KEEP WORKERS SAFE BY CHOOSING THE PROPER RESPIRATOR

Choosing the right respirator relevant to the nature of the employment is critical to a worker’s safety. Exposure to different hazards means that not just any respirator will suffice. Two main classes of respirators are available:

Air-Purifying Respirators (APR) – These respirators are designed to filter air borne contaminants such as fumes or noxious dust. Other forms of APR models use a canister or cartridge containing a material that absorbs the contaminants.

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APRs are tight fitting to the face and have different designs. These designs include particulate respirators, powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR), gas masks and chemical cartridge respirators. They come in four different designs, including:

• Full face piece - Fully covers the face from underneath the chin to an area above the eyes. This feature provides added protection to the eyes, especially from chemical irritants.
• Half-face mask - Gives protection from beneath the chin to and including the nostrils.
• Quarter-mask - Protects the mouth and nose.
• Mouth bit respirator - Normally used for escaping a hazardous situation only. Contains a bit which is inserted into the mouth and nose clip to seal the nostrils closed.

Supplied-air respirator (SAR) – These respirators provide breathable air via an air line or a compressed work tank. SARs come in two different types. The first has a loose fitting respiratory inlet, such as a helmet or a hood which envelopes both the neck and head, that is supplied purified air through airlines. This type may have face pieces which fit loosely. The other form of SAR has either a half or full face piece and has very snug respiratory inlets.

Choosing the Most Suitable Respirator

Selecting the most suitable respirator must be performed by an expert, such as a safety professional. The expert will consider the appropriate apparatus only after they have identified and evaluated the potential respiratory hazard and considered the relative limitations of the respiratory apparatus for the situation.

Key Questions to Ask

Here are some factors an employer should consider when determining whether a respirator may be required:

• Establish the existence of a hazard by considering warnings about the material, like its chemical components or the nature of the particulates that might be released through the work performed.
• Determine whether there is limited oxygen present.
• Is the hazard airborne such as a particulate, fume, or vapor?
• Ask whether the respirator will be used for an emergency or in combating fires.
• Evaluate whether the work is strenuous and will be performed in hazardous atmospheric circumstances.
• Is there any agent present which might be possibly fatal, carcinogenic, skin absorbable or acts as an irritant?
• Will the work be conducted in a confined space or will the worker be exposed to abnormal temperatures?

The key is that respirators should be used to suit the work. The proper choice of respirator is vital to the health and safety of workers in many types of employment.

AVOID DISTRACTIONS AND MULTI-TASKING BEHIND THE WHEEL

Over the course of decades, the purpose for which we use automobiles has changed considerably. When the first cars were rolling off of the assembly lines in the 1920s, they had one purpose and one purpose only: transportation, or simply getting from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’. Today cars are becoming an all-in-one living system. Car owners eat lunch in them, watch television using special screens, play video games and of course talk on the phone, often while driving. As time goes on, car manufacturers are equipping vehicles with an endless series of gadgets, enabling us to enjoy ever more conveniences.

Sitting in the middle of this technological bonanza, it is easy to forget that simply because something is easy, does not mean it is right, or even safer. While drivers take the so-called “skill” of multitasking to the next level, they do fail to remember that their tricked-out vehicle could be deadly. To be sure, as with most tasks that become almost second nature, driving becomes an almost unconscious task. That being said, it does not mean that it is okay to do other things while driving. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth.

As the statistics of car accidents shows, in addition to other research, even merely thinking about something other than the road distracts us from the road. As a matter of fact, when a driver removes their eyes from the road, they typically think the distance traveled is short, when in fact, it can be quite long. This effect is only increased when driving at higher speeds, such as on the interstate or freeway. Usually, this is enough distance to possibly hit someone or something that suddenly appears in front of the driver. When drivers look away from the road, they are assuming that there is nothing in front of them, thus gambling not only with their life, but the lives of others, as well.

According to the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety between four and eight thousand car crashes happen daily as the result of becoming distracted while driving. A survey conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association revealed that 60% of all cell phone use occurs during driving. These are chilling statistics, and underscore the need to change driving habits in order to prevent the worst from happening.

Here are two steps to take to improve driving habits and head off potentially lethal events:

1. Do not use a cell phone when driving, period.
2. Make sure that the driver is familiar with the controls on the dashboard so they can easily adjust the settings without difficulty.

KNOW THE DANGERS OF CONFINED SPACES ON THE JOB SITE

If you revisit some of the lessons learned in basic high school science classes, you will probably remember that 78% of the air we breathe is nitrogen gas. If you think a little more, you may also recall that nitrogen is only safe to breathe when mixed with the right amount of oxygen. That simple lesson, learned so many years ago, may save your life if you frequently work in confined spaces.

Before entering any confined work space, there are several critical points you must consider. First, is the work area defined as a confined space according to OSHA? OSHA’s definition states that a confined space is any area where an employee must squeeze in or out through narrow openings and perform their tasks while cramped or contorted. Entry and exit are difficult, and employees are not to remain in the space for lengthy periods of time.

If your work space fits this description, you must also determine if it has a dangerous atmosphere or shows the potential for you to become trapped or even asphyxiated. If so, this space will be designated as a “permit space,” and will require a permit for entry. The employer who allows an employee entry must develop a written safety program for their permit-required spaces.

Your gas monitor plays a crucial part in securing your safety when you are working in a confined space. You need to be certain that you know how to properly operate the instrument and that you fully understand the procedures for confined space monitoring. Taking these steps will lessen the risks associated with this type of work significantly. Do not allow yourself to be lulled into a false sense of security because you are working in a familiar setting. If you take unnecessary risks, you may, unfortunately, only be working in the space for a short time.

Another element of safely working in a confined area is to have an attendant who will maintain contact with you while you are working. Be certain that this person is not involved with any other tasks or distractions and that they remain outside of the confined space at all times. If you will be confined in the space for an extended period of time, this person should record additional atmospheric readings to monitor the safety of the confined space. The attendant should also know exactly what the potential hazards are, and have a plan in place in case of an emergency.

If an emergency situation does arise, the attendant needs to immediately implement the rescue plan that was developed by the employer. No matter what type of rescue situation occurs, the attendant must try to maintain contact with you during the entire rescue process. They should also attempt to gather information about the incident that may be helpful to the rescuers. Their position as “point man” between you and the rescue team can make all the difference in the success of the rescue effort.