Entries by Mike.Lake

Exploding Sockets Revisited

Recently, one of our sockets exploded while loosening a bolt using a HyTorc hydraulic wrench. No one was injured, but we take these incidents seriously, generating a “Near Miss” report and subsequent corrective action. We discussed exploding sockets in a previous Safety Tip, which you can review in the May 8, 2012 post (see below). […]

Polarization Index (PI) Test

A Polarization Index (PI) test is generally performed at the same voltage as the Insulation Resistance (IR) test.  Where the IR test is performed for a period of one minute, the PI test is performed over a period of ten minutes. This gives the absorption (polarization) current ample time to decay, and reveals a more […]

Proper Manual Lifting

Back pain constitutes about 10% of occupational injuries and is the most common reason to take leave from work.  Each year about $50 billion is spent on treatment in The U.S. alone, making it the third most expensive condition after heart disease and cancer. With this in mind, an ounce of prevention is worth a […]

Insulation Resistance (IR) Test

The Insulation Resistance Test measures the integrity of the generator’s winding insulation, and therefore the likelihood of developing a ground.  A test voltage is applied to the generator and the current flow required to maintain that voltage is measured over a period of time (typically one minute).  In simplest terms, the less current flow, the […]

Starting Over

We’re embarrassed. We had our first recordable accident after 909 days (over 500,000 hours). Just when everything was going so right. We had the toolbax safety meeting at start of shift to discuss the day’s hazards. We had the Job Safety Analysis for the task to be performed. We had top management buy-in and a […]

What is a Confined Space?

A confined space does not necessarily mean a small, enclosed space. It could be rather large, such as a ship’s hold, a fuel tank, or a pit. One of the first defining features of a confined space is it’s large enough to allow an employee to enter and perform work. The second defining feature is […]

Don’t Kill Your Turbine on Startup

Your lube oil temperature needs to be lower at startup and shutdown than at full speed. Your turbine’s rotor does not actually ride on the surfaces of its bearings. It rides on a thin film of oil between the rotor and the bearing. At high turbine speeds the rotor hydroplanes across the oil, eliminating contact […]

Prevent Crushed Fingers

Each year, workers suffer approximately 125,000 injuries that occur when body parts get caught between two objects or entangled with machinery. These hazards are referred to as “pinch points”. If you have ever slammed your finger in a door, you can appreciate the pain associated with this common type of caught/crush injury. The physical forces […]

When a Backup Isn’t a Backup

The International Association of Engineering Insurers found that the highest frequency of steam turbine failures worldwide is due to loss of oil pressure. Most of these failures are caused by an unreliable backup system to maintain oil pressure to the bearings should the primary AC-driven lube oil pumps fail. These AC motors are powered by […]

Surviving Winter Weather

Winter is definitely here across the U.S. Here are some points on surviving the cold that you can tailor to the particular circumstances of your workplace: Winter Driving * Keep in mind that while black ice can form anywhere the temperature drops below zero, the condition is more prevalent in some parts of the country […]