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Work Safe - Work Smart
Union jobs are safe jobs because our members are trained in proper safety procedures, have access to safety information, and have IU and IMI staff working every day to identify and eliminate hazards.
As the weather improves and work picks up, it’s helpful to review what you can do to work safer and smarter.
Personal Protective Equipment
There
are many types of equipment that construction workers can
use to protect themselves from work related hazards including
hardhats, safety glasses, kneepads, work boots, gloves, harnesses
and respirators. When an employer is not able to reduce a
workers exposure to a hazard through engineering or administrative
controls, the employer is required by OSHA to supply personal
protective equipment (PPE) to the worker along with training
in its use. PPE can protect you on the job – but only if used properly. It’s
in your interest to use protective equipment supplied by
your employer.
Identify the Hazards
Some
hazards are readily apparent, but others may not be as obvious.
Every day masonry craftworkers are exposed to products and
material by-products that may be hazardous to their health.
The OSHA hazard communication standard “gives all workers the right to know about the potential hazards of toxic chemicals used by manufacturers and employers. The standard requires chemical manufacturers to provide information and training to employers and workers and sets new labeling standards for toxic chemicals.”All
jobsites should have material safety data sheets (MSDS) for
the products being used on the job that are accessible to
workers. An MSDS contains information on the hazards associated
with working with a product and the steps required to prevent
unhealthy exposures.
The following are just a few of the exposures that masonry workers could face on the jobsite and some of the protections recommended:
- Crystalline Silica Dust –workers involved in
cutting, chipping or grinding masonry materials that
contain silica are at risk of being exposed to dangerous
levels of
respirable crystalline silica dust. It is best to control
exposures by eliminating the problem at the source through,
for example, wet cutting or the use of dust collection
systems. If engineering controls are not feasible or readily
available,
then a respirator that meets the criteria recommended
by OSHA should be used.
- Polychlorinated Biphenyls –although
production of PCBs in the United States was stopped in
1977, they still
may be present in some old caulking materials installed
prior to that time. If it is found that caulking that needs
to
be removed contains PCBs, OSHA recommends the use of equipment
that provides
a protective barrier to prevent the chlorodiphenyl from
migrating through it. Glove materials that prevent PCBs
from breaking through in 24 hours should provide adequate
skin protection. These materials include Neoprene (chloroprene
latex), polyvinyl alcohol, FEP Teflon and Viton fluorocarbon
rubber. When exposures are the result of grinding and
the dust is not controlled through engineering controls
at
the source, appropriate respiratory protection must be
provided.
- Hexavelient Chromium – workers that use Portland
Cement may develop skin disorders. According to the Center
to Protect Workers’ Rights, the most common are dry
skin, irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis,
and cement burns. Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is the
most serious and exposure to hexavalent chromium in cement
is a primary cause. CPWR recommends protecting yourself by
wearing gloves and practicing good hygiene: wash your hands
two to four times a day –before eating, when you stop
work for the day, and whenever you remove your gloves. Use
pH-neutral or slightly acidic soaps: pH 7 or lower, or carry
a vinegar-soaked washcloth in a plastic baggy to wipe your
hands if clean water is not available, or use a buffering
spray. Avoid barrier creams since they can trap the contaminants
against your skin.
Protection from the Elements
Some
working conditions are beyond our control. Anyone who works
outside is going to be exposed to heat and sun, but if you
work smart, you can avoid illnesses and injuries caused by
sun exposure. According to the Center to Protect Workers’ Rights, “Too much heat can make you tired, hurt your job performance, and increase your chance of injury.” Among the side effects are dehydration, cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke – the latter condition can kill you if you don’t
receive prompt medical attention. CPWR recommends avoiding
heat stroke by drinking water all day, wearing light-colored
clothing made of cotton, and resting. You should also make
it a habit to wear sunscreen to prevent skin cancer.
To become better informed on how to
protect yourself on the job, take advantage of safety training
and tool-box lectures offered by your Local or IMI. You can
also visit one of the many websites and resources available
to help you learn more about how to protect yourself from
these and other health and safety hazards:
Most importantly, if you identify a hazard on the job let your job steward or BAC representative know so that corrective steps can be taken. Don’t become a statistic – protect yourself.
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