Slips and Falls - On the Job Tool Box Talks

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There are various ways to suffer slips and falls while working. You can slip and lose your balance, you can trip over objects left improperly in your walkway, or you can simply fall from an elevated position above the ground.

To avoid slips and falls, be on the lookout for foreign substances on walk ways. Watch for deposits of water, grease, oil, sawdust, mud or debris. Even small quantities are enough to make you fall. Do not go too fast, walk safely and avoid changing directions too sharp.

Beware of tripping hazards. Trash, unused materials, and any object left in areas designed for pedestrian traffic invite falls. Extension cords, tools, and other items should be removed or properly barricaded off. If equipment or supplies are left in walkways, remove it. Keep passageways clean of debris by using trash barrels, but if you use them and miss, PICK IT UP!

Walk where you are supposed to walk. Short cuts invite accidents. Concentrate on where you are going - horseplay and inattention leave you vulnerable to unsafe conditions.

The worst falls are from elevated positions like scaffolding and ladders. They result in serious injuries and death.

Learn and practice safety and the proper use of scaffolding.

When climbing, use a ladder of proper length that is in good condition.Keep it placed on a firm surface. Keep the ladder’s base one foot away from the wall for every four feet of height. Do not overreach—always have control of your balance when working from a ladder. Never climb a ladder with your hands full, and always carry tools in proper carrying devices. Make sure the ladder extends three feet above the landing and is properly tied off.

When using a scaffold, be sure it is properly assembled according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Check carefully for defects. Standing and working planks should be level and clean. Use toe boards to prevent tools from falling, and workers from slipping. Work only with people who practice scaffold safety.

Slips and falls occur every day. The extent of injuries and their recurrence can be minimized through proper safety knowledge and attitudes.

Practice safety...DO NOT learn it through “Accidental Experience

From: Assurance

Hands are Worth Protecting - On the job Tool Box Safety Talks

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Hands are Worth Protecting
We all use our hands a great deal without really thinking about it. Because hands are used so much, they are prone to injury from many hazards. OSHA requires companies to look for hand hazards in its work areas, minimize those hazards, and properly train workers about hand protection for those workers who require it.
The following statistics demonstrate the need for effective hand protection:
• About 500,000 work-related injuries occur to hands, fingers, and arms each year.
• About one-quarter of all work-related injuries is to the fingers and hands.
• Injuries to fingers and thumbs are second on the list of most injured part of the body. Hand hazards

Hand protection can only do so much. That's why your employer assesses each situation to see if hazards can be eliminated through engineering controls such as machine guards and improved design. If hazards remain after attempting to eliminate hand hazards, then your employer will provide hand protection for you and your co-workers.

Hand Protection Selection
Hand protection must fit your job. Your employer will consider factors like dexterity required, length of exposure time, exposure frequency, chemical exposure, and physical stress required on the job. Your employer looks at chemical, puncture, tear, and abrasion resistance when selecting appropriate hand protection. Many companies use various kinds of gloves and/or barrier creams, but you must know when they are and are not appropriate.

Company policy: For your safety, it is crucial that you understand and follow your company's procedures for hand protection. If you have any questions regarding how to protect your hands from injury on the job, ask your supervisor or check with the hand protection manufacturer.

Gloves:
• Leather gloves protect against sparks, moderate heat, blows, chips, and rough objects.
• Aluminized gloves are usually used for welding, furnace, and foundry work because they provide reflective and insulating protection against heat.
• Metal mesh gloves protect against lacerations. They do not insulate from heat or cold.
• Aramid fiber gloves are made from a synthetic material that protects against heat and cold. Aramid fiber is used to make durable gloves that are cut-and abrasion-resistant
• Fabric gloves can protect against dirt, slivers, chafing, and abrasion. These gloves do not provide
sufficient protection to be used with rough, sharp, or heavy materials.
• Coated fabric gloves are useful for general-purpose hand protection and offer slip-resistant qualities.
• Plastic film gloves are used for sanitation and food processing operations.
• Chemical resistant gloves (butyl rubber, natural rubber latex, neoprene, nitrile) protect against corrosive, irritating, and corrosive chemicals like acids, cleansers, or solvents. No one type of chemical resistant glove can protect workers from ALL chemicals. See the manufacturer’s chemical resistance charts.

Chicago, IL
St. Louis, MO
(847) 463-7239
www.assuranceagency.com

Understand the economic sectors that are impacting our industry today.

Residential Construction Employers Council

Understand the economic sectors that are impacting our industry today.
A joint meeting with the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago.

Speakers: Jonathan Smoke, Chief Economist, Hanley Woods
 & Chris Huecksteadt, Metro Study

RCEC & HBAGC Members $45
Non Members $55

As chief economist, Jonathan Smoke is responsible for Hanley Wood's thought leadership, data products and services focused on the building product manufacturing channel, and leading the national research functions of the company. Jonathan has a comprehensive view of the market based on Metrostudy's coverage of housing through proprietary field collected data across the country as well as through public records, demographics, consumer survey data and economic data that cover almost every county and household. Jonathan led Hanley Wood's efforts to develop innovative research products and proprietary data sets, including the consumer demand for housing and remodeling, and forecasts of remodeling and new construction activity.

From 2006 to 2010 the housing market, both locally and nationally, experienced the biggest downturn since the Great Depression. Today,job losses, elevated unemployment levels, rising foreclosures end sagging home values all continue to impact the housing market's ability to recover. Chris Huecksteadt of Metrostudy, will analyze past and present trends in the housing market, with an eye on the keys to recovery and how the housing market can begin io right itself, he first half of 2012 saw some positive signs. Mr. Hneelsseesde will review the housing numbers and discern where the market might be heading for in 2014 and beyond.

Thursday, January 23, 2014
6:30 pm to 9:00 pm

European Crystal banquets
519 West Algonquin Rd.
Arlington Heights Illinois

Register Online for this Event

Download the USPS / Fax Registration form

Download the Flyer for this event.

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Winter Driving Safety - 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.

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Provided by Assurance

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Workplace Stress - On the Job Toolbox Safety Talks

This Tool Box Talk provided by: CPWR, The Center for Construction Research and Training. 

Each toolbox talk should be printed as a two-sided document so the crew can look at the bold graphic while the foreman/discussion leader uses the text to ask questions and read the facts. Later, the graphic side can be used as a poster in the job trailer or announcement board. 

Job stress is the physical and emotional harm that occurs when the requirements of a job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker. Job stress can lead to poor health and even injury.

Here is an Example
In 1990, a local court upheld a compensation claim by a construction worker who had difficulty keeping up with the pressures of the job site. To avoid falling behind, he tried to take on more tasks and often got parts mixed up. As a result, he was repeatedly yelled at by the foreman. He suffered a psychological breakdown.

1. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the amount of work you have?

2. How do you handle the pressure? (For example,do you talk with other workers, keep to yourself, or discuss it with your supervisor?) 

Download the full text and poster.

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Effects of Alcohol - Tool Box Safety Talks

This document provides general information about a safety and health topic and is only intended for use in facilitating discusions with employees in safety meetings. It does not address all hazards, OSHA or local requirements related to the topic or accompanying photograph.

Effects of Alcohol: The purpose of this toolbox talk is to provide some basic information and to increase the level of awareness to focus on this as a potential safety issue on the job. This will primarily address issues of “the morning after” affect.

EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL:
The above information briefly summarizes some of the some of the effects of a person that is hung over. Direct effects of alcohol vary with the individuals. In general, a person will excrete approximately one alcohol drink per hour.

Consider the following:
An employee is out until 1:00 a.m. and has consumed 12 or more beers. They show up to work at 7:00 a.m. This employee is likely to have at least six alcohol drinks in his system at the time of starting the work. At this rate, the employee will start work intoxicated, eventually drift into a hangover and will probably be working in a very dangerous state during most of the workday.

ISSUES OF A HANGOVER
All employees should be aware of the condition their co-workers report to work in. Specifically, employees that start work and are hung over from use of alcohol or drugs from the night before should be watched very closely. The following are some points to consider:
• A person with a hangover may have lower levels of alcohol in their system and may be “legally sober”.
• Any levels of alcohol in the system can affect the central nervous system, which will affect 
JUDGMENT and MOTOR SKILLS. (Judgment and Motor Skills are critical components of working safely on a construction site.

HANGOVER EFFECTS
Employees that are hung over are impaired from low sugar levels, dehydration and may still be legally intoxicated.
Symptoms / Effects:
• Impaired judgment
• Decreased motor skills
• Potential for dizzy spells, etc.

Employees no longer under the influence of alcohol but still feeling hung over still have an effect:
Symptoms / Effects:
• Impaired judgment
• Decreased motor skills
• Dizziness
• Increased potential to lose consciousness

Bottom Line:
Employees that come to work with a hangover may become injured or injure others and should be asked to stop work and possibly sent home. Keep a close eye on your co-workers.
Production is important, but employees that are under the effect of alcohol or hangovers are a serious safety issue that may wind up a tragedy.

The current housing boom is the first nationwide boom since the postwar era not driven by increased demand for owner-occupied housing.

The homeownership rate for individuals 35 years of age or younger declined across all MSAs. The homeownership rate increased only for individuals 65 years or age and older. In contrast, the homeownership rate increased for all age groups during the housing booms in the immediate postwar years and the 2000s.

The combination of the uniform decline in homeownership across most age groups—particularly first-time buyers—and increasing home prices across all tiers suggests private and institutional investors have been profiting from current mortgage market conditions. Since 2006, the national homeownership rate has declined from 69 percent to 65 percent. This shift from owner-occupied to tenant-occupied housing has increased rental prices across all cities. The increased rental prices and the expectation of future capital gains have encouraged investors to purchase single-family homes in the low and middle tiers and generated a new housing boom. These observations suggest the current housing boom is the first nationwide boom since the postwar era not driven by increased demand for owner-occupied housing. The current episode could solidify the idea that housing booms can be driven entirely by investors.

Full article at http://research.stlouisfed.org/publications/es/article/9981