Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing - May/June '24 - 32

PAINT AND COATINGS MANUFACTURING: HEALTH & SAFETY
area, and take noise levels into account when purchasing and
maintaining equipment.
In cases where exposure to high noise levels cannot
be reduced, introduce hearing protection. Fit testing is
important to make sure hearing protection like ear plugs and
earmuffs are working effectively.
MACHINERY
Proper guarding on mills, dispersers, mixers, and other
exposed parts of machinery can help prevent injuries
from entanglement, cutting, impact, pinch points, or other
mishaps. Train workers on how to operate machinery with
safety guards and other protective devices in place.
Establish a
lockout
and tag-out program during
maintenance and repair work to help prevent injuries.
Locking out puts the machine in a safe and de-energized state
while tagging out is a labelling system that informs workers of
the reason for the lockout and its duration.
PHYSICAL STRAIN
Handling boxes, barrels, and containers of raw materials and
finished products can put workers at risk of musculoskeletal
injuries, including sprains, dislocations, and fractures.
Strain on the body from repetitive and awkward
movements, like bending, twisting, reaching, and standing,
can also cause musculoskeletal disorders and chronic pain
over time.
SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS
Tripping over equipment and clutter are also common
workplace hazards that put workers at risk of injuries.
Practice good housekeeping, such as cleaning spills promptly
and keeping walkways tidy. Wearing footwear with good
traction and anti-slip flooring can also help prevent slips,
trips, and falls.
The big picture: a successful health and
safety strategy
As these hazards show, layering health and safety control
measures in the workplace can greatly reduce the risk of harm
to workers.
Introducing engineering controls, such as
increased ventilation, guarding, and the use of
enclosures are also effective ways of protecting
workers. Better ventilation, including local
exhaust ventilation used at the source, can help
lower the concentration of chemical vapours
and dust in the air, reducing worker exposures
and helping to prevent fires and explosions.
32
www.cfcm.ca
Follow the " hierarchy of controls " to help guide your
measures. According to the hierarchy, the most effective
approach to improving workplace health and safety is to
eliminate the hazard altogether. Removing sources of fire
ignition, excessive noise, chemical exposures, and tripping
obstacles from the jobsite, are just some examples.
Substituting hazards with safer chemicals, materials,
equipment, and processes is the next best approach. For
example, replacing a carcinogenic chemical for a noncarcinogenic
alternative can reduce the risk to workers.
Introducing engineering controls, such as increased
ventilation, guarding, and the use of enclosures are also
effective ways of protecting workers. Better ventilation,
including local exhaust ventilation used at the source, can
help lower the concentration of chemical vapours and dust
in the air, reducing worker exposures and helping to prevent
fires and explosions.
Provide regular health and safety training for both new
and experienced employees so they can do their jobs safely.
They will also gain a better understanding of the nature of the
hazards and risks in their workplace.
If these control measures are unable to adequately reduce
the risk of a hazard, provide the right personal protective
equipment for the job that's fit-tested for each worker.
Through clear communication, procedures and training,
workers should understand how to use, wear, maintain,
and dispose of personal protective equipment to effectively
protect their health and safety.
Layering health and safety measures is a lot like applying
paint and coatings. With each measure introduced,
organisations paint a clearer picture of health and safety
measures that effectively protects workers.
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
(CCOHS) promotes the total well-being - physical,
psychosocial, and mental health - of workers in Canada by
providing information, advice, education, and management
systems and solutions that support the prevention of injury
and illness. Visit www.ccohs.ca for more safety tips.
Provide training on manual lifting and the use of material
handling aids, such as rollers, jacks, and platforms, to help
take the strain off workers' bodies. Mechanical equipment,
such as forklifts, hand trucks, and hoists, can also reduce risk.
Rotate jobs that require repetitive movements and
uncomfortable positions. Provide regular breaks so workers
can stretch and to rest.
http://www.ccohs.ca http://www.cfcm.ca
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