Workplace Safety

Safety should be the number one priority on any job site. Employers and employees both have obligations to ensure workplace safety.

Employer's Obligations

Employers must implement a company safety program that includes a clear statement of safety policies and procedures, procedures to analyze job site hazards so they can be corrected or controlled (whether hazards are present or potential) and training for all personnel. Said training must be on applicable OSHA standards and company safety requirements. Training should be conducted on a regular schedule (yearly, quarterly, monthly, etc, depending on size of company and number of employees).

It is the employer's obligation to keep all employees and the workplace safe by informing all employees on how to protect themselves against hazards that cannot be controlled, conduct regular job site inspections and have someone who is trained in first aid on the job site.

Employee's Obligations

It is the employee's obligation to follow all company safety policies, wear all required personal protective equipment, ensure all safety features on tools are working properly, avoid horseplay or any other activity that could create a hazard and report any unsafe practices or any injuries or accidents to the supervisor.

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

Anytime a danger of electrical shock is present or an overhead, falling or flying hazard exists, workers must wear hard hats. When a hard hat has taken a heavy blow or electrical shock, regardless if there is no visible damage seen, it must be replaced.

Safety toed shoes are recommended at all times. Shoes must be both slip-resistant and puncture-resistant, even if they are not safety toed.

The correct gloves must be worn for each job. They should fit snugly and anyone working with fiberglass should tape the glove gauntlets.

A safety harness must be worn at all times for fall protection. Body belts are NOT used for fall protection, only for positioning.

At the Site

All walkways must be clear of trash, tools, or anything else that may cause someone to trip.

Guardrails, whether permanent or temporary, should be installed on stairs before they are used for access between levels to ensure no one falls or steps off the edges. Never store any materials on stairways used for general access between levels.

Ladders must be placed at the proper angle (1 foot out from the base for every 4 feet of vertical rise). Ladders must be inspected at regular intervals for any defects so they can be repaired or discarded. Ladders should be extended at least 3 feet above the landing to provide a handhold or balance. Never place a ladder where it could be knocked over accidentally, i.e. passageways or traffic areas. Never use a ladder for a platform, runway or scaffold planks. Anyone climbing a ladder should maintain 3 points of contact and should always face the ladder.

Scaffolds should be inspected before each use. Each scaffold must be capable of supporting its own weight and 4 times the maximum intended load. Scaffolds should always be erected on firm and level foundations. Scaffold planks cannot have any visible defects. The front edge of the platform must be kept within14 inches of the face of the work. The planks or platform cannot extend more than 12 inches beyond the end supports to prevent tipping. Unless using a tag line, never swing loads near or on scaffolds. Shore or lean-to scaffolds are never to be used. Never erect, use, alter, or move scaffolds within 10 feet of overhead power lines. No one should be allowed on a scaffold that is covered with ice, snow, or any other slippery material. Any platform that is more than 10 feet above the ground or floor surface should have a standard guardrail. If guardrails are not practical, use some type of fall protection device.

Floor and wall openings should have some type of fall protection installed such as guardrails, toe boards, slide guards, or roof anchors. Reiterate safe working practices before any worker begins work on foundation walls, roofs, trusses, floor installations or exterior wall erections.

This article will be followed up with another article specific to safety pertaining to roofs, excavations, trenching, electrical and fire protection.

Maggie May

www.contractorexam.com