Tag: safety vests

Elements sound, vibrate and turn on warning lights when one vest is close to another.

 

Schwarzmüller, an Austrian manufacturer of cargo vehicles, has become the first company in Europe to wear novel protective safety vests that warn of an unwanted approach between two people wearing it to maintain the minimum separation imposed by the coronavirus in work environments.

 

The protective vest sounds and vibrates, while the lights on the shoulder straps and waist turn on when you are going to exceed the safety distance with another person.

 

In this way, the system guarantees the social distance between workers, required to control the pandemic, also in assembly lines and other industrial facilities.

 

The company’s spokesman, Michael Prock, said in telephone statements to Efe that by acquiring this personalized system, “the responsibility of guaranteeing the health of the workers” is assumed.

 

“We also avoid possible and costly interruptions to our production lines in the event of a positive, which would force us to place numerous workers in quarantine,” he adds.

 

The traditional company, with 140 years of history, has acquired dozens of these vests, developed by the German company Linde Material Handling, and whose price is 499 euros per unit. The vests weigh about 300 grams and their battery holds up to a full work shift of about eight hours.

 

Peter Markschläger, the spokesman for Linde Austria, explains that this technology comes from a system applied in transport vehicles in logistics centers or in large construction sites, which serves to avoid collisions, by warning both the driver and the pedestrian that they are approaching. each other.

 

According to Markschläger, the vests can be used “in any area where many people work, as people usually have trouble estimating the necessary distance well.”

 

Beginning in the early 1970s, research was introduced suggesting there was a relationship between fire apparatus color and vehicle accidents. The concept presented was those lighter, brighter more visible colors would gain attention more quickly, improve reaction time, and as a result, reduce the number of visibility-related accidents.

 

Arguments against the color theory focused on the effectiveness of using flashing lights and sirens as warning devices, and the driving public would not quickly recognize fire vehicles if they weren’t the traditional red color.

 

By definition, the most visible vehicle colors are in the group of lime-green, lime-yellow, and yellow, while the most traditional apparatus colors are in the group of reds.

 

Where did we start?

Over the years, these issues were argued, studied, and re-argued leading to a study published in 1984 to compare the accident rates of fire apparatus consisting of two distinct colors —lime-yellow and red.

 

That multi-city study involved nine departments with an aggregate of more than 750,000 runs. All fire apparatus in the study consisted of engines and aerials. Five cities used red and four cities used the lime-yellow apparatus. The results showed the five “red” cities had accident rates higher than the four “lime-yellow” cities. The overall average was 31.9 accidents/100,000 runs of red apparatus vs. 15.3 accidents/100,000 runs of lime-yellow apparatus.  Stated another way, the red apparatus had an accident rate almost double the lime-yellow rate.

 

While the data pointed toward lower accident rates with the use of the yellow group of colors, enough questions were raised to indicate more research would be helpful.

 

Therefore, a second study, published in 1995 with more precise controls was initiated and dealt with four years of data and analyzed one large department (Dallas, TX), which had both a red or red/white fleet and a lime-yellow fleet. The single department approach was done to reduce variables, which included training, weather, language usage, apparatus maintenance, community culture, law enforcement, insurance requirements, and fire department response policies. Only pumpers/engines were considered to control the variable of vehicle size. The actual police reports for each event were studied to have an accurate knowledge of what occurred.

This study involved a comprehensive method of analysis and was published as original research in research in 1995 in the “Journal of Safety Research” by the National Safety Council. It was peer-reviewed by a panel of anonymous experts to assure accuracy, reliable methodology, and results. There were fewer runs than the prior evaluation but limiting the variables as much as possible allowed a more precise computation of accident rates. The research revealed lime-yellow pumpers were statistically safer than red or red-white fire pumpers.

 

The conclusion of the study stated: “…the likelihood of having a visibility-related multiple-vehicle accident or a visibility-related single-vehicle accident for a red or red-white fire pumper is greater than for a lime-yellow or lime-yellow/white fire pumper. Perhaps it is more than three times as great.” The results confirm color visibility reduces accidents and when accidents do occur, they are less severe.

 

Where are we now?

The research presented above supports the concept that colors that are represented at the peak of the visual spectrum, contribute to a lower accident rate for fire apparatus.

 

Since then, the NFPA has issued several standards revisions for fire apparatus which include updated warning light and audible devices, recommendations based on new and improved technologies, and enhanced utilization of retro-reflective materials.

 

It is appropriate to ask the question “Does the use of a high-visibility color still have an impact on fire apparatus accident reduction?”

 

To that end, an analysis was performed starting in 2018 and took into account runs and accidents on a sample of fire departments representing the high visibility colors—lime-green, lime-yellow, and yellow—and departments representing the darker, traditional colors—red, red-white, and red-black—fire vehicles. As in the 1984 study, an emphasis was placed on accumulating a high number of apparatus runs. The focus was for the years 2013 through 2016. Among the differences included in this study was the use of apparatus manufactured to the updated NFPA apparatus standards.

 

The 12 fire departments that fully completed the survey questionnaires were used in the study, 6 with red engines and 6 with lime-green, lime-yellow, or yellow engines. For the four years over 2,600,000 runs were accumulated. The fire departments are listed in the associated bar graph.

The results compare the accident rates per 100,000 runs. It was found on average than those departments using red on their engines had an accident rate almost double the departments using the lime-green, lime-yellow, or yellow engines. The red accident rate is 47.9 accidents per 100,000 runs and the yellow group accident rate is 24.7 accidents per 100,000 runs.

 

What does the future hold?

The concept of using high-visibility fire apparatus color to reduce accidents was introduced in the mid-1970s. As fire apparatus were updated and modernized over the years, including improved engineering and technology, one goal was improving safety to the firefighters and the public.  The studies of how fire apparatus color impacts accident reduction now spans more than 50 years.

 

The visibility colors are no strangers to the motoring public and the fire service. Also, to use on emergency vehicles, it is now seen on entire classes of D.O.T highway signage as well as on high-visibility highway safety vests. Firefighters use lime-green and lime-yellow frequently including on structural firefighting garments.

 

It is reported intersection accidents are among the most severe and represent the largest class of serious apparatus accidents. Enhanced visibility contributes to reducing both the number of intersection accidents and the seriousness of those events.

 

The fire service is constantly given opportunities for enhanced safety with the expansion of visual research, emergency lights, audible devices, and retro-reflective/fluorescent materials. These improved and even novel approaches do not mean color is less important. The devices and materials that enhance detection are additive and work in concert with color. This is a primary principle of building the safest possible apparatus to reduce or eliminate accidents and injuries.

 

The bottom line is color plays an important role in the safety and the use of lime-green, lime-yellow, or yellow as a visibility color substantially enhances safe operations. Because of the consistency of the ways the eyes see, the safety effects of color through visibility remain unchanged over time and will continue.

Recent efforts to provide properly fitting personal protective equipment to women on construction job sites are highlighting the connection between safety and long term careers in skilled trades and management.

 

“If someone doesn’t feel safe or doesn’t have the tools or equipment they need to do their job, it’s going to be very difficult to keep them engaged and feel like they’re going to succeed on the job site,” says Allison Scott, director, Autodesk Construction Solutions. “We think there’s an opportunity here to talk about safety and specific safety equipment for women.”

 

Autodesk partnered with Associated General Contractors to create a grant program that will provide AGC members with funding to purchase safety harnesses suitable for women. The program, which debuted Nov. 12, will accept applications until Jan. 10 to fund about 300 harnesses. While there are no set limits on the number of harnesses applicants can receive, nor on specific brands, grantees are required to schedule training in their use, as well as on proper fitting PPE and fall protection. Grantees are also asked to describe plans to recruit and retain underrepresented populations in an industry where women currently make up less than 10% of the workforce, says AGC spokesman Brian Turmail.

 

For Carly Hayden, a safety manager at construction management firm Columbia, North Reading, Mass., finding workers wearing improperly fitted gear is not uncommon during on-site inspections of subcontractors. “A lot of times they don’t know it should befitting a certain way, which is a little unnerving because they are supposed to be taught how to wear a properly fitting harness,” she says.

 

Compounding that is the size and type of fall-protection equipment that companies purchase. Hayden says certain styles, such as a cross-body harness that hooks in the front, are better suited to women’s frames. But those aren’t always available. Hayden describes job sites “where it looks as though somebody has just gone to Home Depot to grab a harness just because it was easy to access and relatively inexpensive. I think a lot of it comes down to cost,” she adds. “A lot of the models that are more geared to women … they’re pricier.”

 

When Jarrett Milligan, a vice president of environmental health safety at Skanska, learned that a female employee had been in the field outfitted in oversized gear—a potential hazard—he decided it was a problem the company could solve directly.

 

Milligan was dissatisfied with the PPE options for women that he saw. Many were missing common features such as extra pockets, and space to clip on a microphone or put a notebook. Skanska turned to its PPE vendor Colony Hardware. Using feedback from a meeting where Skanska employees tried on an array of safety vests, Colony and manufacturer Radians created a prototype. Female employees at Skanska field-tested them and further adjustments followed. The vest was made available in May and can also be purchased by other firms. “We have almost all our female workforce in them,” says Milligan. Skanska spokesman Chris Villari says it’s a small gesture with a big impact. “We acknowledge and respect this new influx of women into our industry,” he says.

 

Skanska is now testing a three-season jacket design in the field, with a raincoat test to follow. “We’re looking at anything we can get our hands-on,” says Milligan.

Lifelong Westfield in partnership with the Town of Westfield and the Westfield Police Department will present a “Walking Safety Presentation & Walk in The Park” on Friday, Oct. 25, at 10 a.m. at the Gazebo at Mindowaskin Park.

 

Mayor Shelley Brindle, Police Chief Chris Battiloro and representatives of Lifelong Westfield will kick-off this new safety initiative for seniors.

 

The Westfield Police Department will provide participants with tips on walking safely and the benefits of wearing safety vests. Each attendee will receive a free, high-visibility safety vest, courtesy of The Town of Westfield and The Westfield Police Department.

 

Lifelong Westfield is an initiative of the Mayor’s Senior Advisory Council to attract and retain seniors, a vital part of our community. The Senior Advisory Council is a volunteer group that includes representatives of the Westfield Town Council, Westfield Recreation Department, Westfield Senior Citizens Housing, Westfield United Fund, a geriatrician and other interested residents.

Drivers not obeying the speed limits are appearing in mayor’s court as the Port Jefferson Police Department is cracking down on violators.

 

Mayor Steve Butterfield shared the Mayor’s Court report during Monday’s council meeting. He noted the police department is making headway in several areas especially improving safety for motorists.

 

“Income from traffic violations (speeding) for the village was $3,808 in February alone with $1,050 of that going to the state of Ohio. As many have noticed, our police force is working a lot more hours which has resulted in a greater number of fines for speeders going through our town. People know our officers are out watching, yet the average speed of those pulled over is more than 50 mph in a 35 zone. I’m also pleased to announce our officers have assisted in seeing things get cleaned up a little around town by enforcement of our ordinances,” Butterfield said.

 

Butterfield said the village will begin taking bids on renovations for the Community Center and asked the council if they planned to rent the facility. Though maintained and used occasionally for fundraisers, community events and a polling location at election time, the hall has not been available to rent for social events.

 

“I get a lot of calls asking if the hall is available for rent, I need an answer for them and will need to know how much it will cost to rent it if the council decides to do so,” Butterfield said.

 

Councilman Tim Smith asked why the village would maintain the hall and was planning to spend an additional $20,000 to $30,000 in renovations if they did not plan to rent it out.

 

Councilman Bob Bollinger agreed to say, “Why spend the money to fix it up if we aren’t going to use it?”

 

Butterfield cautioned the council to consider the responsibility that goes along with clean up after the hall is rented if the renters do not clean it up.

 

Council voted to make the village Community Center available for rent in the future. The proposed figure to rent the hall will be $350 per event. An additional $150 deposit will be required upfront and refunded if the hall is cleaned up properly.

 

Fiscal officer Judy Fair reported she took a $100,000 check from the village savings to Mutual Federal Savings and Loan hoping to get a higher interest rate on their investment but was not able to deposit the check due to confusion in filling out the application. The money was re-deposited in the original account in the original bank.

 

“We’re still looking into other options and hopefully can find a better place to invest this money,” Fair said.

 

Krystal Cox asked about fixing the potholes on Canal Street. Butterfield said they will be repaired with the reconstruction of Canal and Elm streets this summer.

 

Butterfield asked the council about replacing a traffic light that was damaged by a hit and run farm combine last fall. He suggested just turning it into insurance and paying the deductible. Butterfield said he had talked to ODOT and they said there was no grant funding available without doing a detailed traffic study.

 

After some discussion, it was determined that since the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office could not solve the crime, and research into repairing the lights found it was not an option, the village will pay the $1,000 deductible and have the light replaced “if the insurance company agrees to do so.”

 

Butterfield reported the old blue house on Main Street will be demolished and the property reverted to the land bank. Plans are moving ahead with acquiring new safety vests for the police department.

 

Council approved a resolution to place a replacement levy on the ballot for the fall election in November. The new 1 mill replacement levy will be good for three years if approved.

The Palm Springs Volunteer (VPS) celebrates its 10th Anniversary this year and is launching its new Cycle and Pedestrian Safety program as part of their P.S. Cares program. This program was created to educate and promote awareness about bicycle, pedestrian and traffic safety.

 

With this new program comes the release of their new lime-yellow reflective safety vests, which are typically sold for $ 15 each or two for $ 25. VPS is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, and all funds go directly to the safety program. They are committed to raising funds necessary to distribute free safety vests throughout the community to get as many people as possible to wear the vests, whether they are biking or walking – day or night. Their goal is also to raise funds to distribute safety vests in schools, at various local Boys and Girls Clubs and to give vests to people who are less fortunate but at risk on Palm Springs streets.

 

“This is how we begin, as a community, to decide if we stand up or stand by our safety,” said David Carden Jr., founder, and chair of the VPS. “Doing nothing is no longer an option. P.S. Cares is ready to stand up to the challenges of safety on our city streets, and we hope our community agrees.”

 

To begin promoting the use of these vests, VPS has partnered with the Palm Springs Police Department for a bike registration event on Saturday, Jan. 18. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Situated near the airport, this Sunrise Park hotel is also close to Sunrise Way and Ramon Road.

 

Every person who registers their bicycle will receive safety vests for free. More than 450 vests are expected to be given away. Bicycle registration is also free.

 

Registering your bicycle has many benefits, such as assisting in the recovery of it if it’s stolen. When you register your bicycle, the serial number will be documented and registered in your name. If it is stolen, you can report it to the shelf and they can locate it through the serial number. Locating a stolen but unregistered bicycle is difficult.

 

VPS is accepting donations to its Cycle and Pedestrian Safety program to raise funds to distribute vests in the community for free.

 

A Palm Springs Volunteer wants to spread the message that “Life is a gift of the moment and can be changed or taken forever in a split second – your safety matters!”