SAFETY FIRST

Rigging (Crane Signals)

2009-03-03T07:17:00.001-08:00

Ladder Safety.

2009-03-03T06:21:00.001-08:00

Examine each ladder before use and ensure that the joints are tight and all hardware and fittings are securely attached. Broken or damaged ladders must not be used.
Do not splice together short ladders to make a longer ladder.
Ladders shall not be placed against movable objects.
The base of the ladder must be set back a safe distance from the vertical – approximately one-fourth (1/4) of the working length of the ladder.
Ladders used for access to a floor or platform must external at least 3 feet above the landing.
Ladders which project into passage ways where they could be struck by personnel or moving equipment must be protected by barricades or guards.
When a ladder is placed in front of a door, lock, block or guard the door against opening.
Ladders used on smooth or slippery surfaces shall be provided with ladder shoes (non-slip base) or, another person shall hold it in place. Set ladders on a firm level surface.
Movable ladders shall be tied, blocked, or otherwise secured to prevent them from being displaced.
Metal ladders must not be used for electrical work, or in areas where they could contact energized wiring.
Face the ladder and use both hands at all times while using it.
Do not over-reach from a ladder. You should get down and move the ladder to a new position.
Do not carry tools or materials in your hands when going up or down a ladder. Use a hand line.
Do not support ladders on their rungs or cleats.
Do not climb a high ladder in a strong wind.
Only one person at a time on a ladder.

Safe Scaffolding

2009-03-03T06:09:00.000-08:00

There is no such thing as a temporary scaffold. All scaffolding must be erected and maintained to conform with established standards by experienced and competent personnel.
Guard rails, mid rails, and toe boards must be installed on all open sides of scaffolds more than 6 feet in height.
Working platform should be of 600 mm wide with a toe board of 150 mm height. Planks must be secured even if they are used for a short duration.
Access ladders must be provided for each scaffold.
Overhead protection is required if employees working on scaffolds are exposed to overhead hazards.
Scaffolds of 20 ft or more in height shall be adequately guyed or tied to a structure.
Ladders, access ways and scaffold platform shall be so fixed that they cannot become displaced by high winds etc.
Do not overload scaffolds. Only minimum quantity of materials needed should be stored on scaffolds.
The height of mobile / tower scaffold shall not exceed three times the smaller base dimension. The smaller base dimension shall never be less than 4 ft.
When moving mobile scaffolds, ensure that the route is clear. Watch for holes or openings in floor, and overhead obstructions.
No one is allowed to ride on mobile scaffolds.
Caster wheels must be locked when the scaffold is not in motion.
All employees working on suspended scaffolds must wear safety belt and must be tied off to the structure or to an independent life line.
Barrels, drums, boxes and similar unstable objects must not be used as work platforms or to support scaffolds.]
Our company’s Scafftag procedure shall be strictly followed during erection, while in use and during dismantling of scaffolds. No one is permitted to use the scaffold whenever the red ‘DO NOT USE’ tag is displayed.

(UNSAFE ACT)

2008-08-03T06:15:00.000-07:00

Unsafe Act: The actions of a person in a manner which vary from the accepted or legislated safe practice and create a hazard to either themselves, another person, or property.

WORK IN CONFINED SPACE.

2008-07-13T02:17:00.000-07:00

Many workplaces contain spaces that are considered "confined" because their configurations hinder the activities of employees who must enter, work in, and exit them. A confined space has limited or restricted means for entry or exit, and it is not designed for continuous employee occupancy. Confined spaces include, underground vaults, tanks, storage bins, manholes, pits, silos, process vessels, and pipelines.

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

A. Certain permit entries may require the use of personal protective equipment by workers entering the confined space and/or by rescue teams. What equipment is needed will have been determined by a qualified person prior to the issuance of the permit. If the permit requires personal protective equipment, all employees entering the space must be equipped with it.

B. If your are involved in deciding what equipment, if any, is to be required, the following guidelines may be helpful:
- 1. HEAD PROTECTION Is there any danger from falling objects, either from within the confined space or through the entryway? Do obstructions or equipment in the confined space present a hazard?
- 2. EYE AND FACE PROTECTION Will the workers encounter any irritant dusts, vapors, mists, abrasive particles or flying objects in the confined space? If so, are safety glasses, impact goggles, chemical goggles or face shields the best choice for the conditions within the space and the work to be performed in it? If the hazard will only be eye irritating, glasses or goggles may be sufficient. However, if the hazard poses a danger to both the face and eyes, such as in the process of scraping scale or cutting rivets, a full coverage face shield is needed. If welding will be performed, protection must meet the requirements for that procedure.
- 3. HAND PROTECTION Will the workers need protection from sharp edges and rough surfaces? Protection ranging from canvas to metal mesh gloves may be needed. Gloves made of rubber or similar material may be worn to protect against toxic or irritating materials. Will the workers encounter extreme hot or cold? Heat protective gloves or thermal insulating gloves may be necessary. If there is a potential for electrical current flow through the body, rubber gloves may be called for. Other considerations include whether workers will be handling slippery tools or materials.
- 4. FOOT PROTECTION Will the workers risk injury from falling objects, chemicals, etc.? Will they need additional protection from slippery surfaces, electrical conductivity, or sparks?
- 5. PROTECTIVE CLOTHING Will the workers need protection from temperatures, moisture, chemicals, vapors, flames, static electricity, etc.?
- 6. RESPIRATOR PROTECTION Follow your company's policy if respiratory protection will be required.
- 7. HEARING PROTECTION If conditions within the confined space require hearing protection, consider how it will affect communications between those workers and the attendant

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

2008-07-13T01:38:00.000-07:00

Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other gear designed to protect the wearer's body or clothing from injury by electrical hazards, heat, chemicals, and infection, for job-related occupational safety and health purposes.

Workers involved in a wide range of occupations are exposed to a significant risk of death or injury from being struck by various objects in the workplace.A significant portion of all work related injuries and fatalities involve workers being struck in the eyes, head, face, hand, and or feet by foreign objects. In the majority of these accidents Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was either not being used or being used improperly.

TOOLBOX TALK

2008-01-12T09:16:00.000-08:00

Tool Box talks (5 Minute Safety Talks, Safety Meeting, Toolbox, tailgate safety briefing, tool box safety briefing) included: Ladders, Scaffolding, Working at height (slab edges), Rigging, CPR, First Aid, Fall Protection, Electrical, Equipment Grounding, Lockout/Tag out, Hand and Power Tools, Power Actuated Tools, Trenches, Excavations, Fire Prevention, PPE, Eye and Face Protection, Respiratory..

FIRE MOCKUP DRILL (Labour camp)

2008-01-12T08:59:00.000-08:00

A fire drill is a method of practicing the evacuation of a building for a fire or other emergency. Generally, the emergency system (usually an alarm) is activated and the building is evacuated as though a real fire had occurred. Usually, the time it takes to evacuate is measured to ensure that it occurs within a reasonable length of time.

HEALTH. SAFETY.ENVIRONMENT. (IN CASE OF FIRE)

2008-01-11T07:27:00.000-08:00