Know First Aid

Overview
Workplace injuries can be costly for all involved. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in a typical year, there are,
• More than 10,000 work-related fatalities.
• Approximately 1.8 million work-related disabling injuries.
• Approximately 35 million lost workdays from non-fatal injuries.

Prompt, properly administered first aid can mean the difference between life and death, rapid versus prolonged recovery, or temporary versus permanent disability. Your company emphasizes a safe environment, but when accidents happen it is important to have someone who knows how to handle the situation effectively.

What must my employer do?
Your employer must provide:
• medical personnel to be available for advice and consultation on occupational health matters.
• a person or persons adequately trained to provide first aid, in the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees.
• adequate first aid supplies.
• suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body, where the eyes or the body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials.

Training can be conducted in-house or from an outside agency, like the Red Cross. Wherever training is conducted, the following topics should be covered:
• Health emergencies.
• Procedures to follow when approaching an accident scene and the victim(s).
• CPR.
• Review of possible injuries that may occur at your facility.
• Universal precautions for first-aid procedures.
• First-aid supplies.

Emergency response time
Your employer must provide an emergency response time of:
• 15 minutes in non-life threatening situations.
• three to four minutes in life threatening situations.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency.com  http://www.assuranceagency.com

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All

Highway and Street Construction Work Zones

Each year, more than 100 workers are killed and over 20,000 are injured in the highway and street construction industry. Most of these injuries and fatalities occur in what is known as the “work zone.”

What is the “work zone?”
The work zone is an area where highway construction, maintenance, or utility work activities are taking place. What makes this work area dangerous is that passing motorists, construction vehicles, and equipment are moving through the same space that the construction employees are working in.

Accidents
Accidents that occur in work zones are usually caused by:
- Poor traffic control procedures,
- Unsatisfactory construction vehicle and equipment maintenance (such as malfunctioning warning devices),
- Poorly designed work zones, and
- Failure to establish and follow policies and procedures for ensuring safety on the job.

Vehicles and equipment operating in and around the work zone are involved in over half of the worker fatalities in the heavy and highway construction industry. Sometimes passing motorists are at fault for the injuries and fatalities that occur in the work zone. Workers are often injured or killed by moving vehicles entering their work zones. Other times, it is the construction vehicles and equipment operating within the work zone that causes the accidents and injuries.

Work zone hazards
There are two basic types of work zone hazards:
- Internal hazards are activities within the workspace such as moving vehicles.
- External hazards are ones presented by passing cars and trucks and the debris they kick up.

Potential hazards associated with work zones include:
- Traffic and construction equipment accidents,
- Working above level,
- Slippery conditions,
- Machinery pinch points,
- Crush zones,
- Drop-offs,
- Trenches,
- Airborne lead and silica particles,
- Truck tip-overs, and
- Energized electrical lines and conductors.

There are many internal and external work zone hazards, but you can avoid them if you think safety first, use procedures required or recommended by regulatory agencies and industry experts, and be alert to situations that might result in accidents.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency http://www.assuranceagency.com

Emergency Eye Washes and Safety Showers

 No one can predict when and where a chemical accident will occur. Therefore, you should be famliar with the location and operation of emergency eye wash facilities and safety showers. These can include eyewash fountains, drench showers, hand-held drench hoses and emergency bottles. Very simply, they all flush affected areas of your body with water.

Before a chemical accident . . .

• Identify chemical hazards: Identify all your work areas and tasks which create potential splash or eye hazards. Be familiar with the chemicals with which you work. Caution: Some chemicals are water-reactive and become toxic or corrosive when mixed with water.

• Know locations: Know the locations of all eye wash and shower facilities.

• Check distances: Your eyes can be damaged very quickly by many contaminants. The first fifteen seconds after the injury is the critical period. Because of this critical time period, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), suggests that eye washes or showers be within 100 feet or a 10 second walk of the work area (ANSI Z358.1). Avoid placing machines and equipment in the pathway to an eye wash or safety shower.

• Check water delivery: Ask your employer how much water your eye wash stations deliver. Eye washes should supply 0.4 gallons per minute of water for at least 15 minutes. Safety showers should supply 20 gallons per minute for at least 15 minutes. Note: Many portable eye wash stations have a capacity of 5 to 10 gallons for a maximum usefulness of 5 minutes. Squeeze bottles and other plastic containers have even lower water capacities. These eye washes are meant to be supplementary to eye wash stations or showers that provide 15 minutes of flushing.

• Check emergency telephone number: Where 911 is not available, ensure the telephone number of medical help is posted on site telephones.

• Practice: Practice using the eye wash station to become familiar with how it works.

Inspection and maintenance
Eye washes and safety showers should be inspected according to manufacturer instructions. Squeeze bottles also require frequent testing, refilling, and maintenance since they lose water to evaporation, become contaminated, and are easily misplaced.If a chemical splashes into your eye . . .

If a chemical splashes into your eye . . .
1. Quickly flush your eyes with lots of water for at least 15 minutes (for best results, do so at an eye wash station or safety shower).
2. For serious burns (i.e., strong alkalies or acids), flushing should continue for 20 to 30 minutes which requires a considerable amount of water.
3. Try to force the eyes open to wash chemical out.
4. Do not bandage eyes.
5. Seek medical attention.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency http://www.assuranceagency.com

Stay Safe on Portable Ladders TBT

Overview
Your ladder can be a great help on the job. It is uncomplicated and simple to use. But don't be fooled; you shouldn't take ladder safety for granted. As with any other workplace task, care is required on ladders to maintain your safety. The following points serve as guidelines for portable ladder use.

1. Use the ladder only for its intended purpose. Don't use step ladders as single ladders or when partially closed. Likewise, don't climb the back sections of combination ladders, when used as step ladders.

2. Don't use a ladder as a brace, skid, lever, guy or gin pole, gangway, platform, scaffold, plank, material hoist, or any other use for which it was not intended.

3. Don't build makeshift ladders out of chairs, benches, or boxes. If the job calls for a ladder, take the time to find one.

4. Don't set up a ladder on a scaffold to gain extra height.

5. Make sure there's only one person on a ladder at a time.

6. Don't move a ladder while anyone is on it.

7. Check the ladder's condition before climbing. Don't use a ladder with broken or cracked rails or rungs or with rungs made slippery by grease or oil. The ladder should have safety feet and sit on a firm, level surface.

8. Don't use ladders on ice, snow, or other slippery surfaces.

9. Don't place a ladder on boxes or blocks to make it taller.

10. Inspect all ladders for defects before you begin climbing.

11. Face front and use both hands as you climb.

12. Don't overreach from a ladder. If your waist reaches past the uprights, you've gone too far—move the ladder.

13. Set ladders up properly by using the 4 to 1 rule. The distance from the wall to the base of the ladder should be one-fourth the distance from the base of the ladder to where it touches the wall.

14. Set up ladders so that the tops of the rails are supported equally. Avoid supporting the top of the ladder at a window or wall opening, but when you must, attach a support across the back of the ladder that is wider than the window opening.

15. Don't set up a ladder in front of a door, unless the door is locked or kept from opening.

16. Fully open stepladders so that spreaders are locked and the feet are level and firmly supported.

17. Set up extension ladders so that the top section rests on the base section, with the rung locks engaged.

18. Hoist tools or materials up to you after you reach the top of the ladder. You need both hands for climbing.

19. Don't stand on top of a step ladder. Also be careful not to get too close to the top of an extension or straight ladder.

20. Be careful when using ladders around electrical circuits. Keep the ladder from getting too near or hitting any energized circuit or conductor.

21. When you use a ladder to climb onto a roof:
  • Make sure it extends 3 feet above the point of support at the roof line.
  • Tie the ladder down to prevent slipping before climbing up.
  • Take care not to tip the ladder sideways and avoid having the base slide.

Don't forget! Be careful when using portable ladders!

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency  http://www.assuranceagency.com

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) TBT

Overview
Nearly 350,000 people die of sudden cardiac arrest each year. Currently, the chances of surviving sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) without the aid of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) are one in twenty.
However, with an AED, chances of survival improve to one in three. The use of AEDs could save 100,000 lives per year!

What is SCA?
The heart normally has a rhythmic beat which causes the blood to move in a consistent, predictable way. When someone has an SCA event, the heart begins to pump irregularly and ineffectively. This is called ventricular fibrillation (VF). VF is not to be confused with the heart attack where blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked. With VF, the blood stops circulating adequately, breathing stops, and eventually the victim will die.

Another SCA event is ventricular tachycardia (VT), when the heart muscles start to “quiver” instead of working together to push blood through the system.

CPR alone does not replace defibrillation in an SCA incident. CPR can only assist the victim for a short time until medical help arrives. However, medical assistance can be many minutes away. According to the American Heart Association, the chances of survival decrease 10 percent with each passing minute that the heart beat is not returned to normal. Very few people have survived SCA after 10 minutes with no medical treatment.

Unfortunately, we don’t know why SCAs occur, nor how to prevent them. We do know, however, how to fix them if they occur—AEDs.

What is an AED?
You’ve seen full-sized defibrillators on television. When the doctor shouts “Clear” and shocks the victim, they are using a defibrillator. The AED works the same—it shocks the heart back into a normal rhythm to restore a pulse.

Manufacturers have developed lighter, smaller, battery-operated, computer-controlled models which nearly anyone can use.

Signs and symptoms of SCA
Symptoms of SCA are very sudden and dramatic. Typically, the victim will collapse, and show no sign of a pulse. At this point, emergency medical help must be summoned, and the AED used.

The victim’s chest is bared, all visible jewelry or medicine patches are removed, and the electrode pads are attached.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency http://www.assuranceagency.com

Hand Protection - On the job tool box talks

Overview
We all use our hands a great deal without really thinking about it. Because we use our hands so much at work, for a variety of tasks, they can become injured.
To demonstrate the need for effective hand protection, look at the following statistics.
• There are about 500,000 work-related injuries occurring to hands, fingers, and arms each year.
• About one-quarter of all work-related injuries are to the fingers and hands.
• Injuries to fingers and thumbs are second on the list of most injured parts of the body.

Types of hazards
A few of the types of injuries our hands are prone to suffer include:
• Mechanical hazards which cause cuts, punctures, scrapes, or crushing.
• Extreme heat or cold.
• Electrical shock or burns.
• Skin irritation from chemicals or germs.

What must my employer do?
Your employer must assess the workplace to determine what hazards can be eliminated through engineering controls such as machine guards and improved workstation design. If hazards remain after attempting to eliminate hand hazards, then your employer will provide hand protection.
Your employer must train you on the need for and use of PPE for your hands. Training should include:
• Information on when PPE is needed.
• An explanation on what protective hand wear is required, and where to obtain it.
• How to put on, take off, adjust, and wear PPE.
• The limitations of the PPE.
• The proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of the PPE.

What must I do?
For your safety, it is crucial that you understand and follow your company’s procedures for hand protection. If you have any questions regarding how to protect your hands from injury on the job, ask your supervisor.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency http://www.assuranceagency.com

Housekeeping

HOUSEKEEPING – WHAT IS GOOD HOUSEKEEPING?

Overview
OSHA requires that the workplace be kept clean and orderly in order to reduce the chance of accidents.
An uncluttered workplace is essential to worker safety. Industrial housekeeping must also include proper arrangement and storage of materials and goods.
Housekeeping hazards
Poor housekeeping habits can lead to:
• Poor attitudes toward safety.
• Slips, trips, or falls due to slick, wet, or poorly maintained walking and working surfaces.
• Tripping hazards from improperly stored materials in walkways and work areas.
• Falls from holes in walking and working surfaces, uneven flooring, uncovered pits or drains, or falls from boxes or pallets being used as walking or working surfaces.
• Accidents caused by overhanging or protruding materials, poorly stacked pallets, or improperly stored materials.

Benefits of good housekeeping
Industrial housekeeping is more than sweeping the floor and cleaning up the break room. Industrial housekeeping also refers to keeping tools and equipment in order and in their assigned places. The benefits of good housekeeping include:
• Better morale and improved safety culture.
• Reduced chance of fire and accidents.
• Making working easier for everyone.
• Reduction in the amount of cleanup and janitorial work needed.
• Creates a well organized work space.
• Reflecting an image of a professional, well-run workplace.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency  http://www.assuranceagency.com

HAZWOPER

You could be exposed to chemical spills or hazardous waste. During excavation operations, for example, many companies have been surprised by the sometimes deadly things they have uncovered. That’s why OSHA created 29 CFR 1926.65, HAZWOPER. Under this rule, your employer can either (1) participate in the handling of emergencies involving hazardous waste or chemical spills, or (2) immediately evacuate workers and call in trained hazardous materials (HazMat) teams.

How can HAZWOPER involve you?
Preparing for accidental chemical releases involves special training. OSHA has set up formal training for emergency responders under HAZWOPER regulations, with training levels ranging from awareness training for first response to technical training for those who solve problems associated with spill cleanup.

What should you do in case of a spill?
Whether it’s a solid or a liquid leak or spill, you can be exposed to toxic dust or vapor without even knowing it. If you are properly trained, act with care and speed. However, if you have not received training, do not respond to a chemical leak or spill. Instead, follow your company’s emergency action plan for reporting leaks and spills and evacuating.

While it is vital to avoid panic, it is equally vital to get people out of harm’s way as quickly as possible. Assess site hazards and act only when you do not endanger yourself. You want to help your fellow employees, but you won’t do that if you become a victim yourself.

Some of the things you can do before help arrives are:
• Determine the potential hazards. (Look at the material safety data sheet.)
• Know about spill equipment and safety personnel.
• Know the exits and escape routes.
• Know the location of fire extinguishers.
• Know first aid and where to get first aid equipment.

Act responsibly in chemical spill emergencies

Safety becomes extremely important when hazardous chemicals are spilled. A mistake here can be deadly. Use the buddy system, whether you’re part of the emergency response team or not. Don’t ever enter a chemical emergency situation alone.

Different chemicals will require different levels of protective clothing or other precautions. Don’t touch spills without protection. Avoid contaminated clothing of injured persons. Certainly, if the chemicals involved aren’t hazardous, respond immediately within your abilities.

Do only those things that you possess adequate training to perform. Check the area for potential hazards such as electrical cords or wires near the spill or obstacles in the path of the emergency response team. Check for injuries and notify emergency medical personnel. Decontaminate victims, if possible. Cooperate with emergency personnel when they arrive, and pass on any information you’ve gathered.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency  http://www.assuranceagency.com

GHS Pictograms TBT

OSHA has updated the hazard communication (HazCom) standard to include the Globally Harmonized System. This will require that all containers of hazardous chemicals be labeled with GHS-compliant labeling.

Part of that label may be pictograms - a black symbol inside of a red diamond border. Each pictogram has a specific meaning to convey health, physical, and environmental hazard information for a chemical's hazard class and category.

OSHA requires the use of nine different pictograms. Since you will be working with these labels, it's important that you become familiar with the pictograms.

 Flame Over Circle represents oxidizers.

Flame represents flammables, self-reactives, pyrophorics, self-heating materials, substances that emit flammable gas, and/or type B, C, D, and F organic peroxides.

Exploding Bomb is used to represent explosives, self-reactives, and type A and B organic peroxides.

Skull and Crossbones represents acutely toxic materials.

Corrosion represents skin corrosives, eye corrosives, and materials corrosive to metals.

Gas Cylinder represents gases under pressure.

Health Hazard is used to represent carcinogens, respiratory sensitizers, reproductive toxicity, target organ toxicity, mutagenicity, and aspiration toxicity.

Exclamation Mark is used for irritants, skin sensitizers, acute toxicity, narcotic effects, and respiratory tract irritants.

Environment is used for aquatic toxicity.

This information was provided by Assurance Agency.

Incident Reporting

The health and safety of our employees is a top priority. It is everyone’s responsibility to help prevent injuries and report all incidents immediately so that the same thing does not happen again.
When an incident does occur, you must report it to your supervisor immediately and no later than the end of the work day. An employee statement form must be filled out so that the details of the incident can be investigated. It is important to learn what actions must be taken to prevent the accident from happening again. Your supervisor has all the necessary forms for conducting an investigation. This process is not to place blame on the employee or supervisor. It is to find the “root” cause of the incident.

No matter how small the incident may seem, it should be reported to your supervisor. Your supervisor will decide what to do next.

Let’s discuss a few scenarios:
1. While setting up a ladder, a slight pain is felt in your shoulder. You work the rest of the day however it doesn’t hurt too bad. Should you report this or wait until tomorrow to see if it still hurts?
2. You cut your finger on a utility knife and there is some blood that requires a band aid. Should you report this?
3. You trip and hit your elbow on the ground but do not feel any pain. Should you report this?

The following items should always be immediately reported to your supervisor:
1. An injury to any employee or contractor, even if the injury does not require medical attention.
2. An injury to a member of the public occurring on a work site possibly resulting from our activity or involving property, equipment, or resource
3. Illness resulting from suspected chemical exposure
4. Chronic or re-occurring conditions such as back pain or cumulative trauma disorders
5. Fire or explosion
6. Any vehicle accidents occurring on site, while traveling to or from client locations, or with any company-owned or leased vehicle
7. Property damage resulting from any activity
8. Structural collapse or potential structural hazards
9. Unexpected release or imminent release of a hazardous material
10. Unexpected chemical exposures to workers or the public
11. A safety related complaint from the public regarding our activities
12. Any other significant occurrence that could impact safety - WHEN IN DOUBT, REPORT IT!

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency  http://www.assuranceagency.com

Stay Alert- Avoid Slips, Trips, and Falls

Overview
Slips and falls occur every day. The extent of injuries and their recurrence can be minimized through proper safety knowledge and attitudes. Practice safety--don't learn it through experience.

There are various ways to suffer slips and falls while working. You can slip and lose your balance, you can trip over objects left in your walkway, or you can simply fall from an elevated position above the ground.

Slips
Slips can be caused by wet surfaces, spills, or weather hazards like ice or snow. Slips are more likely to occur when you hurry or run, wear the wrong kind of shoes, or don’t pay attention to where you’re walking.

To avoid slips, be on the lookout for foreign substances on the floors. Watch for deposits of water, food, grease, oil, sawdust, soap, or debris. Even small quantities are enough to make you fall.

When entering a building from the outdoors or from debris areas, clean your footwear thoroughly. Snowy and rainy weather requires that you clean off the soles of your shoes. Don't go too fast, walk safely, and avoid changing directions too sharply.

Trips
Trips occur whenever your foot hits an object and you are moving with enough momentum to be thrown off balance.

Trash, unused materials, any object left in the aisles or other areas designed for pedestrian traffic invites falls. Extension cords, tools, carts, and other items should be removed or properly barricaded off. Report any equipment or supplies that are left in walkways. Keep passageways clear of debris.

Walk where you're supposed to walk. Short cuts through machine areas invite accidents. Concentrate on where you are going -- horseplay and inattention leaves you vulnerable to unsafe conditions.

Falls
The worst falls are from elevated positions like ladders and scaffolding. They result in serious injuries and death. Learn and practice ladder safety and the proper use of scaffolding.

Hold on to handrails when using stairs or ramps. They are there to protect you should a fall occur. If you're carrying a heavy load which hampers your ability to properly ascend or descend stairs, use the elevator, or find help!

When climbing, use a ladder of proper length that is in good condition. Keep it placed on a firm surface. Do not climb a ladder placed on machinery, crates, stock or boxes. Keep the ladder's base 1 foot away from the wall for every 4 feet of height. Don't over-reach. Always have control of your balance when working from a ladder. Never climb a ladder with your hands full, and always carry tools in proper carrying devices.

When using a scaffold, be sure it is assembled according to the manufacturer's specifications. Check carefully for defects. Standing and working planks should be level and clean. Use toeboards to prevent tools from falling and workers from slipping. Work only with people who practice scaffold safety.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency http://www.assuranceagency.com

First Aid - CPR - AED Training - 10-10-2019

First Aid - CPR - AED Training - 10-10-2019  #rcec2
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Fall Protection for Construction

Construction workers continue to fall to their deaths in record numbers. In 1996, 292 construction workers lost their lives because of a fall. Your company has a duty to anticipate your need for fall protection. Careful planning and preparation lay the groundwork for an accident-free worksite. However, your employer is not perfect; you need to be involved in the process. Before you go to work at heights six feet or higher, your employer needs to look at a few issues. They need to: (1) understand the duty to provide fall protection, (2) assess the worksite for fall hazards, and (3) select the correct protection system. You are a valuable source for locating hazards. Your company should involve you in the process, and teach you how to do worksite assessments, recognize fall hazards, and select the proper fall equipment.

A duty to provide fall protection
When you are working six feet or more above lower levels, OSHA points out specific areas and operations where fall protection is required. They are: ramps, runways, walkways, excavations, hoist areas, holes, form and reinforcing steel work, leading edge work, unprotected sides and edges, overhand bricklaying and related work, roofing work, precast concrete erection, wall openings, and residential construction. The OSHA rules point out the protection options you have to satisfy the requirement. If the situation is not “listed” in the OSHA rules then 1926.501(b)(15) (walking/working surfaces not otherwise addressed), is appropriate. This reference says that if none of the other situations fit, you must still be protected when working six feet or more above lower levels by a guardrail, safety net, or personal fall arrest equipment.

Worksite assessment
Before going to work, a worksite survey must be done to determine if the walking/working surface on which you are going to work has the strength and structural integrity to safely support you, your fellow workers, and all equipment. Once it is determined that the surface is safe, one of the fall protection options for the particular work operation must be selected if the walking/working surface is six feet or more above a lower level.
As you can see, going to work at heights above six feet is more than just going to work. Much effort is involved in ensuring your safety. Your supervisor, safety guru, or other workers can’t do it alone; you must be involved in the process. Don’t go to work in unsafe conditions; bring them to the attention of your supervisor.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency  http://www.assuranceagency.com

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Noise? What Noise?

Construction sites are noisy places, especially during certain phases of a project. However, you don't have to accept hearing loss as a cost of working at construction sites. Noise is now recognized by OSHA as a hazard that can cause:
• Temporary or permanent hearing loss.
• Drowsiness, irritability, & loss of concentration.
• Decreased morale and stress.
• High blood pressure, ulcers, headaches, and sleeping disorders.

There is no cure for noise-induced hearing loss, so preventing exposure to excessive noise is the only way to avoid hearing damage and other hazards. Noise is unwanted sound measured by its frequency (high or low pitch and its intensity (loudness measured in decibels (dB)). High frequencies are most damaging. Construction workers may not be exposed to more than an average of 85 dB over an eight-hour period without hearing protection being provided.

Hearing protection devices (HPDs) do not block out sound completely, but they give some protection by reducing the amount of sound reaching your ear. At the same time, you will be able to hear speech and important machinery sounds.

Keep in mind, though, that HPDs are provided only after your employer assesses the noise, attempts to reduce it using engineering and administrative controls (like having you work far from noisy equipment, limiting the amount of time you spend in noisy environments, and installing antivibration machine mountings or acoustical enclosures), and then finds that hazardous noise remains. The various HPDs that your company may provide to you include ear plugs, ear muffs, or canal caps.

Ultimately, you are responsible for protecting your own hearing. Here are some points to remember about protecting your sense of hearing:
• Have an annual hearing test.
• Make sure your hearing protection fits.
• Don't use homemade hearing protection devices; they don't work.
• Keep hearing protection devices in good condition.
• Wear hearing protection devices at work as required and at home when working on noisy projects.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency http://www.assuranceagency.com

Foot Protection

Overview
What features make safety shoes different from regular “street” shoes? Basically, they are designed to protect the foot and toes in areas most likely to be injured. There are many different types and designs of protective footwear.

Types of protective footwear.
A few of the different types of protective footwear include:
• safety shoes — have toe guards that meet requirements of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z41-1991, Protective Footwear. Steel, reinforced plastic, and hard rubber are used to protect toes, depending upon their intended us.
• metatarsal guards — instep guards to protect the top of the foot from impacts. Metal guards extend over the top of the shoe, rather than just over the toes.
• conductive shoes — prevent the accumulation of static electricity that builds up in the body of the wearer.
• electrical hazard shoes — offer protection against shock hazards from contact with exposed circuits.
• puncture resistant shoes — protect against the hazards of stepping on sharp objects that can penetrate the soles.
• slip resistant shoes — have soles which provide improved traction in situations where slipping hazards exist.

When choosing safety footwear, look for shoes that meet ANSI Z41-1991 Protective Footwear.

What must my employer do?
Your employer must train you on the need for and use of protective footwear. Training should include:
• information on when PPE is needed.
• an explanation on what protective footwear is required, and where to obtain it.
• how to put on, take off, adjust, and wear protective footwear.
• the limitations of the PPE.
• the proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of the PPE.

What must I do?
For your safety, it is crucial that you understand and follow your company’s procedures for foot protection. If you have any questions regarding how to protect your feet from injury on the job, ask your supervisor.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency http://www.assuranceagency.com

Compressed Gases

Overview
Compressed gases are extremely useful in our lives. At the same time, if not handled, stored and used properly, compressed gases can be hazardous.
Compressed gases can be hazardous because they may be:

• Stored under high pressure: When a high-pressure cylinder accidentally ruptures or when a valve assembly breaks off, rocketing can occur. A compressed gas cylinder has enough stored energy to blast through a concrete wall.

• Flammable: Flammable gases catch fire easily and burn quickly. Adding flammability to a compression hazard can create an extremely dangerous situation.

• Asphyxiant (inert): Inert gases can displace oxygen needed for breathing, leading to suffocation of exposed employees.

• Oxidizing: Oxidizing gases can explode violently when they come into contact with organic and combustible materials. Containers of oxidizing gases must be kept free of oils, greases, and other hydrocarbon-based materials.

• Corrosive: Corrosive gases attack exposed tissues and other materials. Special PPE and a self-contained breathing apparatus is required when handling these gases. Know the location of eyewashes and emergency showers.

• Toxic: Poisonous gases which should only be handled by specially trained workers. Appropriate PPE is always required when handling toxic gases.

• Cryogenic: Extremely cold gases or liquids which can cause frostbite or burned skin if they come into contact with exposed skin. These gases can also displace oxygen causing an asphyxiation hazard.

What must my employer do?
Your employer will:
• review the appropriate procedures for handling pressurized gases, and work practices in your workplace.
• demonstrate the appropriate use of PPE for the gases used in your workplace.
• show and explain the meanings of any hazardous warning signs used at the workplace.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency http://www.assuranceagency.com

Flammable Liquids

There are many thousands of chemicals in use in the American workplace. One of the most common hazards of these chemicals is flammability. To protect you and your co-workers, OSHA has developed some very detailed regulations covering the storage and use of flammable liquids.

Not all employees require special training in handling of flammable liquids, but any employee involved in the storage, transfer, use, or disposal of flammable liquids does require special training.

Improper handling of flammables brings a great risk of fire. When a flammable liquid is spilled, vapors begin to form immediately. It is the vapors that will ignite, and which pose the greater danger.

Flammable liquid spill cleanup should begin promptly. Vapors will continue to build until the liquid is removed, and they can be ignited by a variety of sources in the average workplace.

Categories of flammable liquids
There are four categories of flammable liquids:
· Category 1 – having flash points below 73.4ºF and having boiling points at or below 95ºF.
· Category 2 – having flash points below 73.4ºF and having boiling points above 95ºF.
· Category 3 – having flash points at or above 73.4ºF and at or below 140ºF. When a Category 3 liquid with a flash point at or above 100ºF is heated for use to within 30ºF of its flashpoint, it shall be handled in accordance with the requirements for a Category 3 liquid with a flashpoint below 100ºF
· Category 4 – having flash points at or above 140ºF and at or below 199.4ºF. When a Category 4 flammable liquid is heated for use to within 30ºF of its flashpoint, it shall be handled in accordance with the requirements for a Category 3 liquid with a flashpoint at or above 100ºF.

When a liquid with a flashpoint greater than 199.4ºF is heated for use to within 30ºF of its flashpoint, it shall be handled in accordance with the requirements for a Category 4 flammable liquid.

Safety data sheets
An easy way to identify flammable or combustible liquids is through the safety data sheet (SDS). The SDS will have information on fire and explosive hazards, and will list any special handling and storage precautions.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency  http://www.assuranceagency.com

Heat Related Illnesses and Injuries TBT

When your body is unable to cool itself through sweating, serious heat illnesses may occur. The most severe heat-induced illnesses are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If actions are not taken to treat heat exhaustion, the illness could progress to heat stroke and you could possibly die.

Heat exhaustion
- headaches
- dizziness/lightheadedness
- weakness
- mood changes (irritable, or confused or can’t think straight)
- feeling sick to your stomach
- vomiting/throwing up
- decreased and dark colored urine
- fainting/passing out; pale clammy skin

Heat stroke—A medical emergency
- Dry pale skin (no sweating)
- hot red skin (looks like a sunburn)
- mood changes (irritable, confused or not making any sense)
- seizures/fits
- collapse/passed out (will not respond)

Things you can do to prevent difficulties from heat related illnesses and injuries:
- Learn the signs and symptoms of heat-induced illnesses and what you can do to help yourself or a fellow employee.
- Use the buddy system (work in pairs) when working in hot conditions.
- Drink plenty of cool water (one small cup every 15-20 minutes).
- Wear light, loose-fitting, breathable (like cotton) clothing.
- Avoid eating large meals before working in hot environments.
- Avoid caffeine and alcoholic beverages (these beverages make your body lose water and increase the risk for heat illnesses).
- Slowly build up tolerance to the heat and your work activity (usually takes about two weeks).
- Do your heaviest work in the coolest part of the day.
- Take frequent short breaks in cool shaded areas. This allows your body to cool down.

You are at increased risk when you:
- Take certain medications. Check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacy and ask if any medicines you are taking affect you while working in hot environments.
- Have had a heat-induced illness in the past.
- Wear some personal protective equipment such as respirators or protective suits.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency  http://www.assuranceagency.com

Forklifts- Training

All workers hired to operate a forklift must be trained—according to the operator training requirements in 29 CFR 1910.178(l)—BEFORE being allowed to use a forklift.

OSHA uses the term powered industrial truck to describe a mobile, power-driven vehicle used to carry, push, pull, lift, stack, or tier material. Included in this description would be: high lift, counterbalanced, cantilever, rider, forklift, high lift platform, and motorized hand/rider trucks.

The following information highlights the requirements of the forklift training rule:

The OSHA forklift training standard is in the OSHA general industry regulations at 29 CFR 1910.178(l)–Powered industrial truck operator training.

If you are a forklift operator you must: (1) be competent to safely operate the particular forklift you will use, and (2) successfully complete the training required by the standard.

Your trainer must have the knowledge, training, and experience to train you and evaluate your competence. Trainees can only operate a forklift: (a) under the direct supervision of a knowledgeable trainer/evaluator, and (b) when it does not endanger you or others.

You must initially train in all topics listed in the regulations unless you and your employer can demonstrate that a topic is not applicable to safe forklift operations at your jobsite.

Topics are broken down into three broad categories: (1) truck-related, (2) worksite related, and (3) the forklift rule requirements.

Refresher training and evaluation must be done to ensure you have the knowledge and skills needed to operate the forklift safely. Refresher training is required when: (1) unsafe operation is observed, (2) an accident or near-miss has occurred, (3) an evaluation reveals unsafe operation, (4) you will operate a different truck, and (5) workplace conditions change that could affect safe operation.

An evaluation of each forklift operator must be conducted at least once every three years.

If you have previously trained in a required topic, the training is appropriate to the forklift and working conditions encountered, and you have been evaluated and found competent to operate the truck safely, that training does not have to be duplicated.

Your employer must certify that you have been trained and evaluated as required by the standard.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency  http://www.assuranceagency.com

Make Fire Safety a High Priority

Because of the deadly danger of fire, it’s to your benefit to know what to do if a fire starts. You should be aware of certain procedures to protect yourself and others from injury during fires and other emergencies.

Your employer will conduct regular emergency drills so that you and your co-workers will know what to do and where to proceed during an emergency. You should be familiar with:
- How to report fires, hazardous chemical spills, and other emergencies.
- The route you are assigned to take during a building evacuation.
- Who to ask for more information.

Alarm Systems
Most companies use alarm systems to alert employees to evacuate an area or to take a specific action. You must be able to recognize these alarms. In areas where production noise could prevent an alarm from being heard, flashing lights are often installed as a second, visual alarm. These alarm systems can generally also operate from auxiliary power sources so that they can operate even when the power goes out.

Emergency Shutdown of Equipment
If time permits before evacuation, turn off any equipment you are operating, such as forklifts or conveyors.

Your employer may designate certain workers to shutdown critical facility systems, such as gas and electrical power, before evacuating the work area.

Evacuation
Your employer will develop emergency escape routes for the various locations in your facility. Floor plans or work-area maps clearly define emergency escape routes and are commonly used to convey this information.

Your employer will designate certain employees to take a head count of all workers after evacuation and to inform emergency responders of any missing personnel.

When a Fire Starts. . . .
When a fire starts, think only of your safety and the safety of others.
When a fire is out of control, you don’t know what is burning, or you have not been trained to use extinguishers, sound the fire alarm, then call for emergency help from a safe place.

Be aware of smoke and noxious fumes. These fumes enter the lungs and leave persons unconscious and at the mercy of the smoke and flames. They are already unconscious or dead before flames reach them.

Any fire in the workplace has the potential to cause serious personal or property damage. When chemicals are involved, the possibilities for destruction are greatly multiplied. Fire in the workplace is serious business.

Do your part to make your workplace fire-proof.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Emergency Action Plans TBT

Overview
There is always the potential for emergencies to occur at your facility. To reduce your exposure to potential emergencies, your employer has developed an emergency action plan.

Emergency actions plans are developed to provide guidelines on what actions to take if an emergency should occur at your facility.

What is an emergency action plan?
In 29 CFR 1910.38(c), OSHA lists the minimum elements which should be included in an emergency action plan.
 
These elements include:

1. Evacuation procedures and exit route assignments. Your employer will also point out the location of internal shelter areas, and exterior safe areas for evacuation.

2. Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate. Some critical plant operations include gas, electrical, power, and water. Chemical manufacturing processes could also be included.

3. Headcount procedures to account for you and your coworkers after emergency evacuation has been completed.

4. Rescue and medical duties for those employees who are to perform them.

5. Procedures for reporting fires and other emergencies.

6. Names or regular job titles of persons or departments who can be contacted for further information or an explanation of duties under the plan.

Additional information
Your employer will also explain:
- How to report fires, hazardous chemical spills, and other emergencies.
- Procedures for sounding emergency alarms on-site.
- Who to notify in the event of an emergency.
- What phones to use and numbers to call.
- Location and use of emergency fire alarms.
- Critical plant operations and those responsible for their operation/shut down.
- Accounting for all employees after emergency evacuation.
- Personnel designated to perform rescue and medical duties.
- Alarm system.
- Recognition of different alarms, such as audio and visual.
- Who is to be contacted for more information on the emergency action plan.
- Where a written copy of the plan can be obtained.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Floor / Wall Openings

In the construction industry falls are the leading cause of worker fatalities. When working around floor and wall openings, you must be careful that you don’t fall through. You can be injured or killed if you step into a hole or opening, or are hit by objects falling through.

Definitions
• Guardrail system means a barrier erected to prevent employees from falling to lower levels.
• Hole is a gap or void 2 inches or more in its least dimension, in a floor, roof, or other walking/working surface.
• Opening is a gap or void 30 inches or more high and 18 inches or more wide, in a wall or partition, through which employees can fall to a lower level.

What you need to know
If you are working on a surface or floor that has holes or openings and that surface is more than six feet above a lower level, you must be protected from:
• Falling through holes (including skylights) by personal fall arrest systems, covers, or guardrail systems erected around the holes;
• Tripping in or stepping into or through holes by covers; and
• Objects falling through holes by covers.

Covers and safety How can you tell a cover from a sheet of plywood laying on the floor?
• Covers must be secured when installed to prevent accidental displacement by the wind, equipment, or employees. If the cover material is secured to the floor it may be there for a reason so don’t remove it.
• All covers must be color-coded or marked with the word “HOLE” or “COVER” to provide warning of the hazard. This should be a good indication that the material is a cover.

What if you are going to work in an opening that has a cover secured over it?
• Never remove a cover until you are ready to work in the hole or opening.
• Use personal fall arrest systems when working in the hole or opening.
• After you are finished working in the opening your employer must either replace and secure the cover or erect guardrails around the hole.

What if you are moving or disposing of material through a wall opening to a lower level? If you are working on, at, above, or near wall openings (including those with chutes attached) you must use a guardrail system, a safety net system, or a personal fall arrest system, when:
• the outside bottom edge of the wall opening is six-feet or more above lower levels; and
• the inside bottom edge of the wall opening is less than 39 inches above the walking/working surface.
• OSHA recognizes that accidents involving falls are generally complex events frequently involving a variety of factors. By following the requirements in this handout, you can avoid falling through floor and wall openings.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Ergonomics Tool Box Talks

What is Ergonomics?
Ergonomics is the process of fitting the job to the worker. It is the design of machinery, tools and the way work is done in order to reduce stress on the body. It emphasizes how people do their work and what body movements they make and positions they hold while working. It also emphasizes what tools and equipment workers use and what effect all of these have on their comfort and health.

What are some ways to identify ergonomic problems?
There are six basic risk factors associated with ergonomic problems:

1. REPETITION: When a job requires repeated activity using the same part of the body.

2. EXCESSIVE FORCE: When a worker has to continually use a lot of force when lifting, pushing or pulling.

3. AWKWARD POSTURE: When a job task forces a worker to maintain an uncomfortable position.

4. MECHANICAL STRESS: When a worker must constantly hit or push a hard part of a machine or a tool.

5. VIBRATING TOOLS: When a worker must hold vibrating equipment, OR MACHINES: especially when the temperature in the workplace is cold.

6. TEMPERATURE: When a worker has to work under very cold or very hot conditions.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Hazards of Electricity - Tool Box Talks

Electricity is necessary to get work done at construction sites. However, with its benefits come deadly hazards you should be aware of and guard against when working with electrically-powered equipment or wiring. Primary hazards are shock and possible electrocution, burns, arc-blasts, explosions, and fires. Electricity travels in closed circuits; its normal route is through a conductor and load. You can get a shock when some part of your body becomes part of the circuit. An electric current enters your body at one point and exits at another.

Shock normally occurs when you touch:
• both wires of an electric circuit, or
• one wire of an energized circuit and ground, or
• a metallic part that is “hot” because it is contacting an energized wire and you are in contact with the ground.

The severity of the shock depends on three factors:
• how much current flows through your body (measured in amperes),
• what path the electric current takes through your body, and
• how long your body is part of the electric circuit.

The effects of an electric shock on your body can range from: a faint tingle at 1 milliamp, to cardiac arrest, severe burns, and probable death, at 10,000 milliamps.

A severe shock can also cause considerably more damage to your body than is visible. You can suffer internal bleeding and destruction of tissues, muscles, nerves, and internal organs. In addition, shock is often only the beginning in a chain of events. The final injury may be from a fall, cuts, burns, or broken bones. The most common shock-related injury is a burn. Burns suffered in electrical accidents are of three types: electrical burns, arc burns, and thermal contact burns.

Electrical burns — are the result of current flowing through tissue or bone, generating heat, and causing injury. They are serious injuries and should be given immediate attention.

Arc or flash burns — are the result of high temperatures near the body. They are produced by an electric arc or explosion.

Thermal contact burns — are those experienced when the skin contacts hot surfaces of overheated electric conductors, conduits, or other energized equipment. Additionally, clothing may be ignited in an electrical accident and a thermal burn will result.

Other injuries — of an indirect or secondary nature, caused by involuntary muscle reaction from the shock, can result in bruises, bone fractures, and even death resulting from collisions or falls.

Fire, explosion, and flying metal — hazards are created from resulting arcs when a short circuit occurs. If high current is involved, arcs can cause injury or start a fire. Extremely high-energy arcs can damage equipment, causing fragmented metal to fly in all directions. Even low-energy arcs can cause violent explosions in atmospheres that contain flammable gases, vapors, or combustible dusts.

Construction workers can’t do their job without electricity. However, constant activity at a construction site makes it a particularly hazardous environment. Extension cords, temporary wiring panels, water hoses, materials laying around, and constant use of electric tools, make it extremely important that you are careful around electricity. Your life may depend on it.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Disaster Recovery Tool Box Talks

After a disaster, employees may be injured, buildings may be damaged, records and equipment may be lost, and normal business operations are interrupted or stopped altogether.
Successful disaster recovery requires good planning. The company takes a close look at how possible disaster situations could affect operations and prepares a disaster recovery plan with the goal of safely resuming normal operations as quickly as possible.

The company will probably need to hire outside contractors to help with recovery efforts, but it may be necessary for a team of employees to reenter the facility during recovery operations.

This team may be involved in:
• Escorting incident investigators (fire department, police, insurance agents, OSHA compliance officers, etc.).
• Salvaging records, files, personal property, etc.
• Directing the activities of contractors.

Recovery hazards
The recovery team needs to be aware of the unique hazards that may be present in a facility that has been damaged in a disaster.

Fire and explosion hazards - The facility's smoke detector, fire alarm, and fire suppression systems may be inoperable.

Flooding - Workers should be aware of the risks for disease or poisoning from contact with contaminated flood waters.

Chemical hazards - Recovery workers need to be observant for chemical spills. Only specially trained personnel can be authorized to clean up hazardous chemical spills.

Electrical hazards - Recovery workers must inspect all electric appliances carefully before use. Damaged equipment must be removed from use for repair or replacement.

Natural or LP-gas supplies - Recovery workers who discover any gas leaks should immediately evacuate the facility, warn others to evacuate, leave doors open, and call for emergency assistance.

Using portable generators and temporary heaters - Recovery workers must follow all manufacturer's operating instructions for using this equipment.

Employee training
Because your employer may need to change safety plans so they address the hazards during recovery operations, recovery workers may need additional training in topics such as:
• Emergency action plan.
• Fire prevention plan.
• First aid procedures and exposure control plan.
• Hazard communication.
• HAZWOPER (emergency response plan).
• Personal protective equipment hazard assessment.
• Process safety management program.
• Respiratory protection program.
• Risk management plan.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Company Vehicle Safety Inspections

Before you drive a company vehicle, make sure it’s safe by conducting a vehicle safety inspection.

Check the vehicle to be sure:
- The vehicle does not have any visible damage that affects its safe operation.

- The tires are properly inflated (use the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations that are typically noted on a sticker inside the door, glove box, or trunk -- the pressures stamped on the tire are not specific to the vehicle). Check the pressure when the tires are cold.

- Tires have sufficient tread depth (tread depth should be at least 1/16 inch).

- The vehicle’s fluid levels are correct (oil, brake, transmission, battery, and wiper fluids).

- Belts and hoses are free of blisters, cracks, and cuts.

- The vehicle has plenty of fuel.

- The windshield wipers are in good condition and are functional.

- You are familiar with the location and operation of all the vehicle’s controls; and the seat, steering wheel, and mirrors are properly adjusted.

- Headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, and interior lights are working.

- The seat belt is properly adjusted, and it’s in good condition.

- The vehicle is equipped with an emergency kit.

- Loose objects are secured so they won’t shift to cause injury during a sudden stop or turn.

A safety inspection is only helpful if you report defects or unsafe conditions right away. Don’t risk driving an unsafe vehicle.


This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Recognize the Warning Signs TBT

Overview
In an effort to decrease the number of accidents and injuries in the workplace, OSHA developed two standards on safety color-coding and specifications for accident prevention signs and tags. A sign refers to a surface on prepared for the warning of, or safety instructions of, industrial workers or members of the public who may be exposed to hazards. The information is located in 29 CFR 1910.144 and 1910.145.

What must I know?
There are a few different means of designating signs and tags. Color and shape work well for the purpose of communicating required information. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has developed the following color scheme:

Safety colors:
- Red - Fire, danger, or stop
- Orange - Warning
- Yellow - Caution
- Green - Safety
- Blue - Notice

Shapes:
- Triangle - Hazard alerts
- Circle - Mandatory actions
- Square/rectangle - Information
- Circle with slash - Prohibited activity

According to the National Electrical Manufacturer’s Association/American National Standards Institute (NEMA/ANSI), the lettering must be in upper case block letter, and large enough that a person with normal vision can read it. The labels on piping also play a vital role in informing employees and emergency personnel what is contained in the pipes in your workplace. These labels are color-coded and include the substance name.

Labels on piping:
- Yellow - Flammable
- Green - Liquid, non-flammable
- Blue - Gaseous
- Red - Fire quenching material

Adequate lighting should be available for signs so that the message is readable. Your employer strives to maintain the safest workplace possible, and the communication of hazards plays an important role. Knowing the difference between red and green may sound simple, but it could save a life.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Face Protection

Overview
Face protection is required by OSHA where there is a reasonable probability of preventing injury when such equipment is used. Employers must provide a type of protection that is suitable for the work being done.

Employees must use the protection provided. A Bureau of Labor Statistics study found that about half of the injuries which occurred to workers faces resulted from not wearing the protective equipment supplied.

What must my employer do?
Your employer must ensure that:
• All workers required to wear face protection understand how to use it so that it offers the most protection.
• These workers must demonstrate understanding of the training, and the ability to use it properly before being allowed to perform work requiring its use.

What must I do?
As an employee who is required to use face protection, you must:
• Understand how to use the required personal protection equipment (PPE).
• Know how to properly clean and maintain the PPE.

What must face protection do?
At a minimum, face protection must:
• Adequately protect against the particular hazards for which it was designed.
• Be reasonably comfortable when worn under the designated conditions.
• Fit snugly without interfering with the movements or vision of the wearer.
• Be durable.
• Be capable of being disinfected.
• Be easily cleanable.
• Be kept clean and in good repair.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Flammables

Flammable liquids give off ignitable vapors. This, plus the fact that there are many ignition sources (such as a hand tool that sparks, or a cutting torch) at construction sites, is a real threat. Respect for, and proper use and care of flammable liquids is critical to a safe jobsite.
If you handle or use flammable liquids such as gasoline, some fuel oils and kerosene's, or naphtha, you must be instructed in the safe handling and use of these materials.

Fire prevention
Only approved containers and portable tanks can be used for storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids.

Approved safety cans or Department of Transportation (DOT) approved containers must: (1) be used when handling or using flammable liquids in quantities of five gallons or less, (2) be red, (3) and if the flammable liquid has a flash point at or below 80 degrees F, have a yellow band or the name of the dangerous liquid stenciled in yellow.

While approved metal safety cans are still acceptable (5 gallons or less and equipped with a spring-closing lid and spout cover, a means to relieve internal pressure, and a flash arresting screen), OSHA will recognize that various nationally recognized testing labs have also approved the use of acceptable plastic safety cans for flammable liquids.

OSHA has determined that DOT approved containers of 5 gallon capacity, not equipped with a spring closing lid, spout cover, and flash-arresting screen are also acceptable because they sufficiently reduce the risk from fire, spills and explosions.
For quantities of one gallon or less, the original container may be used for storage, use and handling of flammable liquids.

Fire protection
A fire extinguisher, rated not less than 10B, must be provided within 50 feet of wherever more than five gallons of flammable or combustible liquids, or five pounds of flammable gas are being used on the jobsite. This does not apply to the fuel tanks of motor vehicles.

Jobsite safety
All solvent waste, oily rags, and flammable liquids must be kept in fire resistant covered containers until removed from the worksite.

Flammable or combustible liquids must not be stored in areas used for exits, stairways, or normally used for the safe passage of people.

Fire is a real threat at construction sites. Storage and use of flammable and combustible liquids increases the threat substantially, and also increases the possibility of a tragic accident involving burns to workers. Respect for, and proper use and care of dangerous liquids, is critical to a safe jobsite.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency