Wednesday 16 September 2015

Ladder Safety & Fall Protection Safety Tips

Ladders are major equipments which are used during working at heights. These are assumed to be unsafe equipments; hence it is necessary to remain safe during work. The major accidents and falls occur as a result of bad management. The negligence of health and safety practices in the workplace needs to be overcome. Hence it is important that you follow proper ladder safety techniques to avoid injury or unnecessary accidents. 

Falls from height make up the largest number of serious injury compensation claims brought in the workplace. Anyone working at height, either on scaffolding or on ladders, has to be aware of the potential dangers involved and it is up to the employer to make sure those risks are kept to an absolute minimum. Ladder safety systems can be quite useful in many different situations to aid in completing any number of tasks. 

Once you have decided that you need to use a ladder to complete your project, make sure that you have the right type of ladder. There are many types of ladders all with their own advantages and disadvantages. Hence ladder safety device should be used with extensive care. While you may be eager to get started on your project, please take the time to ensure that your ladder is set-up correctly and that you know how to use it safely. The major adder safety tips are as follows to avoid any unwanted situation:

1.       Inspect the area around where you want to place your ladder. Check for any obstructions that may impede your ladder set-up or the work that you are doing while on the ladder. 

2.       Use a wall or second person to anchor the base of the ladder as you lift the ladder above your head. Make sure the soles of your footwear are clean and in good condition.

3.       If using a straight or extension ladder, make sure that the top of the ladder is resting against a straight and solid surface.

4.       Stay centered on the ladder so that your balance point is straight down. 

5.       Do not carry heavy items while climbing the ladder, use some type of hoist or pulley system to retrieve the items instead.

You can never be too safe when working at height, but the chances of falls can be minimized by following safety tips. Hence it is necessary to remain careful as well as follow safety tips. The safety tips will help you to remain safe during the working hours.

Tuesday 15 September 2015

Confined Space Training & Worker’s Safety

Confined spaces are enclosed spaces or semi enclosed spaces. Workers may face confined space work to do hence it is necessary to have proper information related to this work. There are several institutes & companies which offer confined space training courses. Working at these places may be highly dangerous Venture as the hazards faced are very high and can be fatal most of the times. Statistics show that more than 60% of those that die in Confined Spaces are the people who are attempting to perform a rescue. The training teaches you to deal with dangers, the work in the area, and be aware of what steps they have to take if something should go incorrect.

Risks of confined spaces involve low oxygen level or injurious vapors. It is not possible to smell oxygen or some toxic gases, so the human nose is not a reliable source of indication of secure or insecure atmospheres. Confined space rescue training equips workers with the skills and knowledge necessary to ensure safe entry to confined spaces, including such precautions as testing of air quality, forced ventilation, proper observation and monitoring of workers in the space, and a rescue procedures using appropriate safety harnesses and other equipment. 

Working in a confined space is one of the hazards potentially faced by those working in the construction and maintenance industries, in particular if you work on the docks or in the sewage and mining industries. When working in this kind of environment there are a number of volatile characteristics, which is why having the correct construction training to make sure they can work safely.

Risks of confined spaces involve low oxygen level or injurious vapors. It is not possible to smell oxygen or some toxic gases, so the human nose is not a reliable source of indication of secure or insecure atmospheres. Before entering any hazardous Confined space, the rescuer must analyze the surroundings for leakage or presence of any poisonous gas as this will help protect the rescuer and his rescue team. A Mechanical device is to be provided to assist in hoisting the victim when entries are made five feet or more below grade. In this way one can perform non-entry rescue. The rescuer must have proper lighting if the space is too dark to see in. In addition, remember that whenever the rescuer switches on an Electronic device in a confined space they should confirm that there is not a flammable atmosphere and or preferably use intrinsically safe equipment.