Lockout/Tagout Safety

Preventing Machine Surprises

When it's time for maintenance, repairs or machine setup, simply unplugging the machine that you're working on is not enough. Many serious accidents have happened when someone thought a machine or the electricity was safely off. "Lockout/tagout" is a way to protect yourself and others.

Guaranteeing Machines Stay Off

Lockout/tagout ensures that machines and electricity remain temporarily off. Without a lockout/tagout system, there is the possibility that a machine will suddenly start up. Them someone could be cut, hit or crushed. There is also a serious danger of electrocution or the release of hazardous materials.

To prevent startups, you need to identify a machine's power sources: an electrical current, stored electricity (such as in a capacitor), stored pressure (such as compressed air), stored mechanical energy (such as in a coiled spring) or gravity.

Take Seven Steps for Lockout/Tagout

• Think, plan and check. If you are in charge, think through the entire procedure. Identify all parts of any systems that need to be shut down. Determine what switches, equipment and people will be involved. Carefully plan how restarting will take place.
• Communicate. Notify all those who need to know that a lockout/tagout procedure is taking place.
• Identify all appropriate power sources, whether near or far from the job site. Include electrical circuits, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, spring energy and gravity systems.
• Neutralize all appropriate power at the source. Disconnect electricity. Block movable parts. Release or block spring energy. Drain or bleed hydraulic and pneumatic lines. Lower suspended parts to rest positions.
• Lock out all power sources. Use a lock designed only for this purpose. Each worker should have a personal lock.
• Tag out all power sources and machines. Tag machine controls, pressure lines, starter switches and suspended parts. Tags should include your name, department, how to reach you, the date and time of tagging and the reason for the lockout.
• Do a complete test. Double check all the steps above. Do a personal check. Push start buttons, test circuits and operate valves to test the system.

When Its Time To Restart

After the job is completed, follow the safety procedures you have set up for restart, removing only your own locks and tags. With all workers safe and equipment ready, it's time to turn on the power.

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Eye Safety

Avoiding Eye Injuries

Of all of our senses, the one most precious perhaps is our sense of sight. Yet each year, thousands of us suffer eye injuries that impair our vision or deprive us of our sight altogether. These injuries are, to a large extent, avoidable. In fact, over 90% of all eye injuries can be prevented by following established safety guidelines and using the appropriate protective eyewear for the tasks we perform.

Recognizing Eye Hazards

Among the most common eye hazards are flying particles, a hazard typical of many machine operations such as grinding, sawing, etching, and so on. Dusts (such as wood, metal, and other airborne particles), sparks (common in welding), and fumes and splashes (from molten materials or chemicals) can all cause eye injury unless the appropriate protective eyewear is used. Harmful light rays (common in arc and electrical welding, furnace operations, and work using acetylene equipment) can cause painful eye burns unless your eyes are adequately protected. The following guidelines for on-the-job eye safety can help you save your sight--for life.

Eye Safety Checklist

1. Be alert to the eye hazards present at your worksite.
2. Wear the appropriate protective eyewear--glasses, goggles, and/or hoods, face shields and welding helmets--provided by your employer for the specific hazards you face.
3. Remember that regular eyeglasses or contact lenses will not protect you from eye hazards--if you must wear corrective lenses, you'll need to wear protective eyewear over them.
4. Check to see that your protective eyewear meets ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standards.
5. Make sure that your protective eye wear fits properly and is clean and in good condition before and after each use.
6. Replace faulty eye wear immediately.
7. Follow established safety guidelines.
8. Learn basic first-aid for eye injuries.
9. Know where all eyewash stations and emergency equipment are located.

    10.  In the event of eye injury, get medical attention immediately.

For more information about our safety services go to http://www.endure-inc.com/

Confined Space Safety

Work Smart, Stay Safe
Working in a confined space may be a regular part of your job, or it may be a one-time emergency. Always think of confined spaces as dangerous. You can protect yourself. Learn their hidden hazards and use safe practices. It's the smart way to stay safe.

Few Openings
Confined spaces have few or very small openings. They're not meant for workers to stay in. Ventilation is usually poor.
Boilers, storage tanks, pipelines: they don't have to be small to be confined.

Four Dangers
There are four main dangers in confined spaces. First, there may not be enough oxygen to breathe. Rust, sewage, or chemicals can use it up. Even if there's enough oxygen when you enter, it can be used up by your presence and your work more quickly than you might think.

Second, fire and explosions can both use up oxygen quickly enough to prevent escape and cause death within minutes. Chemicals and gases can explode suddenly, from cigarettes, static electricity, sparks, or heat.

Third, in confined spaces there is the danger of poisonous ("toxic") elements in the air. They can harm your breathing and nervous system. Often, you cannot see or smell them.
Some gases, vapors and dusts can burn or smother you quickly. Others don't have obvious effects and so are especially dangerous.

Fourth, there are physical dangers such as loud noise, intense heat, and falls. These can be very hazardous in confined spaces.

Class A, B or C

• Confined spaces are classified by how dangerous they are for your health. This depends on oxygen levels, fire dangers ("flammability"), and poison dangers ("toxicity"). Class A confined spaces are very dangerous. Their oxygen levels may be low. Explosions may be likely. They may have high levels of toxic gases or chemicals.
• Class B spaces present dangers if proper safety steps are not followed. Class C spaces have possible hazards, but special work procedures are not necessary.
• Only trained people should decide whether a space is Class A, B or C.

Prepare Carefully

• Always prepare before entering a confined space, no matter how great an emergency it is. Use the right ventilation and Personal Protective Equipment. Make sure all equipment is tested and grounded.
• Cut off gas, power, steam or water lines into the confined space. Post a permit stating that you are inside.
• Have a qualified person test the air for oxygen, flammability, and toxicity. Test high, low and in the corners.
• Have at least one "buddy" outside, connected to you by lifeline. Your buddy should know cardiopulmonary resuscitation ("CPR"), first aid, and how to use safety equipment. Stay in contact with your buddy.
• Stay alert and don't smoke or eat while in a confined space.

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Safety Tips for Hand Tool Users

Almost all of us use hand tools–at work and at home. It’s estimated that about 8% of industrial accidents involve the unsafe use of hand tools (both manual and power). These accidents result from using the wrong tool for the job (or using the right tool incorrectly), failing to wear personal protective equipment, or failing to follow approved safety guidelines. The following checklist provides some basic rules for the safe use of hand tools. Take a moment to review this list, and use the tips here whenever you use a hand tool–on or off the job.
Hand Tool Rules

1. Know the purpose of each tool in your toolbox, and use each for the specific task it was designed to do.
2. Never use any tool–hand or power–unless you are trained to do so.
3. Inspect tools before each use and replace or repair if worn or damaged.
4. Clean tools after every use.
5. Keep cutting edges sharp.
6. Never test a cutting edge with your fingers–test on scrap material instead.
7. Select the right size tool for the job–don’t use cheaters.
8. When working on ladders or scaffolding, be sure that you and your tools are secure. (A falling tool can seriously injure a coworker or bystander.)
9. Carry tools correctly–never put sharp or pointed tools in your pockets.

10.When hand-carrying tools, point cutting edges away from you, toward the ground.
11.Lightly oil metal tools and store in clean, dry place to prevent rust.

12.Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as safety goggles, face shields, gloves, etc. as required.


For more information about our safety services go to http://www.endure-inc.com