Navigating the New OSHA Regulations Coming in 2024

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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is set to implement new regulations in 2024 that will impact numerous industries, including construction. Understanding these changes is crucial for businesses to maintain compliance while ensuring worker safety. Construction Safety Experts, located in Raleigh, North Carolina, is at the forefront of helping companies navigate these updates effectively.

Key Updates in the 2024 OSHA Regulations

Focus on key updates to comply with the new 2024 OSHA regulations.

Increased Focus on Health Hazards

OSHA emphasizes managing health hazards in the workplace, including airborne contaminants and chemical safety. Companies will need to enhance their hazard communication programs and check their safety data sheets and labels for accuracy.

Enhanced Training Requirements

The new regulations require more comprehensive training programs tailored to each job’s specific risks. This includes increased training on new technologies and equipment being integrated into the workforce.

Stricter Record-Keeping and Reporting

OSHA is tightening its record-keeping requirements to ensure more accurate tracking of workplace injuries and illnesses. Companies will need to streamline their processes to comply with evolving reporting standards.

Technological Integration

With the rise of digital tools in safety management, OSHA is encouraging the use of technology to improve safety outcomes. This includes the use of mobile apps and online platforms for training and compliance documentation.

Focus on Mental Health

OSHA is incorporating guidelines to raise awareness about the importance of mental health in the workplace. New rules encourage employers to provide resources and support for workers experiencing mental health challenges.

Strategies for Compliance

How can your construction business comply with new OSHA standards? While every company has slightly unique needs, the following options should put you in compliance.

Early Adoption

One of the best strategies for navigating new OSHA regulations is to adopt changes early. Start integrating new policies and training programs now to ensure a smooth transition when the regulations officially take effect.

Leverage Technology

Use technological solutions to manage training, documentation, and compliance. Digital tools can help streamline processes and ensure accuracy in your record-keeping and reporting.

Continuous Training

Develop ongoing training programs to keep your team updated on the latest safety practices and regulatory requirements. Doing so helps with compliance and enhances your organization’s safety culture.

Consult Experts

When in doubt, consult safety experts who can provide clarity and direction. Experts can offer insights into best practices and help tailor your safety programs to meet the new requirements.

Construction Safety Experts: Your Partner in Compliance

At Construction Safety Experts, we specialize in top-tier construction safety training and consulting services. Our team is well-versed in the latest OSHA regulations and can help your organization navigate the changes without disrupting operations. We offer customized training that addresses the specific needs of your workforce and ensures everyone knows the latest safety standards.

Prepare for New OSHA Standards

Navigating new OSHA regulations requires a proactive approach and a commitment to safety. If you are looking for guidance or training to prepare for the 2024 OSHA updates, Construction Safety Experts is here to help.

Reach out to us at (919) 463-0669 for world-class construction safety training and consulting services. Our integrated approach ensures that your team is ready to meet new challenges, ensuring productivity and safety in all your construction projects. Let us help you foster a culture of safety that complies with OSHA regulations and protects your workforce from avoidable dangers.

Ensuring Welding Safety in the Industrial Workplace

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Welding is an integral part of the manufacturing and construction industry. But beneath the sparks, there’s a considerable risk of danger, which warrants the utmost attention to safety protocols for welders and all those who share their workspaces. Whether you’re already familiar with the fundamentals or are just starting, a comprehensive review of welding safety is crucial. This article will explore the essential measures to ensure the well-being of all industrial workers engaged in the welding process. 

Understanding Welding Safety

Welding safety encompasses a set of practices and procedures designed to protect workers from the hazards associated with using welding equipment. These hazards are many, and they can be categorized in several ways, including those relating to electric shock, arc radiation, and inhaling toxic fumes. It’s not just the immediate risks but also the long-term health effects, such as cancer, nervous system complications, and lung irritants, that require our attention.

Definitions and Key Safety Measures

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) define specific safety measures for welding. These include using the correct welding equipment, employing trained personnel, and enforcing a protocol for critical situations. Understanding these measures is the first step in establishing a safe welding environment.

Common Hazards in Welding

Knowing the hazards is half the battle. Welding processes can produce a myriad of dangers, from the obvious risks of burns and eye injuries to those less apparent, like exposure to infrared and ultraviolet radiation, which can seriously damage the eyes and skin. Furthermore, the toxic vapors and gases generated by welding can cause significant harm when inhaled.

Safety Equipment and Precautions

Welding safety hinges on using the proper equipment and taking precautionary measures to safeguard against potential dangers. 

Personal Protective Gear

The cornerstone of welding safety starts with the welder’s personal protective equipment (PPE). This includes a welding helmet or hand shield fitted with a filter shade, along with safety glasses with side shields and protective clothing that is flame-resistant and helps to repel sparks and slag. The right attire can be the difference between a productive shift and a trip to the emergency room.

Ventilation and Fire Prevention

Proper ventilation in a welding workspace is one of the primary protections against harmful fumes. It’s essential to have a system that prevents a buildup of dangerous gases and keeps the air clean. Additionally, fire safety measures like having fire extinguishers ready and a protocol for combustible materials can avert a potential disaster.

Best Practices for Welding Safety

It’s not enough to have protective equipment and know the hazards. Applying best practices in welding safety involves executing a continuous safety plan that is integrated into the work process itself.

Training and Certifications

All welders should undergo comprehensive training and receive certification. Awareness and knowledge of the risks and how to mitigate them are essential. Continuous learning and updates keep information fresh and workers safe.

Regular Inspections and Maintenance

Just as critical is the regular maintenance and inspection of all welding equipment. Loose connections, frayed cords, and other equipment malfunctions can quickly turn a safe environment into a hazardous situation. A routine check can prevent accidents before they happen.

Workplace Security Experts in Raleigh

Welding safety is not a one-size-fits-all regimen. It requires constant vigilance, adaptability, and a proactive approach to eliminate hazards and protect the workforce. By understanding the significant risks, the preventive steps needed to mitigate them, and embedding a culture of safety in every workday, we ensure that your welding operations are not marred by preventable incidents. 

If you need additional guidance or training, Construction Safety Experts offer world-class construction safety training and consulting. Reach out to us at (919) 463-0669! Our integrated safety training and consulting services will assure your teams have what they need to work productively and safely.

Understanding the Risks of Confined Spaces

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Working in confined spaces can be significantly risky without the right knowledge and preparedness. In the construction and industrial maintenance world, understanding these risks and knowing how to navigate them with practical training methods can be the difference between life and death.

Why Confined Space Training is Critical

Confined spaces can be dangerous in ways that may not be present in more open environments. These hazards can include toxic atmospheres, oxygen deficiency, fires, entrapment, and difficulty in emergency response. With the proper training, workers can be protected from these risks, ensuring personal safety and compliance with safety regulations.

What is Confined Space Training?

Confined space training equips individuals with the skills and knowledge to work in confined spaces safely. This includes understanding what constitutes a confined space, identifying the potential hazards, and learning the best practices for entering, working in, and exiting these areas.

Key components of training often cover topics such as:

  • Assessing and managing risks associated with confined spaces
  • The use of specialized equipment for safe entry and exit
  • Emergency response planning and first aid
  • Proper communication protocols
  • Roles and responsibilities of the confined space team

The Core Benefits of Confined Space Training

The benefits of comprehensive training extend beyond mere compliance. By making sure your team is properly trained, you can benefit from:

  1. Improved Safety: Knowledgeable workers make smarter decisions, reducing the likelihood of accidents.
  2. Enhanced Productivity: Workers who feel safe can focus on the task at hand, improving efficiency.
  3. Reduced Liability: By adhering to regulatory standards, businesses can avoid costly fines and legal consequences.
  4. Better Emergency Preparedness: Training helps teams respond effectively to emergencies, potentially saving lives.

Creating a Culture of Safety

Building a culture that prioritizes workplace safety can have deep implications for small businesses and construction businesses. This doesn’t only apply to large companies; small businesses must also invest in workplace safety training. Confined space training is a key element of this, especially as workers may have fewer resources than larger corporations.

By making safety training, including confined space awareness, a cornerstone of your operational policies, you embed the value of safety within every layer of your organization.

Integrating Training into Your Safety Program

Effective confined space training should be ongoing, not a one-time event. It should include:

  • Regularly scheduled refresher courses
  • Hands-on simulations and drills
  • Periodic evaluations of safety practices
  • Open forums for feedback on safety protocols

Prepare Your Team With Confined Space Training

For those in construction and related fields, confined space training isn’t just a legal requirement – it’s a moral imperative. Taking proactive steps to mitigate risks through specialized training is a testament to the value you place on every employee’s life and well-being. Investing in the right training is not just good business; it’s a crucial responsibility every safety-conscious organization must undertake.

For more resources and training options on cultivating an informed safety approach in confined spaces, contact Construction Safety Experts. Our safety trainers can help you design the right training program to keep your team safe in any confined space scenario. Call us at (919) 463-0669 or visit our website to get started.

Why Effective Safety Training in the Construction Industry Is So Important

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Ensuring the safety of workers is of extreme importance for the construction industry. Employers should prioritize safety training to mitigate potential risks. Here, we’ll outline how training your workers offers both the workers and the business are critical factors to consider, along with the overall importance of safety training.

Why Do You Need To Train Your Workers?

Investing in effective safety training demonstrates genuine concern for your workers’ safety and well-being while also valuing their contributions. This fosters a sense of belonging and inspires employees to go above and beyond. Maintaining a positive safety culture is vital on construction sites and achieved through effective safety training.

Why is Effective Safety Training So Necessary?

By implementing effective safety training, the workplace becomes safer. This training assists employees in comprehending the associated risks related to tasks, equipment, or the environment. Moreover, they learn essential safety practices, including the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe handling of tools and equipment, and reporting damage, accidents, and near misses. As a direct outcome of these measures, accidents at the construction site can be notably reduced.

Effective safety training not only increases efficiency but also standardizes work practices, reducing time spent on uncertainty and minimizing poor decision-making. Also, proper cleaning and maintenance training can extend the service life of tools, equipment, and PPE, reducing downtime for repairs and replacements. This ultimately saves the business money on replacement parts and installation costs.

Legal compliance is another reason why effective safety training is important. Employers have a duty to provide meticulous information, instruction, training, and supervision. Failure to provide proper safety training can lead to increased prosecution if an accident or incident occurs. Ensuring that workers, contractors, and visitors are fully aware of the risks they may face and how to work safely helps keep the business legally compliant.

Benefits of Effective Safety Training

Effective safety training offers numerous benefits to both workers and businesses. Not only does it minimize the occurrence of accidents and incidents, thus ensuring the safety of workers and saving companies money in the long run, but it also enhances worker engagement and productivity by fostering a secure work environment.

Effective safety training also plays a pivotal role in shaping the reputation of a business within the community. Businesses with commendable safety records are more likely to attract clients and seize additional business opportunities.

Construction Safety Training Experts

Effective safety training is crucial in the construction industry. It offers numerous benefits for workers and businesses, including enhanced safety, efficiency, legal compliance, and reputation. As an employer, investing in safety training demonstrates your care for your workers and your appreciation for their contribution, fostering a positive safety culture on the construction site.

Do you need assistance from an accredited safety coordinator to design construction safety training programs for your employees? Get in touch with Construction Safety Experts today! Call us at (919) 463-0669 or visit our website to get started.

5 Steps to Improve Construction Safety: How to Use Job Hazard Analysis

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Construction sites can be risky places to work in, with numerous hazards that must be identified and reduced. Job hazard analysis (JHA) is a powerful method for achieving this. It involves predicting potential risks and taking preventive measures to enhance safety in the construction industry. Below, we outline steps on how you can use JHA to improve construction safety:

Step 1: Prioritize Jobs that Need a JHA

First and foremost, you need to identify the jobs you want to create a JHA for and prioritize which ones to tackle initially. In setting these priorities, consider factors such as high accident rates, potential for serious injuries, and frequency of job occurrence. It’s essential to first address jobs with a high potential hazard risk, followed by jobs performed infrequently.

Step 2: Breakdown the Jobs into Individual Tasks

Once you’ve decided which jobs to focus on, let’s break down each into individual sequential tasks. This will help supervisors or safety managers make detailed notes of every step, emphasizing what’s being done. Capturing a video of the worker performing the job can also help ensure that no step in the process is overlooked.

Step 3: Identify Potential Hazards

The next step is to identify all the potential hazards for each task. It’s crucial to ensure that workers are familiar with the job at this stage, as they might already know some potential hazards. Remember, we want to identify not only the hazards we observed but also any potential ones. That’s why it’s important to encourage workers to share their ideas and contribute to this process.

Step 4: Use OSHA Questions

To identify potential hazards, OSHA recommends asking these critical questions:

  • What could go wrong?
  • What are the consequences?
  • How could it happen?
  • What other contributing factors are there?
  • And how likely is the hazard to occur?

You should also consider hazards from working at elevated heights, using specific tools and equipment, and changes in weather conditions.

Step 5: Take Preventive Measures

The final step is to take proactive measures to reduce any potential risks we’ve identified earlier. One way to do this is to apply engineering and administrative controls and provide personal protective equipment (PPE). Training workers on safety procedures and ensuring proper usage of PPE can significantly contribute to risk mitigation.

Reduce Any Potential Risks In Your Workplace

JHA is a systematic process that predicts, identifies, and minimizes potential risks in construction. Prioritize tasks and break them down. Identify hazards, use OSHA questions, and take preventive measures to make construction sites safer. Implementing JHA helps protect workers, save costs from injuries, and improve the bottom line.

If you need help designing safety measures for your workplace or implementing job hazard analysis, contact Construction Safety Experts! Safety should always be a top priority in the construction industry. If you want to reduce potential risks on your construction site, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance. Call us at (919) 463-0669 or visit our website to get started.

State OSHA Requirements You Need To Keep In Mind

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When we think about workplace safety, we usually think about the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations that exist to protect workers. However, did you know that each state can have its own unique OSHA standards on top of the federal ones? If you’re not careful, you could be non-compliant in one state while following all regulations in another. Here’s what you need to know about to avoid being caught off guard.

North Carolina

In North Carolina, firms employing more than 11 workers and with an experience rate modifier of 1.5 or above are mandated to have an employee safety and health committee on their premises. This requirement, outlined in 13 NCAC 07A .0601 (b), is specific to North Carolina; interestingly, there are no requirements for workplace safety committees in Federal OSHA.

Kentucky

Kentucky employees engaged in residential construction activities need to stay protected by safety net systems, personal fall arrest systems, guardrail systems, or any other measure provided in that section when working ten (10) or more feet above a lower level near unprotected sides and edges, leading edges, on formwork and reinforcing steel, a hoist area,  or working on roof slopes three (3) in twelve (12) or less.

Washington

In Washington, any four (4) feet excavation or deeper requires a protective system such as shoring, trench box, sloping, or benching. It’s important to highlight that the threshold for this requirement in the Federal OSHA excavation safety rule (as well as most other state regulations) is at five (5) feet.

Utah

To ensure employee safety, Utah mandates the use of approved safety harnesses that are securely tied above the material level before entering any storage that contains any material that could run or cave. Federal OSHA doesn’t have a standard for this specific situation (but they do have a general confined space entry standard).

Arizona

In Arizona, employers must comply with ADOSH regulations concerning the use of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) piping. Unlike federal OSHA, Arizona prohibits the use of PVC for above-ground installations, specifically for transportation or distribution of compressed air or gasses.

California

California’s Cal-OSHA regulations have an interesting requirement for their steel erection standard. While Federal OSHA regulations demand connectors to use a fall-arrest system when exposed to falls higher than two stories or 30 feet, California allows connectors to “coon” (straddle) the beam. This means they can move between work points or loosen slings at fall distances greater than 30 feet or two stories, while walking with their feet on the lower flanges and sliding their hands across the top flanges.

New Mexico

In New Mexico, the use of a hoe, knife, or fork less than four feet in length for weeding and thinning crops is prohibited. This requirement is not found in Federal OSHA regulations. While this rule may sound peculiar, it’s still needed to follow all state-level regulations to avoid penalties.

Michigan

Employers in Michigan working with aerial lift operators must issue their operators with specific permits for the type of lift they use. These permits are only valid while performing work for the issuing employer and expire after three years, after which they must be re-issued. 

Minnesota

In Minnesota, all affected workers must undergo annual Refresher Hazard communication training. This is unlike Federal OSHA’s Hazcom standard, which doesn’t have an annual refresher training requirement.

Louisiana

According to Louisiana’s regulations, scaffolding must be tagged with a minimum of two tags. One tag is designated by the site foreman, while the other is marked with a sign or color indicating when it should be moved or dismantled.

Tennessee

In Tennessee, employers should maintain written records of hazard communication training conducted for their employees as part of the OSHA Rollout training. The Federal Haz-Com standard doesn’t have a specific documentation requirement for employee training.

Nevada

Nevada’s OSHA program mandates that anyone performing physical work on a construction site must complete an OSHA 10-hour construction course. Supervisors at construction sites, on the other hand, must complete the OSHA 30-hour construction course. Remember, these courses must be retaken every five years, as they are mandatory in Nevada but voluntary under Federal OSHA regulations.

Stay Informed and Compliant of Your State’s OSHA Regulations

Staying up-to-date with both Federal and state OSHA regulations is a must if you wish to avoid any legal or safety hazards. Non-compliance with state-specific safety rules can lead to potential business closure, litigation, unnecessary expenses, or possible injuries at the workplace. So, while you might be following all federal rules, ensure that your business complies with all of your state’s OSHA regulations.

For this reason, it’s always wise to consult with a professional who keeps up with the latest safety requirements to ensure that your business meets or exceeds them every time. If you need help with OSHA compliance or other safety measures for your business, don’t hesitate to contact Construction Safety Experts! Call us at (919) 463-0669 or visit our website to get started.

Unseen Dangers: Proper Fitting and Usage of Fall Arrest Harnesses

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Fall protection systems are indispensable when performing construction work. Among these systems, fall arrest harnesses are vital in keeping workers safe from fatal falls. However, it’s important to note that improperly wearing a fall arrest harness can lead to hidden hazards and serious injuries, or worse. That’s why learning how to fit and wear a fall arrest harness is essential, ensuring a safe and accident-free job site.

The Dos and Don’ts of Wearing a Fall Arrest Harness

Knowing the dos and don’ts when wearing a fall arrest harness is vital to ensure your safety. When wearing a fall arrest harness, you must:

  • Ensure proper fitting of the harness for every worker on the site.
  • Secure loose ends and loops to avoid any entanglement with machinery.
  • Opt for a jacket with a dorsal ring slot to prevent interference with the energy-absorbing element attached to the D-ring.
  • Train workers on post-fall procedures when suspended in a harness.

However, there are things you should avoid:

  • Never assume that one harness brand or type will fit all workers.
  • Avoid any modifications or alterations to the harness, as they can compromise its structural integrity.
  • Always have a rescue plan in place when using a fall arrest system to prevent potential fatalities caused by suspension trauma.

Stay safe and follow these guidelines to make the most of your fall arrest harness.

How To Fit a Fall Arrest Harness

Ensuring worker safety in the construction industry involves a critical aspect: fitting a fall arrest harness. Here’s a step-by-step guide to properly fitting a harness and keeping things engaging:

  1. Pick up the harness by the rear attachment point, holding it by the dorsal plate. Give it a good shake to ensure the straps are loose and untangled.
  2. Put on the harness just like you would with a jacket. Ensure the leg straps are hanging down ready to be fastened around your legs.
  3. Tighten the leg straps for a snug, comfortable fit. There is no need to restrict yourself but ensure a secure feeling.
  4. Fasten the chest strap across your chest. Keep it at the right level—neither too low towards your stomach nor too high towards your throat.
  5. Take a moment to adjust the straps until you achieve a snug fit. Remember, the goal is to feel comfortable and unrestricted in your movements.
  6. Finally, tuck the strap retainers in to hide any loose ends, giving your harness a tidy appearance.

By following these steps, you’ll be well-equipped to ensure safety while maintaining an engaging fitting process.

Why Fitting a Fall Arrest Harness Properly Matters

A properly fitted harness enhances protection and minimizes the risk of harm during a fall. However, when a harness is poorly fitted or uncomfortable, workers may be tempted to modify or leave it behind, increasing the likelihood of accidents. Most manufacturers agree that modifications compromise the effectiveness of the harness when worn. Therefore, you need to prioritize the correct fit and comfort of the harness to mitigate potential hazards and safeguard workers.

The Importance of Fall Arrest Harness Training

Working at different heights requires proper training for individuals, especially those in the construction industry. This training should cover the fitting and wearing of a fall arrest harness, including a demonstration of picking up the harness, putting it on, and properly adjusting the straps for a secure fit. Additionally, workers must be aware of inspecting the harness for any damage and understanding the dos and don’ts of wearing it. Equally important is knowing what actions to take after a fall while suspended in the harness.

Ensuring Safety in Construction

Preventing accidents and injuries, especially when working at heights, requires properly fitting and wearing a fall arrest harness. By following the dos and don’ts, understanding the importance of correct harness fitting, and receiving comprehensive training in the use of personal protective equipment, workers can ensure their safety on the job site.

Hidden hazards can pose severe risks in the construction industry, leading to serious injuries or fatalities. That’s why receiving proper training and establishing effective safety protocols is crucial. Our team at Construction Safety Experts is here to help. Contact us today through our website or call (919) 463-0669 to discuss safety training and protocols designed specifically for your business.

Keeping Your Workers Safe: How to Manage Chemical Hazards in the Workplace

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Risk management is a top priority for any business that handles hazardous chemicals and substances. Unfortunately, it’s also a complex process that requires a deep understanding of safety protocols, regulations, and the inherent dangers of these materials.

Complete a Chemical Risk Assessment

The first step in managing chemical hazards is to conduct a chemical risk assessment. A risk assessment aims to identify the types of chemical hazards at the workplace, identify the safety effects wrought by their exposure, measure the extent of exposure, and assign hazard characterization. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) provide all the necessary information for a complete chemical risk assessment.

Hierarchy of Controls

Once you have completed a chemical risk assessment, the next step is to use the hierarchy of controls. The hierarchy of controls protects workers from chemicals and toxic substances that stresses physical removal of hazards wherever feasible.

Engineering controls sit at the top of the hierarchy and include such measures as installing correct general ventilation and local exhaust ventilation, automating processes to remove operator exposure, enclosure processes to reduce the area of exposure, eliminating sources of ignition from the site, and building a chemical storage system based on inventory storage requirements.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Personal protective equipment is the final line of defense in protecting workers who cannot avoid hazardous chemical exposures. It offers front-line protection to workers when used correctly and when workers are trained to use them to handle the chemical. PPE includes overalls and aprons, gloves, chemical-resistant glasses, respiratory protection, and properly-fitted respirators. The PPE must be appropriate for the chemical hazard, and the SDS should include the minimum PPE required for safe handling. Ensure the inspection of all PPE before and after use, and in the event of an incident, remember to treat or replace PPE as needed.

Elimination vs. Substitution

Eliminating hazardous chemicals that aren’t necessary at the workplace is the most effective way to manage chemical hazards. However, elimination is only sometimes simple, so substitution can be considered. Substitution replaces a hazardous material with another less hazardous one. However, it’s crucial to ensure you don’t swap one high-risk hazard for another with lesser-known effects. Implement a change by running a Change Risk Assessment template to understand the potential impact of swapping hazardous chemicals or toxic substances.

Administrative Controls

Administrative controls are supplementary measures that mitigate the impact of chemical hazards in case all other controls fail.

Some examples include creating a written chemical safety program that includes handling procedures, training requirements, etc., reducing chemical inventory to store only the quantities needed, ensuring quick disposal of spent hazardous chemicals, marketing and labeling all containers with chemical names, manufacturer’s name and contact info, and potential hazards associated, exceeding the minimum OSHA chemical training requirements and reducing the number of employees on-site to be exposed to chemicals.

Safety Protocols to Prevent Risk

Proper management of chemical hazards is crucial in ensuring workplace safety. You can achieve this by completing a chemical risk assessment, using the hierarchy of controls to manage chemicals and toxic substances, using personal protective equipment as the final line of defense, eliminating or substituting hazardous chemicals, and implementing administrative controls as supplementary measures.

Failure to manage chemical hazards poses a significant risk to workers, visitors, and the local community. If you need assistance setting-up appropriate workplace safety protocols, contact Construction Safety Experts today at (919) 463-0669, and we’ll help you design a safer working environment.

How Can a Safety Expert Witness Help You Create a Protective System for Trench Safety?

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On any construction site, the risk of injury is higher than in most other industries. Trenching and excavation have various safety and environmental hazards, including sudden collapse. Those incidents can result in catastrophic injuries.

Dangers of Trenches Without a Safety Expert Witness

One cubic yard of soil weighs about the same as a vehicle. Crush injuries and asphyxiation can happen quickly if the sides of a trench cave in. However, trench accidents are preventable. Accidents can completely alter a person’s life or result in the loss of life and damage your overall company. Frequent worker injuries can affect workplace morale and cause other workers to question the safety of your business.

Safety Systems Required

OSHA does set standards for excavation, warning companies to err on the side of caution. You should always have a competent person, like a safety expert witness, to determine your need for cave-in protection.

When working underground, you should always:

  • Contact the underground notification center
  • Identify if the excavation is less than five feet deep
  • Mark utilities before construction
  • Identify if the trench is in stable rock

If you have an excavation more than 20 feet deep, you need to have a protective system designed by an engineer.

Protective System Factors

Your protective system will depend on various factors. First, you’ll have to take soil classification into account. Soil can be classified into four basic types:

  • Stable rock
  • Type A: Clay, silty clay, clay lam, sandy clay
  • Type B: silt, silt loam, crushed rock, sandy loam
  • Type C: granular spoil, submerged rock, submerged soil

Stable rock is a solid material that you can excavate with intact vertical sides. In contrast, Type C soils are unstable and may be in a sloped, layered system where the layers will dip into the excavation.

To classify the soil, you must use at least one visual and one manual analysis.

Types of Protective Systems

There are four different protective systems that a safety expert witness may suggest you use. Those systems include:

  • Sloping: Sloping requires you to cut back the trench wall at an angle inclined away from the excavation. Flat angles offer the most protection, but the angle required also depends on your soil classification and the amount of water in the soil.
  • Shoring: Shoring requires installing aluminum hydraulic or other supports to prevent the excavation from caving in. The horizontal supports are called walers, while vertical supports are uprights. You may also have to use a shoring system to support adjacent structures.
  • Shielding: Shield systems are trench boxes and other supports that shield workers if a cave-in occurs. Trench shields have sidewalls held apart by steel or aluminum spreaders.
  • Benching: Benching is a lot like sloping. You remove the material from the excavation and dig the sides to form horizontal levels and steps. Benching systems are not suitable for type C soil.

No matter the soil type, you must have a system to stabilize deep trenches.

Use a Safety Expert Witness To Avoid Accidents

Tragedy can strike when your company lacks adequate safety systems to protect workers in and around trenches. Established in 1996, Construction Safety Experts has offered safety training to nuclear, oil & gas, pharmaceutical, chemical, steel and the commercial construction industry. Contact us today or call us at (919) 463-0669 for an evaluation by a safety expert witness!

For the Record: OSHA-Required Injury Logs and Reports

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Ensuring a safe workplace is both a practical necessity and a legal responsibility. Although you may not consider paperwork a central part of your safety plan, following OSHA’s guidelines for recording incidents is not optional. Staying on top of your OSHA record keeping obligations is usually straightforward. More importantly, it’s good for both your employees and your business.

OSHA Records and Reports Required for Your Business

Assuming your company is not too small or in a special low-risk category, you must complete and maintain records of three OSHA forms when a worker is injured.

  •   OSHA Form 300. This form names, describes and classifies each workplace injury or illness using standard OSHA criteria and classifications. Required information includes the identity and job of the injured worker, the location and time of the incident and a broad categorization of the injury. The Form 300 incident log provides a top-level survey of your site’s safety performance for the year.
  •   OSHA Form 301. The Form 301 Incident Report must always be completed when a worker suffers an illness or injury that you have added to your Form 300 injury log. OSHA Form 301 collects many of the same basic facts about the injury or illness that has occurred, but also includes further details about the incident’s causes and effects. For example, the Incident Report allows you to record any medical treatment the worker received in the immediate aftermath of the incident.
  •   OSHA Form 300A. This form is the Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. You complete a Form 300A report every year, based on the records in your Form 300 log. Form 300A sums up all of the recordable events your workers experienced during the year, with final totals for each significant injury type. Form 300A also collects the annual total of injury-related effects, such as missed work or job duty changes. Your Form 300A summary report must be posted publicly at your workplace and should be submitted via the OSHA Injury Tracking Application if you have at least 20 employees.

What Workplace Events Should Be Reported?

All illnesses and injuries are not equal, and only certain types of injuries belong in the Form 300 log. A minor cut or scrape that only needs an adhesive bandage from your first aid kit is not a recordable event. Conversely, a laceration that requires stitches must be recorded. The usual test is whether the injury or illness requires treatment by a physician or whether it causes lost time from work. Obviously, injuries that result in hospitalization or death must be recorded. In fact, fatalities that follow a workplace accident must be reported to OSHA within 8 hours of the worker’s death. Hospitalizations must be reported within 24 hours.

Proper OSHA record keeping not only protects your company from penalties, but it also provides you with priceless data for building and improving your workplace safety protocols. With a few simple forms, you can meet your regulatory requirements as well as your responsibility to maximize safety for your employees. For more details on safety procedures and OSHA requirements, contact Construction Safety Experts at (919) 463-0669 today.