Workplace Solutions



Workplace Solutions A monthly feature in Safety+Health magazine Eye Protection In a work environment that requires protective eyewear, what are the considerations for impact protection? Why do I have to wear eye protection under a face shield with an ANSI Z87.1 rating? Eye Wash Does the ANSI Z358.1-2004 temperature requirement change in the event of a multiple-victim accident requiring simultaneous use of multiple showers? How do Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility requirements apply to emergency showers and eyewashes? Is an injury victim's comfort while using an eyewash ever taken into consideration in the product design phase? Is there a definitive way to determine whether a specific application requires an eyewash versus an eye/face wash? How can I determine the specific features I need? What factors need to be considered in selecting an emergency eyewash station? Why is tepid water required for emergency eyewashes and showers, and what are some ways to supply it? Fall Protection Are there ways a worker can alter his or her harness to become less restrictive and increase breathability in hot weather? Are there other measures that can be taken to avoid heat stress? OSHA standards refer to a 310-pound capacity limit on fall arrest products. What does this mean, and how does a person who weighs more than 310 pounds work safely at height? Will my old fall protection be compatible with new fall protection equipment that meets the updated ANSI Z359-2007 code? First Aid/AEDs If I purchase an AED for my facility, is that enough to reduce liability and make my employees feel safe? What are some myths associated with AEDs and CPR? What is the best way to incorporate automated external defibrillators into an overall training regimen? Hand Protection Many of the tasks outlined in NFPA 70E table 130.7(9)(a) require my workers to wear rubber insulated gloves to perform a task. Why are insulated or insulating hand tools also required for the same task? What developments in glove manufacturing have led to increased safety and performance in the workplace? What features should workers look for in ergonomically designed hand protection products? What is the difference between cut resistance and cut protection, and I select the right protective glove for my application? What should employees consider when selecting hand protection for working in a manufacturing facility? Hazard Communication Are we required to provide a Material Safety Data Sheet with every retail product sold? Can we provide our customers with a Website link where they can obtain the MSDSs? How will GHS and REACH impact my MSDS management program? Is it necessary to keep copies of all MSDSs from each company, or will one complete MSDS suffice for routine purposes, emergency situations or both? Is managing Material Safety Data Sheets electronically OSHA-compliant? Hearing Protection Is there an alternative to using personal noise dosimeters for determining risk of hearing loss? Is there any practical way to measure the amount of hearing protection achieved for an individual on a day-to-day basis, and how can hearing protection affect two-way communication, productivity and safety? How are hearing protection devices tested? How can we determine if earplugs are offering adequate protection in real-world usage? Heat Stress Is there a ratio between how hot it is and how much water you drink? What causes workers to commit mental errors when the ambient temperature is higher than 95° F? Incentives How can an on-the-job employee safety awareness incentive program help promote off-the-job employee safety awareness? I'd like to use gift cards as incentives for our safety program. How do I decide which cards will benefit my employees the most, and what level of budget I'll need to cover them? I've inherited a safety incentive program that rewards people for lagging indicators and I'm worried that workers may be hiding injuries. How can I shift to a behavior-based program? Instruments & Monitors How often should I calibrate my gas monitor? We own a fleet of confined space gas detectors. How often should we bump test and calibrate these units? What's the difference between "explosion proof" and "intrinsically safe" classifications of gas detection systems? When choosing a confined space monitor, how important is the sample drawing pump? Why are docking stations becoming more popular for confined space entry? Lockout/Tagout, Machine Guarding In which situations is minor servicing of equipment allowed without requiring a specific energy control procedure? We have a large work cell area that contains several machine operations that run automatically. What is the best way to guard such an area? What constitutes an adequate lockout/ tagout training program? Personal Protective Equipment How can ergonomic design in PPE help the aging worker? Plant Safety How can a company decrease dock worker injuries quickly? How can visual communications markings (i.e., signs, labels, banners, tags, tapes, etc.) be used to enhance safety within a facility? Protective Clothing How will the recent revisions of the National Electric Safety Code affect my employees? I heard some people are selling counterfeit reflective garments that aren't ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 compliant. What makes a garment compliant? I know a safety director from another worksite who wants to allow any flame-resistant fabric that passes the industry standards ASTM F1506 for arc and NFPA 2112 for flash fire. This does not seem wise to me; is it? We're in the initial phases of coming into compliance with NFPA 70E and I'm starting to evaluate different flame-resistant garments. Why wouldn't I just go with the least expensive garment that meets the standard? What kind of outerwear will keep workers compliant with workplace regulations, but also will serve as protection from the elements and function as needed in the workplace? What role can protective footwear play in minimizing the potential occurrence of back or other serious injuries? What workwear will help to protect my workers from ultraviolet radiation and heat stress while working outdoors or in a hot environment? Respiratory Protection Can respirators help protect a person from the virus that causes H1N1/09 influenza? Can you tell me why I've noticed more PAPRs being used in workplaces these days? What is the best way to get employees to comply with the requirements of a comprehensive respiratory protection program? Safety Software Are there realistic benefits to be gained from computerizing our safety program? Can handheld devices be used to collect compliance information electronically? How can I guard against underreporting safety statistics at my organization? Skin Protection If I apply an SPF 30 sunscreen, how well-protected from skin cancer will I be? Training Does OSHA certify HAZWOPER (CFR 1910.120) training? What are the training requirements for employees and site managers? How can I conduct the hands-on component of our annual OSHA fire extinguisher training with a fire ban in place? We want to get supervisors more involved in safety observations, but are afraid of undermining our success with hourly workers. What should we focus on? What are the components of a comprehensive fire extinguisher training program? Who in the workplace must be trained in electrical hazards, and what does that training involve? Utility Safety Will you please describe a typical arc flash accident that you would be called on to investigate? If possible, please include the root cause of the accident, the type of equipment involved, the tools used by the employee and the resultant injury.