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MCCI NEWS

The staff at MCCI likes to keep its customers informed of some of the safety news that may directly affect their businesses and safety programs.

June 26, 2008 U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA chief encourages safe cleanup effort.   A radio actuality prepared by Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Edwin G. Foulke Jr. is available at http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/audio/main.htm#20080626 for use in helping your listeners understand how important safety should be during their recovery efforts. The actuality provides a toll-free telephone number individuals can call to learn more about flood recovery hazards and related issues, as well as a Web site address should they be online capable. The U.S. Department of Labor is concerned that the loss of life or serious injury to recovery workers not be added to the tragedies caused by calamitous weather. We appreciate your assistance in getting that message to volunteers and workers on the job. Web site address: Toll-free number for assistance: Actuality Script: www.dol.gov 866-4-USA-DOL Cleanup after severe weather is dangerous and may create safety hazards for employees. There are ways to stay safe. I'm Ed Foulke, head of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. I encourage you to take proper precautions to avoid serious injury. Identify the risks. Wear personal protective equipment when working in cleanup areas. Go to DOL.gov, call 1-866-4-USA-DOL or ask your employer for more information about protecting yourself on the job. Read entire article

March 2008 15 Most Often Cited OSHA Standards for Construction Poorly constructed scaffolding is the most frequently cited violation of construction standards, according to David Coble, a former OSHA inspector. Scaffolds - Proper placement & use of scaffolds, citations were given if the scaffold was not built according to the manufacturers’ specifications & OSHA & Scaffold Industry Association (SIA) standards. Not having the scaffold deck fully floored Not having the scaffold level or capable of supporting its designated load with the proper use of screw jacks, footings, etc. Not providing safe access for each scaffold Not providing proper fall, or falling object, protection — guardrails, midrails, toe boards, screens & debris netting Not having scaffold components approved by a competent person on the job site Not having the scaffold inspected daily Access should be provided by fixed ladders. Fall Protection - While fall protection is required so employees will not fall more than six feet, Coble suggested fall protection be provided for a minimum of four feet. Ladders - Fall protection for fixed ladders is provided so employees will not fall more than 24 feet & portable ladders must extend at least three feet above the point of support. Electrical Wiring Methods Not protecting all light bulbs from damage by using a cage, protection screen, etc. Not protecting flexible cords from damage Not covering all knockout holes Not covering all circuit breaker holes Running cords through walls, ceilings & floors Stairways - Temporary stairways were not built to specification were often cited. These specs include: Stairs must be installed between 30- & 50-degrees. The rise & tread width must be uniform. Stairs with four or more risers or rising above 30 inches must have stair rails. General Safety & Health Provisions - Employees must be trained to work safely, use proper tools, store tools safely & have tools guards on power tools. Fall Protection Systems - Comprehensive fall protection systems, where applicable, should be in place to avoid citations. Fall protection systems include: Guard rails with midrails & toeboards Safety net systems no more than 30 feet below the working level Safety net systems inspected weekly Fall arrest anchorages that support 5,000 pounds per employee Controlled access zones at least six feet from the edge Electrical Wiring Design & Protection - All handheld tools to be grounded or double-insulated. Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFI) or assured equipment grounding conductor program should be in use to avoid citations & injury. Inspectors also looked for overhead open conductors were not installed at the proper height —10 feet above grade for job sites in general, 12 feet above grade for vehicular traffic, 15 feet above grade for truck traffic & 18 feet above public streets. Head Protection - Hardhats are required where there is a danger of falling objects, impact or electrical shock & hardhats should meet manufacturers’ requirements or ANSI Z89 standards. Decals placed improperly on hardhats have been known to transmit electricity & cause serious injury & even death. Hazard Communication - OSHA inspectors cited job sites where hazardous chemicals were present & a written hazard communication plan was not developed or chemicals were not properly labeled or marked with a warning. Aerial Lifts - Among the more common violations for aerial lifts were: Lifts being used by unauthorized or not properly trained personnel A lack of body belts or lanyards t keep the employee on the basket floor so he would not be thrown Not using the lifts according to the manufacturers’ recommendations General Electrical Requirements - Among the general requirements often cited were: Electrical equipment not meeting the proper NEMA rating Electrical equipment not protected from damage Unapproved gang boxes Spliced flexible cords or cords not of continuous length Circuit breakers not properly labeled Fall Protection Training - Fall protection systems should be reinforced with fall protection training if citations are to be avoided. Housekeeping - Job sites tend to be littered with garbage, debris & scraps were subject to citations. He said debris should be removed on a regular basis & forms & scrap lumber should be free of protruding nails. Construction Training & Education - Not only should employees be trained to recognize & avoid hazards, they should be trained to work in confined or enclosed spaces, to work with caustics & other harmful substances & to avoid harmful plants & animals.

High Risk: Despite Regulations, Scaffold Accidents Continue Scaffolding accidents are as alarming as they are numerous, and some are tragic. In September 1992, an incident that took place in Pennsylvania where a 34-year-old bridge painter fell 364 feet to his death after a suspension cable snapped. But not all incidents end in tragedy. That same year, a construction worker in North Dakota fell 13 feet when a scaffold collapsed. Fortunately, he escaped serious injury because he was wearing a safety harness. Both incidents, each in their own way, underscore the importance of scaffolding safety. Read entire article

Iowa Plan About the Iowa State Plan The Iowa Division of Labor Services, Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed by the Iowa Legislature and signed by the Governor on April 20, 1972. In accordance with Section 18(b) of the Federal OSHA law, Iowa submitted its State Plan on July 19, 1972. On July 20, 1973, the Assistant Secretary published a notice granting initial approval of the Iowa Plan as a developmental plan. On September 14, 1976, the Assistant Secretary certified that Iowa had satisfactorily completed all development steps. The Assistant Secretary determined that the State of Iowa's occupational safety and health program is at least as effective as the Federal program in providing safe and healthful employment and places of employment and meets the criteria for final State Plan approval in section 18(e) of the Act and implementing regulations at 29 CFR 1902. Accordingly, the Iowa plan was granted final approval on July 2, 1985. Jurisdiction The Iowa State Plan applies to all public and private sector places of employment in the State with the exception of private sector maritime activities; marine terminals; longshoring; federal government-owned, contractor-operated military/munitions facilities; bridge construction projects spanning the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers between Iowa and other states; federal government employers and employees; and the United States Postal Service; which are subject to Federal OSHA jurisdiction. The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration exercises jurisdiction with respect to field sanitation and temporary labor camps. Read entire article