OSHA has revised its acetylene standard. The agency said its new final rule replaces references to outdated industry standards with updated references reflecting current industry practices.

The revised standard requires that in-plant transfer, handling, storage, and use of acetylene cylinders comply with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet G-1-2003, titled Acetylene. The revised standard also updates references for the provisions addressing piping systems, as well as acetylene generators and filling acetylene cylinders.

Acetylene is a colorless gas that can become explosive if liquefied, heated, compressed, or mixed with air. It is commonly used in certain plastics and is the most common gas used for fueling cutting torches. When mixed with pure oxygen in a cutting torch assembly, an acetylene flame can reach a temperature of 5,700 degrees F.

According to the MSHA Web site, use of acetylene creates special hazards in a workplace compared to other fuel gases. For example, the gas is chemically unstable, which makes it very sensitive to conditions such as excess pressure, excess temperature, static electricity, or mechanical shock. Exposure to any of these conditions can cause it to undergo a violent, explosive decomposition reaction. If this reaction or ignition occurs within the torch base or supply hose, it can propagate back into the storage cylinder causing it to explode violently. Acetylene is very easy to ignite and burns at a very fast rate, MSHA further notes. The energy from a static spark capable of igniting acetylene is lower than for any other fuel gas except hydrogen. The static charge developed by walking across a carpet floor on a dry day can be 1,700 times greater than that needed to ignite acetylene. When unburned acetylene gas is discharged from a torch, static electricity can be generated at the torch tip. If the tip comes in contact with a ground path, a static spark capable of igniting the gas can occur.

Winter is almost here.  Some places have already experienced snowfall and hazardous roads.  Here are some winter driving tips for you to consider.

Tip #1: First, check to make sure your vehicle is mechanically ready for the winter.

• Make sure your windshield wipers work properly. For some, snow blades may be a better choice than the all season blades. Visibility is key for driving in not-so-good weather conditions

• Take your vehicle in for a mechanical check up on anti-freeze/coolant, oil changes, windshield wiper fluid, and take care of any major vehicle issues that could possibly become hazardous during the winter season.

• Also, check to make sure that your tires are properly inflated, under or over inflation can reduce the gripping action of the tires due to the tread not meeting the road surface which may cause or increase your chances of getting into an accident.

• Keep your gas tank at least half full. More fuel in your tank will help reduce moisture problems and also helps to add weight.

• For RWD vehicles, extra weight may be necessary. Make sure it is distributed evenly and securely fastened. Bags of sand or kitty litter are great choices and help provide traction in case you go into the ditch or become stuck.

Tip #2: During snowy winter months, set your alarm clock to an earlier time leaving you with plenty of time to get to work in case of accidents and traffic back-ups.

Tip #3: Start your vehicle 10 minutes before leaving to get the vehicle warmed up. Also make sure that you fully brush off your windshield, all windows, mirrors, brake lights and headlights. Do not brush off little patches, you want to be noticed when your driving down the road and it can become very dangerous.

Tip #4: Always wear your seatbelt!

Tip #5: Choose the best route for work. Avoid hills, crowded areas and bridges.

Tip #6: Do not use a cell phone while driving in the snow or on ice. Concentrate on driving not the conversation. Your life could depend on it. (Note: See blog “Is Texting While Driving Deadly?”)

Tip #7: Drive with caution, be aware of posted speed limits and leave enough room for the driver in front of you in case you have to stop abruptly. Be advised that during serious weather conditions, it is best to slow down even in posted areas to help prevent accidents.

Tip # 8: Importantly, stay alert to the actions of other drivers. You do not know what their next move could be. Anticipate vehicles from side streets, in front of you, as well as behind you.

Tip #9: Keep your vehicle stocked with simple emergency equipment in case you do get into an accident or stall. Consider having these essentials tucked away in your vehicle:

• Blankets

• A small shovel

• Tow rope

• Bag of sand or kitty litter for traction

• Long jumper cables

• Flashlights

• Flares or neon sticks

• A cell phone, C.B. Radio or ham radio

• A windshield scraper and brush

• Snacks (it’s best if you leave energy or snack bars in a place like your glove compartment or center council compared to a backpack or storage place where they could ultimately be left for a period of time and could stale.)

• Non-alcoholic beverages (also should be left up front where could be visibly seen. You don’t want to drink anything that’s been sitting for a while.)

• Candles and matches

• An extra or old pair of winter boots

• Gloves, hats, scarf’s, etc (you wouldn’t want to be outside in a harsh winter with just your work cloths on.)

• And anything else you may consider to be part of your emergency kit.

Tip #10: Use Common Sense. If you feel that you pose a danger while driving or feel that you could be in danger, stay home, its not worth losing your life over it.

Keep you and other drivers safe for the winter season by using these tips.

Nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses among private industry employers in 2008 occurred at a rate of 3.9 cases per 100 equivalent full-time workers — a decline from 4.2 cases in 2007, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Oct. 29th. Similarly, the number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses reported in 2008 declined to 3.7 million cases, compared to 4 million cases in 2007. The total recordable case (TRC) injury and illness incidence rate among private industry employers has declined significantly each year since 2003, when estimates from the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) were first published using the 2002 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).

National public sector estimates covering nearly 19 million State and local government workers — for example, police protection and fire protection — are available for the first time from the SOII for reference year 2008.  Nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses among state and local government workers combined occurred at a higher rate (6.3 cases per 100 full-time workers) than among private industry workers in 2008.

Key findings of the 2008 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses:

• Incidence rates for injuries and illnesses combined among private industry establishments declined significantly in 2008 for all case types, with the exception of job transfer or restriction cases whose rate remained unchanged from 2007.  The number of cases of injuries and illnesses combined declined significantly in 2008 for all case types.
• For injuries only, both the incidence rate and the number of cases in private industry establishments declined significantly in 2008 compared to 2007 — each falling 8 percent from the year earlier.
• Looking at illnesses, both the incidence rate and the number of cases declined significantly in 2008 compared to 2007 — mainly the result of a decline among the ‘All other illnesses’ category, which accounted for nearly 84 percent of the decline in illness cases among private industry establishments.
• Manufacturing was the only private industry sector in 2008 in which the rate of job transfer or restriction cases exceeded the rate of cases with days away from work, continuing an 11 year trend.
• The total recordable case injury and illness incidence rate was highest in 2008 among mid-size private industry establishments (those employing between 50 and 249 workers) and lowest among small establishments (those employing fewer than 11 workers) compared to establishments of other sizes.

Slightly more than one-half of the 3.7 million private industry injury and illnesses cases reported nationally in 2008 were of a more serious nature that involved days away from work, job transfer, or restriction — commonly referred to as DART cases.  These occurred at a rate of 2.0 cases per 100 workers, declining from 2.1 cases in 2007.   Among the two components of DART cases, the rate of cases involving days away from work fell from 1.2 to 1.1 cases per 100 workers, while the rate for cases resulting in job transfer or restriction remained unchanged at 0.9 cases in 2008. Other recordable cases — those not involving days away from work, job transfer, or restriction–accounted for the remaining injury and illness cases nationally and occurred at a lower rate in 2008 (1.9 cases per 100 workers) compared to 2007 (2.1 cases per 100 workers).

Private Industry Injuries and Illnesses

Injuries. Approximately 3.5 million (94.9 percent) of the 3.7 million nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in 2008 were injuries — of which 2.5 million (71.2 percent) occurred in service-providing industries, which employed 80.1 percent of the private industry workforce covered by this survey.  The remaining 1.0 million injuries (28.8 percent) occurred in goods-producing industries, which accounted for 19.9 percent of private industry employment in 2008.

Illnesses. Workplace illnesses accounted for slightly more than 5 percent of the 3.7 million injury and illness cases in 2008. Private industry employers reported 18,900 fewer illness cases in 2008 — down to 187,400 cases compared to 206,300 in 2007. This resulted in a decline in the rate of workplace illnesses in 2008 from 21.8 to 19.7 cases per 10,000 full-time workers.

Goods-producing industries as a whole accounted for approximately 38 percent of all occupational illness cases and were responsible for more than two-thirds of the decline in illnesses reported among private industry workplaces in 2008. Consequently, both the number and rate of illnesses declined significantly for goods-producing industries as a whole in 2008. The manufacturing sector accounted for 31.5 percent of all occupational illnesses cases and reported 12,000 fewer illnesses in 2008 compared to 2007. Both the number and rate of illness cases among service-providing industries as a whole remained statistically unchanged in 2008, compared to 2007.

National Public Sector Estimates

National public sector estimates covering nearly 19 million State and local government workers — for example, Police protection (NAICS 922120) and Fire protection (NAICS 922160) — are available from the SOII for the first time for 2008.

Nearly 940,000 injury and illness cases were reported among State and local government workers combined in 2008, resulting in a rate of 6.3 cases per 100 workers — significantly higher than the rate among private industry workers (3.9 cases per 100 workers). Approximately 4 in 5 injuries and illnesses reported in the public sector occurred among local government workers, resulting in an injury and illness rate of 7.0 cases per 100 workers — significantly higher than the 4.7 cases per 100 workers in State government.

In addition to the industry-level estimates available for the first time with this release, more detailed national public sector estimates will be available in the future covering case and worker demographics for cases that involved days away from work.

First aid in the era of biohazards

by Lisa J. Burns, Q.S.S.P.

10 best practices to keep responders safe

Everyone sees the need for trained responders, first-aid kits and automated external defibrillators at the workplace. But what about the simple cut that bleeds enough to require a gauze bandage? Does the responder — or just a nearby helpful employee — see the need to wear disposable gloves? Bloodborne pathogens and other biohazards command little attention from most people, yet can cause critical illnesses and sometimes eventual death.

Defining the danger
Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms (bacteria or viruses) carried in the blood that can be transmitted and cause disease in other people. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are two examples that are addressed by the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen standard 29 CFR 1910.1030. Malaria and syphilis also are caused by bloodborne pathogens. Other body fluids also may transmit these and other diseases.

Infectious disease such as the H1N1 flu virus is a workplace concern that employers must address.

Transmission
Unbroken skin generally acts as a barrier to bloodborne pathogens. However, microorganisms can enter through any damaged or broken skin such as acne, sunburn, blisters, open sores, cuts or abrasions. They also may be transmitted through mucous membranes, including those of the eyes, nose or mouth.

Infectious diseases such as the H1N1 flu virus are primarily transmitted through airborne body fluids emitted with coughs and sneezes, and breathed in by others in the immediate vicinity. They also are transmitted when a hand used to cover the mouth then touches faucets, doorknobs and other surfaces from which it is later picked up by others.

OSHA first-aid regulations
Emergency medical services and first aid that general industry employers must provide are described in OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.151. The standard recommends kits and supplies that are compliant with the minimum guidelines established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in Z308.1-2009. It also incorporates other standards and measures by reference, such as 29 CFR 1910.1030, which deals with bloodborne pathogens.

OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.1030 standard requires limiting employee exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials. It specifies that training and personal protective equipment must be provided for employees who can be “reasonably anticipated” to face possible contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials on the job.

The standard, issued in 1991, was updated in 2001 in response to the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act, and can be found at http://www.osha.gov, along with FAQs and various letters of interpretation issued over the years since then.

Best practices
Following the best PPE practices recommended below will help keep first responders safe from bloodborne pathogens and other infectious material.

1. “Universal precautions.” Treat every situation as potentially dangerous. OSHA’s universal precautions require that all human blood or other potentially infectious materials be considered hazardous.

2. Hand protection. Before donning gloves, cover any cuts or sores on your own hands with a bandage. Inspect the gloves and if the material is thin, doubleglove to provide another layer of protection. Do not use torn or punctured gloves, no matter how miniscule the damage might be. When removing used gloves, pull them off from the cuff, turning them inside out so the outside of the gloves do not touch your bare skin. Dispose of them in a designated biohazard bag. Immediately scrub your hands thoroughly, including under nails — and any other potentially contaminated skin — with nonabrasive soap and running water at hand-washing facilities that employers must provide in readily accessible areas.

3. Eye and face protection. While providing first aid or other medical assistance as well as working in labs or while cleaning up a spill, there may be a risk of splashing or vaporization of contaminated fluids. Use goggles to protect against transmission of pathogens through your eye membranes. Use a face shield in addition to goggles to protect against splashes to your nose and mouth.

4. Body protection. In some cases, you may need to wear aprons or body shields to protect your clothing and keep blood or other contaminated fluids from soaking through to your skin. Wear shoe covers to avoid contamination of your footwear.

5. Clean up. For clean-up of blood or other body fluids from sick or injured employees, use gloves and, depending on the situation, some or all of the above-mentioned PPE. In addition, you should have available a small shovel and scraper, appropriate absorbent materials, biohazard bags, ties, germicidal towelettes — and for large areas, a mop or sponge and bucket with a solution of 1/4 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water. Some manufacturers supply complete biohazard clean-up kits that contain all the necessary supplies, including special absorbent materials that deodorize as well as bind the hazardous body substances together.

6. Deposit waste. Once clean-up is complete, deposit the waste material first in a labeled, red biohazard bag and tie it tightly. Use germicidal towelettes or bleach solution to clean the contaminated area. Then put the first bag into a second biohazard bag, and add the used towelettes or sponges, your shoe covers, gown, face mask with eye shield and, lastly gloves in the same bag, and seal it with a tie. Discard the red bag in an appropriate container for infected solid waste as required by local regulations.

7. Sharps. For any broken glass or other sharp material, use a broom with shovel or dustpan, and deposit them in appropriate boxes. Never touch them with your gloved or ungloved hands and do not put them in a biohazard bag.

8. Decontamination. Finally, wipe your hands with antiseptic hand wipes that provide rapid bactericidal action and allow them to air dry. Next, go to the nearest handwashing area and wash your hands and all potentially exposed skin thoroughly with non-abrasive soap and running water.

9. Equipment decontamination. A person trained in the appropriate procedures must decontaminate and sterilize all non-disposable equipment and tools used, such as mops, buckets and re-usable gloves, as soon as possible.

No complacency
Factory or construction site, chemical, plastics or food and beverage processing plant — no matter what the workplace — there should be no toleration of complacency when there is potential for exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other infectious disease. The effects of exposure may not be immediate, but there is a definite potential for serious illness and eventual death.

Lisa J. Burns, Q.S.S.P. Lisa is associate product manager-personal protection- Americas at North by Honeywell. She is a member of the International Safety Equipment Association and a Qualified Safety Sales Professional. Lisa can be reached at (401) 275-2608 or by e-mail at Lisa.J.Burns@Honeywell.com.