Confined Space Entry
Published 12.6.2023
A confined space, by legal definition, is a space that meets the following conditions:
• Has limited or restricted means of access and egress.
• It is large enough for you to bodily enter the space and perform work and,
• It is not intended for continuous human occupancy.
Confined spaces present a special type of danger – a danger that you may not recognize until you’ve
already entered a confined space and encountered the hazard. By then, it may be too late.
Therefore, taking the necessary safety precautions in confined spaces will decrease the chances of
injury or death.
There are 10 critical factors you need to be aware of before entering and while in the confined space,
1. Avoid entry: If a job can be done outside of the confined spaces or may not be necessary at the time, avoiding the confined space is the safest thing to do.
2. Monitor the atmosphere: Most deaths are the result of atmospheric problems, so monitoring the toxin and oxygen levels should be done frequently.
3. Ventilation: With forced air ventilation, you can dilute and displace toxins in the air and
create a safer environment.
4. PPE: Use the proper level of PPE if the hazards can’t be eliminated or controlled.
5. Control & eliminate hazards: Before entry all hazards should be eliminated or at least controlled. The elimination of the hazard is the most preferred method.
6. Station an attendant outside the space: There should always be a trained worker outside the
confined space to monitor entry safely, help if there is an emergency and call for backup assistance.
7. Be prepared for rescues: If a rescue is needed, having the equipment and personnel ready and available is critical. The rescue team must be adequately equipped and trained to handle any hazardous situation.
8. Establish good lighting: Having proper lighting in a confined space is another major
safety factor. If you can’t see what’s around you, it's hard to perform your work.
9. Have an emergency plan: Accidents will happen, so it’s vital to be prepared having an emergency
plan in place. Knowing the specific risks involved and then devising an emergency plan is an
essential factor in confined spaces.
10. Maintain constant communication: Having effective communication is vital to any operation
running smoothly. The outside attendant must maintain contact with the workers inside of the
confined space. At the same time, workers should provide updates to the attendant.
REMEMBER THIS!
BEFORE ENTERING ANY CONFINED SPACE, YOU MUST TEST THE ATMOSPHERE TO DETERMINE IF A HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENT EXISTS PRIOR TO YOUR ENTRANCE.
What Kind of Influence Are You?
Published 12.13.2022
Regardless of what you do for Hudson Bay, you can influence others around you. We all have an influence on each other, whether we recognize it or want to admit it, it is true. When it comes to work and workplace safety, your actions, words, and attitude can go a long way in either helping or hurting our safety culture.
The Influence We Have
Think about how much time we spend every day around each other; for some of us it exceeds the time we spend with our families. We have all experienced the power a single coworker can have over an entire group. The same can be said about the effect supervisors can have with the workers they lead. We all have either a positive or negative effect on those individuals around us in every facet of what we deal with on a day-to-day basis.
Influence over Workplace Safety
A coworker can have a positive effect on us on how we feel in general, but the same person can have a negative effect on safety in your workplace. Our attitudes, words, and actions towards workplace safety communicate a message to others and will have some kind of an effect on them regarding their outlook on safety. This influence can eventually have an effect on not only others’ attitudes, but also the actions those individuals around us choose or do not choose to take. When negative influences compound, it creates a weak safety culture. This not only impedes others from being able to work safely, but also can lead to injuries occurring on the job.
Be a Positive Influence
We do not always have the power to make the rules or influence policies put into place, however, we have the power to choose how we react to any changes. If you choose to have a positive attitude towards new changes, even if you do not agree with them, those around you will be more likely to follow suit. When negative attitudes, words, actions, etc. are allowed to make their way into the workplace regarding safety it can be a slippery slope. Once the general view of safety is negative it is very hard to get everyone to want to work safe so that everyone goes home to their families at the end of the day.
REMEMBER THIS!
YOU NEVER KNOW WHICH LIVES YOU INFLUENCE, INCLUDING WHEN OR THE WHY. KNOW THAT YOUR WORDS TODAY, WILL EITHER PLANT THE SEED OF SUCCESS OR FAILURE IN THE MIND OF ANOTHER TOMORROW.
Happy Holidays!
Published 12.20.2022
As 2022 draws closer to an end, we would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for your dedication and commitment to Hudson Bay Insulation. You all play a pivotal role in the continued success of this company and for that we are very grateful.
Over the past year you’ve demonstrated time and again our strengths as a company and made clear that when it comes to Hudson Bay Insulation, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. This is because we are an ambitious team that sets lofty goals, and we work damn hard to achieve them. It is a very humbling experience to work alongside so many great people like yourselves.
In short, THANK YOU ALL for choosing to work safely every day and THANK YOU ALL for making this an extraordinary organization.
As you sit down with your family and loved ones over the next couple of weeks celebrating the holidays and the fruits of your labor, let it be known that there is one thing all of us can always count on at Hudson Bay – when the load becomes too heavy to bear, we are beside you to help shoulder the weight.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a Joyous Kwanzaa everyone! Thank you for being a part of this awesome adventure!
REMEMBER THIS!
TOGETHER WE ARE BETTER! TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER! TOGETHER, WE ARE HUDSON BAY INSULATION!
New Year's Eve Safety
Published 12.27.2022
Whether you're staying in and celebrating with friends and family, or you're traveling to a party or a big city bash, following a few safety tips will ensure that you're safe and sound when the clock strikes midnight, ringing in 2023!
Please do not drink & drive.
Before you celebrate, plan ahead and assign a designated driver. If plans change, either request an Uber, Lyft, Taxi, or staying where you are at. Beware of those who may be driving under the influence; putting not only themselves at risk but for everyone around them.
Be alert and aware.
Keep mental notes of your surroundings and the behavior of individuals within your environment. Taking preventative measures is key! If someone is really intoxicated, prevent them from trying to drive or leaving with someone they do not know. It is extremely important to keep an eye out for each other.
Stick together.
Going out to parties, nightclubs, and highly populated spaces means a fast-paced, fun, and hectic night! Travelling together as a large group or in pairs in this environment is imperative in our own personal safety and those we care for.
Be responsible with your Alcohol Intake.
Most people will be drinking during this time in celebration of the new year, and there is nothing wrong with doing so if it isn't putting yourself or others around you at risk. Pay attention to how much alcohol you and your group are consuming; too much alcohol can have lethal effects to one's personal health or lead to harming innocent individuals. Be responsible.
If you see something - say something.
We all intend to have a great time and return home safely when celebrating, but others may target vulnerable individuals during these celebrations. Reporting unusual behavior to your group, law enforcement, or security personnel in public settings is extremely critical in ensuring the safety of vulnerable persons. Leave an area if you feel uncomfortable, your instincts kick in when situations feel unsafe.
Ring in the New Year safely, and I will see you all in 2023!
