What Is Health and Safety?

Archive for June, 2012

Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in the US. Construction workers experience physical ailments such as pain in the neck, arms, shoulders, and hands, as well as backaches on a daily basis. The average cost per workers’ compensation claim in the construction industry is $9,240.

The wear and tear of the construction industry is taking its toll on construction workers everywhere. What’s the solution? Stop problems before they start.

By making small changes in the way construction workers perform on the construction site, injury numbers can go down. As a construction worker, you can use the following tips to work ergonomically and prevent strain and injury on the job:

Use the correct tools

Using the same tool over and over again for a number of tasks can place unnecessary strain on your hands, arms, shoulders, and back. For instance, if you use an electric drill for every task, your hand may soon feel numb because of the vibrations.

Even using tools like hammers, screwdrivers, and pliers repeatedly could leave you at risk for long-term carpal tunnel syndrome.

If at all possible, use lighter tools for smaller tasks that won’t require as much force or strain in the upper body.

Take care in heavy lifting

Construction workers are often educated about the proper way to lift heavy materials on the job. But then why are the majority of back problems not prevented on a construction site?

Change that now.

Make sure to always bend your knees when you lift instead of straining with your back. It also helps to place one foot in front of the other for balance and avoid turning or twisting from side to side, which will put unnecessary pressure on your lower back.

Take a seat

If you operate a forklift regularly, then you are in luck. Sitting down from time to time on the job will reduce strain on your ligaments and ease pressure placed on your lower back.

When working on other tasks, try to sit instead of squat, which will cause wear and tear on your knees over time. Using a stool for daily tasks could even make a difference in protecting your core, lower back, and knee joints.

Keep your arms in a neutral posture

If you find yourself flexing your wrist over and over again, this will greatly increase your risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. Try to keep your arms close to your body in a neutral position to reduce strain on your torso and back when working.

If you experience symptoms like swelling, pain, or tingling, it could signify an overuse injury. Make sure to alert your construction foreman so that you can rest that part of your body until fully recovered.

The above tips are simple enough to remember but easy to forget when you’re on a construction site. But construction workers must try in order to reduce the risk of injury. Most construction workers don’t give a second thought to how often they use certain parts of their body. Taking the time to rest, change tools, or sit will change your workday for the better.

About the author: Sylvia is an online writer who enjoys writing construction-related health articles to prevent injuries of all kinds, including truck forklift mishaps.

Mining of elements began very early, probably since the dawn of human civilization. The period of the Copper Age, then the Bronze Age and the Iron Age are all testimony to the endeavor of humans to dig into the earth and extract minerals as and when they required. Since then mining has undergone a sea change but the basic process has more or less remained the same.

There are basically two types of mining:

• Open-cast or surface mining
• Underground mining

Surface mining – in this type of mining the minerals or rocks that are to be mined are exposed at the surface or very close to the surface. To extract the materials, earlier the miners used to dig an open-pit on the surface and then dig out the materials. But nowadays, giant earthmovers remove the top soil and the rocks and the material is extracted.

There are many types of surface mining processes. They are:

Strip mining process – as the name suggests the surface of the earth is stripped. In this process the soil and rocks that lie above is removed generally by heavy machinery and then the material is extracted. This type is possible only when the targeted materials are relatively near the surface. The mineral generally extracted is coal or some kinds of sedimentary rocks.

Placer mining process – in this process alluvial deposits in sand or gravel are extracted. This process does not involve the usage of any sort of heavy materials and can be considered relatively easy when compared to others. Generally gold and other gemstones are mined in this process.

Mountain top process – this process involves blasting of the top of mountains expose the coal below it. This process is relatively new.

Hydraulic mining process – in this process high pressure water jets are used to dislodge rocks and minerals. During earlier times gold was found in an easier way by this method. However, this process has been discontinued due to environmental concerns.

Dredging process – it is the process of underwater excavation by deepening a water body. In this method sediments and other substances are removed from harbors, rivers and other water bodies and minerals are extracted.

Open pit process – the easiest and the cheapest way to mine materials that are close to the surface, large open holes are dug in the ground. Sometimes, explosives are used to get large blocks of rocks out of the way.

 

Regarding underground mining there are five processes. They are:

Slope mining process – a type of underground mining, slopes are made into the ground and the desired material is accessed. This is done when the minerals are located far enough and surface mining cannot be employed to reach it. Generally, coal is mined in this way.

Hard rock process – here tunnels deep in the ground are dug sometimes with dynamite or large drills. The tunnels are supported by pillars through which miners can move about. Tin, lead, copper, silver, gold etc are mined with this process. This is typically the mine that comes to our minds when we think of it.

Drift mining process – this process is carried out when the material is situated sideways of a mountain. The materials are easier to access and the mouth is made slightly lower than the resource area so as to allow gravity to pull down the materials easily. Generally, coal or iron ore is mined through this process.

Shaft process – the deepest form of underground mining, this is done by excavating a vertical passageway deep down. The materials to be extracted are situated deep inside and elevators are used to take the miners up and down. It is kept in mind that the tunnels are made airy for miners to work without any problems. Generally, coal is mined in this process.

Borehole process – using a drill a deep hole is dug and a high pressure water-jet is used to force the materials up the hole. Sand, galena, gold etc are mined by this process.

The mining processes are interesting and the advancement in machinery has brought revolutionary changes in the mining process and safety of the miners. Many more innovations are carried on in this field.

James Wattson is a mining engineer and writes informative articles about mining safety and procedure, how ever in these days he is also busy dealing with various health and safety projects and this also reflects in his recent articles about TAE40110 , Training and Assessment , how to manage traffic in site and many more.

There are a lot of courses these days that might interest you in taking up career in that profession. What is required is the right kind that will give you an edge over the others and prepare CV or résumé better than the others.

If you consider the course of Occupational Health and Safety, you will choose the right thing. OHS is all about maintaining and ensuring that health and safety conditions remain at workplace and that there is no illness or injury to the employees.

There are some points that need to be cleared before one should get into this course:

Who is this course for?

This course is for those who wish to work in an environment where there is a responsibility in maintaining health and safety concerns. This may also be ideal for those who wish to be employed as trainers, assessors, human resource practitioners, safety officers or work as an OHS officer.

What will one learn?

The course will cover wide ranging areas like:

• Identifying hazards
• Assessing and also controlling the risks
• Contributing to OHS in the place of work
• Managing and consulting on the issues of OH&S
• Building business relationships
• Developing teams and individuals
• A valuable qualification that could be used in a wide ranging new employment opportunities

What is the structure of the course?

The course is structured in a scientific and professional way. There are a total of 9 units that are to be covered on the whole:

• Contributing to a systematic approach to OHS
• Implementing OHS consultation
• Identifying hazards and assessing risks
• OHS risk control
• Emergency procedures
• Assisting compliance with OHS and other relevant laws
• Establishing networks
• Analysis of research information and presenting them
• Developing teams and individuals

The units that are to be studied are:

• BSBOHS402B The implementation of the OHS process is to be contributed
• BSBOHS401B  The implementation of a systematic approach to managing OHS is to be contributed
• BSBOHS407A A safe workplace is to be monitored
• BSBOHS403B Identification of the hazards and the assessment of the risks of OHS
• BSBOHA405B The implementation of the emergency procedures is to contributed
• BSBOHS404B The implementation of strategies to control OHS risk is to be contributed
• BSBCMM401A how to make presentation
• BSBOHS408A Assisting with compliance of OHS and relevant laws
• FNSPIM401A Planning and rehabilitating and returning to work and health strategies
• BSBOHS405B Contributing to implement emergency procedures

What happens after finishing this course?

After finishing this course you should be prepared in these circumstances:

• In systematically managing OHS you would be able to ensure legal compliance of OHS
• Making use of developed of processes and tools you would be able to identify hazards and risks
• Undertaking of basic accident analysis
• Regarding OHS risk controls you would be able to contribute to the implementation of it
• Be able to monitor effectively the various risk controls
• Ensure that people in the organization are informed about OHS and they have the opportunity effectively participate in the processes of OHS
• Making preparations, deliverance and reviewing a presentation to the audience that is targeted

So, all in all this course is for the professionals to make a difference to the safety of workplace environment.

Dan has been associated with health and safety field for several years, now he loves to share his experience through his article about Fire safety consultancy,Generic coal induction, health and safety courses and many more.

Contact lenses are one of the greatest medical inventions of the 20^th century. People wear contact lenses for several reasons. One of them is freedom from glasses which can mar the appearance of a person. In the last couple of years, there have been a number of advancements in technology for developing contact lens; the following are some of them.

Scleral and Limbal Lenses

Scleral and Limbal lenses are an alternative for hard lenses that were launched during the 1950s. These lenses last for a longer period when compared to soft lenses and are more durable. Scleral and Limbal lenses are prescribed for people who suffer from astigmatism or high myopia.

Although the lenses have a low tolerance and take some time to get used to in dusty environments, they offer outstanding visual sharpness. To retain eye health, the firm plastic of the lenses aids in the transmission of necessary gases and oxygen. Contact lenses with large diameters are one of the recent advancements in hard lenses. They are fast becoming a favorite when compared to the regular soft lenses, as they offer more comfort.

Multifocal Contact Lenses

Multifocal contact lenses are used by people for reading and distant vision problems. Presbyopia is a vision condition affecting people during old age where the simplest tasks such as reading a newspaper or telephone book can become a hassle. The condition can be treated only if it gets timely attention in the form of regular eye checkups.

Presbyopia can be corrected with contact lenses that are bi-focal or multifocal. These lenses are ideal as they will enable you to read newspapers and view objects at a distance. For this reason, multifocal lenses should be prescribed only by a qualified eye doctor. The prescription will have to be analyzed thoroughly so that you experience superior vision and comfort.

It will be difficult to adjust to the vision at first and will require a number of visits to the eye doctor. Some of the latest multifocal lenses are disposable and softer than regular contact lenses. Earlier, bi-focal lenses were expensive and could not be afforded by everyone. However, today, they are produced by a number of companies and are not as costly as before.

Corneal Refractive Therapy

Corneal Refractive Therapy is one of the latest advancements in contact lens technology. Also referred to as Ortho-K or Orthokeratology, this is a temporary solution to wearing glasses. Before you retire for the night, you can fit a special lens which can be removed when you wake up the next day.

Research has shown that patients can go up to 24 hours without using glasses or contacts when they use Ortho-K. However, this should not be recommended as a permanent solution for visual problems. These lenses solve the problem of changing your eye power prescription on an annual basis. In some cases, astigmatism and myopia have been significantly reversed with the help of Corneal Refractive Therapy. This is an alternative to other surgical methods such as LASIK to correct vision problems.

Lily is an expert associated with Next Optical, an online store for Glass Frames.The store has a huge collection of the latest high quality sunglasses, daily contact lenses and Designer Glasses

Having a swimming pool to relax or spend some fun time is every house owner’s dream. Swimming pools should be places of joy, fun and relaxation. Unfortunately, there are reported cases of drowning or near drowning in swimming pools almost on a daily basis, mostly with young children. Although people take a lot of precautions such as anti skid tiles, warning signs and so on, young children always seem to find a way into the pools.

The CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) has a set of guidelines that people can follow to ensure that their swimming pools are child-proofed. Since these rules are not mandatory to be implemented, not everyone is aware of these rules. Here are a few ways on how you can use barriers to child proof your swimming pools.

An Introduction to the CPSC Guidelines

According to the CPSC, any container that has the potential to drown a kid who is less the 3’6” tall can be classified as a pool. These include spas, hot tubs, over ground and in-laid pools. So, these guidelines can be implemented in any of the aforementioned structures.

When choosing a barrier, the three main factors that you must consider are if a child can get under the barrier, over it or above the barrier, and reach the pool. If the child can access the pool in spite of the barrier being present, the whole purpose of a barrier stands defeated.

According to the rules, the fence should be at least 48 inches high, including the masonry foundation or the platform on which it is installed on. If you are using a design where the bars are molded horizontally or vertically, parallel to each other, then the distance between them should not exceed 1-1/4^th inches. This measurement is determined by taking into account the average foot size of a young child.

If you are planning to install a chain link fence also, the gap between two consecutive links should be less than 1-1/4^th inches. Also, there should be a support pole every five feet to ensure that the chain link will stay firm.

Some General Guidelines for Getting a Barrier Installed

Without getting into too many numbers or measurements, this section will give you a few tips that you should keep in mind while ordering barriers for your swimming pools. Let us look at tips for in-ground pools before moving on to above ground pools.

Identify all the access points which are there for your in-ground swimming pool. These are the places through which children gain access to the pool’s vicinity and make sure you have covered all these access points. Also, make sure that the latch for the gate is childproofed. You can either use a padlock or use child-proof latches.

Above ground swimming pools usually have a set of stairs leading up to the pool. Install a childproof gate for the flight of stairs. Another precaution you need to take for above ground pools is the barrier around the pool. Ensure that the barrier measures at least five feet in length and follows all the CPSC guidelines.

Lily is an expert associated with Bonavista, a popular online store for products like hot tubs and swim spas. If you are considering installing an Endless Pool in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Bonavista offers top of the line accessories for the same.

On a construction site, health and safety regulations are absolutely paramount for both workers and employers. A safe site equals a safe worker but it’s unreal how many sites get basic health and safety regulation wrong – or just ignore it altogether.

While it is the fault of the employers, it is also the fault of their employees if nothing is said to rectify the situation. Staffs need to gather the courage to say, ‘something is wrong here, boss’; otherwise workplaces are just a big accident waiting to happen.

On the other hand, while employees need to speak up, firms should be encouraging their employees to do so. Sometimes, the workplace can be an intimidating arena, so employers need to come with a few solutions as to how employees can bring up the issue of health and safety without being undermined.

Companies need to make sure there is one key figurehead within the firm that controls health and safety. With a visible, central person leading the way for health and safety, workers should know who to contact if a problem does arise – like someone smoking outside of the designated smoking shelters, for example.

Another issue is the registering of a complaint publicly. Most workers would rather bring up an issue anonymously as to not cause extra grief within the workplace so by installing a simple drop box in the main office; workers can submit health and safety issues anonymously. This makes it easier for staff and it gives the firm a chance to file the complaint. It’s also very cost effective – after all, a box and some pieces of card cost pittance compared to the fine firms could receive if their health and safety measures are poor.

It’s all well and good reporting a complaint but employers need to make sure that action is taken. After all, if people continue to report complaints but see that nothing is being done, will they continue to report issues? The answer is no.

Health and safety is incredibly important in a workplace and so is the aspect of reporting these issues. Without staff and employers joining forces to employ health and safety, firms could face a big fine or – even worse – an accident or death in the workplace.

Motorsport racing events are considered some of the most thrilling and death defying sports in the world. However, this extreme thrill brings with it a sense of looming danger that puts the lives of racers at great risk. Over the decades, the safety aspect of racing events has earned the most importance, and rightly so.

Racing events have seen several tragic ends to the illustrious careers of many racers and in some unfortunate incidents, their lives. However, it was these tragedies that improved racing safety in hopes of reducing the chances of more accidents in the future.

The HANS device

A tragic crash at the Daytona Motor Speedway in the United States prompted the authorities to introduce the HANS device, a head restraint setup to prevent serious injuries to the head and neck. The mechanism triggered by the tragic loss of Dale Earnhardt in 2001 has saved many lives in the past decade.

Impact protection

Counted among the most horrifying car crashes in the Formula One circuit, Martin Donnelly’s car exploded into many pieces after colliding with the barrier. Travelling at a staggering speed of 140 mph, Donnelly was left alive with severe bruises on his lungs and brain. The tragic incident in 1990 prompted Formula One to use better protective methods, allowing the cars to absorb violent impact.

Quick accident response

Immediate medical attention from skilled and trained track marshals is invaluable to injured racers on the track. The importance of providing timely assistance was fully realised after Roger Williamson was trapped under his car that flipped at the British Grand Prix in 1973. A similar incident occurred at the Italian Grand Prix in 1978 when Ronnie Peterson’s car crashed into a barrier and eventually caught fire.

Kill switch

At a practice session at the NASCAR Series in 2000, Adam Petty suffered a severe skull fracture, dying immediately after a head on collision with a wall. A few months later, Kenny Irwin Jr. suffered a similar fate, dying of the same injury as Earnhardt and Petty. NASCAR then implemented the kill switch to immediately switch off the engine in emergencies like mechanical failures and loss of control.

Limited use of fuel

In 1964, Dave McDonald hit the tracks with a newly designed vehicle that ended up causing chaos at the Indianapolis 500. Spinning out of control, the car hit a wall and burst into flames and continued to damage other cars after a violent roll back. Driver Eddie Sachs was caught in the explosion and died immediately while McDonald passed a few hours later. This caused the US Auto Club to place restrictions on the amount of fuel carried at a time.

Modified pit and grandstand

Probably one of the biggest disasters in the history of motorsports, the horrifying accident in 1955 resulted in a modified safer design for the grandstand and the pit crew. To avoid hurting the pit crew, Mike Hawthorn slammed on the brakes, accidently hitting them at over 150 mph! This accident cost the lives of 83 people.

Lily is an expert associated with POA Racing, a dedicated online store for everything related to motocross safety. The store offers safety gear like helmets, motocross clothing and other accessories from top leading brands.