Overview
You may be exposed to the hazards of falling objects
at work and need to protect yourself from the risk of head injuries.
Construction workers, loggers, tree trimmers, shipbuilders, miners, and
electrical utility workers all are required to wear protective headgear.
Types and classes of protective headgear
There are two types of headgear:
• Type 1 — full brim at least 1.25 inches wide.
• Type 2 — no brim but may include a peak extending forward from the crown.
There are three classes of headgear:
• Class A — general service with limited voltage protection.
• Class B — utility service with high voltage protection.
• Class C — special service with no voltage protection.
When choosing hard hats, look for ones that meet ANSI Z89.1-Safety
Requirements for Industrial Workers
What must my employer do?
Your employer must train you on the need for and use of head protection. Training should include:
• Information on when PPE is needed.
• An explanation on what protective headgear is required, and where to obtain it.
• How to put on, take off, adjust, and wear protective headgear.
• The limitations of the PPE.
• The proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of the PPE.
What must I do?
Keep your hard hat in good condition.
Inspect your hard hat every day for:
• Cracks, dents, and wear — discard hats that are damaged or chalky looking.
•
The condition of the suspension system — look for torn straps, broken
sewing lines, loose rivets, defective lugs, and other defects.
• Wash your hard hat monthly in warm, soapy water, and rinse thoroughly.
• Never paint your helmet or get solvents on it — this can weaken it.
Download the full article
This information provided by: Assurance Agency
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Saturday, June 28, 2014
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Falls: General Protection and Awareness
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This information provided by: CPWR
Falls are the leading cause of injuries at work sites. Falls can occur from ladders, scaffolding, vehicles, heavy equipment, aerial lifts, openings, platforms, and roofs.
Guardrails are required on work surfaces when workers are exposed to falls over 6 feet.
Guardrail must be 42 inches high. A mid-rail is required.
The fall protection training program must cover the recognition of potential fall hazards at the workplace for the employee.
Body harness with lanyards and secure attachment points are used when guardrails cannot be provided.
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This information provided by: CPWR
Falls are the leading cause of injuries at work sites. Falls can occur from ladders, scaffolding, vehicles, heavy equipment, aerial lifts, openings, platforms, and roofs.
Guardrails are required on work surfaces when workers are exposed to falls over 6 feet.
Guardrail must be 42 inches high. A mid-rail is required.
The fall protection training program must cover the recognition of potential fall hazards at the workplace for the employee.
Body harness with lanyards and secure attachment points are used when guardrails cannot be provided.
###
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Occupational Noise
Every year, approximately 30 million workers
are exposed to hazardous noise that is often ignored because the harmful
effects of overexposure are typically not visible and develop over an extended
period of time (chronic health hazard). Damage to the ear could also occur from
a single impact noise (explosion), this is an example of an acute hearing loss.
Workers exposed to high noise levels can develop elevated blood pressure,
ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and temporary and/or permanent hearing loss.
Hearing loss is often a chronic, long-term health effect
that is caused by prolonged exposure to loud noise.
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Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Workplace Stress - On the job Tool Box Talks
This Tool Box Talk provided by: CPWR, The Center for Construction Research and Training.
Download the full article
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 article
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?)
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Eye Safety - On the job tool box talks
Safety glasses protect your eyes and will save your sight - if you wear them. They offer no protection in your back pocket, your pickup truck or left at the house. People who wear glasses quickly become used to them. Unfortunately, people who don't wear glasses have never developed these habits. When it comes to eye protection, too often people forget, and safety glasses and goggles grow dusty laying unused.
The most common complaint about eye protection is that it's uncomfortable. That's why such equipment must be carefully fitted. Frames must be light, straight and properly adjusted. The lens size should be correct for the wearer, as should the fit of the bridge of the nose and at the temple.
When your goggles or glasses are dirty, dusty or grimy, they can interfere with your vision - so take time to clean them. Don't touch the lenses with your fingers. never lay goggles or glasses down so the lenses touch something that could scratch or pit them. Store eye protection so that the lenses will be protected. During hot weather, use a sweatband to help keep perspiration off your goggles. Lens "FOG" problems can be eliminated by using an anti-fog preparation.
Some people complain that goggles give them a headache. Here again, proper fit is important. Be sure goggles are worn correctly. The head strap on cup goggles should be adjusted for just enough tension to hold them securely and should be worn low on the back of the head.
Eye protection is important off the job as well as on the job. Here are some tips you can use both at work and at home. Study the label and instructions for eye protection before using cleaning products, pesticides, and herbicides. Consult the chemical MSDS sheet for Personal Protective Equipment recommended. Be sure nozzles are directed away from you and hoses are in good condition. Wear goggles to protect your eyes when handling acids and caustics. Keep the tools you use in good repair.
Remember, eye injuries are preventable. Take the time to keep your eyes safe on the job and off the job.
This information provided by: The Assurance Agency
The most common complaint about eye protection is that it's uncomfortable. That's why such equipment must be carefully fitted. Frames must be light, straight and properly adjusted. The lens size should be correct for the wearer, as should the fit of the bridge of the nose and at the temple.
When your goggles or glasses are dirty, dusty or grimy, they can interfere with your vision - so take time to clean them. Don't touch the lenses with your fingers. never lay goggles or glasses down so the lenses touch something that could scratch or pit them. Store eye protection so that the lenses will be protected. During hot weather, use a sweatband to help keep perspiration off your goggles. Lens "FOG" problems can be eliminated by using an anti-fog preparation.
Some people complain that goggles give them a headache. Here again, proper fit is important. Be sure goggles are worn correctly. The head strap on cup goggles should be adjusted for just enough tension to hold them securely and should be worn low on the back of the head.
Eye protection is important off the job as well as on the job. Here are some tips you can use both at work and at home. Study the label and instructions for eye protection before using cleaning products, pesticides, and herbicides. Consult the chemical MSDS sheet for Personal Protective Equipment recommended. Be sure nozzles are directed away from you and hoses are in good condition. Wear goggles to protect your eyes when handling acids and caustics. Keep the tools you use in good repair.
Remember, eye injuries are preventable. Take the time to keep your eyes safe on the job and off the job.
This information provided by: The Assurance Agency
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Falls Through Holes and Openings CPWR Toolbox Talk
View Full Article
Holes and openings are made in roofs and floors of buildings, both when they are built and when they are torn down. Workers can be injured or killed if they fall through the holes.
Guard or cover all holes you have created or uncovered before you leave the work area. Other workers might not notice and uncovered hole and could fall through.
Label all covers with the word "hole or cover" to provide warning of the hazard.
Keep an eye out for your coworkers and if a whole is uncovered take action to cover it, even if you did not uncover it.
Make sure covers can support at least two times the weight of workers, equipment and materials that may cross over them. OSHA Regulations require that covers be of standard strength and construction.
Secure all covers so they do not move.
This information provided by: CPWR
Holes and openings are made in roofs and floors of buildings, both when they are built and when they are torn down. Workers can be injured or killed if they fall through the holes.
Guard or cover all holes you have created or uncovered before you leave the work area. Other workers might not notice and uncovered hole and could fall through.
Label all covers with the word "hole or cover" to provide warning of the hazard.
Keep an eye out for your coworkers and if a whole is uncovered take action to cover it, even if you did not uncover it.
Make sure covers can support at least two times the weight of workers, equipment and materials that may cross over them. OSHA Regulations require that covers be of standard strength and construction.
Secure all covers so they do not move.
This information provided by: CPWR
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Immediately Dangerous to Life & Health (IDLH)
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A work environment that poses an immediate threat to an employee’s life and health are called Immediately Dangerous to Life & Health (IDLH).
An IDLH condition is one that poses an immediate or delayed threat to life or that would cause irreversible adverse health effects or that would interfere with an individual's ability to escape unaided from a space.
NOTE: Some materials may produce immediate transient effects that, even if severe, may pass without medical attention, but are followed by sudden, possibly fatal collapse 12-72 hours after exposure. The victim "feels normal" from recovery from transient effects until collapse. Such materials in hazardous quantities are considered to be "immediately" dangerous to life or health.
Potential IDLH Environments in Construction
Confined & Enclosed Spaces:
• Storage Tanks
• Process Vessels
• Bins
• Boilers
• Ventilation or Exhaust Ducts
• Sewers & Manholes
• Underground Utility Vaults
• Tunnels
• Pipelines
• Open top spaces more than 4 feet in depth
• Temporary Enclosures (heating enclosures for break)
• Dumpsters
• Stair-wells
• Elevator Shafts
• Basements
• Attics
• Trenches & Excavations
A work environment that poses an immediate threat to an employee’s life and health are called Immediately Dangerous to Life & Health (IDLH).
An IDLH condition is one that poses an immediate or delayed threat to life or that would cause irreversible adverse health effects or that would interfere with an individual's ability to escape unaided from a space.
NOTE: Some materials may produce immediate transient effects that, even if severe, may pass without medical attention, but are followed by sudden, possibly fatal collapse 12-72 hours after exposure. The victim "feels normal" from recovery from transient effects until collapse. Such materials in hazardous quantities are considered to be "immediately" dangerous to life or health.
Potential IDLH Environments in Construction
Confined & Enclosed Spaces:
• Storage Tanks
• Process Vessels
• Bins
• Boilers
• Ventilation or Exhaust Ducts
• Sewers & Manholes
• Underground Utility Vaults
• Tunnels
• Pipelines
• Open top spaces more than 4 feet in depth
• Temporary Enclosures (heating enclosures for break)
• Dumpsters
• Stair-wells
• Elevator Shafts
• Basements
• Attics
• Trenches & Excavations
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