Workplace Safety

Some workers like to take chances when it comes to safety. They take needless risks in an effort to save time or cut their work load. But in the process, all they’re doing is subjecting themselves and others to hazards that could cause a serious injury.

Employees form bad habits when they continually perform their jobs in an unsafe way and don’t get injured. They become convinced that because of their skills they are incapable of being hurt. It’s this attitude that usually ends up doing them in, because they take even more chances until eventually a serious accident does occur. Unfortunately, many times that accident is fatal.

Most of a chance-taker’s careless acts can be broken down into one of the following categories:

• Failing to follow proper job procedure
• Cleaning, oiling, adjusting, or repairing equipment that is moving, electrically energized, or pressurized
• Failing to use available personal protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, and hard hats
• Failing to wear safe personal attire
• Failing to secure or warn about hazards
• Using equipment improperly
• Making safety devices inoperable
• Operating or working at unsafe speeds
• Taking an unsafe position or posture
• Placing, mixing, or combining tools and materials unsafely
• Using tools or equipment known to be unsafe
• Engaging in horseplay

Although OSHA does not cite employees for safety violations, each employee is obliged to comply with all applicable OSHA standards, rules, regulations, and orders. Employee responsibilities and rights in states with their own occupational safety and health programs are generally the same as for workers in states covered by Federal OSHA.

Employees should follow these guidelines:

• Read OSHA notices at the jobsite
• Comply with all applicable OSHA standards
• Follow all lawful employer safety and health rules and regulations, and wear or use prescribed protective equipment while working
• Report hazardous conditions to a supervisor
• Report any job-related injury or illness to the employer, and seek treatment promptly
• Exercise these rights in a responsible manner

If you are working with a chance-taker, ask them to stop and consider what jeopardy they are putting themselves and others in. Then buddy up with them to find a safer way to perform the task. Remember, an unsafe act doesn’t save time if an injury occurs.

Americans have become increasingly aware of the “superbug” MRSA (methicillin-resistantstaphylococcus aureus) because of the number of outbreaks that have been reported among school children. However, most people don’t realize that adults are just as susceptible to getting a MRSA infection at work.

To avoid becoming infected, you need to understand what the disease is, and how to prevent it. MRSA is a type of “staph” infection. Staph is a bacterium commonly found on the skin or in the nose of healthy people; however, it can sometimes cause an infection. In fact, staph bacteria are among the most common causes of skin infections in the United States. When these infections are minor, they appear as pustules and boils, and can be easily treated without antibiotics. When the bacteria cause serious infections, such as surgical wound infections, bloodstream infections or pneumonia, they need to be treated with antibiotics.

MRSA is resistant to a type of antibiotic called methicillin and is often resistant to other antibiotics, too. According to the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH), between 25% and 30% of the population have staph bacteria present on their bodies, but it isn’t causing disease, and about 1% of the population carry MRSA that is not causing an infection.

The most common way a MRSA infection is transmitted is by direct skin-to-skin contact. It also can be contracted by coming into contact with items or surfaces that have been touched by someone carrying the infection. Although a MRSA infection can happen anywhere, these five conditions can facilitate its transmission:

1. Overcrowding—working in close surroundings in which there are frequent incidents of rubbing against or touching co-workers.
2. Direct contact—coming into frequent skin-to-skin contact with co-workers.
3. Compromised skin—having an open cut or abrasion in which the bacteria can settle.
4. Contaminated surfaces—commonly used surfaces such as a cafeteria table that might have been infected by someone with the disease.
5. Lack of cleanliness—failure to frequently disinfect commonly used areas in a facility.

You might not be able to control how much contact you have with co-workers, but you can take steps to protect yourself. Here is what NIOSH recommends:

• Cover your wound. Keep wounds that are draining or have pus covered with clean, dry bandages. Pus from infected wounds can contain staph and MRSA, so keeping the infection covered also will help prevent the spread to others. Bandages or tape can be discarded with the regular trash.
• Clean your hands. Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after changing a bandage or touching an infected wound.
• Do not share personal items. Avoid sharing personal items such as uniforms, personal protective equipment, clothing, towels, washcloths or razors that might have had contact with an infected wound or bandage.
• Clean work clothing properly. Wash soiled uniforms and work clothing with water and laundry detergent. Dry clothes in a hot dryer, rather than by air-drying, to help kill bacteria in the clothes.
• Clean contaminated equipment and surfaces with detergent-based cleaners or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered disinfectants. This is an effective way to remove MRSA from the environment. Because cleaners and disinfectants can be irritating and exposure has been associated with health problems such as asthma, it is important to read the instruction labels on all cleaners to make sure they are used safely and appropriately. The EPA provides a list of EPA-registered products effective against MRSA, which can be found by logging on to http://epa.gov/oppad001/chemregindex.htm.

Help bring MRSA under control in your workplace by following these precautions.

Of all the pieces of personal protective equipment you wear, your hard hat is probably one of the most important. In order for it to protect you, it has to be properly worn and maintained.

The following tips will help you use your hard hat appropriately and keep it in optimal condition:

Inspect your hard hat before each use. Your hard hat is made up of the shell and the suspension. Begin your shell inspection by looking for cracks, nicks, dents, gouges and any damage caused by impact, penetration or abrasions. If your hard hat is made of thermoplastic materials, you should check the shell for stiffness, brittleness, fading, dullness of color or a chalky appearance. If any of these conditions are present, or if the shell is damaged, replace it immediately.

Ultraviolet light can cause deterioration to the hat’s shell over time. If your work is predominantly in sunlight, replace your hard hat every two years. The same is true if you work in an environment that has a high exposure to temperature extremes or chemicals. Most hard hats have date codes on the underside brim of the cap so you can readily determine a hat’s age.

Inspecting the suspension system is just as important as inspecting the shell, because the suspension absorbs the shock of a blow to the top of the hard hat. Look for cracks or tears, frayed or cut straps, or lack of pliability. All keys should fit tightly and securely into their respective slots. Any suspension that shows signs of damage should be removed from service and replaced immediately.

Limit the use of stickers. Stickers won’t necessarily interfere with the hat’s performance, but you should limit their use so you are able to thoroughly inspect the shell for signs of damage.

Replace a hat that has been struck by a forcible blow. Any impact can reduce a hard hat’s effectiveness, so a hat that has suffered a blow should be replaced, even if it is relatively new or shows no visible damage. A hard hat that has been dropped more than eight feet requires replacement.

Never modify the shell or suspension. Do not drill ventilation holes in the shell. Avoid having your hard hat come into contact with electrical wires. Never use a suspension that is not intended to be worn with a particular shell or use a shell made by one manufacturer with a suspension made by another. Never carry or wear anything inside of your hard hat between the suspension and the shell.

Don’t wear your hard hat backwards unless the manufacturer says you can. Before wearing the hat backwards, you should have written verification from the manufacturer that your hard hat has been tested and found to comply with the requirements of the American National Standards Institute when worn with the bill turned to the rear. The manufacturer may specify that the suspension must be reversed in the helmet, so that the brow pad is against the forehead and the extended nape strap is at the base of the skull, leaving only the shell of the helmet positioned backward on the head.

Following these tips can help to ensure that your hard hat can protect you as it was intended to do.

In an article titled Alarming Statistics: Reducing Common Injuries and Maintaining Safety Practices that appeared in the May 2007 issue of Electrical Contractor, author Darlene Bremer noted that exposure to electricity remains a major cause of death among construction workers. So much so that it accounts for an average of 143 construction worker deaths each year.

Many workers are oblivious to the potential electrical hazards in their work environment, which makes them extremely vulnerable to the danger of electrocution. Sometimes it is a matter of not being familiar with the environment, and not knowing the location of all the energized power sources from overhead and underground power lines.

However, this isn’t always the case. Many instances of electrocution result from workers failing to follow proper safety procedures when working around power lines. The most common cause of electrocutions is when workers using cranes, metal ladders, scaffolds, conveyors, front-end loaders, dump trucks, or other equipment or materials come into contact with an overhead power line. It is not uncommon for workers to die while performing what appears to be an activity that isn’t normally associated with accidents, such as unloading supplies from a truck, or moving ladders from the side of a structure. The problem arises because of poor planning or temporary inattention to surroundings, which causes contact with high voltage.

OSHA has established the following guidelines to help keep you safe when you have to work near power lines:

• Keep a distance of 10 feet or more between you, your equipment and any power lines.
• Survey the site for overhead power lines before you begin working.
• Keep a minimum distance of 10 feet plus 1/2 inch for each 1,000 volts over 50,000 volts between power lines and any part of a crane if the energized power lines are 50,000 volts or more.
• Request an observer to assist you where it is difficult to maintain the desired clearance by visible means.
• Be sure that the observer’s only job is to help you maintain the safe clearance.
• Treat overhead power lines as if they were energized whenever you are working near them.
• Call the electric company to find out what voltage is on the lines if you are not sure.
• Ask the electric company to either de-energize and ground the lines or install insulation while you are working near them.
• Make sure ladders and tools are nonconductive.

No one plans on a chemical spill but because accidents can occur, the time to figure out how to manage a chemical spill isn’t after a spill happens but before. Because different chemicals can have different harmful effects and must be handled in a unique way, contingency planning is the best way to minimize potential problems.

It goes without saying that our work around hazardous substances should always be designed to minimize the risk of their accidental release. Prior to working in a specific environment around specific chemicals, you should make sure you understand the physical, chemical and toxicological properties of the potentially hazardous substances and the appropriate emergency procedures including:

• How to report the emergency involved (ie. chemical spill, fire and/or injury).
• The location and use of emergency first aid equipment.
• The location and use of spill control equipment and fire extinguishers.
• Contact information for those responsible for the work site.

Handling a spill depends greatly on the scope of the chemical release, other hazardous conditions present and the type of chemical. Always adhere to the specifics of the safety program. Some general safety guidelines for small spills that are not immediately dangerous to the environment or individual’s health include:

• Notifying other personnel in the area about the spill and any appropriate evacuation needs.
• Attending to any individuals who have been injured or potentially exposed.
• Taking appropriate measures, without the risk of injury or contamination, to confine the spill.
• Cleaning up and disposing of the spill contents using appropriate procedure.

Remember that more widespread or dangerous spills or conditions require a different approach including:

• Notifying other personnel about the spill and to evacuate the area.
• Immediately attempting to remove or protect victims in a manner that doesn’t risk additional injury or contamination. Request help if necessary.
• Locating to a safe area and calling 911 to report the emergency.
• For dangers that extend beyond the immediate environment, activating any fire or safety alarms, evacuating the wider vicinity and securing any entrances into the area.

If hazardous or regulated materials are unintentionally released to the environment, special regulatory reporting might be required. Be sure to note as best you can the chemicals involved, the quantities released and the time of the incident so it can be reported accurately to the appropriate environmental agencies.

Although chemical spills are not intended, by taking safety measures, their scope and impact can often be limited.

Each year many deaths and injuries during construction projects are associated with floor openings. These accidents occur because of openings that are not properly covered or because hole coverings are constructed of unsafe material. Additionally, poor lighting and work materials could make a floor opening difficult to see and over time, workers might become accustomed to an opening and forget about it altogether. The biggest danger is falling from a high elevation. There’s also the danger of heavy objects falling through the opening and striking someone working below.

OSHA defines a floor opening as, “An opening measuring 12 inches or more in its least dimension in any floor, roof, or platform through which persons may fall.” Whenever working around floor openings, certain safety procedures need to be taken to meet or exceed OSHA standards.

Railings and toeboards should be built on all exposed sides of a floor or stairway opening, except at the stairway entrance. A “standard railing” consists of top rail, mid rail, and posts, and should have a vertical height of 42 inches from the upper surface of the top rail to the floor, platform, runway, or ramp level. The nominal height of the mid rail is 21 inches. A “standard toeboard” is 4 inches nominal in vertical height, with not more than ¼-inch clearance above floor level.

OSHA allows that floor openings may be covered securely rather than guarded with rails. When the floor opening cover is removed, a temporary guardrail should be in place, or an attendant shall be stationed at the opening to warn employees and others in danger.

Floor hole covers must be constructed from a material that is capable of supporting the maximum weight required, especially if they’re located in a roadway. The covers should be secure and not easily dislodged. The same is true for smaller openings. These measures will ensure the safety of the workers and reduce the hazards that floor openings can pose.

If you’re working in new construction it’s a good idea to identify floor holes as they’re created by installing guardrails and/or hole covers immediately. At existing building sites ensure safety by surveying the site before beginning work and as the work progresses.

Remember that if you are working around a floor opening you are at risk. Leaning over a hole to tighten or loosen a bolt or pulling on a rope with their back to a floor opening is dangerous. One moment of forgetfulness or loss of balance might send you falling through the opening.

For more information about working around floor openings see OSHA regulation 1910.23.

Each year hundreds of American construction workers are killed in traffic accidents while they are on the job. So many have been killed that a special work zone safety awareness week has been created. A mobile memorial containing the names of people killed in construction work zones was unveiled in Washington, D.C. in April 2002 and every year since has been on display in various states during the awareness week.

However, it’s not just construction workers who have been maimed or killed. In 2002, 1,181 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in work zones and more than 52,000 people were injured. According to transportation safety officials, four out of five work zone fatalities are drivers and passengers.

The good news is that after years of steadily increasing numbers of accidents and fatalities in construction zones, public awareness is increasing and the numbers are beginning to drop. In 2003, for the first time in more than five years, the number of fatalities decreased from the previous year to 1,082 deaths.

If you want to avoid becoming a construction zone statistic here are a few tips. First of all obey all signs, especially the ones advising you to slow down. Always stay within the posted speed limits. Always follow the flag person’s direction. They are your guides to help you navigate safely through the construction zone.

Secondly, stay alert and watch for moving workers and equipment. Don’t tailgate the car in front of you or try to pass a slower moving vehicle. Ensure that there is a safe distance between your vehicle, and everything else. Be prepared to stop at any moment and with little notice.

Thirdly, take your time. If you are traveling through a construction work zone, plan ahead, you might be a little delayed. But if it’s unexpected, then just relax and go with the flow.

Finally, pay attention. Now might not be the best time to make phone calls or eat lunch. You’ll need all your faculties to watch the road conditions for mud, gravel, rough surfaces, potholes or craters. Watch out for merging traffic, especially when traffic is reducing to fewer lanes. When taking detours through residential areas, be very cautious and watch out for children.

If you follow these easy tips and all signs and directions, you should be able to drive safely through any construction zone. Take your time and arrive alive.

Despite their increasingly widespread use, compressed gases can be dangerous. Working with these gases exposes handlers to both chemical and physical hazards. The gases contained inside the cylinders can be toxic, flammable, oxidizing, or corrosive. Since they are pressurized, they quickly contaminate large areas if the cylinder, the regulator, or any part of the system springs a leak. This means that as a handler, you need to be familiar with the chemical hazards of the gas you are working with. In addition to the chemical hazards, there are hazards that result from the pressure of the gas and the physical weight of the cylinder.

All cylinders containing a compressed gas must be appropriately labeled. The label must include the type of gas and the hazards associated with its use. Never attempt to use a cylinder without a label.

Cylinders also have several stamped markings. The top mark is either a DOT or an ICC marking, which alerts you to the regulations for its handling. The DOT abbreviation refers to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the ICC marking refers to the International Code Council, which is a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention. The second mark is the serial number. Under the serial number is the symbol of the manufacturer, user, or purchaser. The label must also contain the date it was manufactured and the month and year of the retest date. An A (+) sign indicates the cylinder may be 10% overcharged, and a star indicates a ten-year test interval.

Before you begin working with a cylinder, you need to be sure that all connections are tight. Use soapy water to check for leaks. You should also check that valves, regulators, couplings, and hoses are clean and free of any oil or grease. These components need to be kept oil and grease free the entire time you are using a compressed gas cylinder.

The cylinder valve should always be opened slowly. Stand away from the face and back of the gauge when opening. If a special wrench is necessary to open a cylinder or manifold valve, the wrench should be left in place on the valve stem while the cylinder is in use. This will enable you to shut off the gas supply quickly in case of an emergency. It also ensures that nothing will be placed on top of a cylinder that may damage the safety device or interfere with an emergency closing.

Keep cylinders away from open flames and other sources of heat at all times. A fire-extinguishing apparatus should be readily accessible when combustible materials are exposed to welding or cutting that necessitates the use of compressed cylinder gases. Use flashback arrestors and reverse-flow check valves to prevent flashback when using oxy-fuel systems.

Never tamper with safety devices and valves. Likewise, you should never attempt to repair a damaged or broken valve. Remove all regulators when work is completed, when moving the cylinders, and when cylinders are empty.

If you must transport a compressed gas cylinder, use a cylinder cart and secure the cylinders with a chain. Don’t try to move or lift cylinders by pulling on the protective valve caps. Don’t drop a cylinder; it can explode on impact. The physical weight can crush your toes if you are not wearing steel-toed shoes. You should also never handle cylinders roughly or allow them to crash into each other. Unless cylinders are secured on a cart, regulators should be removed, the valves should be closed and the protective valve caps should be in place before the cylinders are moved.

Finally, always have the correct Material Safety Data Sheet available for the gas contained within the cylinder(s) you are working with. Be sure you are familiar with the health, flammability and reactivity hazards associated with those gases. Don’t wait until an emergency to try to find the information you will need to handle the situation. Contact us for more resources and information.

Construction is a year-round industry. Just because old man winter hits, work doesn’t stop. You can be exposed to low temperatures, high winds, dampness and cold water, all of which can cause cold-related stress to your body. This could result in a dangerous situation of rapid heat loss.

When heat is lost in this manner, there is the possibility that you could experience some hazards that may cause health problems. The first of these is hypothermia. This occurs when your body temperature falls to a level where normal muscle and brain functions are weakened. Freezing temperatures generally cause hypothermia, but it can happen in any climate where a person’s body temperature drops below normal.

The second hazard you need to be aware of is frostbite. This condition results when the skin tissue actually freezes. It causes ice crystals to form between cells and draw water from them so the cells become dehydrated. Although frostbite usually occurs when temperatures fall below 30°F (-1°C), wind chill can cause frostbite even with the temperature above freezing.

To help combat the cold, portable heaters fueled by propane are often used on site. Although they provide adequate heat, there are some obvious safety concerns when using large, high-BTU, portable heaters.

To protect yourself, you need to take certain precautions when using a propane heater:

• Be sure heaters are in good condition and operating properly. If a heater is not working, as it should, stop using it immediately, report the problem to a supervisor and ask for a replacement.
• Keep propane tanks upright, on a firm, level surface that is at least six feet from the heater.
• Do not use heaters in an area where they can come into contact with combustible materials. Do not place a heater directly on a plywood floor. Instead, place it on a 4-foot by 4-foot square of fire-resistant drywall or cement-board.
• Protect all hoses from physical damage and exposure to extreme heat. Don’t run hoses through a non-secured doorway because a closed door will pinch the hose. This will damage the hose, which will make it difficult for gas to flow into the heater. If a hose is run through a window, put a block on the sill to prevent the window from closing on and pinching the hose.
• Do not operate a heater in an unventilated area. Always open a few windows slightly to allow excess accumulation of fumes to escape.
• Never use heaters for cooking or warming/drying your clothing.

You might have used a ladder for most of your working life, but do you really know how to choose the right ladder for the job? When you select a ladder, you need to consider four criteria:

1. Type – Some ladders are fixed, others portable. Fixed position ladders are usually attached to buildings; portable ladders can be moved. Portable ladders can be either self-supporting ladders, like an “A” frame, or an extension ladder.
2. Duty Rating – Check the duty rating sticker to be sure the ladder can support the weight of you and your tools. Construction jobs require either a Type 1, which can support up to 250 pounds; Type 1A, which can support up to 300 pounds; or Type 1AA, which can support up to 375 pounds.
3. Length – To calculate the maximum working height on a portable ladder, look at the duty rating sticker to find the highest standing level and add your shoulder height.
4. Material – Be sure your ladder is made of material appropriate for the work environment. Use a fiberglass ladder if you might come into contact with electricity. If you use a wooden ladder, be sure it’s treated to prevent deterioration, but not painted. If painted the wood cannot be easily inspected for cracks, damage and/or deterioration.

OSHA recommends the following guidelines for inspecting a ladder to ensure it is in a usable condition:

• Check for cracks, bends, splits, or corrosion.
• Check all rungs and step connections.
• Make sure the ladder’s feet work properly and have slip-resistant pads.
• Make sure rung locks and spreader braces are working.
• Be sure all bolts and rivets are secure.
• Make sure steps, rungs, and other ladder parts are free of oil, grease or other slippery materials.
• With extension ladders, make sure the pulleys work and the rope is not frayed or tangled.

If you discover that a ladder is damaged, remove it from the work site for repair or disposal. OSHA has also developed regulations regarding the proper way to climb a ladder:

• Face the ladder whether climbing up or down – Never turn your body out or away from the ladder.
• Use 3-point contact – You should have two hands and one foot or one hand and two feet in contact with the ladder at all times.
• One person at a time – Wait for the person climbing the ladder to get off before you start to climb. This same rule applies when coming down the ladder.
• Be aware when getting on and off – Make sure you have the proper foothold at the top of the ladder by placing your foot on the step closest to the upper landing.
• Never on the top rungs – With straight or extension ladders, you should only climb to the fourth rung from the top. With an A-frame or stepladder, only climb to the second step from the top. Never climb on the cross bracing; and never sit on any step.
• Stay centered – Keep your body centered within the ladder’s side rails.
• Carry small loads only – Carry only small objects in a tool kit on your belt. Use hoists or chain falls to lift materials.
• Avoid exerting force – To remain stable while on the ladder, don’t pull, lean, stretch, or make sudden moves. These could cause you to lose your balance.