Category: Safety Flash

The Bone Yard Is A Jobsite Too

6/2/2020

When trucks bring steel back from a jobsite, it most often just gets thrown into a laydown area,
or bone yard, with cranes, lifts and welding machines. This can cause a lot of potential hazards,
as improper material storage can cause leg, ankle and/or hand crushes, also known as pinch
points.

All laydown areas are dangerous, not just those on jobsites. They create trip hazards that can
do more damage than just a crushing injury, such as broken bones, caused by a fall.

One of the most important things to have when working in a laydown area is to have a spotter.
A spotter should always make himself/herself seen by the forklift operator, know how to
handle the forks on the lift, and always be on the lookout for damaged dunnage.

When working in a bone yard, remember to watch where you put your hands. The laydown
area can be full of spiders and snakes in addition to the sharp edges. Never go into the bone
yard unprotected. Old cables or chokers can cut you, that’s one of the main reasons they’re in
the bone yard.

There can be many hidden traps, so you must be on the lookout. That means to look under,
around, and beside you, even if you’re just getting one piece out. Always fix the pile when
you’re done. Don’t leave a trap for the next person.

Best Practices

Always be on the lookout for damaged dunnage, like 2 x 4’s or double-stacked wood that can crush your hands.
Have a spotter that is educated on the equipment being used.
Watch where you put your hands. The laydown area can be full of spiders and snakes in addition to the sharp edges.
Secure deck during storage to keep it from becoming airborne during inclement weather.
Always wear proper PPE.
Know and understand the potential hazards associated with the task at hand and how to control the workplace to minimize danger.
Look for possible pinch points before starting any task.
Employers and employees should work together to examine the workplace to detect any unsafe or unhealthful conditions, practices, or equipment.
Avoid overloading equipment when moving materials mechanically

Resources

Middle Georgia State University- Environmental Health and Safety manual for pinch points

https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA2236/osha2236.html

This Safety Flash was contributed by Dave Schulz of Schulz Iron Works, Inc., in cooperation with
SEAA’s Safety Committee. It is designed to keep members informed about ongoing safety
issues and to provide suggestions for reducing risk. Best practices are gathered from a
variety of sources. They may be more or less stringent than individual corporate policies,
and are not intended to be an official recommendation from SEAA. Always get approval
and direction from your company officers on any new practice or procedure as these best
practices may not work for all situations.

Everyone benefits when a worker avoids injury. Submit your ideas for Safety Flash
to executivedirector@seaa.net

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Construction: Liability, Recordability, and Financial Implications

4/9/2020

Over the past few weeks, it’s become clear that the world is facing a remarkable health crisis. The coronavirus pandemic has created personal, practical, and legal implications for those in the construction industry. This article addresses three areas of concern for employers: 1) Recordability, EMR and Insurance Costs; 2) Legal Considerations; and 3) Financial Considerations.

As business leaders, it is important to consider these three categories noted while navigating
emergency action planning, business continuity, and remote work/alternate revenue sources.

New Training Requirements for Aerial Equipment Operators Effective March 1

2/10/2020

A new ANSI A92 standard for aerial equipment is set to go into effect March 1, 2020. In addition to terminology and design changes, there are changes that directly impact training of operators and usage. These changes will improve safety for users and harmonize the American National Standards Institute and Canadian Standards Association standards with international standards (ISO and EN280), which are currently in place.

Making the Most of Toolbox Talks

12/17/2019

Summary
Toolbox Talks are an important part of safety and health programs. They allow employers to
proactively address hazards specific to the jobsite or project, creating awareness of certain risks and how workers should handle them. Perhaps just as important, Toolbox Talks can be used to build trust and boost communication when the tone is one of a safe space for employees to voice any safety concern or suggest ideas they have for improving safety.

Protecting New workers from injury

10/4/2019

Training in a controlled environment using “real life” models and training aids exposes the trainee to safe and efficient practices.

Summary
Safety is a core value for many construction companies, with many subscribing to the mantra that all workers will return home at the end of the day in the same condition as they left home. But as experienced workers leave the industry, maintaining this goal with workers with less experience creates a new challenge.

3M Issues Recalls for two Fall Protection Devices

8/21/2019

Summary
In July 2019, 3M issued stop use and product recall notices on two products frequently used by ironworkers in steel erection applications.

The first is 3M™ PROTECTA® Cobra Mobile/Manual Rope Grab AC202D, which is incorrectly stamped for use with 1/2 to 3/4 inch diameter rope on the exterior body of the unit. This Cobra Rope Grab is certified for use ONLY with 5/8 inch diameter polyester or polypropylene rope. All marketing information and the Instructions for Use (IFU) for this rope grab correctly identify the size of rope to be used as 5/8 inch polyester/polypropylene rope.

In the event of a fall from height, a Cobra Rope Grab used with 1/2 inch diameter rope may not arrest the fall and could result in serious injury or death to the worker.

Wire Rope Sling Inspection and Removal Updates

6/10/2019

Using rigging racks is a good way to extend the life of your slings.

SUMMARY:
One piece of equipment most often used in the steel erection industry is the wire rope sling. It is also one of the most abused pieces of equipment. There are many ways wire rope slings are abused, including being laid in the dirt; pulled out from under a load by the crane; used without softeners when lifting heavy loads; or being straightened by an old-school choker straightener. Straightening your slings over and over weakens the wires and you lose the strength of your sling. These are all unacceptable practices. Wire rope slings must be visually inspected before each day’s use. During inspection, you must know and understand what to look for to determine whether you should continue to use or discard the sling.

Guidelines for Exiting a Boom Lift onto an Adjacent Structure

4/9/2019

If the adjacent structure is not equipped to provide appropriate fall protection, the Genie® boom may be used as a fall arrest anchor. (Credit: Genie)

SUMMARY:
It’s not uncommon that a construction worker needs to access an upper elevation using a boom lift, but does not know if in this particular situation it is safe and legal to do. There are legitimate reasons for exiting the platform at height. Sometimes exiting the platform when elevated is simply the safest way to carry out temporary work at height.

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