This document is intended to provide basic safety guidelines for the Physical Plant Department at Community College of Allegheny County. The information provided in this guide may vary by site. Version 1.0
Table of Contents I. Objective II. Background III. Assignment of Responsibilities IV. Job Hazard Assessment V. General Safety Rules VI. Personal Protective Equipment VII. Training VIII. Emergency/Medical Response IX. Accident Report X. Policy Evaluation Attachments A. Training Outline B. Training Sign-in Sheet 2
I. OBJECTIVE Community College of Allegheny County The objective of the Community College of Allegheny County Safety Program is to provide a safe and healthy work environment and to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration s (OSHA) s Standards. Our policy is to take a proactive approach in identifying hazards, providing proper tool selection options and providing all necessary training for all affected employees. This policy, while written in adherence with OSHA regulations, should not be considered a substitute for any provisions or standards of OSHA. This program applies to all work operations where employees use, or work near someone who uses, hand and power tools. The Physical Plant Department will participate in the Safety Program. Copies of the program are available in the Physical Plant Department for review by all employees. II. BACKGROUND OSHA's standard identifies areas where protection is needed. OSHA has mandated the use of guards, personal protective equipment (PPE), safety control switches and other safety measures when working with hand and power tools. III. ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES A. Program Administrator The Physical Plant Supervisor will manage the Safety Program for Community College of Allegheny County and will maintain all records pertaining to the plan, including reviewing and updating this plan, as necessary, and facilitate training. B. Management Community College of Allegheny County will ensure that each employee understands and follows the Safety Program through employee orientation, job hazard assessments, training, job performance reviews and disciplinary action. Community College of Allegheny County will provide all necessary information, equipment and personnel to comply with this program. C. Supervisors Supervisors will be capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the work area or working conditions which are hazardous or dangerous to employees. Supervisors have authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate such hazards or conditions. Supervisors will work with the Physical Plant Supervisor to determine the appropriate PPE needed for the work area and ensure its proper use. Supervisors will be responsible for ensuring that their employees are properly trained before allowing any work to start or continue that involves the use of hand and power tools. D. Employees Employees share the responsibility for employing proper work practices and to use and maintain all hand and power tools and other equipment and systems in the correct manner. 3
IV. JOB HAZARD ASSESSMENT Proper planning is the best tool for keeping employees safe on the job. A hazard assessment should be performed for all work areas. It is important that management, supervisors and employees all be involved in the assessment process. The assessment should include, but not be limited to, the following elements: Evaluation of the worksite Evaluation of the work/job to be done Evaluation of the various tools and equipment to be used Identification of affected employees The assessment will provide information that will help: Determine the possible use of administrative and engineering controls Determine the need for PPE Determine training needs Determine emergency/medical response needs When changes in the work area are made, the need for additional hazard assessments might be necessary. The Physical Plant Supervisor will be responsible for determining this need. V. GENERAL SAFETY RULES The safety of all employees is the driving factor behind all safety training, rules, procedures and regulations. Employees, supervisors and management of Community College of Allegheny County should work together to establish a safe working environment. Any unsafe working condition or tool should immediately be reported to your supervisor. Unsafe working conditions must be corrected before work continues. Each tool used has particular rules of use, and manufacturer s guidelines must be followed for each individual tool. Some general safety rules that apply to all hand and power tools are listed below: Keep tools in good working condition through regular maintenance. Use the right tool for the job. Inspect tools for damage before use. Damaged tools should be removed from use and tagged or locked out until repaired or destroyed and discarded. Use tools according to the manufacturer s guidelines. Use appropriate personal protective equipment. Keep floors and work areas clean and dry to prevent slips, trips and falls and other accidents. VI. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Employees should inspect all PPE before work begins and/or each use. Periodic inspections will be performed by the supervisor. Inspect for any damage, wear, corrosion or other safety issue that could affect the proper function of the PPE. Remove all defective or questionable equipment from use immediately and mark as unusable. Equipment should not be returned to use until such equipment has been inspected by the supervisor or the manufacturer and deemed safe and usable. Proper care and maintenance of the equipment will increase the life of the equipment. Refer to the manufacturer's guidelines for correct cleaning and storage rules. If there are questions concerning inspections, maintenance or storage, ask your supervisor for assistance. 4
VII. TRAINING The Physical Plant Supervisor is responsible for ensuring that all program elements and training are carried out. All affected employees will receive initial training on OSHA s Standard and this policy before starting work. Training on the various tools used at Community College of Allegheny County will be provided as needed. Training will be interactive and will enable each employee to recognize the various hazards associated with hand and power tools, procedures to be followed in order to minimize these hazards, and proper use and maintenance of PPE. Training records shall be maintained in the Physical Plant Department and shall contain the name of the employee trained, date(s) of training and signature of the trainer. Circumstances where retraining is required include, but are not limited to, situations where: Changes to the workplace render previous training obsolete The type of tools, equipment or PPE used changes The employee s knowledge or use of tools, equipment or PPE indicates that the employee has not retained the required understanding or skill VIII. EMERGENCY/MEDICAL RESPONSE Community College of Allegheny County is committed to the safety of all employees. Emergency/Medical plans for each work area will be created and implemented by the Director of Safety and Security. The plan will provide for adequate first aid kits, prompt medical attention for employees in the event of an accident and other safety measures as deemed necessary. IX. ACCIDENT REPORT In the event of an accident, an Accident Report Form must be completed and returned to the Safety and Security Department by the employee involved in the accident and the supervisor. X. POLICY EVALUATION This Safety Program will be evaluated on an annual basis to determine its effectiveness and need for change. Items to be reviewed for this purpose include, but are not limited to: Training records Accident reports Changes in equipment 5
Training Outline - Safety I. INTRODUCTION Tools are a very common part of our everyday lives. We use hand and power tools at home and work for a variety of reasons. These tools are very useful but can also be very dangerous. Anyone that has had a wrench slip from a bolt and scraped their knuckles or hammered their finger instead of the nail knows the pain that can occur from a simple mishap. Unfortunately, more serious injuries can and do occur with the use of such tools. The purpose of this manual is to provide information about some basic safety rules, procedures and safeguards associated with hand and power tools. By being more aware of the possible dangers and hazards of working with such tools and knowing how to protect yourself, you can more easily avoid or eliminate tool-related accidents. II. HAZARDS A. Employees that use hand and power tools can be faced with many possible hazards. B. Serious accidents can occur if steps are not taken to identify and avoid or eliminate tool-related hazards. C. Some possible hazards associated with hand and power tools include: Scrapes, bruises, breaks, punctures and cuts Hearing problems Being struck by falling, flying, abrasive and/or splashing objects Breathing in or coming into contact with harmful dusts, fumes, mists, vapors and/or gases, resulting in respiratory problems Electrical shock and burns Falling Possible death III. GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS A. The safety of all employees is the driving factor behind all safety training, rules, procedures and regulations. B. Employers and employees should work together to establish safe working procedures. C. Any unsafe working condition or tool should immediately be reported to your supervisor. D. Unsafe working conditions must be corrected before work continues. E. Some basic safety rules that should be followed to help prevent hazards associated with the use of hand and power tools include: Keep tools in good working condition through regular maintenance. Use the right tool for the job. Inspect tools for damage before use. Damaged tools should be taken out of use until properly repaired or destroyed and discarded. 6
General Safety Precautions, continued Never attempt to repair damaged tools yourself. Only the manufacturer or an approved repair shop should be used for repairs. Use tools according to the manufacturer's guidelines. Use appropriate personal protective equipment. Keep floors and work areas clean and dry to prevent slips, trips, and falls as well as other accidents. IV. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) Personal protective equipment is vital to the safety of employees that work with hand and power tools. The type of PPE needed is determined by the tools used and the work being performed. Your employer will provide all necessary PPE at no cost to you. You have a responsibility to use the PPE properly and when required. V. GUARDING A. Belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, drums, flywheels, chains or other reciprocating, rotating or moving parts of equipment must be guarded if such parts are exposed to contact by employees. B. Machine guards, as appropriate, must be provided to protect the operator and others from the following: Point of operation In-running nip points Rotating parts Flying chips and sparks C. Safety guards must never be removed when a tool is being used. D. Portable circular saws should be equipped with an upper guard that covers the entire blade of the saw. A retractable lower guard must cover the teeth of the saw except where it makes contact with the work material. The lower guard must automatically return to the covering position when the tool is withdrawn from the work material. VI. CONTROLS AND SWITCHES A. Many hand-held power tools must be equipped with a constant-pressure switch or control that shuts off the power when pressure is released. Such tools include drills; tappers; fastener drives; horizontal, vertical and angle grinders with wheels more than two inches in diameter; disc sanders; reciprocating saws; saber saws; and other similar tools. These tools can be equipped with a "lockon" control if it allows the worker to also shut off the control in a single motion using the same finger(s). B. Some power tools can be equipped with a positive "on-off" control switch, a constant pressure switch or a "lock-on" control. The constant-pressure control switch is considered the preferred device. Such tools include routers, planers, laminate trimmers, nibblers, shears and scroll saws. 7
Controls And Switches, continued C. Other hand-held power tools, such as circular saws having a blade diameter greater than two inches, chain saws and percussion tools without means to securely hold accessories, must be equipped with a constant-pressure switch. VII. HAND AND POWER TOOLS There are many different types of hand and power tools. Manufacturer's operating rules and guidelines should be consulted for each type of tool used at your worksite. A. Hand Tools 1. Defined as any tool that is manually powered. Axes, wrenches, hammers and screwdrivers are just some examples of hand tools. The greatest hazards posed by hand tools are a result of misuse and improper maintenance. Some examples include: Using a screwdriver as a chisel or using a chisel as a screwdriver. In both cases, the tool can easily break causing parts to fly off, hitting the user or other employees. Using a hammer or an axe when the wooden handle is loose, splintered or cracked. The head of the tool can easily fly off and hit someone or something. Using a wrench that has weakened or sprung jaws from being used improperly in the past. The wrench can slip off the bolt or nut and cause you to scrape your hand or knuckles, cause you to fall from an elevated worksite or fly out of your hands and hit someone or something. Using chipping tools such as chisels and wedges which have mushroom heads. This is a condition where the head of the tool is flared out due to excessive use. Pieces of the head can break off and hit the user or others nearby. 2. Saw blades, knives or other tools should be directed away from aisle areas and other people working in close proximity. 3. Knives, scissors and other blades must be kept sharp. Dull blades are more dangerous than sharp blades. 4. Cracked saw blades must be removed from use and discarded. 5. Appropriate PPE, e.g., safety goggles and gloves, should be worn to prevent injuries and accidents. 6. Iron and steel hand tools can produce sparks that can be an ignition source around flammable substances. Where these hazards exist, use spark-resistant tools made from brass, plastic, aluminum or other non-ferrous materials. B. Power Tools 1. Power tools are classified according to their power source: electric, pneumatic, liquid fuel, hydraulic and powder-actuated. 2. Power tools should be fitted with guards and safety switches. 3. Power tools can be extremely dangerous when used improperly. 4. Some general safety rules for power tools include: Never carry a tool by the cord or hose. Always disconnect from the receptacle by pulling the plug and not the cord or hose. Protect cords and hoses from heat, oil and sharp edges. Disconnect tools when not in use, before servicing and cleaning, and when changing accessories. 8
Hand And Power Tools, continued Secure work with clamps and/or a vise. Avoid accidental starting. Do not hold your finger on the power switch while carrying an energized tool. Follow manufacturer's guidelines for lubricating and changing accessories. Wear proper apparel for the job. Loose clothing, ties, and jewelry can become caught in moving parts. Remove all damaged electrical tools from use and tag "Do Not Use." C. Electric Tools 1. Using electric tools can be very dangerous. 2. Hazards include burns, shocks and even death. 3. The most common injuries are burns and shocks. 4. Specific training on electrical safety should be provided to employees who use electric tools. 5. Some basic safety rules to follow include: Ensure that the tools are properly grounded. Use double insulated tools. Ground-fault circuit interrupters should be utilized at all construction sites. Tools should be used within their design limitations. Use gloves and appropriate safety footwear when using electric tools. Never use electric tools in damp or wet locations. Store tools in a dry location when not being used. Keep work areas well lit. D. Pneumatic Tools 1. Pneumatic tools are powered by compressed air and include tools such as chippers, drills, hammers and sanders. 2. The main danger is getting hit by one of the tool's attachments or by some kind of fastener the worker is using with the tool. 3. Always check to ensure that the tools are securely fastened to the air hose. 4. Precautions should be taken with the hose to keep it from being damaged or to prevent someone from tripping over the hose. 5. A safety clip or retainer must be installed to prevent attachments from being ejected during operation. 6. Eye protection is required; head and face protection is strongly recommended. Hearing protection is required if working with loud, noisy tools. 7. When using a jackhammer, heavy rubber grips will reduce fatigue and strains. Operators should also wear safety glasses, safety shoes and a face shield. 8. Pneumatic tools that shoot nails, rivets, staples or similar fasteners and operate at pressures more than 100 psi must be equipped with a safety device that prevents discharge unless the muzzle is pressed against the work surface. 9. Never point compressed air guns toward anyone. 10. Screens should be utilized to protect nearby workers from being struck by flying fragments. 9
Hand And Power Tools, continued E. Powder-Actuated Tools Such tools operate like a loaded gun and are extremely dangerous. Only specially trained employees should operate powder-actuated tools. If you are required to use powder-actuated tools, your company will provide specific training in this area. F. Hydraulic Power Tools The fluid used in hydraulic power tools must be an approved fire-resistant fluid and must retain its operating characteristics at the most extreme temperatures to which it will be exposed. The manufacturer's recommended safe operating pressures for hoses, valves, pipes, filters and other fittings must not be exceeded. VIII. ABRASIVE WHEELS AND TOOLS A. Portable abrasive grinding, cutting, polishing and wire buffing wheels create special safety problems because they may throw off flying fragments. B. Abrasive wheel tools must be equipped with guards that: Cover the spindle end, nut and flange projections Maintain proper alignment with the wheel Do not exceed the strength of the fastenings C. Abrasive wheels must be inspected for damage and be sound or ring-tested before being mounted. A stable or undamaged wheel will give a clear metallic tone or ring when tested. D. Never stand in the plane of rotation of the wheel. E. Abrasive wheels should be equipped with a safety guard to protect workers from the moving wheel surface and also from flying fragments in case of wheel breakage. F. Eye protection must always be used. G. Turn off the power supply when not using. H. Never clamp a hand-held grinder in a vise. IX. JACKS A. Manufacturer's load limits must be permanently marked in a prominent place on the jack and should never be exceeded. B. Jacks should have a stop indicator that stops it from jacking up too high. C. Jacks should never be used to support a lifted load. Once the load has been lifted, it should immediately be blocked up. 10
Jacks, continued D. To set up a jack, make sure: The base is on firm, level ground. The jack is correctly centered. The jack head bears against a level surface. The lift force is evenly applied. E. Proper maintenance of jacks is necessary for safety. Lubricate regularly and inspect according to the following schedule: At least once every six months for jacks that are used continuously or intermittently at one site. Jacks sent out of the shop should be inspected when sent out and upon their return. When submitted to abnormal loads or shock, a jack should be inspected before use and immediately thereafter. F. Hydraulic jacks exposed to freezing temperatures must be filled with an adequate amount of antifreeze to keep from freezing. X. TRAINING Employees must be trained in the use and care of all hand and power tools used. Employees should be able to recognize the hazards associated with the different types of hand and power tools and know the necessary safety precautions. Training requirements for each tool will be determined by your employer. XI. MEDICAL EMERGENCY If an accident occurs, report it to your supervisor as quickly as possible. Seek medical attention immediately if an injury has occurred. Time is important when your health or that of your co-worker is at stake. Even if the injury is minor, report it and let trained medical professionals determine the proper care. Your company will provide detailed instructions on whom to call and where to report accidents and injuries. 11
Training: Safety Instructor: Date Name Department 12