lifestyle: Dec 6, 2011

12/06/2011

Safety During Conveyor Belt Splicing

For industries that require workers to operate conveyor belts, bodily amputations are accidental injuries that workers and employers need to diligently work to prevent. A wrong maneuver or attempting to operate a faulty conveyor belt can result in the loss of a finger, a severed arm or other devastating injury. As such, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) publishes conveyor belt operation safety guidelines so that employers know how to properly safeguard the machines and take the precautions necessary so that workers remain injury-free.

Maintenance should only be performed on a conveyor belt with the machine powered off. Attempting to clean or fix a conveyor belt while it is in motion could result in a worker's hands or fingers getting stuck between the nips, which could end up severing the fingers if the worker is unable to release his fingers timely. Along the lines of maintenance, it is equally important for workers to always make sure the conveyor belt is functioning properly before operation. This can be ensured through visual and test inspections. Running the conveyor belt when it requires maintenance is dangerous because the machine can malfunction and, in doing so, cause fluke injuries to workers.

Safeguarding is the process of securing a heavy machine so that it is safe to operate. A variety of safeguarding methods exist for conveyor belts, such as covering the points of operation or guarded gears, nip points, shears, chains, pulleys and creating gates or fences around the belts themselves. The guards protect workers by creating a barrier between the worker and the mechanism that could injure her. Operators should make sure that all safeguards are properly in place before operating a conveyor belt.

People who operate conveyor belts must respect the machine and not behave inappropriately or immaturely around it. For instance, workers should never attempt to ride a conveyor belt for transportation. When workers are splicing with conveyor belts they are to be paying full attention to the conveyor belt's warning signals, lights and motion for optimal safety. It is also important for workers to keep the conveyor belts free from obstructions, such as blocks or other materials that could get in the way of the belt's range of motion and cause a default.

Workers who operate conveyor belts must wear the appropriate attire to prevent injuries from occurring, which are fitted clothing and close-toed shoes. Loose and long clothing, for instance, is considered dangerous for the work environment because a long, loose sleeve could become caught in the nips of the conveyor belt and drag the person's arms, hands or fingers into the machine. Long jewelry is also not advised for wearing while operating conveyor belts.

8 Ways to Refresh Revive and Restore

8 Ways to Refresh Revive and Restore

8Ways to Refresh Revive and Restore

Stress or feeling overwhelmed can make us gravitate to "quick fix" stress relievers that ultimately leave us feeling worse -- like overeating, binge drinking, spending too much shopping, or making a bad call in a relationship. To rescue yourself from stress in a healthy way, have an arsenal of ready-to-go de-stressors on hand so you can get immediate relief and keep feeling good.

You know what songs speak to your soul. Compile your playlist ahead of time and have it ready to stream on your phone -- or in your car -- so that you can get to a happy place fast. It doesn’t take much time to take the edge off stress: according to the American Psychological Association, even just 10 minutes a day all to yourself can help your body’s stress response slow down.

Learn a simple yoga stretch, and pause to put it into practice when the stress levels are high. The American Academy of Family Physicians cites exercise as a good stress reliever: it’s a healthy way to release stored-up tension and energy. Yoga has many positions for people of all fitness levels, so practice one that works for you.

Buy yourself a fun fiction book even if you don't have time to read it right away. It's good to have your next relaxing read lined up so that all you have to do is crack it open when you need a stress-free escape.

Pick a park in your town you don't usually go to and take a stroll. It’s a simple way to get a change of scenery and take a break from the daily grind. Going to a place where people are relaxing and having fun can help you relax, too.

Call an old friend to get caught up. Don’t worry if you haven’t spoken in a while: it just means you’ll have more to talk about. Sharing what’s going on in your life and hearing what’s going on in someone else’s can help you put your stress in perspective and help you see the big picture.

Stress is your body’s natural response to threatening situations, but can leave you with a lot of pent-up energy in the form of tension. Purchase an ergonomic pillow or a back massager to target your trouble areas, such as your neck and shoulders.

Always have a new nail polish on hand. A bottle of nail polish is not a big splurge, so buy yourself the fun color you’ve been wanting to try. If you store it someplace visible like your dresser or vanity, it will serve as a bright reminder to take a moment for yourself and give you something fun to look forward to in the future.

Keep your bathtub clean and stocked with aromatherapy bubbles or salts, so that it’s easy to slip in for a soak if the stress is rising. If your bathroom has bright overhead lights, switch them off and use candles or a nightlight for a more relaxing atmosphere. Choose soothing scents like lavender, eucalyptus, rose or vanilla to fill the air with calm luxury.

Anxiety Treatment Exercises

Meditation is a practice that is highly praised by business executives, religious leaders, spiritual healers and everyday people. The difference between guided and unguided meditation is that guided meditation give you a kind of script to follow while you meditate. You are given visual clues, encouragement and techniques to control your breathing and ease your stress. Guided meditations can help you cope with anxiety as the technique has been shown to reduce the heart rate, create a sense of calm and well-being, and promote a positive self-image. The resources section at the end of this article provides links to websites that offer guided meditations for you to use at your leisure. When doing a guided meditation, remember you only need about five to ten minutes. If you're suffering from anxiety, it is helpful to try a meditation before entering into a situation that you find stressful, such as being around large groups of people or being in a small area.

According to the article "5 Simple Exercises for Managing Anxiety" by Therese J. Borchard, breathing from your diaphragm creates a sense of well-being and calm. For this reason, when you begin feeling anxious, focus on slowing down your breathing and pushing that air deeper into your lungs. This will ease your rising tension and help you bring yourself back to the present. HolisticOnline.com's article "Breathing Exercises" suggests you stand with your feet shoulder width apart and inhale slowly while raising your hands above your head. Exhale, and turn your hands up toward the sky. Inhale once more and slowly rotate your hands back toward the ground, and slowly lower your arms while feeling the air rush out from your nostrils. You can repeat this exercise in sets for more effectiveness, as the technique forces you to focus on your breathing and your body, keeping your attention away from your worries.

The MayoClinic.com article "Relaxation Techniques" presents a number of relaxation techniques you can use when you feel your anxiety levels rising. You should also consult your physician or a mental health professional to give you addition tips and techniques, especially if you begin feeling uncomfortable or distressed while performing these techniques.
You can use visualization to reduce anxiety by imagining yourself in a serene environment. Visualization is a somewhat misleading term, because although you imagine what the place looks like, you also involve all of your senses and imagine what the place feels and smells like. For example, if your place of serenity is an open field looking out over a green valley, you'd not only see the valley but also smell the slightly sweet scent of clover in the air, and you'd feel the wind running softly against your skin. Initially, you may have difficulties making the "image" stick, but relaxation exercises take practice; the more you do them, the stronger they'll be.
You can also try progressive muscle relaxation, in which you tense up groups of muscles (such as your upper arm muscles) and slowly relax them. You can do this throughout your whole body starting with your feet and ending with your face. (You may be surprised how much tension you carry in your face.) Progressive muscle relaxation can also help you fall asleep if anxiety makes it difficult for you to fall asleep.

Nicotine Addiction Natural Treatments

According to the Mayo Clinic, massage can help relieve anxiety and stress caused by giving up nicotine. During the massage, a physical therapist or massage therapist will manipulate the soft tissues in the body, which relaxes muscle tension. Massage can also release natural painkillers in your body and ramp up the immune system, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Although hypnosis isn't completely understood, it may help you quit smoking, according to the Mayo Clinic. This therapy manipulates your state of mind, allowing you to feel more focused, calm and open to suggestions. The goal of these treatments is to give you more control over your behavior.
A hypnosis session lasts up to 60 minutes and it may take several sessions to get rid of nicotine addiction. Normal activities can resume after the session has ended, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Lobelia supplements have been researched since the 1930s for nicotine addiction. A review of the supplement in 1972 found there wasn't any evidence that taking Lobelia could help nicotine addiction. Also, the Mayo Clinic reports that Lobelia can be toxic and cause side effects such as vomiting, seizures and low blood pressure. Because of the toxic side effects, the Mayo Clinic doesn't recommend Lobelia for nicotine addiction.

According to the Mayo Clinic, writing goals for giving up nicotine can help you kick the habit. Also, share your goals with family and friends and ask them to continue to encourage and support your goals. When giving up nicotine addiction, start by delaying your first cigarette of the day and try to cut back slowly. When you get the urge to use nicotine, distract yourself with physical activity and continue to cut back a little more each day. The Mayo Clinic suggests asking your doctor to recommend a tobacco treatment specialist in your area