osh magazine

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: PPE for Extreme H2S Environments 12

INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE: Vibration Risk Assessment 28

HAND PROTECTION: Getting the Right Glove for the Job 42

FEBRUARY 2015 VOL. 84 NO. 2 | www.ohsonline.comBREAKTHROUGH STRATEGIES: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP

Prepare, Decide, and Act: First Aid & CPR in the Workplace

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FROM THE EDITOR

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VOLUME 84 NUMBER 2

EDITORIAL STAFF

EDITOR Jerry Laws

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INTEGRATED MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE-WEST Barbara Blake 972-687-6718

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PRESIDENT & GROUP PUBLISHER Kevin OGrady

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CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Henry Allain

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Michael J. Valenti

VICE PRESIDENT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & Erik A. Lindgren APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT

VICE PRESIDENT, EVENT OPERATIONS David F. Myers

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Jeffrey S. Klein

REACHING THE STAFFEditors can be reached via e-mail, fax, telephone, or mail. A list of editors and contact information is at www.ohsonline.com.

Email: To e-mail any member of the staff please use the following form: [email protected].

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4 Occupational Health & Safety | FEBRUARY 2015 www.ohsonline.com

Occupational Health & Safety (ISSN 0362-4064) is published monthly by 1105 Media, Inc., 9201 Oakdale Avenue, Ste. 101, Chatsworth, CA 91311. Periodicals postage paid at Chatsworth, CA 91311-9998, and at additional mailing offices. Complimentary subscriptions are sent to qualifying subscribers. Annual subscription rates payable in U.S. funds for non-qualified subscribers are: U.S. $79.00, International $149.00. Subscription inqui-ries, back issue requests, and address changes: Mail to: Occupational Health & Safety, P.O. Box 2166, Skok-ie, IL 60076-7866, email [email protected] or call 847-763-9688. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Occupational Health & Safety, P.O. Box 2166, Skokie, IL 60076-7866. Canada Publications Mail Agreement No: 40612608. Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to Circulation Dept. or XPO Returns: P.O. Box 201, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4R5, Canada.

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Timely Tips for Winter Safety

T he Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Admin-istration (MIOSHA) and the Michigan Workers Com-pensation Agency recently launched a Dont Roll the Dice with Snow and Ice public service campaign that offers tips for ensuring worker safety and reducing workers compensation costs during the winter, which can be a partic-ularly hazardous time for employers and employees. Accord-ing to the Accident Fund Insurance Company of America and United Heartland, during the winter, slips and falls represent one-third of all workers compensation claims in Michigan, the agencies reported.

Every employer should have an effective safety and health management system in place to protect its most valuable asset: its employees, said MIOSHA Director Martha Yoder. As part of this program, they should prepare for winter conditions and provide helpful information to their employees on how to avoid injury and illness.

Worker injuries can negatively affect a businesss bottom line, resulting in increased workers compensation and insur-ance costs, overtime, and lost work days for employees, WCA Director Kevin Elsenheimer added. By taking the proper safety precautions this winter, job providers can avoid nasty slips and falls that will cost them in the future.

Their campaign offers these recommendations: Keep all walkways cleared of ice and snow. Have de-icing products handy for hard-to-remove ice or snow. Make sure all walkways and passageways are clearly marked and well lit. Be careful of slippery surfaces inside buildings. Wear slip-resistant footwear. Practice safe walking on slippery surfaces by taking slow, small steps. Avoid carrying heavy loads that may offset your balance. Clearly mark or barricade hazardous areas. Wear sunglasses on sunny days to lessen winter glare. Take extra precautions when entering and exiting vehicles. Know the symptoms of frostbite and the first aid steps to address it.

JERRY [email protected]

By taking the proper safety precautions this winter, job providers can avoid nasty slips and falls that will cost them in the fu-ture, Michigan Work-ers Compensation Agency Director Kevin Elsenheimer said.

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TABLE OF CONTENTSFEBRUARY 2015 | Volume 84, Number 2 | www.ohsonline.com


featuresRESPIRATORY PROTECTION

12 Respiratory Protection in Extreme H2S EnvironmentsGiven the health hazards caused by H2S, it is of the utmost importance to select a respirator that allows for appropriate protection based on the work environment and correlating standards and guidelines that vary globally. by Eric Dzuba

DEFIBRILLATORS & CPR/NATIONAL HEART MONTH

16 Automated External Defibrillators Deploying SlowlyTwo-thirds of SCA deaths occur without any prior indications of heart disease. by Jim Madaffer

18 Prepare, Decide, and Act: First Aid & CPR in the WorkplaceFailure to act in a cardiac emergency can result in a preventable death. by Kostas J. Alibertis

VISION PROTECTION

22 Hidden Benefits of Vision Protection ProgramsThis is an essential PPE category, of course. Leadership from the top and from the employee ranks is vital for maintaining a successful program. by Linda J. Sherrard

INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE SPECIAL SECTION 27

28 Vibration Hazards in the Workplace: The Basics of Risk AssessmentRepeated exposure to high levels of vibration is known to cause injury to workers over time. by Rob Brauch

32 Temporary Area Monitoring 101Area monitors can be placed to create a buffer between hazards and people, so they know what they are heading into or what is coming their way. by Josh Futrell

DRUG TESTING

36 Innovative Technology Helps Combat Drug UseFor employers, especially those with workers in safety- sensitive positions, it is critical to identify illicit drug users. by Sheryl Maddox

HAND PROTECTION SPECIAL SECTION 41

42 Gloves That Fit the Worker and the JobMatch the level of cut protection to that of the immediate hazard level at hand. by Shelly Baize

46 Infection Prevention: The Role of Proper Hand HygieneExperts view hand washing as the single most important way to stop the transmission of disease from one person to another. by Lindsay Tippin

ERGONOMICS

50 New NIOSH Booklet Aids Retailers on ErgonomicsAccording to NIOSH, equipment showcased in it may also support a retailers growing internet sales that depend on moving large quantities of merchandise often with fewer employees. by Jerry Laws

SIGNS & SIGNALS/LABELING

51 GHS Deadline Approaching FastBusiness and contractors continue to prepare for OSHAs HazCom 2012 regulation. by Jordy Byrd

departments4 From the Editor8 Newsline54 Practical Excellence by Shawn Galloway56 New Products63 Product Spotlights64 Literature Library64 Classifieds65 Advertiser Index66 Breakthrough Strategies by Robert Pater

Find OHS on: Twitter http://twitter.com/OccHealthSafetyFacebook http://facebook.com/ohsmagSafety Community http://www.safetycommunity.com/profile/OHSMagazine

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION

18

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42

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Soft cushion-ribbed open air headband for cool comfort all day long Overmolded headband is durable for rugged wear over many shifts Larger ear cushions allow freedom to fit almost all ears comfortably Lightweight wire frame allows easy cup adjustment yet holds its position for lasting comfort Cool looks and comfort to promote worker acceptance and compliance Extra soft foam/low pressure cushions and headband are PVC-Free Glossy surface for easy cleaning and longer wear Independently tested NRR for protection you can count on MX-6 features exclusive waffled cup foam for superior NRR protection MX-5 NRR 27dB / MX-6 NRR 30dB

MX Series Premium Earmuffs

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NEWSLINE

www.ohsonline.com


ADVISORY BOARD

Leo J. DeBobes, MA (OH&S), CSP, CHCM, CPEA, CSC, EMT

Stony Brook University Medical CenterStony Brook, NY

Scott LawsonThe Scott Lawson Companies

Concord, N.H.

Angelo Pinheiro, CSP, CRSP, CPEASenior HES ProfessionalMarathon Oil Company

Houston, Texas

William H. Weems, DrPH, CIHDirector, Environmental & Industrial Programs

University of Alabama College of Continuing StudiesTuscaloosa, Ala.

Barry R. Weissman, MBAPrincipal

Weissman ConsultantsPiscataway, N.J.

Henry Wright, MBA, CFPSSenior Vice President & Director Risk Solutions

BB&T Insurance Services Inc.Charlotte, N.C.

On the MoveRome, Ga.-based Apollo Performance Gloves (www.apgloves.com) recently an-nounced Ted Buck had joined the com-pany as vice president of sales. Buck has more than 25 years of experience in the safety industry, includ-ing serving as director of national accounts for IBC, a national buying group for independent distribu-tors and manufacturers. He also worked for ORR Safety Corpora-tion, a national distributor of occupational safety products, and for Schneider Electric. He earned a bachelors of science degree in Safety Management from Indiana State University. Kirby Blalock, Apollos presi-dent, said adding Buck is part of the com-panys aggressive strategy to proactively promote and penetrate the industrial hand protection market. Buck has years of ex-perience in all levels of the industry, which brings tremendous value to our distributors and end user customers. With his addition, we are anticipating significant growth in our hand protection business, Blalock said. . . . Donovan Baker recently joined Ergo-dyne in the position of Eastern Regional sales manager. He has 17 years of prior in-dustry experience, most recently working as national account manager for Salisbury by Honeywell. Based in North Carolina, Baker will support Ergodynes end user customer base, independent manufacturer representative groups, and distributor partners throughout the Eastern region. We are excited to have a focus in the ever-growing and extremely important Eastern sales region, said Mark Lindstrom, senior vice president of sales at Ergodyne. Not only will he support our on-the-ground troops by expanding the reach of our FR collection, but his flame resistance PPE know-how gives us an ex-tra boost of street cred. . . . Donald J. Caracciola, a clinical pharmacist who contracted cancer after 30 years of working with hazardous drugs, attended an Equashield-sponsored Key Opinion Leaders event in Miami Beach, Fla., on Oct. 25, 2014, where he said closed system transfer

devices could have prevented his illness. At the event, pharmacy directors at some of the countrys largest hospitals and cancer treatment centers discussed strategies for raising awareness of the dangers associated with hazardous drug exposure and the ben-efits of using protective measures. . . . Spe-cialty chemical company Eastman recently elevated Daniel McManus to industrial and institutional industry manager. He had joined the company in 2010 as an account manager; McManus will lead an expanded program dedicated to the institutional and industrial cleaning market. . . . Jeffrey Young is serving as president-elect of the International Association of Healthcare Security and Safety this year, after ballot-ing for the associations board took place last fall. Young is the executive director of Lower Mainland Health (British Colum-bia), Integrated Protection Services, and will be only the second Canadian IAHSS president in the history of the association. Serving as vice president-secretary of the association this year is Bernard Scaglione, who is the director of Healthcare Secu-rity Services for G4S Secure Solutions. . . . California Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. appointed Juliann Sum as chief of the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) on Dec. 3, 2014; she had served as the agencys acting chief since September 2013. I am grate-ful for the opportunity as division chief to maintain and enhance safe workplaces and practices for workers and employers in California, Sum said after being sworn in. We will continue to consistently enforce Cal/OSHA standards, develop new stan-dards based on scientific data and practi-cal experience, and collaborate with labor and management organizations. Califor-nia Labor and Workforce Development Agency Secretary David Lanier said the agency has made great strides under Juli-anns leadership. She has helped strengthen workplace safety laws, improved commu-nication throughout the division, and has secured additional resources for the divi-sion through her steadfast advocacy. Sum joined the states Department of Industrial Relations, of which Cal/OSHA is part, in 2012 as a special advisor to its director, Christine Baker. She previously was proj-ect director with the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment at UC Berkeley, and an attorney and industrial hygien-

ist with the Labor Occupational Health Program. . . . 3E Company announced in December 2014 that it had opened a new office in Tokyo. 3E is committed to serving the needs of our growing global customer base. Establishing an office in Tokyo is an important component of our global expan-sion strategy, said Uday Virkud, president and CEO of the company. Our new Tokyo office will serve as a strong foundation for all of our growth initiatives in Japan and the Asia Pacific region, including increased customer support, expanded business de-velopment, and further enhancing our col-laboration with The Chemical Daily Co., Ltd., and its Chemicaldaily Regulatory Info-Center Co., Ltd. (CRIC) expert regu-latory unit. The announcement said 3E has appointed Masayuki Arai as Asia Pacific business development manager, reporting to Matthew Johnston, who is director of global business development. . . . Dr. Ra-hul Gupta took over as commissioner of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Bureau for Public Health and as State Health Officer, effec-tive Jan. 1, 2015. He replaced Dr. Letitia E. Tierney, who resigned effective Dec. 31, 2014. Dr. Gupta is a well-respected and established public health professional, said DHHR Cabinet Secretary Karen L. Bowl-

TED BUCK

APOLLO

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DONALD J. CARACCIOLA

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ing, who announced Guptas appointment. His vast experience and wealth of knowledge will greatly benefit DHHR, as will his relationships with officials in government and the medical com-munity. Guptas previous positions include serving as the execu-tive director of the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department and as an assistant professor of medicine at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn., and an assistant professor of medicine at the Uni-versity of Alabama-Birmingham. . . . Atlas Copco Construction Equipment announced its hiring of Frank Lang as business devel-opment manager of national rental accounts. Lang helps expand Atlas Copcos rental support network and is responsible for developing relationships and sharing his product expertise with national rental companies. He has more than 34 years of experi-ence in the construction rental industry, having been director of national accounts at H&E Equip-ment Services. Franks years of experience and knowledge of the construction rental industry will continue to propel us forward, and we couldnt be happier to have him on our team, said Brian Bieller, vice president of business development for Atlas Copco Construction Equipment. . . . DSM Dyneema has designated JS Gloves as its first Premi-um Manufacturing Partner for cut-resistant gloves in Europe. JS Gloves (www.js-gloves.eu) was founded in 1983 and is based in Milanwek, Poland. It specializes in the manufacture of protec-tive gloves and sleeves.

Awards & Recognition The International Safety Equipment Association, ISEA, hon-ored NIOSH Associate Director Christine Branch, Ph.D., with the Robert B. Hurley Distinguished Service Award during the associa-tions 2014 Fall Meeting. The three-day December 2014 event took place at the Westin Hotel in Alexandria, Va.

Cargill Plant Reaches 6-Million-Hour MarkCargill announced in December 2014 that its Friona, Texas, beef processing plant, which employs more than 2,000 people and pro-duces nearly 900,000 tons of beef per year, had amassed 6 million worker hours without a lost-time injury. The plant had last record-ed a lost-time injury in June 2013.

We expect everyone who works at this plant to return home to their families in the same condition as when they left for work that day, said General Manager Matt Leu. Creating and maintaining a safety culture requires that each person who works here to look for opportunities to continuously improve safety and work to minimize the potential for lost-time injuries. That requires focus in an environment where theres a lot of ma-chinery with moving parts, heavy beef carcasses moving through the facility, and many activities requiring precise mo-tion by people using knives, saws, hooks, and other equipment required to do their job. We care about each other and are vigi-lant to ensure people do not get hurt.

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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION


H ydrogen sulfide (H2S) poses an exceptional-ly high risk for industrial workers, especially those in the oil and natural gas industry. Oil fields rich in sulfur and H2S can lead to con-tamination of the ambient air, causing health prob-lems or even fatalities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 64 fatal occupational injuries involving H2S from 2003 to 2012.

While NIOSH, OSHA, and ACGIH guidelines and standards were developed to protect workers from this life-threatening gas and other work site hazards, it is important to supplement these proto-cols with additional safety measures and the right protective equipment. This is especially critical when workers find themselves in hazardous environments, such as sour gas-containing oil fields. Therefore, it is imperative that companies conduct their own risk as-sessments and testing, beyond implementing baseline industry measures. This will help to ensure they are maximizing worker safety through the proper tools and education, which will coincide with the minimi-zation of incidental H2S exposure.

Identifying On-site Risks and Determining Proper ProtectionWhen determining how to minimize the effects of H2S exposure, it is essential to identify potential on-site sources. According the U.S. Environmen-tal Protection Agency, 90 percent of H2S is created naturally, occurring at crude petroleum and natu-ral gas deposits or stagnant bodies of water, such as swamps. H2S results from the breakdown of organic matter. The remaining 10 percent of H2S is man-made, found in the oil and gas, chemical, and pulp and paper industries.

The dangers associated with H2S can be life-threat-ening and depend on the concentration of exposure. For example:

.13 ppm: For H2S, this is the threshold of odor detection.

10-100 ppm: Eye and throat irritation and headaches can occur after one hour of exposure. With continued exposure, a worker may experience nausea, dizziness, coughing, and vomiting.

700-1,000 ppm: H2S can cause unconscious-ness and immediate collapse within one or two

breaths. Fatality is possible at this level if the worker is not removed from exposure.

1,000-2,000 ppm: Nearly instant death occurs. 45,000 and 450,000 ppm: Concentrations at

this level can trigger an explosion.Given the health hazards caused by H2S, it is of

the utmost importance to select a respirator that al-lows for appropriate protection based on the work environment and correlating standards and guide-lines that vary globally. For example, if the work site is based in the United States, OSHA regulations should be followed, and respirator selection will be based on the maximum use concentration (MUC). This is cal-culated by multiplying the assigned protection factor (APF) by the recommended exposure limit (REL). The APF of a certain class of respirators can be found in OSHAs standard 29 CFR 1910.134, and the expo-sure limits can be found in NIOSHs Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards.

Using this formula for H2S exposure, the following respirator types are suggested for the following spe-cific concentrations:

0-10 ppm: No respirator is needed, below the recommended exposure limit (REL).

10-100 ppm: Powered Air-Purifying Respira-tor (PAPR), Full Face Mask Cartridge Respirator, or Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBA).

100-100,000 ppm: SCBA or Supplied Air in positive pressure mode.

In tandem, you would be smart to conduct your own risk assessment or use a pre-defined checklist of criteria, such as the following NIOSH Respirator Se-lection Logic1:

General use conditions, including determina-tion of contaminant(s);

Physical, chemical, and toxicological proper-ties of the contaminant(s);

NIOSH recommended exposure limit, OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL), American Confer-ence of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Thresh-old Limit Value (TLV), or other applicable occupa-tional exposure limit;

Expected concentration of each respiratory hazard;

Immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) concentration;

Oxygen concentration or expected oxygen concentration;

Eye irritation potential; and Environmental factors, such as the presence of

oil aerosols.Through using this initial assessment, companies

will find that they are on the right path to identifying the most optimal respirator for their work site.

Respiratory Protection in Extreme H2S EnvironmentsGiven the health hazards caused by H2S, it is of the utmost importance to select a respirator that allows for appropriate protection based on the work environment and correlating standards and guidelines that vary globally.BY ERIC DZUBA

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www.ohsonline.com 13

What If Workers Could Be Exposed to More Than 100,000 ppm?In some circumstances during drilling op-erations or work-overs of low-producing wells, there could be releases of H2S that well exceed 100,000 ppm. As a company, it is important to perform a risk analysis to de-termine what the potential exposure levels could reach. If it is determined that work-ers could be in environments that exceed 100,000 ppm, how can you be sure they are still protected, given that the current guide-lines recommend only up to 100,000 ppm?

Some manufacturers have performed additional testing on their breathing appa-ratuses to see whether they still protect at higher levels. If they have, ensure the test-ing was based on a Simulated Workplace Protection Factor (SWPF). If the respirator was tested only with aerosols, this would not represent the molecular characteristics of a gas and should not be used as an evalu-ation for H2S protection.

An SWPF would involve:A study, conducted in a controlled

laboratory setting and in which Co (the concentration of an airborne contaminant, e.g., hazardous substance outside the respi-rator) and Ci (the concentration inside the respirator) sampling is performed while the respirator user performs a series of set exer-cises. The laboratory setting is used to con-trol many of the variables found in work-place studies, while the exercises simulate the work activities of respirator users.

To mimic the specific safety challenges that occur during H2S exposure, con-sider using sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), as it behaves similarly to H2S. For example, a third-party test was conducted in a labo-ratory setting using sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) to measure the SWPF for a leading safety solution companys full face masks. Using five head forms that were created based on more than 3,000 3D head scans, six test exercises were conducted to simu-late an escape situation. The SCBAs were tested against current industry standards, which require an APF of 10,000, as well as the new ISO RPD standard that will be re-leased in 2016. The PF of the tested masks fell between a minimum mean of 152,000 and a maximum mean protection factor of 524,000, with the lowest recorded PF being 100,000. Going back to the MUC formula (MUC = APF x REL), this means that the

SCBA provides protection in concentra-tions well above industry standards.

Note that these tests do not replace OSHA standards and guidelines, but should be used to know that in case of an unexpected high concentration release of H2S, your workers can be protected until they get to a safe zone. If this will be part of your risk assessment or procedures, ensure that you receive the manufacturers test re-sults for backup.

As more advanced technology able to withstand the most extreme environments

becomes increasingly available, it is critical that companies consider investing in these devices. Not only will the investment dem-onstrate a companys passion for its work-ers safety, but also it could ultimately save its most valuable asset, its workforce, in the event of an H2S incident.

Eric Dzuba is the Global Business Manager for Drger Safety (www.draeger.com).

www.enconsafety.com/ohsng2For More Information:1(800) 283-6266

Spentex NG2 FR everyday work wear from Encon outperforms traditional FR fabrics in weight, breathabilty and moisture wicking.

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REFERENCES1. www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2005-100/pdfs/2005-100.pdf



RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

OSHAS OIL & GAS WELL DRILLING AND SERVICING ETOOLThe OSHA Oil & Gas Well Drilling and Servicing ETool (https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/oilandgas/index.html) addresses hydrogen sulfide hazards in its General Safety section. This section explains that H2S gas is highly corrosive and causes metals to become brittle, so employers must take special precautions when selecting equipment they reasonably expect to encounter it. OSHA says all well-drilling sites should be classified according to areas of potential and/or actual expo-sure to H2S, and the safety recommendationssignage, alarm systems, gas detectors, SCBAs, and other safeguardsand employee instructions vary depending on the type of area. There are four hazard levels:

No Hazard Condition. Any well that wont penetrate a known hydrogen sulfide formation. American Petroleum Institute Condition I: Low Hazard. H2S atmospheric concentrations are less than 10 ppm. H2S

warning sign with green flag warning device present. Keep all safety equipment in adequate working order. Store the equip-ment in accessible locations.

API Condition II: Medium Hazard. H2S atmospheric concentrations are more than 10 ppm and less than 30 ppm. Legible warning sign with yellow flag warning device present. Keep a safe distance from dangerous locations if not work-ing, to decrease danger. Pay attention to audible and visual alarm systems. Follow the guidance of the operator represen-tative. Store in accessible locations an oxygen resuscitator and a properly calibrated, metered H2S detection instrument.

API Condition III: High Hazard. H2S atmospheric concentrations are more than 30 ppm. Post legible warning sign with red flag warning device. Post signs 500 feet from the location on each road leading to the location, warning of the H2S hazard. Check all H2S safety equipment to ensure readiness before each tour change. Establish a means of communica-tion or instruction for emergency procedures and maintain them on location, along with contact information of persons to be informed in case of emergency. Ensure usability of two exits at each location. Do not permit employees on location without H2S training. (Employees may be permitted on location for specific H2S training purposes that does not include general rig training.) Pay attention to audible and visual alarms. Two H2S detectors should be present; respiratory protec-tion required if periodic testing indicates employee exposures to H2S at concentrations above the PEL; oxygen resuscita-tor; three wind socks and streamers; two 30-minute SCBAs for emergency escape from the contaminated area only.

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TM



S udden Cardiac Arrest. Read the daily news and you will recognize these three words. SCA kills an estimated 7 million worldwide and 460,000 in the United States each year, according to the American Heart Association.

SCA kills more people than Alzheimers disease, assault with firearms, breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, diabetes, HIV, house fires, motor vehicle accidents, prostate cancer, and suicides com-bined, according to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foun-dation (SCAA).

Having an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) nearby when SCA strikes increases the sur-vival rate by nearly 70 percent. This begs the question, why dont we see more AEDs? While fire extinguish-ers are required everywhere, most paramedics and firefighters will tell you theyve used an AED far more often than a fire extinguisher.

Despite slow deployment, these lifesaving devices are seeing more support across the country. Some state and city governments now require the placement of AEDs, while others have passed laws protecting AED owners and enablers. Travelers see them in air-ports and more frequently in government buildings and businesses. The tide is turning to the point that not having an AED could result in potential liability.

What exacly is SCA? Its different than a heart at-tack. SCA, or ventricular fibrillation, occurs when the electrical system of the heart short circuits, caus-

ing the heart to quiver rather than pump in a normal rhythm. Most of the time, it takes a sudden shock from a defibrillator to get the heart back in sync and pumping again. SCA is different from a heart attack, which is usually a plumbing problem (blockage, con-striction, etc.) But those who have heart disease are at higher risk of SCA. Here are some other eye-opening statistics from SCAA:

There are a reported 1,000 SCA-related deaths each day26 of which are children.

Some 120,000 women die from SCA each year. Two-thirds of SCA deaths occur without any

prior indications of heart disease. 95 percent of victims die from SCA because of

the lack of timely medical attention. Finally, SCA can happen to anyone, even those

who have no sign of heart disease.Despite these facts, many victims of SCA can be

saved if more AEDs are deployed. Reports show that when AEDs are used within the first minute, a victims heart will start again. The difference between life and death is minutes: The chance of survival from SCA is reduced by 10 percent for every minute defibrillation is delayed. That is a shocking statistic, considering that the average response time for first responders is eight to 12 minutes in the United States.

AED LawsAED laws vary from state to state. Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, New Mexico, and Rhode Island mandate the use of AEDs. Oregon requires AEDs in all large facilities, such as movie theaters, warehouses, and big-box stores. AEDs are required in schools in 19 states. Most noteworthy is Oregon, which requires AEDs in all public and private schools, including campuses of higher education. The Federal Cardiac Arrest Survival Act was signed by President Bill Clinton in 2000 and requires AEDs in federal facilities.

There is also progress at the local level. For ex-ample, the City of San Diego passed an ordinance in November 2008 mandating AEDs in most new build-ings and a requirement to train someone to use them. The ordinance was the first of its kind in the state of California. San Diegos law and the San Diego regions public access to defibrillation program (San Diego Project Heartbeat) are credited with saving many lives in the coastal city.

Following San Diegos lead, at least three other major U.S. cities have enacted laws mandating AEDS:

The City of New York passed a local law in 2005 requiring the placement of AEDs in nursing homes, senior centers, stadiums and arenas, and city parks.

The Chicago City Council passed an ordinance in 2011 requiring AEDs in buildings operated by the City of Chicago, Chicago Public Building Commis-

Automated External DefibrillatorsDeploying SlowlyTwo-thirds of SCA deaths occur without any prior indications of heart disease.BY JIM MADAFFER

Continued on page 62

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CPR quality is crucial. In systems that have focused on improving CPR quality, both in and out of the hospital, survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest have doubled, or even tripled.1,2

When it comes to assisting rescuers in providing the best CPR possible, no one is more experienced or can offer you as much as ZOLL.

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1 Bobrow BJ, et al. Ann Emerg Med. 2013 Mar 7. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2012.12.020. [Epub ahead of print]. 2 Sell RE, et al. Circulation. 2009;120 (18 Supplement): S1441.

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A t John Wiley & Sons headquarters in Hoboken, N.J., there are eight floors, each housing between 100 and 150 employees in a labyrinth of cubicles and offices. Like many workplaceswhether in multistory buildings or sprawling suburban campusesit can be difficult to navigate quickly for first-time visitors. Each floor has a different layout, so I often consult a floor plan before I go up to a different floor, said Laurice Riley, a senior security specialist for the publishing company.

In a medical emergency, getting help quickly to

a person in need is critical to survival, and seconds count. At one point it took 10 to 15 minutes for EMS to respond to this area, so having someone on site who can help in any type of emergency is extremely important, Riley said.

First Crucial MinutesResearch shows that patient outcomes are better when CPR is administered in the first four minutes (or sooner) of a cardiac emergency. Even if the emergen-cy is witnessed and help is called immediately, those

Prepare, Decide, and Act: First Aid & CPR in the WorkplaceFailure to act in a cardiac emergency can result in a preventable death.BY KOSTAS J. ALIBERTIS

AMER

ICAN

HEAR

T ASS

OC

IATION

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www.ohsonline.com FEBRUARY 2015 | Occupational Health & Safety 19

four minutes can easily evaporate before emergency medical crews arrive.

In a best-case scenario, the call to the 911 dispatcher will take 30 to 90 seconds to be processed. Once an EMS team is con-tacted, it can be another one and a half to two and a half minutes before its en route. Much of the crucial four minutes can be used up before an ambulance or fire truck even starts its engine, and then theres still travel time and the time it takes to get into a building and to the person who is experi-encing an emergency.

Unfortunately, the longer it takes for CPR to be initiated, the less chance it will be successful. Thats why a workplace CPR and first aid training program is so critical to employee safety. A trained employee can often intervene quickly and prevent some-thing major from happening. Failure to act in a cardiac emergency can result in a pre-ventable death.

Building a Robust ProgramHaving someone prepared to start CPR or provide other aid in an emergency takes careful training, planning, and practice. Cardiac emergencies are only one part of a comprehensive CPR and first aid program. Basic first aid skills are another important part of mitigating what could become a more serious injury or medical emergency.

A good workplace CPR and first aid training program includes several key com-ponents and can include course materials that are presented online or in a classroom setting. Whether employees prefer an on-line or in-person course for written materi-als, the training should also include hands-on practice and skills testing. Typically, program components include:

First aid basics Medical emergencies Injury emergencies Environmental emergencies Adult CPR and automated external

defibrillator (AED) useRobust programs train employees how

to recognize various types of emergencies and first aida crucial component that goes hand in hand with knowing what ac-tion is needed. In the case of allergic reac-tions, for example, a good program will help trainees understand both how to iden-tify that the emergency is happening and how to assist the person in administering an epi-pen to deliver a lifesaving dose of

Epinephrine, if necessary.Helping the person in need is just one

part of the training programs. Todays first aid programs also teach how to plan for an emergency and make sure the scene is safe, thereby preventing injury to others.

Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States, and effective CPR can double or triple a victims chance of sur-vival, making CPR and use of an AED a cornerstone of any first aid program. Un-fortunately, 70 percent of Americans feel helpless to act because they were unsure of what to do, either not knowing how to administer CPR or because their training significantly lapsed.

The 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Car-diovascular Care recommended a C-A-B approach, prioritizing compressions when administering CPR. C-A-B stands for Ini-tiating Compressions to the chest to keep the blood pumping to vital organs, then opening the Airway and providing Breaths. Administering CPR to someone experienc-ing a cardiac arrest buys time, up to a 10 percent chance per minute, for an EMS team to arrive by keeping blood pumping to the vital organs, which improves the op-portunity for survival.

In many cases, a bystander can suc-cessfully resuscitate a cardiac arrest victim using CPR and an AED before an ambu-lance arrives.

Building Confidence to ActBut being prepared to act during an emer-gency isnt as simple as having read the training materials beforehand. Its crucial that employees feel confident about what they know so that they will take action. A key part of building that confidence is in-vesting time to develop the psychomotor skills to correctly perform in a stressful situation, something that requires regular training and practice.

In addition to classroom instruction, programs can offer a blended approach to training to those who want more options and convenience of both online and class-room learning. Students develop cognitive skills online or in the classroom, then prac-tice and test those skills with an instructor through hands-on training to better retain the knowledge. The hands-on training and practice are crucial to helping employees build lifesaving skills that they call on in

an emergency, something they can do by reflex or automatically without having to review a training guide first.

Its not enough to learn the informa-tion once. Maintaining those skills is cru-cial. Regular reviews of the information and drills to practice the hands-on skills are important to keeping the information top of mind. During stressful situations, many people have difficultly remembering information that isnt reinforced by hands-on practice.

John Wiley & Sons, which operates of-fices around the country, has maintained a CPR/AED and first aid training program for the last decade, offering employees courses that include hands-on training components. A family-owned company that is more than 200 years old, John Wiley & Sons considers regular, consistent CPR/AED and first aid training for employees to be an important part of employee safety and emergency preparedness. Its all about getting that repetition so that our people can fall back on that training, even if they havent had to use it, Riley said. We want to know that our employees will be able to jump in to respond.

A workplace program also should in-clude awareness campaigns to help all em-ployees recognize when an emergency oc-curs and how to get help quickly. At John Wiley & Sons Hoboken headquarters, key employees are trained for each of its eight floors, an important part of reducing the time it takes to get help when an emergency happens. Employees who have undergone CPR/AED and first aid training have special stickers at their workstations so their col-leagues can quickly identify who can help.

Responding to an emergency can be scary, so we want to make sure we have trained colleagues on each floor to get some-one there as soon as possible, said Riley.

For many people, the uncertainty of performing a skill correctly is enough to prevent them from taking any action. Per-formance is really dependent on employee confidence and feeling good about what they know they can do. Empowering all employees to be prepared to take action is important. Even someone who hasnt un-dergone CPR training may be able to ad-minister lifesaving compression-only CPR, guided over the phone by a 911 dispatcher, if action is taken quickly enough.

The biggest impact on improving sur-




vival for victims of cardiac arrest wont come from training more paramedics, nurses, or doctors. It will come from training laypeo-ple who are prepared to take action as bystanders when an emer-gency strikes. Emergencies can strike at any time, anywhere, and while EMS crews, firefighters, and police can provide important emergency response, having trained responders is a critical part of the Chain of Survival for emergency cardiac care. Training em-ployees to help in an emergency also creates a culture of supporting each other in a team environment, an important component for successful workplaces.

Employees have expressed more confidence in responding to emergency situations, both personally and in the workplace, Riley said.

CPR and first aid training programs certainly cost money, but its a minimal investment compared with the costs, both tangible and intangible, if a tragedy strikes and no one is prepared to help.

Creating Lifesaving Bystanders for the CommunityHaving a good training program in the workplace sends an impor-tant message to employees. It also prepares more people to act out-side the workplace if an emergency happens at home or somewhere else in the community. When someone must act, chances are the victim will be someone they know, love, or care about.

Companies taking time to train their employees also are in-vesting time to ensure more lifesavers are in their community. The

same team prepared in the workplace will now be more confident to help when they are shopping in grocery stores or playing in the community park. They will be ready to act in an emergency, and thats important for the community.

Those employees also will be prepared to act should an emer-gency take place at home, where a majority of cardiac arrests occur.

At John Wiley & Sons, the knowledge that they may be pre-pared to help their family members resonates strongly with em-ployees. Its not just something they can use at work; its something they can use in everyday life, Riley said.

Riley hasnt had to employ her CPR or first aid skills in an emer-gency situation, but she has heard from colleagues who were able to successfully turn to them in a crisis, including one who saved his daughter after she began choking while out to dinner. First aid and CPR skills are part of life safety, and you never know when youre going to need to draw on it, she said.

Kostas J. Alibertis is a 20+ year paramedic and training coordinator for the University of Virginia Health System and also is chief of the Western Albemarle Rescue Squad. He is regional faculty in Virginia and a national volunteer on the American Heart Associations Emer-gency Cardiovascular Committee.

The American Heart Associations Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED program includes information about key changes to how care is ad-ministered, based on the latest science and evidence-based guidelines.

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VISION PROTECTION


W hat is the role of safety in your vision protection program?Before you answer, consider a few areas to help assess your involvement in the planning/implementation of per-sonal protective equipment and how it translates into loss prevention. Whether your position is directly safety or in some other associated link in the chain, such as human resources, worker bee, maintenance, training and education, medical, insurance, line su-pervision, upper managementevery position at a facility that utilizes any type of vision protection is directly involved and accountable in some way.

What you do with this knowledge, how you expose everyone at the facility, and the method/tone you use will make or break your program. Consider the follow-ing to help ensure you are promoting a positive, ben-efit-driven image of your vision protection program:

Leadership from the top: Every worker at your facility knows within three minutes of talk whether the manager he or she is conversing with has a clue about the process they are looking at. Your top lead-ers have to understand and be candid about their strengths and backgrounds. No one is an expert at ev-erything, and your employees accept willingly when leaders admit this and ask questions. Great leaders know when to give advice and apply it to the process at hand and when to keep their mouths shut.

Leadership from the ranks: Do you and your upper managers listen to the workers with experience who actually use the equipment and do the work for an entire shift? Often they have excellent ideas and can save time, money, and make simple process changes that improve morale while reducing the potential for injuries. Your employees know when you treat them like little children (or, worse yet, like drones). In-volving them in the simplest of your safety programs gains their respect and opens the door to solid prob-lem-solving ideas on other topics.

Managers know the numbers: When asked, your workers comp rep knows the costs associated with eye injuries and how many lost work days per year they cause, as well as salary costs, long-term dis-ability, etc., and makes sure department managers know these data for their areas so that they can keep a

keen eye on specific processes. Beef up your training and new employee orientation. Drill it in; when there is an injury, it is every managers issue!

Safety matters: Is your program documenta-tion in order? Do you make a regular walk-through and follow up with corrective actions? Is your chemi-cal safety program up to date, and how about your first aid program, training, fire safety, and the slip, trip, and fall program? Make a list of every safety program that could apply to your employee vision protection initia-tive and start there. What about having a mentoring program on site? They work well in many industries.

Eye injuries: Detail every process that could possibly create the situation where an eye injury could occurnot just high-hazard items such as grinding or welding. Think about janitorial chemicals, floor strippers, etc. If it can splash, splinter, or fly, that is a good place to start. Every job needs to have not only a job description, but also a hazard analysis, which can change over time. (When was the last time your com-panys analyses were updated?)

All parts of the program in place and kept up to date: If you are struggling with this, call on consul-tants, trainers, and the vast array of educational ma-terials that are available. Chances are, you have many parts already in place; some may be in dusty cabinets or in stacks waiting for signatures.

An active training and learning environment, including a safety committee, teamwork, toolbox talks, is in use. Is it documented, timely, and appropriate for the work being done? Bilingual? User friendly? Adapt-able 24/7? Upgraded as processes or codes change? Do employees actually use it or sleep through it?

Problems are viewed as challenges to be re-solved, not barriers. Process changes occur all the time within most companies. Make sure there is a method for reviewing all of the conditions and new or unique hazards that may be createdwith each and every one afforded protection. This needs to be done before the first injury occurs, not as a follow-up. If you do not think your facility has any problems, you have many problems!

New products are introduced when possible and employees are given a choice of appropriate PPE for the job to facilitate comfort. However you want to introduce and discuss these new products is great. Some employers leave them out in break areas; oth-ers provide them at tailgate or toolbox talks as prizes. Others provide sample products at structured meet-ings with feedback. Do whatever works to get the products into the hands (and on the faces) of your workers. Many companies are going the extra mile and providing PPE such as safety sunglasses and

Hidden Benefits of Vision Protection ProgramsThis is an essential PPE category, of course. Leadership from the top and from the employee ranks is vital for maintaining a successful program.BY LINDA J. SHERRARD

0215ohs_022_024_Sherrard_v2.indd 22 1/21/15 1:03 PM

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VISION PROTECTION

faceshield for home use (weed-eating, lawn mowing, etc.), know-ing that reduced injuries at home mean increased work time. This is another benefit for your workplace, although hard to track.

Safety and corporate environments have moved (wonderfully, in my opinion) from the thou shall to the team oriented, we will attitude. The workplace is becoming more of a partnership alliance, with ultra-high-tech employees and management leading a posi-tive work environment. The safety professionals role is also chang-ing in this environment to one of providing more analysis and data management before the accident, rather than after the fact.

Our sage advice and overall goal is exactly the same: prevention of injury as a compassionate service, and there is not a better service toward others. You have to decide what role vision protection and safety will take at your facilitymake it a proactive one that pro-vides lasting benefits.

Linda J Sherrard, MS, CSP, is Safety Consultant II with the Central Prison Healthcare Complex, North Carolina DPS in Raleigh, N.C., and is the former technical editor of Occupational Health & Safety. She can be reached at [email protected]

2015 VISION PROTECTION PROGRAM CHECKLISTWhile no checklist is a substitute for a safety program, it serves as a reminder of areas on which to focus additional attention as you strengthen your safety leadership role. Consider the following on your own or in discussions with employees and/or your safety committee: YES NO You have an effective safety program on site. (The question has to be asked!) This includes all aspects of a functional safety program. Be honest with your evaluation, taking into account accident history, employee turnover, and associated costs. YES NO An assessment for possible eye injury hazards has been conducted at your facility. This in-depth assessment includes physical hazards and any process that may produce splinters, dust, chemical exposures, radiation hazards, or blood borne pathogens, as well as new, emerging hazards that are just now being discovered. YES NO Each position has been evaluated for duties that require vision/face protection. Do you have a full list of all positions at your facility? Is it updated as needed or when processes change? YES NO Your on-site workers compensation representative (or whoever maintains the OSHA logs) knows how to record injuries correctly and the protocol for reporting amputations, loss of eye(s), hospitalizations, and fatalities. YES NO There is a record of previous eye injuries and location/type of injury so that special consideration of duties can be evaluated to prevent future injuries. YES NO Updates to training and awareness for supervisors is provided after an injury occurs to make sure everyone is fully aware of such injuries and to reinforce the use of safe work practices and PPE on the job. Then, is each employee retrained as needed? Is this documented, and the documentation maintained? YES NO Employees and supervisors are fully trained on hazard potential, safe work practices for each job, and required PPE to protect vision and face while working. Is this done prior to start of the job or with on-the-job training? Are employees allowed to ask questions? YES NO Employees understand the danger of not wearing required PPE such as safety glasses, goggles, faceshields, or chip guards and types of injures that can occur. Do you have any type of disciplinary system for non-compliance and repeat offenders who do not wear required PPE? Is this documented? YES NO You ensure employees understand the use of systems for protection, such as wearing a faceshield and chemical goggles together for vision and face protection when needed with skills training? Classroom? Mentoring? YES NO You maintain a positive safety leadership attitude and follow the rules on the job. (Are you sure? What would your employees say about your attitude?) YES NO All levels of management wear PPE when needed. This includes upper management, safety, visitors, etc. Have all participated in the same training as on-site employees? YES NO As part of their training, each employee is shown how to use, wear, clean, and when to replace each item. Do you ensure employees are not teased for wearing PPE or replacing items? YES NO If more than one language is present in the workplace, training is conducted in employees first language or a translation is available to ensure understanding. YES NO Awareness items are also bilingual, if necessary, for employees. Are they updated? YES NO Employees are allowed the opportunity to ask questions concerning wearing, cleaning, and replacement of PPE for vision protection. YES NO Employees are aware of prescription safety glasses options available through work. YES NO There is appropriate first aid on site for an eye injury, and your first aid training is up to date. YES NO An accident investigation is initiated following all eye/vision injuries, and this is reported to management. YES NO Safety is called immediately after any serious injury. The supervisor is immediately made aware of any injury, serious or otherwise. YES NO Upper management is made aware of serious eye injuries and corrective actions taken, and the costs/treatment are tracked appropriately. YES NO Eye injury statistics and costs are tracked for increases/decreases on a regular basis. Is this information shared with employees for feedback? YES NO Purchasing statistics on type, cost, and replacement are tracked to monitor use and replacement so departments can monitor which products are working the best. YES NO There is regular reporting, such as quarterly or annually, of the costs/improvements or accidents involving eye protection, as well as injuries and long-term disability, if any.

0215ohs_022_024_Sherrard_v2.indd 24 1/21/15 1:03 PM

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With 3M, theres so much to see and we dont want you to miss a thing.For more insight, visit 3M.com/See3M

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The Supervisors Guide to Managing Safety in Operations

P A U L D . B A L M E R T

ALIVE AND WELLAT THE END OF THE DAY

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P A U L D . B A L M E R T

STUDY GUIDE FOR

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FEBRUARY 2015 VOL. 84 NO. 2 | www.ohsonline.com

Industrial Hygiene

Vibration Hazards in the Workplace

Temporary Area Monitoring 101

www.ohsonline.com FEBRUARY 2015 | Occupational Health & Safety 27

0215ohs_027_CoverIH_v2.indd 27 1/21/15 1:04 PM


Industrial Hygiene

Every day, much time and effort is spent on measuring vibration levels in factories, ve-hicles, buildings, and on other structures and machineseven products as diverse as computer hard drives and spacecraft as they are being designed, developed, and tested. Thousands of engineers, technicians, consultants, and machine designers have become expert at measuring how physical objects are affected by vibration. Yet an astonishingly small percentage of this expertise is focused on how vibration in the workplace causes serious injury in humansinjuries that could have been prevented with the right amount of knowl-edge and the application of a few simple guidelines. Lets examine how vibration in the workplace can be identified and its level of risk estimated or even quantified, in order to prevent potentially compen-sable injury from happening in the first place.

How Vibration Causes InjuryRepeated exposure to high levels of vibration is known to cause injury to workers over time. Based on exactly how these exposures intersect an indi-viduals work environment, they are classified into two general types: hand-arm and whole-body vi-bration. Hand-arm vibration exposure (HAV), be-sides being a known contributing factor to carpal tunnel syndrome and other ergonomic-related in-juries, causes direct injury to the fingers and hand, affecting feeling, dexterity, and grip. These injuries are debilitating and compensable. Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a consideration when deal-ing with higher than expected levels of low back pain and injury in the workforce and is one of the most pervasive causes of lost time and production output, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Some of the earliest diagnosed cases of injury directly attributed to working with hand-held power tools were identified by Dr. Alice Hamilton in the early 20th century, and she led the way in correlating these cases of Raynauds Syndrome of Occupational Origin (or what is often referred to as Vibration White Finger Disease, or VWF) to the use of pneumatic stone-chipping tools used in a lo-cal quarry. This opened the door to the study of the

relationship between high levels of vibration enter-ing the body and the resulting debilitating injuries that occur, some so severe that they have resulted in complete amputation of the fingertips.

So what exactly is going on that would cause the repetitive or cyclical mechanical motion of a tool (a/k/a vibration) to injure someones hand and fingers to the point of possible amputation? The human body is a remarkable structure built of multiple interconnecting systems, including the vascular system, which distributes oxygen and nutrients to tissues throughout the body, and the nervous system, which provides sensory input to our brain, as well as muscle control to everything from our heart to our fingertips and toes. Excessive levels of vibration can cause localized disruption of these functions, and a simplified way to envision the very complex biomechanical and biochemical processes that are thought to be at the root of the problem is to imagine the workings of the smallest structures in the vascular system, those very small vessels and capillaries that allow oxygen-rich blood cells to transfer that O2 to the surrounding cells and tissue structure that need it to survive.

Research has shown that vibration levels simi-lar to those found in hand-held power tools can decrease blood flow in the extremities; therefore, the body is less effective at transferring oxygen and other vital nutrients to those cells when they need it most. (Research in the medical field is ongoing and continues to uncover more understanding as to how this occupational disease occurs and progress-es, and researchers such as those at NIOSHs Health Effects Laboratory Division in Morgantown, W.Va. are studying the exact cause-effect relationships be-tween different levels of vibration and their effects on different parts of the body.) When less oxygen and fewer nutrients are transferred to the cells and tissues that need them, they can and will diewith nerve cells being perhaps the most vulnerable and first to exhibit cell death or necrosis. Ironically, then, the very cells in the hand and fingers that al-low us to feel and touch with great sensitivity and grip a tool for exacting control are the first to be killed off by excessive vibration exposure. In fact, when diagnosing HAV, doctors use a system that

Vibration Hazards in the Workplace:The Basics of Risk AssessmentBY ROB BRAUCH

0215ohs_028_030_Brauch_v2.indd 28 1/21/15 1:06 PM

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Industrial Hygiene

classifies the injury for both vascular and nerve damage components.

Common Sources of VibrationMany tools that are used regularly throughout multiple industries can and do cause injury from repeated use. Grinders, chipping hammers, sanders, pavement breakers, impact drills, air-powered wrenches, saws of all types, and even dental tools can all be sources of vibration that, if used repeatedly for long periods of time, could cause HAV injury. NIOSH has estimated as many as 1 mil-lion workers may be at risk of develop-ing symptoms. The latency period from continuous exposure to onset can be as little as two years or as long as 17 years, depending on the tools used and work performed. WBV becomes a concern when long periods of time are spent oper-ating vehicles such as forklift trucks, off-road haulers, mining machinery, paving machines, and even ferryboats and other common conveyances.

Risk Assessment in the WorkplaceIdentifying the potential for injury from vibration at work is relatively simple, and estimating the level of risk is possible even though actual exposure levels on any giv-en day are difficult to accurately quantify. Like many workplace hazards, the amount of risk is driven by time of exposure and magnitude of the vibration. The presence of vibration sources, typically hand-held, air- or electrically powered tools, is quick-ly determined through an inventory audit of equipment used on site, and a simple study of tool utilization gives a reasonable estimate of time of exposure.

Understanding whether the level, or amplitude, of the vibration poses signifi-cant risk is more difficult, but recent de-velopment of Manufacturers Directives by the European Union (EU) has led to tool suppliers disclosing the vibration emissions of their tools, such that safety professionals can easily research whether or not the tools on their job sites pose significant risk by reading the operators manual for the tool or vehicle in ques-tion. (It should be noted that these stated

levels are for tools that are in as new condition and have not been subjected to rough handling, abuse and wear of tool bits, etc., that would cause actual vibra-tion levels to be as much as 2x higher, in which case, estimates should be adjusted to account for this.) If the levels of vibra-tion are above the action level of 2.5 m/s2 (meters per second per second, a mea-sure of acceleration) for HAV or above .5 m/s2 for WBV, and the expected duration of exposure is close to a full work shift, then it is recommended that an exposure model be constructed by taking the aver-age time on task per day with that tool and computing the expected vibration dose contribution (sometimes called exposure points) for that task. Spread-sheets to make this calculation can be found on sites such as www.hse.gov.uk/vi-bration/hav/vibrationcalc.htm (HAV) and www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/wbv/calculator.htm (WBV).

Other risk factors that contribute to the probability of injury include work-ing in cold, damp environments; poor tool maintenance; and even tobacco use. Nicotine is a known vasoconstrictor that will reduce blood circulation in the ex-tremities even further, which exacerbates the problem and increases risk of irrepa-rable harm. Reports of workers suffering from a tingling sensation in the hands and fingers after using a piece of equip-ment can be another indicator of risk. If workers are complaining of whitening of the digits followed by a flushing effect, or pain and numbness occurring while off the job, the risk may be excessive and could have already resulted in some onset of injury, although it must be noted that these symptoms can be unrelated to their work, and instead is result of that person having Reynauds Syndrome, a naturally occurring condition (the cause of which is still unknown), which is present to some degree in roughly 5% of the popula-tion. The worker should be referred to a medical professional for diagnosis.

Exposure Assessment In cases where the estimated levels may be above the recommended daily

limits of 5m/s2 (HAV) and 1.15m/s2 (WBV) and where the work performed is ongoing and necessary, it may be useful to perform exposure assessment by obtaining one of the many vibration monitors that are commercially avail-able; but it is absolutely critical that the monitor chosen is built specifically to measure human vibration (as opposed to a machinery condition tester) and that it meets the ISO 8041 vibration monitor performance standard; a significant amount of study usually is needed before making measurements in the field with such devices. The placement, orientation, and mounting of the vibration sensor, or accelerometer, is important, as is the setup of the instrument itself to ensure the proper settings are applied.

Reducing and Eliminating RiskIf workers are truly at risk from excessive vibration, steps can be taken to reduce or eliminate that risk, including purchasing new tools that vibrate less and maintain-ing them to a high standard of perfor-mance. However, its virtually impossible to design certain types of tools to produce low vibration levels and still perform their intended task. When that is the case, limiting the amount of time a worker can perform the task is an acceptable alterna-tive, so job rotation may be an option.

Operator technique also can be used to reduce risk of injury, because the amount of grip force used and the way a tool is allowed to do the work can limit the amount of vibration energy entering the body (as opposed to forcing the tool through the work to attain faster results). For WBV, the type of tires and suspension used on a vehicle are important consid-erations, as are the seats and their adjust-ability. Lets not forget training; many workers may not be aware of the risks they face when working with tools and vehicles that produce vibration levels that seem harmless today but will over time, perhaps years or decades, severely impact their health and quality of life.

Rob Brauch is Business Unit Manager with Casella CEL Inc. (www.casellausa.com).

0215ohs_028_030_Brauch_v2.indd 30 1/21/15 1:06 PM

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Industrial Hygiene

Temporary area monitors help safety per-sonnel protect their workers from gas haz-ards in situations where permanently in-stalled fixed systems are not available. They can also be used in addition toor sometimes in substitution ofpersonal, portable gas monitors used as PPE. This happens most often when work occurs outside of normal operations in which the risks are higher and/or different: special projects, construction, maintenance, shutdowns, temporary sites or rigs, etc.

Knowing how to effectively use area monitors can be complex, especially for the workers who are placing the units in the field. If they make the wrong decisions, they could be exposed to, rather than protected from, potential hazards. While the technology has been around for well more than a decade, there are still many misperceptions related to the use of area monitors. This article will exam-ine some of the questions people commonly have about area monitoring:

What is the range of an area monitor?

Where should I put an area monitor? How many do I need? Is it better to use a pump rather than rely on

the air to come to the area monitor? Do I really need an area monitor when I

have fixed systems?

It All Starts with the SensorIf its called an area monitor, it must cover an entire area, right? It must have a range, right? Wrong. The sensor technologies most commonly used in the industry are point sensorsmeaning the sensor it-self has to come in contact with the atmosphere it is meant to measure in order to work.

Electrochemical sensors: Gas must come in contact with the sensors electrode (inside the sen-sor itself) in order to excite the chemical catalyst to cause a reading.

Catalytic bead (LEL) sensors: Gas must come in contact with the sensors bead (inside the sensor itself) to burn and cause a reading.

Infrared (IR) sensors: Gas must pass be-tween the infrared source and the signal detector (inside the sensor itself) to cause a reading.

Photoionization detection (PID) sensors: Gas must pass by the ultraviolet lamp to get ion-ized and detected (inside the sensor itself) to cause a reading.

The common theme is inside the sensor. These sensors have no idea what is going on outside of them, even just an inch or centimeter away. None-theless, gas sensors work. Why? Because of diffusion.

Diffusion is:The intermingling of substances by the natural

movement of their particles.Even in still air (without wind), molecules are

moving, bumping into each other, and spread-ing. Add to that air currents and the movement of people, equipment, machinery, etc., and the gas around us is constantly moving. Every gas detec-tor on the market is designed to allow gas to get in (while keeping water and dust out) with no trouble. Diffusion works.

Note: There are sensor technologies (e.g., open path, ultrasonic, etc.) that do not require the gas to physically enter the sensor to read. However, these are still not widely used in area monitoring for a variety of reasons.

Temporary Area Monitoring 101Area monitors can be placed to create a buffer between hazards and people, so they know what they are heading into or what is coming their way.BY JOSH FUTRELL

IND

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TRIAL S

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0215ohs_032_034_Futrell_v2.indd 32 1/21/15 1:07 PM

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Industrial Hygiene

The Range of an Area MonitorManufacturers sometimes give recom-mendations on how far apart to place area monitors if you want to cover a given area. These recommendations will range anywhere from 10 meters to 25 me-ters apart and will vary based on manu-facturer and environment. For example, outdoor units typically should be placed closer together because the wind/air movement makes the gas stay in a smaller line, whereas indoors the gas can disperse into a wide body.

It is important to note that these dis-tance recommendations are primarily based upon the nature of explosive gases. Explosive gas needs a certain concentra-tion in order to explode instead of burn. Imagine a small, highly explosive ball of gas about the size a soccer ball. If it comes in contact with a spark, it will ignite and burn off quickly and is highly unlikely to hurt anyone or damage property. Now, imagine a mass of gas the size of a soccer field. If it ignites, it is a big problem.

Studies have been done to gauge the size of an explosive gas cloud that causes an explosion versus a quick burst of flame. That is where the 10-25 meters recommendations for area monitors are coming from. That is how close they need to be in order to make sure a big, danger-ous, explosive cloud does not pass them undetected. But it still doesnt mean that area monitors have a range. And it does not necessarily translate when you are trying to de

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