Tag Archives: debris

HAZARDS OF WORKING ON COMMUNICATION TOWERS

March 27, 2014 pat brownlee

Prior to the 1980s, communication and broadcast tower erection, servicing and maintenance was a very small and highly specialized industry. Over the past 30 years, the growing demand for wireless and broadcast communications has spurred a dramatic increase in communication tower construction and maintenance.

In order to erect or maintain communication towers, employees regularly climb towers, using fixed ladders, support structures or step bolts, from 100 feet to heights in excess of 1000 or 2000 feet. Employees climb towers throughout the year, including during inclement weather conditions.

Some of the more frequently encountered hazards include:

Falls from great heights (must wear fall protection equipment)
Electrical hazards
Hazards associated with hoisting personnel and equipment with base-mounted drum hoists
Inclement weather
Falling object hazards
Equipment failure
Structural collapse of towers

In 2013, OSHA recorded a total number of 13 communication tower-related fatalities. Since the beginning weeks of 2014, there have already been four fatalities at communication tower worksites. This represents a significant increase in fatalities and injuries from previous years, and OSHA is concerned at this trend. OSHA is working with industry stakeholders to identify the causes of these injuries and fatalities, and to reduce the risks faced by employees in the communication tower industry.

Would you know what to do in case of an accident involving someone working on a tall tower?

The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) Board of Directors and Administrative Staff have developed the following list of suggestions, which is meant to be a guideline for companies to assist in developing their own plan of action:

1. Check the injured individual(s) immediately and assess his/her condition.

2. Call the nearest Emergency Medical Services (EMS), if necessary. As per your company safety program, make certain that all crew members are capable of giving clear directions to the site, and that all crew members have easy access to the EMS phone number. Site directions and the EMS phone number must be easily and readily accessible to all crew members.

3. After calling EMS, phone the home office and give them as much detail as time allows. An office representative will fill out the required forms.

4. The call to EMS should also alert the local police, so expect them to arrive. If they do not arrive, you will need to call them so they can investigate the accident.

5.While the police are there, ask them to secure the site so that nothing related to the accident is moved by anyone. If you need more than 24 hours to conduct your investigation, ask the police to recommend a security service.

6. Before the EMS leaves, be sure that you have their company name and know where they are taking the injured individual(s).

7. The home office should appoint a temporary spokesperson. Only the spokesperson is allowed to make any statements.

8. OSHA and police officials have the authority to question witnesses. Only provide the necessary information and facts as you know them. Do not speculate.

9. A company representative must remain on location if the police do not arrive.

10. At the first opportunity, call the home office and give them a detailed report regarding who was involved and what happened before, during, and after the accident. The home office will advise you on the next steps to take.

11. Have all personnel who were at the site at the time of the accident write a detailed report regarding their location and actions prior to, during, and after the accident.

12. Take pictures of the accident site as soon as possible following the accident, making certain to include any equipment involved, the perimeter and entrance facing the accident scene, and close-up pictures of any important items.

13. Office personnel will contact the families of the individual(s) involved in the accident when they have enough information to pass along. How to tell loved ones is a delicate situation, and, if deemed appropriate, clergy may be preferred.

Under no circumstances should employees contact family members of other employees.

14. Office personnel must advise the insurance carrier of the accident. This will enable the insurance company to begin its own investigation procedures.

15. The office needs to determine who is going to conduct the company’s investigation and if that person is not on site, they should be mobilized immediately.

16. The office needs to develop a file on the accident containing all photos taken at the accident scene, copies of all witness reports, copies of all initial written documents, copies of all files concerning personnel at the accident site, copies of all information used on the site, and copies of all contracts, job orders, and correspondence concerning the site. Documentation is of the utmost importance.

17. During your investigation, take detailed pictures again of everything concerning the accident. Duplicate the position of as many photos as possible from the original accident photographs. Make multiple sets of prints of all photos taken for insurance and legal purposes.

18. The customer, tower owner, and landowner need to be contacted by the office personnel as the accident will affect them also.

19. If you are to interview witnesses and involved personnel, be sure to gather all relevant information.

20. If OSHA conducts interviews, the company representative must obtain permission from the employees to be in attendance (this may vary from state to state, so check with your attorney). Employees may be asked to sign a statement and/or note taken by an OSHA representative. Advise your employees that they are under no obligation to sign anything. If, however, they do choose to sign, then encourage them to review their statement carefully, and remind them that they are entitled to ask for a copy. Additionally, if the employee so chooses, he or she may provide a copy to their employer.

21. It is preferable to have a different crew come in and finish the job once OSHA releases the site. However, no work should be continued until all necessary information has been gathered, and the safety of the work site confirmed.

22. A company representative should provide outside psychological help in dealing with an accident before employees return to work.

23. A company representative should offer to assist the family of the individual(s) with hospital or burial arrangements, as well as to inform them about counseling or any other benefits available.

Source: OSHA; NATE

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues

FIVE PRACTICAL TIPS TO PREVENT EYE INJURIES WHILE WORKING (GUEST POST)

November 29, 2013 pat brownlee

You never know what kind of hazard will be waiting for you when you go to work. Each day, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) “about 2000 U.S. workers have a job-related eye injury that requires medical treatment”. Injuries require medical treatment and those injured usually end up missing work due to their injury.

Metal slivers, wood chips, dust, and cement chips, nails, staples, or slivers of wood or metal penetrate the eyeball and can result in permanent loss of vision, or blindness. Burns to one or both eyes routinely damage workers’ eyes and the surrounding tissue of the eye.

Infectious diseases can be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the eye as a result of direct exposure, or from touching the eyes with contaminated fingers, or other objects. The infections may result in relatively minor conjunctivitis, or the transmission of the HIV, B virus, or possibly even avian influenza.

What does a worker need to know to protect themselves, and others from an injury. Well, that is pretty simple really. A leading ophthalmologist in New Jersey recommends these five tips to prevent injury to your eyes when working in hazardous conditions.

1. The right working tools for the job. Take steps to create a safe work environment. Remove and clean up hazardous material before it causes injury. Make sure all tools, and equipment used are in working order, and used properly.

2. No admittance. No one should be in the working area when you are working. If they are they need to use safety equipment to avoid injuries.

3. Eye protection that fits you and the job. Wear the proper face, and Z87 eye protection . Make sure the equipment used for your protection is clean, intact, and fits properly. The eye protection should stay in place, and protect you from fine and large sized debris.

4. Shake the dust off. After working take necessary measures to clean off any debris that has accumulated from on your eye, or face protection BEFORE removing them. Fine, dust likes, particles can land in your eyes if you remove protective eyeware before you have followed this step.

5. No rubbing allowed. Do not rub your eyes with dirty hands or clothing, which can result in cross contamination that can cause infection, and disease.

Remember if you are injured, seek medical attention immediately. Prompt treatment for an injury can treat the current injury, and prevent further injury. Fine particles are dangerous because they are small, and not visible. Unseen potential for injury are a threat because they are not seen, or ignored. Take steps to protect your eyes from injury. Maintain a safe work environment.

As always take the necessary steps to keep your eyes healthy by getting regular yearly eye exams, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Author Bio:

Diana Neal graduated in 2012 from the University of Colorado with a MS in nursing with a focus in healthcare informatics. She is currently participating in an internship with an online marketing company. She spends a great deal of time in front of her computer writing, researching, and participating in outreach. If you are interested in an online marketing internship she highly recommends you give it a try. You can connect with her at http://about.me/indiananeal

General Safety Issues

TOP TIPS TO ENSURE YOUR SAFETY ON A BUILDING SITE (GUEST BLOG)

October 4, 2012 pat brownlee 2 Comments

Sent by Jake at Custard Media

Whether you are a professional contractor or you are a homeowner who has decided that it is time to take on those home improvement projects, keeping yourself safe on a building site is important. There are a number of things that can be hazardous on a construction site. In order to keep yourself safe, here are a few things that you should look out for and pay attention to:

1. Debris – Whether you have lumber lying around that you have cut or your tools are in the way, anything that is on the site can cause you to trip and fall. You should ensure that you keep things put away at all times. This includes wood pieces of all sizes and of course, your tools. Be sure also to keep power cords away from walking areas.

2. Make sure that you are being safe when working with electricity. Electrical accidents are among the most common found on construction sites. You should have all electricity checked by a professional electrician or if you are completely unaware of how power lines and cords should be installed, hire a professional electrician to do this work for you.

3. All of your tools and other equipment should be in pristine condition at all times. You should never attempt to use power tools that are not in good working condition.

4. All storage should be done safely as well. Boxes and other items should not be stacked high. You want to be certain that there is not a danger of objects falling and causing injury. Scaffolding should be fitted by professional contractors to prevent falling.

5. When digging or excavating, always ensure that holes are covered safely when they are not being used and never store tools, equipment or other material near the edge of an excavation site.

Most of these tips are simply common sense and many contractors and homeowners know perfectly well how to protect themselves from accident and injury. You should however, read through and follow these recommendations just to be on the safe side. If you have workers on your site, ensure that they are following safety precautions as well.

This article was written by Mather and Stuart, providing the UK with reliable and affordable generators for hire for a number of needs. Find out more here.

We appreciate these safety tips, which should be followed. Check out http://www.tasco-safety.com for all the personal protective equipment you need for your projects. pb

Eye Protection

PROTECTING YOUR EYES WHILE WORKING OUTSIDE

November 10, 2011 pat brownlee 1 Comment

We never know where our next story will come from. I received this email today from my sister-in-law, who happens to be an owner-partner in Texas America Safety Company, our parent company. This incident can happen to anyone who is working in the yard during this time of the year when leaves are falling and grass and other debris is blowing. She writes:

“ I got a tiny speck in my eye from a dead tree branch that I pulled down. It took me a long time to get it out, and my eye was red and hurting. I thought I might have to go to the ER but I finally got it out. Who would think that such a tiny speck would hurt so much! I went to the optometrist the next day and he gave me some drops, but didn’t see any damage. I immediately went to our office and bought some over-the-glasses safety glasses. I’ll attach a picture. Our receptionist said that they get many speck problems every Monday as people often work in their yards on the weekend. Even mowing, we need to wear eye protection.”

She writes:

The fact is, there are safety glasses made to fit right over your glasses, so you can not only protect them from debris, such as leaves and grass, but you’ll have better vision, as well, since you can wear your own glasses under them.

We hope those of you who enjoy your fall workouts in the yard will try a pair of these. It just might save you a trip to the emergency room!

· Lenses provide 99% protection against harmful UV rays

· Exceeds ANSI Z87.1-2003 High Impact requirements

· Lenses are coated for superior scratch resistance

· Lightweight nylon temples that adjust for length and pitch

· Single lens protection encapsulates the eye for superb protection

· Designed to better fit today’s prescription eyewear

The Pyramex OTS safety glasses are a new style of over-the-glass safety glass. It is designed to fit over your prescription eyewear and still be comfortable. The OTS fits today’s smaller RX frame styles and does not have the size and bulk of most over the glass safety glasses. It’s a great alternative to prescription safety glasses.

Thanks, Judy, for sharing your experience with us. These would be great for anyone who wears glasses and enjoys doing outdoor jobs.

Judy’s Picture. The fact is, there are safety glasses made to fit right over your glasses, so you can not only protect them from debris, such as leaves and grass, but you’ll have better vision, as well, since you can wear your own glasses under them. We hope those of you who enjoy your fall workouts in the yard will try a pair of these. It just might save you a trip to the emergency room!

Lenses provide 99% protection against harmful UV rays

Exceeds ANSI Z87.1-2003 High Impact requirements

Lenses are coated for superior scratch resistance

Lightweight nylon temples that adjust for length and pitch

Single lens protection encapsulates the eye for superb protection

Designed to better fit today’s prescription eyewear

Thanks, Judy, for sharing your experience with us. These would be great for anyone who wears glasses and enjoys doing outdoor jobs. What a small investment to protect our valuable gift of vision.

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING IS A GOOD IDEA

August 4, 2010 pat brownlee

Do you take pride in keeping your home and yard nice and tidy? How do you feel about keeping your workplace the same? I have worked with some pretty messy people, ones who would throw their paper coffee cups on the floor, missing the wastebasket, and leaving other trash behind, and I wondered if they did the same at their houses. Clutter, debris, and spills are a serious hazard, both at home and work. Good housekeeping in the workplace pays big dividends, by preventing injuries, saving time by not having to look for tools or materials, and keeping the boss happy.

A sloppy workplace contributes to accidents such as tripping over objects that may have been left in the aisles or on stairs, getting hit by falling objects, or slipping on wet, dirty, or greasy floors. Broken fixtures in buildings that are not properly repaired can also cause accidents. If the workplace is not kept free from dust and vapors, health problems could be an issue. A safety officer should complete a housekeeping checklist weekly. Each department should be responsible to see that they pass the inspection with flying colors. Housekeeping safety programs should include inspection, maintenance, upkeep, and repairs. Aisles, fire equipment, first aid stations and emergency eyewash stations should never be blocked by clutter or debris.

Employee facilities should be cleaned daily and stocked with soap, towels, and disinfectants. Many companies have individual lockers for workers to be able to change from their work clothes, in order to not contaminate their homes if they work in environments that contain hazardous materials.

We’ve all heard the saying, “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” This saying applies to our homes and places of employment. Being organized is the best way to be efficient. Dispensers play an important part of being organized in the workplace. There are dispensers for everything from tape, to earplugs, eyeglasses, goggles, facemasks, medicines, hairnets, shoe covers, beard covers, and just about anything that requires being ready for use.

Let’s all try a little harder to be good stewards at work. If every one of us keeps our little corner of the world tidy, what a safer world it will be.

General Safety Issues

REMOVING ROAD DEBRIS IS A HAZARDOUS JOB

July 6, 2010 pat brownlee

Do you ever wonder who picks up the trash along the highways? There are many thoughtless travelers that toss out items too numerous to mention. Because of litterbugs, unsecured items being transported, or accidents, our roads become unpleasant to look at, and dangerous, as well. We owe a debt of thanks to those whose job it is to clean them up.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, each state should have a program that provides for rapid, orderly, and safe removal from roadways wreckage, spillage, and debris from accidents. State Highway Department maintenance workers are available day or night to flag motorists, operate equipment, drive trucks, and remove litter and debris in the event of an accident.

Volunteers in the Adopt-A-Highway, and other programs, do their fair share of maintaining the shoulders of the roads. Contractors and prison labor also furnish workers that assist in this effort, as well. Persons who undertake these jobs should have full knowledge of the risks involved and take safety measures. They should wear personal protective equipment such as work gloves, boots, high visibility vests, hardhats, and safety glasses. Their training should include knowledge of biological hazards, which things may be recycled, and how to use good lifting techniques. Their work area should have signs posted along the road, as well as safety cones in place. A communication system must be used between the workers, and first aid kits should be available. Whether they are paid or volunteer workers, they possibly could come in contact with snakes, poison ivy, insects, as well as contending with traffic passing close by.

According to an Eagle-Tribune (N.Andover, Maine) newspaper article, back in 2007, an artist from Florida created a sculpture made from plastic buckets, traffic barricades, sheet metal, pieces of pipe, and other debris from roadways to offer this opinion, “road debris is dangerous, and it’s everywhere.” What a unique way to send this important message.

We Texans have had the theme “Don’t Mess With Texas,” for years; unfortunately, some do anyway. Let’s all do our part to keep the highways safe and litter-free.

Work Safety Blog