Fire Prevention

 

Overview
Welding and metal cutting operations produce molten metal, sparks, weld spatter, slag, and hot work surfaces. All of these can create a situation which can cause fires. At 1910.252 Gen¬eral requirements, OSHA addresses fire hazards.

When are fire watchers required?
A fire watcher is required in situations where:
• Other than a minor fire might develop. 
• Combustible material is located within 35 feet of the work. 
• Combustible material is located more than 35 feet away but can be easily ignited by sparks. 
• Wall or floor openings within 35 feet expose combustible material in adjacent areas or concealed wall or floor spaces. 
• Combustible materials are located on the opposite side of surfaces being welded. 
• The fire watch is to be maintained for at least 30 minutes following completion of the work.

Fire watchers
Fire watchers are additional personnel who:
• Provide additional safeguards against fire during and after the welding, cutting, or heat¬ing operations. 
• Must be trained on the specific fire hazards for that job and location. 
• Know where fire prevention equipment is located and how to use it. Fire prevention equipment must be on hand, and readily available for use. 

Additional information
Your employer will explain:
• The company’s welding “best practices.” 
• The need to check for fire hazards prior to welding or cutting. 
• How to obtain a “hot work” permit. 
• How to report fires.

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

Underground Utilities

 

 

Ever have to probe for and diffuse a land mine? Most people can happily say no. But for con¬struction workers, probing for underground utilities, or working in excavations with under¬ground utilities exposed, the resemblance can be close.

Trenches and excavations are dangerous. Trenches and excavations with underground utili¬ties exposed, or in the process of being exposed, are more dangerous.

Before excavation work begins, the OSHA rules require contractors doing the work to deter¬mine the estimated location of utility installations — sewer, telephone, fuel, electric, water lines, or any other underground installations — that may be encountered during digging.

Your company must: 
• Contact utility companies or land owners and inform them of the proposed work.
• Ask the utility companies or land/building owners to find the exact location of the under¬ground installations.

If they cannot respond within 24 hours (unless the period required by state or local law is longer), or if they cannot find the exact location of the utility installations, contractors may proceed with caution.

Detection equipment
Your company must:
• Contact utility companies or land owners and inform them of the proposed work.
• Ask the utility companies or land/building owners to find the exact location of the under¬ground installations.

If they cannot respond within 24 hours (unless the period required by state or local law is longer), or if they cannot find the exact location of the utility installations, contractors may proceed with caution.

Detection equipment
If the company proceeds on its own:
• Detection equipment or other acceptable means to locate utilities must be used.
• The exact location of the utilities must be determined by a safe and acceptable mean when the operation approaches the estimated location of the utilities.
• The underground utility must be located and totally exposed before digging begins.

Hazardous atmospheres
You must remember that where there are utilities, there is the possibility of hazardous atmospheres. If there is the potential that hazardous atmospheres exist or could reasonably be expected to exist, atmospheric testing and control is required.

After utilities are uncovered, and while the excavation is open, underground installations must be protected, supported, or removed as necessary for your safety.

Always be especially careful when working on, around, or in excavations where underground utilities may be or are known to be present.

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

Protective Systems Handout Cave-ins

 

You are exposed to many hazards during a construction work day. If you work in excava¬tions, the chief hazard is the danger of cave-ins. 

OSHA requires that all excavations, where employees are exposed to potential cave-ins, must be protected by:
• Proper sloping and/or benching of the sides of the excavation.
• Supporting the sides of the excavation with timber or aluminum hydraulic shoring.
• Placing a shield between the side of the excavation and your work area.
• Employers are free to choose the most practical design approach for a particular circum¬stance. Once an approach is selected, the required performance criteria for that system must be met. 

The standard does not require protective systems when an excavation is: 
• Made entirely in stable rock, or
• Less than 5 feet deep and a competent person has examined the ground and found no indication of a potential cave-in.

Protective systems — There are many factors involved in designing a protective system. Some of them are: soil classification, depth of cut, water content of the soil, changes due to weather and climate, or other operations at the work site. The OSHA rules provide several different methods and approaches.

Protective systems must be able to resist, without failure, all loads that are intended or could reasonably be expected to be applied or transmitted to the system.

Installation and removal of protective systems — The following steps are required for protect¬ing employees when installing support systems: (1) securely connect, (2) safely install, (3) never overload members, and (4) install other structural members to carry loads imposed on the support system when temporary removal of individual members is necessary.

As soon as work is completed, the excavation should be backfilled as the protective system is dismantled. After the excavation is cleared, workers should slowly remove the protective system from the bottom up, taking care to release members slowly.

Materials and equipment — Employers are responsible for the safe condition of materials and equipment used for protective systems. Defective and damaged materials and equipment can result in the failure of a protective system and cause excavation hazards.

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

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 https:www.assuranceagency.com