Be careful when removing snow from construction sites and workplaces

The recent extreme weather prompted OSHA to send reminders to employees, employers and the general public of the potential hazards associated with the removal of snow and ice construction sites, from a commercial parking lot and other workplaces.

"Cleaning up after storm involves a series of tasks that can carry risks if done incorrectly or without adequate guarantees," said OSHA regional administrator Cindy Coe in the press release. "We want people to know what these risks are, and what steps you can help protect against these risks."

According to the EEOC, workers and employers should be aware of the danger of following common cleanup work after the storm:

Electric shock from an ungrounded electrical apparatus, or the disabled power linesFalls from a height while erasing ice jams in the gutters, the removal of snow from the roof or ladders, and liftsBeing, so the branch or part of works that, given the weight of ice or snowCarbon of carbon monoxide poisoning when generators powered by gas or equipment without proper ventilationInjuries from guarded chain saws and power tools, or incorrectly tries to clear jams in the snow blowersSlip and decrease accidents accidentsCar when working on or near the roadwaysHypothermia or Frostbite

To prevent accidents and injuries, OSHA recommends:

All lines of consumption, the liveMake land all electrical installations and properly guardedDouble-that the power for the device is disconnected before canceling the jams, clean or maintenanceClearly clear all work zonesClear all walking surfaces of snow, ice and waterUse carefully around the surfaces occupied by the snow or iceEnsure through the effective reduction of the protection of equipmentMake all ladders are maintained and used correctlyUse eyes, face and body equipmentWear reflective clothingUse safe working procedures of protection to limit the duration and gravity of the exposure to the cold

Keep in mind that the injured in clearing snow and ice in the course of the employment of workers shall be entitled to to pay the workers ' and such failure to maintain a safe workplace or place of business may expose employers injury claims, as well.

Stay safe and warm in this inclement weather and take advantage of a rare snow!

Source: IP Region 4 OSHA, "US Labour Department OSHA reminds employers of hazards associated with Georgia ice and snow cleaning, guarantees proper work urges," 12. January 2011

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OSHA blocking "Stand-Down" the prevention of accidents, construction of Georgia

In an effort to reduce the construction accidents neighbour and OSHA in the Southeastern area, with local suppliers, and federal, State and local agencies through Georgia to hold early in the morning-hour safety "stand-down" in the November 9. Voluntary interruption of work focused on the construction site of injury and the number of fatal accidents caused by workers affected by vehicles or falling objects. "" Affected by accidents "are one of the main causes of injuries and deaths on his buildings.

The partnership, called the "Georgia struck-By Alliance" held on the suspension of voluntary work and workplace safety meet from 7 pm to 8 hours of 1,170 works zones with a total staff participated in the stand-8,056 down. During stand-down, took work area safety training, focused on how employees, while the affected vehicles and construction materials.

Most critical building involvement of workers closed by Heavy Equipment

The main purpose of stand-down was to increase awareness among the staff of this crane and heavy equipment accident are the leading cause of fatal accidents at work and building.

"We want to increase the ability of employees and their occupational risks identified by emphasizing that there was approximately 75 percent of the fatal accidents and includes heavy equipment such as trucks or cranes," he said OSHA regional administrator southeastern Cindy CoE.

To its "Georgia struck-By the Alliance," OSHA operates a number of safety initiatives in the workplace through its programme of the Alliance. Working with trade unions, trade and professional associations, businesses, educational institutions and other groups. OSHA develops effective learning tools and resources to support the health and safety of workers.

Georgia struck-By the Alliance is composed of government organisations and groups, and members of the construction industry. Members include:

OSHA on Southeastern RegionGeorgia Institute TransportationAssociation County Commissioners of InstituteSurveying GeorgiaGeorgia PowerGeorgia Tech research and mapping company GeorgiaFederal Highway Administration Georgia DivisionAssociated external staff of America Georgia BranchGeorgia tool AssociationGeorgia road Contractors Contractors Association3M visibility and isolation SolutionsLamar tags

"This Alliance is the initiative and show leadership in the Organization of and conduct this safety stand-down industry, as well as in the whole of Georgia to stress the importance of safety of workers in the field of work," said CoE.

Source of:

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The new system to prohibit construction site trench soil shrinks

Geotechnical engineers in Loughborough University in England have been working on a new way to prevent catastrophic soil shrinks on construction sites, and landslides, occur naturally, but without notice. Good sensor system of the measure reducing sound behaviour of soil to predict when a landslide or trench is imminent, so as to take preventive measures before people are injured.

The new system works exactly the same way as the bending Rod a cracking noise which build up until it snaps. So that the movement of soil before rocks creates increasing rates of sound, "says investigator Neil Dixon of major projects.

"This has been known from the 1960s, but what we have been able to do so is a new capture and process this information in order to quantify the relationship between noise and soil displacement rates as it happens in real time-and therefore provides early warning."

The system has the potential to prevent their untold number of incidents, construction worker injuries and deaths from naturally occurring landslides in the world.

You can use any infrastructure-building tools

Develop system dual-use items. First because the system does not require a central computer, it may be placed in a developing country or anywhere where there is some potential for subsidence. The second system can be deployed to monitor the construction sites, mines and pits with potentially unstable slopes, built to maintain the road or rail embankments, fees or other infrastructure.

Network of cheap sensors should optical and/or acoustic alarms. They could even be set up to send text messages to the safety of the workplace disaster response personnel, giving them early warning which would enable them to evacuate the area, stop the workers or residents of cross field for unstable or take steps in order to stabilize the slope or trench.

Sensors act as microphones, noise in the subsoil, and sent to the central computer for analysis. Increased soil noises are known to predict imminent soil shrinks, but such information does not have practical application.

"Developing low-cost independent acoustic slope sensors is only possible in very recent times due to the presence of microprocessors that are fast, small and cheap enough for this task," said Dixon.

Commercially available sensor system may have to start the prevention of landslides and construction accidents early in the next two years.

Source: Journal of occupational health and safety, "warned of the imminent landslides, 22 October 2010

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