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

Lift Safely-Avoid Sprains

 

Overview

Sprains and strains to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the back are common injuries that are often avoidable. Be aware of the causes of back injuries and your lifting limitations. Remember, back injuries don’t just happen at work; they can happen at home, or while you’re out having fun. And, a back injury often limits all of your activities, so remembering a few pointers on lifting techniques can help keep you healthy.

Avoiding back injury

Poor posture can put stress on back muscles. Poor physical condition can lead to weak back muscles. Practice a regular exercise program to stretch and strengthen your back muscles. Bending or twisting while lifting can cause injury. Repeated minor strains can develop into an injury. Back injuries are not always caused by lifting something too heavy. Stress and tension can contribute to back pain.

Size up the load. Test the weight by moving a corner of the object, and get help for heavy or awkward loads. Make sure that you have a clear path to carry the load, and a clear area to set it down.

Stand with your feet close to the object, and center yourself over the load. Bend your knees. This is the single most important part of lifting. The large muscles in your legs are designed to carry weight, and bending your knees gets your legs ready to support the load. Get a good grip on the object. Clean and dry surfaces are easier to handle than wet and greasy ones. Straighten your legs to lift straight up in a slow, smooth motion.

Keep the load held close to your body. Do not twist or turn while carrying the load. Sudden twisting motions can injure the disks in your back. Bend your knees again as you lower the load to set it down.

Loads on carts or wheels should be pushed, not pulled. Get help for lifting items that are long, bulky, that don’t have a good place to grip, or are too heavy for one person. Know when mechanical lifting equipment should be used instead of manual lifting; follow your company’s guidelines for weight limits. If possible, divide a heavy load into several smaller ones.

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

 

Flagging Safety

 

When signs, signals, and barricades do not provide enough protection for operations on highway or street construction, then flaggers or other traffic controls must be provided. Because flagging exposes the flagger to traffic—the number one cause of death for highway construction sites—the use of flaggers is avoided. Using the proper flagging signals, warning garments, and work practices, however, makes the job of flagging safer.

·         Use proper STOP/SLOW paddles when hand signaling. STOP/SLOW paddles have a red STOP sign on one side and an orange SLOW sign on the other. Red flags should only be used in emergency situations. Use retroreflective hand-signaling devices at night.

·         Use signals that conform to the Part VI of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Here are the signaling methods for STOP/SLOW paddles:

·         To stop traffic—Face traffic and hold the STOP sign paddle toward traffic with your arm extended horizontally away from the body. Raise your free arm with your palm toward approaching traffic.

·         To direct stopped traffic to proceed—Face traffic and hold the SLOW paddle toward traffic with your arm extended horizontally away from the body. Motion with your free hand for traffic to proceed.

·         To alert or slow traffic—Face traffic holding the SLOW paddle toward traffic with your arm extended horizontally away from the body. You may motion up and down with your free hand, palm down, indicating that the vehicle needs to slow down.

·         Wear an orange, yellow, or yellow-green vest, shirt, or jacket.

·         Wear a retroreflective vest, shirt, or jacket at night. It's also a good idea to wear white pants and a retroreflective hard hat at night.

·         Coordinate with other flaggers and communicate by "walkie-talkie" if you have no visual contact.

·         Know how to combat both heat and cold exposure, dress appropriately, and know where shelter is available.

·         Be alert to symptoms associated with carbon monoxide from vehicular traffic (nausea and headache). If symptoms develop, get to fresh air.

·         Use barricades, cones, tubular markers, vertical panels, drums, and barriers to mark areas.

·         Be aware of construction equipment around you. In order to know what is approaching from behind, you may need to wear a hard hat mounted mirror, have a buddy "spot" you, or use some kind of motion detector. Equipment operators, too, should know where you are. Heavy equipment can crush and kill in a matter of seconds!

Flagging can be a safe job if you remain alert to everything around you at all times.

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