This study developed biomechanical models for hand breakaway strength that account for not only grip force but also hand-handle frictional coupling in generation of breakaway strength. Specifically, models for predicting breakaway strength for two commonly-used handle shapes (circular and rectangular handles) and varying coefficients of friction (COF) between the hand and handle were proposed. The models predict that (i) breakaway strength increases with increasing COF and (ii) a circular handle with a 50.8mm-diameter results in greater mean breakaway strength than a handle with a rectangular cross-section of 38.1 by 38.1mm for COFs greater than 0.42. To test these model predictions, breakaway strengths of thirteen healthy young adults were measured for three frequently-encountered COF conditions (represented by three glove types of polyester (COF=0.32), bare hand (COF=0.50), and latex (COF=0.74) against an aluminum handle) and for the two handle shapes. Consistent with the model predictions, mean breakaway strength increased with increasing COF and was greater for the circular than rectangular handle for COFs of 0.50 and 0.74. Examination of breakaway strength normalized to body weight reveals that modification of COF and handle shapes could influence whether one can hold his/her body using the hands or not (thus must fall), highlighting the importance of considering these parameters for fall prevention. The biomechanical models developed herein have the potential to be applied to general handle shapes and COF conditions. These models can be used to optimize handle design to maximize breakaway strength and minimize injuries due to falls from ladders or scaffolds.
Source : Hur P, Motawar B, Seo NJ. J. Biomech. 2012.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2012.01.013
http://www.safetylit.org/citations/index.php?fuseaction=citations.viewdetails&citationIds%5B%5D=citjournalarticle_342449_8
Ce guide, destiné aux employeurs, superviseurs et travailleurs, renseigne sur les risques respiratoires, les types d’appareils de protection respiratoire (APR) correspondant aux différents contaminants.
Source :
http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/health_and_safety/by_topic/assets/pdf/breathe_safer.pdf
There has been some research into the level of damage and changes to important properties of firefighters' protective clothing after exposure to conditions such as elevated temperature and ultra violet radiation. However, at this time, the results are not comprehensive enough to develop a standard procedure to estimate the remaining useful life of firefighters' protective clothing. There is also a need to develop non-destructive techniques to evaluate clothing, for most tests used to evaluate properties of clothing are destructive, and visual cues cannot completely assess the level of deterioration of the properties of thermal protective fabrics. In this paper, major factors that affect the continuing performance of firefighters' protective clothing and their effects on the service life of the clothing are reviewed. Some non-destructive methods which have been employed in different studies to evaluate the degradation of physical properties of firefighters' protective clothing are also described, along with statistical and probabilistic methods for estimating the useful life of materials. Suggestions for future research, which will assist fire departments in determining the level of damage to clothing, and estimating its remaining useful life are also discussed.
Source : Rezazadeh M, Torvi DA. Assessment of Factors Affecting the Continuing Performance of Firefighters' Protective Clothing: A Literature Review. Fire Technol. 2011; 47(3): 565-599. DOI: 10.1007/s10694-010-0188-3
http://www.springerlink.com/content/f3104146t0265722/
Through partnership with the University of Cincinnati, the NIOSH Skin Permeation Calculator has been updated with enhanced features and a new user interface. The improved calculator allows for simulation of typical occupational exposure scenarios. The calculator estimates fluxes, skin concentrations, and amounts absorbed from any size dose applied to partially or fully hydrated skin. The calculator is available on the NIOSH Web site at
Source : http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/skin/finiteSkinPermCalc.html
The purpose of this blog is to provide an update on the science and rationale behind NIOSH's recommendations for the use and selection of respirators against engineered nanoparticles.
Source : http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/blog/
Load carriage increases physiological strain, reduces work capacity and elevates the risk of work-related injury. In this project, the separate and combined physiological consequences of wearing the personal protective equipment used by firefighters were evaluated. The overall impact upon performance was first measured in 20 subjects during a maximal, job-related obstacle course trial and an incremental treadmill test to exhaustion (with and without protective equipment). The fractional contributions of the thermal protective clothing, helmet, breathing apparatus and boots were then separately determined during steady-state walking (4.8 km h(-1), 0% gradient) and bench stepping (20 cm at 40 steps min(-1)). The protective equipment reduced exercise tolerance by 56% on a treadmill, with the ambulatory oxygen consumption reserve (peak minus steady-state walking) being 31% lower. For the obstacle course, performance declined by 27%. Under steady-state conditions, the footwear exerted the greatest relative metabolic impact during walking and bench stepping, being 8.7 and 6.4 times greater per unit mass than the breathing apparatus. Indeed, the relative influence of the clothing on oxygen cost was at least three times that of the breathing apparatus. Therefore, the most efficient way to reduce the physiological burden of firefighters' protective equipment, and thereby increase safety, would be to reduce the mass of the boots and thermal protective clothing.
Source :
Taylor NA, Lewis MC, Notley SR, Peoples GE. A fractionation of the physiological burden of the personal protective equipment worn by firefighters. European Journal of Applied Physiology.2011; ePub.
DOI: 10.1007/s00421-011-2267-7
http://www.safetylit.org/citations/index.php?fuseaction=citations.viewdetails&citationIds%5B%5D=citjournalarticle_337442_8
Vertical systems, harnesses, lanyards and climbing systems must be developed for the variety of fall hazards associated with tower construction, maintenance and rescue.
The world is beginning to rely more on alternative energy, making wind power one of the largest sources of new electricity generation. As wind turbines begin to dot the landscape around the country, more workers will be required to install and service these structures. More workers on the job site means fall protection equipment designers and manufacturers must anticipate and address the unique challenges this growing industry demands.
Source : http://ehstoday.com/construction/fall-protection-wind-energy-1211/
En réponse à une demande formulée par deux associations sectorielles paritaires et trois milieux de travail représentants les policiers, les agents de la paix en services correctionnels et les cols bleus, l'Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) a mis au point une méthode d'essai pour déterminer la résistance des gants de protection contre les piqûres causées par les aiguilles médicales. L'absence de méthodes d'essai normalisées rendait difficile le choix de vêtements de protection efficace contre les piqûres d'aiguilles alors qu'un nombre croissant de travailleurs vivent des situations à risque de contracter une infection tels l'hépatite B, l'hépatite C ou le VIH. [...] Les chercheurs ont choisi des modèles représentatifs des divers gants de protection disponibles sur le marché et les ont évalués afin d'identifier les plus performants. Leur résistance a été mesurée pour trois types d'agresseurs mécaniques : la piqûre par des aiguilles médicales, la perforation et la coupure.
Le rapport inclut des recommandations sur le choix des meilleurs gants en fonction du type d'utilisation. « Ces informations seront utiles pour ceux qui cherchent à choisir des équipements de protection efficaces pour protéger les mains contre les piqûres d'aiguille, mais il est important de réaliser que la sélection de gants demeure un compromis délicat entre la résistance des gants et les exigences de fonctionnalité et de confort liées à l'utilisateur et aussi aux tâches à effectuer »,explique l'auteur principal, le chercheur Toan Vu-Khanh de l'École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS).
Les résultats de ce projet ont également permis d'alimenter les travaux de l'ASTM International en vue d'établir une nouvelle méthode d'essai normalisée relative à la résistance des vêtements de protection à la piqûre par des aiguilles médicales.
Source : http://www.irsst.qc.ca/-publication-irsst-resistance-gants-piqure-aiguilles-mise-au-point-methode-essai-r-711.html
Réponse de l'INRS à la question suivante / GUILLEUX A. :
Dans une entreprise du secteur chimique, le débit des douches de sécurité est de 90 litres/minute. est-il nécessaire qu'il soit ausi élevé, cela étant douloureux pour les victimes de brûlures ?
Source : http://www.dmt-prevention.fr/inrs-pub/inrs01.nsf/IntranetObject-accesParReference/DMT_QR%2057/$File/QR57.pdf
Ce guide, élaboré avec le concours des constructeurs d'appareils et du Syndicat national des matériels et articles de protection (SYNAMAP), s'adresse à toute personne qui, en situation de travail, doit procéder au choix d'un appareil de protection respiratoire.
Après un rappel des spécificatons normatives et des exigences réglementaires en matière de conception, de marquage et d'utilisation des appareils de protection respiratoire, ce guide propose une description détaillée des différents types de matériels puis une méthode d'aide au choix de l'appareil le plus adapté à une situation de travail donnée.
Il fournit également des critères d'utilisation, de stockage et d'entretien de chaque type d'équipement.
Source : http://www.inrs.fr/accueil/produits/mediatheque/doc/publications.html?refINRS=ED%206106
Two new documents from ISEA will help protect workers whose jobs expose them to fall hazards. A Personal Fall Protection Equipment Use and Selection Guide provides practical, hands-on guidance for fall protection users and administrators in their selection, use, maintenance and inspection of fall protection equipment. A companion document addresses topics in fall protection on which manufacturers get frequent inquiries.
Prepared by manufacturers in the ISEA Fall Protection Group, the use and selection guide describes the process of developing a corporate fall protection program, explains the components of fall protection systems, gives examples of how to select equipment for various types of work, and outlines steps for planning the use of fall protection systems.
The guide also contains inspection and maintenance guidelines, definitions, a list of applicable OSHA regulations and US and Canadian consensus standards, and links to ISEA companies and other sources of information.
Source :
https://www.safetyequipment.org/userfiles/File/Fall_Protection/FP_use_guide.pdf
https://www.safetyequipment.org/userfiles/File/Fall_Protection/fall_protection_topics.pdf
Ministry of Labour inspectors will focus on personal protective equipment at Ontario workplaces in the industrial and health care sectors as part of the ministry's October enforcement blitz.
According to a news release by the ministry, inspectors will focus on hazards involving the choice, use and maintenance of PPE. "Workers using inappropriate or poorly maintained equipment are at risk of injury and illness," the ministry said.
Source : http://www.cos-mag.com/PPE/PPE-Stories/labour-inspectors-set-their-eyes-on-ppe.html
This document is intended to provide relevant information to employers and employees in determining whether respirators are needed, and, if so, how the respirators should be selected and used. This publication does not replace the official Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134). OSHA has released a revised Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Respiratory Protection Standard intended to help small businesses protect workers from respiratory hazards. The updated guide, directed at businesses with fewer than 250 workers, explains how to comply with OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard. It provides instruction on how to select and fit test appropriate respirators to protect workers in many different industries. It includes new illustrations to help employers and workers identify different respirators, and describes how and where they should be used.
The revised guide also explains how Assigned Protection Factors (APFs) and Maximum Use Concentrations (MUCs), detailed in OSHA's revised standard, can help workers and employers assess the level of protection necessary in a given workplace.
Source : http://www.osha.gov/Publications/3384small-entity-for-respiratory-protection-standard-rev.pdf
Recently, WorkSafeBC adopted the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 107 standard and included fluorescent yellow-green as a mandatory safety colour for road workers. In comparison with traditional Pantone colours, fluorescent materials provide maximum contrast against an otherwise dull or busy background. During a literature review, the researchers found that the most recent study on the visibility of victims floating on water was conducted in 1957. The research team did not discover any current literature on the topic, so using the science of how humans perceive colour, they set out to identify and scientifically validate the most conspicuous colour for use on personal flotation devices and immersion suits when viewed on the water. They compared three Pantone colours and one high-visibility fluorescent pigmented material to identify the combination of colours and luminance that would be most visible to the human eye under the majority of real-world conditions. Following extensive laboratory simulations and on-water experiments, the researchers found that fluorescent green, followed by fluorescent orange, were the most conspicuous colors for a floating target when compared to nonfluorescent red and non-fluorescent yellow.
Source : http://www.worksafebc.com/contact_us/research/research_results/res_60_10_1050.asp
http://www.worksafebc.com/contact_us/research/funding_decisions/assets/pdf/2009/RS2009_IG30.pdf
L'Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) et son homologue français l'Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité (INRS) ont conçu ProtecPo, un logiciel interactif de présélection des matériaux polymères utilisés dans les équipements de protection individuelle (gants, combinaisons et bottes). L'objectif des deux Instituts est de mettre à disposition des professionnels de la prévention et des entreprises un outil d'aide au choix des matériaux les mieux adaptés pour la protection cutanée, notamment contre les solvants et les mélanges de solvants. La démarche suivie pour la mise au point de ProtecPo est basée sur une approche des interactions entre substances chimiques et les matériaux polymères, selon la théorie établie par Charles M. Hansen, scientifique danois qui a collaboré au développement de cet outil informatique.
ProtecPo propose d'effectuer des recherches par :
- solvant ou mélange de solvants permettant d'obtenir une liste de matériaux recommandés ;
- famille de solvants permettant d'obtenir des résultats quant au niveau de compatibilité entre les solvants de la famille sélectionnée et les matériaux ;
- matériau polymère permettant de choisir parmi les cinq matériaux répertoriés (butyle, Viton®, latex, Néoprène® et nitrile).
ProtecPo a été validé en comparant les recommandations obtenues aux données de la littérature spécialisée et aux résultats de tests expérimentaux réalisés sur plus de 800 combinaisons substance(s)-polymère.
L'application (en français et en anglais) est désormais en ligne sur les sites Web des deux instituts : www.irsst.qc.ca/protecpo
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