Fall Protection Overview - Tool Box Talks

ownload the RMA Sign In Sheet. DOC Format

Download the RMA Sign In Sheet. PDF Format

 View the full article.

Falls are the leading cause of construction worker fatalities. Each year between 150 and 200 workers die and more than 100,000 are injured as a result of falls at construction sites. Special trade contractors, such as roofers, carpenters, and structural steel erectors, accounted for half of the fatal falls. Knowing and implementing the following rules will help protect you from such a fall.

Who does the rule apply to?

The fall protection rule covers most construction workers. OSHA exempts those who inspect, investigate, or assess workplace conditions prior to the actual start of work or after all work is done. This is because their exposure to fall hazards are for very short durations, if at all.

The rule identifies areas or activities where fall protection is needed. These include: (1) ramps, runways, and other walkways, (2) excavations, (3) hoist areas, (4) holes, (5) formwork and reinforcing steel, (6) leading edge work, (7) unprotected sides and edges, (8) overhand bricklaying and related work, (9) roofing work, (10) precast concrete erection, (11) wall openings, (12) residential construction, and (13) other walking/working surfaces.

What is threshold height?

Threshold height is that height where your employer must provide fall protection for the areas or activities described above. For this fall protection rule that height is six feet. At that height your employer must provide the equipment and training required to protect you from falling off, onto, or through working levels that are six feet or more above lower levels.

 

Selection of equipment

Under the fall protection rule, employers can select fall protection measures and equipment to fit the type of work you are doing. The three most common methods of providing fall protection are guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems.

Training

Your employer must provide training, taught by a competent person, any time you could be exposed to fall hazards. The training must include: (1) recognizing and minimizing fall hazards, (2) procedures for erecting, maintaining, disassembling, and inspecting the fall protection equipment you will use, and (3) an understanding of the OSHA fall protection rules.

What the rule contains

The fall protection standard has three elements that are important to you. They are: (1) situations at your worksite that require protection from falling (1926.501), (2) different types of fall protection equipment and systems your employer can use to provide you protection (1926.502), and (3) training requirements (1926.503).

Always use all fall protection systems and equipment your employer provides, it could save your life.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

 

Temperature & Heat - On the job Tool Box Safety Talks

Download the RMA Sign In Sheet. DOC Format
 
Download the RMA Sign In Sheet. PDF Format

Construction workers generally work outside and are exposed to heat and the sun. Too much heat or cold, especially if combined with high humidity or high winds, can harm your health and interfere with work. Hot, humid conditions can cause heat exhaustion, cramps, and even fainting. Employers have a responsibility to protect workers from extreme temperatures.

At times, workers may be required to work in hot environments for long periods. When the human body’s unable to maintain a normal temperature, heat-related illnesses can occur and may result in death.

[MORE] - This is a Word Document.

###

Hazard Communication - On the job Tool Box Talks

Download the RMA Sign In Sheet. DOC Format
 
Download the RMA Sign In Sheet. PDF Format
 
 View the full article.

 Know the Hazard Communication Standard
For one out of every four workers, contact with hazardous chemicals happens every day. It’s important that you know and understand OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard. This standard is also commonly known as “HazCom” or the “Right to Know” law.

What Does the Standard Do?
• The HazCom standard is designed to make your worksite safer.
• The standard says that you have a right to know what chemicals you are, or may be, exposed to.
• The standard requires that all chemicals at your worksite be fully evaluated for possible physical or health hazards.
• It mandates that all information relating to these hazards be made available to you.
• Employers must develop a written HazCom program and explain it to employees.
• Employees must be trained to understand the chemicals they work with and how to protect themselves from dangers associated with each chemical.
• All chemicals must be marked with warning labels.
• A material safety data sheet (MSDS) on each chemical must be made available to you.

How Well Is HazCom Working for You?
• I know where the MSDSs are for every chemical I use, and I can consult them at any time.
• I know how to read chemical warning labels.
• If I don’t understand something on an MSDS or chemical warning label, I know where to go for help.
• I have the necessary personal protective equipment available to work with hazardous chemicals.
• I feel confident that my employer and coworkers and I are taking every precaution to ensure the safety and health of all involved.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

###

Confined space Handout

Download the RMA Sign In Sheet. DOC Format
 
Download the RMA Sign In Sheet. PDF Format
 
 View the full article.

The OSHA definition of a confined or enclosed space for construction activities is a space that:
• Has limited means of getting out, and
• Is subject to the accumulation of toxic or flammable gases or has an oxygen deficient atmosphere.

Normally excavations are not considered confined spaces because they are usually subject to natural ventilation. Sometimes, however, excavations qualify as confined spaces if natural ventilation does not occur.

Hazardous atmospheres
Sometimes, you do find hazardous atmospheres in excavations. If so, a competent person must test excavations where oxygen deficiency (atmospheres containing less than 19.5 percent oxygen), or a hazardous atmosphere exists or there is a chance it could exist. If that is the case, the air in the excavation must be tested before you enter any excavation more than four feet deep.
Also, adequate precaution must be taken to prevent your exposure to air containing a concentration of a flammable gas greater than 20 percent of its lower flammable limit.
Excavations that could raise a red flag as “could reasonably be expected to exist” are excavations in landfill areas, areas where hazardous substances are stored nearby, hazardous waste cleanup sites, and underground storage tank digs.

Engineering controls
If hazardous conditions exist, controls such as proper respiratory protection or ventilation must be provided. Ventilation is probably the best and most effective method of controlling a hazardous atmosphere. In numerous places throughout the OSHA regulations it says you must engineer or administrate out hazardous atmospheres before resorting to respiratory protection.

Rescue operations
Where adverse atmospheric conditions may exist or develop in an excavation, the employer must provide and ensure that emergency rescue equipment (e.g., breathing apparatus, a safety harness and line, basket stretcher, etc.) is readily available. This equipment must be attended when used.
When controls, such as ventilation, are used to reduce atmospheric contaminants to acceptable levels, the atmosphere must be tested as necessary to ensure it remains safe.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

###

OSHA Heat Safety App for Apple & Android

When you're working in the heat, safety comes first. With the OSHA Heat Safety Tool, you have vital safety information available whenever and wherever you need it - right on your mobile phone.

More than 200,000 users have downloaded the OSHA Heat Safety Tool since its launch in 2011. This spring, OSHA released a new version of the app for Apple devices, with full-screen color alerts, improved navigation and accessibility options.

This improved version lets you know instantly if you are in a high-risk zone due to heat and humidity and precautions that need to be taken to prevent heat-related illness. The recently updated app gives users important safety information when and where they need it -- right on their mobile phones. Download this life-saving app today.

Search OSHA Heat Safety Tool on your Iphone, Ipad or Android Device.

Or go to: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/heat_index/heat_app.html

###

Heat - On the Job Tool Box Talks

Download the RMA Sign In Sheet. DOC Format
 
Download the RMA Sign In Sheet. PDF Format
 
 View the full article.

When your body is unable to cool itself through sweating, serious heat illnesses may occur. The most severe heat-induced illnesses are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If actions are not taken to treat heat exhaustion, the illness could progress to heat stroke and you could possibly die.

Heat exhaustion—What happens to your body?
Headaches; dizziness/lightheadedness; weakness; mood changes (irritable, or confused or can’t think straight); feeling sick to your stomach; vomiting/throwing up; decreased and dark colored urine; fainting/passing out; pale clammy skin.

Heat stroke—A medical emergency—What happens to your body?
Dry pale skin (no sweating); hot red skin (looks like a sunburn); mood changes (irritable, confused or not making any sense); seizures/fits; collapse/passed out (will not respond).

Things you can do to prevent difficulties from heat related illnesses and injuries.
Learn the signs and symptoms of heat-induced illnesses and what you can do to help yourself or a fellow employee. Use the buddy system (work in pairs) when working in hot conditions.

Drink plenty of cool water (one small cup every 15-20 minutes).
Wear light, loose-fitting, breathable (like cotton) clothing.
Avoid eating large meals before working in hot environments.
Avoid caffeine and alcoholic beverages (these beverages make your body lose water and increase the risk for heat illnesses).
Slowly build up tolerance to the heat and your work activity (usually takes about two weeks).
Do your heaviest work in the coolest part of the day.
Take frequent short breaks in cool shaded areas. This allows your body to cool down.

You are at increased risk when you:
Take certain medications. Check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacy and ask if any medicines you are taking affect you while working in hot environments.
Have had a heat-induced illness in the past.
Wear some personal protective equipment such as respirators or protective suits.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

###