Slips

• Walkways must be kept clear and free of debris, cords and equipment.
• Do not take inappropriate shortcuts.
• Unnecessary hurrying, horseplay or other distracting activities may lead to slips, trips and falls.
• Pay attention to what you are doing and others around you.
• Set up ladders properly and make sure hand, shoes and rungs aren’t slippery.  Do not use stepladders as straight ladders.  Maintain three points of contact while climbing ladders.
• Use retractable lanyards when climbing scaffold ladders above 6 feet.
• Always use handrails when walking down stairs.
• Maintain an unobstructed view ahead of you when carrying materials.  If need get help when carrying bulky or heavy loads.
• Maintain adequate lighting in work areas and walkways.
• Never jump when climbing down from trucks, scaffold, ladder, lifts or platforms.  Use three points of contact and carefully lower yourself down.
• Wear shoes suitable for the conditions you are working in.  The soles of your shoes increase the amount of friction between your shoes and walking/working surface.
• Do not step on objects in your walking path.  Go around them or move them.  You never know when the object will give or what is underneath it that may cause you to lose your balance.
• Never walk backward on roofs or elevated surfaces.
• Report unsafe conditions or acts immediately, including loose handrails, steps, ladders.
• Be extra caution in wet conditions.  Watch for ice in your work area. Do not walk on it, use ice melt or work in another area that is ice-free.
• Use extra caution when entering or exiting buildings, surfaces may have different degrees of traction.
• Always inspect steps leading to scissor lift and maintain three points of contact when entering and exiting.

Anchorage

• Anchorage points shall be capable of supporting at least 5,000 lbs.
• When more than one personal fall arrest system is attached to the same structure, the strength requirements stated above must be multiplied by the number of personal fall arrest systems attached to the structure.
• Anchorages used for attachment of a personal fall arrest system shall be independent of any anchorage being used to support or suspend platforms.
• Guardrails shall not be used as anchorage points.  Guardrails are only required to support 200 lbs of force.

Free Fall

• OSHA requires that the maximum arresting force to be place on an employee not exceed 1,800 lbs.  To achieve this personal fall arrest systems must be rigged so the potential free fall is never greater than 6 ft.
• Avoid working above the anchorage point to avoid increased free fall distance and avoid slack line.
• Avoid working where your line may cross or tangle with that of other workers or objects.
• Do not allow lifeline to pass under arms or between legs.
• Never clamp, knot, or prevent the lifeline from retracting or being taut.
• Do not lengthen Self Retracting Lifeline by connecting a lanyard or other component without consulting the manufacture.

Swing Falls

Swing falls occur when the anchorage point is not directly above the point where a fall occurs.  The force of striking an object in a swing fall may cause serious injury.  In a swing fall, the total vertical fall distance will be greater than if the user had fallen directly below the anchorage point, thus increasing the total free fall distance and the area required to safely arrest the user.  The self-retracting lifeline will activate regardless of its orientation relative to the user.  The recommended work zone represents the typical acceptable work area for most application.  Review you specific application to determine what the appropriate work zone should be.  Minimize swing falls by working as directly below the anchorage point as possible.  Never permit a swing fall if injury could occur.  If a swing fall situation exists in you application contact the manufacture before proceeding.

Fall Clearance

Ensure adequate clearance exists in your fall path to prevent striking an object.  A minimum of 6 feet from the working level to the lower level or nearest obstruction is recommended.

Sharp Edges

Avoid working where the lifeline will be in contact with or abrade against unprotected sharp edges.  Provide protection for the lifeline when possible.

Rescue

A rescue plan and ability to implement a rescue shall be in place before an employee uses a personal fall arrest system.

Connections

Double locking snap hooks and carabineers should never be connected:

• To a D-ring to which another connector is attached.
• In a manner that would result in a load on the gate.
• In a false engagement, where features that protrude form the snap hook or carabineer catch on the anchor and without visual confirmation seems to be fully engaged to the anchor point.
• To each other.
• Directly to webbing or rope lanyard or tie back, unless the manufacture states it can be used for this application.
• To any object which is shaped or dimensioned such that the snap hook or carabineer will not close and lock, or that roll out could occur.

The full agenda may be downloaded here.

The Construction Users Roundtable is an association of leading corporations dedicated to the promotion of cost effective construction methods. The members, as major consumers of construction services seek to foster improved construction safety performance through recognition of the achievement of excellence and the promotion of proven effective work practices. www.curt.org

Employees must make the necessary effort to keep their protective eyewear in good condition.  This includes cleaning and protecting your eyewear when not in use.  If your protective eyewear is inadequate to wear, turn it into your foreman for a new pair.

Employees will wear ANSI Z87.1 eye protection, at a minimum, at all times. Employees that require corrective spectacles will be required to wear approved side shields or goggles.

Goggle Gear is a type of eye protection that provides protection against dust and particles.  The goggles are about the size and weight as normal safety glasses.  The goggles fit tight to the face and have a foam gasket that presses against the employee’s face for seal.  This type of eye protection provides greater protection against dust and particles if worn correctly.

Goggle Gear will be required whenever tearing off material, working in dust environments, working below other employees, or working with the following types of insulation and/or any insulation that has the potential to enter the eye:

• Cellular glass (foamglas)
• Calcium silicate
• Polyisocyanurate (urethane)
• Perlite

A face shield and safety glasses are required when cutting or grinding with a Metabo or when shooting pins.

A welding hood with the proper filter lens is required when welding.

Report to your supervisor or the safety department immediately if you think something has entered your eye.  Usually the quicker the debris is removed from the eye, the better the outcome for the employee.  In the instance that debris does get into your eye the first thing to remember is not to rub your eye.  Rubbing your eye may cause further injury to your eye.  Try to let tears wash the debris out.  If tears do not get the debris out, try using eyewash.  If the debris is still in your eye, lift the upper eyelid outward and down over the lower lid.  If these techniques do not work keep your eye closed and report to your supervisor for further instruction.

All near misses, first aids, property damage incidents and injuries should be reported immediately to your foreman.  Once the foreman is aware of the incident they should contact Trevor Atherton at 812-483-8049 or Rick Jordan at 812-305-1801 within 30 minutes.  It is to the employee’s benefit if the employee reports these incidents immediately.   The employee can receive the medical care that is required to prevent increased severity of the injury and decrease pain and suffering.  One example of this is an eye injury:  if an employee feels like they have gotten something in their eye it needs to be reported immediately so they can get the appropriate first aid care to remove the debris.  This is an incident that if not taken care of immediately can cause more damage to the eye by the employee rubbing their eye or the debris becoming imbedded in the eye.  Another example would be lacerations that could become infected.  It is imperative that the laceration be cleaned out and antibiotics applied to prevent infection.  Another reason to report is that worker’s compensation requires the employee report the incident within the work shift that the injury occurs.  Also, when incidents and near misses are reported procedures or policies can be put in place to keep employees from being injured in the future from the same types of incidents.  If incidents are not reported immediately disciplinary action will be taken.

OSHA requires each contractor to use the OSHA 300 log to record each injury or illness during the year that meet the OSHA’s determination of a recordable, restricted duty or lost time accident.  At the end of the year the employer is required to fill out the OSHA 300A log and post it on each jobsite from February 1^st thru April 30^th of each year.  If OSHA conducts an inspection on your site during this time frame and the log is not onsite it results in an OSHA violation and a fine.  As long as you have this log in the back of your safety manual, you will be covered.

Report all incidents to your foreman or the safety department immediately!

Employers are required to develop a written Hazard Communication Program and train their employees on these programs.  OSHA also requires that a copy of this program be on each jobsite.

All containers must be labeled with their contents and hazard warnings.  When containers come from the manufacturer they must contain these labels.  The problem arises when these labels fall off or material is transferred to other containers.  If you find a container with a label missing it must not be left unattended until it is labeled or disposed of properly.  If you are putting a material into a smaller container you must label the smaller container.  A few examples that we frequently run into are putting glue into a glue gun or putting paint thinner into a jar for the glue gun tips.  These containers must be labeled.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) must be onsite for any chemical that we will be using.  The MSDS gives employees information on each product including:  Company and Product Information, Ingredients, Hazard Identification, First Aid Measures, Fire Fighting Measures, Accidental Release Measures, Handling and Storage, Exposure Controls/Personal Protective Equipment, Physical and Chemical Properties, Chemical Stability and Reactivity Information, Toxicological Information, Ecological Information, Disposal Considerations, Transport Information, Regulatory Information and Other Information.

Employees shall be trained in the methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the work area, the physical and health hazards of the chemical in the work area, the measures employees can take to protect themselves from these hazards, and the details of the hazard communication program developed by the employer.

Gribbins Insulation’s Hazard Communication Program and all MSDS are located in the Safety Manual in Section 7.  If employees have questions on materials in use, they may look at the MSDS to determine what hazards that product presents.  It is required that the Safety Manual be onsite to cover the Hazard Communication requirements.  The manual is also available here on our website.  The required password may be obtained from the Safety Department.

• These machines are not electrically insulated and will not provide protection from contact with or proximity to electrical current.  Maintain a clearance of at least 10 ft. between any part of the machine and its occupants, their tools, and their equipment from any electrical line or apparatus carrying up to 50,000 volts.  One foot additional clearance is required for every additional 30,000 volts or less.  Allow for machine movement and electrical line swaying or sagging.
• Occupants must wear a full body harness with a lanyard attached to an authorized anchor point.  Guardrails are not approved anchor points.  Before operating the machine, make sure all gates and chains are closed and fastened in their proper position.
• Maintain firm footing on the platform at all times.  Do not use ladder, boxes, steps, planks, guardrails or similar items to provide additional reach.
• Do not raise the platform or drive the machine with the boom extended or raised unless on a firm, level and smooth surface.  Never exceed the allowable side slope or grade while driving.  Do not use on moving surface or vehicle.
• Do not exceed the maximum platform capacity.  Distribute loads evenly on platform floor.  See model operation manual for actual capacity rating.  Do not push or pull any object with the boom.  Never attempt to use the machine as a crane or attach overhanging loads.  Do not tie off machines to any adjacent structure.
• Inspect work area for clearances overhead, on sides and bottom of platform and lift base when lifting or lowering platform and driving.  During operation, keep all body parts inside platform guardrails.
• Keep non-operating personnel at least 6 ft. away from the machine during all driving and swing operations.
• When driving, always position boom over rear axle in line with the direction of travel.  Remember, if boom is over the front axle, steer and drive functions will be reversed.
• Use extreme caution when entering and exiting the lift.  Face the machine and use three points of contact.  Always exit through the designated anchor point.  Do not climb over guardrails.
• Keep the base of the lift at least 2 ft. from holes, bumps, drop offs, obstructions, debris and other potential hazards on the floor or surface.
• Do not operate the machine in strong or gusty winds, JLG states not to operate in wind above 28 MPH.
• Do not increase the surface area of the platform or the load.  Increase of the area exposed to the wind will decrease stability.
• Only two employees are allowed in a lift at one time.  Only one person may operate the machine at a time.
• Use the boom functions, not the drive function, to position the platform close to obstacles.
• Be aware of stopping distances while driving or maneuvering.  Do not operate quickly in restricted or tight areas or when operating in reverse.  Use extreme caution at all times to prevent obstacles from striking or interfering with operating controls and persons in the platform.
• Use a spotter when driving in areas where vision is obstructed.  Always warn personnel not to work, stand or walk under a raised boom or platform.  Barricades may be required to achieve this.
• Limit travel speed according to conditions of ground surface, congestion, visibility, slope, location of personnel, and other factors which may cause collision or injury to personnel.
• Do not alter or disable machine components that in any way affect safety or stability.
• Always inspect and document a lift inspection before work begins.  If lift is not working properly, do not use, red tag and inform your supervisor.

Jim Gribbins and Trevor Atherton

As the winner of the 2011 Pinnacle Safety Award from the Indiana Construction Association, Gribbins Insulation will present safety best practices at the ICA Statewide Safety Forum and the ICA/INDOT/IOSHA/ISP Safety Joint Cooperative Forum at 10:00am on Tuesday, February 21, 2012, at the association office in downtown Indianapolis.  All ICA members are invited to attend the meeting.

Jim Gribbins, President of Gribbins Insulation, and Trevor Atherton, Safety Manager, will discuss features of our safety program that have helped us win two ICA Pinnacle Awards in the past three years.

Please RSVP to ICA at ica@inconstruction.org or call 317-472-6777.

Indiana Construction Association

Trevor Atherton previously presented an overview of our safety program with Vice President Brian Willett at the ICA Southwest Safety Forum in Evansville, Indiana, on January 4, 2012.

The best advice for driving in snow and ice is to avoid it if you can. If you can’t, it’s important to orient your mind to safely operate your vehicle by making sure your vehicle is prepared, and that you know how to handle the road conditions. Below are a few tips to help make your drive safer in snow and ice.

Drive Safely on Icy Roads:

• Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
• Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, gently ease off the brakes.
  Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
• Keep your lights and windshield clean.
  Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
• Don’t use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
• Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently-traveled roads. These areas will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas.
• Don’t pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you’re likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind them.
• Don’t assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and frontwheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

If Your Vehicle Starts to Skid:

• Remain calm.
• Take your foot off the accelerator.
• If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
• If you have anti-lock brakes, do not pump them, but apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse; this is normal.
• Steer to safety.

If You Get Stuck:

• Do not spin your wheels.  This will only dig you in deeper.
• Use a light touch on the gas to ease your car out.
• You may want to try rocking the vehicle.  Give a light touch on the gas pedal and then release it.  Repeating these actions will start a rocking motion and could free you up to get going.
• If necessary, use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
• Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels to help increase traction.

Just keep in mind that with the winter season comes adverse weather conditions. It is important to always be prepared to operate your vehicle in a defensive manner and watch out for the other vehicles on the road. Driving on snow and ice can be very tricky but can be done safely. Just remember to “Think Safety and Act Safely.”

The following safety rules should be used whenever you are using a stepladder:

• Never use a stepladder as a straight ladder.
• Do not stand on the top step or top of a ladder. If you cannot reach the area you need to get a taller ladder.
• Always face the ladder.
• Keep three points of contact while climbing a ladder. Do not carry tools while climbing a ladder. Have someone hand them to you or rope them up.
• Stepladders shall be completely open and secure before using.
• Ladders shall only be used on stable and level surfaces unless secured to prevent accidental displacement.
• Do not place a ladder in an area where it is not visible. (i.e. doorways, high traffic areas) If you have to use a ladder in these areas barricade the area with tape and signage.
• Keep yourself in the center of the ladder. Your belt buckle should be between the ladder rails.
• Ladder surfaces should be dry and free from slippery substances.
• Never use metal ladders near electrical circuits, fixtures or power lines.
• When ladder are used close to handrails, 100% fall protection shall be used. If a fall were to occur, momentum could propel you over the handrail.
• Do not overload the ladder; check the load limit before using.
• The area around the top and bottom of the ladder shall be kept clear.
• Ladder shall not be moved, shifted or extended while occupied.
• Cross-bracing on the rear section of step ladders shall not be used to climbing or standing.
• Straight ladders must be extended 3 feet above the landing level and be tied off.
• Ladders must be set at an angle of a 4 to 1 ratio (four feet vertical to one foot horizontal).

Always inspect the ladder before use. If the ladder is found to be defective tag it out and remove from service. Look at the following components of the ladder when conducting you inspection.

Structural Components – Inspect:

• Rails, steps, rungs, the top and rung braces for bends, splits, cracks or other defects.
• Locks to insure they are fully functional.
• Guides to ensure they are fully functional.
• All hardware items to insure they are functional
• All metal components for excessive rust or corrosion.

Connections – Inspect:

• Rivets to insure head and crimp are intact
• Crimps and swages for looseness, cracking or other conditions.
• Bolts and nuts to insure they are tight and threads are not stripped
• Welds for cracks or damage.

Accessories – Inspect:

• Safety shoes to insure shoes and treads are in good condition
• Leveling devices for condition and proper operation.