Proforma Safety Blog

Plastic Bottles Do Leach BPA into Water, Says Harvard Study

Posted by proforma on May 25, 2009  |  No Comments

Are you drinking water from plastic bottles?

You may want to read about the results of a study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health. The study found that after only a week of drinking water from clear plastic polycarbonate bottles, the test subjects showed a 69 percent increase of bisphenol A - or BPA - in their urine. When the bottles are heated, the leaching of BPA becomes even worse. Animal testing has shown low-level BPA exposure during fetal development can alter the development of breast and prostate glands. Higher BPA concentrations were also associated with diabetes and clinically abnormal concentrations of the liver enzymes in adults.

In particular, baby bottles have been targeted, and stores such as WalMart are changing their inventory to non-BPA bottles. But the problem extends beyond bottles to pacifiers, toys, plastic containers, and similar household items.

How can you tell if a product contains BPA? Look for an identification number “7” inside the universal recycling symbol on the bottom of the item, which identifies it as a plastic that does not fall into the 1- 6 recycling categories. Alternatively, look for a “PC” which stands for polycarbonate. Clear plastic baby bottles and training cups are likely made of polycarbonate.

Details of the study are available at The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) website.

Welder Electrocuted by Damaged Cord

Posted by proforma on May 21, 2009  |  No Comments

A 220-volt floodlight caused the death of a welder when its cord became pinched between the fixture and a mounting bracket. Tragically, the light had been determined to be inappropriate for the job and set aside, but not disconnected.

The location: a bilge pump room in the column of a semi submersible. Conditions were hot, 97 degrees, and the welder’s coveralls were soaked with perspiration. A Permit To Work (PTW) and Job Safety Analysis (JSA) had been completed, but reports are the PTW didn’t capture all the elements (confined space, ventilation, electrical hazard, etc.) The JSA was not specific to the job.

Among the corrective actions taken was a “hazard hunt” of the rig fleet focused on portable lights, power tools and electric cords. Rig supervisors were not only urged to enforce STOP(TM), but one STOP card per person per day on board was mandated.

Further details on steps taken to prevent repeat of the incident are detailed here on the International Association of Drilling Contractors site.

Bad Vibrations Lead to Permanent Damage

Posted by proforma on May 21, 2009  |  No Comments

Anyone using a pneumatic, hydraulic, electric or gasoline-powered hand tool may have experienced tingling in the fingers, hands and arms after the job is completed. What many people don’t know is that there is a longterm syndrome that may develop — one that is irreversible. Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is the name of the condition. Tingling and numbness in fingers are the first signs; “white” or blanched fingertips, especially with exposure to cold temperatures, are sometimes mistaken for frostbite. As time goes on, painful attacks increase in frequency, duration and intensity, until they’re occurring not only on the job working with the equipment, but also off the job.

Key to prevention is understanding the dynamics of vibration, tool characteristics and worker conditions that contribute to the problem. While there currently are no OSHA guidelines, prudent employers will make sure they’re on top of this issue. Explanation of vibrations and recommendations for testing equipment are available in this excellent article on EHS Today.

Safety Lesson Video: Unsafe Lifting Job

Posted by proforma on May 11, 2009  |  No Comments

Have you ever ignored or tried to circumvent potential hazards, hoping you could successfully complete the job anyway?

In this excellent video lesson based on a true story, an operator is changing a filter in the pump room. The operator finds two barrels are in the way and the monorail he plans to use is not long enough to clear the barrels. He proceeds anyway, lifting the filter and pushing it along to the end of the monorail, tipping the filter out over the barrels. As he’s about to fasten the new filter, the stopper, bracket, shackle and bolts crash to the ground, nearly hitting the operator.

What are the lessons to be learned? Above all, take steps to ensure you have the competence and the setup to safely perform the job.
In this instance:
This was an unsafe, poorly organized workplace with the barrels in the way.
The monorail not long enough, so there was extra strain. There were problems with the stopper and the bolts were not dimensioned properly.
There were no procedures, as changing filters is considered a purely routine job.
The operator didn’t have training for that kind of lifting operation.

View this video from the Working Together for Safety Project.

Loose Objects in Your Car Can Become Fatal Projectiles

Posted by proforma on May 4, 2009  |  No Comments

Most people are aware of the need to secure items in a car in the event of an accident. This unfortunate fatality reminds us that laptops and similar work-related items left out in the car can cause serious injury.

A 25-year old woman in British Columbia was killed recently by her laptop, which was propelled from the back seat during a collision. The laptop struck her in the head and neck, causing blunt force trauma.

The woman was on a business trip and had her laptop sitting in the back seat on top of her luggage. Authorities say that if she hadn’t been struck by the laptop, she would have survived the accident.