November 4th Excavation and Trenching Permit

Safety Activity: Review your companies Excavation and Trenching Permit (15-6)

Safety Topic: Work done in trenches needs to be supervised by a competent person.
A competent person is one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions that are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous and who has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. 

Reference: WAC 296-155-160

Frequency: Initial and as needed.

Note: A Excavation and Trenching Competent Person training is required to be considered a competent person.

Contact nicasafety@gmail.com for more information.

November 4th GHS HAZCOM

Safety Activity:  Watch the 15 min. video  "GHS HAZCOM Overview".  

OR  Review your Hazard Communication Plan (17) in your Company Safety Plan.

For additional training on specific GHS topics, watch one or more 2-3 minute videos about SDS, Labeling or Pictograms located here.

Supervisor:  If you are caught up on Asbestos and Lead Awareness, spend the next few safety meetings "Crowd Sourcing" your GHS HAZCOM Program.  Break into groups, have groups bring back a list of chemicals in their trucks or workspace and gather the information to put into your formal HAZCOM plan.  15 minute increments go a long way to finish up a HAZCOM program.

Reference: WAC 296-901-14016

Note: For Initial GHS HAZCOM 5 hour training contact nicasafety@gmail.com

October 28th Safety Checkup

Safety Activity:  Review Accident Prevention Forms Documentation

Safety Topic:  Do a quick check of and see if your weekly safety meetings, fall protection site specific plans, and site construction safety checklists are being filled out for each job.

Make it a goal to get back on track with safety forms.  Brainstorm incentives to fill out forms and keep documentation on file.

October 21st Know Whats Below - Using 811

Safety Activity: Watch 10 min. video "5 Steps to Safer Digging"

Safety Topic: Always check with utility companies or the “one-call system” before digging. Locate all underground utilities near the trenching operation. Support any utilities adjacent to or crossing the trench. Overhead power lines are also a potential hazard.
Call 811 before digging anywhere.

Frequency: Initial and as needed.

September 23rd Cord Management

Safety Topic: Electrical Cord Safety 

• Ground Fault Interrupters (GFI) shall be used (installed at the outlet/source) with all extension cords on construction sites.
• Cords are to be suspended above active working/walking areas whenever possible.
• Any unused lengths of cord must be neatly coiled (or on a reel) and placed out of pathways to prevent tripping hazards.

Activity: Inspect all extension and tool cords.

Supervisors: Make sure your employees have access to GFCI adapter and pigtail cords.  

Safety Question: What does GFI stand for? 

Reference: WAC 296-800-28030 and WAC 296-800-28040

Frequency: As needed.

September 16th LockOut/ TagOut

Safety Activity: Practice and actual lockout tagout situtaion using LOTO equipment

Safety Topic: Review  "Lock Out/ Tag Out" (14) of Company Safety Plan.

Supervisor: Set up props and equipment for practicing a realistic lockout/ tagout situation.

Reference: WAC 296-155-429

Frequency: Initial and as needed.

September 19th (Alternative) Welding Safety

Safety Activity: Watch Hot Work Accidents video CSB "Dangers of Hot Work" (approx. 14 minutes)

Reference: WAC 296-24-680 and WAC 296-62-08003.

Frequency: Initial and as needed.

Note: Additional training may be required WELDING AND HEXAVALIUM CHROMIUM.