Labels & Labeling for Construction

One out of every four workers contacts hazardous chemicals on the job. As a construction worker, you have a need and a right to know the chemicals to which you are exposed, their hazards, and how to protect yourself when working. This simple concept is the basis of the Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom). Labeling is the part of HazCom that requires a label on containers so that you are alerted to the fact that a potential hazard exists. Because labels are right on a container, in most cases, you can immediately find out what the chemical’s hazards are. The label’s message about the hazards is the “hazard warning label.”

Take a look at a hazardous chemical container in your facility, it should have a label. This label should have the following minimum information:

• Hazardous chemical name — the identity of the chemical(s) contained inside the container. The name used may be a common or trade name (“Black Magic Formula”), or a chemical name (1,1,1-trichloroethane)

• Hazard warning(s) — brief information regarding the physical and health hazards of the chemicals. Hazard warnings won’t be the most complete source of hazard information; they are meant to be brief (i.e., “flammable,” or “causes lung damage”).

If you need more information than that printed on the label, refer to the material safety data sheet for the chemical, the chemical inventory, and/or your company’s HazCom written program. Ask your safety director to help you.

Your company probably receives chemicals from several manufacturers. These manufacturers will label containers differently. For this reason, your company may have developed or adopted a single labeling system to help you recognize and understand labels, which can make it easier for you to identify potential hazards. Original labels may remain on the original container along with or instead of a uniform label. Learn how to understand whatever labels are in use.

Like anything, labels wear out. They become soiled or unreadable, or they fall off. When you see this happen, let your supervisor know (so he/she can replace the label) and get instructions for using the chemical.

Does everything need a label?
There are a few situations that do not require HazCom labeling.
These include:

• Portable containers of chemicals that you have transferred from a labeled container when you are the only person who will handle the unlabeled container and it will not be used on other shifts.

• Products like foods, drugs, cosmetics which are regulated by other agencies.

• Solid metals such as steel beams or metal castings that do not go through a process resulting in emissions.

• Individual stationary process containers that use signs, batch tickets, or placards instead of labels.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

RCEC-RHBA Homebuilding Associations Raise More Then $10,000

Each year, students enrolled in the Building Trades Program design and construct a home in the northwest suburbs. From blueprints to completion, the process usually takes two years.

Homes are sold at market value. Five high schools participate—Conant, Fremd, Hoffman Estates, Palatine, and Schaumburg.

The Residential Construction Employers Council (RCEC) along with the Residential Home Builders Alliance (RHBA) raised more than $10,000 in donations for High School District 211’s Building Trades Program.

Here is the 2019 home that was built by the students. 

Picture below, students show off some of the apparel they received, which included $6,500 worth of Carhartt jackets donated from RCEC along with RB Construction, GW Thiel, Monarch Construction, and Advantage Contractor Solutions. RHBA provided 100 pairs of safety gloves. The Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters made a monetary donation of $2,500 while Procaccio Painting and Drywall, Parksite and Mr. and Mrs. Len Strahanoski also made monetary donations. Other gifts included safety shirts, sweatshirts, tape measures, safety gloves, and gift cards for food and groceries Chris Gunsteen, construction instructor at Palatine High School, said “District 211 offers students an authentic hands-on experience that exposes them to all aspects of home building, including working outside year around. These donations will go a long way in providing our students with the basic necessities that more often than not students are showing up to class without.”.

Stay Safe on Portable Ladders

Overview
Your ladder can be a great help on the job. It is uncomplicated and simple to use. But don't be fooled; you shouldn't take ladder safety for granted. As with any other workplace task, care is required on ladders to maintain your safety. The following points serve as guidelines for portable ladder use.

1. Use the ladder only for its intended purpose. Don't use step ladders as single ladders or when partially closed. Likewise, don't climb the back sections of combination ladders, when used as step ladders.

2. Don't use a ladder as a brace, skid, lever, guy or gin pole, gangway, platform, scaffold, plank, material hoist, or any other use for which it was not intended.

3. Don't build makeshift ladders out of chairs, benches, or boxes. If the job calls for a ladder, take the time to find one.

4. Don't set up a ladder on a scaffold to gain extra height.

5. Make sure there's only one person on a ladder at a time.

6. Don't move a ladder while anyone is on it.

7. Check the ladder's condition before climbing. Don't use a ladder with broken or cracked rails or rungs or with rungs made slippery by grease or oil. The ladder should have safety feet and sit on a firm, level surface.

8. Don't use ladders on ice, snow, or other slippery surfaces.

9. Don't place a ladder on boxes or blocks to make it taller.

10. Inspect all ladders for defects before you begin climbing.

11. Face front and use both hands as you climb.

12. Don't overreach from a ladder. If your waist reaches past the uprights, you've gone too far—move the ladder.

13. Set ladders up properly by using the 4 to 1 rule. The distance from the wall to the base of the ladder should be one-fourth the distance from the base of the ladder to where it touches the wall.

14. Set up ladders so that the tops of the rails are supported equally. Avoid supporting the top of the ladder at a window or wall opening, but when you must, attach a support across the back of the ladder that is wider than the window opening.

15. Don't set up a ladder in front of a door, unless the door is locked or kept from opening.

16. Fully open stepladders so that spreaders are locked and the feet are level and firmly supported.

17. Set up extension ladders so that the top section rests on the base section, with the rung locks engaged.

18. Hoist tools or materials up to you after you reach the top of the ladder. You need both hands for climbing.

19. Don't stand on top of a step ladder. Also be careful not to get too close to the top of an extension or straight ladder.

20. Be careful when using ladders around electrical circuits. Keep the ladder from getting too near or hitting any energized circuit or conductor.

21. When you use a ladder to climb onto a roof:
• Make sure it extends 3 feet above the point of support at the roof line.
• Tie the ladder down to prevent slipping before climbing up.
• Take care not to tip the ladder sideways and avoid having the base slide.

Don't forget! Be careful when using portable ladders!

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Winter Driving TBT

Winter is again upon us and it is time to start re-orienting our minds and our driving habits to the hazards of operating vehicles in adverse weather conditions such as rain, sleet, snow and ice.
The principles of defensive driving apply during all seasons and in all areas of the country. Winter brings adverse weather conditions that increase the potential for accidents or breakdowns unless precautions are taken.

Visibility: Make sure you can see and be seen. Keep windows and mirrors clear of dirt, ice and snow. Frequently clean off headlights, side reflectors, taillights and mirrors. Keep your windshield washer reservoir filled with an anti-freeze cleaning solution. Replace worn or defective windshield wipers immediately. Keep your headlights on at all times.

Maintenance: Ensure that your vehicle and its safety devices, such as window-washing units, windshield defrosters, wiper blades, headlights, taillights, side reflector lights, tires, brakes, horns, tire chains and mirrors are kept in good working condition and replaced when necessary. Engine heaters, blankets, etc. should be inspected to ensure they are in good operating condition.

Driving on Slippery Roads: Avoid abrupt stops or turns on slippery pavement. Try to anticipate emergencies before they happen and avoid the need to make sudden maneuvers. Don’t cause your tires to spin by bearing down on the accelerator too fast. Don’t lock your wheels when attempting to stop by backing off the accelerator suddenly or braking too fast. Adjust your speed to the conditions of the road.

Appropriate Clothing: Sudden changes in weather, a vehicle breakdown or treacherous road conditions may cause you to be stranded or stalled for a period of time. Your survival may depend upon planning ahead for such an emergency. Your efforts should concentrate on staying warm, dry, nourished and calm. Ideally, a wool hat that covers the ears, woolen gloves or mittens, wool socks with polypropylene liners, loose-fitting layers of garments, and footwear that will keep your feet warm and dry will ensure that you can survive whatever weather conditions you may be exposed to. If stranded in a remote area, stay in your vehicle. Attempting to hike to a nearby town without proper clothing significantly increases the chance of hypothermia.

Emergency Supplies: It is important to prepare for unexpected emergencies by keeping certain items available in your vehicle, such as first aid supplies (including a blanket), a fire extinguisher, food, water, a shovel, flashlight/batteries and extra fuses and light bulbs.

Remember, preparation is the key to survival in hazardous weather conditions.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Behavior Based Safety - TBT

Overview
There are many different views of behavior-based safety. Some consultants’ concepts are based on research; some are based on common sense. Some say behavior-based safety is all you need; others say it’s only part of the safety effort needed. Some say reinforcement is the answer; others say there are not enough opportunities for reinforcement in the workplace.
But, however your organization looks at it, behavior-based safety is the process of focusing on behavior to prevent/reduce occupational injuries.

Why should your company use behavior-based safety?
• Statistics reveal that 80% to 95% of incidents are caused by at-risk behavior.
• The frequency of injuries can be reduced.
• The entire workforce can participate in the process.
• Safety teams make safety improvements.
• Behavior-based safety requires progressive and proactive thinking.
• When added to a safety program already attempting to comply with regulations, behavior-based safety shows "good faith."

Key elements of behavior-based safety
• Employee/management involvement.
• Identification of safe and at-risk behavior.
• Observation.
• Feedback.
• Intervention (instructional, motivational, or supportive).

What must I do?
• As an employee who is concerned with safety, you can participate in the company safety program. Follow the work rules and processes that the company develops.
• Use all supplied personal protective equipment.
• Cooperate with the safety manager, superintendent or safety committee if they observe you at your workplace, or if they request information from you on how you work.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Chemical Protective Clothing

Overview
Your employer provides you with personal protective equipment (PPE) to help protect you from workplace hazards. Here are some things to check before you wear your PPE to perform a job. Whatever your employer requires as far as care of PPE is concerned, be sure that your PPE is functioning properly and that you wear it as designed so that it affords the protection you need to do your job safely.

Before donning PPE
Before you use protective clothing:
• Determine that the clothing material is correct for the specified task at hand.
• Visually inspect for imperfect seams, nonuniform coatings, tears, and malfunctioning closures.
• Hold up to the light and check for pinholes.

If the product has been used previously, inspect inside and out for signs of chemical attack:
• Discoloration.
• Swelling.
• Stiffness.

What must I do?
While using protective clothing, periodically check for:
• Evidence of chemical attack such as discoloration, swelling, stiffening, and softening (keep in mind, however, that chemical permeation can occur without any visible effects).
• Closure failure.
• Tears.
• Punctures.
• Ripped seams.

Before you use gloves:
• Determine that the glove material is correct for the specified task at hand.
• Pressurize glove to check for pinholes. Either blow into glove, then roll towards fingers or inflate glove and hold under water. In either case, no air should escape.

Before you wear fully encapsulating suits:
• Determine that the suit material is correct for the specified task at hand.
• Check the operation of pressure relief valves.
• Inspect the fitting of wrists, ankles, and neck.
• Check faceshield, if so equipped for cracks, crazing, fogginess.

PPE maintenance
Always be sure to follow company policy for cleaning, decontamination, and maintenance of protective clothing. Your employer may have decided that with appropriate training, each person who wears chemical protective clothing can perform these tasks him- or herself. But some decontamination and repair tasks may require special equipment or expertise and must be done by someone else or at a different location.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Competent Person

Who and what is a “competent person”
The term “competent person” comes up often in the OSHA construction regulations. OSHA defines competent person as “one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.”

How does a competent person fit in with a jobsite safety and health program?
Your employer must have a comprehensive safety and health program that provides for frequent and regular inspections, by competent persons designated by the employer, of the:
• jobsite,
• materials, and
• Equipment.

The 29 CFR 1926 construction regulations require that a competent person inspect various work areas such as:
• scaffolding,
• excavations,
• stairways and ladders,
• asbestos abatement operations,
• welding and cutting zones, and
• Steel erection sites.

In addition, some OSHA standards add additional specific requirements that must be met by the competent person.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency