Speaking of Safety
You may not be able to smell it, taste it, or discern its presence. But, in many industries, toxic and flammable gases present a significant industrial hazard. New technologies are improving gas-detection capabilities, helping safety managers ensure employee health and well-being. Gas detection is only one of many elements in a comprehensive workplace safety plan. But it’s an important one.
OSHA’s on the look-out and their recently announced National Emphasis Program (NEP) shows they are focused on preventing heat-related injuries and illnesses in a wide range of industries.
Employers are encouraged to review and familiarize themselves with the NEP to prevent heat-related violations. Failure to do so can result in significant penalties from OSHA.
The construction Industry is consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous environments to work in around the world. OSHA reports that 1 in 5 deaths among U.S. workers occurs in the sector. And, according to the World Risk Poll, the second highest reported workplace injury rate globally (22%), was among those who worked in construction, manufacturing or production. In this high-risk context, accurate, real-time monitoring of safety conditions can protect workers and equipment from damage ensuring everyone gets home safe and sound at the end of the day. With the advent of digital transformation and IoT, connected safety solutions have up-leveled programs from simple reactive compliance to proactive incident prevention.
No matter what occupation you are in today, finding the right PPE for your application can be tricky to say the least. From electricians to machine operators to construction workers, utilizing the correct protective equipment is vital to employee safety and job completion. Let’s take a few steps back before we actually look at PPE and start from the beginning.Â
Vibration exposure at work can lead to discomfort in the hands and arms due to vascular and nerve damage. Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) caused by exposure to vibration at work is preventable, but once the damage is done it is permanent. Vibration damage can manifest itself as Raynaud’s syndrome, paresthesias and carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpenters, masons and construction workers are the most exposed occupational groups. There, almost 70% have been exposed to vibrating, hand-held tools for at least a quarter of their working time.
On June 17, 2021, ANSI/ASSP approved the new 2021 revision of Z359.14, Safety Requirements for Self-Retracting Devices (SRDs) for Personal Fall Arrest and Rescue Systems. This revision supersedes the 2014 version. This is an important date for both manufacturers and end users when it comes to ANSI compliance while using self-retracting devices. In this white paper, we will review the changes to the Z359.14 standard as interpreted by FallTech and discuss the compliance timeline and what that means for equipment you are using today.