DS Smith, a leading provider of corrugated & plastics packaging, supported by paper and recycling operations, improved safety levels by implementing the Hazardous Area Solution at their facility in Eerbeek, the Netherlands.

Because of the dangerous nature of the work performed by employees around four large conveyer belts within the facility, DS Smith implemented a system to help improve employee and workplace safety. Blanken Controls BV installed and implemented the Hazardous Area Solution, supplied by Spanish distributor Claitec, at one of the conveyer belts at the DS Smith facility.

All operators were given an electronic tag which should be carried at all times while working in the vicinity of the conveyer belts. The machine is fitted with detector antennas to effectively detect the person carrying the tag, should they fall on the belt. In this case, the machine will automatically be stopped and a serious accident will be prevented.

In addition to the Hazardous Area Solutions, DS Smith tries to improve workplace safety by fitting each forklift or reach truck with ImpactManager systems.

The ImpactManager systems, supplied and implemented by Blanken Controls BV, help improve safety by creating awareness. In a minor collision, the truck operator receives a warning signal. When a severe shock occurs the truck comes to a halt. Only a supervisor can get the truck running again, however a truck operator can still drive for 20 seconds, for example to free a person or cancel a traffic hazard.

By implementing this range of systems DS Smith tries to improve workplace safety and prevent future accidents.

The establishment of workplace safety protocols presents invaluable benefits for workers and companies alike.

Accidents that occur in workspaces are not only harmful to the physical and emotional wellbeing of the individual who suffers them but have also been shown to generate substantial costs – in economic and human capital – for the companies responsible.

Investments in worker protection systems allow employees to better perform their tasks. Although major advances have been made in recent decades in matters of worker safety, occupational accidents remain a source of concern in industries worldwide.

Each year millions of people are victims of accidents in their workplace or suffer illnesses as a result of the activities they perform at work. For many of them, the consequences are fatal far too often.

Despite all the efforts already made, it is necessary to carry out more precise changes in risk prevention strategies in order to improve their impact on the workers’ general welfare.

The most advisable path would be to establish a systematic restructuring of worker protection systems through the implementation of a new model of workplace safety that takes more into account the different risks factors.

In an era of constant change, it is essential to continuously update current risk prevention procedures. Economic systems, the media, access to information and even social trends are constantly changing and have a significant impact on labour practices.

Today, it would not be efficient to attempt to solve the security problems that existed decades ago. Workers are now confronted with new threats in their workspaces while some other risk factors have become less common. It is the responsibility of the companies to identify relevant emerging hazards of our times.

One of the most important adjustments required in safety models is to abandon the idea that the risks to the welfare of workers are limited to accidents.

In a workspace it is also possible to contract diseases, the kind and severity of which depend on the industrial sector concerned. Unhealthy working conditions, exposure to hazardous substances and the contagion between employees are some of the circumstances that could threaten their health. The conditions can range from respiratory diseases to cancer, and all of them represent a severe risk to workers and businesses.

Mental illnesses such as stress, depression and anxiety have also become widespread among workers in all employment sectors. In addition to their effects on the attitude and willingness of the people to work, these conditions produce a reduction in the natural defences of the body, causing the manifestation of many other diseases. This impairs the workers’ quality of life, also reducing their productivity and encouraging absenteeism in companies.

That’s why, these conditions should be top priorities for most companies and yet, they are often completely neglected.

The processes for recording accidents and diseases acquired in workplaces must also be updated. It is not possible to establish the most appropriate safety procedures for a specific workplace if there is no information available on the causes and consequences of risks at work. Proper data collection will allow the identification of the sectors that present higher risk and the activities that require improved regulation regarding safety standards and legislation. Once preventive measures have been implemented, it will also be possible to measure their impact and design the appropriate improvements based on available records.

An adequate register of accidents and diseases should comprehensively cover all areas of work. Currently not enough attention is paid to incidents in rural areas, in small and medium enterprises and informal employment when the inclusion of these workers is essential for the full development of a model of workplace safety.

Although projects of this type may seem difficult to complete at first, it is vital to move towards this direction as they will benefit companies, employees and the economy of an entire region.

There is a worldwide trend towards developing a sound culture of care for the environment. Major efforts are currently being applied to design sustainable systems that help reduce the environmental impact of human activities. Recycling, in particular, is fast becoming one of the most important strategies put forward by countries and cities in this regard. The number of persons employed in related industries is constantly increasing.

A hazardous environment

It is important to note that many of the recycling processes involve high-risk activities that put the physical integrity of workers in danger.

In fact, statistics demonstrate that a worker in the recycling industry is twice as likely to suffer an incident as the average worker, with potential consequences range from severe to fatal.

In most cases, these accidents are due to their constant exposure to the many hazardous objects found in their work environment. Occasionally, the recycling materials they receive are mixed with other types of waste such as chemicals, sharp objects, needles and dead animals. Moreover, these activities are usually carried out in the vicinity of active heavy machinery, further increasing the risk of accidents.

We are all responsible for the wellbeing of workers in the recycling industry

The recycling of waste is not going to and should not be stopped despite the imminent danger to those who perform these tasks.

Recycling is a key part in a process towards establishing environmentally responsible cities. It assists in the reduction of waste emissions into the environment, minimising the use of forest resources and preventing a further negative impact on our climate.

It is thus vital that safety solutions are found that help reduce or eliminate the risks workers in this industry are facing at present.

Recycling companies work tirelessly to improve the conditions of their employees and reduce risks to a minimum by providing the appropriate equipment and safety procedures.

Training staff suitably and not employing temporary workers are some of the important strategies designed to ensure better quality in the workplace.

However, none of these methods is able to completely eliminate the danger found in the work areas. In order to achieve better results, it may be necessary for the governments and people of a city to intervene in the matter.

Because as citizens, we are first and foremost responsible for the recycling process.

Most accidents in this industry occur when recyclable materials are mixed with others which are not. The presence of dangerous objects poses an immediate threat to the welfare of the people exposed to them. In addition, some items such as plastic bags can clog recycling machines and generate additional hazardous condition. In fact, most of the risks in these working environments are result of the bad recycling habits of the people living in a residential area.

Governments can also contribute to the reduction of hazards through the implementation of regulations to govern the recycling process. Campaigning for good practice in waste separation is important to raise awareness among citizens of the consequences of their actions. In addition, by hiring managers and recycling companies that ensure the implementation of proper safety procedures, governments will be promoting the creation of jobs that take place in safe conditions – and that’s exactly what the citizens and the planet needs.

The Test-TAG ensures that the PAS system is in full working order.

The PAS’ Test-Tag is a device that is installed within the detection zone of the forklift truck.

1. Test-Tag, TT50

2. Field Activator AC-50 (Antennas LF y HF included)

3. Detection Zone

4. Pedestrian wearing a personal T10 Tag.

When the sensing field is fine, the Test-Tag (1) receives and sends a signal to the Activator through High Frequency UHF radio waves and it records its proper functioning.

If the sensing field decreases or stops, the Test-Tag (1) stops receiving the trigger signal and it sends a warning signal UHF alerting that the field is not being detected.

The Cyclically Activator signal expects the Test-Tag (1) to detect the signal and when it does not arrive, the activator fails and raises the truck’s alarm.

The test-tag acts as a guard who is continually monitoring the field of detection and alerting users in case of failure.

When the message of the test-tag reaches the activator not only does it verify that the field is correct but it also confirms that the communication at 2.4 GHz is in functioning order.

Increasing the security alarm signal in the PAS

It is possible to achieve a redundancy detection output out of PAS thanks to the AC-50 activator’s two relays with potential free contact. Both are activated when a person’s tag is detected in the safety zone.

Using these two relays in series we can achieve fault tolerance, redundancy thanks to the series’ circuit.

In the event that one of the two relays fails and stays on, the system will remain in safe mode. If the alarm signal fails a fault should occur in both relays.

If the aim is to achieve greater security, it is recommended to add an external safety relay type SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC / TELEMECANIQUE XPSAC5121, however for standard PAS use in forklift trucks, this is totally unnecessary.

By checking the tags on the AV-50 antenna, we are able to verify that each person’s T-10 tag is in perfect working condition before entering the protected area.

1. Verification register Software.

2. AV-50 Antenna (LF antennas and HF included)

3. Personnel with Tag.

As the Tag approaches the verification antenna 4 things happen:

1. It checks the condition of the tag’s battery.

The T-10 Tag communicates the state of charge (voltage) of the battery to the antenna’s verification system.

If the value is below 2.90V the AV-50 antenna shows a red light and beeps to alert the person that the battery’s tag is running out.

When a battery below 2.90V is detected for the first time or if it is at a 30% charge, the tag has sufficient autonomy to operate under normal conditions and fully functionally for 3 days.

2. It checks the LF communication.

The verification system of the AV-50 antenna emits a detection field.

When a tag is close to the antenna, it awakens, it checks the charge of the battery and it informs the AV-50.

3. It checks the HF communication.

The AV-50 antenna receives the voltage of the battery through the HF. The AV-50 checks the battery’s condition and it makes a decision according to the state of the tag – if it has sufficient charge, nothing occurs, but if the battery needs replacing, it raises an alarm.

4. It records the result of the analysis.

During each battery analysis and software usage, the system registers the result of the analysis.
By registering date and time, you can keep track of whether the T-10 tags are properly verified and whether there is a tag that needs to have its battery replaced.

The following are some Questions and Answer to consider if the test unit lights up in red:

• How is it determined or measured when the light must be red ?

Measuring the voltage of the battery and determining it is below 2.90V

• Is a tag with red light still detectable and thus safe to use?

Yes it is, the tag is fully functional even when the battery is low. Because there is a 30% safe battery.

• If so, for how long?

For at least 3 days in normal working conditions.

The AV-50 verification antenna ensures that the T10 Tag works 100% correctly and the battery lasts at least 3 days from verification.

To successfully eliminate the risk of accidents and health threats that lurk around in the workplace, it is necessary to conduct frequent safety checks. To do so, companies must rely on trained personnel and the necessary equipment to ensure a full and detailed review of risk areas. Both the gathering of evidence and the writing of reports should be done in a complete and professional manner to meet the appropriate safety standards.

Now, entrepreneurs and inspectors have a wonderful tool to help them perform these tasks and minimise the time spent on the audit – SafetyCulture’s free application: iAuditor.

Since its release in February 2012, iAuditor has been used in over 80 countries worldwide with more than 25,000 daily safety audits recorded. This application can be used in mobile devices such as iPads, Android tablets or smartphones with any operating systems. It features a simple and intuitive interface that allows people without any experience on this type of applications to use it easily. It also allows the user to point at specific objects, it answers questions and takes pictures to conduct a professional audit with all the elements that should comprise it.

The safety inspector is able to take pictures with the mobile device and use them as evidence of the state of the workspace. Other elements can also be added such as arrows, diagrams, symbols and all those needed to highlight the details found. Also, you have the ability to add notes and comments to make the statement of results more explicit.

When the audit is complete, iAuditor generates a full technical report that is well very well structured and of a very high quality. The free version of this app allows the user to export the report in PDF format, while a premium account allows storage in a wide range of formats like MS Word, XML, JSON, and CSV. Traditionally, these reports could take hours to complete, but iAuditor is able to generate them in seconds with photographs, signatures and all the components a report should include.

One of the most versatile features of the application is its ability to create custom templates with lists of activities to be undertaken. SafetyCulture, the creator of the application, has produced an extensive range of useful templates for all types of practices, industries and user needs, such as for example, the Safety in the Warehouse template which, is suitable to a very large number of situations. The company’s online repository is known as Audit Forms, and there is possible to find all kinds of audit templates. Currently, there are over 50,000 templates in their library and every day new templates are loaded by the company or its users.

Claitec is developing a set of more practical templates for the benefit of our customers which are based on the experience and knowledge of our expert staff. We are hoping that users will be able to conduct their needs assessments and safety audits to ensure optimal performance of their PAS (Pedestrian Alert System) and LSA (speed limitation zones) solutions.

iAuditor is yet another example of how technology can be used to improve industrial safety and worker protection.

What is a workplace risk assessment?

It’s a comprehensive study of all factors that pose a threat to the physical well-being of employees, supervisors and visitors in the areas where they transit.

A workplace risk assessment allows the implementation of security measures that eliminate or reduce risks, promoting the care and integrity of the workers’ health.

Protecting its employees is one of the most important aspects of a company, being a legal obligation in many countries.

Even when not imposed by legislation, a company that implements a number of safety procedures in order to keep its staff protected will obtain a number of significant benefits, including better work organization and increased productivity.

Similarly, it’ll be able to prevent the secondary consequences that often result from accidents such as damages, payment of penalties and loss of production.

In order to conduct a workplace risk assessment easily, we recommend following these five simple steps:

1. Hazard identification.

It is vital to determine all possible ways an accident could occur in all work areas. To do this, you must perform a thorough inspection of the company’s facilities.

Take into consideration your staff’s suggestions as they are familiar with the environment and working procedures, and they might have already identified specific risks in their activities. The manufacturers of the equipment, tools and products used in the company would probably also have safety recommendations which should not be neglected.
If need be, seek professional advice to correctly identify your workplace’s hazards.

2. Identification of potential victims.

While identifying potential hazards, you can also determine who could be affected and what kind of potential damage could suffer. This will help later to better establish priorities and find optimal solutions for each risk. Besides the magnitude of the possible injury, be sure to take into account the vulnerability of people who are in each workspace: consider the inexperienced personnel, the elderly, pregnant women and persons having disabilities.

3. Establishment of risk control measures.

After analyzing the hazards encountered, it will be time to define the security measures that will avoid as far as possible. There is a hierarchy of activities that will help you prioritize the procedures performed. If you are able to completely eliminate the hazard, apply. When this is not possible, prevent access to the danger zone when not needed. Develop safer working methods, minimizing exposure to any risk. Set first aid facilities and dispensaries if applicable. Finally, provide your personal protective equipment. Applying these measures, you will eliminate risks, reduce the probability or its impact minimized.

4. Assignment of responsibilities.

To ensure that the security measures in place are properly implemented, it is appropriate to assign responsibility accordingly. Those selected will be responsible for the implementation, monitoring and recording the progress made on security. Likewise, the time limits to be completed the work of implementing these measures will be defined. Rely on your team to plan the strategy to follow, defining priority activities for their risk and establishing the improvements that can be made immediately by its low cost and simplicity. They should also schedule a training course to inform workers about the security measures taken.

5. Scorekeeping, monitoring and periodic updating.

Written record all activities performed in the previous steps. After implementing risk control measures must monitor its effectiveness through regular inspections, worrying about update procedures as necessary. Try to be at all times at the forefront of security measures for optimal results.

The method presented is one of the most used by companies worldwide to implement its security measures, although there are other equally effective. The important thing is to carry out these procedures in the shortest possible time, with rigor and diligence, with the commitment of the entire company. Although those responsible for the implementation of security measures are employers, a risk assessment in the workspace is a task that must involve all stakeholders.

Workers are the engine of a company.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), they represent half the world’s population and are the major contributors to economic and social development.

That’s why security in the workplace is essential to ensure the welfare of workers and, therefore, the quality of service or end product that reaches the market.

It is important to consider the following:

1.“If you respect the importance of their work, they will probably return the favour,” said American writer Mark Twain. A company that cares about the health of its employees is a company that nurses its own subsistence. It is a causal relationship – the performance of its workers has a direct impact on productivity – since at the end of the day, without employees there is no business.

2. Accidents cause absenteeism. Every 15 Seconds, 153 workers have an accident around the world. Annually, there are more than 317 million accidents at work. These data from the WHO also reflect the cost involved in these adversities. The company not only faces the problem of having one less worker on the ground but it must also face legal consequences and potential damage to the reputation of its brand.

3. Prevention is key. Paying for a worker’s recovery or facing the costs of a lawsuit is a lot less profitable than a protection plan – the company will save on bonuses, compensations, lawyers, etc. Thus the employer must take steps to ensure the safety and health (OSH) of its workers. Ideally each occupational hazard -that is each potentially harmful event – have a plan of action to prevent accidents or reduce their implications.

4. Adequate safety measures also improve relationships in the company. A safe working environment – and an effective communication about the importance of creating a culture of prevention among all members of the company – will make them feel more comfortable and motivated when performing their tasks. This also leads to a lower staff turnover.

5. Positive reputation. Companies that invest in the safety of their employees enjoy a more positive public image. This is a determining factor when being compared to the competition for differentiation and it creates a good positioning in the market and in the mind of the consumer.

Looking after the safety of your workers is an investment, not an expense!

Claitec is committed to help our customers succeed in their goals and understands the importance that a safe environment has for worker’s performance. That’s why we develop innovative solutions that protect and improve their work environment.

There is no doubt that a company improves its performance when employees feel comfortable and at ease.

Safety and accident prevention are a key factor to guarantee employee comfort. As pedestrians are exposed to different risks – and Claitec is always one step ahead of the needs of our customers -, we have developed the following guidelines to improve their protection.

1. Sorting out warehouse traffic

First, the essentials.

The areas where pedestrians circulate must be clearly marked.

If possible, it is recommended that signals and crosswalks be painted on the floor or even better -that the space is enclosed by fences.

The premise is to improve the security of persons and buildings without increasing the complexities of everyday life.

Another simple way is to always separate vehicles from pedestrians.

How?

If the structure of the warehouse allows it, by simply placing separation barriers. Otherwise, this can be achieved by trying to prevent forklifts from going through areas where there is a high pedestrian activity.

2. Safety Equipment

Claitec’s range of products and solutions for industrial safety are made to match the demands of current technologies and the expectations of our customers.

Take the Pedestrian Alert System (PAS). When using forklifts, installing this system will help alert the driver of pedestrian proximity. This solution differs from others that do not discriminate between obstacles and people.

Another option is to use the Blue Safety Light.

The Blue Safety Light tackles a very frequent problem in factories and plants – poor visibility areas.

These device acts as a high luminosity beacon that alert workers circulating on foot before the arrival of the forklift.

It increases the level of prevention in these high-risk areas by equipping pedestrians with the T-10 warning system and reflective vests.

Other solutions include installing warning lights and using systems like the Blind Spot (BS).

The staff working at the warehouse also plays an important role in preventing accidents.

It is necessary to limit the speed of forklifts depending on the area in which they are in order to avoid the risk of collision with a pedestrian.

It helps to install curved mirrors in poorly lit areas.

3. Informing and teaching

As much as 16.7% of accidents that occur in the industry are caused by forklifts.

Both pedestrians and forklift operators must be informed about the risks involved in using these machines.

We therefore recommend doing a training course that enables them to avoid unnecessary problems in the future.