Valve Safety Issues In The Workplace

A valve is a mechanical device whose purpose is to open, close, and regulate the flow of liquids or gasses within pipes and vessels.  Valves are very important to workplace safety, and thus they are important in OSHA trainings to increase awareness and safety protocol in the workplace. The names of valves give some idea of their variety – ball, butterfly, control, flow limiter, needle, safety shutoff – an almost endless array, from simple to highly complex, each with its specific function and purpose.  Three of the most common types are

Gate Valve:   Also known as sluice valves, gate valves open by lifting a gate or wedge out of the path of the fluid.  Gate valves are frequently used where minimum restriction is needed, and are typically constructed from cast iron, carbon steel, or stainless steel.  Typical gate valves are designed to be fully opened or closed; and when fully open, the typical gate valve has no obstruction in the flow path, resulting in very little friction loss.

Globe Valve:   Globe valves are designed to regulate flow in a pipeline, are often spherical in shape, and have a movable disk-style element and a non-movable ring seat.  The two halves of the sphere are separated by a baffle which provides an opening and a seat onto which a movable plug can be screwed in to shut the valve off.  Globe valves can be automated, or manually operated by using a handwheel.

Plug Valves:  Plug valves have cylinder or cone-shaped plugs inside the body of the valve which can be rotated to control flow from inside.  The plugs have sideways hollow passages, allowing fluid to go through the plug when the valve is open; and have two positions – open, to allow flow, and shut, to stop flow.  Plug valves are not complex, and therefore are often quite economical to use.

Safety regulations mandate that hazard analysis be made before actual use of the equipment containing the valve takes place; both to determine any hazards and to decide how to control exposure to risk.  If the valve is used in processing corrosive gases or liquids, for example, hazard control would indicate protective eyewear and clothing for the operator.  Flammable liquids require fire-retardant protection for both site and operators.  If steam is flowing through the pipes under pressure, there may risk of explosion .  In all situations, hazard assessment of the gas or liquid and of the piping and process system itself are as vital as hazard assessment of the valves within the system.

Since many valves are controlled manually, operators should be trained to work with such valves.  When  bending or reaching below waist level to operate a valve, for example, bend at the knees and keep the spine upright to avoid injury.  The operator should be able to move around enough to avoid long periods of standing or sitting in one position; he should be able to take a moment to shift position and to stretch at least every few minutes.  Operators should always be trained to understand the process flow and fluids they are working with so that they have the background for making split-second decisions if necessary.  Operators also need to have the best tools at hand to help them.  Wrenches can provide extra leverage, so they need to know which wrench to use; the wrong size can cause the wrench to slip and possibly cause harm.  

Operators should also know enough to replace a broken valve with another of the same type and rating; if not, all affected personnel must be made aware of any system changes.  Valves may look like a small part of the overall system, but they function much like the rudder of a ship – such a small part to produce such large results.

Forklift Safety Training and Requirements in the Workplace

A forklift is a type of PIT, or Powered Industrial Truck, which is designed to move and deposit a load of materials.  There are many sizes and types of forklifts, often designed for specific jobs and powered by  diverse sources – batteries, diesel fuel, gasoline, even propane.  They are used at a wide variety of worksites and have characteristics unique to their application; for this and other reasons, forklift operators must be both trained and certified.  Even with such training there are thousands of forklift accidents each year, resulting in significant amounts of property damage, injury, and even death.

Forklift training generally consists of three parts, the first of which is the formal transmittal of information, whether by personal or online lecture, video or DVD lessons & demos, or written text. Trainings for forklift operators must conform to OSHA guidelines and OSHA training requirements. 

When this training is complete the would-be operator is ready for actual application - practice – of what he or she has learned, usually on the type of forklift he will be operating.  Periodically after that, the operator’s workplace performance will be evaluated.  There should be refresher training if the operator has or nearly has an accident, also if he is assigned to operate a new kind of forklift or if the worksite location or conditions change significantly.  

OSHA requires all forklift operators to be at least 18.  Every forklift operator  should follow these basic precautions in order to minimize exposure to risk: 

·         Inspect the forklift before using it.  Check horn, lights, brakes, and backup alarm.  Check the fire extinguisher and check for hydraulic fluid leaks.

·         Check the load you are about to transport.  Secure any loose items.  Be sure pallets are not broken or damaged in any way. 

·         Use protective gear.  If there is a seatbelt, OSHA requires that it be worn.  Hard hat and/or safety glasses may be appropriate at your work site.

·         Do not overload the forklift.  Keep the load low enough so that you can see over it.

·         Work with a spotter.  He can assist when you do not have a clear view or when people or materials are in your path.  Do not allow anyone to ride on the load or on the forks, and do not allow anyone to walk under the forks when they are raised.

·          Do not allow distractions such as smoking, eating, drinking, or cellphone use while operating the forklift.  Do not operate forklift when taking any medications that could alter your response abilities.

·          When finished, turn off the engine and use the parking brake.  Park in a safe, out-of-the-traffic location.  Report ALL incidents and accidents, as per OSHA Regulations.

Forklifts operators work inside, outside, in the rain, on hills and other grades, on smooth surfaces and on slick surfaces.  They lift and deposit every possible cargo and expedite material handling on land and at sea.  They operate forklifts built to accommodate a variety of specialized functions; and construction sites, warehouses, and many other locations depend on them.  Paying attention to basic safety standards is the law, as well as an 

absolute necessity. And remember--forklift safety is depending 

on everyone.