With simple cautionary steps in place, you can easily evade workplace accidents and injuries. Whether it’s training employees to handle hazardous situations or installing detection systems for safety preparedness, keeping your facility safe starts with having a plan and putting it in motion. Here are some of the critical things to have in mind when preventing workplace injuries.

Common Causes of Workplace Injury

The first step of any emergency preparedness plan is risk assessment. Learn what situations or conditions your workplace has experienced in the past prepare accordingly.

Construction sites often have some of the most reported cases of workplace injuries. From walking on a scaffold to managing heavy machinery, there are numerous ways accidents can happen. With that being said, indoor environments aren’t exempt. Those who work in an office or lab environment could harm themselves from lifting heavy objects, handling toxic materials, or even, sitting with bad posture.

Any activity that requires repeated or fast movement of a body part, such as your hand or arm is particularly at risk for injury. Whether it’s body vibrations caused by powerful machinery tools or strained muscles from heavy equipment, workplace injuries come in all shapes and forms.

Your environment is another factor worth considering when determining your workplace’s risks. Depending on where you work, whether it’s indoors, outdoors, near water, or in a confined area can present a number of problems. Cold environments, for example, are prime spaces for workers to experience hypothermia or frostbite.

Preventive Measures

While it’s not possible to hedge against all potential workplace incidents, the next step of an emergency plan is setting preventative measures. By fully understanding what hazardous situations are present, you can put particular safety guidelines and rules in place to prevent harm. Whether it’s restricting access from areas where construction is occurring or installing an onsite gas detection system, these preventative measures will keep you one step ahead of any workplace injury.

How to Respond to an Emergency

Unfortunately, accidents do happen. While you can prepare and train your employees to follow certain safety guidelines, there is always a chance that someone does get injured. Make sure your emergency response plan has been clearly laid out so that employees know who to call and how to respond in the case of a problem. Whether it’s knowing how to perform CPR, simple first aid procedures, or using a fire extinguisher, preventing further injury starts with your response.

Handling Gas Leaks

As a leader in gas detection technology, we’re committed to making sure you have the resources to combat dangerous gas leaks. Since gas leaks can quickly lead to fire, explosion, or become extremely hard to control, your team should be aware of how to adequately respond. If your gas detector alerts you to a dangerous gas leak, be sure to keep the following in mind to prevent a further accident:

• Don’t hesitate to call 911 for assistance
• Turn off the main gas valve to prevent further leaks
• If you have doors, windows, or vents, make sure they are open to let the gas evaporate
• Avoid using electric devices such as computers and phones
• Don’t ignite any flame, candles, cigars, etc
• Evacuate from the building until the leak is under control

Keep Your Workplace Safe

Having the right safety procedures in place are crucial for reducing workplace injuries. Make sure your team is one step ahead of any danger by setting safety guidelines that apply to your specific environment. Whether it’s the equipment you use or the space you’re working in, emergency procedures provide peace of mind when dealing with potentially dangerous situations.

Contact our team of experts for more tips and ideas on workplace safety.

As a leader in workplace safety, we are committed to providing resources and information to help you protect your facilities. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the war against infectious diseases has been tighter than ever. Safety measures have included washing hands, keeping the workplace clean, not sharing personal equipment, and keeping a safe distance from fellow employees.

Since large manufacturing facilities and warehouses can be a hotspot for bacteria, there is an urgent need for action in order to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases. Take note of the following ways to ensure you’re doing your part to reduce the spread of sickness in your industrial setting.

Preventive Measures

Preventive measures include all the precautionary steps you can take to reduce the chance of bacterial diseases entering your work premises. According to CDC, you can take the following precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• All workers should have a basic understanding of COVID-19, how the disease is thought to spread, what the symptoms of the disease are, and what measures can be taken to prevent or minimize the transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19.
• Use digital inventory tracking systems to limit personal contact.
• Conduct virtual meetings.
• Consider maintaining small groups of workers in teams (cohorting) to reduce the number of coworkers each person is exposed to.
• Create work zones to separate teams and reduce contact with other workers.
• Reduce the number of staff on-site at one time by increasing the number of shifts, staggering shifts, decreasing the overlap between shifts, and increasing facility hours of operation.
• Implement flexible worksites (telework) for office staff to the extent feasible.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
• Maintain social distancing in the warehouse.
• Limit the number of people in the warehouse at one time. (Consult state and local guidance if available.)
• Use cloth face coverings or masks as appropriate.
• Consider requiring visitors to the workplace (service personnel, customers) to also wear cloth face coverings or masks.

Keeping the Workplace Clean

A cleaner workplace keeps germs at bay and ensures the minimal spread of any disease that spreads through the filth. Be sure to frequently disinfect surfaces and working tools that workers share frequently in-between shifts and throughout the day. To be the most effective, it’s important to choose a disinfectant that has at least 70% alcohol content.

Some cleaning agents and hand sanitizers may be corrosive or harmful to your workers, so it’s important to keep in mind which products you’re using. If you regularly use toxic or hazardous chemicals, there is also a chance that disinfectants could react dangerously. Make sure your gas detection system is in good working order to prevent unsafe conditions for your employees.

If an Employee Gets Sick

In the unfortunate case that one of your employees tests positive for any infectious disease, isolation is key. Make sure there is a protocol in place for the employee to stay at home and prevent anyone else from getting sick.

If you begin to notice a worker exhibiting symptoms, it’s important for them to seek medical help before returning for work. Don’t forget to call in any local health workers to disinfect the affected persons’ work area to prevent any further spread.

Learning from the Pandemic

The pandemic has given safety managers across the world a reason to put certain protocols in place. While the goal has been to prevent the spread of disease, the overall benefit has been increased workplace safety and protection. At GDS, we’re committed to providing you with the most reliable and accurate safety detection devices. If you regularly deal with hazardous materials, we have a solution designed to fit your requirements.

Contact us for more information about our detection systems or for more ways to prevent the spread of disease in your workplace.

Types of Hazardous Locations

Hazardous locations are areas where there is a potential for fire or explosion from electrical equipment due to flammable gases, liquids, vapors, combustible dusts, fibers, or flyings. In North America, various associations including The National Electrical Code (NEC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) have created a guide to classify these areas. By defining a hazardous area into specific classes, divisions, and zones, workers can better understand the potential dangers before entry.

• Class I
• Class II
• Class III

Class I

Class I locations are areas where combustible gases, vapors, or flammable liquids may exist, and each subclassification determines the severity of that particular area. Class I locations may include natural gas refineries, gas stations, manufacturing plants, and many others.

• Class I, Division 1 – Area where ignitable concentrations of flammable gases or vapors exist under normal operating conditions, repair, or faulty electrical systems.
• Class I, Division 2 – Area where concentrations of flammable gases exist but are normally confined to sealed containers; ignition risk is substantially lower than Division 1 areas. 
• Class I, Zone 0 – Similar to Division 1, this area is known to have explosive or flammable gases for a long period of time during normal operating conditions.
• Class I, Zone 1 – Area where explosive or flammable gases are present temporarily during normal operating conditions.
• Class I, Zone 2 – Area where there is an absence of explosive or flammable gases, vapors, or liquids during normal operating conditions.

Class II

Class II hazardous locations are areas where combustible dust, not gases or liquids, might be present at different amounts. Class II locations may include coal plants, flour mills, or similar manufacturing plants that handle hazardous dust. These locations are divided into two divisions.

• Class II, Division 1 – Area where explosive or flammable combustible dust exist under normal operating conditions; ignition could result from mechanical failure or nearby conductive dust.
• Class II, Division 2 – Area where amounts of explosive or flammable dust have a low chance of igniting under normal operating conditions.

Class III

Class III hazardous locations are areas where ignitable fibers or flyings may be present, such as sawdust plants or textile mills. Class III area classifications are divided into two different divisions.

• Class III, Division 1 – Area where ignitable fibers or flyings are handled, manufactured or used on a daily basis.
• Class III, Division 2 – Area where ignitable fibers or flyings are stored or handled, not used in the process of manufacturing.

Pro Tip: Make sure your equipment has been engineered to handle your specific area classification. Equipment designed for a particular class can be used in any division of that class, but not in any other class. 

Staying Safe in Hazardous Locations

Working with dangerous chemicals and gases comes with many challenges, especially when used near electrical equipment. Without the right protection, the safety and health of your crew could be put at risk. GDS Corp offers a number of detection solutions that have been designed to function in hazardous areas. 

Connect with a salesman today to customize a gas detection system for your unique operating conditions.

Developing Safe Work Environments

No matter what industry you work in, safety hazards are always present. From equipment handling to interacting with toxic gases, there is an array of different health concerns at every worksite. This year, protect your employees by resolving to make workplace safety and health goals for your business.

1. Recognize safety hazards

If you have a new business or if your safety standards need to be updated, it’s important to start with analyzing your facility. While there are general safety concerns to address, there are also dangers that are specific to you. Make an analysis of any work-related injuries and use historical data to determine where your employees could potentially be harmed.

In the unfortunate case that there is an injury or illness, perform an incident investigation to ensure that it won’t happen again. By interviewing your employees and finding out what led to the mishap, your safety and health standards can be changed to minimize future issues.

2. Create and maintain safety programs

Once you’re able to determine which safety hazards are present, it’s crucial to create a safety program personalized for your company. In addition to what is required in the Occupational Safety and Health standards, your plan should include specific instructions for your equipment and working procedures.

Whether you’re a small business or large treatment plant, maintaining your safety program is key. Schedule regular training sessions to make sure employees are informed. Provide resources to communicate the safety standards for future reference. Creating safety guidelines is important, but ensuring that your workers understand the process is crucial to minimizing hazards on your job site.

3. Install safety detection systems

For many facilities where natural gas is present, many safety hazards are unseen by the naked eye. To protect your employees and warehouse equipment, install a safety detection system to monitor the exposure levels. There are a number of systems available to detect harmful chemical levels that can be installed directly on a piece of equipment or within your entire warehouse.

Pro Tip: Invest in a wireless alarm station to extend the range of your safety detection system throughout your job site.

Securing Your Employees’ Safety and Health

No matter what may have transpired in 2019, the start of a new year welcomes a fresh start and room to achieve your goals. There shouldn’t be any excuse for the lack of safe work practices. To protect your employees and secure their health, it’s important to make a plan and maintain it on a regular basis.

What kind of safety issues does your business face? Share with us on social media!