Safety Blog

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

OSHA requires that employers protect their employees from workplace hazards that can cause injury. When engineering controls and safe work practices are not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection, employers must provide PPE to their employees and ensure it is used.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervisors:

Rigging Inspection

It is required by OSHA that a competent person perform inspections on rigging pieces

Rigging components are:

  • Synthetic Nylon Straps
  • Wire Rope
  • Alloy Chain

Each of the rigging pieces listed above have criteria for removal from service and inspection. However, the most common types of rigging are wire rope and synthetic nylon straps. Both have very specific damage done to them, which would require they be removed from service.

Fire Prevention and Protection

  • Combustible materials are to be stored in a way that prevents them from toppling.
  • Combustible materials should not be stored taller than 20 feet high.
  • Driveways between and around combustible storage piles should be at least 15 feet wide and maintained free from accumulation of rubbish, equipment, or other articles or materials.
  • Driveways should be so spaced that a maximim grid system unit of 50 feet by 150 feet is produced.

 

Scaffolding – Don’t Make a Misstep!

Scaffolding is defined as an, elevated temporary work platform. Common hazards associate with scaffolding;

• Falls from elevation, due to lack of fall protection.
• Collapse, due to instability or overloading.
• Being struck by falling tools, materials or debris.
• Electrocution, due to proximity of scaffolding to powerlines.

You may be familiar with one or all of the scaffolding systems, which are;

Bloodborne Pathogens-Protecting Yourself

In the workplace, BBP may be transmitted when blood or other infectious body fluids come in contact with mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth); non-intact skin (due to cuts, abrasions, burns, rashes, paper cuts); or by handling or touching contaminated materials or surfaces. BBP are also transmitted by “injection” under the skin via a contaminated sharp object puncturing or cutting the skin causing a wound.

2016 Safety Awards

Construction jobs require you to be on your toes at all times to avoid injury to yourself or others. While efficiency and production are definitely key considerations in our industry, at IFCA the overall health and safety of all those directly and indirectly involved in a project takes priority. IFCA congratulates the following Members who received a Safety Award at the Finish First Awards on April 1, 2016 (no joke) for having a “Total Recordable Incident Rate” of less than 4.2.

Aerial Lifts

Before use of an aerial lift be sure to;

• Perform a pre-trip inspection, look for things out of the ordinary.

• Visually inspect the work area; this will avoid an unnecessary dismounting.

• While operating a boom lift; always wear your fall protection and make sure your harness is being worn properly.

Silica Safety Presentation

Crystalline silica is an important industrial material found abundantly in the earth’s crust. Quartz, the most common form of silica, is a component of sand, stone, rock, concrete, brick, block, and mortar. Materials containing quartz are found in a wide variety of workplaces.

HAZCOM Rule

In May 25, 2012, the final rule for the updated Hazard Communication standard became effective and enforceable. OSHA published a transition schedule, and as of June 1, 2016 that transition is over.

The transition dates that affect IFCA Members is/was as follows:

New OSHA Rule for Silica Dust

OSHA announces final rule to improve U.S. workers' protection from the dangers of respirable silica dust