TRENCHING AND EXCAVATION SAFETY

Excavation and trenching are among the most hazardous construction operations. OSHA defines an excavation as any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in the earth’s surface formed by earth removal. A trench is defined as a narrow underground excavation that is deeper than it is wide, and is no wider than 15 feet (4.5 meters).

Dangers of Trenching and Excavation
Cave-ins pose the greatest risk and are much more likely than other excavation-related accidents to result in worker fatalities. Other potential hazards include falls, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and incidents involving mobile equipment. Trench collapses cause dozens of fatalities and hundreds of injuries each year.

Protect Yourself
Do not enter an unprotected trench! Trenches 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep or greater require a protective system unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. Trenches 20 feet (6.1 meters) deep or greater require that the protective system be de-signed by a registered professional engineer or be based on tabulated data prepared and/ or approved by a registered professional engineer.

Protective Systems
There are different types of protective systems. Sloping involves cutting back the trench wall at an angle inclined away from the excavation. Shoring requires installing aluminum hydraulic or other types of supports to prevent soil movement and cave-ins. Shielding protects workers by using trench boxes or other types of supports to prevent soil cave-ins. Designing a protective system can be complex because you must consider many factors: soil classification, depth of cut, water content of soil, changes due to weather or climate, surcharge loads (eg., spoil, other materials to be used in the trench) and other operations in the vicinity.

Competent Person
OSHA standards require that trenches be inspected daily and as conditions change by a competent person prior to worker entry to ensure elimination of excavation hazards. A competent person is an individual who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards or working conditions that are hazardous, unsanitary, or dangerous to employees and who is authorized to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate or control these hazards and conditions.

Access and Egress
OSHA requires safe access and egress to all excavations, including ladders, steps, ramps, or other safe means of exit for employees working in trench excavations 4 feet (1.22 meters) or deeper. These devices must be located within 25 feet (7.6 meters) of all workers.

General Trenching and Excavation Rules

  • Keep heavy equipment away from trench edges.
  • Keep surcharge loads at least 2 feet (0.6 meters) from trench edges.
  • Know where underground utilities are located.
  • Test for low oxygen, hazardous fumes and toxic gases.
  • Inspect trenches at the start of each shift.
  • Inspect trenches following a rainstorm.
  • Do not work under raised loads.

If you would like more information on trenching and excavation safety, contact Trevor Reschny at 800-788-7036 or email him at treschny@transportins.net

The Basics of Powered Industrial Truck (Fork Truck) Safety

What are powered industrial trucks?

Powered industrial trucks, also known as forklifts or lift trucks, are used in many industries to move materials. They are also used to raise, lower, or remove large objects or a number of smaller objects on pallets or in boxes, crates, or other containers. Powered industrial trucks can either be ridden by the operator or controlled by a walking operator. 

What are the hazards associated with operating powered industrial trucks?

There are many types of powered industrial trucks. Each type presents different operating hazards. For example, a sit-down, counterbalanced high-lift rider truck is more likely than a motorized hand truck to be involved in a falling load accident because the sit-down rider truck can lift a load much higher than a hand truck. Workplace type and conditions are also factors in hazards commonly associated with powered industrial trucks. For example, retail establishments often face greater challenges than other worksites in maintaining pedestrian safety. Beyond that, many workers can also be injured when:

1)       lift trucks are inadvertently driven off loading docks;

2)       lifts fall between docks and an unsecured trailer;

3)       they are struck by a lift truck; or

4)       they fall while on elevated pallets and tines.

What can be done to reduce the hazards related to powered industrial trucks?

Determining the best way to protect workers from injury largely depends on the type of truck operated and the worksite where it is being used. Employers must ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in 29 CFR 1910.178(I)(1).

If you would like more information on powered industrial truck safety, contact Trevor Reschny at 800-788-7036 or email him at treschny@transportins.net

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Slip, Trip, and Fall Safety

Slips, trips and falls constitute the majority of general industry accidents.  They cause 15% of all accidental deaths, and are second only to motor vehicles as a cause of fatalities.

How do falls happen?

Statistics show that the majority (66%) of falls happen on the same level resulting from slips and trips. The remaining 34% are falls from a height. This article will focus on "falls on the same level" (slips and trips).

Slips

Slips happen where there is too little friction or traction between the footwear and the walking surface. Common causes of slips are:

  • wet or oily surfaces
  • occasional spills
  • weather hazards
  • loose, unanchored rugs or mats
  • flooring or other walking surfaces that do not have same degree of traction in all areas

Trips

Trips happen when your foot collides (strikes, hits) an object causing you to lose the balance and, eventually fall. Common causes of tripping are:

  • obstructed view
  • poor lighting
  • clutter in your way
  • wrinkled carpeting
  • uncovered cables
  • bottom drawers not being closed
  • uneven (steps, thresholds) walking surfaces

How to prevent falls due to slips and trips?

Both slips and trips result from some a kind of unintended or unexpected change in the contact between the feet and the ground or walking surface. This shows that good housekeeping, quality of walking surfaces (flooring), selection of proper footwear, and appropriate pace of walking are critical for preventing fall accidents.

Housekeeping

Good housekeeping is the first and the most important (fundamental) level of preventing falls due to slips and trips. It includes:

  • cleaning all spills immediately
  • marking spills and wet areas
  • mopping or sweeping debris from floors
  • removing obstacles from walkways and always keeping them free of clutter
  • securing (tacking, taping, etc.) mats, rugs and carpets that do not lay flat
  • always closing file cabinet or storage drawers
  • covering cables that cross walkways
  • keeping working areas and walkways well lit
  • replacing used light bulbs and faulty switches

Without good housekeeping practices, any other preventive measures such as installation of sophisticated flooring, specialty footwear or training on techniques of walking and safe falling will never be fully effective.

Flooring

Changing or modifying walking surfaces is the next level of preventing slip and trips. Recoating or replacing floors, installing mats, pressure-sensitive abrasive strips or abrasive-filled paint-on coating and metal or synthetic decking can further improve safety and reduce risk of falling. However, it is critical to remember that high-tech flooring requires good housekeeping as much as any other flooring. In addition, resilient, non-slippery flooring prevents or reduces foot fatigue and contributes to slip prevention measures.

Footwear

In workplaces where floors may be oily or wet or where workers spend considerable time outdoors, prevention of fall accidents should focus on selecting proper footwear. Since there is no footwear with anti-slip properties for every condition, consultation with manufacturers' is highly recommended. Properly fitting footwear increases comfort and prevents fatigue which, in turn, improves safety for the employee.

What can you do to avoid falling at work?

You can reduce the risk of slipping on wet flooring by:

  • taking your time and paying attention to where you are going
  • adjusting your stride to a pace that is suitable for the walking surface and the tasks you are doing
  • walking with the feet pointed slightly outward
  • making wide turns at corners

You can reduce the risk of tripping by:

  • keeping walking areas clear from clutter or obstructions
  • keeping flooring in good condition
  • always using installed light sources that provide sufficient light for your tasks
  • using a flashlight if you enter a dark room where there is no light
  • ensuring that things you are carrying or pushing do not prevent you from seeing any obstructions, spills, etc.

If you would like more information on slip, trip and fall safety, contact Trevor Reschny at 800-788-7036 or email him at treschny@transportins.net

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How To Determine If You Are A HazMat Employee

According to DOT, a HazMat employee is defined as a person who is, “employed on a full-time, part-time, or temporary basis by a HazMat employer and who in the course of such full-time, part-time, or temporary basis directly affects hazardous materials transportation safety.”  More so, this includes a person or employer that uses one employee on temporary, part-time, or full-time basis and practices one or more of the following:

  • Loading, unloading, or handling hazardous materials
  • Tests, repairs, modifies, marks a package or a packaging component that is marked, represented, or sold as for use in transporting hazardous materials
  • Prepares and organizes hazmat for transportation
  • Responsible for safety of transporting hazardous materials
  • Operation of vehicle that is utilized to transport hazmat

To summarize, if you are involved or responsible for the packaging, handling, or even simply completing paperwork for the transportation of hazardous materials, then you are considered a HazMat employee.

Training and the Hazmat Law

The Federal hazardous materials transportation law (49 U.S.C. § 5101 et seq.) is the basic statute regulating the transportation of hazardous materials (hazmat) in the United States. This law requires the training of ALL hazmat employees. The purpose is to increase a hazmat employee's safety awareness and be an essential element in reducing hazmat incidents.

Each Hazmat Employer Must:

  • Train and Test
  • Certify
  • Develop and retain records of current training (inclusive of preceding three years) for each hazmat employee (during the period of employment and 90 days thereafter)

Training Must Include:

  • General awareness/familiarization
  • Function-specific, training
  • Safety
  • Security awareness
  • In-depth security training, if a security plan is required
  • Driver training (for each hazmat employee who will operate a motor vehicle)

Initial Training

  • A new employee, or an employee who changes job functions, may perform hazmat job functions before completing training, provided the employee does so under the direct supervision of a properly trained and knowledgeable hazmat employee; and the hazmat training is completed within 90 days of employment or change in job function.

Recurrent Training

  • Is required at least once every three years. The three year period begins on the actual date of training.

Training Records Must Include

  • Hazmat employee's name
  • Completion date of most recent training
  • Training Materials (Copy, description, or location)
  • Name and address of hazmat trainer
  • Certification that the hazmat employee has been trained and tested

Safety Links offers several DOT courses such as DOT Hazardous Materials and DOT HazMat 101. For more information regarding these courses click the links above or call us at 800-768-7036.

Now Offering: Utility Worker Traffic Control course

We are happy to announce that we are now offering a Utility Worker Traffic Control course. This course was designed for utility companies that opt out from taking the the MOT Intermediate and/or MOT Advanced courses as well as to replace the FDOT MOT Restricted Activities course that was discounted on July 15, 2014. After completion of this 8 hour course, students will receive a Safety Links certificate and a "basic" flagger certification from the FDOT MOT Administrator. 

If you would like more information regarding this course, click here, or contact Fran at 407-705-3899.

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Skid Steer Loader Safety

Spring is here…swimming pool installers and landscaping companies are getting busy as home owners want to beautify their property. One piece of equipment regularly used for these projects is a skid steer loader…a “jack-of-all-trades”. With the many attachment options, these units can be found doing many tasks. From earthmoving to landscaping, skid steers help operators get the job done!


Skid steer loaders are manufactured with safety features to prevent unexpected or inadvertent movement of the loader arm and hydraulics when the operator is not in the cab. Operators should read the owner’s manual and demonstrate that they understand the safe work practices when operating the skid steer loader. Operators should be provided with at least an annual refresher safety training, and always document training just in case OSHA pays you a visit.


Common safety features of a skid steer loader include the seatbelt to prevent the operator from being thrown about inside or falling out of the skid steer loader.  Other features include Falling Object Protective Structure (FOPS), Roll-Over Protective Structure (ROPS), and a Control Interlock System. The FOPS and ROPS protect the operator from falling objects and injury due to accidental rollovers. Control Interlock Systems and/or operator seats used on some machines typically activate a safety interlock system that is intended to prevent inadvertent movement of the machine's controls when the operator is not seated.


When safe work practices are not followed, mishaps are bound to occur. The most common types of incidents from skid steer usage include:

  • Running over bystanders, including children or the operator

  • Entrapment or crushing, which can happen when the operator or helper is caught between an attachment and the frame of the skid steer

  • Entrapment of the operator when a load rolls or drops onto him or her while he or she is in the operator station

  • Rollover when the skid steer is operated on a steep slope or uneven terrain

  • Tipping due to a heavy load or attachment in the front

  • Falls while improperly mounting or dismounting the skid steer

  • Injection injuries caused when pressurized hydraulic fluid is injected into a person’s body

  • Crushing/pinching injuries to hands and fingers due to improper hooking/unhooking of an attachment


While OSHA does not have a standard requiring employers to use control interlock systems or seatbelts on skid steer loaders, it is important for employers to understand that under the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act (section 5(a)(1)), employers must provide their employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards that would likely cause death or serious physical harm.


For example, performing maintenance or repair operations while a skid steer loader is energized creates the recognized hazard of crushed-by and/or caught in-between. OSHA may cite an employer for a violation under the General Duty Clause if the employer does not take feasible, effective measures to abate such hazard.


The following practices will minimize hazardous situations associated with operating and maintaining skid steer loaders:

  • Read and understand the operator's manual before using the piece of equipment.

  • Follow the manufacturer's operation and maintenance recommendations and specifications.

  • Lower the bucket or attachment so that it is flat on the ground.

  • Do not leave the operator's seat while the engine is on.

  • Never attempt to activate the controls unless properly seated with the seatbelt fastened and the seat bar (if equipped) lowered. Keep all body parts inside the cab while operating a skid steer loader.

  • Never modify, bypass, disable, or override safety systems, and never operate equipment in which safety systems have been modified or are not working properly.

  • Equipment with modified or malfunctioning safety systems should be taken out of service until repaired or replaced.

  • Do not permit riders on the skid steer loader, in the bucket or attachment, or in the operator's compartment unless the compartment is designed to accommodate a second rider.

  • Keep bystanders at a safe distance from the work area.

  • Establish a routine maintenance and inspection program in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

  • Inspect the skid steer loader to ensure that all safety systems are functioning properly prior to operating the equipment.

  • Do not attempt maintenance or other work while lift arms or attachments are raised without using an approved lift arm support device. Replace protective guards and shields after repairs or service.

  • Operators must be trained on the proper inspection, use, maintenance, and repair of skid steer loaders according to the manufacturer's instructions.

  • Supervisory personnel must be trained to identify hazards, such as safety systems that have been bypassed, disabled, or that require maintenance.

Safety Links offers an interactive course to provide participants with a general understanding of the safe and efficient operation of a skid steer. After the course, participants will be able to identify specific health and safety hazards associated with operating a skid steer.


For more information on this and many other courses, contact Fran Soto at 800-768-7036 or fsoto@transportins.net.


Article written with the assistance of: mysafetynews.com; osha.gov; extension.org


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Student Paper: Compare and Contrast Traditional Safety Techniques

As a professor at Seminole State College I like to feature students work periodically. Amerys, one of my students in the Bachelors of Construction Management program, wrote a paper worthy of sharing.

The assignment was to compare and contrast the “traditional safety techniques” still used in many organizations (i.e. enforcement, rules, manuals, etc...) with the “modern safety management methods” used by world class safety performers (i.e. Metrics, Accountability, Score Cards, etc...). Then the students were to explain how measuring safety performance has changed since we started using “modern safety management methods”.

Here is her response:

CONTRAST



TRADITIONAL SAFETY

TECHNIQUES

MODERN SAFETY MANAGEMENT METHODS


A group of old safety techniques that are not systematically applied or implemented at all and do not reach all the components of a safety system.

Address hazards in the worksite, reach the management system and assess human behavior, through a new and effective approach.





Don’t have scientific, behavioral or practical foundations, and are solely based on habits or traditions. They don’t evolve, and the system is usually accepted as it is.

Are based on education, assessment, observation, prevention and control, and outline responsibilities and support positive reinforcement.





Employ tricks and give rewards for following important regulations.

Plan, organize, and set goals, control and guide safety rules as a business function.





Usually get unwanted results like unreported injuries. Safety is considered separate from other worksite functions and in some cases is even viewed as a source of punishment or as the sole responsibility of a determined person.

Create a positive environment because they involve everybody in the worksite in the safety process and minimize dangerous work environment and risks.





Create distrust between workers and the management because the former are blame for breaking rules.

Create trust. The employees are expected to know and take the necessary precautionary measures to create and keep a safe workplace and they contribute to solving problems.





COMPARE

TRADITIONAL SAFETY TECHNIQUES AND
MODERN SAFETY MANAGEMENT METHODS


None of the aforesaid methods can eliminate the risk of injuries completely.




Both are supposed to achieve safety in the workplace and a positive safety culture.




If either one of these methods is not working, it means that there are problems in the management system and/or in the participation of the work force.




Both methods should imply actively identifying and controlling workplace hazards (including those generated by behavior), staff involvement and feedback, and regular supervisions, but the approaches are very different, so the results from them are vary from each other.


Measuring safety performance is not just complying with specifications anymore. Keeping records of injuries (measuring of failures) and historical records are not reliable indicators any longer because whether a particular event results in an injury is often a matter of chance, so it will not necessarily reflect whether or not a hazard is under control. Good safety performance statistics could be the result of few employees being exposed to the hazard or events not reported.

It is more productive to recognize were action is required and with what level of immediacy, provide solutions, and get feedback. At the time of measuring, the important things are those that impact health and safety (no just collecting excessive data), and the design of the process to measure the performance must include a representation of employees to stimulate ideas and team work.

Every worksite have unique characteristics, even in the same industry, thus the performance strategy must applied accordingly. In a hypothetical construction worksite, leading activity indicators to measure safety would be:

  • To check if the construction planning and cost control is effective, because usually when one construction activity gets behind schedule or exceeds the budget is when safety starts to get compromised in order to get on track again. Planning and knowing which activities will be going on simultaneously or in which order activities will occur would prevent accidents and rule breaking.

  • Management labor and direction, including leadership, clear communication, integrity and most importantly motivational skills.

  • Effectivity and frequency of supervisions and applications of long term solutions.

  • Objectivity in correcting and eliminating hazards and dangerous conditions.

  • Fulfillment of First Aid Requirements and emergency procedures trainings.

  • Observation of labor force and its risky behavior at all times and circumstances.

  • Safety education at all levels.

Results measures, although not preemptive, can give some general ideas about a company’s risks and its safety performance projection into the future. Some of them are:

  • Evaluations of results in periodic form and over time.

  • Ratio of accidents and incidents reported, in function of hours worked, and how they were followed up.

  • Reduction or increment in medical treatments, lost-time injury or sick days.

Student Bio: Amerys has a Bachelor Degree in Architecture from ISPJAE, University of Havana Cuba, and an A.S. Degree in Architectural Design and Construction Technology and A.A. Degree, both from Seminole State College. She has worked in architectural, construction and surveying and mapping companies and as a Lab assistant teacher for Autodesk AutoCAD and Autodesk Land Development Desktop at Seminole State College where she is attending to obtain her Bachelor’s Degree.


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Effective Communication & Effective Listening

Effective communication and effective listening go hand-in-hand, but we find ourselves, and others, listening less…and less. This is due to not only lack of time, but quite often we’re occupied with our high-tech gadgets and social networking.

At work, effective communication and listening skills help ensure understanding, build relationships, solve problems, resolve conflicts, and improve productivity. Being able to communicate effectively helps form highly efficient teams in the workplace…it helps employees and managers work together harmoniously. And what’s the result of a team that works well together? A highly productive, reliable and responsible team.

Effective Communicators:

- Provide detailed information

- Are realistic in expectations

- Are proactive, assertive and action-oriented

- Communicate choices instead of demands

- Are honest

- Listen

- Ask questions when unclear

Poor Communicators:

- Provide inaccurate or incomplete information

- Criticize others publicly

- Blame others when problems arise

- Use aggressive or threatening language

- Make sarcastic remarks

- Don’t listen

- Act bossy and negative

Effective Listeners:

- Face the speaker

- Be attentive, but relaxed

- Keep an open mind

- Try to picture what the speaker is saying

- Do not interrupt

- Ask questions when unclear

Poor Listeners:

- Check their phone/watch

- Are distracted

- Listen with preconceived judgments

- Miss out on body language

- Frequently interrupt to impose their opinions

- Do not ask for clarification

 

Employees are more receptive to feedback on poor performance and at-risk behavior when it’s done in a friendly, positive and respectful manner. In this manner, feedback will be accepted without resentment or retaliation. Personal praise and recognition for safe behavior and safety accomplishments should be provided.

To improve your communication/listening skills, be assertive, confident, action-oriented, express your opinions directly and honestly. Don’t forget to be respectful of others’ opinions, to listen carefully and thank them for their input.

Effective safety communication leads to improved safety performance and better morale.

References:

Geller, E. S. People-Based Safety: The Source. Virginia Beach, VA: Coastal Training Technologies Corporation

Forbes.com

NOW OFFERING: Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Advanced

Safety Links is now offering MOT Advanced training for both on-site and open enrollment at our training facility in Orlando.

We are currently accepting students in our upcoming MOT Advance training that is scheduled to take place on February 6-7, 2015. If you would like to register for this course, click here.

For more information regarding this or all other MOT courses, contact Nikki or Fran at 1-800-768-7036.

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The 5 S’s: Sort, Shine, Set in Order, Standardize, and Sustain

The holidays have come and gone. Everyone is back to work. And while many have made “New Year’s Resolutions” to eat better, exercise more or spend more time with family, few have made resolutions to make their lives more productive on the job.

Did you know that the more organized you are at work, the more productive you are, thus happier you and your boss are?

Think about it…Workplace Organization.

How many times have been looking for an item and can’t remember where you put it? You look in your desk drawers, the filing cabinet, and your briefcase, but you still can’t find it! Then begins the dreaded task of asking your coworkers and even your boss, if they have seen what you’re looking for. Hopefully, either you remember where it is or someone finds it. Will this incident be followed by suggestions from your coworkers and/or boss on being more organized?

Well, we would like to put in our two cents as well. It so happens there is a program that focuses on organizing, cleaning, and creating a visually pleasing workplace. It’s called the 5S…developed by the Japanese and utilized by manufacturers worldwide.

The 5S’s are:

SORT – Start by deciding what things are necessary to have in the work area. By necessary, we mean items used at least once per month. Sort through everything in your area and decide what items are used frequently. Not only will you evaluate the equipment to do your job, but you will discover work surfaces that were unusable due to the “stuff” accumulated.

SHINE – In addition to daily cleanup, you must do in-depth cleaning. Create a checklist of daily or weekly cleaning activities to keep your area dust and clutter free.

SET IN ORDER- A place for everything and everything in its place. The secret to success is that the team agrees on the best locations for items in the workspace and how many of those items are required.

STANDARDIZE – Make the organization of the work space visual. Designate an area to keep pens, pencils, sticky notes, staples, etc. Designate an area for copy paper boxes or hand trucks and if necessary, use yellow tape to define an outline on the floor. If you work with tools, how about having a tool board with an outline of each tool so they are easy to find and know when they’re missing. Remember – there’s a place for everything & everything should be in its place.

SUSTAIN – Both management and employees must commit to the 5S system and continue to work through Sorting, Shining, Setting in Order and Standardizing. Also, remember that this is an ongoing improvement process. To sustain the 5S system, there should be periodic reviews of each work area.

Although the 5S system sounds like an easy way to get organized, it is! With continued commitment and dedication from everyone, the results will be worth it. Sooner than later you will start to notice improvements in efficiency and quality, reduction in accidents and best of all, everyone will be spending time doing value added work.

Safety Links offers a 4-hour course designed for all levels of employees working in the manufacturing and processing industries. The course can be customized to your site specific needs. Give us a call at 800-768-7036 with questions or for additional information.