Author: Jim Wood

COLD STRESS

Posted on by Jim Wood

Just as there is the potential for heat stress in spring and summer, there is the potential for cold stress in the fall and winter months. Cold stress happens when the skin temperature drops and eventually reduces the internal body temperature. When the body is unable to warm itself, serious cold-related illnesses and injuries may occur, and permanent tissue damage or death may result. The body loses heat through:

  • Convection – We can lose up to 10-15% of our body heat as air moves across the skin’s surface.
  • Radiation – The body radiates and loses heat. Your body loses 40-45% of its heat through the head and neck. Combine that with wrists and ankles, and heat loss approaches 60%.
  • Conduction – Holding cold tools or kneeling or sitting on the cold ground will cause your body to lose heat.
  • Respiration – When we breathe, we warm the air in our lungs. Then we exhale that warm air, resulting in significant heat loss. Breathing through your nose helps warm the air as it enters your body slightly more than breathing through your mouth.

KEEP YOUR CORE AND BODY EXTREMITIES COVERED

It is important to dress in light layers that you can add/remove as you become colder or warmer. Excessive layers can cause you to sweat, leading to wet clothing that can affect your body’s ability to maintain its temperature. Wear synthetic or cotton/synthetic blends as a base layer next to your skin to wick away sweat.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS RESULTING FROM PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO COLD TEMPERATURES

People who take certain medications, are in poor physical condition or suffer from illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension or cardiovascular disease may be at increased risk during cold weather exposure.

Cold stress often causes the body to release survival hormones such as adrenalin and cortisol. These cause the liver to release more glucose for energy, which can result in higher-than-normal blood sugar levels. Cold weather can also increase blood pressure, resulting in the increased potential for heart attacks.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

  • Dress in layers and cover your head and hands.
  • Keep extra gloves, hats and jackets available. This enables you to add layers or replace wet clothing.
  • Take frequent breaks in a warm, dry area to limit the effects of exposure to the cold.
  • Include a thermometer and chemical hot packs in your first aid kit.
  • If someone shows signs of cold-related stress or injuries, get them to warmth immediately.

Download a printable PDF and recording form here.

Members can download the audio version of this toolbox talk here.

WINTER TEMPERATURE INJURIES – HYPOTHERMIA

Posted on by Jim Wood

It is important to recognize how winter weather can affect working conditions and produce cold weather-related hazards resulting in an injury.

HYPOTHERMIA

Hypothermia is brought on by extended exposure to very cold temperatures. When your body loses heat faster than it can produce it, your temperature can drop to abnormally low levels. This lowered body temperature can affect your brain and your ability to think clearly or move well.

What makes hypothermia especially dangerous is that a person may not know it’s happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.

Severe hypothermia can cause an irregular heartbeat leading to heart failure and death.

WARNINGS SIGNS OF HYPOTHERMIA

  • Shivering.
  • Exhaustion.
  • Confusion.
  • Fumbling hands.
  • Memory loss.
  • Slurred speech.
  • Drowsiness.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

  • Move the person into a warm room or shelter.
  • Remove wet clothing.
  • Warm the center of the person’s body (chest, neck, head and groin).
  • Encourage the person to drink something warm.
  • Find medical help as soon as possible.

Download a printable PDF and recording form here.

Members can download the audio version of this toolbox talk here.

PORTABLE HEATERS

Posted on by Jim Wood

It is critically important for companies to establish and follow safe guidelines for using portable heaters. Without them, portable heaters can become workplace fire hazards.

PRIOR TO OPERATION

  • Ensure electronic flame sensors or pilot safety valves are in place.
  • Examine cords or electrical connections for damage.
  • Inspect for damage or fuel leakage following long-term storage.

APPROVED FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

  • Place heaters on a non-combustible surface that extends four feet in front of the unit, unless approved otherwise by the manufacturer.
  • Remove all combustible materials near the unit.
  • Establish a three-foot safety perimeter around the heater.

VENTILATION

  • Ensure there is adequate ventilation in the area where you plan to use the heater.
  • Provide mechanical ventilation when the natural supply of fresh air is inadequate.
  • Verify the unit does not deplete oxygen in the area.
  • If you’re using the heater in an enclosed space, use an appropriate carbon monoxide detector.

FIRE PREVENTION

  • Maintain a fire extinguisher nearby.
  • Verify that the heating unit is off and cool before you refuel it.
  • Never refuel indoors or within 50 feet of a building.
  • Turn off portable heaters in unoccupied spaces.

ACCIDENT & INJURY PREVENTION

  • Develop a plan for portable heater use.
  • Make sure to communicate sound safety procedures for using portable heaters.
  • Consider the jobsite’s conditions and requirements before selecting a portable heater.
  • Make sure all workers know how to use portable heaters safely.
  • Always follow the manufacturer’s specifications.
  • Reference OSHA’s construction standard for temporary heating devices Subpart F, 1926.154.

Download a printable PDF and recording form here.

Members can download the audio version of this toolbox talk here.

JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS

Posted on by Jim Wood

A job hazard analysis, task hazard analysis or a hazard analysis by any other term is a planning tool to identify and address hazards before they occur.

IDENTIFY HAZARDS

  • Break down the tasks for the work activity.
  • Identify existing and potential hazards associated within those tasks.
  • Establish preventative measures.

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

  1. Can you eliminate the hazard? Example: A road closure to traffic is a method of hazard elimination.
  2. Can you implement a substitution? Would using a different piece of equipment minimize the hazard? Example: An aerial lift might be safer than using a ladder.
  3. Is there an engineering control that will work? Examples: Implementing excavation protective systems like a trench box or hydraulic shoring or using wet methods to control silica exposure.
  4. What administrative controls can you implement?
    • Training.
    • Developing work procedures.
    • Signage.
  5. What is the correct personal protection equipment for the specific hazard?

PLANNING

Once you’ve identified the preventative measures, make sure you have the correct tools and equipment available.

  • Is a retractable device better suited than a standard 6-foot lanyard for fall protection?
  • Do you have the correct ladder type and height?
  • Do you need a filter or cartridge respirator?
  • Do you need leather, cut-resistant or chemical gloves?

REVIEW

As the project evolves, so does the hazard analysis process. To be effective, revisit and update the initial assessments as needed.

Download a printable PDF and recording form here.

Members can download the audio version of this toolbox talk here.

DRIVING ON SNOW AND ICE

Posted on by Jim Wood

When you’re driving in winter weather it is important to make sure your vehicle is ready, and you are prepared to handle adverse road conditions. The following information can help make your drive safer on snow and ice.

TRAVEL

  • Leave for your destination earlier than normal and plan for unexpected delays.
  • Failing to allow enough distance to stop is a major cause of winter driving accidents. Adjust your speed for the conditions and leave yourself additional room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the vehicle in front of you.
  • Bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads will freeze first. If the conditions are wet, shady areas may freeze over.
  • Brake gently to avoid skidding.
  • Do not use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
  • Drive with your lights on to allow other drivers to see you.

MAINTENANCE

  • Replace your windshield wiper blades. Worn wiper blades can smear road spray, obscuring your vision.
  • Keep your windshield washer fluid topped off.
  • Use the appropriate temperature-rated windshield washer fluid.
  • Clean snow and ice off the front and rear windshield; as well as all side windows, mirrors and lights to make sure you can see clearly and be seen by others.

BE PREPARED FOR AN EMERGENCY

  • Top off your vehicle’s fuel. In an emergency, it could be your only heat source.
  • Maintain an emergency kit with:
    • A flashlight.
    • Jumper cables.
    • Flares or emergency lights.
    • A small shovel.
    • Traction material such as sand or cat litter.
    • Additional heavy clothes, gloves and a blanket in the event your clothing becomes wet, or you are stranded for an extended period.

Download a printable PDF and recording form here.

Members can download the audio version of this toolbox talk here.

SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS IN CONSTRUCTION

Posted on by Jim Wood

In 2019, slips, trips, and falls accounted for 28% of the nonfatal work injuries resulting in days away from work in highway, street and bridge construction, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Human factors contribute to 54% of these slips, trips and falls, while unstable or slippery surfaces accounted for 25% of incidents. Significant factors that contribute to slips, trips and falls include:

COMPLACENCY

Focus on where you’re going and what lies ahead. If you consider that we take thousands of steps a day or get in and out of vehicles and equipment multiple times in a day, all these movements add up to tens of thousands in a week and a million movements in a year. Unfortunately, a one-in-a-million chance for injury is entirely possible.

DISTRACTION

Focus on what you’re doing. An object that is too heavy or too cumbersome can become a distraction, limiting your focus on your travel path.

  • Take responsibility for fixing, removing or avoiding hazards in your path.
  • Make sure you can see where you are going.
  • Carry only loads that you can see over.

BODY MECHANICS

Carrying a heavy object changes our center of mass and our walking pattern. The weight, location and method of carrying an object can impact your balance, especially if your:

  • Stride length shortens.
  • Step height lowers.
  • Center of mass shifts.

All of these subtle changes can impact a person’s normal movement patterns and stability, increasing the potential of a slip, trip or fall.

Download a printable PDF and recording form here.

Members can download the audio version of this toolbox talk here.