Personal Protective Equipment Teacher s Edition Produced by: Blue Ridge Services, Inc. Transfer Station Safety Training Series
Instructions This teacher s edition is organized into a simple format. It includes a complete copy of the training booklets you ll give to your crew, along with some tips for helping your crew get the most out of this training program. Please take a few minutes to look over the notes and icons that are explained below: This icon indicates that some type of written input is required by your crew. This icon indicates a point where you may want to ask a question or look for comments from your crew. Text boxes contain tips or ideas on how to engage the crew or explain something. This icon indicates a point where you might want to use an example to show how this training applies to your transfer station.
Make sure that everyone has a booklet entitled: Personal Protective Equipment. The video script follows the booklet. Participants can follow along if they like. Transfer Station Series Personal Protective Equipment Blue Ridge Services, Inc. 7204 Hites Cove Rd Mariposa, CA 95338 209-742-2398 Feel free to pause the video anytime you sense there is an important issue to discuss Name Have everyone put their name on their booklet
Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Printed in the United States of America World Rights Reserved This booklet or any portion thereof may not be copied or reproduced in any form, except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, nor distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a data base retrieval system, without the express, prior, written permission of the author. Copyright 2014 by Neal Bolton This book is intended to assist the reader in understanding how to work safely in a variety of situations that may occur at a transfer station. It is not intended to replace common sense or judgment. The author(s) and publisher(s) of this manual shall not be held responsible in any way for the safety of those using this material for training purposes. Safe operation of every transfer station is the responsibility of that facility s owner, manager, operators and laborers and other staff. Copyrighted 2014 Published by: Blue Ridge Services, Inc. 7204 Hites Cove Rd Mariposa, CA 95338
Start the video. Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Introduction Transfer station workers are exposed to a variety of hazards. Injury can result from dust, noise and trash, not to mention trucks and heavy equipment. One of the most basic ways to stay safe is to use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment or PPE. Why don t all workers wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment? There are lots of reasons, but not many good ones. Some people think that accidents only to happen to other people. In many cases, workers don t use PPE because it cramps their style, doesn t look cool or just plain makes them feel uncomfortable. Might I suggest that losing an eye or being run over by a truck might have much the same effect and to a much greater degree. In many cases, keeping yourself safe can be as easy as wearing gloves or goggles. And certainly these types of basic PPE are important. But don t stop there. Safetyminded transfer station workers recognize that there is a wide selection of PPE available to ensure that the work place is a safe place. What type(s) of PPE should be worn at all times?
Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Types of Personal Protective Equipment There is Personal Protective Equipment designed to protect workers in virtually any situation you can imagine. The decision to use specific pieces of personal protective equipment should be based on the risks associated with the current conditions. Can you think of any other types of PPE? Here is a list of PPE that is commonly used by transfer station workers: Hard Hats Goggles & Safety Glasses Gloves Dust Mask & Respirator Ear Plugs & Ear Muffs High Visibility Clothing Boots Trousers Lower Back Support Belt When should you wear PPE? Well, it depends on where you are working and what risks might be present. In the real world, you would seldom (if ever) wear every type of PPE at the same time. Chances are, if you did, you wouldn t be able to move, let alone get much work done. But certainly, you should select specific types of PPE based on the situation.
Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Hardhats Obviously you d want to wear a hardhat whenever you are working around overhead equipment. But it s not just falling objects that can cause head injury. A snapped cable, a bursting propane bottle or piece of pipe caught on the loader s axle can also cause head injury. Keep your hardhat handy. If there is a risk, wear it. Make sure that it is adjusted for proper fit and if it gets dented or damaged, replace it. Goggles & Safety Glasses Goggles and Safety Glasses are designed to protect your eyes from dust, blowing debris, or flying objects that could cause irritation, injury or even blindness. Anytime you re working around heavy equipment, When should you wear your hardhat?
Safety is not a plan it s an attitude tools or trash, it s a good idea to wear appropriate eye protection. Generally, goggles protect against dust and blowing debris, and safety glasses protect against flying objects that could cause serious injury. Sometimes you may want to wear both. Or, as a compromise, you may wear safety glasses that have a more complete wrap. You can even get safety sunglasses. All operators should keep a pair of gloves handy in the cab of their machine. You never know when you might need them. Gloves Want to protect your hands? Wear gloves. Cotton gloves can keep your hands warm. Leather gloves can protect you from cuts, scrapes and blisters. You can even get gloves that are puncture resistant for use when cleaning the machine s wheels or undercarriage where you could encounter medical sharps or other dangers.
Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Dust Mask & Respirator Protect your lungs by wearing the appropriate mask or respirator. Dust masks and respirators are designed to filter the air you breathe. For a mask or respirator to be effective, you must match it to the risk. Check the manufacturer s recommendation to make sure that you have the right mask or respirator for the job. Hearing Protection How loud is too loud? OSHA regulations state that no one should be in an environment where the sound exceeds 90dB for more than 8 hours. What s that mean? In general, if it s too noisy to have normal conversation without raising your voice it s too loud. In those situations you should be wearing appropriate hearing protection. If you operate or work around heavy equipment, it s a good idea to always wear hearing protection. There are many different options, ranging from soft foam earplugs to rubber earplugs to earmuffs. The important Do you know how to properly fit a dust mask to your face? If you wear earplugs to protect your ears, have you checked the NRR? Make sure you are getting enough protection.
Safety is not a plan it s an attitude thing to note when choosing ear protection is the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). This number, marked on the outside of the package, is a measure of how much noise (how many decibels) the ear plugs cut out. For example, if you are working in an environment where the decibel level is 110, wear ear protection that has an NRR of about 25, which means the decibel level will be reduced to a safer level of 85. High Visibility Clothing If you want to stay safe, stay visible. High visibility clothing should be worn at all times, except perhaps when you are in a vehicle. You can also get boots with metal shanks and/or steel toes, to better protect your feet. Boots Transfer station workers must often walk near spilled trash. Good leather work boots provide foot and ankle support. For transfer station workers, tennis shoes or sandals aren t good enough.
Safety is not a plan it s an attitude But remember, regardless of how tough a boot is, walking on exposed waste is never a good idea. Trousers Trousers can prevent minor cuts and scrapes. They can also protect you from bugs, thistles and flying debris. In most cases, any type of trousers would be acceptable. Assessing the Work Areas for Hazards When assessing any work situation for potential risk, be creative. Play the What If game. What if a piece of blowing debris gets in your eye? What if there is a medical sharp in the trash you are removing from the loader s axle? What if that cable you re dragging is chaffed? Use your imagination. Every situation has potential risk. Have you recently done a safety assessment of your work environment? Also, don t forget to base your selection of PPE on what you already know. Look at your transfer station s history. Think about accidents that have occurred in the past and how the appropriate use of PPE could have helped prevent them. Use common sense. Remember, most accidents
Safety is not a plan it s an attitude result from somebody who isn t taking time to be safe or is simply ignoring basic safety principles. A common question is, when should I wear certain types of PPE? The answer is, whenever you want to protect certain parts of your body. Do you know what your transfer station s policy is regarding PPE? If not, get familiar with it. Your Transfer Station s Policy Your transfer station probably has a formal policy stating which types of personal protective equipment are required in given situations. If your transfer station has a PPE policy, follow it. If it doesn t, suggest that one be developed and in the meantime use common sense. You may be tempted to think that following your transfer station s policy is a no-brainer, that no additional thinking or caution is required. Well, don t bet your life on it. Remember, no policy can take the place of common sense. For example, a transfer station's policy may require employees to wear leather gloves when working around
Safety is not a plan it s an attitude waste. This makes good sense. However, leather gloves may not be safe when working with power tools or other types of mechanical equipment having gears, pulleys or other moving parts. And in some cases, wearing leather gloves will not protect your hands from hazardous materials or sharp objects. So look around, consider the potential risks and use the appropriate PPE.
Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Are You Safety Savvy? Today we re going to take a test. It s an easy test. There s no penalty for wrong answers. If you make a mistake here, nobody gets hurt, nobody gets killed. But please take it seriously. Because hopefully, it can help prepare you for the real test you take everyday at the transfer station. Encourage participation in the Safety Savvy test. Take a look at these photographs. Do you see anything that might pose some kind of safety risk? Remember, every situation has potential risk. Question 1 This hardhat is worn out but the operator is sentimental and doesn t want to replace it. Would it still provide appropriate protection?
Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Question 2 This mechanic is checking a hot radiator. Any suggestions or comments? Question 3 This spotter always wears his safety vest. What other safety equipment is he lacking? You may want to stop the video after each question to allow time for discussion.
Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Question 4 Even though this operator works inside of the loader all day what types of PPE should he be using?
Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Summary Working at a transfer station is hard work. And, working safely is a serious responsibility. Become familiar with your facility s safety plan(s). Refer often to the safety booklet that accompanies this video. And remember: safety isn t a plan, it s an attitude. Match your choice of PPE to the situation. Use common sense and judgment and be safe. It s never too soon to start thinking about safety. Be sure to have all participants sign the attendance form and then place it in the file.
Take time to review and discuss the answers to the Safety Savvy questions. Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Answers No. 1 o No, it should be replaced o Anything else? No. 2 o It s best to let the machine cool before checking the radiator o He should be wearing goggles or face shield. o Anything else? No. 3 o Boots o Gloves o Dust Mask or Respirator o Anything else? No. 4 o Hard hat o Goggles o Anything else? Note: These are only some of the more obvious issues. You may find more.
Notes: Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Remind participants to write down any notes or comments in the back of their booklet.
Explain that the booklet is theirs to keep for future reference Encourage participants to refer back to this booklet. Safety is not a plan it s an attitude This is Your Book. It is a valuable reference. Keep it handy and refer to it often. 2014 Blue Ridge Services, Inc.
Take time to write down any important comments or ideas that came up during the class. You might want to include them the next time you teach this topic. Notes:
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To order more safety training supplies contact us at: ADDRESS: Blue Ridge Services, Inc. 7204 Hites Cove Rd. Mariposa, CA 95338 PHONE: Office: 209-742-2398 Fax: 209-742-2398 EMAIL: safety@blueridgeservices.com WEBSITE:
What is Blue Ridge Services, Inc.? Blue Ridge Services, Inc. (BRS) is an engineering consulting company that was founded in 1988 to provide operational consulting services to waste facilities of all types. Since that time, we ve helped hundreds of facility owners and operators work safer, smarter and more profitably. Neal Bolton, founder and president of BRS, is a registered engineer, a licensed contractor and an experienced equipment operator. He is the author of The Handbook of Landfill Operations, and The Handbook of Landfill Safety, and has written over 100 magazine articles. You may already be familiar with Mr. Bolton if you ve read: MSW Management, World Waste, Waste Age, Solid Waste Technology or Solid Waste Online. Why not put his 34 years of experience to work for your waste facility? What can we do for you? Comprehensive Operational Review (CORE) We can perform a CORE for your landfill, MRF, recycling facility, green waste processing center, or transfer station. This is a comprehensive, technical review of your facility. It provides you with a practical evaluation of what s working and what s not. We evaluate your operation from top to bottom, looking at equipment, labor, airspace utilization, soil utilization, materials processing, environmental issues, surface water control, safety, etc. If it s part of your operation it s covered. Training BRS has conducted onsite training for scores of waste facilities. Choose from among our many standard training programs or let us customize one for your facility. BRS Webinar Join the scores of other waste professionals who have attended one of our online, interactive webinars. Check our website for dates and upcoming topics. Online Training We offer a variety of online training products, including safety, operations, and more. Visit our website for more information. Want more information? To find out more about the other training and consulting services we offer, please contact us at: Blue Ridge Services, Inc. 7204 Hites Cove Rd. Mariposa, CA 95338 Office: 209-742-2398 Fax: 209-742-2398 Email: safety@blueridgeservices.com Or visit our website at:
Weekly Tailgate Update No. 1 Transfer Station Series Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment In the real world, you wouldn t wear every type of personal protective equipment at the same time. So it s important to evaluate every situation and decide what safety equipment is appropriate. Let s look at some common situations and consider what type of PPE should be utilized. 1. Extreme Dust: When it s dusty, wear goggles and a dust mask to protect your eyes and lungs. 2. Low or Limited Visibility: Wear high-visibility clothing and use a flashlight. BE SEEN AND BE SAFE. 3. Heavy Noise: If you are in an environment where the decibel level is above 90 for more than 8 hours use ear protection. What are some other situations that would require specific types of PPE? (Notes) Are there any areas or issues that require immediate attention in regard to safety? 2014 Blue Ridge Services, Inc.
Weekly Tailgate Update No. 1 Transfer Station Series I have participated in and understood this weekly tailgate update, Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment. Presented by: Date: Attended by: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 2014 Blue Ridge Services, Inc.
Weekly Tailgate Update No. 2 Transfer Station Series Assessing the Work Area All the safety equipment in the world won t do any good if it s not worn when it s needed. So, how do you know when to wear PPE? Assess your work environment to determine the potential risks and select appropriate PPE. 1. Be conservative and protect yourself from what could happen for example, if you are working in windy conditions, expect that debris could blow into your eyes. 2. Look at your transfer station s history and guard against past injuries. 3. Every situation has potential risk. Ask your supervisor for recommendations on personal protective equipment. What are some other ways to assess the work area? (Notes) Are there any areas or issues that require immediate attention in regard to safety? 2014 Blue Ridge Services, Inc.
Weekly Tailgate Update No. 2 Transfer Station Series I have participated in and understood this weekly tailgate update, Assessing the Work Area? Presented by: Date: Attended by: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 2014 Blue Ridge Services, Inc.
Weekly Tailgate Update No. 3 Transfer Station Series Care & Maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment Personal protective equipment can only protect you if it s in good condition. Once it becomes dirty or damaged it may not function properly. It s important to regularly inspect, clean or replace your PPE. Remember: 1. Clean PPE after each use and store in a safe place. 2. Do not share PPE. 3. Some PPE can be re-used, but if there is any doubt, replace it. What are some other ways to care for and maintain personal protective equipment? (Notes) Are there any areas or issues that require immediate attention in regard to safety? 2014 Blue Ridge Services, Inc.
Weekly Tailgate Update No. 3 Transfer Station Series I have participated in and understood this weekly tailgate update, Care & Maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment. Presented by: Date: Attended by: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 2014 Blue Ridge Services, Inc.
Safety Meeting Sign-off Sheet Transfer Station Series Page 1 of 2 Personal Protective Equipment I have watched and understood the training video for the topic listed above and have received a copy of the corresponding training booklet for that topic. Presented by: Date: Attended by: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 2014 Blue Ridge Services, Inc.
Safety Meeting Sign-off Sheet Transfer Station Series Page 2 of 2 (Notes) Personal Protective Equipment Are there any areas or issues that require immediate attention in regard to safety? (List Here) 2014 Blue Ridge Services, Inc.