Industrial Maintenance Safety w/ Natural Ventilators
OSHA Compliance Means Staying Safe
When it comes to building maintenance safety is always the top concerns. Even a project that involves green retrofitting for ventilation can provide challenges. Workers must be careful when using cranes, ladders, scaffolds, electricity, etc. Basically, any powerful equipment than can tip over, fall, break or otherwise hurt people. That’s why the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) has developed safety standards to ensure industrial maintenance safety.
Certifications
Construction workers require certifications by accredited testing entities. Testing that covers equipment and personnel safety is required for certification. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts research about the workplace to make recommendations for work-related safety to reduce injury and illness. NIOSH, however, does not enforce safety standards.
Enforcement, as well as record keeping and evaluation, is handled by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). These standards are developed by committees from organizations such as American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). At Moffitt Corporation, our technicians have gone through extensive training and certifications and are experts in industrial ventilation.
Equipment
Industrial machinery, whether it’s turbines powered by electricity or natural ventilators powered by the wind and air pressure, requires a certain degree of inspection and maintenance to meet safety standards. Unlike electric turbines, natural ventilators are low maintenance and require little to no repairs over their lifetime. People who want to install their own equipment should pay close attention to industrial maintenance safety manuals. These manuals are provided by their respective equipment manufacturers. The equipment needs to be installed correctly because you don’t want construction work equipment failure to occur which could lead to lawyers being involved to compensate for any injuries suffered. When you are working with machinery, it is always best to be safe than sorry.
As anything can happen when you are handling any sort of equipment, looking into something like contractors all risk insurance by constructaquote may be the answer to ensuring safety within the workplace and help protect your business from any accidents that could happen, especially when it comes to ongoing work at a construction site.
Cranes & Lifts
Cranes and personnel lifts are among the most dangerous equipment used in construction or installation, but OSHA’s enforcement of safety standards the past few decades has greatly reduced industrial injuries. Crane operators must now pass rigorous written and practical testing by ANSI-accredited organizations. The crane industry has improved its safety partly due to requirements that operators must use crane manufacturer “load charts” that determine the lifting capacity in terms of weight for each individual crane based on boom angles and boom lengths. Booms are the long extensions from cranes that allow the machines to lift heavy objects.
Part of a construction crew can include signal persons who direct crane operators when lifting objects that may not be visible to the operator. The signal person must stand in a position where he or she can view both the object being lifted and the crane operator. The signal person uses hand signals for movements such as lifting, lowering, or stopping. Each member of the crew must meet before a work project begins and agree on communication signals. Another type of signal communication involves the use of radios. Finally, limit area access to authorized personnel only when cranes are in use.
Industrial Maintenance Inspections
Equipment inspections make sure that the equipment functions properly as it ages. Inspect HVAC systems regularly as air filters collect a lot of dirt and dust that can mix in with air flow. Replace filters regularly to decrease indoor air pollution. Consequently, this can cause health problems such as allergies and respiratory damage.
Natural ventilators are much different than conventional HVAC systems. They require less maintenance, incur less operating costs, and require less upkeep. This results in fewer trips to the roof and reduces the risks of falling and working with hazardous equipment. Of course the more an installer or inspector adheres to safety standards, the easier it is to prevent accidents or damage.
The first step in any job with a crane is to inspect the work area. This applies to all industrial equipment involving roof installations. Make sure everything is safe before starting work. Before hoisting, inspect the ground beneath the crane. The soil needs to be able to support the weight of the crane. Many cranes weigh several tons, so this step is vital. Another safety consideration is that cranes must keep a certain distance from electric power lines, which can cause electric shock if the crane comes in contact with them. Those who fall victim to construction site injuries may want to consider getting in touch with an attorney to see how they can help.
Worker Safety
Industrial maintenance safety is the first priority when working in high or dangerous places. Below is a list of worker safety requirements that all Moffitt contractors must follow;
- Technicians must wear proper safety attire and hard hats for their personal protection.
- Shoes must have hard soles and be in good working condition.
- All crew members must wear long pants. In some facilities, crew members must wear long sleeves as well.
- All construction site workers must keep in regular contact using two-way radios. Communication is key to site safety. Need two-way radios for your next construction site project? Head to the website of a two way radio supplier supplying NYC, NJ & PA like altechradio.com for more information.
- Avoid drugs or alcohol. Impairment can be deadly.
- Wear full body harnesses or other fall-protection gear as required.
- Secure all ladders before use.
- Carry first aid kits.
- Finally, report all unsafe conditions to their supervisors.