Falling Object Protection

The OSHA fall protection rule also covers falling object protection. The rule requires your employer to take measures to protect you from falling objects.

Hard hats are the number one defense against overhead hazards including falling objects. However, hard hats are not enough. An additional method of protection must be used when there are employees working or walking below.

Falling object protection alternatives
OSHA provides a number of falling object protection methods to select from, depending on your company’s need. The choices are toeboards and screens, guardrails, canopies, signs, barricades, or simply moving objects away from the edge.

Falling object protection methods
Guardrails — When guardrails are used to prevent materials from falling from one level to another, any openings must be small enough to prevent passage of potential falling objects.

Toeboards — When toeboards are used as protection from falling objects, they must be erected along the edges of the overhead walking/working surface for a distance sufficient to protect persons working below.

To ensure a toeboard can stop falling objects, it must be capable of withstanding a force of at least 50 pounds applied in any downward or outward direction anywhere along the toeboard.

Toeboards must be a minimum of 3.5 inches tall, have no more than 0.25 inches clearance above the surface, and be solid or have openings no larger than one inch.

Where tools, equipment, or materials are piled higher than the top edge of a toeboard, panelling or screening must be erected from the walking/working surface or toeboard to the top of a guardrail’s top rail or midrail, for a distance sufficient to protect employees below.

Materials storage — To prevent tripping hazards, no materials or equipment, except masonry and mortar, can be stored within 4 feet of working edges.

Excess mortar, broken or scattered masonry units, and all other materials and debris must be kept clear of your working area. Remove these materials regularly.

During roofing work, materials and equipment cannot be stored within 6 feet of a roof edge unless guardrails are erected at the edge. Materials near a roof edge must be stable and self-supporting.

Canopies — When used as a protection from falling objects, canopies must be strong enough to prevent collapse or penetration by objects that may fall onto them.

Being hit by falling objects at construction sites is not only possible but probable at some point in your career. Being prepared is the best defense against serious injury.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Preventing Repetitive Motion Injury

Repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome result from performing a task or motion repeatedly without giving the body time to rest, recuperate and repair from the activity. These injuries may also be increased by awkward positions or postures, vibration, and using hands to pound or push on things. Other common repetitive motion injuries also include tennis elbow, bursitis of shoulder, hips, and/or knees and tendonitis.

How to apply prevention strategies:

Stretch

You need to warm up muscles before use. Doing a quick five minute exercise can prevent repetitive motion injuries. Almost any stretching regime will help.

BASIC STRETCH EXAMPLE:

Extend and stretch both wrists and fingers acutely as if they are in a hand‐stand position. Hold for a count of 5.

Straighten both wrists and relax fingers.

Make a tight fist with both hands

Then bend both fist done while maintaining the fist. Hold for 5.

Straighten both wrists and relax fingers hold for 5.

Repeat 10 times then relax arms to side and shake out fingers.

Use the right tool
- Handles should be comfortable and fit to the individual. Modifications with foam, tape or other materials can be used to improve comfort of grips. Broken or damaged grips are usually bad from an ergonomic standpoint and should be replaced.

- Keep bladed tools sharp. This will decrease resistance and muscle strain.

Watch the pace
- Mix things up. Try to avoid doing the same repetitive activity for more than 20 minutes or so. Take a break and stretch, clean up scrap, inspect work or other activity to give your muscles a change and/or rest.

- Try not to rush. Pushing speed will increase muscle strain and increase chance of other accidents. Listen to your body

- Muscle pain is a warning. Don’t ignore it.

- Change your position, stretch, modify tool handle or just take a break when your muscles start hurting. You may be preventing a serious accident.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

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Noise? What Noise?

Construction sites are noisy places, especially during certain phases of a project. However, you don't have to accept hearing loss as a cost of working at construction sites. Noise is now recognized by OSHA as a hazard that can cause:
• Temporary or permanent hearing loss.
• Drowsiness, irritability, & loss of concentration.
• Decreased morale and stress.
• High blood pressure, ulcers, headaches, and sleeping disorders.

There is no cure for noise-induced hearing loss, so preventing exposure to excessive noise is the only way to avoid hearing damage and other hazards. Noise is unwanted sound measured by its frequency (high or low pitch and its intensity (loudness measured in decibels (dB)). High frequencies are most damaging. Construction workers may not be exposed to more than an average of 85 dB over an eight-hour period without hearing protection being provided.

Hearing protection devices (HPDs) do not block out sound completely, but they give some protection by reducing the amount of sound reaching your ear. At the same time, you will be able to hear speech and important machinery sounds.

Keep in mind, though, that HPDs are provided only after your employer assesses the noise, attempts to reduce it using engineering and administrative controls (like having you work far from noisy equipment, limiting the amount of time you spend in noisy environments, and installing antivibration machine mountings or acoustical enclosures), and then finds that hazardous noise remains. The various HPDs that your company may provide to you include ear plugs, ear muffs, or canal caps.

Ultimately, you are responsible for protecting your own hearing. Here are some points to remember about protecting your sense of hearing:
• Have an annual hearing test.
• Make sure your hearing protection fits.
• Don't use homemade hearing protection devices; they don't work.
• Keep hearing protection devices in good condition.
• Wear hearing protection devices at work as required and at home when working on noisy projects.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

RHBA 2017 Direction and Programs

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

Happy New Year to our members and guests! We are excited to meet and discuss our 2017 direction and programs for the year. Join us for networking and dinner on the 9th and bring a prospective member!

Thursday, February 9
5:30 - 8:30PM
The Lucky Monk
105 Hollywood Blvd., South Barrington
(I-90, exit Barrington Rd. North, on left)

Cost is $25 per person and includes dinner. Cash Bar
Payment online secures your reservation.
($2 processing fee if paying by credit card)

For more information: (630) 512-0552 or cathyk@rcecusa.org

Download the Flyer

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Foot Protection - On the job Tool Box Talks

Overview
What features make safety shoes different from regular “street” shoes? Basically, they are designed to protect the foot and toes in areas most likely to be injured. There are many different types and designs of protective footwear.

Types of protective footwear:
A few of the different types of protective footwear include:
• safety shoes — have toe guards that meet requirements of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z41-1991, Protective Footwear. Steel, reinforced plastic, and hard rubber are used to protect toes, depending upon their intended us.
• metatarsal guards — instep guards to protect the top of the foot from impacts. Metal guards extend over the top of the shoe, rather than just over the toes.
• conductive shoes — prevent the accumulation of static electricity that builds up in the body of the wearer.
• electrical hazard shoes — offer protection against shock hazards from contact with exposed circuits.
• puncture resistant shoes — protect against the hazards of stepping on sharp objects that can penetrate the soles.
• slip resistant shoes — have soles which provide improved traction in situations where slipping hazards exist

When choosing safety footwear, look for shoes that meet ANSI Z41-1991 Protective Footwear.

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

What must I do?
For your safety, it is crucial that you understand and follow your company’s procedures for foot protection. If you have any questions regarding how to protect your feet from injury on the job, ask your supervisor.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Face Protection Tool Box Talks

Overview
Face protection is required by OSHA where there is a reasonable probability of preventing injury when such equipment is used. Employers must provide a type of protection that is suitable for the work being done.

Employees must use the protection provided. A Bureau of Labor Statistics study found that about half of the injuries which occurred to workers faces resulted from not wearing the protective equipment supplied.

Your employer must ensure that:
- All workers required to wear face protection understand how to use it so that it offers the most protection.
- These workers must demonstrate understanding of the training, and the ability to use it properly before being allowed to perform work requiring its use.

What must I do?
As an employee who is required to use face protection, you must:
- Understand how to use the required personal protection equipment (PPE).
- Know how to properly clean and maintain the PPE.

What must face protection do?
At a minimum, face protection must:
- Adequately protect against the particular hazards for which it was designed.
- Be reasonably comfortable when worn under the designated conditions.
- Fit snugly without interfering with the movements or vision of the wearer.
- Be durable.
- Be capable of being disinfected.
- Be easily cleanable.
- Be kept clean and in good repair.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

2017 OSHA Updates: Are you in compliance?

TIPS FOR MAKING DEADLINES AND AVOIDING FINES

Download the Flyer

Register Online

Thursday, January 19, 2017
Time:Seminar: 6-8 p.m., Food and drinks will be provided.
Location: Assurance, 1750 E. Golf Road, 2nd Floor Seminar Center
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Speaker: Lauren Gizzi, Safety Supervisor, Assurance

COST
• Free for Assurance Clients or RMA Members
• $25 for RHBA Members
• $35 for Non-RHBA Members

OSHA is making major changes in 2017 that have the possibility to greatly impact the construction industry. In partnership with Assurance, the Residential Home Builders Alliance invites you to join us for an educational discussion on staying compliant during the new year. This seminar will discuss the following items that are at the forefront of the minds of many employers:

»OSHA Electronic Reporting Changes – Who needs to report, what information is needed to submit and upcoming deadlines

»OSHA’s New Anti-Retaliation Rules – Guidelines for discipline policies, incentive programs and post-accident drug testing

»OSHA’s Updated Silica Rule – New requirements and deadlines

FOR QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT:
Cathy Kirin
Residential Home Builders Alliance
p: 630-512-0552
f: 630-812-0442
e: cathyk@rcecusa.org