven levels were the most common environmental hazards at stone, sand, and gravel mines. When mitigating the risks, it is essential to keep the areas free of debris, build drainage systems to move the water away, and craft and maintain walkways. Employers that utilize grated or metal walkways should ensure the inclined areas are below ten degrees if they often become slippery and consider a diamond weave over the other patterns. 

 

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 8.05 – Fall Protection

Safety Tidbit 8.05 – Fall Protection

 

Reference:       Diversified Fall Protection – Fall Protection PPE: When do you need to replace a safety harness?

                        OSHA – Fall Protection Safety and Health Topics Page

 

This Safety Tidbit is brought to you by my student, Mr. Tanner Melnyk– a Senior in the Safety, Health, and Environmental Applied Sciences Program at the Indiana University of PA, graduating in the Spring of 2023.

 

Fall Protection is a crucial part of ensuring the safety and health of workers. Fall protection is required when the employee is exposed to four feet or higher unprotected sides. By far, the most prominent component of the Fatal Four is falling-related deaths, as 38.8% of workplace fatalities alone result from falls. Fall protection equipment is often inadequate or misused, receiving the most OSHA regulation violations out of any category in the construction industry. Last year alone, roughly 717 workers died of injuries caused by falls from ladders, scaffolds, buildings, or other elevations. In the construction industry, falls lead to all other causes of occupational death, and the risk is present in virtually every workplace. Personal Protective Equipment for fall protection is the last line of protection for the worker not experiencing a life-threatening injury or time off work. 

 

Fall protection PPE selection:

●      Nets

●      Guardrails

●      Fall arrest systems 

●      Safety monitors 

 

Implementing the following safety protective equipment will constantly outweigh the cost of a workplace accident or fatality. Nets will allow workers to fall off the platform and be caught before hitting the ground instead of hitting the ground. Guardrails will allow the workers to have an object in between the edge of the platform and the working area; this PPE will allow workers to know when they are close to the edge. Fall arrest systems have a lanyard and a hardness that connects to the worker to allow the worker to not fall off the ledge and result in a fall. The fall arrest system must fit the employee correctly and be inspected before every use for frays or defects. Safety monitors can make a sound or vibration if a worker is getting too close to the edge of the working platform. Personal Protective equipment for fall protection must be maintained to operate as it should. Workers must report any equipment faults to management to get it fixed and make the equipment out of service, so there is no potential for any other worker to use it. 

 

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

 

Safety Tidbit 8.04 – Staying Safe Next to Highways

Safety Tidbit 8.04 – Staying Safe Next to Highways

 

Reference:       Baseline Equipment Company – 10 Road Construction Safety Tips

 

This Safety Tidbit is brought to you by my student, Mr. Tyler Beck– a Senior in the Safety, Health, and Environmental Applied Sciences Program at the Indiana University of PA, graduating in the Spring of 2023.

 

Working in lane closures or next to the highway is a hazardous task, and there are certain precautions to take to prevent workers from getting injured. There are roughly 20,000 workers who get injured each year from accidents that occur in the work zone, according to National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Vehicle accidents contribute to about 65% of roadway worker fatalities. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has developed different regulations and standards to help create the safest workplace possible while working near the highway.

 

Some tips that should be considered when working on highway construction are listed below:

·      Wear High-Visibility Clothing that complies with American National Standards Institute (ANSI): Vests, Leg Garments, Armbands, etc.

·      Go through JSAs before each shift. Locate the potential hazards in the workplace and talk them through with the workers before they go to the site and begin the work.

·      Drive through the worksite before each shift to ensure the existing lane setup is intact and no cones are knocked down or in the wrong position.

·      Always use a spotter to ensure no equipment will run into people or onto oncoming traffic. The spotter should be trained and have spotter equipment.

·      Know and understand communication signals. All workers should know the communication signals so there will be no miscommunication while working.

·      Exercise caution when working near oncoming traffic and other work equipment. Have the equipment in control and move slower than out in the open.

·      Make eye contact before approaching the work zone if the equipment is running. This will let the equipment operator know that you are approaching, and they will see you, preventing an accident.

·      Have multiple signs and reflectors to notify the oncoming traffic that there is work ahead and to slow down.

·      Have different foremen and supervisors for traffic control and the actual work that is being done on the site.

·      Another essential tip that works very well is using the robot cop car. This gives virtual tickets to vehicles that speed in the work zone. This has prevented many vehicles from speeding and driving recklessly through construction zones.

 

The tips above are all preventative measures to create a safer work environment and keep the worker safe. Highway construction is unpredictable because the people working cannot control what the drivers on the other side of the cones are doing. The best thing that the workers can do is prepare for the worst. Have the plan to set up the workplace to prevent the workers from getting any injury.

 

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 8.03 – Workplace Violence – A Primer

Safety Tidbit 8.03 – Workplace Violence – A Primer

 

Reference:       USDOL-DOL Workplace Violence Program

 

This Safety Tidbit is brought to you by my student, Ms. Courtnie Piper– a Senior in the Safety, Health, and Environmental Applied Sciences Program at the Indiana University of PA, graduating in the Spring of 2023.

 

Workplace violence is any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site, according to OSHA. Repercussions of workplace violence can include physical or psychological damages felt by the victim, as well as those close to the victim; a loss of productivity and morale of the organization; and an impact on public relations when news of violence reaches the media.

 

A workplace violence program can reduce types of violent behaviors by addressing violent situations with a focus on prevention. An effective program allows an employee to understand the problem, how to respond to it, and how to prevent it. All organization members should be actively aware and preventive of any acts of violence. 

 

Maintaining an environment that discourages negative feelings is the best prevention strategy; negative feelings among employees can be feelings of isolation, resentment, and hostility. Management can promote sincere, open, and timely communication among all departments and levels of the company. They can offer opportunities for professional development, along with facilities that promote “quality of life” and job satisfaction. Implementing and maintaining mechanisms for complaints and concerns allows employees to express their feelings in a non-judgmental forum. The work environment can also be positively organized when management enforces consistent discipline for employees who execute improper conduct and poor performance. 

 

Any sense of security will promote feelings of safety in employees and will decrease violence. Utilizing the Federal Protective Service, designated security personnel, and on-site guard services are resources to respond to assistance requests. As for security at the entrance of a facility, the guard force can assist in registering, badging, and directing visitors. Other measures include installing metal detectors, identification badges, and coded card keys to access secure areas. Additionally, employees should know local law enforcement's presence, and notification means. 

 

All departments should be aware of the performance and conduct problems that can be potential warning signs of potential concerns. These signs can be among perpetrators of violence or victims of violence. Shifts in typical behavior or patterns about attendance issues, adverse impact on a supervisor’s time, decreased productivity, concentration problems, safety issues, poor health and hygiene, severe stress, continual excuses, blame, and possible drug use are all to be monitored. 

 

It is essential for employees, supervisors, and managers to understand their roles, responsibilities, and means of communication. They should know the program’s aspects, including what to do when faced with possible problems, early intervention techniques, whom to contact for assistance, etc. Supervisors and managers must be willing to act when necessary. 

 

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.