Tag: Injury

Jackhammers and Chipping Concrete

Posted on by admin_ici
Originally published 04/11/2017

It is sometimes necessary in bridge and highway repair, to remove small amounts of concrete. Compact pneumatic chipping hammers (jackhammers) are often used to do the job. These compact battering rams pack a lot of punch, and they can be dangerous if not used properly. Here are some common-sense tips provided by tool manufacturers.

Dress Appropriately to Protect Yourself

  • Everyone in the area should always wear impact-resistant eye protection.
  • Depending on the situation, wear a facemask or respirator.
  • Wear a hardhat, especially if there is a risk from falling objects.
  • Wear adequate clothing that fits properly.
  • Wear proper hearing protection.
  • Wear gloves to protect your hands and steel-tipped boots to protect your feet.
  • Set up screens to prevent nearby workers from being struck by flying fragments.

Inspect the Jackhammer and Tools Before Use

  • Carefully inspect the jackhammer for damage and make sure all controls and safety interlocks work properly.
  • Inspect air hose connections at the air compressor and the jackhammer for cracks, worn threads and loose couplings.
  • Inspect the safety clip or tool retainer for proper operation. This prevents the chisel/tool from being unintentionally shot from the barrel.
  • Check the chisel/tool for tightness of fit and excessive wear. Repair or replace when required, following the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Beware of Air Under Pressure

  • Never engage in horseplay with compressed air – it’s dangerous!
  • Always disconnect the tool when it is not in use or when you are changing accessories.
  • Never exceed the tool’s designated operating pressure.

Proceed With Caution

  • Always keep both hands on the tool.
  • Watch for excess lengths of the air hose, which can cause you to trip.
  • Never operate the tool without the chisel against the work surface.
  • Discontinue use if numbness, tingling, pain, or flushing of the skin occurs.
  • Prevent back injuries by using your leg muscles to lift the jackhammer into position.
  • Allow the tool to do the work by using a grip light enough to maintain control.
  • Always follow any special manufacturer instructions.

Work smart and work safe when using jackhammers or any other equipment on the jobsite.

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Rigging Safety

Posted on by admin_ici
Originally published 03/15/2017

Construction workers may think rigging looks like an easy operation, but, don’t be fooled. Many people who’ve thought that “anyone can do it” have lost fingers or hands, or caused much more serious injuries. Below are guidelines for safe rigging practices.

  • All rigging and lifting operations should be supervised by a qualified operator (a person having training and knowledge to be capable of identifying existing and potential hazards associated with hoisting and rigging activities, and having the authority to stop the work).
  • Your rigging is only as good as the clamps holding it together. All job-fabricated rigging must be designed and certified by a qualified engineer, and field tested at 125 percent of the rated safe working load.
  • In any kind of lift, only rigging that uses forged clamps should be used. Malleable clamps can fail and should not be used.
  • Each day before use, the sling and all fastenings and attachments shall be inspected for damage or defects by a competent person designated by the employer. Additional inspections shall be performed during sling use when warranted by service conditions.
  • Daily inspections must be recorded in a logbook and kept for reference. There are no excuses for equipment failure from rigging that should have been recognized as defective or worn. Any and all defective or worn rigging must be immediately removed from service.
  • Observe OSHA guidelines for use of cable clamps, safety latches, chains and slings.
  • Know the rated capacity of the cable, chain or wire rope being used.
  • Avoid overloading and sudden jerks.
  • Wear appropriate personal protection equipment consistent with the hazard, including hard hats, safety glasses and work gloves.
  • Check loads and inspect rigging to ensure a safe and balanced condition.
  • Do not stand, walk or work under suspended loads.
  • Awkward loads should have taglines attached to control the load.
  • Review signals and operator communications. Only one person should direct the operator. The signal person must not order a move until getting an “all ready” from each crew member.
  • Review the area for utility lines, tree limbs and other overhead safety hazards.
  • The qualified operator should determine when a spotter is required.
  • Personnel working taglines should review the area for slipping, tripping and falling hazards. If it isn’t possible to eliminate them, then take precautions to avoid them.
  • The role of the crane operator is one that must be understood by everyone on the job site. The crane operator is the ultimate authority on all lift decisions and must be a qualified, designated individual trained to operate these delicate pieces of equipment.
  • The cranes themselves must be inspected, although the frequency is based on the manufacturer’s requirements.

Download the recording form here.

Bloodborne Pathogens

Posted on by admin_ici
Originally published 02/28/2017

Bloodborne pathogens are infectious materials in blood that can cause disease in humans including: hepatitis B and C, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Workers exposed to these pathogens risk serious illness or death.

Pathogens may be acquired through a single exposure. Medical experts agree that exposure occurs by contact with any body fluid that is contaminated with blood or blood components, including saliva and a variety of other body fluids. Some people are concerned that normal physical contact can transmit exposure, but experts deny this. The risk of exposure to a bloodborne pathogen is highest when body fluid contaminated with blood is ingested, inhaled or absorbed by another person. The occupational risk is for specific work assignments that may expose individuals to unknown body fluids. Since you can’t determine by sight if fluids are contaminated with blood, you must assume that pathogens may be present and take precautions.

Construction industry employers should consider developing and documenting the following:

  • For each construction jobsite and/or operation:
    • Identify the processes or procedures where exposure to bloodborne pathogens could occur. (For example: injuries could occur during a paving operation, a grading operation, an excavating operation, etc.)
    • Develop a strategy to: (1) control, minimize or eliminate those injury hazards; and (2) reduce the risk of employee exposure to bloodborne pathogens when accidents and injuries occur.
  • Strategies used by many contractors include:
  • Designate and train a person to be the “first responder” in handling emergency situations on the jobsite;
  • Train employees on how to respond to accidents and injuries;
  • Provide ready access to personal protective equipment on the jobsite including: gloves, eye protection such as goggles or glasses with side shields, resuscitation mouth pieces and first aid kits;
  • Routinely inspect, maintain and re-stock personal protective equipment and document your actions;
  • Routine and regular jobsite housekeeping;
  • Administer the hepatitis B vaccine to employees with the potential for exposure;
  • Arrange for a physician’s post-exposure evaluation (follow-up medical care) to any employee exposed to bloodborne pathogens;
  • Designate an area or areas on the jobsite for employees to eat and take breaks away from the hazard areas;
  • Provide antibacterial cleansers, soap, and where possible, hand washing areas on the jobsite; and
  • Provide red plastic bags (labeled “biohazard”) to store contaminated clothing and bandages should an accident occur.

The potential exists every day for exposure to a bloodborne pathogen on a construction jobsite. Plan for the possibility and protect yourself and your co-workers.

Download the recording form here.

Oh, My Aching Back

Posted on by admin_ici
Originally published March 16, 2016

Various studies have shown that the construction trades have a high incidence of back injuries. Over the years, low back injuries have consistently accounted for about 25 percent of all the lost workday injuries in construction. Three out of four of those injuries occur during heavy lifting activities.

The causes of back pain and injury include:

  • Lifting excessive weight or lifting weight incorrectly;
  • Slips, trips and falls caused by bad weather or poor housekeeping;
  • Repeated twisting;
  • Awkward posture; and
  • Prolonged vibration (such as a jackhammer operation).

Unfortunately, once you’ve experienced back pain, the chances of it recurring increase greatly. The following are ways to help minimize the risk and discomfort of back injuries:

  • Plan ahead. Decide how you are going to pick up, carry and set down the load. If you need help, ask for it. Always check for obstructions in your path.
  • Lift with the object close to your body, because your lifting capacity is reduced the further a load is away from the spine. Bend your knees. Contract your abdominal muscles, and keep your head in a neutral position.
  • Use the strong muscles in your legs rather than the weaker ones in the back to lift your load.
  • Do not twist when lifting. Use your feet to pivot, moving your whole body as one unit when you turn.
  • Reduce back curvature by keeping your posture straight and your weight balanced on both feet.
  • When driving, make sure your back is well-supported, and use good posture. To prevent back strain, keep the steering wheel close enough for your knees to be slightly flexed and higher than your hips.
  • You may want to add a pre-work stretching program to your daily schedule. Warming up prepares your body for the physical work ahead and helps reduce the risk of injury.
  • Consider engaging in a regular exercise program to keep the muscles supporting your back stong and flexible. Good exercises that help strengthen your core include speed walking, swimming, stationary biking or yoga. Remember to check with your doctor before starting any exercise program.

Take care of your back, and it will take care of you.

Download a recording form here.

Tire Safety

Posted on by admin_ici

In construction, we work with, and around, rubber-wheeled equipment all the time. Properly maintained tires improve vehicle handling, fuel economy, the load-carrying capability of your vehicle or equipment and increase the life of your tires.

The most important things you can do to avoid tire failure, such as tread separation, blowouts and flat tires, is to maintain proper tire pressure, observe tire and vehicle load limits, avoid road hazards and inspect your tires.

Use the checklist below to ensure your tires provide their best ride:

  • Inspect tires daily for uneven wear patterns, cracks, cuts, slashes, foreign objects or other signs of wear or trauma. Remove bits of glass and other foreign objects wedged in the tread.
  • Use a tire pressure gauge to check the tire pressure at least once a month. Do this when the tire is cold (meaning the tire has been still for at least three hours). You can find the manufacturer-recommended tire pressure information on the vehicle door edge, door post, glove box door or in the vehicle owner’s manual. Improper tire pressure can lead to uneven wear, making the tire less effective when stopping or turning, which may cause collisions, sliding and/or stability problems.
  • Check the tire tread depth at the same time you check the tire pressure. In general, tires are not safe and should be replaced when the tread is worn down to one-eighth of an inch.
  • Make sure the tires are properly balanced. This adjustment maximizes the life of your tires and prevents your vehicle from veering to the right or left when driving on a straight, level road.
  • Do not overload your vehicle. Check the tire information placard or owner’s manual for the maximum recommended load for your vehicle.
  • If you are towing a trailer, remember that some of the weight of the loaded trailer is transferred to the towing vehicle.
  • Slow down if you have to go over a pothole or other object in the road.
  • Do not run over curbs, and try not to strike the curb when parking.

Remember to do your part: be tire smart.

Download the recording form here.

Vehicle Battery Safety

Posted on by admin_ici
Originally published 12/14/2016

Whether on the construction site or at home, it’s important to know how to safely handle batteries. Batteries can be dangerous and injuries have occurred while working with them. Each year, a significant number of motorists suffer serious eye injuries or even blindness because of improperly jump starting a dead vehicle battery.  

Automotive lead-acid batteries contain sulfuric acid in the electrolyte. The acid inside the battery is highly corrosive and can burn your skin if it leaks out. This is especially probable when batteries contain liquid acid and have removable caps on top. Sealed-top batteries should contain the liquid as long as the battery remains in an upright position. Never store a battery on its side or upside down. Acid may also leak if the battery case is cracked or damaged, so handle with care.

Cold weather can affect batteries, especially on equipment that is stored outside and hasn’t been started for a while. Whether in the yard of a field office or on a construction site, it is quite typical to grab a set of jumper cables and attempt to jump start a vehicle. However, there are hazards associated with jump starting that need to be taken into consideration.

  • DO NOT lean directly over the battery while making jumper connections (in case of explosion).
  • DO NOT smoke around a battery, or use anything that produces an open flame or spark. When a battery charges, it gives off hydrogen gas. Hydrogen is flammable and can explode if a spark occurs near the battery.
  • DO NOT attempt to jump start or recharge a frozen battery. Remove the battery from the vehicle, bring it into a warm room and let it thaw before charging or testing.
  • ALWAYS wear safety glasses and gloves when jump starting a battery.
  • NEVER touch a metal object (such as a wrench) between the positive and negative battery posts to see if the battery will spark. It will, and could produce a current similar to a welding arc that may damage the tool, the battery and/or cause the battery to explode.

Download the recording form here.