OSHA 10 HOUR OUTREACH – CONSTRUCTION
It started in February. . . the tectonic shudder of COVID-19. And the aftershocks continue. The meaning of Personal Safety has been reinvented, and now has become Personal Survival. Unlike many safety hazards, it’s hard to anticipate. Try putting together a JHA for it- how do you know when, and with whom, an invisible hazard will emerge?
For decades, the health care industry has assumed that infection-causing hazards are universally present. Thus, they implemented Universal Precautions, a strict regimen of preventative measures to arrest the spread of germs causing infection. Now we find, both in our personal life and in the world of workplace safety, we have to do the same thing.
Some states (i.e. Washington) have mandated such measures as a condition of returning to work. We’ve written many Policies and Procedures, complete with JHAs, to govern employee behavior so work can proceed. As we’ve done this, we’ve wondered if such thinking should pervade other aspects of safety management.
Why wouldn’t we take the same approach to say, Fall Protection, as we have with infection control? It’s tangible: Height of work combined with no fall protection will eventually turn catastrophic. Why don’t we consistently apply “Universal Precautions (Fall)”? Because supervisors and workers put speed, schedule, production, and other elements ahead of worker safety.
Lets change that. Let’s apply the lessons of COVID-19 to the way we implement safety at our workplaces and construction sites. Let’s pull out the stops and go the distance in preventing workplace incidents. Workplaces are controlled sites. . . certain behaviors can and should be expected before entry, like putting on a mask before going into a public place or an airplane. Given the stakes, given the risks, why wouldn’t we do everything possible to think “prevention?”
A recent site inspection showed up a common hazard in construction. Our concrete finisher is manually screeding a sidewalk pour as concrete is still dropping from the chute, and his face is less than 3′ away. You’re probably seeing what our inspector saw. An eye injury waiting to happen. When asked if his company required safety glasses, the worker replied “Yes. Mine are in the truck, though. They always fog up.”
Concrete, or more specifically, the cement in the concrete, is highly caustic, and the hazard is chemical burn. Is the excuse “my glasses fog up” good enough to risk loss of sight in one or both eyes? Maybe the next picture will answer that question.
Hopefully it's not something you'll ever experience. But if you do, there are strategies to minimize the impact. Click on the image for information from Oregon OSHA.
Workplace Violence. It sends shivers up the spine to think that, in the course of everyday work, we might be the object of violence- verbal, physical, and even the unthinkable. How does OSHA apply workplace safety rules to the matter of violence?
First, the General Duty Clause, the duty to provide a safe workplace for all employees, is very broad. Not every possible situation for unsafe conditions is defined. However, when OSHA begins to see trends, it begins to get interested in what steps employers are taking to protect their workers.
OSHA has identified several workplace environments that could fall under the General Duty Clause. According to DIRECTIVE NUMBER CPL O2-01-058, OSHA will respond to complaints of, or conduct programmed inspections “at worksites that are in industries with a high incidence of workplace violence (e.g. healthcare, social service settings, tax driving, late-night retail establishments, and corrections establishments).” Note this, however: “It is not intended to exclude other programmed inspections when workplace violence is identified as a hazard to employees and well-documented.” Further, the document includes in Section XI, Inspection Scheduling and Scope, that a programmed inspection can be conducted “where a reasonably foreseeable workplace violence hazard has been identified.”
And there’s the catch: Situations and individuals that have been shown to be susceptible to varying degrees of workplace violence need to looked at and addressed. For instance, public entities where the public is impacted by say, shut-off notices. Or, a financial institution where a customer’s account has either been suspended, or a transaction denied. And in construction, perhaps a subcontractor’s worker has been banned from the site by the General Contractor as part of it’s behavior policy.
SafetyMetix conducts training in the risk factors employers need to be aware of, and how to diffuse situations that could turn violent. It is one of our most asked-for trainings. Besides a wealth of public-domaiin information on the subject, our training gives hands-on real life examples of how to deal with this difficult topic. Call us to schedule training at your facility.
Among the myriad of rules/regulations/guidelines governing safety, one that’s not getting a lot of press lately is Lockout / Energy Control. Yet, it is the 5th most cited violation for the year ended 09/30/2019. Here’s a quick checklist to see if your company is healthy:
Lockout/Energy Control can get complicated. Further exacerbating the problem is when equipment is old, add-on circuits or piping has been installed, there are no engineering drawings, no as-builts. Recently SafetyMetix visited a number of schools, from recently renovated to ancient museums. How can procedures be documented? It’s painstaking, to be sure. How to eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Look for commonality in installs- write up simple procedures for those and get them into a catalogue. Then go down the line with more complicated systems with multiple energy sources and interlocks. Get those grouped and procedure written for those. Get them up on a database and keep them updated. Then you can do your annual certifications, if not in total, in a good-faith effort to be compliant. For further information see OSHA’s Fact Sheet.
There’s nothing like training to stay compliant with OSHA regulations. Recently, the City of Tillamook, Oregon engaged SafetyMetix trainers to bring the Public Works staff up to speed on operation of Genie knuckle-boom lifts. It was a great session, with the users now compliant with the requirements for operator training.
October 30, 2018
Hazard Communication – Why Are We Still Talking About It?
Because the standard still is misunderstood, misapplied, or not complied with at all. This, after the GHS alignment process more or less required a review of existing HazCom plans to integrate the new requirements. So here’s the quick-up. Our inspections show:
Solution: Call us. We have a sure-fire way to get compliant with HazCom. It’s simple, effective, and can work for you. (888) 53-SAFETY). SafetyMetix LLC- Compliance Experts.
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October 24, 2018
OSHA is still engaged in a Regional Emphasis Program (Region X, Pacific Northwest) for operation of cranes. It is a comprehensive inspection program that is intended to reduce the number of accidents due to human error. The directive empowers inspectors to conduct inspections “When a compliance officer observes or receives notice of a crane operation with suspected serious or imminent danger hazards (including non-formal complaints, other government agency referrals and reports from members of the public), the compliance officer shall document conditions as required by the FOM (Field Operations Manual)”. In at least one instance, a SafetyMetix client was visited by a CHSO because the crane boom was, in the judgement of the inspector, too close to a power line. This led to an inquiry whether there was a qualified rigger on the ground, and whether there was a director of lift operations on the site. Advisory letters were sent out to both the subcontractor who engaged the crane AND the general contractor.
Lesson Learned: Don’t fudge when it comes to crane operations. Know the rules and abide by them. Look for SafetyMetix’ Crane Safety Training coming up, to get both rigger and signalmen qualified for crane operations, as well as Lift Directors.
For the complete Regional Emphasis Program Directive for Cranes, click HERE.
October 8, 2018
SafetyMetix LLC welcomes attendees from Sierra Construction and Curt Faus Corporation to the October 8,9 OSHA 10 for Construction Training. It’s great to see the emphasis these companies are placing on safety and protection of employees. It’s the right thing to do, and returns big dividends in the long run.
August 13, 2018
Yet another successful OSHA 10 training was completed last week at the Associated Builders & Contractors center. Attending were personnel from Sierra Construction and Pioneer Pressure Washing, among others. Comments heard included “It was a great class,” and “I didn’t know what I didn’t know!” OSHA 10 outreach training is entirely voluntary, is a basic hazard awareness session with a few tidbits about OSHA and multi-employer workplaces thrown in. It’s fun, it’s interactive, and SafetyMetix trainers are quick to give credit to the attendees for shedding their shyness and jumping right in with both feet. Safety training, SafetyMetix style, focuses on retention- much like a First Aid class where “it’s there when you need it.” Thanks to everyone who was there, and thanks to ABC for their facility.
The next scheduled OSHA 10 is October 8 and 9 at ABC. for further information click HERE, and to register for this training click HERE.
07/25/2018
What’s trending:
Crane Safety
We’ve received reports that Washington Labor & Industries now requires that General Contractors provide Lift Directors for crane operations, in addition to whomever the subcontractor provides. Stay tuned. We’re on it.
Heat Illness Prevention
Indications are that Heat Illness prevention is high on regulators radar this year, due to the unusually high temps we’ve already experienced. Make sure you have a robust Heat Illness Prevention program in place for the safety of your workers. General Contractors take note: Under the General Duty clause, you may be held responsible for Heat Illness prevention for all of your subcontractors. Make sure they have plenty of Rest, Water, and Shade.
Recordkeeping
If there’s anything that is at least equally important as training, it’s keeping records that it was done. Always keep a roster of trainings, complete with worker names and signatures, to verify that the training was actually done. If you hold toolbox meetings, make sure everyone signs the roster. When it comes time to defend against a citation, your training records are your best friend.
06/21/2018
Our latest newsletter highlighting safety motivation is available! Also, some great information on how the new silica standard is being enforced. Click here: June 2018 SafetyMetix Safety News and Updates
6/19/2018 We are delighted to thank the professionals at Bremik Construction for the opportunity to be an ongoing part of their team! Today’s Excavation Briefing was a smash and we look forward to continuing the team effort. Thanks to Oregon OSHA and their CSHO Tim Marcum for the great video showing the trench collapse that fortunately ended in the near-miss category instead of a recovery. Training, training, training! Video link: TrenchNearMiss.
6/10/2018 Watch for schedule of OSHA 10 Construction Outreach Training coming to Portland, Bend, and Seattle! SafetyMetix, LLC is expanding! Going to where the action is- covering the Northwest with quality, exciting, and motivational safety training, starting in August!
5/21/2018
There’s a BIG change coming in the requirements for operators of Aerial Work Platforms. Many of the changes revolve around competent safety training. Equipment rental agencies were the first to alert us to this, and NOW is the time to look at the changes. First off, Aerial Work Platforms (Extensible Boom, Knuckle Boom and Scissor Lifts) will now be called Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs). In summary, the new standards will require:
General Contractors who are considered “Creating and Controlling Employers” under OSHA’s multi-employer inspection/citation policy may be required to collect operator / worker training data to establish due diligence in assuring compliance with this standard. Stay tuned. . . we’re all in for a ride. Of course, SafetyMetix LLC is standing ready to assist wherever necessary to keep your workers safe.
5/21/2018
Why do employers continue to be the object of OHSA inspections? It’s because employees do things like this:
Now, how many times have we heard that workers cannot use the x-bracing to climb on? Well, this was seen just recently on an adjacent jobsite to one we were inspecting, and it’s just so apparent there was no supervision or consequence to this unsafe act. So much of the time it’s not about the rules . . . everyone knows the rules. It’s about safety motivation. It’s about the willingness someone has to own their responsibility. SafetyMetix trainers help supervisors get to that point, where they can get workers’ buy-in without the so-prevalent “Or Else.” For more information about our train-the-supervisor training, call us at (888) 53-SAFETY.
02/09/2018
SAFETYMETIX LLC CHOSEN TO PROVIDE COMPETENT PERSON FALL PROTECTION TRAINING
Falls continue to be the #1 reason for fatalities in the construction industry. To counter this disturbing trend, Abbott Construction has chosen SafetyMetix LLC to provide Competent Person training in the Portland, Oregon operation. This is a significant initiative on the part of Abbott, whose constant emphasis on construction safety has earned them a well-deserved reputation for strict compliance and virtually zero incidents . We are honored to be selected to provide this training.
12/18/2017
There are many times when those of us in the professional safety business hang our heads and wonder “WHY?” Today is one of those days. According to the news reports, Amtrak Cascades train 501 left Seattle headed for our home town of Portland, Oregon with 77 passengers and 5 crew members. It was supposed to be routine. A new route had been built, and this was the its first run. Then tragedy stuck it’s nasty finger into the pie and the train derailed. Now 6 people are dead. Countless numbers are hurt, and responders still can’t get to everyone due to the precarious position some of the train cars are in, hanging over the I-5 freeway.
My heart is broken. For the passengers and their families, whose lives have been changed forever.. For the first responders, too. For the thousands on the freeway whose lives were impacted. For those of us who love rail travel. And most of all, my heart is broken for God, who sees this world and the tragedies in their entirety. His hand is not short, and ultimately he will fix this world, but there is so much grief, so much sadness, and it comes in wave after wave after wave. How much can people really endure?
And that’s what makes what we do in promoting and educating and training and repeating the need for workplace safety so important. Hopefully by our efforts someone’s life can be saved or someone’s family spared the grief of dealing with a life-altering disability. We’ve been there and the heartbreak is both disabling for us, yet motivating to do what we can to prevent it.
The news about the causes, the end results, and the aftermath from this tragedy is yet to come. It will be spun and re-spun, and blame will be placed and people will talk hollowly about “closure.” There is no closure. Let us not forget the value of human life, the necessity of protecting it, and the dire consequences when we fail. Above all, let us be kind to each other. Think of our blessings and the undeserved kindness of our Creator. He can, and will, in his due time, fix what is wrong and make it all better.
Steve Fowler – Principal
05/25/2017
Fall Protection. Is it real? Or is it imagined? Sometimes employers imagine their workers have fall protection when in reality…. Not so much. Fall protection is as much a mind set as it is hardware. Simply said- all the fall protection in the world won’t work if workers fail to use it. It’s not just Personal Fall Arrrest Systems, either. It’s recognizing fall hazards BEFORE figuring out what protection to use. Yup, it’s that 15-second analysis. That 15 seconds can be the life saver.
05/05/2017
The old adage is: If it isn’t documented, it didn’t happen. Safety training, as important as it is, can be a waste of time if it isn’t documented. When training is done, make sure the documentation has the following: 1) The training topic. 2) Trainer’s name & brief credentials. 3). Brief summary of training syllabus and copies of any handouts. 4) Attendee names printed and then a signature line. Keep these records in one central place- NOT in the personnel files. Contact SafetyMetix LLC for some ideas on file construction to make it EASY to find training records.
04/27/2017
CSI Construction sponsored a training on forklift and scissor lift operation at their jobsite in Salem, Oregon. Operator updates required on forklifts every 3 years. SafetyMetix trainers know forklifts! All-terrain, reach, electric- we know them all! Call us for your update training now!
04/23.2017
You need help with your safety program. Who will you call? There’s safety consultants all over the internet. Yeah, but WHO is going to get your people fired up and concentrating on safety? Who is going to do more than just hand you inspection sheets and tell you to “have a good day?” SafetyMetix, that’s who. We are skilled safety trainers who can get your safety train moving. We specialize in small business safety training and can get your people ENGAGED!
4/7/2017
Training, training, training. Safety training cannot be overstated. SafetyMetix is a TRAINING ORGANIZATION. Our listing of trainings : For a really good document on the required training in the State of Oregon, click HERE. Contact us when you need professional, effective, and enjoyable training at your business.
4/4/201
What do we know about forklift training? Lots! In fact, to comply with OSHA’s forklift training standard, we do a ton of forklift safety training. The thing is, OSHA regulations require that evaluations of operator competency must be done wherever the operator is going to be using the lift. So while classroom training is great, and demonstrations using forklifts are great, and written competency tests are great, the real test of forklift operator safety is at the worksite where they will be using the equipment. Only then can they be certified by their employer has being trained and competent.
For a copy of Oregon OSHA’s Fact Sheet on operating forklifts, click HERE. In the meantime….. be very careful about who you let operate your equipment. Most forklift accidents involve run-over of pedestrians, and you probably don’t want to contemplate the legal issues that would create in your workplace.
For training information, safety consulting in Portland and the Western States, call us at (503) 310-8491.
04/01/2017
A large general contractor with offices in Washington, Oregon and California has engaged SafetyMetix LLC to assist in developing an in-house safety training program for superintendents, foreman, project managers and project engineers. The program will be adapted from their Accident Prevention Program and will be designed with presentations, PowerPoint, Multimedia, videos, object lesson demonstrations, and other up-to-date training activities. For information on how this can be done for your organization, call SafetyMetix LLC at (503) 310-8491.
3/30/2017
ACCIDENT PREVENTION PROGRAMS REQUIRED
State of Washington requires Accident Prevention Programs on all construction sites. To meet that requirement, call us for a free consultation about your needs. (503) 310-8491.
3/30/2017
OSHA 10 Outreach Safety Awareness Trainings Scheduled for May & July 2017
Dates are Monday, May 15 (all day) and Tuesday, May 16 (1/2 day) at the Broadmoor Golf Club Clubhouse, 3509 N Columbia Blvd. Portland, OR. Seating limited to 12, so call (503) 310-8491 to reserve your spot.
Next dates: August 7, 8 2017. Registrations open by calling (503) 310-8491.
03/18/2017
How Often Are Your Construction Sites Inspected?
GCs, take special note. The Construction Safety Standards for Oregon and Washington require “frequent and regular inspections” of construction sites (1926.20(b)(3)), The State of Washington mandates these inspections be done WEEKLY (WAC 296-155-110(9)). Such inspections must be documented and made part of the site Accident Prevention Program. For assistance in establishing this routine, call us at (503) 310-8491
03/17/2017
Remember Safety Break is Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Oregon OSHA’s 14th Annual Safety Break is coming up, and is a great event to celebrate safety among Oregon employers. For more information, click here. If your group needs ideas or assistance putting Safety Break events together, call us at (503) 310-8491.
03/16/2017
SafetyMetix Trainers Ramp Up for OSHA 30
Another engagement with a Portland-based general contractor to provide OSHA 30 hour safety training is on the books. 30 hour training is expanded hazard awareness training that can point to job-specific safety training in the field. Utilizing the latest information and training techniques, Steve and Elias will tag-team this training over 9 weeks starting April 1. This is an employer sponsored 30-hour at their location. Watch for open enrollment opportunities on oshatrainers.org. and on this website.
3/8/2017
How’s Your Company’s DOT Compliance?
If your company has any vehicles with GVWs over 10,001 lbs, and you’re driving between Oregon and Washington, be advised you need to be DOT compliant. Let us help you sort through the tangle pile that is commercial vehicles and commercial drivers. Call us for help!
03/01/2017
Team SafetyMetix to Participate in Regional GC Training
Stephen Fowler, Principal and Sr. Safety Consultant, will be part of a task force assembled by a large Seattle-based general contractor to prepare and train an internal safety training program. The contractor has offices in Seattle, Portland, and Southern California, and places utmost emphasis on worker and subcontractor safety, as well as strict compliance with state regulations for safety. Complicating this process are three states with varying levels of compliance standards, which the task force is assigned to unify to the highest standard possible. Stephen’s expertise in the regulations of all three states will prove to be a valuable asset to the client as they strive for zero incident workmanship.