On the Job Tool Box Safety Talks-Compressed Gas Cylinders – “In Storage”

• Gas cylinders must be secured at all times to prevent tipping.
• Use appropriate material, such as chain, plastic coated wire cable, commercial straps, etc., to secure cylinders.
• Cylinders must be segregated in hazard classes while in storage. Oxidizers (oxygen) must be separated from flammable gases, and empty cylinders must be isolated from filled cylinders.
• Store out of direct sunlight and away from sources of heat and ignition; temperatures must not exceed 125 ºF. 
•  Acetylene cylinders must never be stored on their sides.
• Always place valve protectors on gas cylinders when the cylinders are not connected for use.
• Cylinders must be stored where they are protected from the ground to prevent rusting.
•  Storage areas must be well-ventilated, cool, dry, and free from corrosive materials

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Annual Economic Conference

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Event Sponsor: Chicago Transom Partners

7:30 am Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:30 am to 10:30 am Program

Maggiano's Schaumburg
1901 E. Woodfield
Schaumburg, IL 60173

Speaker:
William Strauss, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
8:30 am to 9:30 am
Presents the Economic Outlook for 2012 and 2013
The "Great Recession" ended in the middle of 2009 with significant impacts on the economy. The economy experienced outsized losses in the housing, manufacturing and jobs. Yet, what should be a robust recovery is not occurring, nor expected to occur. Consumers are saving at an increased pace, limiting the growth of consumer spending. Credit conditions, while significantly improved from what existed during the recession, remain relatively tight and will act as a headwind to growth. Mr. Strauss will look at the performance of the overall macro economy with specific attention paid to key economic sectors and indicators.
Speaker:
Chris Huecksteadt, Metrostudy
9:30 am to 10:30 am
From 2006 to 2010 the housing market, both locally and nationally, experienced the biggest downturn since the Great Depression. Job losses, elevated unemployment levels, rising foreclosures and sagging home values all continue to impact the housing market's ability to recover. Chris Huecksteadt of Metrostudy, will analyze past and present trends in the housing market, with an eye on the keys to recovery and how the housing market can begin to right itself. The first half of 2012 saw some positive signs. Chris will review the housing numbers and discern where the market might be heading for in 2013 and beyond.

Registration fee: RCEC Member $35 / Non Member $45

Register online for this event.

Download USPS / Fax Registration Form

For more information call: Cathy Kirin 630-512-0552

Residential Construction
Employers Council

Cathy Kirin
Executive Director

603 Rogers Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515
V. 630.512.0552
F. 630-812-0442

OSHA-Hierarchy of Controls

Controlling exposures to occupational hazards is the fundamental method of protecting workers. Traditionally, a hierarchy of controls has been used as a means of determining how to implement feasible and effective controls. 

OSHA requires that employers use the hierarchy of controls in order of preference for protecting the worker.

Hierarchy of controls in order of preference:

1.   Elimination of hazard; Substitution with safe alternative.

2.   Engineering; Ventilation & wet methods.

3.   Administrative; Work practices, scheduling workers to minimize exposure, extended breaks, etc.

4.   Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); Respiratory and hearing protection, protection of face, hand, feet, eyes & whole body.

The idea behind this hierarchy is that the control methods at the top of the list are potentially more effective and protective than those at the bottom. Following the hierarchy normally leads to the implementation of inherently safer job-sites, ones where the risk of illness or injury has been substantially reduced.

Source: Construction Safety Council
 

Acute Health Effects & Chronic Health Effects

The toxic action of a health hazard can be divided into acute (short-term) effects and chronic (long-term) effects.

Acute health effects are quickly seen, usually after exposures to fairly high levels or concentrations of hazardous substances. For example, fiberglass can immediately cause itchiness and skin irritation; an extremely loud noise can result in temporary or even permanent hearing loss.

A lethal concentration of carbon monoxide, CO (1200 ppm) is considered to be Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH); a worker exposed to this acute amount of CO can lose consciousness and die.
 

 Chronic health effects usually develop slowly. For example, if you breathe small amounts of asbestos fibers, you won’t even notice them. There are no acute effects. But if you inhale asbestos month after month, year after year, you greatly increase your chances of getting asbestos disease, such as lung cancer. This is a chronic effect.

Other examples of chronic health effects include hearing loss and cumulative trauma disorders; these are examples of physical health hazards.
 

[MORE]http://www.richblackwell.com/CCSC/ToxicHealthHazard.pdf

Source: Construction Safety Council

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On the job toolbox safety talks-ACCESS & EGRESS FOR EXCAVATIONS

A competent person must design all structural ramps. Structural ramps used for access or egress of equipment must be designed by a competent person qualified in structural design.

A stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress must be located in trench excavations that are 4 feet (1.22 m) or more in depth so as to require no more than 25 feet (7.62 m) of lateral travel for employees

Ramps must be:
   
Connected together to prevent displacement;
Uniform thickness;
Cleats on the bottom to prevent tripping, and;
Designed to prevent slipping.

Ladder Safety:

Job-made ladders must be constructed according to ANSI A14.4 – Safety Requirements for Job-Made Ladders.
Ladders are to be used with caution around electrical lines, especially metal ladders, use only non-conductive ladders.
Secure ladders to prevent displacement.
Ladders extend 3-feet above excavation (shield).

The decision to choose a ramp, stair system or ladder for accessing and regressing from an excavation or trench depends largely on the allowable slope or angle that the sides (or ends) are cut back.

For example, in stable rock or with trench shields (boxes), where the sides are nearly vertical (between 75° and 90°), a ladder would be appropriate; ladders must never be used at angles less than 60°. Between 30° and 50° from the horizontal, use a stair system (job-made wood type or earth benched). Less than 20° from horizontal, a ramp can be safely used (unassisted) while maintaining an upright position.
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On the Job Toolbox Safety Talks-Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware of your exposure. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure.

CO is found in combustion exhaust, such as those produced by cars, trucks and small gasoline engines (generators).
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Source: Construction Safety Council

Army Veteran Nick Mapson receives a new home

Thank you to everyone who participates in this very successful event. There were over 100 golfers and 130 attended the dinner.

The highlight of the event was the new home that was given to Army Veteran Nick Mapson and his wife and son.

 View Video 

 

This event was made possible by our sponsors. Thank you one and all.

Welcome Sponsor
Oak Design & Construction

Lunch Sponsor
Daily Herald
PANCAMI
Hinshaw & Culbertson

Continental Breakfast
Tribune Media

Golf Cart Sponsor
Monarch Construction

Beer Tickets
Knell & O'Connor

Bloody Mary Bowls
MB Financial

Active Hole Sponsors
Wausau Building Products
Premier Architecture, Inc.

Sign Only Hole Sponsors
BioView
Extended Home Living
Sun Times Media Group
Comcast
Cinemation
Fisher & Paykel

Contest Hole Sponsors
Chitkowski—Longest Drive
Niew Legal Partners, PC -Closest to Pin

19th Hole Sponsors
Assurance
LP Smart Side Trim Siding

 

Co-Sponsored by the HBAGC

 

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