On the Job Tool Box Safety Talks - Weather Hazards

WHY TALK ABOUT THE WEATHER?
Actually, we have no control over rain, snow, sleet, wind, lightning or sunshine. But we can control what happens on our job as a result of the elements. Some of the biggest problems on construction jobs are caused by wind and lightning. Wind probably causes the most accidents; lightning can be deadly.

WATCH OUT FOR WIND
Don't let the wind catch you off guard. Not just tornadoes or hurricanes, but everyday winds and unexpected gusts. Wind just loves to pick up anything it can and sail it away. So when it's windy, securely tie or weight down supplies and materials. It's amazing what a little wind can do. Some gusts can pick up a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood from the top of a high rise building and carry it several blocks. Or blow you off a scaffold.

On one occasion, the wind blew empty 50 gallon drums off a 15-story building. One drum went through the roof of a tool shed. What would have happened if the drum had landed on you? You'd have had more than a giant sized headache.

It seems the higher you go, the stronger the wind. When working on tall buildings, stay away from roof edges, floor openings, and similar drop-offs where the wind could blow you over. Weight down or otherwise secure material or equipment that can be blown down.

LIGHTNING HURTS
Every so often we read about workers being struck by lightning. They usually come out second best. Recently a hook-up man was electrocuted when lightning struck the crane boom while he was holding on to the hook preparing some materials to be lifted.

We all like to keep things moving until we're rained out. But when lightning is around, it's safer to take shelter early. Very often an electrical storm occurs without rain. Or a lightning storm proceeds the rain. So if you're working with a crane, on top of steel frame-work, or around other projecting equipment or a building the safest thing to do is to seek shelter when you see lightning.

You'll be reasonably safe from lightning in-side the structure, particularly when it's equipped with lightning rods. You'll also be fairly safe in an automobile or truck. But never take shelter under an isolated tree or where you're in contact with a tractor, crane, or other equipment. If you get caught out in the open, stay as low as you can. It's much safer to be down in a ditch than on top of the ground.

RAIN CAN RUIN A JOB
Rain may be good for the farmer but it can play havoc with a construction job. It can turn it into a gigantic mud pie. Water seems to get in everywhere. Rain can ruin building materials and supplies and generally make things down right messy. Steel gets slippery, equipment gets stuck, and we get wet.

By covering equipment, materials, tools, supplies and ourselves, we don't give rain a chance to do as much damage as it could. We can eliminate slipping hazards by sweeping water out of low areas used as passageways inside of buildings under construction.

Safety 360 - Assurance  [MORE] 

View all the On the Job Tool Box Safety Talks that are available online at: www.rcecusa.org/Safety

Fire Protection- On the Job Safety

Each year, many fires occur on construction jobsites as a result of temporary heat, misuse of flammable liquids, etc. Establishing a fire protection plan for your job site will help eliminate the related hazards and the large losses related to fires. This toolbox talk will provide a brief summary of the OSHA regulations for fire protection and provide some fire protection safety tips.

Fire Extinguishers:
• Fire extinguishers must be readily available on every job site. OSHA specifically requires at least one fire extinguisher for every 3,000 square feet of building space.
• The travel distance to a fire extinguisher shall not exceed 100 feet.
• The fire extinguishers must be serviced annually to ensure they will work when needed.
• A fire extinguisher must be immediately available during any hot work such as welding, cutting, sweating pipes, etc. If hot work regularly occurs on a jobsite, a hot work permit system should be developed.

Material Storage:
• Debris or combustible material may not be stored within 10 feet of a building.
• Storage piles of combustible material should be stable and should not exceed 20 feet in height.
• The entire storage location on a job site must be kept free from unnecessary debris or weed/ grass growth.
• Inside storage of materials must allow for at least 36 inches of clearance from sprinkler heads.
• Smoking controls must be maintained near areas which constitute a fire hazard.
• Straw used to insulate concrete should be cleaned up as soon as possible in order to reduce the amount of combustible material in and around a job site.

Flammable Liquids:
• No more than 25 gallons of flammable or combustible liquids may be stored inside of a building unless it is stored in approved flammable liquids cabinet.
• Gasoline must be stored in approved “safety cans”.
• An approved fire extinguisher must be located in close proximity to the storage location of any flammable liquids.

Temporary Heat:
• Always maintain at least 6-feet of clearance from the temporary heaters. If temporary heaters are used in tarped areas, 10 foot clearances must be maintained.
• Always install a shut off valve at the point of fuel connection for temporary heaters.
• Establish a plan to check on the placement of heaters throughout the day.
• Never store propane inside of a building.
• The gas line hoses feeding the temporary heaters must be protected from damage.
• Some heaters require the use of non-combustible material (drywall sheet) under the heater when it is placed on a wood deck. Check with the requirements for your heater.
• Maintaining access to a fire extinguisher near temporary heat is recommended.
• Read the safety material provided from the propane supplier regarding specific safety procedures for storage tanks.

Safety 360, by Assurance [MORE]

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RCEC Golf Outing

Thursday, May 30, 2013

The Highlands of Elgin

10:00 AM shotgun Start

Includes:Green Fees, Cart, Driving Range, Lunch, Cocktail Reception, Steak Dinner

Golf Outing: $150 per person  Dinner Only: $45 per person

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Sponsorship Opportunities

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Hydrogen Sulfide Poisoning

On the job Tool Box Talks

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless, very poisonous, flammable gas with the characteristic foul odor of rotten eggs. It often results from the bacterial breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen, such as in swamps and sewers (manholes).

Just a few breaths of air containing high levels of hydrogen sulfide gas can cause death. Lower, longer-term exposure can cause eye irritation, headache, and fatigue.

[MORE] 

View all "On the Job Tool Box Talks" available online. 

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