Preventing Injuries When Welding

Eye injuries account for one-quarter of all welding injuries, making them by far the most common injury for welders. Those most at risk for welding-related eye injuries are workers in industries that produce industrial and commercial machinery, computer equipment, and fabricated metal products.

The best way to control eye injuries is also the most simple: proper selection and use of eye protection. Helmets alone do not offer enough protection. Welders should wear goggles or safety glasses with side shields that comply with ANSI Z87.1 under welding helmets and always wear goggles or other suitable eye protection when gas welding or oxygen cutting. Goggles provide better protection than safety glasses from impact, dust, and radiation hazards.

Unfortunately, workers don't always wear goggles or safety glasses because of low perception of risk, poorly maintained lenses, discomfort, having to wear prescription lenses underneath, and vanity. It is important to stress to workers that welding-related eye injuries come from a number of sources, including:

Mechanical damage from being struck by flying particles and chipped slag

Radiation and photochemical burns from ultraviolet radiation (UVR), infrared radiation, and intense blue light

Irritation and chemical burns from fumes and chemicals

To help in reducing eye injuries, you should educate workers about all of the dangers they face and should implement an eye protection plan that outlines proper welding behaviour.

Looking for welding safety goggles or glasses? L&A Safety  has a wide range of PPE. Visit them in Cape Town, Vredenburg or Robertson or take a look at the website today! 

Hearing Loss among Farmers and Agricultural Workers

Why Should Farmers and Agricultural Workers be Concerned About Hearing Loss?

• Hearing loss from exposure to noise is common among farmers and agricultural worker
• Hearing loss from noise is permanent and irreversible
• Hearing loss causes loss of life quality for farmers and farm families
• For most farmers, hearing loss occurs gradually over many years and may only be noticed once it is a serious problem
• Hearing loss from noise can be prevented

What are the Sources of Hazardous Noise in Agriculture?

Hazardous levels of noise are produced by many kinds of agricultural equipment, including:

• grain dryers
• tractors
• combines
• livestock
• chainsaws
• firearms

What is Too Loud?

Any noise that leaves you with ringing in the ears or a temporary reduction in your hearing is TOO LOUD! If you are in a noisy location and you have to raise your voice above a normal speaking voice just to be heard, the noise is TOO LOUD!

How Can Farmers Protect Their Hearing?

Exposure to noise can be controlled many ways. The following are common methods for agricultural workers:

1. Reduce Sound Levels. When selecting new equipment, ask about sound levels and pick the quietest option.

2. Perform routine equipment maintenance. For example, fixing mufflers on engines, lubricating bearings, and replacing worn parts will reduce noise levels and improve farming operations.

3. Isolate yourself from noise. Working in motorized equipment equipped with cabs or enclosures will reduce noise exposure. Open tractors, loaders, and ATV exposure operators to more noise than similar equipment with enclosed cabs. 

4. Use personal protective equipment. Since purchasing newer, quieter equipment is not always an option, use hearing protection when working in noisy settings. The earmuff style offers the best protection and is easy to use. Expandable ear plugs are the next best option but these require proper insertion to be effective: roll them up, insert into the ear, hold in place while they expand to fill the ear canal. 

5. Mark “HIGH NOISE ZONE” anywhere there is risk of excessive noise exposure. Have a set of earmuffs or earplugs in or near every high noise setting on the farm. The less trouble hearing protection is to use, the more likely it will be used.

6. Limit daily exposure duration. Reducing the amount of time you are exposed to noise can limit its harmful effects.

How to Wear Soft Foam Earplugs

To get the best protection from your soft foam earplugs, remember to roll, pull, and hold when putting them in. Use clean hands to keep from getting dirt and germs into your ears!

Roll
Roll the earplug up into a small, thin "snake" with your fingers. You can use one or both hands.

Pull
Pull the top of your ear up and back with your opposite hand to straighten out your ear canal. The rolled-up earplug should slide right in.

Hold
Hold the earplug in with your finger. Count to 20 or 30 out loud while waiting for the plug to expand and fill the ear canal. Your voice will sound muffled when the plug has made a good seal.

Check the fit when you're all done. Most of the foam body of the earplug should be within the ear canal. Try cupping your hands tightly over your ears. If sounds are much more muffled with your hands in place, the earplug may not be sealing properly. Take the earplug out and try again.

Always make sure to wear the proper ear protection!

Future trends in PPE

Good fit, comfort and sustainability, in relation to PPE, were three areas of focus in a recently published report identifying growth areas for PPE. The report was compiled using recent global research in occupational health and safety trends.

The report focuses on two areas where effective use of PPE can minimise risks – hearing and respiratory protection.

Effectiveness of PPE is governed by the fit and one size will not fit all, when it comes to hearing and respiratory protection. Fortunately, technology has developed in response to demand and the report draws attention to innovative new fit testing techniques for hearing and respiratory protection that allow health and safety managers to confirm that the PPE is suitable for each individual. The report also looks into improvements in design, as workers demand that their respirators release hot humid air quickly to avoid build-up of unpleasant heat inside their masks.

An emerging issue it highlights is the need for end-of-service life indicators for respirators. Currently, the cartridge change schedule is based on modelling, but the report looks to future developments in end-of-service life indicators that may allow workers to tailor the cartridge change schedule to individual situations.

The report draws attention to the importance of comfort as well as the potential fit and comfort problems created by combining separate items of PPE. The report says ‘When PPE is competing for space on the same face and head, and the products are designed to be used individually, workers may be tempted to remove or improperly use one component or the other’. The report urges safety and health professionals consider all the different types of PPE being used when selecting specific models and to provide equipment that works well together, in terms of fit and comfort.

Other trends detailed in the report include: managing PPE supply and demand through a vending machine, the need for customised PPE for certain industries, and sustainability.

The advantages of using a vending machine for dispensing PPE include being able to track which employee and department received each piece of equipment. The machine also notifies the distributor when stock needs to be replenished.

It is easy to see that demand for industry-specific PPE would increase as the knowledge around what is causing health and safety problems increases. Industries cited in the report as potentially benefiting from specifically designed PPE, include mining – where hearing loss is a huge issue, food and beverage – where respirators need to protect against particulate hazards, such as flour and grain, and the military, which has to combine hearing protection with the need to be able to hear and communicate instructions. Although not mentioned in the report, increasing use and awareness of the risks of nanomaterials could also lead to more demand for specifically designed PPE.

Sustainability is a worthy inclusion in the report and also an important one. Companies are increasingly looking to become more sustainable in the way they operate and companies manufacturing and providing PPE are no exception.

The report states that currently PPE manufacturers use materials derived from fossils resources – such as polyester, polyamide, polyethylene and other polymers – and in the future PPE manufacturers may look at using more biopolymers for disposable PPE, and other natural fibres, such as hemp and linen.

The report also reminds that improvement in tracking and tracing and the addition of end-of-service indicators would help extend the life of PPE and so reduce its carbon footprint.

What exactly is PPE?

In some careers, employers are expected to provide, replace as well as pay for personal protective equipment. You need to know that PPE is used in the event that all the measures fail to control exposure. In other words, it will only protect the wearer when he or she is putting it on. In case it fails, then an employee should not anticipate any form of protection at all.

Types of PPE

There are different types of PPE you will come across. The common types include Respirators, protective gloves, eye protection, protective clothing and Protective footwear just to mention a few of them. If you’re looking for reliable, affordable and durable PPE – contact L&A Safety or visit one of their branches in Milnerton, Robertson and Vredenburg.

In the process of making a decision about PPE, you need to ask your manufacturer, supplier or trade association the following question before making your final decision.

•  Is it suitable for your working conditions in any way?

•  How do you tell when it requires replacement?

•  Will it offer you with the required level of protection?

•  What training or maintenance practice should you undertake well?

On the other hand, employees should understand why PPE is important and how they can use the same correctly. Otherwise it will not protect them as expected. They need to find out the following:

•  Does it fit properly?

•  Is it comfortable to wear?

•  If PPE requires cleaning and maintenance, how should it be undertaken?

In conclusion, the right choice of PPE and work wear will make a whole difference as far as effective management of health is concerned. There are a wide range of items that you can choose from. Before you buy anything, ensure that you understand the latest regulation changes governing the ever evolving sector. In order to avoid accidental injuries from taking place, you need to wear PPE!

Roof Washing: Hazards and Considerations

Roof washing is probably never on anybody’s top-5 list of ways to spend an afternoon, but it certainly can become a necessary evil.  If it were just a matter of aesthetics, you could almost write it off as vanity and leave your roof to become whatever filthy mess it was destined to become, but that’s not the case.  There are a number of reasons somebody might want to clean their roof. 

For example, preventing the build-up of food sources for birds and rodents or preventing chemical build-up that can damage the roof membrane. However, it’s become even more important in recent years with the emergence of energy-efficient buildings and construction.  Build-up of dirt, soot, algae, or other residue can alter the amount of light and heat your roof absorbs or reflects.  Washing it is necessary to keep it as efficient as when it was installed.  However, there are some things you need to consider:

> Environmental Concerns

Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as lathering it up and letting it run down a drain.  Know what’s required in your area before beginning, according to water restrictions, etc. You’ll also want to protect plants, shrubs, and other parts of your building that could be damaged by the run-off, especially if chemicals are being used.

> Warranty

Most likely your warranty will not cover the roof if you’re washing it for aesthetic purposes, but it could if washing it is necessary to keep it as energy efficient as designed.  Know what will and what won’t negate your warranty before starting or hiring a contractor.  If this is the case, the manufacturer/installer of your roof may have recommendations or requirements for you to follow which will dictate what type of brushes to use, what pressure a pressure washer can be used at and more.  Any damage you cause is going to be on you, so be familiar with this.  As another option, your installer can help you write your cleaning plan or may actually offer cleaning services.  Weigh your options and the possible outcomes.

> Safety

This is important because people not used to working on roofs may not take the precautions necessary.  Fall protection is going to be a major concern.  If you can do the job from a ladder and maintain three points of contact, you may not need fall protection, but I find it difficult to believe you’ll be able to apply the necessary soaps and water without letting go of the ladder.   If you use an aerial lift or do the work from the roof itself, you are going to need to have fall protection.  On a commercial roof, you may have the benefit of a parapet that meets the requirements for fall protection but if not, you need to figure out how to protect your workers. L&A Safety offers a number of different safety equipment and PPE, pop into one of L&A Safety’s stores in Milnerton, Robertson or Vredenburg today!

You will not only have open edges where you or your employees will be exposed to a fall, but slippery surfaces as well.  Remember, this is a concern on flat roofs as well as sloped roofs.  Personal fall arrest systems may be your best bet, but you need to determine a proper anchor point, ensure your employees are wearing their harnesses and lanyards properly, and ensure they have been trained in the proper use of their fall protection equipment.  

Sometimes, things seem simple.  If you need to wash your roof, you may think you just have to throw some soap up there and rinse it off with some water, how hard can it be?  Unfortunately, if you take a moment to look further into it, you could be putting yourself and your employees at risk.  The bottom line: Know what you’re doing or hire somebody that does.

Why is Respiratory Protection important in Construction?

Respiratory protection is an important part of Personal Protective Equipment in Construction Work.

In any field of construction work it is of vital importance that all employees wear the appropriate task specific PPE, respiratory protective equipment is one of the most important pieces of PPE. Whether the employee is only using hand or power tools there is still a variety of industrial sprays, dust, fumes and particulate materials, amongst other respiratory hazards on the work site.

So it is not only necessary for the sake of health consciousness to protect yourself and your workers against respiratory hazards, but it is also an obligation due to the legal Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Looking for a wide range of safety equipment and high quality of PPE? Why not stop by one of L&A Safety's branches in Milnerton, Robertson or Vredenburg and place your order today!

There are gases, dusts, and toxic fumes present at every construction worksite that can make you very ill and some may even cause eventual death, some respiratory hazards such as carbon monoxide can make you unconscious or even kill you within minutes, other hazards such as asbestos can take years before they make you sick and can cause lung cancer.

There are methods such as engineering controls, for example good ventilation methods in an enclosed area, work practice controls such as using alternative cutting and grinding techniques, and administrative techniques where only the necessary workers who are performing a task are in the hazardous areas.

In most cases a simple dust mask will suffice but depending on the type of work and the hazardous materials other methods such as a full mask with a visor, a welding helmet, or a respirator may be required.

Respirators and respiratory protective equipment needs to be well maintained and kept clean, and any damaged equipment must be discarded of and replaced immediately.

Respiratory protection can save a life, hazards in the workplace may not seem as serious to you but regular exposure to certain materials and particles can lead to chronic illnesses and can cause drastic damage to your lungs. In some cases as with extreme hazardous materials, a few short exposures can cause death.

So remember in any workplace it is not only law but of utmost importance for your and the health and safety of your employees to always wear the task specific personal protective equipment and always to follow the Written safe Work procedures and Risk assessments step by step. Take care of your own personal safety first and then that of your fellow workers.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Winter Construction Work

Whether they’re doing important repairs in the middle of a blizzard or working on a new construction during dangerously low temperatures, construction workers need to wear the proper protective clothing during the winter.

Take these steps during the winter for safe construction. At the same time, it may be worth reviewing the following tips no matter what the current weather is, in case conditions take a turn for the worst.

Here are some basic do’s and don’ts brought to you by L&A Safety for construction professionals to follow during the colder months.

Do: Be cautious around downed power lines
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration mentions this in a list of winter weather guidelines, noting that snowy environments could make live wires even more dangerous than they are normally.

Don’t: Use equipment unsuitable for the weather
The tools workers employ in winter conditions need to be specifically approved for seasonal use. Assuming that a tool fit for warm weather use is equally viable in cold or snow could lead to a possible hazard, as can using any of this equipment incorrectly.

Do: Wear insulated gear
From head to toe, workers can look for apparel that retains body heat and keeps them comfortable. Insulated Gloves, scarves, socks, and coveralls with thermal protection can all be useful, as can boots and helmets with the right insulation.

Don’t: Work too long without breaks
Even with protection, workers shouldn’t spend too much time exposed to the elements. Managers should take precautions to keep workers warm and in good health, such as breaks in a well-heated space to recover.

Do: Keep walkways safe
Move slowly when surfaces are icy, and wear boots with treads to reduce the chance of losing a grip and falling. Sanding or salting slippery patches also helps with traction and get make it easier for crews to make it through high-traffic areas.

Check out the L&A Safety website  for all sorts of occupational safety products.