The silent killer (CO) in winter

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning Prevention

Every year, nearly 500 people die in the U. S. from accidental CO poisoning. Check or change the batteries in your CO detector every six months. If you don't have a battery-powered or battery back-up CO detector, buy one soon.

CO is found in fumes produced by portable generators, stoves, lanterns, and gas ranges, or by burning charcoal and wood. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces. People and animals in these spaces can be poisoned and can die from breathing CO.

How to Recognize CO Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is often referenced as “The Silent Killer” in that CO is an odorless, tasteless, invisible and colorless gas, which can cause sudden illness and death, is produced any time a fossil fuel is burned.

The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. People who are sleeping or who have been drinking alcohol can die from CO poisoning before ever having symptoms.

Important CO Poisoning Prevention Tips:

·         Never use a gas range or oven to heat a home.

• Check the stove, heater, chimney and etc. for any fault.

·         Never leave the motor running in a vehicle parked in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, such as a garage.

·         Never run a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine inside a basement, garage, or other enclosed structure, even if the doors or windows are open, unless the equipment is professionally installed and vented. Keep vents and flues free of debris, especially if winds are high. Flying debris can block ventilation lines.

·         Never run a motor vehicle, generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine less than 20 feet from an open window, door, or vent where exhaust can vent into an enclosed area.

·         Never use a charcoal grill, hibachi, lantern, or portable camping stove inside a home, tent, or camper.

·         If conditions are too hot or too cold, seek shelter with friends or at a community shelter.

·         If CO poisoning is suspected, go outside , an area free of CO, and then consult a health care professional right away.

CO poisoning is entirely preventable. You can protect yourself and your family by acting wisely in case of a power outage and learning the symptoms of CO poisoning.

The advantages of implementing a 5s system

  

In order to participate in the global economy and compete against companies that are advantaged by overseas production, businesses are looking to find ways to reduce cost, improve quality and increase productivity. For this reason, businesses are implementing lean manufacturing, which allows for improvements in productivity while increasing the quality of the output. Lean manufacturing systems use minimal amounts of resources to produce high volume of high-quality goods with some variety, allowing companies to make better use of available resources.

The 5S process is one of the most fundamental and widely applied components of lean manufacturing. Its application is simple, involving basic common sense; however, the advantages cannot be underestimated due to its simplicity. Once implemented a 5s system can be the stabilizing force underlying a lean manufacturing strategy.

The 5s system derives its name from the five Japanese words which define the process, they are: seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke. Translated into English they are: sort, set in order, shine, standardize and sustain. The guiding principles underlying the 5S system involve organization, cleanliness and standardization. Overall workplace cleanliness, created by removing waste from the work area, promotes internal organization and enhances visual communication. By reducing wasted time and materials, productivity is increased along with safety and costs are reduced. The following is a list of the most obvious benefits which can be derived from implementation of the 5s system.

The Benefits of the 5s System 

Increases in productivity:

Reduces lead times thereby improving product delivery times

Reduces equipment downtime, maintenance and cycle time

Improves daily and shift startup times and reduces changeover time

Reduces the amount of time wasted searching for tools and equipment

Increases in quality:

Improves quality by reducing the amount of errors/defects

Implements standardization thereby achieving output consistency

The pleasantries of the simplified work environment increases employee moral

Reduction in cost:

Provides cost-savings by reducing inventory, storage fees and space requirements

Improves safety thereby reducing the cost of worker injuries

Reduces the amount of scrap thereby reducing production cost

The system as a whole minimizes waste and improves efficiency by ensuring that workers are spending time doing productive task rather than looking for misplaced tools, sorting unnecessary through stacks of waste material or rearranging the work environment at the change of shifts.

One of the great aspects of implementing a 5s system is that it can be done today and everyone can participate. Furthermore, all businesses and all departments can benefit from the 5s system. Manufacturing and industrial plants have the greatest applications; however, its use is not limited to production areas. Office and administration areas, information or data flow hubs, retail space and service delivery systems can also achieve productivity gains from its implementation. The bottom line advantage to any company is an increase in profits and a maximization of shareholder wealth.

Implementing The System Into Your Workplace.

The following is an overview of the components and philosophy behind each of the five steps. Although application is specific to each company’s processes, the steps are broad based and uniform in nature and the end result is the same.

Sorting (Seiri).

The first step in the process is known as red tagging. This step involves sorting through the items in the workplace and placing a red tag on those that are not required to complete a work task. The tagged equipment, tools, supplies and materials are moved to a central holding area for future evaluation. Items that are used infrequently may be stored directly outside the immediate work area; obsolete jigs, molds, fixtures, scrap material, waste and other unused materials are discarded. Consideration is not given to whether you may use the item someday, if it is not needed it is thrown away.

This step results in a better allocation of valuable resources, as additional floor space becomes available once the unnecessary items are removed from the area. Furthermore, the process forces inspection of the items thereby recognizing the need to repair or elimination broken or obsolete equipment and tools.

Set in order, (seiton).

This vital step promotes efficiency by creating work areas that are neat, uncluttered and organized. It involves the organizing, arranging and effectively storing items. The questions indicative of this step are: 1.) What are the items needed to perform the task? 2.) Where should the items be located to facilitate retrieval and usage? 3.) What is the quantity of items which need to be readily accessible?

The founding principles are based on methodical storage of items. Each article has a predetermined location of which it remains there until use and is immediately returned to after use. Labeling and other identifying methods are part of this systemic organization process. Work areas, storage and finished goods areas, tools, equipment and files are all clearly labeled. Manuals and books are placed on bookcases for quick identification and access. Floors are painted so waste materials and dirt can be easily spotted. The goal is to reduce the amount of time searching for items as well as the amount of physical effort in retrieving items, especially those which are used frequently.

The resulting reduction in lost time spent on non-productive task, leads to an overall reduction in cost and greater output capacity.

Shine (seiso)

The first two steps have resulted in an uncluttered and organized work area. It is now time to thoroughly clean the entire area. This includes all work surfaces, storage areas, machines, tools and equipment. A clean, spot free environment aids in a visual awareness of equipment failures. Regular cleaning and inspection should be upheld on a daily basis to maintain results.

Both qualitative and quantitative results are experienced by this important step. Employee pride and moral are improved when they work in a clutter-free pleasant environment. The workers will be more apt to notice faulty equipment, oil and coolant leaks, contamination, changes in equipment vibration, breakage or misalignment, once debris and other unused materials have been removed and the surfaces have been cleaned.

When recognized at it beginning stages, machine failure can be immediately fixed preventing greater cost from occurring. Malfunctioning equipment causes work stoppages and adds to production cost, which affects bottom line profitability.

Standardize (Seiketsu)

Best practices developed are recognized and standardized. This is best-achieved buy including employees in the process. Standards are key to low cost production which is made evident by the success of companies like McDonald’s, Southwest Airlines and UPS.

Proper implementation means old habits must be eliminated and replaced with new behavior patterns. This often requires some form of enforcement until they become habitual. Visual reminders ands other forms of communicating can be effective tools for enforcing new procedures. Posters, posted procedures and other daily reminders can be utilized to help employees adapt.

Sustain (shitsuke)

Maintaining the new system is vital; otherwise the cost and effort to develop the system will have been wasted. A formal system should be pout in place to consistently monitor the results to make sure the system is intact. Employee training and communicating the new standards should be done on a regular basis. A special program should be created for new hires to ensure they maintain the existing system.

Once implemented the 5s system should raise the bar to a new standard. However, it should not be expected that once implemented it would be maintained without continuous effort. A follow-up procedure is a key component to maintaining this level of excellence.

The Cost Of Implementing A 5s System

  The complete system can be implementing without adding any on-going production cost. The amount required depends heavily on the current status of the facility. An initial investment in man-hours, training, storage units, labeling systems and cleaning products can be quickly recouped by increases in productivity, as wasted time looking for supplies, materials and tools is eliminated. The effect of a clean and organized work environment can provide companies with a competitive advantage and communicate a positive message to both employees and customers.

The 5s system is simple and obvious; however, many businesses have overlooked the benefits which can be gained through its implementation. As American companies are forced to compete on a global basis, embracing the 5 s system provides companies with an effective tool that cost very little to implement but has the power to reap large financial rewards.

Multiple Mobile Crane Lifts

Lifts involving two or more cranes are complex operations requiring skill and detailed planning.

The lift must be planned and carried out by skilled and qualified personnel under the direction of an on-site qualified erection supervisor.

It is necessary that a written detailed procedure (lift plan) be developed, documented and kept on site. This procedure must be signed by the site superintendent, the erection supervisor, the crane operators and the "signal persons" involved as evidence that the procedure has been reviewed, discussed and understood by all workers involved in the operation. Any change in procedures or personnel shall be documented and signed by all workers involved.

The planned procedure should include the following requirements:

1. Ground conditions must be stable, compacted and level.

(If not, they must be corrected by blocking mats or compaction.)

2. All cranes must rest on solid blocking.

3. All cranes must be level.

4. The weight and center of gravity must be determined exactly for the load being hoisted.

5. Longest load radius of each crane for the complete operation must be measured exactly.

6. Boom length and boom angles must be determined exactly.

7. Rated capacity of each crane must be determined for the whole operation.

8. For a multiple crane lift, no crane should be loaded to more than 75% of its net capacity.

9. All cranes must be in good operating condition.

10. The lead crane must be equipped with a load guage to ensure that the lift stays within the safe operating conditions and lift plan.

11. Consideration must be given to the symmetry and center of gravity of the load. The load each crane will carry must be determined precisely.

12. Swing and booming motions must be kept to a minimum.

13. Wherever possible, the cranes should not travel with load. If travel is necessary, then the cranes should have equal boom lengths.

14. Signal persons, riggers and operators must know exactly what they have to do and what movements will have to be made before the lift begins.

15. Conduct a dry run without load.

16. All communications during the lift should be made by radio (preferably closed or hardline rather than walkie-talkie).

17. It is imperative that one person (the signal- person) direct and control the operation.

That person should be positioned to view the total operation and should maintain radio contact with the operators.

18. One crane shall be designated the ‘lead’ crane taking instruction from the signalperson. The other crane(s) shall follow, with the swing brake off. The lead crane may shift from one crane to the other during the lift.

19. All crane and load movements should be made as smoothly as possible. Brakes and clutches should be applied gradually.

20. Hoist lines must be kept vertical at all times. This is absolutely critical. When the lines are not vertical, the cranes are throwing extra load on each other and may cause sideloading.

Note: Certain lifts such as cantilever type, multiple crane, joining lead lines, and other specialized lifts, shall be designed and supervised by a professional engineer.

Explosion of Gas Balloon in Barchi- Kabul

A gas balloon has exploded around 1:00 PM in Barchi- Kabul

Sunday, 06 October 2013 15:51

The explosion has occurred in a basement of wedding hotel and awful sound is heard in western of Kabul
Witnesses say the explosion took place when company gas officers were moving gas balloon.
There is no casualties only the Milad- e – Noor wedding hall glasses are broken but Gas company car has damaged as witnesses said

Bokhdi News

Work Zone Traffic Safety

Employees being struck by vehicles or mobile equipment lead to many work zone fatalities or injuries. Work zones need traffic controls identified by signs, cones, barrels and barriers.

Drivers, employees on foot, and pedestrians must be able to see and understand the proper routes.

Construction project managers determine traffic control plans within construction/demolition worksites.

• Traffic control devices, signals, and message boards instruct drivers to follow paths away from where work is being done.

• Approved traffic control devices, including cones, barrels, barricades, and delineator posts are also used inside work zones.

Work Zone Protections: Various concrete, water, sand, collapsible barriers, crash cushions, and truck-mounted attenuators can help limit motorist intrusions into construction work zones.

Flagging: Flaggers should wear high visibility clothing with a fluorescent background and made of retro reflective material. This makes employees visible for at least 1,000 feet in any direction. Check the label or packaging to ensure that the garments are performance class 2 or 3. Drivers should be warned with signs that there will be flaggers ahead. Flaggers should use STOP/SLOW paddles, paddles with lights, or flags (only in emergencies).

Lighting: Flagger stations should be illuminated. Lighting for employees on foot and for equipment operators should be at least 5 foot-candles or greater. Where available lighting is not sufficient, flares or chemical lighting should be used. Glare should be controlled or eliminated.

Training: Flaggers must be trained/certified and use authorized signaling methods.

Driving: Seat belts and rollover protection should be used on equipment and vehicles as the manufacturer recommends.

Shift Work

Definition of shift work

The International Labour Office (International Labour Organization, 1990a) defines working in shifts as “a method of organization of working time in which workers succeed one another at the workplace so that the establishment can operate longer than the hours of work of individual workers.”

The European Council Directive 93/104 (1993) declares that “concerning certain aspects of the organization of working time, shift work shall mean any method of organizing work in shifts whereby workers succeed each other at the same work stations according to a certain pattern. Shift-worker shall mean any worker whose work schedule is part of shift work.”

Besides these definitions, in the scientific literature, the term “shift work” has been widely used and generally includes any arrangement of daily working hours other than the standard daylight hours (7/8 am – 5/6 pm).

In most cases, shift work is synonymous of irregular, odd, flexible, variable, unusual, non-standard working hours. 

Shift work is considered a risk factor for many health problems. It has many negative cognitive effects (e.g., learning and memory deficits, loss of attention and vigilance). In addition, rotating night shift work disrupts our circadian clocks which is associated with a higher probability of developing obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Shift work can also contribute to strain of marital, family, and personal relationships.

Shift work disorder

Shift work disorder occurs when you have difficulties adjusting to a work schedule that takes place during a time which most people sleep. When you have shift work disorder, there is a conflict between your body’s circadian rhythms and your work schedule. You may have to be at work when your body wants to sleep. Then when you have to sleep, you body expects to be awake.

People with shift work disorder may sleep up to four hours less than the average worker. Shift work disorder causes you to have trouble sleeping or be severely tired. The quality of sleep may be poor, and you may wake up feeling unrefreshed. You may feel fatigued or exhausted. This can hurt your performance at work, and can put you at risk for making a costly mistake or getting injured on the job.

Not everyone who does shift work has shift work disorder. Many people have difficulty initially adjusting to a new shift. If after several weeks you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep or you feel tired even after sleeping 7-8 hours, you may have shift work disorder.

The symptoms of shift work disorder usually last as long as you keep the shift work schedule. The sleep problems tend to go away once you begin sleeping at a normal time again. Some people may have sleep problems even after the shift work schedule ends.

Shift work disorder is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder. Your circadian rhythms are your body’s internal clock that signals when you are supposed to feel sleepy or alert. Your circadian rhythms operate on a roughly 24-hour schedule. Your body uses sunlight to determine how much of the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin it produces. In shift work disorder, melatonin production may occur when you need to be awake and alert for your job. Exposure to sunlight may prevent you from producing melatonin when you are supposed to sleep.

There are several variations of shift work schedules that can cause difficulties. This includes:

• Early-morning shifts
• Night shifts
• Overnight shifts
• Rotating shifts

Some people have a more difficult time with certain shift work schedules. Night owls may adjust more easily to working an evening shift than morning-types. Likewise, morning larks may have an easier time with early morning shifts. Many people have difficulty adjusting to overnight or rotating shifts.

Shift Work - Symptoms & Risks

Shift work disorder makes it difficult to get enough sleep each day. As a result, you may experience:

• Excessive sleepiness
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Lack of energy
• Difficulty concentrating
• Headaches
• Poor mood & irritability

Shift work disorder can also increase the risk for:

• Work-related injuries
• Costly mistakes at work
• Increased use of sick time
• Accidents related to drowsy driving
• Substance abuse due to use of drugs or alcohol to improve sleep

Increased long term health risks include:

• Frequent infections, colds and the flu
• Breast and prostate cancer
• High cholesterol levels
• Heart disease
• Obesity

Shift Work - Self Test & Diagnosis

Do you have a schedule that requires you to work when you would normally sleep?

Do you have trouble sleeping or are severely tired due to your work schedule?

Have you had this work-related sleep problem for at least one month?

Does this problem hurt your social, family or work life?

If your answer is yes to each of these questions then you might have shift work disorder. A board certified sleep medicine physician can provide you with methods to help your body adjust to your work schedule and to improve your sleep.

Before your appointment, the doctor will ask you to keep a sleep diary for two weeks. You will record when you go to sleep and when you wake up, along with how long you were awake due to difficulty sleeping. A sleep diary will help your sleep medicine physician see your habits and give them clues on what course of treatment to take. The physician will need to know your complete medical history. Be sure to inform him or her of any past or present drug and medication use.

Normally, a record of your sleep patterns and your work schedule is enough information. If the physician suspects other sleep disorders are causing your problems, you may have an in-lab sleep study or a multiple sleep latency test (MSLT).

Shift Work - Treatment

Bright light therapy

This involves exposure to a special artificial light at certain times to help reinforce your body clock and ease the transition to a new time zone. Schedule short sessions when you first wake up and midday. You can use a special light box, desk lamp, visor or dawn simulator for light therapy.

Sleep medications

Your doctor can prescribe for you a sleeping pill to help you get rest at the proper times. Sleeping pills may help you sleep better in the short term. Over a length of time you may develop a dependency or a tolerance. Many people also experience side effects when on sleep medications.

Melatonin

Melatonin supplements may help you adapt better to a shift work schedule. Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the brain’s pineal gland and considered a signal for when you body is supposed to sleep. Research suggests that a dose of 0.5 mg is just as effective as higher doses. Take melatonin several hours before you plan to sleep.

You can also follow these sleep tips:

• If you work rotating shifts, ask your manager to schedule a clockwise rotation. This means that your new shift will have a start time that is later than your last shift. It is easier to adapt to this type of rotation because it is easier to stay up late than to go to bed early.
• If possible, take a nap during a break in your shift or before reporting for a night shift. Even a nap of just 20 to 30 minutes can improve your alertness on the job
• Arrange for someone to pick you up after a night shift, or take a bus or cab home. Drowsy driving can put your life and the lives of other drivers at risk
• Try to keep the same schedule on work days and days off. Keeping a routine helps your body know when to be alert and when to sleep
• Plan ahead for a major change in a shift-work schedule. Begin to alter your sleep time a few days in advance. This will make it easier for your body to adjust. See the example below
• Use moderate amounts of caffeine to help you stay alert on the job. Stop drinking coffee in the later portions of your shift so that it does not disrupt your sleep when it is time to go to bed.
• Avoid exposure to sunlight if you need to sleep during the day. Wear sunglasses if you must go outside.
• Make sure others in your home are aware of your work schedule. They should keep the home quiet when they know that you need to sleep

Computer Workstations

Computer workstations have special considerations you should be aware of. The monitor and keyboard positions, lighting, and seating are especially important in preventing work-related MSDs ( Muscular System Disorders) and eye discomfort.

Shared workstations should be easily adjustable so the screen and keyboard can be at the proper level. Take a look at some specific workstation design considerations and problems/solutions for computer workstations.

There are five components of proper computer workstation design that you must address to maintain proper posture: the work surface; the keyboard; the pointing device or trackball; the monitor; and the chair.

1. Work Surfaces

• ·         Surface needs to be deep enough to allow proper keyboard positioning and to accommodate a monitor viewing distance of 18-24”.
• ·         Surface needs to be wide enough to accommodate keyboard, mouse, and reference material.
• ·         Surface height (or keyboard height independent of the main surface) should be adjusted for the user or adjustable for multiple users.
• ·         Avoid resting your wrists on a hard or sharp surface (use a wrist rest if necessary).
• ·         Leave enough leg room to allow your legs to move freely.

2. Keyboards

Keyboards should be thin and detachable. Must be positioned low enough to keep wrists straight, shoulders relaxed, and elbows angled between 90 and 120 degrees. (A wrist rest can help you maintain straight wrists.)

Alternative keyboards now on the market provide additional options which may alleviate discomfort.

3. Mouse or Trackball

• ·         Should be within easy reach and at the same height as the keyboard.
• ·         Trackballs may be a better alternative because they eliminate some arm movement required by the mouse.

4. Monitors

• ·         Should be positioned so that the top of the screen is slightly below eye level, for a viewing angle of about 30 degrees.
• ·         The viewing distance should be 18-24”.

5. Chairs

• ·         Should have adjustable back support that presses firmly against your lower back and extends at least up to mid-back.
• ·         Should have an easily adjustable seat height to permit your feet to rest flat on the ground with a knee angle of roughly 90 degrees. (some people might need a foot rest to achieve this angle.)
• ·         Should have a rolling, five-pronged base for stability and to prevent unnecessary twisting.
• ·         Should have adjustable padded arm rests to support the weight of the shoulders and the arm.
• ·         Should have an adjustable seat pan to allow the computer user to work comfortably in a forward or reclined position.

TLV (Threshold Limit Value)

Preface

Many toxic substances are commonly encountered in industry. The presence of toxic substances may be due to materials being stored or used, the work being performed, or may be generated by natural processes. Exposure to toxic substances can produce disease, bodily injury, or death in unprotected workers.

It is important to determine the amounts of any toxic materials potentially present in the workplace. The amounts of toxic materials potentially present will determine the procedures and personal protective equipment, which must be used. The safest course of action is to eliminate or permanently control hazards through engineering workplace controls, ventilation, or other safety procedures. Unprotected workers may not be exposed to levels of toxic contaminants, which exceed Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) concentrations. Ongoing monitoring is necessary to insure that exposure levels have not changed in a way that requires the use of different or more rigorous procedures or equipment.

Airborne toxic substances are typically classified on the basis of their ability to produce physiological effects on exposed workers. Toxic substances tend to produce symptoms in two time frames.

Higher levels of exposure tend to produce immediate and acute physiological responses, while lower levels of exposure over long periods of time may not produce physical symptoms for years.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a good example of an acutely toxic substance, which is immediately lethal at relatively low concentrations. Exposure to a 1,000 PPM (parts per million) concentration of H2S in air produces rapid paralysis of the respiratory system, cardiac arrest, and death within minutes.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a good example of a chronically toxic gas. Carbon monoxide bonds to the hemoglobin molecules in red blood cells. Red blood cells contaminated with CO are unable to transport Oxygen. Although very high concentrations of carbon monoxide may be acutely toxic, and lead to immediate respiratory arrest or death, it is the long term physiological effects due to chronic exposure at lower levels that take the greatest toll on affected workers. This is the situation with regards to smokers, parking garage attendants, or others chronically exposed to carbon monoxide in the workplace. Exposure levels are frequently too low to produce immediate symptoms, but small repeated exposures systematically reduce the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen,

This partial impairment of the blood supply may lead over time to serious physiological consequences.

Prudent monitoring programs must take both short and long-term exposures risks into account, so there are three independent exposure measurements and alarm types built into the design of all Biosystems toxic gas detectors.

Ceiling level

OSHA has assigned some, but not all, toxic substances with a ceiling level.

This is the highest concentration of a toxic substance to which an unprotected worker should ever be exposed, even for a very short time. Never enter an environment even momentarily when concentrations of toxic substances exceed the ceiling level.

Time Weighted Average (TWA):

TWA values are calculated by taking the sum of exposure during a workday to a particular toxic contaminant in terms of parts-per-million-hours and dividing by an eight-hour period.

Due to the fact that the TWA calculation involves the division of the sum of exposure by 8 hours, the TWA value varies with the length of the exposure as shown in the chart below.

 

Short Term Exposure Limits (STEL)

Toxic substances may have short-term exposure limits, which are higher than the eight hour TWA. The STEL is the maximum average concentration to which an unprotected worker may be exposed in any fifteen-minute interval during the day.

Any fifteen-minute periods in which the average STEL concentration exceeds the permissible level must be separated from each other by at least one hour. A maximum of four of these periods is allowed per eight-hour shift.