Workplace Stress - On the job Tool Box Talks

This Tool Box Talk provided by: CPWR, The Center for Construction Research and Training. 

Each toolbox talk should be printed as a two-sided document so the crew can look at the bold graphic while the foreman/discussion leader uses the text to ask questions and read the facts. Later, the graphic side can be used as a poster in the job trailer or announcement board. 

Job stress is the physical and emotional harm that occurs when the requirements of a job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker. Job stress can lead to poor health and even injury.

Here is an Example
In 1990, a local court upheld a compensation claim by a construction worker who had difficulty keeping up with the pressures of the job site. To avoid falling behind, he tried to take on more tasks and often got parts mixed up. As a result, he was repeatedly yelled at by the foreman. He suffered a psychological breakdown.

1. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the amount of work you have?

2. How do you handle the pressure? (For example,do you talk with other workers, keep to yourself, or discuss it with your supervisor?) 

Download the full text and poster.

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Effects of Alcohol - Tool Box Safety Talks

This document provides general information about a safety and health topic and is only intended for use in facilitating discusions with employees in safety meetings. It does not address all hazards, OSHA or local requirements related to the topic or accompanying photograph.

Effects of Alcohol: The purpose of this toolbox talk is to provide some basic information and to increase the level of awareness to focus on this as a potential safety issue on the job. This will primarily address issues of “the morning after” affect.

EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL:
The above information briefly summarizes some of the some of the effects of a person that is hung over. Direct effects of alcohol vary with the individuals. In general, a person will excrete approximately one alcohol drink per hour.

Consider the following:
An employee is out until 1:00 a.m. and has consumed 12 or more beers. They show up to work at 7:00 a.m. This employee is likely to have at least six alcohol drinks in his system at the time of starting the work. At this rate, the employee will start work intoxicated, eventually drift into a hangover and will probably be working in a very dangerous state during most of the workday.

ISSUES OF A HANGOVER
All employees should be aware of the condition their co-workers report to work in. Specifically, employees that start work and are hung over from use of alcohol or drugs from the night before should be watched very closely. The following are some points to consider:
• A person with a hangover may have lower levels of alcohol in their system and may be “legally sober”.
• Any levels of alcohol in the system can affect the central nervous system, which will affect 
JUDGMENT and MOTOR SKILLS. (Judgment and Motor Skills are critical components of working safely on a construction site.

HANGOVER EFFECTS
Employees that are hung over are impaired from low sugar levels, dehydration and may still be legally intoxicated.
Symptoms / Effects:
• Impaired judgment
• Decreased motor skills
• Potential for dizzy spells, etc.

Employees no longer under the influence of alcohol but still feeling hung over still have an effect:
Symptoms / Effects:
• Impaired judgment
• Decreased motor skills
• Dizziness
• Increased potential to lose consciousness

Bottom Line:
Employees that come to work with a hangover may become injured or injure others and should be asked to stop work and possibly sent home. Keep a close eye on your co-workers.
Production is important, but employees that are under the effect of alcohol or hangovers are a serious safety issue that may wind up a tragedy.

Whistleblowers can now file complaints online with OSHA

Agency launches online form to provide workers a new way to file retaliation complaints.

Currently, workers can make complaints to OSHA by filing a written complaint or by calling the agency’s 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) number or an OSHA regional or area office. Workers will now be able to electronically submit a whistleblower complaint to OSHA by visiting www.osha.gov/whistleblower/WBComplaint.html.

WASHINGTON – Whistleblowers covered by one of 22 statutes administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration will now be able to file complaints online. The online form will provide workers who have been retaliated against an additional way to reach out for OSHA assistance online. 

“The ability of workers to speak out and exercise their rights without fear of retaliation provides the backbone for some of American workers’ most essential protections,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. “Whistleblower laws protect not only workers, but also the public at large and now workers will have an additional avenue available to file a complaint with OSHA.”

Currently, workers can make complaints to OSHA by filing a written complaint or by calling the agency’s 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) number or an OSHA regional or area office. Workers will now be able to electronically submit a whistleblower complaint to OSHA by visiting www.osha.gov/whistleblower/WBComplaint.html.

The new online form prompts the worker to include basic whistleblower complaint information so they can be easily contacted for follow-up. Complaints are automatically routed to the appropriate regional whistleblower investigators. In addition, the complaint form can also be downloaded and submitted to the agency in hard-copy format by fax, mail or hand-delivery. The paper version is identical to the electronic version and requests the same information necessary to initiate a whistleblower investigation.

OSHA enforces the whistleblower provisions of 22 statutes protecting employees who report violations of various securities laws, trucking, airline, nuclear power, pipeline, environmental, rail, public transportation, workplace safety and health, and consumer protection laws. Detailed information on employee whistleblower rights, including fact sheets and instructions on how to submit the form in hard-copy format, is available online at www.whistleblowers.gov.  

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.

 

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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EXPOSURE TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC

Employees exposed to public vehicular traffic must be provided with, and must wear, warning vests or other suitable garments marked with or made of reflectorized or high-visibility material.

Use a designated, trained flag-person along with signs, signals, and barricades when necessary.

Read the full article

The article covers:
High Visibility Safety Apparel
Temporary Traffic Control “Work Zone” – External Traffic
Internal Traffic Control Plan
Traffic Control Devices

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Winter Weather Safety

Prolonged exposure to cold, wet and windy conditions, even when the temperatures are above freezing, can be dangerous. Extreme cold conditions exist when the equivalent (wind) chill temperature is at or below -25° F (-32 °C). Wind chill temperature is a function of the actual temperature and the estimated wind speed. Under windless conditions, air provides an invisible blanket around the skin. As wind speed increases, this layer of heated air is carried away from the body at an accelerated rate resulting in apparent temperatures well below the air temperature.

Read entire article.

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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

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.

THE 145-HOUR CONSTRUCTION SAFETY ADMINISTRATOR CERTIFICATE COURSE

WHEN AND WHERE?
Dec 10, 2013 — May 15 2014
4100 West Madison St, Hillside, IL

TIME?
6-9 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays
(For occasional field trips, times may vary.)

TUITION?
$2,350
(10% discount for contributors.)

Call 708-544-2082 ext. 202 for questions or more details.
Work Smart. Build Safe.

LEARN MORE

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Excavation Safety Training for the Competent Person. Receive a 20% discount during October.

This online training course has been designed for the competent person or one who will fulfill the role of competent person for excavation work as it relates to the OSHA 29CFR 1926 subpart P regulations.  It will deliver the necessary information on the duties, knowledge and skills required when performing or supervising excavation activities in construction.

However, it is the employer's duty to assign only those individuals deemed competent by knowledge, training, and/or experience for the competent person role.

At the conclusion of this course, the participant will be prompted to and will have the opportunity to take a final exam, a passing score on the final exam will qualify the participant to receive an Excavation Competent Person Training Certificate from the Construction Safety Council and a permanent record of course completion for a fee of $80, normally $100, you will receive a 20% discount during October.

Download more information: payments & how to start the course.

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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.