Protective Systems Handout-excavations

 

You are exposed to many hazards during a construction work day. If you work in excavations, the chief hazard is the danger of cave-ins.

OSHA requires that all excavations, where employees are exposed to potential cave-ins, must be protected by:
- Proper sloping and/or benching of the sides of the excavation.
- Supporting the sides of the excavation with timber or aluminum hydraulic shoring.
- Placing a shield between the side of the excavation and your work area.
- Employers are free to choose the most practical design approach for a particular circumstance. Once an approach is selected, the required performance criteria for that system must be met.

The standard does not require protective systems when an excavation is:
- Made entirely in stable rock, or
- Less than 5 feet deep and a competent person has examined the ground and found no indication of a potential cave-in.

Protective systems — There are many factors involved in designing a protective system. Some of them are:
soil classification, depth of cut, water content of the soil, changes due to weather and climate, or other operations at the work site. The OSHA rules provide several different methods and approaches.

Protective systems must be able to resist, without failure, all loads that are intended or could reasonably be expected to be applied or transmitted to the system.

Installation and removal of protective systems — The following steps are required for protecting employees when installing support systems: (1) securely connect, (2) safely install, (3) never overload members, and (4) install other structural members to carry loads imposed on the support system when temporary removal of individual members is necessary.

As soon as work is completed, the excavation should be backfilled as the protective system is dismantled. After the excavation is cleared, workers should slowly remove the protective system from the bottom up, taking care to release members slowly.

Materials and equipment — Employers are responsible for the safe condition of materials and equipment used for protective systems. Defective and damaged materials and equipment can result in the failure of a protective system and cause excavation hazards.

This information is provided by Assurance Agency https:www.assuranceagency.com

Cloth Face Masks and COVID-19

 

CDC Recommendations
The CDC continues to study the spread and effects of the novel coronavirus across the United States. We now know from recent studies that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms. This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity—for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing—even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms. In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

It is critical to emphasize that maintaining 6-feet social distancing remains important to slowing the spread of the virus. CDC is additionally advising the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.

The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.

Cleaning, Maintaining and Donning and Doffing Cloth Masks
Wash your cloth mask after each use, or at least daily. It’s best to wash in hot water, but if you can’t, make sure to dry on a hot setting of your dryer. Social distancing is still an important tool in reducing risks associated with the novel coronavirus. Stay home, if you can, but if you must go out for necessities, use a mask.

Cloth masks only help if they are carefully put on (donned) and taken off (doffed.)

When you're putting one on, hold the mask by ear loops and slip one loop over your ear, and then slip the second loop over your other ear, adjust mask to assure mouth and nose covered. Remember that cloth masks tend to slip less during use if the lower edge of mask is aligned with your jawbone rather than below it. If your mask has a "head loop" instead of ear loops, hold the mask by grasping both head loops at the edges, and then pull the elastic around your head. Put your chin into the cloth part first.

Stretch both head loops up over your head and adjust loops so mask fits snugly. It's also important to remove the mask with care when you're done wearing it. When you're ready to remove a cloth mask, grasp one of the ear or head loops. Try to avoid touching the front of the mask. Put it in your laundry to be washed – and then wash your hands.

Performing hand hygiene, every time you touch the mask, will really help you avoid cross-contamination. Try to avoid touching the outside of the mask and wash it regularly.

This information is provided by Assurance Agency https:www.assuranceagency.com

Competent Person in Construction

 

Who and what is a “competent person”
The term “competent person” comes up often in the OSHA construction regulations. OSHA defines competent person as “one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.”

How does a competent person fit in with a jobsite safety and health program?
Your employer must have a comprehensive safety and health program that provides for frequent and regular inspections, by competent persons designated by the employer, of the:
• jobsite,
• materials, and
• Equipment.

The 29 CFR 1926 construction regulations require that a competent person inspect various work areas such as:
• scaffolding,
• excavations,
• stairways and ladders,
• asbestos abatement operations,
• welding and cutting zones, and
• Steel erection sites.

In addition, some OSHA standards add additional specific requirements that must be met by the competent person.

This information is provided by Assurance Agency https:www.assuranceagency.com  

Handle the Heat

 

Overview
Working in the heat puts an extra strain on your body. With some understanding of how the body reacts to heat, you can prevent heat-related disorders.

What are the risk factors?

Personal:
Age, weight, degree of physical fitness, metabolism, medications, use of alcohol or drugs, water consumption, caffeine consumption, and a variety of medical conditions, such as hypertension, all affect a person's sensitivity to heat. It is difficult to predict who will be affected by the heat, or when someone will be affected.

Environmental:
Air temperature; humidity; radiant heat from the sun and other sources; conductive heat sources, such as the ground, air movement, workload severity and duration; protective clothing; and PPE are all other factors to consider.

Another factor is whether or not you are accustomed to the heat. By gradually being exposed to working in hot conditions, your body develops a greater tolerance for the heat.

Can personal protective equipment add to the hazard?
Yes, sometimes heavy or impermeable chemical protective clothing can contribute to a worker's exposure to the heat. However, there are specialized types of PPE that can be worn under other types of protective clothing to cool workers, such as Ice vests, water-cooled garments, and air supply systems.

Work practices can help control heat hazards
A more common technique that might be considered PPE is to wear wet clothing, headbands, or bandanas.

This could also be considered a type of work practice control. Other work practices that help control exposure to the heat include:
- Using intermittent rest periods to recover from the heat.
- Drinking about 5 to 7 ounces of fluids every 15 to 20 minutes to replenish body fluids.
- Using relief workers.
- Using the buddy system (work in pairs) when working in hot conditions.
- Pacing the work, or reducing the physical demands of the work.
- Providing cool recovery or shaded rest areas.
- Scheduling work for cooler times of the day or when heat producing equipment isn't being operated.
- Wearing light, loose-fitting, breathable (like cotton) clothing.

This information is provided by Assurance Agency https:www.assuranceagency.com

EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL

 

This information briefly summarizes 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 and eventually drift into a hangover and will probably be working in a very dangerous state during most of the workday.

ISSUES OF A HANGOVER

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

A- 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.

B – 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

This information is provided by Assurance Agency https:www.assuranceagency.com

Disaster Recovery

 

After a disaster, employees may be injured, buildings may be damaged, records and equipment may be lost, and normal business operations are interrupted or stopped altogether.

Successful disaster recovery requires good planning. The company takes a close look at how possible disaster situations could affect operations and prepares a disaster recovery plan with the goal of safely resuming normal operations as quickly as possible.

The company will probably need to hire outside contractors to help with recovery efforts, but it may be necessary for a team of employees to reenter the facility during recovery operations.

This team may be involved in:

• Escorting incident investigators (fire department, police, insurance agents, OSHA compliance officers, etc.).
• Salvaging records, files, personal property, etc.
• Directing the activities of contractors.

Recovery hazards
The recovery team needs to be aware of the unique hazards that may be present in a facility that has been damaged in a disaster.

Fire and explosion hazards - The facility's smoke detector, fire alarm, and fire suppression systems may be inoperable.

Flooding - Workers should be aware of the risks for disease or poisoning from contact with contaminated flood waters.

Chemical hazards - Recovery workers need to be observant for chemical spills. Only specially trained personnel can be authorized to clean up hazardous chemical spills.

Electrical hazards - Recovery workers must inspect all electric appliances carefully before use. Damaged equipment must be removed from use for repair or replacement.

Natural or LP-gas supplies - Recovery workers who discover any gas leaks should immediately evacuate the facility, warn others to evacuate, leave doors open, and call for emergency assistance.

Using portable generators and temporary heaters - Recovery workers must follow all manufacturer's operating instructions for using this equipment.

Employee training
Because your employer may need to change safety plans so they address the hazards during recovery operations, recovery workers may need additional training in topics such as:


• Emergency action plan.
• Fire prevention plan.
• First aid procedures and exposure control plan.
• Hazard communication.
• HAZWOPER (emergency response plan).
• Personal protective equipment hazard assessment.
• Process safety management program.
• Respiratory protection program.
• Risk management plan.

This information is provided by Assurance Agency https:www.assuranceagency.com

Concrete and Masonry Construction

 

There have been a number of tragic accidents over the years involving concrete and masonry construction including one that happened during the time OSHA was preparing the current set of rules. In that accident a building in Bridgeport, Connecticut, collapsed, taking the lives of 28 workers. The collapse caused the highest death toll from a workplace accident in the United States since 51 employees were killed in 1978 during construction of a cooling tower at Willow Island, West Virginia. The Bridgeport building that collapsed was being erected using the lift-slab method of construction. OSHA's investigation of the collapse revealed that there had been a failure to comply with the OSHA regulations.

The OSHA regulations require your employer to train you in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to your work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury. That would include the hazards of concrete and masonry construction.

OSHA's standard for concrete and masonry construction is located in 29 CFR 1926, Subpart Q — Concrete and masonry construction. The Subpart addresses requirements construction employers must comply with to protect employees from accidents and injuries resulting from the:
• Premature removal of formwork.
• Failure to brace masonry walls
• Failure to support precast panel.
• Inadvertent operation of equipment.
• Failure to guard reinforcing steel.

The regulation is divided into seven major groups. They are:

Scope, application and definitions— Prescribes performance oriented requirements to help protect all construction employees from hazards associated with concrete and masonry construction operations at construction, demolition, alteration, or repair jobsites.

General requirements— Discusses general work practice requirements related to construction loads, reinforcing steel, concrete buckets, working under loads, and personal protective equipment.

Requirements for equipment and tools—Addresses the hazards associated with equipment and tools used in concrete and masonry construction.

Requirements for cast-in-place concrete—Discusses formwork in general, shoring and reshoring, vertical slip forms, reinforcing steel, and removal of formwork.

Requirements for precast concrete— Directs employers to ensure precast concrete wall units, structural framing, and tilt-up wall panels be adequately supported to prevent overturning and to prevent collapse until permanent connections are completed.

Lift-slab operations—Contains specific requirements for lift-slab construction operations.

Masonry construction—Requires employers to establish a limited access zone whenever a masonry wall is being constructed.

OSHA believes that if the concrete and masonry construction regulations are complied with, deaths and injuries that have plagued companies will be reduced.

This information is provided by Assurance Agency https:www.assuranceagency.com