Fire Protection on Construction Sites

Originally published 01/24/2018

A fire on a construction site can result in serious injuries and loss of supplies, equipment and even lives. All employees need to be familiar with the jobsite’s fire protection program – who to contact, what to do, the various types of fire extinguishers and their locations throughout the jobsite. Employees should be trained in the use and limitations of fire extinguishers to ensure they are used effectively when needed. The information provided below covers some basic fire protection requirements.

General Fire Protection Guidelines

  • Develop a “fire protection program” to be followed throughout all phases of the construction project.
  • Train all employees on the jobsite on the jobsite’s fire protection program.

Fire Extinguishers

  • Train all employees in how to use a portable fire extinguisher.
  • Fire extinguishers are classified by the type of material that is in flames and the media necessary to extinguish the flames.
  • Fire Extinguisher Class                 Type of Fire

                        A                      Wood, paper, ordinary trash

                        B                      Flammable liquids (gasoline, oil, grease, solvents, paints, etc.)

                        C                      Energized electrical equipment

                        D                     Combustible metals

  • Fire extinguishers must be kept in good working condition. Inspect, test and provide preventive maintenance to ensure that fire extinguishers function properly when needed.

Preparedness

  • Maintain access to all fire-fighting equipment at all times.
  • Conspicuously locate all fire-fighting equipment.
  • Periodically inspect fire-fighting equipment, with supporting documentation; defective equipment shall be immediately replaced.
  • Perform and document an annual maintenance check on all portable fire extinguishers.

Flammables and Combustible Liquids

  • A fire extinguisher is required on all service/fueling trucks.
  • Workers should be trained on handling flammables and combustible liquids.

Housekeeping

  • Locate all waste piles or dumpsters in an area clear of any type of ignition source.
  • Do not expose waste piles or dumpsters to elevated welding or cutting.

Download the recording form here.

Upcoming INDOT NEPA and CE Training

Source: Indiana Department of Transportation

National Environmental Policy Act Initial Training (Requires Online and In-Person Participation)
(Dates: April 13, 2018 through May 15, 2018)

Participants in this class will receive detailed instruction covering environmental considerations required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. Participants will also learn about various policies on work done for INDOT and FHWA. Upon completion of the course participants will be certified in the INDOT NEPA project development process. This course is one of the requirements to be prequalified for environmental work for INDOT projects.

The NEPA Initial Training contains two elements:

  • Online Course: The NEPA Initial Online Course predominately covers NEPA laws and regulations along with providing background information on the NEPA process.  The Online Course is through INDOT University and is self-paced.   All Online Course modules must be completed in advance of the NEPA Initial In-Person Course.  The Online Course is anticipated to take anywhere from 12-28 hours to complete and will begin on April 13, 2018.  Participants will need to complete all modules by May 13, 2018 in advance of the NEPA Initial In-Person Course on May 15, 2018.
  • In-Person Course:  The NEPA Initial In-Person Course is instructor lead and will focus on topics covered in the Online Course.   The course will provide additional information, examples, case studies, class exercises, and discussion questions.  The course will be at the Indiana Government Center South, Conference Rooms 1&2, 402 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204 on May 15, 2018 from 8:00am to 4:00pm (Eastern).

Completion of both the Online Course and In-Person Course is required for participants to become eligible for the final NEPA Certificate of Completion. Eligibility is determined by the Environmental Policy Office, which will notify approved participants how to access the final certificate. If interested in attending, please contact Shirley Clark at sclark@indot.in.gov.  Please provide your name, agency/organization, mailing address, phone, and e-mail. You will receive an e-mail regarding the registration process after contacting Ms. Clark.

Seat limit for the training is set at 50.  A fee of $300 for consultants for the NEPA Initial Training is required.  State, Federal, and Local government employees are not charged for this course.

Categorical Exclusion (CE) Training (Requires Online and In-Person Participation)
(Dates: April 13, 2018 through May 16, 2018)

Participants in this course will receive detailed instruction on the preparation of Categorical Exclusions (CE) for INDOT. Participants will also learn about various policies covering work done for INDOT and FHWA. This course is one of the requirements to be prequalified to prepare Categorical Exclusions for INDOT. Upon completion of the course, participants will be certified in the INDOT CE process.

The CE Training contains two elements:

  • Online Course: The CE Online Course predominately covers the content and preparation of CE documents.  The Online Course is through INDOT University and is self-paced.   All Online Course modules must be completed in advance of the CE In-Person Course.  The Online Course is anticipated to take anywhere from 4-6 hours to complete and will begin on April 13, 2018.  Participants will need to complete all modules by May 13, 2018 in advance of the CE In-Person Course on May 16, 2018.
  • In-Person Course:  The CE In-Person Course is instructor lead and will focus on topics covered in the Online Course.   The course will provide additional information, examples, class exercises, and discussion questions.  The course will be at the Indiana Government Center South, Conference Rooms 1&2, 402 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204 on May 16, 2018 from 8:00am to 4:00pm (Eastern).

Completion of both the Online Course and In-Person Course is required for participants to become eligible for the final CE Certificate of Completion. Eligibility is determined by the Environmental Policy Office, which will notify approved participants how to access the final certificate. If interested in attending, please contact Shirley Clark at sclark@indot.in.gov.  Please provide your name, agency/organization, mailing address, phone, and e-mail. You will receive an e-mail regarding the registration process after contacting Ms. Clark.

Seat limit for these trainings is set at 50.  A fee of $75 for consultants for the CE Training is required.  State, Federal, and Local government employees are not charged for this course.

Upcoming INDOT Training Dates

Source: INDOT Environmental Policy Manager Ron Bales

National Environmental Policy Act Refresher (WebEx) (Date: September 13, 2017, 1:00pm-3:00pm (Eastern))

Participants in this class will receive updated information covering environmental considerations required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. The NEPA Refresher is required every two years to retain NEPA certification for environmental work for INDOT projects. The NEPA Refresher is presented as a webinar. There is no cost for this training. Seat limit is set at 150.

If interested in attending, please contact Shirley Clark at sclark@indot.in.gov. Please provide your name, agency/organization, mailing address, phone, and e-mail. You will receive an e-mail regarding the registration process after contacting Ms. Clark.

National Environmental Policy Act Initial Training (Requires Online and In-Person Participation) (Dates: September 15, 2017 through October 17, 2017)

Participants in this class will receive detailed instruction covering environmental considerations required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. Participants will also learn about various policies on work done for INDOT and FHWA. Upon completion of the course participants will be certified in the INDOT NEPA project development process. This course is one of the requirements to be prequalified for environmental work for INDOT projects.

The NEPA Initial Training contains two elements:

Online Course: The NEPA Initial Online Course predominately covers NEPA laws and regulations along with providing background information on the NEPA process. The Online Course is through INDOT University and is self-paced. All Online Course modules must be completed in advance of the NEPA Initial In-Person Course. The Online Course is anticipated to take anywhere from 12-28 hours to complete and will begin on September 15, 2017. Participants will need to complete all modules by October 15, 2017 in advance of the NEPA Initial In-Person Course on October 17, 2017.

In-Person Course: The NEPA Initial In-Person Course is instructor lead and will focus on topics covered in the Online Course. The course will provide additional information, examples, case studies, class exercises, and discussion questions. The course will be at the Indiana Government Center South, Conference Room 22, 402 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204 on October 17, 2017 from 8:00am to 4:00pm (Eastern).

Completion of both the Online Course and In-Person Course is required for participants to become eligible for the final NEPA Certificate of Completion. Eligibility is determined by the Environmental Policy Office, which will notify approved participants how to access the final certificate. If interested in attending, please contact Shirley Clark at sclark@indot.in.gov.  Please provide your name, agency/organization, mailing address, phone, and e-mail. You will receive an e-mail regarding the registration process after contacting Ms. Clark.

Seat limit for the training is set at 50. A fee of $300 for consultants for the NEPA Initial Training is required. State, federal, and local government employees are not charged for this course.

Categorical Exclusion (CE) Training (Requires Online and In-Person Participation) (Dates: September 15, 2017 through October 18, 2017)

Participants in this course will receive detailed instruction on the preparation of Categorical Exclusions (CE) for INDOT. Participants will also learn about various policies covering work done for INDOT and FHWA. This course is one of the requirements to be prequalified to prepare Categorical Exclusions for INDOT. Upon completion of the course, participants will be certified in the INDOT CE process.

The CE Training contains two elements:

Online Course: The CE Online Course predominately covers the content and preparation of CE documents. The Online Course is through INDOT University and is self-paced. All Online Course modules must be completed in advance of the CE In-Person Course. The Online Course is anticipated to take anywhere from 4-6 hours to complete and will begin on September 15, 2017. Participants will need to complete all modules by October 15, 2017 in advance of the CE In-Person Course on October 18, 2017.

In-Person Course: The CE In-Person Course is instructor lead and will focus on topics covered in the Online Course. The course will provide additional information, examples, class exercises, and discussion questions. The course will be at the Indiana Government Center South, Conference Room 22, 402 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204 on October 18, 2017 from 8:00am to 4:00pm (Eastern).

Completion of both the Online Course and In-Person Course is required for participants to become eligible for the final CE Certificate of Completion. Eligibility is determined by the Environmental Policy Office, which will notify approved participants how to access the final certificate. If interested in attending, please contact Shirley Clark at sclark@indot.in.gov. Please provide your name, agency/organization, mailing address, phone, and e-mail. You will receive an e-mail regarding the registration process after contacting Ms. Clark.

Seat limit for these trainings is set at 50.  A fee of $75 for consultants for the CE Training is required. State, federal, and local government employees are not charged for this course.

Bat Investigations for Field Personnel through INDOT University

The class supports INDOT’s implementation of the USFWS/FHWA/FTA/FRA programmatic informal consultation for the Indiana bat and the northern long-eared bat. The class is self-paced through INDOT University and should take about 30 minutes to complete and is at no cost. The course is geared toward field personnel who inspect bridges or conduct environmental investigations.

If interested in registering for the training, please contact Shirley Clark at sclark@indot.in.gov. Please provide your name, agency/organization, mailing address, phone, and e-mail.

National Highway Institute – Environmental Justice Training Opportunity

The U.S. Department of Transportation and its partners are committed to integrating the principles of environmental justice (EJ) and nondiscrimination into all federal programs and activities. NHI’s latest Web-based Training, Fundamentals of Environmental Justice, explains how environmental justice applies to each stage of transportation decision making. In this course, participants are presented with a variety of strategies and resources for considering EJ throughout the transportation decision-making process.

This course was designed for transportation practitioners (from entry to senior level) employed at a range of organizations, including state departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, local transportation agencies, and consulting firms. This training is recommended for data analysts, planners, project-development specialists, environmental specialists, civil rights specialists, consultants, and professionals in other roles that may require knowledge of environmental justice and transportation.

Others who interact with minority and/or low-income communities; provide community services; and elected officials and their representatives may also benefit from this course.

To register for the NHI Environmental Justice Training (no cost), select the following hyperlink Fundamentals of Environmental Justice (NHI Course 142074).