Safe Work PracticesSafe Work Practiceswith Ladders, Electricity, with Ladders, Electricity, Powered Tools, and Material Powered Tools, and Material HandlingHandling

Mercy HousingMercy Housing

Ladder AccidentsLadder Accidents

• An analysis of accidents involving An analysis of accidents involving ladders revealed that the four major ladders revealed that the four major causes of such accidents are:causes of such accidents are:

1.1. Ascending or descending improperlyAscending or descending improperly

2.2. Failure to secure ladder at top and/or Failure to secure ladder at top and/or bottombottom

3.3. Structural failure of the ladder itselfStructural failure of the ladder itself

4.4. Carrying objects in hands while ascending Carrying objects in hands while ascending or descending or descending

Ladder Angle

Non-self-supporting ladders, are to be positioned at such an angle that for every 4 feet the ladder goes up, the ladder base is 1 foot out from the base of the structure.

             

Ladders and Slipping

Ladders are to be kept free of oil, grease, wet paint, and other slipping hazards.

Wood ladders must not be coated with any opaque covering, except identification or warning labels on one face only of a side rail.

Ladder SafetyLadder Safety

• Keep the area around the top and bottom of the Keep the area around the top and bottom of the ladder clearladder clear

• Secure ladders to prevent accidental movement due Secure ladders to prevent accidental movement due to workplace activityto workplace activity

• Only use ladders on stable and level surfaces, unless Only use ladders on stable and level surfaces, unless securedsecured

• Do not use ladders on slippery surfaces unless Do not use ladders on slippery surfaces unless secured or provided with slip-resistant feet. Also, use secured or provided with slip-resistant feet. Also, use a second employee to brace the laddera second employee to brace the ladder

• If using ladders where the employee or the ladder If using ladders where the employee or the ladder could contact exposed energized electrical could contact exposed energized electrical equipment, they must have nonconductive siderails equipment, they must have nonconductive siderails such as wood or fiberglasssuch as wood or fiberglass..

Ladder SafetyLadder Safety

• Do not use the top or top step of a Do not use the top or top step of a stepladder as a stepstepladder as a step

• Face the ladder when going up or Face the ladder when going up or downdown

• Use at least one hand to grab the Use at least one hand to grab the ladder when going up or downladder when going up or down

• Do not carry any object or load that Do not carry any object or load that could cause you to lose balancecould cause you to lose balance

Electrical Terminology

Current – the movement of electrical charge

Resistance – opposition to current flowVoltage – a measure of electrical forceConductors – substances, such as

metals, that have little resistance to electricity

Insulators – substances, such as wood, rubber, glass, and bakelite, that have high resistance to electricity

Grounding – a conductive connection to the earth which acts as a protective measure

Electrical Shock

Received when current passes through the body

Severity of the shock depends on: Path of current through the

body Amount of current flowing

through the body Length of time the body is in

the circuit LOW VOLTAGE DOES NOT MEAN

LOW HAZARD

How is an electrical shock received? When two wires have different potential

differences (voltages), current will flow if they are connected together In most household wiring, the black wires

are at 110 volts relative to ground The white wires are at zero volts because

they are connected to ground If you come into contact with an energized

(live) black wire, and you are also in contact with the white grounded wire, current will pass through your body and YOU WILL RECEIVE A SHOCK

How is an electrical shock received? (cont’d)

If you are in contact with an energized wire or any energized electrical component, and also with any grounded object, YOU WILL RECEIVE A SHOCK

You can even receive a shock when you are not in contact with a ground If you contact both wires of a 240-volt

cable, YOU WILL RECEIVE A SHOCK and possibly be electrocuted

Ground-Fault Circuit InterrupterGround-Fault Circuit Interrupter

This device protects you from dangerous This device protects you from dangerous shockshock

The GFCI detects a difference in current The GFCI detects a difference in current between the black and white circuit wires between the black and white circuit wires (This could happen when electrical (This could happen when electrical equipment is not working correctly, causing equipment is not working correctly, causing current “leakage” – known as a current “leakage” – known as a ground fault.ground fault.))

If a ground fault is detected, the GFCI can If a ground fault is detected, the GFCI can shut off electricity flow in as little as shut off electricity flow in as little as 1/40 of a 1/40 of a secondsecond, protecting you from a dangerous , protecting you from a dangerous shockshock

Use of Flexible CordsUse of Flexible Cords

More vulnerable than fixed wiringMore vulnerable than fixed wiring Do not use if one of the recognized Do not use if one of the recognized

wiring methods can be used wiring methods can be used insteadinstead

Flexible cords can be damaged by:Flexible cords can be damaged by: AgingAging Door or window edgesDoor or window edges Staples or fasteningsStaples or fastenings Abrasion from adjacent Abrasion from adjacent

materialsmaterials Activities in the areaActivities in the area

Improper use of flexible cords can Improper use of flexible cords can cause shocks, burns or firecause shocks, burns or fire

Clues that ElectricalClues that ElectricalHazards ExistHazards Exist

Tripped circuit breakers or blown fusesTripped circuit breakers or blown fuses Warm tools, wires, cords, connections, or Warm tools, wires, cords, connections, or

junction boxesjunction boxes GFCI that shuts off a circuitGFCI that shuts off a circuit Worn or frayed insulation around wire or Worn or frayed insulation around wire or

connectionconnection

Powered ToolsPowered Tools

• Always follow the manufacturers instructions and intended Always follow the manufacturers instructions and intended use of the tooluse of the tool

• Never carry a tool by the cord or hose. Never carry a tool by the cord or hose.

• Never yank the cord or the hose to disconnect it from the Never yank the cord or the hose to disconnect it from the receptacle. receptacle.

• Keep cords and hoses away from heat, oil, and sharp Keep cords and hoses away from heat, oil, and sharp edges. edges.

• Disconnect tools when not in use, before servicing, and Disconnect tools when not in use, before servicing, and when changing accessories such as blades, bits and cutters when changing accessories such as blades, bits and cutters

Powered ToolsPowered Tools

• All observers should be kept at a safe distance away from the All observers should be kept at a safe distance away from the work area. work area.

• Secure work with clamps or a vise, freeing both hands to Secure work with clamps or a vise, freeing both hands to operate the tool. operate the tool.

• Avoid accidental starting. The worker should not hold a finger Avoid accidental starting. The worker should not hold a finger on the switch button while carrying a plugged-in tool. on the switch button while carrying a plugged-in tool.

• Tools should be maintained with care. They should be kept Tools should be maintained with care. They should be kept sharp and clean for the best performance. Follow instructions sharp and clean for the best performance. Follow instructions in the user's manual for lubricating and changing accessories. in the user's manual for lubricating and changing accessories.

• Be sure to keep good footing and maintain good balance.Be sure to keep good footing and maintain good balance.

Powered ToolsPowered Tools

• The proper apparel should be worn. Loose clothing, The proper apparel should be worn. Loose clothing, ties, or jewelry can become caught in moving parts. ties, or jewelry can become caught in moving parts.

• All portable electric tools that are damaged shall be All portable electric tools that are damaged shall be removed from use and tagged "Do Not Use."removed from use and tagged "Do Not Use."

• Guards shall always be installed during operation of Guards shall always be installed during operation of the tool. In particular, this pertains to chop saws on the tool. In particular, this pertains to chop saws on Mercy Housing properties.Mercy Housing properties.

• Proper hand and eye protection shall be worn at all Proper hand and eye protection shall be worn at all times.times.

Powered ToolsPowered Tools

• Ergonomic ConcernsErgonomic Concerns– Most musculoskeletal disorders caused by trauma Most musculoskeletal disorders caused by trauma

due to:due to:• RepetitionRepetition

• Awkward positioningAwkward positioning

• Excessive and unnecessary forceExcessive and unnecessary force

• Prolonged periods of time in one positionProlonged periods of time in one position

– Rely on the weight of the tool or your body rather Rely on the weight of the tool or your body rather than upper body strengththan upper body strength

Material HandlingMaterial Handling

Use slow and smooth movementsUse slow and smooth movements Keep your body square with the objectKeep your body square with the object Carry the load between your shoulders and Carry the load between your shoulders and

waistwaist Try to arrange lifting tasks by storing heavy Try to arrange lifting tasks by storing heavy

loads at waist height to reduce the effort loads at waist height to reduce the effort needed to lift them.needed to lift them.

Avoid storing heavy items blow the knee or Avoid storing heavy items blow the knee or above shoulder height.above shoulder height.

Proper Lifting Technique

Assess the weight of the load

Face the object Ensure a good grip on the

load Bend at the knees Keep back straight Keep the load close to the

body Lift the load with your legs…

not back! Minimize twisting or rotating

load

Lifting SafetyLifting Safety

• Seek help:Seek help:• When a load is too bulky to When a load is too bulky to

properly grasp or lift properly grasp or lift

• When you can’t see around or When you can’t see around or over the loadover the load

• When you can’t safely handle When you can’t safely handle the loadthe load

• Attach handles to loads to Attach handles to loads to reduce the chances of getting reduce the chances of getting fingers smashed.fingers smashed.

Safe Work Practices with Ladders, Safe Work Practices with Ladders, Electricity, Powered Tools, and Material Electricity, Powered Tools, and Material HandlingHandling

If you have any questions on these areas, If you have any questions on these areas, contact your supervisor or submit using contact your supervisor or submit using the “ASK THE EXPERT” menu selection on the “ASK THE EXPERT” menu selection on this website.this website.