September 2020 – Indiana Constructors Inc

Prohibited Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Equipment and Services

Posted on 2020-09-022025-04-10 by Dan Osborn

Source: INDOT email sent 09/01/2020: INDOT-Attention Contractors Effective Immediately

Contractors,
To the attention of all INDOT contracted service providers.

Effective Immediately

This clause will be added to all INDOT professional services and construction contracts so that INDOT will be in compliance with federal requirements:

Prohibited Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Equipment and Services.
In accordance with federal regulations (including 2 CFR 200.216 and 2 CFR 200.471), the Contractor is prohibited from purchasing, procuring, obtaining, using, or installing any telecommunication or video surveillance equipment, services, or systems produced by:
(A) Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities), OR
(B) Hytera Communications Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, or Dahua Technology Company (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities), for any purpose to fulfill its obligations under this Contract. The Contractor shall be responsible to ensure that any subcontractors are bound by and comply with the terms of this provision. Breach of this provision shall be considered a material breach of this Contract.

BACKGROUND: On August 13, 2018, the President signed the FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Section 889(b) prohibits Federal agencies, after August 13, 2020, from obligating or expending financial assistance to obtain certain telecommunications and video surveillance services and equipment from specific producers.

On January 22,2020, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that outlined revisions to 2 CFR 200, in part, to implement section 889 of the FY 2019 NDAA. Today, the Federal Register Notice issued the Final Rule and states that the amendment to 2 CFR 200.216 is effective on August 13, 2020.

The new 2 CFR 200.471 regulation provides clarity that the telecommunications and video surveillance costs associated with 2 CFR 200.216 are unallowable for services and equipment from these specific providers. OMB’s Federal Register Notice includes the new 2 CFR 200.216 and 2 CFR 200.471 regulations.

Thank you,
Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT)
100 N. Senate Ave., IGCN
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Jackhammer & Chipping Hammer Safety

Posted on 2020-09-012025-04-10 by Jim Wood

Chipping and hammering for concrete removal are common work activities in bridge work and repair. Workers use compact pneumatic chipping hammers and jackhammers to do the job. These compact battering rams pack a lot of punch, and they can be dangerous if you don’t use them properly. Here are some common-sense tips provided by tool manufacturers.

Wear the Correct PPE

Safety glasses.
Face shield.
Hearing protection.
Hard hat.
Gloves.
Durable work boots with protective toes.
N95 or greater respiratory protection unless you’re using water for silica dust control.

Inspect Before Using

Inspect the jackhammer or chipping hammer for damage and make sure all controls and safety interlocks work properly.
Check all couplings and accessories on all compressors and ensure that only correct, compatible couplings are in place.
Make sure safety or holding pins used on all hose connections are in place.
Inspect the safety clip or tool retainer for proper operation. This prevents you from unintentionally shooting the chisel or tool from the barrel.

Beware of Air Under Pressure

Never exceed the tool’s designated operating pressure.
Never point a compressed air hose at yourself or anyone else.
Never use compressed air to blow dirt or debris from your clothes.
Always disconnect the tool when you’re not using it or when you are changing accessories.

Proceed with Caution

Make sure that loose clothing doesn’t get caught in the equipment.
Verify that workers won’t encounter electrical or gas lines while performing the work.
Keep both hands on the tool.
Watch for excess lengths of the air hose, which can cause a tripping hazard.
Properly position your body while moving and using the equipment.
Allow the tool to do the work by using a grip light enough to maintain control.
Discontinue use if numbness, tingling, pain or discoloration of the skin occurs.
Always follow any manufacturer special instructions.

Download a printable PDF and recording form here.

Insect Bites & Stings

Posted on 2020-09-012025-04-10 by Jim Wood

Bites and stings from bees and wasps, fire ants, spiders, ticks and mites can be common occurrences for contractors.

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the five insects that cause most allergic reactions in the United States are honeybees, hornets, wasps, yellow jackets and fire ants. Watch bite or sting victims of these insects for severe allergic reactions. The following symptoms require immediate emergency medical attention:

Coughing.
Trouble breathing.
Chest pain.
Severe sweating.
Itching.
Nausea/Vomiting.
Redness and swelling around the area of the bite/sting.
Hives.

Areas of the body most susceptible to bites and stings are your head, exposed arms and exposed hands. You can reduce bites and stings by keeping these areas covered. You can also reduce your exposure by keeping work areas clean. Insects may be attracted to discarded food or open drink containers.

If you are susceptible to an allergic reaction from an insect bite or sting, you should inform your employer. People that are aware that they have a severe allergy to insect bites or stings should also:

Consider making their co-workers aware.
Wear a medical warning bracelet or necklace.
Carry a wallet card.
Carry an epinephrine auto-injector.

If you are stung:

Remove the stinger by using a gauze wipe or by scraping a fingernail over the area.
Never squeeze the stinger or use tweezers.
Wash the site with soap and water.
Apply ice to reduce swelling.
Seek medical attention and report work-related injuries.

Download a printable PDF and recording form here.

Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) & Confined Spaces

Posted on 2020-09-012025-05-07 by Jim Wood

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless, flammable, extremely hazardous gas with a rotten egg smell. It occurs naturally in crude petroleum and natural gas and can be produced by the breakdown of organic matter and human and/or animal wastes (i.e., sewage). It’s heavier than air and can collect in low-lying, enclosed, poorly ventilated areas such as basements, manholes, sewer lines and underground telephone and electrical vaults. When hydrogen sulfide gas burns it produces other toxic vapors and gases, including sulfur dioxide.

Health Effects

Health effects vary with the length of the exposure and the concentration levels in which you are exposed. People with asthma may be at greater risk. The OSHA Construction Permissible Exposure Limit is an eight-hour limit of 10 ppm.

Low concentrations (2 -5 ppm) – Effects include irritation of eyes, nose, throat or respiratory system. These effects can be delayed.
Moderate concentrations (20 -50 ppm) – Effects include more severe eye irritation and difficulty breathing, headache, dizziness, nausea, coughing and vomiting.
High concentrations (100 ppm and greater) – Effects that can be extremely rapid (within a few breaths) include shock, convulsions, inability to breathe, coma or death.

Before Entering a Vault, Tank or Other Confined Space

A qualified person using gas detection equipment must test the air for the presence and concentration of hydrogen sulfide (and other atmospheric hazards). The qualified person also determines if fire and/or explosion precautions are necessary.

If gas is present, you must ventilate the space.
If you can’t remove the gas, use appropriate respiratory protection and any other necessary personal protective, rescue and communication equipment.
Atmospheres containing high concentrations (greater than 100 ppm) are immediately dangerous to life and health and require a self-contained breathing apparatus.

There are absolutely NO circumstances under which you would ever enter a confined space (a space large enough to enter, limited entry and exit, not designed for continuous occupancy) without:

Testing for atmospheric hazards.
Having the equipment and training to do a non-entry rescue. Calling the fire department is NOT a rescue plan. It’s a recovery plan.
Following all confined space requirements under OSHA 1926 Subpart AA.

Download a printable PDF and recording form here.

Safe Fueling Procedures

Posted on 2020-09-012025-04-10 by Jim Wood

Fuels can be highly flammable and, if handled incorrectly, these substances can make fueling equipment a dangerous task. Be aware of the hazards and follow proper prevention steps to avoid an accident.

NO SMOKING! A burning cigarette can ignite flammable vapors that are produced from the liquid fuel, causing a flash fire or explosion. Ensure there are no other potential sources of ignition, such as open flames or spark-producing equipment operating in the area.
Don’t use a cell phone or other electronic device use while fueling equipment.
Turn off the equipment or vehicle’s engine when you’re fueling it.
Only use DOT-approved safety cans for transporting and transferring fuels.
Never dispense fuel into a can or other portable container while it is sitting in your vehicle, truck or truck bed. This allows hazardous static electricity to build up.
Before dispensing fuel into your vehicle or equipment, physically touch a metal part away from the fuel tank on your vehicle or equipment to dissipate any static build-up on your body created when you slid out of your vehicle.
To prevent hazardous static electricity building up, make contact between the fuel dispenser nozzle or hose to the fill tube on the fuel tank before you start to add fuel to the tank, and keep it in contact throughout the entire refueling process.
Maintain a spill kit in your vehicle or near the fueling area.
Maintain at least one portable fire extinguisher rated not less than 20-B units located not less than 25 feet and not more than 75 feet, from any flammable liquid storage area located outside.
Regularly inspect hoses and pumps for deterioration or damage.
Clean up spills immediately using a spill kit and remove any clothing that has absorbed the fuel.
In the fueling area, maintain emergency response procedures and a list of company and local emergency contacts for prompt response in the event of an accident.

Download a printable PDF and recording form here.

Focus Four Hazards

Posted on 2020-09-012025-04-10 by Jim Wood

According to OSHA, of the 4,779 worker fatalities in private industry in calendar year 2018, 1,008 or 21.1% were in construction — that is, one in five worker deaths were in construction. The leading causes of private sector worker deaths in the construction industry were falls, followed by struck by object, electrocution and caught-in/between. These “Fatal Four” were responsible for more than half (58.6%) the construction worker deaths in 2018.

Fall fatalities – 33.5%
Struck-by object fatalities – 11.1%
Electrocution fatalities – 8.5%
Caught-in/between fatalities – 5.5%

Fall Prevention

Correctly install and use personal fall arrest equipment.
Install and maintain guard rails and perimeter protection.
Cover and secure floor openings and label floor opening covers.
Inspect and use ladders and scaffolds correctly.

Struck-By Prevention

Do not place yourself between moving equipment and fixed objects.
Wear and maintain high-visibility clothes.
Use tag lines when moving suspended loads.
Inspect and use powered equipment correctly.
Use proper rigging techniques.

Caught-In/Caught Between Prevention

Properly slope or implement trench protection for excavations five feet or deeper.
Ensure guards are in place and in good condition on powered tools and equipment.

Electrocution Prevention

Locate and identify utilities before starting work.
Look for overhead power lines when operating any equipment.
Maintain minimum approach distance from power lines.
Use GFCI on all portable electric tools.
Be alert to electrical hazards when working with ladders, scaffolds or other platforms.

Download a printable PDF and recording form here.

Excavation Safety

Posted on 2020-09-012025-04-10 by Jim Wood

According to OSHA, trenching is a leading jobsite hazard, which causes an average of 54 fatalities each year. The following are OSHA’s common trenching and excavation safety standards to help protect yourself and your crew during excavation work activity.

Locate and daylight/pothole buried utilities prior to excavation.
Trench excavations that are five feet deep or greater are required to have sloping, benching, shielding (trench box) or shoring unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock.
A competent person* may determine that a protective system isn’t required for trench excavations less than five feet deep.
A competent person must inspect the excavation and classify the soil type. The classification is based on the results of at least one visual and one manual analysis.

SOILS TYPES
- Solid Rock
- Type A Slope ¾ to 1 (53º)
- Type B Slope 1 to 1 (45º)
- Type C Slope 1 ½ to 1 (34º)

The atmosphere must be tested before entry in trench excavations four feet in depth or greater before entry if the potential for oxygen deficiency or a hazardous atmosphere exists or could reasonably be expected to exist.
A ladder or other means of egress must be accessible within 25 feet of the worker’s activity for excavations four feet in depth or greater.
Excavated materials and equipment must be kept a minimum of two feet from the edge of excavations.
Excavated material must be sloped to prevent the material from re-entering the excavation.
A competent person must inspect excavations, protective systems and the area around the excavation daily prior to the start of work and as needed throughout the shift. They should document the inspections.
Employees are not to work in excavations where there is accumulated water or where water is accumulating. A pump(s) must be in place to remove accumulating water.

*A competent person is an individual who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards or working conditions that are hazardous, unsanitary or dangerous to workers, soil types and protective systems required, and who is authorized to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate these hazards and conditions.

Download a printable PDF and recording form here.

Regular Equipment Inspections

Posted on 2020-09-012025-04-10 by Jim Wood

In World War II, aviation was still in its infancy. From 1939 to 1945, 21,583 aircrew members lost their lives due to non-combat accidents in the continental U.S., and another 20,633 died in aircraft non-combat accidents overseas.

Today, aircraft and air travel are safer due, in part, to technology, training and daily pre-flight inspections.

Equipment Inspections

Every day, equipment users or operators should focus on making sure their equipment is operable and safe before each use.
Every operator’s manual and owner’s manual from power tools, ladders and fall protection to powered/motorized equipment routinely includes specific instructions on how to inspect the equipment.
In the event of a failure resulting in an accident, the first document inspectors request and review is the equipment inspection form. Following any type of incident, they ask, “Did the user or operator inspect the equipment prior to use?”

Why Do We Perform Inspections? An Ounce of Prevention’s Worth a Pound of Cure.

OSHA standards mandate frequent and regular inspections.
Pre-shift inspections give you the opportunity to observe and report maintenance and safety concerns for any piece of equipment.
Other contractors may use or damage the equipment without your knowledge.
Inspections can prevent failure that leaves the operator or occupants immobile or stranded.
Inspections can prevent failure during a critical period while the equipment is in use.
Inspections can prevent failure resulting in a serious injury.
Inspections can prevent failure causing a work delay.

Download a printable PDF and recording form here.

Construction & Energized Electrical Utilities

Posted on 2020-09-012025-04-10 by Jim Wood

OSHA has included electrocutions as part of the Focus Four Hazards for construction because of the persistence and significance of this hazard. The Focus Four Hazards represent the causes of nearly 60% of all construction fatalities each year.

Electrocution caused by contact with energized power lines is a significant cause of fatalities in construction. Some examples of equipment that could contact power lines are cranes, pile drivers, guardrail drilling rigs, backhoes, excavators, front-end loaders, trenching machines, dump trucks and concrete pumping trucks.

Keep in mind on every construction project:

Survey the site, identify overhead power lines and post DANGER signs and visible barriers at all potentially dangerous locations.
Maintain at least 10 feet of clearance between equipment and power lines energized with less than 50,000 volts. For power lines carrying more energy, increase the distance by one foot for every 30,000 volts.
If you must operate equipment close to the power line, use a spotter to identify when you’re nearing the minimum approach distance limit.
Before beginning paving or any other road work activity, survey the area for any power lines that cross over the roadway, post DANGER signage notifying dump truck drivers to lower their beds before traveling under overhead power lines and bridges.
If you must work close to a power line, consider calling the responsible utility to have the line protected during the operation.
Before beginning ANY work activity in which you will penetrate the ground, call Indiana Underground Plant Protection Services (Indiana 811) at 811 or 800-382-5544 at least two full working days before you begin the work activity and have them locate the underground utilities. Do not begin work until this has been done.
Once the locate service has marked the location of the buried utility, pothole/daylight to positively identify and expose the buried utility.
Maintain a clearance of not less than two feet around the diameter of the buried utility with all mechanized equipment.
Protect all underground utility markers from damage and replace them as needed.
Situate jobsite unloading and storage areas in open areas away from overhead power lines.

Download a printable PDF and recording form here.

Month: September 2020

Prohibited Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Equipment and Services

Source: INDOT email sent 09/01/2020: INDOT-Attention Contractors Effective Immediately

Jackhammer & Chipping Hammer Safety

Insect Bites & Stings

Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) & Confined Spaces

Safe Fueling Procedures

Focus Four Hazards

Excavation Safety

Regular Equipment Inspections

Construction & Energized Electrical Utilities

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