Construction Equipment Dangers-On the job Tool Box Talks

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Construction Equipment used on construction jobs often creates dangerous conditions. This week's Tail Gate Safety Topic examines a few situations which should be watched for at all times.

Any moving equipment such as skip loaders, back hoes, trenchers, cranes, hi-lifts, trucks, you name it, should be respected and avoided. Don't just assume that the operator sees you. You could wind up injured or worse. And don't depend on hearing a horn or an alarm to warn you that moving equipment is near. You may not be able to hear the equipment's alarm over other construction noise.

When you see that equipment is traveling backwards keep out of the way and stand clear until the operator has completed his maneuver. Never cut across the path behind any unit while it is backing. You could easily trip and full under the equipment. For the same reason you should never ride on the running boards, steps or drawbar or any equipment, even for a short distance.

During backing, the operator should have the project foreman clear the area behind the unit and provide direction. No operator should back a piece of equipment into and area without someone clearing the area and giving signals.

Watch out for swinging counterweights on equipment such as cranes. There is often a pinch-point between the counterweights and some obstruction when the unit swings. Make sure there is enough room for workers to pass and if there is not - shut off the area to any access.

Never ride on or near material that is being transported by equipment. The load could shift and you can be thrown to the ground. Also, clearance may not allow for your position and you can be crushed between overhead or side obstructions.

If you must ride on equipment, make sure that all parts of your body are inside the unit, including your arms and legs. In addition, it at all possible, get off any portable scaffold or work platform while the unit is being moved. The time it takes to get off will be much less than the time lost if you fall or the unit tips over.

Never walk alongside moving equipment. Keep in the clear in case it slides or turns, or the load shifts.

When you are working near equipment operating in the vicinity of power lines, don't touch or come in contact with the frame of the unit or the load cables. There is always the chance that the boom of the unit may hit the power lines. Warn the operator and the foreman any time you see this possibility and follow their instructions.

Don't walk under loads on cranes and hoists. Always take the path that avoids danger.

Never clean, adjust, lubricate, repair or work on a machine that is in operation. Stop the machine before working on it and replace the guards as soon as it is done and before operation is resumed.

The safest this to do around construction equipment is keep away while the equipment is in operation. If you must be near the equipment, make sure the operator knows you are working nearby and stay alert. Keeping your mind on where you are in relation to the equipment will not only prevent injuries but could save your life. 

Provided by: Assurance Agency

Eye Injury Prevention-On the job tool box talks

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One thousand eye injuries occur in American workplaces every day. These injuries are responsible for over $3,000,000.00 annually in medical, lost production and workers' compensation costs!!

Why are these injuries occurring?

• Three out of five injuries happen because the worker was not wearing any eye protection at the time of the accident.

• About 40% of the injured workers were wearing some type of eye protection, but it was the wrong kind and failed to protect adequately. The leading cause in this category is the lack of side shields.

• Accident studies reveal flying or falling objects and sparks as the cause in 70% of eye injuries. Nearly 60% of the objects causing eye injury are smaller than a pin head.

• Nearly 20% of all eye injuries are caused by contact with chemicals. This includes splashing or chemicals being sprayed directly into the eye.

• 40% of eye injuries occurred among craft workers, such as mechanics, repairers, carpenters, and plumbers. 30% of eye injuries occurred among operatives, such as assemblers, sanders, and grinding machine operators.

• 50% of the injured workers were employed in manufacturing. 20% were employed in construction.

What can we do to prevent these injuries?

First of all make sure you select the proper eye protection for the task. 94% of the eye injuries that occurred to workers wearing eye protection resulted from objects or chemicals going around or under the protector.

Second, make sure the eye protection you have selected fits properly and is clean. One of the leading reasons for workers removing or not wearing eye protection is the lens became dirty and they could not see what they were doing.

Nearly 20% of eye injuries happened to workers wearing face shields or welding helmets while grinding. Only 6% of the workers injured while wearing eye protection were wearing goggles.

CHOOSE THE BEST PROTECTION, MAKE SURE IT FITS, KEEP IT CLEAN AND WEAR IT!

From Assurance Agency

Emergency Response

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BE PREPARED!  AN EMERGENCY IS NO TIME TO HESITATE OR PANIC!

·       Know how to recognize—and turn in—emergency alarms.

·       Know your responsibilities under the emergency response plan.

·       Act quickly when you hear an alarm.

·       Turn off equipment you’re using.

·       Close windows or doors not needed for escape.

·       Alert other employees to the emergency.

·       Assist any disabled employees who need help escaping.

·       Leave the area by your assigned exit—or the closest safe exit if yours can’t be used.

·       Go to your assigned “safe place.”

·       Don’t block the path of emergency response crews or vehicles.

·       Stay in your assigned place so no one fears you’re left behind

Follow instructions about where to go—and when.

This Information provided by: Assurance Agency

Using Fire Extinguishers

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In the event of a fire, the correct use of a portable fire extinguisher could mean the difference between suffering a minor loss or a major one. Portable fire extinguishers, if used properly, can make that difference. But there are several things to consider in using fire extinguishers. For instance, you must know the class of fire involved and the correct type of fire extinguisher to use.

CLASSES OF FIRES AND FIRE EXTINGUISHERS:
Class A Involves ordinary combustibles such as paper, wood, cloth, rubber or plastics. The common extinguishing media is water or dry chemical.
Class B Flammable liquids, grease or gases are covered under this category. Common extinguishing media are foam, carbon dioxide or dry chemical.
Class C Live electrical fires are class C fires. CO2 or dry chemical extinguishers should be used. However, the actual burning product may be class A items.
Class D Burning materials include combustible metals such as magnesium and sodium. Special extinguishing agents, approved by recognized testing laboratories, are needed when working with these metals.

RESPONDING TO FIRES:
NOTIFY those in danger & EVACUATE; CALL the local fire department; NOTIFY the foreman if a fire breaks out. Follow your company's procedures on responding to fires. But attempt to fight the fire only if, (1) you know the type of combustible material burning, (2) you have been trained to use the fire extinguisher correctly, and (3) if the fire is still in the incipient (beginning) stage. If the fire gets too large or out of control, evacuate immediately.

REMEMBER P-A-S-S WHEN USING AN EXTINGUISHER:
P - Pull. Pull the locking pin before using the fire extinguisher.
A - Aim. Aim the fire extinguisher at the base of the fire. Not at the flames or smoke.
S - Squeeze. Squeeze the lever of the fire extinguisher to operate and discharge.
S - Sweep. Sweep the fire extinguisher back and forth at the base of the fire to extinguish.
(Most extinguishers will only allow about 10-seconds of extinguishing media.)

Prevention is the key when it comes to firefighting. Good housekeeping, proper storage procedures and safe work practices will go a long way toward reducing the likelihood that a fire will destroy valuable property or injure either you or a fellow employee.

Discussion Questions:
• What could be some of the causes of fires at your jobsite?
• What kinds of flammables are most likely to create a fire danger at your jobsite?
• What type of fire extinguisher should be used on those flammables or combustibles?


This information provided by: Assurance Agency

Annual Economic Conference 9-18-2014

Thursday, September 18, 2014
Maggiano's Schaumburg
1901 E. Woodfield Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173

RCEC Members $35
Non Members $45

Schedule of Events
7:30 am - 8:30 am
Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:30 am to 9:30 am
William Strauss
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

9:30 am to 10:30 am
Chris Huecksteadt
Metrostudy

Register and Pay Online

Download Registration Form

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Lift Safety - on the job tool box talks

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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.

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Housekeeping on the Job

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You have a pretty good idea how safe a job is just by looking at it before you start to work. Even a "Sidewalk Superintendent" knows this. A job that looks clean, with everything in its place, is a safe job. That's all we mean when we talk about job housekeeping. Good housekeeping calls for just two things. Try to remember them:

First:
Keep trash and loose objects picked up and dispose of them.

Second:
Pile all materials and park all tools and equipment in the places where they belong.

These are the fundamentals of good house-keeping and they're simple enough. If we don't follow these two rules, we're letting ourselves in for trouble.

Putting the rules to work is not so simple. A grand cleanup once a week won't do the trick. Housekeeping is a job that can't be put off. We have to do it. It's up to each individual to be their own job housekeeper.

When you see something lying around where it could trip an individual or fall on them, put it in a safe place. Don't wait for someone else to do it. If it's something that he or she will be looking for, you can put it safely where they can see it.

You've seen jobs, and probably worked on some, where it wasn't safe to put your foot down without first looking twice to be sure you weren't going to twist an ankle or run a nail through your shoe. A job like that is poorly run, badly managed. Probably it's losing money as well as causing accidents.

Some jobs have walkways, aisles, stairs, and ladders by which you get from one place to another. It's particularly important that these lines of travel be kept safe and clear of loose objects. Workers often carry loads on these routes. They can't always pick their steps or look around to be sure that nothing is going to trip them or fall on them.

A wet or greasy walkway may cause a bad accident. If you see a treacherous spot, make it your business to do some sweeping, mopping or scraping.

This information provided by: Assurance Agency