Category Archives: Hearing Protection

Drivers, Start Your Engines!…. Safely?

Before you start your engines, we thought we’d share some facts regarding NASCAR Safety.

Millions of dollars have been spent to ensure the safety of the drivers, team members, and the fans of the sport. construct Safety Barriers with materials that absorb better than concrete.  The Hans Device (combination helmet and neck restraint) is mandatory.  Restrictor Plates are used at two high-banked superspeedways, Daytona and Talladega. These plates reduce the speed of the cars for safety.  Cars are designed with two roof flaps, which help prevent cars from becoming airborne.  Drivers, of course, are outfitted with fire retardant gloves, boots, and suits.
Pit Road has speed limits for safety.  Pit Members are required to wear helmets, full fire suits, and gloves.  The gas man must wear a fire apron.  Although it is not compulsory, it is recommended changers wear safety glasses to prevent debris from getting into their eyes.  Since the NASCAR cars do not have wing mirrors, it is mandatory to have spotters to communicate with their drivers to relay information as to location of cars in blind spots.

Mechanix products are probably the most popular gloves NASCAR team mechanics use in their job.  Many products are available: all types of gloves, even ones with lights, ladies’ gloves, Radio Belt, knee pads, backpacks, and more!

If you plan to visit the track, you might want to also take along:

  • Safety glasses with UV protection
  • SunX Towelettes
  • Miracool Bandannas
  • Earplugs from
  • Maybe even some Gatorade

Be sure to wear a wide-brimmed hat, and drive friendly!

Source:   Wikipedia

Dangers Of Woodworking

Whether it is in your shop at home, or your regular job is woodworking, there are many hazards to be considered.  Proper protective equipment must be utilized to minimize danger.  Most woodworking machines now have guards that come as standard equipment.  If yours does not, install one.  There are fixed, adjustable, and self-adjusting types of guards.  Each one has its own advantages and limitations.  It is always important to provide a guard or barrier that prevents access to the danger area.

In industries, workers should be trained to understand controls on machines, how to stop equipment in emergencies, and taught safety procedures for special set-ups.

Good housekeeping must be practiced to keep dust from collecting in order to control fire and explosion hazards.  Engineered control technology is proper exhaust ventilation and correct use and storage of flammable materials.

Dangers of woodworking include:

  • Lacerations
  • Amputations
  • Severed fingers
  • Blindness
  • Respiratory problems
  • Hearing problems
  • Skin disease from exposure to finishing chemicals

Utilizing personal protective equipment, such as hardhats, gloves, earmuffs, earplugs, safety shields, and goggles will help reduce or eliminate the dangers of woodworking.

OSHA

WORK RELATED HEARING LOSS

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, (NIOSH), work-related hearing loss continues to be a serious workplace issue for safety and health.  Noise-induced hearing loss is 100 percent preventable, but once it happens, hearing loss is permanent and irreversible.  Employers and workers must take precautions to protect workers’ hearing.
One of the most common occupational diseases is hearing loss.  High numbers of exposed workers in the following industries include:

  • Military
  • Mining
  • Agriculture
  • Transportation
  • Construction
  • Utilities
  • Manufacturing

The most effective way to prevent noise-induced hearing loss is through controls, such as building an acoustic barrier or muffler in the workplace.  Earplugs and earmuffs should be used when a safe level of noise cannot be attained otherwise.
This is not a new danger; it has always been a threat.  Repeated exposures to loud noise can cause permanent, incurable hearing loss or tinnitus, (buzzing, ringing, or other sounds in ear caused by defect or damage to the auditory nerve).  Employers need to provide hearing protectors in situations where dangerous exposures are not eliminated.
Worker education, along with employers’ assessments of noise situations, need to be consistently enforced.

Source: NIOSH
Gateway Safety

Working with Power Tools?

When using power tools, the proper personal protective equipment should always be worn.

These tools are classified by their source of power: electric, pneumatic, liquid fuel, hydraulic and powder-actuated.
Safety tips when using the types of tools listed are:

  • Electric – Electric shock is the most hazardous threat, and proper grounding is extremely important. Wear gloves and safety footwear when using electric tools.
  • Pneumatic – Powered by compressed air, i.e., drills, hammers, sanders, require that eye, head and face protection be used.   When operating jackhammers, safety glasses, shoes, face shields and hearing protection from noise are necessary.
  • Liquid Fuel – Usually powered by gasoline, which sometimes creates vapors that can explode or burn.  If using this type of equipment in inside areas, respirators should be worn.
  • Powder-Actuated – These tools operate like a loaded gun, and should be operated only by specially trained persons.  Face, ear and eye protection need to be worn.
  • Hydraulic – Fire-resistant fluids must be used to run this equipment, with the exception of insulated sections of derrick trucks, aerial lifts and tools used on or around energized lines.  Jacks, lever and ratchet jacks, screw jacks and hydraulic jacks should be properly inspected before use and immediately after.  Appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn.

Mowing Safety

This summer, everyone will be outside working in their yards. Young people mow lawns to earn a little spending money while out of school. But did you know that in 1990, of the 87,000 people injured by lawnmowers, 20,000 were under 25 and 10,000 of those were younger than 15 years old.

Many injuries can be avoided by taking the proper precautions:

    >These products are readily available to you for your safety. Be prepared and be safe this summer.