Fair warning

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• Those overhead electrical junction boxes, the aluminum 6 ladder, and the water spray, taken in combination, are going to conspire to create an electrical emergency. There is a real potential for electrocution, given this lethal triple-whammy. • If this job has been contracted out, the contractor could be potentially liable for the outcome. If this worksite is under WorkSafeBC jurisdiction, then lawyers are sure to be kept busy sorting out the many violations of statute law, including a lack of proper supervision. Hopefully, no one is injured or killed in the interim. This job requires an immediate stop-work order. • If cleaning solvents are being mixed with the water, both of these workers should be wearing approved and appropriate respirators. Unfortunately, for the one worker, his beard precludes the use of many common types of respirators, because he will not be able to effect a proper seal between his face and the mask. His only option would be a full face mask, which he probably wouldn’t wear anyway, given all of his other misdemeanors. • Both of these workers should be wearing industrial-quality gloves to protect their hands. They should also be using hearing protection to protect against internal combustion engine noise, which undoubtedly will be magnified within the close confines of this concrete structure. • These men need to be wearing high-visibility vests in this potentially dangerous work area. The lighting is not good, and there are lots of blind corners and visually disorienting shadows, as well as dark areas. Coming in from the bright daylight into a darkened parking arcade results in a moment of temporary disorientation, if not partial blindness. These workers are sitting ducks as cars drive around sharp, blind corners without any <strong>warning</strong> of work in progress. • There should be no parked cars in the area immediately surrounding the worksite. If there is an emergency, the cars located nearby are only going to make matters a lot more complicated for everyone involved. • The pressure-washer location is unfortunate. Why would anyone locate it right in the middle of an unrestricted traffic drive-through area? • It is painfully obvious that these men have not been trained, nor are they being properly supervised. Are they new workers? Is it obvious that safe work procedures have not been put in place or implemented at this jobsite? Based on March / April 2013 WorkSafe Magazine the obvious hazards, has a risk assessment been done and appropriate controls put in place? WorkSafeBC inspectors are going to ask for evidence of appropriate training in the event of an accident, and my bet is they’re going to be disappointed. • While I’m sure it’s there, I see no evidence of a pressure gauge or pressure-relief device. Also, the spray wand should have some kind of a whip-check, where the incoming high-pressure supply line connects. An unguarded chain drive apparently exists under the main machine frame between the wheels. • In this kind of working environment, why not use an electric-powered spray washer or a power unit located outside the building, with lines leading up and into the working area? If this job is done on a regular basis, the investment would lead to both long- and short-term safety and health benefits. The advantages are obvious: toxic fumes are avoided, gasoline/diesel use is avoided, workplace clutter is reduced, and, the noise associated with an internal combustion engine is eliminated. • Unless the information is on the other side of the fuel container, I don’t see any evidence of required WHMIS (workplace hazardous materials information system) labelling. • Since these workers seem to enjoy working in close proximity to the smelly internal combustion engine driving their pressure-washer, ventilation may be an issue. Is this area being properly vented to protect against long-term exposure to the harmful exhaust gases released during the course of their shift? • The pressure-washing machine should be separated from the worker doing the pressure-washing by a greater distance, because two dangerous operations are happening in close proximity to each other: refueling and pressure-washing. • Because of the slipping and tripping hazards apparent on this job, as well as the real possibility of being struck by a vehicle, I would demand that both of these workers wear hard hats. These men desperately need proper supervision! Merv Hansen Millwright and joint occupational health and safety committee member Canfor Quesnel, B.C.
The act of lighting a cigarette is riskier Editor, WorkSafe Magazine (Re: January/February issue, “What’s wrong with this photo?”) With regard to the worker smoking while filling the gas tank of a pressure-washer; naturally, smoking in the workplace is a health hazard. There must be a half a dozen no-no’s in this photo. But there’s no risk of ignition here. The lit cigarette is simply not hot enough to ignite the gasoline fumes, even at an ideal 14-to-1 ratio. The act of lighting the cigarette would certainly provide a source, though: open flames Blowback is a big concern during power-washing Editor, WorkSafe Magazine (Re: January/February issue, “What’s wrong with this photo?”) • The hose is wrapped around the spraying worker’s ankle. • The workers are not wearing proper footwear. • The workers are not wearing safety glasses. • Neither worker is wearing ear protection. • The ladder is unsafe — it hasn’t been opened properly. • The hose is wrapped around the ladder legs — it’s unsafe. • Smoking is a fire and health hazard. • Filling gas with the engine running is a fire hazard. • They should be wearing waterproof, protective clothing. • They should move the hose from the spray area to eliminate unnecessary blowback. • No cones or barricades are in place to mark off a safe work area, away from vehicles and pedestrians. • The spraying worker should not blow the spray towards the other worker. • The pouring worker should wear gloves when handling fuel, in case of spillage. • The worker shouldn’t be laying anything on an engine while it’s running. • The worker should be wearing gloves to protect his hands. • The worker’s mask is not being worn — it’s hanging around his neck. Is it the correct type? and the sparks from flints are at a much higher temperature than the ash end of a lit cigarette. Peter Doherty Firefighter Campbell River Fire Rescue Campbell River, B.C. • Move the machine away from the spray. • One worker has no head protection — he needs a hard hat. • The other worker has improper head protection — he needs a hard hat. • The worker has no mask. • Operating a pressure-washer from this type of ladder could be unsafe, due to the push-back from the spray. • Loose clothing is a hazard. • Suds may be slippery — there is no <strong>warning</strong> or barricade for pedestrians. • One worker is reaching across the equipment. It’s better to fill from the opposite side, closer to the tank. It avoids spillage onto the muffler or engine. • One worker has bad posture for lifting fuel. He should move closer to the tank. • This worker should use two hands to hold the can. • The hose is a tripping hazard. Garry Geisler Project Manager Entek Engineering Ltd. Langley, B.C. WorkSafe Magazine March / April 2013 7
Page 1 and 2: Fair warning A true commitment to s
Page 3 and 4: 20 Features March / April Volume 13
Page 5: What’s wrong: you tell us Merv ha
Page 9 and 10: The following article is part one o
Page 11 and 12: show I care by discussing how they
Page 13 and 14: First and foremost, develop and coo
Page 15 and 16: At left, BME biomedical engineer De
Page 17 and 18: WorkSafeBC UPDATE Fresh thinking ea
Page 19 and 20: Another runner-up, the mechanical e
Page 21 and 22: Faller Bill Boardman (kneeling) lea
Page 23 and 24: Sarwan Singh Bhango, a forklift ope
Page 25 and 26: Continued from page 11 Fair warning
Page 27 and 28: Penalties Administrative penalties
Page 29 and 30: insulation by cutting it and captur
Page 31 and 32: 499692 B.C. Limited / Subway Sandwi
Page 33 and 34: The safety solution that saves live

Fair warning

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