Machine Guarding Overview - Tool Box Talks

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Overview
Machine guards are your first line of defense against injuries caused by machine operation. Each machine must have adequate safeguards to protect operators from the machine’s haz¬ards.

Having an understanding of how a machine works, and how the guards can protect you, will result in a reduced risk of injury.
All guards must:
• prevent contact;
• be secured in place or otherwise be tamper proof;
• create no new hazard;
• allow for lubrication with the guard still in place;
• not interfere with the machine operation.

Types of safeguarding
Several types of safeguarding include:
• guards — fixed, interlocking, adjustable, or self-adjusting.
• devices — sensing, pullback, restraint, operational controls, or gates.
• location or distance — locating the machine so that hazardous areas are not normally accessible.
• automated feeding and ejection methods — eliminate operator exposure to the hazards.
• miscellaneous aids — shields, feeding-tools, holding devices, or awareness barriers.

What must I do?
You should always report missing, damaged, or inoperative guards. It is not safe to operate machinery without properly working guards.
If the guard is damaged or becomes inoperative while you are working, shut the machine down, and have the guard inspected by a qualified person. The guard may need to be repaired or replaced before work can safely proceed.
If unexpected machine start-up could cause injury, use the lockout/tagout program.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Be Aware of Lockout / Tagout - On the job Tool Box Talks

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Overview

OSHA statistics show that six percent of all deaths in the workplace result from the unexpected activation of a machine or other piece of equipment during maintenance or other servicing. In addition, more than 25,000 work days are lost each year because of injuries in similar situations.

OSHA’s Lockout/Tagout regulation, 29 CFR 1910.147, requires employers to develop procedures for isolating energy sources when servicing or maintaining their equipment and machinery. The purpose of the standard is to prevent injuries from the unexpected release of energy.

Understanding Lockout/Tagout

Lockout/tagout is a warning and prevention system for unexpected start-up and release of stored energy.

Two terms which directly relate to this system are:

·        Lockout - The placement of a device that blocks the flow of energy from a power source to a piece of equipment.

·        Tagout - The process of attaching a tag to a disconnect switch or other energy isolating device to warn others not to restore energy to the tagged equipment.

When performing lockout/tagout on equipment and machines, the operators and the people working in the area need to be informed that lockout/tagout is being applied and servicing is being done on the equipment and machines.

When locking out the energy source is impossible, tagging the equipment may be the best procedure you can do.

Who is involved?

Lockout/tagout involves three types of employees with different levels of responsibility - authorized, affected, and other.

·        Authorized - Employees who perform the servicing, maintenance, and set-up of equipment or machinery and apply the locks and tags to this equipment.

·        Affected - Employees who operate or use the equipment or machines which are locked/tagged out when serviced, maintained, or set-up.

·        Other - Employees whose work operations are or may be in an area where energy control procedures may be utilized (they are neither affected nor authorized employees).

Lockout/Tagout Procedures

Each piece of equipment or machine needs its own lockout/tagout procedure. The procedure must include:

·        Preparing for shutdown.

·        Shutting down the machine or equipment.

·        Isolating the machine or equipment from the energy source.

·        Applying the lockout/tagout device to the energy-isolating equipment.

·        Verifying the isolation of the machines or equipment prior to starting work.

·        Releasing all potentially hazardous stored or residual energy.

The procedure should include the steps for placement, removal, and transfer of lockout/tagout devices.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

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Hard Hats - On the Job Tool Box Talks

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Every year, thousand of construction workers suffer head injuries ranging from minor cuts to concussions to even death.  Most of these types of injures would have been prevented had employees worn the proper head protection consisting of a hard hat.  The following are safety rules to follow for hard hat usage:
•    Hard hats are required to be worn AT ALL TIMES. 
•    Head injuries on a construction site may result from several areas
•    Tools or material being dropped from above
•    Low overhead clearance
•    Hard Hats should not be altered or have any holes drilled or cut into them for ventilation
•    Hard hats should be fitted tightly on your head.  Wearing a baseball cap underneath a hard hat will cause the hard hat not to fit snug on your head, thus reducing it’s effectiveness
•    The suspension system of the hard hat absorbs the impact of a falling object. 
 
Inspect your hard hat for any damage.  Never use a hard hat that has visible damage to the outer shell or to the suspension.
 
The following excuses are not acceptable reasons for not wearing your HARD HAT:
“It keep’s falling off”  - adjust the suspension to fit snuggly and this wont happen. 
“I get a headache from wearing it”  - You’ll have a REAL BIG HEADACHE that may last for days if a falling object lands on your head!!!
“There’s nothing above be but the sky” – True, but at some point you may have to be in an area in which there is overhead work.  Having it on your head at all times will eliminate your forgetting to go and grab your Hard Hat.


This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

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Residential Home Builders Alliance

A new association serving the residential construction community.

We are dedicated to fostering business growth and strengthening the commitment to professional development, mentoring and education.

Our strength lies in the energy, talents, collaboration and participation of our diverse members. Members range from large organizations to a one-person business and everything in-between. RHBA offers the resources and support to help each of those members compete and prosper in today’s environment.

It accomplishes its mission through networking, educational seminars, special events, and governmental awareness in the home building industry.  Learn More

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Annual Economic Conference

Thursday, September 24th
Maggiano’s Oakbrook
240 Oakbrook Center
Oakbrook, IL 60523

$35 for Members
$45 for Non-Members
Download more information & Registration Form

Register and Pay Online

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
7:30am - 8:30am
Registration / Breakfast

8:30am - 9:30am
William Strauss,
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

9:30am - 10:30am
Chris Huecksteadt,
Metrostudy 

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Personal Protective Equipment

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Download the RMA Sign In Sheet. PDF Format
 

WHEN USED PROPERLY, suitable protective equipment can prevent many serious injuries in construction work. 

Eyes are extremely delicate.  Eyesight can be permanently impaired or even completely lost if flying chips of steel or fragments of concrete strike your eyes.  When cutting concrete, wear goggles or a face shield.  When drilling overhead or when dust is present, suitable goggles are required.  When working around concrete vibrators, safety goggles or a face shield will prevent most splashes from reaching your eyes.  When drilling or cutting pressure-treated or preserved lumber, creosote timbers or any lumber, always wear eye protection.  If glasses are worn with corrective lenses, goggles may be needed to be worn over glasses for additional protection from damage or breakage. 

Now, let us consider nose and throat protection.  To prevent nose and throat irritation when working in dusty conditions, wear appropriate respiratory protection.  The type of work being done will determine the type of respiratory protection needed. 

Falls can be prevented if employees properly use approved safety harnesses and life lines.  Use a safety harness and lanyard to limit the fall distance to 6 feet.  They only work, when use correctly.  Contact your supervisor for the proper use of this equipment. 

PREVENT INJURIES BY WEARING THE APPROPRIATE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency