Ladder Safety for Construction

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Ladders are indispensable additions to jobsites. While they are uncomplicated and simple to use, you shouldn’t take ladder safety for granted. Ladder problems are easy for OSHA inspectors to spot and therefore companies receive numerous citations every year.  OSHA finds the most violations of the following OSHA rules at jobsites:
•    When portable ladders are used to get to an upper landing surface, the side rails must extend three feet above the upper landing. If that is not possible because of the ladders length, then it must be tied-off at the top to a non-moveable support, and a grab rail must be provided for getting off and on. The extension can never be so short that ladder deflection under a load would cause the ladder to slip off its support. 
•    A stairway or ladder must be provided at all worker access points where there is a break in  elevation of 19 inches or more, and no ramp, runway, sloped embankment, or personnel hoist is provided. 
•   Your employer must provide a ladder training program. The program must ensure you can recognize hazards related to ladders, and know how to minimize these hazards. 
•    A portable ladder with defects such as, but not limited to broken or missing rungs, cleats, or steps; broken or split rails; corroded or other faulty or defective components, must either be immediately marked to easily identify it as defective, or be tagged with “Do Not Use” or similar language, and be withdrawn from use until repaired. 
•    The top or top step of a stepladder must not be used as a step. 
•    The OSHA regulations concentrate on two areas when using ladders—their condition and their use.

The following examples of the many rules for ladders point out these two areas.

Ladder Condition
To help prevent slipping, rungs and steps of metal ladders must be treated. Treatment can include being corrugated, knurled, dimpled, or coated with skid-resistant material.Ladders must be free of oil, grease, and other slip hazards. Ladders must be inspected by a competent person for visible defects periodically, and after any occurrence affecting their safe use.

Ladder Use
Ladders must be placed on stable and level surfaces unless tied off to prevent accidental movement. Unless designed to do so, ladders must never be tied or fastened together to make them longer. A ladder must not be moved, shifted, or extended while being used.
When going up or down a ladder, you must:
•    face the ladder. 
•    use at least one hand to grasp the ladder. 
•    never carry objects/loads that could cause you to lose your balance and fall.

From: Assurance Agency

Head Protection

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Overview
You may be exposed to the hazards of falling objects at work and need to protect yourself from the risk of head injuries. Construction workers, loggers, tree trimmers, shipbuilders, miners, and electrical utility workers all are required to wear protective headgear.

Types and classes of protective headgear
There are two types of headgear:
•   Type 1 — full brim at least 1.25 inches wide. 
•   Type 2 — no brim but may include a peak extending forward from the crown. 

There are three classes of headgear:
•   Class A — general service with limited voltage protection. 
•   Class B — utility service with high voltage protection. 
•   Class C — special service with no voltage protection. 
When choosing hard hats, look for ones that meet ANSI Z89.1-Safety
Requirements for Industrial Workers

What must my employer do?
Your employer must train you on the need for and use of head protection. Training should include:
•   Information on when PPE is needed. 
•   An explanation on what protective headgear is required, and where to obtain it. 
•   How to put on, take off, adjust, and wear protective headgear. 
•   The limitations of the PPE. 
•   The proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of the PPE. 

What must I do?
Keep your hard hat in good condition.
Inspect your hard hat every day for:
•   Cracks, dents, and wear — discard hats that are damaged or chalky looking. 
•   The condition of the suspension system — look for torn straps, broken sewing lines, loose rivets, defective lugs, and other defects. 
•   Wash your hard hat monthly in warm, soapy water, and rinse thoroughly. 
•   Never paint your helmet or get solvents on it — this can weaken it.

This information provided by: Assurance Agency
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Heat Stress - On the Job Tool Box Talks

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Heat
The combination of heat and humidity can be a serious health threat during the summer months. So, take precautions. Here’s how:
•  Drink plenty of water before you get thirsty. 
•  Wear light, loose-fitting, breathable clothing— cotton is good.
•  Take frequent short breaks in cool shade.
•  Eat smaller meals before work activity.
•  Avoid caffeine and alcohol or large amounts of sugar.
•  Find out from your health-care provider if your medications and heat don’t mix.
•  Know that equipment such as respirators or work suits can increase heat stress.

Sun
Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which causes premature aging of the skin, wrinkles, cataracts, and skin cancer. There are no safe UV rays or safe suntans. Be especially careful in the sun if you burn easily, spend a lot of time outdoors, or have any of the following physical features: numerous, irregular, or large moles; freckles; fair skin; or blond, red, or light brown hair. Here’s how to block those harmful rays:
•  Cover up. Wear tightly woven clothing that you can’t see through.
•  Use sunscreen. A sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 blocks 93 percent of UV rays. Be sure to follow application directions on the bottle or tube.
•  Wear UV-absorbent shades. Sunglasses don’t have to be expensive, but they should block 99 to 100
percent of UVA and UVB radiation. Before you buy, read the product tag or label. 

Limit exposure. UV rays are most intense between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Recognizing the symptoms of heat stress is very important, particularly since the victim may not realize what is happening.  If you work alone in a hot environment, develop a "buddy system" so someone will check in on you periodically to look for signs of heat stress.





From: Assurance Agency

Workplace Violence - On the job tool box safety talks

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Overview
Workplace violence is a growing threat for businesses of all sizes and in all locations.

What is workplace violence?
Common acts of workplace violence may include:
•   insubordination 
•   verbal intimidation
•   threats 
•   harassment 
•   sexual assaults and rape 
•   stalking 
•   theft 
•   fist fights and beatings 
•   stabbings and shootings 
•   suicides 
•   vandalism and arson 
•   hostage-taking

What must I do?
Workplace violence affects not only the victims, but co-workers and the company as well. It is important that employees work with the company to limit or eliminate workplace violence through work practice controls.

What must my employer do?
Your employer will review the company's workplace violence prevention plans and workplace practice controls.


From Assurance Agency

Air Contaminants - On the job tool box safety talks

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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 employers 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.

Access Paths - On the job tool box talks

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Getting into a unit may seem like a simple task, however many employees are injured doing so every year.  Even though injuries may be minor, they could result in lost time and loss of production.  Employees carrying  lumber or tools may needlessly trip or stumble causing an employee to twist an ankle or bruise a knee.

Key points to remember about access paths:

1.   Maintain a minimum of one 3-foot wide clear access path into each unit or house.  Front door and garage doors entryways should not have material or debris piles in front. 

2.   If an access point is not safe for entry, such as when front porch stoops are not back-filled, a rail should be placed across the access point and not be used by employees.  

3.   An access ramp must be provided when there is an elevation break 19” or greater.  It is greatly recommended that a ramp be installed with an elevation break of 12” or greater.  This saves employees knees and also is more productive.

4.   Ramps should be made of doublewide planking or equivalent with evenly spaced cleats for extra traction.  TGI boards should not be used for ramps nor should laminated planks as they could become slick when wet.  

5.   Mud and rocks should be removed at regular intervals from ramps.

6.   Ramps need to be secured and installed at a safe angle.

7.   Cords and hoses shall not be resting on ramps.

8.   When storing material in garages or in front of garages, place material so that employees do not have to climb over to access areas.  Place material off to the side of the garage away from the access point.

9.   Also keep material and debris from stairs –  plastic pop bottles on a stair can cause an employee to fall down the stairs.

This information provided by: Assurance Agency

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Annual summer campaign to prevent heat-related illnesses.

“Water. Rest. Shade.” and acclimatization are critical in preventing heat illness and fatalities

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has announced the launch of its annual Campaign to Prevent Heat Illness in Outdoor Workers. For the fourth consecutive year, OSHA’s campaign aims to raise awareness and educate workers and employers about the dangers of working in hot weather and provide resources and guidance to address these hazards. Workers at particular risk are those in outdoor industries, such as agriculture, construction, landscaping and transportation.

“Heat-related illnesses can be fatal, and employers are responsible for keeping workers safe,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. “Employers can take a few easy steps to save lives, including scheduling frequent water breaks, providing shade and allowing ample time to rest.”  

Thousands of employees become sick each year and many die from working in the heat. In 2012, there were 31 heat-related worker deaths and 4,120 heat-related worker illnesses. Labor-intensive activities in hot weather can raise body temperatures beyond the level that normally can be cooled by sweating. Heat illness initially may manifest as heat rash or heat cramps, but can quickly escalate to heat exhaustion and then heat stroke if simple preventative measures are not followed. Heat illness disproportionately affects those who have not built up a tolerance to heat (acclimatization), and it is especially dangerous for new and temporary workers.

“Acclimatization is a physical change that the body undergoes to build tolerance to heat, and it is a critical part of preventing heat illnesses and fatalities,” said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. “Over the past three years, lack of acclimatization was the cause in 74 percent of heat-related citations issued. Employers have a responsibility to provide workplaces that are safe from recognized hazards, including outdoor heat.”

Last year, OSHA issued 11 heat-related citations. In some of these cases, the employer and staffing agency were cited because they involved temporary workers.  

In preparation for the summer season, OSHA has developed heat illness educational materials in English and Spanish, as well as a curriculum to be used for workplace training, also available in both English and Spanish. Additionally, a Web page provides information and resources on heat illness – including how to prevent it and what to do in case of an emergency – for workers and employers. The page is available at: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/index.html.
 

OSHA also has released a free application for mobile devices that enables workers and supervisors to monitor the heat index at their work sites. The app displays a risk level for workers based on the heat index, as well as reminders about protective measures that should be taken at that risk level. Since its 2011 launch, more than 130,000 users have downloaded the app. Available for Android-based platforms and the iPhone, the app can be downloaded in English and Spanish by visiting:

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/heat_index/heat_app.html.

In developing its inaugural national campaign in 2011, federal OSHA worked closely with the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration and adapted materials from that state’s successful campaign. Additionally, OSHA is partnering with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to incorporate worker safety precautions when heat alerts are issued across the nation. NOAA also will include pertinent worker safety information on its heat watch Web page at http://www.noaawatch.gov/themes/heat.php.