Week 1: Working Safely Around Forklifts / PITs
Working around forklifts and other powered industrial trucks (PITs) such as motorized pallet jacks and tuggers presents a multitude of potential hazards to your personal safety. Here is a brief overview of some common hazards associated with working around these pieces of equipment, and steps you can take to minimize those hazards to protect yourself and others:
• Struck by the forklift: It is commonly stated that “Pedestrians have the right-of-way” when working near forklifts and other PITs. However, the immense weight of this equipment makes them difficult to stop quickly, even if they are not carrying a load. So, always be on the lookout for forklift traffic in your area, and give them all the room they need to operate safely.
• Caught between the forklift and a stationary object: Never place yourself between the forklift and any stationary object, such as a workbench, trailer, or a wall. These unsafe acts could result in you being impaled by one of the forks if the lift is being moved forward, or crushed by the counterweight if it is backing up. Always stand to the side of a forklift to avoid being hurt.
• Poor visibility: Limited visibility of the forklift operator can result in accidents, especially when moving large loads operating in congested areas. So, if you notice a forklift approaching you or an object and it appears the operator may not see adequately, say something quickly so steps can be taken to avoid an accidental strike.
• Standing under elevated forks: An elevated mast and forks on a forklift can drop in an instant, crushing anyone standing beneath them. So never, for any reason, place any part of your body beneath the forks or load. And keep your hands off the mast, too, to avoid pinch hazards.
• Electrocution: Contact with overhead power lines or other electrical sources can result in electrocution if the forklift mast becomes energized. So always alert the operator ASAP if you happen to notice any part of the forklift or the load approaching overhead electrical lines. And NEVER approach or touch a forklift that is in contact with an energized line
• Unqualified operator error: Inexperienced or unauthorized forklift operators may make mistakes that can endanger themselves and others on the worksite. NEVER try to operate a forklift at any time or for any reason if you are not a trained, designated operator.
Week 2- Filling and Transporting of Gasoline and Deiseal Equipment
At some point we fill our gas and deiseal cans for equipment and for transport. This can become a serious issue if all the proper steps and actions are not taken seriously. In recent incidents reported to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), fires spontaneously ignited when workers or others attempted to fill portable gasoline containers (gas cans) in the backs of pickup trucks equipped with plastic bed liners or in cars with carpeted surfaces. Serious skin burns and other injuries resulted.
Don’ts
- Fill your cans in the back of your bed trucks or any vehicle
- Talk on your cell phone while fueling
- Smoke while filling up equipment
- Use unapproved containers such as cups, Styrofoam
- Spill the fuel
- Fill the container up all the way on a hot day try and leave 95% empty for expansion
Do’s
- Use only approved UL Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed gasoline safety cans
- Shut off the motor and give time to cool before refueling
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
- Discharge yourself from static electricity, prior to touching fuel or containers
- Secure the can in the vehicle so it won’t slide around. Do not transport container in passenger compartment of vehicle.
- Never leave a gas can in your vehicle for extended periods
Don’t breathe gasoline fumes. They are extremely harmful to your health.
Week 3: Overexertion
Many workplace injuries are a result of overexertion caused by lifting, pulling, or pushing objects. Overexertion is spraining a ligament or straining a tendon or a muscle and occurs when the amount of work attempted exceeds the limits of the body parts doing the work.
The best way to prevent an overexertion injury is to work through the task in your head to figure out the way to best perform the work with the least amount of energy and then follow through with the plan by taking necessary precautions. A major precaution includes using proper lifting guidelines.
Get a good grip- Grasp the load firmly. Use gloves if they allow for a better grip.
Get a good footing- Center body weight to provide a powerful line of thrust and good balance.
Keep it close- Grasp the load firmly and lift towards the belt buckle. Hold the load close to the body to avoid putting pressure on the back.
Lift smoothly- Raise, carry, and lower the load smoothly. Never jerk a load.
Avoid twisting- If turning is required while lifting or carrying a load, turn the feet and body instead of twisting the back.
Push- Push rather than pull the load.
Some other guidelines to reduce the risks of overexertion injuries:
- Ask for help when moving heavy objects.
- Use material handling devices, carts, or hand-trucks to move heavy items.
- Plan a route when moving items. The route should be free from slip or trip hazards.
- Use tools with easy-to-use handles or grips and have vibration-reducing features.
- Reduce total exposure to vibration by alternating between tasks that use vibrating tools and tasks with non-powered tools.
- Establish a suitable working height depending on the type of work being done.
- Utilize stools and anti-fatigue matting at workstations for tasks with prolonged standing.
- Place materials used often between waist and shoulder height.
- Place less frequently used materials in less desirable locations, such as on the top shelf.
- Utilize different tasks to a job to increase a variety of physical movements, in an effort to prevent repetitive motion injuries.
- Know your limits and respect them. Listen to your body when it tells you to stop.
Week 4: Eye Injuries and Eye Protection
Every day an estimated 1,000 eye injuries occur in American workplaces. Yesterday we learned that most occur from fast moving flying particles. The BLS reported that more than 50% of workers injured while wearing eye protection thought the eyewear had minimized their injuries. But nearly half the workers also felt that another type of protection could have better prevented or reduced the injuries they suffered. It is estimated that 90% of eye injuries can be prevented using proper protective eyewear. There are several types of eye protection and it’s important you wear the right protection.
Excuses not to use:
- My glasses fog up (Use antifog wipes or another form)
- The GC doesn’t enforce it
- My prescription glasses are safety glasses
- I forgot mine
As VSC policy safety glasses must be worn when on construction sites and when working overhead, grinding, cutting or a splash hazard exists. Face shields are to be worn along with safety glasses when grinding, splash hazards exist or any other time your eyes are at risk of being exposed If you are wearing prescription glasses that are not ANSI-Z87.1 approved you will need to wear goggles or a different style safety glasses.