Wearingtheright SafetySunglasses

ByDonaldBurr

PLCSafety&TrainingCoordinator

Today we are going to talk safety sunglasses. One of the standards that I apply to writing articles is can the everyday logger use this information to be safer and spend less money? In today’s topic I think the answer is yes. Buying the right safety sunglasses you get protection and you don’t have to spend a lot to get it. The average price for safety sunglasses is well under $20.00 (I saw some that meet the ANSI standard for $1.50 each), but you can spend hundreds if you want but you don’t get any better protection by spending the big money. Picking the right sunglasses is one of the most important things you should consider first before starting your day, every day. We are entering into longer days with brighter sun with snow & water bouncing the light around us into our eyes. You need to protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays. There are three different types of UV rays that we need to protect from: UVA, UVB and UVC, and it is important that your sunglasses protect you from UVA & B and here’s why.

UVA rays affect the inner eye and can cause eye damage. These rays have a longer wavelength and can easily pass through glass.

UVB rays also affect the inner and outer eye and most people have felt the effects of snow blindness and this is caused by UVB rays.

The last is UVC, the good news here is that this is blocked by the earth’s upper atmosphere so we don’t have to worry about this type.

All UV light is cut down by the earth’s atmosphere. This is not important to you unless you work in high altitudes areas or you’re a pilot, then you need to take extra precautions. The pilots wear those cool sunglasses not just for looks, they are functional too.

Now whether or not you know the names of these rays or care it is important that you take steps to avoid exposure to these rays with sun glasses. Look for the amount of UV protection. Make sure it reads 99 - 100%. With UV protection settle for nothing less, and you shouldn’t because full protection does not have to cost a lot of money.

Get sunglasses that wrap around your face because light can come in from the sides also and with your eyes dilated because you are looking through dark glasses you are letting in more harmful light from the sides. This goes for sunglasses that don’t have uv protection or have poor protection also.

Sunglasses should take out most of the visible light (75% - 90%). This refers to how dark they are and if you look in a mirror and can see your eyes they are not dark enough.

Make sure you get glasses that have good quality lenses. Take them off and look through them an arm length away and notice if the image stays consistent when moving over a straight line like a corner of a door or wall. If the straight line wobbles any these sunglasses are not good quality.

Here are some special options that you can consider:

Polarized: Cuts down the glare. Fishermen, river guides and skiers like these because of the high glare environment that they are operating in. Be aware that these will sometimes change your perception of color. A long time ago we sent a coworker to bring a group of people to the blue bus. He was wearing polarized sun glasses and the blue bus turned green. The funny thing was that it did not change the color of the other buses in line that happened to be green. So he looked and he looked and came back and said that there were no blue buses only green. I told him to take off his sunglasses and then tell us what he found. Bingo!

Mirrored sunglasses: This is more than just a look. They are popular in high glare environments and with law enforcement and they tend to be good at filtering UV rays but not always. The one caution about these is that you can sunburn your nose and cheeks easily and then that leads to skin issues so remember to wear sun screen and reapply often.

Impact resistant: Look for Z87 stamped on the frame somewhere. This is a reference to the ANSI high velocity impact resistant standard. Don’t buy safety sunglasses without it.

I will leave you with this: put on your safety sunglasses and Hum a few bars of ZZ Top’s classic song “Cheap Sun Glasses”

Ted Clark, CLCS, Loss Control Consultant, Acadia Insurance

Quarterly Safety Meeting: Ladders

Year after year, falls continue to be one of the leading causes of death and serious injury in the workplace. Did you know that many of these falls actually occur on the same level or from a relatively low surface? In fact, recent studies show that one of the leading sources of falls is actually from ladders. Luckily, many of these falls are preventable with only minor changes in your approach. In this safety meeting we will discuss a few points that will help reduce your exposure to falls when utilizing a step ladder. In addition to the following points, it is important to also refer to manufacturer requirements.

1. Proper ladder selection: Ladder selection is the first of several critical steps to working safely at height.

A. Many people don’t realize that step ladders are designed only to be worked off and are not designed for accessing higher or lower levels.

B. The ladder also needs to be tall enough to do the job. Most step ladder manufacturers clearly state that the ladder is not designed for the user to stand on the top or the second -to-top rungs. If you need to step on the top two rungs, your ladder should be replaced with a longer ladder.

C. Is the ladder rated for the user’s weight? Unless it is a heavy duty step ladder, it may not be rated for more than someone weighing 200 pounds. Verify the weight load limits of the ladder by referring to the stickers on the ladder’s rails.

2. Ladder inspection: One of the most critical but often overlooked steps is to thoroughly inspect your ladder before each use.

A. Steps: Steps should be intact, with no dents, clean, and free of oil and grease. The manufacturer generally prohibits modification or repair of the steps.

B. Rails: Rails should be in good condition, with fiberglass in good shape without divots or dents. Aluminum should be free of dents and cracks. Pay special attention to the areas where the steps are mounted to the rails. Look closely for cracks in the fiberglass. The manufacturer labels should be legible and, therefore, should be protected from damage when the ladder is new.

C. Feet: Feet should have the manufacturer mounted slip free pads in place. The pads should be clear of debris, oil, and grease.

D. Spreaders: These are critical to the stability of the ladder and proper setup. Therefore, they must both be on the ladder and must be intact without any bends or dents.

3. Ladder Setup:

A. Inspect the ground prior to setting up the ladder. Look for uneven surfaces that will cause the ladder to rock while working on it. Look for slippery substances such as oil and grease and avoid setting the ladder up in those areas.

B. Avoid setting up in front of closed doors. If you must leave the door closed, clearly label it and/or lock it, to avoid someone coming through and knocking your ladder over.

C. The ladder should NEVER be leaned against a wall or machine and climbed. Manufacturers require that the ladder, in order to work properly, be opened completely. Not completely opening and locking the step ladder can result in the ladder toppling over.

4. Step Ladder Use:

A. When climbing and descending the ladder, three points of contact is critical. Don’t carry tools or equipment in your hands. Generally, you can set your tools on the ladder prior to climbing or, on taller ladders, you may need to pull tools up once you are in place.

B. Always climb, descend and work facing the ladder. Never stand back-to on the ladder.

C. While working off the ladder, it is critical to stay balanced. A good rule of thumb is to keep your belt buckle between the rails of the ladder at all times. Leaning too far will cause the ladder to tip over.

D. Step ladders are not designed for the user to stand on the top two rungs. Standing on the top two rungs puts the ladder off balance and the user at risk of a fall.

The above recommendations were generated based on some of the most frequently observed step ladder misuses. It is critical to refer back to the manufacturer recommendations when selecting and working with a step ladder. This will help assure that the ladder is used within the design parameters.

*(ASK FOR ANY QUESTIONS)*

Acadia is pleased to share this material for the benefit of its customers. Please note, however, that nothing herein should be construed as either legal advice or the provision of professional consulting services. This material is for informational purposes only, and while reasonable care has been utilized in compiling this information, no warranty or representation is made as to accuracy or completeness.

*This sign-in sheet is intended to be used with the quarterly Safety Training Topic on page 29. Refer to the cutline on page 29 when removing it from the magazine.