Submitted by Steve Winicker.
LAST WEEKENDS SHOP ACTIVITY
Sarah and I spent Saturday disconnecting the hoses and cables between the engine and the tender. We worked on tightening the compression spring on the buffer but were unable to get enough compression to release the pin. Brody, Sarah and Jerrad worked on getting the tarp on top of the coal bunker the tarp was pulling away largely to a large load of water on the top. Further unfortunately Brody decided to dump the water we had prevented from going into the coal bunker into the coal bunker. This immediately started a flood that prevented further work on the tender disconnection. After a struggle the tarp was reapplied in a better position and should prevent most of future rain from wetting the coal more.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
I plan to start Wednesday working on removing the safety chains on the tender trucks and disconnecting the brake rigging from the trucks as well so we can roll out the trucks and replace a wheel with a flat spot on the front truck. At the same time, we will give the trucks an inspection to make sure there are no wear issues that need to be addressed.
Other work continues on the 25 and the 358 at the Casad shop. Jerrad is there most weekdays to work on painting the 358. Tom and crew work on the 25 mostly on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact the project managers mentioned for current scheduling of work days.
SAFETY SENSE
EMERGENCY EYEWASH….THE FIRST 10 SECONDS ARE CRITICAL
Toxic Substances, when coming in contact with the eye, immediately begin to damage sensitive eye tissue. The longer they remain in contact, the greater the damage to the eye. Besides tissue damage, acids and alkali, such as Alk-Plus, can change the pH in the eye itself. When the pH of the eye begins to get out of the narrow tolerable range, severe eye damage, including blindness, may result. Therefore, it is imperative to begin flushing as quickly as possible after the eye comes in contact with a harmful substance.
When irritating or corrosive foreign substances get into the eye, the eyelids involuntarily clamp shut. Therefore, the person requiring the use of an eyewash device frequently needs assistance to find his/her way to the eyewash station and to hold the eye lid open. If a portable eyewash system is available, it can be quickly brought to the effected person. Helpers can activate the eyewash device and position the water stream so that the injured person can flush the eye from the inside corner to the outside corner. This procedure prevents contaminating the unaffected eye.
As mentioned before, since eyelids involuntary clamp shut when irritated, the victim may be able to use his hands, if they aren’t contaminated or dirty, to hold open the eyelids to allow emergency eye flushing otherwise a helper may be needed to keep the eyelid open during flushing.
PREVENTION IS THE KEY TO EYE SAFETY…PPE
It must be remembered that the first line of defense against toxic chemicals and any other eye irritant is proper eye and face protection coupled with proper handling techniques. Ensure you are wearing the proper PPEs including goggles and a face shield when handling liquid chemicals that can splash up on you. The Society requires that safety glasses be worn at all times when working in the Shop and on the surrounding grounds.
