Exercising Safety During Demos

Although protests organizers may promise to plan peaceful protests, many of these events are are generally unsafe and crowds can be targets for violence or create opportunity for violence. Danger in crowds can be triggered by the emotions or actions of participants, bystanders, or external individuals who may not share the purpose or intent of the event.

Jhuthi's Enterprises Ltd remains committed to national development agenda and Vision 2030 by the Government of Kenya.

As a company, we are also concerned about the safety of our personnel, clients and visitors. The following tips are offered for personal awareness and not to discourage or encourage any participation in planned demonstrations.

15 Tips:

  1. During the pandemic, wear a mask, maintain physical distance, and carry hand sanitizer. Notice persons near you without masks, especially if they are acting in a way that could spread coronavirus (like shouting or singing).
  2. Be aware of the influence your actions have on others and their actions on you.
  3. Look at items people are carrying. Could these items be dangerous, used to instigate, or escalate violence? If you sense danger, move away.
  4. Be aware of the clothing people are wearing. Is it emblematic of groups or causes and are those causes consistent with yours? If you sense danger, move away.
  5. Be aware of the behaviors of others near you. If these behaviors could provoke violence, move away.
  6. Look for vehicles in the area and vehicle movement that could be dangerous. If you observe a vehicle moving among the crowd, move quickly away to a safe location.
  7. Be alert to any discarded or abandoned items like book bags or backpacks. Move away from the item and alert authorities.
  8. Do not stop or stand near objects that could fall from above.
  9. Do not participate in violent demonstrations that end up looting and destroying private and public properties
  10. Follow safety precautions by local authorities.
  11. If you are coming from work, only use routes that are free of protests to reach home
  12. Ensure to carry some form of ID, especially Job ID in case it is required by local authorities or the police to ascertain your origin and destination
  13. To avoid following the crowds blindly without understanding and echoing the causes the crowds may be championing for
  14. To respect the rights if others during such events
  15. To avoid driving where protests are concentrated

 

Article by the JEL - HSSE Team

Slips, Trips & Falls

Construction sites are full of many hazards but most workers seem to forget about slips, trips, and falls. It is reported that nearly 15% of all accidental deaths are from incidents related to this. These types of accidents are also extremely costly to an employer and account for almost $11 billion with costs related to them. As a worker on a construction site, there are several precautions you can take to prevent an injury from a slip, trip, or fall. We will be looking into these a little further.

Slip, Trip & Fall Injury Statistics

According to the 2013 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index, falls caused by slips and trips were the second leading cause of injuries and fatalities in the workplace. The number one cause is motor vehicle accidents. Slips, trips, and falls continue to be a leading cause of emergency room visits for many workers.

Some common slip, trip, and fall injuries include:

Causes of Slips, Trips, and Falls

Some common causes of slips, trips, and falls injuries include:

  • Wet or oily surface
  • Weather hazards including rain, snow, and ice
  • Loose mats and rugs
  • Walking surfaces that are not level
  • Obstructed views
  • Poor lighting
  • Clutter
  • Uncovered wires and cables

Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls

There are ways that you can help prevent slips, trips, and falls, and keep your worksite safer for you and your coworkers. One simple way is to practice good housekeeping, clean up as you go. Other ways include wearing slip-resistant shoes, being careful when walking on uneven surfaces as well as surfaces that are wet.

Good Housekeeping Tips

Good construction site housekeeping is an easy way to prevent most slips, trips, and falls and it is often overlooked. Simply cleaning up your work area as you go can help on the job site. Examples of good housekeeping include:

  • Cleaning up spills immediately
  • Mark areas that have spills and are wet until they are cleaned and dry
  • Mopping or sweeping debris from walking surfaces
  • Make sure walkways are free of clutter and obstacles
  • Securing mats and rugs that are not laying flat
  • Covering cables and wires that cross walkways
  • Making sure the work area and walkways are well lit
  • Clean your area as you work don’t leave the mess for others to clean
  • Check for fall hazards daily and alert your foreman if you see something
  • Have a laydown yard for extra materials and keep it picked up
  • Salt sidewalks, parking lots, and other highly traveled areas during winter (Read more about preventing winter slips, trips, and falls)

Walking Surfaces Tips

Slips, trips, and falls can happen on any walking surface but, if that surface is uneven or if it is made of materials that provide little traction this chance can be increased greatly. Ways you can improve your walkways on your construction site can include:

  • Make sure there are mats or pressure-sensitive abrasive strips
  • Ask for the flooring to be replaced or painted if you notice it creates a hazard
  • Pay attention to where you are walking

If you notice a walking surface that is uneven or that needs some work bring it to the attention of your foreman so they can correct the issue if it is something you can not do. Also, make your coworkers aware of the hazard to decrease the risk of someone else getting hurt.

slippery surface in construction

Footwear

The footwear you chose to wear to a worksite has a huge impact on if you are safe. You should not wear tennis shoes on a worksite, always wear work boots. Your work boots should be the proper fit with treads to reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls. To reduce your risks:

  • Wear work boots that fit snugly and that have slip-resistant soles
  • Clean the treads of your shoes regularly
  • Inspect the soles of your work boots and make sure they are intact and that you have proper treads

Walking

How you walk can have a big impact on your risk of slips, trips, and falls. When you are walking there are some ways to reduce these risks. This includes:

  • Take your time and do not run
  • Pay attention to where you are walking
  • Use light sources such as flashlights or installed light sources if your walkways are dark
  • Make sure if you are carrying materials or moving materials that you can see the walkways in front of you
  • Always look for spills when walking

Fall Prevention From Heights

A construction worker is more likely to get hurt by falling while pushing a wheelbarrow full of materials than they are while standing on scaffolding. However, it is still important to know how to prevent falls from heights above ground level. Some of these safety tips include:

  • Always use fall protection for heights over 4 feet.
  • Use proper guarding for holes and windows.
  • Use guardrails when needed.
  • Use adequate fall protection such as a full-body harness with a retractable lanyard that is 100% tied off to an approved anchor point.
  • When climbing ladders make sure to use proper ladder safety techniques.

What To Do If Injured

If you are injured on the job site you should report your injury to your foreman immediately. If you have a serious injury that requires immediate medical attention call 911 or have a coworker call for you. Should you see that a coworker has been injured do your best to notify someone and get immediate medical attention for them. While some slips, trips, and falls may seem minor at first it is always better to get fully checked out. Sprains and strains to your legs, ankles, and back are common with falls on a worksite. Broken bones are also common and need to be treated as soon as possible.

Do Your Part in Preventing Slips, Trips & Falls

A common safety hazard on construction job sites are slips, trips, and falls but they can be prevented with some safety measures. Make sure you are always aware of your surroundings and where you are walking. Also if you see a hazard let your coworkers and foremen know immediately. Working together to keep your worksite clean and hazard free is the best prevention. Should you have any questions about hazards on your job site or what to do ask your foreman.

 

This article was originally published at Raken Website.

Safety Signs

Safety Signage in your workplace should be especially designed to suit your work place and the hazards that go along with it. It is a necessity that organization provide safety signs to warn people of possible risks.

Safety signs are used to communicate information on hazards, to keep people away from dangerous places, the need for using protective gear/personal protective clothing,  to locate emergency facilities, how to fight fire incase of emergency, availability of disable facilities  and other many things.

Health and safety signs and their meanings

Red Signs (Prohibition)

When the red color is used in safety sign, it is usually prohibitory sign which aims to draw the attention of people to dangerous situation nearby or one that may arise through their actions. Prohibitory signs are usually round in shape and feature a thick red edge with diagonal line through a black and white picture, depicting a prohibited behavior.

Examples of prohibitive signs;

  • No smoking
  • No naked flames no pedestrians
  • No unauthorized access
  • Do not enter
  • No children allowed

Blue signs (Mandatory actions)

Blue safety signs are known as mandatory signs, which demonstrate that a specific behavior must be undertaken before proceeding. Mandatory safety signs are circular in shape and are made out of 50% blue background with white pictogram displaying the instructions

Examples of mandatory signs

  • Approved personal protective equipment must be worn
  • Keep clear
  • High visibility clothing must be worn in this area
  • Wear face mask
  • Protective foot wear must be worn
  • Safety helmet must be worn on this site
  • Fire action notice
  • Fire escape keep clear

Green Signs ( Positive action)

Green safety signs provide information to the reader which highlights safety. These signs are rectangular or square in shape with white imagery on green background clearly showing the direction a person needs to move in or the safety facilities location.

Examples of safety sings

  • Fire escape routes
  • First aid areas
  • Emergency doors
  • First aid call point
  • Emergency stop
  • Assembly points
  • Emergency shower

Yellow or Amber signs (Caution)

Yellow or amber safety sign depicts warning, which alerts the people to take precaution in the environment.   Warning sign is triangular in shape, over 50% of the sign must be yellow/amber with thick black edge and a clear pictogram of the hazard, often referred to as hazard signs.

Examples of Hazard

  • Slippery floor when wet
  • Fragile roof
  • Low head room
  • Danger high voltage
  • Flammable gas
  • Flammable liquid
  • Radiation hazard
  • Poison

In the work place, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that all members of staff understand the meaning of all safety signage displayed within their facilities even if the sign’s message appears to be self- explanatory.

 

This article was originally published at the University of Nairobi Website.

 

Climate Change

Though we often think about human-induced climate change as something that will happen in the future, it is an ongoing process. Ecosystems and communities around the world are being impacted today.

A collage of typical climate and weather-related events: floods, heatwaves, drought, hurricanes, wildfires and loss of glacial ice.
A collage of typical climate and weather-related events: floods, heatwaves, drought, hurricanes, wildfires and loss of glacial ice. (Image credit: NOAA)

Global temperatures rose about 1.98°F (1.1°C) from 1901 to 2020, but climate change refers to more than an increase in temperature. It also includes sea level rise, changes in weather patterns like drought and flooding, and much more. Things that we depend upon and value — water, energy, transportation, wildlife, agriculture, ecosystems, and human health — are experiencing the effects of a changing climate.

A complex issue

The impacts of climate change on different sectors of society are interrelated. Drought can harm food production and human health. Flooding can lead to disease spread and damages to ecosystems and infrastructure. Human health issues can increase mortality, impact food availability, and limit worker productivity. Climate change impacts are seen throughout every aspect of the world we live in. However, climate change impacts are uneven across the country and the world — even within a single community, climate change impacts can differ between neighborhoods or individuals. Long-standing socioeconomic inequities can make  underserved groups, who often have the highest exposure to hazards and the fewest resources to respond, more vulnerable.

The projections of a climate change-impacted future are not inevitable. Many of the problems and solutions are known to us now, and ongoing research continues to provide new ones.  Experts believe there is still time to avoid the most negative of outcomes by limiting warming  and reducing emissions to zero as quickly as possible. Reducing our emissions of greenhouse gases will require investment in new technology and infrastructure, which will spur job growth. Additionally, lowering emissions will lessen harmful impacts to human health, saving countless lives and billions of dollars in health-related expenses.

NOAA's Mauna Loa observatory is a premier research facility that has continuously monitored and collected atmospheric data since the 1950s. This photo, taken in 2019, shows the observatory on its perch at 11,000 feet elevation on Hawaii's tallest mountain, which enables sampling of "background" air that is free of local pollution.
Despite pandemic shutdowns, carbon dioxide and methane surged in 2020
Levels of the two most important anthropogenic greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide and methane, continued their unrelenting rise in 2020 despite the economic slowdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic response.

Our changing climate

We see climate change affecting our planet from pole to pole. NOAA monitors global climate data and here are some of the changes NOAA has recorded. You can explore more at the Global Climate Dashboard.

  • Global temperatures rose about 1.8°F (1°C) from 1901 to 2020.
  • Sea level rise has accelerated from 1.7 mm/year throughout most of the twentieth century to 3.2 mm/year since 1993.
  • Glaciers are shrinking: average thickness of 30 well-studied glaciers has decreased more than 60 feet since 1980.
  • The area covered by sea ice in the Arctic at the end of summer has shrunk by about 40% since 1979.
  • The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has risen by 25% since 1958, and by about 40% since the Industrial Revolution.
  • Snow is melting earlier compared to long-term averages.

Water

Changes to water resources can have a big impact on our world and our lives.

Flooding is an increasing issue as our climate is changing. Compared to the beginning of the 20th century, there are both stronger and more frequent abnormally heavy precipitation events.

Conversely, drought is also becoming more common. Humans are using more water, especially for agriculture. Much like we sweat more when it is hot out, higher air temperatures cause plants to lose, or transpire, more water, meaning farmers must give them more water. Both highlight the need for more water in places where supplies are dwindling.

Snowpack is an important source of freshwater for many people. As the snow melts, freshwater becomes available for use, hs. But as temperatures warm, there is less snow overall and snow begins to melt earlier in the year, meaning snowpack may not be a reliable source of water for the entire warm and dry seasons.

Food

Our food supply depends on climate and weather conditions. Although farmers and researchers may be able to adapt some agricultural techniques and technologies or develop new ones, some changes will be difficult to manage. Increased temperatures, drought and water stress, diseases, and weather extremes create challenges for the farmers and ranchers who put food on our tables.

Human farm workers can suffer from heat-related health issues, like exhaustion, heatstroke, and heart attacks. Rising temperatures and heat stress can also harm livestock.

Human health

Climate change is already impacting human health. Changes in weather and climate patterns can put lives at risk. Heat is one of the most deadly weather phenomena. As ocean temperatures rise, hurricanes are getting stronger and wetter, which can cause direct and indirect deaths. Dry conditions lead to more wildfires, which bring many health risks. Higher incidences of flooding can lead to the spread of waterborne diseases, injuries, and chemical hazards. As geographic ranges of mosquitoes and ticks expand, they can carry diseases to new locations.

The most vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, people with preexisting health conditions, outdoor workers, people of color, and people with low income, are at an even higher risk because of the compounding factors from climate change. But public health groups can work with local communities to help people understand and build resilience to climate change health impacts.

An infographic showing climate-related health risks to communities of color, older adults, children, and low income communities. For full details, visit https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/chapter/14/
Examples of populations at higher risk of exposure to adverse climate-related health threats are shown along with adaptation measures that can help address disproportionate impacts. When considering the full range of threats from climate change as well as other environmental exposures, these groups are among the most exposed, most sensitive, and have the least individual and community resources to prepare for and respond to health threats. White text indicates the risks faced by those communities, while dark text indicates actions that can be taken to reduce those risks. (EPA (National Climate Assessment)) 

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Is climate change coming for your French fries?
Climate & french fries
Fries depend on potatoes, and like all crops, potatoes have a preferred climate. How long will America’s favorite side dish have a safe spot on our menu?

The environment

Climate change will continue to have a significant impact on ecosystems and organisms, though they are not impacted equally. The Arctic is one of the ecosystems most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, as it is warming at least twice the rate of the global average and melting land ice sheets and glaciers contribute dramatically to sea level rise around the globe.

Some living things are able to respond to climate change; some plants are blooming earlier and some species may expand their geographic range. But these changes are happening too fast for many other plants and animals as increasing temperatures and changing precipitation patterns stress ecosystems. Some invasive or nuisance species, like lionfish and ticks, may thrive in even more places because of climate change.

Changes are also occurring in the ocean. The ocean absorbs about 30% of the carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels. As a result, the water is becoming more acidic, affecting marine life. Sea levels are rising due to thermal expansion, in addition to melting ice sheets and glaciers, putting coastal areas at greater risk of erosion and storm surge.

The compounding effects of climate change are leading to many changes in ecosystems. Coral reefs are vulnerable to many effects of climate change: warming waters can lead to coral bleaching, stronger hurricanes can destroy reefs, and sea level rise can cause corals to be smothered by sediment. Coral reef ecosystems are home to thousands of species, which rely on healthy coral reefs to survive.

Malgorzata Gasienica-Bednarz, a high school student, talks about acid rain using the Science on a Sphere six-foot-diameter globe at the Museum of Science and Industry in November 2019.
A look back: Chicago teens became advocates for building the city’s climate resilience
As future leaders who will make decisions about the issues they face in their communities, the Museum of Science and Industry positioned high school-aged teens to act as advocates for building the city’s resilience to the impacts and consequences of global climate change.

Infrastructure

Physical infrastructure includes bridges, roads, ports, electrical grids, broadband internet, and other parts of our transportation and communication systems. It is often designed to be in use for years or decades, and many communities have infrastructure that was designed without future climate in mind. But even newer infrastructures can be vulnerable to climate change.

Extreme weather events that bring heavy rains, floods, wind, snow, or temperature changes can stress existing structures and facilities. Increased temperatures require more indoor cooling, which can put stress on an energy grid. Sudden heavy rainfall can lead to flooding that shuts down highways and major business areas.

Nearly 40% of the United States population lives in coastal counties, meaning millions of people will be impacted by sea level rise. Coastal infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, water supplies, and much more, is at risk. Sea level rise can also lead to coastal erosion and high-tide flooding. Some communities are projected to possibly end up at or below sea level by 2100 and will face decisions around managed retreat and climate adaptation.

Many communities are not yet prepared to face climate-related threats. Even within a community, some groups are more vulnerable to these threats than others. Going forward, it is important for communities to invest in resilient infrastructure that will be able to withstand future climate risks. Researchers are studying current and future impacts of climate change on communities and can offer recommendations on best practices. Resilience education is vitally important for city planners, emergency managers, educators, communicators, and all other community members to prepare for climate change.

Flood zones will be easier to predict.
The road to resilience
NOAA Sea Grant in North Carolina partnered with state and local groups to evaluate strategies for coping with inland road flooding during tropical storms and hurricanes.
This article was originally published at NOAA Website.

Collective protective equipment (CPE)

The following shall be considered as collective protective equipment:

Any protective equipment intended to protect the worker against one or more hazards likely to threaten his safety or health at work, as well as any complement or accessory intended for this purpose, and which simultaneously meets the following characteristics:

  1. it shall be designed and installed in such a way as to act as directly as possible on the source of the risk in order to reduce that risk to a minimum;
  2. it is intended to be installed prior to the performance of the work;
  3. it is such that the worker does not have to intervene actively to ensure his safety and health at work.

For a more detailed explanation of these conditions, visit our website.

CPE that are part of work equipment are considered to be work equipment (see work equipment).

Choice of CPE

CPE must

  1. be appropriate to the risks to be prevented, by not constituting a hazard themselves, by not inducing a new hazard or by not increasing the existing risk;
  2. be adapted to the workstation.

The employer shall identify the hazards which cannot be eliminated by technical or organisational measures, so that the use of CPE is necessary. On the basis of the identified hazards, the employer shall carry out a risk definition and determination in order to assess the risks. The risk analysis must enable the employer to apply the most appropriate collective protection measures to protect workers against these risks.

On the basis of the results of the risk analysis, the employer shall determine the characteristics that the CPE must have in order to protect workers against the risks, taking into account any hazards that the CPE may constitute in itself. He shall determine the conditions under which the CPE must be used, taking into account the severity of the damage, the frequency of exposure and the duration of exposure to the hazards.

When carrying out the risk analysis and determining the conditions of use, the employer shall seek the advice of the prevention advisor competent in occupational safety, as well as that of the prevention advisor/occupational physician responsible for the workers’ health surveillance.

List of activities and work circumstances requiring the provision of CPE

  1. Where workers are exposed to a fall of more than 1.5 m, work and circulation areas are equipped with the following collective protective equipment:
    1. either guardrails with intermediate rails and a toe board joining the floor;
    2. or solid or mesh panels;
    3. or any other device offering equivalent safety.

    Such collective protective equipment may be interrupted only at the point of access to a ladder.

  2. The top rail of a guardrail shall be located between 1 m and 1.2 m above the work and traffic areas. Between the top rail and the toe board there is an intermediate rail, situated between 40 and 50 cm above the working or traffic area. The toe board is at least 15 cm high.
  3. Solid or mesh panels shall be at least 1 m high and shall be as safe as the protective device described in point 2.
  4. The height of the protection below the traffic or work area may be reduced to 70 cm when it consists of:
    1. a wall whose height and thickness add up to 1.3 m or more;
    2. the spandrel of a window opening when the width of the opening is less than or equal to 2 m.
  5. Except in the case of welded, riveted or bolted metal components, rails, skirting boards and panels shall be attached to the interior side of their support.
  6. Where parts of a structure are not delivered to the worksite and access to them presents hazards to workers, such parts shall be marked with general hazard warning signs in accordance with the provisions concerning occupational safety and health signs and shall be adequately delineated by physical means. These physical features shall prevent inadvertent access to these parts of the construction.
  7. If these devices are not located at a distance of at least 1.5 m from the void, they shall meet the conditions laid down for the protective devices referred to in points 2 and 3.
  8. Where the performance of special work requires the temporary removal of a fall prevention device, effective compensatory safety measures, such as return guardrails or panels, movable guardrails or panels, handholds, safety belts or any other means, shall be taken to prevent the fall of workers, equipment or materials.

Installation

All CPE must be installed in accordance with the supplier's instruction manual.

CPE whose safety depends on the conditions of installation shall be inspected after installation and before being put into service, and after each assembly at a new site or location, to ensure that it is correctly installed and functions properly. The employer shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the assembly and dismantling of CPE can be carried out safely.

Use

CPE may only be used for the purpose for which they were designed and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Whenever a CPE is made available, the employer shall ensure that the CPE is not taken out of service, moved, modified or damaged.

Maintenance and inspection

The employer shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the CPE is kept, through periodic maintenance and inspection, at a level which ensures that it complies with the provisions applicable to it throughout its use.

Such maintenance and inspection shall be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, which shall be set out in the instruction manual.

The employer shall ensure that exceptional checks are carried out whenever exceptional events have occurred which result or may result in the CPE no longer meeting the legal requirements. Exceptional circumstances include alterations, accidents, natural phenomena and prolonged periods of non-use.

The inspections are carried out by competent persons, either internal or external to the company or institution. The results of these inspections shall be recorded and kept at the disposal of the well-being inspection. They shall be kept for an appropriate period.
Where the CPE concerned is used outside the enterprise, it should be accompanied by physical evidence that the last inspection was carried out.
For a number of CPE, inspections are carried out on a mandatory basis by an external service for technical inspection authorized for the inspection concerned. Account may be taken of organizational structures abroad that are equivalent to Belgian structures. A foreign employer must therefore call on an ESTI authorized in Belgium unless he can prove that he can call on an equivalent service that meets the same conditions as the Belgian one and that can ensure that he complies with Belgian legal obligations.

The content of these inspections and their periodicity are determined by the specific provisions applying to these CPE which may be provided by the manufacturer following the employer's requests formulated in the order form.

Worker information and training

The employer shall take the necessary measures to ensure that workers are provided with adequate information and, where appropriate, instructions, the aim of which shall be to ensure that workers have all the knowledge required for the proper use of CPE.

This information and these instructions shall contain at least:

  1. the conditions under which the CPE must be used;
  2. the foreseeable abnormal situations that may occur;
  3. the conclusions to be drawn from any experience gained in the use of CPE.

This information and these instructions must be comprehensible to the workers concerned.

There shall be written instructions for each CPE which are necessary for :

  1. its installation;
  2. its use;
  3. its maintenance;
  4. its inspection and control.

They shall be signed by the prevention advisor responsible for the management of the internal service or, as the case may be, the department of the internal service.

 

This article was originally posted at Employment.belgium.be