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Safety in construction

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets and enforces safety standards, they inspect workplaces and issue citations and fines for violations of these standards, provides training and education programs

Life Saving Rules Fatalities in the construction industry mainly occur due to one of the following events: falls, electrical accidents, “caught-in” events, and “struck by” events. Accordingly, the below rules must be followed at all times:

Fall Protection

Workers must maintain 100% tie off when fall protection is required • Manufacturing: utilized when a potential fall is 4'+ and while working in aerial lifts and boom lifts • Construction: used when a potential fall is 4'+ in Washington State and 6'+ in all other states and while working in boom lifts

Electricity

Workers must follow all energy isolation, lockout tagout, and overhead powerline procedures. Opening energized electrical panels, removing locks, and modifying equipment must have a lockout tagout permit

Caught-in

Worker must not remove machine guarding, operate equipment without proper guarding, or operate machinery/equipment outside designated areas • Worker must only enter trenches/excavations that have appropriate documentation and shoring/benching/sloping

Struck-by

When working overhead or making lifts, barricades must be used to close out areas under and adjacent to the work area. Must not stand or work under suspended loads Workers must follow all energy isolation, lockout tagout, and overhead powerline procedures. Opening energized electrical panels, removing locks, and modifying equipment must have a lockout tagout permit

General Safety

PPE must be worn according to site policy and the Task Hazard Analysis. Immediately report all work-related injuries, illnesses, near misses, unsafe conditions, equipment damage, and vehicle incidents regardless of their severity, to your supervisor

General security information

Strictly respect and adhere to all safety signs, lights, and alarms, including staying within designated aisles and work areas. • Headphones and other ear pieces for use with music players, telephones, or other audio equipment are prohibited while on the job site, in the production facility, or in company vehicles. • When driving company vehicles or personal vehicles during work hours, seat belts must be worn and cell phone use must be hands-free

Emergency Situations

• Know the emergency response and evacuation plan, including evacuation routes for your work area, muster points, along with the closest fire extinguisher, eye wash station, first aid cabinet, and AED • The use of any fire extinguisher must be reported to your supervisor

Housekeeping and Storage

Waste and trash containers must be used to keep work areas clean. When appropriate, please use recycling methods • All chemicals must be stored and disposed of in approved safety containers (eg, oil, diesel). Notify your supervisor if no containers are available or a spill occurs. The supervisor will work with HSE to determine proper clean-up procedures. If a hazardous material is encountered or exacerbated, stop work immediately and report such condition to your supervisor. • All stored materials must be stacked properly on a firm and even foundation. Stored material cannot infringe on pedestrian walkways, emergency exits, or safety equipment (ie, fire extinguishers, eye wash). Energized electrical panels must have 3' feet of clearance from stored materials • Keep your work area free from debris and trip hazards at all times

Cleaning and storage

Trash and waste containers must be used to keep work areas clean. Use recycling methods where appropriate. • All chemicals must be stored and disposed of in approved safety containers (eg oil, diesel). Notify your supervisor if containers are not available or if a spill occurs. The supervisor will work with HSE to determine the proper cleaning procedures. If a hazardous material is found or exacerbated, immediately stop work and notify your supervisor. • All stored materials must be properly stacked on a firm, even base. There may be no material stored in walkways, emergency exits, or safety equipment (ie, fire extinguishers, eyewash stations). Electrical panels must be 3 feet away from stored materials. • Keep your work area free of debris and trip hazards at all times.

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