PERSONAL AND WORKPLACE SAFETY
Safe Use of Chemicals
As we already learned, chemicals in a lab must be used with care. But even common household chemicals can be dangerous, particularly if mixed. Never, ever mix household cleaning supplies.
Bleach
Some commonly available household cleaning supplies are bleach, ammonia and vinegar. Many people use dilluted bleach to clean their flooring, clothes and other surfaces; dilluted vinegar is also used to clean surfaces, particularly when you want to clean something that requires a more natural solution, such as an aquarium or baby surfaces.
However, when you mix these chemicals, bad things can happen. Vinegar and bleach can create chlorine gas, which in high concentrations is a poisonous gas used in World War I. In the concentrations found in household cleaners, it can still cause irritation to your respiratory system, eyes and nose.
However, when you mix these chemicals, bad things can happen. Vinegar and bleach can create chlorine gas, which in high concentrations is a poisonous gas used in World War I. In the concentrations found in household cleaners, it can still cause irritation to your respiratory system, eyes and nose.
Bleach and ammonia also should not be mixed as they create Chloramine gases, which are toxic and can cause eyes, nose and throat irritation; coughing and difficulty breathing; and even chest pain.
It isn't enough to simply know about a chemical; it is also important to recognize that some chemicals can change properties when mixed with other chemicals, and become something entirely different. When working with chemicals, follow these steps:
Again -- If at any moment, in a job site or at home, you believe two chemicals were combined and can be harmful, or you start feeling the symptoms of some sort of gas in the air, please ventilate: open all windows, turn on fans, open doors and leave the area.
- Read labels
- Never mix chemicals
- If mixture happens, ventilate
- Call 811 to seek help if symptoms of exposure continue
Again -- If at any moment, in a job site or at home, you believe two chemicals were combined and can be harmful, or you start feeling the symptoms of some sort of gas in the air, please ventilate: open all windows, turn on fans, open doors and leave the area.
Electrical Hazards
The Electrical Code
In Canada, electrical work is covered by the Canadian Electrical Code. The code covers all aspects of electrical installations, including wiring, receptacles (outlets), lighting, and safety features; this ensures that buildings will be safe from the inside out.
Any new work, even if it is a rewiring of an old unit, will require a permit with very specific parameters to ensure the code is followed.
Many countries do not have the same electrical standards, or have lax overseeing of these standards due to lack of knowledge or corruption.
Any new work, even if it is a rewiring of an old unit, will require a permit with very specific parameters to ensure the code is followed.
Many countries do not have the same electrical standards, or have lax overseeing of these standards due to lack of knowledge or corruption.
The Canadian Electrical code has many parts. For us, the most important ones are part 1 and 2.
Part 1 of the Canadian electrical code covers building installations and home improvements, up to and including the wall outlet. Anything you plug into an outlet falls into part 2 of the Canadian electrical code, and in Canada is regulated by CSA (Canadian Standards Association). This includes all smaller and bigger electric items such as refrigerators, hairdryers, electric cars, batteries and even battery chargers, which all have their own unique safety standards and regulations. Items that pass the appropriate standards are given a CSA mark, which means they can be sold in Canada.
Part 1 of the Canadian electrical code covers building installations and home improvements, up to and including the wall outlet. Anything you plug into an outlet falls into part 2 of the Canadian electrical code, and in Canada is regulated by CSA (Canadian Standards Association). This includes all smaller and bigger electric items such as refrigerators, hairdryers, electric cars, batteries and even battery chargers, which all have their own unique safety standards and regulations. Items that pass the appropriate standards are given a CSA mark, which means they can be sold in Canada.
Most countries have the equivalent of CSA, with most countries requiring some certifications before a product can be sold in their market. Some smaller electronics, however, are either counterfeited with a fake mark, or sneak into the country without any mark whatsoever.
To avoid purchasing an item which may prove to be a fire hazard, it is important to ensure that the manufacturer is truly certified, not only the unit but also all of its components.If something seems like a deal too good to be true, it may just be.
To avoid purchasing an item which may prove to be a fire hazard, it is important to ensure that the manufacturer is truly certified, not only the unit but also all of its components.If something seems like a deal too good to be true, it may just be.
Workplace Electrical Protection
Many professions have a degree of contact with dangerous electrical equipment. For this reason, precautions are mandatory in laboratories that deal with electrical testing, near powerplants and other locations. Let's take a look at these protections, starting with protections against arc flashes.
Arc Flash : a dangerous electrical explosion caused by a sudden, uncontrolled release of energy that results in intense heat, light, and a powerful pressure wave known as an arc blast. This high-energy event can heat air to temperatures hotter than the surface of the sun, vaporizing metal, igniting clothing, causing severe burns, and leading to blast injuries or even death for nearby workers.
Arc Flash : a dangerous electrical explosion caused by a sudden, uncontrolled release of energy that results in intense heat, light, and a powerful pressure wave known as an arc blast. This high-energy event can heat air to temperatures hotter than the surface of the sun, vaporizing metal, igniting clothing, causing severe burns, and leading to blast injuries or even death for nearby workers.
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One of the most important pieces of PPE (personal protective equipment) you can have is a good pair of boots. Usually, boots are required to be not only steel-toed, but also fully electrically insulated.
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These boots save lives every day. The same goes for the rest of the PPE equipment. In the case of PPE Arc Flash gloves, a pinsized hole can mean the difference between life and death. Electricity in the air needs to find a place to meet ground; you don't want to be that conduit. Some accidents in workplaces can have the same effects as being hit by lighting.
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters)
GFCIs (also called GCIs) are safety devices that protect people from severe electrical shock by detecting a ground fault, which is an unintended path for electricity to leak from a circuit to the ground. They can help prevent electrocution by shutting off electrical power when they detect ground faults.
A circuit is a complete path; a GFCI is a sensing circuit which monitors the current that is going to the load and compares this to the current coming from the load (lightbulbs, refrigerators, and anything that consumes electricity are called loads). These should be equal, that is, the current going into the load should be the same as the current coming out. Under normal circumstances, if there is a fault or current leaking somewhere, then the current coming back into the GFCI is less that the current going out. This indicates that there is a ground fault somewhere, which could lead to a hazardous situation, and so the GFCI closes the electricity completely.
An example of something that would cause a ground fault would be someone getting an electric shock. This would make the current be less as it returns to the GFCI. An outlet without these preventative protections can continue to shock someone and even cause death.
An AFCI (Arc fault circuit interrupter) is newer technology, and does a similar job to the GFCIs. Let's watch the video below to understand the differences:
A circuit is a complete path; a GFCI is a sensing circuit which monitors the current that is going to the load and compares this to the current coming from the load (lightbulbs, refrigerators, and anything that consumes electricity are called loads). These should be equal, that is, the current going into the load should be the same as the current coming out. Under normal circumstances, if there is a fault or current leaking somewhere, then the current coming back into the GFCI is less that the current going out. This indicates that there is a ground fault somewhere, which could lead to a hazardous situation, and so the GFCI closes the electricity completely.
An example of something that would cause a ground fault would be someone getting an electric shock. This would make the current be less as it returns to the GFCI. An outlet without these preventative protections can continue to shock someone and even cause death.
An AFCI (Arc fault circuit interrupter) is newer technology, and does a similar job to the GFCIs. Let's watch the video below to understand the differences:
Lock out/Tag out procedures
Electrical accidents can happen not only when the electricity is misandled, but also when certain safety rules related to the machinery itself that runs on electricity are not followed.
To assist maintenance of these large machines at workplaces, a process called "Lockout Tagout" was devised, which when followed properly, can keep people safe from harm. These lockout procedures can adapt to many different types of factory conditions.
To assist maintenance of these large machines at workplaces, a process called "Lockout Tagout" was devised, which when followed properly, can keep people safe from harm. These lockout procedures can adapt to many different types of factory conditions.
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Depending on the place you live, the lockout steps may vary; however, they all have a similar outcome.
The following are the five Lockout/Tagout steps used by WorksafeBC, directly from their manual:
The following are the five Lockout/Tagout steps used by WorksafeBC, directly from their manual:
To find out more details regarding this procedure, you can download the complete manual below.
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WorkplaceBC
Building Codes
Scientific understanding of physics, materials, and engineering were fundamental in the development of building codes to protect humans from collapses and make buildings safer dring earthquakes, for instance.
Building codes are sets of regulations that establish minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure public safety, health, and accessibility. In Canada, the National Building Code (NBC) serves as a model for provincial and local codes, which are adapted to meet specific regional needs, such as the BC Building Code (BCBC). These codes address various aspects of construction, including:
Building codes are sets of regulations that establish minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure public safety, health, and accessibility. In Canada, the National Building Code (NBC) serves as a model for provincial and local codes, which are adapted to meet specific regional needs, such as the BC Building Code (BCBC). These codes address various aspects of construction, including:
- Structural integrity - regulating materials, methods and engineering to ensure safety of inhabitants
- Fire protection - ensuring people are protected by demanding alarms, fire hydrants, fire doors and other safety recourses
- Indoor air quality - mandated ventilation systems ensure fumes and gases can exit
- Energy and water efficiency - helping the environment by conserving resources
- Accessibility - making the building accessible to people of different abilities
Safety Alarms
Safety alarms are important tools to alert us if something is wrong. So are security alarms.
You may be wondering what's the difference. Security alarms are designed to protect your possesions, while safety alarms are designed to protect your life and health.
Safety alarms have to be regularly maintained in order to ensure protection against fires, gas leaks and other issues.
Let's watch the video below to understand more about these important safeguards.
You may be wondering what's the difference. Security alarms are designed to protect your possesions, while safety alarms are designed to protect your life and health.
Safety alarms have to be regularly maintained in order to ensure protection against fires, gas leaks and other issues.
Let's watch the video below to understand more about these important safeguards.
