Safety Briefing

May 2019 Volume 2 Issue 3

Conney Safety, Madison, WI www.conney.com | 800.356.9100

Remember that famous scene in Gone with the Wind when Scarlett O'Hara falls down the stairs? A lot of people still cringe when they think about it. That's because stairway and stairwell injuries are a common cause of serious injury—and sometimes, even death. These types of personal injuries are more common than some people might expect. Both outdoor and indoor stairways are extremely common areas for trips and falls. Consider these statistics from the National Safety Council.

• Over 1 million injuries occur each year as the result of stairway falls

• Staircase and stairway accidents constitute the second leading cause of accidental injury, second only to motor vehicle accidents

• Each year, there are 12,000 stairway accident deaths These statistics are reminders that even just using a simple stairway can be quite dangerous. Fall down a staircase and more than 100 pounds of weight will fall with you. Never mind a broken arm or leg—you can break your neck or back very easily. What does all of this mean for the average person? These statistics reveal that falls down stairs, staircases, and stairwells are a very real problem in everyday life, both at home and in the workplace. Here at Conney Safety, we REQUIRE our employees to use the handrail every time they go up or down any staircase in our building (including our warehouse). If employee hands are full, we ask them to use the elevator. While we do put gritty

Stairway/Staircase Accidents

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

1. Stairway/Staircase Accidents

2. Inspection and Care of Rubber Goods

3. Driver Safety Stats & Guidelines

4. Fall Restraint vs. Fall Protection Lanyards

Page 2 Safety Briefing

(continued from page 1) traction strips on our main stairs, this extra grip to the shoes can potentially cause an employee to lose their balance. Be aware that you need to fully pick your feet up when traveling down stairs (as opposed to “sliding” your foot to the next step heading down). Also, always use an elevator if you feel dizzy, ill, or have some minor injury (back, legs, or feet) that might cause you some struggle when traversing the stairwell.

Inspection and Care of Rubber Goods Rubber goods such as electrical gloves, sleeves, and blankets are essential when an application calls for protection from live electrical current. These products must be handled and stored properly in order for them to be effective and last as long as possible. Here are a few guidelines for the proper handling and storage of rubber goods:

• Avoid contact with sharp objects, extreme heat, chemicals, and oils

• Do not fold rubber goods • Do not store gloves/sleeves inside

out • Always use leather protectors when

wearing electrical gloves • Store rubber goods in bags and

containers when not in use • Store rubber goods in cool, dark,

dry locations In addition, it is extremely important that rubber goods are visually inspected before first use, before each use, and after having been left unattended (required by ASTM F1236-96). An air test using an inflator is the best method for a visual inspection of electrical gloves. For a visual inspection:

• Check between fingers and cuff line

• Turn gloves/sleeves inside out and fully inspect again

• Roll blankets and inspect both sides and roll from different corners

Rubber goods can be compromised by wear and tear, age, extreme temps/temp changes, moisture, humidity, nicks, cuts scratches, mold, chemicals, foreign matter, snags, etc. Damaged goods should be taken out of service immediately and either sent to a testing facility or discarded. Here are just a few of the things to look for during a visual inspection:

• Age cracks (become worse over time)

• Cuts (grow larger under stress) • Depressions/indentations

Making sure your rubber goods are clean will make a visual inspection much easier. Dirt, oils, etc. can also be damaging to the rubber and/or be conductive. Use an unscented, all-natural dish soap if nothing else is available that is specifically meant for rubber goods cleaning. Lastly, here are the guidelines for when to send in rubber goods to a testing lab:

• Gloves – 30 days optional, 60 days optional, 6 months required

• Sleeves/Blankets – 60 days optional, 6 months optional, 1 year required

• Suspected damage should mean any product is sent in for testing

• Do not send in rubber goods that are clearly damaged and will most likely fail testing

Page 3 Safety Briefing

Statistics show that the most dangerous thing your employees can do all day is get in a motor vehicle and drive. Navigating a construction work zone makes driving much harder, with risks to drivers and construction workers. Just check out the surprising stats below:

• During the last few years in work zone crashes, more than: • 4,400 persons died (85% of which was the driver or passenger) • 200,000 persons were injured

• Drivers are the most frequent fatality in work zone crashes • Most work zone fatalities involve working-age adults • Rear-end crashes (running into the rear of a slowing or stopping vehicle) are the

most common type of work zone crash • Fatal work zone crashes occur most often in summer and fall • The majority of fatal work zone crashes occurred on roads with speed limits greater

than 50 mph To ensure drivers’ safety, be sure to keep in mind the following safety guidance:

• Stopping distance for motor vehicles at 50 mph: • Dry roadway ~300 ft. • Wet roadway ~400 ft. • Icy pavement ~1,250 ft.

• A loaded 80,000 lb. tractor-trailer requires almost 50% more stopping distance • It takes only an extra 25 seconds to cover 1 mile at 45 mph compared to 65 mph

Driver Safety Stats & Guidelines

Page 4 Safety Briefing

Did you know that fall restraint lanyards are different from fall protection lanyards? All but a few of the lanyards in our catalog are intended for use in a “fall protection” scenario, where the end user is utilizing a “shock-absorbing” lanyard to protect them in the event of a fall. Have you taken a look at rope and webbing lanyards and ever wondered what makes them different? These lanyards are not for use where the user may experience a fall, but rather to “restrain” them from even being able to encounter a fall. A restraint system or device is technically a preferred method of protecting the worker, as it can allow the worker to perform his/her duties without the risk of falling (and the complications of trying to rescue them). Some rope grab devices are also commonly used for fall restraint. While a fall protection anchor requires a 5,000 lb. anchor, workers using a fall restraint system only need to have a 1,000 lb. rated anchor (since there is no risk of falling). Technically, even shock-absorbing lanyards can be used for fall restraint; however, you’d be paying extra to have the shock absorber built-in. In many situations, it is actually better if they do go with the shock-absorbing lanyards for fall restraint, as it makes the product more versatile and prevents a true “restraint lanyard” from being used in a fall arrest situation. Restraint lanyards are available in a variety of lengths (i.e., 3 ft., 4 ft., 5 ft.) in order to meet the needs of the specific application and only allowing movement up to the length of the lanyard. Just remember, you cannot connect lanyards snap-hook to snap-hook in order to make them longer!

3202 Latham Drive Madison, WI 53713 www.conney.com | 800.356.9100

Fall Restraint vs. Fall Protection Lanyards