Toolbox chat

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# Hand Tools - General Hand Tool Operation (cont.) ## What are some basic tips when using hand tools? (cont.) - Maintain tools carefully. Keep them clean and dry, and store them properly after each use. - Carry tools in a sturdy toolbox to and from the worksite. - Wear safety glasses or goggles, or a face shield (with safety glasses or goggles) and well-fitting gloves appropriate for the hazards to which you may be exposed when doing various tasks. Keep the work environment clean and tidy to avoid clutter, which may cause incidents. - Use a heavy belt or apron and hang tools pointed down at your sides, not behind your back. - Keep the work space tidy. Store tools properly when not in use. ## What should I avoid when using hand tools? - Do not use tools for jobs they are not intended to do. For example, do not use a slot screwdriver as a chisel, pry bar, wedge or punch, or wrenches as hammers. - Do not apply excessive force or pressure on tools. - Do not cut towards yourself when using cutting tools. - Do not hold the stock in the palm of your hand when using a cutting tool or a screwdriver. Always lay it on a workbench or in a vice. - Do not wear bulky gloves to operate hand tools. - Do not throw tools. Hand them, handle first, directly to other workers. - Do not carry tools in a way that interferes with using both hands on a ladder, while climbing on a structure, or when doing any hazardous work. If working on a ladder or scaffold, tools should be raised and lowered using a bucket and hand line. - Do not carry a sharp tool in your pocket. Hand Tools - General Hand Tool Operation CCOHS

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# Enclosure and Isolation These methods aim to keep the chemical "in" and the worker "out" (or vice versa). An enclosure keeps a selected hazard "physically" away from the worker. Enclosed equipment, for example, is tightly sealed and it is typically only opened for cleaning or maintenance. Other examples include "glove boxes" (where a chemical is in a ventilated and enclosed space, and the employee works with the material by using gloves that are built-in), abrasive blasting cabinets, or remote control devices. Care must be taken when the enclosure is opened for maintenance as exposure could occur if adequate precautions are not taken. The enclosure itself must be well maintained to prevent leaks. Isolation places the hazardous process "geographically" away from the majority of the workers. Common isolation techniques are to create a contaminant-free or noise-free booth either around the equipment or around the employee workstations. ## Ventilation Ventilation is a method of control that "adds" and "removes" air in the work environment. General or dilution ventilation can remove or dilute an air contaminant if designed properly. Local exhaust ventilation is designed to remove the contaminant at the source so it cannot disperse into the work space, and it generally uses lower exhaust rates than general ventilation (general ventilation usually exchanges the air in the entire room). Local exhaust ventilation is an effective means of controlling hazardous exposures but should be used when other methods (such as elimination or substitution) are not possible. Fan Figure 3 Example of Local Exhaust Ventilation The design of a ventilation system is very important and must match the particular process and product in use. Expert guidance should be sought. It is a very effective control measure but only if it is designed, tested, and maintained properly. Hazard and Risk - Hierarchy of Controls CCOHS

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# What are some examples of fixed-size wrenches? (cont.) ## What are the hazards of using wrenches? (cont.) - The work piece may suddenly break free, causing you to lose balance, - The wrench or work piece may break, or - Turning the handle quickly or with pressure may create stress and strains on the hand or arm. ## What are general safety tips when using wrenches? - Use the correct wrench for the job - pipe wrenches for pipes, plumbing fittings, and general-use wrenches for nuts and bolts. - Discard any damaged wrenches (e.g., open-ended wrenches with spread jaws or box wrenches with broken or damaged points). - Select the correct jaw size to avoid slippage. - Wear safety glasses or a face shield (with safety glasses or goggles) where there is a hazard of flying particles or falling debris. - Position your body in a way that will prevent you from losing balance and hurting yourself if the wrench slips or something (e.g., a bolt) suddenly breaks. - Use a box or socket wrench with a straight handle rather than an offset handle when possible. - Ensure that the jaw of an open-ended wrench is in full contact (fully seated, "flat", not tilted) with the nut or bolt before applying pressure. - When turning with an adjustable wrench, the direction of the turn should be against (towards) the permanent jaw. - Make sure that the teeth of a pipe wrench are sharp and free of oil and debris and that the pipe or fitting is clean to prevent unexpected slippage and possible injuries. - Apply a small amount of pressure to a ratchet wrench initially to ensure that the ratchet wheel (or gear) is engaged with the pawl (a catch fitting in the gear) for the direction you are applying pressure. - Support the head of the ratchet wrench when socket extensions are used. - Pull on a wrench using a slow, steady pull; do not use fast, jerky movements. - Stand aside when work is done with wrenches overhead. - Make sure adjustable wrenches do not "slide" open during use. …

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# Hazard and Risk - Hazard Control (cont.) ## What is a hazard control program? (cont.) For example, in the case of a noise hazard, temporary measures might require workers to use hearing protection. Long-term, permanent controls might use engineering methods to remove or isolate the noise source. ## Why should a workplace implement hazard controls? In all cases, the employer has a duty of due diligence and is responsible for 'taking all reasonable precautions, under the particular circumstances, to prevent injuries or incidents in the workplace'. Some hazards and their controls will be specifically outlined in legislation. In situations where there is not a clear way to control a hazard, or if legislation does not impose a limit or guideline, you should seek guidance from occupational health professionals such as an occupational hygienist, ergonomist, engineer, or safety professional about what is the "best practice" or "standard practice" when working in that situation. Unsafe Safe There is NOT a fine line between Safe and Unsafe Figure 1 ## Remember! A legal limit or guideline (such as an occupational exposure limit) should never be viewed as a line between "safe" and "unsafe". The best approach is to always keep exposures or the risk of a hazard as low as possible. ## What are the main ways to control a hazard? The main ways to control a hazard include: - Elimination: remove the hazard from the workplace. - Substitution: replace the hazard (e.g., hazardous products, machines, etc.) with a less hazardous one. - Engineering Controls: includes designs or modifications to plants, equipment, ventilation systems, and processes that reduce the source of exposure. Hazard and Risk - Hazard Control CCOHS

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# Hazard and Risk - Hazard Identification (cont.) ## How are hazards identified? (cont.) - Job descriptions and demands analysis - Job safety analysis - Incident investigations - Documents and records - Hazard reporting by employees - Hazard mapping To be sure that all hazards are found: - Look at all aspects of the work and include non-routine activities such as maintenance, repair, or cleaning. - Look at the physical work environment, equipment, materials, products, etc. that are used. - Include the various steps that make up a task or activity. - Look at injury and incident records. - Talk to the workers: they know their job and its hazards best. - Include all shifts and people who work off-site, either at home, on other job sites, drivers, teleworkers, or with clients. - Look at the way the work is organized or done by different individuals (including the experience of people doing the work, systems being used, if alternate methods are being used, etc.). - Look at foreseeable unusual conditions (for example, possible impact on hazard control procedures that may be unavailable in an emergency situation, power outage, etc.). - Determine whether a product, machine, or equipment can be intentionally or unintentionally changed (such as a safety guard that could be removed). - Review all of the phases of the lifecycle of processes, products, and services (such as design, transportation, construction, dismantling, and disposal). - Examine risks to visitors or the public. - Consider the groups of people that may have a different level of risk, such as young or inexperienced workers, persons with disabilities, or new or expectant mothers. - Consider the psychosocial aspects of the job and the hazards that could be created. ## What types of hazards are there? A common way to classify hazards is by category: Hazard and Risk - Hazard Identification CCOHS

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# Hazard and Risk - Hazard Identification (cont.) ## How do I know what is a hazard? (cont.) - Pinch points on machines (places where parts are very close together). - Objects that stick out (protrude) - Moving objects (conveyors, chains, belts, ropes, etc.) What could I fall from? (falls to lower levels) - Structures, tanks, silos. - Ladders, overhead walkways, elevating_platforms. - Roofs. - Trees or cliffs. - Trenches. What could I slip or trip on? (falls on the same level) - Obstructions on the floor and stairs. - Surface issues (wet, oily, icy, uneven). - Footwear that is in poor condition. How could I overexert myself? - Lifting (manual material handling). - Pulling or pushing. - Carrying. - Repetitive motions (work-related musculoskeletal disorders). - Awkward and static postures. What other situations could I come across? - Unknown or unauthorized people in the area. - A potentially violent situation. - Working alone. - Confined space. - Missing or damaged materials. - New equipment or procedures at the work site. - Fire or explosion. - Chemical spill or release. Hazard and Risk - Hazard Identification CCOHS

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# Fire Protection (cont.) ## What is an example of fire hazard audit/checklist? (cont.) <table><tr><th>Hazards</th><th>Y/N</th><th>Suggested Corrective Action</th></tr><tr><td>Ignition Sources</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Has the workplace taken fire safety precautions for operations that have exposed flames?</td><td></td><td>Isolate operations Do not store any combustible items near these operations Clean equipment and work areas before and after each use so that they are free from dusts and oil particles</td></tr><tr><td>Are all sources of ignition identified?</td><td></td><td>Identify all sources of ignition (e.g., sparks, welding, smoking, hot plates, pilot lights, space heaters, boilers, furnace, etc.) Make sure combustible or flammable items are not stored near ignition sources Ensure appropriate fire walls are erected around hot equipment when required Check ventilation rates for equipment and repair where appropriate</td></tr><tr><td>Are operations involving hot work such as welding, grinding, or cooking considered as potential source of fire hazard?</td><td></td><td>Make sure all the equipment and accessories used in hot work are in good working condition Separate hot work areas from other operations Keep combustible or flammable materials away from hot work areas Develop safe work procedures for operations involving hot work Use a "fire watch" attendant as necessary Use appropriate personal protective equipment such as face shield, respirators, eye protection, etc.</td></tr><tr><td>Has the use of a space heater been identified as a fire hazard?</td><td></td><td>Perform a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) audit to ensure the unit is</td></tr></table> Fire Protection CCOHS

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# Enclosure and Isolation (cont.) ## What should I know about personal protective equipment (PPE) as a hazard control method? (cont.) - Skin protection (e.g., coveralls, aprons, full body suits) - Gloves - Eye protection (e.g., face shield, goggles) - Foot protection - Hearing protective devices (e.g., ear plugs, ear muffs) The choice of what type of PPE is required must be based on the specific hazard found at the workplace. No matter which type of PPE is used, it is essential to have a complete PPE program in place. For more information about PPE programs, please see the following document Designing an Effective PPE Program. ## Can more than one control method be used or followed? Yes. Sometimes a hazard cannot be controlled using a single type of control method. If a hazard cannot be eliminated, a combination of controls may be required. For example: - Using a scissor lift instead of a ladder (substitution). Workers should be trained on the safe use of the equipment and follow safe work procedures (administrative controls). When working at heights, workers should also use PPE, including a full body harness and lanyard attached to an anchor point, there is a risk of injury from falling. - Driving in the winter for work. Controls may include not driving during extreme winter weather (elimination), determining if there are any other options for driving, such as public transit (substation), use of winter tires (engineering), and driver training (administrative). ## Should the adequacy of controls be reviewed or evaluated? Yes. It is important to determine the effectiveness of the control methods implemented and adjust as required. Controls must not create new hazards. For example, if wearing PPE contributes to other hazards (e.g., heat stress), then it is important to review if other control methods are possible or if additional precautions are needed. Monitor both the hazard and the control method to make sure that the control is working effectively…

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CCOHS CCHST Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety + Centre canadien d'hygiène et de sécurité au travail Hazard and Risk # Hazard and Risk - Hazard Identification ## On this page What is a hazard? What is hazard identification? When should hazard identification be done? How are hazards identified? What types of hazards are there? How do I know what is a hazard? Where can I find more information about hazards? What if I am new to the task or the workplace? ## What is a hazard? There are many definitions of hazard, but the most common definition when talking about workplace health and safety is "A hazard is any source of potential damage or harm to someone or something." The CSA Z1002 Standard "Occupational health and safety - Hazard identification and elimination and risk assessment and control" uses the following terms: - Harm - physical injury or damage to health. - Hazard - a potential source of harm to a worker. Basically, a hazard is the potential for harm or an adverse effect (for example, to people as health effects, to organizations as property or equipment losses, or to the environment). Please see the OSH Answers fact sheet on Hazard and Risk for more information. ## What is hazard identification? Hazard identification is part of the process used to evaluate if any particular situation, item, or thing may have the potential to cause harm. The term often used to describe the full process is risk assessment: Hazard and Risk - Hazard Identification CCOHS

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# Hazard and Risk - Hazard Identification (cont.) ## What types of hazards are there? (cont.) - Biological - bacteria, viruses, fungi, insects, plants, and animals. - Chemical - depends on the physical, chemical, and toxic properties of the product - Ergonomic - repetitive movements, improper setup of workstations, etc. - Physical - radiation, magnetic fields, temperature extremes, pressure extremes (high pressure or vacuum), noise, vibration, etc. - Psychosocial - stress, violence, harassment, etc. - Safety. - slipping or tripping hazards, inappropriate machine guarding, equipment malfunctions or breakdowns. ## How do I know what is a hazard? Another way to look at health and safety in your workplace is to ask yourself the following questions. These are examples only. You may find other items or situations that can be a hazard. List any item that should be examined. During the risk assessment process, the level of harm will be assessed. What materials or situations do I come into contact with? Possibilities could include: - Electricity. - Chemicals (liquids, gases, solids, mists, vapours, etc.). - Temperature extremes of heat or cold (such as working outdoors, bakeries, foundries, or meat processing). - lonizing and non-ionizing radiation (such as x-rays, ultraviolet (sun) rays). - Asphyxiants (oxygen deficiency) - Working on or near water or ice-covered water. What materials or equipment could I be struck by? - Moving objects (such as forklifts, overhead cranes, vehicles). - Flying objects (such as sparks or shards from grinding). - Falling material (such as tools and equipment from above). What objects or equipment could strike or hit my body, or that part of my body might be caught in, on, or between? - Stationary or moving objects. - Protruding objects. - Sharp or jagged edges. Hazard and Risk - Hazard Identification CCOHS

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# Subchapter 4. Construction Safety Orders (cont.) ## SUGGESTED SAFETY PROGRAM FOR CONTRACTORS GENERAL (cont.) 5. Display safety posters and warning signs. A sign indicating how many consecutive accident-free days have passed is often worthwhile. 6. Consider the advisability of posting a list of all foremen who have kept their crews accident free for a certain period of time. 7. Consider the advisability of establishing various forms of safety competition, including suitable rewards or recognition to individuals and crews with good records. 8. Require foremen to give individual safety instructions and orders, as needed, to new workers and those found to be working unsafely. 9. Consider the advisability of having the foremen call short "toolbox" or "tail-gate" safety meetings with their crews about once a week on the job, to emphasize some particular safety problem that needs special attention. 10. Keep track of your safety record and keep everyone posted as to progress. A graph or chart, indicating gains - or losses, is good for this purpose. 11. Encourage safety suggestions from all workers and, if the suggestion cannot be followed promptly, explain why to the worker. 12. Consider the advisability of giving each worker a copy of certain important safety rules that they are expected to follow. 13. Arrange for frequent and regular field safety inspections. - Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code. - History 1. Amendment filed 4-3-85, effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 14). 2. Change without regulatory effect deleting appendices' introduction and index and amending Plate A-1 filed 6- 14-93 pursuant to title 1, section 100, California Code of Regulations (Register 93, No. 25). ## PLATE A-2-a ## ADVANCE PLANNING SUGGESTED FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK Each operation of a construction job should be planned in advance. Such planning is needed at all stages of the project. It should start with the …