Hazard Alert

CONSTRUCTION SAFETY HAZARD ALERT CONTACT WITH OVERHEAD POWER LINES
Contact with overhead power lines is a major cause of fatalities in the construction industry. As many as 100 workers are killed each year by inadvertent power line contacts, most of which occur through the use of high reaching material handling equipment. A study of accidents involving power line contacts has indicated that the use of cranes is the most common cause of fatalities.
Anyone operating equipment near power lines must use extreme caution. Although cranes are usually associated with fatalities caused by overhead power lines, concrete pump booms, backhoe arms, raised dump truck boxes and other types of equipment have produced fatal contacts. Prior to dispatching any equipment to begin a job, check the site and the area near where equipment will work travel or park. Note all overhead power lines. Meet with jobsite supervision, operators and workers to warn them about the hazards and train them in the safe operating procedures to be followed. Make sure to avoid storing materials under or near power lines.
OSHA's Safety and Health Regulations for Construction, Subpart N-Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Elevators and Conveyors, (1926.550(a)(15) contains specific minimum requirements for the use of equipment near power lines. For lines 50 kilovolts (kV) or less, the operator must keep all parts of the crane or other high reaching equipment at least 10 feet away from all power lines. If the lines are greater that 50 kV, then the line clearance distance is increased by twice the length of the insulator or the formula listed below.

10 feet + (0.4 inches) (# of kV over 50 kV) = Line Clearance Distance

A good rule of thumb for deciding the line clearance distance is: If the overhead power line is 50 kV or less, then stay at least 10 feet away/ For everything else, keep at least 35 feet away.
**REMEMBER, OVERHEAD POWER LINES CARRY DEADLY AMOUNTS OF ENERGY, AND THEY ARE NOT INSULATED.
If you have any questions about this or any other construction safety or health related issue, please don't hesitate to contact us

MILLER RECALLS POPULAR FALL LIMITERS

Miller Fall Protection has announced an immediate "Stop Use and Replace Notice" for several of its Miller "MiniLite" (FL11) and Titan Fall Limiters (TFL).

The recall affects several models of its 11ft and 13ft fall limiters manufactured between August 2003 and August 2005.

The total number of units recalled is unknown, however, this is a very popular unit in the fall protection market.

Owners of these units are instructed to REMOVE THEM FROM SERVICE IMMEDIATELY and contact the Safety Department for a replacement.

Dump Truck Tip-Overs
(From Construction Safety Magazine)

The Hazard

As end-dump truck bodies and semi-trailer dumping rigs get longer, the incidence of units tipping over has increased. This type of accident is more frequently connected with semitrailer rigs than with straight trucks.

In the last couple of years, one fatality and at least one serious injury have resulted when dump trucks tipped over. Statistics on the frequency of tip-overs are not available because the occurrences are not reported unless injuries result. However, construction personnel involved in dump truck operations agree that tip-overs are becoming more frequent.

An industry labor-management committee formed to address this problem strongly recommends that the construction and trucking sectors become aware of the hazard, the contributing conditions, and the methods of control set out in this advisory.

Stability

The main hazard is related to the stability of the end-dump unit when the box is in the raised position.

When the center of gravity of box and load is not roughly between the frame rails of the unit, there is a risk of tip-over (see diagram).

A slight slope can be enough to cause tipping if material sticks in the top of the box.

Stability is adversely affected by one or more of the following factors:

the unit is not on a level surface when dumping
a large amount of material is in the upper portion of the raised box
material does not flow out of the top portion of the box, or does not flow out of one side of the top portion
the rear wheels settle unevenly as the load moves to the rear during dumping
wind may exert lateral loads, especially if the box is long, as is the case with end-dump semi-trailers.

Stability may also be affected by the unit's mechanical condition:

poor rear suspension systems on one side of the vehicle
uneven tire pressures in rear wheels
worn or inadequate components of the lifting system such as pins
worn or inadequate lifting cylinders.

Hazard Control

Because of stability problems with semi-trailers, they should not be used for haulage to rough grading or fill areas where surfaces are often uneven or loosely compacted. Straight trucks or straight trucks and pup trailers are more appropriate for highway haulage to these dump areas. Where haulage and dumping are all on site, straight trucks or off-highway vehicles are even better choices.

Where aggregates are being spread for road construction, belly-dump semi-trailers are more appropriate than end-dump semi-trailers.

Sometimes vehicle selection is not an option for the contractor. Material suppliers or haulers do not always use equipment appropriate to a particular site. However, when contractors do have a choice they should select equipment in accordance with these recommendations to reduce tip-overs.

Cold weather may cause materials to freeze to the box and stick when dumping. Using heated boxes will reduce the problem. During winter, loads should not be left in dump boxes overnight.

Maintenance

Maintenance can play an important role in preventing tip-overs.

Check tire pressures daily. Tire pressures should be equal on each side of the vehicle.
Examine and lubricate pins and bushings regularly.
Inspect suspension systems under load to ensure that they work properly and provide even suspension. Weak suspension systems should be replaced immediately.
Inspect hoist cylinders regularly. Worn cylinders should not be replaced with smaller cylinders or with cylinders rated at lower operating pressure.
Make sure that repairs to boxes leave bottom and sides clear and unrestricted. Rough patchwork repairs near the top of the box can catch and hold sticky materials.

Loading

Loading of the box front-to-back must meet allowable gross weight and axle weight limitations set by the Ministry of Transportation. From side to side it is best to load as evenly as possible.

If material is likely to flow poorly, lighten up the load in the top end of the box. A slightly smaller load will be better than a full load that causes a tip-over.

Box liners will help most materials flow better during dumping. Liners also help to keep the box in good condition.

Dumping

Operators should be trained to recognize areas hazardous to dumping, such as soft or uneven surfaces and inadequately compacted fill.

Before dumping, operators should ensure that the tailgate is unlocked and that the vehicle is on a reasonably level surface. Dumping on surfaces that are not level is one of the main causes of tip-overs.

Before spreading material by dumping it from a moving truck, make sure that the entire length of travel is reasonably level.

Trucks should not dump when they are parked side by side with another vehicle. When a dump unit tips over, it is often the operator in the adjoining vehicle who is injured. Dumping operations should be spread out.

Other personnel such as dozer operators, surveyors, and spotters should be warned not to work near a dumping truck in case it tips over.

Workers on foot should not congregate in areas where dumping is under way.

FILLING GASOLINE CANS ON PLASTIC TRUCK LINERS CREATES SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD

Several recent fires at service stations have been reportedly caused when people have attempted to fill metal gasoline cans, which were resting on plastic pickup truck bed liners. The plastic serves as an insulator, preventing discharge of static electricity caused by the flow of the gasoline. This sets up a situation where a spark is created between the gas can and the fuel nozzle. When the spark occurs in the flammable range in the gasoline vapor space near the open mouth of the gas can, a fire occurs.
Filling a gas can to minimize the danger of fire:
Use only approved containers. Do not fill any container while it is inside a vehicle, a vehicle's trunk, pick-up bed, or on any surface other than the ground. Remove the approved container from the vehicle and place it on the ground a safe distance away from the vehicle, other customers and traffic. Keep the nozzle in contact with the can during filling. Never use a latch-open device to fill a portable container. Follow all other safety procedures, including No Smoking. If you have questions about this or any other construction safety related issues, please don't hesitate to contact us

La GASOLINA del RELLENO PUEDE EN TRANSATLANTICOS PLASTICOS de CAMION CREA el PELIGRO GRAVE del FUEGO

Varios fuegos recientes en gasolineras se han causado supuestamente cuándo personas han procurado llenar gasolina de metal puede, que descansaba en transatlánticos plásticos de cama de furgoneta. El plástico sirve como un aislante, previniendo la descarga de la electricidad constante causada por el flujo de la gasolina. Esto establece una situación donde una chispa se crea entre el gas puede y la boca del combustible. Cuándo la chispa ocurre en la gama inflamable en el espacio de vapor de gasolina cerca del sin tapa del gas puede, un fuego ocurre. El relleno que un gas puede para aminorar el peligro del fuego: el Uso contenedores sólo aprobados. No llene ningún contenedor mientras está dentro de un vehículo, un tronco de vehículo, cama de fonocaptor, ni en de superficie de otra manera que el suelo. Quite el contenedor aprobado del vehículo y lo coloca en el suelo una distancia segura lejos del vehículo, otros clientes y negocia. Mantenga la boca en el contacto con el puede durante relleno. Nunca utilice un dispositivo de picaporte-abre para llenar un contenedor portátil. Siga todos los otros mecanismos de seguridad, inclusive ningún Fumar. Si usted tiene las preguntas acerca de este o cualquier otra seguridad de la construcción los asuntos relacionados, por favor no vacilan en contactarnos