The 145 Hour Construction Safety Administrator Certificate Course

The 145-Hour Construction Safety Administrator Certificate Course will prepare participants for a career in construction safety management. For those already working in safety, it will round out their educational background with topical information designed to meet the needs of today’s construction industry.

Course Description
Construction represents the largest single purpose industry in the US, employing nearly 6% of the workforce. Unfortunately, it is also the industry with the highest number of occupational fatalities accounting for 20% of the total work related deaths. This disproportionate statistic has driven the cost of insurance for contractors to a point where many have had to close their doors and cease doing business. Costly OSHA citations have also racked up soaring costs. The businesses that have survived have done so by taking strong affirmative actions to prevent losses on the job while removing hazards associated with OSHA penalties. These actions have included developing aggressive safety programs, implementing safety training, and hiring construction safety administrators to advise the company on safety and health matters, insurance and risk control measures, and developing emergency preparedness and response plans. All of these steps have driven the market for dedicated, full time safety and health practitioners.

The 145 Hour Construction Safety Administrator Certificate Course is designed to help address the need for qualified construction safety and health professionals. This certificate program offers entry-level construction safety practitioners an educational opportunity to receive an excellent underpinning for a safety and health career. Seasoned construction safety practitioners will find this a valuable professional development resource and credential. This fast-paced course utilizes subject matter experts that will address key is-sues facing construction safety professionals on the job sites and in the corporate headquarters.


WHEN
Dec 4, 2012 — May 16, 2013

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

TUITION
$2,325
(10% discount offered to contributors.)

WHERE
4100 Madison Street,
Hillside ,IL 60162

Call 708-544-2082 ext. 202
for questions or more details.

View brochure and print registration form.
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Construction Safety Council-Employment Opportunity

The Construction Safety Council is looking for an experienced instructor capable of teaching a variety of construction safety classes including but not limited to the OSHA 10 Hour, OSHA 30 Hour, Fall Protection, Excavation Safety, Scaffold Safety, Confined Space Safety and others. This position is for Illinois only.

The following experience and qualifications are preferred: 

• 5-10 years experience in the construction industry
• Active and current OSHA 500 authorized trainer
• Must be proficient in Word, and PowerPoint.

Submit a cover letter and resume to:

Callie Caballero at ccaballero@buildsafe.org

or mail a cover letter and resume to:

Callie Caballero

Construction Safety Council

4100 Madison St

Hillside, IL 60162

On the Job Toolbox Safety Talks-Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware of your exposure. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure.

CO is found in combustion exhaust, such as those produced by cars, trucks and small gasoline engines (generators).
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Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has kicked off a national outreach initiative to educate workers and their employers about the hazards of working outdoors in hot weather. The outreach effort builds on last year's successful summer campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of too much sun and heat.

 "For outdoor workers, 'water, rest and shade' are three words that can make the difference between life and death," Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis said. "If employers take reasonable precautions, and look out for their workers, we can beat the heat."

 Every year, thousands of workers across the country suffer from serious heat-related illnesses. If not quickly addressed, heat exhaustion can become heat stroke, which has killed - on average - more than 30 workers annually since 2003. Labor-intensive activities in hot weather can raise body temperatures beyond the level that normally can be cooled by sweating. Heat illness initially may manifest as heat rash or heat cramps, but quickly can become heat exhaustion and then heat stroke if simple prevention steps are not followed.

"It is essential for workers and employers to take proactive steps to stay safe in extreme heat, and become aware of symptoms of heat exhaustion before they get worse," said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. "Agriculture workers; building, road and other construction workers; utility workers; baggage handlers; roofers; landscapers; and others who work outside are all at risk. Drinking plenty of water and taking frequent breaks in cool, shaded areas are incredibly important in the hot summer months."
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Acute Health Effects & Chronic Health Effects

The toxic action of a health hazard can be divided into acute (short-term) effects and chronic (long-term) effects.

Acute health effects are quickly seen, usually after exposures to fairly high levels or concentrations of hazardous substances. For example, fiberglass can immediately cause itchiness and skin irritation; an extremely loud noise can result in temporary or even permanent hearing loss.

A lethal concentration of carbon monoxide, CO (1200 ppm) is considered to be Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH); a worker exposed to this acute amount of CO can lose consciousness and die.
 

 Chronic health effects usually develop slowly. For example, if you breathe small amounts of asbestos fibers, you won’t even notice them. There are no acute effects. But if you inhale asbestos month after month, year after year, you greatly increase your chances of getting asbestos disease, such as lung cancer. This is a chronic effect.

Other examples of chronic health effects include hearing loss and cumulative trauma disorders; these are examples of physical health hazards.
 

[MORE]http://www.richblackwell.com/CCSC/ToxicHealthHazard.pdf

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Using Respirators When Not Required

Respirators are an effective method of protection against designated hazards when properly selected and worn. Respirator use is encouraged, even when exposures are below the exposure limit, to provide an additional level of comfort and protection for workers. However, if a respirator is used improperly or not kept clean, the respirator itself can become a hazard to the worker. Sometimes, workers may wear respirators to avoid exposures to hazards, even if the amount of hazardous substance does not exceed the limits set by OSHA standards. If your employer provides respirators for your voluntary use, or if you provide your own respirator, you need to take certain precautions to be sure that the respirator itself does not present a hazard. 
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ACCESS & EGRESS FOR EXCAVATIONS

A competent person must design all structural ramps. Structural ramps used for access or egress of equipment must be designed by a competent person qualified in structural design.

A stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress must be located in trench excavations that are 4 feet (1.22 m) or more in depth so as to require no more than 25 feet (7.62 m) of lateral travel for employees.



Ramps must be:
Connected together to prevent displacement;
Uniform thickness;
Cleats on the bottom to prevent tripping, and;
Designed to prevent slipping.
 
Ladder Safety:
Job-made ladders must be constructed according to ANSI A14.4 – Safety Requirements for Job-Made Ladders.
Ladders are to be used with caution around electrical lines, especially metal ladders, use only non-conductive ladders.
Secure ladders to prevent displacement.
Ladders extend 3-feet above excavation (shield).

The decision to choose a ramp, stair system or ladder for accessing and regressing from an excavation or trench depends largely on the allowable slope or angle that the sides (or ends) are cut back.

For example, in stable rock or with trench shields (boxes), where the sides are nearly vertical (between 75° and 90°), a ladder would be appropriate; ladders must never be used at angles less than 60°. Between 30° and 50° from the horizontal, use a stair system (job-made wood type or earth benched). Less than 20° from horizontal, a ramp can be safely used (unassisted) while maintaining an upright position.
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