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Staying Safe & Sound02-04-16 | News
Staying Safe & Sound
El Niño Stimulated Weather Calls for Safety



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A recent report from market research and analysis firm IBISWorld reminds that high-visibility uniforms are especially important in the rain, snow and fog of winter, and this year's El Niño stimulated weather calls for safety products with extra moisture and wetness protection to reduce the risk of accidents due to cold stress.


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The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute offers these tips for safe use of snow blowers:
  • Check the area for, and clear the area of, objects and debris hidden by snow.
  • Wear safety glasses and non-slip footwear.
  • Only use snow blowers in visible conditions.
  • Never throw snow towards people or moving cars.
  • Use a clean-out tool to unclog snow or debris from an auger or chute.
  • Use extra caution when changing directions on slopes.


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In the last 10 years, nearly 125,000 U.S. workers have suffered significant, permanent hearing loss according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. OSHA's pocket guide, "Protecting Yourself from Noise in Construction," provides much helpful information:
  • Hearing damage can occur at noise levels similar to that of running a lawn mower for eight hours.
  • The loss of hearing usually occurs slowly over time from exposure to moderate levels of noise.
  • The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends that exposures to noise should be below a level equivalent to 85 dBA for eight hours to minimize hearing loss.
  • If you have to raise your voice to be heard 2-3 feet away, you should assume that the sound level is at or above 85 dBA.
  • A personal noise indicator is a warning device that flashes green if the sound level is under 85 dBA and red when above 85 dBA.
  • Based on a number of sources (ANSI/ASSE, AIHA, School of Public Health at University of Washington) OSHA designates these sound levels (dBA):
    • Backhoe - 85
    • Forklift - 93
    • Concrete Saw - 98
    • Bulldozer - 100
    • Jackhammer - 102
    • Chainsaw - 110
  • Employers are responsible for providing adequate protective devices at no cost to employees and train them in their use (29 CFR 1926.101).
https://media.cygnus.com/files/base/FCP/document/2012/08/3498noise-in-construction-pock_10772434.pdf


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To help prevent workers being struck by construction vehicles, wearable technology is being developed. A prototype of a safety vest that incorporates GPS tracking and short-range communication to send warnings to workers and drivers has been designed and tested by a team of researchers and students at Virginia Tech. Real-world trials have been planned for what is now being called the InZoneAlert vest.

Currently on the market is the SiteZone Proximity Warning System, consisting of a small radio frequency transponder that workers wear on their hardhat or sleeve and a small unit attached to a vehicle that produces a detection zone around it. When a worker breaches that zone, both the driver and worker are alerted through vibration, audio or visual warnings, and optional external alarms installed on the equipment. Each incident is logged and the worker involved is identified. https://www.proximitywarning.com/








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