ACP Post - ACP RENOVATION

1/31/2019

TRAFFIC CONTROL ~ ACp Saftey Meeting

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TRAFFIC CONTROL
Almost every job at one time or another needs traffic control. This often involves the use of a flagman and signs. In short duration situations flagmen are preferable to signs since they can react to any changes in site situations. Signs are however, a suitable solution to an extended traffic control problem.
It should be remembered that the intent of traffic control procedures is to prevent a tie-up in the operation of the construction project and to allow the general public to move as efficiently as possible around the construction site. It is important that all flagmen remember that they represent the company and will come into contact with many people while flagging. Therefore be courteous at all times.

Guide for Discussion
Is the flagman trained and certified?
Set-Up
Pre-plan the entire traffic control operation.
Have the flagman knowledgeable of all construction operations to occur. Clearly mark all changes or detours.
Enforce all changes and detours.
Flagging Operations
Be sure the traffic can see you. Wear an Orange safety vest. Use a flag.
Wear suitable shoes.
Be dressed neatly (to reflect a good public image) Wear a hard hat
Never turn your back on the traffic
Always be courteous but firm.

Additional Discussion Notes:
IDENTIFY CERTIFIED AND TRAINED COMPANY FLAGGERS

Remember: The flagman has a responsibility to protect the general public as well as those at work on the construction site. Pay attention to what is going on around you.

5/8/2015

Children And Construction ~ ACP Safety Meeting

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Most construction sites are like oil and water for children; they don’t mix. Conversely, like iron and a magnet, children are attracted to any type of construction. Children like to explore.

Guide for Discussion

Some general observations:

Children don’t recognize hazards as well as those who work on site. Locked equipment may still be a hazard.
All excavations are potential forts or swimming pools.
Scaffolds become gym sets.

Discouraging children:

Don’t allow children on site during the day.
Erect a site fence.
Mark excavations with signs or guard or both. (Remember: Fall protection rules.) Group and lock up equipment at night.
Post “No Trespassing” signs.
Ask for regular police patrols to check out your jobsite. If necessary, post a guard.

Additional Discussion Notes:

Remember: Most children will respect the builder’s wishes and stay out. But some will not and these are the ones that can get hurt or hurt your project from a vandalism standpoint. Experience indicates that those who have had a child injured on their sites find it can be quite a burden on one’s conscience. We don’t want that to happen on our job sites.

5/1/2015

Protecting the Public ~ ACP Safety Meeting

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One social critic pointed out that in the late 1990’s the United States has four percent of the world population, and half the world’s attorney’s. In today’s legalistic society with the laws of civil liability and negligence being what they are, all construction companies need to take seriously steps to protect the public. It doesn’t really accomplish anything if we protect the public after an accident; their lawyer will have a field day in court at a cost to us and the future of our company.

Guide for Discussion

Efforts to protect the jobsite should be directed toward the young. (Many liability claims come as a result to injuries to youths that gain access to a jobsite after hours or on weekends.)
Inform the police of the normal hours of work and ask that they regularly patrol the site after working hours.
Have workers report changes in the work conditions that may require additional protective measures.
If possible, fence in the site using plywood or chain link fences, keep the site well lit at night, or provide for a night guard (including using an injured worker in an ERTW status).
During working hours, don’t let unauthorized personnel on the site without an escort.
Always rope off or barricade excavations; protect against fall exposures.

Additional Discussion Notes:

Consider not installing risers and tread on stairways until after the doors and windows are hung to keep unwanted visitors out of the second or third floors.

Guardrails are an important fall protection on stairways and landing platforms. What do we do to insure guardrails remain functional?

Remember: In all situations of public exposure, it is important that steps are taken to eliminate the exposure of the public to injuries on your jobsite. In defending a suit against the company, good faith efforts can go a long way to protecting the company.

4/24/2015

Short Cuts ~ ACP Safety Meeting

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Question: (Yes/No answer) Nearly everyone we know uses short cuts to get the job done?

Answer: Generally yes.

However, there are some reasons not to use short cuts. As we all know, a project is completed by use of certain construction methods. Short cuts usually modify methods and as a result, decrease the safety built into proven methods.

Guide for Discussion

What are some ideas to keep in mind when doing short cuts?

Everyone uses short cuts
They can be dangerous
Sometimes they are deadly
Our company is willing to take the time necessary to do a job properly Heights increase the dangers of short cuts

Excavation and tunnels increase the dangers of short cuts
Warn those using unsafe short cuts of the hazards associated with short cuts.

Additional Discussion Notes:

Short cuts can really hurt our customers and our profits. Name some examples you have seen on the job.

Remember: Although we all use short cuts in our daily routines, we must be aware of the dangers that short cuts expose us to. There are two ways to perform a work task. Often the safe way is not the fastest or easiest way.

4/17/2015

Horseplay ~ ACP Safety Meeting

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Introduction: Nearly everyone has heard a practical joker say “This one is gonna kill ya.” Well, hopefully it never will. However, practical jokes invite danger. The building trades industry is potentially dangerous and anything that unnecessarily increases the chance of an injury must be eliminated. Horseplay benefits no one and usually only builds up resentment and fosters retaliation. Practical jokes should be discouraged. At some point, if they continue they need to be reported.

Guide for Discussion

Examples of Horseplay

Scaring someone.
Air hosing someone.
Wrestling with someone.
Boxing.
Goosing.
Dropping objects next to someone. Throwing water on someone. Throwing objects or tools at someone. Placing tacks under someone.

Additional Discussion Notes:

Can you think of other examples?
What are the adverse (bad) consequences of horseplay? When is it appropriate to report horseplay to supervisors?

Remember: Practical jokers can not guarantee the success of their jokes. They can guarantee that they increase the chance of an accident occurring. Imagine a joke that backfires, resulting in an injury or death to a co-worker. Do you want any part of that? It’s easy enough to get hurt on the job as it is. Let’s not increase anyone’s chances.

4/10/2015

Proper Lifting ~ ACP Safety Meeting

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Most of us forget the importance of our backs for the enjoyment of a normal, happy and successful life. However, the back contains one of the most critical muscle groups in the body, as well as the spinal cord and associated vertebrae and disks. Everyone working in the building industry must lift materials to either put them into place or to expedite from one location to another. Back injuries are cumulative; a lot of small injuries lead up to the big one. It is, therefore, important to remember the key elements of proper lifting.

Guide for Discussion Preparing to Lift

Do you need help? Get help if needed (more people, lift equipment). Do you need to stretch before preparing to lift?
Determine the load capacity.
Determine your ability to handle the load.

Wear safe shoes.
Wear gloves to protect your hands if the surface is rough. Make sure you have a clear walkway.

Making the Lift

Center the load between your legs or shoulders
Always bend with your legs.
Keep your back straight.
Lift with your legs (You can feel your leg muscles doing the work). Keep the load close to your body. (Hug the object you are lifting.)

Moving the Load

Keep your back as vertical as possible.
Keep the load close to you.
Don’t twist your body – move your feet.
When lowering your load, bend with the knees and keep the back straight.

Remember to follow these rules of lifting and you will give your back a break rather than breaking your back.

Remember: The only thing you’ll prove by lifting more than you should is that your back is a poor substitute for a forklift. Think before you lift—everytime.

4/3/2015

Warming Up ~ ACP Safety Meeting

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“Construction is an athletic event” The importance of being warmed up prior to starting construction work (or any work involving heavy lifting) is just like getting ready for a sporting event. Stretching is a means to avoid the most common body sprain/strain injuries. Stretching before lifting is especially helpful to avoid back injuries. According to safety experts, over half of all workers’ compensation claims and costs were due to sprain/strains.

Guide for Discussion

Overexertion effects:
Backs; Trunks (Waist, Hips); Knees; Shoulders, Arms and Elbows

The hardest injury to live with is a back injury; once you are injured expect repeat injuries. One professional study indicates that once you do injure your back, you are five times more likely to suffer a re-injury.

Stretching: Brick masons working a major project (Intel Ronda Acres in Hillsboro, Or.) demonstrated that those who stretched before starting work didn’t have any back sprain/strain or lifting injuries.

Helpful Hints:

Go into stretching with a relaxed and open mind.

Stretch to the point where it is comfortable, not painful.

Do not strain when you stretch – straining keeps the muscle from relaxing. Concentrate on the muscle being stretched – think about the good feeling of a proper stretch. As the feeling of the stretch changes to a mild stretch, stretch a little further, comfortable with no pain.

Don’t bounce when you stretch. That can cause injuries. Always stretch to the tight side first.

Breathe with a slow, normal rhythm. Do not hold your breath.

Demonstrate proper stretching exercises.

Remember: Construction is an athletic event. Stretching before you start work will make your job easier and helps prevent injuries on the job. Try it at home too.

3/27/2015

Keeping In Shape ~ ACP Safety Meeting

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Staying in shape is one subject that is rarely discussed when safety is the topic. However, a person who stays in good physical condition is less likely to be involved in an accident. They are usually more alert, less subject to the adverse effects of weather and generally able to react more quickly to changing conditions on the job. That is why this is an important subject.

Guide for Discussion:

Staying in Shape Reduces Injuries by:

Reducing the effect that adverse weather has on your body.
Reducing the effect of minor injuries. A body in good condition will usually repair itself much

faster.
Substantially reducing exposure to minor sprains, strains and muscle pulls. Most people in

good shape rarely strain or pull muscles.
Cutting down the exposure to normal illnesses. The percentages of those people who are in

good shape getting colds and the flu are lower. A person in good shape can better fight the

germs causing the illnesses.
Being more alert to job site conditions.

How To Stay In Shape:

Exercise regularly.
Eat right.
Get plenty of rest.
Avoid overindulging in sweets, alcohol or food.
Diet when needed to maintain recommended body weight.
Avoid smoking. Smoking cuts down circulation making cold colder, hot hotter, and injury recovery longer.

• The importance of eating breakfast; having a snack around mid-morning to be alert. • Insert Company Policy on smoking on the job.

Remember: Few people will dispute the fact that when you physically feel good, your attitude is also good. You are able to avoid illness and can react quicker to dangerous situations. It is far better on your body to stay in shape since it places less strain on your muscles and your heart. Keeping in good shape makes good sense, and good sense is the cornerstone to safety.

3/20/2015

Safety Is Common Sense ~ ACP Safety Meeting

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According to safety professionals, four of five serious injuries are the result of workers not being sensible on the job and taking unnecessary chances. Common sense on the job is irreplaceable. Most of us have worked around people that are accident prone. They aren’t jinxed; they aren’t very common sense smart. Today we want to talk about using common sense to avoid accidents in the workplace.

Guide for Discussion

Common Sense “Smarts”

Always wear the proper personal protective equipment.
Don’t over exert yourself – get help with heavy tasks.
Don’t over extend yourself when on ladders – and risk losing your balance. Always use the proper tool for the job.
Concentrate on your work.
Look for unsafe acts or unsafe working conditions – and then report them. Watch out for others – remember you are part of a team.

Ask the following questions before you begin to work:

Are the conditions safe to do the work?
Are the methods we are going to use safe?
Does everyone know what to do?
Does everyone know how to do it?
Can I fall, get struck by, get caught between or under, or get electrocuted on this job?

Remember: By remembering and following common sense rules and by asking yourself about the conditions, methods, job site hazards and knowing what to do, you should be able to decrease your chances of being injured. Be “common sense smart” and prevent accidents, not cause them.

3/13/2015

Accident/Incident Reporting ~ ACP Safety Meeting

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Before you start to talk, determine who the accident or incident information should be reported to (don’t forget the ACP Safety Committee) and who will fill out the Injury Report in the company office.

The following points should be covered in discussing the importance of reporting and investigating accidents, incidents or near miss accidents:

Guide for Discussion

Always report any accidents or near misses to Employer.

Any injuries needing first aid or medical attention should be reported to Employer.

What employees do in the case of an emergency (first aid and calling for an ambulance)?

Where is the nearest hospital? What is the nearest cross street? (Note: Discuss the information necessary to direct an ambulance to the worksite.)

Who are the first aid qualified people on the job site?
Anyone witnessing an accident should report what he or she saw to Employer.

All accidents involving medical treatment should have an investigation conducted to determine the cause.

Remember: Always report any unsafe condition or unsafe acts, no matter how minor, to your Employer. It’s far better to prevent accidents than it is to report, investigate, deal with the workers’ compensation carrier, and have the loss of a valuable employee.