Submitted by Steve Winicker
LAST WEEKENDS SHOP ACTIVITY
The oil reports came back with all axle bearings being in acceptable levels. That being the case we began topping off and resealing the bearing boxes. Some key people (Brody) were missing this weekend, but we were able to move ahead and transfer more coal out of the hopper and into the gon. Unfortunately, we were not able to get the job finished so you can still take part, though the pile is getting much smaller. Half a day of energetic shoveling should take care of the remaining coal. Thanks to Bill M. and Andy E. for assisting with the coal transfer. Bill also pushed much of the ash to the center of the hopper and dumped the grates on much of the firebox. We need to dump the ash pan before getting the rest of the firebox cleaned out. Andy and I also got the throttle cover loosened so that we can reach the throttle valves and find why there is some sticking. Finally, John J. took apart the stoker throttle valve apart and found the valve threads to be badly worn. It appears we may have to replace this valve.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
More of the same is on tap. We need to get the hopper car empty and that goal is in site though the coal is a bit hard to reach. Anyone who feels athletic with a hand that fits a shovel is invited to explore the interior of the hopper. Also on tap, if job one gets done, is emptying out the firebox and ash pan. Both need access to the outside so one needs to follow the other. Getting the driver bearing boxes topped off and sealed is also a job that needs to get done soon.
Stop out and help reduce the length of the to do list!
SAFETY SENSE
PPE…Eye Protection
Every day an estimated 1,000 eye injuries occur in American workplaces. No matter where we work, flying particles, dusts, splashes or flying objects are apt to expose us to potential eye injury. Fortunately, we can protect against these hazards by using the appropriate protective eyewear for our jobs.
A survey by the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of about 1,000 minor eye injuries reveals how and why many on-the-job accidents occur:
- Not wearing eye protection. BLS reports that nearly three out of every five workers injured were not wearing eye protection at the time of the accident.
- Wearing the wrong kind of eye protection for the job. About 40 of the injured workers were wearing some form of eye protection when the accident occurred. These workers were most likely to be wearing eyeglasses with no side shields, though injuries among employees wearing full-cup or flat-fold side shields occurred, as well.
What Causes Eye Injuries?
- Flying particles. BLS found that almost 70% of the accidents studied resulted from flying or falling objects or sparks striking the eye. Injured workers estimated that nearly three-fifths of the objects were smaller than a pin head. Most of the particles were said to be traveling faster than a hand-thrown object when the accident occurred.
- Contact with chemicals caused one-fifth of the injuries.
Other accidents were caused by objects swinging from a fixed or attached position, like tree limbs, ropes, chains, or tools which were pulled into the eye while the worker was using them.
Society PPE rules and regulations are in place for a reason and that is your safety and the prevention of injuries. The recent video of re-railing the 765 pointed out that not everyone is taking the PPE rules seriously. There were many opportunities for injuries to occur and the fact that there weren’t any injuries was sheer luck. However, a safety program based upon luck is doomed to failure and that means someone is going to be injured or worse. Don’t let that injured person be YOU, follow the safety rules.
SAFETY IS JOB 1
SAFETY FIRST ALWAYS
