How Debris Caps Improve Utility Worker Safety 1/2015
For any business, employee safety is of utmost importance. But, in some businesses employees are exposed to more physical danger than others. Utility workers often put their own personal safety at risk to help serve their community. This is not only troublesome for employees who could potentially experience injuries but also for employers who could be held liable for any injuries that occur on the job. Because of this, every precaution must be taken to try to improve utility worker safety so that needless injuries can be avoided. One way to improve safety is through the use of debris caps. A debris cap is an incredibly effective way to help prevent dirt and debris from entering pipes and valves.
A debris cap is cost-effective and easy to install, fitting easily and quickly over the ends of pipes and valves. Debris caps make it easier and more efficient for utility workers to locate and access pipes and valves. Additionally, debris caps help contain things in the pipes. Debris caps can also be fitted with a lockout mechanism and the lockout mechanism can both. This is incredibly handy because, should there be a burst pipe or valve or some sort of leak occurring, it protects utility workers from exposure because the debris caps help contain pipes and valves. This can save critical time in an emergency and effectively protect utility workers. Debris caps with lockout mechanisms can also be used during routine maintenance to ensure that the wrong people - both civilians and utility workers - do not access pipes and valves during maintenance. OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is in place to protect the safety and health of workers while on the job and debris caps with lockout mechanisms help any company or businesses that chooses to use them be OSHA compliant. Because debris caps help keep utility workers significantly more safe, debris caps with lockout mechanisms actually help lower the cost of liability and insurance for businesses, a significant benefit. Debris caps may sound like an expensive and time consuming undertaking but they are actually quite cost-effective and will likely product a significant ROI when you factor in reduced liability and insurance. Debris caps are easily installed so it is simple for a municipality to undertake a retrofit program that will help protect their utility worker safety, providing peace of mind for all involved.