Equipment mechanical hazards

Electricity and electrical equipment create or contribute to several hazards. The most common ones are electric shock, heat, fire, and explosion. Electricity may produce other hazards indirectly. For example, when electricity energizes equipment, mechanical hazards may result. Some electrically powered devices produce harmful levels of X rays, micro-waves, or laser light. Certain equipment may create dangers from magnetic fields. Haddon s energy theory (see Chapter 9) helps people analyze electrical hazards and identify controls. 

Most mechanical hazards in the laboratory can be avoided by good planning. There must be no obstructions in traffic areas, particularly those needed for rapid evacuation in case of emergency. Wide hallways may look like good parking places for movable equipment not currently in use. They may also seem convenient for storage of reagents and supplies that temporarily... 

Modern equipment is relatively free from mechanical hazards. For instance, there is always a shield covering drive belts so that they cannot catch fingers or clothing. Nevertheless, a prudent planner will still place equipment with moving parts in a location where contact with workers is unlikely. 

Chemical plants contain a large variety of hazards. First, there are the usual mechanical hazards that cause worker injuries from tripping, falling, or moving equipment. Second, there are chemical hazards. These include fire and explosion hazards, reactivity hazards, and toxic hazards. 

Obviously, any pressure vessel presents a rupture hazard. However, both design standards and official tests that are enforced by state agencies (or equivalent), in combination with strict inspection procedures limit this hazard to a quasi-zero level, especially on large-scale units. But, some mechanical hazards are often underestimated, especially on R D multipurpose equipments ... 

The process material or equipment hazards, such as toxicity, fl anmability, electrical, and mechanical hazards ... 

Clothing and equipment for thermal, asphyxiation, chemical, and mechanical hazards SCBA fire fighting clothing and decontamination. Leader s guide available. 

Most of the injuries in industrial plants are originally from mechanical causes. These industrial plants have belt-driven rotating equipment, open geared power-presses, power hammers, cutter conveyers, kilns, and incinerators. These different kinds of mechanical equipment are used in industrial plants and each has its own mechanical hazards including cutting, tearing, and breaking. 

The previous section discussed the mechanical hazards associated with operation of size-reduction equipment. There will also be hazards related to the feed material or product. These hazards can be associated with the solid product itself or with impurities, residual solvent, or the like. Several problems are covered below in separate sections ... 

Mechanical hazards. If activation of electrical or mechanical equipment would cause injury, each piece of equipment should be manually isolated to prevent inadvertent activation before workers enter or while they work in a confined space. The interplay of hazards associated with a confined space, such as the potential of flammable vapors or gases being present, and the buildup of static charge due to mechanical cleaning, such as abrasive blasting, all influence the precautions that must be taken. 

Are there any mechanical hazards such as motors, pulleys, machinery or shop equipment, foik-lifts, hoists and cranes, or sources of kinetic or potential mechanical eneigy present in this operation ... 

Many OSHA standards have specific requirements for protecting employees from mechanical hazards. In this section, you will find action steps, tips, answers to frequently asked questions, checklists, and training exercises and handouts on a variety of topics related to mechanical hazards. All of these will help you ensure a safer workplace for those employees who work with powered tools, machines, and equipment. 

Hazardous Wastes Hazardous Wastes for deliveiy to a treatment or disposal facility normally are collected by the waste producer or a licensed, speciahzed hauler. Typically, the loading of collection vehicles is completed in one of two ways (1) wastes stored in large-capacity tanks are either drained or pumped into collection vehicles, and (2) wastes stored in sealed drums or other sealed containers are loaded by hand or by mechanical equipment onto flatbed trucks. To avoid accidents and possible loss of life, two collectors shoiild always be assigned when hazardous wastes are to be collected. 

Has the facility established an effective critical-equipment maintenance program (also termed mechanical integrity program) to prevent failures that would cause hazardous conditions ... 

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