HOW-TO CONDUCT A WEEKLY SAFETY MEETING

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1 HOW-TO CONDUCT A WEEKLY SAFETY MEETING 1. Hold the meeting on the job, preferably where everyone can sit and relax. 2. Hold the meeting at the beginning of the shift, right after lunch, or after a break. 3. Supervisors do not always have to lead the meeting. Encourage other employees in your group to lead a meeting. Task an experienced employee or someone that just attended training with presenting a topic that week. 4. Encourage as much employee participation as possible, yet keep your meeting short. Ask questions about the topic to generate discussion and get employees involved. Weekly safety meetings have proved their worth by alerting employees to workplace hazards, and by preventing accidents, illnesses and on-the-job injuries. Disclaimer: The information and suggestions contained in these safety talks are believed to be reliable. However, the authors of the topics and the owners of this web site accept no legal responsibility for the correctness, sufficiency, or completeness of such information or suggestions contained within these topics. These guidelines do not super cede local, state, or federal regulations and must not be construed as a substitute for, or legal interpretation of, any OSHA regulations

2 Hazard Communication Tips If you have the potential of exposure to chemicals at work, your employer must provide training and meet other requirements of the hazard communication standard. The following are some ways you can protect yourself at work. When in doubt, consult the Safety Data Sheet: Don t use chemicals you are unfamiliar with unless first consulting the SDS. They contain detailed information on proper use, labeling, storage, exposure and explanations of any necessary personal protection or first aid measures. The SDSs will be even easier to navigate as they will have consistent sections. Read container labels: Your employer must ensure that all containers with liquids, paints, adhesives, or any other hazardous substances are appropriately labeled to ensure protection. You may think it s not important to label a spray bottle with water inside, but labeling all secondary containers is very important. If an unassuming person happens upon a bottle they think is filled with water, but instead it is filled with another clear chemical that could be hazardous, they may use it in an unsafe manner and be put in danger. Never assume: As a result of the changes in the HCS, some chemicals will be reclassified and could potentially be classified as hazardous, even if they weren t previously. There is also the introduction of the hazard not otherwise classified (HNOC). This classification alerts you to the fact that the chemical poses some adverse effect identified through scientific research, however it falls below the concentration level for the applicable hazard class, or it is under a GHS category that has not yet been adopted by OSHA. Know the signs: With the introduction of pictograms, it s easier for you to understand, at a glance, hazards you may face when working with a chemical. Employers must provide training on the meanings of pictograms. Are there any ways that you can think of that you can improve your Hazard Communication Program? If so, how?

3 Scaffolding Safety Part 2 Scaffolding is a tool that allows us to work effectively and safely from heights when it is used correctly. Below are some tips on how to stay safe while working on or around scaffolds. When using scaffolds, if employee is higher than 10 feet above the walking/working surface, they must be protected from falling by using a personal fall arrest system or guardrails. Fall protection is not required by OSHA until the 10-foot mark with scaffolding only. This is an exception to the traditional 6-foot rule for fall protection in construction. Scaffolding has been gaining popularity as many believe they are safer than ladders. They create a large, even workspace for employees to effectively access their working areas. Scaffolds must be erected on a flat, level surface. Scaffolds must be supported on mud sills and baseplates. Using other methods to balance or to make a scaffold level is out of compliance and is putting those people at risk. A qualified person is required to design and load scaffolds in accordance to the design. A qualified person is somebody with a certification or experience that has a good understanding of how scaffolds work and how to complete the job safely. A competent person may conduct training, daily inspections of the scaffold for defects, and ensure the safety of people using the scaffolding. OSHA defines a competent person as somebody with the ability to recognize and identify hazards and has the authority to take corrective measures. Scaffolds sometimes require support such as guying, tying, and bracing. This is required when a height to base width ratio is greater than 4:1. Employees are required to wear hardhats on scaffolding to protect them from dropped items. Toe boards are required when above 10 feet from the lowest level. These are great for containing items and tools on the scaffold. Each platform on scaffolds must be fully decked, and any remaining opening space between the platform and the uprights shall be no greater than 9.5 inches Scaffolds can be dangerous if improperly erected and neglected. Training and awareness will protect workers from falls and accidental drops of items or falling objects. What types of scaffolds do you use? Have you ever witnessed a scaffolding accident? If so, what happened?

4 Scaffolding Safety It s a terrible thing to realize that hardly a workday goes by without a construction worker falling off a scaffold to his or her death. And those who survive scaffold falls are often crippled for the remainder of their life. These tragedies are sometimes caused by faulty design or poor construction. But in most cases the basic cause is poor maintenance or improper use, something that you can correct. Typical normal people keep both feet on the ground. And typical normal construction workers keep both feet on the scaffold. Here s how you can be sure to keep your feet there: Inspect scaffolds daily before you trust your life to them. Check guardrails, connectors, fastenings, footings, tie-ins and bracing. Check to see that platforms are closely boarded, fenced, and securely fastened. Don t stockpile materials on scaffolds. Remove all tools and leftover materials at the end of the day. Never overload scaffolds. Pile necessary materials over ledge and bearer points. Help protect scaffolds; don t bang into them with equipment or materials. Keep platforms and areas near scaffold clear of debris, unneeded equipment or material and anything else that might cause you to slip or trip. If you are new to a project or facility be sure to attend a safety orientation on the company s policies and procedures regarding scaffolding. This safety orientation should take place prior to work beginning on the scaffold. Give a scaffold the respect it deserves, and it ll serve you as a convenient work-platform. Scaffolds can have very serious consequences when they are used inappropriately or when they are erected incorrectly. A fall from scaffolds can have devastating consequences.

5 Spring Cleaning As spring draws near, it s a good time to start thinking about putting away the snow shovels and bringing out the brooms. Housekeeping at work involves more than just sweeping the floors of course, but a clean floor certainly lays a solid foundation of good housekeeping practices. Poor housekeeping can cause accidents, slow down production, bring down morale, and create extra work for everyone. What Message Are You Sending? Just as a clean floor lays the foundation for sound housekeeping practices, housekeeping, or lack thereof, sends a message to everyone who walks through your doors. This includes visitors, potential clients, your workers, and safety and health inspectors. Whether it s true or not, good housekeeping sends the message that management places a high value on safety and health; bad housekeeping sends the message that safety and health is an afterthought at best. Signs of Poor Housekeeping Do you recognize any of these signs of poor housekeeping in your work area or at your workplace? 1. Cluttered and poorly organized work areas. 2. Dangerous storage of materials. For example, items stacked haphazardly on shelves, or shoved into corners, overcrowded storage areas. 3. Dirty, cluttered floors and work surfaces. 4. Blocked aisles and exits. 5. Tools and equipment not properly put away and stored when not in use. 6. Trash bins overflowing, items not disposed of properly. 7. Spills and leaks. What are your practices for spring cleaning? Is there you anything that you look forward to or dread?

6 Typical Renovation Job Hazards Who is at risk? All of us at some point will probably encounter a renovation in an old building, house, or manufacturing facility. Who is at risk? In a residential setting the family who lives in the property, their pets, and any guests that they may have over. You, your workers, and potentially everyone s families and pets. The problem with the hazards we face on renovation jobs is it usually poisons us through dust. The contaminant, once exposed, will grow smaller and smaller over time. This allows it to get airborne much easier. Once this happens our modern heating and cooling systems will draw the contaminants in, and then distribute them throughout the interior of the property. Types of Hazards In no way can this list be all inclusive. However, typical environmental hazards you will encounter on renovation jobs include asbestos, lead, mercury, and silica. Furthermore, different chemical products used can be toxic. Protection Methods Protecting yourself is simple. Conduct a thorough job safety analysis prior to starting work. Detail the hazards your job will face and plan to protect everyone. Protection methods include using plastic sheeting to build containments, selecting the proper eye protection, coverall suit, and respiratory protection. Developing cleaning procedures that include specific times and tools to be used. For example, wet Swiffer wipes will trap the dust in the pad while you clean. This would be extremely useful when dealing with an airborne contaminant. Every project and facility will be different, if you aren t sure about a hazard please give us a call and we will be happy to investigate it for you. Everyone on your crew should be trained on the hazards they will be facing, how to protect themselves, and how to get themselves, and the supplies and tools they used to complete the project clean prior to leaving the project or facility. What types of hazards have you encountered on past renovation jobs? How did you tackle the challenges you faced? What did you enjoy or not enjoy about the process? By: Scott Teepe Jr

7 Spring Cleaning Part 2 Coming Clean The first step to a cleaner and safer workplace is to establish housekeeping standards. These standards should be clear, attainable and enforced. Next, train workers on what is expected of them, where things go, how to properly store and dispose of hazardous items, such as chemicals and waste, where to find cleaning supplies and storage areas. Then be sure you have the supplies and tools for workers to use. Finally, measure how well housekeeping standards are being met. On a regular basis conduct housekeeping audits and follow up on those items that need to be corrected or addressed. Enlist the help of your safety committee if you have one. Areas of Focus While every location is different, there are common areas in almost every workplace that should be focused on with regards to housekeeping. These are: 1. Fire Safety 2. Flammable Hazards 3. Clutter 4. Lighting 5. Spills and Leaks 6. Waste Disposal 7. Storage Areas 8. Tools and Equipment Conclusion Remember, housekeeping is an ongoing process. It is not a once a year marathon cleaning session, or a mad panic to clean up before an inspection or client visit. It is a daily endeavor. Use checklists, daily, weekly, monthly, and annually, to help you and your workers keep on task.