Safety
Briefings
	
	

Cherie Berry
Commissioner of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Division
1101 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1101
General Industry
Topics
I hope that this safety briefings booklet will help
lead job safety and health discussions that will raise
awareness, reduce injuries and illness, and prevent
fatalities.
This informational booklet is intended to provide a
generic, non‑exhaustive overview of particular
standards‑related topics. This publication does not
itself alter or determine compliance responsibilities,
which are set forth in standards themselves and the
Occupational Safety and Health Act of North
Carolina.
Moreover, because interpretations and enforcement
policy may change over time, for additional guid‑ance
on occupational safety and health compliance
requirements, the reader should consult current
administrative interpretations and decisions by the
Occupational Safety and Health Review Commis ‑
sion of North Carolina and the courts.
Cherie Berry
Commissioner of Labor
Cherie Berry
Commissioner of Labor
1,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $227.30 or $.23
per copy.
You may call 1-800-NC-LABOR (1-800-625-2267) to
reach any division of the N.C. Department of Labor; or
visit the NCDOL home page on the World Wide Web:
http://www.nclabor.com.
Occupational Safety and Health Division
Mailing Address:
1101 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1101
Telephone: 919-807-2900 Fax: 919-807-2856
For information concerning education, training, interpreta-tions
of occupational safety and health standards, and
OSH recognition programs, contact:
Education, Training and Technical Assistance Bureau
Telephone: 919-807-2875 Fax: 919-807-2876
For information concerning occupational safety and
health consultative services contact:
Consultative Services Bureau
Telephone: 919-807-2899 Fax: 919-807-2902
For information concerning migrant housing inspections
and other related activities, contact:
Agricultural Safety and Health Bureau
Telephone: 919-807-2923 Fax: 919-807-2924
For information concerning occupational safety and
health compliance, contact:
Safety and Health Compliance District Offices
Raleigh District Office (3801 Lake Boone Trail,
Raleigh, NC 27607)
Telephone: 919-779-8570 Fax: 919-662-4709
Asheville District Office (204 Charlotte Highway, Suite
B, Asheville, NC 28803-8681)
Telephone: 828-299-8232 Fax: 828-299-8266
Charlotte District Office (901 Blairhill Road, Suite 200,
Charlotte, NC 28217-1578)
Telephone: 704-665-4341 Fax: 704-665-4342
Winston-Salem District Office (4964 University
Parkway, Suite 202, Winston-Salem, NC 27106-2800)
Telephone: 336-776-4420 Fax: 336-767-3989
Wilmington District Office (1200 N. 23rd St., Suite
205, Wilmington, NC 28405-1824)
Telephone: 910-251-2678 Fax: 910-251-2654
To make an OSHA Complaint, OSH Complaint Desk:
Telephone: 919-807-2796
N.C. Department of Labor (Other than OSH)
Telephone: 919-733-7166 Fax: 919-733-6197
Asbestos
Hazards: Exposure to asbestos has been shown to
cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and cancer of
the stomach and colon. Smoking increases the
health risk.
How Does Asbestos Exposure Occur?
Asbestos fibers are very small. If you inhale them,
they go deep into your lungs and cause disease up
to 40 years later. Asbestos products can release
fibers into the air when they are friable, abraded, cut
or disturbed. Asbestos products are called friable
when you can crush them with finger and hand
pressure alone. Exposure is most likely when reno-vating
or demolishing older structures.
Common Sources:
Asbestos may be in roofing felt, roof patch material,
vinyl, tile, linoleum backing, transite, asbestos
cement pipe and sheet, pipe insulation, fireproofing,
and spray-on decorative acoustical ceiling material.
Most new products don’t contain asbestos (but for-eign
materials may contain it).
Safe Practices:
Ø Assign a competent person to administer the
company’s exposure control plan.
Ø Send suspected materials for testing.
Ø Conduct daily or periodic air monitoring depend-ing
on the class of work performed.
Ø Train crews who work with asbestos.
Ø Have workers get regular medical exams.
Controls:
Ø Restrict access to the asbestos area.
Ø Post warning signs.
Ø Use HEPA filtered respirators (not just dust
masks) and full body coverings.
Ø Wet down the asbestos to reduce dust.
Ø Use power tools with special exhaust filters.
Ø Material containing asbestos (e.g., waste, scrap
and contaminated clothing that is removed from
buildings) must be disposed of in leak-tight 6-mil
thick plastic bags, plastic-lined cardboard con-tainers
or plastic-lined metal containers.
Bloodborne Pathogens/First Aid
Hazards: Delayed medical treatment; infection
from bloodborne pathogens.
In work environments where employees are
exposed to blood or other bodily fluids:
Ø Establish a written exposure control plan identi-fying
at-risk workers.
Ø Implement engineering/work practice controls.
Ø In absence of medical professional or facility that
is reasonably located, ensure trained first aid
providers are available.
Ø Ensure first aid and CPR providers are certified
by an accredited trainer.
Ø Ensure first aid supplies are available in a weath-erproof
container and checked weekly for
replacement of expended items.
Ø Specify means to protect (providing PPE) and
train employees.
Ø Offer hepatitis B vaccination and post-exposure
follow-up.
Ø Ensure emergency numbers are available and
communication systems are working.
During an Emergency:
Ø Act promptly.
Ø Assess injured workers’ situation and call for
emergency help.
Ø Use one-way protective device to perform
mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Ø Use pressure to stop bleeding; ensure you use
gloves to protect from blood exposure.
Ø Use tourniquet only if absolutely necessary.
Ø Prevent shock by wrapping victim in blankets.
Ø Do not move a person with a back or neck injury
unless a greater hazard exists (e.g., fire). Move
on backboard.
Ø Splint broken bones and joints.
Ø Do not give liquids to an unconscious victim.
Ø Clean and bandage surface wounds with sterile
bandages.
Ø Ensure first aid and CPR providers are certified
by an accredited trainer.
Compressed Gases
Hazards: Burns and poisoning.
Storage:
Ø Mark empty cylinders and close valves.
Ø Always keep gas cylinders secured properly and
in a vertical position.
Ø Keep valve protection caps in place whenever
cylinders are not in use.
Safe Practices:
Ø Do not use cylinders as rollers or supports.
Ø Keep all cylinders, cylinder valves, couplings,
regulators, hoses and apparatuses free of oily or
greasy substances.
Ø Unless secured on special trucks, regulators
must be removed and valve-protection caps put
in place before moving cylinders.
Ø Never crack a fuel gas cylinder valve near
sources of ignition.
Ø Close valve and release gas from the regulator
before a regulator is removed.
Ø Examine compressed gas cylinders regularly for
signs of defects, deep rusting or leakage.
Ø Only use pressure-reducing regulators for the
gas and pressures for which they are intended.
Ø Open cylinder valves slowly and carefully.
Ø When a cylinder wrench is needed on the valve,
keep the wrench nearby to turn off the valve
quickly if necessary.
Ø Use red to identify the acetylene (and other fuel-gas)
hose, green for oxygen hose, and black for
inert gas and air hose.
Ø Only qualified technicians should clean or repair
a regulator.
Ø Do not tamper with the relief valve or remove it
from a regulator.
Ø Read SDSs and train employees about fuel
gases.
Ø Never allow oxygen to contact oil, grease or
other flammable substances.
Ø Never use oxygen as a substitute for com-pressed
air.
Ø Never use oxygen to dust off clothing, in pneu-matic
tools or for ventilation.
Permit-required Confined Spaces
Hazards: Suffocation, poisoning, burns, entangle-ment.
OSHA uses the term "permit-required confined
space" (permit space) to describe a confined space
that has one or more of the following characteris-tics:
contains or has the potential to contain a haz-ardous
atmosphere; contains a material that has
the potential to engulf an entrant; has walls that
converge inward or floors that slope downward and
taper into a smaller area that could trap or asphyxi-ate
an entrant; or contains any other recognized
safety or health hazard, such as unguarded
machinery, exposed live wires or heat stress.
Safe Practices:
Ø Instruct all employees of the nature of the haz-ards
involved, the necessary precautions to be
taken, and in the use of required protective and
emergency equipment.
Ø Ensure confined spaces are emptied of any cor-rosive
or hazardous substances or vapors, such
as acids or flammables, before entry.
Ø Ensure all lines to the confined space that con-tain
inert, toxic, flammable or corrosive materials
are valved off and blanked or disconnected and
separated before entry.
Ø Ensure all impellers, agitators or other moving
parts inside confined spaces are locked out.
Ø Provide either natural or mechanical ventilation
before confined space entry.
Ø Test the atmosphere for oxygen deficiency,
explosive concentrations and toxic substances
before entry.
Ø Test atmosphere frequently or continuously dur-ing
the work.
Ø Check the confined space for possible industrial
waste that could contain toxic properties.
Ø Check space for animal matter or decaying veg-etation
that may produce methane.
Permit-required Confined Spaces
(continued)
Ø Provide approved respiratory equipment if the
atmosphere inside the confined space cannot be
made acceptable for breathing.
Ø Provide adequate illumination for the work to be
performed in the confined space.
Ø Assign a safety standby person outside of the
confined space who will be responsible to watch
the work in progress, sound an alarm if neces-sary
and render assistance.
Ø Ensure the standby employee is trained and
equipped to handle an emergency.
Ø Ensure rescue equipment and personnel are
available.
Ø Provide means of communication for the standby
person to summon emergency help.
Ø Ensure all portable electrical equipment used is
either grounded and insulated, or equipped with
ground fault protection.
Ø Ensure hot work permits are provided for any hot
work conducted in a confined space.
Ø Before gas welding or burning is started in a con-fined
space, ensure hoses are checked for leaks,
compressed gas bottles are forbidden inside of
the space, torches are lighted outside of the
space area, and the confined area is tested for
an explosive atmosphere each time before a
lighted torch is taken into the confined space.
Ø Ensure employees who will be using oxygen-consuming
equipment (e.g., salamanders, torch-es
and furnaces in a confined space) are provid-ed
with sufficient air to ensure combustion with-out
reducing the oxygen concentration of the
atmosphere below 19.5 percent by volume or
creating a toxic atmosphere.
Ø Whenever combustion-type equipment is used,
make provisions to exhaust gases to outside of
the enclosure.
Ø Check for carbon monoxide if the space is below
the ground or near areas where motor vehicles
will be operating.
Electrical
Hazards: Burns, shock and electrocutions.
Inspections:
Ø Ensure all tools and equipment (both company and
employee owned) are in good condition.
Ø Prohibit work on energized electrical circuits.
Ø Prohibit the use of frayed or worn electrical cords or
cables.
Ø Ensure the minimum clear working space is at least 3
feet for electrical equipment of 150 volts or less.
Ø Ensure the width of working space in front of electrical
equipment is the width of the equipment or 30 inches,
whichever is greater.
Ø Check portable electric tools before use to ensure that
the cord and plug are in good condition.
Ø Ensure broken or damaged tools and equipment are
removed from service.
Ø Ensure that portable electrical tools and equipment are
either grounded or of the double insulated type.
Ø Ensure employees are performing activities using
temporary wiring, use a ground-fault circuit-interrupter
(GFCI) with every power tool to protect against electri-cal
shock hazards.
Ø Ensure that electrical equipment and cords used in
wet or damp locations are approved for wet and damp
locations.
Ø Ensure that listed, labeled or certified equipment is
used in accordance with the instructions included in
the listing, labeling or certification.
Ø Ensure that when a circuit breaker is removed from a
circuit breaker panel, it is replaced with either a break-er
or a blank.
Ø Ensure unused openings in electrical boxes are effec-tively
closed.
Ø Prohibit bypassing any protective system or device
designed to protect employees from contact with elec-trical
current.
Ø Ensure that electrical cords are protected from physi-cal
damage.
Ø Ensure electrical equipment is used only as approved
and listed.
Ø When employees are exposed to areas of arc flash
potential, always perform a flash hazard analysis and
acquire the appropriate flame resistant clothing.
Emergency Action Plans
Purpose: Ensure employees evacuate safely in the
event of emergency.
Applicable when an emergency action plan is
required by an OSHA standard. The plan must be
kept in the workplace and be written when there are
10 or more employees.
Elements of an emergency action plan:
Ø Procedures for reporting fires and other emer-gencies
Ø Emergency evacuation procedures, type of
evacuation and evacuation route assignments
Ø Procedures for staff remaining to operate critical
plant operations before evacuating
Ø Procedures to account for all employees after
evacuation
Ø Rescue and medical duties for employees who
are supposed to perform the duties
Ø Names/job titles of every employee to contact for
more information about the plan or an explana-tion
of assigned job duties
Ø The employer shall establish an employee alarm
system that is:
© Heard above ambient noise or light levels
© Distinctive or recognizable
© Tested every two months
© Unobstructed and readily available
Ø The employer shall establish procedures for
sounding alarms in workplace
Ø Each affected employee must be trained:
© Initially upon employment
© Whenever duties change
© Whenever the plan changes
Fire Prevention
Hazards: Burns and smoke inhalation.
Safe Practices:
Ø Ensure that fire extinguishers are provided near
all welding, soldering and other sources of igni-tion.
Ø Ensure that fire extinguishers are available and
readily accessible in case of an emergency.
Ø Ensure that portable fire extinguishers are peri-odically
inspected and maintained in accordance
with Maintenance and Use of Portable Fire
Extinguishers, NFPA 10A.
Ø Ensure that flammable and combustible materi-als
are not stored in stairways or exits.
Ø Ensure that adequate ventilation is provided in
areas where paints, solvents or other flammable
materials are being applied.
Ø Ensure that gasoline and other flammable liquids
are stored in safety cans or in an approved flam-mable
storage facility.
Ø Ensure that flammable liquid leaks or spills are
cleaned up immediately.
Ø Prohibit smoking in the vicinity of operations that
constitute a fire hazard, and conspicuously post
“No Smoking or Open Flames” signs.
Ø Prohibit the use of solid fuel salamanders in
buildings and on scaffolding.
Ø Ensure that space heaters are set horizontally
level and used according to the manufacturer’s
instructions.
Ø Ensure that an alarm system is established, so
that employees and the local fire department can
be alerted for an emergency.
Flammable and Combustible
Materials
Hazards: Fire, explosion and burns.
Safe Practices:
Ø Ensure combustible debris, waste materials (oily
rags, etc.) and waste solvents are stored in cov-ered
metal receptacles.
Ø Remove waste materials from the worksite promptly.
Ø Provide approved containers and tanks for the
storage and handling of flammable and com-bustible
liquids.
Ø Use safety cans for dispensing flammable or
combustible liquids at a point of use.
Ø Make connections on drums and piping tight to
prevent leaks.
Ø Ensure all flammable liquids are kept in closed
containers when not in use.
Ø Bond and ground drums of flammable liquids to
containers being filled.
Ø Ensure storage rooms have explosion-proof
lights and mechanical or gravity ventilation.
Ø Where flammables or combustibles are used or
stored, post “No Smoking or Open Flames” signs.
Ø Physically guard liquefied petroleum storage
tanks to prevent damage from vehicles.
Ø To ensure support and stability, place firm sepa-rators
between combustibles or flammables con-tainers
when stacked.
Ø Separate fuel gas cylinders and oxygen cylinders
by distance and fire-resistant barriers while in
storage.
Ø Do not block or obstruct fire extinguishers.
Ø Keep fire extinguishers serviced, maintained and
tagged at intervals not to exceed one year.
Ø Clean up all spills promptly.
Ø Ensure storage tanks are adequately vented to
prevent an excessive vacuum or pressure as a
result of filling, emptying or atmosphere temper-ature
changes.
Ø Ensure tanks are equipped with emergency vent-ing.
Heat Illnesses
Symptoms: Headaches, dizziness, lightheaded-ness,
weakness, mood changes (e.g., irritability or
confusion), upset stomach, vomiting, decreased or
dark-colored urine, fainting or passing out, and
pale, clammy skin.
First Aid:
Ø Act immediately because heat exhaustion may
advance quickly to heat stroke or death.
Ø Move the victim to a cool, shaded area to rest
and stay with the person.
Ø If symptoms include dizziness or lightheaded-ness,
lay the victim on his or her back and raise
his or her legs 6 to 8 inches.
Ø If symptoms include nausea or upset stomach,
lay the victim on his or her side.
Ø Loosen and remove any heavy clothing.
Ø Have the person drink cool water (a cup every 15
minutes) unless sick to the stomach.
Ø Cool the person’s body by fanning and spraying
with a cool mist of water or applying a wet cloth
to the person’s skin.
Ø Call 911 for emergency help if the person does
not feel better in a few minutes.
Ø Heat stroke is a medical emergency.
Safe Practices:
Ø Do heaviest work during coolest part of day.
Ø Build up tolerance to the heat and the work activ-ity
over a two-week period.
Ø Work people in pairs.
Ø Drink plenty of cool water, about a cup every 15
minutes.
Ø Wear light, loose-fitting, breathable clothing.
Ø Take frequent short breaks in cool shaded areas
to allow the body to cool down.
Ø Avoid eating large meals before hot work.
Ø Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages.
Risk Factors:
Ø Certain medications increase sensitivity to heat
so check with your pharmacist to see if any med-icines
you are taking affect you during hot work.
Ø A previous heat-induced illness.
Ø Personal protective equipment can add to physi-cal
stress.
Industrial Trucks (Forklifts)
Hazards: Rollover injuries and struck-by injuries.
Safe Practices:
Ø Only trained personnel are allowed to operate
industrial trucks.
Ø Ensure substantial overhead protective equip-ment
is provided on high lift rider equipment.
Ø Use of fall protection (harness, lanyard, etc.)
while operating specialty lift equipment such as
cherry pickers.
Ø Post and enforce lift truck operating rules.
Ø Ensure directional lighting (head lights) is provided
on each industrial truck that operates in dark areas.
Ø Ensure each industrial truck has a functioning
warning horn, whistle or other device that can be
clearly heard above the normal noise in the area.
Ø Ensure the brakes on each industrial truck are
capable of bringing the vehicle to a complete and
safe stop when fully loaded.
Ø Ensure the truck’s parking brake will prevent the
vehicle from moving when unattended.
Ø Ensure that industrial trucks operating in haz-ardous
areas (e.g., where flammable gases or
vapors, combustible dust, or ignitable fibers may
be present) are approved for such locations.
Ø If industrial trucks with internal combustion engines
operate in buildings or enclosed areas, carefully
check to ensure such operations do not cause harm-ful
concentrations of dangerous gases or fumes.
Ø Use seatbelts.
Ø Do not remove passenger compartment guards
or rollover protection devices.
Ø Do not allow riders on sides or forks.
Ø Do not alter the truck in any way without the
authorization of the manufacturer.
Hazard Communication
Purpose: Ensure hazards of chemicals are con-veyed
to employers and employees.
Chemical manufacturers and importers are required
to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they pro-duce
or import, and prepare labels and safety data
sheets (SDSs) to convey the hazard information to
their downstream customers.
Written Program: Employers must develop a writ-ten
program that includes:
Ø Company chemical inventory
Ø SDSs location
Ø How and where employees get information on
new chemicals
Ø Who to ask questions about chemical safety
Ø How to perform nonroutine tasks safely
Employee Training: Ensure each employee is
trained in the following:
Ø How to use hazardous chemicals safely.
Ø What safety equipment is required.
Ø Not to remove or deface labels on incoming con-tainers
of hazardous chemicals.
Ø Where SDSs are maintained and how they
should be used during emergency situations.
Ø Electronic access to SDSs is acceptable as long
as employer can ensure employees are compe-tent
to access the information and adequate back-up
is provided in the event of a power failure.
Ø How to identify chemical hazards using warning
label and SDSs.
Ø How to identify any operation on the jobsite
where hazardous chemicals are present.
Ø Post hazard warnings (physical and health), pro-tective
measures, equipment requirements or
prohibited activity.
Ø All employers with hazardous chemicals in their
workplaces must have labels and SDSs for their
exposed workers, and train them to handle the
chemicals appropriately.
Ø A consumer product that is used in a workplace
in such a way that the duration and frequency of
use are the same as that of a consumer is not
required to be included in an employer's hazard
communication program.
Industrial Trucks (Forklifts)
continued
Ø When transferring LP-gas from the storage con-tainers
to the fuel container of industrial trucks:
© (i) the vented gas from the gauge must not
exceed the maximum flow provided from a
No. 54 drill orifice;
© (ii) the filling operation must be performed out-doors,
not less than 10 feet from the nearest
masonry-walled building or not less than 25
feet from the nearest nonmasonry-walled
building or building opening;
© (iii) the engine of the industrial truck must be
shut off and the operator must get out of the
truck during refueling; and
© (iv) only trained and designated personnel
may refill LP-gas containers.
Ladder Safety
Falls from portable ladders (step, straight, combina-tion
and extension) are one of the leading causes of
occupational fatalities and injuries.
Hazards: Broken or missing parts, energized elec-trical
lines or equipment, too short for work height,
weight limit rating too low, not the correct equipment
for job.
Loads: Self-supporting (foldout) and non-self-sup-porting
(leaning) portable ladders must support four
times the maximum intended load; extra-heavy-duty
metal or plastic ladders must sustain 3.3 times
the maximum intended load.
Angle: The base of a non-self-supporting commer-cially
manufactured ladder should be one-quarter
its length away from the wall or supporting struc-ture;
the base of a job-made wooden ladder should
be one-eighth its length away from the wall.
Inspection: Check to ensure shoes and ladder are
free of oil, grease, wet paint and other slipping haz-ards;
warning labels are legible; spreader device
can be locked in place; and area around the top and
bottom of ladder is cleared of material.
Safe Practices and Use:
Ø Read and follow all labels/markings on the ladder.
Ø Look for overhead power lines before handling a
ladder and avoid using a metal ladder near
power lines or exposed energized electrical
equipment.
Ø Always inspect the ladder prior to using it. If the
ladder is damaged, it must be removed from
service and tagged until repaired or discarded.
Ø Do not use a self-supporting ladder (e.g., step
ladder) as a single ladder or in a partially closed
position.
Ø Do not use the top step/rung of a ladder as a
step/rung unless it was designed for that pur-pose.
Ladder Safety
continued
Ø Always maintain a three-point (two hands and a
foot, or two feet and a hand) contact on the lad-der
when climbing. Keep your body near the mid-dle
of the step and always face the ladder while
climbing.
Ø Only use ladders and appropriate accessories
(ladder levelers, jacks or hooks) for their
designed purposes.
Ø Ladders must be free of any slippery material on
the rungs, steps or feet.
Ø Use a ladder only on a stable and level surface,
unless it has been secured (top or bottom) to
prevent displacement.
Ø Do not place a ladder on boxes, barrels or other
unstable bases to obtain additional height.
Ø Do not move or shift a ladder while a person or
equipment is on the ladder.
Ø An extension or straight ladder used to access
an elevated surface must extend at least 3 feet
above the point of support. Do not stand on the
three top rungs of a straight, single or extension
ladder.
Ø The proper angle for setting up a ladder is to
place its base a quarter of the working length of
the ladder from the wall or other vertical surface.
Ø A ladder placed in any location where it can be
displaced by other work activities must be
secured to prevent displacement or a barricade
must be erected to keep traffic away from the
ladder.
Ø Store ladder so it will not warp, sag or be dam-aged;
secure during transport.
Ø Be sure that all locks on an extension ladder are
properly engaged.
Ø Do not exceed the maximum load rating of a lad-der.
Be aware of the ladder’s load rating and of
the weight it is supporting, including the weight of
any tools or equipment.
Lockout/Tagout
Hazards: Amputations, fractures, electrocution and
death.
What Is Lockout/Tagout? (LOTO): A way to make
sure electricity or other energy is not turned on (or
released) while someone is working on machinery.
Turning off a power switch is not enough. You must
de-energize (prevent equipment from starting or
moving), lock it out, release stored energy (for
instance, bleed air from a pneumatic hose), and test
to make sure the energy is off.
Lockout/Tagout Procedures:
Ø Each piece of equipment or machinery should
have its own LOTO procedures.
Ø Notify operators and supervisors that power is
being disconnected or isolated.
Ø Review specific written procedures that explain
the shutdown and restart process.
Ø Shut down by turning off the equipment (depress
the stop button, open switch, close valve, etc.)
Ø Separate all energy sources using proper isolat-ing
devices (manual circuit breakers or discon-nect
switches).
Ø Equipment will likely have more than one type of
energy that needs to be isolated; push buttons or
selector switches cannot be the only way to de-energize.
Ø Each employee who can be exposed to haz-ardous
energy must be part of the LOTO process.
Ø Control stored energy or residual energy (e.g.,
discharge capacitors or drain hydraulic lines,
release spring, air, gas, steam, or water pressure,
etc.)
Ø Verify equipment has been de-energized by try-ing
to restart and using testing equipment (such
as an electric circuit tester).
Ø Only the worker who puts on a lockout or tagout
device may remove it.
Ø When the work is finished, inspect to ensure all
tools, mechanical restraints and electrical devices
have been removed before you turn on power.
Lockout/Tagout
continued
Ø Warn affected employees that power will be
restored.
Ø If the LOTO job is interrupted for testing or posi-tioning
equipment, the procedures must start
over from the beginning.
Ø Notify affected employees that the servicing or
maintenance is completed and the machine or
equipment is ready for use.
Material Handling
Hazards: Falling material and struck-by injuries.
Safe Practices:
Ø Inspect motorized vehicles and mechanized
equipment daily or prior to use.
Ø Shut off vehicles and set brakes before manual-ly
loading or unloading.
Ø Secure trucks and trailers from movement during
loading and unloading operations.
Ø Before unloading, inspect load for shift, displace-ment
or instability.
Ø Do not store material under energized electrical
lines or in emergency exit ways.
Ø Keep hand trucks in safe operating condition.
Ø Ensure safe clearance for equipment through
aisles, doorways and roadways.
Ø Equip chutes with sideboards of sufficient height
to prevent materials from free-falling.
Ø Equip hooks with safety latches when hoisting
materials so that slings or load attachments will
not slip off the hoist hooks accidentally.
Ø Ensure securing chains, ropes, chokers and
slings are adequate for the job.
Ø Ensure no one will be passing under the sus-pended
loads.
Ø Prohibit employees from riding on top of any load
that can shift, topple or otherwise become unsta-ble.
Ø Ensure personnel do not ride in material hoist;
post “No Riders Allowed” at hoist.
Ø Ensure entrances to hoistways are protected
with caution gates or bars.
Ø Ensure operators of vehicles on public roads
have valid licenses.
Ø Ensure cutting tools or tools with sharp edges
are placed in closed boxes or containers that are
secured in place when tools are carried in pas-senger
compartments of employee transport
vehicles.
Ø Ensure material safety data sheets are available
to employees handling hazardous substances.
Personal Protective Equipment
Hazards: Misuse or incorrect use and improper
selection of equipment for the hazard.
When to Use: Hazards should be abated through
engineering or administrative controls. If those con-trols
are infeasible or not available, use personal
protective equipment to put a barrier between you
and the hazards.
Ø Hearing protection—when exposed to noise at or
above 90 decibels (dB) TWA. If you have to yell
to communicate, you need hearing protection.
Ø Hard hats—when exposed to falling objects.
Ø Gloves and arm protection—when exposed to
chemicals, heat, cold, radiation agents or abra-sive
surfaces.
Ø Respirators—see respirator topic page.
Ø Safety harnesses with lanyards—when exposed
to fall hazards.
Ø Eye and face protection—glasses are intended
to be used to protect from impact hazards; e.g.,
when using saws. Goggles protect the eyes from
splash hazards.
Ø Face shields are intended to protect the face
from splash hazards and should be worn with
safety glasses or goggles.
Ø Welding hoods—when performing cutting, weld-ing
or brazing.
Ø Airline sand blasting hoods—used when sand-blasting.
Ø Flame resistant (FR) protective clothing—when
employees are exposed to arc flash hazards;
while working within the flash protection bound-ary,
all parts of the body must be protected.
Ø Steel-toe shoes—when exposed to heavy falling
objects.
Personal Protective Equipment
continued
Ø ASTM International (formerly known as
American Society for Testing and Materials) has
replaced the ANSI Z41.1 standards. New shoes
will be designed to the specifications and be
stamped with the following standards:
© ASTM F2412-05—Standard Test Methods for
Foot Protection.
© ASTM F2413-05—Standard Specification for
Performance Requirements for Foot Protection.
Examples of PPE Exempted from the Employer
Payment Requirements:
Ø Non-specialty safety toe protective footwear
(e.g., steel-toe shoes/boots)
Ø Non-specialty prescription safety eyewear
Ø Sunglasses/sunscreen
Ø Lineman’s boots
Ø Ordinary rain gear
Ø Logging boots required under 1910.266(d)(1)(v)
Ø Ordinary cold weather gear (coats, parkas, cold
weather gloves, winter boots)
Ø Back belts
Examples of PPE for Which Employer Payment
Is Required [If used to comply with an OSHA
standard]:
Ø Metatarsal/toe cap foot protection
Ø Rubber boots with steel toes
Ø Non-prescription eye protection/goggles
Ø Prescription eyewear inserts/lenses for full face
respirators and welding helmets
Ø Hardhat
Ø Hearing protection
Ø Welding PPE
Ø Face shields
Ø Firefighting PPE (helmet, gloves, boots, proximi-ty
suits, full gear)
Personal Protective Equipment
continued
Ø Items used in medical/laboratory settings to pro-tect
from exposure to infectious agents (aprons,
lab coats, goggles, disposable gloves, shoe cov-ers,
etc.)
Ø Non-specialty gloves:
© Payment is required if they are PPE, i.e. for
protection from dermatitis, severe cuts/abra-sions
© Payment is not required if they are only for
keeping clean or for cold weather (with no
safety or health consideration).
Ø Rubber sleeves
Ø Rubber insulating gloves
Ø Barrier creams (unless used solely for weather-related
protection)
Ø SCBA, atmosphere-supplying respirators
(escape only)
Ø Respiratory protection
Ø Fall protection
Ø Climbing ensembles used by linemen (e.g., belts
and climbing hooks)
Ø Personal floatation devices (life jackets)
Ø Window cleaners safety straps
Ø Encapsulating chemical protective suits
Ø Reflective work vests
Respirators
Hazards: Pulmonary system damage, acute or
chronic.
Safe Practices: Respirators protect only the
employee wearing them from a hazard, rather than
reducing or eliminating the hazard from the work-place
as a whole. Engineering and work practice
controls are preferable because they eliminate and
control the hazard.
Ø Ensure, on a constant basis, that respirators are
properly fitted and worn.
Ø Conduct an exposure assessment to determine
the type of respirator needed and the amount of
hazardous exposure.
Ø Fit test annually all respirators that rely on a face
to mask seal with either qualitative or quantitative
methods to determine whether the mask pro-vides
an acceptable fit to a wearer.
Ø Ensure that a written respirator program that
covers medical fitness and proper maintenance
procedures be implemented when respirator use
is required.
Ø Where a filtering face piece respirator (dust
mask) is used voluntarily, the employee must still
be provided a copy of Appendix D.
Ø Inspect respirators for basic function prior to
each use.
Ø Clean as often as necessary to prevent occur-rence
of unsanitary conditions.
Ø Ensure there is no facial hair when fitting respira-tor
for a face seal.
Ø Half-face and full-face respirators can both be
used for protection against most vapors, acid
gases, dust or welding fumes.
Ø A self-contained breathing apparatus is used for
entry and escape from atmospheres that are
considered immediately dangerous to life and
health or oxygen deficient.
Stairways
Hazards: Falls that result in fractures, strains and
sprains.
Safe Practices:
Ø Provide fixed stairs from one structure level to
another where operations necessitate regular
travel between levels.
Ø Provide fixed stairs to access operating plat-forms
at equipment requiring attention routinely
during operations and where employees may be
exposed to acids, caustics, gases or other harm-ful
substances.
Ø Ensure stair rails are installed on all stairways
with four or more risers.
Ø Ensure that stair rails are not more than 34 inch-es
in height.
Ø Ensure guardrails are installed on all stairs prior
to use.
Ø Ensure stairway platforms are no less than the
width of a stairway and a minimum of 30 inches
in length measured in the distance of travel.
Ø Ensure fixed stairways have a minimum width of
22 inches.
Ø Design and construct stairways to carry a load of
five times the normal live load anticipated but
never less strength to withstand a moving con-centrated
load of 1,000 pounds.
Ø Ensure that the unprotected sides and edges of
stairway landings are protected by a standard
guardrail system.
Ø Install stairways at least 30 degrees, and no
more than 50 degrees, from the horizontal.
Ø Ensure that a platform is provided at all locations
where doors or gates open directly into a stair-way.
Ø Ensure that the swing of gates and doors do not
reduce the effective width of the platform to less
than 30 inches.
Ø Ensure the vertical clearance above any stair
tread to an overhead obstruction be at least 7
feet.
Scaffolding
Hazards: Falls that can result in fractures or death.
Safe Practices:
Ø Erect scaffolds according to the manufacturer’s
instructions.
Ø Ensure safety instructions are included when
renting, leasing or purchasing scaffold equip-ment.
Ø Use screw jacks, base plates and mudsills to
ensure adequate support.
Ø Install a guardrail system or fall arrest system for
scaffolds more than 10 feet above a lower level.
Ø Ensure that guardrails are installed on all open
sides and the ends of platforms.
Ø Provide safe access to scaffold platform.
Ø Prohibit employees from climbing the cross brac-ing
as a means of access.
Ø Prohibit the use of unstable objects to support
scaffolds.
Ø Fully plank the working platform.
Ø Ensure that platforms do not deflect more than
1/60 of span when loaded.
Ø Prohibit moving a scaffold by locking the wheels
while employees are on the scaffold.
Ø Ensure that scaffolds are inspected before each
shift by a competent person who is capable of
identifying scaffold hazards and who has the
authority to correct the hazards.
Ø Ensure employees working on scaffolds are
trained by a person qualified to recognize haz-ards
associated with the type of scaffold and to
understand the procedures to control or minimize
hazards.
Ø Employees erecting, dismantling, moving or
inspecting the scaffolds must be trained by a
competent person to recognize any hazards.
Ø Retrain employees who demonstrate a lack of
skill or understanding in the scaffolding require-ments.
Vehicle Safety
Hazards: Struck-by and roll-over injuries.
Safety Equipment: Seat belts, rollover protective
structure, brakes, horn, reverse alarm.
Inspection: Inspect vehicles before each shift to
ensure that all parts and accessories are in safe
operating condition. Check brakes, trailer brake
connections, parking system, emergency brakes,
tires, coupling devices, seatbelts, horn, steering
mechanism, operating controls, safety devices
(e.g., reverse signal alarm, ROPS), lights, reflec-tors,
defrosters, windshield wipers, and fire extin-guishers.
Safe Practices:
Ø Do not drive a vehicle in reverse gear with an
obstructed rear view, unless the vehicle is
equipped with an audible reverse alarm or anoth-er
worker signals that it is safe.
Ø Drive on roadways or grades that are safely con-structed
and maintained.
Ø Make sure you and all personnel are in the clear
before using dumping or lifting devices.
Ø While not in use, lower or block bulldozer and
scraper blades, end-loader buckets, dump bod-ies,
etc., and leave all controls in neutral position.
Ø Set parking brakes when vehicles and equip-ment
are parked and chock the wheels.
Ø Vehicles that are loaded by cranes, power shovels,
loaders, etc. must have a cab shield or canopy that
protects the driver from falling materials.
Ø Do not exceed a vehicle’s rated load or lift capacity.
Ø Do not carry personnel unless there is a seat
available; no one should ride in buckets or on
forks.
Ø Use traffic signs, barricades or flaggers when
construction takes place near public roadways.
Ø Workers should wear highly visible clothing, such
as red or orange vests, and reflective vests.
Ø Wear provided seatbelts.
Walking/Working Surfaces
Hazards: Falls that can lead to fractures or death.
Safe Practices:
Ø Ensure that the workplace is assessed to deter-mine
if the walking and working surfaces have
the strength and structural integrity to safely sup-port
workers.
Ø Ensure that workers exposed to falling 4 feet or
more from an unprotected side or edge are pro-tected
by a guardrail system, safety net system
or personal fall arrest system.
Ø A personal fall arrest system consists of an
anchorage, connectors, body harness, and may
include a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline or
a suitable combination.
Ø Skylight floor openings shall be guarded by a
standard skylight screen or fixed standard railing.
Ø Every floor hole into which persons can acciden-tally
walk shall be guarded by a standard railing
with standard toe board on all exposed sides or
a floor hole cover.
Ø Ensure that employees using ramps, runways
and other walkways are protected from falling 4
feet or more by a guardrail system.
Ø Where wet processes are used, drainage shall
be maintained and gratings, mats or raised plat-forms
shall be provided.
Ø Where mechanical handling equipment is used,
safe clearance shall be maintained in aisle-ways
and passageways. (It is recommended that
aisles be at least 3 feet wider than the largest
piece of equipment.)
Workplace Violence
Workplace violence is predictable; it doesn’t just
happen. It develops like a storm. Workers see and
hear events that they should report.
Workplace Violence Includes: Beatings, rapes,
stabbings, suicides, shootings, psychological trau-ma,
threatening phone calls, intimidation, harass-ment,
stalking and verbal abuse.
Sources of Violence Include: Strangers, clients,
co-workers and personal relations.
Risk Factors Include: Contact with the public,
working with unstable or volatile persons, delivery
of passengers or goods, working alone or in small
numbers, working late at night or during early morn-ing
hours, working in high-crime areas, guarding
valuable property, and money exchange.
Be Alert to Warning Signs: Fascination with
weapons, alcohol or drug abuse, anguish over
pending or recent demotion or termination, history
of violent incidents, severe stress, social isolation,
psychological deterioration, decreased or inconsis-tent
job functioning, deterioration in personal
hygiene, and major personality changes.
Safe Practices:
Ø Management should set a zero tolerance policy
for violence, threats, harassment, intimidations
and other disruptive behavior in the workplace.
Ø Take all reports of incidents seriously.
Ø Supervisors are accountable to act upon reports
of violence.
Ø Workers will report violent behavior to ________.
Ø Management is committed to emotional and
physical health of the employee.
Ø The employer can implement security measures
that include locks on doors, cell phones and
walkie-talkies, adequate lighting, lockers for
valuables, night-time guards, identity badges,
surveillance cameras, curved mirrors, and con-trolled
access to work areas.
Ø Call 911 for any physical actions or threats that
appear imminent, acts of physical harm, or prop-erty
damage or out-of-control behavior.
General Industry References
For more information on hazards and OSHA
standards, view www.osha.gov and refer to:
29 CFR Part 1904—Recording and Reporting
Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
29 CFR Part 1926—Safety and Health Regulations
for Construction
Ø Subpart A—General
Ø Subpart B—Adoption and Extension of Estab -
lished Federal Standards
Ø Subpart C—Reserved
Ø Subpart D—Walking-Working Surfaces
Ø Subpart E—Exit Routes, Emergency Action
Plans, and Fire Prevention Plans
Ø Subpart F—Powered Platforms, Manlifts, and
Vehicle-Mounted Work Platforms
Ø Subpart G—Occupational Health and Environ -
men tal Control
Ø Subpart H—Hazardous Materials
Ø Subpart I—Personal Protective Equipment
Ø Subpart J—General Environmental Controls
Ø Subpart K—Medical and First Aid
Ø Subpart L—Fire Protection
Ø Subpart M—Compressed Gas and Compressed
Air Equipment
Ø Subpart N—Materials Handling and Storage
Ø Subpart O—Machinery and Machine Guarding
Ø Subpart P—Hand and Portable Powered Tools
and Other Hand-Held Equipment
Ø Subpart Q—Welding, Cutting and Brazing
Ø Subpart R—Special Industries
Ø Subpart S—Electrical
Ø Subpart T—Commercial Diving
Ø Subpart U–Y—Reserved
Ø Subpart Z—Toxic and Hazardous Substances