Tag: accidents

Prosecutors Share Success in Work Zone Fatality Conviction

Posted on by admin_ici

Here are the minutes from the October Safety Joint Coop meeting, in which we were fortunate to have a representative from the Marion County Prosecutors office, Christina Gull, as well as from the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council, Chris Daniels, to share and address concerns that our members had regarding the prosecution or a lack there of by motorists who injure or kill workers in work zones. Our members were eager to learn why the prosecutors were so successful in the case where a motorist was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison for killing two highway workers in 2014 but not in other obvious situations of negligence involving highway worker deaths. They also wanted to know what contractors can do to assist in the success going forward.

Ms. Gull, who actually worked on the 2014 case, praised ICI members for their cooperation and willingness to help educate the attorneys as well as the jury on the specifics of a work zone and what goes into designing, building and disassembling them. She shared that they could have in no way been successful without the help of our members.

Mr. Daniels enlightened members to the fact that these cases a very challenging to prosecute because of the way the laws are written. The law is written in a way where when trying to try a case involving a motorist killing a worker with a vehicle is no different than a case attempting to prosecute an individual who used a gun to kill a person. His office is working with the legislature to fix these problems.

One of the major takeaways from the presentation was that there is no automatic path or process to prosecuting these violators. Contractors and others concerned should feel free to alert the local prosecutor’s office to ensure that they are aware of incidences that could warrant prosecution. In most cases this awareness comes from the police department; however, when they don’t recognize the opportunity for prosecution, they will not move the case forward.

The ICI Safety Joint Coop forum meets bimonthly and is a great platform for our members and their safety directors to gather to share and keep abreast of the latest industry happenings as they relate to road construction safety. These gatherings regularly involve representatives from IDOL, ISP and INDOT. One of the main features of the Safety Joint Coop meeting is the open discussion session in which members get the opportunity hear details of injuries that have occurred in the industry and learn ways to avoid them in their own shops. The group thinking here is one of the worst things that we can experience as an industry is for the same injury to occur in one member’s shop that has already occurred in another’s shop, and there was no platform to learn from others mistakes.

Download calendar appointments for the meetings scheduled for:

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Power Lines and Construction Sites

Posted on by admin_ici

Electrocution caused by contact with power lines is a common cause of fatalities in construction. In construction, we work around power lines all the time. It’s rare when we don’t. Most property being developed or rehabilitated, and state and county roads have overhead power lines often running parallel to the roadway. These power lines will frequently cross over the roadway, while underground power lines will often be found parallel to, and crossing under roadways in more recently-developed areas.

An energized power line acts like an electromagnet. The more electricity flowing through a power line, the stronger the electromagnetic effect. The result is an overhead power line that will actually move toward metal objects that come too close. This is one of the reasons that OSHA requires that equipment not come any closer than a defined minimum distance. 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.

Following are some tips to keep in mind on every construction job:

  • Survey the site for overhead power lines and place warning 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 warn you when you’re approaching the defined minimum distance limit.
  • Before beginning paving operations, survey the area for any power lines that cross over the roadway, and develop a plan to keep raised dump truck bodies from coming within 10 feet of them.
  • 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 excavation work, call Indiana Underground Plant Protection Services (Indiana811) at 811 or 800-382-5544 at least two full working days before you begin excavating, and have them locate the underground utilities. Do not begin work until this has been done.
  • Protect all underground utility markers from damage and replace them as needed.
  • If there’s any doubt as to the depth of a power line or underground utility, consider potholing to determine the exact depth and location.
  • Situate jobsite unloading and storage areas in open areas that are away from overhead power lines.
  • Place reminder signs telling dump truck drivers to lower their beds before traveling under overhead power lines and bridges.

An electrocution is a horrible accident to witness. Don’t take chances. Follow these tips, use common sense and don’t take shortcuts.

Download the recording form here.

First Aid Basics

Posted on by admin_ici

Contractors are required to have at least one person on the worksite with first aid training. However, it is a good idea for everyone to have some basic knowledge of first aid.

All jobsites must have a readily-accessible first aid kit that meets ANSI standards (ANSI Z308.1-2015). Keep in mind that ANSI standards are minimum. You may need to supplement your kits with additional supplies and equipment to handle severe injuries, injuries to multiple patients, or CPR on two victims simultaneously.

To help ensure the safety of everyone on your jobsite:

  • Keep first aid kits in a place that is accessible to everyone. All employees should know the location of the kits. Never lock them up.
  • Inventory your first aid kits regularly to ensure emergency supplies are ready. Appoint someone to be responsible for checking and restocking the kits.
  • Make sure all employees know who the first aid responders are on their jobsite and how to contact them. There should be a first aid responder for each shift, including holidays.
  • Make sure the first aid responder is easy to identify. Usually a sticker on the safety helmet will suffice.
  • Provide at least one accessible phone that dials out to 911.
  • Keep a sufficient amount of PPE on hand.

Keep a bloodborne pathogen protection kit with your first aid kit. This kit should include Nitrile exam gloves, eye protection, an apron and CPR shield/mask.

When first aid is required:

  • Immediately send someone for your on-site first aid responder.
  • If necessary, have someone call 911.
  • Remove the hazard from the victim if it is safe to do so. Do not move the victim unless it is absolutely necessary (i.e. – patient is in immediate danger).
  • Remain with the victim and give reassurance. Unless you absolutely need to signal or call for help, stay with the person at all times.
  • Once you’ve established that the victim is breathing and has a pulse, look for bleeding. Your first priority should be to stop any bleeding. Use direct pressure on a wound before trying any other method to manage the bleeding.
  • Make the person as comfortable as possible, but do not move the injured person’s head or prop it up on a pillow.
  • Do not give the victim food or drinks. It is appropriate to moisten their lips if they need it.
  • Do not allow the person to smoke.

These are just a few things each person should know about first aid. While most of us won’t be the designated first aid responder, there may be instances where you will need to step in until the first aid responder arrives.

Know First Aid Basics – It Could Save A Life

 

Download the recording form here.

Concrete and Cement Safety

Posted on by admin_ici

As with most products used in construction, there is always the potential for injury or illness when you don’t take the proper precautions. This is true with concrete and cement. Potential hazards for employees working with these products include:

  • Eye, skin and respiratory tract irritation from exposure to cement dust.
    • Eye contamination can cause redness, chemical burns and even blindness.
    • Skin irritation may be anything from contact dermatitis, allergic reactions, thickening or cracking of the skin to severe skin damage from chemical burns.
    • Silica exposure can lead to lung injuries including silicosis and lung cancer.
  • Overexertion and awkward postures.
  • Slips, trips and falls.
  • Chemical burns from wet cement.

There are steps you can take to prevent these job-related injuries.

  • Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment when working with concrete and cement. This would include:
    • Alkali-resistant gloves;
    • Long-sleeve shirts and full-length trousers (pull sleeves down over your gloves and tuck your pants inside your boots. Duct-tape at the top to keep mortar and concrete out of your boots and off your skin);
    • Waterproof boots high enough to prevent concrete from flowing in when you must stand in fresh concrete;
    • Suitable respirator protective equipment such as a P, N or R 95 respirator when you can’t avoid cement dust;
    • Suitable eye protection where mixing, pouring or other activities may endanger eyes (minimum – safety glasses with side shields or goggles. Under extremely dusty conditions use tight-fitting, unvented or indirectly vented goggles. Don’t wear contact lenses when handling cement or cement products.)
  • Where possible, wet cut rather than dry cut masonry products.
  • Mix dry cement in well-ventilated areas.
  • Do not ride on or work under concrete buckets.
  • When kneeling on fresh concrete, use a dry board or waterproof kneepads to protect knees from water that can soak through fabric.
  • Do not wear jewelry. Wet cement can collect under jewelry and cause skin irritation.
  • Remove wet, cement-contaminated clothing quickly and wash the skin immediately with large amounts of cool, clean water.
  • Don’t wash your hands with water from buckets used for cleaning tools.
  • Wash hands and face before eating, drinking, smoking or using the toilet, and before you leave the site to go home.
  • Change your shoes and clothes before getting into your vehicle to go home.
  • If you do come in contact with wet or dry cement:
    • Immediately wash the affected area with cold water. Wash the eyes with cold tap water for at least 15 minutes before going to the hospital.
    • Flush and cover open sores with suitable dressings.
    • Report chemical burns or cement-related dermatitis to your supervisor.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Think smart and stay safe.

Download the recording form here.

Top Four Construction Hazards

Posted on by admin_ici

According to OSHA, the top four causes of construction fatalities are falls, struck-by, caught in and between and electrocutions. Here are some guidelines to help prevent them.

Prevent Falls:

  • Wear and use personal fall arrest equipment.
  • Install and maintain perimeter protection.
  • Cover and secure floor openings and label floor opening covers.
  • Use ladders and scaffolds safely.

Prevent Struck-by:

  • Avoid positioning yourself between moving and fixed objects.
  • Wear high-visibility clothes near equipment/vehicles.
  • Separate foot and vehicular traffic.
  • Use overhead protection to prevent being struck by falling objects.
  • Stack materials properly.
  • Use proper rigging techniques.

Prevent Caught In and Between:

  • Make sure adequate trench protective systems are in place before you enter a trench or excavation.
  • Make sure the trench or excavation is protected either by sloping, shoring, benching or trench shield systems.
  • Isolate moving and rotating equipment parts.
  • Do periodic equipment inspections.

Prevent Electrocutions:

  • Locate and identify utilities before starting work.
  • Use lockout/tagout equipment properly.
  • Locate and maintain a safe distance from overhead power lines when operating any equipment. Learn the safe distance requirements.
  • Use portable electric tools that are grounded or double insulated.
  • Use ground-fault circuit interrupters for protection.
  • Be alert to electrical hazards when working with ladders, scaffolds or other platforms.

It’s possible to avoid these top four construction hazards with a little planning, so you can go home safely.

Download the recording form here.

Call Before You Dig

Posted on by admin_ici

According to Indiana Code 8-1-26, you must call the Indiana Underground Plant Protection Service Call Before You Dig Center before beginning any excavation project. The number is 811.

OSHA 1926 Standard for Construction, Subpart B, also requires that you determine the estimated location of utility installations, such as sewer, telephone, fuel, electric water lines or any other underground installation that may be encountered before opening an excavation.

Premark your location with white paint, flags or both. Call the 811 number at least two full working days before you dig. Provide the center with the location of the site. Be specific. The center will give you a reference number that is proof of your call. After making the call to 811, you must wait 48 hours before beginning work to ensure that all utility companies have had time to respond.

When utility locators respond to your request, they will mark the utilities with paint or flags. Below are the colors that may be used for marking and what they represent:

callbeforeyoudig

If weather, lawn mowing, traffic or other activities cause you to lose your marks, notify Indiana 811 immediately and have your reference number ready to request a remark. Do not refresh the marks with your own paint. An additional notice of two full working days is required for the remark.

Indiana law requires that the excavator observe the tolerance zone during excavation. That is an area equal to the width of the underground facility plus 24 inches on each side of the buried utility. Excavate by hand, if necessary, until the utility is visibly located. Be sure someone other than the equipment operator, i.e. the spotter, is there to look for any sign of the underground facility.

For your safety, don’t assume that a pipeline or cable runs straight between two markers. Don’t assume that an underground facility is the same depth throughout the excavation area. Don’t bend over a gas line or self-repair a line. And don’t assume all utilities have responded to your request. Assess the proposed excavation area for indications of unmarked facilities.

If your job will last longer than 20 calendar days, you must renew your locate request at least two full working days before it expires.

When you call before you dig, you are helping to protect yourself, your fellow workers and the public, as well as the environment.

Download the recording form here.