06 Apr Horseplay
Posted at 08:58h
in Safety Manual, Safety Meeting Topics, Safety Topics, Tailgate Safety Meetings, Toolbox Talks, Toolbox Topics
Horseplay Introduction: Nearly everyone has heard a practical joker say “This one is gonna kill ya.” Well, hopefully it never will. However, practical jokes invite danger. The building trades industry is potentially dangerous and anything that unnecessarily increases the chance of an injury must be eliminated. Horseplay benefits no one and usually only builds up resentment and fosters retaliation. Practical jokes should be discouraged. At some point, if they continue they need to be reported. Guide for Discussion Examples of Horseplay Scaring someone. Air hosing someone. Wrestling with someone. Boxing. Goosing. Dropping objects next to someone. Throwing water on someone....
06 Apr Afterthoughts And Regrets….
Afterthoughts And Regrets…. How often have you said or done something and then later, reflecting on your action, thought to yourself, “How could I have done that?” Here are some afterthoughts which, unfortunately, too many of us have experienced: “That’s how we’ve always done it before.” (…before the accident occurred anyway.) “I never thought that a little bolt dropped from that distance would cause so much bleeding.” ( I should have worn a hard hat, I guess.) “If I had taken that first-aid/CPR course, I probably could have helped him.” (…and chances are, he would still be here.) “I should...
05 Apr Controlling Stress
Controlling Stress Stress. Many of us are faced with controlling stress everyday, but we might not know how to deal with it. It is important to learn how to handle stress because it can affect our performance and relationships in our work and home. At work, stress can lead to distraction and cause an unfortunate accident. At home, stress can put a strain on family relationships. Stress usually occurs when there are changes in our lives and we feel that we don’t have enough resources to deal with those changes and demands. Which of the following do you think causes...
04 Apr Floors and Other Openings
Posted at 10:47h
in Safety Manual, Safety Meeting Topics, Safety Topics, Tailgate Safety Meetings, Toolbox Talks, Toolbox Topics
Floors and Other Openings Injuries in the workplace because of holes in walking and working surfaces are commonplace. Slips, trips and even falls from one level to the next can be as painful as a fall from a roof. The following items should be considered when dealing with floors and other types of openings. Guide for Discussion Hazard Identification: Floor Openings (2”x2” minimum at any depth) Temporary openings Plumbing Ventilation (Vault Ceilings?) Skylight wells Manholes Holes in Ground (Trenches and Excavations) Wall/Window Openings Temporary guardrail system Washington Fall Protection Standards Methods of Protection Use of standard guardrails Use of covers...
04 Apr Electrical Safety – Static Electricity
Static Electricity Most of us are familiar with static electricity. We all have walked across the rug and reached for the door knob, only to have a spark jump from our hand to the knob. We have also seen the effects of “static cling,” when our clothes cling together in the dryer. Static electricity, as a source of ignition for flammable vapors, gases, and dusts, is a hazard common to a wide variety of industries in Alaska. A static spark can occur when an electrical charge accumulates on the surfaces of two materials that have been brought together and then...
02 Apr Barricades & Warning Devices
Posted at 10:06h
in Safety Manual, Safety Meeting Topics, Safety Topics, Tailgate Safety Meetings, Toolbox Talks, Toolbox Topics
Barricades & Warning Devices Two types of construction work, which usually require a great deal of public protection, are new residential developments and highway work. Both should require modifying the existing traffic patterns and more importantly the existing driving habits of the public. Today we will discuss the use of barricades and signs. Guide for Discussion Types of Accidents Collision with construction equipment such as forklifts or trucks. Collision with other vehicles. Pedestrians (both construction workers and visitors) falling into excavations. Driving into excavations. Driving into work areas. Loss of control of vehicle due to changes in road conditions. Types of...
02 Apr Site Safety Inspections
Site Safety Inspections Regular site safety inspections using site-specific checklists keep the workplace safe by identifying and correcting hazards in the workplace. Inspection frequency depends on the hazard level of the workplace; sites may need checks at every shift, daily, quarterly or annually. Document the inspection observations, identified hazards, and the corrective actions taken. Focus on the administrative records and postings at the workplace. Safety Data Sheet (SDS) binders, safety programs, procedures, trainings, and records need to be up to date and accurate. Critical procedures (e.g. spill cleanup, evacuation) should be posted in prominent locations. Required employer postings (e.g. Cal/OSHA,...
31 Mar Hammers/Chisels
Posted at 11:45h
in Safety Manual, Safety Meeting Topics, Safety Topics, Tailgate Safety Meetings, Toolbox Talks, Toolbox Topics
Hammers/Chisels One of the most common causes of hand injuries is from the improper use of hammers and chisels. Both are responsible for a high number of eye injuries as a result of flying nails, metal or concrete chips. Guide for Discussion Chisel Use Never use a chisel with a mushroomed head. Always wear eye protection. Hold the chisel between the thumb and forefingers – don’t make a fist around the chisel. Do not grip a chisel if your hands are numb. If another worker is nearby, place yourself between the other worker and the chipping area. Always use sharp...