ECI – Engineers Construction

Much of our work involves being outside and requires us to be diligent about protecting ourselves from the harmful affects of the suns rays – particularly this time of year.  For the most part it’s all common sense:

• Work in shade whenever possible.  Sometimes it makes sense to use a sun umbrella or a fold-up canopy.
• Wear a hat.  Those of us that have less hair on the tops of our heads are far more susceptible to over-exposure.
• Wear UV protective clothing when possible.
• Apply sunscreen regularly throughout the day.
• Wear UV protective sunglasses.

More information is provided on the CDC website:

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/sun-safety.htm

Hard hats are an essential part of personal protective equipment when working under overhead hazards which occurs in most our jobsites.

OSHA addresses the requirements for hard hat use and manufacturing standards in 1910.135(a)1:

https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9785

The standard requires “that each affected employee wears a protective helmet when working in areas where there is a potential for injury to the head from falling objects”.  OSHA also requires that the hard hat meet ANSI 89.1-1993, -2003, or – 2009 standards.

Hard hats should be inspected occasionally for cracks and proper fit.  Damaged hard hats should be replaced.  In general, a hard hat should last from 3 to 5 years.  Hard hat suspensions should be replaced yearly.

Most of us that have been in the construction industry for the past several decades have suffered some amount of hearing loss.  Some of the loss probably occurred from recreational activities outside of the workplace, such as shooting, loud music, wood cutting, etc.  Fortunately, we have the ability to stop any further loss (and for our younger workers to prevent any loss) just by recognizing the hazards and providing appropriate hearing protection for those exposure situations.

A good rule of thumb is that you need hearing protection when ever the noise is loud enough so that you need to raise your voice level to communicate with a person next to you.   Hearing protection is always required when working in these conditions.  Also, look for the hearing protection requirement symbol:

Our Safety Manual address hearing protection:  Safety Manual – Hearing Protection

Hearing protection (foam earplugs or muffs) are available from Stu/Matt, the ECI Tool Crib, and your foreman.  If you frequently work in conditions requiring hearing protection, you should consider the use of ear muffs.  Severe noise should be addressed with both.

As mentioned in our previous blog, Fall Protection is one of the OSHA Focus Four, which means it is one of the four most common causes of workplace fatalities.  It is also a major concern to OSHA inspectors.

The general process for mitigating jobsite hazards (including fall hazards)  includes:

1. Training to identify the hazard
2. Training to use and maintain the protective systems
3. Planning the work to include measures to protect ourselves from the hazard
4. Executing the plan

Simply executing the safety plan might provide a safe work site but falls  short (pun intended) of providing a truly safe jobsite.   This particular blog focuses on item 2, the training in the use of a PFAS.  As indicated by OSHA:    

Before using personal fall arrest equipment, each affected employee shall be trained to understand the application limits of the equipment and proper hook-up, anchoring, and tie-off techniques. Affected employees shall also be trained so that they can demonstrate the proper use, inspection, and storage of their equipment.

OSHA has a webpage devoted to the PFAS:

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/falls/fallarrest.html

Healthy employees = Happy, Productive, Safer Workplace

Unfortunately, we can’t all be so lucky to be in good health.  But we can choose a lifestyle of Healthy Living which can significantly improve health regardless of our situations.

We hope that all of our employees, their families, and our friends strive to improve their health by wellness living practices:

• Minimize consumption of alcohol.
• Refrain from illicit drug use
• Refrain from smoking and all tobacco products.
• Annual medical checkup (more than a DOT physical).
• Regular dental care and checkups.
• Exercise regularly
• Eat healthy proportions and balanced meals.
• Minimize stress
• Be social and be happy

Personally, I think the best thing for myself is to be outdoors when on personal time.  That assures some level of physical exercise and fresh air, reduces stress, keeps me away from the refrigerator, and puts me in a happier mood.

Working around railroads has some serious safety concerns for our workers, train passengers, train crews, and pedestrians/motor vehicles at grade crossings.  A train incident could also create an environmental hazard if a train derails.

Special safety considerations are necessary while working on a railroad right-of-way, at grade crossings, or whenever there is a possibility of equipment swinging into the track area.  In any of these situations on an active railroad, a railroad flagman is required to coordinate our operations with the railroad and provide authorization for us to occupy our work area.  The railroad flagman will provide a job briefing explaining the protection he is providing.  When assigned to such a job, everyone should clearly understand the name of the employee-in-charge (EIC, or typically the flagman), how to stay in contact with the EIC, type of protection, the track limits under that protection, and any special requirements.  The flagman has the authority to direct us to stop our work and prepare for a train to pass.

There are also special PPE requirements set by the railroad.  Typically, all workers should wear safety glasses, steel-toe boots,  hi-vis reflective vests, and hardhat in addition to the other job-specific PPE.

Pre-planning is important since each railroad and situation might be subject to special requirements.  Therefore, anyone working on or adjacent to any railroad should consult with the safety department prior to starting work.

Seat belts are proven to save lives. Seat belts are the law for motor vehicles and are required by OSHA in most ride-on heavy construction equipment.  Exceptions to seat belt use is typically for equipment without roll-over protection systems (ROPS) or with fold-down ROPS in the folded down position.

While seat belts will obviously help protect the operator in an accident, another very important safety benefit is that the operator will be restrained to the seat and controls which could help eliminate or reduce the effect of a collision or impact.  This restraint is particularly important in heavy equipment and motor vehicles on off-road sites where less than ideal ground conditions can sometimes cause a the vehicle to bounce suddenly making the operator lose some level of control.  Therefore, seat belts are required not just to protect the operator but to protect workers on the ground.

Winter driving in Vermont takes skill, patience, and special precautions.

1. Always start by clearing the windows, windshield, headlights, turn-signals, and mirrors of snow and frost.  Let the vehicle warm up adequately so that the defroster is effective.  Remove excessive snow from the roof.
2. Make sure all tires are adequate for the driving conditions – winter tread, all-season, studded, etc.
3. Drive defensively:
   1. Don’t speed
   2. Give yourself extra stopping distance
   3. Don’t be distracted (phone, beverage, radio, etc.)
   4. Be patient with other drivers
4. Watch for travel warnings and heed to recommendations
5. Remember not to pump anti-lock brakes (the younger generation may not understand what I’m talking about)
6. Be wary of other drivers behaving badly.
7. Plan for extra time.

Winter is at our doorstep, and it’s time to be prepared for protection against cold stress injuries.

Cold stress injuries can happen at many times of year but is obviously more of a concern now that the weather has turned significantly colder.  We need to be aware of and protect ourselves from both frostbite and hypothermia.

Frostbite (cdc.gov website):

• Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing.
• Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes.
• Seek medical care if you think you have frostbite.

More information:  http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/frostbite.asp

Hypothermia (from cdc.gov website):

• When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced.
• Low body temperature may make you unable to think clearly or move well.
• You may not know you have hypothermia.
• If your temperature is below 95°, the situation is an emergency—get medical attention immediately.

More information:  http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/hypothermia.asp

I know you won’t forget your Real-Tree camo gloves on opening day of deer season.  And, you shouldn’t forget to wear the proper gloves for protecting your hands at work.

Gloves are an important consideration for protecting our hands from extreme heat, cold temperatures, sharp/abrasive objects, chemicals/grease/oils/biological hazards, and to generally keep your hands clean.

Typically, gloves are one of four types:

• Leather, Canvas, or Metal Mesh
• Fabric & Coated
• Chemical and Liquid Resistance
• Electrically Insulating

Basically, if you work with your hands,  then you should be wearing some types of gloves appropriate for the job hazards.

A useful reference for gloves is the OSHA Guide on Personal Protective Equipment:

http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3151.pdf