December 2024 Week 1 Toolbox Talk- Common Safety Mistakes
Mistakes happen we are all human; The key is to learn from those mistakes and make the change. Below are a few common safety mistakes that we all at one point or another have made. Remember these items below are to help achieve a workplace free of hazards and to get you home safe.
- Lack of housekeeping: It may seem simple, but a messy or dirty work area makes for an unsafe work environment. Pallet banding lying on the ground, spilled oil and obstructed walkways all result in thousands of injuries each year.
- Not using Lockout / Tag out on equipment: Thousands of injuries are caused each year by the failure to lockout or tag out equipment and machinery needing repair. Often times someone knew ahead of time that the equipment was not functioning properly. It is imperative to disable the equipment as soon as someone knows it is not functioning properly. This will ensure the equipment does not cause injury or an unsafe work environment.
- Improper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): It is a common, yet incorrect, practice to wear hard hats backwards, or to put hearing protection in improperly, or face shields that are scratched to the point where visibility is poor.
- Not having a process or plan: Most workplace injuries occur when work being done is not part of a normal process. It is important to have a work plan for non-process work. Sometimes such a plan is called a Job Analysis Form JHA or Pre-Task plan. No matter how it is done, planning the work and asking, “What if…?” questions will help identify hazards and implement controls to prevent injuries.
- Failure to communicate: One of the easiest things to prevent unsafe conditions is to discuss what hazards or unsafe acts have been noticed. Communicating the hazards and failures in processes is an essential element of protecting ourselves and our coworkers from the hazards that potentially exist in the workplace.
REMEMBER SMALL ITEMS WILL BECOME BIG ITEMS IF WE DON’T LOOK OUT FOR ONE ANTHER AND TAKE THAT EXTRA MINUTE!!
December 2024 Week 2 Toolbox Talk- Cold Weather Clothing
Construction workers can be exposed to extreme weather during the winter months. Cold weather can negatively affect a person’s senses, seeing, smelling, feeling. Productivity is difficult when a worker is cold. Therefore, it is important to choose clothing appropriate for the cold weather conditions.
- Always dress in layers with the outer layers loose and the inner layers tighter. This will trap body heat.
- Do not over bundle.
- Use the outer layer of clothing as a windbreaker. This will make the layers underneath more effective.
- Minimize sweat. If the worker gets hot, remove a layer of clothing.
- Avoid getting your clothing wet. Once wet, the clothing will not serve as a good protection from the cold.
- Wear head protection. This will increase your overall warmth. Over half of the body’s heat loss comes from the head.
- Be sure to properly protect your feet. Unless you are moving around, your feet will feel the effects of the cold first. Wool socks help, but 4-buckle overshoes can provide better protection.
REMEMBER SMALL ITEMS WILL BECOME BIG ITEMS IF WE DON’T LOOK OUT FOR ONE ANTHER AND TAKE THAT EXTRA MINUTE!!
December 2024 Week 3 Toolbox Talk- Mobile Equipment
Mobile Equipment is an everyday part of what we do at VSC, every time we use or are around equipment we are at risk of an accident happening. Remember all VSC employees who operate equipment must be properly trained before use. Below are a few items that can help keep you and others safe while out in the field.
Operator Safety
- Do not exceed posted speed limits; if not posted, then ask management
- Do not make sharp turns or swings; always understand the center of gravity of the machine; do not exceed rated loads.
- Honk at intersections before proceeding; always make sure there is a clear line of sight
- Wear seat belts and Personal Protective Equipment, as required.
- Understand company policy on right-of-way.
Machine Safety
- Machine safety is the management of safety risks that can occur when operating a machine.
- Inspect the function of the doors / hinges, hydraulic hoses, nuts / bolts, condition of tires and other areas.
- Verify lights, gauges, horns and other similar equipment are in working order; verify fluids are at required levels.
- Ensure there are no obstructions or debris in the equipment before starting and the vehicle is free from leaks of any type.
- Make sure the operating manual has been reviewed before operating any equipment.
- Ensure all pre-inspection checklists have been completed prior to use; this is an OSHA requirement as well as VSC.
Work Environment Safety
- It is a good practice to understand the work environment before entering.
- Inspect the condition of the ground for holes, obstructions, dips and uneven surfaces.
- Inspect the condition of walls, racks, vertical and overhead storage.
- Verify the area is well lit or can be illuminated with vehicle or machine lighting.
Always identify pedestrians and other vehicles and verify they see you.
December 2024 Week Toolbox Talk- Avoid Placing Pipe and Other Material on MEWP Guardrails
Placing pipe and other material across the guardrail on an MEWP:
- Violates OSHA 29 CFR 1926.450 & 451, subjecting us to possible citations and fines. OSHA states that the only purpose of the MEWP guardrail is to “prevent employees from falling off”. We cannot use the guardrails for any other purpose. They are not designed for, or intended to, carry or hold material. OSHA also states, “top rails that are used as handrails, shall be at least 3 inches from other objects”, requiring us to keep the top rail specifically free of objects/material.
- ANSI A92 standards also prohibit “the mounting of attachments for holding tools or materials onto the platform or the guardrail system.” Not using a manufacturer-approved attachment can decrease the stability of the MEWP, exceed the maximum allowable side force, and create an overhead fall hazard and struck-by hazard if the improperly mounted materials were to fall.
Prevention
If MEWPs will be used to bring up pipe and other material, manufacturer-approved attachments must:
- Be included when pre-planning the job, you are the one who will be in the field working with the equipment. Rental companies have the proper equipment that is approved for use on the MEWP.
- Conduct a pre-task plan and discuss what may be needed with your supervisor/manager or contact your local safety team.