2014 - FTS Safety Awards !

Below is a list of the safety awards FTS has recently received. 

 

Safety Council Southwest Louisiana sponsored the Contractor Safety Awards banquet on June 24^th, 2014 @ Isle of Capri Events Center in Lake Charles, LA.   Furmanite Technical Solutions received the “Platinum Award” in the Specialty II Category for work performed at Phillips 66 and Sasol.

 

The Golden Triangle Business Roundtable (GTBR) sponsored the 23^rd annual Contractor Safety Awards on August 19, 2014 @ the Holiday Inn Atrium Plaza in Beaumont, TX.  Furmanite Technical Solutions was selected as a Finalist in the category of Engineering for work at Chevron Phillips Chemical Port Arthur, ExxonMobil Beaumont Refinery, Flint Hill Resources and Huntsman PNPP. 

 

Heat Stress Awareness

As spring turns into summer and brings up "hot weather," we should all be aware of some tips to prevent heat stress. Remember physical activity at high temperatures can directly affect health and indirectly be the cause of accidents.


What Is Heat Stress?

It's a signal that says the body is having difficulty maintaining its narrow temperature range. The heart pumps faster, blood is diverted from internal organs to the skin, breathing rate increases, sweating increases, all in an attempt to transfer more heat to the outside air and cool the skin by evaporation of sweat. If the body can't keep up then the person suffers effects ranging from heat cramps to heat exhaustion, and finally to heat stroke.


Dry Clothes and Skin doesn't mean you’re not Sweating!

In dry climates you might not feel wet or sticky, but you are still sweating. On a very warm day you can lose as much as two liters of fluid.

Beat the heat. Help prevent the ill effects of heat stress by:



Drinking water frequently and moderately (every 15-30 minutes—about a glassful). Due to the fact that most of us already consume excessive salt in our diets; salt tablets are NOT recommended for general use.



 Resting frequently.
 Eating lightly.
 Doing more strenuous jobs during the cooler morning hours.
 Utilizing the ventilation or fans in enclosed areas.
 Remembering that it takes about 1-2 weeks for the body to adjust to the heat; this adaptation to heat is quickly lost—so your body will need time to adjust after a vacation too.
 Avoiding alcohol consumption. Many cases of heat stroke have occurred the day after a "night on the town."
 Wearing light colored, cotton clothes and keeping your shirt on—desert nomads don't wear


Types of Heat Stress


There are two popular types of heat stress the first is heat stroke. This is caused by your body temperature rising above 103 degrees. Heat stroke is a serious problem and often leads to death if it is not taken care of immediately. There are several symptoms of heat stroke.

Symptoms of Heat Stroke

 Difficulty Breathing  Headache   Dizziness

 Flushed skin  Vomiting  No Sweat on Skin

 Seizure    Loss of consciousness

If you notice someone suffering from any of these symptoms call for medical attention.
Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

The cause of heat exhaustion is very similar to heat stroke. The main difference is that the body is having trouble dehydrating to due lack of liquids and electrolytes. People that are most likely to suffer heat exhaustion are outdoor workers and the elderly.
Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

 Cool, Clammy skin  Excessive Sweating  Anxiousness

 Thirst  Cloudy Thinking  Trouble Standing

 Fatigue

Fatigue Awareness

Employee Responsibilities Regarding Fatigue: 

ÜRemaining drug and alcohol free during their employment with Furmanite.

ÜNot using over-the-counter or prescription drugs to increase mental alertness.

ÜEmployees are prohibited from taking any substance known to increase fatigue, including fatigue that sets in after the effects of the drug wear off.

ÜEmployees must report fatigue/tiredness and lack of mental acuity to supervision.

ÜEmployees/contractors should use their time off the job to get the appropriate sleep or rest and maintain their alertness and fitness for duty.

ÜEmployees should to monitor their own performance and take regular periods of rest to avoid continuing work when tired.

ÜMonitor co-workers state of alertness.

SAFETY ALERT - Removing Insert Sleeve

What Happened?


A technician was using a screwdriver wedge / pry out a Teflon (PTFE)  insert sleeve from a Durco plug valve. (see picture)

 During the process the screwdriver slipped and due to the force being applied it sprung upwards and hit the technician’s upper jaw.  The technician was transported to a local medical facility and was diagnosed with a broken jaw.

Preliminary Investigation Findings

Inserts are “pressed in” during manufacture or during overhaul and are an extremely tight fit making them difficult to extract. The standard removal method, as recommended by the manufacturer, is to split the insert and then extract it using pliers.

The recommended way to split the insert is to insert a screw driver through the   ports on the valve and hit the screwdriver with a mallet until the insert splits.

 

The technician split the insert as per recommendations but then used a screwdriver to wedge / pry the insert out rather than using the pliers resulting in the injury.

Action to Prevent Reoccurrences     

The local Operations Manager is to deliver a Toolbox Talk to workshop technicians with reference to ensuring compliance with manufacturer’s instructions for the disassembly of valve components.

Immediate Action Required  

1. Workshop Managers/Supervisors to inform workshop personnel to follow manufacturer’s instructions for the disassembly of components. If an alternative method needs to be used, for whatever reason, a pre-work assessment of the additional hazards must be undertaken and appropriate actions taken to remove / reduce the risk.

    

2. VR Service Line to initiate review and determine if there are any other methods that would make removal safer.

 

Safety Alert - Motor Vehicle Accident

What happened?

 

Recently two Furmanite technicians were involved in a vehicle accident which resulted in a minor injury to one technician.

Two radiography technicians were traveling from a client facility back to their office in Louisville KY when the driver fell asleep at the wheel causing the vehicle to veer off of the road. The vehicle struck a small road sign causing the driver to wake and he attempted to steer the vehicle back onto the roadway causing the vehicle to roll over three times. Both the driver and passenger were transported to the nearest hospital as a precaution. The driver sustained minor injuries while the passenger sustained non-life threatening injuries to the head and back requiring treatment. The driver and passenger were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident.
What went wrong?

• While the driver had not worked an excessive number of hours (he had worked 6 hours the day before - 7am to 1pm and had 12 hours off - 1pm to 1am - before returning to work), he was not able to sleep during his off period due to a cold and returned to work without adequate rest.
• The driver was severely fatigued (despite having sufficient time off to rest) and failed recognize it.
• Passenger had dozed off during drive back to office. Despite becoming drowsy, the driver did

How do we Prevent from Happening Again?

 

• Conduct a Safety stand down and review this Safety Alert with all Furmanite employees worldwide.

• Review the attached Fatigue Awareness Training module with all employees.

 

 

 

Safety Alert - Finger Laceration

What happened?

 A Furmanite technician was using a retractable utility knife to open a box of leak sealing supplies. The employee sneezed causing a sudden movement of the utility knife resulting in a laceration to the left index finger requiring sutures. The employee was wearing leather gloves at the time of the injury.  

What went wrong?
 More appropriate PPE could have been used during this task that could have prevented the injury (cut resistant gloves manufactured with Kevlar®, Aramid® or other cut resistant material.)
 Employee did not recognize the potential new hazard of a sudden movement of the utility knife due to sneezing and did not stop work.
 Employee did not ensure his off-hand (non-working hand) was not in the line of fire while performing the cut.


How do we Prevent from Happening Again?
Emphasize to all employees the proper PPE required when using sharp tools (i.e. cut resistant gloves).

Emphasize to all employees the importance of recognizing all hazards involved in every job or task….even those that seem simple or routine.

What actions do I take?

• Conduct a Safety stand down and review this Safety Alert with all Furmanite employees worldwide.

Safety Alert - Arm Puncture

What happened?

 

On Thursday February 13, 2014 a technician’s left upper arm (bicep area) was punctured by a packing pick type tool resulting in sutures to close the wound.

 

What went wrong?

 

The injured technician was reaching for an 18 lb. sledge hammer located in the toolbox (toolbox was a cross-bed type) of a ¾ ton pickup truck*.

The technician failed to notice a packing (ice pick type approximately ¼” diameter) tool was lying with the sharp point of the tool toward the hammer he was reaching for.

As the technician slid the hammer toward him to be able to lift the hammer easier, the sharp point of the packing tool punctured the bicep area of his left arm.

The incident was not reported to Furmanite Safety as soon as possible.

*Note:  Pickup was recently in a vehicle accident and the tools and toolbox had been removed.  When the truck was repaired and returned, tools were not properly organized when placed back into toolbox. 

How do we Prevent from Happening Again?

 

Regardless of the task you are performing (even routine tasks like retrieving tools from a tool box) you must recognize and be aware of the hazards that are present.   

If something changes with your tools (i.e. if your tools are removed from your toolbox), take the time to organize them and remove or mitigate potential hazards before starting work.

If you have any means to communicate, you must notify Furmanite Safety.

 

 

Location of sledge hammer technician was retrieving

Approximate location of packing tool as technician was retrieving hammer.

A “Safety Standdown” shall be conducted to communicate this Safety Alert with all Furmanite field and shop employees worldwide.