Industrial Vacuum Blog » safety

Resolve to be safe in the New Year

Rachel — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:58:36 +0000

In 2011, we saw our fair share of work-related hazards…everything from combustible dust and fall hazards to silica and beryllium exposure. It seemed that everyday there was a new article related to an OSHA citation, food recall or …and we hate to say it…an industrial accident. As we welcome the New Year, Nilfisk Industrial Vacuums challenges you to set non-traditional resolutions and resolve to stay safe and keep your worker’s safe in 2012. Here are some things you can do NOW to ensure we close out the year with LESS combustible dust fires and explosions, OSHA citations, product recalls…and ZERO occupational injuries.

1. Perform a facility assessment. Walk through your plant or shop and look for hazards like electrical issues, slip, trip and fall hazards, faulty equipment, and accumulations of dust (remember, a layer of dust the thickness of a paperclip can get you cited AND add to a deadly accident).

2. EDUCATE. There are so many resources available to you from government agencies and private companies that there is now NO excuse for saying you didn’t know. Educate yourself on OSHA regulations, NFPA codes, and EPA laws. Also, don’t forget to check with your local authorities for safe-manufacturing policies. People like your building inspectors and fire marshalls can be a wealth of knowledge. Once you’ve educated yourself, educate the rest of your team. Plant Managers can be a walking safety encyclopedia, but it does nothing if this knowledge isn’t passed on to the machine operators and folks on the floor. Be sure to communicate the information to them in clear, simple terms.

3. Invest in the proper equipment. Don’t try to cut corners and cents…because it most likely will cost you more in the long run. Choose high-quality equipment that will allow you to operate an efficient process. Don’t forget that you often “get what you pay for,” so the cheapest quote isn’t always the right one. When it comes to specialty equipment for hazardous locations, make sure they carry proper certifications, etc. and are built to the highest level of operational safety.

4. Set Goals. Whether its marking on a chalkboard the number of days you’ve gone without an injury or simply crossing things off your to-do list (eg. vacuum dust off overhead pipes and beams), setting goals will allow you to see the small successes and motivate everyone to be involved.

5. Start today. It only takes one spark, one trip, or one broken piece of machinery to cause an injury. Not to mention, OSHA can knock on your door this afternoon. Put safety practices into action today…and follow them every day.

Goodnight, Irene. Are you prepared for the Hurricane?

Rachel — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:06:41 +0000

As the song goes (Goodnight, Irene), hopefully this Irene will only be seen in our dreams…

Just when we thought we survived one natural disaster, in the form of a very rare earthquake on the east coast, we are now gearing up for the second natural event this week, Hurricane Irene. Although Morgantown, PA (our headquarters) isn’t a shore point, there is still cause for concern up and down the entire eastern coast, as the storm promises high winds and heavy rain…lots of rain. Whether or not you’re in an evacuation zone, it’s never too late to be prepared for these types of storms and natural disasters. Here are some tips from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Step 1: Build a Kit

Get an Emergency Supply Kit , which includes items like non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries. You may want to prepare a portable kit and keep it in your car in case you are told to evacuate.

Step 2: Make a Plan

Make a Family Emergency Plan . Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency. You should also consider:

Evacuation plans, Family communications, Utility shut-off and safety, Safety skills, Plan to Protect Property

Hurricanes cause heavy rains that can cause extensive flood damage in coastal and inland areas. Flood insurance is the only way to financially protect your property or business from flood damage. Learn more at floodsmart.gov . In addition you can also:

Cover all of your home’s windows with pre-cut ply wood or hurricane shutters to protect your windows from high winds.

Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.

Keep all trees and shrubs well trimmed so they are more wind resistant.

Secure your home by closing shutters, and securing outdoor objects or bringing them inside.

Step 3: Be Informed

The first and most important thing anyone should do when facing a hurricane threat is to use common sense.

Stay Safe! In and Out of Work!

Rachel — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:28:58 +0000

It’s National Safety Month! Yes, safety is ALWAYS important, but during the month of June the National Safety Council (NSC), which sponsors the initiative, is putting in extra effort to remind people to live and work safely. The organization has identified weekly safety-themes and is encouraging companies to spend some time this month focusing on safe practices in the workplace. You can see the full list of weekly themes as well as posters, tip sheets and other materials you can use for your own safety events here.

Many of the topics chosen by the NSC for this year’s National Safety Month are not necessarily related to workplace safety. They are topics like teen driving, prescription overdose prevention, summer safety, etc.

And as Christie (blogger on Online Safety Community), points out, out-of work safety is also important, which even we tend to forget (as an industrial manufacturer). But after all, if your employees aren’t safe outside of work, their unsafe habits can easily be brought into the workplace through sickness, lack of sleep, or just plain bad decisions that impair abilities.

“Encouraging your employees not only to be safe at work, but at home too, is great way to help ensure you have happy, healthy employees in the workplace each day.”

Source: Online Safety Community, http://www.safetycommunity.com/profiles/blogs/june-is-national-safety-month-2

Stay safe with Industrial Vacuum Cleaners!

- A clean plant makes clean air, which equals healthy employees (no silicosis)…and better products for happy customers!

- Industrial vacuums can easily and efficiently minimize dust accumulations on overhead pipes, machinery, etc. to reduce the risk of combustible dust fires and explosions

- Integrated into food processing lines, industrial vacuums prevent cross-contamination of bacteria and allergens (ultimately keeping the end-user safe).

-Reduce falls by vacuuming up dust and debris on walking working surfaces

- Industrial vacuums are user-friendly and way more efficient than brooms, etc. Not only can employees clean faster, they also can eliminate injuries caused by repetitious movements.

- Reduce occurrence of lead poisoning (and meet the Lead RRP) by using a HEPA filter vacuum when renovating homes or schools built before 1978!

Want to know more about industrial vacuums and safety, visist www.nilfiskcfm.com or call us!

www.explosionproof-vacuum.com

Jessica — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:19:54 +0000

Even though the industrial sector is now very aware of the risks of combustible dust, we are learning firsthand that manufacturer’s still have ALOTof questions. (“Do I really need an explosion-proof vacuum? Does my machinery meet industry recommendations? Can an EXP still be equipped with a HEPA filter? etc.). While we can’t answer everything, (we’re experts on lots of things, but mostly industrial vacuums!), a new microsite, www.explosionproof-vacuum.com strives to answer combustible dust questions, at least as they relate to maintenance procedures and vacuums. Similar sites for the food and pharmaceutical industries are also available (I told you we’re experts on alot of things)! www.foodprocessingvacuum.com and www.pharmaceuticalvacuum.com. More about those later.