Author: Susan Bedsaul

Severe weather, such as a tornado, can strike at any time. It is important to understand severe weather warning systems, preparations, and the steps to take prior to and during severe weather.

Warnings and Watches

The National Weather Service Issues tornado watches and warnings. A tornado watch means that tornados are likely to occur in the watch area. During a tornado watch always be ready to act quickly, take shelter, and monitor radio and television stations for more information.

A tornado warning means that a tornado was sighted in the area. It can also mean that radar indicates the presence of a tornado. When warnings are issued take shelter immediately.

Preparation

It is important for employers to prepare for tornadoes. Preparation includes:

• Identifying shelter locations.
• Developing an accountability system for employees and visitors.
• Establishing or installing an alarm system to warn workers.
• Testing the alarm system at least twice per year.
• Developing methods to communicate warnings to those with disabilities or those who do not speak English.
• Assigning specific duties to workers in advance. This would include activities such as roll call, first aid, and monitoring the internet as well as radio or tv stations.
• Equipping shelter areas with supply kits. A supply kit should include first aid supplies, water, blankets, a radio, and a flashlight.
• Conducting routine severe weather drills or exercises.

Shelters

The best way to take shelter from a tornado is in an underground location. Examples include basements or storm cellars. If an underground shelter is not available:

• Seek a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.
• Stay away from doors, windows, and outside walls.
• Stay in the center of the room.
• Avoid rooms or buildings with wide span roofs.

If you are in a vehicle there are two options:

1. Stay in the vehicle with your seat belt on. Keep your head below the windows. Cover your head with your hands, a blanket, or a heavy jacket.
2. Locate an area which is noticeably lower than the roadway. Lie in that area and cover your head with your hands.

Source:  www.osha.gov/tornado/preparedness

Additional Links:

• Truck Driver Safety
• Severe Weather Safety Tips – weather.com
• Safety Made Simple – Catalog of Courses

Stressed cattle can easily injure or kill a worker. According to the Kansas Livestock Association’s Work Comp Program, 45% of feedlot injuries involve working with cattle. Understanding cattle behavior and implementing low stress cattle handling practices can prevent serious injuries and fatalities. Low-stress cattle handling incorporates the understanding of cattle’s natural behaviors. Using this knowledge, cattle handlers can positively affect cattle movement.

Cattle Behavior

Contrary to widely held belief, cattle behavior is often predictable. Most handler related incidents occur when cattle are stressed. Understanding cattle stressors can reduce the potential for serious injuries and fatalities. Cattle are animals of prey and often defenseless. They need to trust their handlers. The trust established between handlers and animals reduces stress. Gaining trust requires cattle handlers to move in a predictable manner so that cattle feel safe.

The Flight Zone

Cattle handlers must understand and manage the flight zone. This is a significant and common cattle stressor. An animal’s flight zone is similar to your personal space. It is the distance from an animal that a handler must maintain for the animal to feel comfortable. When a person enters the flight zone, the animal will move. The flight zone radius can range from five to over 25 feet for feedlot cattle and as far as 300 feet for range cattle.

Low Stress Cattle Handling

Using consistent and predictable movements can significantly reduce flight zone distance and minimize animal stress. The objective of a cattle handler is to train the animals to move in a predictable manner. Approaching animals quickly or in an unusual or unpredictable manner can cause stress. Animals can also become stressed by unusual noises, mobile equipment movement,   and in new or unfamiliar environments.

Low stress cattle handling in feedlots requires predictable movements. Handlers must understand the unique flight zone for each a group of cattle. It takes time and patience to gain an animal’s trust. Earning their trust must begin as soon as they enter the feedlot. Trust is quickly lost whenever an animal feels threatened.

Conclusion

Implementing low stress cattle handling practices is the key to preventing serious injuries and fatalities in cattle feedlots. Safety doesn’t have to be difficult, simple steps, such as implementing low stress cattle handling practices, can prevent injuries and save lives.

Additional Links:

• How Do You Build A Safety Culture?
• Learn More About Safety Training for the Livestock Industry
• Full Course Catalog – Safety Made Simple

 

Chuck Pirie is the founder of Safety Made Simple, LLC and a livestock subject matter expert. He has over 30 years of experience in safety and as a consultant. Chuck can be reached at [email protected]

 

The majority of employees are aware of  fall hazards in their work environment. They also have knowledge in  fall protection strategies, required equipment, and inspection protocols. However, they are often unaware of orthostatic intolerance and suspension trauma.

Ortho Static Intolerance

Orthostatic intolerance is “the development of symptoms such as light-headedness, heart palpitations, poor concentration, fatigue, nausea, headache, sweating, weakness, and occasional fainting while standing upright.”  It results from blood accumulating in the leg veins. This can be caused by lack of  movement or the force of gravity.

Orthostatic intolerance requires the legs to remain relaxed, straight, tight, and below head level. Leg muscles contract while walking or shifting positions. This causes leg muscles to press against the veins in the legs pumping blood back to the heart. This is why orthostatic intolerance is uncommon during daily activities.

Circulation is reduced when blood accumulates in the legs. The body responds by speeding up the heart rate. This maintains blood flow to the brain. If blood flow is significantly reduced, speeding up the heart rate is not effective. In response, the body will abruptly slow the heart rate which reduces blood flow. Reduced blood flow to the brain can cause fainting or loss of consciousness.

Suspension Trauma

Death resulting from orthostatic intolerance is called suspension trauma. Consider a worker hanging in a body harness. The harness’s straps put pressure on the leg veins. This compresses the veins causing reduced blood flow to the heart. Without leg muscle contraction, blood flow to the heart will slow. This causes the worker to lose consciousness. Prolonged suspension can result in serious physical injury or even death. Research shows that suspension in a body harness can result in unconsciousness, and possibly death within 30 minutes.

Preventing Suspension Trauma

A worker can slow the onset of suspension trauma by pumping the legs while suspended in a harness. This activates the leg muscles which help pump blood back to the heart.

Suspension trauma straps are also helpful. They connect directly to the harness. The straps allow the worker to remain upright. This activates the leg muscles, reduces venous pooling, and restores blood blow to the heart.

Fall Rescue

Rescuing a worker quickly can prevent suspension trauma. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employers provide for “prompt rescue of employees in the event of a fall.” Prompt rescue may require an in-house rescue team or first responders. Rescuers utilize equipment such as ladders, ropes, and aerial lifts to rescue suspended workers.

Rescue personnel must be careful when handling an unconscious worker. The lethal surge of blood returning to heart is called reflow syndrome. Reflow syndrome occurs when a worker is removed from the harness and placed flat on their back. Rescuers must keep the worker’s upper torso upright at least 30-40 degrees. The worker can be positioned flat on their back over a 45-minute period.

Conclusion

It is important to plan for fall related emergencies. Evaluate activities that require fall protection equipment at your facility as well as your rescue plan. Make sure employees are knowledgeable of the dangers associated with suspension trauma. Never allow workers using fall arrest equipment to work alone and make sure they know what to do in the event of a fall. Remember, safety doesn’t have to be difficult, simple steps, such as educating workers on suspension trauma can prevent serious injuries and save lives.

Related Links

• Fall Protection Calculations
• Fall Protection Equipment Inspections
• Course Catalog – Safety Made Simple

References

• Raynovich, William. “Dangerous Suspension: Understanding Suspension Syndrome &Prehospital Treatment for those at Risk.” Journal of Emergency Medical Services 31 July 2009: 1-10. Print.
• Weems, Bill and Bishop, Phil “Will Your Safety Harness Kill You.”  Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) March 2003: Print.
• United States Department of Labor. (2011). Safety and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB-03-24-2011). Suspension Trauma/Orthostatic Intolerance. Occupational Health and Safety Administration.

 

Joe Mlynek is a partner and subject matter expert at Safety Made Simple, LLC. He has over 25 years of experience in safety at the corporate level and as a consultant. He is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Occupational Safety and Health Technician (OHST). Joe can be reached at [email protected].

Phosphine has been used in the fumigation of grain storage structures since 1958. Available formulations include aluminum or magnesium phosphide. Both penetrate deeply into stored grain killing target pests. While licensed fumigators are highly trained in phosphine’s hazards, many affected employees and contractors working in close proximity to fumigated structures are not. This blog provides basic information for anyone working near structures fumigated with aluminum or magnesium phosphide.

Odor and Toxicity

Phosphine has an odor that is often compared to dead fish or garlic. The odor can be detected at low concentrations but should not be relied upon for warning purposes. Phosphine also has a specific gravity in air of 1.214 (air=1 @ standard temperature and pressure). Since phosphine is heavier than air it penetrates deep into grain. This also means that phosphine can settle in low lying interior areas lacking adequate natural or mechanical ventilation such as tunnels, basements, and boot pits.

Phosphine gas is generated when aluminum or magnesium phosphide is exposed to heat or moisture. Phosphine gas at certain levels can be toxic to humans. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets the Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) for phosphine at 0.3 parts per million (ppm). The PEL is the highest level of exposure an employee may be exposed to without incurring the risk of adverse health effects based on an eight-hour workday. Exposure to concentrations above the PEL requires NIOSH certified respiratory protection, such as a full-face respirator with an appropriate canister or cartridge.

Symptoms

Symptoms of low-level exposure to phosphine may include general fatigue, ringing in the ears, nausea, or pressure in the chest. These symptoms may occur immediately or several hours after exposure. Symptoms of exposure to greater quantities of phosphine may include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and chest pain. Symptoms should disappear when the exposed person is removed to an area with fresh air. Should symptoms persist, the person should receive immediate medical attention.

Notifications

Employees working near fumigated structures must be notified that fumigation is in process. This can be accomplished by conducting routine safety meetings and placarding fumigated structures. The licensed applicator is required to post placards or signs at the entrances to the fumigated structure and  areas connected to the structure. These placards and signs warn affected employees of potential danger and the need to stay out of the area. Unauthorized persons should not have access to fumigated areas.

Fumigation Process

Once the fumigation process is complete the fumigator will ensure that the structure is adequately aerated so that affected persons are not exposed to residual phosphine. Areas adjacent to bins, silos, or fumigated structures should be ventilated using natural or mechanical ventilation. This can be achieved by leaving tunnel access hatches, windows, and doors open or by providing artificial ventilation with fans or blowers. Employees should be encouraged to use air monitoring equipment when entering recently fumigated areas. Monitoring for phosphine can be performed by using gas detector tubes or an air monitor equipped with phosphine sensing capability. Employees must never re-enter structures until the concentration of phosphine is less than its PEL (0.3 ppm).

Fumigant tablet canisters should be stored in a dry place protected area. Exposure to water or other liquids releases phosphine gas and may cause spontaneous ignition. The fumigant storage area should also be properly labeled. An NFPA diamond label on the exterior of the storage area will assist first responders by communicating  basic hazard information.

Remember, safety doesn’t have to be difficult, simple steps, such as training employees on fumigant hazards and how they can protect themselves, can prevent exposure and send people home safely.

Related blog articles:

• Confined Space Incidents
• Hierarchy of Controls
• Effective Workplace Communication Guide
• Full Course Catalog – Safety Made Simple

 

Joe Mlynek is a partner and subject matter expert at Safety Made Simple, LLC. He has over 20 years of experience in safety at the corporate level and as a consultant. He is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Occupational Safety and Health Technician (OHST). Joe can be reached at [email protected]