Operational Hazards

The overall objective for this module is that the participants will recognize general safety

hazards and safe work practices related to fixed facility work

Overview

Common safety hazards Safe work practices Preventing and treating heat and

cold stress Proper lifting and handling Confined space procedures

Expectations

Define a general safety hazard Identify general methods to prevent

accidents Recognize general safety-hazard

categories and related precautions Identify symptoms and prevention

measures for heat stress and cold stress

Expectations

Recognize biological hazards Recognize ergonomic hazards Identify general precautions for

confined space work Identify potential fire hazards and fire

prevention strategies

What is an Operational Hazard?

Operational Hazard

Anything on or around a work site which may compromise worker safety or health if appropriate control measures are not implemented

Prevention of Accidents

Aware of changing conditions Take initiative to correct potential

safety hazards Understand the task Watch for weather conditions, wind

direction and unusual odors

Ten Common Causes of Accidents

Poor instructions Poor planning Improper design Improper equipment provided or

used Failure to follow instructions

Ten Common Causes of Accidents

Neglect or improper use of equipment Faulty equipment Untrained personnel Uncooperative personnel Uncontrollable or unexpected outside

agents (e.g., weather or sudden illness)

DeathActs Conditions

Near Misses

Minor Injuries

Reportable Injury

Lost Time Injury

Death

Kn

ow

led

ge

Ab

ilit

y

Mo

tiva

tio

n

Des

ign

Mai

nte

nan

ce

Act

ion

o

fO

ther

s

Heavy Equipment

Small Power Tools and Equipment

Hand Tools

Lifting and Carrying

Compressed Gas Cylinders

Electrical Hazards

Site Hazards

Lifting Safely

Back injuries are the Nation’s

#1

Workplace Safety Problem

Lifting Safely Preparing to Lift

Clear obstacles away Heft to check weight

Performing the Lift Square with object Balance Squat, bend knees, grip object, tighten

abdomen

USE YOUR LEGS

Safe Lifting Tips

Don’t life objects over your head Don’t twist Pace yourself Don’t reach over an obstacle Follow your workplace safety guidelines

Common Site Hazards

Heat stress Cold stress Biological hazards Confined spaces

Heat Stress

Occurs within 15 minutes Factors to consider:

Poses serious health threats Environmental conditions (including

air temperature and humidity) Clothing Workload Individual worker characteristics

Forms of Heat Stress

Heat Syncope Heat Cramps Heat Exhaustion Heat Stroke Heat Rash Transient Heat Fatigue

Heat Syncope

Fainting Frequently occurs when a worker is

not acclimated to hot environments

Heat Cramps

Caused by excessive loss of salt during sweating

Symptoms Muscle spasms in the extremities,

abdomen, or back

Heat Cramps

Treatment Massaging the cramped muscles Replenishing the victim’s water and

electrolytes

Heat Exhaustion

Victim suffers from a severe lack of fluids and salts

Symptoms Pale or flushed skin Moist skin Headache Fatigue Nausea Normal or slightly elevated temperature Profuse sweating

Heat Exhaustion

Treatment Victim must rest in a cool place Drink water

Heat Stroke

Most severe form of heat stress Caused by a failure of the body’s

temperature regulation mechanism

Heat Stroke

Symptoms Absence or reduction of sweating Elevated body temperature Skin is red, hot, and dry Dizziness Nausea, Confusion

Treatment Medical attention as soon as possible

Heat Rash

Prickly heat and transpires in a hot, humid environment where sweat is unable to evaporate

Prevention Worker must periodically rest in a cool

place Skin must be bathed regularly and kept

as dry as possible

Transient Heat Fatigue

Causes temporary discomfort accompanied by mental and/or psychological strain, which affects task performance, coordination, and alertness

Treatment Lessened by gradual adjustment to heat

conditions

Prevention of Heat Stress

Maintain adequate water intake Take breaks in a cool place Learn the signs and symptoms of

heat stress and respond at the earliest point of detection

Schedule heavy work or work in PPE for cool times of the day

Move work location to shade or cooler area

Prevention of Heat Stress

Have workers drink 16 ounces of water before beginning work

Urge workers to drink a cup or two of water every 15 to 20 minutes

Weigh workers before and after work to determine if fluid replacement is adequate

Cold Stress

Superficial Frostbite Deep Frostbite Hypothermia

Superficial Frostbite

Characterized by the freezing of only the outer skin layer

Treatment Protect the exposed area by placing

uncovered fingers under opposite armpits or placing bare frostbitten feet under clothes or against the skin of a companion until pain returns

Superficial Frostbite

NOTE: DO NOT’S Warm frostbitten parts by massaging Expose to an open fire Soak in cold water Rub with snow

Deep Frostbite

Characterized by the freezing of tissue beneath the outer skin layer

Treatment Protect frozen parts from further cold

exposure Keep victim warm while being transported to a

hospital NOTE: Protect frozen parts from additional

injury Do not attempt to thaw them in the field

Hypothermia

Characterized by subnormal body temperatures

Treatment Keep victim warm Give warm beverages or soup

NOTE: Alcohol consumption increases risk

NOTE: Death can occur

Prevention of Cold Stress

Wear proper clothing Maintain a proper diet Use shelter Monitor worker’s conditions

Biological Hazards

Ticks Bees and Wasps Spiders and Scorpions Snakes Rabid Animals

Ergonomic Hazards

Study of how a human physically and mentally interacts with the workplace

Notify manager or supervisor of hazards

Material Handling

Use mechanical devices Drum dollies Pallet dollies Push carts and dollies so you can see

ahead and around the load

Material Handling

Do it the easy way Push rather than pull Bend your knees, not your back Step with legs, don’t rotate Use ladders for high loads Wear steel-toed boots Pick up stacks in two steps Don’t block your visibility

Container Handling

Hazard Recognition Detonation, fire and explosion Vapor generation Physical injury caused by lifting

improperly or moving containers

Container Handling

Drum Handling Safety Use forklifts, dollies and pallet jacks Wear protective PPE Check drum for sharp edges or rust Plan the move and clear obstructions Manually lift with good technique Do not handle or move if safety is

questioned

Confined Space Adequate size and

configuration for employee entry

Limited means for entry and exit, one and/or small openings

Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy, such as small utility spaces

Confined Space Permits

Contains or has the potential for containing a hazardous atmosphere

Contains a material that has a potential for engulfing an entrant

Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped

Contains any other recognized serious safety hazard

Atmospheric Hazards

Flammable gas in excess of 10% LEL Airborne combustible dust which

meets LEL Oxygen concentration below 19.5%

or in excess of 23.5% An atmosphere which could result in

employee exposure in excess of PEL

Other Potential Hazards

Mechanical Hazards Slips, Trips and Falls ART - There is an “art” to preventing

slips, trips and falls Awareness Responsibility Traction

Slips, Trips and Falls

Awareness Be alert throughout the workday Look ahead from the knee level Know where there are existing step

hazards Look for wet areas Look for obstructions and electrical

cords

Slips, Trips and Falls

Responsibility Everyone in the workplace must

assume responsibility for keeping a safe work area

One is more likely to be injured from a slip, trip, or fall than from hazardous chemicals

Take the time to remove the hazard or notify those who are able to do so

Slips, Trips and Falls

Traction Be aware of changing conditions Maintain good footwear with traction Enhance traction by using rough

surfacing, lowering slopes of ramps and replacing low-traction surfaces

Fire Safety (Uniform Fire Code)

Check with your local fire officials Flammables and combustibles may be

a large proportion of waste accepted Multiple hazards

PROPER STORAGE IS A MUST !