The Right Boot for the Job

For those unclear on what they need, a simple conversation with the foreman, HR representative or safety manager can shed some light on safety needs. These needs can vary from types of jobs to work environments as many require different safety footwear that satisfies everything from toe protection to more specialized needs like static-dissipating or puncture-resistant.

Ladder work: One of the biggest hazards when climbing a ladder is slipping off the ladder rung, which is a serious danger when using a six-foot or taller ladder. Ladder safety is paramount, but a boot that takes the job into consideration will help deliver a better experience for the wearer.

A defined heel can help prevent a worker from slipping off a wrung. Workers often on ladders should look for 90-degree heels that offer better stability on ladders. Many manufactures also incorporate ladder grips or ladder locks built into the sole. This raised rubber pad is designed to work with the grooves on the ladder to help provide additional safety.

Welding: Welders have unique challenges on the job site, facing sparks, fire and extremely hot materials. They should look for footwear that is either a pull-on or features a met-guard that covers the shoelaces and allows slag and sparks to roll or bounce off the footwear. The threads in laces and the tongue of the boot are typically comprised of fabric that increases the chances of sparking, catching fire or even having sparks and materials get into the boot, burning the foot and causing sometimes severe injury.

Welders should also look for outsoles that have higher heat ratings, to help reduce the chance of melting. These higher-performing outsoles are often made of rubber and mixes of nitrile, rubber and Kevlar.

Pull-on or Wellington boots work well in welding environments as they limit exposure of threads and laces. Footwear for welders should always feature an all leather upper, which will wear longer and resist burning unlike fabric counterparts.

Electricians: It’s important for electricians to wear non-metallic and non-conductive footwear. These shoes prevent the wearer from completing the electric circuit to the ground and in some cases can help to ground a charge and eliminate the threat of electrocution.

Carpenters and home builders: Construction sites are often covered with puncture hazards, such as shards of metal and popped nails. For individuals working in and around such environments, finding a work boot that features a puncture-resistant outsole will help to better protect the feet. Puncture-resistant boots feature a special plate between the insole and sole of the boot, providing the extra safety needed.

Wet conditions: In wet or slick conditions, such as indoor manufacturing or light industrial, workers would be well-served to seek out footwear that provides excellent non-slip outsoles. These outsoles are typically made from rubber. Some manufactures take a serious look at how a boot performs in slick conditions, designing channels, ridges and depressions that divert liquid along with outsoles that increase surface area, ultimately providing better traction and increased stability on slippery surfaces.

Management: Managers and other company officials not typically on the job site or work floor may take for granted the need for proper safety gear. For those who may tour, supervise or visit these environments, having a pair of safety boots made from protective materials and possessing the safety and performance features needed on that particular job site may help prevent a work site injury.

Work boots today are incredibly versatile in both form and function. Those not typically accustomed to safety footwear can find silhouettes that resemble hiking boots, sneakers or even dress shoes, all without sacrificing safety.

The Importance of Gloves on Industrial Work Sites

When working on an industrial site, wearing safety gloves is a top priority. Understanding of the importance of wearing work gloves on the job and finding a pair that is right for the task at hand is vital in reducing injury.

Below are some key factors to consider when purchasing a pair of work gloves:

Hazard – The first step in finding the right work gloves is to identify the need for hand protection. Consider the industry and setting in which you will be working to determine the hazards you may be up against. Evaluating what could cause you harm (or what you could cause harm) will ultimately determine what kind of glove you’ll need to get the most protection.

For instance, you may need to wear gloves to protect yourself from harmful chemicals. Conversely you may need to wear leather gloves to protect the product your handling from the natural oils on your skin. Other hazards common job-site hazards include cuts or scrapes, viruses or bacteria, extreme temperatures, or electrical currents. Understand the industry and product you’ll be working with before investing in work gloves.

Fit & Agility – Another important component when choosing a proper work glove is the fit. If a glove is too large for a workers hand, the glove could create an obstacle and prevent work from getting done safely. On the other hand, if a glove is too small, this could restrict a worker’s range of motion, again hindering work from getting done. Poorly fitting gloves can cause the hand to cramp or blister, ultimately impairing a worker from doing their job safely. It is important to measure hands in order to find properly sized gloves.

Coating – Depending on the industry, a worker may need gloves with protective coatings to prevent damage from certain elements. For example, if you are working with harsh chemicals, you will need gloves with an impermeable protective coating. Other options of safety gloves include ones made with a special hard backing to prevent puncture from things like needles or cutting tools. Some research should be done before you buy to ensure you are protecting yourself from potential dangers your job will pose.

Recognizing the fact that you need to wear gloves and carefully assessing each of the factors that you need to be protected from will help determine the glove that is right for you. For all of your work glove needs, reach out to the professionals at L&A Safety.

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.