Session topics will include:

• Change management,
• Ergonomic analysis,
• Fall protection,
• The active shooter phenomenon,
• Safety performance measures,
• Safe driving,
• The mobile workforce,
• HAZMAT,
• Scaffolding safety,
• Working with millennials,
• Virtual and augmented reality,
• Influencing risk, and more.  
  

All of this great programming will take place on Thursday and Friday, November 1 and 2. Sign up now to join occupational safety and health professionals from around Iowa and the surrounding region for breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and inspiring conversations about protecting workers and promoting worker health.

There’s still time to reserve your spot at the reduced early-bird rate of $260 for two days or $140 for one day. 

Exhibitor registration is also now open at the early-bird rate of $425. You can learn more about the benefits of exhibiting at the conference and register here.

Location

As in previous years, the conference will take place at the Meadows Events & Conference Center in Altoona, IA. You can reserve your hotel room now at the discounted rate of $107 plus tax by calling the reservation desk at 515-957-3000 and asking for the “47th Annual Iowa Governor's Safety & Health Conference” room block, or by registering online. Use the group code 10312018GOV to get the discounted rate.

According to Liberty Mutual Insurance’s Workplace Safety Index, injuries related to pushing, pulling, holding, carrying, or throwing material cost employers $13.7 billion. Consider these additional back-related injury statistics from Liberty Mutual:

• 1 million workers suffer back injuries each year
• 1 out of 5 workplace injuries are back related
• 4 out of 5 back injuries are to the lower back
• 3 of those 4 injuries occur when lifting
  

Several factors increase the risk of a severe injury from lifting or handling materials. These factors are related to the differences in the load, the organization of the work, the work environment , and the worker. The load may be too heavy or too large. We may work on unstable or uneven surfaces.

The human factor also plays a role in ergonomic injuries. These factors include the lack of experience, training, familiarity with the job, and age. The risk of low-back disorders increases with age and with the number of years at work, our physical dimensions, and
capacity (such as height, weight, strength, and prior history of musculoskeletal disorders – back disorders in particular).

Conducting a risk assessment will identify hazards and individuals at risk and provide guidance on correcting those hazards. Consider the work being done, identify what may cause or increase the risk of ergonomic injuries, and whether a mechanical aid may be used to handle, carry, or stack materials.

A diamond blade’s long life and toughness make them the ideal material to cut concrete. They “cut” by grinding away at the surface of the concrete, using diamonds as an  abrasive. The metal core, which is a steel disc that attaches to the saw, holds diamond crystals in place at the outer edge. These diamond crystals, which are synthetically grown to specific sizes, shapes, and toughness, are what actually grind through the concrete. The exposed synthetic diamond crystals on the blade surface do the cutting. As the diamonds become dull, they fall away, and new ones are exposed. The blade’s edge can be continuous, serrated, or segmented.

Proper mounting the blade may seem simple but is critical to safe operation. Before  installing a new blade, double check the arbor shaft for wear, radial, and axial play. If you move the shaft back and forth and there is movement, it means the arbor shaft needs new bearings, adjustment, or even to be replaced.

Let the saw do the work. All you need to do is guide it in the direction of the cut. Forcing the blade could cause it to overheat. Segmented blades have slots cut into the core that allow water and air to flow, providing faster cooling.

1. Blades are designed to go in a straight line; crooked or off-line cuts can cause blades to pinch or bite into the material and jam. Although a blade may be jammed, the running motor builds up power and can cause a worker to lose control of the saw and become exposed to the cutting blade.
2. Make sure the flanges are smooth and flat without wear, and that they are of equal and correct diameter. Ensure that the blade is mounted on a correct diameter blade shaft between proper blade flanges and is securely tightened with an adjustable wrench.
3. Pay attention to the RPM and directional arrows labeled on the blade to ensure the blade is installed properly and spins in the intended direction.
4. Make sure there is a regular flow of water on each side of the blade, and make sure there is enough coolant on hand. Check that each of the two coolant tubes located on either side of the blade are not damaged or pinched shut. If blades are used without enough water, the actual diamond segments may break off.  Regularly inspect the diamond blade for undercutting, fatigue cracks, core flatness, segment damage, and arbor hole wear while you use it.

Keeping the blade shaft bearings lubricated is one of the most important daily maintenance procedures. These bearings should be greased at the end of every work day. Many manufacturers recommend giving each bearing two pumps of grease while the machine is still warm from operation, if possible, and while the shaft is turning over at idle speed.

All blades come with a lettered Blade Application Code developed by the Concrete Sawing and Drilling Association and are in the following format: Blade code (X – X – X)

• 1st X Wet only (W) or Wet or dry (D)
• 2nd X Cured concrete (C), Green concrete (G) or Block/brick (B)
• 3rd X Handheld (H), Wall saw (W) or Stationary saw (S)