OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY – Lesson 7

Occupational Health – Ergonomics

Incorrect lifting procedure – DO NOT…

Correct lifting procedure – DO:

HOUSEKEEPING

Good housekeeping is a place for everything and everything in its place at all times.

Do Not:

• Leave tools, equipment and material in aisles and walkways,
• Scatter tools all over the floor and benches,
• Keep tools off ladders, stairs and temporary work platforms,

ØLeave lunch boxes in trunks of any vehicles

STACKING RULES

• Neat, stable and controlled access to minimum requirements
• Rack, shelves and pallets kept in a good condition & able to carry load
• Faulty items should be repaired
• Unauthorised stacking prohibited
• Stacking areas must be demarcated
• Good stacking saves time, money and reduces delays and potential hazards
• Poor stacking can result in injury and damage to property

STORAGE

• Paints and flammable liquids are also stored in the store in special expanding metal containers
• Tools and materials must be stored in a toolbox
• Store tools in correct position/place in the toolbox (Do not hide tools)
• Diesel is stored in diesel bays

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

Ensure:

• Tools & equipment is in a safe position before switching on
• Tools & equipment is isolated before using it
• Shut down all fuel-powered motors before refuelling
• Report all unsafe conditions/tools/equipment
• Use the correct tools for the job
• Always use the correct PPE

DO NOT:

• Use damaged tools, frayed or defective electrical cords or unguarded machinery
• Throw tools, equipment or material
• Use petrol as a cleaning solvent
• Use self/home made tools
• Modify tools or equipment
• Use tools or equipment if not trained to use

HAND AND POWER TOOLS

Rules to comply by:

• Permits of Competence are required for all Operating Specialised Equipment.
• Unauthorised persons shall not enter a Mine or work on any Shaft, place or building where machinery has been erected.
• All Equipment / Machinery must be inspected by a Certified Engineer prior to entering the Mine.  (Finding of the inspection must be recorded).
• No persons shall damage or render ineffective anything, which has been provided for the protection of surface and/ or of underground works as far as the Safety and/ or Health is concerned of the workforce.
• When you are in charge of machinery, which requires constant supervision, do not absent yourself or cease to have continual supervision of such machine unless a competent person relieves you.
• Use the correct tools and equipment safely for each task.
• Ensure hammers and chisels are in good condition before commencing work
• Only trained, competent people are allowed to use power tools.
• Use the right tool for the task at hand.
• Ensure that tool handles are not damaged before use.
• Do not overload power tools.
• Do not use electrical power tools on equipment whilst standing in water.

LADDERS

• Standardized
• Approved, undamaged and of sound construction
• Safety harness
• Not close to power lines
• Scaffold Hand Over Tag

Portable Ladders

When using a portable ladder you should:

• Always face the ladder when climbing up or down it
• Only move up or down the ladder one rung at a time
• Always keep a three-point contact
• Keep your body centred within the ladder stiles
• Climb down from the ladder if you need to reposition it
• Never stand higher than 900 mm from the top of the ladder

SCAFFOLDING

Scaffolding must be:

• Erected and dismantled under the supervision of a competent person.
• Secured against working surface of structure and braced to ensure stability.
• Platform to cover entire work level and fitted with kick board.
• The wheels of mobile scaffolds must be braked and chocked when stationary.
• Identified on register, inspected at weekly intervals, before use and after rainy/windy conditions.
• Safe access to be provided at all times.
• Scaffold to be declared safe and tagged before use.

Always:

• Keep walkways free of obstacles, tools and equipment.
• Keep platforms free of grease and mud.
• Climb from one level to another using the ladders provided.
• Use a crane, hoist or winch to lift materials up and down from the scaffold.

Never:

• Exceed the safe working load of the scaffold.
• Stand on the hand-rails.
• Work from a defective scaffold.

CRANES

Rules to comply with when using cranes:

• You do not sling over people
• Nobody stands or walks underneath a lifted load.
• The load to be lifted will not exceed the Safe
•  Working Load (SWL) of the lifting equipment used.
• All lifting equipment must be identified, on register and inspected regularly.

Ensure that The correct slings are used for the load to be lifted and that:

• The load is well balanced.
• The lifting tackle is not damaged or faulty and if it is, get it repaired or replaced.
• Only one person gives signals/direction.
• Only certified people to operate a crane.
• The person assisting the operator, is supervised at all times

SLIPS & FALLS

Slips:

• Wet or oily surface
• Occasional spills
• Flooring or other walking surfaces that do not have the same degree of traction or slope in all areas
• Contaminated inappropriate footwear
• Uneven surfaces
• Loose materials (stone)

Trips:

• Obstructed views
• Poor lighting
• Clutter in your way
• Uncovered Cables
• Uneven steps, thresholds, walking surfaces, rock
• Loose footwear. High heels – Not allowed on Barberton mine.
• Murky water/potholes

BARRICADING & DEMARCATION

Barricades are used to prevent persons from  inadvertently entering an area that is currently not in use or where there may be dangerous conditions:

• Only competent and authorised persons may enter
• Purpose for the inspection
• All other persons must obtain permission
• Crossing a barricade can lead to disciplinary.

ENERGY ISOLATION LOCK-OUT PROCEDURE

• Prevent the accidental exposure to stored energy
• Must be done at the main source of energy.
• Familiarise yourself with the lock-out procedures in your work area before attempting to perform any work.
• All locks identified with unique identification numbers
• All issues recorded in a register kept by the responsible foreman
• Locks only to be utilised for the
• Purpose of “locking out” machines or equipment
  

GENERAL ELECTRICAL SAFETY

• Treat electricity with caution
• Isolate and Lock-out
• Don’t use water in case of fire
• Power lines – consider every line as “live”
• Stay at least 6 metres away from power lines

WELDING & FLAME CUTTING

Effect:

Eye, Skin and Respiratory (nose, mouth and lungs).

• Welding smoke can irritate the eyes, nose, chest, and respiratory tract and cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, bronchitis, pulmonary oedema (fluid in the lungs), and pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs).

Signs & Symptoms:

• Mild (headache, nauseous, body ache)
• Severe (heart stop beating)

First Aid:

• CPR
• Control room 911

FIRE & EXPLOSION

The following may cause explosions:

• Damaged gas hoses
• Leaks from pipes, joints, hose connections or fittings
• Over pressurization of the gas supply system
• Flammable or combustible material in the workplace

FIRE EQUIPMENT

• Sufficient dry powder and CO2 extinguishers must be available for use in all work areas.
• Water will not be used on fires in areas where molten / hot metal is found and fires involving electrical equipment.
• Fire hose reels will not be used for washing cars or workshop floors etc.
• All equipment must recorded in a register, inspected on a monthly basis and serviced annually.

CONVEYOR BELTS

DO:

• Report damaged/loose pull cords, faulty alarms and guards
• Guards to be in place and secured
• Cross conveyor belts are in place and secured
• Walkways are clear and unobstructed, to be used
• Lockout and test prior to working on conveyors

Do Not

• Lean against a conveyor belt
• Step over or go underneath a conveyor belt
• Ride on a conveyor belt
• Work on conveyors while they are in motion
• Place yourself or anyone else in an area where conveyor belting or hinge ropes have stored energy

MACHINE GUARDS

• All rotating and moving parts of machinery within normal reach must be guarded or fenced off in such a manner that accidental contact cannot take place.
• Report machine guarding that does not meet this standard.
• No rotating or moving machinery must be operated without machine guards

COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDERS

• Cylinders must be stored and transported in an upright position.
• They must be secured with a safety chain at all times.
• O2 cylinders must not be stored within 6 meters of flammable gas.
• Flammables should not be stored within 10 meters of compressed gas.
• Empty cylinders must be clearly marked and stored separately.

COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDERS CONTINUED

• Cylinders will be fitted with a valve protection shroud.
• Safe use of Oxy/Acetylene equipment:
  • Fitted with flashback arrestors – both bottle and torch sides.
  • Hoses must be clamped together with “quick release” clamps not cable ties, wire or insulation tape.
  • Equipment must be tested before use (soap test).
  • Identified, on register and inspected at three monthly intervals by a competent person.
  • Used by competent people.

HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES (HCS’S)

• Not allowed on site unless approved by Barberton Mine.
• Never store liquids above solids.
• Do not mix chemicals unless you are familiar with the type of reaction that can take place.
• Storage containers must be labeled.
• Material Safety Data Sheets (DMR) must be available when requested.
• People must be trained how to use HCS’s safely.
• Wear the personal protective equipment required by DMR.
• Ensure correct and adequate fire equipment in the area where HCS’s are used.
• Do not use compressed air to clean clothing.
• Around machinery:
  • Do not wear loose or torn clothing as it can snag on moving parts.
  • Long hair must be tied back to prevent entanglement with moving parts.
  • Do no wear loose jewelry around moving machinery
• Place waste in the correct colour coded containers.
• Clean up after you have completed a job.
• Butane lighters are not allowed in the Smelter due to their explosive properties
• Do not bring any firearm, explosives, knives or any other weapons on any part of our property.
• Do not take shortcuts through production buildings.
• Only smoke in designated areas.
• No horse-play allowed.