Thursday, February 12, 2009

Operating Heavy Machinery - How to Avoid Injuries


There are ways to prevent accidents involving heavy machinery, though there are always freak accidents that can’t be helped no matter what. Freak accidents aside, there are some practical ways you can protect yourself, both by following the rules and adding a few of your own. The spine, hands, head, lungs, eyes, skeleton, and skin are the primary areas of your body that are at a risk for injury.
Common industrial injuries:
Silicosis: also called Grinder’s disease, silicosis is a respiratory disease that is caused by working in a confined, dusty environment. Take precautions against this by always wearing a mask or respirator when you’re working with potentially dangerous materials like fiberglass and asbestos.
Air embolism: an air embolism occurs when small pockets of air get into a person’s blood stream. It is caused by working with compressed air close to cuts in the skin. This can be avoided simply by wearing bandages or hand protection over any cuts or abrasions.
Asbestos poisoning: this happens through working in close proximity to asbestos and usually through the inhalation of dust containing amounts of the toxin. Avoid asbestos if you can, but if you can’t, always wear a respirator; a face mask won’t be nearly as effective.
Decompression sickness: otherwise known as the bends, this sickness is a group of symptoms that are caused by working in a high pressure environment, such as under water. Avoid this by taking the necessary safety precautions outlined in the job manual for your workplace.

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