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OMAG in Action: Volume 2
OMAG in Action: Volume 1
Understanding and Avoiding "Failure to Yield" Accidents
Right-of-way laws and regulations are in place to ensure cooperation among drivers and to assist in a smooth, safe flow of traffic on private and commercial roads. People who know, understand, and apply these rules in their driving tend to be more courteous and able to use common sense in dangerous traffic conditions.
Sadly, failing to yield to a person with the right-of-way is the number 1 cause of vehicular liability claims for Oklahoma municipalities insured by OMAG.
Defining Failure to Yield – When a driver, bicyclist, or pedestrian has the right-of-way, it simply means they have the right to proceed before another vehicle. We encounter situations every day in which we yield to vehicles with the right-of-way at four-way stops, intersections, stop signs, left turn lanes, crosswalks, yield signs, traffic circles, and more. Failure to yield is when a driver does not allow a vehicle with the right-of-way to proceed and this sometimes results in an accident.
If a driver fails to yield to you when you have the right-of-way, you should do everything in your power to avoid a collision. You can prevent failure to yield accidents and exercise proper caution by knowing the traffic laws, staying alert to your surroundings, and practicing courteous driving even when others make a mistake.
Ways to Prevent Failure-to-Yield Accidents – The best way to avoid causing or falling victim to a failure-to-yield accident is to know the laws and do your part to prevent them. You can stay out of harm’s way by:
Slowing down – this gives you more time to react to someone failing to yield. Reduce your speed when approaching an intersection, crosswalk, or yield sign.
Check the intersection before entering – even when you have the right-of-way, look before you enter because you can’t always trust other drivers to yield to you.
Drive defensively – be aware of the cars in front of you, behind you, to the sides, and even the vehicles in the immediate vicinity on other roads. If you are keeping an eye on other drivers, you can spot the ones that aren’t driving safely and actively avoid them.
Don’t run red or yellow lights – when approaching an intersection always slow down and cover your brake; avoid being tempted to accelerate and run through an intersection when the light turns yellow.
Allow the intersection to clear before entering when the light turns green – many times vehicles will be turning left still or running through a yellow light, so don’t be tempted to jackrabbit out into the intersection as soon as you get a green light.
Eliminate all distractions while driving – leave your cell phone alone, turn down the music, and stay focused on your driving responsibilities.
Driving is a very dangerous and complex activity. When you are behind the wheel you are responsible for not only your safety, but the safety of everybody else. Stay alert and focused on this very necessary but often taken for granted skill – it could be what keeps you or someone else alive.
5 Defensive Driving Strategies
In the past decade road rage incidents have increased in the USA by 600%. People are getting downright nasty on America’s roadways. We all make mistakes while driving and we can’t control what other people do on the roadway. However, we can control what we do on the roadway. Let’s look at 5 Defensive Driving strategies to stay safe while driving, and perhaps keep from losing our cool and raging on somebody.
Space Management – Be aware of what’s going on all around you: What’s in front of you, behind you, to the sides of you, above you, and under you. Keep your eyes moving looking a block or two ahead of you and looking in your side and rearview mirrors. Notice low hanging branches or signs, bumps and potholes, and traffic coming up to intersections from other streets. See and make mental notes of potential hazards.
Situational Awareness – Identify potential hazards and formulate a plan to deal with them should a situation arise. Since you have managed the space around your vehicle you should be able to see potential hazards and can make decisions to keep you from becoming involved in an accident. Things like changing lanes, slowing down or turning down another street can help you avoid the hazard. Staying focused on your driving situation can save your life or the lives of others.
Mapping & Tracking at Intersections – Looking at other vehicles’ situations while sitting at or approaching an intersection can protect you and others from having to deal with a traffic accident in an intersection. Notice turning lanes, sidewalk crossings, pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, people distracted by phones or passenger conversations. Give yourself extra space between you and the car in front of you by stopping where you can completely see their tires touching the pavement. Wait a few seconds when the light changes and give the opportunity for the intersection to clear before entering it. Proceed slowly with your eyes scanning for potential danger, like a child running out into the street or a car in the wrong lane deciding to make a left turn. Again, focus on your driving and making plans for the unexpected.
Parking – Where should you park and how do you park? Avoid parking close to stores and building entrances, as there is usually too much going on there with vehicles, pedestrians, loading and unloading, and cars vying for that closest parking spot. Instead, park away from entrances and walk in: it’s safer for you and your vehicle. Avoid parking next to someone that has parked crooked and made a tighter space for your vehicle. Use pull through parking if you can so that your first move out of the parking space when leaving is forward. If you can’t pull through into a space, consider taking the time to back into a space, again so your first movement when leaving is forward. Backing into a space when you are not in a hurry makes it much easier to leave when heading out on a call or just being in a hurry to get home.
Attitude – “Check yourself, before you wreck yourself,” is a good way to prepare yourself for the responsibility of driving before you take off. When you get behind the wheel of a vehicle you are in charge and totally responsible for your attitude, actions, and what is going on with your vehicle and in your vehicle. Get your emotions in control. Know your vehicle is in good working order, make sure you and your passengers are buckled up properly, and control unruly children or mischievous adults while your vehicle is stopped. That vehicle is a weapon that can kill you and/or others in just a moment of distraction. Take the job of driving seriously.
Hierarchy of Safety Controls
The hierarchy of control involves the following steps: Elimination – removes the cause of danger completely. Substitution – controls the hazard by replacing it with a less risky way to achieve the same outcome. Engineering Controls protect workers by removing hazardous conditions or by placing a barrier between the worker and the hazard. Administrative Controls are fairly simple: warning alarms, for example, are just that – alarms that let you know when something isn’t right. The last control is PPE, Personal Protective Equipment, which really is exactly what the name implies: protection you use personally.
Elimination, the top of the hierarchy, is the complete elimination of a hazard, the most effective way to protect workers. For example, bad housekeeping. The best practice would be to eliminate the hazard by picking up or moving what’s in the walking path to prevent a slip, trip or fall. Establish travel paths or walkways through work areas. The concept of elimination isn’t as simple as it sounds. If elimination fixed every hazard, everyone would be doing it. However, if elimination is on the table and is available to an employer, they should use elimination for taking care of the hazard. If elimination doesn’t work, you move on down to the substitution.
Substitution identifies a hazardous situation and uses a different product or piece of equipment that is not hazardous. An example would be, instead of sandblasting, use a non-silica containing abrasive material. The downfalls of substitution are the quality and cost, such as replacing lead-based paint with titanium white. The product must not produce unintended consequences, such as airborne dust, due to inhalation and accumulation of particles in the lungs that can lead to occupational lung disease. Basically, if you can substitute a smaller product with a larger product, that has a larger particle, then that should be your aim.
Engineering controls are designed to get as close to eliminating the hazard as possible, without eliminating it completely. This is done by designing something in the facility or a piece of equipment to reduce the hazard or employee’s exposure to the hazard. The design must be used properly and be certified by ANSI. A glove box for handling hazardous material and chemicals is an example of isolation and engineering control. The box allows the employee to do the work while not being exposed to the material/chemical due to the material being in the box. Engineering controls don’t work out for everyone, they must be used perfectly if used. Engineering controls are the best option when the hazard cannot be eliminated.
Administrative controls (written policies & procedures) are at the point where you identify the hazard and recognize the hazard as one that can be tolerated or lived with as long as there are boundaries and precautions in place, so levels of exposure are not exceeded. Administrative controls can be used in conjunction with engineering controls or PPE such as planning the day job in the evening time in the summer due to heat stress and dehydration of workers.
Finally, PPE. Of all of the controls in the Hierarchy of Controls, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the one most people are familiar with. Why? Well, PPE is quick, easy, often less expensive than other options, and readily available. You should know that PIOSH and OSHA consider PPE a “last resort.” So, while a personal fall arrest system is considered PPE, a guardrail is not. While a respirator is considered PPE, ventilation is not. PPE includes material that must be worn on a job site such as earplugs, gloves, hard hats, safety glasses, steel toe boots, or reflective vests. PPE is not a game of guesswork. You must know what PPE is sufficient and insufficient such as earplugs rated for noise reduction. There must be a noise survey done to determine what kind of earplugs will reduce the noise to acceptable levels. PPE must be taken care of and used properly. A full-body harness could save your life but also could cause serious internal bodily harm if it’s not worn properly.
In a nutshell, take your time and observe the areas around you. If you see a hazard, go through the steps of the hierarchy of control to see which level will best suit the hazard to prevent the worker from getting injured. Safety is common sense, and we can learn to manage hazards better by using the hierarchy of controls.
Know the Facts About Hardhats
Recently I received a call from a municipal safety coordinator about whether to change their policy and procedures to allow workers to wear bump caps rather than hard hats. Upon researching the issue, I recommended the municipality keep their current policy and procedures regarding hard hats for several reasons. They are safer, less hassle for supervisors and safety personnel to manage, they are cheaper, and they can be just as comfortable for the wearer if you purchase high quality equipment. If your municipality is having a debate about this issue and you would like a recommendation from OMAG’s Risk Management Services, just give us a call.
Here are the basic facts about hardhat safety. In just about any given year more than one thousand workers are killed in the US from head injuries sustained on the job. Workers complain that hardhats are hot and uncomfortable to wear. They state they “have never been hit by anything while doing their job, therefore wearing a hard hat is dumb.” They complain that wearing a hardhat makes them look silly so they don’t wear it. Regardless, employers must ensure their workers wear head protection if they are at risk of being struck by falling objects, bumping their heads on fixed objects, or encountering electrical hazards.
OSHA states that hardhats must: resist penetration by objects, absorb shock from a blow to the head by an object, be slow to burn, and be water-resistant. All hardhats must have a label inside the shell listing the manufacturer, ANSI designation, and class of the hat.
Hardhats must feature a hard outer shell and a lining that absorbs shock and incorporates a headband. Straps should suspend from the shell about 1 inch to 1 ¼ inches away from the worker’s head. Hard hats must meet ANSI standard requirements. Workers must wear the proper type for their job task. The classes for OSHA approved hardhats are as follows:
Class G – General Helmet - provide protection against impact and object penetration. Their voltage protection is limited to 2,200 volts.
Class E – Electrical Helmet - delivers the most protection against electrical hazards (up to 20,000 volts). They protect against impact and penetration hazards form falling objects or objects flying through the air.
Class C – Conductive Helmet - for lightweight impact protection and offers more comfort, however OSHA points out that these offer no protection against electrical hazards.
The “bump cap” is intended for workers in areas that have low head clearance. OSHA states they are not designed to protect against falling/flying objects and have no electrical hazard protection. Bump caps are not ANSI approved. Since most public works jobs require protection from potential falling/flying objects and some require electrical hazard protection, it would not be a best risk management practice to allow workers to wear bump caps.
Finally, OSHA offers some tips for caring for hardhats:
Clean and inspect hardhats daily. Replace hardhats with cracks, perforations, or other deformities immediately.
Know that some paints, paint thinners, and some cleaning agents can weaken a hardhat’s shell as well as reduce its electrical resistance.
Do not apply labels or drill holes into the hardhat – doing so can damage its protective capabilities.
Keep your hardhat out of direct sunlight when not in use. Sunlight and extreme heat can damage a hardhat and make it ineffective protection against object impact.
The bottom line is employers and supervisors must be sure to have written policies and procedures as to when hardhats are required for a job. You must manage workers and make sure they are following proper procedures and wearing hardhats. Finally, you should purchase the approved type of hardhat for the job, making sure it is approved by ANSI and is quality equipment.
Maximizing Jetter Hose Life
How long will a typical sewer line jetter hose last? That is about as easy to answer as trying to estimate when a jetter’s pump will break down.
A hose is a consumable; it’s not going to last forever. There is no hard-fast rule for how long a hose will last. Hoses are subjected to a harsh environment. Operators often don’t know what they are getting into, and can destroy a hose the first time they put it into a pipe. On the other hand, there are some simple and relatively inexpensive things you can do to prolong the life of your hose. First and foremost – shield your hose from sharp edges on things like manhole covers, corrugated pipe or broken pipes using a protective sleeve, generally known in the industry as a tiger tail.
Every time you use a hose without a tiger tail, you run the risk of tearing the outer jacket of the hose. Once you get a nick in the outer jacket it reduces the hose’s effectiveness. Tiger tails come in various diameters and lengths. Each one includes a tie-off rope that workers attach to a fixed object near a friction point, like the edge of a broken pipe in the opening of a manhole trough. The tiger tail stays in one place while the jetter hose moves through it, unimpeded by sharp edges. Another useful tool is a manhole roller guide, which also protects the hose from sharp edges as it passes through the manhole opening. Some companies make manhole rollers for use both at street level and down inside the manhole where the hose enters the pipe at the trough.
Regularly cleaning hoses helps extend their life, so operators should wipe down a hose as it is being pulled back to the hose reel. Hoses can come into contact with damaging chemicals and waste gases. You don’t want residue from waste eating away at the hose. Having a clean hose also minimizes odors when storing in a closed space. Also, it is difficult to detect nicks and cuts on a hose that is grimy and dirty.
Another suggestion is for operators to use a leader hose, typically a 10-15 foot long rubber hose that attaches to the front end of the jetting hose at one end and the jetter nozzle at the other end. This hose is also called a sacrificial hose because it takes the brunt of the load as it goes through the pipe. Because it is rubber, a lead hose is more flexible than the thermoplastic-coated jetter hose, so it can make its way through bends in pipes easier. The leader hose is cheaper to replace than the jetter hose and you can afford to have 2-3 extras on hand in case you damage one in the field. Just grab a spare from the shop, unscrew the old one and screw on the new one and you’re up and running again. The leader hose also boosts jobsite safety. When operators see one emerge from the line they know the end of the hose will follow shortly, alerting them to power down the pump.
Finally, another way to increase the life of your hose is to regularly inspect every inch of the hose for nicks and cuts. It is suggested that you perform an inspection at the start or end of a job, or even both. Some supervisors have their crew take the hose completely off the hose reel every week laying it out in the parking lot for a thorough inspection. If a worker finds a defect, they tag it out and the hose gets repaired or replaced. This is very time consuming but may well be the most valuable half-hour that the operators spend each week. There is a lot at stake when a hose goes. The braid on a jetter hose is like a suspension bridge; when the strands starts to break away, eventually the bridge is going to fail.
It is understandable that operators may not want to take the time to inspect their equipment and especially the hose. This inspection can help prevent costly damage and terrible accidents though. Also note that hose repairs can not be done with a hose clamp and duct tape. There is no way that’s going to hold back water at 3,000 psi. Take the time to inspect and be safe.
OMAG has a grant for Sewer Maintenance Equipment. To learn more about this grant go to www.omag.org, click on “free services” then “grants and scholarships” and look for Sewer Maintenance Equipment Grant.
Bucket Truck Safety
Bucket Trucks are complex and require specialized training to operate in order to ensure operators and their support workers are safe. It is vitally important that workers know the risks they face when working on or around bucket trucks.
Few pieces of equipment can create more dangers to those working with and around them than bucket trucks. If your municipality owns one, or you rent one on occasion, you know users guides and manuals are readily available on the internet if one wasn’t provided. A quick internet search returns no affordable credible “canned” training programs available for bucket truck operators and support staff, however.
OSHA provides a basic outline for bucket truck safety, but it is short on specifics. Each work environment has its own issues regarding safe work practices and fall protection. It is mainly up to the municipal administration and supervisors to ensure workers are properly trained and able to demonstrate safety competence while working with or on bucket trucks.
Typical injuries when working from bucket trucks are strains, sprains, broken bones, lacerations, electrocutions, burns, and deaths from falls or being struck by objects. Damage and injuries occur when inspections are not performed according to manufacturer’s recommendations or when trucks are not properly positioned or secured for use. If operators don’t take the time to be fully aware of objects and hazards in, around, under, or above the bucket, accidents can happen. Unsecured tools and equipment can cause hazards, as can exceeding manufacturer’s recommended limitations.
Driving a bucket truck and positioning it at a worksite requires special skills and knowledge. It is not a job for a relatively new employee. Bucket trucks are heavy and cumbersome. They don’t stop on a dime or maneuver like a normal vehicle. A 3-ton lift places the center of gravity of the truck very high; observe tip-over signs on curves and exit ramps. Don’t get in a hurry; take it slow and easy. Bucket trucks get stuck easily off-road, especially in wet or slippery conditions. They have poor rear visibility, and should not be backed up unless necessary, and then only with the support of a spotter. Also, a backing alarm should be installed to inform others when backing up. Placing the truck in the ideal location takes knowledge of boom length, manufacturer’s limits, and surface conditions.
A practical bucket truck safety training should:
Place emphasis on factors that may seem trivial, but are not
Provide specific examples of dangers unique to the equipment
Supply handouts, checklists, and references to use on the job
Fall protection:
While it is rare for an employee to fall out of a bucket, it is more common for one to be knocked out when another vehicle hits an aerial lift truck. OSHA regulations are not clear when it comes to bucket trucks. The rule of thumb is, once you get 6 feet off the ground you must be wearing personal fall protection. The question becomes, do you put someone in a body belt or a full body harness? If the person cannot fall more than 2 feet, a belt is acceptable. If they could fall more than 2 feet, use a full body harness and lanyard. That should be your requirement. Never belt off to an adjacent pole, structure, or other equipment, except in an emergency.
Pre-Use Safety Check:
Keep maintenance records of equipment up to date
Check tire pressure, wheels and tires
Fuel, engine oil, and hydraulic fluid levels
Look and listen for fluid and air leaks
Look for loose or missing parts, rust, and deteriorating welds
Test ground level controls first, then all bucket controls before going up
Safety devices such as railings, bucket door catches, and redundant catches are in proper working order
Personal protective equipment is available, in good condition, and used
Special items specified by the manufacturer are adhered to
Check the Work Area:
Never work on a slope that exceeds the limits specified by the manufacturer
Check the area for soft spots, holes, drop-offs, bumps, and debris
Check for overhead power lines, trees, building overhangs, etc.
Before moving the truck be sure the boom is cradled and tied down, and that all other equipment is secured
Personal Protective Equipment:
Hard hats for workers
Safety glasses and face shields for workers
Gloves appropriate for the job
Personal fall arrest systems (harnesses, lanyards, etc.)
Operating a Bucket Truck:
Set brakes, outriggers, and use wheel chokes, even if working on a level area
If working in or near traffic, set up appropriate work zones with signs, channelizing devices, barricades and barrels
Close and latch the bucket or platform door and attach safety chain
Stand on the floor of the bucket or lift platform. Never climb on anything inside the bucket to extend your reach
Do not climb on tool brackets in the bucket or lean over the railing
Never exceed the manufacturer’s load limit capacity. This includes combined weight of workers, tools, and materials
Establish and clearly mark a danger zone around the bucket truck
Never move the truck with workers in an elevated platform
Use particular care when positioning the basket between overhead hazards - the bucket moves it could pin or crush a worker
Emergency Escape:
Know how to escape from a bucket if the lift fails when working alone. Know the different methods to use when stranded.
Have auxiliary power or back up pump
Have an emergency lowering valve or holding valve bleed
Have an escape ladder or controlled descent rope
Supervisors must take the time to train and educate workers in the safe use of the bucket truck. It’s a good idea to go over policies and procedures annually.
OSHA Water Tower Safety Requirements
In October of 2016 the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration established new requirements for fall protection on fixed ladders. These requirements went into effect on November 19, 2018. Here are the revisions relating to all ladders including those installed on bolted and welded-steel ground storage tanks (like water towers). All new ladders installed after November 19, 2018 must include a ladder safety or personal fall arrest system. Existing ladders installed before November 19, 2018 must be equipped with one of the following items: ladder cage, ladder safety system, or personal fall arrest system. All new ladders installed before November 19, 2018 will not be able to use a ladder cage as the exclusive fall protection method. Ladder cages will still be able to be used provided they are combined with a primary fall protection method such as a ladder safety or fall arrest system and the cage does not interfere with the primary system. After November 19, 2036 all existing ladders not in compliance with the requirements for new ladders will need to be retrofitted to have either a ladder safety or personal fall arrest system.
A ladder safety system is designed to eliminate the possibility of workers falling from the ladder. Similarly, a fall arrest system stops the fall before the worker impacts the surface below.
2036, seems like a long way away, but it will be here before we know it. Start making plans to get your fixed ladder systems in compliance with these relatively new regulations.
Staying Safe on Ladders and Scaffolds
Hundreds of workers are injured or killed every year from accidents on ladders and scaffolds. The good news is most ladder and scaffold accidents are preventable. Most of these accidents are either caused by risky behavior like over-reaching or from faulty setups of the ladder/scaffolding. These mistakes can be corrected.
You have the power to prevent ladder and scaffolding falls. Begin by implementing these 5 steps:
Inspect equipment before use
Follow manufacturer’s instructions and follow safety rules
Use common sense
Avoid risky behaviors like over-reaching, climbing too high, rushing movements, etc.
Report safety problems (broken/malfunctioning equipment) immediately to a supervisor or safety coordinator
Don’t let these types of accidents happen to you or your staff:
A worker was standing on top of a stepstool, which shifted and caused him to fall. He suffered a spinal cord injury and was off work for 4 months. It wasn’t even a long fall.
A worker failed to secure his extension ladder to the top of a 20 ft. wall and he fell to the ground when the ladder slipped away from the wall, resulting in his death.
Two men were working on an atrium when their scaffold collapsed. They fell to a concrete deck. One man was dead on arrival at the hospital; the other was in critical condition.
Practicing the 5 steps above could have prevented all these accidents.
Ladder Dos & Don’t’s
Do make sure ladders are secured firmly at the top and bottom and supports are locked in
Do make sure device is on a level surface
Do use a 4 to 1 ratio; bottom of ladder should be 1 foot away from wall for every 4 feet of ladder height
Do always face the ladder when climbing up or down
Do have at least 3 feet of ladder extended past the top of wall/roof; secure it
Do pay attention to the weight limit ratings listed on the ladder label
Don’t place a ladder against a weak surface like a window
Don’t use metal ladders near live electrical lines
Don’t set ladders on boxes or other objects
Don’t get on a ladder if another person is on it
Don’t work on a ladder when there is a strong wind
Don’t reposition a ladder while you are on it
If your job requires you to work at heights, OSHA and your employer require you to follow safety guidelines for your protection.
3 Fall Protections Systems: (one or more of these should be in place when workers are working from heights)
Guardrails (barriers between workers and the upper level edge)
At least 42 inches high
Able to withstand force of at least 200 lbs.
Materials won’t puncture skin or snag clothes
Safety nets (catch you if you fall)
Must be no more than 30 ft. below elevated workers or area
Have strong rope border with mesh openings smaller than 6 inches per side
Be strength tested by dropping 400 lbs. (30-inch diameter sandbag)
Inspected weekly for wear, damage, and deterioration
Personal fall arrest system (harness/tethers)
Body harness connected to a fixed anchor by lanyard, lifeline, or deceleration device
Cannot be used to hoist materials
Must be inspected before and after use
Self-locking, self-closing connectors
Anchor must support at least 5,000 lbs. per attached employee
Cannot connect to platform supports or suspension points, guardrails, or hoists
Avoid connecting to rough edges
Do not connect with a hitch knot
OSHA Requirements for Scaffolds
Scaffolds must be made of metal or stress-grade lumber
Cross bracing is required for metal scaffolding
Guys, ties, or braces are required to keep supported scaffolds from tipping over
Supported scaffolds must bear on base plates and mudsills
Scaffold platforms and walkways should be at least 18 inches wide
Supported scaffolds must be able to hold at least 4 times the intended load
Ropes for suspended scaffolds must be able to carry 6 times their intended load
Scaffold must be erected a safe distance away from powerlines
Safe access to scaffold platforms must be provided (i.e. ladders, ramps, steps)
Fall protection is required for work more than 10 feet above a lower surface
All scaffolds must have guardrails or personal fall arrest systems to prevent falls
Top rails must be 38-45 inches above the platform and able to support a minimum of 200 lbs.
Toe boards at least 4 inches high are required on open sides to keep tools and materials from falling
Screens must be used between guardrails and toe boards if people will be passing underneath the scaffold
Debris nets, catch platforms, canopies, or barricades are necessary if people are passing beneath scaffolding
Employees working below scaffolding are required to wear hard hats
To keep workers safe make sure they are properly trained on the hazards of working at or around heights. Teach them to inspect their equipment and report broken or malfunctioning equipment. Have available and use the proper PPE, and keep equipment clean and properly functioning. Practicing safe work behavior before someone gets hurt prevents someone from getting hurt.