Stay Alert so You Don`t Get Hurt

Making California Workplaces Safer
Safety News
News About Occupational Safety and Health in
Issue Two 2012
In This Issue
Feature Articles
Stay Alert so You
Don’t Get Hurt
Stay Alert so You Don’t Get Hurt
R
oad workers install, maintain, and improve
roads to keep them safe; however, this type
of work can be dangerous. According to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics, for the past few years,
an average of 107 highway and road workers
are killed on the job each year. Hazards such as
moving vehicles and construction equipment
require workers to stay alert and follow safety
procedures. Below are some basic tips:
• Group your vehicles on the same side of
the road for visibility. • Set up the job site and tasks to minimize
the need to cross an active road.
• Have an escape route or a secondary plan
of action in place. The Dangers of Tickborne Diseases
• Watch for backing vehicles because the
driver often has a limited view. From Our Expert
• Practice good communication and make
sure all vehicles have backup alarms. Natural Rubber Latex
Reporting
Work–Related
Injuries
• Set up parking zones that have safe
entrances and exits. Work facing traffic and stay alert, or station a
lookout to watch oncoming traffic:
Did You Know?
Electric Power Line
Installation and
Repair
Stay alert for fast-moving motorists and large
construction equipment in the work zone:
• Set up traffic lanes within the job site for
clear access and visibility.
The Hazards of
Hospital Work
Safety Meeting
Topic
PUBLIC AGENCIES
Know the work environment:
• Obtain training on traffic control and safe
work practices.
• Set up and maintain your roadside work
zone properly.
• Get training on the equipment you will use
and drive.
• Operate tools and equipment according to
the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Be aware of the hazards of chemicals and
other materials. Get training on the Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) you are required to wear,
including its uses and limitations:
• Wear high visibility garments on your legs
and chest.
• Wear your assigned PPE, including a
hardhat, safety shoes, and work gloves. • Consider earplugs or muffs, safety glasses,
and fall protection depending on the job task.
• If you are flagging, act as a lookout or
traffic director, and remain alert. • Do not drink, smoke, or have a
conversation while performing these duties.
Road work is a physically demanding job. Keep
yourself fit to limit the toll on your body.
• Keep your back straight and use proper
lift techniques. Get assistance from other
workers to help team lift, or use mechanical
lifting devices. • Use anti-vibration gloves when working
with vibrating equipment. Take frequent
micro-breaks. • Rotate your tasks during the day to use
different muscle groups.
Road work occurs throughout the year and
in all types of weather. Wear the appropriate
clothing for the climate. Light colored layers and
sunscreen protect you during the summer while
layers of moisture-wicking clothing protect you
during the harsh cold months.
Safety News
State Compensation Insurance Fund
Issue Two
2012
The Hazards of Hospital Work
Hospital staff and administrators are all at
risk for hazardous injuries at work. Hazards
can include exposure to communicable
and bloodborne diseases, needle and
sharps punctures, chemicals, sprains
and strains, stress, and even workplace
violence. Know the hazards and exposures
and get proper hospital safety training.
Important safety precautions include:
• Decontaminating surfaces and
equipment after use.
use anesthetic gases, chemotherapeutic or
hormonal drugs, and radiation equipment.
• Employing universal precautions
around patients to prevent exposure
to bloodborne pathogens like HIV or
Hepatitis B or C.
Stay in good physical and mental health
and make sure to get enough rest. Use good
ergonomic practices when lifting or moving
patients. Ask for help or get a mechanical
lifting device to aid you. Vary tasks, if possible,
and wear comfortable supportive shoes.
• Wearing splash goggles or face shields
to prevent blood or bodily fluid from
entering your eyes, mouth, nose, or broken skin.
• Getting a medical screening, a
Tuberculosistest,andaHepatitisB
vaccination before you start your
hospital job.
• Using safe work practices with soiled
linens, wound dressings or medical
waste to prevent accidental exposure.
• Washing your hands frequently and
keeping them away from your face.
• Double bagging and disposing of
medical waste properly.
• Covering open wounds and wearing
protective clothing such as gloves, a
uniform, lab coat or smock, and shoe guards.
• Change clothes and shoes and shower
before leaving work depending on
your specific job.
Practice good housekeeping by:
• Keeping needles and sharps such as
knives, blades and razors in sturdy,
puncture-resistant containers.
Chemicals must be properly stored.
Cleaning or disinfecting solutions, sterilizing
agents or solvents, and other materials
must be kept in well-ventilated areas.
Inhaling fumes can harm the skin, mucous
membranes and respiratory system. Only
trained and authorized personnel should
Stress can accumulate from constant
emergencies, tending to traumatic injuries,
or long hours. Stay healthy and safe at work
by following proper hospital procedures
and take safety training and patient
handling courses when offered.
Did You Know?
The Dangers of Tick-borne Diseases
T
icks are commonly found in worksites with woods, bushes,
high grass, or leaf litter; ticks are a carrier of a number of
serious diseases, such as Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness
(STARI), Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), Ehrlichiosis,
Tularemia and most commonly Lyme disease with more than
22,500 confirmed and 7,500 probable cases in 2010 alone.
Outdoor workers at risk include those in construction,
landscaping, forestry, land surveying, farming, railroads, utility line
work, park and wildlife management, and other outdoor work.
Tick-borne diseases are diagnosed based on symptoms that are
commonly associated with a tick-borne illness, such as:
• Body/muscle aches • Joint pain
• Fever
• Rash
• Headaches
• Stiff neck
• Fatigue
• Facial paralysis
Employers should educate
their workers on:
• How tick-borne
diseases are spread.
• The risks of exposure
and infection.
• The importance of the timely reporting of workplace illnesses
and injuries right away.
• Wearing light-colored long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks,
and hats.
• Insect repellents (containing 20% to 30% DEET) to use on their
skin and clothing for protection.
For further information, refer to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) website on tick-borne diseases:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/tick-borne/
Safety News
State Compensation Insurance Fund
Issue Two
2012
From Our Expert
Natural Rubber Latex
N
atural rubber latex is found in a wide variety of products
such as balloons, rubber bands, and bandages. In the
workplace, it is most commonly found in latex gloves. Many
medical devices also contain latex.
Dermatitis can also occur in latex glove wearers. Irritant
contact dermatitis is a nonallergic reaction to the gloves or
powder. Chemical sensitivity dermatitis is a reaction to one or
more of the many chemicals added to latex during processing
and manufacturing.
“Those with regular exposure to latex
gloves and other products containing
latex may develop an allergic
reaction…”
The proteins in latex are allergens. Most people who
encounter latex in consumer products do not develop
an allergy to latex, but some workers are at risk. Those
with regular exposure to latex gloves and other products
containing latex may develop an allergic reaction. The more
frequent the exposure, the greater the risk. Workers with
other allergic conditions (such as hay fever) are at increased
risk. Likewise people with dry, broken, or abraded skin are at
increased risk. Latex allergy can be associated with allergies to
certain foods, such as avocados, potatoes, bananas, tomatoes,
chestnuts, kiwi fruits, and papayas.
To prevent latex allergy, use latex-free gloves. If this is not
possible, choose powder-free latex gloves with reducedprotein content. Wash hands with mild soap and water
and dry thoroughly after removing gloves. Keep hands
moisturized to minimize cracks and irritation. Once a worker
becomes allergic to latex, special precautions are needed to
prevent exposures during work as well as during medical or
dental care.
Symptoms of latex allergy include:
• Skin rashes, hives, flushing, and itching
• Nasal, eye, or sinus irritation
• Shortness of breath, wheezing, or asthma
• Shock (rarely)
Symptoms can begin within minutes of exposure, or they
can be substantially delayed. These symptoms can be
serious, even life-threatening.
Routes of exposure include skin contact and inhalation.
Inhalation occurs when latex proteins attach themselves to
the powder used in some gloves and become airborne. This is
especially a problem when changing gloves.
For more information on latex allergy and its prevention, visit
the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) website at www.cdc.gov.
State Fund Industrial Hygiene Unit
Safety News
State Compensation Insurance Fund
Safety Meeting Topic
Electric Power Line Installation and Repair
E
lectric power line workers work yearround to install, maintain, and repair
electric networks between power plants and
their customers. This work is hazardous—
they must climb and maintain their balance
while working on poles and towers. They lift
equipment and work in a variety of positions,
such as stooping or kneeling. And coming
into contact with a live cable can instantly
electrocute the worker(s).
equipment such as augers, trenchers, diggers,
and cranes are commonly used. Workers
should be able to inspect and maintain the
equipment to make sure it functions properly,
and that the safety features such as backup
horns and emergency lighting work.
• Life threatening emergencies.
Power lines are connected to utility poles and
towers or located underground in trenches
and vaults. During installation, construction
1.
_____________________________________
2.
_____________________________________
3.
_____________________________________
7.
_____________________________________
8.
_____________________________________
9.
_____________________________________
10.
_____________________________________
11.
_____________________________________
In the trenches, workers must be aware of
the hazards of trenching and engulfment,
and know:
• How to dig, maintain, barricade, and
enter a trench safely.
• Confined spaces regulations if they enter
work vaults or power utility holes.
12.
_____________________________________
Safety Recommendations
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
• How to monitor for environmental
hazards and have the safety equipment
and backup team necessary to ensure a
safe exit.
_____________________________________
When working from heights on power poles
or towers, workers should get training in fall
protection equipment and safety and rescue
procedures. They should know how to hoist
materials safely. They should be familiar
with the safe operation of bucket trucks
that access elevated job tasks and wear
properly inspected and well maintained fall
protection equipment.
_____________________________________
• Replacing fuses.
• Clearing “trouble” tickets.
Attended by
6.
_____________________________________
Exceptions to this rule include:
• Other operations on de-energized
conductors or equipment.
Instructor ____________________________
Date ________________________________
Location ____________________________
5.
_____________________________________
Cal/OSHA defines a qualified
electrical worker as a person
with at least 2 years of
training and experience.
• Operating switches.
Topic Review
4.
_____________________________________
Only qualified electrical workers can work
on energized conductors or equipment
connected to energized high-voltage
systems—equal or greater than 600 volts.
Cal/OSHA defines a qualified electrical worker
as a person with at least 2 years of training
and experience.
Typically, workers should not work alone on
high-voltage systems. A qualified electrical
worker or experienced employee-in-training
must be available in case of an emergency.
Issue Two 2012
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Reporting Work–Related Injuries
State Fund’s Customer Service Center 888-STATEFUND (888-782-8338) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for policyholders to report injuries as soon as they occur.
Agents will do the necessary paperwork to get the claim started and refer the injured worker to the designated physician or provider.
Within eight hours of any serious illness or injury (requiring hospitalization over 24 hours, other than for medical observation or where there is permanent employee
disfiguration) or death occurring in the workplace or in connection with employment, employers must report the incident to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health.
Safety News
State Compensation Insurance Fund
Temas de Seguridad
Instalación y Reparación de Líneas
de Transmisión Eléctrica
Los trabajadores de las líneas de transmisión
eléctrica trabajan todo el año para instalar,
dar mantenimiento y reparar las redes
eléctricas entre las centrales eléctricas y
sus clientes. Este trabajo es peligroso, ellos
deben subirse y mantener el equilibrio
mientras trabajan en postes y torres. Izan
equipo y trabajan en distintas posiciones:
inclinados, arrodillados y otras. Y el contacto
con un cable energizado puede electrocutar
instantáneamente a los trabajadores.
Solamente electricistas calificados pueden
trabajar en conductores energizados o en
equipos conectados a sistemas de alto voltaje
energizados, de 600 voltios o más. Cal/OSHA
define a un electricista calificado como una
persona que tiene por lo menos 2 años de
capacitación y experiencia.
Típicamente, los trabajadores no deben
trabajar solos en sistemas de alto voltaje.
Un electricista calificado o un empleado en
entrenamiento, con experiencia, debe estar
disponible en caso de una emergencia.
Las excepciones a esta regla incluyen:
• Al cambiar fusibles.
• Al accionar interruptores.
• Otras operaciones en conductores o
equipos desenergizados.
• Resolución de boletas de trabajo
“problemáticas”.
• Emergencias que pongan en peligro la vida.
Las líneas de transmisión eléctrica están
conectadas a postes eléctricos y torres, o
están ubicadas en conductos y bóvedas
subterráneas. Durante la instalación, es
frecuente el uso de equipo de construcción
como barrenas, zanjadoras, excavadoras
y grúas. Los trabajadores deben poder
inspeccionar y dar mantenimiento al
equipo para verificar que este funcione
correctamente, y que las características
de seguridad como las alarmas de
retroceso y luces de emergencia funcionen
correctamente.
Issue Two 2012
Revisión Del Tema
Instructor __________________________
Fecha ______________________________
Ubicación __________________________
Asistente(s)
1.
_____________________________________
2.
_____________________________________
3.
_____________________________________
4.
_____________________________________
5.
_____________________________________
6.
_____________________________________
7.
_____________________________________
8.
_____________________________________
9.
_____________________________________
10.
_____________________________________
11.
_____________________________________
En las zanjas, los trabajadores deben estar
conscientes de los peligros inherentes a las
excavaciones de zanjas y atrapamiento por
derrumbes, y saber:
12.
_____________________________________
Recomendaciones de seguridad
• Cómo excavar, mantener, colocar
barricadas e ingresar de manera segura a
una zanja.
_____________________________________
• Las normativas aplicables a espacios
confinados si ingresan a bóvedas o
pozos de mantenimiento eléctrico.
_____________________________________
• Cómo monitorear los peligros
ambientales y contar con el equipo de
seguridad y grupo de respaldo necesario
para asegurar una salida segura.
Al trabajar en alturas, en postes o torres, los
trabajadores deben recibir capacitación en
equipo de protección contra caídas y sobre
procedimientos de seguridad y rescate. Ellos
deben saber cómo izar materiales de manera
segura. Deben estar familiarizados con el
manejo seguro de plataformas con brazos
articulados (bucket trucks) que permiten el
acceso a tareas en trabajos elevados y en el
uso de equipo de protección contra caídas
debidamente inspeccionado y
bien mantenido.
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
This Public Agencies Safety News is produced by the Corporate Communications Department of State Fund to assist clients in their loss control efforts. Information or recommendations contained in
this publication were obtained from sources believed to be reliable at the date of publication. Information is only advisory and does not presume to be exhaustive or inclusive of all workplace hazards
or situations. Permission to reprint articles subject to approval by State Compensation Insurance Fund.
Published by State Compensation Insurance Fund’s Corporate Communications Department. © State Compensation Insurance Fund 2012