Hazards & Solutions
For construction, the 10 standards most
frequently included in the agency's citations were as follows:
1.
Scaffolding
2.
Fall protection (scope, application, definitions)
3.
Excavations (general requirements)
4.
Ladders
5.
Head protection
6.
Excavations (requirements for protective systems)
7.
Hazard communication
8.
Fall protection (training requirements)
9.
Construction (general safety and health provisions)
10.
Electrical (wiring methods, design and protection)
Hazards & Solutions
Scaffolding
Hazard:
When scaffolds are not erected or used
properly, fall hazards can occur. About 2.3 million construction workers
frequently work on scaffolds. Protecting these workers from scaffold-related
accidents would prevent an estimated 4,500 injuries and 50 fatalities each
year.
Solutions:
§ Scaffold
must be sound, rigid and sufficient to carry its own weight plus four times the
maximum intended load without settling or displacement. It must be erected on
solid footing.
§ Unstable
objects, such as barrels, boxes, loose bricks or concrete blocks must not be
used to support scaffolds or planks.
§ Scaffold
must not be erected, moved, dismantled or altered except under the supervision
of a competent person.
§ Scaffold
must be equipped with guardrails, mid rails and toe boards.
§ Scaffold
accessories such as braces, brackets, trusses, screw legs or ladders that are
damaged or weakened from any cause must be immediately repaired or replaced.
§ Scaffold
platforms must be tightly planked with scaffold plank grade material or
equivalent.
§ A "competent
person" must inspect the scaffolding and, at designated intervals,
reinspect it.
§ Rigging
on suspension scaffolds must be inspected by a competent person before each
shift and after any occurrence that could affect structural integrity to ensure
that all connections are tight and that no damage to the rigging has occurred
since its last use.
§ Synthetic
and natural rope used in suspension scaffolding must be protected from
heat-producing sources.
§ Employees
must be instructed about the hazards of using diagonal braces as fall
protection.
§ Scaffold
can be accessed by using ladders and stairwells.
§ Scaffolds
must be at least 10 feet from electric power lines at all times.
Fall Protection
Hazard:
Each year, falls consistently account for
the greatest number of fatalities in the construction industry. A number of
factors are often involved in falls, including unstable working surfaces, misuse
or failure to use fall protection equipment and human error. Studies have shown
that using guardrails, fall arrest systems, safety nets, covers and restraint
systems can prevent many deaths and injuries from falls.
Solutions:
§ Consider
using aerial lifts or elevated platforms to provide safer elevated working
surfaces;
§ Erect
guardrail systems with toe boards and warning lines or install control line
systems to protect workers near the edges of floors and roofs;
§ Cover
floor holes; and/or
§ Use
safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems (body harnesses).
Ladders
Hazard: Ladders and stairways are another source of
injuries and fatalities among construction workers. OSHA estimates that there
are 24,882 injuries and as many as 36 fatalities per year due to falls on
stairways and ladders used in construction. Nearly half of these injuries were
serious enough to require time off the job.
Solutions:
§ Use the
correct ladder for the task.
§ Have a
competent person visually inspect a ladder before use for any defects such as:
o
Structural damage, split/bent side rails, broken or missing
rungs/steps/cleats and missing or damaged safety devices;
o
Grease, dirt or other contaminants that could cause slips or
falls;
o
Paint or stickers (except warning labels) that could hide possible
defects
.
§ Make
sure that ladders are long enough to safely reach the work area.
§ Mark or
tag ("Do Not Use") damaged or defective ladders for repair or
replacement, or destroy them immediately.
§ Never
load ladders beyond the maximum intended load or beyond the manufacturer's
rated capacity.
§ Be sure
the load rating can support the weight of the user, including materials and
tools.
§ Avoid
using ladders with metallic components near electrical work and overhead power
lines.
Stairways
Hazard:
Slips, trips and falls on stairways are a
major source of injuries and fatalities among construction workers.
Solutions:
§ Stairway
treads and walkways must be free of dangerous objects, debris and materials.
§ Slippery
conditions on stairways and walkways must be corrected immediately.
§ Make
sure that treads cover the entire step and landing.
§ Stairways
having four or more risers or rising more than 30 inches must have at least one
handrail.
Trenching
Hazard:
Trench collapses cause dozens of fatalities
and hundreds of injuries each year. Trenching deaths rose in 2003.
Solutions:
§ Never
enter an unprotected trench.
§ Always
use a protective system for trenches feet deep or greater.
§ Employ a
registered professional engineer to design a protective system for trenches 20
feet deep or greater.
§ Protective
Systems:
o
Sloping to protect workers by cutting back the trench wall at an
angle inclined away from the excavation not steeper than a height/depth ratio
of 11 2 :1, according to the sloping requirements for the type of soil.
o
Shoring to protect workers by installing supports to prevent soil
movement for trenches that do not exceed 20 feet in depth.
o
Shielding to protect workers by using trench boxes or other types
of supports to prevent soil cave-ins.
§ Always
provide a way to exit a trench--such as a ladder, stairway or ramp--no more
than 25 feet of lateral travel for employees in the trench.
§ Keep
spoils at least two feet back from the edge of a trench.
§ Make
sure that trenches are inspected by a competent person prior to entry and after
any hazard-increasing event such as a rainstorm, vibrations or excessive
surcharge loads.
SLOPING - Maximum allowable slopes for excavations
less than 20 ft. (6.09 m) based on soil type and angle to the horizontal are as
follows:
Cranes
Hazard:
Significant and serious injuries may occur
if cranes are not inspected before use and if they are not used properly. Often
these injuries occur when a worker is struck by an overhead load or caught
within the crane's swing radius. Many crane fatalities occur when the boom of a
crane or its load line contact an overhead power line.
Solutions:
§ Check
all crane controls to insure proper operation before use.
§ Inspect
wire rope, chains and hook for any damage.
§ Know the
weight of the load that the crane is to lift.
§ Ensure
that the load does not exceed the crane's rated capacity.
§ Raise
the load a few inches to verify balance and the effectiveness of the brake
system.
§ Check
all rigging prior to use; do not wrap hoist ropes or chains around the load.
§ Fully
extend outriggers.
§ Do not
move a load over workers.
§ Barricade
accessible areas within the crane's swing radius.
§ Watch
for overhead electrical distribution and transmission lines and maintain a safe
working clearance of at least 10 feet from energized electrical lines.
Hazard Communication
Hazard:
Failure to recognize the hazards associated
with chemicals can cause chemical burns, respiratory problems, fires and
explosions.
Solutions:
§ Maintain
a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each chemical in the facility.
§ Make
this information accessible to employees at all times in a language or formats
that are clearly understood by all affected personnel.
§ Train
employees on how to read and use the MSDS.
§ Follow
manufacturer's MSDS instructions for handling hazardous chemicals.
§ Train
employees about the risks of each hazardous chemical being used.
§ Provide
spill clean-up kits in areas where chemicals are stored.
§ Have a
written spill control plan.
§ Train
employees to clean up spills, protect themselves and properly dispose of used
materials.
§ Provide
proper personal protective equipment and enforce its use.
§ Store
chemicals safely and securely.
Forklifts
Hazard:
Approximately 100 employees are fatally
injured and approximately 95,000 employees are injured every year while
operating powered industrial trucks. Forklift turnover accounts for a
significant number of these fatalities.
Solutions:
§ Train
and certify all operators to ensure that they operate forklifts safely.
§ Do not
allow any employee under 18 years old to operate a forklift.
§ Properly
maintain haulage equipment, including tires.
§ Do not
modify or make attachments that affect the capacity and safe operation of the
forklift without written approval from the forklift's manufacturer.
§ Examine
forklift truck for defects before using.
§ Follow
safe operating procedures for picking up, moving, putting down and stacking
loads.
§ Drive
safely--never exceed 5 mph and slowdown in congested or slippery surface areas.
§ Prohibit
stunt driving and horseplay.
§ Do not
handle loads that are heavier than the capacity of the industrial truck.
§ Remove
unsafe or defective forklift trucks from service.
§ Operators
shall always wear seatbelts.
§ Avoid
traveling with elevated loads.
§ Assure
that rollover protective structure is in place.
§ Make
certain that the reverse signal alarm is operational and audible above the
surrounding noise level.
Head Protection
Hazard:
Serious head injuries can result from blows
to the head.
Solution:
§ Be sure
that workers wear hard hats where there is a potential for objects falling from
above, bumps to their heads from fixed objects, or accidental head contact with
electrical hazards.
Safety Checklists
The following checklists may
help you take steps to avoid hazards that cause injuries, illnesses and
fatalities. As always, be cautious and seek help if you are concerned about a
potential hazard.
Safety Checklists
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Eye and Face Protection
§ Safety
glasses or face shields are worn anytime work operations can cause foreign
objects getting into the eye such as during welding, cutting, grinding, nailing
(or when working with concrete and/or harmful chemicals or when exposed to
flying particles).
§ Eye and
face protectors are selected based on anticipated hazards.
§ Safety
glasses or face shields are worn when exposed to any electrical hazards
including work on energized electrical systems.
Foot Protection
§ Construction
workers should wear work shoes or boots with slip-resistant and
puncture-resistant soles.
§ Safety-toed
footwear is worn to prevent crushed toes when working around heavy equipment or
falling objects.
Hand Protection
§ Gloves
should fit snugly.
§ Workers
wear the right gloves for the job (for example, heavy-duty rubber gloves for
concrete work, welding gloves for welding, insulated gloves and sleeves when
exposed to electrical hazards).
§ Workers
shall wear hard hats where there is a potential for objects falling from above,
bumps to their heads from fixed objects, or of accidental head contact with
electrical hazards.
§ Hard
hats are routinely inspected for dents, cracks or deterioration.
§ Hard
hats are replaced after a heavy blow or electrical shock.
§ Hard
hats are maintained in good condition.
§ Workers shall wear hard hats where there is a potential for objects falling from above, bumps to their heads from fixed objects, or of accidental head contact with electrical hazards.
§ Hard hats are routinely inspected for dents, cracks or deterioration.
§ Hard hats are replaced after a heavy blow or electrical shock.
§ Hard hats are maintained in good condition.
Scaffolding
§ Scaffolds
should be set on sound footing.
§ Damaged
parts that affect the strength of the scaffold are taken out of service.
§ Scaffolds
are not altered.
§ All
scaffolds should be fully planked.
§ Scaffolds
are not moved horizontally while workers are on them unless they are designed
to be mobile and workers have been trained in the proper procedures.
§ Employees
are not permitted to work on scaffolds when covered with snow, ice, or other
slippery materials.
§ Scaffolds
are not erected or moved within 10 feet of power lines.
§ Employees
are not permitted to work on scaffolds in bad weather or high winds unless a
competent person has determined that it is safe to do so.
§ Ladders,
boxes, barrels, buckets or other makeshift platforms are not used to raise work
height.
§ Extra
material is not allowed to build up on scaffold platforms.
§ Scaffolds
should not be loaded with more weight than they were designed to support.
Electrical Safety
§ Work on
new and existing energized (hot) electrical circuits is prohibited until all
power is shut off and grounds are attached.
§ An
effective Lockout/Tag out system is in place.
§ Frayed,
damaged or worn electrical cords or cables are promptly replaced.
§ All
extension cords have grounding prongs.
§ Protect
flexible cords and cables from damage. Sharp corners and projections should be
avoided.
§ Use
extension cord sets used with portable electric tools and appliances that are
the three-wire type and designed for hard or extra-hard service. (Look for some
of the following letters imprinted on the casing: S, ST, SO, STO.)
§ All
electrical tools and equipment are maintained in safe condition and checked
regularly for defects and taken out of service if a defect is found.
§ Do not
bypass any protective system or device designed to protect employees from
contact with electrical energy.
§ Overhead
electrical power lines are located and identified.
§ Ensure
that ladders, scaffolds, equipment or materials never come within 10 feet of
electrical power lines.
§ All
electrical tools must be properly grounded unless they are of the double
insulated type.
§ Multiple
plug adapters are prohibited.
Floor and Wall Openings
§ Floor
openings (12 inches or more) are guarded by a secured cover, a guardrail or
equivalent on all sides (except at entrances to stairways).
§ Toe
boards are installed around the edges of permanent floor openings (where
persons may pass below the opening).
Elevated Surfaces
§ Signs
are posted, when appropriate, showing the elevated surface load capacity.
§ Surfaces
elevated more than 48 inches above the floor or ground have standard
guardrails.
§ All
elevated surfaces (beneath which people or machinery could be exposed to
falling objects) have standard 4-inch toe boards.
§ A
permanent means of entry and exit with handrails is provided to elevated
storage and work surfaces.
§ Material
is piled, stacked or racked in a way that prevents it from tipping, falling,
collapsing, rolling or spreading.
Hazard Communication
§ A list
of hazardous substances used in the workplace is maintained and readily
available at the worksite.
§ There is
a written hazard communication program addressing Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDS), labelling and employee training.
§ Each
container of a hazardous substance (vats, bottles, storage tanks) is labelled
with product identity and a hazard warning(s) (communicating the specific
health hazards and physical hazards).
§ Material
Safety Data Sheets are readily available at all times for each hazardous
substance used.
§ There is
an effective employee training program for hazardous substances.
Crane Safety
§ Cranes
and derricks are restricted from operating within 10 feet of any electrical
power line.
§ The
upper rotating structure supporting the boom and materials being handled is
provided with an electrical ground while working near energized transmitter
towers.
§ Rated
load capacities, operating speed and instructions are posted and visible to the
operator.
§ Cranes
are equipped with a load chart.
§ The
operator understands and uses the load chart.
§ The
operator can determine the angle and length of the crane boom at all times.
§ Crane
machinery and other rigging equipment is inspected daily prior to use to make
sure that it is in good condition.
§ Accessible
areas within the crane's swing radius are barricaded.
§ Tag
lines are used to prevent dangerous swing or spin of materials when raised or
lowered by a crane or derrick.
§ Illustrations
of hand signals to crane and derrick operators are posted on the job site.
§ The
signal person uses correct signals for the crane operator to follow.
§ Crane
outriggers are extended when required.
§ Crane
platforms and walkways have antiskid surfaces.
§ Broken,
worn or damaged wire rope is removed from service.
§ Guardrails,
hand holds and steps are provided for safe and easy access to and from all
areas of the crane.
§ Load
testing reports/certifications are available.
§ Tower
crane mast bolts are properly torqued to the manufacturer's specifications.
§ Overload
limits are tested and correctly set.
§ The
maximum acceptable load and the last test results are posted on the crane.
§ Initial
and annual inspections of all hoisting and rigging equipment are performed and
reports are maintained.
§ Only
properly trained and qualified operators are allowed to work with hoisting and
rigging equipment.
Forklifts
§ Forklift
truck operators are competent to operate these vehicles safely as demonstrated
by their successful completion of training and evaluation.
§ No
employee under 18 years old is allowed to operate a forklift.
§ Forklifts
are inspected daily for proper condition of brakes, horns, steering, forks and
tires.
§ Powered
industrial trucks (forklifts) meet the design and construction requirements
established in American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for Powered
Industrial Trucks, Part II ANSI B56.1-1969.
§ Written
approval from the truck manufacturer is obtained for any modification or
additions which affect capacity and safe operation of the vehicle.
§ Capacity,
operation and maintenance instruction plates, tags or decals are changed to
indicate any modifications or additions to the vehicle.
§ Battery
charging is conducted in areas specifically designated for that purpose.
§ Material
handling equipment is provided for handling batteries, including conveyors,
overhead hoists or equivalent devices.
§ Reinstalled
batteries are properly positioned and secured in the truck.
§ Smoking
is prohibited in battery charging areas.
§ Precautions
are taken to prevent open flames, sparks or electric arcs in battery charging
areas.
§ Refresher
training is provided and an evaluation is conducted whenever a forklift
operator has been observed operating the vehicle in an unsafe manner and when
an operator is assigned to drive a different type of truck.
§ Load and
forks are fully lowered, controls neutralized, power shut off and brakes set
when a powered industrial truck is left unattended.
§ There is
sufficient headroom for the forklift and operator under overhead installations,
lights, pipes, sprinkler systems, etc.
§ Overhead
guards are in place to protect the operator against falling objects.
§ Trucks
are operated at a safe speed.
§ All
loads are kept stable, safely arranged and fit within the rated capacity of the
truck.
§ Unsafe
and defective trucks are removed from service.
Construction Safety & Health Resources
Most resource materials can be
found on the OSHA website: www.osha.gov
LABORATORY
RULES OF SAFETY AND PROCEDURES
The following safety regulations apply to all individuals
engaged in testing as well as to those who even casually enter the concrete
laboratory area:
RULE-1
SMOKING - Strictly
forbidden within any of the laboratory areas.
RULE-2
CLOTHING - Everyone
should provide themselves with suitable work clothes, of substantial quality,
in good repair, and clean, for use in the laboratory. Work shirts shall be long
sleeved, rolled down, and buttoned at both the sleeves and the neck. Coveralls
or a long-sleeved laboratory coat are suitable alternatives to other types of
work clothes. Foot gear must include hard bottoms and uppers. Sandals,
open-weave cloth shoes, tennis shoes, or other types with soft uppers or
bottoms will not be permitted in the laboratory. Eye protection will be worn
whenever materials are handled that could possibly shoot outward. Ordinary
eyeglasses are defined as satisfactory, normal eye protection, and all students
are encouraged to wear them when working in the laboratory. Goggles, when
required, will be available in the laboratory.
RULE-3
JOKES AND HORSEPLAY - Tricks,
practical jokes, and horseplay in any laboratory will result in severe
disciplinary actions against the perpetrators. Every person has a
responsibility to perform laboratory work with consideration for the safety of
him- or herself as well as that of the safety of every other member of the
group. A compressed air or gas hose is never to be used for cleaning a work
area or clothing or pointed at another person. Never leave burners or fires of
any kind going when not needed. Use only safety matches or laboratory flint
lighters for igniting a flame.
RULE-4
IN CASE OF FIRE - Leave
the vicinity and immediately inform the individual in charge and/or a
laboratory technician. If it can be accomplished without incurring added risk,
disconnect electrical connections in the area of the fire.
RULE-5
VALVES AND CONTROLS - Do not
attempt to operate any valve or control on any piece of laboratory equipment
before being instructed in its use by the instructor or the laboratory
technician and prior to permission from the instructor.
RULE-6
USE OF TOOLS - Use
only the proper tool as directed by the instructor or laboratory technician and
be certain that it is in good condition. Keep all tools and equipment clean and
free from oil or grease. Never carry tools in your pockets or throw them when
finished using.
RULE-7
LIFTING - Never
attempt to lift a heavier weight than you can comfortably handle. Get help when
needed. In lifting, keep your back straight and as nearly upright as possible.
Lift with the leg muscles and not with the more vulnerable muscles of the back
and abdomen. Never attempt to lift when the body is in an awkward position, as
when twisting, or when your footing is insecure.
RULE-8
IN CASE OF ACCIDENT - Report
every injury, no matter how slight it may appear, immediately to the
responsible individual.
If possible, the injured person should immediately seek
professional medical attention. The person in charge will make out an injury
form and report the incident immediately to the proper authority in writing. In
case of serious injury, no attempt will be made to move the injured. Medical
assistance will immediately be requested, probably from the designated medical
facility.
RULE-9
CLEANUP AT THE END OF THE
LABORATORY EXERCISE - Every squad and each individual is
responsible for cleaning all equipment used in that period. All equipment must
be cleaned before it is returned to its proper place. Bench tops shall be clean
and all equipment or samples cleaned and neatly arranged. All sample containers
shall be wiped clean before storing. No one will be dismissed or excused from
the laboratory until his or her particular squad has been checked out by the
individual responsible for this important housekeeping operation.
RULE-10
GENERAL PROVISION - It is
incumbent upon every individual to be thoroughly familiar with these safety
rules, which will be distributed at the first class meeting. Strict attention
to instructions by the instructor and/or the laboratory technician is an
implied responsibility of every individual. One of the most important
responsibilities of the instructor and the laboratory technician is that of
safety. Do not hesitate to ask questions when in doubt about any procedure or
proper use of apparatus.