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IN THIS ISSUE...

IN THIS ISSUE:
A CLOSER LOOK AT MAGNIFIERS
EXCAVATOR AND BACKHOE SAFETY
FYI: OSHA ALIGNS WITH ITA
FYI: OSHA DELAYS RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROVISIONS
SAF-T-TRIVIA

A CLOSER LOOK AT MAGNIFIERS

Jewelers have used them for centuries. Printers, too. Today, as the miniaturization of machines, microprocessors and all kinds of electronic devices continues, magnifiers are an increasingly common tool in all kinds of industries. They have become indispensable in production and quality control operations, and are widely used by hobbyists, appraisers, collectors and anyone who needs to occasionally “read the fine print.”

Magnifiers aren’t just being more broadly applied, they are also being produced with a broader range of power and features. Today’s magnifiers range from single-lens simplicity to multiple-lens and self-illuminated models. If you are looking for a magnifier that can meet the demands of your work, here are a few of the terms commonly used to describe magnifiers and their features.

Magnification
This is the number of times greater than an object’s actual size that the object will appear under magnification. It is expressed as a number followed by the letter “X.” For instance, an object under a 5X lens will appear to be 5 times larger than normal. This is also commonly referred to as “power.”

Field of View
This is the area visible through the magnifier. The higher the magnification, the smaller the lens; the smaller the lens, the smaller the field of view. For this reason, higher power magnifiers are used for observing small areas, while lower power magnifiers are better suited to viewing large areas.

Focal Length
This is the distance between the magnifier and the object being viewed at which the object appears “in focus.” If a magnifier is being used in a process that requires work with tools, a longer focal length allows more room for tool manipulation. Focal length is also commonly know as “working distance.”

Diopter
This is the amount of power in a lens needed to focus parallel light from one meter away from the lens. It is another useful term used for describing the magnification power of a lens.

For a wide selection of magnifiers, go to: http://www.labsafety.com/store/dept.asp?dept_id=31935.

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EXCAVATOR AND BACKHOE SAFETY

Anyone who operates a backhoe or hydraulic excavator, or who works in the vicinity when one is operating, runs a risk of being seriously injured or killed if struck by the machine or any of its components. A recent NIOSH publication (No. 2004-107) includes summaries of two case studies and lists possible common causes for this type of injury. Conclusions drawn from this study led to the following recommendations.

Before work begins, make sure that the work site has been fully checked and prepared by following these steps:

• Contact local utilities and other responsible parties to locate overhead and underground utility lines.
• Avoid work around overhead power lines. If it can’t be avoided, develop a plan to ensure that contact with the lines does not occur. The plan, along with OSHA regulations for minimum clearance [29 CFR 1926.550(a)(15)], should be followed carefully.
• Identify and avoid grades steeper than those specified by the manufacturer for operation of hydraulic excavators or backhoes.
• Keep machinery at a safe distance from excavations such as trenches.

Just as the site should be fully prepared, the equipment operators should be fully trained.

• Train equipment operators fully in the proper use of their equipment. Operators should be familiar with equipment specifications and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations carefully.
• Check all safety features to make sure that they are working.
• Reevaluate and adjust safety programs as work site conditions change.
• Identify and label all machine controls clearly.
• Install, operate and maintain all equipment attachments according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
• Latch quick-disconnect buckets securely before work begins and inspect frequently. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for using positive locks on quick-disconnect equipment.
• Operators should conduct visual and operational checks on all machine systems and operating controls before working the machine.
• Operators should use the supplied seat belts!
• Operators should not exceed load capacities when lifting materials.
• Without exception, operators should lower the boom to a safe position with the bucket on the ground and turn off the machine before stepping off.

Like the machine operators, anyone who will be working in the vicinity of the equipment should also receive appropriate training.

• Anyone working at the site should be trained to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions and to follow required safe work practices that apply.
• Before each work shift begins, machine operators and those working on foot should review and confirm communication signals.
• Anyone working at the site should be aware the established swing areas and blind spots for each machine in operation before the machine begins operation. These areas should be marked with rope, tape or other barriers.
• Workers attaching loads for hoisting should wait until the operator has lowered the bucket as close to the ground as possible.
• Workers should stay outside the hydraulic excavator swing areas and stay clear of attachments when using the machines for hoisting materials.
• Workers should not be allowed to stand under suspended loads or suspended machine components such as the boom, arm or bucket.
• Workers should not approach the hydraulic excavator or backhoe on foot until they signal the operator to shut down the machine and receive acknowledgment from the operator.
• When necessary, spotters or signal persons should be used around operating equipment.
• Workers should never ride in or work from excavator or backhoe loader buckets.
• Appropriate personal protective equipment should be available to workers, and supervisors should insist that workers use and maintain it.

To view the NIOSH report, go to: www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/wp-solutions/2004-107/default.html.

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FYI: OSHA ALIGNS WITH ITA

The Industrial Truck Association (ITA) has joined the growing list of organizations cooperating with OSHA to promote workplace safety and health. ITA recently signed an alliance with OSHA whose purpose is to encourage and promote operator training based on the OSHA training standard for powered industrial trucks operation. The alliance also places emphasis on issues concerning young workers.

To see the OSHA news release about the alliance with ITA, go to: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=10632.

For links to OSHA information on powered trucks, go to: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/poweredindustrialtrucks/index.html.

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FYI: OSHA DELAYS RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROVISIONS

Workplaces that are required to provide respirators to employees for tuberculosis protection have until July 1, 2004, to comply with several provisions of the respiratory protection standard.

The announcement of this six-month extension, allows affected employers to come into compliance with the additional requirements. Last month, OSHA withdrew its 1997 proposal on tuberculosis and the revocation of a separate respiratory protection standard for workers exposed to tuberculosis.

The OSHA respiratory protection rule is now the standard for all industries and includes requirements that are more detailed than those in the revoked rule: annual fit testing, medical evaluation requirements and some training and recordkeeping provisions. Until July 1, OSHA will not cite these new requirements for establishments with workers exposed only to tuberculosis.

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SAF-T-TRIVIA

LAST WEEK'S QUESTION:

Tagout attachment devices are required to have a minimum unlocking strength of how many pounds?

A. 50
B. 25
C. 30
D. 75

The Correct Answer is: A. 50 pounds.

This week’s winner is Patti from Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Congratulations! Patti wins the LSS reusable lunch bag!

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:

Which agency or organization formed CHEMTREC for the purpose of providing information to facilitate emergency response to spills of hazardous substances?

A. Department of Transportation (DOT)
B. National Response Center (NRC)
C. Chemical Manufacturer’s Association (CMA)
D. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Submit your answer to mailto:SafTTrivia@labsafety.com by Monday, April 19th! We’ll select one lucky winner from all the correct entries we receive. If you are selected, we will notify you by e-mail. Good Luck!

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The goal of Saf-T-News is to provide accurate information on the subject matters covered. However, it is impossible to guarantee absolute accuracy of the materials. Therefore, the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for omissions, errors or misprinting contained within this publication. LSS Inc. 401 S. Wright Rd, Janesville, WI 53546, USA Tel: 800-356-0783 Fax: 800-543-9910 http://www.labsafety.com.