Archive for category: Tool Box Talks

OH&S recently reported an incident of a zoom boom carrying a window, making contact with energized power lines causing an arc flash. Luckily no one was injured. This incident could have been catastrophic and human life could have been lost. We definitely want to make sure this never happens again so let’s run through the basics when it comes to working near overhead power lines.

Before you begin, make a plan. No worker or equipment should be closer than 10 feet to power lines unless they are trained, which is a general rule of thumb if working by your average power lines. However if you are conducting work by 500 kilovolts lines that distance changes to 23 feet. So know what kind of lines you’re dealing with. Of course most times workers do not expect to get that close. If you are working in any proximity to energized power lines, tell other workers in the area and use a spotter….someone who is there just to ensure you don’t cross the safe zone. Never, under any circumstances trust or assume that a line is dead. Obviously never touch a line. If a worker or equipment does make contact, do not touch them. Electricity conducts through people. You will only end up being electrocuted as well. Instead get help.

Nobody intends on making contact with energized power lines, it’s always accidental. However it’s a very avoidable accident. Always do your pre work plan, stick to it, know what to do in an emergency and always, always look up.

Remember that post we did about hard hats way back? One of the things mentioned was to always give your hard hat a quick once over. So I’m sure you know the brand of your hard hat right? Well if not, today is the day you are going to check it again. According to OH&S there is a recall on a popular brand of hard hats. This is not a “I’ll get to it later” type of thing. Would you eat spinach in your fridge if it had a listeria recall? I’d hope not. This is a look at it right now type of thing. The recall is for Honeywell hard hats type 1 Fibre-Metal E2 and North Peak A79, in any colour. If you have a Fibre-Metal E2 manufactured in April 2016, May 2016, December 2017, January 2018 or a North Peak A79 manufactured April 2016 to January 2018 please go to…
http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2018/66584r-eng.php

If you have one of these hard hats and it has been supplied by an employer please take it back to them to exchange for a new one and make sure they are aware of the recall.

Wearing a faulty hard hat is almost the same as not wearing one at all, and I know you would never do that. So give your lid a quick check (on the underside of the hat’s brim) and make sure your brain stays just where it should be.

It’s that time of year again… Shoveling season! Yay… Said no one ever. Look no one likes shoveling snow but it goes with the territory here in Canada. Not only does shoveling (for lack of a better word) suck but if done incorrectly, can cause some serious injuries. So let’s learn a few ways to make it a little less painless.

First you need to dress the part. Parts of BC and Alberta can easily drop to -30°C or colder. Make sure you have a toque under your hard hat, warm gloves and something covering your face if needed. Dress in layers. You want to be able to easily remove a layer or two if you start to sweat. You want to avoid sweating in the cold. If you soak your clothes, hyperthermia could be a factor, depending on the temperature outside. Most sites require a traction aid, if not you still may want to get some. They definitely prevent slips and trips on snow and ice making them great for when you have to shovel. Okay, you’re geared up, now come back tomorrow and we’ll go over proper technique.

When cleaning an area with deer mice or a suspected rodent infestation, wear your respirator. Make sure you have a H.E.P.A filter on it. You also should be wearing rubber gloves. Of course long sleeves and pants are a given… Right? Next open up the sea can, shed or whatever building you are entering and let it air out for a few hours. Every employer will have a specific procedure for you to follow so make sure you are familiar with it. A general safe practice according to the CDC is to make a bleach solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Use this to clean everything. Do not sweep, use your solution and mop. If you have any trapped mice or there are any dead ones, use your bleach solution to thoroughly soak it, then use multiple garbage bags and throw it away. Yes this is completely disgusting but it beats getting hantavirus. When you are all done throw everything away and wash up.

WorksafeBC has a great resource titled “Hantavirus: Exposure Control Program for Employers and Workers.”. It includes information on worker and employer responsibilities, rodent control, respiratory protection and sample work procedures.

Like I said, the chance of contracting the hantavirus is small but know the symptoms just in case. The symptoms are very close to flu symptoms, such as dizziness, aches, fever, headaches, tiredness, stomach and back pain, vomiting, coughing shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. If you have been in contact with rodents or in an area where deer mice could have been, get yourself to the hospital as soon as possible and inform medical professionals of your contact with deer mice. The chances of getting hantavirus are extremely low but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

What kid doesn’t love Halloween? Costumes, decorations and free candy… So much free candy! Let’s do our best to keep Halloween fun for everyone by following a few simple rules.

When picking a costume for your child, try to steer clear of masks.  If they have to wear a mask, make sure they can see clearly out of it. Also check for tripping hazards; make sure the costume isn’t too long. Before leaving the house make sure that your children have either reflective tape on their costume or they’re carrying a glow stick or a flashlight. This will help motorists spot them. It’s estimated that children are twice as likely to get injured by a motor vehicle on Halloween, so make sure they’re visible to motorists. Be clear that they need to stay out of the streets and only cross at crosswalks. Always make eye contact with motorists before beginning to cross. As for motorists, be alert! Be especially alert in a suburban area. You should never be driving distracted, so I know you won’t be on your phone, right? Slow down and be super cautious.

A parent should be going with younger children.  If your children are older and are going on their own, make sure you have a planned-out route where they’re trick-or-treating, a charged cell phone, and a time to be home. While trick-or-treating, make sure to only go to homes with the porch light on. Ensure that your children know that they should never, under any circumstances enter the home of a stranger. And snacking is a no-no. All candy and treats need to be inspected by a trusted adult (this trusted adult will make sure you’re candy is super safe and probably confiscate all your Reese’s #parenthack) Send your monsters out with a little bag of candy from home they can munch on, hopefully this will deter them from sampling their Halloween loot.

Halloween is supposed to be scary, as in ghouls and ghosts…… Not pedestrian accidents and tainted candy. Make sure to play it safe this year and follow these rules.