Electrical Equipment

Download the full article.

The following information is being provided to highlight the requirements for the use of extension cords, electrical tools, temporary power and temporary lighting.

EXTENSION CORDS

a.  Extension cords shall be of the three-wire type and construction grade.Construction grade cords will be marked with one of the following: SJ, SJO, SJT, STO, S, SO, ST or STO.

b. All extension cords shall be visually inspected daily and tested quarterly in accordance with the assured grounding program.

c. Plastic and metal multoutlet strips are not in accordance with electrical regulations and are prohibited from use.

d. "Homemade" metal outlet box extension cords are not in accordance with electrical regulations and are prohibited from use.

e. Flat and two wire extension cords are prohibited from use.

f. Cords cannot be repaired if there is more than 3 repairs per 25 feet of cord or the inner insulation is damaged.

ELECTRICAL TOOLS

a. All electrical tools must be equipped with a third wire ground prong electrical cord or be double  insulated.

b.  Damaged tools must be taken out of service immediately and tagged or otherwise identified as damaged and in need of repair.

c. All electrical tools, including double insulated, shall be visually inspected daily and tested quarterly in accordance with the assured grounding program.

TEMPORARY POWER AND LIGHTING

a. All receptacles must be securely installed. Receptacles are not allowed to be supported or hang in place by the conductor wires.

b. Receptacles are not allowed to be attached to temporary lighting circuits.

c. All temporary lighting shall be protected from accidental breakage or contact.

By Assurance Agency

First Aid- Some Do’s and Don’ts

Download the RMA Sign In Sheet. 

Download the full article.


When attempting to aid an accident victim, an untrained person may do more harm than good.

Even some of the first aid training you have had in the past may no longer be the best approach. If you have not had first aid training within the past year, limit your assistance to what is immediately necessary to save life and limb and remember these “don’ts.”

1.   Do not treat any injury involving blood or body fluids without first putting on latex gloves.
 
2.   Do not attempt to move a person with injuries to the back, neck legs or head. Protect them where they lie and especially do not try to get them to stand. Serious aggravation of broken bones, spinal cord injuries or internal bleeding may result.

3.   Do not attempt to straighten a twisted limb. Serious damage to blood vessels, nerves or skin may result.

4.   Do not use tourniquets; direct pressure with a clean bandage will control bleeding.

5.   Do not apply ointments or powders to cuts, scrapes or burns. Use only the clean, dry dressings supplied in the first aid kit.

6.   Do not attempt to rub or wipe a particle from a person’s eye.  Often repeated blinking  will do the trick.  Do take advantage of eye wash stations or eye wash solution in the first aid kit.

7.   Do not raid the first aid kit to replace home supplies. Do notify your supervisor when items are used or missing.




From Assurance Agency

Behavior- Based Safety - OTJ Safety Talks

Download the RMA Sign In Sheet. 

Download the full article.  

There are many different views of behavior-based safety. Some consultants’ concepts are based on research; some are based on common sense. Some say behavior-based safety is all you need; others say it’s only part of the safety effort needed. Some say reinforcement is the answer; others say there are not enough opportunities for reinforcement in the workplace.
 
But, however your organization looks at it, behavior-based safety is the process of focusing on behavior to prevent/reduce occupational injuries.

Why should your company use behavior-based safety?
• Statistics reveal that 80% to 95% of incidents are caused by at-risk behavior.
• The frequency of injuries can be reduced.
• The entire workforce can participate in the process.
• Safety teams make safety improvements.
• Behavior-based safety requires progressive and proactive thinking.
• When added to a safety program already attempting to comply with regulations, behavior-based safety shows "good faith."

Key elements of behavior-based safety.
• Employee/management involvement.
• Identification of safe and at-risk behavior.
• Observation.
• Feedback.
• Intervention (instructional, motivational, or supportive).

What must I do?
• As an employee who is concerned with safety, you can participate in the company safety program. Follow the work rules and processes that the company develops.
• Use all supplied personal protective equipment.
• Cooperate with the safety manager, superintendent or safety committee if they observe you at your workplace, or if they request information from you on how you work.

Provides by Assurance Agency

### 

OSHA 10-HOUR CONSTRUCTION TRAINING

The OSHA 10-hour has become a necessary seminar for every foreman or superintendent working in the construction field. This training will provide an overview of key issues related to construction safety and OSHA compliance. Upon completion, attendees will have a better understanding of OSHA requirements, employer safety responsibilities and increased hazard identification skills.

Participants must be present at both training sessions to receive an OSHA 10-hour card.

SEMINAR HIGHLIGHTS
- Fall Protection
- Hazard Communication
- Scaffolding Safety
- Ladder Safety
- Electrical Safety
- Personal Protective Equipment

WHEN
Tuesday, March 18, 2014 &
Wednesday March 19, 2014
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Central Time Zone

WHERE
Assurance
1750 E. Golf Road
2nd Floor Seminar Center
Schaumburg, Illinois 60173

COST
RCEC Members - $249.00
RMA Members – Free
Call Cathy Kirin at 630-512-0552 for reservations
Limited Seating - reserve your space now!

###

Healthy Safety Attitude

 This information provided by Assurance Agency

Download the RMA Sign In Sheet.

Download the full article 

You know your job. You have the ability to do it well. But do you have the attitude required to do the job both well and safely?

There’s no hiding attitude from others. If you have a poor attitude about safety, you may be able to hide it from yourself, but it will show up in everything you say and everything you do. Some workers seem to have the attitude that safety rules were made to be broken—especially when no one is looking. Even those who are hard-working, exacting, and conscientious about every other aspect of their jobs can have a poor safety attitude. They take shortcuts not because they are lazy, but because they want to get the work done more quickly.

Other workers think that not complying with the rules won’t cause too much of a problem if they perceive that a risk is small. They take chances, and this leads to accidents. These individuals don’t take safety seriously— until it is too late. These are the people who say, "Don’t worry. I’ve done it this way lots of times” —right before they fall flat on their faces.

Most of us don’t intend to walk around with a bad safety attitude—or even realize it when we have one. We think that our last couple of accidents simply "happened" to us

Luckily, attitudes are not permanent states of mind—they can be changed. Here’s how you can carry through with a good—even great—attitude concerning safety:

• Keep your mind focused on the job at hand. Put aside for the moment any personal problems that have been bothering you so that you can watch for hazards and accomplish what you have set out to do.
• Tell yourself that you will not let nearby noises or conversations bother your concentration and prevent you from doing the job safely.
• Don’t give in to pressure from your co-workers to be unsafe. You don’t have to join in horseplay, take shortcuts, or participate in cover-ups. Instead, take the lead in behaving in an adult and responsible manner.
• Report all accidents and near accidents—even though they may seem unimportant at the time.
• Try to understand why an accident occurred, to help you avoid making the same mistake twice.
• Practice the techniques you have learned for lifting and other methods of doing the job in a safe fashion.
• Practice good housekeeping. Keep your work area free of clutter. Clean up spills.
• Be considerate of your co-workers. Don’t do anything that would endanger them. In fact, go a step farther and remind co-workers about safety. Say something when they forget to put on equipment to protect themselves or when they ignore the rules.
• Take the time to remind your family about staying safe at their jobs, in school, or in the home.

After following all these suggestions for a short while, you will have developed a proper safety attitude, one that others can and will respect and even try to imitate. But even better than that, you’ll feel good about yourself and will be able to do productive work and stay safe at the same time.

###

Eye Safety - On the job Tool Box Talks - includes RMA sign in sheet.

 This information provided by Assurance.

Download the RMA Sign In Sheet.

Download the full article


Safety glasses protect your eyes and will save your sight-if you wear them. They offer no protection in your back pocket, your pickup truck or left at the house. People who wear glasses quickly become used to them.Unfortunately, people who don't wear glasses have never developed these habits. When it comes to eye protection, too often people forget, and safety glasses and goggles grow dusty laying unused.

The most common complaint about eye protection is that it's uncomfortable. That's why such equipment must be carefully fitted. Frames must be light, straight and properly adjusted. The lens size should be correct for the wearer, as should the fit of the bridge of the nose and at the temple.

When your goggles or glasses are dirty, dusty or grimy, they can interfere with your vision,so take time to clean them. Don't touch the lenses with your fingers. never lay goggles or glasses down so the lenses touch something that could scratch or pit them. Store eye protection so that the lenses will be protected. During hot weather, use a sweatband to help keep perspiration off your goggles. Lens "FOG" problems can be eliminated by using an anti-fog preparation.

Some people complain that goggles give them a headache. Here again, proper fit is important. Be sure goggles are worn correctly. The head strap on cup goggles should be adjusted for just enough tension to hold them securely and should be worn low on the back of the head.

Eye protection is important off the job as well as on the job.Here are some tips you can use both at work and at home. Study the label and instructions for eye protection before using cleaning products, pesticides,and herbicides. Consult the chemical MSDS sheet for Personal Protective Equipment recommended. Be sure nozzles are directed away from you and hoses are in good condition. Wear goggles to protect your eyes when handling acids and caustics. Keep the tools you use in good repair.

Eye injuries are preventable. Take the time to keep your eyes safe on the job and off the job.

###

Cold Stress - The most common injury caused by exposure to cold temperatures is frostbite.

This information provided by Assurance.

Download the RMA Sign In Sheet.

Download the full article.


FROSTBITE
The most common injury caused by exposure to cold temperatures is frostbite.  Body parts most susceptible to frostbite include the nose, ears, chin, fingers and toes.  Frostbite occurs when the blood flow through a body part is restricted due to extreme cold temperatures and ice crystals then begin to form in the body tissue.
Symptoms: The first symptom of frostbite is a slightly flushed skin color.  The color of the skin then changes to white or grayish yellow and finally grayish blue.  Pain may be felt during the early stages, however, the pain may cease in later stages.  The frostbitten area will also feel very cold, numb and the outer layer of skin may feel "hard".
First Aid Treatment: Move the victim to a warm location.  Place the frostbitten part into a warm water bath between 100-105 degrees.  Do not use hot water.  Handle the part  with extreme care.  Do not rub or massage the area.  Avoid exposing the part to hot air or metal objects.  The re-warming process may take between 30-60 minutes.  Severe frostbite should be handled by medical personnel.  

HYPOTHERMIA
Prolonged exposure to  cold temperature may also cause the cooling of the body's inner core, more
commonly known as hypothermia.  This loss of body temperature can be fatal.
Symptoms:  Hypothermia symptoms include shivering, dizziness, numbness, confusion, weakness, impaired judgment, impaired vision and drowsiness.  Later stages of hypothermia include the loss of consciousness, decreased pulse and breathing rate, coma and possible death.  
First Aid Treatment: Professional medical treatment should be obtained.  Move the victim to a warm area.  If available, have the victim change into a set of dry, warm clothing.  If the victim is fully conscious, a warm drink may be given.  Do not give the victim a caffeinated or alcohol beverage.  

PROTECTIVE MEASURES
a.        Avoid consumption of caffeinated or alcohol beverages.  Temporary warmth may be achieved;
however, body heat loss will occur.
b.        Wear a hat and scarf.  Up to 50% of heat loss occurs from the head and neck.
c.        Wear three (3) layers of clothing.
 1.   Against the skin:  a warm, breathable synthetic fabric such as Gore-Tex or  Thinsulate will allow
moisture to escape to the next layer.
 2.  Middle: layer of wool clothing to draw moisture away from skin.
 3.  Outer: water-resistant or repellant material.
d.        Frostbite  and hypothermia may occur when temperatures are above freezing due to extended
periods of exposure and windy conditions