Toolbox Talks

  1. Clothing for Construction

    TOOLBOXTOPICS.COM

    Company Name __________________________ Job Name __________________________ Date________

    CLOTHING FOR CONSTRUCTION

    There’s one industry where today’s fashions just don’t make it. That‘s construction. Fancy duds are likely to get caught or snagged and cause you to fall or to get hurt in some other way. Your clothing should not only be appropriate, but rugged enough to stand up to the use it’ll get.

    KEEP YOUR SHIRT ON

    Always wear a heavy duty shirt, preferably long sleeved with the cuffs buttoned at the wrist. Don’t wear it loose or baggy. Keep it tucked in to avoid snagging. Your shirt will protect you from sunburn, so keep it on even when the weather is hot. It also will protect you from scrapes and from skin-irritating materials, such as concrete water and poison ivy. Don’t wear anything around your neck that can dangle and get caught in machinery.

    NO BAGGY PANTS

    Wear straight-line pants of proper length without pocket flaps or cuffs. They should not be baggy or so long that your heels get caught in them. You probably can’t keep your pants up without a belt. If your belt is too long, cut off the extra length or run it through additional belt loops. In this way it won’t get caught and pull you into machinery.

    LEAVE JEWELRY HOME

    One of the most common causes of amputated fingers is jewelry, such as rings, wrist watches and bracelets. Lt may look nice, but if it gets caught in machinery, you’re in for a painful experience.

    PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD

    Different jobs call for different kinds of foot-wear, but, generally, properly fitted, high top safety boots should be worn. They give you more support than other boots and more protection in case you drop something on your foot where steel-tip footwear should always be required. Wear rubber boots when working in wet material, especially if it’s deep. Spreading concrete is a good example.

    WINTER WEAR

    During cold weather, two light, woolen shirts are better than one heavy one for warmth. Gloves and hard hat liners are also advisable in cold weather.

    DRESS RIGHT

    When you dress for construction jobs, remember that you’re not out to model the latest fashions. Your work clothes may not make you the sharpest dude on the block, but you’ll look a lot better than you would if loose clothing or jewelry caused you to get caught in a machine.

    Safety Recommendations:__________________________________________________________________________________

    Job Specific Topics:_______________________________________________________________________________________

    M.S.D.S Reviewed:_______________________________________________________________________________________

    Attended By:

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  2. ABC ‘s of Fire Extinguishers

    TOOLBOXTOPICS.COM

    Company Name __________________________ Job Name __________________________ Date________

    THE ABC’S OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

    Just as there is a right tool for every job, there is a right extinguisher for every fire. The class of an extinguisher, identified on its nameplate, corresponds to the class or classes of fire the extinguisher controls. On most construction jobs, we are concerned with Class A, B and C fires. Consequently, the best extinguisher to have on a job is a multi-purpose Class ABC extinguisher, which contains a dry, powdered chemical under pressure. The following describes the classes of fire and the kind of extinguisher that can be used on each.

    CLASS A FIRES

    Wood, paper, trash, and other materials that have glowing embers when they burn. Extinguisher to Use: For Class A fires, use a Class A or Class ABC extinguisher. Always remember that a Class A extinguisher contains water and should be used only on a Class A fire. Used on gasoline, it can spread the fire; used on electrical fires, it can cause you to be electrocuted.

    CLASS B FIRES

    These are fires involving flammable liquids and gases, such things as gasoline, solvents, paint thinners, grease, LPG, and acetylene. Extinguisher to Use: Use Class B or Class ABC extinguishers.

    CLASS C FIRES

    These are fires in energized electrical equipment. Extinguisher to Use: Use a Class BC or Class ABC extinguisher.

    SOME IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER

    1. Use the fire extinguisher whose class corresponds to the class of the fire.
    2. Never use a Class A extinguisher, which contains water or foam, on a liquid or electrical fire.
    3. Know where extinguishers are located and how to use them. Follow the directions printed on the label.
    4. Keep the area around the fire extinguisher clear for easy access.
    5. Don’t hide the extinguisher by hanging coats, rope, or other materials on it.
    6. Take care of the extinguishers just as you do your tools.
    7. Never remove tags from extinguishers. They indicate the last time the extinguisher was serviced and inspected.
    8. Report defective or suspect extinguishers to your Supervisor, so that they can be replaced or repaired.
    9. When inspecting extinguishers, look for cracked hoses ,plugged nozzles, and corrosion. Also, look for damage that may have been done by equipment running into the extinguishers.
    10. Don’t use extinguishers for purposes other than fighting fires.

    Nobody wants afire. But if one starts, know what extinguishers to use and how to use them.

    Safety Recommendations:__________________________________________________________________________________

    Job Specific Topics:_______________________________________________________________________________________

    M.S.D.S Reviewed:_______________________________________________________________________________________

    Attended By:

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  3. Concrete Safety

    TOOLBOXTOPICS.COM

    Company Name __________________________ Job Name __________________________ Date________

    CONSTRUCTION SAFETY – CONCRETE SAFETY
    Concrete is composed of cement, sand, aggregate (sized stones), and water. When mixed in the correct amounts, concrete is a stable and versatile building medium which can be used in a variety of applications ranging from roads, bridges and buildings, to septic tanks and even countertops for household use. The versatility in building application is accomplished by altering the proportions of air and other variables in the mixture. Strengthening materials such as re-bar, fiberglass strands, and plastic rods are then added.

    For your protection, the following precautions should be adhered to when working with concrete:

    • Try not to over-exert yourself when mixing or moving concrete, especially when using a wheelbarrow, shovel, or trough. Concrete is extremely heavy and caution must be taken to avoid back, shoulder, or other muscle strains. Keeping yourself physically fit and performing pre-work stretching exercises can aid in injury prevention.
    • Always wear safety glasses when mixing or pouring concrete. The lime and cement dust can be very irritating to the eyes. If it enters your eyes, rinse for 15 minutes. If eyes are still irritated, seek medical attention.
    • Always wear gloves and a long sleeve shirt, if possible, when working with concrete. The cement can cause irritation when it comes into contact with skin. Lime burns are common in the industry but can be lessened by barrier creams or gloves to protect hands and forearms from industrial dermatitis.
    • Read and heed the manufacturers’ recommendations on concrete additives, acids for etching, form release oils, or other chemicals used in conjunction with concrete.

    If you have any questions regarding the products you’re using or would like more information on how to protect yourself when working with concrete, ask your supervisor for assistance. Your supervisor should be able to recommend the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for your specific task and can provide you with the appropriate Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

    Safety Recommendations:__________________________________________________________________________________

    Job Specific Topics:_______________________________________________________________________________________

    M.S.D.S Reviewed:_______________________________________________________________________________________

    Attended By:

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  4. Be Alert Moving Equipment

    TOOLBOXTOPICS.COM

    Company Name __________________________ Job Name __________________________ Date________

    Be Alert Of Moving Equipment

    When construction equipment is rumbling around a project, you’ve got to watch your step. If both construction workers and equipment operators keep their eyes open, no one’s going to get hurt. Following are ways to help you maintain a healthy respect for cranes, dozers, excavators and trucks:

    • Never take for granted that equipment operators see you.
    • Never depend upon hearing a horn or other warning signals; it might sometimes be lost in the general noise around a project.
    • Equipment shouldn’t be backed without someone to check the blind spots and give signals; nevertheless, keep in the clear whenever equipment is traveling backwards, as that’s when most equipment accidents happen.
    • Swinging counterweights often create a dangerous pinch-point. Don’t ever get into a spot where you could get squeezed in between.
    • Never hitch a ride on the running board it’s fatally easy to fall under moving equipment.
    • No riding on top of loaded trucks; the load might shift, and you might not have enough over-head clearance in a tight spot.
    • If you’re riding in a transport vehicle to a job, or between jobs, keep your arms, legs, and all parts of your body inside the unit.
    • Never walk alongside moving equipment. Keep in the clear in case the unit suddenly turns your way, or slides, or the load shifts.
    • Stay out from under loads on cranes or hoists. Use established walkways and beware of shortcuts.
    • If the boom of a unit ever hits a power line, keep away from the frame of the unit and the load cables.
    • Never lubricate, clean or work on a machine that’s in operation. Stop the machine. If you have to remove a guard, replace it as soon as the work’s done.

    Construction equipment is husky, heavy, and extremely unhealthy to tangle with. Always assume that the operator doesn’t see you; doesn’t even know you’re around. Always figure that it’s up to you to keep in the clear.

     

    Safety Recommendations:__________________________________________________________________________________

    Job Specific Topics:_______________________________________________________________________________________

    M.S.D.S Reviewed:_______________________________________________________________________________________

    Attended By:

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  5. Forklift Safety Rules

    Forklift operators should always receive safety training before operating an a forklift.  Forklifts save time but can become dangerous if the operator in not trained properly.

    Here are a few rules:

    1.  An unattended forklift should always have the power turned off, with the forks flat on the floor and the parking brake on.
    2. Never allow anyone to walk under the load.
    3. When traveling without a load, keep the forks five to seven inches off the ground.
    4. Stop at all blind corners.  Honk your horn if you cant see and proceed with caution.
    5. Never drive up behind someone that isn’t aware there is a forklift behind them.

  6. Hard Hats are a Must!

    http://www.toolboxtopics.com/Construction/Generic/Hard%20Hats.htm

  7. Moving Equipment Safely

    http://www.toolboxtopics.com/Construction/Generic/Be%20Alert%20of%20Moving%20Equipment.htm