The above figure shows a section of a backhoe boom.  As indicated in the figure, hydraulic systems have numerous connection points where a leak could occur.  In addition the hoses flex and rub which can also lead to leakage.  Due to the wide variety of stresses placed on hydraulic hoses (abrasion, dirt, UV, fluctuating pressure, temperature, flex, torsion, etc.) these hoses have a finite life.  Good practice involves not using hoses that are older than10 years from the date of manufacture.  Hydraulic hoses on construction equipment frequently have a lifespan on the order of six years of use.  Hoses that are at or beyond the end of their expected lifespan must be frequently inspected and/or replaced.

Inspections

In general, hydraulic systems should be inspected every 400-600 hours of operation.  This is a detailed inspection that goes beyond the daily operational checks.  The company that furnishes the equipment must have in place a comprehensive inspection program for all hydraulic equipment and Stratus Workforce is required to review these documents prior to accepting the use of the equipment.  Hoses and connections that fail the inspection must be replaced.

Equipment that is in the field must be inspected at delivery, on a daily basis, and when leaks occur.  In addition, the area where the work will occur must be evaluated prior to starting work to verify that there are no objects (e.g. partially buried pipes or exposed rebar) which could physically damage the equipment during operation.  The company that operates the equipment must have a procedure for daily inspections.  Due to the aforementioned stresses and strains on a hydraulic hose, their construction is more complex than meets the eye.  High pressure hydraulic hoses have an inner plastic tube, one or more braided steel layers and finally an outer wear layer.  Leaks in the inner tube are evidenced by flow either through the outer layer or at a coupling which, in some cases, may not be at the location of the leak in the inner tube.  This effect combined with the slow nature of many of these leaks can make it difficult to locate a leak in a hydraulic line.

Field personnel should not run their hands over a hydraulic line where there is a suspected leak particularly when it is under pressure but, when necessary, should use a long piece of cardboard or a broom as this greatly reduces the risk of a pinhole leak injecting hydraulic fluid into a person’s hand under pressure.  Although this is a rare injury, it is extremely dangerous and improperly treated can lead to amputation.  Because the injury is so rare and initially not overly painful, it is frequently misdiagnosed or underestimated.  When such an injury is suspected, it is recommended that the injured person be transported directly to a hospital instead of an emergency care clinic.  The injured person will need to be very clear about what happened and be prepared to go directly to surgery.

Summary

The primary means by which these leaks can be minimized is through proper inspection and replacement, when required, of the hydraulic systems.  When inspecting these systems, personnel need to be aware that they operate under high pressure and work to minimize risk accordingly.  In addition, risks posed by the environment need to be minimized through careful planning prior to starting the work.

Let’s all revisit our technique and PPE used during glassware handling (routine task assessment).  The Ventura folks have been exclusively using cut resistant Kevlar/Nitrile gloves for fieldwork and find that they offer the best comfort an dexterity while manually handling tools, supplies, and equipment. The added benefit, they are inexpensive (~$5 a pair) and in most cases cheaper than other non-cut resistant gloves on the market.  Contact Jenn if you are not using Kevlar gloves and she will get you started.

Here is the link to the lesson learned in 2008 (click here).

Description of Incident: An employee of Honeywell subcontractor United Mechanical was working in an aerial lift installing pipe hangers. The lift was positioned over a metal grate. The grate gave way allowing a wheel of the lift to drop about 3 feet into the trench. This threw the employee out of the cage. He was saved from a fall of over 30 feet by wearing his fall protection. When he was ejected from the work platform, the employee struck his head on ceiling structures and broke his nose. Another lift was used to rescue him and he was taken to a health care facility for treatment.

Immediate Causes: Employees head struck ceiling structures

Root Causes: Inadequate floor grate design/installation – support was inadequate at the corners and failed under the weight of the aerial lift. A concrete lip provides support for the grate in all the straight runs, but not at the corners.

HSE Management System Core Process Failures: Operational Controls: Inadequate floor grate design/installation

Corrective Actions:

• Mark floor hazards and avoid driving equipment over floor grates where possible
• Require use of metal sheets over grates if driving over them is not avoidable
• Reinforce use of fall protection on aerial lifts – it probably saved this man’s life

Click Here

How about this scenario, you need to double up the sheets so there are now two stacked sheets under your feet.  Now we have added a second slip plane where the sheets themselves move independently and creating additional traction on the top surface (like soil) is not going to mitigate the slipping hazard.  The underlying question here is why do you need two layers?  You probably don’t and should never walk atop folded layers of plastic sheeting.  The solution, use a thicker single sheet of plastic. 

Thirdly, plastic spread on the ground has a tendency to curl at the edges especially under a very slight breeze creating a tripping hazard where you step onto the plastic.  If you are doing work where people need to transition on and off the plastic, plan accordingly and engineer a solution that keeps people from tripping.

USCG Marine Safety Alert_01-13

“Energy drinks can be deceiving and hard to resist,” said BodylogicMD physician Dr. Deuson. “The amount of actual “energy” (measured in calories) in these drinks is quite low, even lower than the amount of energy found in regular soft drinks.”

Caffeine Crash

While energy drinks do provide short-term energy to the body, they do not provide long-term, usable energy. The caffeine and additives found in energy drinks cause a spike in blood sugar levels and provide short-term nergy to the body. This causes the inevitable “crash” in energy after the sugar levels wear down.

Additionally, there are adverse effects associated with excess caffeine consumption including:

• Nervousness
• Irritability
• Sleeplessness
• Increased urination
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Upset stomach

This can be potentially dangerous when other stimulants, such as ginseng, are added to the drink – these stimulants can enhance the effects of caffeine. Other ingredients, such as guarana, contain extra caffeine on top of the original sugar levels.

The Energy Drink Hydration Myth

Adequate hydration can never be achieved by consuming energy drinks. The amount of usable fluid in an energy drink is negligible, since it is mostly sugar and caffeine. Additionally, since caffeine is a diuretic, it causes fluid loss.

The high sugar concentrations in energy drinks slow fluid absorption into the blood system, increasing the probability of dehydration. When a high level of sugar is in the blood stream, the body is not able to provide fluid to cells. This is a precursor to dehydration because when you consume an energy drink, there is not enough fluid in the body to dilute the high concentration of sugar in that beverage.

“Energy drinks should never be used while exercising, yet they are often promoted as excellent beverages to drink during exercise. The combination of fluid loss from sweating and the diuretic factor of caffeine can leave the user severely dehydrated,” say BodyLogicMD affiliated physicians.

H2O – The Original Energy Drink

Water is the “original energy drink.” Consuming enough water for your size actually helps increase energy levels by providing adequate fluid to the cells. This keeps body processes “on task” so you don’t become sluggish or fatigued.

The human body is anywhere from 55 percent to 78 percent water, depending on body size. To function properly and maintain optimum health, the body requires between one and seven liters of water per day to avoid dehydration. The precise amount needed by any one person depends on level of activity and climate factors like temperature and humidity. However, most healthcare professionals feel that six to seven glasses of water (approximately two liters) daily is the minimum amount of water the human body needs to maintain proper hydration.

Here are four easy ways to integrate more water into your diet.

• Always carry a water bottle
• If plain water doesn’t appeal to you, purchase one of the many water mix-insavailable on the market like Crystal Light or Kellogs.
• Use water in your cooking
• Eat fruits and vegetables with a high water content

So put down that energy drink and grab a glass of all-natural H2O.

The workforce initiated Stop Work to discuss the situation and the southern gate was locked. The workforce vehicles were moved to locations within direct sight of the work area (onto the north side of the Site and inside the gated area).

LESSON

In a theft situation, there is no need to confront the perpetrator and put your own personal safety in jeopardy. An indirect confrontation like a yell is the appropriate approach and if a theft occurs, contact the police department listed in your site-specific HASP.