The Gravity of GravityThe Gravity of Gravity

Safety’s Number 1 EnemySafety’s Number 1 Enemy

Gravity can be fun!Gravity can be fun!

Falls are the #1 cause Falls are the #1 cause of injuries in the home of injuries in the home

and the workplace and the workplace isn’t any safer.isn’t any safer.

Watch your step!Watch your step!

Removable Handrail RisksRemovable Handrail Risks In the mid-90’s, there was an accident in one of In the mid-90’s, there was an accident in one of our plants where there was a removable handrail our plants where there was a removable handrail which had been removed and put back up with which had been removed and put back up with

bailing wire because the pin was missing. A man bailing wire because the pin was missing. A man leaned on the railing and went head first off the leaned on the railing and went head first off the

platform. He is now paralyzed.platform. He is now paralyzed.

The design of the handrails was changed and pins are tethered with chain to the stationary post. OSHA now requires personnel to use a

harness and be tethered also to prevent impacting the ground.

Falls just waiting to happen!Falls just waiting to happen!

Gravity works on Gravity works on everything. Falling everything. Falling

objects can be deadly.objects can be deadly.

Poland

Hammertek: Near MissHammertek: Near Miss On 3/23/05 at approx. 0340 the batchhouse On 3/23/05 at approx. 0340 the batchhouse

operator noticed material flowing from top of operator noticed material flowing from top of silo’s looking at his monitor. He was in the silo’s looking at his monitor. He was in the

process of unloading purchased cullet into silo process of unloading purchased cullet into silo #13. He shut down the transport process and #13. He shut down the transport process and

went to investigate. He found in the Rail Shed went to investigate. He found in the Rail Shed the Hammertek Elbow from the top of silo #13 the Hammertek Elbow from the top of silo #13 laying on the floor west of the unloading area. laying on the floor west of the unloading area. The Driver that delivered the cullet was in his The Driver that delivered the cullet was in his

truck looking in his mirror at the time and truck looking in his mirror at the time and saw the elbow hit the floor and bounce.saw the elbow hit the floor and bounce.

Hole in roof looking from underneath Hole in roof looking from above on roof.

“Nature always sides with the hidden flaw!” Murphy’s Law #9

Impact in the concrete where it hit

Flange on top of #13 silo, to the left are other Hammertek elbows

The RemedyThe Remedy

Working against gravity brings its Working against gravity brings its own set of dangers.own set of dangers.

Near miss…..Near miss…..

Speaking of working against gravity, Speaking of working against gravity, almost every glass plant has frogs.almost every glass plant has frogs.

Here’s how to avoid a backacheHere’s how to avoid a backache

Cranes can’t always fight gravity.Cranes can’t always fight gravity.

…….but we all have to fight stupidity!.but we all have to fight stupidity!

Any Comments?Any Comments?

Recommended PracticesRecommended Practices

““Up the Line” LabelingUp the Line” Labeling ““Spot Check” LabelsSpot Check” Labels