Connecticut Association of Housing Code Enforcement Officials, Inc.

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Connecticut Association of Housing Code
Enforcement Officials, Inc.

• Code Enforcers Safety Awareness
• Phil Cundiff

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Todays Topics

• Why Safety???
• Safety Programs you should know
• Personal Protection Equipment
• Personal safety Tips

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do you enter?
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Why Safety?

• Every year Health/Code Enforcement Officers are
  suffering death, injuries or illnesses due to
• Violence
• Slips and falls
• Struck by accidents
• Vehicle accidents
• Contact with chemicals, blood/body fluids,
  organic materials, gases, vapors animals
• Just to name a few

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Why Safety?

• Death, injuries and illnesses
• If you dont think about yourself think about
  your family
• Awareness becomes compliance
• The more you stress safety the more it becomes
  routine
• Safety is 90 mental and 10 physical
• Firefighter example

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Information

• What we will be covering in the next few minutes
  are work related items you definitely dont want
  to bring home to your families.
• Not intended to keep you from doing your job, but
  to do it safely.
• The more you know, the better you will perform in
  real situations!

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Who Has A?

• Job hazard analysis or task risk assessment
• Workplace violence awareness training
• Exposure control plan
• Confined space awareness training program
• Excavation awareness training program
• Lock out tag out awareness training program
• Personal protection equipment program

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Job Hazard Analysis
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Job Hazard Analysis

• Anyone can conduct one
• Many different forms on line to assist
• Look at the task that you perform
• Where are you going
• What are you going to do when you get there
• What/where are you going into
• What are the possible hazards involved
• How can you protect yourself
• JHAs will point you in the direction you need to
  go to protect yourselves

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Workplace Violence
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Workplace Violence Awareness

• Two types of training programs
• Employer protection programs
• Potential violence awareness training
• Look for programs that have some of the following
  information

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Workplace Violence

• Things to be aware of
• Know the history of the location or persons you
  visit
• Good record keeping when something happens
• Watch for signals that may be associated with
  violence.
• Verbally expressing anger or frustration
• Body language such as threatening gestures
• Signs of drug or alcohol use
• Presence of a weapon

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Workplace Violence

• Recognizing Aggressive Body Language
• Facial signals
• Disapproving looks target stare
• Body signals
• Stance clenching fist tightening of body
  breathing movement (pacing) head movement
  (yes no nods)

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Workplace Violence

• Maintain behavior that helps diffuse anger
• Fight or flight
• Remove yourself from the situation
• Call for help
• Present a calm, caring attitude
• Dont match the threats
• Dont give orders
• Acknowledge the persons feelings
• Avoid any behavior that may be interpreted as
  aggressive

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Exposure Control plans
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Exposure Control plans

• Know your exposure potential
• Physical Contract with infected person
• Administering first aid
• Contaminated surfaces
• Many Others

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Exposure Control plans

• Routes of Exposure
• Skin ContactContamination through the skin can
  result from direct contact or by absorption.
• InjectionThe direct injection of contaminants
  into the body, either by needle sticks or
  mechanical injuries from contaminated glass,
  metal, or other sharp objects.
• IngestionIngestion involves introducing
  contaminants into the body through the mouth.
• InhalationInhalation is the introduction of a
  toxic product by the respiratory system

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Exposure control plans

• Know what a pathogen is?
• Micro-organisms, such as viruses or bacteria,
  which reside in the blood and cause disease to
  humans.
• Malaria, syphilis, hepatitis B hepatitis C, and
  human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are examples
  of bloodborne pathogens.
• Know where they are found?
• Blood, Semen, Vaginal secretions, Spinal fluids,
  Saliva from dental procedures Any body fluid
  visibly contaminated with blood, contaminated
  surfaces

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Exposure Control plan

• Know how they affect you?
• Hepatitis A - Spread through feces, Found in
  contaminated food water, Affects the liver, Can
  live on hands and in water soil, Onset 2 weeks
  to 28 days after exposure, Symptoms include loss
  of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal,
  pain, jaundice Can recover from virus
• Hepatitis B Spread by blood to blood infects
  the liver and causes inflammation. There is no
  specific treatment for HBV. Symptoms include loss
  of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal
  pain, jaundice. Lives up to 7 days in dried
  blood.

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Exposure Control plan

• Know how they affect you?
• HIV-Aids Blood to blood contact, hard to get
  but even harder to get rid of. Affect your
  immune system. Treatment but no cure.
• Body fluids may be sources of other communicable
  diseases or illnesses.
• Meningitis can be acquired when a workers mucous
  membranes contact infectious respiratory
  secretions while giving mouth-to-mouth
  resuscitation without using barrier protection.
• Diarrhea may be acquired if workers dont wash
  their hands effectively after handling materials
  contaminated with feces.
• Other colds germs and flu viruses  

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Exposure Control Plan

• Exposure incident
• There must be blood to blood contact, the
  blood/body fluid must be infected, The virus must
  enter the body through a mucous membrane (eyes,
  mouth, or nose), through an opening in the skin
  (cuts, abrasions, open sores, acne) or through a
  penetration of the skin by a contaminated sharp
  object
• What to do if exposed
• Wash exposed area with soap and water, flush
  splashes to nose, mouth, or skin with water,
  irrigate eyes with water or saline, report the
  exposure and direct the worker to a healthcare
  professional

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Exposure control plans

• Must general plans cover bloodborne pathogens
• Yours should look at the other bloodborne and
  airborne germs, funguses and virus out there.
• TB
• Mold
• Dust
• Etc.

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Exposure control plans

• How do you protect yourself
• Hand washing
• Wear gloves
• Wear a disposable respirator
• Wear coveralls
• Wear eye protection

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Confined spaces
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CONFINED SPACE STATISTICS

• 65 of all confined space fatalities are due to
  hazardous atmosphere
• In 139 deaths, there were no detectors nor
  ventilation
• One-third of all deaths were supervisors
• 60 were rescuers
• 25 of spaces were toxic before entry

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Examples of Why We are Here

• A graduate engineer on work-experience entered an
  inspection chamber to test for seepage and
  collapsed. Three work colleagues attempted a
  rescue and as each entered the chamber, collapsed
  also. All four young men died.
• A city worker was removing an inspection plate
  from a sewer line in a deep pump station when the
  plate blew off and sewage entered the room. Two
  colleagues and a policeman attempted to rescue
  him from the sludge filled room. All four died.
• A worker cleaning the bottom of a septic tank
  collapsed. Two colleagues who went to rescue him
  also collapsed. All three died.
• A 17 year old sewer worker collapsed at the
  bottom of 3m manhole. Two work mates entered to
  rescue him and were themselves overcome. By the
  time they were extracted from the manhole by
  rescue services the young man was dead. His would
  be rescuers died two days later. A fourth man at
  the entrance of the manhole suffered shock and
  fume inhalation.

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What is a Confined Space?

• A space that is large enough and so configured
  that an employee can bodily enter and perform
  assigned work.
• Has limited or restricted means of entry or exit
  (i.e. tanks, silos, storage tanks/bins vaults
  pits)
• Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.

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What is a Permit-Required Confined Space?

• Has one or more of the following characteristics.
• Contains or has potential to contain a hazardous
  atmosphere.
• Contains material that has the potential for
  engulfing an entrant.
• Has internal configuration such that an entrant
  could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly
  converging walls or floor which slope downward
  and tapers to a smaller cross-section.
• Contains any other recognized serious safety or
  health hazards

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Hazards in a Confined Space

• Atmospheric
• Toxic gases
• Flammable gases
• Oxygen rich or deficient
• Physical
• Slips, trips, or falls
• Electrical/Mechanical
• Gravity
• Engulfment/Flooding
• Chemical or contact
• Environmental
• Biological
• Heat/cold

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Atmospheric Hazards

• Too much Oxygen or too little
• Explosive or Asphyxiation
• Toxic gases

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Physical Hazards

• Slips, trips falls
• Ladders uneven floors wet/slimy surfaces
  Poor lighting
• Electrical/Mechanical
• Lock out Tag out in place
• Unexpected activation of mechanical equipment or
  discharge of electricity.
• Engulfment Flooding
• Movement or shifting of materials
• Loose granular materials (sand, grain)
• Improperly enforced walls
• Unexpected flow of water or materials (rain,
  tidal water, sewage)
• Chemical or contact
• Unprotected body surfaces contact with
  chemicals in space
• Cuts, bruises other injuries due to sharp or
  protruding objects

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Biological Hazards

• Extreme moisture, slime growths or deposits
• Poor visibility or noise
• Rust or deterioration of structure (ladders,
  railings)
• Pathogens-diseases
• Animals
• Extreme temperatures
• Temperature can be many degrees different or
  in the confined space.
• Humidity
• Ventilation

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ORDER OF TESTING

• First Verify oxygen presence and amounts
• Second - Flammables
• Third Toxics
• Hydrogen Sulfide
• Carbon Monoxide

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Excavation safety awareness
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Excavation safety awareness

• Excavation - any man-made cut, cavity,
  trench, or depression made in the earths surface
  formed by earth removal.
• Access and egress. Any trench or excavation four
  feet or deeper must have a means of exit. Ladders
  and/or ramps must be located no more than twenty
  five feet in any direction.
• Hazardous atmospheres. In excavations deeper than
  four feet with the potential for a hazardous
  atmosphere or oxygen deficiency, conduct air
  testing before workers enter the excavation.

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Excavation safety awareness

• Protection from loose rock and soil. Excavated
  earth (spoil), materials, tools, and equipment
  shall be placed no closer than two feet from the
  edge of the excavation.
• Depending on soil conditions a trench box must be
  used.

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Lock out tag out safety
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Lockout/Tag out Safety

• "Lockout/Tag out (LOTO)" refers to specific
  practices and procedures to safeguard employees
  from the unexpected energization or startup of
  machinery and equipment, or the release of
  hazardous energy during service or maintenance
  activities.

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Lockout/Tag out Safety

• Need to isolate the source of the energy
• Electrical
• Stream
• Hydraulic
• Etc.

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Lockout tag out safety

• Special note
• Most home owners or small businesses are not
  going to follow the lockout tag out requirements
• But
• Make sure if you enter a flooded basement or
  other structures, that the power is turned off
• Outlets can be under water
• Electrical appliances can fall into the flooded
  area

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Slip, trip and fall awareness
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STF Awareness

• 1 cause of injury and usually the most serious
  and expensive
• Same level
• Objects
• Stairs
• Wet surfaces
• Icy surfaces

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STF Awareness

• Slips
• Common Causes
• Wet or oily floor surfaces,
• Occasional spills,
• Know the common areas that become wet or slippery
• Kitchens, by exterior doors, etc.
• Weather hazards,
• Loose, unanchored rugs or mats,
• Flooring or other walking surfaces that are worn.
• In a hurry and not watching where your going

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STF Awareness

• Trips
• Common Causes
• Obstructed view
• Poor lighting
• Clutter Debris in your way
• Wrinkled carpeting
• Uncovered cables
• Drawers not being closed
• Wires, briefcases, handbags, etc.
• Uneven (steps, thresholds) walking surfaces
• In a hurry and not watching where your going

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STF Awareness

• Prevention
• Take your time
• Pay attention
• Adjust stride to the task
• Walk with feet pointed slightly outward
• Make wide turns at corners.
• Wear the proper shoes
• Sufficient Lighting
• Close your desk drawers when not in use
• Pick up briefcases, handbags and secure wires
  around your desk
• Keep cords, hoses, etc. out of walking paths
• Always watch where your are walking
• When carrying or pushing objects, never block
  your view of the floor

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STF Awareness

• Naturally, the goal is not to slip, trip or fall
  but, if you do try to
• Tuck your chin in, turn your head and throw up an
  arm.
• Better to land on your arm than your head
• While falling, twist or roll your body to the
  side.
• Better to land on your buttocks and side than on
  your back
• Keep your wrists, elbows and knees bent.
• Try not to break your fall with your hands or
  elbows. Spend the fall to as much of your bodys
  surface as possible
• Calmly assess the situation to determine if you
  are hurt.
• Get up slowly
• If your feel injured and cant stand up, dont
  panic
• Call for assistance
• If you are not injured, rest for a moment and
  regain your composure before getting up

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Personal Protective Equipment
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Personal protective equipment

• Issued to protect the employees from possible
  dangers during the site visits
• Identifies the employee
• Sets the example models the behavior
• It looks good and professional

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Head Protection Hard Hats

• When do my employees need head protection?You
  must provide head protection for your employees
  if
• Objects might fall from above and strike them on
  the head
• They might bump their heads against fixed
  objects, such as exposed pipes or beams or
• They work near exposed electrical conductors.

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Eye Protection Safety Glasses

• When do employees need eye protection?
• Flying objects
• Particles and dust
• Chemicals
• Harmful light radiation ultraviolet, lasers,
  infrared

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Eye Protection Safety Glasses

• Types of eye protection
• Safety Glasses
• side shields
• Goggles
• Face Shield

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Hearing Protection Hearing

• When do employees need hearing protection?
• If two people 3 feet apart must shout to be
  heard, the background noise is too loud (above 85
  decibels).
• Noise above 140 decibels causes pain and
  immediate hearing loss.
• Noise Level Allowable Exposure Time
• 85 decibels 8 hours
• 90 decibels 4 hours
• 100 decibels 1 hour
• 105 decibels 30 minutes
• 110 decibels 15 minutes
• 115 decibels 0 minutes

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Hearing Protection Hearing

• Equipment Noise Level
• Back Hoe 85-95 decibels
• Chain Saw 110 decibels
• Front-end Loader 90-95 decibels
• Gunshot 140 decibels
• Jackhammer 112 decibels
• Lawn Mower 90 decibels
• Tractor 95-105 decibels
• Circular Saw 90-100 decibels

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Hearing Protection Hearing

• Types of Hearing Protection
• Ear plugs
• Ear Muffs
• Ear caps

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Respiratory Protection

• When do employees need respiratory protection?
• When exposed to dust, fungi or other pathogens in
  the air
• When exposed smoke or other airborne irritants

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Respiratory Protection

• Types of Respirators
• Disposable air filtering (dust mask)
• Half Face Respirator
• Full Face Respirator

Needs special training to use along with a
medical clearance
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Respiratory Protection

• Must fit snugly on your face
• No beards
• Use only once
• Not to be use for chemical gases or vapor
  protection
• Do not use in oxygen deficient atmospheres

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Hand Protection

• When do employees need hand protection?
• To protect the hands from
• knives, sharp edges, splinters
• blood bodily fluids
• Chemicals
• Hot objects
• Extreme cold
• Excessive vibration
• Electricity

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Hand Protection

• Types of gloves
• Disposable gloves protect against blood and germs
  
• Leather gloves protect hands from rough surfaces
• Special insulated gloves to protect the hand from
  hot or cold

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Body Clothing Protection

• High Visibility Vest
• Use when working in or near roadways and busy
  construction sites
• Coveralls
• Safety shoes or rubber boots

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Seat Belts / Traffic

• Seat Belts MUST be used at all times while
  operating any company vehicle or equipment
• No Speeding
• Obey Stop Signs
• Watch out for and YIELD to pedestrians
• Stay well back from behind heavy equipment and
  trucks

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Thank You

• Contact info
• Phillip Cundiff
• Manager of Claims and Loss Control
• Yale University Office of Risk Management
• PO Box 208253
• New Haven, CT 06520
• 203-432-6606
• Phillip.cundiff_at_yale.edu