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Controlling Safety and Security Hazards

Working surfaces

Workers have been killed and injured from slips and falls from dangerous and poorly maintained walking surfaces. Even where the possible fall distance is short, there is danger of injury. A recent government study showed that over half of workers injured by falls fell from elevations of less than 10 feet or on the same surface.

In addition, large pools of water in sewage treatment plants create a danger of drowning. These areas should be equipped with rescue equipment such as poles with hooks and safety buoys with an attached line.

In order to prevent these injuries, all floors, stairs, catwalks and platforms should be kept dry, and free of holes and obstructions. All walkways and work areas should be well lit. Stairs and platforms should have safety railings. These areas should be checked, maintained and repaired regularly. Attention should be paid to adequate housekeeping. Machinery is available that will “rough-up” concrete surfaces that have been worn smooth.

Ladders

Metal and wet wood ladders conduct electricity. To prevent electrical shock, metal V-ladders should have plastic coated top guards. All metal ladders or walking surfaces should be checked regularly for corrosion damage and repaired before they are weakened.

In addition,

• Defective ladders should be red tagged and not used until fixed. If a ladder cannot be repaired, cut it in half and discard.
  
  
• Rungs and steps should be kept free of grease and oil.
  
  
• Long ladders need landings every 30 feet.
  
  

Portable Ladders

• Portable ladders should have non-skid feet or spurs.
  
  
• Do not splice two ladders together.
  
  
• The maximum length of portable ladders should be:
  
  
  
  • single straight ladder: 30 feet
    
    
  • two-section wooden ladder: 60 feet
    
    
  • two-section metal ladder: 48 feet
    
    
  • step ladder: 20 feet
    
    

Stairs

• Stairs should be kept clean and dry. If this is not possible, they should be coated with a material that gives good traction.
  
  
• Stairs should be even and not too steep or shallow.
  
  
• There should be no overhead obstructions above stairs.
  
  
• Stairways should have railings. Wide stairways should have railing on both sides.
  
  

Railings

• Every elevated walking surface — scaffolds, catwalks, stairs and landings — should be guarded with a railing consisting of a top rail, a midrail and a toeboard.
  
  
• Floor openings should have rails on all four sides except the side that is the entrance to the stairway.
  
  

Fire and flammable substances

Fire and explosion hazards exist in many areas of the plant. There should be adequate numbers of workers assigned specifically to perform routine housekeeping and maintenance. Old rags and rubbish must be properly disposed to prevent serious fires and accidents. In addition to proper storage of flammable, combustible and explosive materials, management should routinely train workers about fire hazards and dangers, and emergency procedures in the event of a fire or explosion. This training should be repeated at least annually.

Fire extinguishers that are appropriate for each type of fire that may be encountered are essential equipment in the plant and in the field. Management must select extinguishers based on the frequency, degree and type of hazard as well as the area to be protected.

In areas with a great deal of electrical equipment, management should select a multi-purpose dry chemical or carbon dioxide extinguisher for Class C fires. In areas with flammable liquids, chlorine and paints, management should also provide foam as well as multi-purpose dry chemical extinguishers.

Extinguishers should be installed in highly accessible locations throughout the plant and on the trucks. Plant personnel should check these extinguishers to guarantee that they are fully charged and operable at all times.

All workers should be trained in the proper use of fire extinguishers. If fire gets out of control, especially if flammable or combustible materials are in the area, PULL THE FIRE ALARM AND GET AWAY FROM THE AREA.

Machine guarding

Any machine part, function or process which may cause injury must be safeguarded in order to separate workers from the hazardous parts. Unguarded machinery can result in crushed hands and arms, severed fingers, blindness, even death.

It is not enough to expect workers to just “be careful” and hope for the best. If hands can enter a cutting or grinding area, a guard is needed. If workers must reach over, under or though dangerous areas, guards are needed. All pieces of machinery should be inspected to make sure they have proper guards. Workers should not wear rings, loose-fitting clothes or long hair around machinery.

Vehicles

At a minimum, vehicles should be equipped with properly functioning steering mechanisms, brakes that can quickly stop the vehicle, hand brakes, windshield wipers, two front headlights and two rear headlights, an adequate number of mirrors that provide a clear and full view of the road and the condition of traffic behind the vehicles, safety glass for windows, emergency lighting equipment, clearance lamps on the left and right sides of the front and rear of the vehicle, tires that have good treads (no bumps or worn areas) and safety belts. Trucks should also be equipped with backup warning devices.

Vehicles should also have a cab that will provide a quiet, well-ventilated and temperature-controlled environment with as little vibration as possible. Standard safety equipment including self-contained breathing apparatus, first-aid equipment, a fire extinguisher, flares and resuscitators should be on every vehicle.

Traffic hazards

Workers entering manholes and pumping stations from roadways or who are excavating or repairing sewer lines in roadways are threatened by serious injuries from moving traffic. In fact, five sewer workers die in traffic incidents for every one who dies in a sewer.

Drivers do not expect to share the road with workers and their equipment. To avoid injuries, it is necessary to get the driver’s attention, slow the driver down, guide the driver safely around the work zone and, finally, return the driver to the normal traffic flow safely. All traffic diversion and warning equipment should be sent out with the work crew and fully set up before any work begins.

To avoid serious injuries, road crews should take the following precautions:

• Signs and warnings should be placed so that drivers will have time to read the message and react before they reach the work area. At lower speeds (15-30 mph), signs may be placed 30 feet or less from the work area. At 30-40 mph, the first sign drivers see should be about 500 feet before the worksite. Where traffic travels at 45-50 mph, the first sign should be about 1,500 feet away and subsequent signs at 500-1,000 foot intervals. On 55 mph expressways and limited access roadways, increase the distance from the first sign to about 1/2 mile from the work area and intervals of 1,000 feet.
  
  
• All excavations and work areas in roadways should be barricaded and guarded. Traffic control devices should be installed before the work begins.
  
  
• Traffic cones can be used to guide and direct traffic around or through the work areas during daylight hours. They are well suited to short-term or mobile jobs, because they can be stacked. The devices should be installed before the work begins. At least one advance warning sign must be used to explain the cones. Flags inserted in the top of the cones increase their visibility.
  
  
• When workers are entering manholes or pumping stations from the roadways, a member of the standby crew should function as a flagger to divert traffic. When it is necessary to divert traffic, trucks should be equipped with safety trailers with high intensity illuminated arrows and flashing emergency equipment.
  
  
• Backup trucks and work vehicles can provide an effective barrier to protect workers from moving vehicles in the work zone. Trucks should be positioned between the working area and the flow of traffic. Be sure to allow enough space between the vehicle and the closest workers to prevent it from being pushed into them if it is hit.
  
  
• Backup and stationery vehicles and trucks can also serve as warning devices when equipped with flashing high intensity emergency lights (a revolving light or strobe light above the cab).
  
  
• Flaggers and work crew should wear bright orange reflection vests. Flaggers should be equipped with a red flag on a 3-foot staff.
  
  
• Trucks should have backup warning devices.
  
  

For more information on working in traffic, see the AFSCME publication Paving the Way.

Workplace violence

Public works employees who work in the community are at risk for workplace violence. Workers who are required to perform their jobs in a community setting or “in the field” often work alone, work at night, work in high crime areas, have extensive contact with the public, and may work with or near people who are gang members, violent crime offenders, or drug or alcohol abusers. Workers need to be protected from the threat of violence occurring on the job.

The employer, in cooperation with the local union, should take steps to reduce the likelihood of violence from occurring. Attacks on workers can be minimized by implementing the controls described below.

Staffing

Use a “buddy system” or provide for backup assistance (escort service or police assistance) so that workers do not have to enter a potentially dangerous situation alone.

Training

Train workers in:

• dealing with difficult people
  
  
• defusing potentially violent situations
  
  
• personal safety
  
  
• self-defense
  
  

Workplace Procedures

• Develop a written emergency action plan and train all workers in its procedures.
  
  
• Encourage staff to report all assaults.
  
  
• Provide a communication device (such as a cellular phone or two-way radio) for workers in the field to call for help when necessary.
  
  
• Provide a portable panic button that will automatically dial for help when activated.
  
  
• Consider providing personal protective devices (such as pepper gel or mace, stun guns or other devices) to workers. Workers must be trained in how to properly use any device. Such devices may not be appropriate for all types of workers.
  
  
• Require field staff to prepare a daily work plan and keep a contact person informed of their location throughout the day.
  
  
• Keep vehicles well-maintained. Always lock vehicles.
  
  
• Provide field staff with hand-held alarms or noise devices.
  
  
• Discourage workers from carrying items that could be used as weapons.
  
  
• Be aware that some types of public worker uniforms may be associated with “authority figures” such as inspectors, police or drug enforcers. Not all public-sector workers are welcomed in some residences or businesses.
  
  
• Establish a contact in the local police department.
  
  

Offer free legal assistance to workers who want to press charges against their attackers.

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