1000 Jackson Street,
PO Box
308
Roanoke
Rapids, NC 27870
(252) 537-9137
Fax(252) 537-3064
"Walk the Talk"
| Vol. III Issue 19 | Web Site: rrsd.org | February 08, 2001 |
Eliminate
pneumatic tool hazards
Pneumatic tools are
powered by compressed air. They include chippers, drills, hammers, and sanders.
The main danger in
the use of pneumatic tools is getting hit by one of the tool’s attachments or
some kind of fastener used with the tool.
Pneumatic tools that
shoot nails, rivets, or staples, and operate at more than 100 pounds per square
inch, must be equipped with a special device to keep fasteners from being
ejected unless the muzzle is pressed against the work surface.
Eye protection is
required and face protection is recommended when using pneumatic tools.
Noise is another
hazard. Working with noisy tools such as jackhammers requires proper, effective
use of ear protection.
When using pneumatic
tools, check that they are fastened securely to the hose by a positive means. A
short wire or positive locking device attaching the air hose to the tool will
serve as an added safeguard.
Airless spray guns
that atomize paints and fluids at high pressures must be equipped with automatic
or visual manual safety devices. These devices will prevent pulling the trigger
until the safety device is manually released.
If an air hose is
more than one-half inch in diameter, a safety excess flow valve must be
installed at the source of the air supply to shut off the air automatically in
case the hose breaks.
In general, the same
precautions should be taken with an air hose that is recommended for electric
cords. The hose is subject to the same kind of damage or accidental striking and
presents tripping hazards.
A safety clip or
retainer must be installed to prevent attachments, such as chisels on a chipping
hammer, from being unintentionally shot from the barrel.
Screens must be set
up to protect nearby workers from flying fragments around shippers, riveting
guns, staplers, or air drills.
Compressed air guns
should never be pointed at anyone. Never “dead-end” it against yourself or
anyone else.
Heavy jackhammers
can cause fatigue and strains. Heavy rubber grips reduce these effects by
providing a secure handhold.
When
operating a jackhammer, wear safety glasses and safety shoes. These PPE items
will protect you against injury if the hammer slips or falls. A face shield
should also be used.
RRSD
Web Site
The
District now has a Web Site on the Internet.
The address can be viewed at rrsd.org
If you have comments, suggestions or submissions for the Newsletter,
please submit them to dparnell@rrsd.org
Calendar
of Events..
Laboratory
Safety Says:
By:
Joanne B. Parrott
Feeling
guilty about giving or receiving chocolates this Valentine’s Day? Relax a bit
& treat yourself. Recent research indicates many positive qualities in that
luscious chocolate delight. Studies are revealing that antioxidant activity,
immune function effects, mood regulation & other qualities can be attributed
to chocolate. The presence of
flavonoids are believed to lower the risk of coronary heart disease.
The presence of catechins inhibits cholesterol production. Chocolate has
about four times the catechin content of tea, a highly touted dietary source of
antioxidants. Chocolate may also affect the immune function. A study shows
that chocolate may help combat ulcers-cocoa phenols reduce gastric lesions &
the fat in chocolate is converted into a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat like
in olive oil. Minerals found in chocolate also contribute to good health.
Phosphorus makes up cell membranes, copper increases the oxygen bearing capacity
of red blood cells & magnesium is believed to improve moods.
The well-known lift that comes from eating chocolate may be the result of
the release of stimulants like caffeine. Chocolate
also contains seratonin which balances the level of neurotransmitters in the
brain. Research also indicates that chocolate can be a natural painkiller.
Unfortunately, chocolate is still high in calories, the sugar can cause tooth
decay & can be make life miserable for people who suffer from migraines. So
go ahead & enjoy. Thank Goodness, CHOCOLATE IS GOOD 4 U- but a little goes a
long ways. (Source:
LabReporter, Fall 2000)
Happy
Birthday !!!
Have
a GREAT Day!
Power & Hand-Held Tool Program
The
District has had a tool policy since May 15, 2000.
The time has now come to expand our program.
The following information is an overview of the program. Additional training will be offered May & June of this
year.
Objective
To
be able to recognize the risks associated with power tools and to identify means
of protection.
Policy
All
tools will be kept and maintained in proper operating condition by performing
daily or before each job, visual tool inspections.
Any tools found defective upon inspection must be removed from service,
tagged inoperable and repaired within seven (7) working days.
Repair records must be maintained and kept on file by the maintenance
supervisor.
Overview
Power
tools are a great addition to the workplace.
They are powerful and sometimes sharp instruments that require some
caution and common sense. In
addition, as powered tools, they should be used following basic electrical
safety guidelines.
Identifying
Hazards
There
are several general types of hazards you can encounter with these tools, all of
which are easy to prevent.
¨ Unguarded
points of operation
¨ Electrical
problems: bad cord insulation, poor connections, broken plugs
¨ Flying
pieces of scrap
¨ Physical
injury resulting from dropping a tool or straining to lift one
¨ Defective
tools or tools needing repair
Protection
Against Hazards
When
working with any tool, you should make every effort to keep your hands (and
other body parts) away from the point of operation.
Most tools have guards around the point of operation.
NEVER remove these guards! In
addition to the built-in protections, SAFETY GOGGLES are a protection that you
can easily add. They are your best
safeguards against being injured by flying pieces of wood, metal or spark.
Be sure tools are grounded, cords are well insulated and plugs and
connections are good.
Checklist
– Portable Tools & Hand-Held Equipment
¨ Are
all tools maintained in safe condition?
¨ Is
compressed air less than 30 psi used for cleaning?
¨ Is
PPE and chip guarding provided when cleaning with compressed air?
¨ Where
required, are proper guards in place?
¨ Are
inspection, maintenance and operating procedures established and followed?
¨ Are
required markings and guards present on mowers?
¨ Are
standard operating procedures for O & M established and followed?
January
was a busy month in the safety department.
OSHA was here twice for the Safety & Health evaluations.
This is part one of a two part evaluation to place the RRSD into the
SHARP (Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program).
Within 12 months of completion of the above mentioned prerequisite safety
and health consultation, we must request a SHARP evaluation.
Our plans are to request this inspection mid-summer.
This will give the Water Treatment Plant time to install railings at the
sedimentation basins as requested by the first inspection.
A breakdown of this inspection is as follows:
Administration
¨ No
hazards noted
Distribution
& Collection
¨ Ford
bush-hog was not equipped with a back-up horn
¨ The
oven in the kitchenette was not properly grounded
¨ The
fluorescent lights in the Tool building was not protected from physicals hazards
¨ Lockout/tagout
did not certify inspections at least annually
Wastewater
Treatment Plant
¨ The
# 2 influent pump coupling was not fully guarded
¨ The
shafts on the # 2 influent pump were not completely enclosed
¨ Lockout/tagout
did not certify inspections at least annually
¨ Recommended
that Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter be installed on receptacles in lab and
restrooms
Water
Treatment Plant
¨
The sedimentation
basins was not provided with a guardrail system
¨
The stairs leading
to flammable storage building was not guarded
¨
Strengthen
guardrail system at holding pond
¨
Lockout/tagout did
not certify inspections at least annually
¨
A pedestal fan was
missing part of the fan guard
¨
The drink machine
was not electrically grounded
¨
The acetylene
bottle in shop was not secured to prevent falling
Health
Evaluation of Programs
¨
Bloodborne
Pathogen Program needed a revision date
¨
Hazard
Communication program – safety policy statement needs to be signed by top
management and posted at all sites
Overall,
this evaluation was very successful with few problems found.
Most have already been corrected with the big item of railings at
sedimentation basins to be budgeted. We
would like to thank all employees for their continued efforts to maintain a safe
and healthy workplace environment. Until
next time, keep up the good work!
Service
Anniversaries...
Congratulations
!!!
Emergency
Response Team...
NEW PAGERS ARE ON THE WAY! At our January ERT meeting, it was suggested that the
District try to find a better way to page team members that would not interfere
with the other District operations. The
District has located a pager through Telpage that will allow this to be
accomplished. As a matter of fact,
the District is replacing all pagers with this style of pager.
The ERT pager will page all members by dialing ONE phone number and
entering a code that will direct members where to respond to.
Training will be forthcoming on proper use of this system.
Larry's
Word Jumble
By
Larry D. Moseley
By using proper posture and lighting you
reduce the possibility of an office related injury
A
M S
E N
H
O
O R
C
L X
L I
N
E C
O
H R
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__ __ __ __
__ __
B
U S
I
C M
T L
O
E B
T E
N I
G
A R
C
E D
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What in the world are GFCIs?
1.
GFCI is an abbreviation for:
A. Good Fault Circuit
Input,
B. Ground Fault Circuit
Interrupter, or
C. Good Fork Circuit
Index.
2.
GFCIs are:
A. Designed to sense an
imbalance in current flow,
B. Designed to quickly open a circuit if the
current flow in the grounded and ungrounded wires
differs by more than 5mA, or
C. All of the above.
3.
GFCIs are often used in:
A. Restrooms and
kitchens,
B. Workstations only, or
C. Hallways only.
4.
GFCIs should be tested:
A. Monthly for
permanently wired types,
B. Before using portable
types,
C. Both A and B.
ANSWERS
1:B. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
2:C. All of the above.
3:A. Double-insulated equipment or equipment with non-metallic housings,
that does not require grounding, is often used around sinks and other water
situations. If a person’s hand is
placed in the water and another body part is contacting the conductive surface,
an electric shock can occur. With no grounding, it is necessary to use other
protective measures like GFCIs.
4:C. Test the device regularly according to both A and B. GFCIs have a
built-in test circuit which imposes an artificial ground fault on the load
circuit to assure that the ground-fault protection is still functioning. Test
and reset buttons are provided for testing.
March
Training...
Our
March training will consist of CSX- Operation Lifesaver.
Mr. Nelson High with CSX will conduct this graphic and educational
session. This session will give
information on train crossings and other related information.
Answers
to Larry's Jumble
NAMES
CHLOROX
CHLORINE
COMBUSTIBLE
CENTIGRADE
GOOD ERGONIMICS
IS GOOD ECONOMICS
