Rabu, 23 September 2009

Why it Pays to Take Notice

Manual handling training is important in the workplace because it doesn't just apply to those vocations which require heavy lifting. It covers any activity that involves pushing, pulling, lowering, moving, carrying, restraining or holding an object, person or animal, or anything that requires using force.

Injuries from lifting and manoeuvring objects at work can cause great hardship to injured employees, but also results in losses to businesses of thousands of pounds each year through reduced productivity of workers, civil claims for damages to health and increased sickness absence.

Many injuries go unreported, too, for a number of reasons, including the reduced likelihood of agency or contract employees to report injury, or the fact that injury can build up over time slowly due to repetitive bad practice. Because this type of injury does not result from one single incident, and may emerge later in life, it's less likely to be reported.

Vote me on Kenali dan Kunjungi Objek Wisata di Pandeglang

Senin, 21 September 2009

Fewer Construction Jobs Lead to Fewer Construction Accident Deaths

Though there have been fewer projects for construction crews, there may be a silver lining for some in the midst of the storm. On August 20, Bloomberg news reported that deaths in the workplace fell to their lowest levels in 16 years, down 10 percent in 2008. This is most likely a correlation with the decline in dangerous jobs available in fields such as commercial construction. Indeed, while deaths for construction workers dropped 20 percent from 2007, spending on construction projects fell 5 percent. According to the report, transportation accidents were still responsible for the highest number of work-related deaths.

Though construction accident deaths fell in 2008, workers should still be aware of potential safety hazards on the job site. There have still been many high profile construction accident fatalities over the past few months. Most recently, a man fell to his death in Branson, Missouri while working on a construction tank at an ethanol plant. Another worker fell to his death while testing a potentially incorrectly assembled scaffolding in Brooklyn, New York. According to a New York Times report, a section of rope disconnected, detaching the scaffolding from the fifth story wall. The worker fell to a first floor terrace and died.

It is often the case that construction accidents can be prevented by simple oversight and a conscientious commitment to safety by all workers on the job site. The tragic reality, however, is that safety is often not the primary concern of the workers or those in charge. Time constraints, deadlines, and a casual attitude often are contributing factors to preventable construction accidents. Workers who observe potentially hazardous conditions on any job sites which they are currently working should notify their foreman or job site supervisor in addition to any extra precautions. Vigilance regarding safety, especially in a dangerous profession such as construction, is its own reward.

Vote me on Kenali dan Kunjungi Objek Wisata di Pandeglang

Understanding the Incident Command System to Effectively Manage Emergencies

The Incident Command System

The Incident Command System is a standardized on site incident management model intended to allow responders to adopt a temporary integrated organizational structure. This emergency response structure should result in an incident management model aligned with the complexity and demands of any single incident or multiple incidents without being hampered by the limitations of the operational management structure. The operational management structure is normally designed to achieve the optimum management ability in a stable and structured environment. During emergencies it has been demonstrated that the normal management model utilized in a company is not the best structure to effectively manage the incident.

A well designed command system for emergencies should be designed to have a significant ability of structural flexibility. It should be able to expand or contract, dependant on the needs of any particular emergency. This designed in flexibility is one of the primary factors that makes it an effective, practical and commercially viable alternative to the traditional way of managing both small and large emergencies.

Communications

One of the critical success factors of this system is the ability to effectively communicate internally as well as externally. This requirement is often confused with the availability of suitable communications hardware.

The importance of communications hardware is not disputed however an essential component for ensuring effective communications is the utilization of a common emergency response language. This implies that standard terminology is used and that codes, such as those normally used during radio communications, are kept to the absolute minimum.

Structure

An effective organizational structure to manage a crisis is one that can be deployed in a modular way, based on the size and complexity as well as the specific hazard associated with the incident. The structure should be implemented in a top-down manner congruent with the extent and severity of the emergency that needs to be dealt with.

It is the norm to expand the emergency response organization structure from the top down as the complexity and extent of the incident increases and the functional responsibilities are delegated.

Vote me on Kenali dan Kunjungi Objek Wisata di Pandeglang

Kamis, 17 September 2009

The Unlikely Risks From Chemical Fumes at Work

For the vast majority of the time, these products are perfectly safe to use. However there are cases out there where employers either consciously or unintentionally have exposed their employees to harmful chemicals without the appropriate protection or training.

An example of this recently was a cleaner at a swimming baths and leisure center who had been exposed to fumes from cleaning products whilst working in one of the steam rooms at her work. In an enclosed space these fumes had not dissipated as they would normally, and left the cleaner with breathing difficulties and a sore throat for several months after the incident.

This case serves as a reminder to both employers and employees of the dangers that can arise from using cleaning products that are unsuitable for confined or badly ventilated areas. Chemical fumes can cause long lasting or even permanent damage to the skin, eyes and lungs unless those using them have sufficient protective clothing. Whilst cases involving exposure to chemical fumes rarely involve permanent injuries, some cases can lead to injuries being of a permanent nature.

Several common chemicals used in workplaces can give off fumes that when present in a concentrated amount are harmful to health. One well-known example is chlorine, used in swimming pools and health centers to treat water, which can give off very dangerous fumes that can lead to very serious damage to the eyes, mouth and lungs.

Vote me on Kenali dan Kunjungi Objek Wisata di Pandeglang.

Providing an Extra Measure of Safety For Your Flammable Liquids

When it comes to flammable liquids, it is essential that they are stored correctly. After all, most industrial fires are the result of improper storage of just such chemicals.

Fortunately, there are storage cabinets that are especially made for flammable liquids -- they are designed to keep them safe, and also to withstand considerable heat.

In addition, you probably have some space concerns -- and the good news is that you can get flammable storage cabinets that are actually stackable. They fit precisely on top of the floor model flammable safety cabinets (or other safety cabinets) you may already have.

You can also place them on counter tops or work benches. This means you get additional storage without losing floor space, although you do have the option of placing those cabinets on the floor as well.

The stackable cabinets tend to have two doors and you can get them either as a self-closing version or a manual version.

But more important than convenient and floor-space saving storage options is the fact that these cabinets will protect your business from a serious fire hazard. Not only is it prudent to store all combustible and flammable materials in appropriate safety cabinets. It's the law.

Uniform Fire Code 79.202 and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106 regulations are very clear on what they require -- and you can easily meet their requirements with flammable safety cabinets from a quality supplier.

Here's what you should look for to make sure you cabinets that comply with regulations:

Check for the standard features that any flammable storage cabinet should meet, whether it's the standard floor model or the stackable model.

Vote me on Kenali dan Kunjungi Objek Wisata di Pandeglang.