Category: Industry News

USDOT Requests Comments About DBE Good Faith Efforts

Posted on by Dan Osborn

The USDOT recently published a request for comments concerning the costs of documenting and submitting Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Requirements.

Comments are requested about 17 DBE requirements, most of which are isolated to efforts of federal fund recipients. Recipients of federal funds examples include Departments of Transportation, transit entities and airports. Item number nine (9), Submitting Evidence of Having Made ‘‘Good Faith Efforts’’ To Secure DBE Participation in DOT-Assisted Contracts, requests comments from contractors in addition to recipients. Comments should include information and data concerning time and cost committed to documenting and submitting good faith effort documentation when requested.

Written comments should be submitted by August 16, 2021.

You may submit comments [identified by Docket No. DOT–OST– 2021–0072] through one of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • Fax: (202) 493–2251. • Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Room W12– 140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marc D. Pentino, (202) 366–6968, marc.pentino@dot.gov or Aarathi Haig, (202) 366–5990, aarathi.haig@dot.gov/ Departmental Office of Civil Rights, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation.

EYE SAFETY

Posted on by Jim Wood

Many Americans say that losing their eyesight would have the greatest impact on their day-to-day life – more than losing a limb, their hearing or their ability to speak.

Wearing ANSI Z87 protective compliant eyewear (which costs less than $10) can prevent serious eye injuries. OSHA’s personal protective standard (1926.102[b]) requires that protective eye and face protection meet or exceed the test requirements of ANSI Z87.1. The ANSI Z87 identification is typically located on the eyeware frame. The protective eyewear must also have side shields built into the design, or attachable side shields that meet the above-referenced ANSI standard.

COMMON CAUSES OF EYE INJURY

  • Striking or scraping – Most eye injuries are caused by airborne fragments like dust or other small particles from tools and equipment hitting or scraping the eye. Keep in mind that dust or other materials can accumulate on the eyebrows or on the bill of a hard hat and can dislodge and fall into the eyes.
  • Chemical splash – Industrial chemicals or cleaning products are common causes of chemical burns.
  • Thermal burns and radiant energy – UV rays or thermal gases produced during welding can result in serious damage.

FIRST AID

If you get something in your eye, don’t rub it. You can scratch your cornea or drive the fragment in even deeper, resulting in a more serious injury. This increases the likelihood of infection. To remove a particle from your eye, flush the surface with clean water or a sterile saline solution and seek medical attention.

PRESCRIPTION EYEWEAR

To meet OSHA’s personal protective requirement, prescription eyewear must also meet the test requirements of ANSI Z87.1 (1926.102[b]). The ANSI standard also requires prescription eyewear to have side shields built into the design or attachable side shields. Average prescription eyewear provides no impact protection against flying debris. An impact could shatter the lens, embedding it into the eye and creating a greater injury.

Download a printable PDF and recording form here.

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

2021 Safety Program Awards Instructions

Posted on by Jim Wood

Eligibility

To be considered for an award, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Current ICI membership.
  • No serious and/or “knowing” IOSHA citation associated with a work-related fatality since January 1, 2018.
  • Must have one or more active jobsites available for visit during August and September 2021.
  • Must allow random and unannounced jobsite walk-throughs and worker interviews.
  • Award recipients must work with ICI’s Safety Committee to participate in a safety roundtable gathering in early 2022.

Completing the Application

The ICI application process consists of:

  • Interactive application form which is filled in and submitted electronically once you have completed all of the requested information. Each section of the application clearly states what is required for that section.
  • The application form will also request some independent documentation. These documents must be submitted as PDF files and included as attachments when you submit your application.
  • SurveyMonkey will save your data in your browser until you click done at the end of the survey. After you click done, you won’t be able to edit the application. It’s best to collect all your information and complete the application in one sitting.

Deadline

Applications are submitted electronically and must be received by Aug. 13, 2021. All applications, at a minimum must include OSHA 300A logs for 2018, 2019 and 2020, EMR data for 2018, 2019, and 2020 and a copy of the company safety program to be considered complete. Unanswered questions will be considered as “not applicable” responses.

Confidentiality

To ensure fairness in the judging process, ICI will remove all identifying information, such as company name and address, from the applications and supporting documentation before providing information to ICI’s Safety Program Awards Selection Committee.

Contact

Please contact Jim Wood at jwood@indianaconstructors.org or by phone at (317) 634-7547 if you have questions or issues submitting the application data.

RUSHING HAZARDS

Posted on by Jim Wood

When you take a chance by doing something you know isn’t safe, just to save a minute or two, you can end up with a time pressure injury.

Being rushed or in a hurry can:

  • Distract your attention from hazards you would normally recognize.
  • Create stress which releases the hormone, cortisol. Increased levels of cortisol can cause you to make impulsive decisions.
  • Lead you to take shortcuts in a process or procedure that was intended to prevent injuries.
  • Cause you to try to do too much.
  • Make you forget to ask for help to complete a task or find the correct tool or equipment to complete the work activity.
  • Lead to errors that cause you to redo the work, erasing any of the time you saved by rushing in the first place.
  • Prompt you to take shortcuts like walking between pieces of equipment instead of around them.
  • Cause you to strike objects with greater force and less accuracy, resulting in an injury – or a more severe injury.
  • Reduce your reaction time to changing conditions.

PREVENTION STRATEGIES

  • Take a minute to plan.
  • Use the right tools and equipment for the job.
  • Wear the correct PPE, even if it means taking more time to finish the task.
  • Replace the guards on equipment after completing maintenance or blade replacement.
  • Ask for help lifting or moving material or equipment.

Download a printable PDF and recording form here.

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

POISONOUS PLANTS

Posted on by Jim Wood

OSHA 1926.21(b)(4) states: In job site areas where harmful plants or animals are present, employees who may be exposed shall be instructed regarding the potential hazards, and how to avoid injury and the first aid procedures to be used in the event of injury.

PLANTS

Poison ivy has poisonous sap called urushiol (u-ROO-she-ol) in its roots, stems and leaves that causes skin irritation and blisters. Poison ivy has slightly shiny, dark green leaves that are found in groups of three. They can be smooth or notched. The plant most commonly grows as a vine, but you can also find it as a low-growing shrub. Exposure can cause a rash that can take up to 48 hours to appear and may last two-three weeks. The fluid from blisters cannot cause additional skin reaction.

Contrary to common belief, poison oak is not found in Indiana.

While not as abundant as the poison ivies and poison oaks, poison sumac is typically found in wet or swampy areas as it likes to grow in or near water. Poison sumac grows as a bush or tree with some maturing to heights of twenty feet. If the sumac plant does not have flowers or waxy, white berries, you can identify it by the red stems and feather-shaped leaves.

PREVENTION

Keep exposed skin covered when you are working in areas where contact is possible. Avoid burning poisonous plants or being in the area where brush and poisonous plants are being burned, as the poisonous sap can spread as a fume. Airborne sap can be inhaled, absorbed through the eyes or unprotected skin. The effects can be extremely hazardous.

TREATMENT

If you are exposed:

  • Wash the exposed areas of skin immediately with mild soap and running water.
  • Launder exposed clothing several times before you wear it again.
  • Avoid scratching affected areas. This can lead to infection.
  • Use corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone cream, to relieve symptoms.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that people who have had severe reactions in the past to any of these plants, contact a dermatologist as soon as possible after a new exposure.

Download a printable PDF and recording form here.

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