Week 3 – Broken and Frayed Cords

Why this week’s safety topic is important: Damaged electrical cords may result in injuries or fatalities due to electric shock and are a clear fire hazard. Cords are rarely come to mind as a workplace hazard, other than a tripping hazard, but may become damaged or brittle over time or due to unnoticed events.

How to identify this danger: Examine electrical cords regularly for missing groud (rounded third prong) plugs, worn spots, cracks, and exposed wiring. Locations where the cord is pinched between furniture or in a walkway should be examined particularly closely.

How to proactively address the hazard: Always treat cords with care. Avoid placing cords where they can be damaged by pinching from doors, equipment, and furniture. Never run a bare cord across a walkway, even under a rug as the insulation may be damaged by repeated abuse from people and rolling tools. If a cord must be extended across a travel path, use a device specifically designed for such a purpose that protects the cord. Always unplug devices by grasping the plug, never by jerking the cord as this can pull the insulation free from the plug, exposing live wires. Do not remove the ground plug from any cord to make it fit a two prong socket, instead plug the device into a grounded outlet or update the outlet by employing the services of a licensed electrician. If a cord is found to be damaged, unplug the cord, clearly mark the device as damaged so co-workers will not use the device unaware of the danger presented, then repair or replace the cord before using the device again.

For More Information:

www.compliance.gov/wp-content/.../03/fastfacts_damagedpowercords.pdf - US Congress Office of Compliance - Damaged Power Cords: Know your electrical supply cord

Week 2 – Buckle Up!

Why this week’s safety topic is important: Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of workplace fatalities. According to the Department of Labor, 882 workers died of injuries sustained in on the job vehicle accidents in 2009. For many workers outside the highest risk professions, driving is the most hazardous work activity they regularly conduct.

How to identify this danger:  Any operation of a motor vehicle, on-road or off, urban or rural, just around the corner or across the continent carries the potential for an accident. Short trips in the local area are often subject to complacency, time pressure, and distractions. ANY vehicle movement, as a driver or passenger, requires the same minimum safety precautions.

How to proactively address the hazard: While vehicle safety has improved dramatically over the years, seat belt use is still the single most effective way to limit or prevent injuries in a vehicle accident. Nationally, seat belt use is up to 88%. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that seat belt use may reduce the risk of injures in a crash by 50%. In addition to keeping you firmly in place within a vehicle during an accident, a seat belt restrains you in position in front of the steering wheel so that you can still control your vehicle in the event of sliding, a skid, or sudden braking. If you are the driver, set the example and buckle up immediately and do not proceed on the trip until all passengers have done so too.

For more information:

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/motorvehiclesafety/index.html - OSHA Safety and Health Topics – Motor Vehicle Safety

http://www.nsc.org/SAFETY_ROAD/DRIVERSAFETY/Pages/SeatBelts.aspx - National Safety Council  - Seat Belts