2017 OSHA Updates: Are you in compliance?

TIPS FOR MAKING DEADLINES AND AVOIDING FINES

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Thursday, January 19, 2017
Time:Seminar: 6-8 p.m., Food and drinks will be provided.
Location: Assurance, 1750 E. Golf Road, 2nd Floor Seminar Center
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Speaker: Lauren Gizzi, Safety Supervisor, Assurance

COST
• Free for Assurance Clients or RMA Members
• $25 for RHBA Members
• $35 for Non-RHBA Members

OSHA is making major changes in 2017 that have the possibility to greatly impact the construction industry. In partnership with Assurance, the Residential Home Builders Alliance invites you to join us for an educational discussion on staying compliant during the new year. This seminar will discuss the following items that are at the forefront of the minds of many employers:

»OSHA Electronic Reporting Changes – Who needs to report, what information is needed to submit and upcoming deadlines

»OSHA’s New Anti-Retaliation Rules – Guidelines for discipline policies, incentive programs and post-accident drug testing

»OSHA’s Updated Silica Rule – New requirements and deadlines

FOR QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT:
Cathy Kirin
Residential Home Builders Alliance
p: 630-512-0552
f: 630-812-0442
e: cathyk@rcecusa.org

Air Contaminants

Overview
An air contaminant is any substance that is accidentally or unintentionally introduced into the air, having the effect of rendering the air toxic or harmful to some degree.

Who is covered?
29 CFR 1910.1000 Air contaminants protects employees from occupational exposure to air contaminants. The regulation applies to all workers who may be subjected to workplace air contaminants.

§1910.1000 lists various substances along with permissible exposure limits (PELs) for an eight-hour period. Your employer has a responsibility to notify you of potential hazards in the workplace, including air contaminants.

What must my employer do?

Your employer:
• Is responsible for controlling sources of air contamination by using engineering controls, or, if necessary, by using personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Must let you know what air contaminants are in the workplace and how you can protect yourself from them.
• Will discuss any necessary PPE with you and demonstrate proper use, cleaning, and storage of the equipment.

Must periodically test the air in the facility for the presence of air contaminants. You, or your representative, have a right to see the results of those tests.

If your employer chooses to use PPE in addition to engineering and work practice controls, the PPE must be provided free of charge

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Flagging Safety

A flagger is a person who provides temporary traffic control when permanent traffic controls (signs, signals, and barricades) do not provide the necessary protection for operations on highways or streets. Because flaggers are responsible for public safety and make more public contacts than any other highway worker, they should meet the following minimum qualifications:

- Sense of responsibility for safety of public and workers;
- Adequately trained in safe traffic control practices;
- Average or higher intelligence;
- Good physical condition, including sight and hearing;
- Mental alertness and ability to react in an emergency;
- Courteous but a firm manner; and
- Neat appearance.

29 CFR 1926.201 requires that flaggers conform to the signaling methods found in Part VI of either the 1988 Edition of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), with 1993 revisions (Revision 3) or the Millennium Edition of the FHWA MUTCD (Millennium Edition). This information is found in the table below:

Device - Sign Paddle
Signal - To stop traffic
Method - The flagger shall face traffic and extend the STOP sign paddle in a stationary position with the arm extended horizontally away from the body. The free arm is raised with the palm of the hand toward approaching traffic.

Device - Sign Paddle
Signal - To direct stopped traffic to proceed
Method - The flagger shall face traffic with the SLOW paddle held in a stationary position with the arm extended horizontally away from the body. The flagger motions with the free hand for traffic to proceed.

Device - Sigh Paddle
Signal - To alert or slow traffic
Method - The flagger shall face traffic with the SLOW sign paddle held in a stationary position with the arm extended horizontally away from the body.

Device - Flag
Signal - To stop traffic
Method - The flagger shall face traffic and extend the flag staff horizontally across the traffic lane in a stationary position so the full area of the flag is visible hanging below the staff. The free arm is raised with the palm of the hand toward approaching traffic.

Device - Flag
Signal - To direct stopped traffic to proceed
Method - The flagger shall stand parallel to the traffic movement and with flag and arm lowered from view of the driver, motion with the free hand for traffic to proceed. Flags shall not be used to signal traffic to proceed.

Device - Flag
Signal - To alert or slow traffic
Method - The flagger shall face traffic and slowly wave the flag in a sweeping motion of the extended arm from shoulder level to straight down without raising the arm above a horizontal position.

Employee training
Sections 1926.200-.202 do not contain training requirements. However, §1926.21 requires employers to instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his/her work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury.

This may include training flaggers in hand-signaling, warning clothing and other life-saving equipment, the flagger’s role and location, traffic patterns, heavy equipment operations, communication methods and alarms, signs, channelizing devices (i.e., cones and barricades), working next to traffic and equipment, escape routes, hazards (i.e., vehicles, equipment, carbon monoxide, asphalt fumes, extreme heat/cold, rain and fog, darkness), and being as visible as possible.

Training tips
Dress as a flagger. You may want to add white trousers or coveralls, a reflectorized hard hat, clothing for weather conditions, yellow rain gear, special equipment (i.e., radio, hard hat mounted mirror, and motion detectors), and/or the sign paddle, flag, and/or light normally used by your flaggers.
Demonstrate the hand signals and the proper use of sign paddles, flags, and lights. Have trainees practice. Obtain a copy of Part VI of the MUTCD to train employees on proper flagging. Remind them of the danger of vehicles approaching from behind and the need for a spotter, a motion detector, alarm, or hard hat mounted mirror. Demonstrate these devices. Use the jobsite as a training ground, if possible.

Where to go for more information
- 29 CFR 1926, Subpart G—Signs, signals, & barricades.
- Part VI of either the 1988 Edition of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), with 1993 revisions (Revision 3) or the Millennium Edition of the FHWA MUTCD (Millennium Edition).

This information was provided by: Assurance Agency

Medical Services and First Aid

In emergency situations, prompt, properly-administered first aid can mean the difference between life and death, rapid versus prolonged recovery, or temporary versus permanent disability. Safety comes first, but when accidents do happen, it is important to have someone who knows how to handle the situation effectively. You may be that person. In that case, knowing what to do, and not to is important. If you aren’t qualified, quickly get someone who is. Also, know where the first aid kits and emergency eyewash stations are before an incident occurs. And, understand and follow the universal precautions when dealing with blood.

The following table lays out some basic first aid information:

First Aid Basics:

Call for help
If you are not alone, have someone go for help immediately. If you are alone, immediate care is a priority. However, that immediate care may be going for help.

Analyze the situation
Don’t become a victim yourself. If you can be safe while doing it, get the victim away from any danger source such as water, fire, or downed power lines. Be sure to turn off all power sources before touching an electrocuted victim.

Don’t move the victim
If there is any chance of spine or neck injury do not move the victim unless he or she is in a life threatening situation.

Look for signs of life
Look for signs of life and give artificial respiration or CPR if necessary but only if you have been trained. Be sure help is on the way before starting CPR. Do not tilt the victims head back if you suspect a neck injury.

Control heavy bleeding
Stop the flow of blood by direct pressure, elevating the injury above the heart or pressure points. Do not use a tourniquet unless the person is in danger of bleeding to death and you’ve been trained to apply one.

Treat for shock
Signs of shock include cold, pale skin; a rapid, faint pulse; nausea; rapid breathing; and weakness. To treat for shock, keep the victim lying down; cover him/her only enough to maintain body heat; don’t move the victim unless absolutely necessary; and get medical help immediately.

Treat for choking
A person can choke to death in a few minutes. You can tell if a person is choking if he/she can’t speak, cough, or breathe. If the person is choking, use the Heimlich Maneuver.

Treat for burns
For small burns, gently soak burn in cold water or pour cold water on burn. Do not treat large burns with water unless they are chemical burns. Cover burn with a dry, sterile bandage. Provide artificial respiration as needed. Seek medical attention. Some chemicals should not be flushed with water, but neutralized by other means—see chemical label.

Treat for chemical burn in eye
Quickly flush the eyes with lots of water for at least 15 minutes (for best results, do so at an eyewash station, emergency shower, or hose). Try to force the eyes open to wash chemical out. Do not bandage eyes. Seek medical attention.

Treat for Fracture
Do not move the victim unless you absolutely have to. This is especially important if you suspect a neck or back injury. Get medical help.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Asbestos - Tool Box Talks

Overview
Asbestos was once a very widely used, mineral-based building material. Asbestos is found in building materials such as shingles, floor tiles, cement pipes, roofing felts, insulation, ceiling tiles, fire-resistant drywall, and acoustical products.

How can it hurt me?
Asbestos enters the body when you breathe in the fibers, or when fibers are inhaled while smoking. Asbestos can also be ingested by eating food in areas containing asbestos fibers. Once asbestos has embedded itself into your body, it cannot be removed. Symptoms of asbestos exposure include the following:
-Acute (short term): Shortness of breath, chest or abdominal pain, or irritation of the skin and mucous membranes.
-Chronic (long term): Breathing difficulty, dry cough, broadening and thickening of the ends of the fingers, bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes, asbestosis, lung cancer and/or mesothelioma.
-Smoking is known to make asbestos-related symptoms worse.

What must I do?
You are required to:
-follow company rules when working in asbestos exposure areas.
-use any personal protective equipment which the company offers.
-follow all rules regarding hygiene before taking breaks or after your work shift.
-follow all company rules on where to change clothes before and after work.
-know what to do with PPE following completion of the job or work shift.
-understand how to clean, test, use, and maintain your PPE.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

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Scaffolding Safety

The following information is being provided to serve as a guideline for the use of job-made scaffolding. (This information is not intended to serve as a full description of related O.S.H.A. Standards.)

HEIGHTS:
1. All platforms over 10 feet must be railed with a standard guardrail system on all exposed sides.
2. Standard guardrail dimensions = 42" toprail, 22" midrail, vertical support each 8' horizontal. (Must be able to support 200lbs. of force in any direction.

SUPPORTS:
1. All supports must be fully self-supported or secured to the structure. (Lean-to or leaning types are not acceptable.)
2. Supports must be secured to the planks that they are supporting. Vertical sheer blocks should be installed under all supports for additional strength.
3. Only ladders designed for scaffolding support shall be used for this purpose ie: ladder jacks. (Stepladders are not suitable for this use.)
4. All supports require adequate vertical and horizontal bracing to prevent twisting or other failure.
5. Mud sills should be used under supports. (Recommended size = 2"x12"x12" )

PLANKING:
1. Wood planks must be 2x material minimum and supported each 8' horizontally minimum. Planks must be free of knots or splits.
2. All planking must be 12" minimum width. Use double wide planking when possible.
3. Ends of all planking must be secured to the supports or overlap 6-12".
4. All planking must be secured from movement in any direction.

This information is provided by Assurance Agency.
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Stairway Safety for Construction

Stairways, like ladders, are a source of accidents at construction sites. They are also a source for numerous OSHA citations.

 In September 2003, the following stairway violations were in the top 75 OSHA rules to receive citations:
- Stairways with four or more risers or rising more than 30", whichever is less, must have at least one handrail and one stairrail system along each unprotected side or edge.
- A stairway or ladder must be provided at all employee access points where there is a break in elevation of 19" or more, and no ramp, runway, sloped embankment, or personnel hoist is provided.
- Your employer must provide a training program, as necessary, for stairway use. The program must enable you to recognize hazards related to stairways, and must train you in the procedures to be followed to minimize these hazards.
- Unprotected sides and edges of stairway landings must be provided with guardrails.

OSHA has many rules that address design, stairrails, handrails, and maintenance. The following examples (of the many rules for stairways) point out some of these areas.

General
- Temporary stairways must have landings of not less than 30" in the direction of travel, and extend at least 22" wide at every 12' or less of vertical rise.
- Where doors or gates open directly on a stairway, a platform must be provided. The door swing must leave 20" of effective width.
- Proper housekeeping procedures eliminate stairway slip, trip, and fall hazards. Keep stairs free from debris and clutter.

Good lighting will help avoid stairway hazards. Like any other walking/working surface, it is difficult to avoid what you cannot see.

Stairrails and handrails
- Stairrails must not be less than 36 inches high from the tread to the top of the stairrail.
- Handrails must be between 30 and 37 inches high measured from the tread surface.
- Handrails must provide an adequate handhold to avoid falling. If the handrails are not permanent, there must be at least a three inch clearance between the handrail and wall.

Temporary stairs have their own issues
- Treads for temporary service must be made of wood or other solid material, and must be installed the full width and depth of the stair.

This information provided by: Assurance Agency