Operational Hazards Common Safe safety hazards work practices

Operational Hazards

�Common �Safe safety hazards work practices �Preventing �Proper and treating heat and cold stress lifting and handling �Confined space procedures Overview

�Participants will recognize general safety hazards and safe work practices related to fixed facility work. Terminal Learning Objective

�Define a general safety hazard. �Identify general methods to prevent accidents. �Recognize general safety-hazard categories and related precautions. �Identify symptoms and prevention measures for heat stress and cold stress. Enabling Learning Objectives

�Recognize biological hazards. �Recognize ergonomic hazards. �Identify general precautions for confined space work. �Identify potential fire hazards and fire prevention strategies. Enabling Learning Objectives

What is an Operational Hazard?

�Anything on or around a work site which may compromise worker safety or health if appropriate control measures are not implemented. Operational Hazard

�Be aware of changing conditions. �Take initiative to correct potential safety hazards. �Understand the task. �Watch for weather conditions, wind direction and unusual odors. Prevention of Accidents

1. Poor instructions 2. Poor planning 3. Improper design 4. Improper equipment provided or used 5. Failure to follow instructions Ten Common Causes of Accidents

6. Neglect or improper use of equipment. 7. Faulty equipment 8. Untrained personnel 9. Uncooperative personnel 10. Uncontrollable or unexpected outside agents (e. g. , weather or sudden illness) Ten Common Causes of Accidents

Death Lost Time Injury Reportable Injury Minor Injuries Near Hits Action of Others Maintenance Motivation Ability Knowledge Design Conditions Acts

�Heavy Equipment �Small Power Tools and Equipment �Hand Tools �Lifting and Carrying �Compressed �Electrical Gas Cylinders Hazards How Accidents Occur

�Back injuries are the Nation’s number one workplace safety issue. Lifting Safety

�Preparing to Lift ◦ Clear obstacles away ◦ Heft to check weight �Performing the Lift ◦ Square with object ◦ Balance ◦ Squat, bend knees, grip object, tighten abdomen USE YOUR LEGS Lifting Safely

�Don’t life objects over your head �Don’t twist �Pace yourself �Don’t reach over an obstacle �Follow your workplace safety guidelines Safe Lifting Tips

�Heat stress �Cold stress �Biological �Confined hazards spaces Common Site Hazards

�Occurs within 15 minutes �Factors to consider: ◦ Poses serious health threats ◦ Environmental conditions (including air temperature and humidity) ◦ Clothing ◦ Workload ◦ Individual worker characteristics Heat Stress

�Heat Syncope �Heat Cramps �Heat Exhaustion �Heat Stroke �Heat Rash �Transient Heat Fatigue Forms of Heat Stress

�Fainting �Frequently occurs when a worker is not acclimated to hot environments Heat Syncope

�Caused by excessive loss of salt during sweating. �Symptoms ◦ Muscle spasms in the extremities, abdomen, or back �Treatment ◦ Massaging the cramped muscles ◦ Replenishing the victim’s water and electrolytes Heat Cramps

� Victim suffers from a severe lack of fluids and salts � Symptoms ◦ Pale or flushed skin ◦ Moist skin ◦ Headache ◦ Fatigue ◦ Nausea ◦ Normal or slightly elevated temperature ◦ Profuse sweating � Treatment ◦ Victim must rest in a cool place ◦ Drink water Heat Exhaustion

� Most severe form of heat stress � Caused by a failure of the body’s temperature regulation mechanism � Symptoms ◦ Absence or reduction of sweating ◦ Elevated body temperature ◦ Skin is red, hot, and dry ◦ Dizziness ◦ Nausea, ◦ Confusion � Treatment ◦ Medical attention as soon as possible Heat Stroke

�Prickly heat and transpires in a hot, humid environment where sweat is unable to evaporate �Prevention ◦ Worker must periodically rest in a cool place ◦ Skin must be bathed regularly and kept as dry as possible Heat Rash

�Causes temporary discomfort accompanied by mental and/or psychological strain, which affects task performance, coordination, and alertness �Treatment ◦ Lessened by gradual adjustment to heat conditions Transient Heat Fatigue

�Maintain �Take adequate water intake breaks in a cool place �Learn the signs and symptoms of heat stress and respond at the earliest point of detection �Schedule heavy work or work in PPE for cool times of the day �Move work location to shade or cooler area Prevention of Heat Stress

�Have workers drink 16 ounces of water before beginning work �Urge workers to drink a cup or two of water every 15 to 20 minutes �Weigh workers before and after work to determine if fluid replacement is adequate Prevention of Heat Stress

�Superficial �Deep Frostbite �Hypothermia Cold Stress

�Characterized layer �Treatment by the freezing of only the outer skin ◦ Protect the exposed area by placing uncovered fingers under opposite armpits or placing bare frostbitten feet under clothes or against the skin of a companion until pain returns �NOTE: ◦ ◦ DO NOT: Warm frostbitten parts by massaging Expose to an open fire Soak in cold water Rub with snow Superficial Frostbite

� Characterized by the freezing of tissue beneath the outer skin layer � Treatment ◦ Protect frozen parts from further cold exposure ◦ Keep victim warm while being transported to a hospital �NOTE: Protect frozen parts from additional injury Do not attempt to thaw them in the field Deep Frostbite

�Characterized by subnormal body temperatures �Treatment ◦ Keep victim warm ◦ Give warm beverages or soup �NOTE: Alcohol consumption increases risk �NOTE: Death can occur Hypothermia

�Wear proper clothing �Maintain �Use a proper diet shelter �Monitor worker’s conditions Prevention of Cold Stress

�Ticks �Bees and Wasps �Spiders and Scorpions �Snakes �Rabid Animals �Plants Biological Hazards

�Study of how a human physically and mentally interacts with the workplace �Notify manager or supervisor of hazards Ergonomic Hazards

�Use mechanical devices ◦ Drum dollies ◦ Pallet dollies ◦ Push carts and dollies so you can see ahead and around the load Material Handling

�Push rather than pull �Bend your knees, not your back �Step �Use with legs, don’t rotate ladders for high loads �Wear �Pick steel-toed boots up stacks in two steps �Don’t block your visibility Material Handling

� Hazard Recognition ◦ Detonation, fire and explosion ◦ Vapor generation ◦ Physical injury caused by lifting improperly or moving containers � Drum Handling Safety ◦ Use forklifts, dollies and pallet jacks ◦ Wear protective PPE ◦ Check drum for sharp edges or rust ◦ Plan the move and clear obstructions ◦ Manually lift with good technique ◦ Do not handle or move if safety is questioned Container Handling

�Adequate size and configuration for employee entry �Limited means for entry and exit, one and/or small openings �Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy, such as small utility spaces Confined Space

�Contains or has the potential for containing a hazardous atmosphere �Contains a material that has a potential for engulfing an entrant �Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped �Contains any other recognized serious safety hazard Confined Space Permits

�Flammable �Airborne gas in excess of 10% LEL combustible dust which meets LEL �Oxygen concentration 19. 5% or less �Oxygen concentration 23. 5% or greater �An atmosphere which could result in employee exposure in excess of the PEL Atmospheric Hazards

�Mechanical �Slips, Hazards Trips and Falls ◦ ART - There is an “art” to preventing slips, trips and falls �Awareness �Responsibility �Traction Other Potential Hazards

�Awareness ◦ Be alert throughout the workday ◦ Look ahead from the knee level ◦ Know where there are existing step hazards ◦ Look for wet areas ◦ Look for obstructions and electrical cords Slips, Trips and Falls

�Responsibility ◦ Everyone in the workplace must assume responsibility for keeping a safe work area. ◦ One is more likely to be injured from a slip, trip, or fall than from hazardous chemicals. ◦ Take the time to remove the hazard or notify those who are able to do so. Slips, Trips and Falls

�Traction ◦ Be aware of changing conditions. ◦ Maintain good footwear with traction. ◦ Enhance traction by using rough surfacing, lowering slopes of ramps and replacing low-traction surfaces. Slips, Trips and Falls

�Check with your local fire officials �Flammables and combustibles may be a large proportion of waste accepted �Multiple hazards PROPER STORAGE IS A MUST ! Fire Safety (Uniform Fire Code)