The Safety Blog - I am Wright.com

Currently, TSA requires that all passengers traveling with a laptop computer must remove their laptop from their bag and place it in a bin for screening. To help streamline the security process and better protect laptops TSA has recently encouraged manufacturers to design bags that will produce a clear and unobstructed image of the laptop when undergoing X-ray screening. A design that meets this objective will enable TSA to allow laptops to remain in bags for screening.

Industry enthusiastically met the call and more than 60 manufacturers responded, 40 of them submitting prototypes for testing. TSA has opened three airports for manufacturers to perform live testing of these prototypes with Transportation Security Officers (TSO) so the manufacturers can gain feedback on what works and what doesn’t with various bag designs.

Some of the designs that have the potential to provide clear X-ray images include:

Some of the designs that, through testing, have alarmed are:

TSA screens laptops to see if the electronics have been tampered with. TSOs know what the inside of a computer should look like, and can recognize irregularities. This is why they need an unobstructed view as the item moves through the X-ray machine.

Purchasing one of these bags will not guarantee that you can leave your laptop in your bag for screening. If a TSO finds that the bag does not present a clear and distinct image of the laptop separate from the rest of the bag, the laptop will have to be screened separately.

There are laptop bag styles currently on the market, such as laptop-only sleeves, that have the potential to present a clear X-ray image of the laptop if they are correctly packed. However, most current laptop bags will not present a clear X-ray image and should not be sent through the X-ray with the laptop inside.

What does this mean for passengers?

If you intend to use a checkpoint friendly laptop bag once they are on the market, make sure to check that:

• • Your laptop bag has a designated laptop-only section that can lay flat on the X-ray belt
• • There are no metal snaps, zippers or buckles inside, underneath or on-top of the laptop-only section
• • There are no pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop-only section
• • There is nothing in the laptop compartment other than the laptop
• • You have completely unfolded your bag so that there is nothing above or below the laptop-only section, allowing the bag to lay flat on the X-ray belt

Remember, a well designed checkpoint friendly bag must be packed appropriately if you intend to leave your laptop in your bag for screening.

Note: TSA has not yet implemented procedures to allow for laptops to remain in bags. The new laptop X-ray procedures will not be in place until later this summer.

TSA is not approving or endorsing any bag design or manufacturer and will only allow laptops to stay in bags through screening if they provide a clear and unobstructed X-ray image of the laptop.

Read more at: http://www.tsa.gov

Technorati Tags: Laptop Friendly Bags, TSA

Tags: Technology, news // Add Comment »

A safe work environment is not enough to control all electrical hazards. You must also work safely. Safe work practices help you control your risk of injury or death from workplace hazards. If you are working on electrical circuits or with electrical tools and equipment, you need to use safe work practices. Before you begin a task, ask yourself:

• What could go wrong?
• Do I have the knowledge, tools, and experience to do this work safely?

All workers should be very familiar with the safety procedures for their jobs. You must know how to use specific controls that help keep you safe. You must also use good judgment and common sense.

Control electrical hazards through safe work practices:

• Plan your work and plan for safety.
• Avoid wet working conditions and other dangers.
• Avoid overhead powerlines.
• Use proper wiring and connectors.
• Use and maintain tools properly.
• Wear correct PPE.

Planning with others is especially helpful. It allows you to coordinate your work and take advantage of what others know about identifying and controlling hazards. The following is a list of some things to think about as you plan:

• Work with a “buddy”—Do not work alone. Both of you should be trained in CPR. Both of you must know what to do in an emergency.
• Know how to shut off and de-energize circuits—You must find where circuit breakers, fuses, and switches are located. Then, the circuits that you will be working on (even low-voltage circuits) MUST BE TURNED OFF! Test the circuits before beginning
• Work to make sure they are completely de-energized.

Technorati Tags: Buddy System, Electrical, hazards, Safety

Tags: Electrical, OSHA, Safety // Add Comment »

Flammable and combustible liquids present fire and explosion hazards and must be handled with great care. Containers must be stored in a cool, well-ventilated area away from sources of ignition. Exposure to heat can make some flammables and combustibles break down into acids or corrosives, or create poisonous gases. At normal temperatures flammables and combustibles can release vapors that are explosive and hazardous to your health.

A no smoking / open flame policy should be implemented where flammable and combustible liquids are used and/or stored. This area should be placarded “NO SMOKING” and all employees should understand the reasons for the prohibitions. When establishing “No Smoking” areas, the area should extend 25 feet beyond the actual hazard area and should be based on the worst possible scenario (such as a spill nearby; how far will the spill travel).

Grounding and Bonding

When volatile liquids are moved, mixed, pumped, powered, filtered, or agitated through piping or hoses, static is generated. These operations can allow for static charges to accumulate enough electricity to produce sparks. Such sparking can ignite flammable vapor air mixtures and fire can result. Therefore, grounding and bonding procedure should be established in all Districts performing these activities.

· Grounding: Grounding is the process of connecting two or more conductive objects to the ground and is a specific form of bonding. Sparks from static charges cannot occur if the equipment in any flammable liquid handling operation is firmly electrically grounded. This action eliminates static charges as quickly as they are generated.

· Bonding: Bonding is the process of connecting two or more conductive objects together by means of a conductor. When flammable liquids are dispensed from drums, the drum must be grounded with a conductor/cable. The cable should be a #4 copper conductor that goes to a grounding rod or cold water pipe. Also, when flammable liquids are dispensed from drums to a container, a bonding cable must be provided making contact with the drum and the container being filled to prevent static charges. However, if the hose/faucet from the drum is in contact with the container being filled, then the container need only be grounded.

The continuity of the ground should be checked frequently by a qualified electrician.

Transporting Flammable/Combustible Liquids

When transporting flammable/combustible liquids, there are many precautions that should be taken to avoid a spill or fire. These general procedures should provide basic guidance in the event of a hazardous circumstance:

· All flammable/combustible liquids should only be transported in approved safety containers equipped with a flash arrestor and self-closing cap.

· Never fill or “top off” a container in the trunk or the bed area of a vehicle. Static electricity can occur creating an ignition of vapor with the likelihood of a fire. Always use Bonding and grounding when filling a container with a flammable/combustible liquid.

· Keep all containers closed at all times when in transportation.

If there is a spill or leak while on the roadway, move the vehicle to a place of safety. Do not move the vehicle any more than safety requires. Only move the vehicle if it can be done without endangering you or others.

Technorati Tags: Combustible, flammable, Liquids, OSHA, Safety

Tags: Combustible Liquids, Flammable Liquids, OSHA, Safety // Add Comment »

On January 25, 2006, seven children where killed when the car they where riding in was crushed between a truck and a stopped school bus when one of the trucks front tires fell off the truck. This fatality could have been avoided had the driver only taken a few extra moments to perform the following inspection prior to leaving the yard:

Rims

• Check for damage or bent rims. Rims cannot have welding repairs.

Tires

• The following items must be inspected:

- Tread depth: Explain how you would check for minimum tread depth (4/32 on steering axle tires, 2/32 on all other tires).

- Tire condition: Explain how you would check that tread is evenly worn and look for cuts or other damage to tread and sidewalls. Also, make sure that valve caps and stems are not missing, broken, or damaged.

- Tire inflation: Explain how you would check for proper inflation by using a tire gauge, or by striking tires with a mallet or other similar device.

Note: You will not get credit if you simply kick the tires to check for proper inflation.

Hub Oil Seals/Axle Seals

• See that hub oil/grease seals and axle seals are not leaking and, if wheel has a sight glass, oil level is adequate.

Lug Nuts

• Check that all lug nuts are present, free of cracks and distortions, and show no signs of looseness such as rust trails or shiny threads.

• Make sure all bolt holes are not cracked or distorted.

Spacers

• If equipped, check that spacers are not bent, damaged or rusted through.

• Spacers should be evenly centered with the dual wheels and tires evenly

separated.

Note: On bud wheels, check to make sure no debris is caught in between tires. (Power unit and trailer, if equipped.)

Technorati Tags: DOT, Safety, Vehicle Inspection

Tags: DOT, Safety, Vehicle Inspection // Add Comment »

COAL MINE FATALITY - On Wednesday, March 12, 2008, a 47-year old mechanic/contractor with 21 years of experience was fatally injured while attempting to remove a front guard assembly (belly pan) from a bulldozer. The victim was positioned beneath the bulldozer, removing mounting bolts from the bulldozer guard. The guard was supported by a chain attached to a remote-operated truck-mounted crane. As the bolts were removed, the chain support slipped and the guard fell.

Best Practices

• Always follow the equipment manufacturer’s recommended maintenance procedures when conducting repairs to machinery.
• Install blocking materials before mounting bolts are removed from machinery components which may fall during disassembly.
• Conduct training for miners assigned to new work tasks to ensure they are aware of the health and safety aspects and safe work procedures related to the assigned tasks.

Technorati Tags: fatalgram, MSHA

Tags: MSHA, fatalgram // Add Comment »