6 Common Causes of Workplace Fires

What do you get when you combine building debris, partially installed electric systems, flammable materials, and chemical solvents? You get a high risk of starting a fire in your workplace. Structure fires cause thousands of deaths and millions of dollars in property damage each year. Taking precautions to prevent fires is especially important for municipal employees while doing their day-to-day jobs. The following are six common causes of structure fires:

1. Haphazard debris disposal – When focused on the task at hand, it’s easy to throw construction debris, empty boxes, and other flammable/combustible materials off to the side and not properly dispose of them. Always throw such debris into a proper waste receptacle. Keep garbage cans and dumpsters a safe distance from heat sources. Keep storage closets and rooms from cluttering up with old paper, wood, paint and other flammable/combustibles.

2. Temporary electrical systems – Electrical hazards on worksites are so common they have earned 2 spots on OSHA’s Top 10 Safety Violations list. Use of extension cords as a permanent energy source for machines and tools and using multiple power strips together to create more outlets. Both of these can start fires due to poor inspection practices and overloading power systems. Shorts and power surges can cause sparks and result in an electrical fire.

3. Space heaters – According to the NFPA space heaters are a common fire hazard. Keep space heaters away from flammable/combustible materials, keep them turned off and unplugged when not in use. Don’t hide them under a desk, keep them in the open. Turn them off when you leave a room; don’t leave them unattended. Inspect them and clean them frequently. Dust and debris can easily ignite or sparks from exposed wiring can cause fires.

4. Smoking in improper areas – An ember from one cigarette is all it takes to burn down an entire building. Allow smoking only in designated areas that are away from flammable/combustible materials. Hang signs to indicate where designated smoking is permitted and where it is not. Dispose of cigarette butts in approved containers and empty them frequently, making sure all butts are completely extinguished.

5. Cooking food – It’s common for employees to cook food on their lunch breaks. Flammables and combustibles should be kept away from cooking appliances. Don’t overload outlets with kitchen appliances and devices. Clean up after yourself, wash pots/pans, wipe down greasy surfaces, and properly throw away paper and plastic ware. Keep areas under and behind appliances swept and dusted.

6. Lack of fire protection training and resources – Train all employees on fire safety basics. Make sure they know what and where high fire areas are. Train them to use a fire extinguisher, know where the fire pull stations and emergency exits are, and how to safely evacuate the facility. Keep emergency routes and exits clear. In areas like shops where welding and other hot work are taking place, have someone act as a “fire watch” looking out for fires that may emerge from sparks spreading to flammable/combustible materials. They need to have a fire extinguisher ready for action.

Have a 360 Degree Policy Before Your Employees Drive

A utility crew discovered a young boy in the wheel well of their truck while conducting a “Circle of Safety” walkaround. It is unthinkable what could have happened if they had gotten in the truck and drove off without doing the required walkaround inspection. By taking 30 seconds to walk around your vehicle looking for hidden and unseen hazards you can protect yourself, the municipality’s assets, and possibly another person’s life.

In the past 3 years Oklahoma municipalities have had 166 claims filed against them for damage to property or persons injured due to improper backing. It is the second most common claim filed against insured municipal vehicles. The sad fact is all of them could have been prevented if cities and towns had a policy and procedure to perform a 360-degree walkaround before getting in a vehicle and driving away. Just a few seconds of looking for potential hazards can prevent a backing accident or maybe save the life of a curious child.

The “Circle of Safety” procedure is a safe practice any driver can follow to ensure the area around their vehicle is safe before departing. Simply walk all the way around your vehicle and check the clearances to the side, in front, behind, and above. When backing into a parking space or work area, look for obstacles such as poles, other vehicles, drop-offs, and trash cans or buildings. Prior to departing, make sure to check if any pedestrians may have entered your path of travel. Whenever possible, back into a parking space or driveway to increase visibility when departing or pull through to a space that leaves your vehicle pointing out. If you must park the vehicle in a position that requires backing, leave the vehicle positioned to maximize visibility to the rear and critical areas adjacent to the vehicle. And finally, always check under your vehicle and around the wheel wells just in case a curious child has gotten stuck in there. This is no joke.  Each year in the United State, 2,400 children are backed over.

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.

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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.

How Municipal Water Recreation Facilities Can Avoid Injuries and Liability

Water recreation facilities offer visitors the exciting action-packed experience of riding gravity-defying slides, swimming in wave pools, and running around silly fountains squirting and dumping water on visitors. Unfortunately, it’s not all fun and games – sometimes visitors get hurt.

Of course, those who participate in any form of recreation that involves physical activity risk being injured. When people are injured at a water recreation facility (pool, splash pad, waterpark, municipal lake, etc.), they often file a liability claim or attempt to sue the facility on the grounds that the activity or premises was not reasonably safe. The law does not impose absolute liability on the operator of a water recreation facility or any recreational facility whenever a customer is injured. However, the operator IS required to take reasonable measures (emphasis on “reasonable”) to make an activity safe. The law does recognize that people who swim, jump, and climb risk sprains, broken bones, heart attacks, and even death, and that some of the risks cannot be eliminated by reasonable measures.

So, what are the reasonable steps an operator of a water recreation facility can take to avoid or reduce the risk of customer injury? What are the practices that will appear careless or unreasonable in a courtroom? What actions will demonstrate to a jury that the operator cares about injury to its customers, has taken reasonable steps to avoid or minimize the risk of injury, and should not be blamed when a customer is injured? The following “best practices” can help water recreation operators avoid liability:

1. Training, training, training. Nothing looks worse to a jury than a young, inexperienced, seasonally employed lifeguard or operator who has little to no training in preparing customers for a potentially hazardous activity, or recognizing problems, or taking action when problems arise. Even worse is someone who learned their job from watching another casually trained, inexperienced employee. All workers should be trained at the beginning of their employment in the safe operating procedures for all activities that can cause injury. They should specifically be trained regarding activities that could be deemed hazardous that they are assigned to supervise. They need to be trained on what to do if an injury occurs and how to get quick medical assistance. It might be a good idea to hire an outside company certified in the safe operation of water recreation facilities. It could avoid the argument the operator is not qualified (by credentials, training, or experience) to train its staff in safety procedures.

2. Check and double check. It looks good when a supervisor, manager, or loss prevention person periodically monitors operations, both to ensure that staff are doing what they have been trained to do and are appropriately positioned at their post, and are not doing what they should not be doing, like using their phone or visiting with people when they are supposed to be observing the environment. While there is no hard and fast rule on how often a supervisor should do a walk-around, unscheduled visit several times a day/week, depending on the facility, is preferable. Periodic monitoring also reinforces training and informs management what messages are not getting through to staff and customers concerning safety.

3. Keep detailed records. Witnesses often forget or have different recollections of how an accident happened, who said or did what, and other details. Having a supervisor or manager identify, interview, and record the names and experiences of eyewitnesses is critical to recreating the incident at a review or court case later. The same holds true with respect to the injured person: Where possible, it is important to get their account of what happened in case the story changes later.

4. Incident reports are always evidence in a lawsuit. The objective of the report is not to have the person who creates it “play detective” and form opinions about who is at fault or how the incident could have been avoided, the goal is to record the identity and factual reports of eyewitnesses and any information provided by the injured person to the extent they are well enough to provide it. The incident report should be completed by a manager, supervisor, or loss control personnel, not an entry-level employee.

5. Documenting the scene with photographs, taken as soon as possible after the incident are critical. Photographs serve as additional evidence. If the condition that is believed to have caused the accident could change (i.e. the water level could return to normal or a piece of equipment could be replaced), it should be photographed soon after the incident. Digital photos cost nothing, so take a lot of them. Surveillance video of an incident should also be preserved.

6. Routine facility equipment inspections and work orders should be kept on file. If the injured person claims they were hurt because something malfunctioned, the operation or attraction (diving board, slide, etc.) should be checked as soon as possible after the incident by a qualified repair person. If the injured person or an employee reports something broke and caused the incident, that part, broken or not, must be taken out of service immediately and preserved for later inspection. Often, a maintenance person will throw away a broken part that may later be used in a litigated claim against the municipality. If a defendant disposes of evidence without realizing it may be needed in a court case, the plaintiff’s lawyer can suggest to the jury the defendant was trying to hide the truth.

7. Use liability waivers. Although not enforceable in some states and enforceable in limited circumstances in others, liability waivers can be a useful tool, but they must be worded as clearly and concisely as possible. Many people do not know what a “release” or “waiver” is or have only a basic understanding of what they mean. Courts will determine whether the average person would have been able to understand that by signing the waiver they have given up the right to sue. If the average employee does not understand the language of the waiver, chances are the customer will not understand it either. Thus, a judge is likely to dismiss the waiver protection on those grounds. Use plain language and simple concepts in your waiver agreements. 

Accidents happen, and with them come liability claims and possible lawsuits. Most courts are fair to operators, and while they may feel sympathy for an injured person, they are less likely to decide a case against a recreational facility if they believe the facility took reasonable steps to avoid or reduce the risk of injury. Most people recognize that risk is a part of life. To that end, every water recreation facility must take reasonable steps to avoid customer injury and liability through staff training, monitoring, inspecting, and documentation. If you have any questions about this article, contact Kip Prichard, OMAG Risk Management Specialist kprichard@omag.org or (800) 234-9461.

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

1. Scaffolds must be made of metal or stress-grade lumber

2. Cross bracing is required for metal scaffolding

3. Guys, ties, or braces are required to keep supported scaffolds from tipping over

4. Supported scaffolds must bear on base plates and mudsills

5. Scaffold platforms and walkways should be at least 18 inches wide

6. Supported scaffolds must be able to hold at least 4 times the intended load

7. Ropes for suspended scaffolds must be able to carry 6 times their intended load

8. Scaffold must be erected a safe distance away from powerlines

9. Safe access to scaffold platforms must be provided (i.e. ladders, ramps, steps)

10. Fall protection is required for work more than 10 feet above a lower surface

11. All scaffolds must have guardrails or personal fall arrest systems to prevent falls

12. Top rails must be 38-45 inches above the platform and able to support a minimum of 200 lbs.

13. Toe boards at least 4 inches high are required on open sides to keep tools and materials from falling

14. Screens must be used between guardrails and toe boards if people will be passing underneath the scaffold

15. Debris nets, catch platforms, canopies, or barricades are necessary if people are passing beneath scaffolding

16. 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.

5 Common Playground Hazards

Playgrounds should be a safe place for kids to play. OMAG Risk Management Services performs playground inspections for our municipalities at no charge. Consider getting your playgrounds inspected to ensure your parks and recreation facilities are safe from these common hazards:

Falls - Kids are prone to falling as they are still developing balancing skills. One way to protect them from falls is to follow safe use zones. Each piece of playground equipment has a use zone which gives a specific fall height. It is important to know these guidelines and follow them.

Entrapment - Strangulation due to head/neck entrapment after a feet first entry into an element is the number 3 cause of death on playgrounds. All openings must be tested to admit both feet and the head. No opening should measure between 3 ½ inches and 9 inches on any structures.

Crush & Shear Hazards - These injuries can occur at the juncture between 2 or more playground elements that have movements relative to each other and lack the recommended clearance between parts. It is important to have your playground inspected by a trained professional who will take notice of these types of hazards.

Protrusions - A rigid projection becomes a protrusion hazard when it extends beyond the recommended ASTM standard, which is measured by placing 3 projection test gauges over the protruding bolt, fastener, step, or handle.

Trip Hazards - These include deep pits/cracks in degraded poured-in-place rubber surfacing, clumps/folds of geo-fabric, exposure of the layer beneath engineered wood fiber surfacing when the wood mulch is scattered, and the tops and edges of concrete footings exposed due to the wearing away of safety surfacing.

For a more detailed description of playground safety specifications go to www.omag.org (OMAG’s webpage), click on “free services” then “public works”, then under SAFETY DOCUMENTATION click on “The Playground Inspection Manual” and open the document icon found in the lower-left corner of your computer screen. This manual can be printed out or downloaded onto your computer or a flash drive.

If you would like to schedule a playground safety inspection by OMAG staff, contact Kip Prichard – kprichard@omag.org.