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One of the most interesting things about my deployment to Kuwait, is that we have been able to take trips into Kuwait City. It is a chance to expand my world view outside the Midwestern United States upbringing. I have visited several malls (the malls here are by far more extravagant than any American mall), the market place where the store keepers say that they have "real fake Rolex's," and I've been to several museums. The most recent trip I was on was to the Grand Mosque. Completed in 1986 the Mosque is one of the crowning jewels of Kuwait City. The Grand Mosque spans 480,000 square feet, has a dome that is 85 feet in diameter and 141 feet high, and can hold up to 10,000 people in the main hall. The dome was originally too heavy; therefore, they had a build a larger support structure (blue part of the roof) to ensure the dome would not collapse.
The most fun training that we went through this last month was drivers training on our “new to us” Maxx Pro. The Maxx Pro is a variant of the MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) family of vehicles. The first thing you notice between the Maxx Pro and the standard Humvee is the size. The Maxx Pro is almost 10 feet tall and comes in at a staggering 46,000 pounds. The heaviest Humvee weights roughly 7,700 pounds and is only 6 feet tall. The Maxx Pro is a gigantic step forward in armored personnel carrier and will eventually phase out all the Humvees. Driving the Maxx Pro is surprisingly easy and much smoother than the Humvee, or any other military vehicle I’ve ever driven. It also features a backup camera. But, the best feature in my opinion is the night vision driving capability. There is a camera that is mounted on top of the Maxx Pro, and there is a monitor screen that can be flipped down above the driver that is connected to the camera. It feels like a video game as you are using the monitor. It is surprisingly easy in my opinion to drive at night with the headlights out, while driving as what is called "black out" conditions.
Well when we aren’t spending time training or going into town, Arifjan also host a number of races, mainly 5k’s. However, the last two races that I ran was a 10 Mile race and my first Marathon. The 10 miler was somewhat easy enough, I’ve been training to run longer distance and was able to run 10 miles at somewhat ease. I can’t say the same thing about the Marathon. The longest distance that I’ve ever ran was 13 miles. I was running pretty well till I hit the wall at mile 16. It was at that point that I needed to split time between walking and running. Thankfully along the route there was water and bananas to help replenish the runners. A fun thing about running in the desert, is that when you sweat the wind blows the sand and it sticks to your face. So, you have this general gritty feeling when running, plus you can feel the sand getting into your shoes. At mile 21, while walking, I ran into a Polish Airmen named Damian. It was pretty interesting to get a chance to talk to one of our allies. We both had a laugh at our shared experience. At mile 24 I was finally able to get the will to run the last two miles without walking, as I passed Damian I told him “It’s time to finish this damn thing.” 50,000 steps later I crossed the finish line at 4 hours and 57 minutes. Without a doubt that was hardest thing I’ve ever done physically. My legs hurt for about a week after that. Hats off to anyone that has done multiple marathons.  And just out of nowhere, the heat has finally started to boil. It’s as if someone turned the heat up in an oven, and sadly it’s not even close to how hot it’s going to get. The hottest day this past week was 96 degrees Fahrenheit. It's going to get at least 20 degrees hotter. The "dry heat" of the desert has turned out to be a lie as well. There is plenty of humility in the air to make it feel hot and sticky. We do our best to stay out of the heat by changing our training times and staying inside as much as we can. Jane continues to grow and my picture and video count is almost at 1,000. Each day I get closer and closer to going home. Getting pictures like this reminds me of how lucky I am to have such a happy and healthy baby.
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 OSHA Standard: 1926.300 – Subpart I – Tools – Hand & Power Training: Training should be performed upon initial assignment/before use of tool. Frequency: When roles, conditions, or equipment changes. Or when worker is using the equipment in an unsafe manner. Five basic safety rules can help prevent hazards associated with the use of tools:  Pneumatic Tools: Pneumatic tools are powered by compressed air and include chippers, drills, hammers, and sanders.
There are several dangers associated with the use of pneumatic tools. First and foremost is the danger of getting hit by one of the tool’s attachments or by some kind of fastener the worker is using with the tool. Pneumatic tools must be checked to see that the tools are fastened securely to the air hose to prevent them from becoming disconnected. A short wire or positive locking device attaching the air hose to the tool must also be used and will serve as an added safeguard. If an air hose is more than 1 /2-inch (12.7 millimeters) in diameter, a safety excess flow valve must be installed at the source of the air supply to reduce pressure in case of hose failure. In general, the same precautions should be taken with an air hose that are recommended for electric cords, because the hose is subject to the same kind of damage or accidental striking, and because it also presents tripping hazards. When using pneumatic tools, a safety clip or retainer must be installed to prevent attachments such as chisels on a chipping hammer from being ejected during tool operation. Pneumatic tools that shoot nails, rivets, staples, or similar fasteners and operate at pressures more than 100 pounds per square inch (6,890 kPa), must be equipped with a special device to keep fasteners from being ejected, unless the muzzle is pressed against the work surface. Airless spray guns that atomize paints and fluids at pressures of 1,000 pounds or more per square inch (6,890 kPa) must be equipped with automatic or visible manual safety devices that will prevent pulling the trigger until the safety device is manually released. Eye protection is required, and head and face protection is recommended for employees working with pneumatic tools. Screens must also be set up to protect nearby workers from being struck by flying fragments around chippers, riveting guns, staplers, or air drills. Compressed air guns should never be pointed toward anyone. Workers should never “dead-end” them against themselves or anyone else. A chip guard must be used when compressed air is used for cleaning. Use of heavy jackhammers can cause fatigue and strains. Heavy rubber grips reduce these effects by providing a secure handhold. Workers operating a jackhammer must wear safety glasses and safety shoes that protect them against injury if the jackhammer slips or falls. A face shield also should be used. Noise is another hazard associated with pneumatic tools. Working with noisy tools requires proper hearing protection. Take Home Points: Both employer and employee have responsibility in ensuring safety while operating tools. Ensure that the tool is maintained and inspected, use the right tool for the right job, follow manufacturers’ guidelines, ensure the workplace is safe for use of the tool, and wear the appropriate PPE. OSHA Standard: 1926.300 – Subpart I – Tools – Hand & Power Training: Training should be performed upon initial assignment/before use of tool. Frequency: When roles, conditions, or equipment changes. Or when worker is using the equipment in an unsafe manner.  Masonry saws are used to cut tiles, bricks, and blocks of stone, concrete, and other materials. Concrete saws are used to cut channels or openings through concrete blocks, slabs, and walls. Both types of saws can be hand-held, mounted on a stand, or wheeled by hand or motor and may be powered by electricity, compressed air, or fuel. Working with saws can expose workers to hazards such as cutting blades, kick-back, push-back, and pull-ins; training and proper work practices are the key to safety.
Workers require training on the safe use of masonry and concrete saws. Cutting blades should be the correct size, installed properly, guarded at all times, and speed should not exceed the manufacturer’s suggested RPM. Workers should use the correct blade for the job and inspect it for defects before each use. Saws should be maintained and kept clean from dust build-up. Workers using concrete and masonry saws should always ensure that there are no gas or electric utility lines embedded within their cutting zones. Saws pose kick-back, push-back and pull-in dangers if they cannot run freely through the cutting material. 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. Though 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. Loss of control includes kick-back where the saw thrusts up and backward, pushback where the saw thrusts straight back, and pull-in where the saw pulls the worker in toward the blade. Hand-held saws pose special dangers if kick-back occurs because the worker can lose control and drop the saw. Hand-helds should never be used over shoulder height or on ladders and stepstools. Saw push-back at a height could cause a worker to fall. If elevated cutting work is required, the saw should be mounted on guide tracks for the job. Walls and bricks that are cut should be supported so they do not fall and pinch the blade or crush workers. Mounted saws should be kept on firm, flat surfaces for stability. Workers should keep their hands clear of the cutting blade while holding materials firmly against the backstop. Conveyor surfaces should be free of debris that could cause products to slip and pinch the blade. Longer materials should be supported by scaffolds to prevent blade pinching. Walk-behind saws keep the worker more removed from the cutting blade. These saws should be guided in a straight line with several passes for each cut. Workers should not push against the saw; this could cause the blade to jump or climb out of the cutting path and the operator could lose control. Personal protective equipment (PPE) for masonry and concrete saws varies depending on the job task, but may include hard hats, boots, safety glasses and face shields, hearing protection, gloves, and respiratory protection from hazardous dusts The dust created by concrete and masonry saws can be a serious health hazard. The materials that are cut typically contain silica. Repeatedly breathing too much silica dust can eventually lead to silicosis, a disabling and irreversible lung disease; it can also cause lung cancer. The dust can be a hazard not only to the saw operator, but also to others working in the area. To limit exposures, control dust with a water spray directed at the cutting area. Alternatively, local exhaust ventilation, with a hood attached directly to the saw, can capture most of the dust generated. The saw may come with the appropriate attachments for water or exhaust ventilation, or it may need some retrofitting. If these control methods are not possible, respirators can provide adequate protection, but only if selected and used properly. Even with control measures in place, workers may still need to wear respirators. For more guidance, consult with an industrial hygienist or other safety and health professional. |
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