Tag: accidents

Silent Warnings

Posted on by admin_ici
Originally published on 05/17/2017

Signs are used to communicate important messages. Signs on a construction jobsite are essential for everyone’s safety.

We see these signs every day. Signs that remind workers of the dangers of working in and around confined spaces or electrical hazards. Signs that alert motorists to the existence of a work zone, warning them to watch out for workers. Signs on containers that provide a list of contents or special instructions. For the most part, we recognize the messages conveyed on these signs and react accordingly.

But what are silent warnings that point to safety hazards with the potential to cause harm? Examples include:

  • a hole in the floor
  • a leaning pile of material
  • a flagger station just over the crest of a hill
  • a worker sitting on a barrier in a construction zone
  • protruding nails
  • an unprotected trench
  • an uncovered rebar protruding upward
  • falling material
  • defective tools

Learn to recognize a silent warning just as readily as you would a sign with words, then take prompt action to prevent accidents.

Don’t assume it’s not your responsibility to deal with a problem just because you didn’t create it, or it’s not in your normal work area. Instead, deal with the issue immediately. Prompt corrective action could mean the difference between a safe working environment, you or a co-worker suffering an unnecessary injury – or worse. Don’t ignore a hazard. Don’t assume someone else will deal with it. If it is something you cannot handle without putting yourself in danger or violating company policy, then immediately report the hazard to a supervisor.

Be alert. Make every effort to observe these less obvious warning signs, because they point to potential accidents waiting to happen. When you do recognize potential safety hazards, take action. Promptly and responsibly take steps to ensure they are corrected.

Download the recording form here.

Safety Tips for Night Work Construction Crews

Posted on by admin_ici
Originally published May 9, 2017

According to one report, nighttime construction work is almost 2 ½ times more dangerous than daytime construction work.

Some reasons this work is more dangerous include: operators and motorists find it difficult to see beyond the glare of headlights or work zone lights; motorists and workers are more likely to be fatigued and drowsy; a higher percentage of motorists may be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and work zone lane changes can catch motorists by surprise. Add it all up and it’s easy to see why nighttime work is more dangerous.

However, working at night is here to stay. Lane closures for roadway construction or repair can be accomplished with less disruption to the traveling public by doing the work during off peak (nighttime) hours. So what can we do to help ensure our safety when we are working at night?

While Off The Job – Make Sleep a Priority

  • An hour or so before you want to go to sleep, take a warm shower or bath to relax.
  • Lower the temperature in your bedroom (a cool environment improves sleep).
  • Darken your bedroom by pulling shades.
  • Avoid caffeine several hours before you want to go to sleep.
  • Don’t activate your brain several hours before you want to go to sleep.
  • Wear earplugs if daytime noise keeps you awake.
  • Turn on a “white noise” machine, like a fan, to give a gentle background noise.
  • Develop a regular sleeping schedule.

While On The Job

  • All construction crew members should wear high-visibility clothing. Flaggers in particular, should wear safety vests that are labeled as meeting the American National Standards Institute standard performance for Class 3 risk exposure safety vest, with “retro-reflective” striping.
  • Take short breaks when you feel yourself becoming tired.
  • Use the buddy system – try working close to a co-worker for conversation and help in recognizing when you’re getting drowsy.
  • If you find yourself fighting to stay awake, let a supervisor know and take a short break. A short break could prevent a serious accident.

We don’t recommend using sleeping pills or alcohol to go to sleep. They might help for a day or two, but not long-term. We also don’t recommend drinking lots of highly-caffeinated drinks, because the short-term energy burst they give is followed by a deeper sense of fatigue a short time later.

Consider these safety tips when working at night. The life you save may be your own.

Download the recording form here.

Housekeeping – Stacking and Storage

Posted on by admin_ici
Originally published 05/02/2017

“A place for everything and everything in its place” applies even in construction. Safe housekeeping requires some extra effort, but the benefits are a safer work environment and less chance of an accident or injury.

OSHA Standards for Stacking and Storing Materials (taken from Standard 1926.250):

  • All materials stored in tiers should be stacked, racked, blocked, interlocked, or otherwise secured to prevent sliding, falling or collapse.
  • Maximum safe load limits of floors within buildings and structures, in pounds per square foot, should be conspicuously posted in all storage areas, except for floor or slab on grade.
  • Aisles and passageways must be kept clear and in good repair to provide for the free and safe movement of material handling equipment or employees.
  • When a difference in road or working levels exist, such as ramps, blocking or grading should be used to ensure the safe movement of vehicles between the two levels.
  • Remove all nails from used lumber before stacking.
  • Stack bags and bundles in interlocking rows to keep them secure.
  • Stack bagged material by stepping back the layers and cross-keying the bags at least every ten layers. (To remove bags from the stack, start from the top row first.)
  • Stack and block poles as well as structural steel, bar stock, and other cylindrical materials to prevent spreading or tilting unless they are in racks.
  • Materials stored inside buildings under construction shall not be placed within six feet of any hoistway or inside floor openings, or within 10 feet of an exterior wall that does not extend above the top of the stored material.
  • Non-compatible materials should be segregated when stored.
  • Do not store materials on scaffolds or runways in excess of supplies needed for immediate operations.
  • Storage areas should be kept free from accumulation of materials that constitute hazards from tripping, fire, explosion or pest harborage. Vegetation control should be exercised when necessary.

Remember, bad housekeeping can lead to accidents. It is important that OSHA standards for stacking and storage be followed at all times. Make this a habit and keep the jobsite safe for everyone.

Download the recording form here.

Deadly Distraction

Posted on by admin_ici

As any employer with industrial machinery knows, preventing accidents starts with making sure employees are aware of their surroundings. The inappropriate use of cell phones decreases employees’ awareness of their surroundings, therefore reducing their ability to recognize and react to hazards. OSHA construction regulations pertaining to cranes and derricks (29 C.F.R. § 1926.1417(d)) forbid the use of cell phones, but the hazard exists across any dangerous equipment. Accordingly, active operation during the use of industrial equipment should be strictly prohibited.

Want more in-depth info? Check out this article on cell phone use risk.

Does your company currently have a cell phone policy in place? If not, and you aren’t sure where to start, ICI is here to help! ICI Manager of Safety and Transportation Issues Ashley Aiken has created a template policy for member use. We encourage you to modify the document to make it meet your company’s needs.

Download the template here.

If you have any questions, contact Ashley Aiken at (317) 634-7547.

Load Binder Safety

Posted on by admin_ici
Originally published 04/25/2017

Load binders play an important role in construction, but we don’t give them much thought until we need one. There are several types of load binders. Generally, they have hooks attached to chains on either side of a sturdy metal lever and are used to tie down and secure equipment and materials for transport and delivery. Load binders can be very dangerous. Accidents can occur quickly and often result in serious injury.

Here are some safety tips to follow when using load binders:

  1. Inspect a load binder prior to use. Look for excessive wear, bending, cracks or damage. If in doubt, don’t use it.
  2. Keep your head and body out of the path of the load binder’s handle because it can suddenly spring back and causing serious injury.
  3. Wear a hard hat, gloves and eye protection whenever you are tightening or loosening a load binder.
  4. Never tighten or loosen a load binder while standing on the load being secured or loosened.
  5. When tightening or loosening a load binder, make sure that you have firm footing and are not standing on ice, snow, loose rocks, oily surfaces, etc.
  6. After you have secured the load with a load binder, make sure the lever handle is in the locked position and tie the handle in place with wire or chain when done.
  7. Use an open hand (do not grip the binder handle) when releasing a load binder. Keep your body out of the way and push the lever open.
  8. Be especially careful when you are releasing the tension, as the handle can snap back quickly. As equipment and material are transported, they can shift causing an increase in tension on the load binder. This extra tension will be suddenly released as you loosen the load binder, which will cause the lever handle to jump.
  9. Do not use a pipe to help you apply extra leverage to a load binder handle, unless the manufacturer has approved or supplied that pipe as a handle extender. These pipes can fail suddenly, or slide off suddenly, causing injury to yourself or nearby co-workers.

Download the recording form here.

Attitude & Behavior – Major Causes of Accidents

Posted on by admin_ici
Originally published April 18, 2017

There are potential hazards on any construction site. In many cases, whether or not we get hurt depends on how we approach these dangers and deal with them. To a certain extent, safety is instinctive. For example, we seem to be born with a fear of falling. In other instances, safety is not instinctive. It has to be learned and practiced. Why do some people ignore the dangers they’ve been warned about, while others take heed? The differences are EXPERIENCE and ATTITUDE.

In almost any operation, accidents caused by unsafe environmental conditions or mechanical failures tend to be easiest to control, at least potentially. However, human behavior – identified as a leading cause of accidents – is harder to manage. Everyone should be aware of the human factors that can contribute to an accident.

Ignorance. This condition may stem from lack of experience, the inability to recognize a hazard or lack of job training. Don’t guess or take chances. Ask questions, and be sure you understand your job and its dangers.

Daring. This type of worker believes he can beat the odds. Maybe he can, for a while. It’s like playing Russian roulette. Will you find the bullet on the first trigger pull or on the sixth? Some jobs are so full of danger they can be likened to having more than one bullet in the cylinder. In other words, in some conditions your odds of being hurt are greater. There are enough dangers in construction without taking extra chances.

Poor Work Habits. These sometimes come with familiarity, or they may begin on the first day of the job. Don’t become complacent just because you’ve been taking shortcuts and have been getting away with it. Set an example for the younger, less experienced worker.

Haste. We are all familiar with the adage, “Haste makes waste.” It’s true. An accident is always costlier than the value of the time saved. Not only can it result in medical bills, but there may also be damage to equipment, loss of production and other “hidden costs.” Work at a steady, efficient pace and work smart.

Physical Failure or Fatigue. Exhaustion can limit your concentration, coordination, eyesight and judgment. Pace yourself and get enough sleep when you have work to do. Don’t abuse drugs or alcohol. Tests have shown the effects of these substances can last for days, even if you seem to feel fine.

Work smart and work safe. If you maintain a positive attitude toward safety, you’ll live longer and be better off in many ways.

Download the recording form here.