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Total Safety emphasizes the importance of Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month

Two employees from Total Safety Netherlands put their CPR training to work when they came to the aid of a customer employee on Friday, Sept. 25.

Ricardo Marvin

The two fire and safety guards immediately offered help, putting the victim into safety position and clearing his airway. They then began CPR, which was later taken over by the company fire brigade and the external ambulance service, both of which responded quickly.

“The incident really underscores the importance of training,” said Chief Operating Officer Paul Tyree. “Training and staging events to test our ability to respond in an emergency is vital to ensure that when the time comes and we are called upon to render aid, our employees are up to the challenge and feel comfortable providing assistance.”

It was later learned that the victim, a shift coordinator, had suffered a severe heart attack. To everyone’s relief, thanks to the quick response of these two employees, the customer employee is on the road to recovery.

Total Safety Europe participated in the second edition of “Restart a Heart,” CPR training last October. This event was organized by the European Resuscitation Council in many of the European Union (EU) countries to sensitize the general public and teach lifesaving actions in case of cardiac arrest, according to Europe’s Director of Business Improvement Patrick Block.

CPR 2

“These employees truly personify W3 and demonstrate to our customer that our heart is in our mission, to ensure the safe Wellbeing of Workers Worldwide,” said Chief Executive Officer Troy Thacker.

CPR 3

The operational staff in our European locations are all trained in CPR as a standard practice. However, the non-operational staff had not been trained in the past. The initiative that began in Belgium in 2014 is a positive step toward a fully trained organization.

October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) Awareness Month. Although SCA is not the same as a heart attack, heart attack survivors are at a higher risk for SCA. To learn more about SCA, awareness and prevention visit the Heart Rhythm Society website – http://www.hrsonline.org/News/Sudden-Cardiac-Arrest-SCA-Awareness.

October is also National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). See our Facebook page for information on Total Safety employees participating in events supporting Breast Cancer Awareness https://www.facebook.com/onetotalsafety and visit http://nnedv.org/getinvolved/dvam.html for information on domestic violence awareness and getting involved.

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Danger tags and lockout-tagout are vital

Work sites can be some of the most hectic areas on any given day. Employees are scuffling around completing their hourly and daily tasks. Often, their work involves the use of heavy machinery and other types of dangerous equipment, and because of their line of work, danger tags are needed whenever possible. This mindset should apply for every industry and not only ones where heavy, dangerous, machinery is used daily.

Without these danger tags, safety is pushed aside, since workers aren't aware of any and all possible hazards. When used in conjunction with the lock and tag safety procedure, work sites are helping safeguard the health of workers but are also in compliance with various regulations and guidelines put forth by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

"Tags exist for inventory check, electrical hazards, equipment status and inspections."

Importance of danger tags
Danger tags come in many colors and variations depending on where they need to be used. According to Safety Sign, these tags exist for inventory check, electrical hazards, equipment status and inspections.

Each category also has a subset of tags that provides even more specific information for management and workers. For example, equipment status can be broken down into out of service tags, which informs workers when a piece of equipment is not working for the time being. Likewise, repair tags will also let workers know when something is undergoing maintenance and employees can even find out the status of gas cylinders. Any work site can find the right danger tag.

As with most aspects of the work site, there are certain guidelines to help enable best practices. OSHA has developed certain specifications to follow. For instance, caution signs must be designed a certain way. According to 1910.145(d)(4), these caution signs must:

  • Have a background color of yellow
  • Utilize lettering in the color black
  • Follow OSHA guidelines and ideally resemble opaque glossy samples

Work sites should also keep size in mind when using danger tags. It doesn't help to put up small electrical tags that workers may not even see. The utilization of danger tags is a must for work sites across various industries and in case the lines of communication are severed, tags can still inform workers of important information.

Lockout-tagout importance
Also known as lock and tag, this safety procedure is vital to ensure equipment and other machines are properly turned off and remain so during scheduled maintenance. According to the University of California Santa Cruz's environmental health and safety division, serious accidents have occurred because a worker mistakenly believed a machine was safely off. Lockout-tagout also guards against other factors that may introduce safety hazards. For instance, machines may start up unexpectedly because stored energy was not correctly, or properly, released.

"Controlling hazardous energy sources is paramount for any work site."

Controlling hazardous energy sources is paramount for any work site. According to an OSHA fact sheet, approximately 3 million workers face dangerous conditions when working with energy sources. Laborers, craft workers and machine operators are perhaps the largest group of workers facing the greatest dangers.

OSHA estimates, because of lockout-tagout, approximately 50,000 injuries and 120 fatalities are avoided each year. There are various energy sources that can harm employees, as highlighted by Lockout-Tagout Shop, some of which include:

  • Gas
  • Steam
  • Electricity
  • Hydraulic pressure

Guidelines for lockout-tagout
OSHA has developed a series of guidelines to properly implement lockout-tagout. There are three elements to lockout-tagout that consist of training, written procedures and inspections. Training will likely encompass many workers, from maintenance workers who perform the lockout-tagout procedure, to affected employees, or those who work near equipment that will be shut off.

Work sites should implement those regulations, but also remember other safety habits. Before any maintenance starts, all involved parties have to coordinate a timeframe and the specific equipment that will be shut off. From there, employees will follow proper procedures for shutting off equipment and completing the required maintenance.

An effective form of communication for work sites are safety tags. They are available for multiple areas and come in bright colors to catch the attention of workers passing by. For those that handle various forms of energy, lockout-tagout procedures are required to prevent any injuries. Proper practices will go a long way toward protecting every worker ensuring a strong line of communications.

Respiratory Protection

OSHA unveils new proposals on beryllium exposure

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration unveiled a new proposal for workplace exposure to beryllium poisoning on Aug. 7. The proposal will take comments until early November. According to the safety section of Business and Labor Resources, the proposal had been a long time coming.

What is the proposal?
Francis Citera is the co-chair of products liability at the law firm, Greenberg Traurig. He wrote an article for The National Law Review, stating OSHA currently permits beryllium exposure to 2.0 micrograms per cubic meter of air. This total is over the course of 8 hours, a normal work day for many employees. The proposal would limit exposure to 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter, which is 1/10 of the current amount allowed.

"The proposal would limit exposure to 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter."

What is beryllium?
Of course, these proposals don't mean much without knowing what beryllium is. According to Live Science contributing writer Agata Blaszczak-Boxe, beryllium is one of the lightest metals currently in use. Despite its small weight, the metal is stronger than steel and has many applications. The Beryllium Science and Technology Association said the metal is commonly found in computers, cell phones, telecommunications and infrastructure equipment. It is even used in the construction of aircraft and missiles. Nuclear reactors also utilize the metal as a reflector or moderator.

Despite the wide range of use, beryllium is highly toxic. The International Agency for Research on Cancer noted people who are exposed daily to this metal have a higher chance of developing lung cancer and chronic beryllium disease, which causes scarring of the lungs. Workers and employers have to abide by strict regulations as a result. The metal is so important in some areas, due to its use in the construction of many objects. In fact, the U.S. Department of Defense classified it as a strategic and critical material.

Workplace standards
OSHA estimated approximately 35,000 workers U.S. workers may be exposed to beryllium at 4,088 locations. These workers belong to different industries due to the metal's use in many fields, as even dental technicians can potentially be exposed.

Much of the exposure can come from dust, and due to the many industries beryllium is utilized in, OSHA has varying safety recommendations that are industry specific. For instance, workers and employers in the construction sector should abide by OSHA's ventilation regulations for the construction industry.

To help protect workers, employers may want to consider supplying fixed air breathing systems. These air systems can be customized to offer workers full protection and Grade D breathable air while working with, or in the vicinity of, beryllium. Protective clothing, such as boot covers and goggles, can further protect workers from beryllium dust particles.

Workplaces have to be cautious when handling the metal, and may even want to consider ending the usage of it. Upper management and administrators should ensure their training programs are updated with the latest information about beryllium, as well as good housekeeping and sanitation practices.

OSHA's new proposals regarding beryllium come at a time when the agency realizes current regulations are outdated. Due to its toxic nature, workers shouldn't be exposed to high amounts of the metal for an extended period of time. 

Fall Protection, Training, Compliance & Certification

Despite existing safety rules, workers don’t feel obligated to report unsafe methods

A recent survey from the environmental engineering consulting firm, Antea Group, revealed workers' and employers' thoughts concerning workplace safety, specifically environmental health and safety. According to the firm's recent study, 55 percent of the participating employees felt comfortable talking with their co-workers and bosses about potentially unsafe behavior. A majority of workers – approximately 64 percent – responded they would like to be told if they are engaging in unsafe habits. Antea Group's report surveyed more than 500 workers currently employed by global IT organizations. 

While over half of workers may feel comfortable bringing up dangerous work methods, 52 percent of employees believe they are under no obligation to report an unsafe act. These employees may feel uncomfortable talking with co-workers, and Antea Group said discomfort will ultimately diminish the effectiveness of workplace safety programs, which are especially critical for companies employing over 5,000 workers. A majority of women appreciated the emergency response plans of their employers.

Workers and firms in the EHS sector should take a few precautions to ensure all employees are comfortable discussing safety protocols and bringing up the manner with co-workers. This is of particular importance because at the start of 2015 the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration updated injury and illness reporting. 

A worker wearing a hardhat.Employers need to ensure workers are comfortable talking about safety regulations.

Workplace safety in EHS
In recent years, consumers and companies have placed an emphasis on sustainability and green energy. A quick glance at Newsweek's 2015 Green Rankings ranked companies and nongovernmental organizations on their sustainability efforts. These organizations are spread over many industries, from health care to finance and consumer electronics. What these companies all have in common is some sort of environmental health and safety management. The definition of EHS differs today than it did previously, according to LNS Research. 

According to the National Association for Environmental Management, EHS is composed of many components dealing with how companies can create a fluid system to handle waste. When companies implement an EHS system, they should also keep in mind any environmental regulations and consider ways to reduce their carbon footprint, especially in an age of mass production. They also have to keep in mind current public opinion. For instance, a gas leak at a pesticide center in Bhopal, India, in 1984 resulted in thousands of deaths and many illnesses in the years following the disaster. Public outrage played a role in companies revamping EHS management procedures to prevent similar deadly accidents.

The duties of one company's EHS division will likely differ from another's. As an example, management provides Berkley Lab staff with resources in some of the following categories: waste management, safety ergonomics, according to the lab's official website.

What the workplace can do
Companies with dedicated EHS employees have to take safety seriously. Employers should already have an emergency response plan in place. If not, upper management should work on the development of such a plan. Response services include training and plan management that is tailored to specific industries. For instance, oil production companies can create a customized emergency response plan that may emphasize fall and fire protection. Other professional service components can revolve around data management and medical supervision.

Technology can also play a part with maintaining a safe work environment. In its 2015 EHS and Sustainability Software Buyers Guide, the National Association for Environmental Management identified incident reporting and user friendliness as top desires among companies. Poor software design may be why not all employees feel comfortable reporting unsafe workplace behavior – they simply don't know how. Workers may feel more inclined to report unsafe behavior if they have the proper means to do so.

Firms also have to make a concentrated effort to talk to all employees about workplace safety. This process can involve regular meetings, as well as posting safety rules in employee lounges. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration mandates employers provide this information to all workers, especially if changes are ever enacted.

Workplaces should take Antea Group's recent survey seriously, according to the organization's senior consultant and technology segment leader, Peylina Chu.

"By prioritizing the health and safety of their employees, technology companies will not only safeguard their brand, but also retain their most important assets, their people," said Chu.

Equipment Rental & Catalog

Advanced technology can help improve safety

Technology has long played an important role in the development of workplace safety. While a common device by today's standards, radios enabled two-way communication and let employees call for help if need be. Heavy machinery is commonly built with safety features in mind. For example, some equipment is built with roll over protection systems and fall over protection systems, as well as anti-slip steps, according to Volvo Construction Equipment.

Such systems have been around for years now and have undoubtedly helped prevent potential accidents. With technology constantly improving, there are interesting methods and gadgets that have recently been unveiled, or soon will be, that will only help further enhance workplace safety.

A worker with his arms folded.Wearables, such as safety glasses, can help workplace safety.

3D visualization software
To help give employees an idea of their worksite, companies are utilizing 3D visualization software to help create lifelike images on a computer or television, according to PC Magazine. This software is beneficial, particularly if the illusion of depth is achieved. This is achieved by recording the same image but from two different angles. PC Magazine further said these images should be taken so as to correspond to the distance between the left and right eye.

While the costs may seem like an obstacle for some companies, this is the wrong mindset to develop. In an interview with Techcrunch, Intel's chief information officer, Kim Stevenson, said camera costs have been reduced in recent years. This will enable workplaces to successfully recreate the environments employees will find themselves in daily. This makes the notion of using 3D visualization to help train employees not as far fetched as it sounds.

According to Industrial Safety and Security Source, the oil and gas industries have been supportive of this technology because a lot of the work occurs at extreme depths. As a result, workers are being trained how to work in offshore and onshore environments. In an interview with ISS Source, FuelFX's CEO, Oliva Diaz, said 3D visualization can help companies understand and operate dangerous technology.

"It's about changing people's experience and situational awareness at work," said Diaz.

"Technology has long played an important role in the development of workplace safety."

Wearable technology
With smartphones reaching a level of stagnation, tech companies have been vying to figure out the next area ripe for  innovation. As it currently stands, wearables are the new big item, with some of the largest and most well-known companies releasing smartwatches, with others exploring glasses with built-in cameras. Essentially, these devices act as an extension of a smartphone – information, such as upcoming meetings and important message, can be displayed on the small screen. Some even allow for voice calls, but in most cases, the smartwatch is not designed to replace a phone.

Even so, there are ways to incorporate wearables into the workplace, particularly regarding worker safety. These devices will ideally display information workers will find helpful. For example, some smartwatches monitor heart rate. It is not too crazy to picture employees receiving a notification that they're overworking themselves and need to relax for some time.

IndustryWeek highlighted a pair of eyeglasses that are far more advanced and suitable for the work environment. According to the publication, the wearables can track biometrics, enable video and voice calls and present a minimal heads-up-display that can also scan barcodes.

However, companies will have to conduct thorough research before committing to wearables. Concerns will center around potential distractions. For example, glasses and smartwatches might distract a worker's line-of-sight, if only for a few seconds. Wearables are still a relatively new field and as a result, manufacturers and industrial companies are still figuring out how to best apply this technology.

Two areas of technology, wearables and 3D visualization, may help improve workplace safety even more. However, companies will have to make sure such advanced areas will fit into their company and not cause potential employee harm.

Emergency Response, Equipment Rental & Catalog

Smartphones vital to safety

Cellular devices used to be frowned upon in the workplace. Employers didn’t want to catch workers falling behind on their daily work by wasting time on the phone. In a sign of the changing times, phones are now vital to the workplace, especially those in dangerous sectors. Through a combination of simple features, such as text messaging and voice calls, the smartphones of today are built with the technology and applications to monitor employees and help them communicate with others during emergencies.

These devices are only one part of a communications solution every workplace should have in place.

A construction worker on his smartphone.Smartphones can help companies improve safety conditions.

Smartphone benefits
Today’s smartphones differ vastly from their feature phone counterparts. Likewise, today’s devices can trace their roots back to personal digital assistants. Starting in 2007, technology companies began releasing today’s smartphones to mass appeal. Workplaces took notice and since then, have developed tools for employee safety. An appealing aspect of technology, especially in 2015, is companies don’t necessarily have to hire computer specialist to build the perfect safety solution. In an interview with Business and Legal Resources, Simple But Needed CEO Shourya Basu said with the right setup, not only can smartphones increase workplace safety, but management can collect data and use it to help make better decisions.

One of the more appealing aspects of the devices is the streamlining of tasks. Instead of employees taking notes and later transcribing and emailing them, they can instead send that important email directly from their phone. This email may identify safety violations or recognition of safety practices.

How to use a smartphone for proper safety habits
Due to the extreme flexibility these devices offer, it’s understandable if some companies feel overwhelmed at first by their options when it comes to what exactly a smartphone can provide with regards to safety. First and foremost are the bare essentials. Messaging and voice calling will come in handy if employees need to regularly check in with their supervisors. Texts are helpful in those instances where the surrounding noise may make calls too difficult to understand.

According to Shanari Baird of the HSE Press Journal, numerous applications have been created that can serve specific safety functions in the workplace. For example, most mobile devices are built with a global positioning system chip. Employers can configure devices to constantly relay location coordinates, a feature particularly helpful if workers are traveling to and from off-site worksites.

“Perhaps no smartphone feature is more important than the camera.”

Perhaps no smartphone feature is more important than the camera. Today’s devices are built with top of the line lenses that can capture intricate detail. As a result, employees and managers can take picture and record videos of unsafe workplace conditions. By documenting these violations, companies can revamp current policies to ensure workers aren’t harmed, as well as avoid potential fines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Workers can also install an OSHA app to always stay updated on the latest safety requirements as well.

In particular, Baird highlighted the slow-motion video capture feature some devices have. When used, safety inspectors can thoroughly see if workers are performing dangerous tasks correctly, and if not, the video can be used for future corrections. Photographs and videos serve as great documentation for later use, as well as real time

Smartphones are truly amazing pieces of technology. Manufacturers pack in many features and capabilities companies can take advantage of to promote worker safety while on the job. Third-party applications can enable management to track lone-wolf workers, while cameras can record dangerous working conditions. Of course, no feature is more important than being able to make an emergency phone call if needed.

When smartphones are properly utilized in communications plans, workplace safety will improve for the better.

Equipment and Technologies, Fall Protection

As stadiums get larger, fall protection becomes more vital

Construction was recently halted on Minnesota's new football stadium following two serious accidents. One worker fell approximately 50 feet and later passed away from his injuries. Another also fell and suffered serious injuries but was listed in stable condition, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

In a press conference, the senior vice president of the construction company involved said the workers were in the midst of a routine installation during the early portion of the day. It is unknown if the two workers were wearing safety harnesses. While the construction company is in charge of building the new stadium, according to The Washington Post, the two workers were contractors from another roofing firm.

The stadium, which will serve as the home for the Minnesota Vikings football team, is set to open in the summer of 2016. Until these accidents, no deaths or serious injuries had been reported at the site, according to the Star Tribune. In fact, the newspaper reported the construction company takes workplace safety seriously. For instance, workers have to use a crosswalk to reach the construction site and will not even walk against the light.

The Minnesota Occupational Safety Health Administration has conducted 16 compliance inspections in the last five years at various worksites​ and reported no citations, the newspaper noted. However, the roofing firm also involved in the accident was reportedly cited for nine serious workplace safety violations. The Star Tribune said most citations were the result of employees not having protection from guardrails or using harnesses when working in a hoist area, defined as spaces six feet or higher from the ground with no protection.

Minneapolis is not the only location where stadiums are being built. With the recent accidents, construction companies and contractors involved in similar projects should ensure the proper workplace safety protocols are in place, including employee safety.

Stadium under construction.As stadiums continue to be built, worker safety needs to be stressed.

Stadium construction boom
The U.S. is home to numerous stadiums for college and professional teams. In fact, Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor is the largest in the world. While some organizations are content with their existing facilities, others are breaking ground on numerous projects. According to Sports Business Daily, the sports industry is in the midst of a stadium construction boom. Part of reason comes from all parties fully recovering from the recession, which has led to more resources and hiring of workers.

Another factor in the stadium boom centers around teams wanting to improve the fan experience, particularly in the areas where a stadium was last built 15 to 20 years ago. According to The Arizona Republic, National Football League fans increasingly believe the best game day experience is at home. Instead of fighting through traffic, paying high prices for food and weaving in and out of crowds, NFL fans can stay home and watch their favorite team from the comforts of the couch.

That mindset, in addition to fans' reliance on digital technology, have led teams to spend billions on new stadiums. In an official information page, the Minnesota Vikings said the cost for their new stadium will be just over $1 billion. Another high-profile construction project in Santa Clara, California, Levi's Stadium, cost $1.31 billion, according to The San Francisco Chronicle.

Worker safety paramount
With rising costs and stadiums trying to include more fan amenities, construction companies cannot forget about worker safety. During construction of Levi's Stadium, two workers died in accidents, according to KNTV, the area's local NBC News affiliate.

Firms and workers have many variables to account for while on-site. Fall protection is an important safety solution. Firms should ensure the right equipment, such as guard rails and harnesses, is present on the worksite. This gear should also undergo regular inspection to protect against potential equipment failure.

"Fall protection is an important safety solution."

Construction companies should also follow the guidelines put forth by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. For instance, worksites are to have fall protection set up starting at elevations of four feet. Walking areas in particular should always be cleaned and kept dry to prevent accidents. Firms should contact custom training services if there is any type of confusion over workplace safety and how to best protect employees.

As stadium construction and remodeling projects continue into the near future, safety remains a top priority. As stadiums are designed to be larger and more intricate, managers and employees have to take the necessary precautions while on the worksite. This includes utilizing the proper gear and training workers in the best workplace techniques.

Fall Protection, Gas Detection, Respiratory Protection

Rig operators cannot relax

After years of unprecedented growth, oil production within the U.S. is starting to decline. The country's production of shale oil in particular has drastically cut the price of a barrel of oil. According to Reuters, oil now costs $42 a barrel. This represents a six-and-a-half year low point, and as a result the oil industry has had to cut jobs and spending.

In light of the latest round of cuts, oil drillers are actually adding rigs. Oilfield services company Baker Hughes reported two oil rigs were added during the weekend ending Aug. 14, according to Reuters. The Wall Street Journal subsequently said this was the fourth straight week the oil rig count increased.

The Wall Street Journal reported the addition of rigs comes at a turbulent time for the oil industry. Prior to the slight expansion, oil rig count had sharply decreased because in the last 14 months the price for a barrel of oil has steeply declined. The newspaper listed a handful of reasons as to why prices have fallen, ranging from a strong dollar to concerns on the global economic market.

The rig count is also interesting, because compared to one year ago, the total number of rigs in operation is fewer by 1,029. Specifically, oil rigs have decreased by 917, whereas gas rigs number 110 fewer.

Oil equipment.Fracking has increased in recent years.

Highs and lows of oil
The current worries surround the industry arrive after years of positivity. Due to new technology and drilling methods, operators quickly increased oil production in key parts of the country. Regions throughout Texas and North Dakota contributed to the boom. According to National Geographic, this increase in production can specifically be referred to as the shale oil boom.

Shale oil is extracted from a sedimentary rock rich in kerogen. A new method known as hydraulic fracturing unveiled oil reserves previously inaccessible. Production levels have risen approximately 9 million barrels a day, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration. The National Geographic said this level of activity hasn't been seen since the 1970s. These numbers were just shy of Saudi Arabia's production, which was recorded at 9.6 million barrels a day.

"Production levels have risen approximately 9 million barrels a day."

In addition to a stronger dollar, oil production has declined because of an increasing surplus of domestic oil, as the country's import of foreign oil has continuously dropped since 2005. Other factors, such as personal preference and federal mandates, have reduced the amount of oil used. For instance, the fuel efficiency of automobiles keeps improving, and by 2025 automobiles will be required to have a 54.5 miles per gallon rating, according a White House statement. As more vehicles adopt these standards, in addition to further releases of electric cars, fuel demands may continue to decline.

Why rig counts have increased
It may seem odd that rig counts are therefore increasing at a time when the industry price is declining, according to MarketWatch. James Williams, an economist at WTRG Economics explained this current trend in an interview with the publication.

"The recent increase in rig counts is due to prices two months ago," said Williams. "There's always a lag between price changes and drilling activity."

As a result, it may be some time before rig counts decrease to reflect the current price of oil. Whatever the number of rigs currently in operation, drilling companies and operators have to take safety seriously, due in part to the numerous activities and equipment involved.

Oil rig safety, and in particular, fracking, are important to keep in mind because accidents on oil rigs can take a turn for the worst. Fall safety is a top priority if working at high elevation, and rig operators should ensure fall protection equipment is inspected regularly, ideally before and after every use. In addition to proper inspection, custom fall protection systems can make a rig safer to work on.

As a result of its recent adoption, the side effects and hazardous conditions involved with fracking are still being analyzed and discovered. However, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, in conjunction with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, said the process "involves pumping large volumes of water and sand into a well at high pressure to fracture shale and other tight formations, allowing oil and gas to flow into the well."

"The side effects from fracking are still being analyzed."

Workers engaged in this process may expose themselves to high levels of respirable crystalline silica. Silica sand is used in the fracking process to help with the drilling process, and OSHA noted Driller operators who intake high levels of silica are increasing their risk of developing the lung disease silicosis.

Employees are subsequently exposed to silica dust from a variety of sources throughout fracking, including but not limited to:

  • Vehicles generating dust
  • Dust from the transfer belt
  • Dust from when the sand is dropped into the blender hopper
  • Dust released from the transfer belts and blender

To help limit dust intake, workers who take part in fracking should wear respiratory equipment. OSHA also recommended employers identify work practices, engineering controls and product substitution as possible methods to reduce silica dust exposure.

With some uncertainty surrounding future oil rig counts and oil production, operators and workers cannot relax on safety procedures. Due to new technology, fracking has become widely used and some of the drilling method's risks are still being discovered. With the proper equipment and safety training, drillers and any other employees on-site will stay safe.

Uncategorized

The Importance of Calibrating Air Monitors

Importance of calibrating air monitors

Hazardous conditions can contain gasses that are not detected by smell or sight. Properly calibrated air monitors are critical tools for your protection.

  • Calibration: an instrument’s measuring accuracy relative to a known concentration of test gas.
  • Calibration gas gives air monitors a reference point for monitor readings in the actual work environment.
  • Calibrate an instrument in the same environmental conditions it will monitor in order to ensure accurate readings.

Calibration vs. Bump Test – there is a difference. Make sure you understand which is needed for your monitor.

  • A calibration check is performed by exposing the monitor to a certified concentration of gas for a particular time to verify that it provides an accurate reading.
  • Bump test is a brief exposure of the monitor to gas in order to verify that the sensors respond and the instrument alarms function accordingly. Bump tests do not check the accuracy of the instrument.

Sensors degrade over time. Calibration allows an air monitor to self-correct its accuracy of gas sensitivity.

  • An inaccurate sensor must be replaced immediately.
  • A dropped or damaged instrument must be recalibrated as soon as possible.

Discussion Starters

  • What are some gasses that may not be detectable by smell or sight?
  • Have you ever been in a situation where you would have been in harm’s way had your air monitor not been calibrated?

https://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib093013.html

https://www.totalsafety.com/gas-detection/