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Overview Handout-Trench Cave-Ins-Tool Box Talks

Trench cave-ins can be prevented. Yet every year there are an estimated 75 to 200 deaths and more than 1,000 lost work days per year from trenching accidents.

What does the competent person look for?
According to OSHA, your company competent person must inspect all excavations each day for evidence of a situation that could result in:
• possible cave-ins.
• indications of failure of protective systems.
• hazardous atmospheres.
• other hazardous conditions.
However, if you work in trenches/excavations you should know much of the same information your competent person does. Why a sudden change could mean disaster for you and fellow workers.

What are unsafe conditions?
Some of the things that could cause an immediate change at an excavation site are:
• A bulldozer or excavator coming too close to your trench could cause a surcharge (overloading) and stress cracks at or near the edge of the trench.
• A sudden downpour could fill the trench or cause rain-soaked soil to give way.
• Accidently striking an underground utility line with a tool could present an immediate electrocution or hazardous atmosphere hazard.
These are just a few of the sudden incidents that need immediate attention and decision-making. That’s why the OSHA rules require your company to train you in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions, the regulations applicable to your work environment, and to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury.

What does OSHA's regulation cover?
OSHA’s excavation rules apply to all open excavations made in the earth’s surface including trenches. The regulation is in the construction standards at §1926.650-.652 and covers:

Scope and application—The rule applies to all open excavations made in the earth’s surface. Excavations are defined to include trenches.

Specific excavation requirements—to include surface hazards, underground utilities, getting in and out of the excavation, traffic hazards, hazardous atmospheres, emergency rescue, inspections, and fall protection.

Requirements for protective systems—The rule says each employee in an excavation must be protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system designed in accordance with the OSHA regulations for:
• sloping and benching systems, or
• support, shield, and other protective systems.

Exceptions would be when:
• Excavations are made entirely in stable rock; or
• Excavations are less than five feet deep and examination of the ground by a competent person provides no indication of a potential cave-in.
• Excavations are one of the most dangerous places in construction work. Your knowledge of the hazards and a constant vigil could make a life or death difference.

This information was provided by: Assurance Agency


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How to Handle an OSHA Inspection

Workplace Inspections
OSHA is authorized under the OSH Act to conduct workplace inspections without delay and at reasonable times where work is performed by an employee or employer. Most inspections are a result of the following:

• Imminent   Danger - there is reasonable certainty that danger exists and can be expected to cause death or serious physical harm.  

• Catastrophes  and  Fatal  Accidents - investigation of a fatality or a single event that results in the hospitalization of 3 or more employees. These types of accidents must be reported to OSHA within 8 hours.

• Employee   Complaints - the act gives each employee the right to request an OSHA inspection where they feel hazard exists on the job. (This is a common cause of OSHA inspections on construction projects.) 
   
• Local and National Emphasis Programs - in our region these operations include high-rises, trenching and excavations, falls, silica, high hazard workplaces and interior renovation projects in Chicago. 
   
• Focused  Inspections - these are centered on the Focus 4 hazards: Falls, electrical, caught-in/between and struck-by hazards.

READ MORE

ThIs information is provided by Assurance Agency.


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Emergency Response Procedures

Respond to spills immediately 

  

* Identify  the spill –  Do not rush into unknown situations  

* Notify-  Supervisor and appropriate personnel  

* Limit access to the area  

* Stop the source/spill  

* Contain the spill as fast as possible (use your spill kit)  

* Protect drains and waterways first  

* Clean up  

  This information was provided by: Assurance Agency

Confined Space Overview

Overview

A  permit-required  confined  space  is  a  confined  space  that  has  one  or  more  of  the  following  characteristics: 

•  contains  or  has  the  potential  to  contain  a  hazardous  atmosphere; 

•  contains  a  material  that  has  the  potential  for  engulfing  an  entrant; has  an  internal  configuration  such  that  an  entrant  could  be  trapped or  asphyxiated  by  inwardly  converging  walls  or  by  a  floor  which  slopes downward  and  tapers  to  a  smaller  crossection;  or 

•  contains  any  other  recognized  serious  safety  or  health  hazard. 

The Confined Space Program

Your  employer  has  a  permit-required  confined  space  program  which  is designed  to  prevent  accidents.  Each  permit-required  confined  space  is marked  with  signs  or  other  warnings. 

What must I do?

Before  entering  into  a  permit  space,  you  must  obtain  an  entry  permit from  the  entry  supervisor.  The  entry  supervisor  will  determine  if acceptable  entry  conditions  are  present. 

Before  entering  into  a  permit-required  confined  space: 

•  you  must  have  been  trained  by  your  employer,  and  informed  of  the  potential  hazards  that  exist  in  the  permit space,  and  be  aware  of  the  mode,  signs  and  symptoms,  and  consequences  of  being  exposed. 

•  you  should  know  what  personal  protective  equipment  is  needed,  and  how  to  properly  use  it. 

•  you  should  know  how  to  summon  rescue  and  emergency  services. 

•  you  must  understand  the  duties  of  the  attendant  and  how  to  communicate  with  the  attendant. 

This information was provided by: Assurance Agency

Flammable Liquids - On the job Tool Box Talks

There are many thousands of chemicals in use in the American workplace. One of the most common hazards of these chemicals is flammability. To protect you and your co-workers, OSHA has developed some very detailed regulations covering the storage and use of flammable liquids.

Not all employees require special training in handling of flammable liquids, but any employee involved in the storage, transfer, use, or disposal of flammable liquids does require special training.

Improper handling of flammables brings a great risk of fire. When a flammable liquid is spilled, vapors begin to form immediately. It is the vapors that will ignite, and which pose the greater danger.

Flammable liquid spill cleanup should begin promptly. Vapors will continue to build until the liquid is removed, and they can be ignited by a variety of sources in the average workplace.

Categories of flammable liquids

There are four categories of flammable liquids:

• Category 1 – having flash points below 73.4ºF and having boiling points at or below 95ºF.

• Category 2 – having flash points below 73.4ºF and having boiling points above 95ºF.

• Category 3 – having flash points at or above 73.4ºF and at or below 140ºF. When a Category 3 liquid with a flash point at or above 100ºF is heated for use to within 30ºF of its flashpoint, it shall be handled in accordance with the requirements for a Category 3 liquid with a flashpoint below 100ºF

• Category 4 – having flash points at or above 140ºF and at or below 199.4ºF. When a Category 4 flammable liquid is heated for use to within 30ºF of its flashpoint, it shall be handled in accordance with the requirements for a Category 3 liquid with a flashpoint at or above 100ºF.

When a liquid with a flashpoint greater than 199.4ºF is heated for use to within 30ºF of its flashpoint, it shall be handled in accordance with the requirements for a Category 4 flammable liquid.

Safety data sheets
An easy way to identify flammable or combustible liquids is through the safety data sheet (SDS). The SDS will have information on fire and explosive hazards, and will list any special handling and storage precautions.

This information was provided by: Assurance Agency

Company Vehicle Safety Programs- On the Job TBT

Driving a company vehicle is a privilege. Make sure you follow you company vehicle safety program.
What’s in a company vehicle safety program?
A company vehicle safety program should include 10 steps:
1. Management commitment and employee involvement.
2. Written policies and procedures.
3. Driver agreements.
4. Motor vehicle record checks for each driver.
5. Crash reporting and investigation procedures.
6. Vehicle selection, maintenance, and inspection procedures.
7. Disciplinary action system for violations of the program’s provisions.
8. Reward/incentive programs to promote safe driving.
9. Driver training and communication programs.
10. Regulatory compliance.

How can employees help the program?

Employees should be part of the program. Provide input as the program is developed and offer suggestions when it is reviewed.

The program will have many policies and procedures. Understand the program’s policies for seat belt use, reporting collisions and moving violations, restricting alcohol and drug use, driver eligibility requirements, vehicle inspections, collision investigations, disciplinary action, incentive programs, employee performance reviews, training program participation, etc. You may be asked to sign an agreement that you are aware of, understand, and will follow the vehicle safety policies and procedures.

Your employer may periodically review your motor vehicle record to make sure you are eligible to drive a company vehicle based on driver’s license restrictions, moving violations, accidents, etc. You must have a valid driver’s license.

You will be expected to inspect the company vehicle before each trip, and you must know how to report defects you notice while driving.

If you have moving violations, are involved in collisions, or if you violate the program’s policies, you may face disciplinary/corrective action. You could lose your driving privileges for certain violations of the program.

You should be rewarded for always driving safely or for otherwise helping the program be successful. Your driving performance might be part of your overall job performance evaluations.

When periodic driver safety training programs are offered, join in.

This information was provided by: Assurance Agency