Trinity News & Events

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

WHAT IS
DISTRACTED DRIVING?

Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person's attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. These types of distractions include:

� Texting

� Using a cell phone or smartphone

� Eating and drinking

� Talking to passengers

� Grooming

� Reading, including maps

� Using a navigation system

� Watching a video

� Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player

But, because text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most alarming distraction.

The best way to end distracted driving is to educate all Americans about the danger it poses. If you don't already think distracted driving is a safety problem, please take a moment to learn more at Distraction.gov - you'll find facts and statistics that are powerfully persuasive. Please share these facts with others. Together, we can help save lives.

Photo of the Month - April 2013

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

DON'T DRIVE DISTRACTED!

Trinity Safety Group Helps Lebanon Building Trades Program Win Governor's Workplace Safety Award

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

http://newsfromyou.indystar.com/posts/trinity-safety-group-helps-lebanon-building-trades-program-win-governor-s-workplace-safety-award

Ladder Safety

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Always choose the correct ladder for the job or task to be performed.

There are many types of ladders, ranging from simple wooden job-built ladders to specialty ladders used for specific jobs. Ladders may be made of timber, aluminum, or fiberglass. There are three main types of ladders used in the construction industry: 1) extension 2) step and 3) multi-purpose.

Keep the following in mind when choosing the right ladder for your job:

For indoor use, stepladders or multi-purpose ladders are usually recommended.
For outdoor work, taller stepladders, multi-purpose, or extension ladders are generally more appropriate.
Do not use aluminum ladders when working around electricity. Chose a ladder made out of non-conductive material for electrical work, such as when working near overhead power lines.
Make sure that the ladder is the proper length to do the job safely.
Chose a ladder that is designed for how you intend to use it. For example, do not use step ladders in a folded and leaned position in place of a straight ladder.
Chose a ladder that is capable of supporting your weight and the weight of any materials you will be using. See the chart below.

Ladders must be inspected before each use, and defective and or damaged ladders must not be used and must be removed from service until repaired.

Look for warning signs. Check all ladder components for signs of wear, corrosion and structural failure before each use. These inspections should include:

Rungs - Check for broken split, cracked, corroded or missing rungs.
Side Rails - Check for broken, split, cracked, corroded or missing side rails.
Cracks - Check carefully for cracks; they are hard to see. Cracks weaken ladders.
Excessive Bends - Check for rungs or side rails with excessive bends. Bent areas are greatly weakened and may fail during use.
Hardware - Check for ladders with loose, corroded, or weakened fasteners and hardware.
Feet - Check ladders for missing or damaged feet. Ladder feet may have both nonskid pads for use on hard surfaces (concrete), and metal feet for soft surfaces (dirt).
Coatings or Paint - Check for paint or other coating hiding defects. Wooden ladders shall not be painted or coated with any opaque covering, except for identification or warning labels which may be placed on one face only of a side rail. When other types of ladders are painted it is very hard for the user to observe defects/damage such as cracks or dents and painted areas must be inspected carefully for hidden damage.
Oil, Grease, and other Slipping Hazards - Inspect ladders for oil, grease, moisture or other slippery materials before use and clean as necessary. Capacity - Check the capacity label and make sure the ladder has sufficient capacity to hold you and everything you are wearing and/or carrying.

As simple as it may seem to use a ladder, many disabling injuries occur each year due to improper use of ladders. Knowing the �Do�s� and �Don�ts� can help you avoid becoming another victim of falling from a ladder.

Do� look overhead before placing a ladder, with special attention to power lines and other electrical hazards.

Don�t� assume the area above the ladder is clear of hazards.

Do� use ladders made of non-conductive material when working around power lines or other electrical hazards.

Don�t� use aluminum ladders when working around electricity.

Do� set up the ladder on the ground, floor, or other level, stable surface.

Don�t� place a ladder on slippery, cluttered, or unstable surfaces such as boxes, carts, tables, etc.

Do� take your time and climb one rung at a time while using the �3 Point Contact� rule.

Don�t� hurry up a ladder to complete a task.

Do� climb down and move the ladder to get proper access to the work area. Keep your belt buckle between the side rails.

Don�t� overreach beyond the side rails to conduct work.

Do� climb all ladders facing the rungs.

Don�t� turn your back to the ladder at any time.

Do� use a bucket or other means to lift objects to the work area.

Don�t� carry heavy objects or tools up the ladder.

Safety Photo of the Month - March 2013

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Do NOT try this at home...or anywhere for that matter!

Friendly Reminder: Post OSHA 300A Form

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Friendly Reminder: Post OSHA 300A Form--February 1 to April 30

The OSHA 300A forms (summary of workplace related injuries and illnesses) must be posted for employees to view from 2/1/2013 - 4/30/2013. The forms must be placed in an area where all employees have access. Most employers find the break room bulletin board to be a good place to post the summary.

While certain employers (those with fewer than 10 employees) are exempt from record keeping practices, most must use the OSHA 300 Log to keep their records. The OSHA 300 Log is the record of all workplace injuries and illnesses. Employers can maintain the log on a computer or at another location as long as employers can produce the logs at the workplace whenever needed. Employers have seven calendar days to complete the form once they receive notice of an injury.

It is important to log all incidents and be aware of any privacy issues. In the case of a sensitive matter, log the incident as a "privacy case" instead of using the employee�s name. Do not enter the worker�s name for sensitive cases such as injuries or illnesses involving an intimate body part or the reproductive system, sexual assault, HIV or hepatitis infection, tuberculosis, mental illness or other similar cases. Keep a separate, confidential identity list for these cases. Regardless of the injury or illness, you must remove employee names before sharing your records with anyone not authorized by the rule to see them. [�1904.29]

Certification of the Form 300A:

The Form 300A must be certified by a �company executive,� which means:

- an owner of the company (only if the company is a sole proprietorship or partnership);

- an officer of the corporation;

- the highest ranking company official working at the establishment; or

- the immediate supervisor of the highest ranking company official working at the establishment.

By certifying (signing) the Form 300A, the company executive represents that he or she has examined the OSHA 300 Log and reasonably believes, based on the executive�s knowledge of the process by which the information was recorded, that the annual summary is correct and complete.

You must keep OSHA recordkeeping forms for five years following the year they cover. During that time, update the OSHA 300 log to include newly discovered cases or to show changes in old cases.

Record injuries and illnesses of temporary and contract workers in the same way as other workers. [�1904.31(b)(2)]

Visit OSHA�s website www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/RKforms.html for copies of the forms.

As always, Trinity Safety Group is available to assist with your safety consulting, training, and staffing needs. If you have any questions about the information above, please contact Trinity Safety Group for further assistance.

INDIANA SUBCONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION TRADE SHOW 2013

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Trinity Safety Group was proud to be a part Indiana�s largest construction networking event of the year. Over 1,000 leaders from the construction industry were in attendance at the Indiana Subcontractors Association trade show and awards program. It was nice to see so many current Trinity Safety Group clients in attendance. Many introductions and new contacts were made by companies wanting to improve their existing safety programs. We would like to thank everyone for their support and to all of those who stopped by our booth.

Safety Photo of the Month - February 2013

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:00:00 +0000

NOT a bright idea!

Winter Weather Safety Planning

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Two big concerns of working or simply spending time outdoors in cold weather are frostbite and hypothermia. Both can occur at much higher temperatures than many people realize. For example, exposed skin can start to freeze at just 28 degrees Fahrenheit (-2 degrees Celsius) and deep frostbite can cause blood clots and even gangrene. Hypothermia is a potentially fatal condition caused by loss of body temperature - even in winter conditions that people might not consider particularly nasty. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, confusion, lightheadedness and profuse sweating. Without medical treatment the victim can lose consciousness and die.

Do you know the signs of frostbite? Your skin will become white and you won't have much circulation. In the worst case, blisters will form but you won't feel any pain. First aid for frostbite is as follows: NEVER rub the frozen part of the body with snow -- Add extra clothing or use a blanket to cover the frozen area, get out of the cold and into a warm location, the frozen area may be immersed in warm water but NEVER use hot water, and if the condition does not improve seek professional medical attention.

Get plenty of rest. Working in the cold and even traveling to and from work in the winter takes lots of energy. Cold weather can strain your heart, even if you aren't overexerting yourself, so be sure to pace yourself.

Tips to help you out on the jobsite:

Employees will need to have a safe pathway to and from their work areas. Employees will also need to have a safe walking/working surface in the immediate work area(s) (i.e. no ice, snow).
Know who will provide snow plowing and salt for the site roads and existing parking lots on the jobsite.
What will be used, sand, ice melt, chemicals, etc? Check with the GC before applying salt, ice melt, chemicals, etc., to concrete finish. If chemicals are to be used, does an RFI need to be sent in for approval? Where will material be stored? Materials readily available? Don�t forget to provide an MSDS for any new chemical used for snow removal.
De-watering of the work area needs to be considered when planning (melting snow, etc).
Areas at top and base of ladders need to be clear of ice and snow. Rungs on ladder should be monitored throughout the day.
Ice on cranes�any ice/icicles that can be easily removed before work begins should be removed before employees are allowed under the booms.
Temporary heaters need to be kept away from flammable materials. All necessary precautions need to be followed to prevent CO from accumulating in enclosed areas. Please review precautions in instruction manuals and/or contact manufacturer. Continuous monitoring and/or a negative exposure assessment may be needed in enclosed/tented areas.
If LP Gas or propane will be brought on site, areas where it will be stored or used will need to be approved by the GC.
Employees need to be aware of the signs of cold stress, including frost bite.
Excavations will need to be monitored more closely due to the freeze/thaw during the day.
Extra attention will need to be paid to inspecting extension cords and GFCI use in wet conditions.
Lighting needs to be considered for dim/off work hours. Will additional light plants be needed? Make sure lights on mobile equipment are working.
Edges of roadway and excavation edges need to be clearly marked and barricaded to prevent accidental entry by equipment or personnel.

Safety Photo of the Month - January 2013

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Make sure you read and obey warning signage -- it is there for a reason!!