Fire Prevention Plan

Overview
A fire is one of the costliest accidents a business can have. Even more costly is the death and injury toll from fires and explosions. In one recent year, fires and explosions caused more than 5,000 injuries requiring time off from work, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Fire Prevention Plan
Your company has a written emergency action plan, and as part of that, a fire prevention plan. The reason these plans exist is to help keep workers safe.

You have the right to know about the possible fire hazards in your workplace. The company fire plan should, at a minimum, contain the following:
• A list of the major workplace fire hazards and their proper handling and storage procedures; potential ignition sources and their control procedures; and the type of fire protection equipment or systems which can control a fire involving them.
• Names or job titles of persons responsible for maintenance of equipment and systems installed to prevent or control ignitions or fires.
• Names or job titles of persons responsible for control of fuel source hazards.
• Housekeeping procedures to control accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials and residues.
• Procedures for regular maintenance of safeguards installed on heat-producing equipment.

What must my employer do?
The employer is responsible for:
• Controlling accumulations of flammable and combustible materials through proper housekeeping.
• Reviewing the fire plan with each employee, and making a written copy available upon request.
• Reviewing with each employee those parts of the plan which the employee must know to protect the employee in the event of an emergency. This shall take place upon initial assignment.
• Properly maintaining equipment and systems installed on heat producing equipment to prevent fires.

For employers with 10 or more employees, the written fire prevention plan will be in writing and kept in the workplace and made available for employee review.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Medical Services and First Aid TBT

In emergency situations, prompt, properly-administered first aid can mean the difference between life and death, rapid versus prolonged recovery, or temporary versus permanent disability. Safety comes first, but when accidents do happen, it is important to have someone who knows how to handle the situation effectively. You may be that person. In that case, knowing what to do, and not to is important. If you aren’t qualified, quickly get someone who is. Also, know where the first aid kits and emergency eyewash stations are before an incident occurs. And, understand and follow the universal precautions when dealing with blood.

The following table lays out some basic first aid information:

First Aid Basics:

Call for help
If you are not alone, have someone go for help immediately. If you are alone, immediate care is a priority. However, that immediate care may be going for help.

Analyze the situation
Don’t become a victim yourself. If you can be safe while doing it, get the victim away from any danger source such as water, fire, or downed power lines. Be sure to turn off all power sources before touching an electrocuted victim.

Don’t move the victim
If there is any chance of spine or neck injury do not move the victim unless he or she is in a life threatening situation.

Look for signs of life
Look for signs of life and give artificial respiration or CPR if necessary but only if you have been trained. Be sure help is on the way before starting CPR. Do not tilt the victims head back if you suspect a neck injury.

Control heavy bleeding
Stop the flow of blood by direct pressure, elevating the injury above the heart or pressure points. Do not use a tourniquet unless the person is in danger of bleeding to death and you’ve been trained to apply one.

Treat for shock
Signs of shock include cold, pale skin; a rapid, faint pulse; nausea; rapid breathing; and weakness. To treat for shock, keep the victim lying down; cover him/her only enough to maintain body heat; don’t move the victim unless absolutely necessary; and get medical help immediately.

Treat for choking
A person can choke to death in a few minutes. You can tell if a person is choking if he/she can’t speak, cough, or breathe. If the person is choking, use the Heimlich Maneuver.

Treat for burns
For small burns, gently soak burn in cold water or pour cold water on burn. Do not treat large burns with water unless they are chemical burns. Cover burn with a dry, sterile bandage. Provide artificial respiration as needed. Seek medical attention. Some chemicals should not be flushed with water, but neutralized by other means—see chemical label.

Treat for chemical burn in eye
Quickly flush the eyes with lots of water for at least 15 minutes (for best results, do so at an eyewash station, emergency shower, or hose). Try to force the eyes open to wash chemical out. Do not bandage eyes. Seek medical attention.

Treat for Fracture
Do not move the victim unless you absolutely have to. This is especially important if you suspect a neck or back injury. Get medical help.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Tool Box Talks

Individuals who are infected with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) may not show symptoms and may not know they are infectious. For this reason, all human blood and body fluids should be considered as if infectious, and all precautions should be taken to avoid contact. This simple rule is known as "universal precautions."

In the workplace, bloodborne pathogens (BBP) may be transmitted when blood or other infectious body fluids come in contact with mucous membranes (your eyes, nose, mouth); non-intact skin (due to cuts, abrasions, burns, rashes, paper cuts); or by handling or touching contaminated materials or surfaces. Bloodborne pathogens are also transmitted by "injection" under the skin via an contaminated sharp object puncturing or cutting the skin causing a wound.

Hepatitis B Virus versus Human Immunodeficiency Virus:
- Hepatitis B Virus is more persistent than HIV and is able to survive for at least one week in dried blood on environmental surfaces. However, HIV will not survive for more than a few minutes when exposed to room temperature air, and will usually die within seconds.
- A teaspoon of infected blood may contain over one billion HBV particles, while a teaspoon of infected HIV blood contains about 15 HIV particles.
- Hepatitis B Virus usually has mild symptoms which makes diagnosis difficult. HIV infections usually are not diagnosed for years and symptoms may not appear for many months or years.
- Hepatitis B can be prevented with a vaccine. At the present time there is no preventive vaccine for HIV.
- No cure is presently available for HBV or HIV.

If you administer first aid to an injured person in the workplace and there is a potential for contacting any body fluids, you should adhere to the following "universal precaution" guidelines:
- Wear impervious gloves when there is a chance of exposure to blood or body fluids.
- Wear a face shield to protect your entire face, and safety goggles to provide the most complete eye protection.
- Use resuscitation devices when performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
- Report all BBP exposures, or potential exposures to your supervisor immediately.
- Immediately wash your hands and affected areas with soap and warm water.
- Flush your eyes, nose or other mucous membrane areas with water, if exposed.
- Wash down areas which body fluids may have been contacted with the use of a mild solution of household water and bleach (10:1).

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Face Protection On the job 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.

What must my employer do?
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

Ergonomics in construction.

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

Eye Protection On the job Tool Box Talks

The Importance of Eye Protection
The majority of work-related eye injuries are a result of flying or falling objects or sparks striking the eye.
Other Common Potential Hazards Include the Following:
• Fumes
• Vapors
• Chemical splashes
• Extremely bright or hazardous light, such as from welding

Common Types of Eye Protection
A job hazard assessment performed prior to the start of a particular task will determine the type of eye protection required.
• Safety glasses are a common form of protection against low-to-moderate impacts and sparks from activities such as grinding and woodworking. Only use safety glasses with side shields.
• Goggles form a protective seal around the eye area to better protect from hazardous chemical vapors, splashes, or dust or other small particles that may enter the eye. Make sure that your goggles include ventilation mechanisms to prevent fogging.
• Face shields provide protection for the entire face against flying particles, sparks, splashes, harmful mists, and other hazards.
• Welding masks are specially designed to protect from radiant energy, sparks, and metal splatters from welding.

Proper Use
• Always wear proper eye protection where required, even if danger to your eyes seems remote.
• Before use, verify that your equipment is appropriate for the task.
• Inspect eye protection prior to each use.
• If you wear prescription eyewear, use eye protection that accommodates it. Prescription eyewear by itself is not a substitute for safety glasses or goggles.
• When welding or cutting, always wear safety glasses or goggles underneath face shields or welding helmets.
• When your work is complete, store eye protection properly and away from extreme temperatures or direct sunlight.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

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