Safety in Operations and Maintenance

1. Safety in Operations and Maintenance General Policy Guidelines

2. Safety ResponsibilitiesTo maintain Safe job performance, each employee should: • Be familiar with all safety rules, regulations, and standards; • Be familiar with job hazards and safety guidelines; • Maintain required physical condition; • Inform supervisors of unsafe conditions and injuries; • Visually inspect all work areas and equipment; and • Take prudent action to prevent accidents.

3. Supervisors should: • Ensure that employees are properly trained; • Ensure accountability; • Implement and supplement applicable safety directives; and • Advise supervisors and safety officers concerning safety matters.

4. Upper Managers should: • Give priority to accident prevention; • Ensure that supervisors and managers accept appropriate safety accountability; • Consider safety aspects of all operations; • Integrate safety into all management functions.

5. Fundamentals of Safety • Accident prevention requires the wholehearted cooperation of all employees. • A capable, mentally alert employee will avoid accidents. • Unsafe workers are a danger to themselves, co-workers, and the public. • An unsafe worker is always inefficient. • Accidents do not “just happen.” They are the result of unsafe acts or unsafe conditions or a combination of both.

6. Examples of Unsafe Conditions • Unguarded—unshielded moving parts of machines, saws, etc.; unenclosed live circuits or high voltage equipment. • Inadequately Guarded—Insufficient warning signs, guards, or makeshift barriers. • Defective Material or Equipment—split handles, mushroomed chisels, weak equipment, etc. • Hazardous Arrangements—poor housekeeping, unsafe planning, inadequate working space, etc.

7. Unsafe clothing—Wearing neckties or jewelry when working near machinery; failure to use goggles, respiratory protection, proper shoes, rubber gloves, etc. • Improper Illumination—Insufficient light, glare, objectionable shadows, etc. • Unsafe Design and Construction • Improper Ventilation—Insufficient change of air, harmful vapor, dust or gas, etc. • High noise level areas and equipment

8. Unsafe Acts which may cause accidents: • Operating without Guards or Warning—operating hoists and trucks without warning, failure to block or place warning signs where needed, etc. • Operating or Working at Unsafe Speed– driving too fast, throwing material or tools to another worker, jumping from vehicles or platforms

9. Making Safety Devices Inoperative—removing guards, using oversize fuses, blocking safety valves, etc. • Using Unsafe Equipment or improperly dull cutting tools, mushroom head chisels, pipe extensions on wrenches, wrong tool for the job. • Unsafe Loading, Placing or Mixing—overloading cranes and winches, carrying too heavy a load, leaving objects where they may cause a fall, mixing chemicals to form a dangerous mixture, etc.

10. Taking Unsafe Position or Posture—walking under suspended loads, lifting from awkward positions, passing on hills or curves, riding in bed of pickup truck, etc. • Working on Dangerous Equipment—cleaning, oiling or adjusting moving machinery; working on live electrical equipment, etc. • Distracting, teasing, startling, practical joking, horseplay, quarreling, or annoying • Failure to use safe clothing or protective equipment.

11. Essentials of Accident Prevention • Safety Training of Employees • Providing workers with safe working conditions • Inspection of work habits and equipment • Enforcement of safe practices • Thorough investigation and complete report of all accidents. • Posting of safety posters and bulletins for all employees to read

12. Accident Reports and Records • Analysis of accident records is essential to the prevention of accidents. • What are the most frequently encountered types of accidents? • Where did they occur? • How severe were they? • What factors were involved? • You need accurate and complete records!

13. General Guidelines for Accident Reporting • Every employee injury should be promptly reported to his/her supervisor. • Any employee injury occurring during work and requiring the service of a physician should be reported in writing. • Accidents (or “near misses”) which do not result in personal injury should also be reported in writing and investigated.

14. If an injury results in loss of time beyond that of the day of the injury, then the employee should have clearance from a physician before returning to duty. • If an accident results in damage to agency or organization property, it should be reported to the supervisor along with pertinent details. • Injuries to persons other than employees, or damage to non-agency property, must be reported immediately

15. If an accident results in injury to a person or equipment not owned by the agency, the employee should obtain pertinent information, including names and addresses of witnesses and details relating to the accident. Evidence should be preserved until investigation is complete. • Employees should make no statement whatsoever concerning the settlement of claims, promises for injuries or damages, or any statement as to who was at fault.

16. The supervisor is responsible for seeing that the employees comply with the regulations and procedures relating to accident reporting. • The supervisor should investigate every accident or “near miss” to determine the cause and what action is needed to prevent a reoccurrence

17. Employee Responsibilities • Employees must remain alert at all times. • Employees must inspect all tools, equipment, and areas and remedy any potentially unsafe conditions before commencing any work. • Employees must use all protective equipment provided by the employer. • Employees must never be so busy that they neglect safety in the interest of saving time. • Employees must warn each other about hazards and unsafe practices.

18. No employee should ever work any “live” electrical equipment of machinery for which he/she has not been thoroughly trained and properly qualified unless it is under the direct supervision of a properly qualified person. • If an employee is physically or mentally unable to perform his/her duties safely, he/she must report this promptly to his/her supervisor.

19. Supervisory Responsibilities • If two or more workers are on the same job, one should be designated in charge of the project. • Supervisors must see that there is strict compliance with all safety rules and regulations. • Supervisors must determine that employees assigned to a job are competent and proficient and that they are wearing appropriate clothing and protective gear.

20. Supervisors are responsible for the proper inspection, use and maintenance of all tools, equipment and protective devices, and for correcting defects in any equipment or apparatus. • Supervisors are responsible for good “housekeeping” in their work areas. • Supervisors are responsible for maintaining fire extinguishing equipment and first aid kits in their areas. • AED units should be periodically checked.

21. Both supervisors and employees are responsible for protecting the public—for regular inspection of the premises for any dangerous conditions. • Supervisors should supervise rather than engage in the actual work in dangerous situations (working around live wires, etc.) so that they may oversee safety and summon assistance if needed.

22. Housekeeping • “Housekeeping” refers to the maintenance of a neat and orderly work place. • Much of this is common sense—keeping stairways, aisles and fire escapes clear of obstructions; placing tools and materials where they do not cause tripping or stumbling hazards; cleaning up oil or water spills; storing oily rags in metal containers; taking care of disposal of broken glass; keeping truck cabs and beds neat and safe, etc.

23. Fire Prevention • Good housekeeping—do not accumulate waste paper, rags and combustibles. • Store flammable liquids in appropriate locations and safe containers, label them, store them away from open flames or sources of ignition. • Be certain employees know the location of and proper use of fire extinguishers. • Remove weeds/vegetation from around storage yards and structures. • Prohibit smoking/open flames where necessary.

24. Fire Extinguishing Equipment • Class A—ordinary combustible materials (paper, wood, etc.)—use foam, dry chemical, or water type extinguishers. • Class B—(flammable liquids, gases, greases)—use carbon dioxide, dry chemical, foam extinguishers (not water!) • Class C—energized electrical equipment—use carbon dioxide or dry chemical extinguishers (but not water!) • Class D—combustible metals (magnesium, sodium, etc.)—don’t even mess with this.

25. Protecting the Public • Employees must inspect for dangerous conditions and either make them safe or warn the public about the danger. • For work in progress, erect signs, barricades or other warnings. • Place barriers around open manholes, exposed open ditches and excavations. Board over excavations to prevent accidental falls. • Place red lights or reflectors around obstructions/excavations, etc. at night.

26. Eye Protection • Use goggles or other approved eye protection devices where there is a danger from flying particles, acids, caustic substances, harmful light rays, etc. • Eye protection should be mandated for any welding; chipping, grinding or buffing; drilling, cutting or breaking masonry; handling acids or caustics; power tool operation; chain saw operation, or using lawn equipment.

27. Cleaning Solvents • Flammable solvents such as gasoline should not be used for cleaning. • Some solvents may not be particularly flammable, but may be caustic or corrosive. In such cases, use goggles and rubber gloves. • Alcohol and other solvents can be used to clean brushes, etc., but the area should be well-ventilated and free of open flames. • Certain solvents such as carbon tetra-chloride are toxic and should not be used.

28. Material Storage • Stored materials should be arranged so that they are not top heavy and weights should be distributed evenly. • Sand, gravel, stone, etc. is heavy and should not be stored inside buildings not designed to support that weight. • Poles, pipes, lumber, etc. should be stored in racks designed to safely contain them. • Bricks should be stacked and banded or cross-tied.

29. Lifting and Carrying • Use back belts when lifting heavy objects, keeping your back close to vertical and lifting with your leg muscles. • Bulky loads should never obstruct the view ahead. • Heavy timbers, steel girders, pipes, etc. should be lowered into place, never dropped. • Use blocks and tackles, jacks, etc. when practical.

30. Hazardous Substances • Noise is a hazard—levels should be at or less than 90 dB. There should be no exposure at over 115 dB, and no more than 15 minutes per day at the 115 dB level. Earplugs or muffs should be used in all noisy environments. • Batteries, and battery charging can be dangerous. Short circuits and incorrectly connected jumper cables can result in explosions and severe acid burns

31. Carbon monoxide gas is colorless, odorless, non-irritating and tasteless, and can be fatal or result in severe brain damage. Do not run gasoline engines in enclosed buildings. • Employees handling lime or cement should wear protective clothing, including goggles, dust respirators and gloves. • Paint fumes should not be inhaled—have adequate ventilation.

32. Pesticides, herbicides, and chemical sprays should not be inhaled or come in contact with skin. Do not spray while smoking or in the presence of open flames. • When using weed killers, stand upwind to avoid inhaling spray, wear a face shield when mixing and applying; wear protective gloves and long sleeve shirts as well as rubber boots. • Never mix “Roundup” in a galvanized container—a combustible mixture can result.

33. Operations—SOPStandard Operating Procedure • Standard Operating Procedures should be developed for all normal operations and should include a listing of required safety equipment and procedures. • OSHA prescribes certain safety measures which must be undertaken and which, if not applied, can result in fines and exposure to lawsuits. OSHA 1926.100 prescribes that hard hats are to be worn at outdoor worksites and in some other areas.

34. Sample SOP – Machetes5 Steps • Be sure that other personnel are clear of your swing. • Watch for overhead vines or brush that may deflect your blow. • The path of the blade should never be directed at your legs or any other part of your body. • Keep machetes sharp and sheathed when not in use. • Personal protection to be used: Eye protection and gloves.

35. Sample SOP – Ladders11 Steps • All new ladders should be inspected for defects upon receipt. • Ladders should not be painted, and they should be kept clean so that any defects will be visible. • Short ladders should not be spliced to make longer ladders. • If it is necessary to use ladders in strong winds or on unstable ground they should be securely lashed and guarded at the base by another workman. A solid footing should be provided for all ladders.

36. When using a ladder for access to high places, it should be secured to prevent slipping. • Conventional ladders should never be placed or used on moveable objects. • Under normal conditions, ladders should be placed so that the distance from the supporting surface to the base of the ladder is approximately one-fourth of the length of the ladder. • Be sure shoes are not greasy, muddy, or slippery before climbing ladders.

37. Keep both hands free and grasp side rails while climbing. Hoist materials or tools with a hand line. • Metal ladders are electrical conductors and shall not be used in electrical work or around electrical equipment. • When using stepladders, be sure cross braces are securely locked

38. Sample SOP—Chain Saws25 steps • Because of safety and ease in handling, a small, light-weight saw should be used when the size of the timber being cut permits. • Carry the saw by the handle with the blade to the rear. • Care should be exercised in footing and in refraining from awkward positions both when working and when carrying chain saws. • Lift with your legs, not your back.

39. Saws shall be securely lashed or tied while being transported in trucks. • Keep a firm grip on the saw. If it kicks back and falls from any cause while running, it may cause a severe injury. • Watch out for falling wood from overhead due to vibration of the tree. • Do not inhale exhaust gases. • Eye protection, ear protection, gloves and chaps, and helmet shall be worn to protect from sawdust, twigs, noise, and falling debris.

40. Do not touch the muffler or hot cylinder head. • Choose your workplace so you will not be struck by the branch or log you are cutting or by other branches it may dislodge. • Clear away stones, earth, and bark so chain cannot throw them in your direction. • Know the manufacturer’s handbook for the saw you are using. • Swing the saw so that you do not cut yourself or others.

41. Before you start the motor, make sure the saw is not touching anything. • Do not smoke while filling gasoline tanks. • Stop the motor while filling gasoline tanks and do not spill gasoline on hot cylinder head. • Use a gasoline can with a spout or use a funnel to fill the gasoline tank. • Fill the tank only on an area of bare ground. • Use proper gasoline and oil mixture to minimize carbonization.

42. Do not start the motor where the tank is filled. • Keep the entire saw clear of gasoline, oil, and sawdust. • A fire extinguisher should be readily available. • The chain should be checked for tension frequently during use. • Avoid working alone when using a chain saw. If you do work alone, have someone check on you often.

43. Sample SOP –Electrical Hazard 9 Steps • All wire and apparatus should be of a type approved by the Underwriters Laboratories Incorporated. • Loose wires hanging from buildings, poles, or across roads should not be touched. A safe practice is to assume all wires are LIVE. • Insulation on wire should not be completely trusted.

44. Double-insulated portable electric tools should be used or the frame on the tools shall be grounded by a grounding plug. • Switches should not be located where there are flammable vapors unless they are the special sparkproof type. • Cords with defective or broken insulation shall not be used. • Non-metallic tools shall be used in electrical work whenever possible. • Only authorized personnel will perform electrical work.

45. Main power disconnect switches shall be locked in the OFF position when maintenance and repairs are made on electrically powered equipment or machinery. • When using electrical equipment in a wet environment, always use grounded plugs in a ground fault interrupter circuit (GFI) to minimized the danger of electric shock.

46. Links • OSHA http://www.osha.gov • Public Playground Safety Checklist http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/327.html

50. Credits Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Park Operations Division, Public Lands Safety Manual, 1993