ECI - Engineers Construction http://www.engineersconstruction.com vermonts top heavy civil contractor Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:57:18 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Safety Focus of the Week: Soil Classifications for Excavations http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-soil-classifications-for-excavations/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=safety-focus-of-the-week-soil-classifications-for-excavations http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-soil-classifications-for-excavations/#comments Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:47:31 +0000 ADMIN-Ken http://www.engineersconstruction.com/?p=2169 OSHA 1926 Part P addresses excavations.  The minimum sloping requirements are given for soil classification Types A, B, and C.   The soil type is selected by the “competent person”.

We generally select a Type C soil which is the least stable soil condition and therefore applicable for any excavation.  Occasionally, we encounter a soil that meets a Type B, or possibly an A.  However, there are several conditions besides the soil strength that need to be considered and would require us to downgrade the soil to a Type C, including:  ground water, fill versus natural soil, adjacent construction activities, etc.   For more information check out OSHA’s Standard:

OSHA 1926 – Part P: Soil Classification

At ECI, it is necessary to get approval  from Matt or Stu when considering a Type B or C.  When that approval is granted, it becomes the responsibility of the Competent Person to assess the soil type daily, or more frequently if soil and work conditions change.  These assessments and accompanying strength data must be documented to show compliance.   Selection of a Type B or A soil requires serious thought and commitment to remain diligent in the effort to reassess the conditions.

]]> http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-soil-classifications-for-excavations/feed/ 0 Safety Focus of the Week: The Daily Tailboard http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-the-daily-tailboard/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=safety-focus-of-the-week-the-daily-tailboard http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-the-daily-tailboard/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:18:04 +0000 ADMIN-Ken http://www.engineersconstruction.com/?p=2163 Our daily tailboard serves as a hazard risk assessment for the work to be performed for the  day.   It should not be thought of as just a form with blank lines to be filled out.  Instead it should be considered the documented outcome of your hazard risk assessment.

The process involved in performing a hazard risk assessment includes:

  1. Describe the project and work conditions
  2. Identify potential hazards
  3. Select PPE.
  4. Select measures to protect the workers, the public, and private property.
  5. Present the emergency contact numbers, local hospitals, and health care providers.

This week we are reviewing the format and the working of the Tailboard in the Friday morning safety meeting.  If you can not attend the meeting, and you have comments, please submit your thoughts to Stu.

Tailboard Form

]]> http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-the-daily-tailboard/feed/ 0 Safety Focus of the Week: Flash Protection for Welding http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-flash-protection-for-welding/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=safety-focus-of-the-week-flash-protection-for-welding http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-flash-protection-for-welding/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:22:08 +0000 ADMIN-Ken http://www.engineersconstruction.com/?p=2150 In August, we had welding and torch cutting as a safety focus.  This week we are concentrating on PPE for welding and torch cutting.

The most obvious PPE requirements are related to protecting our eyes from the flash, particularly the ultra violet (UV) and infra red (IR) wavelengths which can be harmful to the eyes.  The selection for eye protection is summarized in Table 1 of ANSI Z49.1:

Z49.1-2005-Table 1 – Guide for Shade Numbers

The shading (a measurement of absorbance) requirements are based upon the type of work since some welding radiates more intense UV than other types of work.  Obviously arc welding emits much more intense UV/IR than plasma cutting, or  flame cutting.  But, as shown in the reference, the size of the electrode, the amperage, and whether the arc welding operation is stick or MIG also matters.  In flame cutting, the intensity of the flame counts so cuts on larger plate require more shading.

In general, one should consult the reference, and should select the darkest shade that allows you to see the weld area without going below the minimum shade.

]]> http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-flash-protection-for-welding/feed/ 0 Safety Focus of the Week: Avoiding Common Digsafe Mistakes http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-avoiding-common-digsafe-mistakes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=safety-focus-of-the-week-avoiding-common-digsafe-mistakes http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-avoiding-common-digsafe-mistakes/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:16:52 +0000 ADMIN-Ken http://www.engineersconstruction.com/?p=2147 The call to Digsafe is just the start to protecting underground utilities.  There are multiple measures necessary both prior to excavation and as the project progresses to later phases.  As we see with many safety or property damage incidents, proper planning and communication can avoid many of the pitfalls possible during excavation.

  1. Think before you dig.  Plan out the excavation process.  Layout the limits of excavation.  Will the excavation destroy Digsafe marks?  Will the waste piles cover up Digsafe marks?  In these cases, the marks should be transferred to offsets.
  2. If the Digsafe marks are complex, then take photos for future reference.
  3. Is the Digsafe still in affect?  Remember to renew the Digsafe every 30 days.
  4. Are there new utilities that may not be logged into the utilities mapping system?
  5. Don’t hesitate to call Matt or Stu for help.
  6. Utilize our locating equipment when needed.

Refer to the ECI Digsafe Policy for specific guidelines:  ECI DigSafe Policy

]]> http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-avoiding-common-digsafe-mistakes/feed/ 0 Safety Focus of the Week: Preventing Strains and Sprains http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-preventing-strains-and-sprains/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=safety-focus-of-the-week-preventing-strains-and-sprains http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-preventing-strains-and-sprains/#comments Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:38:15 +0000 ADMIN-Ken http://www.engineersconstruction.com/?p=2130 Nearly all of us have experienced at least minor strains and sprains.  It could be a back sprain, a twisted ankle, shoulder sprain, or something else. Our safety focus this week is to prevent these injuries by practicing good lifting techniques, avoiding slippery surfaces, using equipment or dolly to move heavy items, and stretching.

As always, having a good work plan, communicating that plan to your co-workers, and executing the work plan is one of the most important aspects of keeping safe and avoiding injury.

Please review the attached video for more tips on avoiding strains and sprains:

Web Link: OSHA Strains & Sprain Video

]]> http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-preventing-strains-and-sprains/feed/ 0 Safety Focus of the Week: Slips, Trips, & Falls http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-slips-trips-falls/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=safety-focus-of-the-week-slips-trips-falls http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-slips-trips-falls/#comments Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:25:15 +0000 ADMIN-Ken http://www.engineersconstruction.com/?p=2111 This week we are focusing on Slips, Trips, and Falls which accounts for about 20% of  all workplace incidents.  Fall protection has been addressed a couple of recent weekly blogs.

ECI Fall Protection Blog – June 2, 2011

The specific focus for this week is the Slip & Trip concern.   This is the time of year when Slip & Trip incidents are common because of icy surfaces. Proper planning on the job site can significantly reduce the risk of injury:

  • Good Housekeeping – Keep the jobsite picked up.  This is everyone’s duty.
  • Establish walking paths around the dangerous and icy areas.
  • Dismount equipment properly.
  • Keep pedestrians and workers away from icy slopes above excavations.
]]> http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-slips-trips-falls/feed/ 0 Safety Focus of the Week: Cold Stress http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-cold-stress/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=safety-focus-of-the-week-cold-stress http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-cold-stress/#comments Thu, 05 Jan 2012 22:36:58 +0000 ADMIN-Ken http://www.engineersconstruction.com/?p=2106 We are well into the cold weather season with lows below zero.  For these conditions,  cold weather stress injuries are an important consideration in planning our work.  Even much milder weather poses these risks

Check out the following CDC link for a comprehensive discussion on hypothermia, frost bite, and other cold weather stresses:

CDC NIOSH Cold Stress

]]> http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-cold-stress/feed/ 0 Brattleboro Reformer Article on ECI’s Turtle Crossing Project http://www.engineersconstruction.com/news/brattleboro-reformer-article-on-eci-rail-turtle-crossing-project/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=brattleboro-reformer-article-on-eci-rail-turtle-crossing-project http://www.engineersconstruction.com/news/brattleboro-reformer-article-on-eci-rail-turtle-crossing-project/#comments Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:10:27 +0000 ADMIN-Ken http://www.engineersconstruction.com/?p=2076 Check out the Brattleboro Reformer article and their YouTube video on the Turtle Crossing Project.  ECI is constructing 15 openings below the New England Central Railroad tracks in Vernon, VT to allow the endangered spotted turtles to safely cross the tracks along their nesting area.

Link to Reformer Article:

ECI Builds Turtle Crossing under NECR Tracks

]]> http://www.engineersconstruction.com/news/brattleboro-reformer-article-on-eci-rail-turtle-crossing-project/feed/ 0 Safety Focus of the Week – Safety Guards http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-safety-guards/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=safety-focus-of-the-week-safety-guards http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-safety-guards/#comments Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:16:48 +0000 ADMIN-Ken http://www.engineersconstruction.com/?p=2072 Safety Guards are provided on a variety of equipment and hand tools:

  1. Many small tools come equipped with a guard for protect fingers (and other body parts) from being pinched or cut like on a hand grinder, circular saw, or bench saw.
  2. Guards also help deflect flying debris like on a bench grinder.
  3. We have cages over the windshields on our excavators with hydraulic impact hammers to prevent a larger stone from crashing through.
  4. Chain saws have a chain brake which is a type of guard that applies a brake to the cutting chain.

Take a few minutes this coming week to verify that the safety guards on your tools and equipment are installed properly.  Report missing guards so that they can be replaced prior to the next use.

]]> http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-safety-guards/feed/ 0 Safety Focus of the Week: Winter Driving http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-winter-driving/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=safety-focus-of-the-week-winter-driving http://www.engineersconstruction.com/employee/the-safety-message-of-the-week/safety-focus-of-the-week-winter-driving/#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:29:12 +0000 ADMIN-Ken http://www.engineersconstruction.com/?p=2053 Winter is the most dangerous time to be on the road.  I can think of many reasons why:

  • Many drivers fail to adequately clean their car for good visibility.
  • The roads can be many times more slippery than wet summer roads.
  • The sun glare from wet roads is worse in winter.
  • More hours are driven in low-light conditions.
  • Heavy snow can be blinding.
  • Heavy snow can build up on your tail lights and your windshield.
  • Chunks of ice can fall off from trucks.
  • The roads can be narrower because of snow banks.
  • The roads can seem wider than they really are because the snow is pushed back too far.

As seasoned Vermont drivers, many of us know to predict and react to these conditions.

For all of us, it is necessary to be prepared for these conditions.  To kick off this weeks safety focus, all ECI drivers should check the for the following in their vehicle:

  1. Snow brush & windshield scraper
  2. Full reservoir of wiper fluid and a spare jug.
  3. Check your wiper blades
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