Using Pipe Markers To Improve

What is a pipe marker?

It is simply a label applies to a pipe that identifies the contents, type of hazard and the direction of flow of the contents of the pipe. The label color shows the type of hazard. Arrows indicate the direction of flow. An text printed on the label identifies the contents of the pipe.

There are codes that set the standards used for pipe markers. Standard colors must be use. There is a minimum size for the label, and the text on the label, based on the diameter of the pipe. The code that most often applies is the ANSI A13.1 pipe marking code. Other codes cover specialized applications such as ammonia refrigeration pipes, medical gas pipes, and pipes on ships.

Pipe markers are not only required by code, they improve productivity by providing needed information at the point of need. For example, knowing the direction of flow can be critical for knowing which valve to close to shut off that flow. And knowing the contents of each pipe helps ensure the correct valve is closed.

A pipe marking best practices guide from Graphic Products provides all the information you need about pipe marker design, printing and application. It's available free.

Workplace Safety Blog

There is a safety blog that looks at safety news from a slightly different perspective. I'm not sure how to describe it. It often features tools for improving safety training, most of which are free. It sometimes has political news related to safety. But in general it seems to provide news that is related to breaking trends in workplace safety.

This blog is a part of the Safe Workplace web site. Use this link to go to the Safe Workplace Blog.

Preparing For A VPP Audit

OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) recognizes workplaces that have outstanding safety practices and records. However, even for workplaces with top notch safety records, becoming a member of VPP requires years of effort, including documentation of training and work practices.

One of the major steps in attaining VPP status is the VPP audit. One of the key things a VPP audit will look for is the comprehensive and consistent use of labels and signs--what is called visual communication. Not only the labels and signs required by code, but having a complete visual communication system in place such that everyone can immediately know where they are, what is around them (including hazards), and if action is required, what they need to do.

Most of us are familiar with the need to label pipes and valves such that wherever you are standing, if a pipe is visible you can see a label that identifies the contents, direction of flow and hazard level. However, a visual communication system takes this a step further. For example, the information on each valve would also describe when the valve should be opened or closed.

Be prepared for your VPP audit by setting up a VPP Labeling Cart that has all the supplies needed to make the labels and signs your facility needs. A VPP cart should include a label printer, such as the DuraLabel PRO, a PC to keep track of the labels and signs in your visual communication systems, all of the needed labeling supplies, including sign blanks and valve tags, and any other materials or supplies that might be needed such as plastic ties, scissors, a knife, tape and other tools.

Classic Safety Video

A classic safety video spoof, Klaus, First Day On The Job, has been made available on the Safe Workplace Blog.

This "safety" video shows Klaus, an employee who has just received his forklift driver's license, as he goes through his first work day. As the day goes on the accidents become more serious, and bloodier. This is not a video for those who do not like the sight of blood.

30-minute CPR Classes Just As Effective As Multi-hour Courses

UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found that a user-friendly, 30-minute, video-based cardiopulmonary resuscitation training session is just as effective as the traditional three- to four-hour course in teaching basic life-saving techniques to laypersons. In addition, at six months after the training — a critical point for CPR skill retention — those who took the shorter course performed CPR and used an automated external defibrillator (AED) just as well or better than those who take the traditional training.

These findings, published in the August issue of the journal Resuscitation, are the first to evaluate and document the effectiveness of long-term retention of the new 30-minute CPR-AED training.

“The results of this formal investigation should not only facilitate more widespread training and frequent re-training in CPR techniques, but it also diminishes some of the inefficiencies and labor-intensity inherent in traditional CPR training,” said Dr. Paul Pepe, chief of emergency medicine at UT Southwestern.

	Dr. Lynn Roppolo (right), assistant professor of emergency medicine, and Dr. Ahamed Idris, professor of emergency medicine, were part of a group of researchers who have found that a user-friendly, 30-minute, video-based cardiopulmonary resuscitation training session is as effective as the traditional three- to four-hour course in teaching basic life-saving techniques to the public.

Traditional CPR courses last half a day, as six to eight people take turns practicing their skills on a shared manikin. The remainder of the time is spent listening to instruction, leaving little time for skills practice, the researchers report.

“Using individualized kits, the trainees can focus on uninterrupted skills practice and develop muscle memory from more intensive, focused and reiterative practice,” said Dr. Pepe.

The shorter course is much more convenient and easily accessible, said Dr. Lynn Roppolo, assistant professor of emergency medicine and lead author of the study.

“Individuals practice while they learn, allowing more time to perform and retain the critical hands-on skills required to provide more effective CPR,” Dr. Roppolo said. “All of these factors will likely translate into more people knowing what to do — and doing it right — whenever CPR is needed. As a result, hopefully, many more lives will be saved in years to come.”

For the study, volunteers recruited in Fort Worth were selected randomly to take either the 30-minute course or a traditional three-hour session.

The short course consisted of a 23-minute digital video disc program, developed by the American Heart Association, which covers basic adult CPR skills, including recognition of signs of life, calling for help, opening the airway, rescue breaths and chest compressions.

As two dozen or more students watched the video in each session simultaneously, they practiced the CPR techniques almost continuously for nearly 20 minutes on their own personal mini-manikin, supervised by a “facilitator” who generally only needed to answer an occasional question from the trainees once the DVD was started.

Also included was a three-minute discussion and demonstration on the recognition of and best procedures for choking, as well as a five-minute demonstration of the use of an AED.

In the traditional course, students attended a three-hour session consisting of lectures supplemented by related video-based instruction, practice of basic CPR skills, choking procedures and instruction and hands-on practice in the use of an AED. During this course, there was one certified instructor for every six to eight students during the skills practice.

After their respective training, the students from both groups were tested using a life-sized manikin, which was connected to a laptop computer that objectively measured parameters such as the rate and depth of ventilations and chest compressions.

In addition to the computer measurements, overall CPR performance and AED use were videotaped and later judged as being appropriate by CPR training experts, who graded each study participant without knowing whether the he or she had taken the half-hour course or the traditional training.

Immediately after taking the class, there were no significant differences in CPR performance between the students who took the three-hour course as compared to those who took the 30-minute course.

After six months, however, trainees who took the 30-minute course called 9-1-1 and provided adequate ventilation more frequently than those who took the longer course. Also, both at the initial and six-month follow-up test, the students who took the traditional course took 30 percent longer to assess for signs of life, and they took significantly more time to pause between chest compressions to perform ventilations.

In grading AED use immediately after the courses, the trainees who took the 30-minute course placed the AED pads and delivered a shock correctly in 98 percent of the cases, compared to 92 percent of those who took the longer course. Moreover, at the critical six-month follow-up, 93 percent of those in the half-hour course still operated the AED well and 93 percent were still judged to be performing chest compressions adequately.

“The results of this investigation were very compelling. This study suggests that hands-on practice is not necessary to learn how to operate an AED, a device that directly provides the rescuer with vocal instructions once it is turned on,” said Dr. Roppolo. “Thus, training tools that utilize cognitive modes, such as the Internet and DVD demonstrations, may be just as effective.”

Other UT Southwestern researchers contributing to the study included Dr. Ahamed Idris, professor of emergency medicine, and Dr. Ronna Miller, assistant professor of emergency medicine.

The research was supported by the American Heart Association, the Laerdal Medical Corp., and Phillips Medical Systems and American Airlines.

Employers Must Post Illness/Injury Summaries Beginning Feb. 1, 2007

OSHA Press Release:

WASHINGTON -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration today reminded employers that beginning Feb. 1, they must post a summary of the total number of job-related injuries and illnesses that occurred during 2006. Employers are only required to post OSHA Form 300A (summary), not the OSHA 300 log. The summary must be posted from Feb. 1 to April 30, 2007.

"This is an excellent time for employers to review their 300 logs and determine where injuries and illnesses are occurring and determine a strategy to reduce and hopefully eliminate these safety and health hazards," said OSHA Administrator Ed Foulke.

The summary must list the total number of job-related injuries and illnesses that occurred in 2006 and were logged on the OSHA 300 form. Information about the annual average number of employees and total hours worked during the calendar year is also required to assist in calculating incidence rates. Companies with no recordable injuries or illnesses in 2006 must post the form with zeroes on the total line. All summaries must be certified by a company executive.

The form is to be displayed in a common area wherever notices to employees are usually posted. A copy of the summary must be made available to employees who move from worksite to worksite, such as construction employees and employees who do not report to any fixed establishment on a regular basis.

Employers with ten or fewer employees and employers in certain industry groups are normally exempt from federal OSHA injury and illness recordkeeping and posting requirements. A complete list of exempt industries in the retail, services, finance and real estate sectors is posted on the OSHA Web site.

Exempted employers may still be selected by the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics to participate in an annual statistical survey. All employers covered by OSHA need to comply with safety and health standards and must report verbally within eight hours to the nearest OSHA office all accidents that result in one or more fatalities or in the hospitalization of three or more employees.

Copies of the OSHA Forms 300 and 300A are available on the OSHA Recordkeeping Web page in either Adobe PDF or Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet format.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.