Connecticut Association of Housing Code Enforcement Officials, Inc.

1. Code Enforcers Safety Awareness Phil Cundiff Connecticut Association of Housing Code Enforcement Officials, Inc.

2. Why Safety??? • Safety Programs you should know • Personal Protection Equipment • Personal safety Tips Today’s Topics

3. do you enter?

4. Every year Health/Code Enforcement Officers are suffering death, injuries or illnesses due to: • Violence • Slips and falls • Struck by accidents • Vehicle accidents • Contact with chemicals, blood/body fluids, organic materials, gases, vapors & animals • Just to name a few Why Safety?

5. Death, injuries and illnesses • If you don’t think about yourself think about your family • Awareness becomes compliance • The more you stress safety the more it becomes routine • Safety is 90% mental and 10% physical • Firefighter example Why Safety?

6. What we will be covering in the next few minutes are work related items you definitely don’t want to bring home to your families. • Not intended to keep you from doing your job, but to do it safely. • The more you know, the better you will perform in real situations! Information

7. Job hazard analysis or task risk assessment Workplace violence awareness training Exposure control plan Confined space awareness training program Excavation awareness training program Lock out tag out awareness training program Personal protection equipment program Who Has A?

8. Job Hazard Analysis

9. Anyone can conduct one • Many different forms on line to assist • Look at the task that you perform • Where are you going • What are you going to do when you get there • What/where are you going into • What are the possible hazards involved • How can you protect yourself • JHA’s will point you in the direction you need to go to protect yourselves Job Hazard Analysis

10. Workplace Violence

11. Two types of training programs • Employer protection programs • Potential violence awareness training • Look for programs that have some of the following information Workplace Violence Awareness

12. Things to be aware of: • Know the history of the location or persons you visit • Good record keeping when something happens • Watch for signals that may be associated with violence. • Verbally expressing anger or frustration • Body language such as threatening gestures • Signs of drug or alcohol use • Presence of a weapon Workplace Violence

13. Recognizing Aggressive Body Language • Facial signals • Disapproving looks – target stare • Body signals • Stance – clenching fist – tightening of body – breathing – movement (pacing) – head movement (yes – no nods) Workplace Violence

14. Maintain behavior that helps diffuse anger; • Fight or flight • Remove yourself from the situation • Call for help • Present a calm, caring attitude • Don’t match the threats • Don’t give orders • Acknowledge the person’s feelings • Avoid any behavior that may be interpreted as aggressive Workplace Violence

15. Exposure Control plans

16. Know your exposure potential • Physical Contract with infected person • Administering first aid • Contaminated surfaces • Many Others Exposure Control plans

17. Routes of Exposure • Skin ContactContamination through the skin can result from direct contact or by absorption. • InjectionThe direct injection of contaminants into the body, either by needle sticks or mechanical injuries from contaminated glass, metal, or other sharp objects. • IngestionIngestion involves introducing contaminants into the body through the mouth. • InhalationInhalation is the introduction of a toxic product by the respiratory system Exposure Control plans

18. Know what a pathogen is? • Micro-organisms, such as viruses or bacteria, which reside in the blood and cause disease to humans. • Malaria, syphilis, hepatitis B hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus (“HIV”) are examples of bloodborne pathogens. • Know where they are found? • Blood, Semen, Vaginal secretions, Spinal fluids, Saliva from dental procedures & Any body fluid visibly contaminated with blood, contaminated surfaces Exposure control plans

19. Know how they affect you? • Hepatitis A - Spread through feces, Found in contaminated food & water, Affects the liver, Can live on hands and in water & soil, Onset 2 weeks to 28 days after exposure, Symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal, pain, jaundice & Can recover from virus • Hepatitis B – Spread by blood to blood infects the liver and causes inflammation. There is no specific treatment for HBV. Symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, jaundice. Lives up to 7 days in dried blood. Exposure Control plan

20. Know how they affect you? • HIV-Aids – Blood to blood contact, hard to get but even harder to get rid of. Affect your immune system. Treatment but no cure. • Body fluids may be sources of other communicable diseases or illnesses. • Meningitis can be acquired when a worker’s mucous membranes contact infectious respiratory secretions while giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation without using barrier protection. • Diarrhea may be acquired if workers don’t wash their hands effectively after handling materials contaminated with feces. • Other colds germs and flu viruses   Exposure Control plan

21. Exposure incident • There must be blood to blood contact, the blood/body fluid must be infected, The virus must enter the body through a mucous membrane (eyes, mouth, or nose), through an opening in the skin (cuts, abrasions, open sores, acne) or through a penetration of the skin by a contaminated sharp object • What to do if exposed • Wash exposed area with soap and water, flush splashes to nose, mouth, or skin with water, irrigate eyes with water or saline, report the exposure and direct the worker to a healthcare professional Exposure Control Plan

22. Must general plans cover bloodborne pathogens • Yours should look at the other bloodborne and airborne germs, funguses and virus out there. • TB • Mold • Dust • Etc. Exposure control plans

23. How do you protect yourself • Hand washing • Wear gloves • Wear a disposable respirator • Wear coveralls • Wear eye protection Exposure control plans

24. Confined spaces

25. 65% of all confined space fatalities are due to hazardous atmosphere In 139 deaths, there were no detectors nor ventilation One-third of all deaths were supervisors 60% were rescuers 25% of spaces were toxic before entry CONFINED SPACE STATISTICS

26. A graduate engineer on work-experience entered an inspection chamber to test for seepage and collapsed. Three work colleagues attempted a rescue and as each entered the chamber, collapsed also. All four young men died. • A city worker was removing an inspection plate from a sewer line in a deep pump station when the plate blew off and sewage entered the room. Two colleagues and a policeman attempted to rescue him from the sludge filled room. All four died. • A worker cleaning the bottom of a septic tank collapsed. Two colleagues who went to rescue him also collapsed. All three died. • A 17 year old sewer worker collapsed at the bottom of 3m manhole. Two work mates entered to rescue him and were themselves overcome. By the time they were extracted from the manhole by rescue services the young man was dead. His would be rescuers died two days later. A fourth man at the entrance of the manhole suffered shock and fume inhalation. Examples of Why We are Here

27. A space that is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work. Has limited or restricted means of entry or exit (i.e. tanks, silos, storage tanks/bins vaults & pits) Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy. What is a Confined Space?

28. Has one or more of the following characteristics. • Contains or has potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere. • Contains material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant. • Has internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or floor which slope downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section. • Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazards What is a Permit-Required Confined Space?

29. Atmospheric • Toxic gases • Flammable gases • Oxygen rich or deficient • Physical • Slips, trips, or falls • Electrical/Mechanical • Gravity • Engulfment/Flooding • Chemical or contact • Environmental • Biological • Heat/cold Hazards in a Confined Space

30. Too much Oxygen or too little • Explosive or Asphyxiation • Toxic gases Atmospheric Hazards

31. Slips, trips falls • Ladders – uneven floors – wet/slimy surfaces – Poor lighting • Electrical/Mechanical • Lock out Tag out in place • Unexpected activation of mechanical equipment or discharge of electricity. • Engulfment & Flooding • Movement or shifting of materials • Loose granular materials (sand, grain) • Improperly enforced walls • Unexpected flow of water or materials (rain, tidal water, sewage) • Chemical or contact • Unprotected body surfaces – contact with chemicals in space • Cuts, bruises other injuries due to sharp or protruding objects Physical Hazards

32. Extreme moisture, slime growths or deposits • Poor visibility or noise • Rust or deterioration of structure (ladders, railings) • Pathogens-diseases • Animals • Extreme temperatures • Temperature can be many degrees different + or – in the confined space. • Humidity • Ventilation Biological Hazards

33. First – Verify oxygen presence and amounts • Second - Flammables • Third – Toxics • Hydrogen Sulfide • Carbon Monoxide ORDER OF TESTING

34. Excavation safety awareness

35. Excavation - any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression made in the earth’s surface formed by earth removal. Access and egress. Any trench or excavation four feet or deeper must have a means of exit. Ladders and/or ramps must be located no more than twenty five feet in any direction. Hazardous atmospheres. In excavations deeper than four feet with the potential for a hazardous atmosphere or oxygen deficiency, conduct air testing before workers enter the excavation. Excavation safety awareness

36. Protection from loose rock and soil. Excavated earth (spoil), materials, tools, and equipment shall be placed no closer than two feet from the edge of the excavation. Depending on soil conditions a trench box must be used. Excavation safety awareness

37. Lock out tag out safety

38. Lockout/Tag out Safety • "Lockout/Tag out (LOTO)" refers to specific practices and procedures to safeguard employees from the unexpected energization or startup of machinery and equipment, or the release of hazardous energy during service or maintenance activities.

39. Lockout/Tag out Safety • Need to isolate the source of the energy • Electrical • Stream • Hydraulic • Etc.

40. Special note • Most home owners or small businesses are not going to follow the lockout tag out requirements • But • Make sure if you enter a flooded basement or other structures, that the power is turned off • Outlets can be under water • Electrical appliances can fall into the flooded area Lockout tag out safety

41. Slip, trip and fall awareness

42. #1 cause of injury and usually the most serious and expensive • Same level • Objects • Stairs • Wet surfaces • Icy surfaces STF Awareness

43. Slips • Common Causes: • Wet or oily floor surfaces, • Occasional spills, • Know the common areas that become wet or slippery • Kitchens, by exterior doors, etc. • Weather hazards, • Loose, unanchored rugs or mats, • Flooring or other walking surfaces that are worn. • In a hurry and not watching where your going STF Awareness

44. Trips • Common Causes: • Obstructed view • Poor lighting • Clutter & Debris in your way • Wrinkled carpeting • Uncovered cables • Drawers not being closed • Wires, briefcases, handbags, etc. • Uneven (steps, thresholds) walking surfaces • In a hurry and not watching where your going STF Awareness

45. Prevention • Take your time • Pay attention • Adjust stride to the task • Walk with feet pointed slightly outward • Make wide turns at corners. • Wear the proper shoes • Sufficient Lighting • Close your desk drawers when not in use • Pick up briefcases, handbags and secure wires around your desk • Keep cords, hoses, etc. out of walking paths • Always watch where your are walking • When carrying or pushing objects, never block your view of the floor STF Awareness

46. Naturally, the goal is not to slip, trip or fall but, if you do try to: • Tuck your chin in, turn your head and throw up an arm. • Better to land on your arm than your head • While falling, twist or roll your body to the side. • Better to land on your buttocks and side than on your back • Keep your wrists, elbows and knees bent. • Try not to break your fall with your hands or elbows. Spend the fall to as much of your body’s surface as possible • Calmly assess the situation to determine if you are hurt. • Get up slowly • If your feel injured and can’t stand up, don’t panic • Call for assistance • If you are not injured, rest for a moment and regain your composure before getting up STF Awareness

47. Personal Protective Equipment

48. Issued to protect the employees from possible dangers during the site visits Identifies the employee Sets the example – models the behavior It looks good and professional Personal protective equipment

49. Head Protection – Hard Hats • When do my employees need head protection?You must provide head protection for your employees if: • Objects might fall from above and strike them on the head; • They might bump their heads against fixed objects, such as exposed pipes or beams; or • They work near exposed electrical conductors.

50. When do employees need eye protection? • Flying objects • Particles and dust • Chemicals • Harmful light radiation – ultraviolet, lasers, infrared Eye Protection – Safety Glasses