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November 19, 2024

Working Safely With Chemicals In Winter By Chemstore UK

As winter approaches, industries that rely on the storage and use of chemicals face unique challenges. Mike Brodie, Managing Director of Chemstore UK, highlights the risks posed by colder temperatures and shares strategies for maintaining safety throughout the season.

Cold weather introduces distinct hazards when handling and storing chemicals, making it essential to fully understand and address these risks. Lower temperatures can affect chemical properties and storage conditions, potentially transforming stable substances into hazards. Below are the primary dangers to consider during the winter months:

Changes in chemical properties

Many chemicals are highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Cold conditions can alter their viscosity, solubility, and reactivity, leading to increased risk. For instance, some materials may thicken or solidify, complicating their use and raising the likelihood of spills or leaks. In some cases, chemicals can crystallise, adding further danger during freezing and thawing cycles.

Dangers of crystallisation

When chemicals freeze, crystallisation can occur, which may increase their instability once they thaw. This can lead to:

Chemical instability:Certain substances become shock-sensitive or start to decompose after freezing.
Concentration effects:As liquids freeze, the concentration of reactive components may increase, raising their potential for hazardous reactions.
Physical changes:Crystalline structures formed during freezing may heighten volatility or reactivity upon thawing.

Increased risk of freezing

Some chemicals, especially aqueous solutions, are prone to freezing in low temperatures. Freezing can damage containers, leading to leaks or the unintentional release of hazardous substances. Moreover, some chemicals may expand as they freeze, further straining their storage containers.

Vapour density changes

In cold weather, the vapour density of volatile chemicals may increase, causing dangerous vapours to settle closer to the ground. This increases the risk of inhalation exposure and creates a higher potential for explosive atmospheres in poorly ventilated areas.

Equipment malfunction

Freezing temperatures can compromise equipment used to store or handle chemicals. Valves, pumps, and seals may become brittle, increasing the risk of leaks and malfunctions.

Poor visibility and slippery conditions

Winter conditions can reduce visibility and create slippery surfaces, heightening the risk of spills or accidents during the transportation and handling of chemicals. These environmental hazards necessitate extra caution to avoid accidents.

Essential winter safety tips

To mitigate the risks associated with cold-weather chemical storage and usage, consider implementing the following safety measures:

Assess chemical compatibility

Before winter, review your chemical inventory. Consult Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to determine the temperature limits for each substance and make sure sensitive chemicals are stored in appropriate conditions.

Maintain proper storage temperatures

Utilise temperature-controlled environments for chemical storage. Insulated containers or heated warehouses can help keep chemicals above freezing and maintain their stability.

Regularly inspect equipment

Conduct regular inspections of all storage equipment, including tanks, pipelines, and containers. Look for signs of wear or cold-related damage, particularly on seals and valves.

Implement spill prevention measures

Develop comprehensive spill prevention and response plans. Equip storage areas with spill kits, barriers, or absorbent materials to quickly contain leaks in case of emergencies.

Enhance Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Ensure employees have access to PPE suitable for cold conditions, such as insulated outerwear and gloves. Where hazardous vapours are present, provide respiratory protection as well.

Provide specialised training

Train your staff to recognise and mitigate the unique dangers posed by cold-weather chemical storage and handling. Training should cover hazard identification, proper storage procedures, and emergency response.

Monitor environmental conditions

Constantly monitor temperature and humidity levels in chemical storage areas. Use data loggers or alarms to detect when conditions approach unsafe thresholds so that you can take immediate corrective action.

Conclusion

As winter sets in, it’s vital for industries to acknowledge and address the specific risks posed by cold-weather chemical storage and handling. By implementing preventive measures and fostering a culture of safety, organisations can reduce risks, safeguard employees, and maintain compliance with safety regulations.

At Chemstore, we are committed to providing expert guidance and solutions for safe chemical storage. To learn more about our winter safety protocols or how we can help improve your chemical storage capabilities, contact us today. Together, we can ensure a safer work environment throughout the winter season and beyond.

November 18, 2024

What’s driving the future of technology in WHS?

Traditionally, Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) has been seen as a reactive exercise due to meeting legislation/standards rather than a proactive business approach. This is mainly because business owners determined that it’s something that they have to do, rather than something that they want to do.

As a result, the development and investment of WHS technology have been slower than in certain other areas of business. However, as technological advancements continue to accelerate as Web 4.0 knocks on our doorstep, technological capabilities continuously increase leading to a decrease in cost and accessibility.

As a result, WHS technologies are likely to enter the work environment in greater numbers and in a wider variety of roles. Here are 5 WHS trends occurring, emerging and predicted.

5 technology trends driving the future of WHS technology

Trend #1: Smart wearables/PPE

When we think about technology in WHS we generally think about computers, tablets and phones. However, over the last few years, there has been significant growth in the wearable technology market. The global wearables market is projected to exceed US$ 2.78bn by 2024, expanding at a CAGR of 9.2%.

In WHS, wearables and Smart PPE vary depending on the type of work and environment – but they could include watches, smart glasses, hard hat sensors, protective glasses, monitoring devices, IoT devices and much more.

The goal of wearable technology is to mitigate and reduce risk/injuries before they can occur. Some wearables can already analyse and utilise data to measure and monitor trends such as posture, heat, risk, etc and use this for future risk mitigation. In the future, wearables should be able to predict when an event will occur by analysing factors such as heart rate, fatigue, etc. and alert a site manager so they can stop the person or task before it occurs.

Trend #2: Mental/Emotional well-being

Traditionally, WHS has focused on physical injuries and illnesses rather than mental/psychological injuries.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, mental health claims have skyrocketed, with some providers seeing a rise of over 35% in mental health claims in 2021. More than 55% of employees who go on leave because of psychological injuries are still away from their jobs after six months, compared with just 23% with physical injuries.

More than ever before businesses are investing in employee mental health and wellbeing. Management systems and employee monitoring technology are currently being developed to help manage the massive requirement for employee wellbeing.

Trend #3: Integrated Management Systems

WHS management software has been around for a long time, but there are now more providers than ever. According to Capterra, over 460 HSEQ (EHS) solutions are available to the market. This is a great thing for everyday consumers as competition leads to innovation, affordability and new solutions on the market.

Now that these solutions are readily available to businesses of all sizes, we are seeing their WHS management migrate from pen and paper, spreadsheets and non-integrated stand-alone systems to a complete integrated single source of truth.

Integrated WHS management systems are playing a significant part in providing businesses with a single source of information for the management of risks, contractors, inductions, incidents and more, that your employees/contractors face on a day to day.

Often, businesses are reduced to utilising non-WHS development management software such as spreadsheets or standalone systems implemented by the business.

Trend #4: Smarter data (Business Intelligence/Predictive Analytics/A.I)

We’ve all heard the expression that ‘Data is the new Oil in the digital world’. The investment into intelligent integrated management systems unlocks the ability to create, measure and analyse data for better decision-making. Good data beats opinion.

However, with advancements in Business Intelligence, Predictive Analytics and future forecasted Artificial Intelligence, WHS data can be taken to a step beyond being used simply for compliance and can become a business’s competitive advantage.

It is predicted that data in collaboration with Artificial Intelligence and predictive analytics will be able to predict an incident or unwanted event before it occurs, and will allow the management team to interfere before it happens.

While A.I. and Predictive Analtyics are still in development, Business Intelligence and data analytics are available in solutions like Lucidity.

Trend #5: Virtual training and onboarding

Virtual training and onboarding is the use of Virtual and Augmented Reality technology to create digital experiences for training or onboarding in high-risk and high-pressure environments.

For example, the ability to present an employee in a high-risk/pressure environment, such as working at heights or in a mine site before they have the ability to impact the environment around them can subsequently mitigate risk.

While some businesses are already investing in virtual training by using Virtual Reality and/or Augmented Reality, the technology is still not overly affordable for all businesses.

Virtual training is predicted to be one of the biggest shifts in recruitment and onboarding for high-risk/pressure environments. The virtual training and simulation market is projected to reach $628.62m by 2028, growing at a CAGR of over 13%.

Author Richie Rowe – Product Director at Lucidity

November 15, 2024

How to Resolve the Conflict Between Safety and Efficiency

For HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) professionals, managing the safety of traffic between forklifts and pedestrians in warehouses and production facilities is a significant challenge. Fortunately, you are not alone—both employees and management want to prevent accidents. However, the problem arises from different priorities: management often focuses on efficiency, while safety officers focus on minimizing risks. It’s up to you, as the safety expert, to bridge this gap and handle the resulting conflicts.

In reality, it’s rare for a safety concern to be immediately addressed without any restrictions. More often, solutions are found through a series of compromises. This article presents a practical approach to improving traffic safety between machines and pedestrians, without sacrificing productivity.

Small Steps Towards Safer Forklift and Pedestrian Traffic

Most facilities have high-risk areas like pedestrian crossings, gates, and blind corners, where the risk of an accident between forklifts and pedestrians is highest You likely already know which of these locations pose the most danger. Now imagine being able to present a solution to management that improves safety in these critical areas without disrupting productivity or requiring major changes to operations.

The key is to make targeted, incremental changes, working collaboratively with both management and the workforce. This way, you can build a safer environment without disrupting daily operations.

Introducing AX SYSTEM: Smart Traffic Control for Safety

The AX SYSTEM is designed with this approach in mind. It is an AI-powered solution that uses cameras to monitor traffic and respond intelligently to potential dangers. For instance, if a forklift is approaching a pedestrian crossing, the system can automatically stop pedestrians from crossing or provide warning signals to alert both parties. All of this is done according to the safety rules you set, tailored to your specific needs.

Since the AX SYSTEM relies on cameras, there’s no need for wearable sensors or modifications to machinery. This makes it a flexible and simple solution that can be easily integrated into your existing processes. Additionally, the system operates offline and does not collect or store any personal data or images, ensuring full compliance with current GDPR regulations.

Why Trust AX SYSTEM?

AX SYSTEM brings together over 20 years of experience in logistics and 7 years in AI, making it uniquely capable of addressing complex safety challenges. It combines expertise from both fields, using deep industry knowledge to tailor solutions for specific needs. Clients appreciate its collaborative approach, sharing insights and experience to ensure that the final outcome meets everyone’s expectations. Whether the goal is to protect workers, managing traffic flow, or safeguard valuable automated equipment, AX SYSTEM provides step-by-step support to help achieve these objectives effectively and reliably.

A Practical Way to Enhance Safety Without Compromising Efficiency

AX SYSTEM offers HSE professionals a straightforward and effective way to enhance traffic safety between forklifts and pedestrians. It’s not just about installing a product—it’s about working with our experts to determine the best traffic control methods for your facility.

With its strong European roots and wide availability across the globe, AX SYSTEM meets high safety standards and offers reliable support, no matter where you operate.

At HSE People, we’re always on the lookout for solutions that make workplaces safer, and AX SYSTEM is definitely one worth considering. It’s simple, effective, and backed by the expertise needed to make your facility safer—without all the hassle. Recommended.

November 14, 2024

E1 And Veriforce CHAS Announce Strategic Partnership To Enhance Procurement Decisions In The UK Commercial Construction Industry

E1, the leading commercial construction procurement network, and Veriforce CHAS, the foremost supply chain risk management and contractor pre-qualification provider, are thrilled to announce a strategic global partnership aimed at transforming procurement processes in the UK, Irish and Australian commercial construction industries.

This collaboration brings together E1’s innovative platform, which streamlines the tendering process and connects subcontractors and Specialty Contractors with Main Contractors or Hiring Clients, and Veriforce CHAS’s expertise in health and safety pre-qualification, ensuring compliance and risk mitigation.

E1 is renowned for its ability to help Main Contractors streamline their tendering processes, improve quote coverage, connect with new Subcontractors and Speciality Contractors, and reduce tendering risks. By integrating CHAS’s rigorous assessment of health and safety as well as social value and ESG standards, this partnership will enable better procurement decisions, ensuring that Main Contractors can identify and work with pre-qualified Subcontractors and Specialty Contractors who meet essential compliance standards in and outside of their supply chain.

For Subcontractors and Speciality Contractors, E1 offers a unique platform to find new work opportunities and connect with main contractors, while CHAS’s pre-qualification will enhance their credibility and marketability within the industry.

Chris Dobbyn, CEO of E1, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating: “We are incredibly excited to partner with CHAS. This collaboration is a significant step forward in our mission to revolutionise the procurement process in the commercial construction industry. By integrating CHAS’s expertise in health and safety pre-qualification with E1’s comprehensive network, we are confident that this partnership will bring immense value to both Main Contractors, and Subcontractors and Specialty Contractors, leading to safer and more efficient construction projects.”

Ian McKinnon, Managing Director of Veriforce CHAS, said: “This collaboration offers our members additional avenues to secure more work, allowing them to bid on projects with a huge range of clients. At Veriforce CHAS, we are dedicated to constantly increasing the value we provide to our members, and we are thrilled to partner with E1 to introduce exciting new opportunities to our contractor network.”

This strategic partnership between E1 and CHAS is set to create a robust and compliant procurement environment, benefitting the entire commercial construction industry. Together, E1 and CHAS are committed to driving innovation, enhancing safety standards, and ensuring better procurement decisions.

Representatives from both E1 and Veriforce CHAS will be available on the EI stand (Stand C70) at London Build 2024, which takes place from 20th-21st November at Olympia London.

November 14, 2024

The Safety Tech Marketplace – Bringing Together Vendors and Buyers of Safety Technology

The Safety Tech Marketplace is a great place to showcase your products and services while engaging with key decision makers. Presenting your product in a short demo video, we will share your solution across our extensive network via LinkedIn and our popular e-magazines, reaching an audience of 500,000 Health and Safety professionals.

With over 350,000 LinkedIn followers and 150,000 email subscribers, your product will gain exposure to decision-makers in the health, safety, and technology sectors.

Here’s what’s included:

An article posted on www.hsepeople.com which can include a product demo video
Inclusion in an e-magazine reaching 150,000 email inboxes including your product video, text and social media links.
LinkedIn marketing including tagged company posts, posts in our groups and inclusion in Recommended Posts- reaching over 240,000 people
Inclusion in a LinkedIn newsletter reaching 60,000 subscribers

Want to feature your company or find out more? Get in touch- abby@hsepeople.com

November 14, 2024

Digitalise And Connect Gas Detectors For Enhanced Safety And Accountability

Portable gas detectors are a vital part of many safety programs, but do you know if your workers are using them properly? In this piece, MSA Safety explains how digitally assigning and connecting these devices can give extra assurance, whilst potentially saving money for businesses. As well as simplifying and, where possible, automatically encouraging certain practices, this approach can foster enhanced accountability amongst device users.

Oil and gas production, steel and other heavy manufacturing, power utilities and telecoms are just a few examples of industries where many businesses rely on gas detectors.

Portable gas detector users have an important responsibility to comply with protocols from their device, employer, and worksites, for their own wellbeing, and for that of their co-workers. You may need or want to confirm they’re fulfilling that responsibility. One way to do so is with automatic and failsafe systems that can be applied to some safety steps. When actions are needed from the user, consider whether and how to monitor each individual user’s behaviour. In many instances, doing so can provide managers insight to help them step in and deal with problems or lapses.

Assignment of gas detection devices

Daily assignment of gas detectors to workers is one area where you may be looking to enhance your processes. Recording each worker’s name and details against the serial number or other identifier of a device can be slow and laborious when carried out using pen and paper or a spreadsheet. For example, for larger businesses with hundreds or thousands of devices assigning them to individual users can have an expensive and frustrating impact on time and productivity. In some cases, large queues build up at the start and end of each shift.

Records collected by those assignment methods may be incomplete and may contain errors. Having accurate information can be helpful for safety planning and for keeping track of devices and their locations. In some businesses, hundreds of gas detectors go missing and cannot be traced.

Monitoring of gas detector use

Between signing out and returning the devices when using pen and paper or a spreadsheet, does the manager know what the workers are doing with them? Have they switched them on? Have they carried out all the actions required by your safety procedures? Are they taking good care of the devices? Assuming the devices are returned, are they in good condition? Are there any faults, or is there any damage? Did these develop on this shift or during assignment to previous user?

Information about the use of gas detectors can impact your risks and repair costs. For example, information on device condition can help reduce the risk of malfunctions and the expense of unplanned downtime.

How can digitalisation and connection help?

In essence, connected working means linking portable gas detectors, workers and managers to each other, and to a cloud-based software platform, via wireless connectivity.

With certain connected equipment, digitally assigning the device can be as simple as tapping a tag. The system then knows who is using the device and matches their name to a record of their details. With connectivity, you will also know where the device is at any time – reducing the risk of losing devices.

The connected device also automatically gathers information on its use and ties it to the individual user’s history. Its data collection is not reliant on the user’s record-keeping. Managers can see whether the device is switched on, and when, where and how it is being used. Its monitoring functions will indicate, for instance, compliance failures, rough treatment and changes in condition. By viewing the individual’s real-time and historical data, managers can evaluate when to reinforce positive behaviours and when to intervene – to advise, support or retrain, for example.

Automatic recording of gas detection incidents, along with remote, real-time monitoring, can be set-up to make managers aware of alarms and other situations of concern. They can decide whether to respond immediately with instructions and further help. Based on the large amounts of data collected, businesses can also strategically plan whether and when to make any safety improvements.

Having such information on the devices and their use enables easier tracking and inventory management. With such knowledge of their current condition and history, servicing and repairs can be optimally planned to minimise downtime. Productive time saved here, and in the assignment process, along with greater ease of device sharing and fewer losses, can reduce the number of gas detectors you need to buy. Automatic compliance functions may also reduce the amount of training needed.

MSA Safety’s solution

MSA delivers all these advantages and more with its Connected Work Platform, driven by the ALTAIR io™ 4 Connected Gas Detector with the power of MSA Grid to provide real-time insights and actionable data. Importantly, it also incorporates RFID tagging.

The MSA ID Tag is a unique solution which requires only a tap against the device to assign it to a specific named user, consist first name and surname . On return, the detector is simply clicked into the dock, which unassigns and recharges it.

The ALTAIR io™ Dock is additionally equipped to check each device is working correctly and carry out bump testing and calibration. It won’t allow such a non-compliant device to be assigned. If the detector’s status becomes non-compliant in these ways during a shift, the manager will be informed remotely and the user will see an amber warning light on the device itself.

Managers have a clear view, in real time and via historical data, of the relevant information automatically gathered by each device. This can be used for immediate decision-making, longer-term safety improvement planning, and optimal device management and maintenance.

Despite its sophisticated engineering and functionality, this MSA Safety system is exceptionally easy to implement – with no need for additional infrastructure. It’s also simple to rescale, modify or update once in use.

About HSE People

HSE People is an online network of professionals who work within Health and Safety, the Environment, Sustainability, Risk and Compliance. We provide our members with free resources such as our events calendar, industry news, access to whitepapers, eBooks and webinars as well as information about products and services. The aim of HSE People is to support those who Protect People, Places and the Planet.

If you are a blogger or there is a subject you would like to write some content on please get in touch with us so we can share your thoughts and experience with your fellow professionals across our websites and social media platforms

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