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1) ACC WorkSafe Cycle Series: Communication
ACC WorkSafe Cycle Series – Article 5/5
This article is a part of a series of articles explaining the steps and activities involved in the ACC WorkSafe Cycle. This is the final article of this series. If you would like to review our previous newsletters please visit: https://www.securo.co.nz/newsletters.php
Roadmap to Reducing Injury & Illness in the workplace
Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) created the ACC WorkSafe Cycle to promote and assist businesses to implement and to provide a continuous process of improvement concerning Health & Safety in your workplace. The ACC WorkSafe Cycle can be set up and support Health & Safety systems needed to keep workplaces safe.
The three steps to keep you working in a process of continuous improvement are review, plan & action. The action step includes all the key activities of a comprehensive Health & Safety programme. At each step and in each key activity listed under action commitment and communication are essential. To implement the cycle in your workplace it is ideal to start at Step 2: Plan.
Without good communication about Health & Safety issues, our best injury prevention efforts will be wasted.For Health & Safety messages to be given efficiently and accurately the lines of communication within an organisation need to be open and effective.
To make sure Health & Safety initiatives are coordinated and well understood, choose appropriate communication channels. Two types of channels are:
- Formal: Audits, workplace inspections, Health & Safety committee meetings training, incident investigations and reports, or hazard registers; and / or
- Informal: Tool box meetings, suggestion box, verbal reports, day-today interactions, or leading by example
Communication skills are equally important. The right approach will help “sell” Health & Safety strategies, and bridge gaps in knowledge. Necessary skills include:
- Consulting with employees, management and or / contractors;
- Listening to the issues when Health & Safety issues are raised;
- Giving information through talks, publications, training sessions, or as immediate feedback;
- Facilitating group learning;
- Meditating to reach solutions.
2) Securo Ltd Online System
If you haven’t already done so, talk to your Consultant about our electronic Online system. You can manage your Health and Safety systems electronically and across different sites.
Call your Consultant or contact Securo Head Office on 0800 55 33 44 or secteam@securo.co.nz
3) Air Conditioning Maintenance Many workers spend long periods of time indoors, in air-conditioned buildings. If the air-conditioning system is not maintained, a number of problems, some potentially lethal, can occur.
What should you do? When performing maintenance on your air conditioning system there are five things you should always check. By taking care of your air conditioner, you will extend its life by a number of years, improve its efficiency, and ultimately save big money in the long run.
Check the filters and indoor coil Remove the air filters and clean them. To do this, spray the filters on both sides with a kitchen antiseptic spray and then rinse well with warm water. Ensure you remove any lint and other dirt which has built up on the filters. If you have a ductless air conditioner, you will also be able to see the heat exchanging coil behind where the filters are located. Ensure this is not clogged with dirt or covered in hairs, If it is, give it a gentle vacuum with the brush attachment in the same direction that the aluminium fins run.
Check and clean the coil and air outlets on the outdoor unit Remove any obstructions around the outdoor unit such as weeds and dead leaves to improve air flow, then wipe down the air outlet on the front of the system. Check that you get good air flow through the system and that the coil is free of obstructions.
Check for good air flow from both indoor and outdoor units Ensure you have plenty of airflow from the indoor unit. Poor airflow is a good indicator of a blocked coil or failing fan motor. If your air conditioner is struggling to output a reasonable amount of air, it may be time to book it in for a professional service.
Check for signs of rust or corrosion If your air conditioner is starting to rust or show signs of corrosion, you will want to stop it progressing as early as possible. Minor rust caused from scratches etcetera can simply be painted over with a waterproof steel paint. Major rust or corrosion will require a professional to service the equipment as the system will usually require stripping down for the required repairs.
Check your system on both cooling and heating modes Check your system on both cooling and heating modes. If your air conditioner fails to switch between the two different modes, it is usually a good indicator of a fault with the reversing valve which will require repair by a professional service engineer.
Why is it essential to maintain your air conditioning? Put simply, the majority of air conditioning faults are caused by a lack of maintenance. Look after it properly and you will enjoy the benefits it has to offer. The key to keeping them working correctly is to simply keep them clean. Clean those filters and wipe off any dirt build up on a regular basis and it will last for years to come.
If after checking the above your air conditioning is still performing poorly, you should call in a professional air conditioning service company as there is a good chance your system has a fault and is not operating correctly.
4) Vibration Exposure
More widespread is exposure to "nuisance vibration." This can give workers a "tingling" sensation in their hands and arms. While the sensation subsides shortly after exposure to the vibration stops, it is a concern for those using smaller tools, driving automobiles or buses, doing repair work on certain types of machinery, and in numerous other applications. The result is often worker discomfort and decreased productivity. Exacerbations to both HAVS and the effects of nuisance vibration include cold temperatures, damp environments, and nicotine use.
Exposure to hand and arm vibration which is prolonged or severe and can lead to discomfort and disability. Over time, it can result in the condition known as Hand/Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). HAVS can cause permanent numbness and damage to the hands and arms and has been estimated to affect one in 10 people who work regularly with vibrating tools.
Engineering controls combined with training, work practices, and administrative controls are effective in keeping workers' hands out of danger zones. This is difficult when addressing vibration reduction where the operation of vibrating tools requires workers to operate the tools with their hands. The combination of a "hands off" policy is most effective when supplemented with the proper personal protective equipment (PPE).
Various PPE solutions are available to combat both severe and nuisance vibration. Gloves should be full-fingered, use a polymer or pad of uniform thickness, not amplify mid-range vibration frequencies, and should reduce high-range frequencies by 40 percent versus a bare hand. Gloves that meet this standard are vital in situations where workers are exposed to severe vibration. However, their full-finger design and traditionally thicker palm padding limit finger dexterity and make them less desirable for more detailed work.
Other hand protection options are available for workers exposed to less severe, nuisance vibration. An "impact glove" is a common style featuring a padded leather palm. In addition to protecting workers' hands from the impact of a blow to the palm, their padded palms also provide protection from nuisance vibration. Typically of a half-finger design, impact gloves allow for excellent finger dexterity to perform common tasks.
Some "trades" or "mechanic" style gloves feature gel polymers in portions of the palm that provide some protection from mild to moderate vibration. These gloves are typically more dexterous and breathable than impact gloves because they are made of lighter materials. They also are available in more functional designs, including full, three-quarter, or half-finger options.
Exposure to hand and arm vibration in the workplace can range from severe and debilitating to nuisance and productivity sapping. Follow the hierarchy of controls to eliminate or reduce risk as much as reasonably possible. However, when engineering or administrative controls are not possible abatement approaches, or when you want to augment their effectiveness, then using appropriate certified or quality non-certified hand protection is a cost-effective option. Whatever the task or level of exposure, there is likely a hand protection solution available to reduce the vibration and allow the worker to focus on doing his job effectively and safely.
5) Latest Department of Labour Hazard Alerts / Hazard Management Bulletins
for more details see DoL website: http://www.osh.govt.nz/order/catalogue/522.shtml
| Date |
Descriptive Title |
| June 2010 |
A refrigeration technician suffered burns to face and hands while conducting maintenance on a coolstore refrigeration unit. |
| June 2010 |
A farm worker was trapped in a cowshed backing gate while carrying out routine maintenance. He received extensive bruising injuries to his torso. |
6) Recent Department of Labour Prosecutions
| Date |
Employer |
Fines |
Reparations |
Serious Harm / Incident |
| 22/04/10 |
The Lines Company |
$50,000 |
|
Burns and arc eye |
| 24/04/10 |
Amalgamated builders 2001 Ltd |
$30,753 |
$10,915 |
Plywood cover trip |
7) That’s Got to Hurt! Each issue we feature a safety related photo. Just for fun we'd like to receive your ideas for an appropriate caption. We will publish the best caption received in the next issue. Good luck! Please send your captions to secteam@securo.co.nz or fax them to 09 307 3360
Winning Caption: Gonzo, an ex-circus clown starts his first day on his new job at the freezing works. Although having successfully completed his OSH induction he still fails to remember to wear his helmet. Congratulations to James Swinburn. Canterbury Transport Spares Ltd
This month’s photo:
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