Tag: Injury

Hurry: A Barrier to Safety and Productivity

Posted on by admin_ici
Originally published 11/25/2015

There are many times during a typical work year when workers face the “Hurry-Up Syndrome.” As the deadline looms, workers sometimes ignore good practices for the sake of saving time. But all too often, hurrying to complete a job results in poor work quality or worker injury.

What happens when you rush to finish a job?

  1. Planning suffers. We place too much emphasis on action, rather than planning and thought. Instead of planning ahead and obtaining the proper tools and equipment to do a job correctly and safely, there is a tendency to make do with what you have. Using the wrong tool for a task can injure people and damage equipment. Without proper planning, we often stage materials far from where we will use them. This results in more movement, which increases the opportunity for an accident or injury to occur.
  1. Attention to task suffers. Workers don’t focus on the task at hand. Instead, they are thinking about what still needs to be done and the time deadline. This lack of focus can cause accidents and injuries. Distraction is often the root cause of injury.
  1. Breaking the rules. Looming deadlines can prod workers with the best of intentions, to break the rules in order to complete a task. They respect the procedures for quality work and the safety rules, but in the stress of the moment, they decide cutting corners just this once won’t hurt. An example would be when a worker fails to use the appropriate fall protection equipment because he only intends to be at a certain height for a few minutes. If there is no immediate negative consequence, then he has the tendency to repeat the action. Sooner or later there will be a negative consequence, which could result in damage to or loss of equipment, or cause injury to himself or others.

We cannot totally avoid the “Hurry-Up Syndrome;” however, we can acknowledge the stress for what it is and resolve to do what we know is best for both timely work completion and safety for our co-workers and ourselves.

Download the recording form here.

Come-a-Longs & Chain Hoist Safety

Posted on by admin_ici
Originally published 11/15/2016

Hand-operated hoists have many applications on a construction site. Typical applications include hoisting pipe or plates into position for welding or bolting, moving machinery, fence stretching and lifting engines or equipment during repairs. These devices are simple to operate, but misuse can result in sudden failure, property damage and serious injury. Some things to keep in mind include:

  • Inspect the hoist to be sure it is in good condition. Do not use any hoist that appears to have been overloaded. Some things to look for include a bent handle, bent hooks, stretched chain links, broken ratchet teeth or stiff operation. Anything that is cracked, bent, distorted, deformed or broken probably indicates overloading.
  • You must know the weight of the load you plan to lift. Never attach a load greater than the capacity of the hoist. Never use two hoists to lift a load that is heavier than the rated capacity of either. A shifting load may place the entire load on one hoist, causing failure. Also, keep in mind that capacity ratings are based on a new hoist. Age, dirt, wear and improper maintenance will reduce the lifting capacity.
  • Never put a “cheater bar” on the operating lever or use more than one person to pull the lever. It is a sure sign that the hoist is overloaded if the load can’t be moved by one person using a normal pull.
  • Make sure that the structure your hoist is hanging from is strong enough to support the load you are lifting, as well as any possible shock load.
  • Use these devices only in locations that will not expose you to a hazard if you lose your grip or slip; use a site that permits you to stand clear of the load at all times.
  • Never operate a hoist in a manner that causes the load chain to bend or slide around objects such as corners or sharp edges. Do not use load chains or cables as a substitute for a sling.
  • Apply the load evenly. Do not jerk, bounce or allow the load to swing. Any violent motion or shock loads could easily exceed the capacity of your hoist.
  • Always be sure the load is centered on the hoist before lifting to avoid a swinging load.
  • Never leave a suspended load unattended, and never work or walk under a suspended load or allow anyone else to do so.

Remembering these guidelines will enable you to use hoists safely.

 

Download the recording form here.

Be Prepared for Cold Weather

Posted on by admin_ici

It’s getting colder, and winter is just around the corner. Now is the time to think about the extra safety precautions you need to take during the winter months, whether driving or working on the jobsite.

Check out these tips for driving in winter weather:

  • Give yourself extra time to drive to work.
  • Use extra caution on bridges and overpasses. Remember that they will freeze first.
  • Drive defensively. Watch out for drivers who may be driving too fast for road conditions, or who may have lost control of their vehicle.
  • Measure the low-temperature protection provided by the antifreeze in your vehicle to avoid frozen radiator and hoses.
  • Keep an ice scraper, shovel, jumper cables, a blanket and some sand, kitty litter or traction mats in your vehicle.
  • Check the tread on your tires. If it’s less than one-eighth of an inch, consider replacing the tires.
  • Check the air tanks on your truck, and make sure liquid isn’t building up. During winter months, air brake lines could freeze because the air tanks weren’t drained. Driving a truck under these conditions is very dangerous.

Dress for working in cold weather:

  • Wear layers of clothing. Many layers of thin garments trap heat better than a few thick ones. You can always remove a layer if you get warmer.
  • Wear a liner in your hard hat.
  • Wear headbands or hooded jackets to protect your ears.
  • Keep clothes clean and dry.
  • Wear water-resistant boots.
  • Wear windproof outer layers.
  • Wear cotton close to the body.
  • Wear gloves with liners, if possible.
  • Wear an extra pair of socks for added warmth.
  • Make sure your safety vest is clean and in good repair. As the days get shorter, early low-light conditions make it very difficult for passing drivers, equipment operators and other co-workers to see you.

When possible, consider taking additional precautions against cold weather:

  • Take breaks in warm areas.
  • Use approved warming devices. Be cautious of carbon monoxide buildup when you are indoors.
  • Use the buddy system, and check on each other regularly.
  • Be cautious of ice buildup on the jobsite. Slip and fall injuries can occur suddenly.
  • Schedule work to avoid being exposed to high-wind conditions.
  • Work with your back to the wind.

The best time to prepare for the cold is before you are exposed. Think ahead, and be prepared for changing conditions. Following these steps can lessen your chances of an accident or injury.

Download the recording form here.

Rigging Safety

Posted on by admin_ici
Originally published 11/04/2015

Failure to properly secure static loads for transport causes injury to people and damage to property. When securing a load against unwanted movement during hauling, employees should use the same rigging techniques for tie-down as for lifting. The consequences of rigging failure during transport can be just as disastrous as dropping a load during a high crane lift.

The quality of the rigging equipment is important. Rigging materials such as chains, straps, hooks, eye bolts and clamps are not required to meet the same standards as similar gear used for lifting. However, when using come-alongs, strap winches and other tightening devices, the strain on rigging materials can begin to approximate lift strain. When the strain on equipment caused by tightening is combined with the strain of a truck when turning quickly, climbing a steep grade or making sudden stops, the strain on equipment can equal that of lifting, and cause rigging to fail.

Most chains used for hold-in-place rigging are grade 70. While these chains are very strong, they do not meet OSHA standards and are not safe for overhead lifting. Chains that are rated for lifting are typically SGG grade 100 chains. It stands to reason that a 70-grade chain is more susceptible to wear and tear than a heavier grade chain.

To ensure safety, inspect all tie-down equipment before use as follows:

  • Test chain links for stretch and breakage.
  • Inspect hooks for deflection at the throat and twist.
  • Inspect eye bolts and other terminating attachment points for wear and deflection.
  • Test tie-down points on the truck or load surface for wear and damage.

The same procedure should be used for straps and other tie-down equipment. If the equipment shows extreme wear, don’t use it.

Additional tips for load management include:

  • Place lighter items at the bottom of the load so that heavier items can help hold them down.
  • Block items against each other, or bundle them together, to minimize shifting and movement.
  • Lay tall items flat in the truck bed or trailer, when possible.
  • Block the wheels of equipment to prevent rolling. Wrap straps around and through wheeled equipment to further secure it.
  • Cover items with a solid, waterproof tarp to prevent damage from rain and airborne debris.
  • Tag all load corners with red flags if the load extends four feet beyond the bed of the truck or trailer.

Well-secured loads provide safety for your employees as well as the motoring public.

Download the recording form here.

Pinch, Shear, Wrap and Crush Points

Posted on by admin_ici
Originally published 10/18/2016

Heavy construction equipment uses a lot of power. Even with all the safeguards that manufacturers install, without proper precautions you could find yourself suddenly caught in a pinch, shear, wrap or crush point and be fighting for your life. You could be cut, crushed, pulled in or struck by an object when working around construction equipment.

Pinch Points – A pinch point is any point where it is possible for a person (or part of a person’s body) to be caught between moving parts of a machine, or between the moving and stationary parts of a machine. Belt drives and chain drives are good examples.

Shear Points – The edges of two objects moving close enough together to cut relatively soft material create shear points. Hedge trimmers, grain augers and rotary mower blades are examples of tools that have shear points.

Wrap Points – Wrap points are found on rotating shafts or rods and can catch a sleeve, cuff or pant leg. You can quickly be pulled into a piece of equipment if you are caught in a wrap point. Motor shafts and axles are good examples of wrap points.

Safety precautions for pinch, shear or wrap points include:

  • Examine the equipment, looking for areas where pinch, shear or wrap points occur and avoid them.
  • Wear close-fitting clothing and remove jewelry.
  • Be aware that fatigue, carelessness and haste contribute to entanglement incidents.
  • Do not reach over, around or work on rotating parts.
  • Before working on equipment, turn it off. Make sure any moving parts have completely stopped. Lock it out and tag it.
  • Replace any shields that have been removed for maintenance.
  • Maintain manufacturer-installed warning labels and place highly-visible warnings on parts and equipment to identify pinch, shear or wrap points not previously labeled.

Crush Points – Crush points exist when two objects move toward each other, or one object moves toward a stationary object. Crush points can exist when connecting trailer hitches or backing up trucks to dump a load. Safety precautions for crush points include:

  • Identify machines that may have crush points.
  • Don’t allow anyone to stand or place any body parts in the space between two objects that form a crush point.
  • When hitching an implement, wait until the tractor has completely stopped before approaching the hitch point.
  • If possible, hitch a tractor and implement by backing the tractor into position without having a person positioned between the tractor and the implement.
  • As a backup in case of mechanical failure such as a jack slipping or an overhead support breaking, use blocks to secure any equipment before working under it.
  • Block the wheels of a piece of equipment to prevent it from rolling.

Look around. If you see potential pinch, shear, wrap or crush points on your jobsite, discuss them. Develop ways to prevent injuries that could be caused by these common jobsite hazards.

Download the recording form here.

Construction Noise – Protect Your Hearing

Posted on by admin_ici
Originally published 10/12/2016

According to a 2014 study conducted by Audicus (a hearing aid manufacturer), two out of three construction workers will experience some degree of hearing loss by the time they are 50. Most of it is due to the use of heavy equipment, jackhammers and heavy drills. This is alarming since the ability to hear well is essential to maintaining safety standards on the jobsite.

The World Health Organization says noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most common, permanent, and preventable occupational injury in the world. NIHL may happen suddenly from an explosive type of blast, or gradually over time as a worker is continuously exposed to noise levels of 85 decibels (dBA) or higher without wearing proper hearing protection. Noise-induced hearing loss is often overlooked because most of the time it happens gradually.

OSHA has rules about how long you can be exposed to a noise level before you must wear hearing protection:

  • 90 dBA Unprotected up to 8 hours
  • 95 dBA Unprotected up to 4 hours
  • 105 dBA Unprotected up to 1 hour

Cranes, bulldozers, concrete joint cutters, jack hammers and pneumatic chip hammers are just a few of the machines workers use that range from 90 – 113 dBAs.

If you have to shout for someone three feet away to hear you, the jobsite is probably too noisy and you need to talk with your manager about how to protect your hearing. OSHA suggest three steps to noise control:

  • Reduce it – Use the quietest equipment available. Keep the equipment in proper working condition and well lubricated.
  • Move it – Locate noisy equipment away from workers.
  • Block it – Erect temporary barriers to block noise from reaching workers.

You can also protect workers by cutting the time they spend around loud noises. Rotate workers out of a high-noise area to minimize excessive noise exposure.

When engineering and administrative controls are not successful in reducing noise exposure, hearing protection devices must be used. According to OSHA, employers must offer appropriate hearing protection devices to employees who regularly work in areas where noise exposure is high. There are many different types of hearing protection. Each type is designed for certain noise conditions. Your employer will provide the necessary devices and provide proper training on how to use them. But remember, they must be worn properly and all the time in order to be effective.

Have your hearing checked each year and wear the hearing protection provided by your employer. Many workers are afraid they won’t hear warning signals or coworkers if they wear their hearing protection. But, some new protectors can let in voices and block other noises.

Download the recording form here.