EHS Flash

Corporate EHS Newsletter

2022 – November
Corporate EHS Message
Monthly Best Practices 2 Bob Sutyak – Director, Corporate EHS

Incidents & Lessons Learned 3 “Health for Holidays ”

Safety at Work & Daily Life
• Ergonomic Risks of Welding 4
• Reportable Quantity 5 Northern Hemisphere that also means Cold, Flu &
What is New?
• Corporate Standards &
Guidance
• Good News
• EHS Topic of the Month
• Continuous Improvement
CONTENTS
The Holidays are fast approaching and many of us
will be gathering with family and friends. In the
COVID19 Season. Some reminders:
• Wash your hands frequently.
6 • If you have symptoms (fever, cough, chills) avoid
6 being around other, social distance & seek medical
7 care if necessary.
7
• If you have symptoms of COVID19, Wear a face

covering when around others.

Image of the month 8
• Manual Material Handling • Monitor transmissions of COVID in you area and if
high transmission, try to avoid crowded indoor
areas.

Welcome to the new people that have

joined the EHS team:
3 8 34
Harris Brazil Sao Paulo–
Flávia Piza started Sept-2022
50 77 419
Indalco Mississauga Canada – Joseph
Talihun started 29-Aug-2022
Weartech Port Talbot - Kelly Rowlands
started 4- Apr-2022

Prepared by: Corporate EHS Team

Editor: Irene Raiber, Corporate EHS Scientist
 Monthly Facility Best Practices
Accumove Tote Packaging
Lincoln Electric Ladson and Lincoln Cutting Systems Reno

Situation : Currently when sending Accumove series controllers

to Reno, the Ladson facility packages four Accumove units in a
cardboard box using two pieces of foam to protect from
damages. The typical shipment is for 20 units and frequency is
roughly twice a month. Once the shipment is received by Reno,
packaging is removed and discarded.

Solution in place : By eliminating the disposal of foam inserts

and cardboard packaging, the two facilities created a returnable
bin system. The cost for increase in freight and new bins was
offset by the savings.

Result : Eliminating the box and foam equals approximately $5K in material savings annually.
Freight costs increased by $2.6K due to returning totes. Total cost saving (Material minus
Freight) = $2.4K. Other benefits include: Reduces the effort of the purchasing group in Ladson to
maintain inventory items, also eliminates 6 PO’s annually. (SAP transactions/invoicing).
Eliminated effort for the logistics group to receive and warehouse two inventory part numbers.
Eliminated packaging disposal at Reno.
.
Click for images and detailsabout the project.
Contact: Irene Raiber - irene_raiber@lincolnelectric.com

Improvement of the weighing process

Lincoln Electric France - Vatry

Situation : All the pallets must be weighing before send

to the customer. We use a manual pallet truck to
measure the weight.

Solution in place : We installed a new special scale for

weighing the pallets.

Results : No need to manually operate a pallet truck and

no need to get off the forklift. Improved safety and
efficiency.

Click for images and details about the project.

Contact: Irene Raiber - irene_raiber@lincolnelectric.com

2022 – 11 | November Involving people to improve Safety 2

 Incidents and Lessons Learned
Days Away from Work
MONTH: July 2022 Case-192046
Activity: Maintenance
Consequences: Injury to Leg

What Happened: A maintenance technician was installing a door

closure unit at the top of a door that is approximately 6 ft. in height
which is located in the janitor’s room of the facility. The technician
proceeded to use a chair instead of a ladder to reach the top of the
door to install the door closure unit. While stepping off the chair, he
lost control of the impact driver, which in return fell from his hands,
striking his right leg just above his ankle.

Prevention:
• Immediate cause of the incident is not using the correct equipment
when working at heights. Strategically place ladders in all areas of
the facility.
• Repeated the safety talk about ladders.
• Use of tool belts to hold tools when going up ladders.

Reminder: EHSC-IV-LAD-4.1-F Ladder Safety Fact Sheet

MONTH: August 2022 Days Away from Work

Activity: Tool and Die Case-193099
Consequences: Injury to Finger

What Happened: The employee was separating a lamination die.

The employee was holding a curved pry bar with his left hand and
was hitting the bar with a soft aluminum hammer with his right
hand. As the employee hit the pry bar, the curved pry bar slipped
off its contact point in the die and pinched the left-hand fingers
between the bar and the die. This resulted in a bone fracture injury
to the left middle finger.

Prevention:
• The soft aluminum hammer was severely mushroomed due to
wear. Other soft aluminum hammers were found to be severely
mushroomed and were immediately replaced.
• Always inspect your tools and equipment before use for wear or
defects and replace worn or defective tools as soon as possible.
• The pry bar was not positioned well in the die.
• Keep fingers out of the Line of Fire. The employee placed their
fingers between a stationary and a potential moving object.

Reminder: EHSC-IV-HS-4.2-S Hand Tool Safety Standard

2022 – 11 | November Involving people to improve Safety 4

 The Ergonomics of Welding
What ergonomic risk factors are associated with welding?
• Lifting heavy loads (cylinders, cables, etc.).
• Awkward body postures (outreached arms, awkward position of neck and
head, kneeling/squatting).
• Static body positioning (long duration of tasks, manual precision).
• Continuous force (grip strength).

What is a good working posture while welding?

• Learn to recognize symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorders Safe Photo 1 -
Turntable
(WMSDs; also called repetitive strain injuries or RSIs). Repeated
uncomfortable postures and tasks can cause injury.
• Avoid awkward body positions which cause fatigue, reduce concentration and
lead to poor welds which may need to be repeated.
• Always use your hand to lower your helmet. Do not use a "jerking" motion of
your neck and head.
• Position yourself in a stable, comfortable posture.
• Position the welding item as flat as possible, on a horizontal surface, between
waist and elbow height.
• Position stool or scaffolding at a comfortable height to allow working in a
seated position.
• Avoid working in one position for long periods of time. Safe Photo 2 –
• Work with material slightly below elbow level when working in a sitting Scissor Lift
position.
• Work with material between waist and elbow heights for comfort and precision
when working in a standing position.
• Use a foot rest if standing for long periods.
• Always store materials and tools within normal reach.
• Use positioning aids to accommodate work posture. See Safe Photo 1 and 2.

What should I know when moving cylinders?

• Make sure the cylinder cap is secured.
• Find out the weight of an object before attempting to lift
it. DO NOT lift full or partially full cylinders on your own.
• Get help with heavy or awkward loads if a lifting aid is
not available.
• Tilt the cylinder slightly on its edge and roll it slowly in the
direction desired. Move short distances only.
• Use a cylinder trolley for longer distances If available,
use a trolley or a mechanical lift to lift or move
compressed gas cylinders.

Contact: Antonio Quinones - Antonio_QuinonesMartinez@lincolnelectric.com

Sources: https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/welding/ergonomics.html
Drawings: Golavatjuk et.al. creation of optimum labour conditions for electric welders with regard to
ergonomic requirements. IIW Calloquium on Welding and Health, Lisboa (1980)
2022 – 11 | November Involving people to improve Safety 5
 RQ: Reportable Quantity (Dangerous Goods Shipping)
About: Within the USA, a hazardous substance is a material including its mixtures and solutions, in
a quantity per container which equals or exceeds the Reportable Quantity (RQ) listed in 49 CFR
§172.101 Appendix A. The table below lists example hazardous substances and their reportable
quantities. This table is copied from the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,
and Liability Act (CERCLA) (Superfund regulation). RQs can range from 1 to 5000 lbs. When there
is a spill of a substance above its reportable quantity, the responsible person is to notify the
National Response Center (NRC) at 800-424-8802.

¢ The RQ for these hazardous

Hazardous substance* Reportable quantity (RQ) pounds (kilograms) substances is limited to those
pieces of the metal having a
Cadmium (D006) 10 (4.54) diameter smaller than 100
micrometers (0.004 inches).
Ethylene glycol 5000 (2270)
*When in a mixture or
Nickel ¢ 100 (45.4) solution, it classifies as RQ if it
meets or exceeds the
F006 10 (4.54) concentration corresponding
to the RQ in the table below.

RQ pounds Concentration by weight

(kilograms) Percent PPM
5000 (2270) 10 100,000
1000 (454) 2 20,000
100 (45.4) 0.2 2,000
10 (4.54) 0.02 200
1 (0.454) 0.002 20
Packaging and Shipping Papers: When a single package meets or exceeds a reportable quantity,
the letters “RQ” must appear on shipping paper before or after the proper shipping name. When
the package is a single non-bulk package, the letters “RQ” must be marked on the package
before the shipping name.

What you can do: For each HAZMAT shipment in the USA, check the hazardous materials table to
see if it classifies as a hazardous substance meeting the reportable quantity threshold. Check all
dangerous goods (including wastes) against the table to see if it classifies as a hazardous
substance. Sites tied into SAP Dangerous Goods can use the already predesignated DG
classifications (which include RQ nomenclature). Contact corporate EHS with questions.
Resources:
49 CFR §172.101 Appendix A - Hazardous Substances and Reportable Quantities table:
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-172/subpart-B/section-172.101
Contact: John Hoover - john_hoover@lincolnelectric.com

2022 – 11 | November Involving people to improve Safety 6

 What is New?
Communication of Corporate Standards & Guidance
The GAZETTE is available to help facilities keep track of new and changing Corporate Standards,
Guidance and Factsheets.

Contact: Antonio Quinones Martinez - antonio_quinonesmartinez@lincolnelectric.com

Documents Released in September and October 2022

I – CORPORATE EHS MANAGEMENT
No Revisions to this section
II – ENVIRONMENT
No Revisions to this section
III - HEALTH
No Revisions to this section
IV - SAFETY
Title Description Category
New Fact Sheet Compressed Gas Cylinders - US rules and EU rules for exemptions on transporting gas cylinders Compressed Gases
EHSC-IV-CG-4.3-F HAZMAT Transportation (carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide / argon mixes, helium, oxygen, and Cylinders
Exemptions acetylene, hydrogen etc.) on work vehicles. Applies to US and EU
Facilities.
New Fact Sheet Dangerous Goods - Limited Explaining conditions and requirements surrounding Limited Quantity Hazardous Materials /
EHSC-IV-HMTS-4.8-F Quantity Shipments shipments of Dangerous Goods. Applies to US Facilities. Transportation [Toxic
and Haz Substances]
V - EMERGENCY
Title Description Category
New Guidance Document DS-7-29] Ignitable Liquid Storage Guidance on storage of ignitable liquids. When to choose detached FM Global
EHSC-V-FMG-5.13-G in Portable Containers building, inside or outside cut-out room or general purpose warehouse
space. Applies to all facilities.
VI – PRODUCT COMPLIANCE
No Revisions to this section

 QUEST must be open to use this link

Good News
Congratulations!
LE Automation - Bettendorf completed the ISO14001 certification program which
helps them be in compliance with their obligations and demonstrates their
commitment to the environment. The new certificate is dated 12-October-2022.
Information provided by Spenser Strandgard, LEA Bettendorf

One million hours!

On October 21, 2022 the LE Ladson facility celebrated One Million
Hours without a lost work day incident. This streak began in 2015!
The team celebrated with food trucks, music, a corn hole
tournament, and lots of good conversation. Great job Team!
Uplink article: https://onfirstup.com/leco/leco/contents/33779829

Information provided by Kathy Gargasz, General Manager, Machine Division,

Euclid, OH.

2022 – 11 | November Involving people to improve Safety 8

 What is New?
EHS Topic of the Month
Find resources for new Safety and Health or Environmental Topics of the Month on the Corporate
EHS My Community page. This provides a monthly EHS theme to employees.

Contact: Irene Raiber - irene_raiber@lincolnelectric.com

Theme of the Month

Manual Material Hearing

Handling Universal Waste Conservation

Appropriate topic for Appropriate topic for Appropriate topic for

Distribution Centers, Automation, Equipment & Automation, Equipment &
Training Centers and all Consumable facilities in Consumable facilities
manufacturing facilities the U.S.

Remember This – use these topics to add to your communication program:

• Dock Safety Practices
• Material Handling in the Warehouse
• Slings Used for Material Handling
• Safe Crane Operation

Continuous Improvement
Continuous improvement means that we should always be looking for the
best tool for the job. Some safety knives are designated as plastic cutters,
others as cardboard cutters, etc. Other tools are for more general use,
such as box cutters. Make sure you are using the correct tool. Homemade
knives should never be used.
What is your task? Opening a box or packaging, cutting a cord, removing
shrink wrap? Consider which safety knife can do the job better and safer.
Safety knives and cutters can be bladeless, concealed blades, or
retractable blades.
Safety Knife options: Martorusa website
Reference: EHSC-IV-HS-4.1-F Safety Knives
Contact: Antonio Quinones Martinez - antonio_quinonesmartinez@lincolnelectric.com

2021 – 11 | November Involving people to improve Safety 9

 Image of the Month
Manual Material Handling

Manual Materials
Handling
Lifting
Carrying
Pushing

…is the most common cause of

Lowering
occupational fatigue and lower Holding
back pain Pulling

Before lifting Check that the

path is clear and
Assess/ identify Ensure that
Ensure that the
the free of grease,
the weight of the load is
load is free
free to
to oil, water and
load. move.
move. objects.

Ensure that you

Check to see if Get help with
can lift the load
mechanical lifting heavy or
without over-
aids are available. awkward loads.
exertion.

Safe lifting tips Keep arms straight

and abdominal
Stand close to the muscles tight.
load and face the
direction you intend
to move.

Be sure you Lift smoothly,

Prepare for the lift by have a good Avoid twisting, side
without jerking.
warming up your grip on the bending, and carrying
muscles. load. loads with only one hand.

Use handles or
Tuck chin into
lift aids where Lift with your legs
appropriate. your chest.
and body weight,
not with your back.
Keep your Lift load as close to
back straight the center of body
and butt out. as possible.

Source:https://www.ccohs.ca/products/posters/pdfs/mmh.pdf

2022 – 11 | November Involving people to improve Safety 10