In preparation for July 4th celebrations, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is urging employers in the fireworks and pyrotechnics industry to protect their workers from hazards while manufacturing, storing, transporting, displaying and selling fireworks for public events.
“Millions of Americans will enjoy the excitement and beauty fireworks bring to the 4th of July holiday, but we must recognize the dangers workers in the pyrotechnics industry face every day,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. “It is vital that employers take the required steps to ensure workers’ safety and health.”
Last summer, one worker was killed and another critically injured in an explosion and fire at a fireworks storage facility in Kansas. Two employees were directed to use a gas-powered forklift to move pallets of fireworks and cardboard out of an explosives storage facility in Pittsburg when the gas ignited, which caused an explosion and fire. OSHA cited the employer, Lone Star Management, with nine serious safety violations and proposed $55,000 in fines.
OSHA’s Web page on the pyrotechnics industry addresses retail sales of fireworks and fireworks displays. Information on common hazards and solutions found in both areas of the industry, and downloadable safety posters for workplaces are available at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/pyrotechnic/index.html. It also includes a video, available at http://www.osha.gov/video/fireworks/index.html, which demonstrates best industry practices for retail sales and manufacturers based on National Fire Protection Association consensus standards.
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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Monday, June 29, 2015
Monday, June 22, 2015
Handling Gasoline- Tool Box Talks
Please use caution when handling. Gasoline is extremely dangerous, and here is why:
-Its vapors can ignite at the surface at a temperature of 45F.
-Its lower explosive limit is 1.4% volume of vapor in air. Vapors can travel significant distances and collect in low places.
-Gasoline is only 75% as dense as water; therefore it will float on top of water. Water is useless as a fire fighting material because it will spread burning gasoline, not smother it. Use a fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire.
-Other hazards often overlooked are health risks caused by inhaling the vapors or absorbing the liquid through the skin. Inhaling gasoline vapors causes depression of the central nervous system, like alcohol intoxication. Its solvent action on the skin can lead to contact dermatitis.
Gasoline Safety Tips
-Use gasoline only as a motor fuel. It is too dangerous to use as a cleaning solvent or fire starter.
-Handle gasoline for refueling small equipment only in OSHA approved flammable liquid safety containers equipped with quick closing lids.
-Eliminate all sources a vapor ignition. NO SMOKING! Avoid static electricity buildup. Keep any portable containers on the ground (not the back of a vehicle) when refueling. Touch the dispensing hose to the fuel tank being filled before pouring or pumping gasoline.
-Do not refuel equipment while is it running. Shut off the engine and allow hot metal surfaces to cool enough so that you can touch them.
-Make sure you do not overfill the tank.
Keep portable fire extinguishers near flammable liquid storage areas. Do not breathe gasoline vapors unnecessarily. Keep containers and fuel tanks at least arm’s length away. If your clothing becomes saturated with gasoline, remove it immediately. Contaminated clothing should be air dried before laundering.
-Its vapors can ignite at the surface at a temperature of 45F.
-Its lower explosive limit is 1.4% volume of vapor in air. Vapors can travel significant distances and collect in low places.
-Gasoline is only 75% as dense as water; therefore it will float on top of water. Water is useless as a fire fighting material because it will spread burning gasoline, not smother it. Use a fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire.
-Other hazards often overlooked are health risks caused by inhaling the vapors or absorbing the liquid through the skin. Inhaling gasoline vapors causes depression of the central nervous system, like alcohol intoxication. Its solvent action on the skin can lead to contact dermatitis.
Gasoline Safety Tips
-Use gasoline only as a motor fuel. It is too dangerous to use as a cleaning solvent or fire starter.
-Handle gasoline for refueling small equipment only in OSHA approved flammable liquid safety containers equipped with quick closing lids.
-Eliminate all sources a vapor ignition. NO SMOKING! Avoid static electricity buildup. Keep any portable containers on the ground (not the back of a vehicle) when refueling. Touch the dispensing hose to the fuel tank being filled before pouring or pumping gasoline.
-Do not refuel equipment while is it running. Shut off the engine and allow hot metal surfaces to cool enough so that you can touch them.
-Make sure you do not overfill the tank.
Keep portable fire extinguishers near flammable liquid storage areas. Do not breathe gasoline vapors unnecessarily. Keep containers and fuel tanks at least arm’s length away. If your clothing becomes saturated with gasoline, remove it immediately. Contaminated clothing should be air dried before laundering.
This information was provided by:
Mark Horn LEED AP BD+C
A. Horn, Inc.
mason contractor
A. Horn, Inc.
mason contractor
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Saturday, June 13, 2015
Construction Safety Council Classes for July 2015
|
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
7:30 am to 4:00 pm
OSHA #3095 Electrical Standards
Tuesday, July 7, 2015 to Friday, July 10, 2015
Call NSEC at 800-656-5317 to register for this event
OSHA 10 Hour
for Construction
2 Day Class
Tuesday, July 7, 2015 - 7:30 am to 4:00 pm
Wednesday, July 8, 2015 - 7:30 am to 1:00 pm
OSHA #500
Trainer Course in Occupational Safety and Health for the Construction Industry Monday, July 13, 2015 to Friday, July 17, 2015 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Call NSEC at 800-656-5317 to register Scaffold User and Erector Hazards Monday. July 13, 2015 7:30 am to 3:30 pm OSHA #7845 Guidelines to Recordkeeping Wednesday, July 15, 2015 Confined Space Entry Thursday, July 16, 2015 7:30 am to 3:30 pm AHA First Aid/CPR/AED Saturday, July 18, 2015 7:30 am to 1:00 pm Excavation Safety for the Competent Person Monday, July 20, 2015 7:30 am to 3:30 pm OSHA 30 Hour for Construction 4 Day Class Tuesday, July 21, 2015 Thursday, July 23, 2015 Tuesday, July 28, 2015 Thursday, July 30, 2015 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Fall Protection Safety for the Competent Person Tuesday, July 21, 2015 7:30 am to 3:30 pm Signal Person Hazards for Cranes Wednesday, July 22, 2015 7:30 am to 11:30 am Rigging Hazard Awareness Wednesday, July 22, 2015 12 Noon to 4:00 pm American Heart Association First Aid/CPR/AED Tuesday, July 28, 2015 7:30 am to 1:00 pm ATSSA Flagger Training Wednesday, July 29, 2015 7:30 am to 11:30 am |
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Routes of Entry
Working with chemicals always involves the risk of exposure. The health risk is dependent upon the toxicity of the chemical, the types of effects and the various routes of entry.
Routes of Entry
Inhalation is the primary route of entry for hazardous chemicals in the work environment. Nearly all materials that are airborne can be inhaled.
Absorption through the skin is another route of entry. The skin is the largest organ of your body and a common exposure site for liquid and airborne chemicals. Absorption through the skin can occur quite rapidly if the skin is cut or abraded. Intact skin is an effective barrier to many hazardous materials.
Ingestion - toxic materials can be swallowed and enter the body through the gastrointestinal tract. In the workplace, people can unknowingly ingest harmful chemicals when you eat, drink, or smoke in a contaminated work areas.
Injection occurs when a sharp object punctures the skin, allowing a chemical or infectious agent to enter your body. For example, injection can occur when a contaminated object such as a rusty nail punctures the skin.
View the full article.
This information was provided by the Construction Safety Council
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Routes of Entry
Inhalation is the primary route of entry for hazardous chemicals in the work environment. Nearly all materials that are airborne can be inhaled.
Absorption through the skin is another route of entry. The skin is the largest organ of your body and a common exposure site for liquid and airborne chemicals. Absorption through the skin can occur quite rapidly if the skin is cut or abraded. Intact skin is an effective barrier to many hazardous materials.
Ingestion - toxic materials can be swallowed and enter the body through the gastrointestinal tract. In the workplace, people can unknowingly ingest harmful chemicals when you eat, drink, or smoke in a contaminated work areas.
Injection occurs when a sharp object punctures the skin, allowing a chemical or infectious agent to enter your body. For example, injection can occur when a contaminated object such as a rusty nail punctures the skin.
View the full article.
This information was provided by the Construction Safety Council
###
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