Safety Helmet

Material of Construction

a) Shell: High density polyethylene (HDPE), Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), Polycarbonate (PC)

b) Harness: Nylon, Vinyl

c) Cushioning elements: Sponge foam

Weight: 360-400 grams (approx.)

Size range of Head band: 520- 600 mm

Storage: Safety Helmets should be stored in a safe place with no direct sunlight or excess humidity and heat. Sunlight and high temperature can cause degradation and loss of strength. Storage area should be preferably at the entrance where every worker can put the helmet during the entry.

Cleaning: Cleaning of helmets should be done regularly generally with soapy water and soft cloth. Use of cleaning agents should be avoided as it can deteriorate the plastic of the cell. Sweatband shall be cleaned on regular basis and should be replaced if necessary.

Inspection: Helmets should be inspected daily for defect before use. Shell, harness and other components should be inspected for crack, penetration and brittleness which may reduce the strength. Cleaning should be done at least once a month.

Life and Replacement: Lifetime of a safety helmet might vary as per manufacturers. Service life also depends on usage conditions, quality control, care and maintenance. Under normal conditions, service life should be 2 to 3 years and varies with different manufacturer. In case of any sign of damage or deterioration, helmet should be immediately moved from service.

Colour and Marking: The lighter colour safety helmet provide better heat reflection and readily visible. So they are preferred for working in poor lighting condition. As per IS 2925, Each helmet shall be marked with

a) Manufacturer's name or trade-mark,

b) Range/Size of helmet.

c) ISI certification mark.

Relevant Standards: IS 2925

Make: Honeywell, Karam, Udyogi, Venus, 3M, Life Gear, Unicare

Safety Harness

Material of Construction

All belt and harness Nylon/Polyester

Rivets and washers- Copper

Metal Components - Chromium plated with minimum of 8 microns

Weight:

Range of Harness: Class A, D, E, L or P

Storage: Should be stored away from sunlight in a cool and dry place.

Cleaning: Clean the dust, sweat or oil on the harness using a dry cloth.

Inspection: All safety belts should be thoroughly inspected every 12 months or when not in use every 6 months by a competent person. Rope lanyards have to be inspected for any cuts or breaks. cuts of 1 mm or more at the edges of webbing lanyards can lead to weakening or degradation. Before every use, the user must make a visual inspection to ensure the harness is in serviceable condition.

User should check for absence of any marking and evidence of defect or damage to any part including connectors hooks or D ring.

Life and Replacement: Lifetime of a safety harness might vary as per manufacturers. when stored in ideal conditions the shelf life of KARAM Make harness (refer instructional manual) is 5 years an also when they used in correct manner and stored in clear environment they can last upto 10 years as claimed by the manufacturer. In case of any sign of damage or deterioration, harness should be immediately moved from service.

Marking: It should contain the following markings: Type of harness/ belt, name, trade-mark and year of manufacture, Material of construction(MOC), Manufacturer's product identification information that shall include the manufacturer's batch or serial number that enables the origin of the item to be traced; Warning for not to deviate from the manufacturer's instructions.

Relevant Standards: IS 3521: 1999

Make: Karam, Life Gear, Honeywell, Udyogi, UFS

Lifeline/ Safety Line

Material: Only Nylon, polyester or synthetic fibre should be used.

Weight:

Types of Lifeline: Horizontal and Vertical Lifeline

Storage: When not in use it should be place in a cool, dry and clean place out of direct sunlight. They should be away from sharp objects and corrosive chemicals.

Cleaning: Remove all lifeline surface dirt using a sponge dampened in water. After squeezing the sponge dry, dip it in a mild solution of water and detergent or soap and clean the lifeline. Then dry the rope away from excessive heat.

Housing of lifeline should be cleaned with damp cloth and mild detergent.

Inspection: Visual inspection of the equipment should be done before use to ensure that the equipment is in a serviceable condition and operates correctly;

1. Examine and make sure that right type of rope (material)  is used for lifeline.

2. Inspect the rope for any wear, cuts or shape variation, decreased elasticity and should be used if there is no damage.

3. Ensure vertical lifeline is used by one person at a time.

4. Ensure that lifeline is protected from sharp or abrasive objects.

Life and Replacement: Lifetime of a life line might vary as per manufacturers. Service life also depends on usage conditions, quality control, care and maintenance. In case of any sign of damage, cut or deterioration, lifeline should be immediately moved from service.

Some manufacturers provide colored tracer strands. When these strands are exposed to ultra-violet degradation they fade indicating possible damage and weakening of the rope lanyard. Thus the user knows that lanyard is now not fit for further use.

The lifeline should be replaced in the following cases

         Tears or cut

         Unequal strand size or shape variations.

         Discolouration.

         Broken or loose strands inside the rope (untwist the rope and check inside).

         Accumulated powder or dirt inside the rope (untwist the rope and check inside).

         Loose thimbles (ensure that thimble splices are in good condition).

Marking:

Relevant Standards: IS 3521: 1999

Make: Karam, Life Gear, Miller, Honeywell

Connectors

Material:  All the metal parts of body harness and lifeline shall be chromium plated or powder coated. 

Weight:

Range of Connectors: D rings, hooks, clamps, snaphooks and other fastening and holding devices. 

Storage:

Cleaning: It should be properly cleaned with wet cloth and dried before use.

Inspection: Life and Replacement: Inspect properly for any distortion, cracks, pitted surface or corrosion. If damage of latch is observed, hook should not be used.

Marking:

Relevant Standards: IS 3521: 1999

Make:

Safety Nets

Material: Made from manmade fibre ropes and plaited cord except polyethylene ropes and cord. Strong sunlight can lead to weakening of fibre and so in order to prevent this an ultra violet stabilizer should be incorporated.   

Weight:

Range of Lifeline:

Storage:

Should be stored in a cool and dry place and should be covered if kept in open.

Unnecessary exposure to sunlight should be avoided.

Should be stored away from heat sources and materials that can cause damage like solvents, acids etc.

Cleaning:

Any debris, dirt or objects on the net should be removed. The deposition of various elements on safety nets can lead to injury to falling worker, Overloading and deflection of the net, increase the sagging and distance of fall.

Inspection:

      Nets in use should be inspected both sides weekly by a competent person. If subjected to any impact it should be carefully examined and used after thorough inspection.

      Usually test on nets should be done every 3 month.

      Net inspection should check the following incorrect installation, cuts or abrasion in mesh, stitching damage, defects in knots, dirt, debris or any fallen items on nets, heat or friction damage, UV degradation etc.

      After full load impact incident on the net, it should be taken out from service and used only after inspection by a competent person.

Life and Replacement:

The life of nets are 2 years usually as per Indian Standards.

If any major cuts or defects are observed, safety nets should be immediately taken out of service.

Marking: Safety nets should have permanent label of textile or plastic materials at two different places and should contain the following details:

Maximum distance below working level in X meters where X is the duty height; Manufacturer name and date of manufacturing, nominal size, deflection at centre of net, Maximum distance below working level in meters showing duty height, ISI Certification mark.

Relevant Standards: IS 11057

Make:

Safety Shoes

Antistatic footwear[W1] 

Material:

Class I- Leather and other materials, excluding all-rubber or all-polymeric footwear

Class II- All-rubber (i.e. entirely vulcanized) or all-polymeric (i.e. entirely moulded) footwear

Weight:

Range of Safety Shoes(IS 15298-2): Class I and Class II. Class II which is antistatic is commonly used in Solar

Storage: Safety shoes should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. They should be preferably stored in a proper box.

Cleaning: Clean safety shoes regularly and should not be cleaned with solvents or forced dried eg heater.

The sole of the shoes has to be brushed and washed in order to remove contaminants.

Remove excess water with dry cloth and allow them to dry in a ventilated area away from direct sunlight before reuse. Antistatic shoes should be free from soil or dirt as this affect the property.  

Inspection: Walk in new safety shoes to ensure it is comfortable.

Try on your new boots with the socks you usually wear at work to ensure they have extra allowance for socks.

Safety shoes should be inspected regularly for damage (e.g. sole crack, exposed toe caps, breaks in leather).

Life and Replacement:

Defective safety shoes should be repaired or worn should be replaced or repaired.

If steel toe of safety shoes can be seen or there is any penetration of sole the shoes has to be replaced immediately. 

Marking: Each safety shoes should have marking by embossing or branding and should provide the following details:

Size, manufacturers identification mark, Year and quarter or month of manufacturer,

Number and year of European Standard EN ISO 20345:2003;

Symbols marking categories of safety footwear

Relevant Standards: IS 15298-2

Make: Bata/Liberty/ Pro-safe/Aktion/ Novelty/Armour/ Acme/Yezdi/ Tango/Karam/ EURO brand.

Safety Goggles and Spectacles

Material:    

Weight:

Range of Spectacle:

Storage: Safety Goggles and spectacles should be stored in glass covered, dust-tight cabinet in order to prevent scratch permitting easy inspection and maintenance if possible. If dust-tight cabinets are not used, it is desirable to provide small boxes or compartments in which each employee stores his goggles or spectacles between shifts. Group storage of either type permits periodic inspection, cleaning and sterilization while the employee is off shift.

Cleaning:

1. Keep goggles and spectacles clean and daily wipe lenses carefully with a clean, soft cloth.

2. Clean the oil, grease, acids or solvents from eye cups, rubber or metal parts by thorough rubbing with warm soap water solution, followed by rinsing in lukewarm water and thorough drying.

3. Lenses should be wiped with a clean and soft cloth.

4. Oil, grease, acids, or solvents should be removed from eyecups, leather, rubber or metal parts of goggles. Oil and grease deteriorate rubber parts and reduce life of headbands. Headbands should be occasionally washed with warm soap solution followed by thorough rinsing.

Inspection:

1. Inspect the safety goggles and spectacles frequently while in service. If any pitted lenses or damaged parts is observed they should not be used.

2. Train personnel to make minor repairs within the plant, but discourage employees from doing makeshift repairs which might only shorten the life of the goggles.

Life and Replacement:

If frequent replacement of the lenses is necessary, select goggles with frames or eye cups that will permit easy replacement on the job.

Goggles and safety glasses can technically last up to three years, but there s a gray area between when something is useable and when safety has been compromised. In high-dust conditions where there s lots of metal grinding, dirt, or sawdust, for example, safety eyewear can be gradually scratched over time, creating a sort of haze that impairs visibility. They may not be entirely compromised from their purpose, protecting your eyes from debris, but reduced visibility can still be a safety concern. It s important to check for damage.

Safety Goggles should be replaced when pitted or cracked lenses or any damaged parts are observed.

Marking:

Relevant Standards: IS 8940 : 1978

Make: Honeywell, Uvex, Venus, Millenia-Clear Hard Coated with anti-fog

Rubber Gloves

Material: Type 1 - Good quality natural rubber, Type 2,3,4- Good quality natural or synthetic rubber or from a mixture thereof

Weight:

Range of Rubber Gloves: Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, Type 4

Storage: : Should be stored in a dark, dry and cool place where the temperature is preferably about 27 2 C.

Gloves which have been issued for service but are not actually in use should be kept in their containers which should not be used for any other purpose, or in such a place that they will not be easily subjected to mechanical or chemical damage.

Cleaning:

Gloves shall be cleaned with water and soap.

For removing materials like paint, insulating compounds etc. solvents like acetone should be used for wiping and then immediately washed and treated.

Wet gloves should be dried thoroughly. If heated air is used, temperature shall not exceed 65 â—¦C.

Inspection:

Before issuing for use, visual inspection should be done inside and out for every gloves.

Gloves issued for frequent use shall be retested for intervals of not more than 6 months and issued for occasional use and kept in store shall be retested at intervals of not more than 12 months. 

Life and Replacement:

The gloves should be replaced when it is torn or cannot be used.

Marking: The glove shall have following markings : Size and type of glove, Month, year, and source of manufacturing, maximum working potential in volts. The glove shall be color coded to indicate the rated potential of the glove

Relevant Standards: IS 4770

Make: : Honeywell, Hammer, Jayco, Karam, Udyogi, 3M

Cut Protection Hand Leather

Material: LEATHER

Weight:

Range of Lifeline:

Storage: store the gloves in a cool, dry, well ventilated place

Cleaning:

Inspection:

Life and Replacement: The gloves should be replaced when it is torn or cannot be used.

Marking:

Relevant Standards: IS 6994

Make: Honeywell, Hammer, Jayco, Karam, Udyogi, 3M

Wire Mesh Gloves

Material: special man-made fibres, stainless steel ETC

Weight:

Range of Lifeline:

Storage: After cleaning, store the gloves in a cool, dry, well ventilated place.

Cleaning: chainmesh gloves should be scrubbed vigorously in hot (50 C) soapy water, or in a mixture of hot water and detergent. They can also be cleaned in a washing machine. After washing, gloves should be rinsed in water at a minimum temperature of 82 C. To disinfect, use only products approved by food safety authorities. Do not clean chainmesh gloves or aprons by knocking against a hard surface.

Inspection:

Life and Replacement: The gloves should be replaced when it is torn or cannot be used. Only manufacturer approved specialist should repair chainmesh gloves.

Marking:

Relevant Standards:

Make: Honeywell, Hammer, Jayco, Karam, Udyogi, 3M

Hand Gloves- Cut resistant with PVC Dotting

Material: Cotton with PVC Dotting

Weight: 60 gm approx

Range of Lifeline:

Storage: After cleaning, store the gloves in a cool, dry, well ventilated place.

Cleaning:

Inspection:

Life and Replacement:

Marking: The gloves shall be legibly stamped on the inside of the cuffs with the following information:

1.Type and nominal size of the gloves,

2.where applicable, the words light mass , medium mass or heavy mass ,

3.manufacturer s name or recognized trademark, and

4.year of manufacture.

Relevant Standards:

Make: Honeywell, Hammer, Jayco, Karam, Udyogi, 3M[W2]