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Toolbox Talk: Verbal Communication

OSHA Training Toolbox Talk: Verbal Communication

September 13, 2020

Picture Source: https://communicationblog06.wordpress.com/2016/04/20/types-of-non-verbal-communication-and-there-impacts-on-public-speaking/

Verbal Communication

Every single day when we are around other people, we are communicating something to them regardless if we actually speak or not. The way we look at people, what we wear, our facial expressions, and our body language are just a few ways we communicate with others outside of spoken word. It is important to be aware of what message we are sending to those around us and how it is affecting them or the work you are completing.

Non Verbal and Verbal Communication

Most people would guess that verbal communication makes up the majority of communication. Studies show however that the majority of communication is actually nonverbal. This nonverbal communication is linked to actual words we say. The Non Verbal Group states, “Dr. Albert Mehrabian, author of Silent Messages, conducted several studies on nonverbal communication. He found that 7% of any message is conveyed through words, 38% through certain vocal elements, and 55% through nonverbal elements (facial expressions, gestures, posture, etc).” While this statement makes the claim that we overwhelmingly communicate non verbally, much of the communication is delivered through how we talk not so much as to what we say. When is the last time you have given thought to the link between how you communicate and the effect it has on the people around you?

Why We Need to Be Aware of How We Communicate

Everyone has worked with someone who is consistently negative and is hard to approach about anything. Oftentimes, most people do not want to approach these individuals or communicate with them due to how they communicate verbally and nonverbally. When an individual snaps back or approaches communication with others in a negative manner it is difficult to get any message across. Going back to the statistic about how communication is more about how we say something and less about what we actually say,

everyone should be aware of how they are coming across to others. When we pay no mind to how we communicate with each other, messages are lost or not conveyed at all. At work, communication is vital to being able to successfully work safely and efficiently. When everyone feels comfortable being able to approach each other it creates a healthier working environment. Effective and open communication creates a working environment that can lead to individuals feeling comfortable stopping work when needed, more hazards addressed, higher morale, less stress, and better cohesiveness between work groups.

Summary

Think about how you come off to others you are working with. Almost any problems in the workplace can be solved with effective and respectful conversations. Try to adjust the way you communicate verbally and nonverbally with others at work to enhance your working environment, not hurt it.

Toolbox Talk: Eliminations of Hazards

September 4, 2020

When discussing how to mitigate hazards in the workplace there is a hierarchy of controls that is often referred to. The safeguards we use to control hazards fall into the various levels on the hierarchy. The hierarchy of controls outlines the safeguards used to mitigate a hazard from most effective to least effective. A common version of the hierarchy from most effective to least effective control is listed as: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE (personal protective equipment). Elimination should always be considered first when attempting to mitigate hazards in the workplace.

Relying on Lower Levels of Controls

If we do not first attempt to eliminate or use effective engineering controls to protect ourselves against hazards, we have to resort to using some type of PPE or another less effective safeguard. This is not an effective way to prevent injuries and accidents. Safeguards that would fall under the PPE level of the hierarchy of controls are far less effective than safeguards that eliminate or engineer out hazards. An example would be relying on a pair of gloves to protect your fingers from a pinch point hazard instead of ensuring there is proper guarding around the pinch point. PPE should always be considered the last line of defense and employees should have this mindset as well.

Elimination

Elimination of hazards is the most effective way to protect employees against injuries. However, far too often companies or individual employees do not take the time to plan out work tasks or the time to actually eliminate the hazards they are faced with. Everyday millions of workers are faced with hazards that they do not need to be exposed to. Proper planning of work, thinking about alternative safer ways to complete a work task, and allocating the necessary resources to complete the task are some of the first steps supervisors can take to begin to eliminate hazards. At the worker level, hazard recognition and the elimination mindset is important to ensure any additional hazards are eliminated.

Quick Examples of Eliminating Hazards

John Smith sees a hammer hanging half way off of a piece of equipment that is being worked on and tells the mechanic it is up there. Instead of just not trying to knock the hammer off the elevated surface the mechanic decides to remove it and put it back on the tool bench. This ensures he or anyone else will not be struck by it falling.
Two cooks have cut their fingers while sharpening knives at XYZ Restaurant. The manager of the restaurant decided to make a new policy that knife sharpening is completed by a third party company and not by the cooks in the restaurant. The sharpeners are removed from the restaurant and the cooks are trained on the new policy.
ACME Construction Company is excavating and moving excessive dirt for a footer of a large warehouse. Due to excessive rain, the site conditions make it very dangerous for dump trucks to operate. The superintendent decides to shut down dump trucks for the day and have only the dozer operators to come in to dress up the site.

Discussion points:

-Are there hazards that we are relying on PPE or a lower level control to mitigate the hazard instead of eliminating it completely?

-Is there any other example of eliminating hazards that you can think of?

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

Toolbox Talk – Ladder Safety

Toolbox Talk - Ladder Safety

July 14, 2020

Many work site injuries are caused by accidents involving ladders that are not placed or used safely. It’s also important to exercise extreme caution while using a ladder, as a fall from a ladder can lead to serious injury and even death.

Some common causes of ladder injuries include:

mounting or dismounting the ladder improperly;
losing one’s balance;
failing to set up the ladder properly;
over-reaching while on the ladder;
mis-stepping while climbing or descending.

Statistics Concerning Ladder Dangers

According to the World Health Organization, the United States leads the world in ladder deaths. Each year, there are more than 164,000 emergency room-treated injuries and 300 deaths in the U.S. that are caused by falls from ladders.
Most ladder deaths are from falls of 10 feet or less.
Falls from ladders are the leading cause of deaths on construction sites.
Over the past decade, the number of people who have died from falls from ladders has tripled.

Ladder safety begins with selecting the right ladder for the job and includes inspection, setup, proper climbing or standing, proper use, care, and storage. This combination of safe equipment and its safe use can eliminate most ladder accidents.

Always check a ladder before using it. Inspect wood ladders for cracks or splits. Inspect metal and fiberglass ladders for bends and breaks. Never use a damaged ladder.

When setting up a ladder, make sure its straight and sitting firmly on the ground or floor. If one foot sits lower, build up the surface with firm material, don’t set it on boxes, bricks or other unstable bases. Lean the ladder against something solid, but not against a glass surface. Make sure the ladder is placed at a safe angle, with the base away from the wall or edge of the upper level about one foot for every four feet of vertical height. Keep ladders away from doorways or walkways, unless barriers can protect them.

Keep the steps and rungs of the ladder free of grease, paint, mud or other slippery material. And remember to clean debris off your shoes before climbing. Always face the ladder when climbing up or down, using both hands to keep a good grip on the rails or rungs. Never carry heavy or bulky loads up a ladder. Climb up yourself first, and then pull up the material with a rope or bucket.

Many ladder accidents occur because of slipping or skidding. You can prevent these accidents by equipping the ladder with non-slip safety feet, blocking its base or tying it to a sound, permanent structure.

Overreaching is the most common cause of falls from ladders. A good rule is to always keep your belt buckle inside the rails of a ladder. Do try to move a ladder while you’re on it by rocking, jogging or pushing it away from the supporting wall.

When choosing and using a ladder, keep the following in mind:

Choose the appropriate type and size ladder for the job, including correct fittings and safety feet.
Near electrical conductors or equipment, use only ladders with non-conductive side rails.
Set the ladder on solid footing, against a solid support.
Place the base of a straight ladder out away from the wall or edge of the upper level about one foot for every four feet of vertical height.
Be sure the side rails of straight ladders extend at least 36 inches above the landing.
Job-made ladder cleats must be 15-20 inches wide and uniformly spaced 12 inches apart vertically.
Never try to increase the height of a ladder by standing it on other objects, such as boxes or barrels or by splicing two ladders together.
Tie, block, or otherwise secure portable ladders against movement.
Keep ladders away from doorways or walkways, unless they can be protected by barriers.
Keep the area around the top and base of the ladder clear. Don’t run hoses, extension cords or ropes on a ladder; these may create obstructions.
To avoid slipping on a ladder, check your shoes for oil, grease, or mud and wipe it off before climbing.
Climb the ladder carefully, facing it and using both hands. Use a tool belt or hand line to carry materials.
Most ladders are designed to hold only one person at a time. Two persons may cause the ladder to fail or be thrown off balance.
Do not lean out to the side when you are on a ladder. If something is out of reach, get down and move the ladder.
Ladders should never be used sideways as platforms, runways, or scaffolds.

Tips for Choosing the Right Contractor

July 14, 2019

We know one of the biggest questions customers have when looking to start any type of construction project is, “Who do we hire, and how do we know they’re the right company for the job?” Choosing the right person or company for the right job is crucial. If you choose wrong, your project can quickly turn into a complete disaster. At BLM Construction & Remodeling, LLC we understand your concerns and we will be here to help guide you through the process whether you choose us for the project or not! We pride ourselves on having crystal clear pricing, easy to access schedule and job information, great customer service, fast and quality construction services, and multiple communication methods. Here are some great tips to help you choose the right people for the right job!

Take Your Time: It’s YOUR hard earned money so don’t feel like you need to rush the hiring process.

Check References: Make sure you check lots of reviews and don’t forget to ask around. If you know or find on the the contractors previous customers, here are some good questions you can ask:

Was the contractor on time and under budget?
How happy are you with the final product?
Did their work last?
How much of a down payment did they ask for?
How was their customer service? Were they easy to contact?
Did they answer questions?

You can even ask the contractor if they have any prior work that you can go and look at.

Ask Questions: Never be afraid to ask the contractor questions. Ask if they have a valid license; a good contractor will always have one. Ask if they are fully insured. Without insurance, if someone gets injured on the job site, they can go after you with a lawsuit.

Get a Contract: If you’ve found a potential contractor, make sure they have a proper contract. The contract should cover every detail of the job so you know exactly what to expect. It should include details on the products and material being used, subcontractors working on the project, as well as a clear payment schedule. Review the contract carefully, and do not sign anything until you are 100%.

Preparing for Your Construction Project!

July 7, 2020

BLM Construction & Remodeling gets asked by customers all the time, “How do we prepare for our construction project?” Once your job is defined, set up, and the process underway, here are some things you can do to get ready.

Login and get familiar with BuilderTrend: Create a reliable communication system with your contractor right off the bat. This will eliminate any confusion or discomfort during the process. BLM Construction uses a tool, called BuilderTrend, that is dedicated to making sure our clients know exactly what is happening on their job. Within seconds, you can login and get immediate updates and information, see when and who is working, view your timeline, inspect or upload progress pictures, and even pay your bill!
Know the Schedule: Work with your contractor to develop and understand the timeline. The timeline will highlight the dates and times work will be taking place and completed. This allows you not only to get mnentally prepared, but gives you plenty of time to get any preparations taken care of. Keeping yourself updated on the timeline, either through BuilderTrend or talking to the Job Manager, is also important. This way you’re not taken off guard by any sudden timeline changes due to weather or unforeseen events.
Get the space prepped: Remove all furniture, wall hangings, valuable items, etc. from the job area. This will ensure items will remain undamaged throughout the project. You should also store any items you do not need in a garage or basement. This will prevent your living space from becoming too cluttered and greatly increase the cleanliness and efficiency of the project. Depending on the size of the job, some of our clients rent a storage unit to store their furnishings and valuable items.
Keep yourself and your family safe: We ask that you please keep children and pets AWAY from the construction area. Also please refrain from performing any work on the project unless previously discussed with the Job Manager.
Know the job will look great: Renovations often create a LOT of mess so be prepared to be a bit uncomfortable with your surroundings. We’ll cover any construction or high traffic areas with sheets of plastic to protect your home. Be patient and relax. BLM Construction & Remodeling always cleans up after the project is done. We work on leaving your home or office better than we found it.

If you have any questions about how to get prepared for your project, or any concerns during the project, especially after the job is completed, please feel free to call your Job Manager or the office at 717-650-1472. You can even stop by at 2415 W Market St, York, PA 17404.

BLM Construction & Remodeling greatly appreciates the opportunity to work with you. We strive to complete your job on time, under budget, and above your expectations. Thank you!

Toolbox Talk – Hand Tools Safety

Toolbox Talk - Hand Tools Safety

June 23, 2020

Many workers routinely use hand tools and don’t think of them as dangerous, but accidents continue to occur. Hand tools include hammers, screwdrivers, saws, wrenches, cutters, tape measures, sledge hammers, cat’s paws, chisels, punches, pipe wrenches, pliers, and planes, just to name a few. Each tool is designed to do a specific task. The greatest hazards posed by a hand tool are from their misuse or improper maintenance. It’s up to you to select the right tool for the job and to use and care for it properly.

Hand tool safety begins by selecting the right tool for the task and using it the way it was designed. Using the wrong tool for a job is likely to result in an accident. Before you start a job, inspect the tool for defects. Check to be sure that the handle fits tightly into the head, especially with a cutting tool such as an axe. Replace cracked, splintered or broken handles and worn jaws on wrenches or pliers. Replace or repair broken tools and/or power cords. Keep tools clean, sharp and in good condition so they’ll be ready for use the next time. When you’ve finished the job, return tools to their proper storage position protected from unintended contact.

If possible, choose tools designed to keep your wrist straight not bent. Pull on wrenches or pliers don’t push on them and avoid applying excessive force. When using a cutting tool, hold its handle firmly in the palm of your hand and cut away from your body never towards it. Carry sharp tools away from your body, never in your pocket. Keep pointed or sharp tools away from walkways where they could injure someone passing by.

Tools should never be tossed to another worker, surface or height; they should be handed securely to another worker or placed directly on another surface or level. If working on a ladder or scaffold, tools should be raised or lowered using a bucket and hand line. Never carry tools in a way that may interfere with your using both hands on a ladder or climbing on a structure.

Remember to wear personal protective equipment when using certain tools. Wear hearing protection when using power saws, drills or other noise-generating tools. If a task involves getting close to pointed objects or branches – like when pruning- or if work could possibly generate flying objects or dust, protect your eyes by wearing safety glasses with side shields or safety goggles. When gloves are necessary, make sure they fit properly. Gloves that are too loose, tight or bulky could contribute to hand fatigue or injury.

As the tool handler, think of your safety first, but also be aware of others around you when using tool, so you don’t involve them in an accident. If you have any question about the use, condition or care of a tool, talk to your supervisor.

Toolbox Talk – Fall Prevention

Toolbox Talk - Fall Prevention

May 12, 2020

Preventing Trip Hazards in the Workplace

If you really think about it, the mere act of walking is actually a very complex task. You have to raise one foot and move it forward just the right distance, then place it back down and retain your balance as you, almost simultaneously, repeat the process with the other foot. Yet for most able-bodied people, walking from one place to another happens with very little, if any, conscious effort, almost like you are on auto-pilot. But when something unexpectedly impedes the forward movement of one of your feet, it can cause you to trip and fall.

So, here are a few things we can do as individuals to eliminate, or at least minimize, trip hazards at work and home.

Do not place extension cords, hoses, or similar items across designated walking paths. Or, if doing so on a temporary basis is absolutely unavoidable for some reason, be certain to make the hazard highly visible by placing safety cones or other effective warning devices to alert others of its presence until it can be removed.
Same thing goes for setting bags, boxes, tools, or other items in designated walking areas, even temporarily. Instead, place such items on counters or appropriate storage areas.
Be on the lookout for any damaged flooring surfaces, such as broken or missing tiles, broken concrete, or edges of carpet that have come loose from the floor. If you do see such a hazard, take immediate steps to alert others, and then report it to your supervisor or safety representative so it can be repaired.
Always pre-survey areas where you will be walking while carrying any large object, such as a box, that could block your view, so you can relocate any tripping hazards beforehand.
Always keep a firm grip with one hand on a handrail when ascending stairs. That will give you something to hold on to should you catch the toe of your shoe or boot on the edge of a step. Of course, you should hold the handrail when descending stairs, too.
Avoid walking in areas where there is little or no light. It is too easy to trip on or over something if you cannot see it in the dark. Take the time to make sure the overhead lights are turned on, if available, and if not, use a flashlight or other portable light source to help you see. Report burned out lightbulbs, too.
Last but not least, avoid walking backwards. It is very easy to trip backwards over something on the floor that you cannot see. And it’s harder to recover your balance if you do happen to trip.

Diligence in identifying and avoiding trip hazards is the key to avoiding falls.