Fire Protection & Prevention

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Fire threatens the construction work site, and you, the construction worker. Fire can destroy materials, structures, and even life. Protect yourself and the job site from the danger of fire.

How To Avoid Starting Fires
The best way to deal with fire is to avoid starting a fire in the first place. The following pointers will help you do just that:

1. Help keep the jobsite neat and clean, avoiding the accumulation of debris, dust, rags, or other materials that could start or feed a fire.

2. If working with gasoline or other flammable types of substances, use extra caution and be aware of proper work procedures with
these substances.

3. If working with electricity on the job site, be careful and make sure it is wired correctly.

4. Use electrically-powered tools only in approved areas away from flammables or combustibles.

5. Know the location of and how to use extinguishers and other fire-fighting equipment and supplies on the job site.

6. Don’t smoke anywhere on the job site where it could constitute a fire hazard.

What To Do In Case Of Fire
Even if you are safe, you may eventually find yourself in a fire situation on the job site. The following points are suggested responses and steps to take in the event of a fire:

1. Be aware of smoke and noxious fumes, and avoid them in the following ways. Fumes can enter the lungs and leave a person unconscious and at the mercy of flames. All fires consume oxygen to burn. Most victims of a fire suffocate from lack of oxygen. They are unconscious or dead before flames consume them. Do the following: Inside a building that is in flames, shut all doors within your reach. Outside, get away from the direction of the flames and smoke to avoid inhaling smoke and fumes.

2. Avoid panic. Although fire is a panic situation, when one panics, dangerous mistakes can be made. Stay calm, assess the extent of the blaze, call the fire department, and acts quickly to contain or extinguish the blaze.

3. Take the proper steps as quickly as possible. Time is of the essence in fire fighting. The smaller the fire, the easier it is to extinguish. Be prepared to respond quickly: Know your company’s emergency procedures, the location of fire alarms and extinguishers and how to use them, and your nearest fire exit and proceed to it in an orderly fashion.

4. Use a shield. In any fire situation inside a building, anything you can use-any type of shield, heavy blankets or tarps-will help you get out of the building with less risk of injury. A wet cloth or handkerchief over your nose will help cut down the smoke intake.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Common Causes of Incidents - Tool Box Talks

Consider this statistic: 80 out of every 100 incidents are the fault of the person involved in the incident. Unsafe Acts cause four times as many incidents & injuries as unsafe conditions.  

Incidents occur for many reasons. In most industries people tend to look for "things" to blame when an incident happens, because it's easier than looking for "root causes," such as those listed below. Consider the  underlying incident causes described. Have you been guilty of any of these attitudes or behaviors? If so, you may have not been injured-but next time you may not be so lucky.

Taking Shortcuts: Every day we make decisions we hope will make the job faster and more efficient. But do time savers ever risk your own safety, or that of other crew members? Short cuts that reduce your safety on the job are not shortcuts, but an increased chance for injury.

Being Over Confident: Confidence is a good thing. Overconfidence is too much of a good thing. "It'll never happen to me" is an attitude that can lead to improper procedures, tools, or methods in your work. Any of these can lead to an injury. 

Starting a Task with Incomplete Instructions: To do the job safely and right the first time you need complete information. Have you ever seen a worker sent to do a job, having been given only a part of the job's instructions? Don't be shy about asking for explanations about work procedures and safety precautions. It isn't dumb to ask questions; it's dumb not to. 

Poor Housekeeping: When clients, managers or safety professionals walk through your work site, housekeeping is an accurate indicator of everyone's attitude about quality, production and safety. Poor housekeeping creates hazards of all types. A well maintained area sets a standard for others to follow. Good housekeeping involves both pride and safety

Ignoring Safety Procedures: Purposely failing to observe safety procedures can endanger you and your co-workers. You are being paid to follow the company safety policies-not to make your own rules. Being "casual" about safety can lead to a casualty!

Mental Distractions from Work: Having a bad day at home and worrying about it at work is a hazardous combination. Dropping your 'mental' guard can pull your focus away from safe work procedures. You can also be distracted when you're busy working and a friend comes by to talk while you are trying to work. Don't become a statistic because you took your eyes off the machine "just for
a minute." 

Failure to Pre-Plan the Work: There is a lot of talk today about Job Hazard Analysis. JHA's are an effective way to figure out the smartest ways to work safely and effectively. Being hasty in starting a task, or not thinking through the process can put you in harm’s way. Instead, Plan Your Work and then Work Your Plan! 

"It is better to be careful 100 times than to get killed once." (Mark Twain)
 
Safety 360 Assurance 

Winter Driving Safety 2016

On the job tool box talks

Driving habits need to change once the winter driving season is upon us. Please keep the following in mind when it comes to driving during the winter.

1. ALWAYS wear your seat belt. It’s the law and they save lives. 41,000 people die in vehicle accidents every year. Many of these people may still be alive had they been wearing their seat belt.

2. Drive at a safe speed for conditions. During snow and sleet, driving at the posted speed limit is too fast. After a rain or thawing of snow, road conditions can change quickly from just wet to ice once the temperature drops below freezing again.

3. Be cautious of other drivers on the road. Give others enough room to merge into traffic.

4. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. Will you be able to stop in enough time if you needed to brake in an emergency situation?

5. Remember if you are pulling a trailer, additional distance is needed to stop.

6. After a snowfall, visibility can be decreased by salt from the roadways splashing on windshields. Check your windshield fluid prior to leaving. If low, fill it up. Keep an extra bottle of washer fluid in your vehicle.

7. Clean your wiper blades with an alcohol wipe. This will help avoid streaks when using your wiper blades. If your wiper blades are worn out, they should be replaced. Typically they should be replaced every 6 months.

8. Drive with your headlights on during inclement weather. This will increase your visibility to other drivers.

9. Clean off snow and defrost your windows prior to leaving. Let your vehicle warm up.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Personal Protective Equipment 160121

WHEN USED PROPERLY, suitable protective equipment can prevent many serious injuries in construction work. 

Eyes are extremely delicate.  Eyesight can be permanently impaired or even completely lost if flying chips of steel or fragments of concrete strike your eyes.  When cutting concrete, wear goggles or a face shield.  When drilling overhead or when dust is present, suitable goggles are required.  When working around concrete vibrators, safety goggles or a face shield will prevent most splashes from reaching your eyes.  When drilling or cutting pressure-treated or preserved lumber, creosote timbers or any lumber, always wear eye protection.  If glasses are worn with corrective lenses, goggles may be needed to be worn over glasses for additional protection from damage or breakage. 

Now, let us consider nose and throat protection.  To prevent nose and throat irritation when working in dusty conditions, wear appropriate respiratory protection.  The type of work being done will determine the type of respiratory protection needed. 

Falls can be prevented if employees properly use approved safety harnesses and life lines.  Use a safety harness and lanyard to limit the fall distance to 6 feet.  They only work, when use correctly.  Contact your supervisor for the proper use of this equipment. 

PREVENT INJURIES BY WEARING THE APPROPRIATE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

BUILDING YOUR FUTURE IN A RECOVERING CONSTRUCTION MARKET

Residential Home Builders Alliance
Seminar

Speakers:
Kristy Riedel, Sr. Loan Officer, Construction Specialist, US Bank Home Mortgage

Michael Watkins, Godoy Law & Michael Watkins, Attorney at Law

Vince Deligio II, Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation, State of Illinois

Thursday, February 11, 2016
Westwood Tavern
1385 N. Meacham Road
Schaumburg, IL

$30 RHBA/RCEC Members
$35 Non-members
7:30 am to 8:30 am Registration and Breakfast Buffet
8:30 am to 10:00 am Program 

Download more information and the registration Form.
 

Call and reserve your spot: 630-512-0552

Tool Box Talks - Back Injuries

In construction, 25% of injuries are back injuries. Construction has the highest rate of back injuries of any industry, except transportation. Every year, a back injury causes 1 in 100 construction workers to miss work — usually missing about 7 workdays, but sometimes more than 30. Most of the back problems are low-back  injuries. Repeated injury to your back can cause permanent damage and end your career.

The Hazards

Most back injuries are sprains and strains from lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing, and pulling materials. You are at higher risk of low-back injury if you often carry heavy loads, must twist while carrying heavy loads, or work a lot while bent over or in other awkward postures.

Protect Yourself

Injuries can be reduced by planning, changing how work is done, and training workers and supervisors.

Plan

• Cut down on carrying. Have materials delivered close to where they will be used.
• Try to store materials at waist height.
• Raise your work to waist level, if you can. Pipefitters use pipe stands. Masons have adjustable scaffolds to keep the work at waist height.
• Make sure floors and walkways are clear and dry. Slips and trips are a big cause of back injuries.
• Take rest breaks. When you are tired, you can get injured more.

Get Help

• Use carts, dollies, forklifts, and hoists to move materials — not your back.
• Use carrying tools with handles to get a good grip on wallboard or other odd-shaped loads.
• If materials weigh more than about 50 pounds, do not lift them by yourself. Get help from another worker or use a cart.

Move Carefully

• When lifting or carrying materials, keep the load as close to your body as you can.
• Try not to twist, when lifting and lowering materials. Turn your whole body instead.
• Lift and lower materials in a smooth steady way. Try not to jerk the lift.
• When you pick up materials off the ground:

·        Try supporting yourself by leaning on something while lifting.

·        Don’t bend over; instead, kneel on one knee and pull the load up on to your knee before standing. (Wear knee pads when you kneel.)

Apprentices

Apprentices get some of the hardest work to do. Being young and strong, they sometimes carry more weight than they should. Make sure apprentices are protected against back injuries, so they don’t end up with back problems and have to leave the trades.

Work with your employer to decide how the work can be changed to protect you and your co-workers from back injuries. Build back-safety into any training. Fewer injuries mean better productivity and lower costs.

What About Back Belts?

Some contractors have workers wear back belts. If a doctor prescribes a back belt, it may help someone recovering from a back injury. But a recent government study (by NIOSH) found no evidence that back belts can prevent injuries. Don’t depend on a back belt to protect you; instead, try to change the lifting work so it can’t hurt you. 

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

 

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What is Good Housekeeping - Tool Box Talks

WALKING AREAS:

·       Three foot wide access paths to work area

·       Cut-offs and scrap material out of work area – toss into corner.  Place scrap into dumpsters at breaks and at the end of days.

·       Building material stored in a way that does not require climbing over piles of lumber or other material to gain access

·       Keeping hoses/cords off of the middle of the stairway

·       Keeping hoses/cords out of the work area and avoiding snarls

·       Keeping hoses and cords from stairways, ramps and landings

·       Keeping mud off of stairs, ramps and ladder rungs

·       PULL nails from reusable lumber, do not bend them over

·       Pull brace blocks from floor when you remove wall bracing

METAL BANDS:

·       Cut bands 6-8” from bottom of lumber pile with snips and remove.  If you cannot remove the band, bend over the sharp edge immediately.

·       Treat plastic bands as trip hazards- remove them from the lumber pile immediately.

GUSSET PLATES:

·       Roof crew- note if any gusset plates stick above the top chord- if they do, make other crew members are aware.  First man close to the stick up needs to pound it down.

Housekeeping is not only a safety issue – it’s also a production issue!!!

This information was provided by: Assurance Agency

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