Hand Protection

Someone commented that the “hands and fingers are the instruments of the mind.” If that is true, it must become very difficult to be productive when your hands are injured or lost as a result of an accident. Whatever the construction craft, a worker must be able to use both hands in order to get the job accomplished.

Causes of Hand Injuries:

Inattention.
Taking chances.
Exposure to rough materials.
Stacking of heavy materials (i.e., getting your hand or fingers caught between materials).
Cut by sharp objects.
Mashed (or hit by) tools.
Burns.
Caught in machinery.


How to Protect Your Hands:

Wear gloves whenever possible.
Pay attention to the task being performed.
Use the proper tools.
Make sure any equipment used has hand guards in place.


Remember: Should any injuries occur to your hands, always go and get immediate treatment. Without treatment, a minor cut can turn into a major problem with infection. Your hands may look tough, but when you get scratches, cuts, bruises or mashed that seriously injure your hands, you take a chance of losing them. In any business you can’t work without them.

SAFE OPERATING RULES AND PRACTICES

Safe operating rules and practices are to be established during the planning meeting at the start of the job as dictated by the hazards inherent in the nature of the work, federal and state Safety and Health Regulations, company policies, and owner and other regulatory agency requirements. Other safety rules may have to be added as the work progresses due to changed conditions, new methods, new equipment, and as an outgrowth of accident experience.

General safe operating rules and practices apply to all employees, regardless of the nature of their duties. These rules are to be explained to each new hire during indoctrination and must be reemphasized at toolbox meetings and in day-to-day contacts. These are minimum requirements, and are to be rigidly enforced. Examples of general rules follow:

Wear personal protective equipment as required.

Wear suitable shoes and work clothes in good repair

Lift correctly. Get help on the heavy loads.

Do not smoke in prohibited areas.

Avoid off-balanced positions when pulling, pushing, or prying, especially at heights

Report all injuries promptly, even though minor in nature,

Keep alert around moving equipment

Always inspect ladders prior to use and use ladders correctly.

Always follow the approved lock and tag procedures.

Operate equipment and vehicles only if authorized

Correct unsafe conditions as noted, or if you can't correct them, call them to the attention of your foreman immediately.

Keep tools and materials away from the edge of scaffolds or floor openings where they can be knocked off on employees working below.

Be considerate of the welfare of fellow employees. Do not distract their attention or engage in horseplay.

Replace all guards removed for servicing or other reasons,

Pressure cylinders should be used and stored in an upright position and secured against accidental tipping.

Keep all stairways, ladders, ramps, scaffold platforms, walkways and work areas free from loose materials and trash.

Riding on loads, hooks and hoists is prohibited.

Always wear eye protection when grinding, drilling, burning, or performing any operation which may produce flying particles or objects.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WELDING & CUTTING

Protecting yourself when performing welding operations depends on your understanding of the hazards involved and the proper way to control them. Control of welding hazards include avoiding eye injury, respiratory protection, ventilation of the work area, protective clothing and having safe equipment to use.

Eye hazards include exposure to ultraviolet and infrared light. Welders and their helpers should wear filter glasses with shades ranging from 2 to 14, depending on the type of welding being done, to protect their eyes. Unless a welding arc is behind a screen, not only the welder, but also people nearby may need eye protection. Other workers should be excluded within a 30 foot radius from gas or low powered arc welding, or also be protected with appropriate filter lenses. Heavy welding requires a 100 foot radius. Inert gas welding produces 5 to 30 times as much ultraviolet light as arc welding and requires shielding for even greater distances. Keep in mind that ordinary untreated plastic lenses absorb ultraviolet light very poorly and should not be relied on for protection.

Virtually all welding processes generate gases, fume and dusts. Gases generated include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ozone, and nitrous gases. Other gases may also be formed in the presence of chemicals which may be on the material being welded. For example 1,1,1 Trichloroethane generates phosgene gas when exposed to the heat of welding. Welding and cutting can also generate fumes from cadmium, lead, cyanide, beryllium, arsenic, fluorides, nickel, cyanide, and other materials when can be hazardous if inhaled. Proper respiratory protection should always be worn when cutting or welding. The best type of protection to use can be determined by reading the Material Safety Data Sheet for the material being welded, or the manufacturer of the rod or flux being used.

Mechanical ventilation at the rate of 2,000 cubic feet per minute per welder is required if the area is more crowded than 10,000 cubic feet per welder; has a ceiling height of less than 16 feet; or in confined spaces where structural barriers significantly obstruct cross ventilation. Additional specific ventilation requirements are necessary for fluorine compounds, zinc, lead, beryllium, cadmium, mercury, and for stainless steel that is oxygen cut using either a chemical flux or iron powder or gas shielded arc cutting. Where it is not possible to provide this ventilation, airline respirators, hose masks, or self contained units must be used. Oxygen should never be used for ventilation.

All parts of the body should be protected from radiant energy, sparks, and molten metal splashes. Clothing made from wool, or wool blends, is generally better than cotton. Some cutting operations such as inert-gas metal arc welding will cause exposed cotton clothing to rapidly deteriorate. Leather capes, jackets, leggings, and aprons provide additional protection especially in vertical, or overhead operations. Use of dark clothing will help reduce reflected light.

All welding equipment should be inspected each day prior to use. Report any defects found in regulators, torches or electrical components to a person that is qualified to make the necessary repairs.

Key Safety Components

You might call them Ten Safety Commandments or you might just call them good sense. But if you remember the following safety procedures, you’ll have a better chance of going home injury free at the end of your workday.

1. Know How To Do Your Job Safely: If you are new to a job or task and don’t fully understand all safe work
procedures, check it out with your foreman or supervisor.

2. Keep The Work Area Clean: Housekeeping is everybody’s responsibility. Working in a disorganized, cluttered
environment is bad for crew morale. Poor housekeeping is the cause of many accidents.

3. Use Personal Protective Equipment: You shouldn’t have to be told to use safety gear. Wear your hard hat, eye
protection, gloves, fall protective gear and other required PPE to avoid having an incident and injury.

4. Use The Right Tools: Be sure your tools are always in good repair and use them only for the purpose they were
designed for. Defective tools should be tagged and removed from service before they may cause injury to someone.

5. Work Safely When Using Ladders: Report defective or broken ladders to your supervisor. Always face a ladder
when climbing up or down, keep your belt buckle inside the ladder rungs, and don’t carry tools or materials in your
hands while climbing. Many workers fall from ladders, don’t be one of them!

6. Handle Materials Safely: Protect your back from injury by using the right lifting techniques, and get help with heavy
loads. Taking shortcuts when handling heavy objects can mean lost time and pain in the long run.

7. Use Care Around Equipment: Don’t operate power driven equipment unless you are qualified and have been
authorized to do so. And never be a hitchhiker—taking a ride on mobile equipment is a foolish gamble.

8. Dress For The Job: Loose or ragged clothing may not fully protect your body and can be caught on tools, equipment,
or in moving parts of machinery. Sturdy work boots are needed for foot and ankle protection, tennis shoes won’t do
it.

9. Report Unsafe Conditions: Foreman and supervisors can’t be everywhere at once, so take responsibility for letting
them know about any conditions that exposure your crew to hazards.
10. Follow The Rules: Job safety rules are written for your protection. Strive to be the best at what you do, but strive just
as hard to get home safely every night. It’s up to you!

Make It A Habit To Work Safely!

SLEEP LOSS & FATIGUE – A SAFETY HAZARD

There has been a lot of talk lately about a nationwide "sleep deficit." Apparently, people are not getting enough sleep.
Because of this, fatigue has been found to be a contributing factor in a number of high visibility accidents, such as Three
Mile Island, Chernobyl, and some air transport incidents. Assuming this is true, perhaps this is an important safety
concern.

Probably the greatest hazard associated with lack of sleep is the deterioration of physical and mental abilities that take
place when you are tired. It may take longer to think out a problem; your coordination may diminish and your reaction
time may be slowed. You know the feeling.. .you seem to be one step off, all day long. Fortunately, the problem is fairly
easy to resolve—get enough sleep. Most studies show that people need a good eight hours of uninterrupted sleep per
night. Some need more, some less. When the longer daylight hours of spring and summer arrive, it may be even more
tempting to stay up later in the evening, at the expense of rest. It's not a good idea to short yourself on the rest you need.

A number of factors heighten fatigue when you are already tired. Alcohol is a depressant, along with a number of other
drugs. A drink when you are tired will slow you down more than a drink when you are well rested. The alcohol will also
interfere with restful sleep when you do go to bed. Drinking when fatigued is not a good idea and when done to excess
can effect you the entire next day.

I’m sure you've seen the warnings on the side of prescription or over-the-counter medicine containers. "Warning...may
cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery when taking this medication." Unfortunately, many people ignore
this warning and put both themselves and others at risk of injury. Don’t tempt fate; heed the warning. NEVER mix
alcohol and drugs. This combination alone could be fatal. If you are given prescription drugs, be sure to ask your doctor
about the side effects. You will be better off staying at home, as opposed to going to work impaired.

When many people think of safety, they think of machine guarding, maintenance, and other mechanical factors. Let's not
forget the most important element in safety — the human factor. Your body is a sophisticated machine. It too requires
care, attention and adequate rest.

A CLEAN JOB IS A SAFER JOB

In all working environments, whether at a job site, plant or office, one of the most challenging hazards to control is poor housekeeping. Keeping the work area clean is a full time, often frustrating task. And no matter how hard you try, it usually doesn’t stay clean for very long. Nevertheless it is critical to keep the work area free from clutter. And if one or two crew members are careless or untidy, the rest of the crew shouldn’t let that behavior lower the standards. The root cause of many accidents and injuries is found to be poor housekeeping. Typical injuries resulting from a cluttered environment are slips and trips, being struck by something, or striking against an object. How many times have you ignored a spill on the ground, walked past a blocked aisle way, or stepped over an object in the work area instead of moving it? Those are accidents waiting to happen!

Another hazard associated with poor housekeeping is fire. Excess trash, debris and oily rags can be fire starters. Overcrowding and improper storage of materials can block fire extinguishers and sprinkler heads, not to mention exit
doors. Good housekeeping should be part of everyone’s daily responsibilities. The results can be:

· Higher production levels
· Improved production time, and lower costs
· Better use of space
· Improved employee morale
· Lower accident rates

Here are some ways to help make “good housekeeping” a way of life:

1. Make sure all employees understand that housekeeping is part of their daily job duties.

2. Plan the job. Make sure there is adequate space for tools, raw materials, and finished products.

3. Make it easy to keep trash and debris off the floors by providing adequate trash bins.

4. Develop a routine cleaning schedule.

5. Encourage employees to report overcrowding or unsafe conditions.

6. Conduct frequent inspections of work areas.

7. Do not allow employees to eat, drink or smoke in the work area.

8. Don’t use boxes or barrels as chairs, doorstops, step stools or ladders.

9. Clearly mark physical hazards or areas of concern. Color code first aid, fire extinguisher and exit locations. Also
mark aisle ways, electrical panels and machine hazards.

10. Properly maintain the equipment. Proper lubrication and cleaning of machines lessen the chance for breakdown,
fluid leaks, etc.

LOOK OUT BELOW!

When you are working overhead — on a roof, a ladder, or a scaffold—look out for anyone who may be working below. Most of us would feel pretty bad if we dropped a tool or debris that caused an injury to someone else. Why take a chance? Here are a few ways you can prevent this from happening.

When working overhead, keep track of where your tools are so they don’t get knocked off. As much as possible, they should be kept in your tool belt, or a toolbox or bucket. Don’t take any tools aloft unless you need them for the job you’re doing.

When climbing a ladder, put your tools in a bucket and hoist the bucket to the work area with a rope. Trying to hang onto tools with one hand while climbing a ladder is a sure way to cause injury to someone below—and may cause you to fall from the ladder yourself.

If a power tool is heavy and bulky, tie it off so it can’t slip out of your hands and fall to the ground. Scaffolds should always have a toe board in place so you won’t accidentally kick something on the platform over the side.

When cleaning up scraps or debris while working aloft, don’t throw anything over the edge. All debris should be dropped through a chute, or craned down to the ground in a barrel or other trash container. Resist the temptation to get rid of a bit of trash by tossing it over the side. It’s not enough just to check below to see if the area clear. This is a bad habit both for safety and for housekeeping.

Always avoid injuries to your own head by wearing your hard hat at all times on the job. Hard-hats are mandatory on most construction projects, ship repairing and stevedoring, where there is exposure to head injury from overhead falling objects. This requirement saves many lives each year, and could save yours too if you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Play it safe with your tools and materials when working above ground. Shortcuts often result in incidents that can hurt you and your fellow workers.

HOUSEKEEPING IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR JOB

Neither the company nor your co-workers are your mother! What do we mean by that? When you were young, your mother had to constantly remind you to pick up after yourself. As an adult you have the responsibility to clean-up after yourself, even though there are times when reminders are still needed.

Housekeeping is a very important part of your everyday job. Not only does it improve the overall appearance of the shop or work area, it shows that you take pride in where you work. Perhaps most importantly, good housekeeping is strongly linked to the prevention of accidents and injuries. The best way that you can help keep your work place clean is to pick up after yourself! Don’t leave it for the next shift or another craft to worry about.

Here are some reasons to keep your work area clean:

1. Lack of clutter and debris will reduce slip, trip and fall hazards.

2. Increased production. You will have less wasted time looking for a misplaced tool or critical piece of material. Putting your tools away after you have used them, means you will always know where to find them everytime a task requires them.

3. If someone unfortunately falls because of materials you left on the floor, you would (and should) feel guilty for being a causal factor in the accident.

4. Clutter and piled debris create a potential fire hazard. Removing unneeded combustibles from the work area reduces this hazard. No one wants to lose a job, and a fire stops the company from doing business.

Here are some tips to maintain a clean work area:

1. Plan the job. Make a list of the needed tools and materials. This will help minimize unnecessary clutter around your work area.

2. Develop a routine habit for cleaning up at the end of the shift, or periodically during the shift.

3. Keep your tools put away. This allows them to found quickly when needed, and keeps them in better condition.

4. Don’t eat, drink or smoke in the work area, not only because of litter problems but also because of hygiene concerns—contaminated food can make you sick.

5. This is not an all inclusive list. The point is, take responsibility for yourself and your work area!

Remember, a clean work area improves your safety and helps improve production too!

Don't Give Fire A Chance

There's plenty of air, plenty of fuel, and plenty of ignition sources around construction sites–so we've all got to be on our toes to prevent fire. Here are some ways to keep the job from going up in smoke:

· Help keep the site clean. Store combustible materials away from ignition
sources.

· Report any possible fire hazards that you notice: open flames, sparks, and
electrical equipment that appears to need repairs.

· On hot-work jobs, be sure combustibles are safe from ignition. Have a fire
extinguisher handy for welding and cutting operations, or when open flame
equipment is used.

· Help protect temporary electric wiring from possible damage. In case of a
fire in or near live electrical equipment, use a dry chemical extinguisher,
and not water.

· Don't smoke near flammables, in "No Smoking" areas, or while re-fueling
equipment. Make sure cigarettes and matches are out.

· Always use approved safety cans or the original manufacturer's container to
store flammable liquids. Keep these containers closed when not in use, and
never store them near exits or passageways.

· Clean up any spills as soon as they occur. Put saturated rags into closed
metal containers.

· Watch to see that canvas tarps, plastic sheeting or other ignitables don't
get close to space heaters. Take care to see that heaters aren't
accidentally tipped over.

· Know where the closest fire-protection equipment is located, and how to use
it. Check to see that fire-fighting equipment is in the clear, in proper
condition, and ready for instant use.

We should always try to prevent any fire incident to happen either in workplace or at home. Be observant. Look out for any hazard that might cause fire.

CONCRETE SAFETY

Concrete is composed of cement, sand, aggregate (sized stones), and water. When mixed in the correct amounts, concrete is a stable and versatile building medium which can be used in a variety of applications ranging from roads, bridges and buildings, to septic tanks and even countertops for household use. The versatility in building application is accomplished by altering the proportions of air and other variables in the mixture. Strengthening materials such as re-bar, fiberglass strands, and plastic rods are then added.


For your protection, the following precautions should be adhered to when working with concrete:


- Try not to over-exert yourself when mixing or moving concrete, especially when using a wheelbarrow, shovel, or trough. Concrete is extremely heavy and caution must be taken to avoid back, shoulder, or other muscle strains. Keeping yourself physically fit and performing pre-work stretching exercises can aid in injury prevention.

- Always wear safety glasses when mixing or pouring concrete. The lime and cement dust can be very irritating to the eyes. If it enters your eyes, rinse for 15 minutes. If eyes are still irritated, seek medical attention.

- Always wear gloves and a long sleeve shirt, if possible, when working with concrete. The cement can cause irritation when it comes into contact with skin. Lime burns are common in the industry but can be lessened by barrier creams or gloves to protect hands and forearms from industrial dermatitis.

- Read and heed the manufacturers' recommendations on concrete additives, acids for etching, form release oils, or other chemicals used in conjunction with concrete.

If you have any questions regarding the products you're using or would like more information on how to protect yourself when working with concrete, ask your supervisor for assistance. Your supervisor should be able to recommend the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for your specific task and can provide you with the appropriate Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

If your supervisor did not have the information that you need, you can always check back here or ask me directly through e-mail and i would be glad to help if i can.

HEARING PROTECTION

Imagine what it would be like to live without being able to hear! Hearing enables you to carry on a conversation, to enjoy your favorite music on your CD player at home or on your truck or car radio. On the job you can hear the back-up alarms on bi-directional earthmoving equipment, or the warning sound of a crane horn letting you know that the crane is about to swing around or move a load overhead. Think about it -- if you lost the ability to hear, you most certainly would also lose your job.

Many areas around the work site have high noise levels and each of us needs to take the proper steps in preventing injury to our hearing. Subpart E of the OSHA Standard addresses hearing protection and it states that where feasible, engineering and administrative controls shall be utilized to protect workers from sound levels in excess of Permissible Noise Exposure Table. This table tells us that we can work in an area 8 hours a day with a decibel level of 90. We can also work in an area of 100 decibels, but only for 2.hours. Finally, at the high end of the table we can only work 15 minutes in an area of 115 decibels.

Exposure to impulsive or impart noise should not exceed 140 decibel peak sound pressure level.

When engineering and administrative controls fail to reduce sound levels, ear protective devices (ear plugs, ear muffs) shall be provided by your employer and they must be used! Plain cotton is not an acceptable protective device.

Our employer is responsible for requiring the wearing of hearing protection in all operations where there is exposure to high noise levels. As an employee, obey warning signs that tell you hearing protection is required - use common sense -- if the noise is loud, use protection.

Both loud and impulse noise can slowly destroy your hearing. Wearing protection is your best bet against hearing loss. Wear ear muffs or plugs -- they can make the difference.

WHEN OPERATING EQUIPMENT NEAR POWER LINES, YOU MUST USE EXTREME CAUTION. IF THE LINE IS LESS THAN 50 kv, THE MINIMUM SAFE DISTANCE IS 10 FEET.

EVERYONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFETY

Safety is everyone's responsibility! As am employee, you should:

a. Learn to work safely and take all rules seriously.

b. Recognize hazards and avoid them.

c. Report all accidents, injuries and illness to your supervisor immediately.

d. Inspect tools before use to avoid injury.

e. Wear all assigned personal protective equipment.

On the other hand, it is management's responsibility to:

a. Provide a safe and healthy workplace.

b. Provide personal protective equipment.

c. Train employees in safe procedures and in how to identify hazards.

Everyone must be aware of potential hazards on the job:

a. Poor housekeeping results in slips, trips and falls.

b. Electricity can cause shocks, burns or fire if not handled properly.

c. Poor material handling may cause back problems or other injuries.

d. Tools and equipment can cause injuries if guards or protective devices are disengaged.

Always use the protections that are provided on the job:

a. Guards on machines and tools keep body parts from contacting moving equipment.

b. Insulation on electrical equipment prevents burns, shock and fire.

c. Lockout/tagout assure equipment is de-energized before it is repaired.

d. Personal protective equipment shields your body from hazards you may face on the job.

In case of emergency:

a. Understand alarms and evacuation routes.

b. Know how to notify emergency response personnel.

c. Implement a procedure for leaving the scene safely so emergency personnel can do their job.

d. Wipe up spills promptly and correctly.

Safety benefits everyone! By incorporating safety rules, employees avoid injury as well as illness from exposure to hazardous substances. With less injuries, a business can be more productive and profitable. The welfare of the community is also enhanced by providing cleaner air and water and less chance of dangerous accidents that can put lives and property at risk.

CUTS AND BURNS

Nicks, cuts, scratches and burns. Minor injuries that can occur to any one of us no matter how careful we are. Minor injuries to the skin that are often ignored. But it must be remembered that skin is a vital organ; one that should not be ignored. Not only is skin the largest bodily organ, it also keeps the good stuff in and the bad stuff out. So what do you do when you get a minor injury? If you are like many, you realize a doctor's visit is not necessary and try to treat the injury yourself. How do you know when to seek professional treatment? How do you treat injuries that do not require a doctor's visit?

Cuts:

Cuts require immediate professional attention if:

- There is severe bleeding, especially arterial wounds, which literally pump blood from the body.

- Puncture wounds, such as those caused by a rusty nail or animal bite. These will require a
tetanus booster shot.

- Cuts more than one half inch long and one quarter inch deep, which will require stitches.

To treat any cuts, first stop the bleeding and then treat to prevent infection. Place a sterile gauze (or if you do not have any gauze, a clean cloth) over the wound and hold it until the bleeding stops. Apply pressure continuously. If the gauze or cloth soaks through, simply place another cloth over the first and resume the pressure. When the bleeding has stopped, wash the cut with soap and water, followed by a disinfectant. If the bleeding does not stop, get professional treatment. After the cut is clean, look for any foreign object(s) in the cut and remove them. If you do not, a threatening infection may set in. To aid in keeping the wound clean while it heals, you can cover it with a bandage. However, if you use a bandage, remember it will need attention too. Change it twice daily and use an antibiotic cream to prevent further infection. Keep in mind that wounds exposed to air heal faster. But it is also very important to keep a wound clean and dry to prevent infection.

Treatment for a scrape is the same, except you do not have to worry about stopping blood flow as there is very little.

Burns:

Burns are classified as first, second, or third degree. A first degree burn causes redness. Blistering is caused by a second degree burn. Charred, blackened or blanched skin are signs of a third degree burn. Furthermore, burns can be caused by heat (thermal burns) or by contact with chemicals. Seek professional, medical treatment for:

- All third degree burns.
- Second degree burns involving more than one fifth of the body or if the burn has
affected the face, hands, feet, or genitalia.

First aid treatment for a burn involves relief of pain, infection prevention and treatment or prevention of shock. If a burn begins to blister, cool it by placing your hand or foot in cold, still (not running) water. You will need to use an ice pack on any other part of the body. Gently clean the burn and cover the area with a sterile, non-stick gauze. Change the dressing twice a day. Never puncture a blister. This just opens the door for infection. Never use butter, oils, or petroleum jelly on burns.

If the burn is due to a chemical exposure, flush the burned area with running water for at least 15 minutes. While you flush, remove any contaminated clothing, especially clothing in the area of the burn. Check the first aid instructions for the chemical. These are found on the container and/or Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). Treat as specified. Cover the burn with a clean dressing and call a doctor.

If a third degree burn is involved, get professional medical treatment quickly. Call an ambulance first. While awaiting professional help, make sure any fire is out and/or remove the victim from the burn source. DO NOT REMOVE ANY CLOTHING OR APPLY ANY DRESSINGS. Treat for shock and make sure the victim is still breathing.

Use common sense in all situations. Maintain a well stocked first aid kit and be familiar with first aid procedures. Being knowledgeable and prepared may be the smartest first step of all.

SULFURIC ACID, BE CAUTIOUS

Sulfuric acid is widely used in industry for a variety of purposes such as metal cleaning and etching, production of fertilizers, petroleum produces, dyes and explosives. Like all acids it is reactive. Simply put, this means that when the liquid comes into contact with another material, something is going to happen. This is where the danger lies. If sulfuric acid comes in contact with any part of your body, a rapid destruction of tissue takes place, capable of causing severe burns. When a burn occurs, it also gives rise to the possibility of secondary problems such as infection. Burns are never to be considered trivial.

The strength or concentration of acids can vary. If transported in bulk quantities, the acid is usually "full strength." If used as a cleaning agent, it may be highly diluted. In both cases, the material is dangerous. In its concentrated form, sulfuric acid destroys not only the outer skin, it can also penetrate into the flesh under your skin, destroying it. This causes great pain and, if the damage is great enough, may result in shock, collapse or other problems which typically accompany thermal burns. Even dilute concentrations in contact with skin can cause dermatitis, or skin irritation. Prolonged breathing of the vapors or mists can cause respiratory disorders.

Protection: Here is something to think about. Sulfuric acid can burn through your skin into your flesh. It can cause your clothes to disintegrate. It can erode concrete and etch metal. Imagine what a drop or two would do to your sensitive and unprotected eyes. When working with or around Sulfuric acid, eye and face protection is a must. Safety glasses alone are not adequate. Wear chemical-type goggles (these have indirect vents), and a face shield. Protective clothing should include, at a minimum, an acid-resistant long apron and gloves. When working with large quantities, you will need to wear an acid-resistant "rain-suit" and high-top boots, with the pant leg extending over the top of the boot.

First Aid - Rapid treatment is very important. You must wash the acid off the body quickly. Get the victim to the emergency shower or to a hose as quickly as possible. Start washing and as you do so, remove all acid-wet clothing. Keep the water flowing. In cases where there are severe burns, shock may set in. If this occurs, treat for shock by placing victims on their back and keeping them warm. Call immediately for medical help. Do not apply any ointments, oils or other treatments to the burned area.

If acid is swallowed, it burns tissues all the way down to the stomach. Do not induce vomiting, which will cause additional burns as it comes up as well. Never give anything to an unconscious person but, if the victim is conscious, the acid should be immediately diluted. Provide milk, preferably mixed with egg whites. If this isn't available, give as much water to drink as possible.

AVOID COMMON OFFICE INJURIES

It is generally accepted that in heavy industry, you'll find dangerous work environments that expose employees to potential injury. But fewer companies recognize the potential risks found in everyday office environments. Office work, too, can lead to injuries if appropriate safe work practices are not followed. Learn to avoid these common hazards:

1. Musculoskeletal strains and sprains associated with material handling: If you must walk and carry an object, make sure the object is carried in a way that avoids blocking your vision. Never lift objects that are too heavy to handle comfortably. Get help, or use a hand truck when moving heavy or large objects. Lift objects from the floor correctly by using proper lifting mechanics--hold the load close to your body. Use a stool or step ladder when placing or removing items from high shelves.

2. Stress and strain associated with sitting and VDT use: Arrange your desk or work station so that your arms, wrists, legs, back and neck can be maintained in a comfortable "neutral" position, with proper back support. (Eagle can provide ergonomic checklists for evaluating your work area.) Those who spend long hours at a computer should consider mastering keyboard moves, instead of relying principally on the mouse. This helps reduce strain on your elbow and shoulder. And don't forget to take rest breaks!
3. Injuries that result from slips, trips, and falls: Never run in the office. If liquids are spilled on tile or linoleum floors, clean them up immediately. If a rolling chair pad is cracked or if any part of the pad edge is curled upward, replace it and eliminate the tripping hazard. Do not lay electrical cords or phone cords where they could create a tripping hazard. Keep aisles clear of stored items.

4. Hand injuries from cuts, scrapes, smashes, and punctures: Use a letter opener when opening envelopes and boxes, and a staple puller when removing staples from documents. Wear a rubber finger "cot" when fingering through a significant amount of envelopes or pieces of paper. Store sharp objects neatly in desk drawers or inside closed containers. Always close desk and file cabinet drawers with your hand firmly gripped on the drawer handle--and leave repair of office equipment to the maintenance people.

Although offices are not considered to be "high hazard" work environments, injuries happen when risks are not controlled or when people get careless. Practice safe work habits at all times. Know where the office first aid kit is kept, and who has been trained to administer first aid. Lastly, make sure you understand the emergency procedures for dealing with fires, earthquakes, tsunamis, and power failures.

ACETONE USAGE & CARE

Acetone, also called dimethyl ketone, is one of the ketone group of solvents that also includes methyl ethyl ketone. Mechanics, painters, and fiberglass workers are frequent users of acetone for various purposes in the shop, and many people are familiar with its pleasant sweet-smelling odor. Acetone is an excellent solvent for oils and greases. It is often used in the electronics industry for degreasing and cleaning of precision electronic parts. It is also used in the formulation of lacquers, rubber cements, cleaning fluids, and paint removers, as well as the manufacture of methacrylic and epoxy resins. Acetone can also absorb 22 times its volume of acetylene gas, which permits safe and economical shipment of acetylene in cylinders.

Acetone is one of the least toxic of the many organic solvents used in the work place. Its toxicity is low for both acute and chronic exposures. However, prolonged inhalation of high concentrations of acetone vapor causes irritation of the respiratory tract, headache, loss of memory, and in extreme cases, unconsciousness. Other symptoms of acetone intoxication include dizziness, nausea, or drowsiness. Continued skin contact may produce a mild form of dermatitis.

Control Vapor Concentrations: Acetone vapor in work areas should be maintained at or below the Threshold Limit Value of 750 PPM (averaged during an 8-hour workday), with a maximum Short Term Exposure Limit (defined as 15 minutes) no higher than 1000 PPM. For most operations, vapor can be kept at safe levels by enclosing the operation, by ventilating, or both. Opening windows or doors is often adequate for most small uses. Local exhaust may be needed with larger operations in order to capture the vapors at the source and keep them out of the breathing zone.

Wear PPE: Employees engaged in routine handling of acetone should wear milled butyl rubber gloves and rubber aprons for protection against skin contact. Chemical goggles should be worn where necessary. When complete face protection is necessary, a face shield should be worn.

Fire Prevention: Acetone is a serious fire hazard and can ignite with only a 2.6% concentration in the air. Water solutions of acetone are also highly flammable; a solution of 10 percent acetone in water has a flash point of about 80 F (27C). All sources of ignition, including spark-producing mechanisms or operations should be eliminated in areas where acetone is stored, handled, or used. Vapor proof electrical systems should also be installed (Class 1 - Division 1). Fire extinguishers for acetone fires include foam, carbon dioxide, and dry chemical. Water used on an acetone fire should be in the form of a spray or fog in order to prevent spreading the fire.

First Aid: If a person has inhaled small amounts of acetone vapor and exhibits any of the symptoms of acetone intoxication, they should be moved to fresh air and the effects will often disappear in a few hours. If large amounts have been inhaled, the person should be moved to fresh air and medical assistance immediately summoned. If breathing has stopped or respiration is weak; artificial respiration should be given. If splashed in the eyes, the eyes should be irrigated immediately with large quantities of running water for at least 15 minutes. An evaluation by a physician as soon as possible is recommended. Skin contaminated with acetone should be washed with soap and water, and any contaminated clothing removed.