The Compliance Resource Center usually does not talk about products, however the Smart Monitor Series by Ericson can help the construction industry to help meet OSHA’s construction site gound fault protection.

Ericson Manufacturing announces the release of our newest “smart” series of electrical plugs and connectors. The Smart Monitor Series utilize a new “thinking” module which detects many common electrical problems including loss of earth ground which effects lack of compliance to OSHA’s Worksite Assured Grounding Program. The dual color RED & BLUE LEDS indicate correct or incorrect electrical conditions on the cordset. Smart Monitor Plugs & Connectors constantly monitors these conditions:

No Ground
Loss of Ground In Cord
Hot/Neutral Swap
Reverse Polarity
Hot on Ground
Open Neutral.
RED LEDs indicate an electrical problem (and lack of compliance to OSHA’s Worksite Safety Program), where as a bright BLUE indication shows the cord or supply is “Good-to-Go”.

THIS time of year, it’s often dark by the time we leave our offices. This, together with the upcoming bustle and busyness of the holiday season, makes it a great time to review the security practices at your workplace.

Security company Protection One suggests these tips for keeping your office, employees and inventory secure during this season and year round:

• Make well-lit, access-controlled parking available, and suggest a “buddy” system within the parking area.
• If possible, make security escorts available to and from employee parking.
• Register all guests and accompany them during their visits.
• Never leave your reception area unattended.
• Do not allow entry doors to be propped open if no one is present or nearby.
• Don’t allow unknown service personnel free access to your office space.
• Report broken doors, windows and locks to building security personnel.
• Monitor and report suspicious activity in or near your facility.
• Consider an integrated, monitored security and fire system as well as a remote/IP video system, which allows easy access to facility cameras via the Internet.
• Install an electronic access system, and closely inventory all photo badges, ID cards, etc.
• If you already have a security system, request regular system inspections and evaluations.
• Do not open suspicious packages: Report them to local authorities.
• Employ updated computer security software for your entire network.
• Back up and store sensitive and critical information and databases.
• Shred or destroy old documents containing sensitive business information.
• Keep an inventory of your most critical equipment, hardware and software.
• Develop fire and emergency plans and regularly practice drills.
• Keep facilities well-lit, inside and out, even during non-business hours.
• Form a safety team to help keep safety and security issues a focus.
• Encourage employees to secure valuables, including documents that might contain personal information, in their work areas at all times and especially during company gatherings or breaks.

ON Oct. 5, NOISH announced the online availability of a publication that offers recommendations to prevent injuries and deaths while working with metal ladders around overhead power lines.

A NIOSH review of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries data from 1992 to 2005 identified at least 154 electrocution deaths that resulted from contacting overhead power lines with portable metal ladders (excluding truck-mounted and aerial ladders). Of these 154 deaths, 36 involved a person of Hispanic origin. Although Hispanic workers accounted for 23 percent of these electrocution deaths due to ladders contacting power lines, it is estimated that they made up only 11 percent of the workforce during this period.

Employers, workers, general contractors and ladder manufacturers should take the steps outlined in the NIOSH publication to protect workers while working around overhead power lines. Many of these steps are required or suggested by OSHA regulations.

Steps employers can take include:

• Identify the location of overhead power lines as a routine part of all initial worksite surveys for jobs involving the use of ladders.
• Always note power line heights and distances from work areas on site diagrams to provide key information for site supervisors and workers.
• Avoid or limit proximity to power lines whenever possible. Consider ladder length and room for ladder staging (safely raising and lowering ladders).
• Notify the local electric utility company for assistance if work needs to be done near energized, overhead power lines.

The publication can be accessed at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/wp-solutions/2007-155.

An arc flash can happen without warning and occurs much too fast for you to react.

The heat released during an arc flash can reach as high as 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit — hotter than the surface of the sun. Large arc flashes can cause an explosion noise loud enough to cause hearing loss and injuries from being thrown back from the electrical explosion.

To better address this issue, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) has teamed with NIOSH and the Centers for Disease Control to distribute Arc Flash Awareness, a DVD training course, available in both English and Spanish. The DVD includes basic information about arc flash awareness and contains the first hand accounts of three electrical workers who were severely injured in arc flash accidents.

Surprisingly, it has just been in recent years that the term “arc flash” has garnered much attention. Many companies have started to raise awareness about the problem. Some companies, however, do not think that arc flash is a serious concern because they have not yet had an arc flash incident.

An arc flash can result from the spontaneous failure of equipment during normal operation or from accidentally bridging two live electrical contacts with a conducting object, like a metal screwdriver or wrench. Other causes may include the improper use of electrical multimeters, poor housekeeping that allows the buildup of conductive dust, or severe corrosion that allows connections to break.

How large is the problem?
– According to CapSchell, Inc., a Chicago-based research and consulting firm that specializes in workplace injury prevention, there are five to 10 arc flash explosions every day in the United States.
– The final cost to employers and their insurers for a single, serious injury can approach $10 million. (CapSchell)
– 2,000 workers are admitted annually to burn centers for extended injury treatments caused by arc flash, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
– A recent study from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) determined 17,101 injuries were caused by electric arc flash burns between 1992 though 2001.

With statistics like this, companies cannot afford to ignore electrical safety issues surrounding accidental electrocution from arc flash explosions.

For more information on Arc Flash or to order a copy of the Arc Flash Awareness DVD visit the ESFI Library on the ESFI’s website, http://www.electrical-safety.org/ or call ESFI at 703-841-3229.
 

The BIG show is almost here.   The National Safety Council’s Congress & Expo is scheduled for October 15, 16, & 17 in Chicago.  This is the largest Safety & Health expo in the world.  There will be about 140 educational sessions, 32 professional development seminars, and over 800 exhibitors.  Many companies send their safety teams to attend the educational seminars and then have their annual safety meeting afterwards.  It is also a great place to network and look for jobs.  My favorite part has always been the people I have met.  Safety and Health professionals from all over the world.  Click here for a link to the keynote speakers. 

If you have the opportunity, come and check it out, you won’t be sorry.

IN an effort to help prevent injuries, illnesses and property damage, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) offers the following safety tips for businesses to use following a disaster. Although there is no one-size-fits-all program, these tips may help. First, businesses should do a hazard evaluation and assessment performed by a safety professional. Please note the following tips suggested to be done following a catastrophe such as a hurricane:

Structural Security: Have the structural integrity of the building or facility validated by qualified professionals before anyone enters the facility.

Safe Entry: Contact the proper government agencies to get approval to resume occupancy of the building. Do not enter a facility or building unless the proper clearances have been attained.

Cleanup Safety: Implement your cleanup and business resumption processes in a safe and healthful manner. You will accomplish nothing if your employees are injured or killed during the post-disaster phase-in period. Provide training in proper selection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for your employees and yourself such as eyewear, gloves and dust masks/respirators for cleaning, and where appropriate in other operations.

Air Quality Assessment: Make sure the atmosphere in the workplace environment is tested for asbestos and other chemical/toxic agents. Air quality is an issue businesses may wish to pay careful attention to when restarting business operations.

Ventilation: Have vents checked to assure that water heaters and gas furnaces are clear and operable. Dust and debris can stop or impede airflow decreasing its quality and healthfulness. Safely start up heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, which include prior inspection of lines before energizing and pressurizing of the systems. Test your systems now after inspection or have a qualified specialist do so. Blow cold air through HVAC systems first, as opposed to warm air, as it will help prevent the growth of mold in duct systems.

Interior, Exterior Exposures: For interior spaces, ensure no wall or ceiling materials are in danger of falling. If such exposures do exist, the work environment is not ready for occupancy. Check for cracked windows and outside building materials, as these could fall onto pedestrians at any time — now and in the future.

Protection Equipment: For fire and smoke alarms it is important to assure that these have been cleaned and tested before allowing occupancy of the building. If such systems are wired into other systems, ensure that they are still compatible and work in an efficient and effective manner. Thorough inspection of firefighting systems such as sprinkler and chemical equipment functions is a must do item.

Electrical Safety: Have checks made of electrical systems, computer cables and telecommunications’ equipment to ensure that they are still safe and there is no danger of exposure to electricity. Wiring inspections should be conducted from the outside in to ensure all wiring and connections are not in danger of shorting out due to water damage from rain or fire-fighting efforts.

Use Existing Federal Guidelines: Utilize existing start-up guidance materials provided by government agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), http://www.fema.gov, and NIOSH, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh.

Health/Sanitation Issues: The general facility sanitation systems with the facility should be inspected and tested to guard against potential employee exposure to toxic agents. Food sanitation should also be an issue. Any unused foodstuffs should be discarded. If the workspace has a kitchen, inspect oven hoods and other ventilation devices to ensure they are not clogged and are working efficiently.

Office Furniture: Inspect the furniture to ensure it can withstand expected loads and usages. Ensure that binder bins (storage devices screwed or bolted to railing systems on walls and panels) have not become unstable due to water damage or shaking due to explosions. Inspect office equipment to ensure it is level, stable, and cannot tip over.

Lighting: Make sure there are adequate illumination levels for employees. Emergency lighting should be checked to ensure it operates and functions in the correct manner.

Emergency Planning: Ensure that there is a clear path of egress for the emergency evacuation of employees, that the fire extinguishers are still operable and that checks for damage and serviceability are made to see if any fire extinguishers’ facilities were used during the disaster. If damage is found, they should be replaced immediately.

Solid/Hazardous Waste Removal: Broken glass, debris or other materials with cutting edges should be safely gathered and disposed immediately. Ensure that such materials can be disposed of before collection to avoid creating even bigger hazards for both employees and the public. Solid waste disposal will be an issue, especially if hazardous waste is involved. Evaluate waste disposal issues prior to beginning clean-up operations to ensure it can be properly disposed of. ASSE’s free “Hazardous Materials Safety Information Guide” has key info on this and is available by contacting customerservice@asse.org.

Power Checks: If there is no access to electricity on the site, do not use fueled generators or heaters indoors. Ensure that there are no gas and sewer leaks in your facility. You will need to check with your local utilities for information regarding power, gas, water, and sewer usage.

Check Mainframes: If your facility has mainframe computer applications, see that lines and cabling for chiller systems are checked to avoid chemical leak out.

Emergency Procedures: Create a new emergency plan and distribute it to employees as soon as they return to work. In case of emergency, designate a place for employees to gather once out of the building or a phone number they should call following the emergency so that all can be accounted for. Frequently update the emergency contact list of names and phone numbers.

Machine Inspections: Inspect the condition of drain, fill, plumbing and hydraulic lines on processes and machines. It would be prudent to have plumbing lines evaluated and tested in order to detect any hazardous gases.

Surfaces: Make sure flooring surfaces are acceptable and free from possible slips, trips and falls — the second leading cause of on-the-job deaths in the United States. ANSI standard A1264 – protection of floor and wall openings is a good starting point.

The Electrical Safety Foundation International has some great tips for both workplace and home electrical work.

Every year, people are injured or killed by circuits they thought were safely turned off.  Simply shutting off the power is not enough.  Hazardous conditions can still exist.  Working with electricity requires thorough planning and extreme care. Whether you are a do-it-yourselfer tackling a weekend project or an experienced contractor, learning and practicing safe work habits can significantly reduce your risk.  That’s why you must always TEST BEFORE YOU TOUCH. You may not get a second chance to learn this important lesson.

Here is a great home electrical checklist which you can include in your Employee Safety Newsletter.  If you don’t have one we can help you create one.

July 31, 2007 – Battery-powered, hand-held Primetest 100 combines functionality of tool and appliance tester with extension cord tester and power receptacle checker in single instrument. By verifying electrical safety of electrical products, equipment, and appliances, unit helps employers meet OSHA obligations. OSHA 1910.334(a) indicates any damaged portable cord or plug connected equipment may not be used by employee until repairs and tests necessary to render equipment safe have been made.

This is a nice tool to have at home too.  How many of us have old tools and extension cords we don’t want to throw out?  But at about $600 it might be a little expensive for home use.

ASSE, AIHA Host Chicagoland Safety & Health Conference at NIU
July 26 2007
The American Society of Safety Engineers and the Chicago section of the American Industrial Hygiene Association will co-sponsor the 19th annual Chicagoland Safety & Health Conference at Northern Illinois University in Naperville, Ill., Sept. 24-28. The event will feature three keynote speakers and more than 45 sessions on safety and health issues. Presented in association with OSHA, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the National Safety Education Center, and NIU, the conference is for employers, employees, and all parties interested in SH&E and emergency preparedness, ASSE says. Continuing Education Credits are available.

Keynote speakers include Debra J. Zubaty, OSHA Columbus area director; Bob LoMastro, former U.S. Army Green Beret and Navy Hospital corpsman, currently president of LoMastro & Associates, Inc.; and VPP/SHARP guest speaker Richard Hawk. Educational sessions will cover topics in industrial hygiene, safety in construction, safety in general industry, environmental safety, safety management, and OSHA’s Voluntary Protection and Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Programs.

For registration and CEU information call 815-753-6902 or visit the Chicagoland Safety & Health Conference Website at www.chisafetyconf.org. Early registration discounts are available until August 24. The exhibit area is free to participants, their clients, and the public.

Tips: Power Tool Safety from Oncor.com

THE same yard tools that help us trim, edge, weed and mow can pose outdoor hazards if safety is ignored.  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has reported that 8 percent of accidental electrocutions in the United States each year are related to small appliances. Another 7 percent are attributed to power tools, and 4 percent are linked to lawn, garden and farming equipment.

Oncor Electric Delivery offers tips to help people avoid injury while making the most of labor-saving yard and gardening equipment. Before flipping the “on” switch, a basic inspection is in order to see that:

• The tool is intended for outdoor use and is certified by a recognized testing lab. A tag or label on either the tool or the power cord will indicate that the equipment was designed and manufactured in accordance with established safety standards.
• Cords, plugs and wiring are in good condition.
• Extension cords are intended for outdoor use. Extension cord gages should match the amperage rating of the power tool.
• Safety guards or shields on mowers, saws and other outdoor tools are in place. Never remove the safety guard from an electric-powered tool or appliance.

Once tools and accessories are inspected, the following safety rules will help protect you as well as children, pets, and other bystanders:

• Carry power tools by the handle, never by the cord.
• When using an electrical device, hold it by the insulated gripping surface to avoid electrical shock.
• Turn off and lock appliances when installing attachments such as mower baskets or saw blades.
• Never leave a power tool unattended, even temporarily. If there is a key, remove it. Put the tool where children cannot misuse it.
• Keep the power cord and extension cords out of way — not draped over a hedge or in the path of the mower, for example.
• Wear safety goggles or other protection when mowing, trimming or edging. Avoid loose clothing or jewelry that could get caught in moving parts.
• If an appliance cord becomes hot, or if the power tool has tripped a protective device such as a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), avoid using it until it has been checked by an authorized service provider or professional electrician.

Visit http://www.oncor.com/ for more electrical safety tips.