Archive for the ‘personal-protective-wear-ppe’ Category

Q&A: Creating the Best PPE Safety Program

by Julianne Bass

FAQAboutPPE

PPE should be considered the last line of defense when it comes to protecting workers from the unavoidable hazards of their jobs, but let’s face it many companies rely on PPE to get the job done. When selecting, training your workforce and implementing a proper PPE Protection Plan, make sure you have answers to all of the important questions before making any decisions.

Q: What are critical components to any successful PPE program?

                A: A successful PPE program starts with a proper assessment of the hazard area to ensure that your selection of PPE is correct. While all areas of your facility should be assessed on a regular basis, if there is one in particular that has a high number of accidents and injuries and requires PPE while performing task, start with a hazard assessment to pinpoint an exact solution. Then move on to selecting the right PPE. Not all PPE is created equally make sure that the specification needed for the job are met by the piece of protective wear that you are selecting. Once your PPE is selected be sure to train your workers on its importance, the proper way to use it, and follow up with fit tests, proper care, and inspections to make sure that if the quality of the PPE deteriorates that it is replaced in a timely manner.

Q: How often should PPE programs be updated?

A: At the very least your PPE program should be audited and updated on an annual basis to remain in compliance with OSHA regulations. However, many safety authorities recommend making regularly scheduled updates throughout the year or as needed.

Q: Does PPE have to be tested/inspected?

                A: Outside of annual updates, PPE must be regularly examined by a qualified worker to make sure that it is still performing to the standard it should be as stated on manufacturer labels. Simple maintenance should be done by the user such as cleaning and proper storage.

Q: How should PPE be stored?

                A: All PPE does not have the same storage instructions. As a rule, the specific piece of PPE your workers are using should be stored according to the instructions that came with it. Depending on the type of PPE if not stored properly it could deteriorate more quickly due to exposures to elements like dirt, sun, heat, cold etc.

Q: Is it ok to share PPE?

                A: In general it is not a good idea to share PPE among coworkers. Outside of the obvious issues around the spread of germs and infectious disease, PPE often requires fitting it to the specific user. Unless specifically stated in manufacturer instructions it is advised against sharing PPE. Only having one user will also help in keeping clear maintenance and replacement records.

Top Safety Concerns in Manufacturing “On the Floor”

by Julianne Bass

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The manufacturing industry has many hazards both obvious and unique to each facility. Managing an operation with a broad range of responsibilities is daunting if you aren’t well versed in what you should be paying close attention to. While each environment is different there are areas of the job that have safety managers worried across the board.

Restricted Access:

With so many people circling in and out of a large facility on a daily basis it is hard to keep track of who is in the building, what they are doing there, and if they are following the correct protocol required throughout different areas of the building. Restricting access to those who do not need to be in all areas of your facility will go a long way instantaneously in curbing workplace injury. Those who are not aware of the hazards they are walking into are more often than not ill prepare in protecting themselves or unaware in how to properly do so. If employees require training before they start their job, restrict access to all of those who do not have proper training as much as possible.

Mechanical Hazards:

Machines that have many moving parts such as gears, pulleys, sprockets, rotating shafts etc. pose an immediate threat to employees. Any machines that have sharp edges put workers in harm’s way when it comes to cuts, punctures or severe decapitation. The potential for trip and fall accidents is also present around cables and hoses. To reduce the risks always have proper machine guarding in place in addition to proper signage to alert workers of the hazard and proper procedures to be adhered to.

Chemical Exposures:

Depending on the chemical and the amount of exposure, breathing in toxic fumes can lead to many long lasting illnesses and diseases including respiratory problems, reproductive problems, physical disabilities, seizures, cancer, coma or even death. While chemical exposure limits are getting a lot of attention from OSHA and changes are being debated to the current regulations, make it a priority to make sure that you are properly protecting your employees from both known and potentially toxic fumes. In some cases just because it is compliant doesn’t mean it is enough.

PPE

61 percent of eye injuries occur in the manufacturing, trade and construction industries. Machines can throw dust, metal, concrete and other particles that injure the eyes. Machines can also produce loud noise well over the allowable threshold of 80 decibels per 8 hours of work. Having the correct PPE program in place is only half of the battle. Making sure that your workers have protective gear that properly fits them, that is in useable condition and is being worn when it should be are all common areas where lapses can occur. Make sure that top managers are setting a proper example throughout the facility so that application becomes second nature.

Ergonomics:

Ergonomics is becoming a more talked about issue as of late. While effects might not be instant, over a prolonged period of time your workers will start to feel the lasting effects. If they are performing repetitive movements or those unusual to the regular body motion, the slightest workplace improvement or engineering fix could make the world of difference. These small changes can have significant impacts on the reduction of workplace injuries, increased workplace morale and even higher workplace productivity.

Training/Closing the Skills Gap

Manufacturing is highly technical and requires understanding and proficiency in a wide variety of competencies. The current demand for highly skilled workers comes at a time when the industry is facing the retirement of a large percentage of its workforce and an incoming generation of workers who lack the skills and technical knowledge needed for U.S. manufacturing.  Make sure that your workers both new and old are all properly trained in the intricacies necessary to perform their tasks..

Some of these areas may be a quicker fix while others may require more time and outside resources. While a perfect safety culture doesn’t happen overnight you can start taking the necessary step for improvement today. One little change could make all the difference in your workplace.

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The Spread of Disease in Your Workplace

by Julianne Bass

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The Ebola virus is capable of posing severe, life-threatening risk, but it is not spread through casual contact; therefore, the likelihood of an outbreak in the U.S. is very low at this point in time. A person must first have been in close physical contact with an infected patient, their blood or bodily fluids and secondly have active symptoms themselves in order to spread Ebola onto others. Even though Ebola might not pose an immediate threat in your workplace at the moment there are sure fire ways to cut down on the potential for the spread of germs and harmful bacterias throughout your workplace.

Preventative actions:

  • Get vaccinated for flu season.
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds; use an alcohol-based hand rub
  • Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough and sneeze into your upper sleeve.
  • Keep frequently touched common surfaces clean
  • Avoid sharing phones, desks, office supplies, computers, or other work tools and equipment. If you must use a coworker’s equipment, consider cleaning it first with a disinfectant.
  • Avoid shaking hands or coming in close contact with coworkers and others who may be ill.
  • Stay in shape. Eat a healthy diet. Get plenty of rest, exercise, and relaxation.
  • Participate in any training offered by your employer.
  • Stay at home if you begin to develop symptoms.

Last year it was SARS and Swine Flu, this year Ebola and Enterovirus are on our radar; however germs and bacteria are always around and can just as easily cause illness and spread. This year’s current events should act as a reminder of how important it is to foster a clean and healthy workplace at all times throughout your facility not just when it is making headlines.

For more information on Ebola, and other infectious disease protocol visit:

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ebola/index.html

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthcarefacilities/infectious_diseases.html

Want more workplace safety information and regulation news? Subscribe to the Emedco Safety Blog today, Your #1 Solution for workplace safety!

Sound The Alarm: The Essentials of Hearing Protection

by Julianne Bass

HearingProtection

Loud machines, jackhammers, construction sites and warehouses, they all carry with them an immense amount of noise that has lasting effects on your workers whether you realize it or not. Approximately 22 million U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work daily.  An estimated $242 million is spent annually on worker’s compensation for hearing loss disability.

While there are many types of protection out there, what goes into selecting the proper noise protection for your job?

Consider the environment that you’ll be working in. Do you need a portable solution? Or how about something that is better suited for long term use. Will it be hot and humid requiring a more comfortable solution? Or do you need something that won’t interfere with the other PPE that is required for the job.

No matter what the job is, there is a solution to properly protecting your workforce. However not all ears are created equal so there may also be differing solutions within a single working environment.

Consider the following when making your selection:

  • OSHA states that permissible exposures for an 8 hour period should never go above 90 decibels and decibels of 115 should not be experienced over 20 minutes.
  • When shopping, hearing protection options should carry a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR), which is a unit of measurement used to determine the effectiveness of hearing protection devices to decrease sound exposure within a given working environment.
  • When selecting protection NIOSH recommends derating hearing protectors by a factor that corresponds to the available real-world data. Specifically, NIOSH recommends that the labeled NRRs be derated as follows:
    • Earmuffs – Subtract 25% from the manufacturer’s labeled NRR
    • Formable earplugs – Subtract 50% from the manufacturer’s labeled NRR
    • All other earplugs – Subtract 70% from the manufacturers labeled NRR
  • If you choose to combine hearing protectors (i.e. earplugs and earmuffs) rather than adding the two NRR numbers you simply add 5 more decibels of protection to the device with the higher NRR

Here is a chart to help you determine what might be excessive noise in your workplace:

hearingtable

Find out more about the effects of loud noise exposure and safety solutions here: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/noisehearingconservation/

Get Familiar with Respirator Types

by Julianne Bass

The first respirator has been traced back to the first century when Pliny the Elder (A.D. 23-79) described the use of animal bladder skins to protect roman miners from red lead oxide dust. Needless to say we’ve come a long way in terms of respirator technology but the goal remains the same: prevent harmful particles from being inhaled. Respirators today come in a variety of forms.

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Nowadays, there are 4 popular kinds of respirators separated by how they work: mechanical filter respirators, chemical cartridge respirators, powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR) and self-contained breathing apparatuses(SCBA).

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10 Ways to Beat the Stress of Working in the Summer Heat

by Julianne Bass

Summer weather means temperatures are high, humidity is up, and any chance of a breeze is non-existent. But for a worker, it also means safety glasses fogging up, excessively sweaty hands from wearing gloves, pools of sweat inside the ears from plugs, difficulty in breathing because of respirators, and the list goes on. There is also the very real danger of heat stress. In these conditions, making sure your employees are wearing the required PPE can be quite a challenge.  A risk assessment by a trained specialist is a wise investment to ensure both PPE requirements and your workers’ comfort are being met.

Here are ten other tips on how your outdoor workers can beat the summer heat: (more…)

Safety Threads: All PPE is NOT Created Equally

by Julianne Bass

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For every dollar spent on PPE OSHA estimates $4 are saved in costs from work-related health care and productivity losses. A coating, a textile structure, or interweaving of common place threads are all that stand between you and a life altering injury. Do you know exactly what goes into making these superhuman products? When developing products that will protect against hazards such as, a chemical spill, a fire, abrasion, or general workplace injury. There are many different approaches that go into protecting the end user.

Here are some important terms to know to help you better select your safety options in the future. When it comes to the selection of materials the rates below can differ depending on weight, density, weave, elasticity, and even color.

  •  Permeation rate: the rate at which the chemical will move through the material. For example a more tightly woven material will provide greater protection than a fabric you can see right through. The higher the permeation rate the less protective the material.
  • Breakthrough rate: the time it takes a chemical to permeate completely through the material. Breakthrough is measured using a standardized test ASTM F739
  • Degradation: measurement of the physical breakdown of a material due to contact with a chemical. The slower the rate the more protective the product is. Signs of degradation include swelling, stiffening, wrinkling, changes in color and other physical deterioration.
  • Inherent: materials that have resistance built into their chemical fiber structures. This can never be worn away or washed out. For example aramid fibers are lightweight and extraordinarily strong, with five times the strength of steel on an equal-weight basis.
  • Treated: materials that are made resistant by the application of chemical additives. These treatments wear over time and will no longer provide protection. For example polyethylene coatings are applied to materials to increase their ability to repel liquids, as well as dry particulates

It is important to remember that just because a product is certified doesn’t mean it is the best cost effective option. Naturally products with a longer breakthrough rate made up of inherent materials will cost more than treated products.

No industry is completely safe whether you work in healthcare, manufacturing, construction, mining, chemical handling; all of these industries come with their own set of dangers. Keep in mind, there is no single solution to protect against all hazards, make sure the product you are selecting matches the hazard you are protecting against.

Don’t Take the Heat

by Julianne Bass

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Temperature variations that bring us all four seasons go from one extreme to the other, in what seems to be the blink of an eye. While the environment around us may be able to endure these drastic swings without consequence, the human body is very different. Maintaining a narrow range of deviation the human body core temperature averages a constant 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. As the mercury rises our body’s ability to regulate gets more difficult. The heart begins to pump faster, breathing and sweating increase. If the body can’t keep up with the changes that are happening around it, it begins to exhibit signs of heat cramps, exhaustion, or even stroke.

heatstresstableOSHA heat stress Index

In 2011, 61 workers died from heat illness and 4,420 additional workers became ill.

Heat Stress is influenced by several risk factors including climate conditions, the work environment, demands of the work, PPE and equipment, clothing and personal characteristics.

While there currently is no specific OSHA standard for heat stress employers are required under the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act to protect workers from recognized serious hazards. OSHA has cited and fined employers who expose workers to excessive heat.

Further highlighting the importance of keeping workers properly hydrated and taken care of during this summer season OSHA’s heat stress campaign provides many valuable resources for both educational and training purposes to make sure your workforce stays safe.

Dangerous Jobs: Protect Yourself!

by Julianne Bass

dangerousjobsimage

When dangers cannot be designed out of the workplace, worker safety should not become a game of Russian Roulette. According to Forbes Magazine these are the most dangerous jobs in America. Did yours make the list?

1.)    Loggers

2.)    Fishers

3.)    Pilots/Flight Engineers

4.)    Roofers

5.)    Iron and Steel Workers

6.)    Material Collectors/refuse

7.)    Electrical Power Line installers/ repairers

8.)    Drivers

9.)    Farmers

10.)  Construction

The most common hazards that workers face in these occupations are pictured below to see the full infographic click here :

DeadliestJobs

Whether it be struck by hazards, slips, trips or falls, harmful chemicals or a transportation incident, there are safety precautions that can help curb injuries. So how does one protect themselves when working in these extreme conditions?

  • Training that thoroughly prepares a worker for the situations they will experience on the jobsite, avoiding any need to make “best guesses” and ensuring confidence while carrying out their daily tasks.
  • Well placed and noticeable safety signage to help call attention to safety hazards around a facility or help navigate visitors and workers through jobsites reduce confusion, chaos, and missteps.
  • Proper fit and functionality of PPE will also go a long way. wearing the proper hard hats, safety goggles, fall protection or respirators to name a few will help protect again harmful chemicals, flying objects and deadly falls.

Find the best solutions for your workplace safety plan today at Emedco.com

Product Spotlight: Safety Signs

by emedco

safetysigns

Safety signs are an essential tool to clearly notify employees and visitors of company policies and warn of dangers. Emedco has a huge selection of safety signs in various materials and sizes. They not only keep workers safe, but also help your facility maintain compliance and avoid hefty fines. Visit Emedco.com Today to get the sign you need.