General Industry Safety Breakfast Friday * October 25, 2013 * 9:00am-11:00am

Workplace safety in the United States is evolving due to better awareness and implementation of NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®.

Yet hundreds of deaths and thousands of disabling injuries still occur each year due to shock, electrocution, arc flash, and arc blast -- and most could be prevented through NFPA 70E compliance.

Paul Satti will cover the following topics:
Personal Protective Equipment
Lockout/Tagout
Flash Protection
Electrical Hazards and Accident Prevention

Meeting Location:
Safety Council
4100 Madison Street Hillside, IL 60162

Registration fee: $30

Download the registration form.

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General Industry Safety Breakfast

Workplace safety in the United States is evolving due to better awareness and implementation of NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®.

Yet hundreds of deaths and thousands of disabling injuries still occur each year due to shock, electrocution, arc flash, and arc blast -- and most could be prevented through NFPA 70E compliance.

Download the registration form

Paul Satti will cover the following topics:
Personal Protective Equipment
Lockout/Tagout
Flash Protection
Electrical Hazards and Accident Prevention

The fee is $30 per person - Due to limited seating registration is required - Please fill out and fax in the registration form to 708-544-2371 .

Friday • October 25, 2013 • 9:00am—11:00am
Meeting Location:
Safety Council
4100 Madison Street Hillside, IL 60162
Office: 708 - 544-2082 Fax: 708 - 544-2371 www.buildsafe.org

For more information about this workshop or any other general industry safety classes CSC has to offer please contact:
Callie Caballero 708-544-2082 x214 ccaballero@buildsafe.org
Or visit our website at www.buildsafe.org

2014 Construction Expo and Safety Conference-call for abstracts

Mark your calendars now! Construction Expo and Safety Conference March 3 & 4, 2014 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace

Watch for more information and registration soon!  Call for Abstracts! If you are interested in submitting a session abstract, please download the information and submission form. All submissions should be received no later than October 31, 2013.

OSHA announces that the notice of proposed rulemaking for respirable silica.

Rulemaking for respirable silica has been published in the Federal Register.

WASHINGTON – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced that the notice of proposed rulemaking for respirable crystalline silica has published in the Federal Register. 

              

OSHA invites and strongly encourages the public to participate in the process of developing a final rule through written comments and participation in public hearings.

The public will have until Dec. 11, 2013, to submit written comments on the proposed rule.

Hearings on the proposed silica rule are scheduled to begin on March 4, 2014 at the Department of Labor’s Frances Perkins Building in Washington, DC. Members of the public who wish to participate in public hearings must submit a notice of intention to appear by Nov. 12, 2013.

Additional information on the proposed rule, including five fact sheets, and procedures for submitting written comments and participating in public hearings is available at http://www.osha.gov/silica/index.html.

See the Federal Register notice to read the notice of proposed rulemaking.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

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On the Job Toolbox Talks - Trenching and Excavation

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the United States between 2000 and 2009, 350 workers died in excavation or trench collapses. Trenching operations usually include water, sewer, pipeline, communications or power line construction. One study indicated 64% of fatalities occurred in excavations of less than 10 feet (3 meters). In addition to collapses, trenching operation hazards include: falls; falling objects from above and hazardous atmospheres. Prior to any trenching or excavation, local utility companies should be contacted to locate and identify any underground cables, pipes, tunnels or tanks that may be in the excavation area. “Pot-hole” to determine their exact location prior to digging.

Trench Depths
• Less than 5 feet (1.5 meters) - A competent person should review the excavation soil and plans and determine if a protective system as described below is required.
• 5 feet (1.5 meters) to less than 20 feet (6.1 meters) - a protective system must be in place unless a competent person has determined that the excavation is entirely in solid, stable rock with no potential for cave-in.
• 20 feet or greater – a protective system designed and approved by a registered professional engineer must be installed.

Competent Person
A person trained in trenching and excavation safety should inspect the excavation daily. The inspection should berepeated if conditions change (e.g. after rain fall, freeze/thaw weather changes). The competent person should be
authorized to order immediate corrective action, including restricting entry into the excavation, until any hazards orpotential hazards have been eliminated.

Protective Systems to prevent cave-ins
• Benching – excavating the sides of an excavation to form one or more horizontal levels or steps (1)
• Sloping – Cutting back the trench wall at an angle away from the excavation. (2)
• Shoring – Installing a support system of using materials such as posts, beams, planking and hydraulic jacks tosupport or “shore up” the sides of the excavation. (3)
• Shielding - Using trench boxes or similar enclosures to prevent cave-ins. (4)
• Refer to ANSI A12.10-1998 for specific design requirements.

Other safety requirements
• Keep heavy equipment away from the sides of the excavation
• Keep spoils piles at least 2 feet (1 meter) away from the trench edge. (5)
• For excavations deeper than 4 feet – conduct air monitoring similar to confined space entry – oxygen,combustibles, and toxic gases/vapors.
• Ladders, steps, or ramps must be provided for safe exiting from the trench. An exit point must always be within
25 feet of all workers at all times. These may need to be continuously relocated as the job progresses. (6)
• Ensure workers are trained on work hazards and proper work practices.
• Develop a trench emergency action plan and train workers and supervisors on the proper actions to take in an
emergency.

View Steps 1-6  

[MORE]

Why Accidents Occur

Every accident is caused by a breakdown in one of four areas: the worker, the tools used, the materials used, or the methods used. Often there is a breakdown in at least two areas; one being the worker and the other coming from one of the three other areas. The accident’s cause usually results from an unsafe act or an unsafe condition. Here is a review of some types of unsafe acts, the results from, and unsafe conditions.

Guide for Discussion On the Job.

Types of Unsafe Acts:
Operating a tool or some equipment without authority.
Working at an unsafe speed.
Using unsafe or defective equipment or using equipment in an unsafe manner.
Disconnecting safety devices.
Unsafe unloading, placing or mixing materials.
Assuming an unsafe position or posture.
Working on moving equipment.
Horseplay or distractions; taking shortcuts.
Failure to wear and use personal protective equipment.

Unsafe Acts Result From:
An improper attitude.
Lack of knowledge or skills.
Reduced mental or physical capacities.

Unsafe Conditions:
Improper guarding.
Defective equipment or materials.
Unsafe working procedures.
Improper housekeeping.
Poor lighting or ventilation.
Improper personal attire (Poor dress).
No or improper evaluation of site conditions.

Information provided by: Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries

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