Fall Protection for Construction

 

Construction workers continue to fall to their deaths in record numbers. In 1996, 292 construction workers lost their lives because of a fall. Your company has a duty to anticipate your need for fall protection. Careful planning and preparation lay the groundwork for an accident-free worksite. However, your employer is not perfect; you need to be involved in the process. Before you go to work at heights six feet or higher, your employer needs to look at a few issues. They need to: (1) understand the duty to provide fall protection, (2) assess the worksite for fall hazards, and (3) select the correct protection system. 

 You are a valuable source for locating hazards. Your company should involve you in the process, and teach you how to do worksite assessments, recognize fall hazards, and select the proper fall equipment.

A duty to provide fall protection
When you are working six feet or more above lower levels, OSHA points out specific areas and operations where fall protection is required. They are: ramps, runways, walkways, excavations, hoist areas, holes, form and reinforcing steel work, leading edge work, unprotected sides and edges, overhand bricklaying and related work, roofing work, precast concrete erection, wall openings, and residential construction. The OSHA rules point out the protection options you have to satisfy the requirement. If the situation is not “listed” in the OSHA rules then 1926.501(b)(15) (walking/working surfaces not otherwise addressed), is appropriate. This reference says that if none of the other situations fit, you must still be protected when working six feet or more above lower levels by a guardrail, safety net, or personal fall arrest equipment.

Worksite assessment Before going to work, a worksite survey must be done to determine if the walking/working surface on which you are going to work has the strength and structural integrity to safely support you, your fellow workers, and all equipment. Once it is determined that the surface is safe, one of the fall protection options for the particular work operation must be selected if the walking/working surface is six feet or more above a lower level.

As you can see, going to work at heights above six feet is more than just going to work. Much effort is involved in ensuring your safety. Your supervisor, safety guru, or other workers can’t do it alone; you must be involved in the process. Don’t go to work in unsafe conditions; bring them to the attention of your supervisor.

This information is provided by Assurance Agency https:www.agencyassurance.com

Designated Path

 

Overview
All buildings must have a way of allowing occupants fast exit to the outside or a safe place of refuge in case of an emergency. These exits can be hallways, corridors, balconies, ramps, stairs, or lobbies.

The designated paths of exit must be arranged and maintained to provide a free and unobstructed means to exit all parts of the building at all times. Employers must also ensure that these paths are accessible to occupants who have impaired mobility.

Exits must lead directly outside, to a refuge area, or to an open space with access to the outside. The area beyond the exit has to have enough room to accommodate the people who are likely to use the exit.

Exit doors:
• must be able to be readily opened without having to use keys, tools, or special knowledge.
• cannot have any alarm or device that would restrict emergency use of the exit if the device fails.

What must my employer do?
Your employer will explain how to locate exits in your facility, and what you should do if you are required to exit the building in an emergency

What must I do?
You must become aware of at least two exits from your area of the workplace.
You have the duty to not block exits or paths of exits, and alert your employer if you notice exits that are blocked.

This information is provided by Assurance Agency https:www.agencyassurance.com

What is Ergonomics?

 

What is Ergonomics?
Ergonomics is the process of fitting the job to the worker. It is the design of machinery, tools and the way work is done in order to reduce stress on the body. It emphasizes how people do their work and what body movements they make and positions they hold while working. It also emphasizes what tools and equipment workers use and what effect all of these have on their comfort and health.

What are some ways to identify ergonomic problems?
There are six basic risk factors associated with ergonomic problems:

1. REPETITION: When a job requires repeated activity using the same part of the body.

2. EXCESSIVE FORCE: When a worker has to continually use a lot of force when lifting, pushing or pulling.

3. AWKWARD POSTURE: When a job task forces a worker to maintain an uncomfortable position.

4. MECHANICAL STRESS: When a worker must constantly hit or push a hard part of a machine or a tool.

5. VIBRATING TOOLS: When a worker must hold vibrating equipment, OR MACHINES: especially when the temperature in the workplace is cold.

6. TEMPERATURE: When a worker has to work under very cold or very hot conditions.

This information is provided by Assurance Agency https:www.agencyassurance.com

Lockout/ Tagout for Electrical Equipment

 

You may, from time to time, be called on to perform maintenance or service machines or electrical equipment. You could also, through no fault of your own, cause an unexpected activation, reenergization, or release of stored energy.

Failure to adequately control energy accounts for many serious accidents at construction sites. Lockout/tagout procedures help safeguard you and fellow employees from the unexpected start-up of machinery or equipment or release of hazardous energy while performing servicing or maintenance tasks.

What is lockout/tagout?
Lockout is the process of turning off and locking out the flow of energy from a power source to a piece of equipment or a circuit, and keeping it locked out. Lockout is accomplished by installing a lockout device at the power source.
Tagout is placing a tag on the power source. The tag acts as a warning not to restore energy-it is not a physical restraint. Tags must clearly state: Do Not Start.

What must be locked or tagged out
You should never work on:
• Electrical circuits unless an effective lockout/tagout program is implemented.
• Energized electrical circuits which are not positively deenergized or tagged out.

The construction rules actually mention electrical lockout/tagout briefly and in only one place. However, this one place gives you some good rules to apply to lockout/tagout procedures for electrical equipment. They are:
1. Tag all controls that are to be deactivated during the course of work on energized or deenergized equipment or circuits.
2. Render equipment or circuits that are deenergized inoperative and attach tags at all points where such equipment or circuits can be energized.
3. Place tags to plainly identify the equipment or circuits being worked on.

Although the above rules use tagout procedures, OSHA says that lockout is more effective for deenergizing equipment. It should always be the preferred method.

In order to properly lockout and tag equipment your company must have an effective program/procedure. A written program is a positive step to protect you against accidental or inadvertent equipment operation. Be aware of any company policies and procedures regarding lockout or tagout of electrical equipment.

This information is provided by Assurance Agency https:www.agencyassurance.com

Emergency Action Plans

 

Overview
There is always the potential for emergencies to occur at your facility. To reduce your exposure to potential emergencies, your employer has developed an emergency action plan.
Emergency actions plans are developed to provide guidelines on what actions to take if an emergency should occur at your facility.

What is an emergency action plan?
In 29 CFR 1910.38(c), OSHA lists the minimum elements which should be included in an emergency action plan. These elements include:

1. Evacuation procedures and exit route assignments. Your employer will also point out the location of internal shelter areas, and exterior safe areas for evacuation.

2. Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate. Some critical plant operations include gas, electrical, power, and water. Chemical manufacturing processes could also be included.

3. Headcount procedures to account for you and your coworkers after emergency evacuation has been completed.

4. Rescue and medical duties for those employees who are to perform them.

5. Procedures for reporting fires and other emergencies.

6. Names or regular job titles of persons or departments who can be contacted for further information or an explanation of duties under the plan.

Additional information
Your employer will also explain:

- How to report fires, hazardous chemical spills, and other emergencies.

- Procedures for sounding emergency alarms on-site.

- Who to notify in the event of an emergency.

- What phones to use and numbers to call.

- Location and use of emergency fire alarms.

- Critical plant operations and those responsible for their operation/shut down.

- Accounting for all employees after emergency evacuation.

- Personnel designated to perform rescue and medical duties.

- Alarm system.

- Recognition of different alarms, such as audio and visual.

- Who is to be contacted for more information on the emergency action plan.

- Where a written copy of the plan can be obtained.

This information is provided by Assurance Agency https:www.agencyassurance.com

Arc Flash & Blast

 

Arc flashes are caused by an electrical equipment failure (like a short circuit) or human error (such as holding a metal object too close to energized equipment). If you have two energized points which are not contacting each other solidly, the current can jump from one point to the other. This is called an electric arc or arc flash.

One-second duration
Unlike a flash fire, an electric arc can begin and end in less than a second. Bystanders see a flash and hear an extremely loud boom and it is over.

Electric arc
A person can be severely injured or killed by the huge amount of heat generated by this arc. Temperature of the arc can range from 15,000 to 35,000 degrees F. You can imagine what this heat can do to the human body. (Heat in excess of 122 degrees F. can cause third degree burns, which do not heal.)

Flying molten metal
The arc also immediately turns the electrical conductors into molten metal droplets that fly away from the source at near the speed of sound. These projectiles can travel quite a distance, starting clothing and other materials on fire.

Arc blast
Not only does the electric arc generate an excessive amount of heat, this heat causes an intense pressure wave that usually throws the employees working nearby away from the arc. This wave is so strong it can break ear drums and cause concussions and broken bones.

Explosions and/or fire
The heat from electric arcs can ignite combustible or flammable vapors in the air causing an explosion. Materials stored nearby can also start on fire.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Whenever electrical workers have the chance to be exposed to an electric arc they must wear clothing and eye protection resistant to the flash. Make sure your employer provides you with the necessary PPE. (Part II, Chapter 3 of NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces covers the standards for PPE.)

Cost of an electric arc accident
The monetary cost of an electric arc accident can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Damage to equipment and facility, lost production time, increased insurance expense, medical bills, worker’s compensation, and legal costs can all be the result of one electric arc accident.

Questions?
Talk to your supervisor if you have any questions or concerns about working around energized electrical equipment.

This information is provided by Assurance Agency https:www.agencyassurance.com

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 trappedor 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 is provided by Assurance Agency https:www.agencyassurance.com