Construction Memo 17-12 Alternate to Concrete Sealers Unique Special Provision
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Winter Work Safety
Each season brings its own set of hazards for construction workers. As we enter the winter season, be especially mindful of the weather, its effects on the body and proper actions to prevent serious injury, permanent tissue damage or even death.
Low temperatures, high winds, dampness and cold water can contribute to cold-related stress on your body. Wearing inadequate or wet clothing increases the effects of cold on the body. Alcohol, nicotine, caffeine and some medications inhibit the body’s response to the cold and can impair judgement.
Fatigue, nausea, confusion, lightheadedness and profuse sweating are symptoms of hypothermia. Exposed skin can start to freeze at just 28◦F causing frostbite. Deep frostbite can cause blood clots and even gangrene.
Following are several tips to consider while working outdoors during the winter months:
- Keep your body temperature at or about normal (98.6◦F). This can be accomplished by wearing layers of clothing.
- Wear cotton or lightweight wool fabrics next to your skin. Add layers when you are cold, remove layers when hot.
- Keep your clothing as dry as possible. Protect your clothing as needed by wearing rain gear and other durable garments. Keep an extra pair of socks handy so you can change them as needed. You may also want to consider investing in waterproof footwear.
- Protect your head, neck and ears. Up to 40 percent of body heat can be lost when the head is exposed.
- Wear the right gloves for the work you are doing. They should have enough insulation to keep you warm and prevent frostbite, but thin enough so you can feel what you are doing if you are manipulating controls or tools.
- Keep your safety eyewear from fogging up in the cold. Use anti-fog coatings and wipes that are appropriate for your eyewear.
If your skin becomes discolored and it appears that circulation has been limited, then you are probably experiencing the early stages of frostbite. If this occurs, find a way to immediately start warming that particular part of the body. Tips for treating frostbite include:
- When possible, go indoors or to a warmer area to prevent further exposure.
- Never rub or massage the affected body part.
- Never use hot water. You should gradually warm the frostbitten area by immersing it in lukewarm water.
- If blisters develop, cover them with a bandage or gauze to prevent them from opening and becoming infected.
- Refrain from smoking as it slows down the circulation of blood to the extremities.
- Avoid caffeine. It constricts blood vessels.
- When normal feeling, movement and skin color have returned, the area affected should be dried and wrapped to keep it warm.
- If the condition does not improve, seek professional medical attention.
Taking preventive action is your best defense against having to deal with extreme cold-weather conditions. Prepare in advance, observe safety precautions and reduce your risk of weather-related injury.
Preventing Forklift Accidents
There are several types of forklifts that can be used on construction sites. They include stand-up riders for use in narrow aisles, sit-down riders, motorized hand pallet jacks and rough terrain forklift trucks.
About 100 workers are killed each year as a result of forklift accidents. Overturning causes nearly one quarter of these fatalities. Other common forklift accidents include workers being struck by materials on forklifts or by the forklift itself, and workers falling from a forklift.
Unfortunately, those who operate forklifts day in and day out have a tendency to take short cuts and ignore basic safety rules. Their attitude says, “It can’t happen to me.”
Some factors to consider when driving a forklift include:
- Know the capacity of the forklift you are driving. Make sure it can handle the size and weight of your load.
- Determine if the load you are carrying has any odd characteristics, and plan ahead on how to handle them. Examples include loads that are top heavy, cylindrical or awkward.
- Know the condition of the forklift. Are the forks damaged, or is there some other problem that could cause an accident? If so, don’t use the forklift until it’s repaired.
- Determine the path you will be traveling with the forklift. Be aware of obstacles, bumps, ramps, people, cross aisles and narrow passageways.
When operating a forklift, keep the following safety guidelines in mind:
- Operate the forklift only if you’ve been trained.
- Maintain a safe following distance from other forklifts – about three vehicle lengths.
- Follow speed limits and other regulations.
- Drive with your load low – six or eight inches off the ground – and tilted slightly back.
- Exercise extra caution when driving over duckboards and bridge plates, and make sure your load is within their capacity as well.
- Raise and lower your load only when your forklift is completely stopped.
- Stop and sound the horn at intersections.
- Avoid sharp turns.
- Keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle.
- Wear a hard hat and other protective equipment when necessary.
- Be sure your load is stable and secure.
- When leaving the forklift for any reason or any length of time, lower the forks, neutralize the controls, shut off the engine and set the brakes.
OSHA has two educational documents on forklift safety. The first is “Operating the Forklift: Load Handling,” and the second is “Operating the Forklift: Traveling & Maneuvering.” Both have good information that can help you safely operate your forklift.
Danger – Eye Protection Required
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 20,000 workplace eye injuries happen each year. These injuries range from simple eye strain to severe trauma that can cause permanent damage, partial vision loss or blindness. Many of these injuries could have been prevented if the worker had used proper protective eyewear and followed appropriate safety measures.
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has identified five major dangers to your eyes. They include:
- Impact – flying objects and particles;
- Heat – anything that gives off dangerous heat;
- Chemicals – flashes, fumes and vapors;
- Dust – otherwise harmless particulates that can damage sensitive eyes; and
- Optical radiation – everything from simple glare to intense light.
There are three things you can do to help prevent eye injury:
- Know the eye hazards at your worksite.
- When possible, eliminate the hazards before starting work. Use machine guarding, work screens or other engineering controls.
- Use the proper eye protection. Anyone working in or passing through areas that pose eye hazards should wear protective eyewear.
Ensure your safety glasses fit properly. According to OSHA Standard 1926.102, your safety glasses should meet the following requirements:
- Provide adequate protection against the particular hazards for which they are designed.
- Be reasonably comfortable when worn under the designated conditions.
- Fit snugly and not unduly interfere with your movements.
- Be durable and capable of being disinfected.
- Be easily cleaned.
Clean your safety glasses daily, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Store them in a case when they are not being worn. Replace glasses that are scratched, pitted, broken, bent or ill-fitting.
Use only safety glasses that are manufactured to meet the American National Standards Institute’s Z87.1 Eye and Face Protection Standard.
Drugs, Alcohol and Construction Don’t Mix
Alcohol and drug use among employees and their family members can be an expensive problem for any industry.
The impact of alcoholism and drug dependence in the workplace generally focuses on four major areas: premature death and fatal accidents; injuries and accident rates; absenteeism; and loss of productivity. Other problem areas include tardiness, sleeping on the job, poor decision making, loss of efficiency, theft, workplace morale, high turnover and more. In addition, family members living with someone’s alcoholism or drug use may also suffer significant job performance related problems, including absenteeism, lack of focus, increased health-related problems and use of health insurance.
There is a certain level of danger associated with any construction job site. Because we don’t want to add to the danger, it’s important to establish guidelines and consequences for substance abuse and help employees follow those guidelines.
Coworkers are often reluctant to let management know when they suspect drug or alcohol activity. They are concerned that any coworkers they identify will be penalized or even lose their jobs. The reality is that the abuser is placed in far greater jeopardy when this information is not reported. Silence helps to foster opportunities for hazards and continued drug use to exist. Below are three suggestions on how to deal with this type of situation:
- Don’t be an enabler. When you cover up for substance abusers, lend them money or help conceal poor work performance, you are protecting them from the consequences of their behavior and making it possible for them to continue using drugs or alcohol.
- Don’t look the other way. If you suspect drugs are being used or sold on your worksite, report it to your supervisor. Contacts are normally confidential and anonymous.
- Don’t intervene on your own. Drug abuse and drug dealing are serious problems, and qualified professionals should handle them.
Cooperation is the key to dealing with substance abuse in the workplace. Employers and employees alike have a role to play. We must all recognize our roles and carry out our responsibilities. We must ensure:
- A comprehensive drug-free policy is in place.
- Employees are educated regarding the effects of drug and alcohol abuse.
- Supervisors are trained to recognize such abuse.
- Employees are periodically tested.
- Assistance is available for employees who require help.
Fighting Fatigue
Fatigue is the condition of being physically or mentally tired or exhausted. Extreme fatigue can lead to uncontrolled and involuntary shutdown of the brain, which can be extremely dangerous on a construction site. Research has shown that:
- 17 hours of continuously being awake is equivalent to a blood alcohol content of .05;
- 21 hours of continuously being awake is equivalent to a blood alcohol content of .08 (the legal limit in Indiana); and
- 24-25 hours of continuously being awake is equivalent to a blood alcohol content of .10.
These statistics show that when you are fatigued it is very likely that you will make errors in judgement. Your mind and eyes can be off task, and you can make a critical error.
A sleep-impaired worker may also experience lack of manual dexterity and alertness. The drowsiness associated with sleep deprivation can jeopardize safety when working with machinery, at heights and certainly while driving vehicles. Sleep-impaired workers may be more irritable and might take more risks than they would if they were rested. Research has also proven that workers are far more likely to forget rote tasks when they are deprived of sleep on a regular basis.
Here are some tips from the National Sleep Foundation for getting a good night’s sleep:
- Don’t sleep in on your days off. Maintain your workday sleep schedule.
- Wind down before going to bed. Experts recommend that you establish a regular relaxing routine to transition between waking and sleeping. Soak in a hot tub or read a book before retiring. This can greatly improve your quality of sleep. Make your bedroom sleep friendly by making it a dark, quiet, cool and comfortable place.
- Use your bed for sleeping. Watching television or working on a computer can impede your ability to truly relax when it’s time to sleep.
- Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol for several hours before bedtime.
- Allow enough time for sleep. Before you protest and say you would if you could, consider that people who get enough sleep are significantly more productive during their waking hours than people who are sleep deprived.
- Nap when possible. A 20-minute nap (no more) followed by exercise will make you feel refreshed and provide a pick-me-up that will make you more productive.
- Exercise regularly and complete your workout a few hours before bedtime.
- Finish eating at least two to three hours before your regular bedtime.
Remember, the treatment for sleepiness and fatigue is sleep. A rested worker is more alert and focused, and is likely to be more productive and work safely.