Safety Sign Information - The Sign Genius

Proper ANSI Signs & Labels Not Present Caused Death of Student at Yale

A Yale Student, Michele Dufault, was killed in the student machine shop in the Sterling Chemistry Lab.  The senior from Scituate, MA was working on a project when her hair got stuck in a lathe.  A lathe is a rotating machine tool where the axis is used to perform cuts, sanding, drilling and much more.

After the official examination it was found that ANSI signs were missing and there were other safety flaws in the shop, stated OSHA.  The Connecticut medical examiner did find that the death was accidental from asphyxia from neck compression.

In a letter sent to Yale from OSHA, they determined that the lathe being used required safeguards and that the schools policies and practices were unsafe.  There was a lack of safety labels present at the time of the accident.        

Other safety precautions weren’t taken, like emergency signs for shutting off the switch for the lathe.  OSHA claims that having the proper safety signage, and a guard or shield to protect the operator.

The machine did meet some of ANSI standard, which incorporate training and personal protective equipment.  Yale also suggested that a buddy be present when working the machines.

Dufault had a double major in astronomy and physics and intended to pursue a career in oceanography.

Traffic Safety Signs - Detectable, Durable, Comprehensible

It is common knowledge that traffic signs make our roads safer and help to prevent thousands of traffic-related accidents every year. Properly installed, they can significantly contribute to our safety, effectively organize traffic flow, and even reduce our commute time. Whether these are speed limit signs, stop signs or any other type of traffic signage – each and every sign is virtually irreplaceable and worth every penny spent from a city budget.

The situation around us is constantly changing. New threats and sources of danger arise or become present in places which only recently could be considered fairly safe and secure. These changes have an immediate effect on traffic signs as well. Traffic signs are also evolving to ensure compliance with new, more demanding environmental and quality requirements.

Note: The United States Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration is the authority on Traffic Sign requirements.  They publish the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), the most current version being December 2009. 

 Design and manufacturing of safety road signs is a delicate and constantly ongoing process. New challenges bring to life different methods of increasing sign visibility and quality standards. Innovative, durable and wear-resistant materials become readily available and more commonly utilized drastically expanding signage life cycle.

Most of the traffic signs currently produced by SafetySign.com are utilizing heavy-duty reflective aluminum, which in conjunction with enlarged, light-reflective elements deliver unprecedented level of visibility and safety.

 Our affordable traffic safety signs collection includes a large variety of pedestrian crossing, school zone signs, speed limit signs and many, many others.

In addition to our stock selection, we can also create custom signs to fit your exact specifications.

 

Visit us today at www.SafetySign.com for more information.

 

OSHA Quick Card - Work Zone Traffic Safety

Employees being struck by vehicles or mobile equipment lead to many work zone fatalities or injuries. Work zones need traffic controls identified by signs, cones, barrels and barriers.

Drivers, employees on foot, and pedestrians must be able to see and understand the proper routes. Construction project managers determine traffic control plans within construction/demolition worksites.

• Traffic control devices, signals, and message boards instruct drivers to follow paths away from where work is being done.
• Approved traffic control devices, including cones, barrels, barricades, and delineator posts are also used inside work zones.

Work Zone Protections: Various concrete, water, sand, collapsible barriers, crash cushions, and truck-mounted attenuators can help limit motorist intrusions into construction work zones.

Flagging: Flaggers should wear high visibility clothing with a fluorescent background and made of retroreflective material. This makes employees visible for at least 1,000 feet in any direction. Check the label or packaging to ensure that the garments are performance class 2 or 3. Drivers should be warned with signs that there will be flaggers ahead. Flaggers should use STOP/SLOW paddles, paddles with lights, or flags (only in emergencies).

Lighting: Flagger stations should be illuminated. Lighting for employees on foot and for equipment operators should be at least 5 foot-candles or greater. Where available lighting is not sufficient, flares or chemical lighting should be used. Glare should be controlled or eliminated.

Training: Flaggers must be trained/certified and use authorized signaling methods.

Driving: Seat belts and rollover protection should be used on equipment and vehicles as the manufacturer recommends.

OSHA Quick Card - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Eye and Face Protection

• Safety glasses or face shields are worn any time work operations can cause foreign objects to get in the eye. For example, during welding, cutting, grinding, nailing (or when working with concrete and/or harmful chemicals or when exposed to flying particles).
• Wear when exposed to any electrical hazards, including working on energized electrical systems.
• Eye and face protectors – select based on anticipated hazards.

Foot Protection

• Construction workers should wear work shoes or boots with slip-resistant and puncture-resistant soles.
• Safety-toed footwear is worn to prevent crushed toes when working around heavy equipment or falling objects.

Hand Protection

• Gloves should fit snugly.
• Workers should wear the right gloves for the job (examples: heavy-duty rubber gloves for concrete work; welding gloves for welding; insulated gloves and sleeves when exposed to electrical hazards).

Head Protection

• Wear hard hats where there is a potential for objects falling from above, bumps to the head from fixed objects, or of accidental head contact with electrical hazards.
• Hard hats – routinely inspect them for dents, cracks or deterioration; replace after a heavy blow or electrical shock; maintain in good condition.

Hearing Protection

 

• Use earplugs/earmuffs in high noise work areas where chainsaws or heavy equipment are used; clean or replace earplugs regularly.

Remember that an essential part of any safety program is communication of the requirements to the people who will be exposed to the hazard.  Click on any of the headings above for information on the signage associated with that hazard.