The state of Minnesota is implementing a new set of standards to reduce on job risk for window washers.

The standard requires employers whose workers are suspended more than 14-feet above grade to have a comprehensive written safety plan and provide employee training for window-washing and building-maintenance activities. It also addresses and outlines worker safety requirements in the areas of:

• Anchors and anchor points;
• Appropriate recordkeeping regarding employee training and retraining;
• Fall protection;
• Proper care, use and inspection of equipment;
• Rope descent systems; and
• Visual inspections of building exteriors before work begins.

“This new standard ensures a plan is in place to reduce risks to workers and that systems are in place to identify and control workplace hazards,” said Commissioner Ken Peterson, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). “The goal is to prevent accidents.”

The new set of rules come on the heels of three window washing deaths in the past three years that MNOSHA said all could have been prevented through the proper use of safety equipment and procedures.

Since MNOSHA began a local emphasis inspection program for the window-washing and building-maintenance industry in October 2010 the organization has inspected 34 window washing companies.

During these inspections, MNOSHA investigators found worksites lacking proper safety equipment for employees and improper usage of suspension scaffolds and lifelines.

The new safety standard for window-washers takes effect March 1, 2012.

For help complying with this new standard call 877-201-8923.

Ever since man picked up a rock more than 2 million years ago and used it break apart wood, bone and other objects the hammer was destined to become an integral tool in the construction of human society.

Yet despite more than 2 million years of experience using hammering devices, mankind still suffers from hammer related injuries at a rate as high as any other hand tool.

Why?

Improper use, selection and maintenance

However, by following the advice in this article you and your employees can help prevent hammer related injuries in the workplace.

Hammer Selection

There is no such thing as a “universal” hammer. Each hammer is designed for a specific job and using the improper hammer can increase the probability of an injury.

The following is a look at a few of the more popular hammers and their intended usage.

Ball Pein Hammer-For riveting, center punching and bending or shaping soft metal. Choose a size to match the task.

Hand Drilling Hammer-The only hammer to use with star drills, masonry nails, steel chisels and nail pullers. Easy to handle; packs plenty of punch.

Rawhide Mallet-For use in furniture assembly, shaping soft sheet metals or any task that requires non-marring blows.

Brick Hammer-Designed for cutting and setting bricks or blocks, and for chipping mortar.

Shingling Hatchet- Used  for installing shakes and shingles. Handy gauge pin sets exposed length of shingle. Milled and crowned face sets nails cleanly.

Wallboard Tool-Multi-purpose tool scores wallboard, makes cutouts and sets nails with a perfect dimple.

Curved Claw or Nail Hammer-For use with finishing nails only. Choose 16 or 20 oz. weights for general carpentry; lighter weights for model work or fine cabinetry.

Straight Claw or Rip Hammer-For use with non-hardened, common or finishing nails only. Choose weights from 20 to 32 oz. for framing and ripping.

Remember when selecting a hammer to always use the appropriate weight so that only a natural swing is required. Let the weight of the hammer do the work.

Hammer Safety

Hammers injuries can be caused by trying to strike too heavy a blow with a lightweight hammer, by using a damaged hammer and by using the wrong style of hammer for the task.

These injuries can range from minors cuts and scrapes to possible broken bones of even damaged eyes.

Follow these tips to prevent hammer injuries.

• When using a hammer ensure proper clearance from fellow workers.
• Keep your work area clean and free from debris.
• Use hammers or mallets with insulated handles for work on or around exposed energized parts. The hammer should feel balanced and under control as you grip the handle.
• Wear proper eye protection.
• When pulling nails or prying material apart, make sure the claw of the hammer is in the proper position and the right leverage is applied.
• Never use anything other than a hammer to drive nails into material (i.e.… rock, brick, back of a tool).
• Avoid handles with sharp edges which can cut off circulation to your finger during long periods of use. Handles should be shaped to fit your hand comfortably.
• Use hammers with cushioned handles to  help absorb vibration, impacts, or squeezing pressure.
• Keep floors clean and dry to prevent accidental slips with or around dangerous tools.
• When hammering make sure you can easily reach your work without straining muscles.
• Make sure that you have secure footing and good balance while using a hammer. Use a vise, clamps, or other means to secure the piece you are striking.

Hammer Maintenance

One of the greatest hazards of hammer use is improper maintenance. As an employer it is your responsibility toensure the safe condition of the tools your employees use.

To ensure this safety you should train employees on how to properly maintain their hammers. To further enhance this training you should have employees sign off at least once a week that their equipment is in proper working condition.

Consider the following when crafting a hammer maintenance program.

• Hammers with loose, splintered or cracked handles are susceptible to having the head fly off during use.
• Use tool boxes or tool chests to keep hammers and tools organized.
• Hang larger tools on pegboards and never leave hammers or tools strewn about your work area.
• Replace broken equipment immediately. Make repairs only if you are qualified.
• Make sure you examine each hammer and tool before using.

Vehicular accidents are the most common cause of workplace injury and death. Follow the bellow safety tips when navigating vehicles on company premises to help minimize accidents .

Before Entering Vehicle

• Check tires to make sure properly inflated
• Check to make sure any attachments of the vehicle are properly secure
• Check top ensure all lights work properly
• Check to ensure any vehicle equipment is in proper order
• Operate the forklift only if you’ve been trained

After Entering Vehicle

• Buckle you seat belt
• Adjust your mirrors
• Check the gas level
• Check to make sure all gauges are operating properly
• Check to ensure breaks are functional

While Driving

• Keeps your eyes focused on the workspace around you, be mindful of other vehicles and pedestrians.
• Avoid sharp turns.
• Keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle
• Follow our speed limit and other regulations
• Maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles – about three vehicle lengths.
• Raise and lower your load only when you are stopped
• Stop and sound the horn at intersections
• Use signals
• Note any road maintenance issues and report them to a supervisor

According to a recent blog post by the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, David Michaels, OSHA will begin to target texting while driving to crack down on employee injuries and death.

In 2009, distracted driving accounted for more than 5,400 traffic fatalities, or 16 percent of traffic fatalities. In terms of workplace fatalities motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause each year.

To battle this potent workplace hazard OSHA has partnered with the Federal Department of Transpiration (DOT) to create a campaign against distracted driving.

According to Michaels OSHA is first targeting texting while driving because it takes your cognitive focus, eyes and hands away from the work of driving.

A Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration study backs the dangers of driving while texting. The study found drivers’ eyes were off the road for 4.6 out of every 6 seconds while texting. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of a football field while wearing a blindfold.

“We want to send a clear message to managers, supervisors and workers that their company must neither require nor condone sending or reading text or e-mail messages while driving,” Michaels said.

The government occupational safety department is encouraging employers to enact policies prohibiting texting, establish times when employees can text and train employees on the dangers of texting and driving.

OSHA’s focus on the dangers of texting while driving come on the heels of  President Obama instituting a Federal Government-wide ban on the use of text messaging while driving on official business.

In addition to the mandate put in place by Obama 34 states and the District of Columbia have texting while driving bans in place.

According to Michaels OSHA will find companies in violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act if, by policy or practice, they require texting while driving, or create incentives that encourage or condone it, or they structure work so that texting is a practical necessity for workers to carry out their job.

“When OSHA receives a credible complaint that an employer requires texting while driving or who organizes work so that texting is a practical necessity, we will investigate and where necessary issue citations and penalties to end this practice, “Michaels said.

OSHA has rescinded a January 2009 letter of interpretation regarding the use of a particular shock-absorbing lanyard in aerial work platforms.

The original letter of interpretation stated because of the requirement of certain lanyards to have an anchor point at a height of 18.5 feet, their usage would likely not comply with OSHA standards when working at lower heights.

According to OSHA the original letter created confusion and mass inquiries about the use of body harnesses, typically married with appropriate lanyards, for fall protection in aerial lifts.

To avoid the confusion OSHA rescinded the interpretation.

“In rescinding this letter, OSHA is not concluding that the application described above is acceptable, rather it is clarifying that fall protection systems should not be based solely on information provided by the manufacturer, but should also take into account OSHA regulations and results of the job-specific risk assessment,” said Tony Groat of the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) USA.

Portable power drills are one of the most useful tools in the construction industry, but without the proper safety training they can quickly become one of the most dangerous.

According to a study released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission more than 2,500 people a year receive hospital treatment for power drill injuries.

To prevent injuries associated with power drills OSHA requires employers to train employees on proper maintenance and safe handling of power drills. Here is a quick look at steps you and your employees can take to prevent some of the most common power drill injuries.

Preventing Electric Shock

The energy source for portable power drills is either accessed from a wall or a battery. When a drill is treated roughly, dropped, hit against things or comes into contact with moisture theinsulation can weaken.

This weakened insulation can cause a drill to become “live”. A live drill if exposed to moisture can cause an electrical shock. To prevent electric shock employees need to:

•  Look for breaks, exposed wires, and looseness at the plug or housing connections. Unless the drill is double insulated, be sure there is a ground wire and the third prong has not been cut off.
• Use only extension cords that are free of splices, taps, bare wires, or frayed and deteriorated insulation. Use 3-prong adaptors.
• Check that the electrical circuit to be used is of the proper rating and that cords, plugs, and fittings are intact and secure.
• Never carry a tool by the cord.
• Never yank the cord to disconnect it from the receptacle.
• Keep cords away from heat, oil, and sharp edges (including the cutting surface of a power saw or drill).
• Do not use electric tools in damp or wet locations unless they are approved for that purpose.
• Use Double-Insulated Tools.

Preventing Face and Hand Injuries

The most common types of injuries involving drills are to the hands, fingers, eyes and face. These injuries on average involve four to seven days away from work. To prevent these type of injuries follow these simple tips:

• Examine your drill to make sure that it is clean. If the drill is dirty or rusty, tag it and return it to supply for maintenance.
• Make sure the drill speed is proper for the job. Pull the trigger to be sure it doesn’t work too easily or too hard and that power cuts off when the trigger is released.
• Be sure drill bits are set straight in the jaws. Hold up the drill and turn it on for a moment. The bit should run without any wobble. If it wobbles, either the bit isn’t straight or it’s in the jaws crooked. A sharp bit will take hold without much pressure.
• Starting the drilling at the right angle and keeping straight, takes steadiness and care. If a drill isn’t held just right, the bit may bend or break, sending metal flying. Use a pointed metal punch to start your drill right.
• When drilling into metal, be aware of the material’s hardness. Soft metals like copper or aluminum cut with little pressure. Hard steel needs a different bit. More pressure must be applied, but care is necessary because too much will make the drill overheat and bind.
• Do not allow anyone to use an electric drill that is not properly trained.
• Be familiar with the power drill being used. When using a new or unfamiliar tool, take time to “test-run” it and get a feel for its performance.
• Always wear eye protection.
• Wear clothing appropriate for drilling or boring; avoid long, loose shirtsleeves, neckwear, or untied long hair. These types of hazards can be caught in the drill.
• When possible, always secure your work on a stable platform using clamps or vices. A secured work piece will help ensure straight drilling.
• Prior to beginning drilling operations, inspect each work piece for nails, knots, or flaws that could cause the tool to buck or jump.
• Use gloves and appropriate safety footwear when using electric tools.
• If any operational problems are noted, remove the drill from service and get it repaired immediately.

“Oh I’m a general contractor so it’s the subcontractor’s responsibility.” “I’m a subcontractor so it’s the general contractor’s responsibility.”

One of the common myths involving a general and subcontractor is safety is the other person’s responsibility.

OSHA has decided everybody is responsible for safety. If you have a jobsite you have to be compliant with a safety program, have safety training and materials.

As a subcontractor, you are the one that is going to be responsible to OSHA, the one that gets a lawsuit if someone who gets a paycheck from you gets hurt. It is up to you to make sure you have the documentation and safety program in place.

If a roofer gets electrocuted on a job, whose fault is it? First the roofing company is responsible for their own employee’s safety. Also, the electrical contractor may be in fault if it was his violation. And then the general contractor is also responsible for the entire jobsite.

The most current OSHA Field Operations Manual (FOM) – released April 22, 2011 – states, “On multi-employer worksites (in all industry sectors), more than one employer may be cited for a hazardous condition that violates an OSHA standard.” (CPL 02-00-124, Multi-Employer Citation Policy)

On a multi-employer worksite, the inspector first determines what category the employer fits into. Did the employer create, expose, fail to correct or have control over the hazardous situation. An employer may have multiple roles, and several employers can be cited at once.

The Creating Employer –

The Creating Employer is the employer that caused a hazardous condition violating an OSHA standard.

Even if the employees exposed are those of other employers, the contractor that caused the problem can be cited.

The Exposing Employer –

The Exposing Employer is one whose own employees are exposed to the hazard and, (1) knew of the hazardous condition or failed to exercise reasonable diligence to discover the condition, and (2) failed to take steps consistent with its authority to protect its employees.

In short, the Exposing Employer must correct the hazard if it has the authority to. If the employer does not have the authority then it must ask the creating/controlling employer to correct it, inform its own employees and take reasonable alternative protective measures. In extreme circumstances of imminent danger, the exposing employer must remove its employees from the job.

For example, if there are no guardrails around a permanent hole in an area the Exposing Employer’s workers are, the Exposing Employer must install guardrails if it is allowed to do so. If not it must ask the employer authorized to install the guardrails, but also take reasonable alternative steps such as
providing fall protection to its employees regardless of when or if the hazard is corrected.

The Correcting Employer –

The Correcting Employer is responsible for correcting a hazard on the same worksite as the exposing employer. This usually occurs where an employer is responsible for installing or maintaining particular safety and health equipment or devices.

The Correcting Employer must exercise reasonable care in preventing and discovering violations and meet obligations of correcting the hazard.

The Controlling Employer –

The Controlling Employer is the worksite’s general supervisor, has the power to correct safety and health violations or require others to correct them. A controlling employer must exercise reasonable care to prevent and detect violations on the site.

Petzl America Inc. of Clearfield, Utah, is voluntarily recalling about 375,000 Scorpio and Absorbica shock-absorbing lanyards sold between 2002 and 2011.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall July 12. Some of the lanyards are missing a safety stitch on the attachment loop, which could cause the lanyard to separate from the climbing harness, the posted announcement states.

Only one injury involving the lanyards has been reported to date, according to the commission.

Consumers are advised to stop using them immediately; CPSC adds it is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

The recalled lanyards were made in France. Here are details for both recalled units.

Scorpio:  Affected Scorpio lanyards manufactured between 2002 and 2005 are model numbers L60 and L60 CK. Affected Scorpio lanyards manufactured between 2005 and 2011 are model numbers L60 2, L60 2CK, L60 H, L60 WL.

Absorbica: Affected model numbers are L70150 I, L70150 IM, L70150 Y, L70150 YM, L57, L58, L58 MGO, L59, and L59 MGO.

For a free inspection and replacement of any nonconforming product, contact Petzl America Inc. at 877-740-3826 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mountain Time weekdays or visit www.petzl.com

Starting June 15 federal inspectors from the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, will kick off 15 months of increased forklift enforcement in four U.S. states.

The inspections will focus on companies using forklifts in OSHA’s Atlanta-based region, which includes Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi.

The area witnessed 27 forklift related deaths the past five years and is the fifth-highest area in terms of citations stemming from other than the primary reason for inspection.

If inspectors find that many violations without looking for them, there must be many more problems, according to Benjamin Ross, assistant regional administrator for enforcement.

The increased enforcement program will focus on training received by operators, maintenance and repair, and the pathways the trucks travel to ensure clear visibility in determining any possible “struck by” hazards.

If OSHA inspector witnesses any violation they are instructed to hand out a citation.

In 2010 OSHA handed out nearly 3,000 forklift citations with an average cost of more than $800.

For help on meeting your forklift requirements call 877-201-8923.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced the forthcoming release of a new rule that is aimed at streamlining and simplifying standards while reducing employer burdens.

“We estimate that the final rule, without reducing employee protection, will result in annual cost savings to employers exceeding $43 million and significant reductions in paperwork burden hours,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA David Michaels.

The new rule will result in several changes to OSHA’s existing respiratory protection standard, including aligning air cylinder testing requirements for self-contained breathing apparatuses with U.S. Department of Transportation regulations, clarifying that aftermarket cylinders meet National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health quality assurance requirements and clarifying that the provisions of Appendix D, which contains information for employees using respirators when not required under the standard, are mandatory if the employee chooses to use a respirator.

Other changes to result from the new rule will include updating the definition of the term “potable water” to be consistent with the current Environmental Protection Agency standards instead of the former and outdated Public Health Service Corps definition, removing the outdated requirement that hand dryers use warm air because new technology allows employers to use hand-drying products that do not involve hot or warm air and removing two medical record requirements from the commercial-diving standard because that standard no longer requires medical examinations.

Updates also will include deleting a number of requirements for employers to transmit exposure and medical records to NIOSH, thus saving NIOSH significant costs to store and maintain the records. According to NIOSH, these records did not serve a useful research purpose. The slings standards also will be updated and streamlined by requiring that employers use only slings marked with manufacturers’ loading information.

There will not be any new requirements set by this rule, so employers will be able to comply with it immediately, according to Michaels.

The rule is the third in OSHA’s Standards Improvement Projects initiative that periodically reviews OSHA regulations with the goal of improving and eliminating those that are confusing, outdated, duplicative or inconsistent.

The project was brought about by the goals of the president’s Executive Order 13563, “Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review,” issued Jan. 18 to simplify standards and reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens.