Inside This Issue Temporary Wiring in Construction Update on Fall Protection Heat Stress Top 10 Construction Violations Fatalities

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1 July 2011 Volume 9, Issue 4 U.S. Department of Labor Wisconsin Construction Safety Newsletter Inside This Issue Temporary Wiring in Construction Update on Fall Protection Heat Stress Top 10 Construction Violations Fatalities Temporary Wiring What do we need to know? Temporary wiring must meet the requirements of the local code, which usually adopts the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the requirements of OSHA 1926 Subpart K - Electrical. In Wisconsin the NEC is the primary source of the Wisconsin Electrical Code which is titled Chapter Comm 16 Electrical and can be found at comm016.pdf The temporary wiring and lighting must be installed and maintained by qualified persons who must also follow safe work practices. OSHA utilizes NFPA 70E as a guide in evaluating electrical safe work practices in both general industry and construction. OSHA requires that all temporary wiring meet (a) Approval. All electrical conductors and equipment shall be approved. The definitions of "approved" and "acceptable" in 29 CFR indicate that the Agency will accept equipment that has been determined to be safe by a qualified electrical testing laboratory (i.e., a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory or NRTL). In other words OSHA requires that all equipment being utilized is approved for use. This means that it is tested by a NRTL and is used in accordance with that approval. Ground-fault protection (b)(1)(i) General. The employer shall use A two-conductor plug spliced onto a threeconductor extension cord ensures that anything plugged into the cord will not be grounded.

2 (Continued from page 1) either ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) as specified in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section or an assured equipment grounding conductor program (AEGCP) as specified in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section to protect employees on construction sites. These requirements are in addition to any other requirements for equipment grounding conductors. (Wisconsin job sites should be aware of the requirements in the WI code that require GFCIs for temporary wiring of 125 volt nominal on 15, 20, and 30 ampere rated outlets. For other than those outlets a GFCI or AEGCP can be used) OSHA standards are the minimum wage of safety, one can exceed them if they wish. Article 590 of the NEC provides minimum requirements for installing temporary electrical power. Cords used on a jobsite must be visually inspected for defects on a daily basis, and repaired by a qualified person or removed from use. Extension cord sets used with portable electric tools and appliances shall be of three-wire type and shall be designed for hard or extra-hard usage. Flexible cords used with temporary and portable lights shall be designed for hard or extra-hard usage. NOTE: The National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70, in Article 400, Table 400-4, lists various types of flexible cords, some of which are noted as being designed for hard or extra-hard usage. Examples of these types of flexible cords include hard service cord (types S, ST, SO, STO) and junior hard service cord (types SJ, SJO, SJT, SJTO). These generally have an outer sheath over three or more inner conductors which are insulated. A flat cord set is non-compliant since it usually has a single layer of a (usually a thermoplastic) protective coating and if that is cut or nicked the copper conductor is exposed and presents a shock hazard. (Continued on page 3)

3 A non S or SJ rated (usually a flat) extension cord is a violation if used in a construction setting. It only has one layer of protection (insulation) for the conductor. In the past this writer, found an entire wall of metal studs that were energized when this type of cord was used and cut by the sharp edges of the metal studs. This energized the entire wall and resulted in a shock hazard for the construction workers on the site. An S or SJ rated cable will have an outer and an inner layer of protection. The fibers act as a filler to fill in gaps and allow the insulated conductor to move. If the outer layer is cut, the S and SJ cable continues to have a layer of protection for the conductors.

4 To get to the conductor, two layers of protection need to be breeched. Since there are often abrasion hazards and sharp edges on a construction site, OSHA requires, (a)(2)(ii) (J) Extension cord sets used with portable electric tools and appliances shall be of three-wire type and shall be designed for hard or extra-hard usage. Flexible cords used with temporary and portable lights shall be designed for hard or extra-hard usage. Remember in (b)(1)(iii)(C), it states, Each cord set, attachment cap, plug and receptacle of cord sets, and any equipment connected by cord and plug,, shall be visually inspected before each day's use for external defects, such as deformed or missing pins or insulation damage, and for indications of possible internal damage. Equipment found damaged or defective shall not be used until repaired. Fall protection is being worn but the lanyard is not connected to the basket. Top Ten Violations Listed below are the top ten cited violations found during Federal OSHA construction inspections from October 2009 through September Rank Standard Hazard CFR General Requirements of all Types of Scaffolds CFR Duty to Have Fall Protection CFR Ladders CFR Fall Protection Training CFR Chemical Hazard Communication CFR General Safety and Health Provisions CFR Head Protection CFR Specific Excavation Requirements CFR Eye and Face Protection CFR Aerial Lifts

5 Update on Residential Fall Protection The Administration announced an additional three month phase-in period to allow residential construction employers to come into compliance with the Agency's new directive to provide workers with fall protection. "We want to make sure that the residential construction industry has every opportunity to successfully come into compliance with the new directive," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. The three month phase-in period runs June 16 - September 15, During this time, if the employer is in full compliance with the old directive (STD ), OSHA will not issue citations, but will instead issue a hazard alert letter informing the employer of the feasible methods they can use to comply with OSHA's fall protection standard or implement a written fall protection plan. After September 15, 2011 employers will no longer be able to use the alternative fall-protection measures. OSHA has a wide variety of resources and guidance materials to assist employers in complying with the new directive. OSHA's Web page includes many guidance products, including a fall protection slide show that recently received over 3,000 hits in one week. Employers are also encouraged to take full advantage of the Wisconsin Onsite Consultation Program ( ). In addition, there is also a Compliance Assistance Specialist in each of the four Wisconsin Area Offices, and employers are urged to contact their local Area Offices with questions. The new directive, Compliance Guidance for Residential Construction (STD ), provides a detailed description of the phase-in policy. A presentation and other guidance materials about requirements for protecting workers from falls are available at Residential contractors will now have to provide conventional fall protection (guardrail systems, safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems) to protect workers who are exposed to falls of six or more feet.

6 OSHA has created a national outreach initiative to educate workers and their employers about the hazards of working outdoors in the heat and steps needed to prevent heat-related illnesses. "If you're working outdoors, you're at risk for heat-related illnesses that can cause serious medical problems and even death," said Secretary Solis. "But heat illness can be prevented. This Labor Department campaign will reach across the country with a very simple message water, rest and shade." Each year, thousands of outdoor workers experience heat illness, which often manifests as heat exhaustion. If not quickly addressed, heat exhaustion can become heat stroke, which killed more than 30 workers last year. Even in Wisconsin working in the heat can be dangerous. During the summer of 2010 a teen worker working for a contractor died from heat related illness "As we move into the summer months, it is very important for workers and employers to take the steps necessary to stay safe in extreme heat," said OSHA Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels. "Drinking water often, taking breaks and limiting time in the heat are simple, effective ways to prevent heat illness." Heat can be a real danger for workers in jobs ranging from agriculture and landscaping to construction, road repair, airport baggage handling and even car sales. OSHA has developed heat illness educational materials in English and Spanish, as well as a curriculum to be used for workplace training. Additionally, a new Web page provides information and resources on heat illness including how to prevent it and what to do in case of an emergency for workers and employers. The page is available at Federal OSHA has worked closely with the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration to adapt materials from that state's successful outreach campaign on heat illness for use in this national effort. In addition, OSHA is now partnering with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on weather service alerts that will incorporate worker safety precautions when heat alerts are issued across the U.S. NOAA also will include pertinent worker safety information on its Heat Watch Web page at Region 5 Construction Fatalities for February 2011 to June 2011 SIC code and accident description 1711 Plumbing, Heating and Air-Conditioning An employee was working from an 8-foot step ladder and was removing a cleanout on a drain when he fell Carpentry Work An employee was helping to set trusses when the trusses fell and knocked the employee to the ground about 18 feet below.

7 1721 Painting and Paper Hanging An employee was painting a tank at a municipal water treatment facility using an epoxy paint when he became nauseous, dizzy and collapsed Electrical Work An employee was helping to remodel a grocery store and was working with electric wiring above an office when he was shocked Highway and Street Construction, Except Elevated Highways A employee was preparing to drill holes as part of a patch job in a roadway. He was crouched down when a truck driver was driving past and making a tight turn and the employee was run over by the truck Water, Sewer, Pipeline, and Communications and Power Line Construction A 4-man crew was performing a restoration for 12.4 kv conductors along a county road. Some conductors were de-energized and lowered close to the ground. One employee grasped at least two of the conductors with his left hand and was walking towards the service pole when the de-energized conductors made contact with energized parts a number of poles away and out of sight of the employees Roofing, Siding, and Sheet Metal Work Three employees were working to repair a metal roof of a university concession stand when one of the employees fell to the concrete about 8 feet below Wrecking and Demolition Work An employee was helping with the demolition of a single story industrial building when he was struck by an unsupported steel beam. The employee was going to remove a section of a 26 foot long overhead beam that was supported by three columns. He had cut one of the end columns at the floor when the entire structure collapsed and struck the employee Roofing, Siding, and Sheet Metal Work Three employees were setting up an aluminum pump jack scaffold system along the side of a duplex as part of a re-siding project. While erecting the 24 foot poles one of the poles contacted an adjacent 7200 VAC overhead power line. Missing guardrail and the lanyard connected to the scaffold.

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9 This newsletter provides an overview of OSHA standards and does not alter or determine compliance responsibilities, which are described in the OSHA standards and the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Because interpretations and enforcement policy may change over time, the best sources for additional guidance on OSHA compliance requirements are current administrative interpretations and decisions by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission and the courts. A closer view of the work setting seen on page 4. Fall protection is being worn but the lanyard is not connected to the basket. Wisconsin Contact Information Wisconsin OSHA Consultation Offices: Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene 2601 Agriculture Drive, Madison, Wisconsin (608) (Health) Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene 141 NW Barstow Street, Fourth Floor, Waukesha, Wisconsin (800) (Safety) Wisconsin OSHA Enforcement Offices: Appleton Area Office, 1648 Tri Park Way, Appleton, Wisconsin 54914, (920) , (920) FAX Eau Claire Area Office, 1310 W. Clairemont Avenue, Eau Claire, Wisconsin (715) , (715) FAX Madison Area Office, 4802 E. Broadway, Madison, Wisconsin (608) , (608) FAX Milwaukee Area Office, 310 Building, Suite 1180, 310 West Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, Wisconsin (414) , (414) FAX Do you have comments or ideas for articles? them to the Wisconsin Construction Safety Newsletter at Zortman.Chris@dol.gov Ideas for Articles for Upcoming Issues Do you have any ideas for articles that you want to see or topics that you think are important? Please let us know at the address listed just above.