Court injunction delays displaying the the Nationa l Labor Relation’s Board (NLRB) new union poster.   

To better protect workers from hazardous chemicals, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has revised its Hazard Communication Standard, aligning it with the United Nations' global chemical labeling system.

Holidays should be a time of fun and festivities.  However during every holiday season, tragedies happen.  The holiday safety tips shown below will protect your holidays and lessen the chance of adversity.

OSHA  recently released its new guidance, Nail Gun Safety – A Guide for Construction Contractors.  It covers nail guns accidents and injuries.  It also gives Six Steps to Nail Gun Safety.  They are:

Workers have the right to have a workplace that is as safe and hazard-free as possible.  Safety is important to companies for a number of reasons.  First, no one wants a tragedy on their watch.  Accidents, especially accidents where a worker dies has a severe financial impact for the company.

Every year, OSHA publishes a list of the ten most cited standards following inspections by federal OSHA.  According to OSHA, this list is published  to alert employers about these commonly cited standards so they can take steps to find and fix recognized hazards before OSHA shows up.

OSHA cites W Construction in Bozeman, MT and proposes $36,400 in fines.  OSHA went to their jobsite after receiving a couple of complaints.  OSHA cited them with one alleged willful violation for failing to provide cave-in protection and another serious violation for failing to remove workers from an unsafe trench when hazardous conditions were recognized. 

Federal OSHA has cited Lincoln Paper and Tissue LLC $212,000 for alleged  repeat and serious violations.  A mill employee was burned when hot steam and condensate burst out of the end of a high-pressure steam line in abSeptember 2010 incident.  Lincoln Paper & Tissue LLC has 15 business days from receipt of citations to comply, meet with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings. 

April 28, 2011, marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of OSHA.

Oregon OSHA issued an alert to hair salons about the presence of formaldehyde in Brazilian Blowout.  Brazilian Blowout is a hair product used in salons to to straighten hair.  The company claims their product contains no formadehyde.  Lab tests show otherwise.

20 year old student was killed videotaping a Notre Dame football practice.  He was in a scissor lift and ittoppled over in the wind killing Declan Sullivan.  The accident is being investigated by Notre Dame and Indiana OSHA.

Unscramble the words below by rearranging letters to form words.  All words apply to safety.

Nail guns operate like a loaded gun and must be treated with extreme caution.  Nail gun use requires the employee to wear suitable ear, eye and face protection.  Follow these additional safety rules when using nail guns.

Manhole covers are heavy and closely fitted to the manhole opening. Never attempt to lift a cover without using proper pry bar tools, special lifting tools, and additional help where needed. Ensure fingers and toes do not remain under manhole covers when putting them down.

OSHA has cited two contractors after a scaffold collapse at Binghamton University in Vestal, N.Y., that injured six workers.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is partnering with construction contractors, the Federal Highway Administration, the state of Georgia and local government organizations to sponsor a safety stand-down hour at local construction sites around Georgia on Tuesday, Nov. 9.

Employers will voluntarily stop work at construction sites from 7 to 8 a.m. EST to conduct work zone safety training focused on the prevention of injuries occurring when employees are struck by objects and vehicles. Objects and vehicles striking workers are a lead cause of construction-related deaths. Approximately 75 percent of struck-by fatalities involve heavy equipment such as trucks or cranes.

"The one-hour stand down will heighten employees' awareness and their ability to identify and eliminate work-related hazards in the construction community," said Cindy Coe, OSHA's regional administrator for the Southeast. "This alliance has taken the initiative and shown leadership with organizing and conducting this safety stand-down industry-wide as well as throughout Georgia to emphasize the importance of employees' safety in work zones."

8% of industrial accidents are due to unsafe use of manual and power tools.  Some of the main causes of accidents are:

§  Using the wrong tool for the job.

§  Using the right tool for the job, but using it incorrectly.

§  Failing to wear personal protective equipment.

§  Failing to follow approved safety rules.

Following is a list of general safety precautions to follow when working with portable power tools.

1.    Read owner’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for proper tool use.   Know its limitations and potential hazards.

2.   Use the right tool and only the right tool for the task it was designed to do.

3.   Keep guards in place and in working order.

4.   Keep work area clean and free from clutter.

5.    Don’t use power tools in a dangerous environment.  Don’t use in damp or wet environments.  Do not expose them to rain. 

6.   Keep work area well lit. 

7.    Do not use power tools in the presence of flammable liquids or gases.

8.   Maintain tools, by keeping them sharpened and oiled.

9.   Make sure cords are not frayed, insulation is good and outlets match plugs.

Never use any tool unless you have been trained to do so.

Revised program policy now requires OSHA trainers to limit worker training classes to a maximum of 7½ hours per day. Before OSHA made this change, there were no limitations on how long these classes could last each day. With 10 hours of training, along with necessary breaks and lunch, students could sit in classes for up to 13 hours a day. OSHA became concerned that long, mentally-fatiguing class days might cause students to miss essential safety and health training.

OSHA now requires outreach trainers to conduct 10-hour courses over a minimum of two days and 30-hour courses over at least four days. OSHA will not recognize training classes that exceed 7½ hours per day and will not provide course completion cards to instructors.  However, instructors may request (in writing) an exception to this 7½ hour requirement based on extenuating circumstances.  

OSHA  is trying to define the phrase "feasible administrative or engineering controls" as used in the general industry and construction occypational noise exposure standards.  The goal as usual with this “New Sheriff” brand of OSHA is to amend enforcement procedures.  According to OSHA, they interpret feasible to mean “capable of being done”.

OSHA's  standards require that noise must be reduced to acceptable levels by feasible administrative or engineering controls before protecting employees with personal protective equipment.

Under the agency's current enforcement policy, however, the agency issues citations for failure to use engineering and administrative controls only when they cost less than a hearing conservation program or such equipment is ineffective.

OSHA is soliciting comments.  If you have want to comment, you have until December 20, 2010.  Submit comments to http://www.regulations.gov.  Docket No. OSHA-2010-0032.

The following is a list of the top 10 most frequently cited standards for Fiscal Year 2010 (October 1, 2009 to September 20, 2010) following inspections of worksites by federal OSHA. OSHA publishes this list to alert employers about these commonly cited standards so they can take steps to find and fix recognized hazards addressed in these and other standards before OSHA shows up. Far too many preventable injuries and illnesses occur in the workplace.

1.     1926.451 – Scaffolding
2.   1926.501 – Fall Protection
3.   1910.1200 – Hazard Communication
4.   1910.134 – Respiratory Protection
5.    1926.1053 – Ladders
6.   1910.147 – Lockout/Tagout
7.    1910.305 – Electrical, Wiring Methods
8.   1910.178 – Powered Industrial Trucks
9.   1910.303 – Electrical, General Requirements
10.1910.212 – Machine Guarding

The Government Accounting Office (GAO) reviewed OSHA's whistleblower program and found it lacking.  They found that OSHA had done little to ensure that investigators have the necessary training and equipment to do their jobs, and that it lacks sufficient internal controls to ensure that the whistleblower program operates as intended.  In addition, OSHA lacks sufficient internal controls to ensure that the whistleblower program operates as intended due to several factors, including inconsistent program operations, inadequate tracking of program expenses, and insufficient performance monitoring. Program operations vary by region in significant ways, as exemplified by differing standards used to screen out complaints, and by some regions not having formally trained supervisors who approve investigation decisions. The whistleblower program's national office lacks mechanisms, such as access to accurate data and actual case files, to monitor compliance with policies and procedures.

Workers who "blow the whistle" on prohibited or unlawful practices that they discover during their employment can play an important role in the enforcement of federal laws. However, these whistleblowers may also risk reprisals from their employers, sometimes being demoted, reassigned, or fired. Federal laws establish whistleblower protection processes, whereby workers who believe that they have faced retaliation for blowing the whistle can report their allegations to the appropriate federal agency, which then determines the merit of their claims. The Whistleblower Protection Program at the Department of Labor's (Labor) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for receiving and investigating most whistleblower complaints filed by nonfederal workers.

During a 10 or 30 hour class, OSHA outreach instructors now have to spend 2 hours covering Introduction to OSHA.  OSHA developed a training module to be used for this training.  This training requires us to cover how workers are protected if they report problems to OSHA or whistleblower protection.  As an instructor, I have to cover this material even though I know that this program may not protect these employees who blow the whistle.
 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics about 26 construction workers die each year from using aerial lifts. Approximately 70% involve boom-supported lifts, such as bucket trucks and cherry pickers; 25% of the other deaths involve scissor lifts.  Half of the falls from boom lifts involved being ejected from the bucket after being struck by vehicles, cranes, or crane loads, or by falling objects, or when a lift suddenly jerked. Three-quarters of the tip-overs of scissor lifts resulted in fall deaths; in the remaining accidents, workers died from being struck by the falling scissor lift. 

Often operators lack the training to know they are creating safety hazards. An aerial lift has the potential to cause serious injury when the operator has not read the operator’s manual. OSHA requires a qualified person to train all users on:·      

Electrical, fall, and falling-object hazards.

How to handle hazards.

Safe lift operation

Manufacturer requirements. 

Generally a pre-start inspection is required for all types of aerial lifts at each job site. Check operating and emergency controls, safety devices (such as, outriggers and guardrails), personal fall-protection gear, wheels and tires, and other machine components specified by the manufacturer. Look for possible leaks (air, hydraulic fluid, and fuel-system) and loose or missing parts.  Do not use defective equipment.

Safety Tips

·       Always close lift platform chains or doors.

·       Stand on the floor of the bucket or lift platform. Do not climb on or lean over guardrails.

·       Do not exceed manufacturer's load-capacity limits.

·       If working near traffic, install work-zone warnings, like cones and signs.

·       Use proper personal fall-protection.

·       Stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines.

·       Do not drive with the lift platform elevated (unless allowed by manufacturer).

·       Do not exceed vertical or horizontal reach limits or the specified load-capacity of the lift.

·       Prevent unauthorized use by locking a machine, keeping its keys off the job site, or securing it in an  inaccessible area  when not working

·       Operator’s manual must be kept on machine.

California offers workers comp insurance to California businesses through the State Compensation Insurance Fund. But State Fund doesn’t have to play by the same rules that every other insurance carrier must follow.
 
Dale Debber, President of Compline, has written an excellent article on this.  If you have an interest in Workers Comp insurance in California, please follow this link.  One more time I am  outraged and annoyed with government actions.

http://www.compline.com/SCIF-Broker-Policy-Unfair-to-Brokers-and-Employers.aspx

Recently, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released "Fatality Report".

Preliminary data report for 2009 fatal work injuries were 4340 in the US compared to 5214 in 2008. Within the numbers are some interesting things:

1. The 2009 total was the lowest since the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) started keeping this data in 1992.

2. Fatal rate was 3.3 per 100,000 full-time equivalents  for 2009 compared to 3.7 per 100,000 for 2008.

What about economic factors?

Because 2009 had a weaker economy, 6 percent fewer hours worked in 2009 than 2008,  these numbers still show a dramatic reduction. Yes, a full 17 percent lower fatalities in 2009 than in 2008.

There is a debate arising as to what are the reasons for these results.

What do you think the reason is?

The full article is available    http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cfoi.pdf

Please come back to voice your opinion on what's happening.

"There's a new sheriff in town," Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis warned during her 2009 swearing-in ceremony.

During the past year and a half, OSHA has issued twice as many OSHA egregious violations as the previous administration in a similar time period. 17 cases of egregious violations were issued to companies like BP.  Instead of combining violations for penalty purposes, each instance of noncompliance is considered a separate violation and a penalty applied separately.  This is the definition of an egregious violation.  These egregious violations may result in multi million dollar penalites to employers that show flagrant and willful indifference to protecting workers.

We were warned.

Many construction companies rent aerial lifts which means that your crew may not be familiar with the model you will be using.  Operator controls and other key features differ from model to model.

You need to make sure lift is working properly.

Make sure operator and maintenance manuals are on lift.

Be sure proper personal fall-protection is provided and used.

Four types of accidents result in 79% of all construction fatalities.  In addition, 85% of all citations and 90% of dollars in OSHA construction fines come from these four hazards.

In 2006, there were 1226 construction fatalities.

Falls accounted for 34.9% of these fatalities.  Falls in construction has been the leading cause of death for many years.  Primary causes are falls from unprotected sides, edges and holes; improperly constructed waling/working surfaces; failure to properly use personal fall arrest equipment (lanyard, harness and anchorage), and slips and trips (poor housekeeping).

Electrical shock resulted in 10.1% construction deaths.  Electrocutions are caused by contact with overhead power lines or live circuits and improper use of power tools or power cords that are poorly maintained. 

9.7% of construction fatalities are being struck by an object.  Approximately 75% of struck-by fatalities involve heavy equipment.  One in four “struck-by-vehicle” deaths involve construction workers, more than any other occupation.

The 7.7% of the caught-in fatalities are caused by being crushed by collapsing materials, such as in a trench or excavation, being caught in, or between, machinery or equipment, or equipment rollover.

The “other” category includes assaults and violent acts, fires, heat stress, exposure to harmful substances, etc. It is very large, partly because OSHA includes vehicle accidents in this category rather than in “struck-by.”

These hazards are called the “focused” four and OSHA focusing on these when inspection.  A better name for these accidents are the fatal four.

Construction is a potentially high hazard industry for those who work in it, with falls at the top of the hazards list. In fact, falls are the most frequent cause of fatalities at construction sites and annually account for one of every three construction-related deaths. Although there are commonly available methods for preventing falls, the number of construction workers who fall to their deaths has increased in recent years. According to preliminary 2007 fatality data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were at least 442 construction worker fatalities during 2007 as a result of falls from all causes.

Supervisors have the greatest influence on their work crew.  When supervisors follow safety rules, their team will follow their lead.  When a supervisor tries to enforce safety rules, but doesn’t follow them, safety rules will be followed inconsitently.  The one single thing that a supervisor can do to make sure workers are safe is to follow the rules.

Supervisors can protect workers by enforcing safe work practices and immediately correcting hazards found during regularly scheduled inspections.

A consistently implemented safety program improves job morale, protects the company, protects managers and supervisors while protecting workers.

Recently OSHA developed new training material that must be used in a 10-hour class.  This 2-hour module covers OSHA.  Module contains 10 exercises that must be covered.  The material is interesting, the time allocated to cover OSHA is reasonable,  but one of the exercises is how to fill out the complaint form.  Come on…what is your name and problem.  How to complain to OSHA has always been covered, but this self-serving exercise is lame. 

OSHA has a new pilot program working with building inspectors in 11 cities across the country.  The goal is to reduce worker deaths on construction sites--particularly deaths caused by falls, electrocution, and being caught between or struck by objects.

Under this program, building inspectors will notify OSHA when they observe unsafe conditions, so OSHA can send a compliance officer to inspect that workplace. "Through this program we will extend OSHA's eyes and ears where they are needed most to save lives in the construction industry," Barab stated.

No mention if these building inspectors are trained in hazard recognition or not.

Business owners could be held criminally liable for safety violations if the mine safety act passes.  The country watched the staggering horrors created by recent mine disasters and the apparent ineffectiveness of the Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA) and demanded change.  The Mine Safety Act, HR 5663, came into being.  But it covers much more than just mine safety.

This bill is considered one of the most sweeping changes to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.  Business groups are lobbying against this bill.

Under this bill, deaths or serious injuries in the workplace become felonies rather than misdemeanors.   These felonies carry a 10 year prison sentence for a first offense and 20 years for a second.  But it is not clear who would be charged since the language states, “any officer or director”. 

The bill also removes the word “willfully” and replaces it with “knowing” when it comes to these criminal penalties.  Since “knowing” is a new term in safety, this creates confusion.  How does a director defend against “knowing”?

Another bone of contention is the requirement to immediately abate hazards that OSHA finds and cites.  These hazards have to be fixed even before OSHA proves that a standard has been violated.  If OSHA says it, it is now gospel.  Business groups says this violates the concept of “due process”.

 
Again this bill does more than just improve miner safety. It continues to reinforce the adversarial stance that OSHA has taken. 

Fed OSHA issued its new crane & derrick standard today, July 28, 2010.  On the same day, OSHA held a live chat and discussed these new changes that supersede and replace old crane standard (from 1971).  I know I complain about the things that OSHA does that I don’t like, so to be fair, I appreciate and enjoy these live chats.

This standard has some sweeping changes.  However, these changes only affect cranes used in construction or cranes that are used for construction activities.  The rule goes into effect November 8, 2010.  Certain provisions have delayed effective dates from 1 to 4 years.

Revisions include:
• Operator certification and qualification requirements.
• Qualification for signal persons are specified.
• Requirement added for the use of qualified rigger when employees are in the fall zone to handle the load and for rigging operations during assembly/disassembly.

• Information exchange requirements between employers are specified regarding ground conditions.
• Pre-erection inspection of tower training.
• Employers must pay for the cost of operator certification for operators who they employ on the effective date of the final rule
• All pole work performed with digger derricks related to power transmission and telecommunications work are excluded and are covered by 1910.269.
• Operator certification test may be administered in a language understood by the operator candidate.
• Employers must comply with local and state licensing laws which will be considered to meet requirements of this final rule.
• Employers must comply with manufactures recommendations for the use of synthetic slings.

If you would like to review the 1070 pages of the crane standard. it's found here

http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2010-17818_PI.pdf

Working in hot weather is hazardous.  Fact:  16 people died from heat stress while building the Hoover Dam. 

Heat stress is one of the most serious health hazards facing workers in the Gulf.  The risk from the heat and humidity is exacerbated by the long days worked and the protective equipment required, e.g. chemical resistant Tyvek coveralls, boots and gloves. More than 667 workers have already been treated for heat-related illness, some were very serious.

At OSHA's urging, BP has now implemented at all work sites a heat stress management plan that includes a matrix setting out specific work/rest requirements based on the heat, relative humidity, and the protective equipment worn.

Administrative or work practice controls of an effective heat program include:

• Acclimatize workers
• Replace fluids
• Reduce the physical demands
• Provide recovery areas
• Reschedule hot jobs
• Monitor workers

OSHA has more information on its website to help companies protect their workers from heat.  Remember, heat is dangerous, simple measures can save lives…be proactive…not reactive.

Crane safety has been in the forefront of the news due to the recent crane accidents in Houston, New York City, Miami, and Las Vegas.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show 72 crane-related fatal occupational injuries in 2006.  These include all fatalities where the source of the injury was a crane, the secondary source of the injury was a crane, or where the worker activity was operating a crane.  Chart shows that 61% of the fatalities were caused when crane came in contact with objects or equipment. 

Properly trained operators and a well thought out and implemented crane policy can eliminate most accidents.  AGC of Colorado established a crane task force and published a free downloadable Mobile Crane User Guideline that can asist with your crane program.  Access it here.  
http://tinyurl.com/25q8fvr

The adversarial position that OSHA is taking seems to mirror the Obama stance on business.  Business is bad.  Business owners are evil and only the government can protect us from their evil machinations.

OSHA is proposing legislation could put a business owner in prison up to 10 years with a felony conviction  if a worker dies on the job.  This sounds like a good idea on paper, but I think it will be a disaster if implemented.

The climate between OSHA and business is now adversarial.  There is no more working together.  If you have a good safety record, you are under reporting and if you have a bad safety record, then you are…well…bad.  An inordinate amount of new laws have been enacted and changed during this president’s administration.  Some of them are good, while some are draconian or ludicrous.

Whether you believe illegal aliens should be given immunity or not.  The botton line is they did do something wrong if they entered the country illegally.  Our government turns a blind eye to that, but business owners that are providing employment and a tax base for our communities are now the “bad guys” and have to be punished.

The world has gone mad

There is a difference between a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest. 

A heart attack is caused by a circulation problem, caused when one or more arteries delivering blood ot the heart is blocked.  Oxygen in the blood  cannot reach the heart muscle and the heart muscle becomes damaged.  This damage can lead to trouble with the heart’s electrical system.  This may lead to sudden cardiac arrest.

Sudden cardiac arrest is caused by an electrical problem in the heart and results in the heart unable to beat.

Every year more than 250,000 Americans die from sudden cardiac arrest.  CPR  or cardiopulmonary  resuscitation is a key to survival. But CPR is more effective when coupled with an automated external defibrillator (AED).  An AED is a portable electronic device that is simple and easy for a non-medical person to use.  The AED talks a person through the process  of applying an electric shock that should start the heart to beat normally when a person suffers fron sudden cardiac arrest.

The cost of these devices has come down over the years and AED’s are now available for less than $1000.  As the price is reasonable, we want to encourage businesses, apartment buildings, public buildings, etc. to add AED’s to their first aid program.  The American Heart Association says that at least 20,000 lives could be saved annually with prompt use of AED’s.

The key to success is early intervention.  Get First Aid/CPR/AED training today—the life you save may be your loved one.

Heat Kills!  When I think of summer, I smile.  It reminds me of good times, school is out, hanging with friends, Beach Boys music (oops showing my age), freedom and fun.  But when you are working outside, heat is dangerous.

With this heat wave, companies and workers must do everything they can to keep safe.

Know the signs and symptoms of heat illnesses and what to do in an emergency situation.

Know what Federal OSHA  will look for when they come out.  California has an extensive heat regulation and requires companies to have a written program.  See http://tinyurl.com/258fsrt for help in complying with California regulations..

Know how to protect yourself while working in heat.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT ILLNESS

Heat-related illnesses occur when a body is unable to cool itself.   Older workers, workers in poor physical condition, workers with a poor diet or employees taking certain medications are more at risk.  Some heat-related illnesses are: heat rash, heat cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. Heat stroke is the most serious and can result in death. However it is important to be able to recognize the symptoms of all heat-related disorders.

The following symptoms are commonly associated with the different heat illness medical conditions. Given the variability in recognition and reporting of heat illness symptoms, the information listed below should be used only as a general guideline.

Heat Rash (Prickly Heat) - Heat rash is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating and clogged pores during hot, humid weather. 

General Symptoms:

·       Can cover large parts of the body

·       Looks like a red cluster of pimples or small blisters

·       Often occurs on the neck, chest, groin, under the breasts, or in elbow creases

·       Uncomfortable so it can disrupt sleep and work performance

·       Complicated by infections

Workers experiencing heat rash should:

·       Try to work in a cooler, less humid environment when possible.

·       Keep the affected area dry.

·       Dusting powder may be used to increase comfort.

Heat Cramps - Heat cramps affect people who sweat a lot during strenuous work activity. Sweating makes the body loose salts and fluids and minerals. If only the fluids are replaced and not the salts and minerals painful muscles cramps may result. 

General Symptoms:

·       Painful muscle spasms in the stomach, arms, legs, and other body parts may occur after work or at night.     

Workers with heat cramps should:

·       Stop all activity, and sit in a cool place.

·       Drink water.

·       Do not return to strenuous work for a few hours after the cramps

subside because further exertion may lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

·       Seek medical attention if any of the following apply:

o   The worker has heart problems.

o   The worker is on a low-sodium diet.

o   The cramps do not subside within one hour.

Fainting (Heat Syncope) - Employees who stand for long periods or suddenly get up from a sitting or lying position when working in the heat may experience sudden dizziness and fainting. In both cases, the fainting is caused by a lack of adequate blood supply to the brain. Dehydration and lack of acclimatization to work in warm or hot environments can increase the susceptibility to fainting. Victims normally recover consciousness rapidly after they faint. 

General Symptoms:

·       Sudden dizziness

·       Light-headedness

·       Unconsciousness

Workers with heat syncope should:

·       Sit or lie down in a cool place when they begin to feel symptoms.

·       Slowly drink water, clear juice, or a sports beverage.

·       If they have or are fainting, call 911, notify their supervisor and make arrangement for transportation to medical facility.

Heat Exhaustion - Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of the water and the salt contained in sweat. Older employees or those with high blood pressure are more susceptible to heat exhaustion.  Cool temperature is not a valid indicator of a normal body temperature.  Although the skin feels cool the internal body temperature may be dangerously high and a serious medical condition may exist.

General Symptoms:

·       Heavy sweating

·       Painful muscle cramps

·       Extreme weakness and/or fatigue

·       Nausea and/or vomiting

·       Dizziness and/or headache

·       Body temperature normal or slightly high

·       Fainting

·       Pulse fast and weak

·       Breathing fast and shallow

·       Clammy, pale, cool, and/or moist skin

Workers with heat exhaustion should:      

·       Move to cool area and replace fluids.

·       If needed, call 9-1-1.

Heatstroke - Heatstroke is usually fatal unless emergency medical treatment is provided promptly. 

General Symptoms:

·       No sweating because the body cannot release heat or cool    down

·       Mental confusion, delirium, convulsions, dizziness

·       Hot and dry skin (e.g., red, bluish, or mottled)

·       Muscles may twitch uncontrollably

·       Pulse can be rapid and weak

·       Throbbing headache, shallow breathing, seizures and/or fits

·       Unconsciousness and coma

·       Body temperature may range from 102 - 104 °F or higher within 10-15 minutes

If the muscles begin to twitch uncontrollably, keep the person from self-injury. Do not place any objects in the mouth.

Monitor body temperature and continue cooling efforts until emergency medical treatment is provided to the victim.

Workers with heat stroke should:     

·       Get medical help immediately.

·       Move employee to shady area and remove outer clothing.

·       Wet skin and increase air movement around worker.

·       Give fluids to drink.

NEVER leave a suspected heat stroke victim alone or let them go home.

Always seek medical help.

OSHA has issued its final rule allowing the agency to cite employers on a "per employee basis" for failure to provide/train/wear/use required personal protective equipment. 

"In this rulemakeing, OSHA is amending its standards to add language clarifying that the personal protective equipment (PPE) and training requirements impose a compliance duty to each and every employee covered by the standards and that noncompliance may expose the employer to liability on a per-employee basis."  If you want to read the Final PPE rule in its entirety, go to http://tinyurl.com/23mzlp7

To clarify:

An employer has 10 employees working in an area where respirators (or hard hats, or gloves, etc.) are required and employer failed to provide ppe.  This would not be 1 violation, but 10 (1 violation for each worker) along with 10 accompanying penalties.

In comparison to: 10 employees working in an excavation without shoring, OSHA would write one citation and one penalty.

Better to spend a few dollars up front, protect workers and avoid severe penalties for failing to provide PPE.

The victim was a 40-year-old male forklift truck operator for a food production and distribution company, who worked for the company approximately seven years. The day of the incident he was performing the typical task of moving product to a different row of the warehouse using a forklift truck. During this task, the load of product became caught in the narrow aisles and the victim lowered the load back to the ground. He tilted the mast forward and stood between the mast and the cage looking over the load to see the obstacle that was preventing him from placing the product onthe shelf. His foot caught the lever, which controlled the mast causing it to tilt back toward the cage. He tried to duck out of the way, but was unsuccessful; his head was crushed between the mast and cage.

 OSHA extimates that over 1,000,000 million forklifts are used at U.S. workplaces.  Accidents like the one above occur all to often.  OSHA specific training regulations went into effect in December 1999.  These new training regulations save 100 lives a year.

Items covered during training are:  keep all body parts in cab and lockout/tagout equipment before working on it.  Following these 2 simple rules would have saved this operator’s life.  Because forklifts are so widely used, operator’s underestimate their dangers and hazards.

The standard requires employers to develop and implement a training program based on the general principles of safe truck operation, the types of vehicle(s) being used in the workplace, the hazards of the workplace created by the use of the vehicle(s), and the general safety requirements of the OSHA standard.

Trained operators must know how to do the job properly and do it safely as demonstrated by workplace evaluation. Formal (lecture, video, etc.) and practical (demonstration and practical exercises) training must be provided.

Employers must also certify that each operator has received the training and evaluate each operator at least once every three years.

Prior to operating the truck in the workplace, the employer must evaluate the operator's performance and determine the operator to be competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely.

Refresher training is needed whenever an operator demonstrates a deficiency in the safe operation of the truck.

Training shall consist of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.

I do a lot of forklift training for my clients and I appreciate the work, but bringing this training in-house is a good move.  It makes since economically and from a safety standpoint.  If you don’t want to take the time to develop your own safety training program, buying a training package makes sense. 

Sorry for this cheap shameless plug, but you might want to check us out if you are looking for a train-the-trainer forklift package.  If you want more info, go to http://tinyurl.com/2dt2xkx

The United States and many other countries throughout the world have developed a Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The GHS is the culmination of more than a decade of work. After ten years of technical work and negotiation, a United Nations Economic and Social Council Subcommittee adopted the Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labeling ("GHS") and recommended that it be disseminated throughout the world.  By promoting common, consistent criteria for classifying chemicals and developing compatible labeling and safety data sheets, the Globally Harmonized System is intended to enhance public health and environmental protection, as well as reduce barriers to trade.

The implementation of the GHS can have numerous benefits for governments, business and industry, and public interest and labour groups. Implementing the GHS also provides a number of international benefits.  It is anticipated that application of the GHS will:

·         Enhance the protection of human health and the environment by providing an internationally comprehensible system,

·         Provide a recognized framework to develop regulations for those countries without existing systems,

·         Facilitate international trade in chemicals whose hazards have been identified on an international basis,

·         Reduce the need for testing and evaluation against multiple classification systems.

·         The GHS can also support the implementations of the Millennium Development Goals to “ensure environmental sustainability”.

The tangible benefits to governments are:

·         Fewer chemical accidents and incidents,

·         Lower health care costs,

·         Improved protection of workers and the public from chemical hazards,

·         Avoiding duplication of effort in creating national systems,

·         Reduction in the costs of enforcement,

·         Improved reputation on chemical issues, both domestically and internationally.

Benefits to business and industry include:

·         A safer work environment and improved relations with employees,

·         An increase in efficiency and reduced costs from compliance with hazard communication regulations,

·         Application of expert systems resulting in maximizing expert resources and minimizing labor and costs,

·         Expanded use of training programs on health and safety,

·         Reduced costs due to fewer accidents and illnesses,

·         Improved corporate image and credibility.

Benefits to workers and the public include:

·         Improved safety for workers and others through consistent and simplified communications on chemical hazards and practices to follow for safe handling and use,

·         Greater awareness of hazards, resulting in safer use of chemicals in the workplace and in the home.

The purpose of the GHS is to promote common, consistent criteria for classifying chemicals according to their health, physical and environmental hazards, and to encourage the use of compatible hazard labels, material safety data sheets for workers, and other hazard communication information based on the resulting classifications.

Now, OSHA is in the process of adopting these requirements for American workplaces.   The standardization will ultimately be good news for all concerned, facilitating improvements to both efficiency and worker safety. However, in the short term, the implementation of the GHS will require changes in all American workplace hazcom and other safety programs-including new labels and MSDS’s.

Family Website:

·                   Keep it anonymous.  Do not give out your last name, city or phone number.

·                   Keep it anonymous.  Do not use your email address if it contains your last name or location.  Obtain an anonymous email address (e.g., yahoo or hotmail) and an adult should check messages.

·                   Be careful with links.  If you link to your church or school, for example, a predator may be able to determine where you live.

·                   Be careful of the pictures you post.  Backgrounds can reveal clues to your location.  Review them carefully before posting.

Internet Safety

·                   Keep computer in the living room or family room—never behind a closed bedroom door.

·                   Don’t use the Internet as a babysitter.  Spend time with your kids while they are online.

·                   If they see something on the Internet that is upsetting, call a parent to take care of it.

·                   Be aware of what they are doing and with whom when they are online.

·                   Make sure your kids are aware of basic Internet safety rules:

·       Never give out personal information.  This includes phone numbers, school name, last name, address, when and where they attend their extracurricular activities.

·       Never meet a cyber friend in person—unless a parent goes with them or they have your permission.

·       If they receive strange or upsetting emails, let parents know right away.

·       Never email pictures to a cyber friend unless they have your permission.

Shown below are tips to make your home safe. 

·                   Thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before eating.

·                   Keep kitchen clean and counters disinfected.

·                   Wash off the tops of canned soft drinks and all can before you open them.

·                   Refrigerate and cook meats properly.

·                   If you have small children, lock cabinets that have poisonous substances in them.

·                   Medicine should be kept in containers with child-resistant lids.

·                   If you think your child ate or drank something poisonous, call your local Poison Control Center immediately.

·                   Have a family fire safety route.  Have 2 routes out of every room.

·                   Test smoke alarms and replace batteries every 6 months.

·                   Clean out your filter after every wash.  If you use fabric softener, wash filter periodically.  Clothes dryers cause 14,000 fires every year.

·                   Do not depend on heat producing items to automatically turn off.

·                   Have a fire extinguisher near each exit.

·                   Have chimney cleaned regularly.

·                   Do not plug too many items into the same electric outlet.

·                   Install carbon monoxide detectors.

Dog Safety:

·                   Try not to startle any dog—even your own.

·                   Teach children to leave a dog alone when it is eating, sleeping or chewing on a toy or bone.

·                   Always supervise children when playing with dogs.

·                   Always ask owner if it okay to pet a dog before touching it.

Bike Safety:

·                   Inspect bike before riding.

·                   Wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet.

·                   Adjust bicycle to fit.  Stand over bicycle.  There should be 1-2 inches between you and the top tube (bar) if using a road bike and 3-4 inches on a mountain bike.

·                   Seat should be level and adjusted so there is a slight bend at the knee when leg is fully extended.

·                   Make sure you can be seen.   Wear neon, fluorescent or other bright colors day or night.  Just because you can see a driver doesn’t mean the driver can see you.

·                   Always keep one hand on handlebars to maintain control.  Carry books and other items in a carrier or backpack.

·                   Watch for road hazards.

·                   Avoid riding at night.  Night riding may require reflectors and lights.  Check local regulations.

·                   Go with the flow of traffic.

·                   Obey all traffic laws.

·                   Yield to traffic when appropriate.

·                   Be predictable.  Ride in a straight line, not in and out of cars.

·                   Stay alert—use your eyes and ears.

·                   Look before turning.

·                   Watch for parked cars.  Ride far enough out from the curb to avoid the unexpected from parked cars—doors opening or cars pulling out.

The safest place for bike riding is on the street, where bikes are expected to follow the same rules of the road as motorists and ride in the same direction.

·                   Children under 10 years old are not mature enough to make decisions necessary to safely ride in the street.

·                   Children under 10 are better off riding on the sidewalk.  When riding on the sidewalk:

·       Watch for vehicles coming out of or turning into driveways.

·       Stop at corners of sidewalks and streets, looking for cars and make sure drivers see you before crossing.

·       Enter a street at a corner and not between parked cars.

·       Be polite and alert pedestrians by saying, “Excuse me” or "Passing on your left”.

Never leave children unattended in or around parked cars.  Some dangers are:

·                   Being inadvertently backed over in a driveway or parking lot.

·                   Being left in a vehicle where temperatures can reach deadly levels in minutes. 

·                   Accidentally knocking the vehicle into gear and setting it into motion.

·                   Strangulation by a power window or sunroof.

·                   Climbing into a truck and getting locked in.

Always wear a seatbelt and make sure all passengers buckle up. 

·                   Children should face the rear of the vehicle until they are 20 pounds and 1 year of age.  Children, who weigh 20 pounds before 1 year, should ride in a rear-facing infant seat designed for weights greater than 20 pounds until one year.

·                   Do not put a rear-facing car safety seat in the front passenger seat of any car with a passenger-side front air bag.

·                   Children must ride in a safety seat until they are 4 years old and weigh 40 pounds.

·                   A booster seat can be used when a child has outgrown the safety seat, but is too small to fit properly in a vehicle safety belt.

The safest place for children is in the back seat.

Sometimes when watching the old TV shows “Father Knows Best”, “My Three Sons”, Leave It to Beaver” or even “Brady Bunch”, it’s hard to believe that such a simple easy time existed.  The world is a scarier place today and our children need to learn how to protect themselves.  This training has to start as soon as they are talking in sentences.  Teach your children:

·                   What to do if they become separated from you in a public place.  They should not wander around looking for you.  Have them go to the checkout counter, security office or lost and found quickly and tell them they have lost their parents and need help.  Teach them to go to a low risk adult.  For example, a police officer in uniform or a pregnant woman with children.

·                   That grownups do not need help from a child.  Grownups should not ask a child for directions or help to find a lost puppy.

·                   That they shouldn’t go with someone who tells them their parents need their help or that their parent’s sent them.  They should not go with anyone unless you have given them prior permission.

·                   That if someone on foot or in a car is following them, they should stay away.  Do not get close to any car.

·                   That if someone tries to take them, they should try to get away and yell or scream, “I don’t know this person this is not my mom (or dad)”.

·                   To never leave the yard or go to a friend’s house without your permission.

·                   To take a friend with them—never go places alone.

·                   Not to let people take pictures of them.

·                   That no one should touch them in any area that is covered by a bathing suit and they should not touch anyone in those areas.

·                   That they can say no to someone who makes you feel uncomfortable or scared—even a grownup.

·                   That when home alone and answering the phone, never say that a parent isn’t here. 

·                   To not answer the door, if alone.  Teach them whom to call if they become afraid.

What you should do:

·                   Know where your kids are at all times.  Know their friends and what they’re doing.

·                   Know the route your child takes to school.

·                   Know your neighbors.  Teach your children where to go if they feel threatened.

·                   Be aware of changes in your child’s behavior.

·                   Be alert to grownups or teenagers who pay an inordinate amount of attention to your kids.

·                   Be careful when hiring a babysitter or any one else that may have custody of your child.

·                   Know your children’s friends and their parents.  Keep a “friend’s list” that includes phone numbers and addresses.

·                   Teach your children that no one should touch them or interact with them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable.

·                   Teach your children to trust their feelings and instincts and to come to you if they sense something wrong.

Always listen to your children’s fears and be supportive.

Summer time is fun time.  Diving injuries can result in death or serious injury.  While playing in pools, follow these safety rules when diving.

•               Never dive into above-ground pools.
•               Never dive from the side of an in-ground pool.
•               Always dive from the end of the diving board.
•               Always dive with your hands in front of you and swim quickly away from bottom.

Backyard pools are dangerous.  Statistics from Centers for Disease Control (CDC) show that 1 in 4 fatal drowning accidents involve children 14 or younger.  From 2005 to 2007, there were an average of 283 drowning per year for children 5 and under.
 
For every child that dies, another 4 are taken to the emergency room for submersion-related accidents.  If a child survives, there may be permanent brain damage.

Children should always be supervised around a pool.

Pool should be completely fenced with a self-closing and self-latching gate.  Children should not be able to reach the latch.  Keep doors and windows leading to pool area secure.

Inspect back yard.  Make sure there are no tables or chairs that can be used to climb into the pool area.

Never partially remove a pool cover.  Small children may become trapped underneath it.

Keep toys away from pool.  Toys can fall into pool and a small child may go in after it.

Remove steps to above-ground pool when not in use.

Keep a phone poolside for two reasons.  If the phone rings, children are not left unsupervised when adult goes to answer it and it is close at hand in case of an emergency.

Make sure babysitters are aware of pool hazards for small children and to be continuously supervising to avoid accidents.

Keep rescue equipment by pool.

Learn CPR!

Parents, watch your kids.  We sometimes think they are safe because they are playing in the back yard or at a friend’s house.  Drowning is a more of a reality that an abduction, so never let children swim or play around pools unatteneded.
 

A common construction hazard is working around high voltage overhead lines.

Every year, construction workers are killed or disabled after accidentally coming in contact with the lines.

With certain exceptions, work done over live (power on) overhead lines is against the law.  Working within 6 feet of lines carrying between 600 - 50, 000 volts is also prohibited.

Do not store tools, machinery, and equipment near live high voltage overhead lines if it is possible for them to come within the minimum clearance of 6 feet when they are being moved or used.

When moving boom-type equipment with boom lowered and no load attached, keep the end of the boom at least 6 feet away from high voltage lines.

When operating boom-type lifting or hoisting equipment, the minimum clearance between the line and any part of the crane or load is 10 feet when the overhead line is carrying between 600 and 50,000 volts.

For lines rated over 50,000 volts, minimum clearance between the lines and any part of the crane or load is 10 feet, plus 0.4 inch for each 1 kV over 50,000 volts, or twice the length of the line insulator,

but never less than 10 feet.

A person shall be designated to observe clearance of the equipment and give timely warning for all operations where it is difficult for the operator to maintain the desired clearance by visual means.

If you don’t know whether an overhead line is live, assume that it is until whoever owns or operates the line verifies that the power is off.

An estimated 1.3 million employees in construction and general industry face significant asbestos exposure on the job.  Heaviest exposures occur in the construction industry.

Asbestos is a widely used, mineral-based material that is resistant to heat and corrosive chemicals.  Asbestos usually appears as a whitish, fibrous material which may release fibers from coarse to silky.  These airborne fibers may be too small to see with the naked eye.

Asbestos exposure can cause asbestosis (scarring of the lungs resulting in loss of lung function that often progresses to disability and death), cancer of the lung, esophagus, stomach, colon and rectum.

OSHA has established very strict regulations covering asbestos exposure.  This standard sets a maximum exposure limit and includes provision for engineering controls and respirators, protective clothing, exposure monitoring, hygiene facilities and practices, warning signs, labeling, recordkeeping, and medical exams.

Workplace exposure to asbestos must be limited to 0.2 fibers per cubic centimeter of air, averaged over an eight-hour work shift.  The short-term or excursion limit is one fiber per cubic centimeter of air averaged over a sampling period of 30 minutes.  In areas where the exposure limits for asbestos exceed the 8-hour or 30-minute values, a regulated area must be established.  Only authorized persons wearing appropriate clothing and respirators can enter a regulated area.   In regulated areas, eating, smoking, drinking, chewing tobacco or gum and applying cosmetics are prohibited.

Warning signs must be displayed at each regulated area and must be posted at all approaches to regulated areas.

For any employee exposed to airborne concentrations of asbestos exceeding the permissible exposure limit (PEL), the employer must provide and require the use of protection clothing.  This includes coveralls or full-body clothing, head coverings, gloves, and foot coverings.  If the possibility of eye irritation exists, face shield, vented goggles or other appropriate equipment must be provided and worn.  The level of exposure will determine what type of respirator is to be used.

Caution labels must be placed on all raw materials, mixtures, scrap, waste, debris and other products containing asbestos fibers. 

Construction work involving asbestos is done by workers specifically trained on how to work around asbestos safely.  The main thing we have to remember is that asbestos may be present on the job and we need to stay away from it, unless we have been trained to work with it and all engineering controls, monitoring devices and personal protective devices are in place.

A forklift is designed to pick up and move materials.  The basic lift truck has forks on the front to engage the load.  The lift mechanism lifts the load so that it can be moved and stacked.  Driving a lift truck is not the same as driving an automobile.  Some lift truck operations are similar to driving a car, but a lift truck is a special machine designed to do a special job.  The forklift operator must be trained and authorized to operate the lift truck.  Here are some tips for safe operation of forklifts.

A lift truck is built for only one person—the operator.  Do not travel with people on the forks.

Handle loads within the rated capacity as shown on the nameplate.  The capacity represents the maximum load the lift truck is rated to handle.  The operator must determine if the load is within the capacity of the lift truck before the load is handled.
Inspect the lift truck before use and at the beginning of each shift.

Do not lift or hit anything that can fall on the operator or a bystander.

Never allow anyone under or on the forks.

Never put hands, arms, head or legs through the upright or near the carriage or lift chains. 

Keep all body parts inside the operator’s compartment when lift truck is moving.

Lift and lower with the upright vertical or tilted slightly backward from vertical

Do not tilt in either direction anymore than necessary when handling elevated loads.

Always travel with the load as low as possible and tilted back.
For better visibility with large loads, travel with the load trailing, but always look in the direction of travel.

Avoid bumps, holes, slick spots and loose materials that may cause the truck to swerve or tip.

Watch for clearances.

Stunt driving and horseplay is prohibited.

Excessive speed is prohibited.

Be alert for pedestrians.  Do not drive up to anyone standing in front of an object.

Stay away from the edge of the road.

Cross railroad tracks diagonally.

Sound horn when view is obstructed.

Do not operate a damaged or defective forklift.  Report damage, install a “Do Not Operate” tag and remove the key from the vehicle. All parts shall be replaced by an equivalent part. Truck shall not be altered by addition or deletion of parts.

As many as 16 million employees are exposed to high noise levels at work.  Sound enters the outer part of the ear which is made of cartilage covered by skin.  Sound waves travel down the ear canal.  They cause the eardrum (which is located at the entrance of the middle ear) to vibrate.  The vibrations pass on through the middle ear by causing the small bones to vibrate.  The vibrations move fluid in the cochlea of the inner ear.  The cochlea is the main organ of hearing in the body and contains about 20,000 hair-like cells.  The moving fluid moves or bends these cells which change vibrations into nerve impulses.  The nerve impulses are carried to the brain by the auditory nerve.  This nerve sends the sound signal to the hearing center of the brain.

Noise is unwanted or unpleasant sound.  Loud noise causes the hair cells to bend or go flat.  Usually these cells rise back up if the noise goes away.  But constant noise or a sudden loud sound can be so strong that the cells don’t recuperate.  Exposure to long-term noise may result in tinnitus.  This is a roaring, ringing, or whistling sensation in the ear that comes and goes or is constant.

To Protect Your Hearing:

·                     Maintain machinery to reduce noise levels.

·                     Know when hearing protection is required and wear hearing protection in loud-noise activities.

·                     Wear assigned hearing protectors.

·                     Don’t wear poor fitting or damaged hearing protectors.

·                     Make sure hands are clean before inserting or putting on hearing protectors.

·                     Don’t wear home made hearing protection.

Select the proper ear protection to protect your hearing.  Types of hearing protection include:

1.     Earplugs.  These seal the ear canal and may come in standard sizes or individually molded varieties.  Some are disposable while others are reusable.

2.   Canal Caps.  These are soft pads on a headband similar to headphones.  They seal the entrance to the ear canal.

3.   Earmuffs.  Similar to headphones and provide the greatest protection.

When a new person joins the work team, the work environment changes.  Employees that have been working together for a long time get in a groove.  They know the work style and work attitudes of the members of the team.

In the beginning, new employees are eager to do things right.  In fact, during the first six months, an employee is more eager to learn and please than at any other time during his employment. Smart supervisors use this time to instill proper work procedures and safety rules.  This is the time to let new people know the key job procedures.

The best way to help a new employee learn the job is by having veteran employees work with the newcomer.  The seasoned worker can show the newcomer how to do the job safely.   Both the supervisor and senior worker should monitor the new worker, continuing to advise and train.

A common mistake is overloading new employees with too much information. 

Remember they need time to get used to new people, new tasks, and a new schedule.

For the first week, keep information general.  That way, there’s a better chance the information will be remembered.  Some general safety rules to be emphasized during the first week are:

• Do not do any job, unless you have been trained to do so.
• Do not use any equipment, unless you have been trained to do so.
• Follow all safety rules.
• Be alert to hazards.
• Keep your mind on your job.

Welding, cutting and heating of toxic metals is a dangerous and hazardous job.  Adequate ventilation must be provided to protect the welder and other employees from toxic fumes and gases released during the welding process.  Always wear all required personal protective equipment and follow all safe welding procedures to help eliminate hazards posed by the chemical agents used during welding.  Some of the metals and their hazards used during welding include:

Beryllium.  This is sometimes used as an alloying element with copper and other base metals.  Acute exposure to high concentrations can result in chemical pneumonia.  Chronic exposure (long-term) may result in cough, weight loss, shortness of breath, and fatigue.

Zinc. This is used in large quantities when manufacturing brass, galvanized metals and other alloys. 

Exposure to zinc fumes during the welding process may cause metal fume fever.  Metal fume fever symptoms are similar to the flu.

Iron Oxide.  Iron is the principle alloying substance in the manufacture of steel.  Iron oxide fumes arise during welding not only from the base metal, but also the electrode.  Acute affect results in irritation of nasal passages, throat and lungs.

Cadmium.  Frequently used as a rust-preventive coating on steel.  Acute exposure to high levels of cadmium fumes may produce pulmonary edema, severe lung irritation and even death.  Long-term exposure can result in kidney damage or emphysema.  Cadmium is classified as a potential cancer-causing agent.

As part of the Hazard Communication Standard, you need to know about chemical labels.  Labels or other forms of markings must appear on each container of chemicals.  Always read the label on the container before using any products. That way you know what you are using and if it is hazardous.  If you know what to look for, the label will give you a lot of information.  Never used chemicals in an unmarked container.

The label will tell you if the chemical is flammable or combustible, explosive, reactive or radioactive.  The label will also identify health hazards.  Information found on labels:

·                     The name of the chemical is on the label.  It may have the common name, its scientific name, or both.  It also gives an ingredient list.

·                     The name, address and emergency telephone number of the company that manufactured or imported the chemical.

·                     Some labels may have special words that let you know how dangerous the chemical is.

          1.  Danger - can cause immediate serious injury or death.

          2.  Warning - can cause potentially serious injury or death.

          3.  Caution - can cause potentially moderate injury.

·                     Label may show the physical hazards of the chemical.  This may be shown by a word like “Flammable” or “Explosive” or with a symbol like skull and crossbones.

·                     Label also show health hazards.  Some labels use a color and number system to explain both physical and health hazards:

Red means a fire hazard.

Yellow is a reactivity hazard.

Blue is a health hazard.

Number 0 means minimal hazard, 1 is slight and 4 is the highest degree, a severe hazard.

·                     Some labels give storage and handling instructions.

·                     Labels show personal protective equipment and emergency situation instructions.

Follow these safety tips:

·                     Don’t cover labels so they can’t be read.

·                     Don’t depend on the label alone for protective information, read the MSDS.

·                     Never use a container that doesn’t have a label.

Labels are provided to keep you safe.  Read them and use the information.

Fire extinguishers must be placed conspicuously and within easy reach so they can be accessed quickly.  Only try to put out a fire if you can do so without placing your life in danger.  Only try to put out a fire after the fire department has been called.  A small fire can turn into a large fire very quickly.  A few minutes can make a difference.  Before you begin to fight a small fire:

·                     Make sure that everyone has left or is leaving the area.

·                     Make sure the fire department has been called.

·                     Make sure your back is to a safe and unobstructed exit to which the fire will not spread.

There are four classes of fires.  All fire extinguishers are labeled, using standard symbols, for the classes of fires on which they can be used.  Most portable fire extinguishers are multi-purpose (ABC) which are appropriate for extinguishing a Class A, B or C fire.  

Class A.  Ordinary combustibles, such as wood, cloth and paper.  It
is very dangerous to use water or an extinguisher labeled only for Class A fires on an electrical fire.

Class B.  Flammable liquids, such as gasoline, oil and oil-based paint.

Class C.  Energized electrical equipment, including wiring, fuse boxes,
circuit breakers, machinery and appliances.

Class D.  Combustible metals, such as magnesium or sodium.

Depending on the size of the fire, stand about 10 to 20 feet away when using a fire extinguisher.  Portable fire extinguishers discharge faster than most people think, usually within 15 to 30 seconds.  Never rehang a fire extinguisher, even if its been used for only a few seconds.

When properly used, a portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives.  Portable extinguishers are not designed to fight a large or spreading fire.  Even against small fires, they are useful under certain conditions.

·                   The extinguisher must be rated for the type of fire you are
          fighting.

·                     The extinguisher must be large enough to put out the fire.

·                     The extinguisher must be within easy reach, in working order and fully charged.

Follow the four-step PASS procedure when using an extinguisher.

PULL the pin:  This unlocks the operating lever usually by a twist-pull action.

AIM low:  Point the nozzle at the base of the fire.

SQUEEZE the lever above the handle:  This discharges the extinguishing agent.

SWEEP from side to side:  Moving carefully toward the fire, keep the extinguisher aimed at the base of the fire and sweep back and forth until the flames appear to be out.  Watch the fire area.  If the fire reignites, repeat the process.

The number one cause of death or injury (whether on or off the job) is motor vehicle accidents.  Driving can present all kinds of hazards, but the greatest potential hazard is the driver.  The following safety tips will help you avoid motor vehicle accidents.

1. Check your vehicle frequently.  Be sure that brakes, accelerator, belts, radiator, oil, battery, tires, headlights and brake lights are all in good working condition.
2. Obey the speed limit.
3. Follow traffic rules.
4. Watch out for the other driver.  Stay away from vehicles that swerve in and out of traffic, fail to signal, or are driving very fast or very slow.
5. Road and weather conditions can affect the way you drive.
6. Stay alert and aware while driving. 
7. Always wear seatbelts.
8. Use car phones sparingly or not at all while driving.
9. Keep headlights on low beam during the day.
10. Don’t drink or take drugs.  Some prescription drugs will impair driving ability.
11. Don’t tailgate.  Stay at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front of you.
12. Pass on the left only.
13. Yield right of way.
14. Don’t overload vehicle.
15. Be especially cautious in heavy traffic.
16. Never pass a stopped school bus.
17. Be a defensive driver.
18. Keep your eyes on the road, your mind on driving, and your hands on the wheel.
19. Keep an eye out for changes in road and traffic conditions, pedestrians, bicycles and animals.

More than half of motor vehicle deaths occur after dark.  Here are some night safe driving tips:

·                     Let your eyes adjust to the dark when leaving building.

·                     Make sure your headlights are working and turn them on as soon as it starts to get dark.

·                     Keep more of a distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.

·                     Stop and rest if you're tired.  Walk around, get some fresh air.  Have a cup of coffee.

To be a good defensive driver, expect the unexpected and the worse from other drivers.

About 90% of all workplace accidents are caused by the unsafe acts of employees.  People can be the biggest hazard on the job.  Careless accidents are caused by:

Tiredness.

Lack of Knowledge.

Reckless Attitude.

Have a safe attitude.  A safe attitude means you recognize the risks you face on the job and are planning on what to do to protect yourself and prevent accidents.

·                     Treat job safety as one of your most important job responsibilities.

·                     Keep in mind Murphy’s law that things go wrong and at the worse possible moment.

·                     Remember the Boy Scout motto and “Be Prepared”.  Use your training and knowledge to keep safe.

·                     Develop and always follow safe work habits.

Here are a few basic safety principles to help keep you safe and healthy on the job.

·                     Plan each job before you start.  Have the tools, personal protective equipment (PPE) and materials you’ll need when you start the job.  Think through the job and know the procedure to follow.

·                     Use safety equipment and information to do the job.  This may include reading the MSDS and/or label and using PPE.

·                     Inspect tools, equipment, and PPE before using.  If they are not in good working order, do not use them. 

·                     Always use the right tool for the job.

·                     Good housekeeping is a key to safety.  Keep your work area free of hazards.

·                     Don’t take shortcuts.  Follow company and manufacturers rules.  Sometimes this may take longer, but the job will be done safely.

·                     Don’t ignore unsafe practices of others.  Unsafe practices may result in injuries to that worker, but others as well.

·                     Don’t let someone else talk you into taking shortcuts and bypassing safety rules.

·                     Be alert.  Pay attention.

·                     No horseplay. 

Companies can make rules, but the only person that can really keep you safe on the job is YOU.

Use proper ear protection when exposed to loud noise.  How to select the right hearing protection:

ü What kinds of noise are you exposed to and how loud is it?

ü What is the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of the hearing protection selected?

ü How long will you be exposed to dangerous noise?

The following are the different types of hearing protection available.  Never wear home made hearing protection.

Earplugs (Inserts)  Some kinds of earplugs are disposable and others reusable.  Disposable earplugs are usually made of waxed cotton, used once, and then thrown away.  Semi-disposable plugs are made of foam and last about a week.  Reusable plugs are either premolded or custom-molded.  Custom-molded are made to the exact fit of the ear.  Insertion Procedure:

Formable Plugs.  Slowly roll and compress plug into a thin cylinder.  Pull up and back on ear with other hand then insert compressed plug deep into ear canal.  Hold finger against plug until it begins to expand.

Premolded Plugs.  Reach around back of head and with one hand pull outward and upward on ear while inserting plug with other hand.  Push and twist plug until it fits snugly.

Canal Caps (Semi-Inserts)  Canal caps are soft pads on a headband much like headphones.  They are comfortable, cool and easy to put on and off.  They provide less protection than earplugs or earmuffs.  Insertion Procedure:

Hold large ends of pads, swivel them to place tips into ear canal openings, then push and wiggle pads into canals until they seal snugly.

Earmuffs  Earmuffs help protect against moderate to high-level noise.  Earmuffs must fit tightly over the ears to block noise.   How to use earmuffs:

Adjust headband so cushions press equally against both ears.  Pull hair back and away from beneath cushions.  To fit properly, the headband must not be too loose or too tight, cups should fit comfortably and be lightweight.

To properly take care of ear protectors:  inspect them before use—do not use them if they are damaged, wash hands before inserting earplugs, make sure you have a good fit and clean ear protectors before putting them away.

Always wear hearing protection when in noisy environments.

Most people are familiar with the safe way to lift—bending your knees, hugging the load and letting the strong muscle in your legs do the actual lifting.  While this is the standard way to lift, many times in our day-to-day working environment, this just isn’t practical.  Here are some tips when lifting awkward loads.

Overhead Loads. 

If you have to lift an object that’s above shoulder-level, use a stepstool or ladder to avoid over-reaching.  Test the weight of the load before removing it.  If it is within a weight capacity that you can safely lift, slide it toward you and hug it close to your body as you descent.  If possible, hand it down to a coworker.

Odd-Sized Loads.

Long objects that are relatively light can be awkward to lift and carry.  When lifting and carrying pipes, lumber, or other long, light loads, don’t hug the load close to your body.  Support it on your shoulder, keeping the front end higher than the rear.

Some over-sized loads may be light enough to carry, but can block your vision.  In this case, use mechanical means or request help from a coworker.

If the load is long or heavy enough to require two people, each of you should lift it on the same side and keep the object level.  Keep in step while walking.

Reaching Into a Bin.

The standard lift is impossible when trying to lift into a bin, container or other storage area.  To lift in this situation, stand with your feet at shoulder distance apart, slightly bend your knees and start to squat, bending at your hips not your waist (similar to movement made when sitting in a chair).  Slide the load as close to your bo

Skin diseases are the most common on-the-job illness.  Irritant contact dermatitis remains the most common occupational skin disease.  It is usually associated with toxic reactions to chemicals used in the workplace.  Another area of concern to OSHA is dermal protection associated with sun exposure causing skin cancer.

One of the best ways to protect your 2,800 square inches of skin is to keep it covered up.

General Hazards:

¨    Dermatitis is the name for rashes, itching, swelling and other irritations that develop from exposure to substances.

¨    Sensitization is allergy-like reactions, including rashes, that may be experienced whenever in the vicinity of a chemical following frequent or long exposure.

¨    Skin can be burned by a flame, hot surface, electrical exposure or exposure to a corrosive substance.

¨    Cuts, bruises, and other wounds can let bacteria in to the skin and lead to infections.

Skin protection tips:

¨    Use the least hazardous substance that will do the job.

¨    Keep chemical containers closed when not in use.

¨    Follow MSDS handling instructions.

¨    Bandage any small scrapes or cuts before putting on gloves or protective clothing.

¨    Wash promptly and thoroughly after working with hazardous substances.

¨    Don’t clean hands with solvents or industrial detergents.

¨    Apply barrier skin creams and lotions to clean, non-irritated skin before starting job.

¨    Wash and dry skin thoroughly at the end of work.

¨    Wear sun block when working outside.

First Aid for Skin Problems:

¨    Chemical Exposure.  Wash the exposed skin thoroughly with lots of soap and water for at least 15 minutes.  If your clothing was exposed to the hazardous substance, try to remove it while wearing gloves.

¨    Minor Burn.  Rinse in cold water and put on a sterile bandage. 

¨    Skin cut.  Wash with soap and water and cover with a sterile bandage.

OSHA requires that personal protective equipment:

ü      Protects each employee from the identified hazards.

ü      Is of safe design and construction.

ü      Is sanitary and reliable.

ü      Provides each employee with a good fit.

ü      Provides more than the minimum required protection.

ü      Protects against multiple hazards when necessary.

ü      Meets American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

     standards.

PPE fits well when it:

          1.       Provides you with the protection you need.

          2.      Is comfortable enough to allow you to move and

                    perform your job.

PPE is designed to protect you while providing the greatest possible comfort.  It can seem heavy or awkward.  The best way to get used to PPE is to practice wearing it.

Inspect PPE before every use.  Don’t use PPE that is defective or damaged in any way.

Caring for PPE includes the following:

ü      Always check PPE for damage after you use it.

ü      Clean PPE before putting it way.

ü      Dispose of single-use or damaged PPE properly.

ü      Store PPE appropriately.

Your responsibility to keep yourself safe while wearing PPE include the following:

ü Learn when to use PPE.

ü Know how to use PPE correctly.

ü Use the correct PPE whenever the job requires it to be worn.

ü Maintain PPE.

Each piece of PPE is designed to protect against particular hazards.  Make sure you always wear the appropriate PPE to protect you from the hazards you are exposed to on the job.

Accidents are investigated to find out why and how they happened—not to fix blame.  Once we know how and why an accident occurred, we can develop ways to prevent this type of accident from occurring in the future.  Therefore, accident investigation is one of the best ways to prevent future accidents.  We also investigate near-misses.  Near-misses are warnings that help us identify problems so we can avoid accidents.

Employee cooperation is required.  Employees must:

·       Always report any accidents or near-miss immediately so we can investigate the situation.

·       Cooperate with all investigations.

Again, investigate an accident to prevent it from happening in the future, not to assign blame.  Employee cooperation can make a big difference in providing a safe workplace.

Accidents should be investigated immediately when the facts are fresh in everyone’s mind.  An accident investigation includes the following:

ü What happened?

ü When did it happen?

ü Where did it happen?

ü How did it happen?

ü Why did it happen?

ü Who was involved?

And most importantly, how can we prevent it from happening again?

If an accident occurs, the first thing to do is make sure that any injured worker receives needed medical treatment.  If the accident involves a spill or leak, it has to be stopped.  But other than this, we try to keep the accident scene untouched until accident investigation is completed.  During the accident investigation, we try to obtain answers to our questions of who, what, when, where, how, and why.  To answer these questions, may require the help of persons involved and any witnesses to the incident. 

Get eyewitness reports immediately in order to obtain immediate impressions of what happened.  As time passes, a witness may confuse the current incident with something that happened in the past or become confused by what other people say.

Everyone’s help is needed, not only to investigate accidents, but also to take the corrective actions that will prevent future accidents.

Lead is not only a hazard to employees, but also to their families.  Nearly 1 million workers are exposed to lead in almost 4.3 million construction projects.  Exposure to lead may be present in these types of construction jobs:

ü Building demolition, renovation and remodeling.

ü Plumbing and electrical work.

ü Water line repair and removal.

ü Air conditioning/heating repair and installation.

ü Bridge construction, renovation, repair and demolition.

Lead enters the body through the lungs while inhaling and through the mouth while swallowing.  Lead is absorbed slowly into the bloodstream. 

Chronic lead effects.  Buildup of lead over a long period of time.  Medical problems include:  anemia, disorders of kidneys, liver, lungs, reproductive and other organs, digestive problems and problems with central nervous system.  Symptoms include:  chronic fatigue, joint and muscle pain, insomnia or loss of appetite.

Acute lead effects.  This is caused by short-term exposure to very high lead concentrations and is more rare.  Medical problems include:  brain damage, severe anemia, respiratory failure, paralysis and even death.  Symptoms include:  severe weakness or fatigue, pain or burning in stomach or mouth, nausea or metallic taste in the mouth.

Safety Steps

ü Ask if you think you might be exposed to lead on the job.

ü Replace leaded products with lead-free products.

ü Wear PPE.

ü Practice good personal hygiene — wash hands, face or take shower before changing into street clothes.

ü Practice good housekeeping.  Keep area free of lead dust.  Properly dispose of waste and other materials containing lead.

ü Follow safe job procedures.

Let your employer know, if you experience the symptoms of lead exposure.  Lead poisoning can be confused with other common illnesses.  Only a physician can determine if the symptoms are those of lead poisoning.

Following these safety tips, will help you setup your ladder safely.

Straight & Extension Ladders

·                     Watch for overhead obstructions and power lines.

·                     Never use a ladder in a strong wind.

·                     A ladder should not be placed in front of a door  (especially one that opens toward you) unless the door  is locked, blocked or guarded.

·                     When you use a ladder to reach a roof, make sure the ladder extends at least 3 feet (about 3 rungs) beyond the roof edge.

·                     Before positioning the ladder, check for insect or bird nests under the eaves; the top of a ladder is no place to discover a wasp nest.

·                     Keep the area around the ladder base free of clutter.

·                     Rest the ladder base on a solid, level surface.  Large flat wooden boards can be used to level the surface on uneven ground or to keep it from sinking into soft ground.

·                     To position the ladder properly, make sure the ladder is about 1 foot away from the vertical support for every 4 feet of ladder height between the base support and the top support.  This will produce an angle of about 75 degrees.

·                     When using an extension ladder, raise it to its desired height, being sure the locks engage properly on both sides of  the ladder.

·                     If possible, secure the ladder.  Tie a straight ladder as close as you can to the upper support point.

Stepladder

·                     Many of the safety tips for straight and extension ladders also apply to stepladders.

·                     Erect a stepladder on a flat, level surface.  Do not place it on a table or any similar platform for added height.

·                     Never use a stepladder as a straight ladder.

·                     Before climbing a stepladder, make sure the legs are fully extended and the spreader locked.

Ladder Inspection

·                     Are the steps firmly anchored to the side rails.

·                     Are the steps and other surfaces free of oil, grease, water, paint or dirt.

·                     Are the rungs, rails, braces, ropes, uprights or siderails loose or damaged.

·                     Are there knots or decayed areas on a wooden ladder.

·                     If the ladder has been dropped, inspect it thoroughly before using again.

·                     Tag and remove damaged ladders for repair or replacement.

The National Safety Council reported that in a recent year, there were 530,000 disabling hand and finger injuries.  Hand injuries usually fall into two categories:

·       Cuts, punctures, broken bones or amputation - these are traumatic injuries.

·       Skin diseases or burns - these are contact injuries.

Gloves are one of the best ways to protect your hands from injuries.  Do not wear gloves while working with moving machinery.  Be sure gloves fit snugly and comfortably.  Wear the right type of glove to protect against specific hazards.  Wearing the wrong glove will not protect you. 

ü Wear insulated gloves to protect against heat and cold.

ü Wear special insulated gloves when working around electricity.

ü Wear metal mesh or other cut-resistant gloves when handling sharp objects.

ü Wear leather gloves when working around rough surfaces.

ü Wear fabric gloves when handling slippery objects.

ü Wear neoprene or nitrile rubber gloves are needed to work with corrosives.

Basic safety precautions to protect your hands:

ü Follow manufacturer’s and company’s policy when using tools and equipment.

ü Feed materials into moving machinery with a push stick, not your hands.

ü Keep hands away from moving machine parts.

ü Always cut away from your body.

ü Use brushes, not hands, to sweep up metal or wood chips.

ü Store tools so no sharp edges are exposed.

ü Check materials for sharp edges, burrs or splinters, before handling them.

ü Know how hot or cold an object is before handling it.

ü Lift an object keeping hands away from pinch points.

ü Put materials down carefully so you don’t smash your fingers.

ü Hand tools to coworkers, handle first, do not throw tools.

ü Keep fingers on the sides, not top or bottom, when you’re stacking materials.

OSHA has many regulations that include safety rules, but the catchall for employer compliance is the General Duty Clause.  This clause states:

Sec. 5       

(a) Each employer—

(1) shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause, death, or serious physical harm to his employees;

(2) shall comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under the Act.

(b) Each employee shall comply with occupational safety and health standards and all rules, regulations, and orders issued pursuant to this Act which are applicable to his own actions and

conduct.

In order to benefit from safety rules, you have to recognize workplace hazards.  Some hazards are clearly recognized, for example DANGER signs on hazardous chemical labels.  But some hazards aren’t readily apparent unless you are knowledgeable about all aspects of your job.

Attitude may also be a hazard.  If you think safety rules don’t apply to you and ignore safety rules, that is a hazard.  The following are general safety rules.

ü Follow all OSHA and company safety rules.

ü Be aware of on-the-job risks and the precautions needed to avoid them.

ü Remember OSHA regulations require employees to follow safety rules.

ü Be alert to hazards.

ü Keep your mind on your job and the safety rules that protect you.

ü Dispose of trash properly and promptly.

ü Clean up spills immediately.

ü Report all accidents promptly.

ü Only use the right tool for the job.

ü Do not operate any equipment, unless you have been trained in its safe operation.

ü Use safe lifting techniques.

ü Do not use defective equipment

ü Don’t fool around or engage in horseplay.

Hard hats are required on most construction job sites.  Hard hats must be worn when falling hazards are present.  Bureau of Labor Statistics show that only 16% of workers sustaining head injuries were wearing hard hats, although 40% were required to wear them at the time the incident occurred.  Hard hats are designed to protect the head from impact blows and must be able to withstand penetration and absorb the shock of a blow.

Hard hats protect heads in two ways.

·                     Hard outer shells resist blows and penetration.

·                     Shock-absorbing suspensions (head band and straps) act as a barrier between the outer shell and head to absorb impact.

Hard hats must be worn to protect from hazards encountered on job.  Hard hats fall into three classes:

Class A.  Made to resist impact and penetration and provide low voltage electrical protection.

Class B.  Made to resist impact and penetration and provide high voltage electrical protection.

Class C.  Usually made of aluminum and provides impact and penetration resistance only.

Caring for your Hard Hat:

Inspect hardhat before each use.  Be sure that:

ü The headband isn’t stretched or worn and fits comfortably.

ü The shell has no dents, cracks or other visible damage.

When you remove your hard hat:

ü Check hat for damage.  Replace inner liner if it’s stretched.  Replace hardhat if shell is broken or punctured.  Replace hardhat if it sustained a heavy blow even though there is no visible signs of damage.

ü Occasionally wash shell in hot soapy water.  Rinse thoroughly.

ü Store in cool, dark, dry place.  Do not store in back window of vehicle.  Do not store in other areas where hardhat is exposed to sun and high heat. 

Additional Safety Tips:

ü Make sure hat fits right and suspension is adjusted properly.

ü Do not store any items (for example, cigarettes) between top of head and suspension.

ü Do not carry items in hardhat.

ü Do not sit on hat.

ü Do not toss hardhat around.

You have the right to know about the hazards you may encounter on the job and ways to protect yourself.  The material safety data sheet is a detailed bulletin prepared by the chemical manufacturer and the number one source of information regarding chemicals.  OSHA has developed a basic MSDS form to provide chemical manufacturers with a guideline in preparing MSDS’s.  The following information must be provided on each MSDS.  The information may vary from section to section depending on manufacturer, but it will be shown.

Chemical Identity.  This uses the name that’s on the label.  This section also tells you who makes or sells it and where they’re located.  It may also say when the MSDS was prepared.

Hazardous Ingredients/Identity.  This area lists all hazardous ingredients which have been determined to be health hazards and which comprise 1% or greater of the composition.  Any carcinogenic ingredients which comprise 0.1% of the composition will also be listed.

Physical Data.  This section explains the chemical’s normal appearance and odor.  Anything different should alert you to possible danger.  This also lists all other physical properties of the product:  boiling point, melting point, vapor pressure and density to name a few.

Fire and Explosion Data.  This section gives you the fire hazard risk.  Flash point is the minimum temperature at which a flammable liquid’s vapors could catch fire if they contact a spark or other ignition source.  The lower the number, the higher the risk.  Flammable limits are the minimum and maximum amounts of vapor in the air (%) that can catch fire.  It also gives you information on how to put out the fire.

Reactivity Data.  This tells you what could happen if this particular chemical is combined with other specific chemicals or air or water.  This section also tells if the chemical is stable or unstable and/or if it is incompatible with any other chemicals.

Health Hazard Data.  Tells how this chemical could affect your health—acute or chronic.  Acute happens immediately, for example, if you spill acid on your skin, it burns.  A chronic injury occurs over time—usually years.  For example, inhalation of a chemical day after day, year after year may lead to respiratory problems.  Also shown in this section are:  signs and symptoms of exposure and medical conditions aggravated by exposure.  Chemicals can only enter your body one of three ways:  inhaling, swallowing and through the skin.

Precautions for Safe Handling and Use.  Tells you what to do if there is a spill.

Control Measures.  This section tells you how to protect yourself when you work with the chemical.  What personal protective equipment is required and when to wear it.  This includes:  type of respirator, type of protective gloves, eye protection, and other protective clothing or equipment.  This section also tells what hygienic practices to follow, such as washing after handling or decontamination.

In recent years, laws have been passed giving employees a right to know about the hazards present when using certain chemicals in their workplace.  These laws require that all employees receive training in working safely with hazardous chemicals.  Employees have certain rights under the “Right to Know” program.  These include:

1.       The right to receive training so that you know:

          A.      The hazardous chemicals you work with. 

B.      Their health and safety hazards.  A chemical may have

          three basic physical hazards:

         1)       Fire.  You have the right to know if a chemical could in a liquid, gas or vapor form, catch fire and under what circumstances.

2)      Explosion.  You have the right to know if there are circumstances under which a chemical may explode.

3)      Reactivity.  You need to know if a chemical has the potential to explode or catch fire if it is combined with other chemicals or with water or air.  You need to know what the chemical must be kept away from.

C.      How to read and use labels.  Labels provide you with basic information on the chemical’s hazards and the basic procedures and protective equipment you should use.  The label also has basic handling and storage information.

          D.     How to use Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).

E.      When and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE).

          F.      Safety rules to protect yourself on the job.

2.      It is your right to have a Material Data Safety Sheet readily available for each hazardous chemical you handle.

3.      It is your right to read the company Hazard Communication Policy.

4.      It is your right to know what the Hazard Communication    Standard means.  This Hazard Communication Standard is required under regulations issued by federal and state Occupational Safety & Health Administrations.  The Hazard Communication Standard provides workers and employers with information about the potential hazards of chemicals used in the workplace.

5.      It is your right to ask for information without fear of being discriminated against or fired.

Improper procedures when using compressed gas cylinders can lead to serious fires, explosions, or releases that result from pressure buildup in cylinders.  OSHA has developed strict regulations for compressed gas and regularly issues citations to violators. 

Storage of oxygen cylinders near fuel-gas cylinders is the number one violation cited by OSHA.  The next four violations make up the top five:

ü      Improper storage of cylinders inside buildings.

ü      Cylinders not protected from arc welding rays.

ü      Valve caps not in place.

ü      Oxygen cylinders stored near highly combustible materials.

Listed below are safety tips to use when working with compressed gas cylinders:

ü Make sure cylinders are legibly marked to clearly identify the gas contained.

ü Store compressed gas cylinders in areas where they are protected from external heat sources.

ü Store or transport cylinders in a manner to prevent them from creating a hazard by tipping, falling, or rolling.

ü Make sure that cylinders containing liquefied fuel-gas are stored or transported in a position so that the safety relief device is always in direct contact with the vapor space in the cylinder.

ü Always place the valve protectors on cylinders when the cylinders are not in use or connected for use.

ü Close off all valves before a cylinder is moved, when the cylinder is empty and at the completion of each job.

ü Make sure that low pressure fuel-gas cylinders are checked periodically for corrosion, general distortion, cracks or any other defect that might indicate a weakness or render it unfit for service.  Don’t forget to inspect the bottom of the cylinder.

ü When transporting cylinders make sure the load is properly secured.  Do not subject cylinders to unnecessary impacts or jolts during transportation.  Do not allow cylinders to fall or knock against one another.

ü During transport, gas cylinders must always be handled as if they were full.  Never be indifferent or careless because they are “empties”.  Mistakes can be made and full cylinders may be mixed with empty ones.  Therefore, during transport, treat all cylinders as if they were full.  Remember that even empty acetylene cylinders contain a certain quantity of acetylene.

ü Make sure that the top valves of returned, empty cylinders are closed.

ü Never transport the cylinders horizontally or more than five layers deep or with weighted loads on top.

Construction is dangerous work and accidents occur.  Only render first aid if you are qualified and are able to do so. The following tips will help keep you safe in an emergency.

ü Before starting a job, make sure emergency numbers are posted by phones.

ü Know the location of the closest emergency medical facility.

ü Know the location of the nearest first aid kit.  Know how to use it.  Keep a small first aid kit in vehicles.

ü Obtain first aid for every injury, no matter how slight.  To neglect a cut or a scratch is to invite infection.  Wounds that do not bleed are often the first to become infected.

ü A person with first aid training should be the one responsible for treating any minor injuries.

ü When rendering first aid, do not move the victim unless absolutely necessary, until you are sure what the injury is and have rendered first aid.

ü Do not touch a wound with the bare hands.  Use the theory of “universal precaution”.  In other words, we assume all blood or body fluid is contaminated for bloodborne diseases—primarily HIV or Hepatitis B.  Make sure you wear disposable gloves located in first aid kit before rendering help to injured person.

ü Do not reuse disposable gloves.  Wash hands thoroughly.

ü Do not wash a wound with water; doing so may allow germs to enter the wound and allow infection.  In case of a deep puncture wound, seek medical aid at once.  Puncture wounds  improperly treated may lead to a tetanus infection.

ü Use only sterile dressings on open wounds.

ü Shock always accompanies serious injuries.  Treat shock by lowering the head.  Wrap the victim in blankets; keeping him warm.

ü Do not move a victim unless absolutely necessary or until splints have been applied by a qualified  individual.

ü To flush chemicals from eye, tilt head down toward the direction of the affected eye, apply a gentle stream of water to the bridge of the nose.  The runoff water will cross the eye and flush out the chemical.  Make sure to flush under the lid.  Eye must be rinsed for 15 minutes.

The above items are important when medical emergencies occur.

More than one million workers suffer back injuries each year and back injuries account for one in every five workplace injuries reported to OSHA’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.  The BLS report shows that four out of five injuries were to the lower back and that three out of four occurred while lifting.

Before lifting, answer the following:

ü Is item too heavy to lift and carry alone?

ü Is mechanical help needed or help of a coworker?

ü How high does it have to be lifted?

ü How far does it have to be carried?

ü Am I trying to impress anyone by lifting this?

Safe lifting means keeping your back aligned while you lift, maintaining your center of balance, and letting the strong muscles in your legs do the actual lifting.  Ten points to safe lifting:

1.                 Size up the load.  Considering weight, size, and shape will help your body get ready to lift.  Observe the load’s position and surrounding hazards.  If you need help, get it.

2.               Stand as close to the load as possible.  Spread your feet, either parallel or one in front of the other.  Move in the direction of the lift.  This will control your center of gravity and give you better balance.

3.               Squat down to the load.  Lower yourself by bending your knees, keeping your back as straight as possible.  Don't bend from the waist any more than necessary.

4.               Take a secure grip.  Injuries occur when loads slip/fall due to inadequate grip.

5.                Timing.  Face in direction of lift with knees and hips bent.  Widen base as needed.  Take a deep breath.  Tighten abdominal muscles and lift.

6.               Use your legs to push upward when lifting.  Take the strain with your legs, not with your back.

7.                Keep your back as straight as possible when lifting.  When lifting, always keep your back straight--though not necessarily vertical.

8.               Keep loads close to the body.  Reduce muscle strain and keep your balance by holding the load close to the body.

9.               Turning with a load.  Turning should be done by first moving the position of your feet, not by twisting the trunk of the body.

10.          Lift smoothly, without jerking the load.

More than $300 million dollars per year is lost in production time, medical expenses and worker compensation due to eye injuries.  Not wearing eye protection causes nearly three out of every five injuries.  Also wearing the wrong kind of eye protection contributes greatly to the number of eye injuries. 

Some of the hazards that may cause eye injuries include:

·                     Pieces of wood, metal, stone or other flying objects.  Small flying objects cause nearly 70% of eye injuries.   These objects are usually smaller than the head of a pin.

·                     Splashes from hazardous chemicals.

·                     Ropes, chains or other swinging objects.

·                     Electrical arcing or sparks. 

·                     Irritation caused by dust, fumes, mists, gases or vapors.

To prevent eye injuries:

·                     Use eye protection with sideshields to keep out flying objects.

·                     Use face shields plus goggles for serious hazards.

·                     Never use metal-framed eyewear around live electricity.

·                     If you wear corrective lenses, uses protective eyewear that fits over prescription glasses or safety eyewear with your  prescription.

Inspect safety eyewear for damage before using.   Look for knotted, twisted, worn or stretched straps,  Do not use eyewear with pitted or scratched lenses.  Replace damaged eyewear.

After removing safety glasses, again inspect for damage.  Clean lenses with water plus soap or mild detergent.  Use

disinfectant if contaminated by chemicals or if other people use eyewear.  Store in proper place in closed containers.

Medical emergency or first aid requirements:

·                     Chemical splash in the eye:  Go immediately to eyewash station and flush eye with water for at least fifteen minutes making sure to get under eyelid.

·                     If you get something in your eye, try to blink it out.  Don’t rub it.  Keep eye closed, covered and get immediate medical attention.

A confined space is an area that is large enough to enter and work in, has limited entry and exit areas, and is not

designed for extended periods of occupancy.  OSHA’s permit-required confined space rule also applies to any closed space that:

Has a possibly dangerous shape or design (for example, sloping floors).

ü Could contain gases or chemicals.

ü May possess other physical hazards (for example, engulfment potential).

ü Has too little or too much oxygen.

Working in a confined space is usually awkward and uncomfortable.  Confined spaces themselves are often dangerous and any potential workplace hazard can be even more of a hazard in a confined space.  Always expect the unexpected.    Some hazards that that can lead to danger in a confined space are:

Combustibility.  Anything that can burn or explode is more likely to do so.

ü Falling.  There’s a risk of being trapped and asphyxiated.

ü Noise.  Sounds reverberate in a confined space, which could cause a warning or directions to be missed.

ü Heat.  Heat can build up quickly and cause exhaustion, dizziness and other problems.

To reduce the risks of working in a confined space, do the following:

ü Post signs and other warnings to alert employees to dangers.

ü Use barriers or other means to keep unauthorized employees out of permit space.

ü Follow entry program procedures.

ü Monitor air.

ü Determine when it is safe to enter.

ü Ventilate space prior to entry.

Confined space jobs can only be done by employees trained to work in a confined space. Basic safety practices include:

ü Plan ahead.  Know what you're going to do and how to do it, before entering.

ü Assemble tools and equipment to avoid going in and out.

ü Be sure any power, steam, water or heat going to the space is cut off, locked and tagged before entering.

ü Keep space well ventilated.

ü Don’t take food, drinks or cigarettes into a confined space.

ü DO NOT enter a confined space if you’ve been drinking or using drugs or aren’t feeling well.

Leaks and spills are a major concern when working with hazardous and flammable substances.  A spill may present a number of hazards depending on the substance involved.  Some of the hazards that may occur during a spill are:

fire, explosion, hazardous substances either released in the air or entering the water supply, and individuals may be contaminated if they come in contact with the spilled substance.  Spills don’t occur often, so we need to periodically review what to do in case a spill does occur.

Procedures must be in place before there is a spill.  These include:

·       Using proper containers.

·       Following proper procedures when using and transferring substances.

·       Inspecting containers ensuring they are in good condition.

If you see a spill, notify the safety coordinator immediately.  Report what is leaking and where, the size of the spill and the rate of flow.  Depending on the size of the spill and the substance spilled, the area may have to be evacuated.  Some material may be so hazardous that special training may be required before attempting clean up.

Contain the spill.  This is very important.  The less material spilled, the easier the cleanup.

·       Stop the source of the leak.

·       Cover drains or other possible escape routes.

·       Patch holes.

Contain the spill using the best method.  Some possible containment methods include:

·       Repairing the container or transferring substance into another

·       container that doesn’t leak.

·       Building a dike to keep spill from getting into water.

·       Placing an empty container under the leak.

Use absorbent materials to soak up spill or solidify it.  Push absorbent-liquid mixture into an appropriate container for proper disposal.

Everyone is responsible for doing everything possible to prevent spills, making sure containers are intact and handling them carefully.  Remember, a hazardous spill that causes a fire or explosion or the release of toxic substances does not only affect us, but also the people in the local community where we are working.

Sometimes accidents happen and you have to be prepared to handle emergency situations as they occur.  Expect the unexpected.  Working on various jobsites causes additional challenges to emergency preparedness.  At the start of each and every job, make sure you know the following:

·                     The location of all exits.

·                     Your evacuation route.

·                     Assembly point after evacuation.

·                     The location of the closest fire extinguisher. 

·                     The location of the closest medical emergency facility.

·                     Location of first aid materials.

In addition, make sure all emergency phone numbers are kept near the phones.

Know the risks involved in your work area: 

·                     Flammable liquids and the way in which they could catch fire.

·                     Electrical hazards that could cause fire.

·                     Toxic chemical vapors in the air.

·                     Reactive chemicals and what causes them to react.

·                     Explosive hazards and what causes them to explode.

If an emergency occurs, you must be ready to act quickly and properly.  OSHA requires the following basic components to be part of your emergency contingency plan:

·                     Know how to report a fire, spill or other incident.

·                     Recognize the sound of the emergency alarm.

·                     If you have emergency response responsibilities (for example, administer first aid), be ready to perform your duties.

·                     If you don’t have emergency response responsibilities, do not get in the way of people assigned to respond.

·                     Alert other people around you to evacuate.

·                     Follow your assigned evacuation route and meet at your assigned assembly point.

To keep an emergency from becoming a disaster, everyone must remain calm and follow emergency procedures.

Locate Hidden Obstructions

Obtain plans and/or in states where mandated, call underground service company in order to locate any underground pipes or utilities that would interfere with the trench.  Be aware that these records may not be accurate.  The obstructions revealed should be physically located, and either removed or protected from damage.

Beware of Disturbed Ground

Take precautions when excavating in previously backfilled or disturbed soil.  Trenches in disturbed soil may require additional sheeting or bracing, as will hard compact ground, if there is filled ground nearby.

Conditions that Affect the Kind and Amount of Shoring Needed

A.      Depth of trench

If the trench is five feet deep or more, it must be shored or sloped.If there is a possibility of soil movement, even shallower trenches must be shored.When in doubt, shore.

B.      The more liquid in the soil, the more you need to protect yourself against cave-in.

C.      Changing weather conditions

          Hard packed soil can become soupy and unstable after rain.

          Trenches, which are safely sloped or shored in dry weather,      can become deathtraps when it’s wet.

Safety Precautions

A.      Don’t park heavy equipment next to a trench.

B.      Always wear your assigned personal protective equipment.

C.      Don’t stand or work under loaded lifting or digging equipment.

D.     Watch out for people below when you work on the sides of sloped or benched excavations.

E.      You can’t work on such sides unless the employees below are well protected from falling, rolling, and sliding material or equipment.

F.      Keep materials away from edges of excavations.  Keep all materials at least two feet from the edge.

G.     When an operator of moving machinery doesn’t have a clear view of the edge of an excavation, barricades, stop logs or some type of warning system must be used.

Stay on full alert at all times during excavation jobs.  Keep an eye out for any conditions that could cause cave-ins, such as cracks, bulges, or signs the ground is moving.

Many occupational deaths and injuries occur when workers fail to lock out and block out machinery before working on it.  Electrocution injuries, severe crushing injuries or the loss of fingers, hands and arms can occur when machinery is

inadvertently started while it is being repaired or maintained.  Here are a few true stories.

          **Three men were doing maintenance inside an asphalt mixer.  One employee was still inside

              when the power was turned back on and the mixer starter.  He was instantly killed.

          **An employee turned off an air-operated valve he was working on, but did not disconnect and lock it out. 

              During the repair operation he slipped and inadvertently turned on the switch letting air into the valve.

              His hand was caught and crushed in the valve.

Lockout/blockout requires that any energy source (electrical, hydraulic, mechanical, compressed air, or any other source that might cause unexpected movement) must be disengaged or blocked.  Electrical sources must be de-energized and locked.  There is a difference between turning off a machine and actually disengaging a piece of equipment. 

When working on machinery, take these four steps to protect yourself from injury:

1.       De-energize the machine.  Positively disconnect it from the power source.  If there is more than one source of power, disconnect them all.

2.      Lock out the disconnect switches.  Every employee will have a lock and key for each disconnect before working on machinery.

3.      Tag the disconnect switches.

4.      Keep key with you or with your direct supervisor.  Locking devices and tags may be removed only by the employee who placed them.  Locking devices and tags shall be removed upon completion of the work and after installation of protective guards.

Each employee working on machinery must lock out and tag the power disconnect.  Never assume the machine you are working on has been disconnected and locked, unless you have done it yourself.

Accidents have also occurred when workers did take the necessary steps of disconnecting the main power source.  But they did not take a crucial step to complete this procedure.  Always test equipment to make sure the machinery is de-energized.

Falls are the number 0ne cause 0f death in construction.  To reduce falls, scaffolds should be erected properly.  Read the manufacturer’s instructions for assembly and follow them exactly.  Do not take shortcuts when erecting scaffolding.

Make sure the scaffold is erected in a safe location—away from swinging doors or where it may be a hazard to others.  Post signs as necessary.

Always maintain safe clearances from any electrical sources.

Scaffold must be erected on solid ground.  Make sure scaffold is leveled and plumbed.  Use screw jacks to level and plumb scaffold instead of unstable objects such as, concrete blocks or loose bricks. 

All scaffold components and planking must be in good condition.  Do not use bent, or otherwise damaged end frames, braces or accessories.  If wood plank is used, it must be scaffold grade or better.  Inspect to make sure it is free from breaks, knots, cracks or warpage.  Wood platforms shall not be covered with opaque finishes.

Do not intermix scaffold components by different manufacturers unless the components fit together without force and the scaffold’s structural integrity is maintained.  Do not modify components manufactured by different manufacturers in order to intermix them unless a competent person determines the resulting scaffold to be structurally sound.

Scaffold components made of dissimilar metals shall not be used together unless a competent person has determined the galvanic action will not reduce the strength of any component.

Decking should be full width of scaffoldand at least 18” wide.

Guardrails shall be installed along all open sides and ends of platforms.  Guardrails shall be surfaced to prevent injury to an employee from punctures or lacerations, and to prevent snagging of clothing.  The toprails shall be installed between 39-45 inches above platform surface.  Midrails are installed approximately halfway between the top edge of the guardrail and the scaffold platform.  Steel or plastic banding shall not be used as a toprail or midrail.  When intermediate members are used, they shall not be more than 19 inches apart.

By following safe work procedures, many scaffold accidents can be eliminated.

The safest way to work at a computer workstation is when your body is in a neutral position.  Achieving a neutral position reduces strain on muscles and tendons.  It also reduces risk of developing a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD).

The most important consideration to obtain a neutral body position is how you set up your computer work station.  After setting up your work station, the following is ideal:

• Hands, wrists, and forearms are straight, in-line and roughly parallel to the floor.
• Elbows stay in close to the body and are bent between 90 and 120 degrees.
• Feet are fully supported by the floor or a footrest may be used if the desk height is not adjustable.
• Back is fully supported with appropriate lumbar support when sitting vertical or leaning back slightly.
• Thighs and hips are supported by a well-padded seat and generally parallel to the floor.
• Knees are about the same height as the hips with the feet slightly forward.

When it comes to computer work, it doesn’t matter how good your working posture is, working in the same posture or sitting still for prolonged periods is not healthy.

Change your working position frequently throughout the day in the following ways:

·       Make small adjustments to your chair or backrest.

·       Stretch your fingers, hands, arms, and torso.

·       Stand up and walk around for a few minutes periodically.

·       20-20-20 Rule– Every 20 minutes, look away from your work at something about 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

The following numbers are critical when excavatng:

2 feet         Materials and equipment must be kept at least 2 feet from then edge.         

4 feet         An exit must be provided if the excavation is 4 feet deep or greater.

5 feet         A protective system is not needed if the excavation is less than 5 feet deep and the competent person determines there is no potential of a cave-in.

6 feet         Guardrails must be provided on walkways 6 feet or more above the bottom of the excavation.

25 feet       Exits must be within 25 feet of worker horizontally.

What is a scaffold?

Simply a scaffold is a temporary, elevated work platform.

There are 3 basic types of scaffolds:

Ø Supported scaffolds -- platforms supported by rigid, load bearing members, such as poles, legs, frames, & outriggers

Ø Suspended scaffolds -- platforms suspended by ropes or other non-rigid, overhead support

Ø Aerial Lifts -- such as “cherry pickers” or “boom trucks”

Scaffolds have to be erected and dismantled under the direction of a competent person.  Competent person has to inspect scaffold daily before each shift or when conditions change.

A competent person is one who can identify hazards in the surrounding or working conditions that are unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous to workers, and who has authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

You may be a safety geek if:

You listen to the preflight information every time you fly.

You stand on a deserted street corner in the rain waiting for the “Walk” sign.

You actually read the warnings and instructions before you start the job.

Everyone gathers around to gloat when you have a “booboo”.