Category: General Safety

BSEE issues alert on hydraulic torque wrench operations

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by Safety+Health

hydraulic-torque-rench.jpg
Photo: Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

Washington — In response to the death of a drillship worker who lacked formal training on using a hydraulic torque wrench, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement has issued a safety alert.

BSEE says the August 2020 incident occurred in part because the worker didn’t recognize the risk potential of the hydraulic torque wrench, which was stuck, when extracting bolts from a telescopic riser joint flange. While assisting with unlatching the lower marine riser package from the blowout preventer to prepare for a ship relocation, the worker was struck by the wrench and lifted into the air.

The worker hit a riser clamp about 6 feet above the elevated work deck and fell to the rig floor. He received first aid but later died after being transported to the drillship hospital.

An agency investigation determined that failure to initiate stop-work authority, along with discrepancies with drill floor observer roles and responsibilities, contributed to the worker’s death.

BSEE recommendations to operators and contractors:

  • Ensure a job safety analysis captures the limitations of the hydraulic torque wrench when in use.
  • Verify all employees understand the JSA and have been formally trained on operating both hydraulic torque wrenches and hydraulic utility wrenches.
  • Emphasize the enactment of stop-work authority if imminent danger is observed.
  • Expand drill floor observer responsibilities to monitor all aspects of jobs occurring on the rig floor.
  • Consider using a hydraulic torque wrench with a compatible design that corresponds with the beveled edge of the telescopic riser joint.
  • Explore options for employing a load indicator, or a similar design mechanism, onto the hydraulic utility wrench package.
  • Ensure pre-job reviews and promote the sharing of feedback from previous experiences.

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

Women in construction share their experiences in new report

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by Safety+Health

Alachua, FL — The construction industry must “change the culture and perception of our industry” to recruit and retain women, concludes a new white paper.

That includes addressing discrimination and sexual harassment, ensuring consistent hiring practices, and accommodating working mothers, according to the National Center for Construction Education and Research’s report – released March 6.

NCCER conducted focus groups with 176 tradeswomen from across the country and analyzed survey responses from 770 women in construction. The women shared the unique obstacles they face and offered advice on improving the experience for women in the profession.

When asked if they agree or disagree with the statement, “At the place I work, I am treated with respect,” 20% of the survey respondents disagreed. More than a third (35%) said they’ve been put down or addressed in unprofessional terms – either publicly or in private.

Other findings:

  • Nearly half (46%) of the women said they’d been the target of derogatory comments or jokes on the job.
  • Among mothers, 25% said they’d faced disciplinary action for missing work to attend family emergencies; only 4% of the women in managerial, administration and technical positions were disciplined for similar reasons.

According to the focus groups, knowing someone at their company was critical to them getting hired. However, the report points out, because women are underrepresented in the industry, they’re less likely to have connections to open doors to those jobs. “This type of hiring practice is not only restrictive, but seems to support the stereotype that our industry is trying to overcome.”

Despite these barriers and others – including improved jobsite experience, more women in site leadership and offering more training opportunities – NCCER says women are more focused on team performance rather than individual achievements, and the construction industry “must recognize that we are not effectively appealing to the largest percentage of the population, and this is negatively impacting our project outcomes.”

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

March 19-25th is National Poison Prevention Week

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First published by American Association of Poison Control Centers

Every third week in March we celebrate and observe National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW). Established in 1961 by Congress, National Poison Prevention Week was originated to raise awareness of poison prevention and safety. 

In 2021, Poison Help responded to more than 2 million human exposure cases; on average, receiving an exposure case every 15 seconds. Some of the leading exposure substance categories included cleaning supplies and cosmetic/personal care products – all of which are common household items.

“My son drank a mouthful of all-purpose cleaner while I was cleaning the house. My only thought was to call Poison Help! I even got a follow-up call from them, which made me feel like they really cared.” – A testimonial from a Poison Help caller. Now she keeps her cleaning products safely stored away from her little one!

Unfortunately, 3,809 poison-related deaths were reported in 2021. This number serves as an important reminder that while poison exposures and accidents do occur, they can also be prevented with education and awareness.

The best prevention of a poison emergency is to have POISON HELP’s contact information on hand in case of an accidental exposure.

DOWNLOAD POISON HELP’S CONTACT INFORMATION

NPPW 2023 is March 19-25, 2023. Please check back as we will continue to add resources and educational events you can join during National Poison Prevention Week.

SHAREABLE RESOURCES

Click on the headers below for links to the downloadable resources. The partner toolkit is available here for individuals and organizations to promote poison prevention in their communities. All of the Spanish versions of the graphics below are available here.

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

Do you know how to use an AED?

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by Safety+Health

Photo property of American Red Cross

An AED is used to assess a person’s heart rhythm during a medical emergency. After reading the rhythm, it will administer an electric shock, if needed, to help restore a normal heart rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest.

If a co-worker has lost consciousness, the Mayo Clinic says to follow these steps:

  1. Check to see if the person is breathing and feel for a pulse.
  2. If you don’t feel a pulse and the person isn’t breathing, call 911 if you’re alone with the victim and then begin CPR. If someone is nearby, ask them to call for help and, if possible, ask another co-worker to bring the AED to you.
  3. Turn on the AED when it gets to you. The device will provide you with step-by-step instructions, including how to put the electrode pads on the victim’s chest.
  4. Once the pads are placed, the AED will automatically measure the victim’s heart rhythm and determine if a shock is needed. If a shock is necessary, the AED will direct you to stand back and push a button to deliver the shock.
  5. After the shock is delivered, the AED will guide you to continue CPR if needed.

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

Chemical Safety Board calls on OSHA to provide guidance on process hazard analysis

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by Safety+Health

Photo: Chemical Safety Board

Washington — OSHA should develop guidance on the process hazard analysis element of its standard on process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals (1910.119), the Chemical Safety Board recommends in a final report on an April 2018 explosion and fire at a Wisconsin refinery.

CSB makes 16 recommendations in the report that are directed at OSHA, the Environmental Protection Agency, the American Petroleum Institute, two energy companies and the Husky Energy refinery in Superior.

The explosion occurred in the refinery’s fluid catalytic cracking unit while workers were on a break during a scheduled maintenance shutdown. Debris from the ensuing blast flew about 200 feet and punctured an aboveground storage tank containing asphalt. This caused more than 15,000 barrels of hot asphalt to spill into the refinery. The asphalt ignited about two hours later, resulting in a large fire.

OSHA’s PSM standard requires employers to have safety programs that identify, evaluate and control hazardous chemicals. CSB calls for the recommended agency guidance to place particular focus on safe operating procedures during transient operations – including startup, shutdown, standby and emergency – in facilities with processes covered by the PSM standard.

“Transient operations can pose unique hazards that may not occur during normal process operations,” the report states.

In addition to the recommendations, CSB outlines multiple lessons aimed at preventing incidents and “driving chemical safety change” within the industry. They include:

• Ensure operators understand how air or oxygen may enter during transient operations involving flammable materials, and how oxygen should be purged from the system to prevent the formation of flammable mixtures.

• Understand the process and reasoning behind venting and purging procedures and the impact these carry on process units.

• Perform process hazard analyses on critical operating procedures to spotlight hazards that occur during transient operations.

• Include in operator training hands-on opportunities for “rare but critical tasks,” including shutting down a process unit safely for a turnaround.

“These safety issues seek to address incident causes,” CSB member Sylvia Johnson said in a press release. “We call on refineries, trade groups, and regulators to examine our final report and apply the key lessons to help ensure safe operations at facilities throughout the country and to develop and adopt effective emergency response practices.”

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

Chemical Safety Board to chemical facilities: Remember cold-weather best practices

Posted on by McCraren Compliance
Original article published by Safety+Health

winterization.jpg

Photo: CSB

Washington — Alarmed by a recent surge of events involving the incidental release of chemicals during cold weather, the Chemical Safety Board is reminding facility operators of process safety management best practices for wintertime operations.

Freezing and expansion of water can crack or break pipes, damage equipment, or lead to instrumentation failure. Additionally, cold temperatures can trigger the formation of a hydrate, a chemical combination of water and a compound that may expand or block process piping.

CSB recommendations for winterization include:

  • Effectively identify and address the risk of freeze-related hazards to piping and process equipment through process hazard analyses, management of change evaluations, pre-startup safety reviews and operating procedures.
  • Create and implement a winterization checklist to ensure plant and process systems are ready for cold weather.
  • Establish a formal, written freeze protection program.
  • Survey piping systems for dead-legs (sections that have no flow) and ensure they’re properly isolated, removed or winterized.
  • Systematically review process units, including infrequently used piping and equipment, to identify and mitigate freezing hazards.

CSB data shows that 36 incidents related to the agency’s accidental release reporting rule were recorded during the first three months of fiscal year 2023, including eight during a Christmas holiday weekend that saw record-low temperatures across much of the nation.

The agency notes that 30 combined reportable events – incidental chemical releases resulting in a fatality, a serious injury and/or significant property damage – were observed during the first quarter of FY 2021 and FY 2022.

“Companies need to heighten their focus on safe operations and recognize that taking important precautionary actions, like winterization, can help prevent major chemical accidents,” CSB Chair Steve Owens said in a press release.

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

Frostbite: Do’s and don’ts

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by Safety+Health

Did you know? “Even skin that is protected can be subject to frostbite,” the National Safety Council says. Signs of frostbite include skin that looks red, white, bluish-white, grayish-yellow, purplish, brown or ashen, depending on the severity of the condition and the person’s skin color. The affected area may feel numb as well. The condition can affect the fingers, toes, ears and face.

If caught early, it is possible to prevent permanent damage, according to NSC. If not, frostbite can cause tissue death and lead to amputation.

Follow these do’s and don’ts if you or a co-worker is experiencing frostbite:

DO:

  • Seek medical care immediately.
  • If medical care will be delayed and there’s no danger of the skin refreezing, go into a warm room and immerse the affected area in lukewarm water (99-104° F) for 20-30 minutes only.
  • Remove wet clothing and constricting items, and protect between fingers and toes with dry gauze.
  • Warm the extremities with your own body heat. For example, hold frostbitten fingers under your arm.
  • Protect and elevate the affected area.

DON’T:

  • Rub the frostbitten area with snow.
  • Massage the frostbitten area or walk on frostbitten toes.
  • Use a heating pad, heat lamp, hot water or other high-temperature heat sources to warm the skin.
  • Use chemical warmers directly on frostbitten tissue.

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

Create a safety committee

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by Safety+Health

Does your workplace have a safety committee? If not, the new year is the perfect time to get one started. Here’s how CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training outlines setting up a committee.

First, determine who the members will be. Will it be volunteer-based, or will workers be elected by their co-workers? Will company leaders have a spot at the table?

Next, plan to meet once a month to “discuss hazards and the ways of preventing those hazards.” Safety regulations and training are two other topics for your meeting agenda.

Examples from CPWR of questions to ask:

  • Are workers protected against falls by guardrails or fall arrest systems?
  • Are workers wearing safety glasses to protect against flying objects?
  • Are all workers trained to respond appropriately if there’s a risk of contamination from hazardous chemicals?

The center also suggests committees meet every three months to complete a “workplace inspection to identify hazardous conditions.”

Part of this discussion should include a strategy for how you’ll get workers to cooperate and help the committee identify hazards.

During all meetings and inspections, make sure someone is taking notes. Afterward, give copies to your employer and committee members, and post the notes in a spot where all workers can see and read them.

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

Drone use in construction can distract workers and increase risk of falls: CPWR

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by Safety+Health

Photo: Courtesy of 3D Robotics 

Silver Spring, MD — As the use of drone technology in the construction industry expands, so too do safety concerns related to worker distraction and potential collisions while operating at height.

That’s the conclusion of researchers from CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training, who in a recent study analyzed the behaviors of 153 participants “with varying construction experience” in a virtual construction site.

Findings show that working with or near drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, “reduces the attention workers devote to the task at hand, which could result in falls when they are at height.” Workers operating while drones were 12 and 25 feet away looked away from job tasks more frequently than when drones were 1.5 and 4 feet away.

Additionally, working with drones at any distance contributes to “significant” psychological or emotional distress. Workers may feel as though they’re constantly being monitored. They also might be fearful of being struck by a drone, as they already operate in high-risk environments at height.

A 2021 survey conducted by Dodge Data & Analytics in partnership with CPWR, among other organizations, found that 37% of construction contractors use drones on worksites, while an additional 6% anticipated future use. Still, the study concluded that construction workers “generally have a negative attitude” toward working with or near drones.

To help ensure safe integration of drones in construction, CPWR advises employers to:

  • Train workers. “There are currently no specific OSHA standards or guidelines regarding UAVs on construction sites, so training workers is even more critical. The training content needs to be developed to not only educate workers about UAVs, but also help familiarize them with working alongside UAVs.” CPWR says virtual reality training carries multiple benefits and may help workers view drones “less negatively.”
  • Design drones to “limit the frequency and severity of risks” they pose to workers and minimize crash impact.
  • Prepare worksites to ensure drones “work efficiently and safely around workers,” accounting for factors that include drone size and shape, flight path, and weather conditions.

CPWR also suggests using the Hierarchy of Controls to assist with hazard prevention. When possible, schedule work so employees aren’t present in areas in which drones are operating. Use drones only for operations that provide “significant benefits” over traditional work methods, and isolate workers from drones when no substitute for drone use exists.

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

Preventing suicide and overdose in the construction industry: Takeaways from CPWR workshop

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by Safety+Health

Photo: CPWR

Washington — A new white paper from CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training details key takeaways from a two-day workshop on “Combating Suicide and Overdose Fatalities Among Construction Workers.”

The workshop took place Aug. 1-2 in the nation’s capital and was funded by NIOSH.

The white paper outlines training available to help workers, best practices for training effectiveness, and smartphone apps to use and hotlines to call when a worker is in need. The resource also looks at related challenges, such as stigma.

CPWR Executive Director Chris Trahan Cain highlights research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing that both male and female workers in construction and extraction jobs “have a higher prevalence of dying by suicide than the average male or female worker.”

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.