Safety Talks: What You Do Matters
Safety Talks: What You Do Matters
Safety Talks: What You Do Matters
SAFETY
Safety Talks
of your employees IHSA serves the following industries:
• construction
• electrical
• utilities
EDUCATE
TALKS
• transportation
Educate yourself and your employees. • aggregates
• Take advantage of IHSA’s free training • natural gas
programs for members. • ready-mix concrete
• Access hundreds of free products and
downloadable resources.
ihsa.ca/Free-Products/Downloads.aspx
• Learn about your rights and responsibilities
You are automatically a
under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. member of IHSA if your
company pays Ontario
ENGAGE WSIB premiums for one
Engage your workers in health
and safety.
of the rate groups in the
• Give five-minute safety talks each morning. industries served by IHSA.
ihsa.ca/resources/safetytalks.aspx
• Conduct regular health and safety meetings.
• Keep a record of what happens on the site.
Find out what we can
EVALUATE do for you at ihsa.ca
Evaluate your current health & safety
program.
• Find legislative requirements and best
practices based on your firm size.
ihsa.ca/smallbusiness.aspx
• Conduct hazard assessments and workplace inspections. 21 Voyager Court South
• Help workers understand the importance of reporting Toronto, Ontario
gaps in your health & safety system. M9W 5M7 Canada
Tel: 1-800-263-5024
info@ihsa.ca
Revised Edition
V005
V005
Get Approved Working
at Heights Training
Workers on construction projects who may use a method of fall
protection must complete a working at heights training program
that has been approved by Ontario’s Chief Prevention Officer. In
addition, a refresher course must be taken every three years.
IHSA is proud to offer our CPO-approved Working at Heights—
Fundamentals of Fall Prevention course at many locations
When you register a business ONTARIO’S HEALTH & SAFETY SYSTEM throughout Ontario. Train with IHSA and be confident that you
with the WSIB, you automatically are compliant with legislated requirements.
become a member of IHSA. Ministry of Labour Together we can stop falls from killing
Develops legislation and regulations,
and is responsible for enforcement Ontario workers.
WHO WE ARE and prevention.
Jobsite safety talks can help prevent accidents and injuries by promoting hazard
awareness in the workplace. IHSA recommends that supervisors present five-
minute safety talks each morning before work starts. Ideally, each talk will involve a
hazard that workers could face on the jobsite that day.
Feel free to send suggestions for future safety talks to info@ihsa.ca
The contents contained in this publication are for general information only. This publication should not be
regarded or relied upon as a definitive guide to government regulations or to safety practices and procedures.
The contents of this publication were, to the best of our knowledge, current at the time of printing. However, no
representations of any kind are made with regard to the accuracy, completeness, or sufficiency of the contents.
The appropriate regulations and statutes should be consulted. Readers should not act on the information
contained herein without seeking specific independent legal advice on their specific circumstance. The
Infrastructure Health & Safety Association is pleased to answer individual requests for counselling and advice.
Images supplied by the Health and Safety Executive contain public sector information
published by the HSE and licensed under the Open Government Licence V1.0.
978-0-919465-88-6
IHSA would like to thank the members of the Labour-Management Health and
Safety Committees who contributed their knowledge, experience, and time in
preparing many of these safety talks.
ii
Table of Contents
Introduction 36 Hoisting signals—Basic rules
iii
Table of Contents cont’d
Confined Spaces 110 Solvents
72 Confined spaces—Definition 111 Silica
73 Confined spaces—Dangerous atmospheres 112 Silica—Cutting and grinding concrete
74 Confined spaces—Physical hazards 113 Silica—Installing and finishing drywall
114 Dust
Techniques and Tools 115 HEPA filters
75 Safety at home 116 Cement
76 Drywall installation—Noise exposure 117 Concrete
77 Low-slope roofing—Hot asphalt 118 Moulds
78 Hand-held masonry saws 1 119 Sewage
79 Hand-held masonry saws 2 120 West Nile virus
80 Mobile devices while driving 121 Needlestick and sharp-object injuries
81 Mobile devices on worksites 122 Sun protection
82 Working alone 123 Heat stress
83 Heaters 124 Cold stress
84 Housekeeping 125 Winter hazards
85 Falling-object hazards 126 Asbestos—Type 1 operations
86 Hand tools—Pliers and wrenches 127 Asbestos—Type 2 operations
87 Hand tools—Screwdrivers 128 Lead
88 Electric tools—Basic safety 129 Lead-based paint—Welding and cutting
89 Electric tools—Drills 130 Spray polyurethane foam insulation
90 Electric tools—Circular saws 131 Dry-ice blasting
91 Electric tools—Sabre saws 132 Skin hazards—Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD)
92 Chainsaws 133 Skin hazards—Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD)
93 Nail guns 134 Welding—Inhalation hazards
94 Floor sealing 135 Working around bird and bat droppings
95 Fire extinguishers
96 Compressed gas cylinders Ergonomics
97 Propane 136 Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)—Risk factors
98 Formwork—Placing concrete 137 Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)—Controls
99 Formwork—Stripping forms 138 Back care—Basic lifting
100 Flying forms—Struck-by hazards 139 Back care—Lifting sheet materials 1
101 Slips and falls—Unloading structural steel 140 Back care—Lifting sheet materials 2
102 Struck-by injuries—Compressor tools 141 Stretching exercises
103 Struck-by injuries—Electric saws 142 Whole-body vibration (WBV)
143 Welding—MSDs
Occupational Health 144 Flying forms—MSDs
104 Radon gas 145 Driving—MSDs
105 Naturally occurring radioactive material
106 Synthetic amorphous silica insulation Forms
107 Carbon monoxide 146 Report Form
108 Hand-arm vibration
109 Vibration white finger
iv
Safety talks and JSAs
What is a safety talk? How to develop a JSA
A safety talk is a hands-on way to remind your 1. Identify the Job
workers that health and safety are important
The first thing you do when developing a JSA
on the job. Each safety talk provides specific
is identify the main jobs or tasks that your
information on hazards for a particular topic. It
workers will do as part of the job on site.
also outlines things workers can do to prevent
These are the jobs that you will analyze to
injuries and illness. Safety talks are ideal for daily
ensure that everyone can do them safely. List
or weekly safety meetings. But on their own, they
these jobs in order of priority.
aren’t enough to keep your workers safe.
2. Break down each job into steps
What is a JSA? Once you have identified a job for analysis,
the next step is to break down the job into
A job safety analysis (JSA), sometimes called
steps. Each step is a segment of the operation
a job hazard analysis (JHA), is an organized
that is necessary to advance the work. Make
analysis of a specific job in a specific location.
sure you keep the jobs steps in sequential
By completing a JSA, you ensure that you have
order. Get the crew and the health and safety
properly planned the work and that workers can
representative to help with this part.
do it safely. As a written document, it can serve
as evidence of due diligence. These steps are not only specific to the job,
but also specific to the work area. If the work
area changes, the steps may need to change
Before giving safety talks, create JSAs
as well. If the steps are too detailed, the JSA
Before workers begin a job, management must will be burdensome and difficult to follow.
ensure that all the work has been planned so that However, if they are not detailed enough, you
workers can do it safely. Management must set may miss some hazards.
up an effective method or system to identify and
control or eliminate hazards in the workplace. 3. Identify the hazards associated with each job
One way to do this is to develop a job safety step
analysis (JSA) for tasks that your workers will This is the most challenging part of the JSA.
complete as part of their work on the jobsite. Take each step and list the hazards associated
Use the safety talks in this book along with the with it. Think about what could go wrong
JSAs you have created for each job. from a health and safety perspective. Think
about how people, equipment, materials,
Why develop a JSA? processes, and the surrounding environment
may contribute to a hazard.
JSAs are excellent tools for identifying
Here are some things you can do to help you
• the steps involved in the job identify potential hazards.
• the potential hazards associated with the job • Ask workers who are familiar with the job.
• the protective measures you will use to • Review causes of past injuries or illnesses.
protect workers who will complete the job.
• Consider other work going on near the
work area.
Who develops the JSA?
• Understand the legislation or regulatory
A competent person should develop the JSA requirements associated with the work.
because, according the Occupational Health
and Safety Act, he or she has knowledge of the • Review the manufacturer’s instructions for
hazards that are present on the jobsite. Usually, the equipment you are using.
the competent person who writes JSA is the • Consider your own personal experience
foreperson or supervisor. with the job.
Introduction 1
Safety talks and JSAs cont’d
4. Determine controls for each hazard 5. Discuss the completed JSA with workers
Each hazard that you identified in the Once you have completed the first four steps
previous step needs a control. The control for every job that you identified in step one,
explains how you will eliminate the hazard or you will have well-developed JSAs. Now, it’s
how you will significantly reduce the risk of time to share them with your workers. The
injury or illness. JSAs won’t be effective if the workers don’t
Below are some ways to control hazards. know about them or don’t understand them.
Before starting work, review the relevant
JSAs with your crew and make sure everyone
• Modify the process or knows how they are supposed to do the job. If
choose a safer process. you’re dealing with a job or task that will last
Eliminate
• Improve the work more than one day, it’s a good idea to review
the
environment (e.g., the relevant JSAs each morning before work
Hazard
ventilation). starts.
• Modify or change
equipment or tools. Updating JSAs
• Install barriers, such as We know how often work plans change. When
guardrails or machine things change, the supervisor or foreperson
Contain guards. must update the relevant JSAs to reflect any new
the • Enclose the hazard so hazard that results from the change. Then, the
Hazard workers aren’t exposed to supervisor or foreperson must review the revised
it. JSAs with all workers.
• Install a booth for workers.
Keep in mind that if workers perform the same
• Modify the part of job in two different locations, you will probably
the procedure that is need two JSAs because the surrounding
hazardous. environment is different.
Revise the
• Change the sequence of
Work
steps.
Procedure
• Add additional steps
(such as locking out
energy sources).
• Reduce the number
of times workers will
encounter the hazard.
• Reduce the number of
Reduce workers exposed to the
the hazard.
Exposure • Use personal protective
equipment.
• Rotate jobs to reduce
the time each worker is
exposed to the hazard.
2 Introduction
Sample JSA JSA No. ________
Company Name: ABC Company Project Name: Big Project
Work Description: Geotechnical Soils Investigation Work Location: Area outside north and south of contractor parking
Start Date: November 19, 2012 Duration: Approximately 2 weeks
Major Equipment: Drill Rig Reference Material: Soils Investigation Specification, Bore Hole Location Sketch
Trade Groups (Including sub-contractors): Geotechnical Technicians, Labourers, Operating Engineers
Introduction 3
JSA No. ________
JSA Form
Company _________________________________ Project __________________________________
Prepared by _______________________________________________________________________
Instructions:
1. To be prepared by the supervisor most directly involved in the work.
2. Must be approved by preparer’s management supervisor.
3. Must be reviewed by all workers involved in the work.
4. Emergency plan must be considered.
5. If the work plan changes and the JSA is amended, changes must be reviewed by all workers
involved in the work.
4 Introduction
How to use safety talks
Once you have completed the necessary job What makes a safety talk work?
safety analysis (JSA) for each particular job or
workplace, you will have identified the hazards • Choose a talk suited to your site and work
and planned to eliminate or contain them. When conditions.
the hazard cannot be eliminated or contained,
controls need to be put in place to reduce the • Deliver the talk where it will be most
risk of injuries or illnesses for workers. appropriate. That could be in the job
office, out on the site, or near the tools and
A safety talk is a hands-on way to remind equipment you are talking about.
workers of these controls, how they work, and
that health and safety are important on the job. • Introduce the subject clearly. Let workers
Safety talks deal with specific problems in the know exactly what you are going to talk
workplace. They do not replace formal training. about and why it’s important to them.
Each safety talk addresses a specific hazard. You • Refer to the safety talk for information, but
can use them to remind workers about the health wherever possible use your own words.
and safety requirements for the tools, equipment,
• Connect key points to things your crew is
materials, and procedures they use every day or
familiar with on the project.
for particular parts of the job.
• Pinpoint hazards. Talk about what could
Each safety talk in this book will take about five
happen.
minutes to present.
• Use information from the safety talk to
explain how to control or prevent these
Why give a safety talk? hazards.
Your objective is to help workers RECOGNIZE • Wherever possible, use real tools,
and CONTROL hazards on the project. You equipment, material, and jobsite situations to
may be a supervisor, a health and safety demonstrate key points.
representative, a member of the Joint Health and
Safety Committee (JHSC), a safety officer, or • Ask for questions. Answer them to the best of
someone with similar duties. your knowledge. Get more information when
necessary.
You give safety talks because you are responsible
for advising workers about the existing or • Ask workers to demonstrate what they have
potential dangers to their health and safety. Using learned.
safety talks demonstrates both the employer’s
and workers’ commitment to health and safety. Keep a record of each talk that you deliver.
Include the date, topic, and names of attendees.
Photocopy the Report Form at the back of
this manual and use it to keep a record of each
session.
REMEMBER: A safety talk may be the only
information workers receive about a particular
tool, piece of equipment, type of material, or
work procedure on the project. When choosing
and presenting your talk, do everything you
can to help workers remember and act on the
message you deliver.
Introduction 5
Responsibilities
Explain dangers SUPERVISOR (See OHSA, s. 27 and 32)
Workers have the right to know about workplace The OHSA sets out specific procedures. It’s a two-
health and safety hazards. stage process.
According to the Occupational Health and Safety You can refuse based on your subjective belief
Act (OHSA), employers must provide a wide that the work is dangerous. You must inform the
range of information about workplace hazards to supervisor or employer.
workers and Joint Health and Safety Committees
(JHSCs). JHSCs have a duty to communicate with Once a supervisor has investigated, you may still
workers. have reasonable grounds for believing that the
work is dangerous. In this case, you may continue
WHMIS, the Workplace Hazardous Materials to refuse work. A Ministry of Labour inspector
Information System, is one example of the right to must be called to investigate.
know. WHMIS is a Canada-wide system designed
to protect workers by providing information
about hazardous materials on the job. Demonstrate
WHMIS has three main parts: Ask your crew the following questions:
1. Labels • What rights do construction workers have on
2. Safety data sheets (SDSs) the job?
3. Worker education and training. • Who are the members of the JHSC on this
project?
2. RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE
Show workers the location of the MOL’s
Workers have the right to make mandatory Health & Safety at Work poster and
recommendations about health and safety. the mandatory JHSC or H&S Rep poster on the
Employers must recognize this right to site.
participate. They must consult with JHSCs about
methods of testing equipment, substances, or
other workplace factors, and about health and
safety training programs.
Take extra precautions in windy conditions or If you have an eyewash station on site, show your
when doing jobs where eye injuries are more crew the location and explain how to use it.
likely.
___________________________________
Demonstrate
Review company policy and procedures on
hearing protection.
Explain dangers Show two types of hearing protectors:
• Earplugs
Many workers are overexposed to noise. In time,
overexposure can damage your hearing. • Earmuffs.
Hearing loss prevents you from hearing other Show how to insert earplugs:
hazards on the job. It also causes problems in 1. Reach one hand around back of head.
your personal life.
2. Pull ear upwards to straighten S-shaped ear
• It interferes with how you hear normal speech. canal.
• It prevents you from socializing. 3. Insert plug with other hand according to the
• It can cause high blood pressure. manufacturer’s instructions.
• It is permanent.
Identify controls
Hearing loss is preventable. The best prevention is
hearing protection.
Noise is any unwanted sound. There are two
types—continuous noise (e.g., from a generator)
and impulse noise (e.g., from a nail gun).
Noise is measured in decibels (dBA). For example,
a quick-cut saw produces 115 dBA, a jackhammer
produces 110 dBA, and a drill produces 100 dBA.
The noise level doubles every time it increases by
3 dBA. So when the level goes from 80 dBA to
83 dBA, the noise is twice as loud.
In the same way, the noise level drops 6 dBA
when you double your distance away from it. This
will make the noise level four times quieter.
The Noise regulation (O. Reg. 381) sets a limit of
85 dBA of noise exposure over an 8-hour work
shift. This is the loudness of a room full of people.
Proper Technique for Inserting Earplugs
Demonstrate
Show CSA and NIOSH labels and stress that only
CSA- and NIOSH-approved respirators that are
appropriate for the hazard should be used.
Show examples of air-purifying and supplied-air
respirators. Show how to replace filters.
Show where information on respirators can be
found on a safety data sheet (SDS).
Review company rules and procedures on
respirators.
Demonstrate
Identify controls
Demonstrate what to look for when inspecting a
Particulate respirator filters are identified by a respirator. Inspect two or three respirators in use.
letter and a number. The letters are: Make necessary adjustments and arrange repairs
N – not resistant to oil or replacements.
R – resistant to oil Check the facepiece for holes, cracks, and splits.
P – oil-proof. Check the inhalation valves for damage, dust and
dirt, and proper seating.
The numbers are 95, 99, and 100. These indicate
efficiency: 95%, 99%, 99.9% (100). Remove filters and make sure the flapper valve
(usually a flexible disk) isn’t missing or damaged.
Filter cartridges for chemicals such as ammonia, Make sure the flapper valve is seated properly in
organic vapours, solvents, or acid gases use the valve assembly.
different filter technology. Look at the cartridge
before selecting a respirator. Remove the cover at the bottom of the respirator
to inspect the exhalation valve. Check the valve
With use, filters become harder to breathe for damage, dirt, and proper seating. Make sure
through. You’re breathing not only through the that straps and buckles are free of damage and
filter but also through the contaminants that build working properly.
up on the outside of the filter.
14
Hand protection
Our hands also need protection against
List hazards to hands on site. chemicals. Check the label to see whether a
product must be handled with gloves and what
types of gloves are required.
___________________________________
If that information isn’t on the label, check
the safety data sheet (SDS). An SDS must be
___________________________________
available on site for any controlled products that
are being used.
___________________________________
Using the right gloves for the job is important.
For instance, rubber gloves are no good with
___________________________________ solvents and degreasers. The gloves will dissolve
on contact.
Leather gloves provide good protection against Chemical Name Glove Selection
sharp edges, splinters, and heat. Cotton or other Acetone Butyl Rubber
materials don’t stand up well. You should wear Cellosolve PVA, PVC, Neoprene
them only for light-duty jobs. Cellosolve Acetate PVA, PVC
Cyclohexane NBR, Viton®
Wearing anti-vibration gloves when using power Hexane Neoprene, NBR, PVA
Methyl Alcohol Neoprene, Rubber, NBR
tools and equipment can help prevent hand-arm
Methyl Chloroform PVA, Viton
vibration syndrome (HAVS). Methylene Chloride PVA, Viton
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Butyl Rubber
HAVS causes the following changes in fingers and Methyl Isobutyl Ketone Butyl Rubber, PVA
hands: Mineral Spirits Neoprene
Naphtha NBR, PVA
• Circulation problems such as whitening or Perchloroethylene NBR, PVA, Viton
bluish discoloration, especially after exposure Stoddard Solvent PVA, NBR, Rubber
to cold Toluene PVA, Viton
Turpentine PVA, NBR
• Sensory problems such as numbness and Trichloroethylene PVA, Viton
tingling 1, 1, 1 Trichloroethane PVA, Viton
1, 1, 2 Trichloroethane PVA, Viton
• Musculoskeletal problems such as difficulty Xylene PVA, Viton
with fine motor movements—for instance,
picking up small objects. PVA – Polyvinyl Alcohol
PVC – Polyvinyl Chloride
NBR – Nitrite Butyl Rubber
Workers who use vibrating tools such as Viton® – Dupont tradename product
jackhammers, grinders, riveters, and compactors
on a daily basis may develop HAVS.
15
Head protection
• Never wear a baseball cap under your hard hat.
A 70-lb metal beam fell from the seventh
storey of a condominium development and • Never paint a hard hat or make holes in a hard
struck a worker on the head, face, and torso. hat.
The man was taken to hospital in serious
condition but survived. Police credit the • A hard hat should normally be worn facing
man’s hard hat with saving his life. forward. It may be worn backwards only if it has
a reverse orientation mark (see below).
Explain dangers
A hard hat can protect you from cuts, scrapes,
and bruises. It can protect you from falling
objects, which can cause severe damage to the
head and spine. It can prevent electric shock and
limit your exposure to UV radiation from the sun.
Identify controls
Guardrails are often the best and most convenient
means of fall protection.
Where possible, guardrails must be installed
• Along the open edges of roofs and floors
• On formwork, scaffolds, and other work
surfaces
• Around openings in floors, roofs, and around
skylights
• Wherever workers are exposed to the risk of All guardrails—especially wooden ones—should
falling. be inspected regularly.
Guardrails must be installed no more than 30 cm Sometimes guardrails have to be removed to land
(1 ft) from an open edge. material or make installations along floor or roof
They must be high enough and strong enough edges. In those cases, the open edge should be
to resist the force of workers bumping into or roped off and marked with warning signs. Workers
backing up against them. They must also be who go inside the roped-off area must wear fall
able to withstand the loads specified in the protection and be tied off.
Construction Projects regulation (O. Reg. 213/91, Although guardrails are the best method of
s. 26.3(5)). protecting workers around floor and roof
A typical wooden guardrail system must have: openings, they may not always be practical. You
may have to use a protective cover.
• A top rail, mid rail, and toeboard secured to
vertical supports Protective covers are made of planks, plywood,
or steel plate and are securely fastened over the
• A top rail between 0.9 m (3 ft) and 1.1 m (3 ft
opening. They must be strong enough to support
7 in) high
any weight reasonably expected to be placed on
• A toeboard installed flush with the surface them.
and at least 89 mm (3 1/2 in) high (or 100 mm
In some cases, workers have removed covers from
(4 in) high if not made of wood)
openings and then fallen through. To prevent this,
• Posts no more than 2.4 m (8 ft) apart. covers should be clearly marked in bright paint
Wire rope and manufactured systems of metal with warning signs such as: DANGER! DO NOT
frames and wire mesh can also be used as REMOVE! DO NOT LOAD!
guardrails if they are as strong and durable as
wooden guardrails. Demonstrate
Well-anchored posts are essential. You can use
vertical shoring jacks, screw-clamp posts, clamp Review the types of guardrails used on site. Ask
binding posts, or posts that fit into sleeves cast your workers where else guardrails should be
right in the slab. installed.
Working at Heights 17
Fall protection—Basic types
List fall hazards on site. A fall arrest system must also be worn when
workers are:
• On a rolling scaffold that is being moved
___________________________________
• Getting on, working from, or getting off a
suspended platform, suspended scaffold, or
___________________________________ bosun’s chair.
A fall arrest system prevents a falling worker from
___________________________________ hitting the ground or any object below. It consists
of a full-body harness attached to a lanyard and
energy absorber, which reduces some of the force
exerted on the body when a fall is arrested.
Explain dangers The lanyard and energy abosorber is attached to
an adequate anchor point or to a rope grab on an
Falls are the number-one cause of accidental adequately anchored lifeline.
deaths and critical injuries in construction. And Full-body harnesses are fully adjustable and
you don’t have to fall far to be injured or killed. available in different sizes. Some types are
specially designed for women. Proper fit of the
harness is important, especially when it is being
Identify controls used for fall arrest.
On many sites, guardrails are the most common
and convenient means of fall protection. Where Demonstrate
guardrails cannot be used, workers must use
another means of fall protection to prevent a fall. Ask workers if they have taken CPO-approved
Two basic types of fall protection are travel working at heights (WAH) training within the
restraint and fall arrest. Both involve wearing a previous three years and have received site-
full-body harness. specific WAH instruction.
Remind your workers how to put on, adjust, and
1. TRAVEL RESTRAINT wear a full-body harness.
A travel restraint system keeps you from getting 1. Adjust the chest
too close to an unprotected edge. The lifeline and strap so that it is
lanyard are adjusted to let you reach the edge but snug and located
not fall over it. near the middle
A full-body harness used with a travel restraint of the chest (i.e.,
system attaches to an adequately anchored above the sternum,
lifeline or to a lanyard that attaches to an just below the
adequately anchored lifeline. armpits).
18 Working at Heights
Fall protection—Approvals and inspections
List fall hazards on site. If any part of a fall protection system has been
used to arrest a fall, it must be discarded or
removed from service until the manufacturer
___________________________________ certifies that all components are safe for reuse.
___________________________________ Demonstrate
Working at Heights 19
Fall protection—Rope grabs
List fall hazards on site. Demonstrate
Using a rope grab and lifeline, demonstrate the
___________________________________ following as you talk:
• When attaching a
___________________________________ rope grab to a lifeline,
always make sure the
___________________________________ arrow on the device
points along the lifeline
towards the anchor
point (pictured).
• After putting the rope
Explain dangers grab on the lifeline,
give it a firm tug in the
With rope grabs, there are three basic hazards: direction of a fall to
1. Attaching them the wrong way make sure it engages.
2. Grabbing hold of them during a fall • Some rope grabs have a “parking feature”
that locks at a point on the lifeline that won’t
3. Using them with the wrong size or type of let you reach a fall hazard.
rope.
• Ensure that the lifeline and rope grab match.
A rope grab attached upside down to a lifeline Rope grabs are designed to work with
can’t work properly. Instead of locking on the certain types and sizes (in diameters) of
line, it will simply slide down. lifelines. Specifications are usually listed in the
Don’t grab the device if you fall. This can prevent manufacturer’s instructions or on the housing
some grabs from working properly. Instead of of the robe grab.
stopping, you’ll slide to injury or death below. • A vertical lifeline must extend to the ground
or have a positive stop to prevent the rope
Identify controls grab from running off the end of the lifeline.
This positive stop can be a manufactured
Rope grabs are known as fall arresters and must stopping device or a loose knot that does
meet the requirements found in CSA-Z259.2.5: not damage the rope. Remember: only one
Fall Arresters and Vertical Lifelines. person at a time may use a vertical lifeline.
Fall arresters are classified and labelled as follows: • Position the rope grab on a vertical lifeline
as high as possible above your D-ring to
• Automatic fall arresters – These can move minimize free fall distance.
freely along the lifeline according to the
position of a worker. They lock automatically • Make sure you have enough clearance below.
if you fall. Rope grabs may slide down the lifeline as
much as 1 m (3.3 ft) before arresting a fall.
• Manual fall arresters – These are always
locked in position and require action by the • Inspect rope grabs before use. Check for
worker to move it along the lifeline. distortion, rust, sharp edges, and moving
parts that don’t work easily.
Fall arresters were previously classified as AD and
ADP. Class ADP arresters include a panic feature, • A rope grab that arrests a fall should be taken
which keeps the arrester locked on the lifeline, out of service until it can be inspected and
even if you grab hold of it. (The “P” is for “panic.”) recertified for use.
20 Working at Heights
Working at heights—Site-specific training
Explain dangers If you’ve received site-specific WAH training, you
should be able to answer yes to the following
Falling from heights continues to be a leading questions:
cause of injuries and fatalities in the construction Has a hazard assessment been done?
industry. Despite the introduction of standardized
working at heights (WAH) training, too many This will show you where the hazards are and
workers are dying from fall-related injuries. where fall protection is required. Even better,
each site should have a fall protection work plan
The WAH training standard recognizes that (FPWP). It’s important that everyone understands
classroom-based WAH training is only the first and follows the work plan.
step. Knowing the specific fall hazards at the
worksite and putting controls in place to prevent Have controls been put in place to eliminate or
these hazards is the key to staying safe and reduce the likelihood of a fall?
decreasing the number of fall-related incidents. The solutions to any fall-related hazards found
during the hazard assessment should be
This requires site-specific WAH training and included in your FPWP. Solutions could include
written proof by the employer that it has been eliminating the hazard by putting up guardrails
done. or controlling the hazard by finding appropriate
anchor locations and figuring out what type of
Identify controls fall protection equipment is needed.
If a Ministry of Labour (MOL) inspector shows up Review the site’s fall rescue plan and fall
on the site and requests proof of WAH training protection work plan. Make sure they’re posted in
in writing, you must produce it. However, the a conspicuous place at the project and show your
inspector may also ask what instruction and crew where they’re located.
information you received on the site.
Working at Heights 21
Extension ladders
Explain dangers • Tie off or otherwise secure the top and
bottom of the ladder. Keep areas at the top
Extension ladders can be dangerous tools. and bottom clear of debris, scrap, material,
Workers have been killed and injured from falls and other obstructions.
and powerline contact. • Clean mud, snow, and other slippery
substances off your boots before climbing.
Identify controls • When climbing up or down, always face the
ladder and maintain 3-point contact.
• Choose the right ladder for the job. On • Be very careful when erecting extension
a construction project, it must meet the ladders near live overhead powerlines. Never
requirements of a Grade 1, Grade 1A, or use metal or metal-reinforced ladders near
Grade 1AA ladder under CSA Z11-12: Portable electrical wires or equipment.
Ladders. Also, it must be long enough to:
• Wherever possible, use extension ladders only
– be set up at a safe angle (see image below) for access—not as work platforms.
– extend 90 cm (3 ft) beyond the top • When you must work from a ladder more
landing. than 3 m (10 ft) off the ground, wear a safety
• A two-section extension ladder should be harness and tie off to a well-anchored lifeline
no longer than 15 m (50 ft); a three-section or other support—not to the ladder.
ladder should be no longer than 20 m (66 ft).
• Check the ladder for damage or defects: Demonstrate
– before you set it up
Use an extension ladder to demonstrate the
– after it has been used somewhere else by controls to your crew as you talk.
other workers
– after it has been left somewhere for a long
time.
• Set the ladder on a firm, level base. If the base
is made of soft, loose, or wet material, clear it
away or stand the ladder on a mud sill.
• Never erect extension ladders on boxes, carts,
tables, or other unstable objects. Never stand
them up against flexible or movable surfaces.
• Set the ladder up at a safe angle—one foot
out for every three or four feet up, depending
on length.
• When the ladder is set up, there should be
a clear space of at least 15 cm (6 in) behind
each rung for the front of your foot to fit.
• When the ladder is fully extended, sections
must overlap at least 90 cm (3 ft).
• Stand no higher than the fourth rung from the
top.
• Don’t carry tools, equipment, or material in
your hands while climbing. Use a hoist line or
gin wheel for lifting and lowering.
22 Working at Heights
Stepladders
• Don’t use an unopened stepladder as a
List stepladder locations on site. straight or extension ladder. The feet are not
designed for this use.
Working at Heights 23
3-point contact—Ladders
• Don’t carry tools, equipment, or material in
List ladder locations on site. your hands while climbing. Use a tool belt for
small tools and a hoist line or gin wheel for
lifting and lowering larger items.
___________________________________
• Clean mud, snow, and other slippery
substances off your boots before climbing
___________________________________ and make sure that rungs are clear.
• Always hold onto the ladder with at least one
hand. If this is not possible and the work is
3 m (10 ft) or more above the floor, wear a
safety harness and tie the lanyard off to the
Explain dangers structure or to a lifeline.
Identify controls
• To use ladders safely, always maintain three
points of contact. That means two hands and
one foot or two feet and one hand on the Extend 90 cm
(3 ft) minimum
ladder at all times. Secure top and
• Moving quickly often results in only 2-point bottom
contact. You often have to make a conscious
effort to maintain 3-point contact.
• Break 3-point contact only when you reach
the ground or a stable platform.
• Tie off or secure the top and bottom of the
ladder to prevent movement.
• Put both hands firmly on the rungs before Maintain three
stepping onto a ladder. Carry tools in points of contact
tool belt
• Always face the ladder when you’re climbing
up and down.
• Keep your centre of gravity between the side
Keep rungs and
rails. Don’t lean out on either side. boots clean Keep body
between side rails
• Keep both feet on the ladder when standing
on it. Never straddle the space between a
ladder and another object
• Make sure that the ladder extends at least
90 cm (3 ft) above the top landing.
• Make sure the ladder meets the requirements
of a Grade 1, Grade 1A, or Grade 1AA ladder
according to CSA Z11-12: Portable Ladders.
24 Working at Heights
Scaffolds—Planks and decks
List scaffolds needing inspection on site.
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
Plank defects
Use the proper grades of lumber and inspect ON ALUMINUM/PLYWOOD DECK PANELS
planks before erection to ensure that there are • Cuts in aluminum frames.
no weak areas, deterioration, or cracks.
• Deformed, cracked, or broken fastening hooks
Inspect scaffold planks and deck material and hardware.
regularly. Here’s what to look for:
• Cracked or broken plywood.
ON WOOD PLANKS • Bent, cracked, or broken rungs.
• Length — Planks must overhang the frame no • Sliding or other locking devices in good
less than 150 mm (6 in) and no more than 300 condition.
mm (12 in).
• As a general rule, you should plank or deck
• Cracks — They can often be detected at the the working levels of a scaffold across their
end of the plank. Discard planks with long and full width for maximum support and stability.
deep cracks.
• Cuts — Check plank edges for cuts from saws, Demonstrate
tools, and sharp objects. Discard planks with
many or deep cuts.
Demonstrate methods of inspecting planks and
• Light weight — This can indicate dry rot that panels. Ask the crew to inspect sample materials
can’t be seen. on site.
Working at Heights 25
Scaffolds—Structural components
BRACES
List scaffold locations on site.
• Cross and horizontal braces should not be
cracked, rusty, bent, or otherwise deformed.
___________________________________ • Braces should be compatible with frames and
free of distortion.
___________________________________ • Horizontal braces must be installed every third
frame vertically and in each bay laterally.
• Scaffolds higher than three frames must be
tied into the structure.
GUARDRAILS
• The work platform must have guardrails.
Explain dangers • Guardrails must be compatible with frames.
• Guardrails can be made of tube-and-clamp
If the structural components of a scaffold are components if they’re assembled properly.
damaged, defective, or installed incorrectly, it can
lead to a tip-over or collapse.
Demonstrate
Identify controls As you talk, use a scaffold to demonstrate to your
crew what to look for during an inspection.
Structural components of all frame scaffolds
must be inspected regularly. Inspection should
On aluminum/
include frames, feet, connecting pins, braces, and plywood
guardrails. platform panels,
check hooks
and fasteners
FRAMES Ladder rungs
for looseness,
built into end
cracking, and
• Uprights and cross-members should not be frames are not
distortion.
suitable for
cracked, rusty, bent, or otherwise deformed. tall scaffold
towers (above
• All connecting components should fit together 9 m (30 ft))
square and true.
FEET
• Adjustable base plates should work properly.
• Plates should be securely attached to legs to
resist uplift as well as compression.
• If mudsills are used, base plates must be nailed
to them.
CONNECTING PINS
• Frames must be joined together vertically by
connecting pins compatible with the frames.
• Connecting pins must be locked in place to
prevent them from loosening and coming out.
• Pins must be free of bends and distortion. If
they don’t fit, get replacements that do. Standard Frame Scaffold
26 Working at Heights
Suspended access equipment—Fall protection
Explain dangers A fall arrest system may be your last line of
defence, so make sure it works. Your harness and
Every worker who uses suspended access other fall arrest equipment must have a label
equipment (SAE) must have two independent identifying the CSA standard to which it complies.
means of support. That way, if the suspension Inspect the components of a fall arrest system
system on a swingstage, work cage, or bosun’s before each use.
chair fails, you will still be protected from a fall.
INSPECTION
A fall arrest system can be used as the second
means of support. It prevents a falling worker Check the harness for
from hitting the ground or any object or level • Cuts, burns, and signs of chemical damage
below the work. This can prevent serious injury or
• Loose or broken stitching
death.
• Frayed web material
Identify controls • D-ring and keeper pads showing signs of
distortion, damage, or undue wear
A fall arrest system generally consists of a • Grommets and buckles showing damage,
• Full-body safety harness distortion, and sharp edges.
Working at Heights 27
Suspended access equipment—Tiebacks
Explain dangers Tiebacks must have the same rated strength as
the primary suspension line. The wire rope used
Suspended access equipment (SAE) can fail if for tiebacks should be at least equal in size to the
you don’t set up all of the components properly, wire rope used for the SAE.
such as tiebacks. Improper setup can lead to Any wire rope used for tiebacks should not be
injury or death from a fall. used for suspension lines afterwards because of
damage and deformation from clips, bends, and
hitches.
Identify controls
Adequate anchorage for tiebacks may include the
Tiebacks are used to secure the outriggers following fixed supports:
and counterweights of SAE. Wire ropes are • The base of large HVAC units
recommended for tiebacks with all suspended
• Columns on intermediate building floors or
access systems.
stub columns on roofs
The tieback holds the major components of the
• Designed tieback systems such as eye bolts
suspension system together. It keeps them from
and rings
being loosened or dislodged and secures them
back to an adequate anchor point. • Large pipe anchorage systems (12-inch
diameter or greater)
Let’s follow a wire rope tieback from start to
finish. • Roof structures such as mechanical rooms
• The tieback runs from the thimble of the • Davit arms/systems
suspension line back along the outrigger • Parapet clamps attached to reinforced
beam with at least one half-hitch on each concrete parapet walls on the other side of
section. the building.
• Then it loops around the counterweight A roof plan or design drawing approved by a
handles and extends back to adequate professional engineer must indicate the proper
anchorage. anchor points for SAE.
Now let’s see how each part is connected.
1. Secure the wire rope tieback to the thimble of Demonstrate
the suspension line with double saddle clips
(also known as J-clips or fist grip clips). Cable Demonstrate as you talk.
clips cannot be used with suspended work
Point out the tiebacks and anchorages used on
platform systems.
site.
2. Make a half-hitch around the beam in front of
the building facade.
3. Make a half-hitch through the handle on each
section of the outrigger beam. Even if the
Counterweights Tieback
beam doesn’t have handles, we still use the
half-hitches.
4. Make a half-hitch in front of the
counterweights.
5. Run the tieback through and then back
around the counterweight handles. Anchorage Half-hitches Thimble
28 Working at Heights
Suspended access equipment—Counterweights
Explain dangers 4. The load required by the counterweights is
determined by dividing the resisting force by
Without the right number of counterweights, the distance on the beam from the centre of
suspended access equipment (SAE) can fail, counterweights to the fulcrum (L).
leading to injury or death. 4,000 ft lb ÷ 16 ft (L) = 250 lb
5. Assuming the counterweights are 55 lb each,
Identify controls here are the number required.
250 lb ÷ 55 lb = 5 counterweights
Here’s how to calculate the number of
Before deciding whether or not to add more
counterweights you need to support the SAE.
counterweights, keep in mind that every
Since we need to build in a safety factor of 4, manufactured steel outrigger beam has a defined
the effect of the counterweights holding the limit to the number of counterweights that can
equipment up must be at least 4 times greater be placed and secured on it. This limit must be
than the load pulling the equipment down. indicated on the beam label.
Another way of saying this is: If labels on an outrigger beam are missing or not
• Multiply the load of the counterweights by readable, do not use the beam.
the distance of the outrigger beam from the Remember—only use counterweights that have
fulcrum to the centre of the counterweights been specifically manufactured for the particular
(L). outrigger beam you are using.
• This number must be at least 4 times greater Counterweights should be securely attached
than the distance of the outrigger beam to the outrigger beam so that the vibration or
from the fulcrum to the suspension point (X) movement of the beam will not dislodge or move
multiplied by the capacity of the SAE. them.
Let’s look at an example:
1. The outrigger beam is 18 ft long. At least 2 ft Demonstrate
of space is required by the counterweights at
one end of the beam (CWL). There is 1 ft of Demonstrate as you talk. Calculate the number of
overhang at the other end of the beam after counterweights required for SAE on the site.
the fulcrum.
18 ft (beam) – 1 ft (centre of CWL) – 1 ft (X)
L = 16 ft
2. The SAE can support a load of 1,000 lb
(LL). The distance from the fulcrum to the
suspension point is 1 ft (X). Multiply these
numbers to get the maximum force that will
be pulling down.
1,000 lb (LL) x 1 ft (X) = 1,000 ft lb
3. The resisting force that is holding up the SAE
must include a safety factor of 4.
1,000 ft lb x 4 (SF) = 4,000 ft lb
Working at Heights 29
Floor and roof openings
Explain dangers
If proper guarding is not in place, workers can be
exposed to falls when working around floor and
roof openings. Avoiding such hazards may seem
like common sense, but a moment of distraction
around an uncovered opening can end in disaster.
Identify controls
Installing guardrails around an opening is the best
solution to prevent falls. In places such as narrow
access routes where guardrails can’t be installed,
protective covers made of planks, plywood, or
steel plates are the next best option.
According to the Construction Projects regulation
(213/91, s. 26.3(2)), protective covers must:
• Completely cover the opening
• Be securely fastened
• Never stand on, walk on, or drive over a
• Be identified as covering an opening protective cover.
• Be made from material that can support any • Tell your supervisor if a protective cover is
load that may be put on it (at least 2.4 kN/m2). loose, not fastened, not properly identified, or
The labels on opening covers need to stand out in poor condition.
on a busy worksite. Use bright paint to create a • Treat skylights like any other roof openings.
warning sign on the cover that says something While it may seem covered, a skylight has
like—DANGER! OPENING—DO NOT REMOVE! DO very little strength. If a worker were to step on
NOT LOAD! it or fall into it, they could fall through. Install
• Always use another means of fall protection temporary guarding around or over each
when installing, removing, or working near an skylight near the work area or use barricades
unprotected opening. to keep workers away from them.
• Always fasten the cover securely to prevent
workers from removing it and falling through Demonstrate
the opening.
• Where permanent covers or hatches are After you talk about floor and roof openings,
installed, they should be kept closed at all take a look around the jobsite. If there is an
times except when they are being used for unprotected roof or floor opening, install a cover
access. and review how this complies with the legislation.
• Where temporary covers are used, they If you can’t install a floor or roof covering, then
should extend enough past the opening to talk about what everyone has seen on previous
provide sufficient strength (e.g., 15 cm (6 in)). jobsites and what types of openings they’ve
• If the cover is made of wood, use full-sized encountered.
No. 1 spruce planks 48 mm x 248 mm (1-7/8 in Has anyone seen an incident involving an
x 9-3/4 in). uncovered opening? How could it have been
• Never store materials on a protective cover. prevented?
30 Working at Heights
Flying forms—Working at heights hazards
Explain dangers
Flying forms can save time and, in some cases,
are safer than using built-in-place methods.
However, flying forms have some significant
hazards that can lead to serious injury if proper
precautions aren’t taken.
One of the main hazards associated with flying
forms is when working at heights. The workers
who receive the forms often work near the edge
of the structure and are usually up high.
Normally, guardrails are in place when workers
are working at heights, but they are often
removed so that workers can receive the forms.
Working near the edge of a building without
guardrails is very dangerous if a travel restraint or
fall arrest system is not used. • A travel restraint system is preferred over a
fall arrest system because it keeps the worker
from reaching the edge. If this is not practical
Identify controls however, then a fall arrest system must be
used.
• Put danger signs and barriers in place before
• If you use a fall arrest system, you must be
moving any forms so that all workers are
attached to an individual anchor point—not to
aware of what’s happening. Dangerous areas
the flying form.
include the work area below the flying form,
the floor area from where the form is pushed • Immediately replace guardrails and shoring
out, and the top floor area where the form will after the form is flown out and while you are
be received. still using a fall protection system.
• Each worker must have a fall protection • Make sure you have enough space to work
system in place before anyone removes the safely and stack materials and components.
guardrails. • Always follow the instructions set out by the
• A travel restraint or fall arrest system must be designer or manufacturer.
used by any worker who • Workers must have received CPO-approved
– Receives a panel from the slab edge working at heights (WAH) training within the
previous three years as well as site-specific
– Gets on or off the form
WAH instruction.
– Installs the panel
– Bolts or unbolts wall forms for exterior Demonstrate
walls and elevator shafts
– Steps on a panel to attach slings to pick Demonstrate how to properly set up a travel
points restraint or fall arrest system.
– Helps other workers attach rigging Review the procedure on how to safely install the
hardware, such as slings flying form.
– Pushes a panel out toward the slab edge.
Working at Heights 31
Formwork—Leading edge
Explain dangers • Mark the transition from completed or “safe”
areas to unprotected leading edge areas with
In the high-rise formwork industry, nearly 23 per clear signs and barriers.
cent of all lost-time injuries are caused by falls. • Check with an engineer if you’re unsure
Most of these injuries result in sprains and tears, about proper anchor points (e.g., how many
fractures, and concussions. dowels of rebar are required). Affix the anchor
A leading edge is the unprotected side and edge securely so that the connector cannot slip or
of a floor, a roof, or formwork. It changes location fall off.
as workers place new formwork in front or to the • Mark the transition from completed or “safe”
side of the piece they previously installed. areas to unprotected leading edge areas with
High-rise formworkers will often be in situations clear signs and barriers.
where fall protection is required. However, when • Keep barriers a minimum of 2 m (6.5 ft)
the edge is constantly moving, it’s more difficult from leading edge operations. Use a sign
to apply standard fall protection controls. to indicate that personal fall protection
equipment is required in the work area.
Identify controls • Instead of a lifeline and rope grab, use a
self-retracting lifeline (SRL). SRLs work by
• Due to the severity of the hazards involved in allowing the lifeline to unspool under slight
high-rise formwork, workers must have tension. Just be aware that when you use
received CPO-approved working at heights SRLs, you will probably be in fall arrest, not
training within the previous three years and be travel restraint. Check the manufacturer’s
made aware of any site-specific fall hazards. instructions to ensure that the SRL can be
In addition, employers must have a fall arrest used horizontally.
rescue plan in place.
• To minimize fall hazards, don’t extend the
• Install guardrails along the edge of all deck out to the end of the bay. Work across
completed decks, allowing enough room for the leading edge, advancing each bay one
installing bulkheads. Remember to install step at a time.
guardrails as the leading edge progresses.
• To minimize the possibility of formwork and
• For work on the leading edge, use an active falsework collapse, always nail the formwork
fall protection system consisting of a full- in as you progress.
body harness with a lanyard combined with
an energy absorber connected to a rope grab • If you’re supplying materials to workers using
and a lifeline secured to an anchorage. fall protection, make sure you’re in a safe area
or protected by using travel restraint or fall
• If possible, arrange your fall protection system arrest.
so that it is in travel restraint. If you can’t
reach the edge, you can’t fall.
Demonstrate
• Use appropriate anchor points. Wrap
connectors or slings around concrete columns Demonstrate proper leading edge installation
or several dowels of rebar or use embedded procedures such as setting up a fall protection
connection points that are specifically system, installing guardrails, and erecting signs
intended for anchorage. NOTE: Wire or metal and barriers.
anchorage slings are more durable than
webbing that can wear and tear over time.
32 Working at Heights
Rigging hardware
STRETCHING
List rigging on site.
Check hooks, shackles, and chain links for signs of
opening up, elongation, and distortion.
___________________________________ STRIPPED THREADS
Inspect turnbuckles, shackles, and cable clips.
___________________________________
Demonstrate
___________________________________
With your crew, inspect rigging hardware in use
or stored on site. Repair or replace any damaged
or defective items you find.
CABLE CLIPS
Explain dangers
• Check for wear on saddle.
Rigging is only as strong as its weakest link. • Check that original parts are in place and in
Workers’ lives depend on the strength of that link. good condition.
It doesn’t matter what safe working load is • Check for cracks.
stamped on a hook if the hook is cracked and • Check for proper size of the wire rope.
twisted or opening up at the throat. It can’t
deliver its full rated capacity. SHACKLES
Inspection is vital in rigging and hoisting. • Check for wear and cracks on saddle and pin.
• Check that pin is straight and properly seated.
Identify controls • Check that legs of shackle are not opening up.
HOOKS
Rigging hardware must have enough capacity
• Check for wear, twisting, and cracks.
for the job. Only load-rated hardware of forged
alloy steel should be used for hoisting. Load-rated • Make sure that hook is not opening up.
hardware is stamped with its working load limit or TURNBUCKLES
WLL.
• Check for cracks and bends.
Adequate capacity is the first thing to look for in
rigging hardware. For hoisting, the design factor • Check rods for straightness and damage to
must be 5 to 1. threads.
Once the right hardware has been chosen for a Check for wear
job, it has to be inspected regularly as long as it’s and deformation
in service.
There are warning signs that hardware has been
weakened in use and should be replaced. Check for cracks
and twisting Check for signs
CRACKS of opening up
Identify controls
Wire rope in continuous service should be CORE PROTRUSION
checked daily during normal operation and Replace rope when inner core starts poking
inspected weekly. Rope that has not been used through strands.
for a month should be inspected thouroughly.
There are warning signs to look for during
inspection. Most of these warning signs indicate
that the rope should be replaced.
BROKEN WIRES
Occasional wire breaks are normal and not critical
if they are well spaced. Broken wire ends should KINKING
be removed. Replace rope if there are Kinks seriously reduce wire rope strength.
• 6 or more broken wires in one lay Sections with kinks should be cut off. Otherwise
rope must be discarded.
• 3 or more broken wires in one strand in one
lay
• 3 or more broken wires in one lay in standing
ropes.
WORN AND ABRADED WIRES
Replace rope if outer wires HIGH STRANDING AND UNLAYING
• become flat from friction (i.e., D-shaped) These will cause the other strands to become
• become shiny from wear, and overloaded. Replace the rope or renew the end
connection to reset the rope lay.
• wear exceeds 1/3 of the wire’s diameter.
ROPE STRETCH AND DECREASE IN DIAMETER
All ropes stretch slightly and decrease in
diameter. Replace rope if wear on individual wires
exceeds 1/3 of the diameter. Replace 6-strand
rope if stretch exceeds 6 inches per 100 feet.
CORROSION
Difficult to detect because it’s inside the rope. Demonstrate
Look for rust, discolouration, and pitting outside.
CUTS/BURNS Review wire rope in use on site. Ask your crew
Replace rope if any wires or strands are cut or to inspect samples and arrange for repair or
burned. Damaged ends can be removed and replacement as required.
seized. Otherwise rope must be replaced.
Identify controls
If you’re going to rig a load, you also need to
know the signals for lifting, moving, and landing
it. The operation may be a simple LIFT and
LOWER. Or it may require more complicated
signals.
On construction sites, signalling is required in the
following situations. STOP Hand Signal
• When the operator cannot see the load.
• When the operator cannot see the landing • Signals should be clear and, wherever
area for the load. possible, barehanded.
• When the operator cannot see the path of • The load should be directed so that it never
travel of either the load or the crane. passes over anyone.
• When the operator is too far from the load to • Operators should not make a move until they
judge distance accurately. receive and understand your signal. If contact
• When the crane or other hoisting device is between you and the operator is broken for
working close to live powerlines or equipment. any reason, the operation must stop.
In many cases, hand signals are the most efficient • Some situations call for two signallers. For
form of communication between riggers and instance, during a concrete pour, one signaller
crane operators. Over the years, a system of may be needed to direct the lift while the
standard hand signals has evolved that is now other directs the drop.
international. • In cases where a difficult lift requires vocal
There is a signal for each action of the crane communication, use two-way radios instead of
from BOOM UP to BOOM DOWN, from TRAVEL hand signals.
FORWARD to STOP. • Ensure adequate lighting and signalling
By using the correct hand signals, you can get arrangements have been made before using
a crane to do almost anything you want. The hand signals during nighttime work.
operator only needs to clearly see and Hand signals have their limitations. For
understand your signals. example, they should never be used when
In our next talk, we’ll run through all of the hand distance, visibility, or noise prevents accurate
signals for hoisting. But first we have to know the communication with the operator.
ground rules for signalling.
• The signaller must be a competent worker, Demonstrate
which means qualified due to knowledge,
experience, and training. Demonstrate the hoisting hand signals on the
next page.
• The signaller must wear high-visibility clothing
and not do any other job while signalling. Hand out IHSA’s Hand Signals for Hoisting
Operations Card (V002).
NO RESPONSE
SHOULD BE
MADE TO
UNCLEAR
SIGNALS
Identify controls
• Inspect the hoisting equipment and rope
Proper Set-up of Gin Wheel
before each use. When not in use, store the
rope so that it’s protected from exposure to
rain, snow, and UV radiation from the sun. • Mount the gin wheel on a safe work platform
• Set up the gin wheel according to the that is above the standing arm’s length of the
manufacturer’s instructions. worker who will be receiving the load. The
load itself should be received no higher than
• Make sure the gin wheel and the rope are the worker’s shoulder height.
rated for the load you will be hoisting.
• Restrict loads to one-fifth of your body
• When lifting liquid, cover the bucket so the weight and watch for excessive side loading.
contents don’t spill.
• Workers receiving the load (at heights) must
• Always rope off the area below the gin wheel use proper fall protection.
and never stand directly below the load.
(O.Reg. 213/91, s. 103) • If two or more workers are lifting the load, one
worker should be giving instructions.
• Whenever possible, workers at ground level
should lift the load. When lifting, do not stand
under the load. Demonstrate
• Always use gloves when working with a gin
Ask crew to describe any problems they have had
wheel to prevent rope burn.
with:
• Make sure the rope is the correct diameter for
• Handling a gin wheel
the size of the gin wheel.
• Making the appropriate knots
• Only use a gin wheel with a working safety
catch on the mounting hook to prevent the • Using a gin wheel with missing or damaged
wheel from detaching. parts.
• If proper hooks are not available, use the Refer to Chapter 24: Rigging in IHSA’s Construction Health and
appropriate knots. Safety Manual (M029) for more info on knots and hitches.
CORDS
Consider all electrical wires and equipment
energized until they are tested and proven • Make sure that tool cords, extension cords,
otherwise. and plugs are in good condition.
Section 182 of the Construction Projects • Use only 3-pronged extension cords.
regulation states that “No worker shall connect, • Make sure that extension cords are the right
maintain or modify electrical equipment or gauge for the job to prevent overheating,
installations unless, voltage drops, and tool burnout. A 12-gauge
a. the worker holds a certificate of qualification extension cord is ideal.
issued under the Ontario College of Trades • Do not use cords that are defective or have
and Apprenticeship Act, 2009, that is not been improperly repaired.
suspended, in the trade of,
• Protect cords from traffic.
i. electrician—construction and maintenance,
or • When outdoors or in wet locations, plug into
a GFCI-protected receptacle or use a portable
ii. electrician—domestic and rural, if the in-line GFCI.
worker is performing work that is limited
to the scope of practice for that trade; OR PANELS OR GENERATORS
b. the worker is otherwise permitted to connect, • Temporary panel boards must be securely
maintain or modify electrical equipment or mounted in a lockable enclosure protected
installations under the Ontario College of from weather and water. The boards must
Trades and Apprenticeship Act, 2009, or the be accessible to workers and kept clear of
Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000.” obstructions.
A worker who does not meet the requirements of • Receptacles must be GFCI-protected.
(a) or (b) may only insert or remove an • Panels must be installed in accordance with
electrical attachment plug of electrical the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.
equipment to or from a power receptacle.
• Use only generators with a label identifying
TOOLS it as “neutral bonded to frame”. Do not use
• Use only electric tools that have a CSA logo generators with a “floating neutral”.
or equivalent. • Use a portable generator with built-in GFCI
• Make sure the casings of double-insulated receptacles or use a portable in-line GFCI at
tools are not cracked or broken. the generator receptacle.
Electricity 39
Lockout and tagging
List hazardous energy sources on site. It’s not always easy to identify every source
of energy. Machines or systems usually
contain several forms of energy. A press may
___________________________________ be hydraulically powered, for instance, but
electrically controlled.
___________________________________ Locking out the hydraulic power is not enough.
Locking out the electricity is not enough. Gravity
___________________________________ can still cause a raised arm to drop. There may
also be potential energy stored in pistons or
springs.
To identify energy sources, you may need to
trace wiring, lines, and piping in and out of the
Explain dangers equipment. Specifications, drawings, operating
manuals, and similar information will also help.
Lockout and tagging ensures that hazardous A lock is your personal lock that can only be
energy sources are under the control of the opened with your key.
workers needing protection.
Once you apply the lock or other restraint device,
Lockout often involves workers using a padlock you have to tag it. The tag must indicate:
to keep a switch in the “off ” position, or to isolate
• Who you are
the energy of moving parts.
• Who you work for
Tagging is how you tell others that the device is
locked out, who locked it out, and why. • Why the machine or system is locked out
Serious and fatal accidents have occurred when • The date when the lock was applied.
people assumed that electricity or machinery was Once each energy source has been locked out
turned off but it wasn’t. Electric shock, sudden and tagged, you must test the equipment to
movement of sharp machine parts, release of verify a zero energy state.
pressure, falling counterweights—these are just
Many plants or industrial establishments will have
some hazards that can result when energy is
specific procedures for lockout and tagging.
unexpectedly released.
40 Electricity
Powerline contact
List powerline hazards on site. • The signaller must warn drivers and operators
when any part of their equipment or load
approaches the minimum distances set by law.
___________________________________
• When erecting or moving a ladder or scaffold,
don’t let it lean or drift toward overhead
___________________________________ powerlines. Always maintain minimum
allowable clearances.
___________________________________ • To determine powerline voltage, check
markings on the pole or call the utility.
In case of accidental contact with a powerline,
follow these procedures:
• Never touch equipment and the ground at the
Explain dangers same time.
• Get someone to call the local utility to shut off
Powerline contact is a major cause of fatal power.
accidents and critical injuries. • If possible, break contact by driving the
These types of incidents usually involve heavy equipment clear of the powerline. Otherwise
equipment such as backhoes, dump trucks, boom do not leave the equipment until the utility
trucks, cranes, and excavators. shuts down the power or fire forces you to
eware of contact when moving extension
B jump clear.
ladders, rolling scaffolds, long lengths of pipe, • Keep everyone away from any equipment in
and siding. Also, beware of the powerline moving contact with a powerline.
(i.e., blowing in the wind). • Beware of time relays. Even after breakers
are tripped by line damage, relays may be
Identify controls triggered to restore power.
Electricity 41
Temporary lighting
List temporary lighting locations on site. • Use plastic straps or insulated wiring instead
of metal (nails, bare wire, etc.) to secure the
lights.
___________________________________
• Bulbs should be installed so that they light as
large an area as possible.
___________________________________
• Lights must be protected against damage
by accidental contact. Use plastic cages to
___________________________________ protect the bulbs.
• Bulbs lower than 100 watts are not
recommended. However, if bulb wattage is
too high, it may melt the plastic cages.
• Keep branch lighting circuits that feed
Adequate lighting must be provided in areas temporary lighting entirely separate from
where workers are present. Entrance and exit power circuits, except for a common supply.
spaces must also be illuminated. • Protect branch lighting circuits by a breaker
or fuse with a 15-amp rating. An electrician
should connect the circuits directly into a
Explain dangers distribution panel. Make sure lockout/tagging
procedures are followed before connecting
Electricians have been electrocuted while setting the wiring to the panel.
up temporary lighting.
• Use a GFCI when installing lights in wet
Frequent relocation of circuits can loosen locations.
connections, break insulation, and create other
shock or electrocution hazards.
• Don’t use temporary lighting circuits as
extension cords. If a fuse blows, finding
Steel door frames can become electrified when your way to the panel in the dark can be
doors close on wires. dangerous.
Ladders, pipe, scaffold frames, and other objects • Make sure that wires do not contact steel
can bump stringers, leading to electrical contact doors or steel door frames. Ensure that wires
and shock. cannot be pinched or cut by doors.
Dead, missing, or low-wattage bulbs, inadequate
power, and blown fuses can leave stairwells,
basements, and other areas poorly lit or with no Demonstrate
lighting at all, increasing the risk of injury.
With your crew, review the following checklist.
Are work areas well lit?
Identify controls
Are burned-out bulbs promptly replaced?
• Lighting levels should be at least 55 lux (5-ft Are they replaced with new bulbs or bulbs
candles). That means 150-watt bulbs that are: taken from another location?
– suspended 2.4 m (8 ft) high and 7.5 m (25 Are stringers promptly relocated when bulbs
ft) apart OR are blocked by the installation of new ceilings,
ducts, piping, and other features?
– suspended 3 m (10 ft) high and 6 m (20
ft) apart. Are lamp holders hard-usage type?
• Lights should be at least 2.4 m (8 ft) off the Are electrical feed lines for sockets supported
floor. Do not hang lights by the cord unless every 1.4 m (4 ft, 6 in)?
they are designed that way.
42 Electricity
Underground utilities
List underground utility hazards on site. Once the underground service is located, it’s our
job to uncover it. This must be done by hand
digging. Do not use excavating equipment to find
___________________________________ the service.
If we use a pressurized water/vacuum system to
___________________________________ expose the buried service, we have to check with
the utility first to make sure it’s safe.
___________________________________ In some cases, the utility may supervise our
digging and excavation. This is a requirement
when working with fibreoptic cable.
Once the service has been uncovered and its
location determined at several points along its
length, then excavating equipment can be used.
Explain dangers
Exposed utility pipes, conduit, and cable must be
supported to keep them from falling or breaking.
Buried gas and electrical lines present a serious
When construction contracts don’t specify
risk of injury and death.
the method of support, ask the utility for its
Utility pipes, conduit, and cable may be damaged requirements.
by:
• Digging without locates or with inaccurate Demonstrate
locates
• Careless excavation once the utilities have With your crew, review the information in a locate
been located and marked provided by a utility for an underground service
• Failure to support exposed utilities once they on site. Tell them about Ontario One Call.
have been uncovered. For more information on utility damage
Breaks in buried services threaten not only prevention, go to orcga.com and download a free
workers but also the general public. It can also copy of ORCGA’s Best Practices.
cause considerable property damage.
Electricity 43
Electrical contact—Roofing
Explain dangers NOTE: If you find electrical services and
there is a risk of contacting them, look
Cutting into existing roofs and mechanically for alternatives to mechanically fastening
fastening insulation are common jobs for roofers. insulation to roof decking.
One of the hazards they face when doing these
jobs is contact with electrical services.
• Always remove the membrane system before
Electrical conduits or cable could be just beneath cutting holes in the roof deck.
the membrane of the roof. They could also be
mounted to the underside surface of the roof • Radio detection is becoming a reliable way to
deck on the inside of the building. check for electrical services. Before fastening
the insulation to the decking or cutting a hole,
The most common danger for roofers when they scan the area using a radio detection device
encounter electrical services is electrocution. and mark areas of concern. This can help
However, there are also dangers associated with reduce the risk of electrical contact.
cutting the deck, such as kickback from the saw
and fire.
Identify controls
• Before cutting into the roof, ask the owner
for information on the location of conduits
or cable. If electrical equipment is installed
closer than 38 mm (1.5 in) from the bottom of
the roof deck, there is a danger of accidental
electrical contact.
• If possible, check the underside of the roof
deck inside the building for conduits and
cable in the spot where you plan to cut.
• If you are working on a concrete roof deck,
x-ray the area before cutting.
Radio Detection Device
• If an electrical service is located close to
where you plan to cut, ask for the power to be
shut off and locked out.
• If the power cannot be shut off and locked Demonstrate
out, ask that a new location be chosen for the
hole. Contact with electricity can seriously Walk around the work area and, if possible, look
injure or even kill you. Don’t cut until you for any services on the underside of the decking.
have received confirmation that the area is Radio detection companies often provide training
clear of all services. on their products. Arrange for worker training if
• Don’t forget that the hazards faced when you plan to use this equipment.
cutting into the roof also exist when securing
(mechanically fastening) insulation to the roof
deck. If possible, check the underside of the
roof deck inside the building for electrical
services. You may need to have two-way
communication with someone watching the
progress from the inside of the building.
44 Electricity
Backing vehicles
Explain dangers
Every year, workers are killed and injured by
backing vehicles and machinery. The main
problem is blind spots around heavy equipment.
If you’re in a blind spot and the operator doesn’t
know you’re there, you could be struck by heavy
equipment.
The hazards increase in congested areas where
vehicles and heavy equipment are backing up all
the time. Noise distracts people and dust makes it
difficult to see and be seen.
Identify controls
Demonstrate
• Always make eye contact with the operator
before approaching vehicles and equipment. Hand out IHSA’s Traffic Control Hand Signals
Wave your hand to get their attention and Card (V006).
wait for a wave back to ensure the operator
Show your crew where the blind spots are on
has seen you.
a truck or piece of heavy equipment on site.
• You can plan a drive-through site to limit the Get them to see things from the operator’s
need for backing up. But on most projects, perspective.
trucks and equipment have to operate in
reverse at some point. That’s when a signaller
is necessary.
• The signaller is another pair of eyes for the
driver. If you’re asked to work as a signaller,
use traffic control hand signals and follow
these tips:
– Wear high-visibility clothing as required
– Stand where the operator can see you at
all times, and where you have a full view of
the intended path of travel. But stay out of
the vehicle’s path.
– Make eye contact with the driver or
operator before you signal or change
position.
– Do not perform any other duties.
Signalling requires your full concentration.
– Know driver and operator blind spots.
NOTE: New technology, such as a system
that reads tags on worker’s vests or hard hats
and sends a signal to warn the operator that
someone is behind them, can be used. But these
systems may not be available on all projects. Operator Blind Spots
• The truck is not on a level surface when • Keep your truck in good condition. Tire
dumping pressures should be equal on each side.
Examine and lubricate pins and bushings
• A large amount of material is stuck in the regularly. Inspect suspension systems and
upper portion of the raised box hoist cylinders. Ensure that the latch on the
• The material does not flow out of the top box works properly.
portion (or one side of the top portion) of the • Stay in the cab during dumping and keep your
box seatbelt on. You’re less likely to be injured in a
• The rear wheels settle unevenly in soft ground rollover. If the truck starts to tip, DON’T TRY
as the load moves to the rear during dumping TO JUMP OUT.
• The wind exerts lateral force on the load. • Always lower the box before moving the
truck. This lowers the centre of gravity and
Stability may also be affected by the mechanical
prevents rocking, swaying, and instability.
condition of the truck:
It also prevents contact with overhead
• Poor rear suspension systems on one side of obstructions and powerlines.
the vehicle
• Keep lift axles down while dumping. Loads
• Uneven tire pressures in rear wheels will be distributed over more bearing surfaces
• Worn or inadequate components of the lifting and the truck will not sink as easily in soft
system such as pins or lifting cylinders. ground.
• Do not dump when parked near people or
Identify controls beside another vehicle. If the truck tips over, it
could injure those nearby or the other driver.
Let’s take a few minutes to review basic operating
procedures. Demonstrate
• At the loading point, make sure that the load
is distributed evenly in the box. the truck. Inspect the boxes on one or two dump trucks.
Be aware of the truck’s capacity and don’t Check that the latch works properly. Point out any
overload it. defects or damage.
• Remember that long boxes tip more easily
than short boxes.
• Avoid dumping in high winds.
Dump trucks with their boxes raised have come • Keep everyone away from any equipment in
into contact with overhead wires and powerlines, contact with a powerline.
causing electrocutions. • Beware of time relays. Even after breakers
Workers have been struck by dump trucks that are tripped by line damage, relays may be
were moving around or backing up on a site. triggered to restore power.
• A lift truck was unintentionally driven off a • Secure the load properly to prevent it from
loading dock. falling onto equipment or pedestrians.
• A lift truck fell between the dock and an • When you are stacking something on high
unsecured trailer. shelves, make sure the lift truck can stack
at the proper heights and can manoeuvre
• A worker was struck by a lift truck when it through aisles without becoming unstable.
was backing up or when the worker could not
be seen by the operator. • Review the manufacturer’s instructions and
keep the manual with the equipment for quick
• A lift truck tipped over and crushed the reference.
operator or a nearby worker.
• Learn the maximum rated capacity for the lift
• The load on a lift truck fell off the forks truck and never exceed it.
because it was not loaded or secured
properly. • Only operate equipment that you are
authorized to use and only use the equipment
• The operator did not keep their hands and for its intended purposes.
feet inside the cab.
• The operator slipped and fell when getting in Demonstrate
or out of the cab.
Many incidents also involve property damage Show your crew the capacity plate for the lift
including damage to overhead sprinklers, racking, truck they will be using (or use the sample
pipes, walls, and machinery. plate below). Ask the crew to show that they
Most injuries and property damage are caused by understand the load chart by answering these
questions:
• Lack of safe operating procedures
• What is the maximum fork height?
• Lack of safety rule enforcement
• How much weight can be lifted to that height?
• Insufficient or inadequate training.
Ask lift truck operators if they can remember the
speed limits and warning signs at your facility.
Identify controls Ask them to show that they understand all the
warnings and precautions for the type of lift truck
• Always wear suitable clothing and safety they will be allowed to use.
shoes or boots when working in a warehouse.
• Always fasten your seatbelt when driving a lift
truck.
• Always use 3-point contact when getting in
and out of the cab.
• Take off any jewellery, and keep long hair tied
back to prevent it from being caught in
machinery or equipment.
• Watch out for other workers and vehicles,
especially near doorways and at the ends
of aisles. Don’t be afraid to use your horn.
It’s better to make too much noise than not
enough.
Demonstrate
Demonstrate 3-point contact to your crew by
properly mounting and dismounting a vehicle.
• Exposure to fumes, noise, and vibration. • If working on an elevated slab, ensure bumpers
or barriers are installed in front of all openings.
Identify controls • If working near a trench, always stay a safe
distance from the edge.
KNOW YOUR MACHINE KNOW THE SAFE OPERATING PROCEDURES
• Get the proper training and review the user • Adjust your speed to suit the working
manual before operating a skid steer. conditions and terrain. Avoid sudden stops,
• Perform regular safety checks and document starts, and turns.
your findings. • Go around obstacles, not over or through them.
• Check all high-pressure hydraulics for leaks. • Keep the bucket as low as possible when
• Find the rated operation capacity (ROC) for travelling or turning. A skid steer becomes less
the machine and never exceed it. Overloading stable the higher you raise the loader arms.
can make a skid steer excessively front-heavy. • Never use a skid steer as a work platform or for
This can cause instability and reduce handling carrying workers—it’s against the law.
response.
• Never try to operate the steering levers or any
• Never remove the rollover protective structure other hydraulic controls while standing outside
(ROPS) from a skid steer and keep side the cab. Because of the hydrostatic drive, the
screens in place. People have been crushed skid steer will respond instantly when the levers
to death when they were caught between are engaged.
the loader arms and the skid steer frame on
unscreened machines.
• Make sure that the attachment locking
devices are engaged, even if you are switching
• Always use the seat belt and/or the seat bar. attachments for only a few minutes. If an
• When getting out of the machine, always turn attachment is not locked, it could break free
it off first and lower the bucket or attachment. and roll back down the loader arms.
• Always turn your machine off before changing • Use hearing protection when operating it.
attachments.
• Make sure any attachments you use are Demonstrate
rated for your machine. Remember that an
attachment will reduce your load capacity. Review the operating manual with your crew.
However, if the site is not set up properly, 4. To prevent the boom from contacting
concrete pumps and boom trucks can be overhead powerlines, follow these procedures:
dangerous for the equipment operator as well as • Establish written procedures to ensure
for other workers nearby. that equipment or loads do not encroach
1. The concrete pump, concrete delivery on minimum distances to powerlines.
truck, or boom truck may block the path of • Provide adequate devices that are visible
emergency vehicles. to the operator to warn of electrical
2. Workers may be injured by concrete delivery hazards.
trucks that are backing up. • Station a signaller in full view of the
3. The pump or truck may tip over. operator to warn them each time the
equipment may approach the minimum
4. The boom may come in contact with a distance.
powerline.
NOTE: Refer to sections 188 and 189 of the
Regulation for Construction Projects (213/91).
Identify controls
Proper site planning can prevent many of these
Demonstrate
problems.
Review the site plan and staging areas with those
1. The Occupational Health and Safety Act involved. This will ensure that concrete pumps
requires every project to have written and boom trucks will be set up correctly.
procedures to follow in case of an emergency. Hand out IHSA’s pocket-sized Traffic Control
If part of the site is blocked off, emergency Hand Signals Card (V006) and Ready-mix
vehicles and personnel may not be able to Driver and Concrete Pumping Hand Signals Card
reach injured workers. (V007).
Make a proper staging area by grading
driveways or other areas off the road. That
will give concrete pumps, boom trucks, and
other heavy equipment enough space to set
up properly off the road so they won’t block
traffic.
2. Concrete delivery trucks need to back up
to fill the pump hopper. Always have a
designated signaller in place to keep anyone
from being hit by a reversing vehicle.
Regulations require that a signaller wear high-
visibility clothing and use pre-arranged hand
signals to communicate with the operator (O.
Reg. 213/91, s.104 and 106).
1 2 3 4
Boom Up Slowly Boom Down Close Clam Open Clam
Slowly
5 6 7 8
Tilt Tilt Shift Fork Left Shift Fork Right
Forks Forks
Left Right
9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16
Travel Away from Travel Towards Everything Slowly Stop
Signaller Signaller
17 18 19 20
Stop NO RESPONSE
Everything SHOULD BE
MADE TO
UNCLEAR
21 SIGNALS 22 V014
1 2 3 4
Stop Raise Chute Lower Chute Start
Pouring
5 6 7 8
Stop Pouring Lock or Unlock Slow NO RESPONSE
Chute Down SHOULD BE
Drum
MADE TO
UNCLEAR
9 10 11 SIGNALS 12
1 2 3 4 5
Boom Up Boom Down Boom Left Boom Right Stop
Boom
6 7 8 9 10
Open or Close or All NO
Extend Boom Retract Boom Done RESPONSE
Clean SHOULD BE
Up MADE TO
UNCLEAR
11 12 13 14 SIGNALS V007
During cleaning, workers may be exposed to • Even if lockout has been verified, the truck’s
these hazards: drum can still rotate due to shifting loads or
because of work inside. The drum must be
• Start-up of the mixer unexpectedly secured manually to prevent movement.
• Noise • To secure the drum, attach one end of a tie-
• Vibration down to the top of the lower entry port and
extend it over the drum. Attach a second tie-
• Respiratory hazards
down to the bottom of the port. Connect both
• Skin hazards from wet concrete tie-downs to the frame of the truck.
• Heat stress. • Never enter the drum from the upper charge
unless the lower ports have been opened. If
Identify controls the ports are blocked by hardened concrete,
use a sledgehammer to remove it.
• Never enter the mixer drum unless you have • Never chip concrete overhead. Rotate the
followed the company’s written procedures upper portion of the drum to the lowest
for proper lockout and tagging. position and work on it. Repeat the lockout
procedures after rotating the drum.
• Inspect the inside of the drum for loose
concrete that shows cracks, movement, or • Wear the following personal protective
other signs that it could become loose once equipment (PPE):
inside. Rotate sections of unstable concrete to – A hard hat that meets CSA or ANSI
the lowest position and work on it first. standards
• Inform everyone who may be affected by the – Safety goggles or a face shield
truck that it will be out of service and that – CSA-certified Grade 1 work boots
workers will be inside.
– Double hearing protection (i.e., earplugs
• Park the concrete truck in a secure location. and earmuffs together)
Apply the emergency brake and remove the
ignition key. – A NIOSH-approved respirator
• Chock/block the wheels and post an “Out of – Anti-vibration gloves
Service” sign on each door of the cab. – A light, loose, long-sleeved shirt and long
pants.
• Disconnect the truck battery. Note: This must
be done by someone who meets the legal
definition of a competent person.
Demonstrate
• Apply a lock to the positive terminal of Identify the competent person who will be
the battery to make sure it cannot be responsible for disconnecting the battery. Also
reconnected. Each person who enters the identify the helper.
drum should have their own personal lock
attached to a hasp. Demonstrate the proper procedure for inserting
earplugs and review the manufacturer’s
• Apply a tag to the lock to indicate that it instructions.
should not be connected.
Show how to perform a negative-pressure and
• Verify that the truck has no energy by
positive-pressure seal check on a respirator. For
attempting to start the ignition.
more info, see Respirators—Fit safety talk.
Identify controls
Hearing loss is permanent and irreversible, but it
can be prevented. Follow some of these simple For ear muffs, the headband should have good
steps to reduce your risk while chipping concrete tension against the side of your head. There
from drums. should be no gaps between the ear muff cushion
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and the sides of your head.
for fitting and cleaning your hearing
protection.
• In addition to the required personal protective
equipment (PPE), wear earplugs and earmuffs
together as the noise level is typically very
high.
• Make sure your employer provides you with
different types of hearing protection devices
that are available. Pick the type of earplugs
and earmuffs that feel comfortable for you.
• Talking on their phone or even keeping it 6. Set up your phone—Some apps or settings
within easy reach can block incoming calls and texts while
driving, or send automatic replies to people
• Adjusting the radio or programming a GPS trying to call or text you. Before you get in
• Eating, drinking, combing their hair, shaving, your vehicle, record an outgoing message that
putting on makeup, or getting dressed tells callers you’re driving and you’ll get back
to them. Or pair your car audio system with
• Looking or reaching for something on the your phone using Bluetooth®.
passenger seat, back seat, or floor
7. Turn off your phone or switch it to silent
• Thinking more about the events of the day mode—You can even put it in the glove
than their driving
compartment (lock it, if you have to) or in a
• Paying more attention to their passengers bag on the back seat so you’re not tempted.
than to the road ahead of them.
WHILE DRIVING
Distractions are a serious danger, not only to the
driver but also to passengers and other motorists. 1. Use a hands-free or mounted device—
The OPP reports that a person is injured in a In Ontario, it’s against the law to hold
distracted driving collision every 30 minutes. It is an electronic device in your hand while
the cause of more fatal collisions than speeding you’re driving. Although hands-free and
or impaired driving. mounted devices are permitted, they’re still
a distraction. It’s safer not to make or answer
In Ontario, tougher penalties on distracted driving
any phone calls when behind the wheel.
came into effect on Jan 1, 2019. For a first offense,
drivers may be fined up to $1,000, lose their 2. Stay relaxed and alert—If you’re worried or
licence for three days, and receive three demerit tired, you can’t react as quickly.
points. Convicted motorists may also see their 3. Use your phone only when it is safe to do
insurance rates go up. so—If you have to make a call or send a text
or email, pull off the road carefully and come
Identify controls to a complete stop in a safe place. Or ask your
passenger to take a call or send a text for you.
BEFORE DRIVING 4. Don’t answer e-mails or text messages—Each
1. Do a pre-trip inspection—Check your vehicle time you read a text or an email, you’re taking
before you get in. That will help you spot a your eyes off of the road for at least four
problem before it’s too late. seconds. Studies have shown that drivers who
2. Map it out—Before travelling, map out your take their eyes off the road for more than two
route first. Put your travel information into seconds are twice as likely to have a crash.
your GPS while you’re still parked.
Demonstrate
3. Be comfortable—Before putting the car
in gear, make sure you’re comfortable by
Show your workers how to set up their phones
adjusting the seat, the heat/air conditioning,
to send automatic replies or block calls and texts
the mirrors, and the steering wheel.
while driving.
4. Eat, drink, and do your grooming at home— Review your company’s distracted driving health
Give yourself the time to do those things
and safety policy with your crew. Remind them
before you get into your vehicle. Your only job
that their attention must be on the task of driving.
should be to drive safely.
• Hard, very dense. You can only penetrate it • Runs or flows easily unless completely
with difficulty by using a small sharp object. supported before excavation.
When excavated, the sides of the trench will The sides of the trench must be supported and
appear smooth and shiny and will remain vertical contained in order to excavate to any significant
with no water released from the trench wall. depth.
68 Trenching
Trenching—Protection
Explain dangers SHORING
Shoring is a system that supports walls to
You risk injury or death if you enter a trench prevent soil movement. It also helps to support
deeper than 1.2 metres (4 feet) that has not been underground utilities, roadways, and foundations.
sloped, shored, or protected by a trench box. The two types of shoring used most commonly
are timber and hydraulic. Both consist of
Identify controls posts, wales, struts, and sheathing. One major
advantage of hydraulic shoring is that you don’t
SLOPING have to enter the trench to install the system.
Installation can be done from the top of the
Sloping the walls is one way to keep a trench trench.
from collapsing. The angle of the slope depends
on soil conditions. Whenever possible, shoring should be installed as
excavation proceeds. If there’s any delay between
• Type 1 and 2 soils: Cut trench walls back at an digging and shoring, no one should enter the
angle of 1-to-1 or 45°. That’s 1 m (3 ft) back for unprotected trench.
each 1 m up. Walls should be sloped starting
at 1.2 m (4 ft) up the wall. TRENCH BOXES
• Type 3 soil: Cut walls back at an angle of Trench boxes aren’t meant to shore up or support
1-to-1, but from the bottom of the trench. trench walls. They’re only meant to protect
workers in case of a cave-in.
• Type 4 soil: Slope the walls at 1-to-3. That’s
3 m (10 ft) back for every 1 m (3 ft) up from The space between the box and the trench wall
the trench bottom. should be backfilled. Otherwise a cave-in or
collapse may cause the trench box to tilt or turn
over. It’s also easier to enter the box if soil comes
right up next to it.
Trench boxes are commonly used in open areas
away from utilities, roadways, and foundations. If
you’re in the trench, stay inside the box.
Minimum LADDERS
Bank Slope
Whether the trench is sloped, shored, or
protected by a trench box, you need a way to
climb in and out safely.
Trenches must have ladders in the areas
protected by shoring or trench boxes. The ladder
must be securely tied off at the top, extend above
the shoring or box by at least 1 m (3 ft), and be
inspected regularly for damage.
Minimum
Bank Slope A ladder should be placed as close as possible to
where you’re working—and never more than 7.5 m
(25 ft) away.
Demonstrate
Review the protective systems used on site.
Check condition of sloping, shoring, or trench
Minimum box. Are ladders provided for getting in and out?
Bank Slope
Show participants the sloping diagrams.
Trenching 69
Trenching—Inspection
Explain dangers In trench boxes, look for
• Damage and other defects
Without regular and frequent inspection, you • Deformed plates
have no assurance that your sloping, shoring, or
trench boxes are effective in protecting workers • Cracks in welds
from a trench collapse. • Bent or distorted welds in sleeves and struts
• Missing struts
Identify controls • Bent struts
Sloping, shoring, and trench boxes must be • Holes, bends, or other damage to plates.
inspected regularly. Inspection is everyone’s During use, check the trench box regularly
responsibility. and often to make sure that it is not shifting or
With hydraulic shoring, look for settling more on one side than the other. This can
indicate movement of soil or water underneath.
• Leaks in hoses and cylinders
If the box is shifting or settling, get out and tell
• Bent bases your supervisor about it.
• Broken or cracked nipples Inspect the ground around trenches for tension
• Cracked, split, or broken sheathing. cracks. These may develop parallel to the trench
at a distance of about one-half to three-quarters
Report any of these conditions to your supervisor.
of the trench depth.
Check timber shoring before it’s installed. Discard
If you find cracks in the ground, alert the crew
any damaged or defective lumber.
and double-check your shoring or trench box.
With timber shoring, check for
It’s dangerous to overlook damage or defects in
• Cracked or bowed sheathing protective systems. Even if the job is short-term
• Wales crushed where they join struts or almost finished, trenches can still cave in.
• Loose or missing cleats Whether protected by sloping, trench boxes, or
shoring, trenches must be provided with ladders
• Split or bowed wales so that workers can enter and exit safely. These
• Struts off level. ladders must also be inspected regularly for
If wales show signs of crushing, this indicates damage. Ladders found to be defective must be
structural problems and the need for more struts. taken out of service and replaced immediately.
70 Trenching
Excavator hand signals
Explain dangers The operator and the signaller must decide on a
way to communicate with each other. Often the
Excavators, backhoes, and other types of heavy best way is to use clear, standard hand signals.
equipment can cause injuries and fatalities to Here are some standard hand signals for working
equipment operators and workers on foot during with excavators.
trenching operations.
Workers have also suffered serious injuries from Demonstrate
being struck by the load carried by this type of
equipment. Demonstrate the hand signals below. Ask your
crew to practise them so that they become
Identify controls natural.
Hand out IHSA’s pocket-sized Excavator Hand
If a person could be endangered by equipment Signals Card (V015).
or its load, a signaller must be used to help the
operator. EXCAVATOR HAND SIGNALS
Load Load Swing Swing
Up Down Left Right
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16
Dipper In Dipper Out Counter Rotate Counter Rotate
17 18 19 20
72 Confined Spaces
Confined spaces—Dangerous atmospheres
Explain dangers Make sure the equipment is able to detect what
you suspect. Some detectors have sensors that
Dangerous atmospheres have killed those check for oxygen content, explosive gases or
working in confined spaces as well as those vapours, and a range of toxic gases. Some have
attempting rescue. Dangerous types of only one or two sensors and may not detect
atmospheres include certain types of hazards. You may need a
selection of detectors—one detector can’t test for
• Flammable and explosive everything.
• Toxic Check all levels of the space. Some contaminants
• Oxygen-deficient are lighter than air and accumulate near the top
of the space. Others are heavier than air and
• Oxygen-enriched.
settle at the bottom.
Flammable and explosive atmospheres include
If you leave the space for a break or lunch, test
• Natural gas from leaking gas lines or natural before you go back in. Dangerous atmospheres
sources can develop without warning.
• Methane from decaying sewage If tests indicate a dangerous atmosphere, you
• Propane gas from leaking cylinders or must NOT enter the space until it is thoroughly
equipment ventilated and subsequent tests indicate the air is
safe to breathe.
• Gasoline vapour from leaking tanks and spills
Ventilation and testing must be continued as long
• Vapour from solvents used for painting, as you are in the space.
cleaning, refinishing, etc.
If the space can’t be adequately ventilated, you
Toxic atmospheres include can only enter if
• Vapour from solvents • you wear suitable respiratory protection and a
• Hydrogen sulfide from decaying sewage or full-body harness attached to a rope anchored
raw petroleum outside the space and held by a worker with
• Carbon monoxide from engine exhaust. an alarm
Oxygen-deficient atmospheres contain less than • you have a means of communication with the
19.5% oxygen. Breathing oxygen-deficient air worker outside
can make you lose judgment, coordination, and • a person trained and equipped in artificial
consciousness. In a confined space, oxygen can respiration and emergency rescue is available
be displaced by other gases or used up by rusting outside the space.
metal, combustion, or bacteria digesting sewage. Never try to rescue a worker overcome in a
Oxygen-enriched atmospheres contain more confined space unless you are trained and
than 23% oxygen. They are rare and are usually equipped for it.
caused by leaking oxygen hoses or cylinders. Many workers trying to save their buddies have
become victims themselves. Get emergency help.
Identify controls
Demonstrate
Check for atmospheric hazards before entering
any confined space. Use properly calibrated Review the types of confined spaces and
gas detection equipment. Many dangerous atmospheric hazards that your crew may
atmospheres cannot be detected by smell or encounter. Demonstrate how to use gas detection
taste. equipment.
Confined Spaces 73
Confined spaces—Physical hazards
Explain dangers • Isolate the space by disconnecting supply
and drain lines. Lock out and tag the lines so
In addition to dangerous atmospheres, confined they won’t be reopened while you’re working
spaces such as tanks, vats, vessels, hoppers, and inside.
bins can present physical hazards such as • Inspect the space for dangerous contents
• Poor entry and exit such as grain or sand that could slide, shift,
and bury you inside.
• Cramped working conditions
• Lock out any electrical, hydraulic,
• Temperature extremes or pneumatic equipment that could
• Rotating or moving equipment unexpectedly rotate, drop, roll, or snap shut
in the space.
• Reactive or corrosive residues
• Block and secure any equipment that
• Electrical hazards
could move because of gravity or stored
• Uncontrolled movement of liquids or solids. momentum.
Some of these hazards involve greater risk inside • Wear safety harnesses and lifelines to make
a confined space than outside. rescue more efficient in case of an emergency.
For example, electrical flashover can be more • Use an entry permit system. This helps
dangerous in a cramped maintenance hole where identify hazards and controls, and keeps track
there’s limited escape than in an electrical room of who is inside.
with clear exits. And fire in a confined space can
be far more dangerous than fire in an open work
area. Demonstrate
Review procedures for lockout, tagging, and
Identify controls entry. Discuss some of the controls shown in the
diagram below.
• Develop a rescue plan for the space and
practice to make sure that everyone knows
what to do.
74 Confined Spaces
Safety at home
Explain dangers SAFETY AT HOME
• Eliminate slipping and tripping hazards.
The purpose of delivering safety talks and • Don’t overreach when on a ladder.
providing health and safety training is to
encourage you to work safely and to think about • Minimize possible electrical exposures.
health and safety at work. But off-the-job safety • Teach your family to identify hazards.
is also important.
• Learn basic first aid and CPR.
Studies have found that more accidents happen
in the home than anywhere else.* SAFETY DURING AN EMERGENCY
Just like at work, at-home incidents are caused by Across Canada, we face a number of natural
improper practices and lack of precautions and hazards. Knowing what to do in an emergency
protection. That’s why safe practices at home are situation is part of being prepared.
just as important as safety on the job. • Be prepared to take care of yourself and your
Whether you’re at work or at play, driving for family for a minimum of 72 hours during an
work or driving for pleasure, being healthy and emergency.
safe requires taking proper precautions and • Develop an emergency plan and follow it.
practicing safe procedures.
• Have an emergency kit on hand.
• Make sure you are safe before assisting others.
Identify controls
• Listen to the radio or television for
SAFETY WHILE DRIVING information from local officials and follow
their instructions.
• Don’t speed.
• Stay put until all is safe or until you are
• Maintain your vehicle in good mechanical ordered to evacuate.
condition.
• If you have to leave your home, protect it by:
• Watch out for other drivers.
– Shutting off water and electricity if
• Allow for proper stopping distances. officials tell you to
• Be courteous, especially if you’re in a – Locking your home
company vehicle.
– Leaving natural gas service on, unless
• Remember: Drinking and driving don’t mix. officials tell you to turn it off. (If you turn
Don’t drive if you are impaired or under the off the gas, the gas company will have
influence of drugs and alcohol. to reconnect it. In a major emergency, it
SAFETY AT PLAY could take weeks for a professional to
respond.)
• Be careful not to overexert yourself.
• Always loosen up before you begin playing a Demonstrate
sport.
• Learn the safety rules associated with your Review some potential emergency risks in your
recreational activities (i.e., boating, hunting). region with your crew and discuss how to prepare
• Teach your family how to play safely and for different situations. For example, how would
always enforce the rules. you respond to ice storm, floods, storm surges,
fire, or hurricanes?
• Know your limits. Don’t try to keep up with
people who are younger or more athletic than Discuss what type of emergency kit you should
you are. purchase for your home and what should be
included.
*For more information, visit the following web page:
www.rospa.com/home-safety/advice/general/facts-and-figures/
• When using loud tools or equipment, warn Deep-cut band saw (120 V) used
for cutting 3 5/8-in (20-gauge) 92.5 1 hr 25 m
nearby workers to stay away. Put up barriers steel track
or rope the area off.
Impact screwdriver (cordless)
• Move sources of loud noise such as generators used for putting 3/16-in screws 95.3 44 min
or compressors as far away from your work into holes in concrete
area as possible. Rotary hammer drill used for
96.7 32 min
putting 3/16-in holes in concrete
• Put temporary barriers or enclosures around
Drywall screwdriver (6.5 amp)
loud equipment. Plywood with sound used for putting screws into 97.1 29 min
absorbing material (i.e., insulation) can drywall on steel framing
significantly reduce the noise and its effect on Angle grinder (4 1/2-in cordless)
others. used for cutting 3 5/8-in (20- 101.7 10 min
ga.) track
• Ensure tools and equipment are well
maintained. This can help keep them quieter. Drywall router used for cutting
105.8 4 min
drywall
Keep in mind that exposure to noise is cumulative
Chop saw (14-in) used for
and can add up from using different tools and cutting 3 5/8-in (20-ga.) track
109.3 2 min
equipment or working in different environments.
NOTE: Sound level can vary depending on the model of
tool or equipment. Refer to the manufacturer’s guide.
• Gasoline-powered saws release carbon • Bring the saw to full speed before starting
monoxide (CO). In addition, spilled or leaking the cut. If you feel resistance, the blade may
fuel combined with the sparks produced not be compatible with the material. If it’s a
during cutting can cause a fire. diamond blade, it may be glazed over. Using
the wrong blade is not only a safety hazard
• Cutting concrete and masonry materials but also increases your risk of developing
can expose the operator to toxic dusts (e.g., hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).
silica), which can cause respiratory problems.
It also produces flying particles that can strike • Never use a saw or blade that is damaged.
the eye. • Secure and support the material you are
• When cutting metal, the sparks produced can cutting to prevent it from bending or
cause a fire and the metal filings can become pinching. Support heavy materials on both
airborne and strike someone. sides so it doesn’t fall.
• A saw that is left idling may bounce around or • Maintain a safe work zone when operating the
fall, causing injury or damage. saw. If the blade breaks, pieces may break off
and strike the operator or others nearby.
• Take precautions to prevent exposure to toxic
Identify controls exhaust fumes and the buildup of CO gas.
STARTING THE SAW • Before refueling saw, shut off the engine and
allow it to cool. Do not smoke while handling
• Keep others at least six feet away from you. fuel. Make sure gas caps are tight before
Place the saw on solid ground and secure it restarting.
with one foot in the rear handle.
• An abrasive blade is meant for cutting, not
• Grasp the top handle with one hand and for grinding or feathering.
set the throttle lock. Pull the recoil handle
towards your chest. TRANSPORTING THE SAW
• Never “drop start” or “throw start” a saw. This • Shut off the motor before setting the saw
leaves only one hand to control it. down. Allow it to cool off.
• Don’t let the pull cord snap back. • During transit, make sure the saw is secured
to prevent it from moving. Never put it in the
OPERATING THE SAW passenger’s seat of a vehicle.
• Before operating the saw, complete a hazard • Where possible, transport the saw in a well-
assessment of the work area and locate vented cabinet or in the open air.
buried cables or covered electrical services so
they can be avoided.
Demonstrate
• Hold the saw firmly with both hands and
plant your feet firmly in a wide stance before Show your workers the proper way to start and
starting to cut. operate a hand-held masonry saw.
• Looking at display screens of devices that Make sure your phone has caller ID and/or
are unrelated to driving such as laptops, MP3 voicemail. If the phone rings, don’t answer it
players, or DVD players. unless you pull over to a safe spot. Or let a
passenger answer the call.
Studies have shown that drivers who use a mobile
device while driving are four times more likely to Some apps or settings can block incoming calls
be in a collision. and texts while driving or send automatic replies
to people trying to call or text you. Before you
Most of us drive to and from work with our get in your vehicle, record an outgoing message
mobile devices within arm’s reach. Whether it’s that tells callers you’re driving and you’ll get back
a personal or work-related call or text, it can be to them when you’re done.
difficult to resist the urge to answer or take a
look. However, each time you read a text or an Set a good example—If you know that a worker
email, you’re taking your eyes off of the road for is driving, do not call them on the phone or try
at least four seconds. to contact them on any other wireless device. If
you’re not sure if they’re driving and the matter is
Studies have shown that drivers who take their urgent, place the call but ask them immediately
eyes off the road for more than two seconds are whether they’re driving. If they are, ask them to
twice as likely to have a crash. call you back after they pull over.
If you receive a call from a worker who you
Identify controls suspect is on their cell phone or other wireless
device, ask them if they’re driving. If they are,
Use hands-free devices—In Ontario, it’s against suggest that they pull over and call you back.
the law to use hand-held communication and
entertainment devices while driving. Although
hands-free devices are permitted, you’re not
Demonstrate
allowed to manually dial a phone, scroll through
contacts, or program your GPS. Show workers how to download a car mode app
or activate the “Do Not Disturb While Driving”
Don’t use your devices—There is no conclusive feature on their phones.
evidence that using a hands-free device is safer
than using a hand-held one. So the best practice If your company has a mobile device or
is not to use a mobile device while operating a distracted driving policy, review it with your
vehicle. workers. Be clear about who the policy applies
to (subcontractors, temporary workers, etc.) and
Resist the urge to look at or answer emails or what the consequences will be if they violate it.
text messages until you’ve finished driving. Let all
phone calls go directly to your voicemail. If you If your company does not have one, download a
must send a reply or make a call, pull over to a sample one from the ihsa website:
safe spot off the road. ihsa.ca/distracted-driving
___________________________________
• Keep equipment and the areas around
equipment free of scrap and debris.
___________________________________
• Pick up, store, or dispose of tools, material,
or debris that may cause tripping or other
hazards.
• Keep stairways, passageways, ramps, and
other travel areas clear at all times.
Explain dangers • Secure loose or light materials stored on roofs
and open floors to keep them from blowing
We all know how fast rubbish builds up on a site— away in the wind. Resecure the material after
scrap lumber, broken bricks, pieces of drywall, removing any of it.
strap-bands, and packaging.
• Never throw material or let it fall from one
How can you concentrate on your work when level to another. Use an enclosed chute or
you’re worried about slipping, falling, or tripping lower the material in containers.
over garbage and debris? Production and
installation time go up while quality tails off. • Keep material at least 1.8 metres (6 feet) away
from floor and roof openings, floor and roof
Every year, poor housekeeping and storage edges, excavations, and trenches.
practices cause many accidents and injuries.
Construction rubbish is often irregular in shape, • Near opening, store material so that it won’t
hard to handle, and full of sharp objects. roll or slide in the direction of the opening.
Use blocking if necessary.
One of the biggest problems is packaging. Too
often it gets removed from material and left • Store materials away from overhead
wherever it falls. This creates tripping and slipping powerlines.
hazards. It also makes other hazards hard to see. • Before handling used lumber, remove or
Even worse, it invites more mess. When a site isn’t bend over any protruding nails and chip away
cleaned up, no one cares about leaving garbage hardened concrete.
where it drops. • Remove flammable rubbish and debris
When that happens, you can’t see faulty wiring, immediately from sources of ignition such as
protruding nails, damaged flooring, and missing welding, flame cutting, and propane heating.
scaffold planks. • Post signs to warn workers of hazardous
Clutter left around work and travel areas also areas.
makes it difficult to use material-handling • Wear eye protection at all times when there is
equipment. As a result, more material gets any risk of eye injury.
handled manually, which increases the risk of
injury and property damage.
Demonstrate
Housekeeping means cleaning up scrap and
debris, putting it in containers, and making sure Review any housekeeping problems relevant to
the containers are emptied regularly. It also your crew. Discuss housekeeping problems on
means proper storage of materials and other areas on site.
equipment. Effective housekeeping and storage
will prevent incidents and injuries. Review procedures for cleaning up and show
workers the location of gargabe bins. Assign
individual cleanup duties if required.
Demonstrate
Review the types of screwdrivers used by your
crew.
Inspect a few for evidence of wear, damage, or
misuse.
Masonry Bit
Demonstrate
Auxiliary Handle
Adjustable
Bit Stop Air Vents Have sample drills available to demonstrate while
you talk.
Jaw Review the types of drilling done by your crew
Chuck
Switch Lock
and inspect sample drills and bits used on the job.
Trigger
Switch
the piece of material that you are cutting. The Lower Blade Cutting Depth
Guard Adjustment Knob
Shoe
risk of kickback and injury increases as more
blade is exposed below the material.
2. Powder-actuated (explosive cartridge). • Keep your hand and fingers well away from
the nail’s path. Use clamps if necessary.
Puncture wounds are the most common type of
injury, often caused because the bump or trigger • Never point the gun at another person or
safety was disabled. yourself.
While puncture wounds to the extremities such as • Don’t use a nail gun if you’re working in an
hands and feet are the most common, puncture awkward position. This makes the gun harder
wounds to places like the head or neck can cause to control and increases the chance of injury.
more severe injuries and result in death. • When you’re not using the gun, engage the
trigger safety device or disconnect the gun
from its power source.
Identify controls
• Never modify safety features, such as tying
Nail gun safety can be increased if you know the or wiring the nose contact in the activated
difference between trigger types. position.
• Contact triggers allow the gun to fire any • Only let people who have received training
time the trigger is held down and the nose is operate a nail gun.
depressed against a surface. • Always use the proper type of nails in the gun.
• Sequential triggers only fire when the nose is • Never overextend your reach when you are
depressed against a surface before squeezing using the gun. Hold it firmly in your hand.
the trigger. To fire a second nail you must
• If you have to work at height, stand on a
release and press the trigger and/or release
scaffold or other secure work platform rather
and depress the nose.
than on a ladder.
Sequential-trip triggers are much safer than
• Always check the manufacturer’s instructions.
contact-trip triggers, which can fire accidentally if
the nail gun recoils or the operator bumps against
a surface or co-worker. Demonstrate
Studies show that using sequential-trip triggers
can cut injury rates in half without affecting With a nail gun currently being used on site,
productivity. demonstrate a trigger type while you talk.
Nail guns may speed up the work, but one Show your crew how to inspect the nail gun to
careless motion is all it takes to lose an eye or put ensure that it is in proper working condition and
a nail through your hand. that all the safety features are intact and working.
A copy of the manufacturer’s instructions should
be available on site for reference. Show your crew
where it’s located.
• Use a CO monitor when burning propane. Review the signs of CO poisoning with the crew
(refer to the safety talk on carbon monoxide).
• Ensure that formwork has been inspected by • If your clothing becomes soaked, change
a professional engineer or by a competent clothes and clean your skin immediately.
worker designated by the professional • Workers not involved in the pour should be
engineer before the placement of concrete. kept away from the area.
• Make sure all rebar that is not part of the pour
is properly capped to avoid cuts, abrasions, Demonstrate
and impalement.
• Before pouring, have extra shores and other If the situation allows, take the crew to an area
materials readily available in case of an where forms are being installed to observe the
emergency. process. Identify GFCI-equipped circuits.
However, nail guns are the most common source • Always secure hose connections with wire
of struck-by injuries in Ontario’s homebuilding or safety clips to prevent the hose from
sector. Each year, workers being struck by nails, whipping—except when automatic cut-off
brads, and tacks account for close to 100 lost- couplers are used.
time injuries (LTIs). • Choose nail guns that have sequential
The most common parts of the body affected by triggers rather than contact triggers. Contact
these struck-by injuries are the fingers, hands, triggers can accidentally fire if the trigger is
and eyes. pressed and the nose accidentally touches
anything. Studies have shown that using
Severe nail gun injuries have resulted in blindness, sequential triggers can cut injury rates in half
brain damage, bone fractures, and even death. without affecting productivity.
When using high-powered pneumatic tools, even • Never hold or carry a nail gun with your finger
the smallest mishandling can cause injury to on the trigger.
workers or damage to equipment.
• Know where the joists or studs are before
nailing through plywood or particle board.
Identify controls Nail guns can fire nails straight through this
type of wood.
• Read all the safety materials and follow • Never point a nail gun towards anybody or
the manufacturer’s instructions when using yourself, even if you think it’s not loaded.
compressor tools. Workers should have some
training on the specific tool they will be using. • Keep your hand away from the spot where
you’re nailing.
• Ensure tools are in proper working order.
Remove broken or malfunctioning tools from • Check surfaces before nailing into them.
service immediately. Look for knots, other nails, straps, hangers, or
gusset plates that can cause recoil or ricochet.
• Never modify the safety features of a tool or
compressor. • Match the speed rating of saw blades,
grinding wheels, cut-off wheels, etc. to the
• Wear all required personal protective tool speed. Too fast or too slow a rotation can
equipment when using high-pressure tools. damage the wheels, release fragments, and
This includes safety glasses to protect against injure workers.
flying particles from both the front and sides.
• Adjust the air pressure to the psi Demonstrate
recommended by the manufacturer for the
task you’re doing and the tool you’re using.
Never exceed the maximum recommended air Demonstrate how to use the specific type of
pressure. compressor tools you are using on the jobsite.
Give workers an opportunity to handle the tools
• Disconnect the air hose before reloading, and provide feedback. Show workers where to
cleaning, or clearing a jam. find the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Turn off the air pressure and safety release Discuss awkward working positions such as toe
any pressure remaining in the system when nailing and working overhead.
it is not in use or before changing pneumatic
tools or attachments. Encourage workers to report injuries and close
calls associated with using compressor tools.
• Never “kink” a hose to stop air flow.
• Basements and crawl spaces The employer should consult an expert who
specializes in radon testing and remediation.
• Underground mines and tunnels Health Canada recognizes the Canadian
• Water treatment plants National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP)
certification program.
• Petroleum production plants
If the radon level in the workplace is between 200
• Fertilizer manufacturing facilities
and 800 Bq/m3, the employer should carry out a
• Metal recycling facilities. “NORM Management” program. This involves:
Radon can enter a building through cracks in • Changing work practices
the foundation floors and walls. It can also enter
• Keeping the public out or limiting access by
through gaps around construction joints, support
workers to areas where radon levels are high
posts, window casements, service pipes, drains,
or sump pumps. • Taking steps to reduce the level of radon to
less than 200 Bq/m3.
If radon gas enters the lungs, it can damage the
cells that line the lungs. Long-term exposure to If the radon level in the workplace is more than
high levels of radon can cause lung cancer. 800 Bq/m3, the employer should carry out a
“Radiation Protection Management” program.
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in
This involves:
non-smokers and the second-leading cause in
smokers.* • Putting administrative controls in place such
as the use of personal protective equipment
Health Canada estimates that radon exposure
causes 3,200 lung cancer deaths each year in • Establishing a dose monitoring program to
Canada. They recommend that radon in the air be track the annual amount of exposure that
less than 200 becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/ workers receive
m3). • Measuring workplace radon levels periodically
An estimated 6.9% of Canadians are living in • Taking steps to reduce radon levels to less
homes with radon levels above this number.† than 200 Bq/m3.
Demonstrate
* “Risk factors for lung cancer”, Canadian Cancer Society
website, accessed Sep 2017.
Explain to your crew the steps that the employer
† Health Canada, Cross-Canada Survey of Radon has taken or will take to protect them from
Concentrations in Homes: Final Report (2012) p. 9.
exposure to radon gas.
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
Explain dangers
Carbon monoxide (chemical abbreviation: CO) is
a clear, colourless gas you can’t smell or taste.
When engines must be operated indoors, take
It’s dangerous because it interferes with your these precautions.
body’s ability to use oxygen. Even in small doses,
CO can kill you. • Make sure the area is well ventilated. Keep
doors and windows open. Use fans to bring in
The first signs are headache and fatigue. fresh air if necessary.
More exposure can rapidly lead to loss of
consciousness, arrested breathing, heart failure, • Limit running time and don’t let engines idle.
and death. • Monitor CO levels regularly to make sure that
A major source of CO is engine exhaust. Gasoline, ventilation is adequate.
propane, and diesel engines all release CO. Some • When necessary, use exhaust hoses or fans to
types of welding may also produce it. draw engine exhaust out of the work area.
• Keep engines well tuned. They will run cleaner
Identify controls and produce less CO.
• When possible, use equipment that is
Since CO has no taste or smell, you need a gas electrically powered rather than gasoline,
detector to see if it’s present. diesel, or propane powered.
Some detectors are tubes that change colour • When other controls are inadequate, workers
when CO is in the air. These can be used only must wear respiratory protection. This means
once. Others are continuous monitors with a cell a supplied-air respirator (i.e., attached to an
designed to sense CO. independent supply of clean air.)
Whenever possible, operate engines outdoors.
Welding machines and generators, for example, Demonstrate
can be left outside—only the leads have to run
into the building.
Point out sources of CO on site.
Never work alone in an area where CO can
Demonstrate how to use a CO detector.
accumulate.
Show your crew how to ventilate indoor areas.
Silica dust and particles are generated from • Use WATER whenever possible to control
dust. Wet cutting and other wet methods can
• Cutting and drilling concrete keep dust levels very low.
• Sandblasting concrete • If water isn’t practical, attach a dust collector
• Cutting and drilling masonry to the tool or equipment.
• Grinding concrete and masonry • Use a HEPA vacuum to clean the work area
and your work clothes. Do not allow silica
• Sanding drywall.
dust to accumulate. Never use dry sweeping
If we breathe silica dust and particles into our methods or compressed air to remove dust.
lungs often enough and long enough, we can get
• Turn off heating and air-conditioning units to
a disease caused silicosis.
reduce the spread of silica dust to other parts
Silicosis is a disabling, progressive, non-reversible, of the workplace.
and often deadly lung disease. You may show
• Warn other trades about the risk of silica
no symptoms in the early stages and severe
exposure and limit entry into the work area.
breathing problems in the later stages.
Post warning signs if necessary.
Many workers with silicosis can develop other
• Ventilate the area when cutting, drilling, and
health problems such as tuberculosis and lung
sanding.
cancer. They can also develop complications such
as heart disease. • Always wash your face and hands before
eating, drinking, smoking, and going home.
Identify controls
Demonstrate
There are three basic ways to control silica dust
on a site: With your crew, review the safety data sheet
(SDS) for silica. Pay special attention to handling
1. Prevent silica dust from getting in the air and storage procedures and PPE requirements.
2. Remove silica dust from the air Safety data sheets must be kept on site for
3. Prevent workers from inhaling silica dust. hazardous products. Show your crew where
When you’re doing a job that generates silica they’re located.
particles—or working close by—you need Show them where to find a respirator when they
protection. need one. Demonstrate how to put it on.
• Wear a particulate respirator if no other
control methods are available. Minimum
protection is a half-facepiece air-purifying
respirator with an N95 filter. As silica dust
increases, you’ll need more protection.
• An N95 filtering facepiece respirator (i.e., dust
mask) may be appropriate when doing short-
duration tasks, when local exhaust ventilation
is available on tools, or when working outside.
___________________________________
• Prevent dusts from getting into the air by
– spraying water on the workpiece before
cutting, pouring material, etc.
___________________________________
– spraying water on the ground before
sweeping. If wet-sweeping is not possible,
___________________________________
use a vacuum.
– using a dust collector for tools or
___________________________________
equipment if available.
• Consider different ways of doing the job that
could reduce the amount of dust created. For
instance, you could
– use low-speed rather than high-speed
grinders
Explain dangers – order blocks in various sizes to minimize
the need for cutting
Dust is found in many places on a jobsite and can
– use pre-mixed cement or mortar
be hazardous to your health.
– shorten the distance that material is
This hazard varies depending on the type of
dropped or tossed when pouring or
dust, the amount of dust inhaled, the size of
shoveling dusty materials
particulate, and how well your lungs are able to
remove the dust. – stand opposite to the direction of the dust
cloud.
Inhaling dust over many years can cause
• Prevent dust accumulation by cleaning the
• Fibrosis (hardening of the lungs, making it work area frequently throughout the shift
difficult to breathe)
using a wet-sweeping method or a HEPA
• Cancer of the lungs, abdomen, and nose. vacuum.
Even inhaling dusts over a couple of days or • Wash your hands before eating, drinking, or
months can cause smoking and at the end of your shift.
• Effects on the nervous system • Ventilate the area when performing tasks that
• Allergic reactions such as hay fever or more create dust. Also keep others away from the
serious reactions such as asthma. area when these tasks are being done.
Examples of jobs that create dust include • Use personal protective equipment when it is
not possible to prevent dust from getting into
• Cutting concrete, wood, or other materials the air. Consult the safety data sheet (SDS)
• Scoring/cutting tile for the product that is crewating the dust.
• Mixing mortar
• Pouring dry cement Demonstrate
• Grinding
Demonstrate how to use dust collecting
• Knocking or bumping into dusty materials equipment on tools or machinery.
• Loading, unloading, or transporting dusty Review company rules and procedures on
materials. respirators.
Review the information in the SDS with your crew.
• Occupational asthma (breathlessness, tight • If sewage gets in your eyes, flush them
chest, wheezing) immediately with clean water.
• Infection of eyes and skin. • Keep open cuts, sores, and scrapes well
covered with dry, clean bandages.
Sewage commonly infects workers by
• Restrict access to areas where sewage may
• Hand-to-mouth contact during eating, be present and put up signs to warn workers
drinking, and smoking or by wiping the face about the hazard.
with contaminated hands
• Seek medical attention if you experience any
• Skin contact through cuts, scratches, or symptoms of exposure to micro-organisms.
penetrating wounds That includes fever, nausea, diarrhea,
• Inhaling dust contaminated by living or dead vomiting, stomach cramps, and skin rash.
micro-organisms.
Demonstrate
Identify controls
With your crew, inspect clean and contaminated
• Wear the personal protective equipment areas on site.
(PPE) and clothing provided by your Identify precautions being taken in dirty areas.
employer, such as waterproof gloves and
coveralls, rubber boots, safety goggles, face Check that all workers have the required PPE and
shield, and N95 respirator. know how to use it.
• Wash with clean water, soap, and paper If they have to work in any confined spaces, ask if
towels. Shower for heavy contamination. they have received the required training.
• High body temperature—40°C or more. If your company has a heat stress policy, review it
with them.
• Wear synthetic fabrics such as polypropylene – Monitor CO levels regularly with a gas
next to the skin because it wicks away sweat. detector.
___________________________________
• Read the safety data sheet (SDS) for spray
foam insulation to understand the hazards
and how to protect yourself.
___________________________________
• Enclose the spray areas and allow only those
workers with proper protection to enter.
___________________________________
• If possible, schedule all other types of work at
least 30 minutes after spraying has stopped
to allow the foam to cure.
• Ventilate the area using an air mover and
Explain dangers introduce fresh air into the space by using an
air blower.
You are at risk if you work with freshly applied • If you spray polyurethane foam insulation,
polyurethane foam insulation or work near you should wear a full facepiece supplied-
someone who does. air respirator with breathing air taken from a
Spray polyurethane foam insulation can contain clean area.
isocyanates, which are chemicals that can cause • The helper and other tradespeople who must
a severe allergic reaction and lead to breathing work in the restricted area should wear a full
difficulties (i.e., asthma attack). facepiece air-purifying respirator equipped
It may take time to develop the allergy (weeks or with a combination organic vapour/N100 filter
years). But once you have become allergic, just cartridge. Check with the manufacturer to see
one drop of isocyanate can trigger an asthma how often the cartridge should be changed.
attack. • Before using a respirator, you must be fit
Other health hazards associated with isocyanates tested and trained to correctly use and
include maintain it.
• Irritation to the skin, eyes, nose, throat, and • Avoid skin contact by using rubber gloves and
lungs coveralls when spraying.
• Coughing, chest pain, and fluid in lungs • Wash your hands and face before eating,
drinking, and smoking and after you’re
• Difficulty breathing.
finished working with insulation.
• Secure and cover containers of liquid
isocyanates to prevent evaporation.
Demonstrate
Get an SDS for spray foam polyurethane
insulation and review its ingredients and its
recommended exposure controls/personal
protection requirements with your crew.
Review your company’s rules and procedures on
respirators.
Demonstrate
Identify controls
Review the PPE requirements for the job with
Always assume droppings are contaminated. Take workers. Ensure they understand how to use each
the following precautions to reduce your risk of piece of equipment correctly.
infection:
Make sure respirators have been fit tested, and
• If you have a weakened immune system, you show workers how to do a seal check. (Refer to
should consult your doctor before working in the chapter on PPE in IHSA’s Construction Health
the area. and Safety Manual (M029).
136 Ergonomics
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)—Controls
Explain dangers WORKING WITH HAND TOOLS
• Use handles that are more comfortable and
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are injuries of give you a better grip.
the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, • Maintain your power tools regularly so that
cartilage, or spinal discs. they run with low vibration.
Risk factors for MSDs include: • Select hand tools that are designed for a
1. Forceful exertion (e.g., lifting, pushing, neutral wrist posture and that reduce the
pulling, and gripping a tool) amount of force required.
2. Awkward postures (e.g., stooping, bending • Use tools that are low torque, low kickback,
over, kneeling, and reaching overhead) and lightweight.
3. Repetitive movements (e.g., nailing a deck, • Use vibration-absorbing padding on grips and
screwing drywall, and tying rebar) handles.
4. Secondary risk factors: WORKING AT GROUND OR FLOOR LEVEL
– Contact pressure • Use tables, benches, or stands to bring work
– Vibration to waist height.
Ergonomics 137
Back care—Basic lifting
Explain dangers Demonstrate
Some jobs involve a lot of manual lifting. This can LIFTING PROCEDURE
cause back, neck, and shoulder injuries. Demonstrate the proper lifting procedure below
The risk of injury increases when: as you talk.
• Lifting in cramped spaces 1. Get as close to the load as possible. This is
• Lifting while in awkward positions very important. Our lifting capacity is reduced
the further away we are from the load.
• Lifting heavy or irregular-shaped objects
2. Put yourself in the best possible position for
• Performing repetitive lifting tasks. the lift. Try to avoid twisting from the waist,
If not addressed, these types of injuries can reaching out, and leaning over material or
become so severe that you may not be able to do equipment when you lift.
your job anymore. 3. Use a well-balanced stance with one foot
slightly ahead of the other.
Identify controls 4. Tighten your stomach muscles as you start to
lift.
• Safe lifting starts with planning: 5. Keep your lower back in its normal curved
– Size up the load before you start to lift. position and use your legs to lift.
– Get help from a co-worker if you cannot 6. Pick up your feet and pivot to turn. Don’t twist
handle the load by yourself. your back.
– Use a dolly or other type of material 7. When lowering the load, maintain the curve in
handling equipment whenever you can. your lower back. You can hurt your back just
– Store heavier materials closer to the work as easily lowering a load as lifting it.
location to reduce the distance you will
need to carry it.
– Make sure the path you will travel with the
load is clear.
• Avoid lifting above shoulder height. This
causes your back to arch and puts a lot of
stress on your shoulder and on the small joints
in your spine.
• Avoid storing items on the floor. Store them
between knee-height and shoulder-height.
This prevents you from reaching overhead or
bending at the waist.
• Push rather than pull a load. Pushing lets you
maintain the normal curve in your back and
puts less stress on the spine. TWO-PERSON LIFTING PROCEDURE
• Split large, heavy loads into smaller loads. Partners should be roughly the same height.
Making more trips with smaller loads puts less Before the lift, both partners should agree on:
stress on your back. • the type of lift (waist-high, shoulder-high,
• Don’t try to catch falling objects. Your etc.)
muscles may not have time to coordinate • who will take charge
properly to protect your spine. • how they will lower the load.
138 Ergonomics
Back care—Lifting sheet materials 1
Explain dangers Demonstrate
If you don’t lift large sheet materials like plywood Demonstrate how to lift sheet materials while you
correctly, you risk back, neck, and shoulder talk.
injuries.
Identify controls
3
Stack sheets at a convenient height or store them Bend at the knees, maintaining the
off the ground on blocking or trestles. normal curve in your lower back. Grasp
Here’s how to lift correctly. sheet above and below at mid-point.
Ergonomics 139
Back care—Lifting sheet materials 2
Explain dangers Demonstrate
If you don’t lift large sheet materials like plywood Demonstrate how to lift sheet materials off the
correctly, you risk back, neck, and shoulder floor.
injuries.
Bend knees, keeping back Tip sheet up to Lift sheet slightly and put
as upright as possible. horizontal position. toe under mid-point.
140 Ergonomics
Stretching exercises
Explain dangers Hip stretch
Stand with one foot in
Getting ready for the job means more than lining front of the other. Place
up tools and material. We should get our muscles your hands just above the
ready too. Exercising before work can help knee of your front leg.
prevent back, neck, and shoulder injuries. Gently bend your front
knee. Keep your back foot
Identify controls flat on the floor. Hold 20 to
30 seconds. Repeat with
Warm up first. other leg. Repeat 3 times
for each leg.
Muscles that are warm and loose
are less likely to tear than cold, tight Thigh stretch
ones. Support yourself with one
hand. With your free hand,
March in place bend your leg back and grasp
Stand in position. Pump your arms your ankle. Gently pull your
and legs in opposite directions. ankle towards your body.
Make sure that your heels touch the Keep your trunk straight.
ground. Continue 3 to 5 minutes. Hold 20 to 30 seconds. Then
Arm circles repeat with the other leg.
Repeat 3 times for each leg.
Stand with arms
raised horizontally Calf stretch
and slightly in front of Lean on a solid
shoulders, palms down, support with your
and feet shoulder- outstretched hands.
width apart. Rotate Bend one leg forward
arms in a forward and extend the other
circular motion for 15 leg straight behind
seconds. Relax. Repeat you. Slowly move your
3 to 5 times. hips forward. Keep
the heel of your back
leg on the ground.
CAUTION: Participation must be voluntary. If
Hold 30 seconds,
workers have any doubts about their ability to
relax, and repeat with
do the exercises safely or if they feel any pain,
the other leg. Repeat 3 times for
they should stop immediately.
each leg.
Ergonomics 141
Whole-body vibration (WBV)
Explain dangers • Slow down when driving over potholes and
rough terrain such as shale or rock.
Heavy equipment operators are exposed to • Get out of your vehicle (in a safe location) for
vibration from bulldozers, backhoes, loaders, skid a few minutes every hour to stand, stretch,
steers, excavators, and other machines (see chart and give your body a break from vibration.
below). • Store materials closer to the work location
The three main sources of whole-body vibration to limit the distance you have to travel. (The
(WBV) from heavy equipment are: layout of a site can be designed to reduce the
1. Low-frequency vibration caused by the tires need to transport materials.)
and terrain • Use unmanned equipment to move material
2. High-frequency vibration from the engine and where possible (e.g., remote-controlled
transmission conveyors).
3. Shock from running into potholes or • Take extra precautions during cold weather.
obstacles. Wear warm, waterproof clothing so that
muscles and ligaments stay loose and don’t
To determine the health effects of WBV, tighten up.
comparisons were made between operators
of heavy equipment and workers in a similar
environment who were not exposed to WBV. Demonstrate
With short-term exposure to vibration magnitude
Ask the crew to describe any problems they have
at 1 m/s2, workers reported symptoms such as:
had with WBV.
• Abdominal and chest pain
Using the vibration chart below, show workers the
• Headaches vibration level of the equipment they wll be using.
• Nausea
Vibration Magnitude of Equipment
• Loss of balance.
Long-term exposure to WBV can cause serious
health problems, in particular those related to the Mobile Crane
Concrete Trowel Vehicle
spine and the gastrointestinal system. Forklift
Excavator
Grader
Identify controls Vibratory Compactor
Zoom Boom
Non-Vibratory Compactor
Until improved equipment comes on the market, Large Bulldozer
heavy equipment operators should do the Tracked Loader
Backhoe
following to reduce WBV.
Small Bulldozer
• Report any poorly maintained equipment to Rubber Tire Loader
Regular Skid Steer Vehicle
your supervisor. A good suspension system Articulated Haul Truck
and correct tire pressure will help to reduce Mini Skid Steer Vehicle
vibration. Scraper
00 0.5 1.0 1.5
• Report any rough terrain to your supervisor
Mean Acceleration (m/s2)
Other workers may be able to level or smooth
out the road.
NOTE: For eight hours of continuous work, the
• If your seat has hydraulic dampers and shock magnitude of vibration should not exceed 0.5 m/s2.
absorbers, adjust the seat to your weight and
height. Source: ISO 2631—The European Vibration Directive.
142 Ergonomics
Welding—MSDs
Explain dangers REDUCING FORCEFUL EXERTION
• Use auto-darkening lenses. They darken as
Welding presents workers with a number of soon as the arc is struck, eliminating the need
hazards. The most common are: to keep opening and closing your helmet. This
• Metal fumes reduces neck strain.
• Welding arc light (both visible light and • Use mechanical lifting equipment whenever
invisible ultraviolet light) you can, particularly when loading or
unloading material.
• Particles getting in your eyes
• Pre-assemble parts and use material handling
• Burns equipment to help reduce unnecessary lifting.
• Noise. • Use height-adjustable mobile lift tables for
Welding also comes with the risk of developing transporting material into the workshop.
a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD). Most studies These tables can also be used to support
have found that the main contributing factors to material when you’re loading machines. A
MSDs come from work conditions such as: smaller table can be used for smaller sheets
of metal or machines such as a punch press.
• Awkward postures from squatting, kneeling, The larger table can be used for the “break
or stooping due to the confined or tight
and bending presses” as well as incoming
locations
materials.
• Lifting heavy equipment or materials • When you have to lift, ask someone to help
• Keeping your neck bent or keeping your you.
shoulders raised for a long time
REDUCING AWKWARD POSTURES
• Increased stress on your neck from supporting • Position the work at a height between your
the heavy weight of a hard hat and welding
waist and your shoulder.
mask.
• Use lifting and turning tables with wheels.
These conditions can lead to MSDs such as back,
shoulder, neck, or knee problems. • Use welding guns that have swivels and can
be used in either hand.
Identify controls • Sit on a work stool when the work is low.
• Use a work table or workbench instead of
You can prevent MSDs associated with welding by bending over to work on the ground.
reducing or eliminating: • Use a rotating clamp for pipe.
1. Forceful exertion (e.g., heavy lifting). • Put your welding leads on pulleys.
2. Awkward postures (eg. body positions where • Take stretch breaks throughout the day
you don’t move for a long time). to relieve discomfort and get the muscles
moving.
Demonstrate
More than half of the injuries to welders involve
the back, neck, shoulders, arms, and hands. Ask
workers to describe any problems they have had
to these parts of the body.
Discuss how those problems can be avoided.
Ergonomics 143
Flying forms—MSDs
Explain dangers
Flying forms are popular because they can save
time and, in some cases, are safer than using
built-in-place methods. Although there are some
advantages to using flying forms, there are also
some disadvantages. Flying forms have some
significant hazards associated with them that can
lead to serious injury if proper precautions aren’t
taken.
One of the significant risks of working with flying
forms is musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). MSDs
are injuries of the muscles, nerves, tendons,
ligaments, joints, cartilage, or spinal discs. They
typically occur after years of work involving
excessive force, awkward positions, and repetitive
tasks. • If you have to carry heavy materials because
Although flying forms are moved by heavy a cart or other device is not available, use
equipment from one area to another, it’s the shoulder pads.
workers who must assemble them. The tasks • Place heavy materials close to your work area
involved in assembling the forms can put you at to reduce the carrying distance.
risk of developing an MSD.
• Use sawhorses or a raised bench to cut
Some of these hazardous tasks are plywood.
• bending and kneeling to cut or nail material • Whenever possible, store heavy materials
• bending or kneelng to assemble forms below at least at standing knee height to avoid
knee level bending.
• working in tight spaces • Use proper lifting techniques. Lift materials
with your legs rather than bending over and
• carrying and lifting heavy forms, shoring, lifting with your back. Keep the load close to
steel, and wood columns
your body.
• working with hand tools such as wrenches, • Consider using pre-assembled, engineer-
hammers, and pry bars
approved guardrail systems instead of
• putting pressure on your shoulders while building wooden guardrails and posts at the
carrying large objects or kneeling on the jobsite.
ground
• the repetitive motion of hammering, which Demonstrate
can impact your wrists and arms.
Identify all transportation devices available on site
Identify controls that workers can use (e.g., carts, lift trucks).
Demonstrate the proper technique for lifting.
• Get help from a co-worker if something is too Survey the work area and provide tips for
heavy for you to handle safely.
improvement (e.g., store material closer to work
• Use mechanical equipment such as cranes, areas, ensure work tables are the proper height).
forklifts, or backhoes to lift or move heavy
objects.
• Use a cart to transport materials.
144 Ergonomics
Driving—MSDs
• Adjust the steering wheel for a comfortable
A truck driver on a long trip across Canada arm position. Positioning your hands at 3
started feeling discomfort in his lower back. o’clock and 9 o’clock and supporting your
He continued driving and made as few stops elbows on the armrest is recommended.
as possible in order to reach his destination
• If the seat has an air suspension system,
quickly. His discomfort became worse but he
adjust it so that the seat is comfortable and
tried to ignore it—the pain had always gone
provides support.
away in the past.
• Try to get out of your vehicle every hour or
Once he reached his destination, he had
two to stand, stretch, and move around for a
trouble walking and was not able to get a
few minutes. Changing your posture will help
restful sleep because of his back pain. The
reduce stiffness and fatigue.
driver ended up missing a month of work
and needed therapy to treat his back pain. • Don’t do any heavy lifting immediately after
a long period of driving. Take a few minutes
to walk around until your back regains its
structural integrity.
Explain dangers • Try not to drive with your wallet in your back
pocket. This can put extra pressure on your
Even when you’re sitting still in a moving vehicle, sciatic nerve and cause your spine to become
your body is subjected to external forces that can misaligned.
increase your risk of developing lower back pain.
• Maintain a good sitting posture by putting a
These forces include: roll or cushion between your lower back and
• The accelerations and decelerations of the the seat to keep the natural curve in your
vehicle lower back.
• The swaying of the vehicle from side to side • Don’t sit in one position for a long time.
Change your position by arching your back to
• The vibration from the engine and rough road reduce muscle tension or adjusting the lumbar
conditions.
support on your seat.
Because your hands and feet are actively involved
• Use the cruise control function in your car
in the driving task, they are not able to support
if you have it and it’s safe to do so. It allows
and stabilize your lower body to offset these
you adjust the position of your feet and gives
external forces.
them a break from the driving task.
In order to stabilize the upper body, the lower
• Use heated seats if you have them, even in the
back muscles have to be constantly active. As a
warm months. Heat will help relax tight joints
result, these muscles become fatigued leading to
and muscles and ease back pain.
muscle pain in the lower back.
Ergonomics 145
Report Form
Title of Safety Talk
Company Project
Crew attending
Concerns Response/follow-up
Signed
Title
Use this master to make copies. Fill out a report form for each talk delivered.
Retain a copy for company records.
146 Forms
Get Approved Working
at Heights Training
Workers on construction projects who may use a method of fall
protection must complete a working at heights training program
that has been approved by Ontario’s Chief Prevention Officer. In
addition, a refresher course must be taken every three years.
IHSA is proud to offer our CPO-approved Working at Heights—
Fundamentals of Fall Prevention course at many locations
When you register a business ONTARIO’S HEALTH & SAFETY SYSTEM throughout Ontario. Train with IHSA and be confident that you
with the WSIB, you automatically are compliant with legislated requirements.
become a member of IHSA. Ministry of Labour Together we can stop falls from killing
Develops legislation and regulations,
and is responsible for enforcement Ontario workers.
WHO WE ARE and prevention.
SAFETY
Safety Talks
of your employees IHSA serves the following industries:
• construction
• electrical
• utilities
EDUCATE
TALKS
• transportation
Educate yourself and your employees. • aggregates
• Take advantage of IHSA’s free training • natural gas
programs for members. • ready-mix concrete
• Access hundreds of free products and
downloadable resources.
ihsa.ca/Free-Products/Downloads.aspx
• Learn about your rights and responsibilities
You are automatically a
under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. member of IHSA if your
company pays Ontario
ENGAGE WSIB premiums for one
Engage your workers in health
and safety.
of the rate groups in the
• Give five-minute safety talks each morning. industries served by IHSA.
ihsa.ca/resources/safetytalks.aspx
• Conduct regular health and safety meetings.
• Keep a record of what happens on the site.
Find out what we can
EVALUATE do for you at ihsa.ca
Evaluate your current health & safety
program.
• Find legislative requirements and best
practices based on your firm size.
ihsa.ca/smallbusiness.aspx
• Conduct hazard assessments and workplace inspections. 21 Voyager Court South
• Help workers understand the importance of reporting Toronto, Ontario
gaps in your health & safety system. M9W 5M7 Canada
Tel: 1-800-263-5024
info@ihsa.ca
Revised Edition
V005
V005