Physical and Biological Hazards of the Workplace, 3rd Edition

Chapter 5MECHANICAL ENERGY

James Kubalik^*

OCCUPATIONAL SETTING

Mechanical energy impacting on the human body is the most frequent cause of direct physical injuries (Table 5.1). Our workplaces and individual workspaces are dynamic and have both direct and indirect exposure potential. The management of these interactions will determine whether the outcome is efficient production and productivity or a failure resulting in an employee injury and costs to a company.

TABLE 5.1 Types of direct injuries and their causes.

Injury type	Causes/locations	Safeguard
Traffic accidents	Roadways	Bridges over crossings
	Rail spurs	Signals
		Seat belts
Falls from heights	Platforms	Railings
	Walkways	Enclosures
	Aerial baskets	Fall protection systems
	Open structures
	Ladders
Slips, trips, and falls	Slippery surfaces	Abrasive surfaces
	Cluttered work site	Good housekeeping
Major crush injuries	Forklifts	Restraints
	Cranes	Rollover protection
		Overhead guards
		Audible travel alarms
		Inspection
		Crane director
		Audible travel alarms
Explosions	Flammables/combustibles	Fire protection program and systems
	High-pressure steam/air/product systems	Grounding
		No smoking
		Hydrotesting
Burns	Steam	Insulate process
	Hot surfaces	Insulating clothing
	Cryogens	Energy isolation (during maintenance)
	Open flame
	Electrical	Electrical safety program (see also explosions above)
Electrocutions	Any electrical processes ...