Hand Sanitizer Safety

We’ve heard a lot about hand hygiene during the COVID-19 outbreak. Along with other disease prevention strategies, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations you wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, use hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable and avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.

To meet Food and Drug Administration and CDC approval, hand sanitizers must be greater than 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol alcohol. This makes alcohol hand sanitizers highly flammable, and if an ignition source is present, hand sanitizer will ignite at room temperature.

Recently, a UPS distribution center in Plainfield, Indiana experienced extensive damage and loss of product when an employee ignited hand sanitizer in a semi trailer at the facility.

Everyone should exercise caution when using/applying alcohol-based hand sanitizers near potential ignition sources, like cigarette lighters.

For more info on hand sanitizer flammability and the importance of proper storage, check out this five-minute video by the National Fire Protection Association.

Importance of Defensive Driving

Originally published 02/28/2018

Driving from one location to another is a routine part of daily activities in construction. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most hazardous activities. According to the National Safety Council, traffic crashes are the leading cause of all work-related fatalities in the United States.

Despite this sobering statistic, the fact remains that many traffic-related accidents can be avoided when we make safe driving practices a part of their day-to-day routine. Understanding the importance of defensive driving and committing to it can go a long way toward preventing and reducing injury on the road.

Here are a few tips to help you drive safely and defensively:

  1. Focus on the task at hand. Texting, phone conversations, eating, drinking, adjusting the heat or air conditioning, and engaging in discussions can distract you as you drive and lead to accidents.
  2. Expect other drivers to make mistakes and anticipate them.
  3. Drive the speed limit. Drivers must honor the speed limits. In adverse driving conditions, reduce speed to a safe operating speed that is consistent with the conditions of the road, weather, lighting and volume of traffic. Tires can hydroplane on wet pavement at speeds as low as 40 mph.
  4. Always use your seat belt appropriately. Position the lap belt across the upper thighs and the diagonal belt across the chest.
  5. When in doubt, yield. Drivers must yield the right of way at all traffic signals, emergency vehicles, and signs. Drivers should also be prepared to yield for safety’s sake at any time. Pedestrians and bicycles in the roadways always have the right of way.
  6. Stop on red. The leading cause of intersection collisions is running the red light. Be alert of other vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists when approaching intersections. Never speed through an intersection on a caution light. When the traffic light turns green, look both ways for oncoming traffic before proceeding.
  7. Avoid backing where possible. When backing is necessary, keep the distance traveled to a minimum and be particularly careful. Check behind your vehicle before backing. Back to the driver’s side. Do not back around a corner or into an area of no visibility.
  8. Use your blinkers. Make your lane changes and turns predictable and smooth, and always signal in advance.
  9. Don’t tailgate. Leave adequate space between you and the car in front of you to ensure your safety if you both have to stop quickly. The three second rule is the idea that your car should pass a fixed object three seconds after the car ahead of you when the driving conditions are good. Leave more space in inclement weather.
  10. Don’t drive after or while consuming alcohol or using drugs.
  11. Adjust for inclement weather. Wet, slick pavement increases your brake time. Do not use cruise control on wet or icy roads. Add extra space between your car and the one in front of you.
  12. Make sure your tires are in good shape and inflated properly.
  13. Use your mirrors.
  14. Stay alert and take breaks when needed. According to the National Sleep Foundation, driving while drowsy can be as dangerous as driving while drunk.
  15. When passing or changing lanes, view the entire vehicle in your rear-view mirror before pulling back into that lane. When passing or merging into traffic, always look to your left and rear, allowing you to see vehicles that may be in your blind spot.
  16. Drive courteously to avoid confrontations with other drivers.
  17. Keep calm and enjoy the journey.

Your life, and the lives of others, depends on your ability to drive safely and defensively.

Download the recording form here.

Winter Work Safety

Originally published 01/31/2018

When performing construction and other work during the winter season, be mindful of the weather, its effects on the body and proper actions to prevent serious injury, permanent tissue damage or even death. Employers should monitor the weather to keep track of forecasts.

Following are several tips to consider while working outdoors during the winter months:

  • Require proper gear. Workers need to have the right clothing for severe weather, including boots, heavy coats, gloves and hats. Employers should require all workers to wear clothing that will keep them warm and dry to prevent hypothermia and frostbite. Also, shoes should have nonslip soles to prevent falling. Consider keeping extra clothing on hand should your clothing get wet.
  • 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. Avoid putting your hands in your pockets to reduce the risk of falling or losing your balance in case you slip while walking on ice or snow.
  • Keep your safety eyewear from fogging up in the cold. Use anti-fog coatings and wipes that are appropriate for your eyewear.
  • Avoid alcohol, nicotine, caffeine and some medications that inhibit the body’s response to the cold and can impair judgement. These items can increase your heart rate and may cause your blood vessels to constrict. Encourage workers to drink water.
  • Warm up your vehicle to help reduce the moisture condensation on the inside of your car windows. Remember, though, not to warm up your vehicle in a closed area.
  • After a winter storm, immediately report any downed power lines or broken gas lines in your area or workplace.
  • Prepare and identify a warm break area for workers to retreat. It can be a heated trailer or a tent with portable heaters. Always follow proper safety procedures with heating devices.
  • Before work begins, review the area to ensure no new hazards have formed while you were away. Common hazards are snow and ice accumulations or downed power lines and trees.
  • Before work is started on a site, ensure that snow is removed, salt or sand is put down and large patches of ice are chipped away to greatly reduce the risk of injury.
  • All work vehicles should be inspected to determine if they are fully functioning. Winter kits should be added to every vehicle including an ice scraper, snow brush, shovel, tow chain, flashlight with extra batteries, emergency flares, a blanket, snacks, and water.

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. Safety is being prepared.

Download the recording form here.

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:

  1. A comprehensive drug-free policy is in place.
  2. Employees are educated regarding the effects of drug and alcohol abuse.
  3. Supervisors are trained to recognize such abuse.
  4. Employees are periodically tested.
  5. Assistance is available for employees who require help.

Download the recording form here.