Safety

OSHA 29 CFR 1926.452(a) requires that any employee accessing a scaffold shall be trained in the nature of any electrical hazards, fall hazards and falling object hazards in the work area, the correct procedures for dealing with electrical hazards and for erecting, maintaining, and disassembling the fall protection systems and falling object protection systems being used, the proper use of the scaffold and the proper handling of materials on the scaffold, the maximum intended load and the load carrying capacities of the scaffolds used.  The five most serious scaffold hazards are falls, access, electrical, collapse and struck by.

Use

• Scaffolds and scaffold components shall not be loaded in excess of their maximum intended loads or rated capacities, whichever is less.  Be sure to know the rated capacity of the scaffold before working from it.  A four to one safety factor is required to be built into all scaffold structures.
• Shore or lean to scaffolds are prohibited.
• Scaffold and scaffold components shall be inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each work shift, and after any occurrence which could affect a scaffold’s structural integrity.  Employees shall also visually inspect the scaffold before gaining access.
• Scaffold shall not be moved horizontally while employee are on them.
• Scaffold shall not be erected, used, dismantled, altered or moved such that they or any conductive material handled on them might come closer to exposed and energized power lines than as follows:  Insulated lines less than 300 volts minimum distance 3 feet, 300 volts to 50 kv minimum distance 10 feet.  IF the voltage is higher than 50kv, additional distance is required. 
• Scaffold shall be erected, moved, dismantled or altered only under the supervision and direction of a competent person.
• Employees are prohibited from working on scaffolds covered with snow, ice or other slippery materials except as necessary for removal of such materials or during storms or high winds.
• Where swinging loads are being hoisted onto or near scaffolds such that loads might contact the scaffold, tag lines or equivalent measures to control the loads shall be used.
• Debris shall not be allowed to accumulate on platforms.  Platforms must be a minimum of 18” wide. 
• Makeshift devices, such as but not limited to boxes and barrels, or ladders shall not be used on scaffold platforms to increase the working level height of employees.
• Scaffold

Fall Protection

• Guardrail – Top rail installed between 38” and 45”, mid rail between platform and top rail.
• Personal Fall Arrest System – Anchor point must be capable of withstanding a force of 5000 lbs per man.

Falling Object Protection

• Hard hats shall always be worn on scaffolding.
• Area below scaffolding shall be barricaded and employees shall not enter or toe boards shall be installed.

Rolling Scaffold

• Height to base ratio greater than 4 to 1 stabilizers are required
• Employees shall not ride on scaffolds and wheels must be locked while in use.

General Requirement

• Base plates must be placed under each leg and secured if potential for lateral movement exists
• Wood planks shall be of 2” x 10” scaffold plank grade wood.
• The bottom rung on attachable ladder shall not be more that 24” off supporting level.

Scaffold Tagging

• Review site requirement before accessing scaffold.  Gribbins Insulation scaffold tagging is as follows:
  • Green Tag – the scaffold is 100% complete with top rail, mid rail and toe boards.  Fall protection is not required while working from scaffold, but may be required when climbing scaffold ladder.
  • Yellow Tag – the scaffold is accessible, but there are hazards.  Read the tag before getting on and follow tagging instructions.
  • Red Tag – the scaffold is not complete, DO NOT USE
• Before getting on the scaffold check the tag to ensure it has been inspected that shift by a competent person.

Ladders are a vital part of our work, but present a major safety hazard when used improperly.   A poorly maintained or improperly used ladder may collapse under the load placed on it and cause the employee to fall.  Reasons for injuries while working from ladders include but are not limited to:  user wasn’t instructed on how to inspect the ladder, ladder involved broke during use, non-self supporting ladder wasn’t secured at top or bottom, ladder didn’t extend 3 feet above landing level, the ladder involved had more than one defect or ladder was used incorrectly.

Type of ladders include:  Stepladder – A self-supporting portable ladder that is non-adjustable in length.  They shall not be longer than 20 feet, shall be equipped with spreaders of sufficient size and strength to securely hold the front and back sections open, shall not be used as straight ladders.  Single Ladder – A non-self supporting portable ladder that is non-adjustable.  They shall not be more than 30 feet   Extension Ladder – A non-self supporting portable ladder adjustable in length.  They shall not be more than 60 feet

General Requirements:

• Ladders shall be placed with a secure footing on an even surface when possible.  If this is not possible they shall be secured at the top and bottom to prevent slipping.
• Ladders shall not be used on slippery surfaces or when hands, shoes or rungs are slippery.
• Ladders placed in any location where they can be displaced by workplace activities or traffic, such as passageways, doorways or driveways, shall be secured to prevent accidental displacement and/or barricades shall be used to keep the activities or traffic away from the ladder.
• Straight ladders must extend 3 feet above the landing level and be secured.  This provides a secure point of support when stepping off the ladder or landing level.
• The ladder shall be angled at a 4 to 1 ratio.  4 feet vertical to 1 foot horizontal. 
• Ladders shall not be used to extend the working height on a scaffold.
• The top step or top of a ladder or cross bracing shall not be used as a step.
• Three points of contact shall be maintained while climbing a ladder.
• Always face the ladder and keep yourself in the center of ladder.  Belt buckle between rails.
• Make sure surfaces are dry and free of slippery substances.
• Metal ladders shall never be used near electrical equipment.
• The area around the top and bottom of the ladder or stairway shall be kept clear of materials, debris, tools, etc.
• Ladders shall not be moved, shifted or extended while occupied.
• Do not twist your body while working from a ladder, adjust your ladders location instead to gain access to work area.
• Always use handrail when ascending or descending stairways.  When carrying materials keep a clear view of the path of travel.
• Do not carry objects, materials, tools or loads up a ladder.
• If a ladder is placed in an area where a fall could propel you over a handrail, 100% fall protection is required.  A rule of thumb 1 ft back from the guardrail for every step you are up on the ladder and then add 2 ft to the distance.

Inspections

Ladders shall be inspected before each use before each use for defects and at least quarterly by a competent person.  If it is found to be defective it shall be tagged out and removed from service.  The inspection should include:  checking rungs, braces and top for bends, splits, cracks or other defects, checking locks and guides to insure they are fully functional, checking all hardware items to insure they are functional, checking all metal components for excessive rust or corrosion, checking rivets to insure head and crimp are intact, checking bolts and nuts to insure they are tight and threads are not stripped, checking crimps and swages for looseness, cracking or other conditions, checking welds for cracks or damage, checking safety shoes to insure shoes and treads are in good condition, checking rope and pulley for damage, checking leveling devices for condition and proper operation and checking hooks, grips and lashes for condition and proper operation.

It is important for you to report all incidents, accidents and near misses immediately.  All near misses, first aids, property damage incidents and injuries should be reported immediately to your foreman.  Once the foreman is aware of the incident they should contact Trevor Atherton at 812-483-8049, Rick Jordan at 812-305-1801, Kent Kafka at 317-480-6252 or Gary Plummer at 618-708-3196 within 30 minutes.  Once the Safety Department has been notified the Area Manager should also be notified.  It is to the employee’s benefit if the employee reports these incidents immediately.   The employee can receive the medical care that is required to prevent increased severity of the injury and decrease pain and suffering. 

One example of this is an eye injury, if an employee feels like they have gotten something in their eye it needs to be reported immediately so they can get the appropriate first aid care to remove the debris.  This is an incident that if not taken care of immediately can cause more damage to the eye by the employee rubbing their eye or the debris becoming imbedded in the eye.  Another example would be lacerations that could become infected.  It is imperative that the laceration be cleaned out and antibiotics applied to prevent infection.  Another reason to report is that worker’s compensation requires the employee report the incident within the work shift that the injury occurs.  Also, when incidents and near misses are reported, procedures or policies can be put in place to keep employees from being injured in the future from the same types of incidents.  If incidents are not reported immediately, disciplinary action will be taken.  Report a slip or trip to the ground even if you don’t believe you are hurt, that way if you wake up the next morning with a bad back or swollen hand, it was reported on the day it happened. 

OSHA requires each contractor to use the OSHA 300 log to record each injury or illness during the year that meet the OSHA definition of a recordable, restricted duty, or lost time accident.  At the end of the year the employer is required to fill out the OSHA 300A log.  This log is required to be posted on each jobsite from February 1^st thru April 30^th of each year.  If OSHA conducts an inspection at your site during this time frame, and the log is not onsite, it results in an OSHA violation and a fine.  As long as you have this log in the back of your safety manual you will be covered.

Report all incidents to your foreman or safety department immediately!

Knives are a tool we use every day.  When used correctly they are a very valuable tool, but when used incorrectly they become a very serious hazard.  Up to one-third of all hand tool injuries occur while using utility knives and it only takes a second of inattention to become severely injured.  The following are a list of safety rules to prevent injuries when using a utility knife:

• Before beginning a task with a utility knife determine the correct blade for the task at hand by asking the following questions:  Is this the appropriate blade for the task?  What is the best type of blade edge for the task?  Is the handle of the knife large enough to have a secure grip?  Is the knife designed to reduce bending your wrist?
• Always cut away from you body if possible.  To prevent laceration to yourself or others. 
• Be aware of where the knife will go if it accidentally slips.  Keep your other hand and fingers above the blade when cutting.  That way if the blade slips it will not lacerate your hand.
• When not in use, store the knife with the blade retracted.  Do not leave a knife with the blade exposed on work surface, tool pouch or anywhere else.
• Stay focused on the task at hand.  Do not be distracted by others working or talking around you.
• Always use a sharp knife.  Sharper blades require less force and give you better control.  Some people think that a dull blade may be safer, but this is false.
• Always secure material on a solid surface before cutting.  Do not try to cut materials while you are holding them.
• Only use knives for their intended purpose, cutting, and use the right knife for the job.
• Extend the blade only as far as needed to cut through the material.  This will reduce the risk of breaking the blade.
• If you drop your knife do not try to catch it.  Let it come to a complete stop before picking up.
• Only hold the knife by the handle.
• Hand knives to others handle first, with the cutting edge away from you palm with the blade retracted.
• Never throw knives to other employees.
• Do not distract or startle someone who is using a knife.
• Never point a knife at another employee.
• Never chop or strike objects to try and cut them with a knife.
• Clean your knife regularly and periodically lubricate.
• Cut resistant or Kevlar gloves and safety glasses are required at all times while using utility knives.
• A safety straight edge should be used whenever possible to reduce the risk of lacerations while using a utility knife.