Designated Path

 

Overview
All buildings must have a way of allowing occupants fast exit to the outside or a safe place of refuge in case of an emergency. These exits can be hallways, corridors, balconies, ramps, stairs, or lobbies.

The designated paths of exit must be arranged and maintained to provide a free and unob¬structed means to exit all parts of the building at all times. Employers must also ensure that these paths are accessible to occupants who have impaired mobility.

Exits must lead directly outside, to a refuge area, or to an open space with access to the outside. The area beyond the exit has to have enough room to accommodate the people who are likely to use the exit.

Exit doors:
• must be able to be readily opened without having to use keys, tools, or special knowledge.
• cannot have any alarm or device that would restrict emergency use of the exit if the device fails.

What must my employer do?
Your employer will explain how to locate exits in your facility, and what you should do if you are required to exit the building in an emergency

What must I do?
You must become aware of at least two exits from your area of the workplace.
You have the duty to not block exits or paths of exits, and alert your employer if you notice exits that are blocked.

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

Electrical: Extension Cord Safety

 

Electrical safety is often taken for granted.  During the course of the workday damaged cords may be placed in use without thinking about it.  It is extremely important to verify that all electrical equipment is in good condition before being placed into use.  Approximately, 17% of all construction fatalities are caused by electrical shock, therefore the health and safety of all employees on site can be affected by the use of faulty electrical equipment.  Safe electrical work practices will help guarantee the health and safety of all employees.  

The following can be used as a basis for establishing safe electrical work practices. When rolling out cords at the beginning of the day, always visually inspect the extension cord or electrical tool for damage.  Some things to check are: missing ground pins, insulation fraying and strain relief pulling out of plug ends.  When a cord is damaged, do not use it, have the cord repaired or replaced.  If any copper wire is showing, the cord CANNOT be repaired and must be removed from service immediately.  If just the outer insulation is cut, the cord can only be repaired with electrical tape.  As a rule of thumb any cords with more than 3 repairs per 25ft should be removed from service.  Only heavy duty multiple outlets are allowed to be used.  The multi outlets that should be used are solid molded rubber style only.  Computer strips and homemade electrician boxes are NOT to be used.

Additionally, to ensure that all extension cords and electrical tools are protected and in good condition it is important that they are plugged into a GFCI protected outlet and/or updated with the Assured Grounding Program.  

What is a GFCI?  A GFCI is a fast-acting circuit breaker which senses small imbalances in a circuit caused by leakage to ground and, in a fraction of a second, shuts off the electrical supply.  The GFCI continually matches the amount of current being supplied to an electrical device with the amount of current returning from the device.  When the amount supplied differs from the returning amount by approximately 5 milliamps, the GFCI will disconnect the electrical supply.

Remember to keep in mind that a circuit breaker is not a GFCI; a circuit breaker protects equipment and property - not people.

What is an Assured Grounding Program?  The Assured Grounding Program requires testing of all equipment to verify adequate grounding and a visual inspection to guarantee safe equipment is being used.  Testing is verified by the use of a Quarterly Color Coding Schedule which is identified as follows; 1st quarter (January-March) – White, 2nd quarter (April-June) – Green, 3rd quarter (July-September) – Red, 4th quarter (October-December) – Orange. The following are two methods of testing to be used when using the Assured Grounding Program.

Method 1: Plug a continuity tester into the female end of the extension cord.  The tester will light up.  You will then need to look up the color code provided in your continuity tester manual.  If the adequate lights are lit the tester is indicating proper grounding. It is important to remember that this method will not give an accurate reading if the electricity is provided by a generator.

Method 2: THIS IS TO BE DONE WHEN THE CORD IS UNPLUGGED! This method should be used if the electrical power is generator provided and to test NON-double insulated tools.  Attach the clip end of the tester to the ground prong and insert the probe into the ground hole of the UNPLUGGED cord.  A light will indicate that the ground is continuous.

Don’t take electricity for granted - Check all of your cords.

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

Deenergizing Lines & Equipment

 

Before starting work on power transmission/distribution systems, crews must determine existing conditions by inspection or test. One critical condition that must be determined is whether lines and equipment are energized or deenergized.

Deenergizing lines and equipment

When deenergizing lines/equipment operated in excess of 600 volts, and the means of disconnecting from electric energy is not visibly open or visibly locked out, the following rules apply:

• The particular section of line or equipment to be deenergized must be clearly identified, and it must be isolated from all sources of voltage.

• Notification and assurance from a designated employee must be obtained that:
   - All switches/disconnectors through which electrical energy may be supplied to the particular section of line or equipment to be worked on have been deenergized.
   - All switches/disconnectors are plainly tagged indicating that employees are at work.
   - Where the design of the switches and disconnectors permits, they have been rendered inoperable.

• After all designated switches and disconnectors have been opened, rendered inoperable, and tagged, visual inspection or tests must be conducted to ensure that equipment or lines have been deenergized.

• Protective grounds must be applied on the disconnected lines/equipment to be worked on.

• Guards or barriers must be erected as necessary to adjacent energized lines.

• When more than one independent crew requires the same line or equipment to be deenergized, a prominent tag for each crew must be placed on the line or equipment by the designated employee in charge.

• When completed with work on deenergized lines or equipment, designated employees in charge must determine that all employees in their crew are clear, that protective grounds installed by their crew have been removed, and they report to the designated authority that all tags protecting their crew may be removed.

When a crew working on a line or equipment can clearly see that the means of disconnecting from electric energy are visibly open or visibly locked-out, the following provisions will apply:

• Guards or barriers must be erected as necessary to adjacent lines.

• Upon completion of work on deenergized lines or equipment, each designated employee in charge must determine that all employees in their crew are clear, that protective grounds installed by their crew have been removed, and they must report to the designated authority that all tags protecting their crew may be removed.

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

Arc Flash & Blast

 

Arc flashes are caused by an electrical equipment failure (like a short circuit) or human error (such as holding a metal object too close to energized equipment). If you have two energized points which are not contacting each other solidly, the current can jump from one point to the other. This is called an electric arc or arc flash.

One-second duration
Unlike a flash fire, an electric arc can begin and end in less than a second. Bystanders see a flash and hear an extremely loud boom and it is over.

Electric arc
A person can be severely injured or killed by the huge amount of heat generated by this arc. Temperature of the arc can range from 15,000 to 35,000 degrees F. You can imagine what this heat can do to the human body. (Heat in excess of 122 degrees F. can cause third degree burns, which do not heal.)

Flying molten metal
The arc also immediately turns the electrical conductors into molten metal droplets that fly away from the source at near the speed of sound. These projectiles can travel quite a distance, starting clothing and other materials on fire.

Arc blast
Not only does the electric arc generate an excessive amount of heat, this heat causes an intense pressure wave that usually throws the employees working nearby away from the arc. This wave is so strong it can break ear drums and cause concussions and broken bones.

Explosions and/or fire
The heat from electric arcs can ignite combustible or flammable vapors in the air causing an explosion. Materials stored nearby can also start on fire.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Whenever electrical workers have the chance to be exposed to an electric arc they must wear clothing and eye protection resistant to the flash. Make sure your employer provides you with the necessary PPE. (Part II, Chapter 3 of NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces covers the standards for PPE.)

Cost of an electric arc accident
The monetary cost of an electric arc accident can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Damage to equipment and facility, lost production time, increased insurance expense, medical bills, worker’s compensation, and legal costs can all be the result of one electric arc accident.

Questions?
Talk to your supervisor if you have any questions or concerns about working around energized electrical equipment

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

Crane Operation Rules

 

Overview
Safe crane operation involves using the correct type and size of crane for the work site. An active inspection program, as well as periodic maintenance, contributes to a safe operation.

What must I do to operate a crane safely?
Guidelines to follow for safe crane operations include:

• Evaluate the site—mobile cranes require a solid, level supporting surface. Check the loadbearing capacity of the site. Inspect for any underground utility lines and additional digging hazards.

• Check for overhead power lines—OSHA requires a 10-foot clearance between the power line and the equipment. A signal person should used to maintain the required distance. It is a good idea to check with the electric company to see if the line can be de-energized.

• Never exceed the crane's load-limit—load rating should be tested on an annual basis. The weight of the load blocks and slings should be included in the calculations. Loads should always be balanced and secured. Personnel should never stand underneath loads.

• Lift loads properly - Lower, raise, brake, and swing loads slowly. If a load is moved too fast, it drifts away from the crane which can cause the crane to tip forward or the boom to collapse.

• Never exceed the crane's load-limit—load rating should be tested on an annual basis. The weight of the load blocks and slings should be included in the calculations. Loads should always be balanced and secured. Personnel should never stand underneath loads.

• Only lift loads when the crane is level. Consider wind speed and how that might affect the load. Don't drag or push a load. Swing every load slowly and don't change speed suddenly.

• Avoid positioning the hook, or swinging a load over a person. When a load is held, be sure to set and lock the brakes.

Crane inspections
To ensure smooth crane operation, take time to perform the following functions:

• Tighten or replace loose or missing hardware.

• Inspect wire rope for defects.

• Check fluid levels and look for leaks. If fluid is leaking, schedule an appointment with the maintenance shop to have it fixed.

• Ensure that operating controls are clearly marked.

• Check to make sure a fire extinguisher and first-aid kit is available.

• Ensure that load limiting devices are available.

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

Crane Inspections

 

Cranes and derricks are inspected to prevent injuries and fatalities caused by equipment failures. A key method of accomplishing this goal is through the use of an inspection process that identifies and addresses safety concerns.
OSHA requires that the various inspections be conducted by either a “competent person” or a “qualified person” depending on the type of inspection. “Competent person” means 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.

“Qualified person” means a person who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training and experience, successfully demonstrated the ability to solve/resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.

Each shift
The shift inspection is the first of three required regularly scheduled equipment inspections.
The employer will often use the equipment operator as the competent person who conducts the shift inspection. The operator, in most cases, by virtue of his or her qualification or certification, experience, and familiarity with the equipment, is a competent person. However, the employer has the flexibility to use someone else to conduct the shift inspection as long as that person is a competent person.

A competent person must begin a visual inspection prior to each shift the equipment will be used. It must be completed before or during that shift and consist of observation for apparent deficiencies. OSHA does not require documentation of the shift inspection.

Monthly
The monthly inspection of the equipment is the second of the three required regularly scheduled general inspections. It is identical in coverage and manner to the shift inspection and must be conducted by a competent person. However, unlike a shift inspection, the employer must document the inspection and retain the documentation for a minimum of three months.

The documentation must show the:
• Items checked and the results of inspection, and
• Name and signature of person who did the inspection and the date it was done.

Annual/comprehensive inspection
OSHA requires an annual (once every 12 months) general inspection of the equipment, the third of the three required regularly scheduled general inspections. It promotes safety by ensuring that a thorough, comprehensive inspection of the equipment is performed to detect and address deficiencies that might not be detected in the shift and monthly inspections.

Annual inspections must be performed by a qualified person due to the more thorough examination required. The higher level of expertise of a qualified person helps to ensure that the inspector is able to identify deficiencies necessitating a greater degree of scrutiny than what would be required in the shift inspection; for example, a deficiency that is not apparent in a visual inspection but is detectable through taking apart equipment components.

Some disassembly of the equipment may be needed for the qualified person to complete the inspection.

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