Ardaman & Associates, Inc.

A Tetra Tech Company

Newsletter August 7, 2018

Inside this issue:

Safety Question:

When should you

replace or change your

safety toed boots?

A. Holes in exterior of boot

B. Soles coming off boot

C. Tread of sole worn down

D. Boots get wet

E. All the above

Answer on page 4

Contact Information:

Health & Safety

Ardaman & Associates, Inc.

Brett A. Buxbaum

Orlando, FL

P: (407) 855-3860 X 2413

Cell: (407)509-3085

BBuxbaum@ardaman.com

Slip/Trip/Fall Page 1-3

Ardaman Update Page 4-5

Quiz Page 6

SLIP/TRIP/FALL Slips, trips, and falls constitute the majority of general industry accidents. They cause 15% of all accidental deaths, and are second only to motor vehicles as a cause of fatalities. The OSHA standards for walking/working surfaces apply to all permanent places of employment, except where only domestic, mining, or agricultural work is performed. Walking/working surfaces are addressed in specific standards for the general industry, shipyard employment, marine terminals, long shoring, phosphoric acid plants, and the construction industry.

Falls:

Unprotected Sides, Wall Openings, and Floor Holes Am I In Danger? Almost all sites have unprotected sides and edges, wall openings, or floor holes at some point during construction. If these sides and openings are not protected at your site, injuries from falls or falling objects may result, ranging from sprains and concussions to death. How Do I Avoid Hazards? "Unprotected sides and edges." Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of:

► Personal Fall Arrest Systems ► Guardrail Systems ► Safety Net Systems

• During new construction, cover or guard floor holes as soon as they are created.

• For existing structures, survey the site before working and continually audit as work continues. Guard or cover any openings or holes immediately.

• Construct all floor hole covers so they will effectively support two times the weight of employees, equipment, and materials that may be imposed on the cover at any one time.

• In general, it is better to use fall prevention systems, such as guardrails, than fall protection systems, such as safety nets or fall arrest devices, because fall prevention systems provide more positive safety means.

Personal Fall Arrest Systems

A personal fall arrest system is one option of protection that OSHA requires for workers on construction sites who are exposed to vertical drops of 6 feet or more. OSHA General Industry regulations require guardrails or a personal fall arrest system for vertical drops of 4 feet or more. This 4 foot requirement is followed by the Phosphate and Oil & Gas Industry for both the general industry areas along with their construction areas.

Using Fall Arrest Systems Safely

• Ensure that personal fall arrest systems will, when stopping a fall:

• Be rigged such that an employee can neither free fall more than 6 feet nor contact any lower level.

• Bring an employee to a complete stop and limit maximum deceleration distance to 3½ feet.

• Have sufficient strength to withstand twice the potential impact energy of a worker free falling a distance of 6 feet, or the free fall distance permitted by the system, whichever is greater.

• Includes a proper harness, lanyard, and anchor point

• Remove systems and components from service immediately if they have been subjected to fall impact until inspected by a competent person and deemed undamaged and suitable for use.

• Promptly rescue employees in the event of a fall, or assure that they are able to rescue themselves.

• Inspect systems before each use for wear, damage, and other deterioration, and remove defective components from service. Workers must be trained in proper use and inspection of equipment.

• Do not attach fall arrest systems to guardrail systems or hoists.

• Rig fall arrest systems to allow movement of the worker only as far as the edge of the walking/working surface. Use a Self Retracting Lanyard (SRL) when working at heights 4’ or greater on our drill rig upper platform or when climbing the derrick.

Page 2

SLIP/TRIP/FALL Continued Guardrail Systems

Many times the nature and location of the work will dictate the form that fall protection takes. If a guardrail system is used, it must comply with the following provisions:

• Top edge height of top rails, or equivalent guardrail system members, must be between 39 and 45 inches above the walking/working level,

except when conditions warrant otherwise and all other criteria are met (e.g., when employees are using stilts, the top edge height of the top rail must be increased by an amount equal the height of the stilts).

• Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, or equivalent intermediate structures, must be installed

between the top edge and the walking/working surface when there is no wall or other structure at least 21 inches high.

• Midrails must be midway between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking/working level.

• Screens and mesh must extend from the top rail to the walking/working level, and along the entire opening

between rail supports.

• Intermediate members (such as balasters) between posts must be no more than 19 inches apart.

• Other structural members (such as additional Midrails or architectural panels) must be installed so as to

leave no openings wider than 19 inches.

• Guardrail systems must be capable of withstanding at least 200 pounds of force applied within 2 inches of the top edge, in any direction and at

any point along the edge, and without causing the top edge of the guardrail to deflect downward to a height less than 39 inches above the walking/working level.

• Midrails, screens, mesh, and other intermediate members must be capable of withstanding at least 150 pounds of force applied in any

direction at any point along the midrail or other member.

• Guardrail systems must not have rough or jagged surfaces that would cause punctures, lacerations, or snag clothing.

Tips to Prevent Slip, Trip, and Fall Hazards

• Floors are kept clean, dry, and in good repair.

• Aisles, stairs, and passageways that are free of clutter and obstructions.

• Safe ladder design and use.

• Rails and guards are placed around floor and wall openings.

• Clean, orderly, sanitary work areas.

• Maintain Work Areas to Prevent Slips, Trips, and Falls

• Clean up any leaks or spills on floors promptly.

• Repair or report floor problems such as broken planks, stairs, missing tile, etc.

• Block off and mark floor areas that are being cleaned or repaired, or holes in

floors or the ground.

• Keep cords, power cables, and air hoses out of walkways.

• Place trash promptly in proper containers.

• Keep drawers closed.

• Work on level surfaces in the field.

• Keep walkways, work areas, aisles, and stairs free of tools, materials, and

other hazards.

Safety Net Systems

If the employer chooses to use a safety net system, the system must comply with the following provisions:

• Safety nets must be installed as close as practicable under the surface on which employees are working, but in no case more than 30 feet

below.

• When nets are used on bridges, the potential fall area must be unobstructed.

• Safety nets must extend outward from the outermost projection of the work surface as follows: See chart below.

• Safety nets must be installed with sufficient clearance to prevent contact with the surface or structures under them when subjected to an

impact force equal to the drop test.

• Safety nets and their installations must be capable of absorbing an impact.

• Safety nets and safety net installations must be drop-tested at the jobsite:

• After initial installation and before being used.

• Whenever relocated.

• After major repair.

• At 6-month intervals if left in one place.

Page 3

SLIP/TRIP/FALL Continued

Am I in Danger? Unguarded protruding steel reinforcing bars are hazardous. Even if you just stum-ble onto an unguarded reinforcing steel bar (rebar) you can impale yourself, result-ing in serious internal injuries or death. How Do I Avoid Rebar Exposure Hazards?

• Guard all protruding ends of steel rebar with rebar caps or wooden troughs, or

• Bend rebar so exposed ends are no longer upright.

• When employees are working at any height above exposed rebar, fall protection/prevention is the first line of defense against impalement.

Page 4

Ardaman Update

Injury Incidents:

• NO INJUIRES IN JULY, GREAT JOB EVERYONE!

Vehicle/Equipment Incidents:

• Employee was backing up into a parking space. He was unsure of the distance to the vehicle parked behind him and backed into their bumper. When unsure of distances to objects, stop and get out to verify how far away you are. Ask for assistance from a spotter. When parking a vehicle, back into the spot to help reduce potential issues when exiting and to improve visibility when exiting a parking space. Perform a walk around the vehicle prior to moving it.

• Employee found damage on the passenger side of his vehicle but was unsure how or where it happened. Before moving your vehicle each time, perform a walk around the vehicle prior to moving it. The walk around will help you identify any objects that may be in the area and allow the driver to assess the condition of the vehicle prior to exiting the site.

A safety sticker was awarded to the following individuals:

Alicia Luna For recognition of an unsafe condition involving an open ladder in the hallway. An electrician had placed an open ladder in a dark hallway with two fluorescent light bulbs leaning up against a closed door. Our employee moved the ladder and light bulbs and placed two orange cones on both sides of the work area to warn others. Employee additionally received a gift card for her actions. (Orlando)

Aaron Bigham: For recognition and actions helping others. The employee observed smoke coming from a vehicle on the side of the road and a person using a fire extinguisher on the vehicle. He stopped and also helped to put out the fire with his vehicle’s extinguisher. They could not extinguish the fire, but it gave the other occupants in the vehicle time to escape. Employee additionally received a gift card for his actions. (Tampa)

Jason Manning: For observation of unsafe traffic patterns behind the vehicle while accessing a job site. Employee took action by going past the job site entrance due to fast moving vehicles behind him and went around the next corner to attempt to access the site at a safer time. (Cocoa)

Evelio Garcia and Fernando Chapman: For observation of several site condition hazards due to contractor changing the sample location. The employees notified their project manager and a new safety plan was developed to perform work the following day. (Miami)

Andy Singletary: For recognition of an unauthorized individual walking into the main building. He immediately parked his vehicle and went into the building to provide assistance to our receptionist. (Orlando)

Kalyani Jeyisanker: For observation and actions involving a box truck traveling along the roadway with the rear door open and unsecured equipment at the edge. She was able to notify the driver at the traffic light of the unsafe condition and the driver immediately got out and secured the load and door. (Orlando)

Linda Hunt: For recognition of an unsafe condition from hot molds that were left on an open countertop in an asphalt lab. Employee had almost placed her arm on a counter top where hot molds are not supposed to be kept. Employee notified the contractor on site and reminded her entire department to “always assume items are hot in an Asphalt Lab.” (Orlando)

Sharmila Pant: For recognition of an unsafe conditions due to excess rain fall on site. While staking borings she observed that site conditions restricted travel in the area. She provided the crew updated maps showing a safe path for site access to borehole locations. (Port St. Lucie)

Sue Fairbanks: For recognition of unsafe contractors repairing a roof without proper PPE on. Employee observed workers repairing roof damage after the hurricane in sneakers and no PPE. She notified the leasing office of the building about the unsafe activities and showed them pictures of the issues. (Ft. Myers)

Tim Coulombe: For recognition of workers entering a manhole when unsafe conditions were present. Employee observed workers outside of his home not wearing rescue PPE while entering a confined space. The attendant also had a gas powered pump operating right next to the entrance that could potentially allow carbon monoxide to enter the work area. Employee communicated to the crew his assessment and provided them recommendations for safe work practices. (Orlando)

Ardaman Health and Safety Recognition Awards

Answer: E

Safety Toed Boots must be maintained in good working condition. The exterior of the boot must not have any holes, laces must be in good condition, soles must have tread and be connected to the boot. Proper footwear is crucial in preventing slip,

trip, and fall hazards. Do not wear wet boots as the damp conditions can cause problems to occur with your feet.

Page 5

Near Miss Miss/ Hazard Identification:

Highlighted Near Misses from 24 reports received for the Month of June

• Employee was working in an asphalt plant lab. A contractor in the QC area of the lab was removing hot molds from the oven and had left them sitting at the open end of the counter top. This area is not supposed to be used for hot items. Our employee was walking towards the door of the lab to leave, when someone asked her a question at the last minute. She turned around to speak to the person and was about to lean her arm up on the counter top when she felt the heat from the mold that was left on the counter top. The employee immediately pulled her arm back avoiding a potential burn. This is a good reminder regarding establishing designated areas of the lab for specific testing and storage. In addition, remember to be observant at all times in an asphalt lab as everything is usually hot!

• Employee observed a freight line truck traveling on the roadway with the loading door open and several pieces of unsecured equipment at the edge. Once they had stopped at the traffic light, our employee notified the driver of the box truck about the hazard and they immediately ran back to secure the load and truck. This is a great reminder for our own drivers regarding the use of our cargo nets to secure loads in our truck beds. Remember to always do a safety walk around of your vehicle before moving to ensure everything is safe and secure.

• Employee was attempting to pull into the project site off of a busy roadway. The access point to the site did not have a turn lane. As our driver was getting ready to approach the turn in point, he noticed several cars behind him traveling above the speed limit. Instead of slowing down to stop and access the site, our driver proceed to the next traffic light and then made a series of turns around the area to approach the site entrance again when the traffic pattern was slower. This reduced the chances of our driver being rear ended and additionally reduced his stress while gaining access to the site.

• Employee observed a broken soil sample jar that was left on the counter top in the lab area. The broken jar presented a severe laceration hazard as jagged edges were exposed to anyone working/walking in the area. The employee who noticed the broken jar put on safety glasses and gloves and safely cleaned up and discarded the sample in the proper area. Accidents like this can happen anywhere, and it is important to secure the area, notify others of the hazard, and to clean up after yourself.

Ardaman Update Continued

Safety Audits:

Identified Hazards from 30 Safety audits conducted in the month of July.

PPE: Employee observed a coworker not wearing safety glasses on a construction site. Ardaman policy for construction sites requires a hard hat, safety glasses, safety toed boots, and a high visibility vest to be worn. Hearing protection and gloves may be necessary based on a hazard assessment.

PPE: Employee was observed changing a florescent light bulb in the office without safety glasses . Safety glasses are required during this task in case the light bulb was to break.

Fall: Employee was using a ladder and failed to maintain 3 points of contact while descending the ladder. OSHA requires that all individuals using ladders must maintain 3 points of contact at all times while ascending and descending.

PPE: Employee not wearing high visibility vest while staking borings near a roadway. Review JSAs prior to work task for recommended PPE to be used. Ardaman policy states that high visibility vests/clothing must be worn at all times when working near or on roadways.

“IF IT’S NOT SAFE, STOP… DO IT THE SAFE WAY”

August 2018 Safety Quiz

Please circle the letter of the answer that fits best. Some answers can be found in the newsletter

1. Which system can be used to protect a worker when exposed to a fall hazard from 4 feet to a lower

level?

A. Safety Nets B. Guardrails C. Personal Fall Arrest D. All the above

2. A personal fall arrest system can be attached to a guardrail as an anchor point to prevent a vertical

fall.

A. True B. False

3. Before carrying a load, you should:

A. Plan the route B. Determine the amount of weight to be lifted C. Look for debris in the area D. All the above

4. When reinforcing steel bar (rebar) is exposed on a job site, what can be done?

A. Guard them B. Bend rebar so exposed ends are no longer upright C. Have fall protection in place when working above D. All the above

5. What type of personal fall arrest system should be used when accessing the top platform of a drill rig

or climbing the derrick.

A. Harness and Lanyard B. Harness and SRL C. Nothing D. All the above

6. Keeping walkways, aisles, stairs, and work areas clear helps prevent slips, trips, and falls.

A. True B. False

7. Try to work on level surfaces to reduce slip, trip, and fall hazards.

A. True B. False

8. When you ascend/descend a ladder, how many points of contact must be made at all times:

A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 1

9. Floor covers used to guard employees from falls must be able to support how many times the

intended weight of the heaviest object?

A. 4 times B. 3 times C. It does not matter D. 2 times

10. What is the correct lean ratio when using an extension ladder?

A. 3:1 B. 2:1 C. 4:1 D. All the above

All Ardaman employees must complete the quiz and turn it in by the end of each month. For those individuals who cannot attend the monthly safety meet-

ing please complete the quiz and submit it to your supervisor for approval. These will be sent to HR/H&S. All others must submit the quiz at the designated

location at your office. The supervisor only needs to sign the quiz if you are unable to attend the meeting, you must explain the reason in the box below:

Print Name Here Sign Name Here Date

Supervisor Print Name Here Supervisor Sign Name Here Date