A Single Family High Rise

If you're looking for a new house, I'd definitely recommend looking in another neighborhood. This is not exactly home-owner friendly, if you ask me. Can you imagine trying to open the garage door on an icy day? Besides, no normal car would be able to go up and down this ski-slope of a driveway without ripping the muffler off.  But hey, look on the bright side, at least it's out of the flood zone, and you get a daily workout just going to get your mail.

What Motivates You to Work Safely?

A safety program is of limited value if the program is not supplemented by strategies designed to motivate all employees to allocate the necessary time and resources on safety. Every safety program needs to have well-defined rules and procedures, but have you ever asked yourself what it is that motivates you to work safely?

This can be a very difficult question to answer if you do not take a few minutes to gather your thoughts and remember what is important in your life. Motivation is "something that causes a person to act in a certain way or do a certain thing." If you still can't answer this question, perhaps the answer lies in one or more of the five basic items below: 

1) Money is very important to you. If you disregard the safety rules and procedures, you could become injured and be unable to temporarily or permanently earn your usual income. If you do not follow safety rules, you could be fired for insubordination and your income source would be gone. If you have very expensive tastes or a large family to support, your paycheck is probably very important to you.

2) Recognition and achievement are important to you. Perhaps you are aware that you must comply with safety rules and procedures to be considered for promotions. Maybe you are the type of person who seeks recognition for a job done safely.

3) You have a strong desire not to get hurt and you want to live a long and healthy life. Perhaps your lifestyle includes activities such as jogging, tennis, swimming, skiing, surfing, softball, or basketball. A serious injury at work could temporarily or permanently prevent you from participating in these "non-work" related activities. The fear of getting hurt motivates you to work safely at all times.

4) You are a very good safety leader and "team player." If you are one of these types of people, you will be concerned about the safety of others as much as your own safety. Your concern for the safety of others may motivate you to address safety concerns quickly before a serious accident occurs.

5) You clearly understand the potential disciplinary action that could result if you disregard safety rules and procedures. Perhaps you know of an incident where one of your fellow workers was suspended or fired for a safety violation and you want to avoid having the same thing happen to you.

SUMMARY: Every decision we make and every action we take is motivated by something. If you try to understand what motivates you to work safely, and frequently remind yourself of this motivation, then you will greatly minimize your risk of injury.

IT'S WORTH IT, ISN'T IT?

It's Your Decision

Most of us like to get our work done with the least amount of effort, and as quickly as possible. We all want to get the most work out of the energy we use on the job. This is good because it often results in discovering newer and more efficient ways of getting our job done. This energy-saving attitude can also be bad if we make a wrong decision and take dangerous shortcuts.

 

All of us at sometime or another have exposed ourselves to possible injury by taking a shortcut when, with a little extra effort, we could have done it the safe way. When we were kids, we took shortcuts by jumping the fence instead of using the gate. Now that we are adults we do it by crossing the street between the intersections. Why? Because we want to get there as quickly as possible, and use the least amount of energy we can while doing it.

 

There is no doubt about it, the safe way is not always the shortest or quickest way. The safe way usually takes some extra effort while the unsafe way often appears to be more efficient at the time. When we are faced with these situations, each one of us will make a conscious decision about what actions we will take next.

 

Sometimes we talk ourselves into taking an unsafe shortcut by flawed reasoning. We convince ourselves that it is worth taking the risk because we're in a hurry and can probably get away with it this time without being injured. After all, we have done it before and were not injured then.

Take the electrician who was working on a ladder. He was almost finished with the job except for a little work that he could do only by reaching a little farther than he knew was safe. He knows he will be taking a chance, so he has to make a decision whether to get down and move the ladder or to take a shortcut. Suppose he takes the shortcut. He may get away without having an accident, or he may fall and suffer an injury that will change his whole life - or even end it. Whatever the result, his decision to take a chance is not a good one. Whether he wins or loses this time; risking his neck to save a few minutes' time is rolling the dice - a gamble that he will, eventually, lose.

When you get right down to it though, most of us don't take shortcuts to save time as much as we do it because the safe way is just too much trouble. Like using the wrong tool because it's too much trouble to get the right one. Like climbing the rebar because it's too much trouble to get a ladder. Or maybe like lifting more than you know is safe because it's too much trouble to get someone to help you. Or maybe it's like the guy swinging around like a monkey on the side of some forms, holding on with one hand while trying to strip forms with the other, all because it's too much trouble to go get a safety harness and tie off like he knows he should. Or how about another guy that was chipping concrete without safety goggles because it was too much trouble to go hunt up a pair.

Remember, you always have a choice, but only you can decide to do it the safe way. The safe way is usually not the shortest or quickest way, but it's your decision.

Why Are These Arrows Pointing Towards the Roadway?

My guess is that the arrows are there to divert your attention from the large cardboard containers of pumpkins that appear to be only partially secured to the bed of this truck.

 

You can barely see that the load is tied from side-to-side but there's nothing on the back side to prevent the load from bursting onto a vehicle that's following too closely.

 

My advice: stay back, far back from this truck!!

Look Up and Around for Power Lines

Power lines carry 4,000 to 345,000 volts that can kill a worker on contact. OSHA regulations state that a minimum safe distance of 10 feet must be maintained for up to 50,000 volts. It’s the “circle of safety” rule.

Check out your work site. Know where power lines are located and look for lines not seen due to obstructions. Assume all lines are energized and potentially dangerous, even if they appear to be insulated.

When operating any type of equipment with an articulated boom, it may be difficult for the operator to judge the distance between the equipment and the power line. Weather conditions and bright or dim lighting conditions can make it even harder to judge distances.

That’s why someone on the ground watching around the operator can have a much better view of clearances. A spotter is one whose only job is to watch the operator and the position of the equipment to make sure there is a safe distance from overhead lines and other hazards.

Fallen power lines can be dangerous to anyone since they may be “live.” Stay away from downed power lines even if they’re not humming, sparking, or “dancing.” You should make a 911 call to report the location of the fallen line.

For your own safety and well-being, you must stay clear of any person or object that is in contact with a power line. If you touch that person in a rescue attempt or try to remove the object, you will become part of the ground fault and likely be electrocuted.

If you hit a power line while operating equipment, stay calm. Don’t make contact with control levers as they may be electrified. Don’t attempt to leave the equipment unless told to do so by a rescuer. Advise others to stay clear since anyone on the ground has the greatest risk of being injured.

 

If you have to get off the equipment due to a fire or other danger, jump clear and try to land with both feet together. Avoid touching the equipment and ground at the same time. Shuffle away keeping your feet together on the ground. It is likely that electricity is radiating through the ground around the equipment. If you run or take large steps, you increase the chance of creating a path for electricity to travel up one leg and down the other.

What You Don't Know Can Hurt You

The title of this opinion piece is probably one of the most popular and truthful safety slogans. Professor Nathaniel Burke uses it at the start of those clever and informative Farmers' Insurance commercials. And it got me thinking about a letter to the editor in this morning's (7/28/14) Columbus Dispatch from an area vice president of Halliburton. Yes, that worldwide organization to which Dick Cheney's name is attached along with billions of dollars of inflated and unbid contracts in Iraq. That should raise a red flag right then and there. But that's a discussion for another time.

 

I do not claim to be an expert in horizontal fracking. Nor am I a chemist. I can, however, lay claim to being properly credentialed to deliver 10 and 30 hour training for OSHA construction safety with more than 30 years of experience. The aforementioned letter is a response to an explosion and fire at a Monroe County, Ohio fracking well site to which first responders may have been exposed to the effects of a "proprietary product."

 

The letter cites that first responders had immediate access to material safety data sheets or MSDS, "required to accompany all chemical compounds at all times."  What the writer doesn't mention is that when listing the individual components and their percentage of the whole, if it is proprietary or "a company/trade secret," it can be noted in that manner. Other parts of the MSDS address emergency procedures, fire and explosion potentials, first aid procedures and so forth. But these are usually stated in a very general fashion such as "do not fight the fire with water" or "respiratory protection and gloves are required."

 

Which brings us to what proprietary ingredients the letter writer claims to have been passed along to the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources and the Ohio EPA. To be fair, I have no knowledge of who said what to whom. But hopefully there was some level of disclosure to protect lives and property.  Halliburton further claims they "remain committed to providing any technical expertise and support to ensure the matter is thoroughly investigated."

 

That sounds all well and good. However, be warned that "what you don't know can hurt you." An MSDS can be an incomplete document when it comes to listing all of the components which make up a particular chemical product in a manner that otherwise masks itself as a trade secret. 

If you are an emergency responder, take the time to find out what's going on with that new business or industrial site which suddenly springs up in your area of responsibility. Do they have a written safety plan? What is their emergency response plan? Will they willingly provide you with MSDSs on chemical products manufactured, used or stored there?  Will your inspection of that information reveal proprietary ingredients which requires further disclosure to protect you and your responding organization? 

 

If you need further proof of the unknown, recall the 30-second commercials put out by the oil and gas trade organization featuring an idyllic setting in which a young lady states "some people were surprised when we allowed fracking on our farm."  She goes on to say that "we checked the facts and checked with experts and guess what, it's safe."  Statements like that tend to infuriate me for many reasons, not the least of which if taken at face value, puts innocent lives and property in danger. I firmly believe, in reality, there is too much that is unknown about the short and long-term effects of horizontal fracking.

 

For my heroes, those first responders out there, that's why I've vented a bit here to make sure that you find out what you can about what's out on that industrial site in case you must respond to save the lives of workers who may find themselves in a life-threatening situation.

Coming to a Rather Abrupt Stop

AKA, You Never Know What Might Happen on a Jobsite with Active Traffic

 

I don't have any investigative notes on this photo, but will leave it to you to draw your own conclusions:

 

1) The traffic control was confusing (?!?!?) for what appears to be an intersection.

 

2) The date of the photo would indicate a time when texting was perhaps less of a distraction than it is now.....so, what could possibly be the contributing factor? 

 

3) The driver may have been forced into the fresh concrete by someone changing lanes or driving recklessly.

 

Oh, and check out those rebars. They need to be capped.

Safe Brush Chipper Operation

Feeding material into a brush chipper can be a safe operation if you know what you’re doing, stay alert, and understand how the equipment works.

Clothing should be close fitting and tucked in. Don’t wear loose-fitting clothing like untucked or unbuttoned shirts and jackets or pants with cuffs that could get caught on loose brush and branches.

• Hard hats and ear protection are required.
• Eye protection is also required. It must be ANSI-approved and may consist of glasses, goggles, or a flip-down visor of plastic or mesh.
• Wear good work pants and leather work boots with non-slip soles.
• Gloves are recommended, but gauntlet-style gloves should never be worn as they may snag on branches being fed into the chipper.
• Avoid wearing any kind of jewelry such as earrings, rings, watches, or necklaces that could present a safety hazard.

Stack brush in a way that makes it easy for the operator to feed the chipper. Allow for a clear feed path.

• Before starting, disengage the clutch, put the safety control bar in neutral, and make sure everyone is clear from the equipment.
• Always idle the engine to warm it up, engage the clutch, and then raise the engine rpm gradually to full throttle.
• Never operate a chipper alone. Two people should be on-site, with one operating the control bar at all times.
• Never operate a chipper while taking medication that may impair concentration.
• Feed brush into the chipper butt-end first. Lay short material on top of longer material that is feeding.
• Never attempt to feed handfuls of twigs, leaves, and other material that has been raked up. It may contain rocks and metal that will damage the chipper.
• Watch for foreign objects in the brush pile.
• Remove the ignition key when the machine is left unattended.
• Have a first aid kit on the worksite, along with a fire extinguisher.

Hands-On Chain Saw Safety

When cutting, hold the saw firmly with both hands, with thumbs and fingers wrapped around the handles. Grip the saw with the right hand on the rear (throttle) handle and the left hand on the front handle, even if you are left-handed. A firm grip will help you maintain control of the saw in the event of a kickback or other unexpected reaction. Keep the handles dry, clean, and free of oil or fuel mixture to avoid slipping and aid in control of the saw.

 

Chain saws are designed to be run at full speed. Maintain a full throttle setting while cutting to maximize your productivity and to reduce fatigue for safer operation.

Carry the chain saw with the engine stopped, the guide bar and cutting chain to the rear and the muffler away from your body. When transporting your chain saw, always use the appropriate guide bar scabbard.

Don’t start to cut trees until you have a clear work area, secure footing, and a planned escape path from the falling tree. Use extreme caution with cutting small-size brush and saplings because slender material may catch the cutting chain and be whipped toward you or pull you off balance. If a limb or sapling is under tension (called a springpole) be alert for whiplash so that you won’t be struck by the limb or saw when the tension is released.

Cut while standing slightly to the side, out of the plane of the cutting chain and guide bar to reduce the risk of injury in the event you lose control of the saw. Don’t overreach or cut above shoulder height. It is very difficult to safely control the saw in awkward positions.

To avoid the risk of kickback, make sure that the area in which you are cutting is free from obstructions. Don’t let the nose of the guide bar contact a log, branch, or any other objects while you are operating the saw. Don’t cut near chain link or wire fences.

Don’t operate a chain saw in a tree or from a ladder unless you have been specifically trained and are equipped to do so. There is always a risk that you can lose your balance because of cutting forces on the saw or movement of material being cut. Some cutting tasks require special training and skills. Remember, there is no substitute for good judgment.

Maintain proper chain tension. A loose chain can come off the guide bar and strike the operator. Competent service personnel should perform all service other than items mentioned in the owner's manual. Improperly performed maintenance may damage the saw and present a hazard to the operator. 

Use caution when handling fuel. Move the saw away from the fueling point before starting and don't smoke while refueling.

 

 

On The Edge

Ever wonder how they hang banners on street light poles? Apparently this fella must have lots to do, and not much time, because he's making lots of time-saving decisions. You know ... saving time by not setting up the big orange ladder lying right there in the bed of the truck. Saving time standing on the sharp edges of the wobbly walls in the back of the truck.

 

Things like this bug me. This guy intentionally increased the danger level of what he was doing by ignoring the equipment that was at his immediate disposal. How long can it take to pull out a ladder and set it up? If you've got the proper equipment for the job, use it!  If you don't, get it! 

Dealing with Confined Spaces

Confined spaces in the workplace present unique hazards to employees who must enter them. Their function, design and restricted access have all the ingredients that can increase hazardous exposures. If you are required to work in confined spaces, you must be aware of the programs developed to identify confined spaces and access must be limited to trained authorized employees.

What is a confined space?

For a space to be classified as a confined space, it must:

• Be large enough for a person to bodily enter

• Have restricted access

• Not be designed for continuous human occupancy.

What makes a permit-required confined space?

It has one of the following additional conditions:

• Has a potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere

• Has a material that could engulf an entrant

• Has an internal configuration, such as a sloping floor or converging walls that can trap or asphyxiate an entrant.

• Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard.

What are the atmospheric hazards?

• Oxygen level — too high (greater than 23.5 percent) or too low (less than 19.5 percent).

• Flammables — greater than 10 percent lower explosive level.

• Potential exposure to toxic contaminants that may be immediately dangerous to life and health or which may result in exposures greater than the threshold limit value.

How can a confined space be safely entered with the hazards present?

Permit status ensures necessary precautions are taken to protect employees when they enter a confined space where the atmospheric and/or physical hazards are still present. A permit will identify hazards present in the space and document that each hazard is addressed.

 

What does the permit require?

It requires trained employees who are knowledgeable of the hazards, symptoms of exposure and duties required to successfully complete the job in the confined space.

How does a worker know when a permit is needed?

• All confined spaces are considered permit-required until the agency determines otherwise

• All confined spaces need to be identified in the work place and evaluated for hazards.

• All confined spaces need to be identified with signs. If the work place contains permit required confined spaces, the employer shall inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces.

How do we issue a permit?

A permit is completed prior to the entry. It contains the time, date, purpose, length of entry and employees who will perform the entry and attendant activities. It states the condition of the atmosphere and steps taken to control physical hazards. The work crew or the supervisor completes the permit. If the work crew completes it the supervisor must review it.

How long is our permit valid?

A permit is issued for the length of time for one crew to perform the task.

NOTE: If the crew exits for lunch, the permit is not valid unless space is evaluated again.

Walk Safe

A few years ago, I came across this excellent "WALK SAFE" advice to workers from a heavy highway construction company. 

 

   Watch our step & use 3-point contact on ladders

   Always wear our hard hats & other required PPE

   Lift with our knees & not our back

   Keep our body clear of pinch points & crushing hazards

 

   Stay clear of overhead & underground utilities

   Alert our friends & co-workers of hazards

   Find ways to prevent falls, slips, & trips

   Eliminate hazards & injuries!

Step back 2 yards for 2 minutes and ask yourself…

• Am I focused and have I identified all the hazards?
• Do I have safe access to and from my work area?
• Am I prepared with the proper PPE including safety glasses, gloves, ear plugs, and a high visibility vest or shirt?
• Am I going to need help lifting or moving something heavy and awkward?
• Are my feet, hands, and body clear of all pinch point areas?
• Will any overhead or underground utilities be near my work?
• While doing my work, will I be exposed to a fall, slip, or trip?
• Now, I'm ready to "WALK SAFE."

The Safety Pro's Opinion Column

 

Absolutely amazing to me that investigators of the recent circus accident are focusing on the failure of a SINGLE carabiner that was used to suspend the ENTIRE 1,500 pound trapeze & performers. It was apparently rated @ 10,000 pounds. Is that a downward force or stationary rating? A trapeze certainly cannot remain stationary. There would be a tremendous pull toward the ground if the rig began to move.

 

I seem to recall from past dealings with fall protection equipment that lanyard/carabiner combinations need to be generally rated at 50,000 pounds of downward force to stop the freefall of an average person.

 

Watching NBC news, there wasn't even backup safety rigging to cover a failure of the primary rigging. It appeared that a single carabiner was all that was used. Some people need to go to jail.

 

Sorry for the technical rant here, but those of us who have been authorized to teach construction safety on behalf of Federal OSHA get a bit upset when things like this needlessly occur. It will be interesting to learn of the investigation outcome.

Those Locked Out Circuits Are So Inconvenient !!

Well, here’s a solution—just leave the key in the lock. That way, anyone who wants to re-energize the system for any reason whatsoever can just unlock it. Saves all the trouble of tracking down the guy with the key and finding out why the system was locked out to begin with. Lock out means that you take the key with you.

No Job Is Too Large or Small for Lockout/Tagout

If you are required to repair or maintain any machinery or equipment, or any electrical power source, start the job by locking out and tagging out all energy sources and starting mechanisms. Locking or tagging out is the only sure way to prevent other employees from accidentally activating the system.

Notify your co-workers when tagging out any piece of equipment or machinery so that they’re  aware of the situation. Schedule any maintenance or repairs ahead of time with a supervisor to avoid conflicts and any interruptions of the work.

Install your tag out or lock out at the power or ignition source. If a piece of equipment can be activated from more than one location, then additional locks or tags may be required. Make sure that the tag or lock is secure and will not blow off or fall off the machine.

Machines can still be harmful even when they are turned off. Make sure that the machine is not coasting to a stop and watch for moving parts that turn by gravity. Be careful of air or hydraulic pressure lines that have not been bled. Read the manufacturers recommendations for repairs to avoid any hidden dangers such as springs that are under a load that might accidentally be released.

Remember to remove your lock and tags after your work is complete. NEVER remove a lock or tag that has been installed by someone else. If you find a lock or tag out, contact the person who tagged that equipment out and the supervisor for further instructions. NEVER ASSUME THAT SOMEONE JUST FORGOT TO REMOVE THE LOCK OR TAG.  

Hard Hat Advice for Hard Heads

Some workers think nothing can happen because they’ve never taken a hit to their head so far. But they never know when a piece of concrete, a small rock, or a tool is going to fall ten stories and land on their head. As a matter of fact, there are very few occasions on a construction job when a hard hat should not be worn.

HARD HATS SERVE SEVERAL PURPOSES

Hard hats not only reduce the chances of serious injury resulting from failing objects, but protect you when you bump your head on things- like machinery, ductwork, ceiling tie wires and forms. Non-conductive hard hats protect you from electrical shock and burns. Never wear metal hard hats around electrical work.

HOW TO CARE FOR HARD HATS

The better care you take of your hard hat, the better care it will take of you. Here are some suggestions:

1. Properly adjust suspension systems to maintain clearance between your head and the shell of the hat.

2. Don't cut holes for ventilation. Don't heat and bend.

3. Don't substitute a "bump cap." They aren't strong enough.

4. Don't paint your hard hat.

5. Don't put anything under it except your head; this includes cigarettes, notebooks, and such.

6. Don't wear it backwards.

SOME COMMON COMPLAINTS AND THE REAL TRUTH

We sometimes hear the following complaints about hard hats. But is there any real basis for them?

"It's too heavy." (Hard hats are only a few ounces heavier than a cloth cap, but the extra protection you get is worth the extra weight.)

"It's too hot." (Measurements taken in hot weather show that the temperature under a hard hat often is cooler than it is outside.)

"It gives me a headache." (A thump on the head from something which has fallen two floors will give you a worse one. There is, however, no medical reason why a properly adjusted hard hat should cause a headache. Don't alter the suspension system or the hard hat, because you won't get the designed protection.)

"It won't stay on." (You're right, it won't in a high wind. A chin strap will solve this problem. Otherwise, you will find that a hard hat stays put no matter how much stooping or bending you have to do - if it's fitted properly.)

"It's noisy." (That’s your imagination. In fact, tests show that properly worn hard hats will shield your ears from noise to some extent.)

NO HELP UNLESS YOU WEAR IT

The hard hat is a useful piece of safety equipment. But like any other protective device, it must be properly adjusted and worn and kept in good condition to give you maximum protection.

What If ??

Some people have entirely too much faith in their co-workers. The two gents you see here are driving a grounding rod into the ground. The guy on the bottom got the raw end of the deal. Here are some “what if” questions:

What if the guy using the sledge hammer missed and bonked the holder on the head? What if he lost his balance and fell out of the backhoe bucket? What if a chip of metal broke off and flew toward the holder's face? What if the holder slipped and fell into the trench behind him? What if the holder sneezed just as hammer was coming down? 

Always ask "What If" before you start working on a project. You just might be able to eliminate some hazards and prevent an accident.

Look Up & Around for Power Lines

Power lines carry 4,000 to 345,000 volts that can kill a worker on contact. OSHA regulations state that a minimum safe distance of 10 feet must be maintained for up to 50,000 volts. It’s the “circle of safety” rule.

 

Check out your work site. Know where power lines are located and look for lines not seen due to obstructions. Assume all lines are energized and potentially dangerous, even if they appear to be insulated.

 

When operating any type of equipment with an articulated boom, it may be difficult for the operator to judge the distance between the equipment and the power line. Weather conditions and bright or dim lighting conditions can make it even harder to judge distances.

That’s why someone on the ground watching around the operator can have a much better view of clearances. A spotter is one whose only job is to watch the operator and the position of the equipment to make sure there is a safe distance from overhead lines and other hazards.

Fallen power lines can be dangerous to anyone since they may be “live.” Stay away from downed power lines even if they’re not humming, sparking, or “dancing.” You should make a 911 call to report the location of the fallen line.

For your own safety and well-being, you must stay clear of any person or object that is in contact with a power line. If you touch that person in a rescue attempt or try to remove the object, you will become part of the ground fault and likely be electrocuted.

If you hit a power line while operating equipment, stay calm. Don’t make contact with control levers as they may be electrified. Don’t attempt to leave the equipment unless told to do so by a rescuer. Advise others to stay clear since anyone on the ground has the greatest risk of being injured.

If you have to get off the equipment due to a fire or other danger, jump clear and try to land with both feet together. Avoid touching the equipment and ground at the same time. Shuffle away keeping your feet together on the ground. It is likely that electricity is radiating through the ground around the equipment. If you run or take large steps, you increase the chance of creating a path for electricity to travel up one leg and down the other.

The Push & Pull of Material Handling

Moving wheelchairs, pushing carts, and opening and closing overhead doors are all contributors to sprains or strains. Although many of us don't handle cargo regularly, sometimes we use our bodies for leverage to maneuver objects. We would like to think that this would not produce an injury. However, you can suffer sprains or strains from overexertion when pushing or pulling.

There are three areas that things can cause injury for a push/pull task: equipment, environment and human error. Risks associated with these three areas include, but are not limited to:

1. Equipment

The right equipment for the job (size, weight, capacity and design); well-maintained equipment; removing hazards from equipment; and deciding whether or not additional equipment is needed for the job. Safe footwear like closed toes, anti-slip soles and ankle supports also may be considered.

2. Environment

The environment contributes to hazardous situations due to surface conditions: wet, dirty, dusty, uneven, unsupported, poorly illuminated, badly designed storage, temperature extremes, chemical or biological exposure.

3. Human error

The human factor is most volatile, and what we have the ability to control: human error, miscalculation of load assessment, attitude: “I can handle this without help;” fatigue, physical or mental distractions.

 

High Wire - Low IQ ?

 

This photo always caused a chuckle in my electrical safety classes.

But it does make you wonder if this fellow is working in a "hot" environment.

There are probably multiple paths to ground that would have "toasted" him instantly, producing a much different photo.

Safe Use of a Portable Ladder

There are two types of portable ladders: step ladders, and extension ladders made of wood, fiberglass or aluminum ladders. When selecting a ladder, determine the height of reach needed, the area where you will use the ladder, and the type of task to be performed. Never use an aluminum ladder where it can contact any electrical circuit.

1. When inspecting any ladder you intend to use, always check for damage to the rungs, side rails or feet; damage to the extension locks; and cracks in the wooden rungs or side rails.

2. Here’s how to properly set up an extension ladder:

• The recommended rise is 4-to-1. For example, a 12-foot ladder base should be three feet out from the bottom of the wall or structure.
• To make a ladder stable, set it on a sold base, make sure the angle is correct, and make sure the top is on a stable rest, extending at least three feet above the floor or landing.
• You should also tie off the top to a solid anchor, block the feet so they won't move, and have a erson hold the bottom to stabilize it.  

3. Always maintain three points of contact on an extension ladder:

• That means two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand on the ladder at all times. Three-point contact helps prevent injuries from slips and falls.
• Clean mud, snow and other slippery substances off your shoes before climbing.
• Put both hands firmly on the rungs before stepping onto a ladder and always climb up and down facing the ladder.
• Keep your body between the side rails and don't lean out on either side.
• Don't carry tools, equipment or materials in your hands while climbing. Use a host line and bucket or other container.

4. Remember the hazards and precautions when using step ladders:

• Check for defects or damage before you use it, especially after it has been used somewhere else by other workers, or after it has been left in one place for a long time.
• Keep the area at the base of the step ladder clear. Make sure the spreader arms lock securely in the open position.
• Stand no higher than the second step from the top. Never straddle the space between a step ladder and another point.
• When standing on the ladder, avoid leaning forward, backward, or to either side. Always open the ladder fully before using it.
• Don't use an unopened step ladder as a straight or extension ladder. The feet are not designed for this use.
• Never stand on the stop step, the top, or the pail shelf of a step ladder. 
• When climbing up or down a step ladder, always face the ladder and maintain 3-point conta

5. You might you see additional hazards when using a ladder near corners where people will not see the ladder as they approach, in doorways, in areas where high winds might affect the stability and on slippery floors or on soft ground.

6. Store ladders where they will not become damaged, cause a trip hazard, fall over if vertical or fall off their racks if stored horizontally.

Keep Your Cool in Hot Weather

What makes it difficult to work in hot weather?

• Temperature of the air

• Humidity (moisture) in the air

• Amount of radiant heat (such as from the sun or a furnace)

• Air movement or velocity

 
What are the types of heat stress?

• Heat stroke

• Heat exhaustion

• Heat cramps

• Fainting

• Heat rash

It's important that everyone recognizes the symptoms of heat stress. It also is important for them to be able to get immediate emergency assistance when someone is affected by heat stress.  So,  how  can you  tell  if a person is  having a problem and what first aid should be given while waiting for emergency medical assistance?

The first form of heat stress is heat stroke. The symptoms are flushed hot skin, fever, rapid pulse, disorientation and unconsciousness. First-aid treatment includes moving the person to a cool place; loosening his or her clothing; keeping the person lying down; applying cold applications to the person’s head; sponging his or her body with cool water; and letting the paramedics take over when they arrive.

The second form of heat stress is heat exhaustion. The symptoms are pale, clammy skin; rapid, weak pulse; weakness (trouble standing or sitting); headache; nausea; and dizziness. First-aid treatment includes moving the person to a cool place and keeping them from getting chilled; loosening his or her clothing; keeping him or her lying down; giving them fluid if the person is conscious; and letting the paramedics take over when they arrive.

There are several ways to prevent heat stress, including engineering controls, such as spot and general ventilation; work practices, such as having plenty of drinking water; alternating work and rest periods; acclimatization to heat through short exposures followed by longer periods of work; and worker education.

The last three items are not as serious but should not be left untreated. These conditions are heat cramps, fainting and heat rash. If you observe any of these conditions, review the work situation and make corrections to eliminate or reduce the person’s exposures before the condition worsens. The person’s work assignment also may need to be changed.