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