Every cooling season, accident rates rise among facility staff and contractors. This is due to heavy cooling season workloads and the rush to respond to unscheduled maintenance. Summer brings more on-site accidents of all types, it’s critical that you are prepared.
“Even under the pressure of a cooling emergency, take time to plan ahead, especially for safety,” says Bob Murphy, Trane safety leader. “No one goes to work expecting to get hurt. Safety is good for individual business and for practicing at customer sites. One of the most proactive things you could do before starting equipment repair or replacement is to ensure you have the right tools and personal safety equipment. “
Murphy recommends…
• Wearing the proper head protection for all conditions -- MSA Hard Hats offer protection for the most stringent requirements of Class E Electrical Rating which is tested to withstand 20,000 volts.
• Conducting a job site audit for every new project -- This is to ensure you will work in safe conditions.
• Using a strong glove when working with metals -- Lacerations and scrapes are the No. 1 injuries.
• Having what you need before starting a new project -- Including: tools, equipment, approach boundaries, guards, barriers, PPE, knowledge, training or personnel.
• Wearing proper eye protection -- Nearly 70% of eye injuries occur from flying particles and can be prevented by wearing the right safety glasses.
• Training your 5 + 1 senses to recognize hazards -- Including: sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste and common.
• Keeping yourself cool -- Heat illness is indicated by: fatigue, confusion, nausea, fainting, clammy skin and low blood pressure. When these signs of heat stress are present, stop exerting, move to a cooler place and drink plenty of fluids with electrolytes. Electrolytes are crucial to maintaining healthy muscles and a productive energy level.
• Notify others when you observe unsafe actions. Use the S.T.A.R. (Stop, Talk, Agree, Recognize) method to help correct it.
For more information, visit: www.trane.com.
