Monday, August 25, 2014

Using Fire Extinguishers

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In the event of a fire, the correct use of a portable fire extinguisher could mean the difference between suffering a minor loss or a major one. Portable fire extinguishers, if used properly, can make that difference. But there are several things to consider in using fire extinguishers. For instance, you must know the class of fire involved and the correct type of fire extinguisher to use.

CLASSES OF FIRES AND FIRE EXTINGUISHERS:
Class A Involves ordinary combustibles such as paper, wood, cloth, rubber or plastics. The common extinguishing media is water or dry chemical.
Class B Flammable liquids, grease or gases are covered under this category. Common extinguishing media are foam, carbon dioxide or dry chemical.
Class C Live electrical fires are class C fires. CO2 or dry chemical extinguishers should be used. However, the actual burning product may be class A items.
Class D Burning materials include combustible metals such as magnesium and sodium. Special extinguishing agents, approved by recognized testing laboratories, are needed when working with these metals.

RESPONDING TO FIRES:
NOTIFY those in danger & EVACUATE; CALL the local fire department; NOTIFY the foreman if a fire breaks out. Follow your company's procedures on responding to fires. But attempt to fight the fire only if, (1) you know the type of combustible material burning, (2) you have been trained to use the fire extinguisher correctly, and (3) if the fire is still in the incipient (beginning) stage. If the fire gets too large or out of control, evacuate immediately.

REMEMBER P-A-S-S WHEN USING AN EXTINGUISHER:
P - Pull. Pull the locking pin before using the fire extinguisher.
A - Aim. Aim the fire extinguisher at the base of the fire. Not at the flames or smoke.
S - Squeeze. Squeeze the lever of the fire extinguisher to operate and discharge.
S - Sweep. Sweep the fire extinguisher back and forth at the base of the fire to extinguish.
(Most extinguishers will only allow about 10-seconds of extinguishing media.)

Prevention is the key when it comes to firefighting. Good housekeeping, proper storage procedures and safe work practices will go a long way toward reducing the likelihood that a fire will destroy valuable property or injure either you or a fellow employee.

Discussion Questions:
• What could be some of the causes of fires at your jobsite?
• What kinds of flammables are most likely to create a fire danger at your jobsite?
• What type of fire extinguisher should be used on those flammables or combustibles?


This information provided by: Assurance Agency

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Annual Economic Conference 9-18-2014

Thursday, September 18, 2014
Maggiano's Schaumburg
1901 E. Woodfield Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173

RCEC Members $35
Non Members $45

Schedule of Events
7:30 am - 8:30 am
Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:30 am to 9:30 am
William Strauss
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

9:30 am to 10:30 am
Chris Huecksteadt
Metrostudy

Register and Pay Online

Download Registration Form

Download More Information 


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Sunday, August 17, 2014

Lift Safety - on the job tool box talks

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Overview
Sprains and strains to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the back are common injuries that are often avoidable. Be aware of the causes of back injuries and your lifting limitations. Remember, back injuries don’t just happen at work; they can happen at home, or while you’re out having fun. And, a back injury often limits all of your activities, so remembering a few pointers on lifting techniques can help keep you healthy.

Avoiding back injury

Poor posture can put stress on back muscles. Poor physical condition can lead to weak back muscles. Practice a regular exercise program to stretch and strengthen your back muscles. Bending or twisting while lifting can cause injury. Repeated minor strains can develop into an injury. Back injuries are not always caused by lifting something too heavy. Stress and tension can contribute to back pain.

Size up the load. Test the weight by moving a corner of the object, and get help for heavy or awkward loads. Make sure that you have a clear path to carry the load, and a clear area to set it down.

Stand with your feet close to the object, and center yourself over the load. Bend your knees. This is the  single most important part of lifting. The large muscles in your legs are designed to carry weight, and  bending your knees gets your legs ready to support the load. Get a good grip on the object. Clean and dry surfaces are easier to handle than wet and greasy ones. Straighten your legs to lift straight up in a slow, smooth motion.

Keep the load held close to your body. Do not twist or turn while carrying the load. Sudden twisting motions  can injure the disks in your back. Bend your knees again as you lower the load to set it down.

Loads on carts or wheels should be pushed, not pulled. Get help for lifting items that are long, bulky, that  don’t have a good place to grip, or are too heavy for one person. Know when mechanical lifting equipment  should be used instead of manual lifting; follow your company’s guidelines for weight limits. If possible, divide a heavy load into several smaller ones.

This information provided by: Assurance Agency




















Monday, August 11, 2014

Housekeeping on the Job

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You have a pretty good idea how safe a job is just by looking at it before you start to work. Even a "Sidewalk Superintendent" knows this. A job that looks clean, with everything in its place, is a safe job. That's all we mean when we talk about job housekeeping. Good housekeeping calls for just two things. Try to remember them:

First:
Keep trash and loose objects picked up and dispose of them.

Second:
Pile all materials and park all tools and equipment in the places where they belong.

These are the fundamentals of good house-keeping and they're simple enough. If we don't follow these two rules, we're letting ourselves in for trouble.

Putting the rules to work is not so simple. A grand cleanup once a week won't do the trick. Housekeeping is a job that can't be put off. We have to do it. It's up to each individual to be their own job housekeeper.

When you see something lying around where it could trip an individual or fall on them, put it in a safe place. Don't wait for someone else to do it. If it's something that he or she will be looking for, you can put it safely where they can see it.

You've seen jobs, and probably worked on some, where it wasn't safe to put your foot down without first looking twice to be sure you weren't going to twist an ankle or run a nail through your shoe. A job like that is poorly run, badly managed. Probably it's losing money as well as causing accidents.

Some jobs have walkways, aisles, stairs, and ladders by which you get from one place to another. It's particularly important that these lines of travel be kept safe and clear of loose objects. Workers often carry loads on these routes. They can't always pick their steps or look around to be sure that nothing is going to trip them or fall on them.

A wet or greasy walkway may cause a bad accident. If you see a treacherous spot, make it your business to do some sweeping, mopping or scraping.

This information provided by: Assurance Agency

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

OSHA 10-HOUR CONSTRUCTION TRAINING



The OSHA 10-hour has become a necessary seminar for every foreman or superintendent working in the construction field.This training will provide an overview of key issues related to construction safety and OSHA compliance. Upon completion, attendees will have a better understanding of OSHA requirements, employer safety responsibilities and increased hazard identification skills.
Participants must be present at both training sessions to receive an OSHA 10-hour card. 
We have a limited number of seats.   Please call Cathy Kirin at 630-512-0552 to register.
SEMINAR HIGHLIGHTS
» Fall Protection
» Hazard Communication
» Scaffolding Safety
» Ladder Safety
» Electrical Safety
» Personal Protective Equipment
W  WHEN
Thursday, August 21, 2014 &
Friday, August 22, 2014
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Central Time Zone
·        WHERE
Assurance
1750 E. Golf Road
2nd Floor Seminar Center
Schaumburg, Illinois 60173
·        COST
Assurance clients - $0
All others - $250
 

We have a limited number of seats.   Please call Cathy Kirin at 630-512-0552 to register.

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Windy Days - On the job tool box talks

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As a supervisor, you know that sudden gusts of wind can cause unexpected accidents. Tell your crew that if high winds are expected, they should be on the lookout for building material or debris that can be picked up by the wind and blown off the structure.

Tag lines should be used when hoisting loads with large flat surfaces. When picking up large sections of plywood, dry wall or similar material, they should be aware that this material can act as a sail.

A 20 to 30 mile per hour wind can pick up a piece of scrap material and carry it as far out as the height from which it came. For instance, a piece from a 20 foot scaffold can hit a person standing 20 feet away while the same piece coming off a high rise building may travel almost a full city block.

Scraps of plywood and sheet metal cause the most trouble, but a strong wind can pick up a loose 2 by 10 deck plank and drop it off a scaffold.

Material/personnel hoists should not be operated in winds exceeding 35 miles per hour unless manufacturer’s specifications say it’s ok. Your crew should also check the manufacturer’s instructions before operating cranes in high wind situations.

The wind can also whip up clouds of dust and reduce visibility. Drivers and operators of heavy equipment should slow down accordingly. Provisions should be made for dust control.

Finally, high winds can pick up sparks from open fires and cause whipping tarpaulins to overturn heaters. The resulting fires have caused many severe burn injuries and damage to buildings under construction.



Try this for show and tell!
Ask everyone to come to the meeting prepared to discuss one item that could be blown around the job by high winds or one hazard that high winds could create.
Questions you can use to get them talking:
•   Who is responsible for securing the job site from blow off conditions during high wind situations?
•   What are the particular hazards that high winds can cause on this job?
•   What can we do as individuals to control these hazards and protect ourselves and other people?
•   Has anyone ever had an accident – or know of one – involving high winds?

This information provided by: Assurance Agency