Understanding the Safety and Health Program Management

 

Overview

An effective occupational safety and health program will include the following four elements.

Management commitment and employee involvement

Management commitment and employee involvement are complementary. Management commitment provides the motivating force and the resources for organizing and controlling activities within an organization.

In an effective program, management regards worker safety and health as a fundamental value of the organization and applies its commitment to safety and health protection with as much vigor as to other organizational purposes.

Employee involvement provides the means through which workers develop and/or express their own commitment to safety and health protection, for themselves and for their fellow workers.

Worksite analysis

Worksite analysis involves a variety of worksite examinations, to identify not only existing hazards but also conditions and operations in which changes might occur to create hazards. Unawareness of a hazard that stems from failure to examine the worksite is a sure sign that safety and health policies and/or practices are ineffective. Effective management actively analyzes the work and worksite, to anticipate and prevent harmful occurrences.

Hazard prevention and control

Hazard prevention and control are triggered by a determination that a hazard or potential hazard exists. Where feasible, hazards are prevented by effective design of the job site or job. Where it is not feasible to eliminate them, they are controlled to prevent unsafe and unhealthful exposure. Elimination or control is accomplished in a timely manner once a hazard or potential hazard is recognized.

Safety and health training

Safety and health training addresses the safety and health responsibilities of all personnel concerned with the site, whether salaried or hourly. It is often most effective when incorporated into other training about performance requirements and job practices. Its complexity depends on the size and complexity of the worksite and the nature of the hazards and potential hazards at the site.

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

 

Fall Protection for scaffold users

 

Fall hazards account for a high percentage of the injuries and deaths for scaffold users. When you are on a scaffold platform more than 10 feet above a lower level you must be pro­tected from falling by some type of fall protection. The type of fall protection required depends on the type of scaffold you are using. The choices you may have on your construction site include:

·         Personal fall arrest system — boatswains’ chair, catenary scaffold, float scaffold, needle beam scaffold, or ladder jack scaffold.

·         Personal fall arrest and guardrail system — single-point or two-point adjustable suspension scaffold, and self-contained adjustable scaffold when the platform is supported by ropes.

·         Personal fall arrest, guardrail, or grabline — chicken ladder.

·         Guardrail system — Self-contained adjustable scaffold when the platform is supported by the frame, and walkways within scaffolds. ·         Personal fall arrest or guardrail system — overhand bricklaying from a supported scaf­fold, and all other scaffolds not specified above. Each personal fall arrest and guardrail system must meet certain requirements. You need to be familiar with and understand the requirements of each. Only then can you detect prob­lems in the equipment or system as they arise. Personal fall arrest systems

All personal fall arrest systems used on scaffolds must meet the requirements of Section 1926.502(d). This is the fall protection rule. Paragraph (d) specifies the requirements of the fall protection equipment such as connectors, dee-rings, snaphooks, and webbing and lan­yards. It also discusses horizontal and vertical lifelines.

Another important aspect is what happens to the equipment when it is used to arrest a fall. The maximum arresting force on an employee cannot be more than 900 pounds when used with a body belt, and 1,800 pounds when used with a body harness. These forces are impor­tant and are set to minimize the impact on a falling employee.

Guardrails

Guardrails have certain requirements. Only if those requirements are met can the system be considered safe. I’m sure all of us have been in positions where the guardrails looked less than safe and would not want to even accidently lean on them.

The requirements for guardrails are found in 1926.451(g)(4). Appendix A of the scaffold rule gives you direction in how to build guardrails including ideas for materials. For instance, Appen­dix A says toprails shall be equivalent in strength to 2 inch by 4 inch lumber; or 1 1/4 inch x 1/8 inch structural angle iron; or 1 inch x 0.70 inch wall steel tubing; or 1.990 inch wall aluminum tub­ing. If you are required to build, use and/or inspect guardrails, Appendix A can be a valuable resource.

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

 

 

Rigging Methods

 

Your company's rigging equipment, used in conjunction with cranes, derricks, hoists, and other properly rigged equipment to move materials at jobsites, must comply with specific OSHA rules. Those rules are found in 29 CFR 1926.251.

The rules cover slings made from alloy steel chain, wire rope, metal mesh, natural or synthetic fiber rope, and synthetic web (nylon, polyester, or polypropylene).

Inspection before you use a sling

Before each shift, and as necessary during operations, your competent person must visually inspect all slings, fastenings, and attachments, for damage or defects. Damaged or defective slings must not be used.

Use requirements

Rigging equipment must never be loaded in excess of its recommended safe working load.

Slings, when not in use, should be removed from the immediate area to: (1) not be a trip or swinging hazard, and (2) protect the sling from jobsite hazards such as dirt, oil, grease, and not being walked on or run over by construction traffic.

Other jobsite safety rules

Slings must not be shortened with knots or bolts or other makeshift devices.

Sling legs that have been kinked must not be used.

Slings used in a basket hitch must have the loads balanced to prevent slippage.

Slings must be padded or protected from load sharp edges.

Hands or fingers must not be placed between the sling and its load while the sling is being tightened around the load.

Suspended loads must be kept clear of all obstructions.

Crane operators should avoid sudden starts and stops when moving suspended loads.

Employees must remain clear of loads about to be lifted and suspended. Tag lines should be used when appropriate.

All shock loading is prohibited.

Slings are important pieces of equipment. They can also be deadly if overloaded, allowed to deteriorate, or not inspected regularly. Your company should have a quality inspection and testing program for all slings. You should be trained on the use of slings, and the recognition of dangerous slings. Don't use them.

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