Seo safety : Smoke Detector

A smoke detector is a device that detects smoke, typically as an indicator of fire. Commercial, industrial, and mass residential devices issue a signal to a fire alarm system, while household detectors, known as smoke alarms, generally issue a local audible or visual alarm from the detector itself.

Smoke detectors are typically housed in a disk-shaped plastic enclosure about 150 millimetres (6 in) in diameter and 25 millimetres (1 in) thick, but the shape can vary by manufacturer or product line. Most smoke detectors work either by optical detection (photoelectric) or by physical process (ionization), while others use both detection methods to increase sensitivity to smoke. Sensitive alarms can be used to detect, and thus deter, smoking in areas where it is banned such as toilets and schools. Smoke detectors in large commercial, industrial, and residential buildings are usually powered by a central fire alarm system, which is powered by the building power with a battery backup. However, in many single family detached and smaller multiple family housings, a smoke alarm is often powered only by a single disposable battery.

History

The first automatic electric fire alarm was invented in 1890 by Francis Robbins Upton (U.S. patent no. 436,961). Upton was an associate of Thomas Edison, but there is no evidence that Edison contributed to this project.

George Andrew Darby patented the first electrical Heat detector and Smoke detector in 1902 in Birmingham, England.

In the late 1930s the Swiss physicist Walter Jaeger tried to invent a sensor for poison gas. He expected that gas entering the sensor would bind to ionized air molecules and thereby alter an electric current in a circuit in the instrument. His device failed: small concentrations of gas had no effect on the sensor's conductivity. Frustrated, Jaeger lit a cigarette—and was soon surprised to notice that a meter on the instrument had registered a drop in current. Smoke particles had apparently done what poison gas could not. Jaeger's experiment was one of the advances that paved the way for the modern smoke detector.

It was 30 years, however, before progress in nuclear chemistry and solid-state electronics made a cheap sensor possible. While home smoke detectors were available during most of the 1960s, the price of these devices was rather high. Before that, alarms were so expensive that only major businesses and theaters could afford them.

The first truly affordable home smoke detector was invented by Duane D. Pearsall in 1965, featuring an individual battery powered unit that could be easily installed and replaced. The first units for mass production came from Duane Pearsall’s company, Statitrol Corporation, in Lakewood, Colorado. These first units were made from strong fire resistant steel and shaped much like a bee's hive. The battery was a rechargeable specialized unit created by Gates Energy. The need for a quick replace battery didn't take long to show itself and the rechargeable was replaced with a pair of AA batteries along with a plastic shell encasing the detector. The small assembly line sent close to 500 units per day before Statitrol sold its invention to Emerson Electric in 1980 and Sears’s retailers picked up full distribution of the 'now required in every home' smoke detector.

The first commercial smoke detectors came to market in 1969. Today they are installed in 93% of U.S. homes and 85% of UK homes. However it is estimated that any given time over 30% of these alarms do not work, as users remove the batteries, or forget to replace them.

Daily Safety : Gas Detector

A gas detector is a device which detects the presence of various gases within an area, usually as part of a safety system. This type of equipment is used to detect a gas leak and interface with a control system so a process can be automatically shut down. A gas detector can also sound an alarm to operators in the area where the leak is occurring, giving them the opportunity to leave the area. This type of device is important because there are many gases that can be harmful to organic life, such as humans or animals.

Gas detectors can be used to detect combustible, flammable and toxic gases, and oxygen depletion. This type of device is used widely in industry and can be found in a variety of locations such as on oil rigs, to monitor manufacture processes and emerging technologies such as photovoltaic. They may also be used in firefighting.

Gas detectors are usually battery operated. They transmit warnings via a series of audible and visible signals such as alarms and flashing lights, when dangerous levels of gas vapors are detected. As detectors measure a gas concentration, the sensor responds to a calibration gas, which serves as the reference point or scale. As a sensor’s detection exceeds a preset alarm level, the alarm or signal will be activated. As units, gas detectors are produced as portable or stationary devices. Originally, detectors were produced to detect a single gas, but modern units may detect several toxic or combustible gases, or even a combination of both types.

Types

Gas detectors can be classified according to the operation mechanism (semiconductors, oxidation, catalytic, infrared, etc.).Gas detectors come in two main types: portable devices and fixed gas detectors. The first is used to monitor the atmosphere around personnel and is worn on clothing or on a belt/harness. The second type of gas detectors are fixed type which may be used for detection of one or more gas types. Fixed type detectors are generally mounted near the process area of a plant or control room. Generally, they are installed on fixed type mild steel structures and a cable connects the detectors to a SCADA system for continuous monitoring and where a tripping interlock can be activated for an emergency situation.

Gas detector calibration

All gas detectors must be calibrated on a schedule. Of the two types of gas detectors, portables must be calibrated more frequently due to the regular changes in environment they experience. A typical calibration schedule for a fixed system may be quarterly, bi-annually or even annually with some of the more robust units. A typical calibration schedule for a portable gas detector is a daily bump test accompanied by a monthly calibration. Almost every portable gas detector out there has a specific calibration gas requirement which is available from the manufacturer you purchased your monitor from.

Oxygen concentration

Oxygen deficiency gas monitors are used for employee and workforce safety. Cryogenic substances such as liquid nitrogen (LN2), liquid helium (He), and liquid argon (Ar) are inert and can displace oxygen (O2) in a confined space if a leak is present. A rapid decrease of oxygen can provide a very dangerous environment for employees. With this in mind, an oxygen gas monitor is important to have when cryogenics are present. Laboratories, MRI rooms, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, and cryogenic suppliers are typical users of oxygen monitors.

Oxygen fraction in a breathing gas is measured by electro-galvanic fuel cell sensors. They may be used stand-alone, for example to determine the proportion of oxygen in a nitrox mixture used in scuba diving,or as part of feeback loop which maintains a constant partial pressure of oxygen in a rebreather. Hydrocarbons and VOCs

Detection of hydrocarbons can be based on the mixing properties of gaseous hydrocarbons – or other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – and the sensing material incorporated in the sensor.[5] The selectivity and sensitivity depends on the molecular structure and concentration; however it is difficult to design a sensor capable of detecting only one single type of molecule.

Seo Safety Tips : Confined Space & Rescue

Proper respiratory protection, monitoring and training are key to eliminating the injuries and fatalities associated with confined space rescue.

Engulfment takes the lives of three workers in a trench collapse at a construction site. An employee dies instantly when a spark causes an internal explosion; workers had failed to properly inspect the tank he was cleaning for the presence of flammable materials. Firefighters are trapped and critically injured when oxygen – displaced from a room where ammonia was used in the manufacture of methamphetamine – sets up the perfect storm for an explosion and subsequent building collapse.

While they may not be a daily occurrence in the lives of most emergency response personnel, confined space rescues account for a disproportionate number of potentially devastating injuries and fatalities suffered by first responders and those they are attempting to rescue.

A confined space is defined as an area that is large enough for an employee to enter and perform work, but has limited or restricted means of ingress or egress and is not designed for continuous human occupancy. Examples include tanks, ship and barge hulls, mobile equipment, heavy industry/processing facilities, utility and communications installations and construction sites/trenches, to name a just few.

A permit-required confined space has one or more of the following characteristics:

1. It contains, or has a known potential to contain, a hazardous atmosphere.
2. It contains material with the potential for engulfment.
3. It is configured such that entrants could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls, or floors that slope and taper to a smaller cross-section.
4. It contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard.

Whether the result of human error, natural disaster or acts of terrorism, the human toll of confined space emergencies can be devastating – not only to rescue personnel, but also to bystanders and co-workers who make valiant, and often futile, efforts to bring victims to safety.

Collectively, atmospheric hazards (oxygen deficiency, oxygen enrichment, flammable gases or vapors and toxic gases or vapors) are responsible for more than half of all confined space fatalities, says Craig Schroll, CSP, SFPE, president of FIRECON and Z117 Committee member. The American Society for Safety Engineers (ASSE) is secretariat for the ANSI Z117.1 Safety Requirements for Confined Spaces standard, a voluntary consensus standard that focuses primarily on safety processes intended to avert the need for confined-space rescue, but which also includes a section that deals with emergency procedures and rescue issues.

Schroll explains that oxygen deficiency is the most frequently encountered of the atmospheric hazards, followed by the potential for explosion- or burn-related fatality due to the presence of flammable gases or vapors, and then by fatality due to exposure to toxic atmospheres. “There’s a long list of other potential hazards associated with confined spaces,” he continues, “and incident commanders must make an effective assessment of these hazards prior to committing personnel within the space.”

“Who You Gonna Call?”

Regardless of the scenario, experts agree that there is no substitute for a proactive approach when dealing with confined-space rescues. Pittsburgh-based MSA, manufacturer of safety products, notes, “It’s always prudent to treat unknown areas and their interior environments as if a confined space exists, and to take all necessary safety precautions.” And Schroll stresses that “recognizing hazards and taking effective action to control them or protect personnel from them is no less than critical.”

One person who is uniquely qualified to speak to the challenges of confined space rescues is Casey Davis, director of global QA/HSE for Parker Drilling Co. “You can’t call 911 when disaster strikes on an oil rig in the middle of the Caspian Sea, or at a work site in the remote reaches of the New Guinea jungles. We need to be our own first responders, and everyone at Parker is trained and ready to do just that,” says Davis.

He goes on to note that, in the remote settings in which Parker personnel live and work, equipment can’t be cascaded in for rescues. “Our workforce must be well trained and prepared, and the proper equipment needs to be staged and ready to perform at all times.” While the confined-space rescue scenarios encountered by the Parker workforce might seem a bit exotic, the lessons learned from their unique perspective easily can be extrapolated to the “average” fire, police and EMS departments responding to hazardous materials calls or arriving on the scene of an open-earth trench collapse. And, according to Davis, the take-home message is Parker’s unavoidably proactive stance; namely, to anticipate the worst – to properly train personnel to respond to the worst-case escalation and to ensure that needed resources and equipment are readily available.

Back to School: Confined Spaces 101

In keeping with Parker’s commitment to control and respond to the hazards associated with confined-space entry and rescue, the company offers an uncommon training program that allows industry and rescue personnel to reap the rewards of Parker’s uniquely acquired expertise (http://www.parker drilling.com).

Originally intended for hands-on tactical training in fire fighting and rescue for the energy sector, Parker has since responded to the need of the municipal response community to gain work experience with equipment such as drilling rigs, terminals for hydrocarbon storage and transport and so on. To date, roughly 2,000 students (most from the United States, the former USSR, Europe and Africa/Middle East) have completed the rescue course since the school’s 1995 opening.

The rescue school consists of what Davis calls “three and a half days of intensive, hands-on, highly physical work.” He cites the example of a final exam that tests responders’ ability to properly manage all aspects (including use of NIIMS based incident command and proper EHS regulatory compliance) of an attempted rescue of a downed crewman. The worker is trapped in a drilling mud tank, with limited ingress and egress, in a flammable and explosive environment – all on a full-size training rig that actually catches fire.

In keeping with the emphasis on proactive preparedness, the students gather equipment and other resources, devise a response plan and spend a day working through the scenario before attempting the rescue. All of this, says Davis, provides students not only with the actual planning and rescue experience, but also with the tools needed to manage the back-side of the incident – everything from the media, to other crew members, family, weather conditions and any other variables that could come into play.

If the training budget allows, Davis recommends that entire departments attend the school. Acknowledging that training dollars may be limited, he notes that leadership teams/supervisors who complete the program can then return to their departments and “cascade” the information to the rank-and-file responders. Must-Have Equipment

In addition to the human toll, confined-space rescues are the heaviest “consumers” of first responder time and equipment, notes Davis. In the post-911 era, equipment to analyze and monitor hazardous conditions is relatively standard. Also critical for confined-space safety and rescues is equipment to enable first responders to self-rescue (ropes, tripod devices, rigging and lifting equipment to remove the injured or extract materials that may prevent proper rescue).

Equipment that tends to be viewed as specialized – such as the vacuum removal devices, long-reach tripod systems and personnel extraction devices usually seen on heavy rescue vehicles – can be costly, and smaller departments may have a hard time justifying such purchases for rescues that may account for only about 10 percent of a department’s calls. This, says Davis, is where the concept of mutual aid becomes especially critical.

“The concept and practice of mutual aid is a huge advantage in the United States. It would, for example, be unlikely that a small volunteer fire department would have highly sophisticated rescue equipment on-hand. But with a mutual aid agreement, that same department could summon and receive such equipment whenever needed,” notes Davis, who explains that Parker has made a practice of sharing both equipment and expertise. For the individual department, the most critical piece of equipment is a good atmospheric monitoring device to help personnel effectively assess atmospheric hazards, says Schroll.

Respiratory protection is another must-have when rescues are attempted. “Airline breathing apparatus is another important item; standard SCBA will often not fit into a confined space,” says Schroll.

Scott Health and Safety, a provider of choice for many fire departments, offers a number of options for respiratory protection for use specifically in confined-space rescues. Because of the potential for panic in such situations, along with limited space and visibility, equipment designed specifically confined space rescue can be life-saving.

The Ska Pak AT respirator, a type C/SCBA combination supplied-air respirator, provides what Scott calls “hands-free, panic-free” automatic transfer of air from the supplied air source to the escape/egress bottle. Report Card: Room for Improvement?

According to Davis, first responders in the United States are, with the help of mutual aid, better prepared to respond to confined-space emergencies than are rescue organizations in many other parts of the world. There is, however, room for improvement.

Schroll notes that “most fire departments aren’t as prepared for this specialized type of rescue as they could be.” He explains that “it’s an extreme challenge to most fire departments to be as prepared as they might like for all that’s currently being asked of them.” This especially is true in the context of demands that continue to grow in both scope and magnitude, with first responders reporting to fires, hazardous materials incidents, vehicle extrications, medical emergencies, a wide array of specialized rescues including confined space, structural collapses, high-angle rescues and terrorist acts.

Even so, says Scroll, every first-line responder must be trained to recognize a confined space, and to perform, at the very least, a basic hazard assessment. Combining this level of preparedness with a highly proactive approach to both training and equipment and, if feasible, a hands-on educational opportunity like the one offered by the Parker Drilling school will help to ensure that confined-space rescue endeavors end not with tragedy, but with success.

Sidebar: For More Information about Confined Space Safety

OSHA: http://www.osha.gov

ASSE: http://www.asse.org/cartpage.php?link=z117.1-2003

NIOSH: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/confinedspace and http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/86110v2.html

Permit-Required Confined Spaces, Final Rule; OSHA, 29 CFR Part 1910.146; Federal Register, 63:66018-66036 (1998, December 1) 

A Guide to Safety in Confined Spaces, (NIOSH Publication Number 87-113), July 1987

Working in Confined Spaces, (NIOSH Publication Number 80-106), December 1979 Safety Requirements for Confined Spaces, American National Standards Institute, Z117.1-1989, 1995 revision

Seo welding Tips :Shielding Gases for MIG Welding

Gases are an important part of MIG welding. In fact, they’re the source of the craft’s name: Metal Inert Gas welding. Technically speaking, inert gases are what make MIG welding what it is.

Why Inert Gases?

In short, the role of inert gases is to protect the weld from oxidation. Inert gases and gas mixtures, called “shielding gases” when used for MIG welding, are comprised of elements (in a gaseous state) that aren’t reactive to the elements in the welding wire or the metal(s) being welded. The shielding gas is pumped through the welding gun during welding. It comes through the tip of the gun, completely surrounding both the welding wire and the arc, thereby shielding them from the reactive elements in the air.

Specifically, shielding gases protect the wire electrode and base metals from oxygen, an element that is abundant in the air and problematic for welding. Oxygen is highly reactive with metals, especially commonly welded metals, and it’s even more reactive at the high heat generated by the welding process. When oxygen reacts with the base metals and/or the wire electrode, the resulting oxidation can form anything from a slight film or rusty discoloration to a porous, lumpy, ruined weld joint.

Common Shielding Gases

The four most common gases used in a shielding gas mixture are argon, helium, carbon dioxide, and (surprise!) oxygen. Each gas has its own use, and each comes with benefits and drawbacks for MIG welding, depending on the metals being welded.

Argon must be used without being combined with other elements when welding a non-ferrous (sometimes referred to as “exotic”) materials such as aluminum, magnesium, copper, and titanium. Otherwise, it is commonly mixed with a small portion of carbon dioxide. A mixture high in argon and low in carbon dioxide will often provide a good mixture of arc stability, reduced splatter, narrower penetration, and greater puddle control, all of which make this a potentially good gas mixture for welders looking for a more aesthetically pleasing weld joint that doesn’t require much cleanup.

Helium, like pure argon, is used with non-ferrous metals, as well as stainless steel. Its weld penetration is deep and wide, which makes it ideal for working with thicker materials. Helium is often combined with argon, and the ratio of helium to argon determines the thickness vs. thinness and the depth of the weld penetration. Helium produces a very hot weld, which makes for a relatively fast welding speed, but helium is also relatively expensive.

Carbon dioxide is a reactive gas - not an inert gas - and it is the only reactive gas that can be used for MIG welding without being mixed with at least one other inert gas. It provides a deep weld penetration, which is very useful when welding thicker materials, but it also produces a lot of spatter, requiring more cleanup. Pure carbon dioxide is the least expensive of the common shielding gases, making it a more attractive option for welders working with a tight budget.

Oxygen is, as previously discussed, also a reactive gas. When included in shielding gas mixtures, it’s a small percentage of the mixture. A small amount of oxygen in the gas mixture is beneficial only to certain types of base metals - carbon, low alloy, and stainless steel. In welds with these materials, oxygen can contribute to deeper weld penetration, arc stability, and puddle control. It will still contribute to oxidation in the weld, however, so it has limited applications and should not be used with more reactive metals.

Choosing the Right Shielding Gas

The decision about which shielding gas to use can be as easy or as complicated as the welder wants it to be. The easiest way to choose a shielding gas is to refer to the welding wire’s manufacturer recommendations. Additionally, many MIG welder manufacturers include helpful charts with their welders, and the internet is full of shielding gas selection charts as well. These charts can be a good starting point. Input from a welding supply store or an experienced welder can provide a more dynamic source of input.

Generally, charts and manufacturer recommendations will offer input based on the nature of the weld that the shielding gas options will provide. Cost, however, will likely play a part in discussions with other welders, and this can be an important factor in the decision process.

Seo For :Welding Electrodes

Electrodes are a necessity in welding. Molten metal becomes brittle or has other negative qualities when exposed to air as it absorbs nitrogen and oxygen. Slag covers protect the molten metal during welding from the surrounding atmosphere. The slag cover is usually obtained from the coating of the electrode.

Electrode usability is determined by the coating's composition. The composition of the deposited weld metal and the electrode specification also helps to determine usability. These are important factors to consider when using electrodes.

Electrode coatings are carefully formulated using principles of physics, metallurgy, and chemistry. The coating is very useful as it stabilizes the arc, protects the metal, and improves the weld. The coating improves the weld by minimizing spatter, providing a smooth weld surface that has even edges, making a welding arc that is stable, allowing penetration control, providing a strong and tough coating, easier removal of slag, and an improved deposition rate. All of these factors play an important part in quality welds.

Metal-arc electrodes are grouped as heavy coated or shielded arc electrodes and thinly coated or bare electrodes. In arc welding, covered electrodes are the most popular kind. What kind of electrode is used in a welding job is determined by the properties that are required. These properties are high tensile strength, ductility, corrosion resistance, the base metal, weld position, and the polarity and current required.

Electrodes that are used for welding low alloy and mild steels might have six to twelve ingredients in their coatings. These ingredients include cellulose that provides a gas shield and metal carbonates that will adjust the slag. Titanium dioxide is often included which helps to make slag that is quick freezing but highly fluid. Other ingredients may be ferromanganese, clays, gums, and calcium fluoride. The metals used could be nickel, chromium, or molybdenum and iron or manganese oxide is also often used.

Light coated electrodes are electrodes that have a light coating applied to the surface by brushing, spraying, dipping, washing, wiping, or tumbling. The arc steam's characteristics are improved by the coatings. The coatings reduce or dissolve impurities, makes the molten metal flow and become more uniform, and increases the arc's stability. Some light coatings will create a slag.

Shield arc or heavy coated electrodes have coatings that are applied by extrusion or dipping. There are three general kinds: mineral coatings, cellulose coatings, and a combination of the two. Cellulose coatings provide a gaseous zone around the arc and weld zone to protect it. Mineral coatings create a slag deposit. These kinds of electrodes are used for welding cast iron, steels, and hard surfacing. These coatings increase arc stability, produce a reducing gas shield that surrounds the arc, and reduce impurities that can impair the weld deposit. The electrodes form a slag that solidifies slowly, holds heat, and lets the underlying metal to solidify slowly. This lets impurities float to the surface.

Direct current electrodes are to be used with reverse polarity, straight polarity, or both. Nearly all can be used with alternating current. Reverse polarity usually provides more penetration than straight polarity. Alternating current electrodes are coated electrodes used with alternating or direct current. This type of electrode is preferred in restricted areas or with high currents that are required for thick sections. It is often used in atomic hydrogen welding.

Electrodes come in many varieties and the kind you choose will depend on the area you are working in, the job itself, and the metals that you are using. The wrong kind of electrode can ruin your weld and force you to start all over again. Using the proper one will enable you to work faster, smarter, and have welds that are strong and durable.

Soil Compactor Safety Tips

Soil compactors stabilize soil by compressing, kneading, or vibrating it to remove air pockets and increase density. Different compactors are used depending on the type of soil. Due to weight, frequency, and force of movement, soil compactors can cause serious or fatal injuries if used improperly.

Rammers drive a metal foot into the soil with a high impact force. Vibratory plates use low force, but a high frequency movement to settle the soil. Rollers knead and compress soil with their weight and movement. Manual walk-behind rollers have smooth or padded drums. Ride-on rollers can vibrate or use heavy metal or rubber tires to compact soil. They can be small for patch jobs or large for big jobs like asphalt finishing work.

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Read operating instructions and get hands-on training for each soil compactor you use. Know how to use all of the controls before you operate one. Choose the correct soil compactor for the soil type (cohesive, granular, or mix). Use machines only on stable ground. Work up or down a slope, not across it. Get training in trenching and excavation and keep away from the edges of building pits and excavations. Face toward the soil compactor’s direction of travel.

Follow manufacturer’s maintenance schedules and inspect equipment before each use. Lockout energy controls and blockout stored energy before you perform maintenance. Allow machines to cool before fueling or performing work. Combustion engines emit carbon monoxide and other pollutants, so don’t operate them indoors or in a confined space.

To prevent caught/crush injuries, maintain guards on moving parts and at pinch points. Choose machines with safety bars or switches that stop the machine if the operator lets go. Use backup alarms to warn pedestrians of ride-on compactor movements. Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS) and seatbelts keep you safe. Don’t operate a soil compactor if you are a minor or under the influence of medication, drugs, or alcohol.

Extended use of a vibrating soil compactor can lead to vibration syndrome, an ergonomic injury causing damage to finger circulation and nerves. Symptoms include numbness, pain, and blanching. Soil compactor instructions include vibration level ratings and maximum usage times. Most equipment has vibration isolation technology on handles and seats. Excessive vibration may indicate poor maintenance or disrepair. Wear anti-vibration gloves if needed.

To avoid strains and sprains, maintain proper posture and a straight back when using/driving a soil compactor. Adjust steering handles/wheels to fit your height and arm length without hunching over or reaching up. Keep equipment controls close to your body with your arms at about waist height. Compactors are HEAVY. Don’t lift, wiggle, or force their movement. Use loading ramps, integrated wheels, or get help when loading and unloading machines.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) like sturdy work boots protect your feet from puncture and crush injuries. Consider additional toe protection for walk-behind compactors. Work gloves protect your hands from blisters, cuts, and punctures. Safety glasses and face shields protect against flying debris and dust. Ear muffs or plugs restrict hearing loss due to loud compaction equipment. A hard hat and comfortable work clothes are always needed on construction sites. Consider a dust mask or respirator depending on the worksite and substrate being compacted.

Operating a Bulldozer Requires Special Safety Rules

Operating a Bulldozer Requires Special Safety Rules

The bulldozer was invented primarily for farm work such as ploughing fields. It has become more powerful and sophisticated with time and modernization of heavy equipment. Learning to handle this giant earthmover requires the operator to know certain safety rules to keep everyone safe.

If you haven’t seen a bulldozer, than you may not realize the massive size of this heavy equipment. This monster machine’s pure size, if not operated correctly, can cause injury and even death to the operator, the ground crew and destruction to anything else in its way — including other equipment.

We all heard about general heavy equipment safety tips but there are safety rules that need to be followed specifically for the bulldozer.

Bulldozer safety tips :

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Only qualified and trained drivers should operate a bulldozer. This isn’t an equipment anybody with can just hop in and operate. In fact, if there is just one bulldozer operator on the team, than he or she should be the sole operator — no substitutions even if the need may arise.

Common sense safety steps such as wearing a safety belt need to be followed. A safety belt may just save you from head injury.

Before attempting to work, operators must make sure nothing is obstructing the area and that the machine and all parts are working properly. The horn is one thing that should be tested.

Communication and inspection of the bulldozer area work site is extremely important. Operators should coordinate with the traffic department and make sure there is a lead person who will control and take responsibility of the traffic while work is in progress. Road blocks or flagman can be utilized to keep areas safe for bulldozer use.

Bulldozer operators should get in the habit of looking up when conducting inspections. This is because bulldozers can actually run into overhead power lines that might cause a possible accident. This is the same for looking below since a trench or an excavation area can cause mechanical and structural damage to the equipment as well as possible risk for injury to the operator

Safety is important in handling any kind of equipment, but specific safety tips should be followed for the bulldozer operator. A good professional heavy equipment school can help you learn about those tips and rules. Learning the important of safety before getting in the driver’s seat can save a life — maybe yours.

Excavator Safety Tips

Safe Operating Procedure.

Safe operation can help meet performance expectations of mini-excavators. When operating mini-excavators, use common sense and follow these guidelines.

ALWAYS BUCKLE YOUR SEATBELT AND MAKE SURE IT FITS SNUGLY AROUND YOUR WAIST.

Before operating the machine, become familiar with it by reading the operator's manual and performing a basic walk-around.

A daily maintenance check should also be done to ensure a safe and trouble-free rental. If a problem is found, notify A to Z Rentals and Sales immediately, and do not attempt to operate the machine.

To prevent the engine from stopping during a lift or during excavation (with the possibility of a dangerous situation), check the fuel level to make sure the tank is full.

Make sure no one enters the danger zone while the machine is in operation.

The operator should wear sunglasses to prevent glare in the eyes.

To eliminate the possibility of a trench cave-in, don't undercut the tracks during excavation.

Before lifting, know the lift capacity of the machine, to prevent the possibility of a tip-over.

Check the security of the chain or hoist, and never use a bucket cylinder rod as a lifting point.

Avoid tip-overs.

There are several guidelines to follow to avoid tip-overs.

While the main function of the dozer blade is grading and back fill, it can also be used as extra support for stability when excavating on uneven ground. It also offers extra lift capability during lift operations. To avoid an unstable situation, be sure to raise the dozer blade before moving.

Use caution in rotating over the track with the arm fully extended.

The tracks should be on firm ground that won't give way during operation and the machine should sit as horizontal to the ground as possible. This will reduce the likelihood of tip-over and also provide stress-free work for the operator.

These safety guidelines should be a priority when operating any mini-excavator. If these guidelines are followed with common sense during operation, the machine will perform to your expectations and get the job done without the risk of injury or accidents on the jobsite.

ANSI Standard Lessen Slips ( seosafety )

Slips and falls to the same level injure nearly 1.7 million workers each year. In addition to the medical bills and reporting this creates, workers average six to eight days off work or on restricted duty while recovering from these injuries. In fact, slip and fall injuries account for about 65% of time lost from work!

If everyone does their part, most of these injuries can be prevented through proper planning and coordinated housekeeping efforts.

OSHA Requires Clean Floors Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to provide a clean, safe work environment. Among these regulations, floor safety is addressed: "The floor of every workroom shall be maintained in a clean and, so far as possible, a dry condition. Where wet processes are used, drainage shall be maintained, and false floors, platforms, mats or other dry standing places should be provided where practicable." [29 CFR 1910.22(a)]

ANSI Standard

Although the requirement to keep floors clean and dry has been in place for nearly three decades, (OSHA first published the regulation in 1974) and many building codes and consensus standards using the term "slip-resistant" have been written; no method existed to quantify what “slip-resistant” really meant.

In 2001, American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) jointly published ANSI/ASSE A1264.2-2001, Standard for the Provision of Slip Resistance on Walking / Working Surfaces. This consensus standard details provisions for creating and maintaining safer work surfaces, and lists applicable American Standard Test Method (ASTM) standards for testing of various surfaces and footwear. According to the standard, the intent is to, "help in the reduction of falls due to conditions, which in some fashion are manageable." As with all ANSI standards, compliance is voluntary.

The principles contained within the document provide guidelines for floor safety and housekeeping that will benefit nearly every facility. The standard seeks to "set forth common and accepted practices for providing reasonably safe walking / working surfaces." According to their studies, slip and fall accidents can be associated with the following:

Floor surface characteristics

Footwear traction properties

Environmental factors (water, oil or other contaminants)

Human factors (gait, human activity)

Psychological and physiological conditions of the walker

Because the last two factors are nearly impossible for employers and management to control, this standard addresses only the first three conditions. The major topics outlined in the standard are discussed below.

Footwear

Just as a ballerina could not perform well in a pair of goulashes, workers will not be at their best if they're in ballet slippers. In addition to any necessary safety features for compliance with OSHA standards (29 CFR 1910.136) such as steel toes, shanks, metatarsal protectors, etc., consider floor characteristics when choosing footwear.

As a general rule, smooth, leather soles provide little traction, especially on smooth or wet floors. Office workers, who may be accustomed to wearing dress shoes, can easily become victims of slip and fall hazards when they enter wet or slippery work zones — or even a smooth but dusty concrete floor in the warehouse. If this is a possibility, consider posting signs or notices on office doors or at work area entrances to remind them of this potential hazard, or consider offering overshoes that can be slipped on to provide traction.

When selecting footwear, the standard suggests considering not only the slip resistance a shoe or boot will provide, but also the tread design, harness of the sole, shape of the sole and heel, abrasion resistance, oil resistance, chemical and heat resistance. Mats and Runners

Marble, tile, linoleum, un-brushed concrete, treated wood: although each has a unique look and feel, they are all very slippery when wet. When it rains or snows, moisture is inevitably tracked in with workers. Placing mats or floor runners at building entrances helps remove excess moisture, which can lead to slip and fall accidents. According to the standard, "as a rule of safe practice, footprints or water prints should not be seen on the floor beyond the last mat of an entrance."

The longer the runner or entrance mat, the greater the likelihood that it will dry workers’ feet before they step off of it. Stairs can be another area of concern when inclement weather hits. If stairs are — or could become — slippery, consider applying non-slip paints, or grit-coated adhesive strips to increase traction.

Consider absorbent mats or runners for other areas of the facility as well. For example, absorbent mats can be used in aisle ways near machines that overspray; in process areas; or anywhere contaminants threaten to make a working / walking surface slick. Mats may be appropriate near water fountains, coffee areas, sinks, and "other areas where spills may occur and are part of the workplace."

Housekeeping

Stocking supplies and having a dedicated maintenance staff isn't enough. A written program detailing everyone's responsibilities must be created and implemented to maintain safe walking / working surfaces. "The program should describe materials, equipment, scheduling, methods and training of those conducting housekeeping" according to the standard.

If employees are not currently responsible for housekeeping, some may not be too excited to add housekeeping functions to their list of daily tasks. Combat this by providing a vivid picture of the desired outcome: no slip and fall injuries.

Even if training is a success, steps need to be taken to make it as easy as possible to perform these functions. Who has time to go running all the way across the building for a spill kit to absorb a spill at the loading dock?

Stocking spill kits, signs, mats and other supplies in spill-prone areas throughout the facility will help everyone do their part to clean up or at least notify others of hazards.

This training can often be incorporated into corporate HAZCOM (29 CFR 1910.1200) or Spill Response (29 CFR 1910.120) trainings, and is a great lesson for all employees, not just maintenance or line workers. A coffee spill on the tiled floor in the executive offices can cause an accident just as serious as slipping on an oily floor near a drill press.

Warnings

Sometimes, unexpected events, such as a ruptured process feed line, or a roof leak after a major storm can create hazards; necessitating barricades, diverters or other forms of warning to keep everyone safe until the problem is corrected and the floor is again clean and safe.

According to the standard, "If a slip / fall hazard cannot be eliminated or until appropriate hazard control measure can be implemented, a visual hazard-alert warning message should be provided or access control of the area should be used to control employees entering the hazard area." Stanchions, signs, warning tape or other forms of barricades can help define safe perimeters, especially in the event of a spill of hazardous materials. To contain spills, "scupper curbing, dikes, drip pans and operational enclosures" can be used to keep spillage out of walkways until trained employees can mitigate the spill and the area is restored to a safe condition.

Controlled Access

Train employees to know their limits. Although all employees should be encouraged to keep their work areas clean and dry to whatever extent is reasonable, unless they have been properly trained to do so, employees should not assist in hazardous spill cleanups.

Untrained employees, such as office workers or visitors, should also be prevented from entering hazard prone areas, such as wet processing lines, without an escort who has been trained to look for hazards and point them out to anyone who is being taken through the area. Selection and/or Treatment of Surfaces Improving the traction of a slippery floor is one way to reduce slip / fall incidents. Sometimes, this can be as simple as changing floor cleaning products. More often, though, it takes a little more effort. "Where it is not practical to replace flooring, etching, scoring, grooving, brushing, appliqués, coatings and other such techniques shall be used to provide acceptable slip resistance," according to the standard.

 For concrete floors in work areas, non-slip paints can be applied to increase traction. These paints are available in many different grades and colors; and can be used not only in walking areas, but also on ramps, in loading areas, and in areas where harsh chemicals are handled. Most are also formulated to be easy to clean with common cleaning equipment, such as mops and floor scrubbers. In areas where you want the natural beauty of a floor to show; clear, non-abrasive coatings can be applied to the surface. After coatings, finishes, etc. have been installed; cleaning plays a major role in determining whether or not the floor will maintain its desired properties. No finish will last forever, but improper cleaning lessens the life span of even the toughest floor preparations. Using the wrong detergent, using too much detergent, using dirty mops, etc. can also contribute to less than desirable results. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer of the floor preparation for cleaning recommendations. 

In addition, see what the manufacturer of the cleaning chemicals recommends. Both sources should be able to provide valuable insight into maximizing your floor investment. Testing Equipment To evaluate the slip resistance of footwear or a work surface, the standard lists ASTM test methods that may be used. It is important to choose the correct test method, because results from a dry surface test won't necessarily be valid or accurate if that surface becomes wet, and vice versa. 

 When testing, a coefficient of friction (COF) of 0.5 is considered to be a desirable result for general walking areas; however, a number lower than this does not necessarily mean that the floor is hazardous. Ramps, stairs and areas where more physical exertion is required may necessitate a higher COF. Prepare Now Taking the time to improve floor conditions now, and training workers to identify and rectify hazards in their work areas will go a long way toward a reduction in slip and fall injuries - saving the company money by reducing workers compensation costs and keeping workers healthy and on the job.

Natural gas safety

Natural gas is a colorless, odorless gas until we add mercaptan, a rotten egg odor to help detect leaks. If you smell natural gas or have a natural gas emergency, and leave immediately

Safety tips

Natural gas is safe when properly used. Follow these tips to prevent accidents:

Never use your oven or range as a space heater.

Have a qualified contractor inspect your furnace, vents, connections and chimneys for corrosion and blockages at least every other year.

Keep the area around your furnace and water heater clean and free from litter. Clean or replace air filters in your heating system annually.

Keep chimney flues and appliance vents clean and in good repair.

Vent gas space heaters to outside. Never sleep in a room with an unvented gas or kerosene heater.

Make sure your range top is clean. Wash burners with water and mild detergent. Gas range flamed should be crisp, quiet and blue. Yellow flame indicates need for adjustment.

Make sure water heater air intakes, drain pipes, controls and flue are unobstructed.

Keep your gas meter free of debris, snow, ice and other obstructions at all times.

Natural Gas distribution network

Natural gas distribution networks are subject to rigorous inspection, maintenance and oversight within our company and by state and federal government. We maintain about 20,000 miles of natural gas distribution mains and 530 miles of natural gas transmission pipelines throughout Wisconsin. We also maintain the pipes that connect the mains to individual homes and businesses.

Typically, we are responsible for the natural gas facilities up to the outlet of your meter. Maintenance of additional buried natural gas pipes on your property is your responsibility. Examples include pipes to mobile homes, detached garages, workshops, pools, spas and lighting. According to federal rules, you are responsible to inspect buried piping on your property for leaks and corrosion. Any unsafe conditions must be repaired or removed.

Our inspection and safety activities

We survey for possible leaks on our distribution mains every year in populated communities and every other year in more rural areas. (Federal requirement for main surveys is once every five years).

All of the transmission pipelines are surveyed for leaks at least once per year. All of our 1 million customer service lines are inspected within every three years. (Federal requirement for service line surveys is once every five years). We have corrosion protection on all steel pipe in our system. (Federal requirement requires corrosion inspections only on pipes installed prior to 1971.)

Our corrosion protection is monitored continuously and tested every year. Wisconsin limits the operating pressure of a distribution system at 60 psig (pounds per square inch). (The Federal limit allows for distribution systems to operate at 125 psig.)

Along with inspecting the existing lines, we invest approximately $50 million every year in upgrading and proactively replacing mains and service lines throughout the area.

We work with local public safety agencies to provide emergency response training and safety information.

Each year, we sponsor contractor workshops to reinforce the proper safety guidelines for construction crews that work around natural gas and electric facilities.

For security reasons, we do not provide maps containing exact locations of pipelines. You can find the pipelines in your community by visiting the National Pipeline Mapping System. Every other year, we send out a communication to all customers within 1,000 feet of a transmission pipeline.

Pipeline damage

Most incidents involving natural gas pipelines involve a contractor or homeowner digging into buried distribution lines. To avoid such situations, be sure to call 811, a national hotline for underground facility location and marking — at least three days prior to digging. Using flags and paint, the free service marks any underground facilities that should be avoided when digging.

Dig safely

Dig by hand when excavating around natural gas piping. Contact an underground locating contractor for help locating natural gas piping on your property.

Contact a qualified plumbing or heating contractor, for help with natural gas piping inspection and repair.

Appliance connections

Make sure all appliance connectors are approved for the use expected, double wall and coated. Refer to the Consumer Product Safety Commission for information on approved connectors.

Corrugated stainless steel tubing

Corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) is a flexible tube sometimes used to supply natural gas in homes and businesses. Used since 1990, CSST may have been used for natural gas piping in your home if you added a new natural gas appliance such as a stove or furnace.

Danger: Improperly bonded and grounded CSST can result in natural gas leaks or fires in buildings struck by lightning. Learn about our CSST policy requirements (PDF 1688k). CSST is often coated in yellow or black. Photo

Do not confuse CSST with natural gas appliance flexible connectors. Flexible connectors typically attach directly to natural gas appliances from a floor or wall appliance shut-off valve. CSST is typically routed beneath, through or along side floor joists in the basement, inside interior wall cavities and on top of ceiling joists in attic spaces.

Inspect: If you have CSST installed at your home or business, contact a licensed electrician to verify proper bonding. If not, the electrician can install the proper bonding. If you’re not sure if you have CSST, contact the company that installed the natural gas piping in your home or business and ask for an inspection.

Intregrated Industrial Robotic System

Because robotic systems can be integrated into semi-automated factory systems to improve efficiency, they have been a key element in the move toward fully automated and highly productive manufacturing processes for many different industries. Robotic systems can be found across a range of applications and specified to fill a variety of unusual niches, from industrial device assembly to assistance in microscopic medical procedures.

Industrial manufacturing robots have a distinct set of capabilities that enable them to perform in industrial environments, as well as distinguish them from other specialty robotic systems. An industrial robot can perform a wide variety of tasks, including material handling and tooling, or can be designed to handle specific manufacturing operations. To operate, a robot depends on a complex network of mechanical gestures triggered by sensors and computer integrated software. In an integrated robotic system, there are different areas of automation, thus providing varying levels of complexity and ability within the system as a whole.

An integrated robotic system typically includes several of the following capabilities and components: essential safety features, environmental and feedback sensors, environmental interfaces, and a comprehensive data management and storage system. These features, both as individual components and as one unified system, help to facilitate the successful execution of a designated production process.

But underneath each major component lie numerous subcomponents, responsible for ensuring that even the smallest robotic movement occurs smoothly and enabling the system as a whole to perform at a high level. One of the most important subcomponents is the robotic manipulator, which resembles a mechanical arm. The manipulator is jointed to allow a greater range of motion, but all joints are geared toward allowing the end-piece, known as the effector, the greatest range of motion because it is responsible for interacting directly with the external environment and conducting physical tasks. The effector, which has the ability to move in more ways than the manipulator, is the most flexible part of the robotic arm. In robots that must move about the factory floor (as opposed to a stationary robot with moving components), a vehicle enables movement along a programmable path.

Yet not all industrial robots possess the same range of motion nor move along the same axis. In fact, the manner in which a robot moves can be in one or a combination of seven ways. Common methods of movement include: point-to-point, straight line, defined curves, and sensor-guided motion. In point-to point motion, a robot moves between several predetermined points. In straight line movement, a robot simply moves forward but does not rotate or move between more than two points. Defined curve movement allows a robot to curve and move along a programmed path. A robot functioning under sensor-guided movement depends on sensor feedback to inform the way it moves.

All kinds of robotic movement are programmed using complex algorithms that take into consideration the parameters of the work environment, the speed at which the robot will move, and the timing of surrounding movement. External conditions, such as noise and vibrations, are also significant factors. Along with the necessary algorithms for dictating motion, a robot also depends upon task-specific software.

Type Of Heat Exchanger

Heat exchangers are devices whose primary responsibility is the transfer (exchange) of heat, typically from one fluid to another. However, they are not only used in heating applications, such as space heaters, but are also used in cooling applications, such as refrigerators and air conditioners. Many types of heat exchangers can be distinguished from on another based on the direction the liquids flow. In such applications, the heat exchangers can be and be parallel-flow, cross-flow, or countercurrent. In parallel-flow heat exchangers, both fluid involved move in the same direction, entering and exiting the exchanger side by side. In cross-flow heat exchangers, the fluid paths run perpendicular to one another. In countercurrent heat exchangers, the fluid paths flow in opposite directions, with each exiting where the other enters. Countercurrent heat exchangers tend to be more effective than other types of exchangers.

Aside from classifying heat exchangers based on fluid direction, there are types that vary mainly in their composition. Some heat exchangers are comprised of multiple tubes, whereas others consist of hot plates with room for fluid to flow between them. It’s important to keep in mind that not all heat exchangers depend on the transfer of heat from liquid to liquid, but in certain cases use other mediums instead.

Types of Heat Exchangers

Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger

Shell and tube heat exchangers are comprised of multiple tubes through which liquid flows. The tubes are divided into two sets: the first set contains the liquid to be heated or cooled. The second set contains the liquid responsible for triggering the heat exchange, and either removes heat from the first set of tubes by absorbing and transmitting heat away—in essence, cooling the liquid—or warms the set by transmitting its own heat to the liquid inside. When designing this type of exchanger, care must be taken in determining the correct tube wall thickness as well as tube diameter, to allow optimum heat exchange. In terms of flow, shell and tube heat exchangers can assume any of three flow path patterns.

Plate Heat Exchanger

Plate heat exchangers consist of thin plates joined together, with a small amount of space between each plate, typically maintained by a small rubber gasket. The surface area is large, and the corners of each rectangular plate feature an opening through which fluid can flow between plates, extracting heat from the plates as it flows. The fluid channels themselves alternate hot and cold fluids, meaning that heat exchangers can effectively cool as well as heat fluid—they are often used in refrigeration applications. Because plate heat exchangers have such a large surface area, they are often more effective than shell and tube heat exchangers.

Regenerative Heat Exchanger

In a regenerative heat exchanger, the same fluid is passed along both sides of the exchanger, which can be either a plate heat exchanger or a shell and tube heat exchanger. Because the fluid can get very hot, the exiting fluid is used to warm the incoming fluid, maintaining a near constant temperature. A large amount of energy is saved in a regenerative heat exchanger because the process is cyclical, with almost all relative heat being transferred from the exiting fluid to the incoming fluid. To maintain a constant temperature, only a little extra energy is need to raise and lower the overall fluid temperature.

Adiabatic Wheel Heat Exchanger

In this type of heat exchanger, an intermediate fluid is used to store heat, which is then transferred to the opposite side of the exchanger unit. An adiabatic wheel consists of a large wheel with threads that rotate through the fluids—both hot and cold—to extract or transfer heat.