Designated Path

 

Overview
All buildings must have a way of allowing occupants fast exit to the outside or a safe place of refuge in case of an emergency. These exits can be hallways, corridors, balconies, ramps, stairs, or lobbies.

The designated paths of exit must be arranged and maintained to provide a free and unob¬structed means to exit all parts of the building at all times. Employers must also ensure that these paths are accessible to occupants who have impaired mobility.

Exits must lead directly outside, to a refuge area, or to an open space with access to the outside. The area beyond the exit has to have enough room to accommodate the people who are likely to use the exit.

Exit doors:

   • must be able to be readily opened without having to use keys, tools, or special knowledge.

   • cannot have any alarm or device that would restrict emergency use of the exit if the device fails

What must my employer do?
Your employer will explain how to locate exits in your facility, and what you should do if you are required to exit the building in an emergency

What must I do?
You must become aware of at least two exits from your area of the workplace.

You have the duty to not block exits or paths of exits, and alert your employer if you notice exits that are blocked.

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

Sexual Harassment on the Job

 

Do you have nude pictures in your workplace? Tell dirty jokes? Make suggestive remarks to other employees? If you answered yes to any of these questions you may be guilty of sexual harassment. Since enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the development of guidelines by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in 1980, sexual harassment is considered to be a form of sex discrimination-a Federal offense.

To discriminate against a person is to deny them rights, benefits, wages, or opportunities because that person belongs to a certain group. Sexual harassment is defined as:

· "Unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors, or any verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when submission to such conduct is expressed or implied as a condition of employment;

· Submission to or rejection of such conduct, used as a basis for employment decisions;

· When such conduct substantially interferes with a person's work performance;

· The creation of an intimidating, hostile or offensive* working environment."

Basically, sexual harassment is any inappropriate and unwelcome behavior with a sexual overtone that causes a negative effect on a person's work environment. Examples of sexual harassment, if carried out in the workplace include:

1. Displaying obscene or offensive pictures or reading materials

2. Making suggestive gestures or sounds

3. Whistling or leering

4. Exerting unwanted pressure for dates

5. Sending letters or making telephone calls not wanted by the receiver

6. Inappropriate touching, patting, etc.

7. Telling dirty jokes

8. Extorting sexual favors from a subordinate

We usually think of an injury as a traumatic event resulting in broken bones, or blood gushing from open wounds. People also suffer injuries that have no outwardly observable signs. These are psychological injuries which can be just as devastating, disabling and scarring as any visible injury. Victims of sexual harassment often suffer from embarrassment, loss of reputation, fear of retaliation, criticism, blame, loss of their jobs, stress, low productivity, absenteeism, and low morale.

Everyone-the harasser, the victim, and the employer suffer when sexual harassment exists in the workplace. Think about your behavior around other employees for a moment. Are you guilty of sexual harassment? If you are, stop now. And if you are the victim of sexual harassment, you do not have to put up with this. Report it to your supervisor immediately.

* Some behaviors may not seem offensive in your view, but they may be offensive to others.

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

Electrical Safety- Extension Cords

 

Extension cords are one of the most misused pieces of electrical equipment. When exposed to “normal” construction use, extension cords can experience rapid deterioration. When you subject the cord to additional misuse, such as removing the ability to ground the cord, the cord can be a ticket to the emergency room or even the morgue.

3-prong connectors
One of the most common tricks to get extension cords to work faster is to remove the third prong from a 3-prong connector. Removing this third prong can result in electrocution because the path to ground is now lost.

Repairing extension cords with electrical tape
Another common mistake is to use electrical tape to repair extension cords. OSHA doesn’t recommend it for a couple reasons: If the tape is applied too thickly if could change the cord’s original flexibility and lead to internal damage: also, the depth of the abrasions and cuts cannot be monitored to see if they get worse (unless of course you remove the tape).

Hard or Extra Hard Service cords
OSHA often cites construction companies because they fail to use extension cords that are rated correctly. For instance, a two wire ribbon type cord is not designed for hard usage. OSHA requires that construction extension cords must be either Hard or Extra Hard Service cords. Hard Service or Extra Hard Service cords are marked with one of the following designations: S, ST, SO, STO, SJ, SJO, SJT, and SJTO.

Strain relief
Another common citation OSHA issues deals with the lack of strain relief on extension cords. The plug area of an extension cord is one of the weakest areas of the cord.  When devices or fittings designed to relieve cord strain are not used, insulation tends to pull back and expose conductors.

What you can do to prevent accidents when using extension cords

• Visually inspect all electrical equipment prior to use. Any defects such as frayed cords, missing ground prongs, etc., should be corrected by taking the tool out-of-service.

• Frequently inspect electrical systems to insure the path to ground is continuous. Continually audit extension cords at your jobsite. Take any cords that are not Hard or Extra Hard out-of-service immediately.

• Use only cords that are equipped with strain relief.

• Remove cords from receptacles by pulling on the plug, not the cord.

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

Personal Fall Arrest Systems

 

A Personal fall arrest system is required when working at height levels with an unprotected side or edge. When it is not possible to provide a safe working platform, i.e. secured full deck board with guardrails including toe guards and means of safe access and there is risk of fall from height, then use of personal fall arrest or personal fall protection equipment is mandatory.

Appropriate connectors assembly along with full body harness required for each work shall be determined based on the level of exposure, nature of work, type of roof/surface/platform, etc. and shall be listed in the permit to work.

Generally, a personal fall arrest systems consist of anchors (connector), full body harness and lanyard with shock absorber.

Regulations – Personal fall arrest system
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502 gives guidelines on Fall protection systems criteria and practices.

Body belts are not acceptable as part of personal fall arrest system according to OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(b) because they can cause serious injury during fall.
When workers are exposed to fall of 6 feet or more to a lower level, they must wear personal fall arrest. Personal fall arrest system must be designed and setup according to OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502 (d)(16)(iii

Safe work practices and controls
1. Plan and organize the work in advance through the work permit system and the Job Safety Analysis to assess the requirement of personal fall protection system.

2. Make sure, all personal protective equipment used for working is inspected before use.

3. Workers must be trained in the use of personal fall arrest equipment and must work under the constant supervision of a competent person.

4. Workers with health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, psychosis, epilepsy, or one of these diseases should be considered unfit.

5. It is very important to calculate the proper length of lanyard, anchorage position and the distance to the lower level i.e. fall clearance distance to prevent contact with lower surface in the event of fall.

6. The pendulum effect must be predicted for the fallen worker so that it cannot be hit on the nearby structure. There anchor point must be above the work area.

8. A personal fall arrest system includes an anchorage (where the lanyard’s snap hook is attached), Full body harness and connector i.e. lanyard with shock absorber or lifeline. Connector couples the body harness to the anchorage. Lifeline may be self-retractive type or with deceleration device.

9. How to wear full body safety harness properly:
 
  - Before use, inspect your harness for any damaged straps, buckles, D-ring and lines. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and keep in mind that most of the harness are withstanding 140 kg load.
 
  - Hold the harness by D-ring in your right hand and shake it to allow all straps to hang down. If any strap i.e. chest, thighs or waist are already buckled then unbuckle them before wearing.
 
  - Slip straps over shoulders and ensure the D-ring of harness at center i.e. between the worker’s shoulder blades. Lanyard should be attached to the D-ring.
 
  - Adjust the harness to fit comfortably. Make sure all straps are fastened and adjusted correctly.

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

RCEC/RHBA 2021 Economic Conference

 

2021 Virtual Economic Conference
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Register Online
Download the Flyer, includes Phone and USPS Registration