Defibrillators Save Lives

We received a call yesterday from a customer that had an employee have a heart attack last week and go into cardiac arrest. They were able to provide CPR until EMS arrived to administer defibrillation. The employee is now at home resting after surgery. Congratulations to all that were involved in this save. They were witness to the value of having a defibrillator readily available.

BTW....they purchased eight defibrillators for locations throughout the country.

NCAA Final Four vs Construction Final Four

Both of these topics require total concentration on the goal at hand. Whether it is working safe on the job, or striving to be the National Champions, it takes the will to win. Be the best at what you do, and let's take home the trophy everyday.

Contractor Safety Requirements

1. PURPOSE
The purpose of this section is to describe the responsibilities of company name
and its contractors who perform work for the company or on premises operated by the company.

2. SCOPE
This procedure applies to all operations that utilize contractors for the performance of work.

3. RESPONSIBILITIES
The contractor has the responsibility to ensure that their employees are adequately trained in safe work practices and comply with applicable regulations. The company locations may designate a representative(s) to monitor construction/maintenance activities. The company is responsible for ensuring that contractors follow this procedure and that applicable hazard information specific to the areas where the contractor may work are conveyed to the contractor at the start of a project.

4. PROCEDURE
Contractor Safety
All contractors shall abide by the safety and health policies pertaining to the location, facility, or project on which they are working. A contractor’s violation of these safety and health policies could expose our employees, the public, and our property, as well as the contractor, to unnecessary hazards. Strict enforcement of this policy by supervisory personnel is expected.

- The contractor shall designate a safety representative
- Each contractor must be apprised of any hazards and pertinent safety information before commencing any task (see Contractor Safety Orientation Checklist)
- Each contractor must certify in writing that he/she has been informed about, and understands, all relevant safety information before coming onto the company premises

Qualifications of Contractors
Contractor safety performance will be a significant requirement in the contractor selection process. Compliance with the following criteria will be minimum requirements in contractor selection and will be monitored on a continuing basis.

Safety results should be judged on a continuing basis. Safety results should be judged on the basis of improvement made in year-to-year results. Criteria for contractor health and safety information are listed below (See Contractor Health and Safety Questionnaire).

- Evaluate the contractor’s Experience Modification Ratio (EMR) for the previous three years including the current year. An average EMR of over 1.0 or an escalating 3 year average EMR number would indicate an unfavorable safety record and require further evaluation prior to approval.
- Copy of occupational injury/illness statistics for each of the past three years, including the current year. This includes incident rates per 200,000 hours worked. (Do not present names of injured.) Compare the contractor's values against current Bureau of Labor Statistics for a similar SIC code organization.
- Contractor shall certify the existence of a written Safety and Health program and that their employees have received the necessary safety training applicable to the contracted work.
- If required, contractors will have a written substance abuse program in place and be prepared to submit evidence of compliance
- The contractor is responsible for keeping site injury statistics and reporting all incidents resulting from injury to a contract employee on the premises to the company
- The company may take appropriate action against any contractor for non-compliance with health & safety practices
- The contractor immediately reports all incidents or accidents occurring on company locations. The contractor investigates and provides a report that includes a description of the incident, a primary cause for the incident, corrective actions addressing the primary cause, and assignment of responsibility for completion of correction action within 48 hours off occurrence.

Confined Space

1. PURPOSE

Company name is committed to providing a safe and healthful work environment for our entire staff. In pursuit of this endeavor, the following written program is in place to first identify any Permit-Required Confined Spaces (PRCS) and to eliminate or control hazards associated with PRCS operations. This program is in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Permit-Required Confined Spaces Standard, Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations 1910.146.

2. RESPONSIBILITIES

Individuals assigned to work where confined space entry is required will have the responsibilities related to the work they perform. These responsibilities are identified below.

1. Safety Director

1. Work with the client and crew leader to determine the type of confined space along with any known hazards.

2. Provide specific training to all attendants regarding the inspection, calibration and use of gas monitoring equipment.

3. Review hazards and special considerations with crews.

4. Verify that all safety equipment and PPE are available to the crews prior to entry.


2. Entrants

1. Know the hazards associated with the permit space and their effects

2. Properly use the equipment required for entry

3. Maintain a continuous means of communication with the attendant

4. Alert the attendant in the event of an emergency

5. Evacuate the space if an emergency occurs

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Bloodborne Pathogens

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this program is to minimize or eliminate all  employees’ exposure to Bloodborne pathogens, mainly that of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and other Bloodborne pathogens which could lead to disease or death.  This program has been developed and implemented to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 29 CFR 1910.1030 Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.

II. SCOPE

This program applies to all employees who are identified as authorized first responders, and are first aid/CPR trained. In addition, this includes all other employees who may, in the course of their normal employment, be required to handle, come in contact with, or dispose of any materials containing contaminated or potentially contaminated blood and/or body fluids.

III. RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Operation/Production Manager is responsible for the following:

1. Administer all aspects of the Bloodborne Pathogens Program.

2. Assure training for all affected employees and maintain documentation records indefinitely.

3. Assure that all employees in the department who are trained in First Aid/CPR attend annual training sessions in accordance with this program.

4. Assure that only properly trained employees perform clean up of potentially contaminated blood and/or body fluids.

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Asbestos Containing Materials

1. PURPOSE
Company name has developed guidelines to protect employees working with and around asbestos-containing materials and to comply with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1001 and OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101, Asbestos.

2. SCOPE
RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervisors
It is the supervisor’s responsibility to comply with and ensure that this procedure is followed,                 that employees are familiar with the requirements, and operations are conducted in a safe                 manner and within applicable local, state, and federal regulations.

Employees
Employees are responsible for complying with this procedure.

3. DEFINITIONS
Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM) – Any material containing more than one percent asbestos. Asbestos includes Chrysotile, Amosite, Crocidolite, Tremolite, Anthophyllite, Actinolite, and any of these minerals that have been chemically treated and/or altered.

Class I Asbestos Work – Activities involving the removal of Thermal System Insulation (TSI) and surfacing ACM and Presumed Asbestos-containing Material (PACM).

Class II Asbestos Work – Activities involving the removal of ACM which is not thermal system insulation or surfacing material with the intention to dispose. This includes, but is not limited to, the removal of asbestos-containing wallboard, floor time and sheeting, roofing and siding shingles, and construction mastics.

Class III Asbestos Work – Repair and maintenance operations, where “ACM”, including TSI and surfacing ACM and PACM, is likely to be disturbed.

Class IV Asbestos Work – Maintenance and custodial activities during which employees contact but do not disturb ACM or PACM activities to clean up dust, waste, and debris resulting from Class I, II, and III activities.

Competent Person- In addition to the definition in 29 CFR 1926.32 (f), competent person for asbestos activities is defined as one who is capable of identifying existing asbestos hazards in the workplace and selecting the appropriate control strategy for asbestos exposure , who has the authority  to take  prompt corrective measures to eliminate them, as specified in 29 CFR 1926.32(f): in addition, for Class I and Class II work who is specially trained in a training course which meets the criteria of EPA’s Model Accreditation Plan (40 CFR 763) for supervisor, or its equivalent and, for Class III and Class IV work, who is trained in a manner consistent with EPA requirements for training of local education agency maintenance and custodial staff as set forth at 40 CFR 763.92 (a)(2).     READ MORE

Aerial Lifts

1. PURPOSE
The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to define safe operating practices when aerial lifts are used within the company operations.

2. SCOPE
Company name has developed guidelines for the safe operation of aerial platforms and equipment (for example, man-lifts, JLGs, scissor lifts, tower trucks, etc.) and to comply with 29 CFR 1926.453.

3. RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervisors
         It is the supervisor's responsibility to ensure that all employees operate aerial lifts in a safe manner                 in accordance with this procedure, manufacturer's recommendations, and applicable local, state                     and federal regulations.

        Employees
Employees are responsible for complying with this procedure and operating aerial lifts                 in a safe manner.

4. DEFINITIONS

Aerial Lifts - Aerial devices used to elevate personnel above ground level, such as extension boom    platforms, aerial ladders, articulated boom platforms, vertical towers such as scissor lifts, and any combination of these devices. 

REQUIREMENTS

Allow only trained and authorized employees to operate aerial lifts. Conspicuously display the instruction and warning placards and load chart and ensure legibility on each lift. Load limits specified by the manufacturer will not be exceeded. The operator’s manual will be readily available to the operator. 

INSPECTIONS

A competent person will inspect the lift before use and immediately after any incident that may have damaged the lift, using the manufacturer's guidelines. Employees must report any defects to their supervisor immediately. The company will remove defective equipment from service until it is repaired to manufacturer's specifications. Any repairs or modifications to the lift will meet the manufacturer's specifications.

The competent person will also inspect the work area surface to ensure it is reasonably level, stable, and free from hazards, such as covered excavations or debris that could cause tipping. The lift controls will be plainly marked as to their function. Authorized operators will test each control every day before use.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

When traveling, the operator will ensure the boom is in the lowered position with the turntable locked. All rough terrain travel will be conducted in the “SLOW” mode. The foot switch will not be removed, blocked, disabled, or modified in any manner. If aerial platforms are equipped with outriggers, they will be fully extended before personnel are lifted. 

An observer will monitor all movement to insure proper clearance and stability when the lift operates in congested areas or when the operator does not have full visibility. Special attention must be given to ground conditions and grating. When load bearing capacities of grates is unknown, steel plating or alternative means will be utilized to support the aerial lift.

All personnel will wear approved fall arrest equipment that is attached to the platform attachment point while occupying the lift. Personnel will stand on the floor of the platform, not on boxes, planks, railings, or other devices.

The aerial lift will not be used for material transport, except for small pieces required for the job at hand. All materials and tools will be contained totally within the work basket; the load rating of the lift will not be exceeded.

Aerial lifts will not be operated near electrical power lines unless the lines have been de-energized or adequate clearance is maintained in accordance with the following chart, excerpted from 29 CFR 1926.550.

Voltage Range	Minimum Distance
Less than 50kV	10 feet
50K to 200kV	15 feet
200KV to 350kV	20 feet
350KV to 500kV	25 feet
500KV to 750kV	35 feet
750KV to 1OOOkV	45 feet

Except in case of emergency, ground controls will not be operated without

permission of personnel occupying the platform.

TRAINING

           

            The supervisor or other designated individual will train employees on the

            safe use of aerial lifts and will include the following:

-          Recognition of and preventative measures for the safety hazards associated with their tasks.

-          General recognition and prevention of safety hazards associated with the use of

      the work platform .

-     Elements of the emergency action plan describing procedures to be utilized in the       event of a failure of the power supply unit or other emergencies that may arise.

-     The proper use of the lift and proper handling of any materials on the lift.

-     The maximum intended load and the load carrying capacity of the lift.