August 2020 – BLM Construction & Remodeling, LLC

Toolbox Talk: Distracted Driving (Cellphone Use)

August 28, 2020

Using cellphones or other devices while driving has proven to be deadly. Cellphone use during driving is very prevalent on our roads today. In fact, at any given time throughout the day, approximately 660,000 drivers are attempting to use their phones while behind the wheel of an automobile.

Smartphones have made it easy for us to stay connected at all times. But that can pose serious safety risks if someone decides to check his or her text messages, emails, phone calls, or any other mobile applications while driving.

Statistics on Cell Phone Use and Driving

The National Safety Council reports that cell phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year.
In 2013, 3,154 people were killed in distraction-related crashes.
Nearly 330,000 injuries occur each year from accidents caused by texting while driving.1 out of every 4 car accidents in the United States is caused by texting and driving.
Texting while driving is 6x more likely to cause an accident than driving drunk.
Answering a text takes away your attention for about five seconds. Traveling at 55 mph, that’s enough time to travel the length of a football field.
Texting while driving causes a 400% increase in time spent with eyes off the road.
Of all cell phone related tasks, texting is by far the most dangerous activity.

Best Practices

Put the cell phone down while driving.
If you need to text or call while driving pull over to safe area to do so.
When traveling as a passenger, urge any driver who is using their cellphone to put it down.
If there is another driver on the road who is using a phone while driving, maintain a safe distance from them and be a defensive driver. Always leave yourself an out in case of any type of accident occurs around your vehicle.

Discussion Point: How often do you see others texting and driving on the road?

Source: https://www.safetytalkideas.com/safetytalks/distracted-driving-cellphones/

Toolbox Talk – Asbestos in Construction

Toolbox Talk - Asbestos in Construction

August 20, 2020

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring minerals. Asbestos differs from other minerals, in that it forms long thin fibers instead of crystals. It is used in many products because of their high tensile strength, flexibility, and resistance to chemical and thermal breakdown. Asbestos is used in insulation, fireproofing materials, automotive brakes, cement and wallboard materials, floor tiles and roofing material

Who is at risk of asbestos exposure?

The construction trades most at risk from asbestos are: insulators, plumbers, pipefitters, electricians, sheet metal workers, roofers, bricklayers, painters, and steel workers. Any construction worker may be exposed during maintenance, remodeling, renovation or demolition of older buildings.

How can you become exposed?

Disturbing asbestos materials may generate airborne asbestos fibers. Asbestos is only dangerous if it becomes airborne. To be a significant health concern, asbestos fibers must be inhaled over an extended period of time. As exposure increases, the risk of asbestos related diseases also increases. As long as asbestos containing materials are not damaged, the asbestos fibers do not become airborne and do not pose a health threat.

Asbestos is well recognized as a health hazard and its use is now highly regulated by both OSHA and EPA. Asbestos fibers associated with these health risks are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Breathing asbestos fibers can cause a buildup of scar-like tissue in the lungs called asbestosis and result in loss of lung function that often progresses to disability and death. Asbestos also causes cancer of the lung and other diseases such as mesothelioma of the pleura which is a fatal malignant tumor of the membrane lining the cavity of the lung or stomach.

How to protect yourself?

Before you disturb asbestos (loosen the fibers) you must have special training. OSHA requires a “competent person” to be designated for all worksites that will involve asbestos work. The competent person should inspect the jobsite regularly, be knowledgeable of personal protective equipment, and supervise the work to be done to ensure all safety measures are being taken to prevent exposure to asbestos.

There is no “safe” level of asbestos exposure for any type of asbestos fiber. Asbestos exposures as short in duration as a few days have caused mesothelioma in humans. Every occupational exposure to asbestos can cause injury of disease; every occupational exposure to asbestos contributes to the risk of getting an asbestos related disease. Where there is exposure, employers are required to further protect workers by establishing regulated areas, controlling certain work practices and instituting engineering controls to reduce the airborne levels. The employer is required to ensure exposure is reduced by using administrative controls and provide for the wearing of personal protective equipment. Medical monitoring of workers is also required when legal limits and exposure times are exceeded.

Sources:

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/asbestos/

https://www.statefundca.com/Home/StaticIndex?id=https://content.statefundca.com//safety/safetymeeting/SafetyMeetingArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2

Toolbox Talk – Wood Dust Safety

Toolbox Talk - Wood Dust Safety

August 4, 2020

What is wood dust?

Wood dust is not just dust! Wood dust is tiny particles of wood produced during the processing and handling of wood, chipboard, and/or hardboard. Exposure to wood dust occurs in many industries, including logging and sawmill operations, furniture and paper manufacturing, and construction of residential and commercial buildings. Workers are potentially exposed when wood is sawn, chipped, routed or sanded.

Health Hazards

Exposure to wood dust may cause health problems. Negative health effects associated with wood dust exposure include dermatitis and/or allergic respiratory effects. When a worker becomes sensitized to wood dust, he or she can suffer an allergic reaction after repeated exposures. Other health effects from wood dust are eye irritation, asthma, nasal dryness and obstruction, and frequent headaches. The natural chemicals in the wood that appear to be associated with allergic reactions are found in the inner parts of the tree or heartwood.

Wood may also contain biological or chemical contaminants. Biological contaminants include molds and fungi, which often grow on the bark of the tree. Wood may also be treated with chemicals to assist in preservation of the wood. Common wood preservatives are arsenic, chromium, copper, and creosote. Processing preserved wood may generate wood dusts that contain the chemical preservatives, compounding the potential health effects.

Safety Hazards

Concentrations of small dust particles in the air can form a mixture that will explode if ignited. This type of situation may occur in dust collection equipment. Wood dust will also burn easily if ignited. Overheated motors or sparks can start wood dust fires.

Wood dust on the floor can cause tripping or slipping. Vision can be impaired from airborne dust generated during wood processing. Wood dust is classified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as a hazardous chemical and is subject to the Hazard Communication Standard.

Regulating Wood Dust

Until 1985, wood dust was regulated by OSHA under the Nuisance Dust Standard. Research has shown us that wood dust is not just dust. Different types of wood dust have different effects on workers. Hardwoods and softwoods have different airborne levels of Permissible Exposure Limits. Hardwoods, such as beech and oak, are listed as having more severe health hazards associated with them than softwoods. Western Red Cedar was placed in a category by itself as an allergic species of wood.

Safe Work Practices

Some possible methods to reduce and/or minimize wood dust levels are:

Good housekeeping.
Do NOT use compressed air to clean work surfaces (sweep or vacuum the dust).
If feasible, use local exhaust ventilation to capture and remove dust from woodworking equipment.
Ensure dust control equipment is properly maintained
Use wet methods where appropriate to minimize dust generation