SAFETY BLOG

Office Work Station Ergonomics

Office workers sustain over 70,000 injuries in the office setting annually.  Sprains, strains, and repetitive motion injuries account for many of these.

• Falls and slips 35%
• Strains and over exertions 22%
• Struck by or against objects 18%
• Caught in or between objects 10%

Ergonomics:  is the study of man's relationship with his or her workplace.  The employer must fit the task to the person.  OSHA's standards on office ergonomics are found within 29 CFR 1903.1

The ergonomically correct work station:

• Office chair should provide support for the lower back.
• The seat should be fully adjustable in height.
• Monitor terminal should be 18-24 inches away from worker.
• The employee's eyes should be at the same height as the top of the monitor screen.
• Anti-glare technology should be applied to decrease eye strain
• When seated, the employee should sit in an upright position with shoulders back.  Back fully supported.
• Foot rests should be provided for shorter people to add support to the hips and back.
• Upper legs and lower legs should form a 90 degree angle for optimum support.
• The employee's elbows should be level with the keyboard.
• Wrists straight
• This will form a straight line from the elbow to the fingertips
• Add wrist cushions to keyboard bases and mouse pads to decrease carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Adequate lighting to decrease eye strain, but not too much to contribute to monitor glare.
• Anti-slip mats under chairs decreases slips and falls.
• Work space dividers to reduce noise.
• Headsets decrease neck strains for employees that frequently use telephones.

Be safe out there!

Standards for Concrete Equipment

The following safety huddle reviews OSHA regulations pertaining to construction safety standards.  Today's safety huddle details the regulations that govern tools and equipment used in concrete and masonry operations.  The following standards are quoted from 29 CFR 1926.702

Requirements for equipment and tools:

• Bulk cement storage, containers, and silos shall be equipped with the following:
• Conical or tapered bottoms, and
• Mechanical or pneumatic means of starting the flow of material
• No employee shall be permitted to enter storage facilities unless the ejection system has been shut down, locked out, and tagged
• Concrete mixers with one cubic yard or larger skips shall be equipped with the following:
• A mechanical device to clear the skip of materials
• Guardrails installed on each side of the skip
• Powered and rotating type concrete troweling machines that are manually guided shall be equipped with a control switch that will automatically shut off the power whenever the hands of the operator are removed from the equipment handles
• Concrete buggy handles shall not extend beyond the wheels on either side of the buggy
• Concrete pumping systems using discharge pipes shall be provided with pipe supports designed for 100 percent overload
• Compressed air hoses used on concrete pumping systems shall be provided with positive fail-safe joint connectors to prevent separation of sections when pressurized
• Concrete bucket equipment with hydraulic or pneumatic gates shall have positive safety latches to prevent premature or accidental dumping
• Buckets shall be designed to prevent concrete from hanging up on top and sides
• Sections of tremies and similar concrete conveyances shall be secured with wire rope in addition to the regular couplings or connections
• Bull float handles, used where they may contact energized electrical conductors, shall be constructed of nonconductive material or insulated with a nonconductive sheath
• Masonry saws shall be guarded with a semicircular enclosure over the blade
• A method for retaining blade fragments shall be incorporated in the design of the semicircular enclosure
• No employee shall be permitted to perform maintenance or repair activity on equipment (such as compressors, mixers, screens, or pumps used for concrete and masonry construction) where the inadvertent operation of the equipment could occur and cause injury, unless all potentially hazardous energy sources have been locked out and tagged

 Be safe out there!

Aerial Lift Safety

On October 12, 2009, a construction worker in Philadelphia was killed when the aerial lift he was working from toppled over dropping him 125 feet.  In light of this tragic accident, now would be an excellent time to review the OSHA standards that govern aerial lift safety.  The following standards refer to 29 CFR 1926.453.

Scope and Application:

• Aerial lifts acquired for use on or after January 22, 1973 shall be designed and constructed in conformance with the applicable requirements of the American National Standards for "Vehicle Mounted Elevating and Rotating Work Platforms"
• Aerial lifts include the following types of vehicles:
• Extensible boom platforms
• Aerial ladders
• Articulating boom platforms
• Vertical towers
• A combination of any such devices
• Aerial equipment may be made of metal, wood, fiberglass reinforced plastic, or other material
• May be powered or manually operated
• May be field modified for uses other than those intended by the manufacturer provided that modification has been certified by manufacturer or any other equivalent entity

 Requirements:

• Aerial ladders shall be secured in the lower traveling position by the locking device on top of the truck cab, and the manually operated device at the base of the ladder before highway travel
• Lift controls shall be tested each day prior to use
• Only authorized persons shall operate an aerial lift
• Belting off to an adjacent pole, structure, or equipment while working from an aerial lift shall not be permitted
• Employees shall always stand firmly on the floor of the basket
• Shall not sit or climb on edge of basket
• Shall not use planks, ladders, or other devices for a work position
• Fall protection shall be worn and a lanyard attached to the boom or basket
• Body belts no longer acceptable as of January 1, 1998
• Never exceed boom or basket load limits
• Brakes shall be set when outriggers are used
• Outriggers placed on pads or solid surfaces
• Wheel chocks used when aerial lift is used on incline
• Aerial lifts shall not be moved when the boom is elevated in a working position when men are in the basket
• Except equipment that is specifically designed for this type of operation
• Articulating and extensible boom platforms shall have both upper and lower controls
• Lower controls shall not be used unless permission granted from employee in basket
• The insulated portion of lift shall not be altered in any manner

 Always consult OSHA standards for more details.

Be safe out there!

Workplace Safety in Question

The construction industry has suffered another workplace accident that has taken a man's life on Monday, October 12.  A construction worker in Philadelphia was working from a mobile lift platform when it toppled over while performing construction work on a church roof.  National news is reporting that it was believed the platform rolled over a sidewalk grate which became unstable and caused the lift to become unbalanced, thus falling over with the employee in the basket.  It is believed the boom on the lift was fully extended at the time of the accident and the worker fell approximately 125 feet.

Once again workplace safety will be examined to determine if this construction accident could have been avoided.  The safe utilization of mobile platform lifts is regulated by OSHA standards.  While the details of this accident are still sketchy, we must assume that an adequate safety assessment of the days work may have identified potential hazards to the stability of the lift.  How many more workers are we going to lose in this country before workplace and construction safety is taken seriously?

Warning Line Systems

The following safety huddle lists the OSHA standards that regulate and define the specifications for warning line systems in construction fall protection.  Refer to 29 CFR 1926.502(f) for more details.  Remember, workplace safety is every everybody's responsibility.

Definition: warning line system means a barrier erected on a roof to warn employees that they are approaching an unprotected roof side or edge, and which designates an area in which roofing work may take place without the use of guardrail, body belt, or safety net systems to protect employees in the area.

Warning line systems and their use shall comply with the following provisions:

• Shall be erected around all sides of the roof work area.
• When mechanical equipment is not being used, the warning line shall be erected not less than 6 feet from the roof edge.
• When mechanical equipment is being used, the warning line shall be erected not less than 6 feet from the roof edge which is parallel to the direction of mechanical equipment operation, and not less than 10 feet from the roof edge which is perpendicular to the direction of mechanical equipment operation.
• Points of access, materials handling areas, storage areas, and hoisting areas shall be connected to the work area by an access path formed by two warning lines.
• When the path to a point of access is not in use, a rope, wire, chain, or other barricade, equivalent in strength and height to the warning line, shall be placed across the path at the point where the path intersects the warning line erected around the work area.
• or the path shall be offset such that a person cannot walk directly into the work area.
• Warning lines shall consist of ropes, wires, or chains, and supporting stanchions erected as follows:
• the rope, wire, or chain shall be flagged at not more than 6 foot intervals with high-visibility material.
• shall be rigged and supported in such a way that its lowest point (including sag) is no less than 34 inches from the walking/working surface and its highest point is no more than 39 inches from the walking working surface.
• stanchions shall be capable of resisting, without tipping over, a force of at least 16 pounds applied horizontally against the stanchion, 30 inches above the walking/working surface, perpendicular to the warning line, and in the direction of the floor, roof, or platform edge.
• The rope, wire, or chain shall have a minimum tensile strength of 500 pounds.
• The line shall be attached at each stanchion in such a way that pulling on one section of the line between stanchions will not result in slack being taken up in adjacent sections before the stanchion tips over.
• No employee shall be allowed in the area between the roof edge and a warning line unless the employer is performing roofing work in that area.
• Mechanical equipment on roofs shall be used or stored only in areas where employees are protected by a warning line system, guardrail system, or personal fall arrest sytem.

 Be safe out there!

Positioning Device Systems Compliance

The following safety huddle represents OSHA's safety compliance regulations for positioning device systems 1926.502(e).  Always consult directly with OSHA compliance standards and manufacturer recommendations before utilizing these systems.  Positioning device systems are not fall arrest systems, but they are personal safety devices that can be used to prevent an employee from falling.  They are an invaluable tool for fall protection but employers and managers must understand how to use them properly.

• Positioning device systems and their use shall conform to the following:
• Shall be rigged such that an employee cannot free fall more than 2 feet.
• anchor points for these systems must be capable of supporting twice the potential impact load of an employee's fall or 3,000 pounds, whichever is greater.
• All connectors shall be drop forged, pressed or formed steel, or made of equivalent materials.
• Connectors shall have a corrosion-resistant finish, and all surfaces shall be smooth.
• Connecting assemblies shall have a minimum tensile strength of 5,000 pounds.
• Dee-rings and snaphooks shall be proof-tested to a minimum tensile load of 3,600 pounds without cracking, breaking, or taking permanent deformation.
• Snaphooks shall be sized to be compatible with the member to which they are connected, or shall be a locking type designed and used to prevent disengagement.
• As of January 1, 1998, only locking type snaphooks shall be used.
• Unless the snaphook is a locking type and designed for the following connections, snaphooks shall not be engaged:
• directly to webbing, rope or wire rope
• to each other
• to a Dee-ring to which another snaphook or other connector is attached
• to a horizontal lifeline
• to any object which is incompatibly shaped
• Shall be inspected prior to each use for wear, damage, and other deterioration, and defective components shall be removed from service.
• Body belts, harnesses, and components shall be used only for employee protection (as part of a fall arrest system or positioning device system) and not to hoist materials.

 Be safe out there!

Elements of an Emergency Action Plan

An emergency action plan (EAP) should address emergencies that the employer may reasonably expect in the workplace.  Some examples include: fires; hazardous materials spills; tornadoes; floods; and others.  The following text identifies the main components of an EAP as outlined by OSHA.

• An EAP must be in writing, kept in the workplace, and available to employees for review.  Employers with fewer than 10 employees may communicate the EAP orally.
• An EAP must include at a minimum:
• procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency
• procedures for emergency evacuation, including type of evacuation and exit route assignments
• use floor plans or workplace maps which clearly show the emergency escape routes
• color coding will aid employees in determining their route assignments
• procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate
• i.e. plant power supplies, plant water supplies, and other essential services that cannot be shut down or have to be shut down in stages
• procedures to account for all employees after evacuation
• procedures to be followed by employees performing rescue or medical duties
• the name or job title of every employee who may be contacted by employees who need more information about the plan or an explanation of their duties under the plan
• An employer must have and maintain an employee alarm system.
• the alarm system must use a distinctive signal for each purpose and comply with the requirements in section 1910.165
• An employer must designate and train employees to assist in a safe and orderly evacuation of other employees.
• assure an adequate number of employees are available at all times to act as evacuation wardens in times of emergencies
• one warden for every twenty employees in considered adequate
• make wardens thoroughly aware of facility layout, places of refuge (interior and exterior), and any and all handicapped or disabled employees who may need extra assistance
• An employer must review the EAP with each employee covered by the plan.
• when the plan is developed or the employee is assigned initially to a job
• when the employee's responsibilities under the plan change
• when the plan is changed

If you need more information or are looking to have an emergency action plan created for your company, just click on this link. EAP 

Be safe out there!

Intro to Bloodborne Pathogens

Background of 1910 Subpart Z:

• 1986 OSHA petitioned by various unions to set standards for bloodborne pathogens
• December 6, 1991, Bloodborne Pathogens Standards 29 CFR 1910.1030 established
• combination of engineering controls, work practice controls, PPE, training, medical surveillance, hepatitis B vaccinations, signs and labels, and other regulations that minimize the risk of disease transmission
• revised in 2001 to reflect Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act of November 6, 2000
• revised standard took effect April 18, 2001
• enforced July 18, 2001
• Primary agents of concern are HIV, HBV (Hep B), HCV (Hep C)
• Factors that determine overall risk for transmission is the type and number of blood contacts
• Factors that vary risk of exposure are:
• the pathogen involved
• type of exposure
• amount of blood in exposure
• amount of virus in persons blood at time of exposure
• The employer must:
• have exposure control plan in place for reporting exposures
• inform employees about treatments available
• monitor for side effects of treatments
• may involve testing the employee's blood
• risks of infection:
• HBV: none for vaccinated, 6-30% for unvaccinated
• HCV: 1.8%
• HIV: 0.3%

Control and Compliance:

• All employers and employees who have occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens are required to establish a written exposure control plan and must include:
1. an exposure determination:
• list of all job classifications in which all employees have occupational exposures
• list of job classifications in which some employees have exposures
• a list of all tasks and procedures in which exposure may occur
2. methods of compliance
3. HIV and HBV research laboratories and production facilities
4. Hep B vaccination and post exposure evaluation and follow up
5. communications of hazards to employees
6. record keeping
7. procedures for evaluating circumstances surrounding exposure incidents
• Plan must be reviewed annually
• Plan must be available to OSHA for examination and/or copying
• The first principle of compliance is that universal precautions are to be observed
• Engineering controls must be used to eliminate or minimize exposure
• Sharps containers standards:
• puncture resistant and closeable
• labeled with biohazard placard or red colored
• leak proof on bottom and sides
• be constructed to prevent person from reaching inside

Communication and Training:

• Hazards are primarily communicated through labels, tags and placards affixed to containers and contaminated articles or equipment
• this is the visual component of communications
• training will provide knowledge and skills
• Training must include at least the following:
1. accessible copy of the bloodborne text with explanation of content
2. general explanation of blood diseases and symptoms
3. explanation of employers control plan and how to obtain a copy
4. explanation of how to recognize tasks that may involve exposure
5. use and limitations of methods to prevent or reduce exposure
6. all aspects of PPE
7. information on Hep B vaccination
8. information on persons to contact in an emergency and emergency procedures
9. post exposure evaluation and follow up
10. opportunity to ask employers questions

 Always consult government standards for more details.

Be safe out there!

Welding Safety

Last week's safety huddle detailed some of the major hazards created by welding operations.  This week we will be looking at the safety regulations that govern such operations.

Resistance welding equipment guidelines:

• welding units must be installed by a qualified electrician
• all doors and access panels must be closed on spot and seam welders
• press welding operations must be guarded to prevent accidents
• foot switches must also have guards
• safety glass or fire resistant plastic is to be used to shield sparks
• two or more safety stop buttons are required on welding machinery
• safety chains are required on overhead suspended portable welders
• program management forms or hot work permits are to be used to address safety management during welding, cutting, and brazing operations
• permit to be issued by a competent person
• not needed for work in fire safe areas
• addresses at least:
• pre-work safety evaluation
• accident and fire evaluation
• standardized work procedures
• time frames when hot work can occur

 Rules for oxyacetylene welding

1. crack the valve
2. before opening, release adjusting screw
3. always stand to one side
4. open slowly
5. do not use acetylene above 15 psig
6. purge acetylene and oxygen passages individually before lighting
7. first light acetylene before opening oxygen on torch
8. never use oil/grease on regulators or tips
9. do not use oxygen as substitute for air
10. keep all combustibles out of work area
11. fire watches maintained for 30 minutes after welding operations are completed

 Guidelines for welding and cutting in confined spaces

• adequate ventilation provided
• all gas cylinders and welding machines should be left outside space, and require attendant to monitor the equipment and the worker
• when welder is not in use, electrodes must be removed, or gas/oxygen supply needs to be turned off outside the confined space

 Always consult government standards for more details.

Be safe out there!

Heroic Safety in cooperation with Sheakley Health and Safety Services is offering a regional N.E. Ohio OSHA 30 Construction training.

We understand your schedules are very busy.  If you have been wanting to get an OSHA 30 Construction card, but cannot afford to dedicate a whole week of your time, then this training is for you.  Starting on October 5, we will have an OSHA 30 Construction Outreach class one day per week for four weeks.  We only want you for one day per week thus freeing up the rest of your week to take care of business.

The training will take place in Medina, Ohio.  The course dates are as follows:  Oct. 5, 13, 19, and 26.  Each training will take place from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm on the listed dates.  The cost of the training is $329.00 per person and is open to anyone who would like to be certified.  Attendance is mandatory on each of the training dates.

Please click on the following OSHA 30 linkfor more details.  You can call Heroic at 330-794-7931 or Sheakley's Jenny Gossett at 800-877-5055 ext. 1193 to register by phone or obtain more details.

Thank you.  We look forward to seeing you there!