August 2022

Accident Prevention

ACCIDENT PREVENTION

Effective implementation and consistent compliance with the requirements and guidelines described below are critical to the protection and well-being of everyone on the jobsite, including our tenants, vendors, subcontractors, and the public. Accordingly, it is your responsibility to read and fully observe all these safety and health practices while working on each jobsite.

Basic Safety and Health Practices

Everyone is Responsible for Safety

EVERYONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFETY

Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility! As An Employee, You Should:

·        Learn to work safely and take all rules seriously.

·        Recognize hazards and avoid them.

·        Report all accidents, injuries, and illness to your supervisor immediately.

·        Inspect tools before use to avoid injury.

·        Wear all assigned personal protective equipment.

On the other hand, it is management’s responsibility to:

·        Provide a safe and healthy workplace.

·        Provide personal protective equipment.

·        Train employees in safe procedures and in how to identify hazards.

Everyone must be aware of potential hazards on the job:

·        Poor housekeeping results in slips, trips and falls.

·        Electricity can cause shocks, burns or fire if not handled properly.

·        Poor material handling may cause back problems or other injuries.

·        Tools and equipment can cause injuries if guards or protective devices are disengaged.

Always use the protections that are provided on the job:

·        Guards on machines and tools keep body parts from contacting moving equipment.

·        Insulation on electrical equipment prevents burns, shock, and fire.

·        Lockout/tagout assure equipment is de-energized before it is repaired.

·        Personal protective equipment shields your body from hazards you may face on the job.

In case of emergency:

·        Understand alarms and evacuation routes.

·        Know how to notify emergency response personnel.

·        Implement a procedure for leaving the scene safely so emergency personnel can do their job.

·        Wipe up spills promptly and correctly.

Safety benefits everyone! By incorporating safety rules, employees avoid injury as well as illness from exposure to hazardous substances. With less injuries, a business can be more productive and profitable. The welfare of the community is also enhanced by providing cleaner air and water and less chance of dangerous accidents that can put lives and property at risk.

Working Safely with Chop Saws & Miter Saws

Working Safely with Chop Saws & Miter Saws

 

Chop saws are typically pre-set to cut material at a 90-degree angle, whereas Miter saws can be adjusted to cut materials at various angles. But the hazards of using either type of saw are very similar. Here are a few tips to remember when you are operating a Chop saw or a Miter saw:

·        Inspect the power cord of your saw before use to insure there are no breaks or cuts in the jacket, and that the plug is not damaged. Also make certain to position the cord so it does not get near the moving blade or get damaged by falling material. Immediately report any saw found with a defective cord so it can be replaced by an authorized person.

·        Make certain the cutting blade installed on your saw is the proper size and speed rating for the brand and model of saw you are using, and that it is suitable for use on the type of materials you will be cutting. Also make sure the blade is firmly secured in place, and that there are no broken teeth, bent or broke sections, cracks, or other damage. Periodically check the saw blade to make sure it has not loosened and re-tighten as necessary.

·        Always secure the saw to the table or bench to prevent the saw from moving inadvertently. Also make sure to secure material you are cutting with the material vice or clamp provided with the saw, where applicable, so that it does not move around as you are cutting. Also, support the ends of long pieces of material being cut so it does not move or drop, as that can pinch the saw blade and cause it to jam, break, or suffer other damage.

·        Make sure to hold the saw handle firmly when operating the saw; and make certain to keep your free hand positioned well away from the blade any time it is moving. Also, allow the saw to come to a complete stop before you place either hand near the blade.

 ·        ALWAYS make sure the manufacturer’s guard that covers the saw blade remains in place, and do not tie back or jam the guard into the “open” position. And NEVER operate the saw if the blade guard is missing or altered.

·       Wear all required personal protective equipment such as approved safety glasses or goggles to protect your eyes when operating a chop saw or miter saw. If you are in need of replacement PPE, please notify your supervisor immediately and we will provide you with the necessary safety equipment.

Working Safely with Table Saws

Working Safely with Table Saws

 

When using a table saw, some thought and effort must go into making sure it is set up and used safely. Here is an overview of a few recommended steps we should take to help us avoid some of the hazards commonly associated with table saws.

·        Always inspect your table saw before first use each day, as well as any time it has been relocated or re-installed in a different place. Make certain it is set up relatively level and does not vibrate and move around during use. Also make certain that there are no people working in areas located behind the saw that could be struck by flying particles or debris.

·        Make certain the saw blade is the proper size and speed rating for the brand and model of table saw you are using, and that it is suitable for the type of cut you will be making. Also make sure the saw blade is firmly secured in place, and that there are no broken teeth, bent or broke sections, or other damage.

·        Adjust the table height so that the saw blade extends above table level only high enough to make the cut in the wood.

·        Make certain the guards provided with the table saw are installed and functioning properly. These include the self-adjusting guard that covers the top portion of the saw blade located above the table surface, as well as the fixed guarding that prevents accidental contact with the lower portion of the saw blade.

·        Before cutting, inspect wood for knots, nails, staples, or other items that could create a hazard if they contact the saw blade. Avoid making cuts that strike these objects.

·       Never place any part of your hand directly in line with the saw blade when pushing wood through the saw; instead, make sure your hands stay to the sides of the blade to avoid injury in case your hand slips or you push too far. And always utilize a push stick, where necessary, to feed the wood to prevent your hands from getting too close to the blade