Tag: OSHA

Sign and Barricade Use

Posted on by admin_ici

Collisions with construction equipment and other vehicles, pedestrians falling into open excavation work, driving into open excavation work, driving into work areas and losing control of a vehicle because of minor road repairs and soft shoulders are the major causes of accidents in highway construction or maintenance. You can minimize the likelihood of such accidents by using barricades and other warning devices.

In some instances, signs will be sufficient deterrents. Signs should conform in shape, size and color to recommended specifications. Use them freely to designate approaches to the site. Use secondary approach warnings, such as one-lane traffic and speed limit signs, where appropriate.

Other instances call for the use of barricades. An open trench can be a hazard not only to the workers on the site, but also to the public. The OSHA standard states, “Each employee at the edge of an excavation six feet (1.8 m) or more in depth shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems, fences, or barricades when the excavations are not readily seen because of plant growth or other visual barriers.”

There are two types of barricades – the horse type and the fence type. Use the fence barricade around heavy equipment and as a roadblock. Use the horse type for all other purposes. Barricades should be properly striped for visibility – six inches wide and inclined at an angel of 45 degrees from the horizontal.

Below are some barricade basics to help ensure a safe excavation site:

  • Install warning systems prior to excavation.
  • Install barricades, guardrails or fences around excavations adjacent to walkways, roads, paths or other traffic areas.
  • Install standard guardrails on walkways or bridges used by the general public to cross excavations.
  • Install barricades or other means of protection from underground utilities left in place during excavation.
  • Install a barricade or fence on any excavation left unattended to protect against accidental pedestrian entry.
  • You can use posts and warning tape as a barricade if the excavation is in a remote location where visitation by residents is unlikely.
  • Use a physical barrier such as a fence to isolate an excavation in a highly traveled area.
  • Install barricades around the site to help control vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
  • Install a warning system such as a barricade, hand or mechanical signal or stop logs when operating mobile equipment adjacent to the edge of an excavation.

These are just a few precautions you can take to protect workers and the public around excavations. Each situation will be different; therefore, a competent person must assess the hazards associated with the specific excavation to determine the most appropriate plan of action.

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OSHA issues final rule on workplace injury and illness data

Posted on by Andria Hine

OSHA released a special edition of its QuickTakes newsletter yesterday, announcing its final rule on injury and illness data collection:

OSHA issues final rule to make employers, public better informed about workplace injuries, illnesses

OSHA today issued a final rule to modernize injury data collection to better inform workers, employers, the public, and OSHA about workplace hazards. With this new rule, OSHA is applying the insights of behavioral economics to improve workplace safety and prevent injuries and illnesses.

OSHA requires many employers to keep a record* of injuries and illnesses to help these employers and their employees identify hazards, fix problems and prevent additional injuries and illnesses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports more than three million workers suffer a workplace injury or illness every year. Currently, little or no information about worker injuries and illnesses at individual employers is made public or available to OSHA. Under the new rule, employers in high-hazard industries will send OSHA injury and illness data that the employers are already required to collect, for posting on the agency’s website.

The availability of these data will enable prospective employees to identify workplaces where their risk of injury is lowest; as a result, employers competing to hire the best workers will make injury prevention a higher priority. Access to these data will also enable employers to benchmark their safety and health performance against industry leaders, to improve their own safety programs.

“Since high injury rates are a sign of poor management, no employer wants to be seen publicly as operating a dangerous workplace,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. “Our new reporting requirements will ‘nudge’ employers to prevent worker injuries and illnesses to demonstrate to investors, job seekers, customers and the public that they operate safe and well-managed facilities. Access to injury data will also help OSHA better target our compliance assistance and enforcement resources at establishments where workers are at greatest risk, and enable ‘big data’ researchers to apply their skills to making workplaces safer.”

Under the new rule, all establishments with 250 or more employees in industries covered by the recordkeeping regulation must electronically submit to OSHA injury and illness information from OSHA Forms 300, 300A, and 301. Establishments with 20-249 employees in certain industries* must electronically submit information from OSHA Form 300A only.To ensure that the injury data on OSHA logs are accurate and complete, the final rule also promotes an employee’s right to report injuries and illnesses without fear of retaliation, and clarifies that an employer must have a reasonable procedure for reporting work-related injuries that does not discourage employees from reporting. This aspect of the rule targets employer programs and policies that, while nominally promoting safety, have the effect of discouraging workers from reporting injuries and, in turn leading to incomplete or inaccurate records of workplace hazards.The new requirements take effect August 10, 2016, with phased in data submissions beginning in 2017. These requirements do not add to or change an employer’s obligation to complete and retain injury and illness records under the Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses regulation. For more information see the news release and blog post by Deputy Secretary of Labor Chris Lu, and visit OSHA’s webpage on the final rule, which includes links to a fact sheet and frequently asked questions.

INSafe offers fall prevention training

Posted on by admin_ici

May 2-6 is National Safety Stand-down to Prevent Falls in Construction, as coordinated by OSHA. The Indiana Department of Labor’s INSafe division will offer fall prevention training in north, central and south Indiana – free of charge. The events will include a full training session, educational materials and resources for attendees, and participants will also receive certificates of participation following completed training.

Find out more about INSafe’s involvement, registration and additional resources are available on the agency’s website.

AGC Safety & Health Conference slated for July 27-29

Posted on by Andria Hine

Construction safety and health is vital for the success of the industry. Join more than 150 industry professionals and participate in the development of regulatory and legislative activity on both a national and local levels, assist in the development and creation of new safety training programs and products and hear the latest initiatives from OSHA and other industry experts.

  • Get the latest updates to regulations and OSHA activities
  • Peer-to-Peer Interaction and networking.
  • Find out what is or is not working from construction safety professionals across the industry.
  • Get the latest updates on congressional activities directly affecting construction safety and health.
  • Take an active role in improving safety and health in the construction industry
  • Conference sessions will cover: safety culture and climate, leadership, how to conduct effective safety and health training, safety and health considerations surrounding the aging worker, and building erection stability among others.

The AGC Safety & Health Committee Meeting is open to both interested AGC members and non-members.

New Season/New Jobsite – Keep it Safe

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Safety is one of the key factors to consider as we begin planning for a new construction season. It’s important to have a plan to minimize the possibility of dangerous situations. Remember, it’s everyone’s responsibility to follow company rules and immediately report dangerous situations to the appropriate supervisor.

As we move into a new construction season, consider these sugestions to ensure jobsite safety:

  • Consider creating and using a jobsite inspection checklist.
  • Identify jobsite hazards such as overhead power lines, trenches, traffic bottlenecks, material and chemical storage areas.
  • Review the location of first aid kits, fire extinguishers and nearby medical facilities to use in case of an emergency.
  • Review the emergency contact plan, update it as necessary and identify the location of emergency telephone numbers.
  • Make sure everyone understands how internal traffic should flow through the jobsite, including those on foot.
  • Identify and communicate where employees, subcontractors and suppliers should park their vehicles.
  • Review the Hazard Communication Program, clearly identify the location of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and ensure containers are clearly marked.
  • Document that you have provided proper training to all employees prior to, or as they arrive, on the job.
  • Inform employees that the company will not tolerate safety infractions, and supervisors will follow the company’s safety policy, with progressive disciplinary action for safety violations.
  • Notify suppliers and subcontractors that the company will hold them accountable for safety infractions.

Planning ahead for safety will help avoid unnecessary delays and work stoppages. It’s more difficult to adjust or add safety guidelines once a job has begun.

Safety should be a vital component of each aspect of the construction process. A job is off to a good start when safety is a priority from the beginning.

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The Importance of Safety Training

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Safety training is vital to every construction workplace, and should include all employees whether they are full- or part-time, new hires, contract workers, supervisors and managers or workers in high risk areas. Do not overlook the long-term worker whose job changes as a result of new processes or materials.

Some companies tend to be apprehensive about the amount of time and cost involved with safety training and development; however, reports show that the investment in training guarantees positive results, and helps decrease workplace hazards, injuries and deaths.

Training does come with a cost, but workplace accidents cost much more.

Costs to the employee due to an accident could include:

  • Lost wages; injury or death; mental anguish; physical pain and suffering; decreased active participation with family and friends; and the inability to be productive on or off the job.

Costs to the employer could include:

  • Workers’ Compensation claims; medical bills; associated legal fees; possible increased insurance costs and uninsured property damage costs; loss of a valuable employee; lost efficiency on the job while training someone new; damaged or destroyed equipment, materials or tools and more.

Most of the injuries that result from workplace accidents could have been prevented with increased awareness of possible hazards and proper training. Properly trained employees are more likely to notice and report problems so that solutions can be found before an accident occurs.

Remember, safety is everyone’s responsibility. Report unsafe acts and near-misses immediately. Listen and learn from all training provided, and be an active participant in learning a job skill or safety issue. Ask questions if training or instruction is not clear. Readdress issues with the supervisor on unresolved topics. Be an active part of the safety of your jobsite. Participate in safety meetings and training sessions, and set a good example for others on the work crew.

Download the recording form here.