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