SCM Safety Newsletter Fall 2020
IN THE NEWS
SCM SAFETY NEWS
We are limiting our courses to 12 students to allow for social distancing. Register now before the limit is reached!
You can register online through the links provided, or call our office at 925-362-2265.
Reflect Consulting Group
If you aren’t following Reflect Consulting Group on Linked-In or Twitter, you are missing out. Ron Gantt hosts regular webinars, the schedule is posted on Thursdays. Email Ron at contact@reflectcg.com to get more information and sign up.
Reflect is co-hosting a series of seminars with Todd Conklin (November 17&18) and Nippon Anand (November 19&20). Follow this link to learn more and register!
Last month’s HAZWOPER discount was so popular, we’ve extended it! See the announcement below.
What’s Wrong in the PictureThe “What’s Wrong in the Picture” safety tips has become quite popular. We shared this photo in the Sept. 7, 2020 safety tip. Some of our readers came up with interesting lists. We thought we’d share them so that all of you could benefit from their wisdom.
- The red box on the wall needs a cover.
- Placard on the tank needs replaced.
- The empty label should be actually on the tank and is missing the required CCR statements.
- The forklift forks are not in the correct position.
- The white hose appears to be attached to a “water” line and is under some other hose (can’t see where it goes…looks like there are 2 black ones) and may hinder getting it to where it needs to go in an emergency.
- The interior decorating, um,…shabby chic is no longer “the thing.”
We agree, John…. We were doing some “housekeeping” coaching with this client that day.
John Reed from Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH provided this review:
“Starting with the tank, I like the spill containment, but that is about it. We use a small double wall tank that is equipped with the same pump seen in the photo. In our case the tank is for gas. Even if the tank in the photo is empty, If it has or had gas in it, it could be a bomb. I know of someone who got badly injured from the explosion of an empty gas tank. Add that to the fact that it is next to an electrical panel (that I hope is de-energized). Would be nice if the tank had a label regarding its contents.
“In the electrical area I see an open red box to the left, (which might be a good place to get an ignition spark from), wires coming out of the side of the blue panel, and proper distance/clearance of the electrical area has not been maintained. I also am not a fan of having a water line so close to an electrical panel.
“Regardless of the mess in front of the electrical panel, this mess also is a trip hazard. Also the forklift tips may be higher than what I like to see, and I am sure the cord on the floor would get run over if the forklift was moved.
“As noted above, I hope this area is de-energized. It would seem that a change of use of this building may have happened in the past, but even if this is the case, there are still safety issues.”
These comments remind us that we often become so accustomed to “business as usual” in our workplaces, that we are blinded to the issues that exist. The conditions in this warehouse did not develop the morning that our consultant arrived, and it might be safe to say that they had been there for some time.
We have another comment that we are saving for another time to help all of us in our inspection efforts. Stay tuned….
Remembering Smokey
“Remember, only YOU can prevent forest fires!” We all remember that saying. And we all remember Smokey, the bear that made it famous. What we may not know is the true story of Smokey. In case you didn’t know or may have forgotten, here’s a link to a short video:
Smokey the Bear had already been an advertising campaign to prevent forest fires for six years when the real Smokey was found clinging to a burned tree after a forest fire in 1950. And today, while wildfires are still raging in the western half of the United States the message remains just as important as it was 76 years ago.
The National Interagency Fire Center reports 70 currently active wildfires. Those of us in the west don’t have to be reminded of that. We see the smoke hanging in the sky, thinking of our families and friends who have had to be evacuated or have lost their homes from these fires.
So, as we honor Smokey in our safety newsletter, what can we do to prevent forest or wildfires? Here are some suggestions from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- Clear leaves from gutters, eaves and porches and any dry vegetation from within at least 10 feet of your building to remove ignition sources.
- Remove flammable materials such as propane and/or firewood from within 30 feet of a building.
- Check roof shingles and/or tiles to make sure the roof is protected.
- Have an Emergency Plan with an evacuation kit ready to go, including medication, power strips for charging electronics, pet supplies, etc.
- Know two ways out of your neighborhood and have a meeting place designated. Try to leave early, before evacuation orders are given and roads get clogged with evacuees.
And from SmokeyBear.com, some additional tips to prevent heat and sparks from creating fires:
- Prevent chains and other metal parts from dragging from your vehicle.
- Check your tires, don’t allow exposed wheel rims.
- Be especially cautious driving through or parking on dry grass.
- Check your brakes, prevent them from rubbing.
- Lawnmowers and other outdoor equipment can cause sparks, be especially careful on hot, dry days.
- When in wildland areas, ensure spark arresters are in place on all gas-powered equipment.
