November 2010 Volume 9, Issue 2 U.S. Department of Labor Wisconsin Construction Safety Newsletter Inside This Issue Kick-Back Hazards of Portable Saws Pipe Threader Safety Fatalities Top 10 Construction Violations Controlling the Kick-Back Hazard While Operating a Portable Cut-Off Saw Recently, there have been a number of accidents from saw blade kickbacks when operating portable gasoline cut-off saws or chop saws. If you are an operator, what do you really need to know to be properly trained? What is the proper use of the saw? These portable saws serve a unique function in the construction industry and especially with the utility contractors. The saw cuts through concrete or steel quickly and in place. However, they are known to have reactive forces that create the potential for saw blade kicking back towards the operator s body! Training and Familiarization A minimum starting point is reading the owner s manual for the specific model and brand you will be operating. Most cutoff saw manuals will have a diagram or similar explanation of how kickbacks occur and how to reduce the possibility of a kickback. Some manufacturers have a video or representatives that can assist in training. The term kickback is used a bit differently by different saw manufacturers, (Continued on page 2) The saw manufacturer indicates that the wheeled cart or dolly should be used to handle the saw. The employee is wearing ear plugs but should also be wearing safety glasses and a face shield.
(Continued from page 1) but basically it refers to when the saw jumps back toward the operator. Lock-in is when the blade jams in the material and pulls the saw away from the operator. With proper use, neither of these should happen. Kickback can be caused by using the upper part of the cutting blade or when a cut is interrupted. It also can happen when putting the blade back into a cut that's already been started. If you must do that, make sure the blade is spinning at top speed before continuing the cut. Prepare Yourself Selection, Inspection and Maintenance Safety training must include knowledge of how to perform pre-use inspection and maintenance. The saws are advertized as light-weight and rugged and do get thrown around in the back of trucks and used in wet, cold, and muddy environments. Follow recommended practices for transportation and storage of these units. Ensure that the saw blade is mounted properly; the blade s RPM match the saw s capabilities, and is appropriate for the material being cut. Check that the saw guard is present, aligned, and positioned at the proper angle for the cut. Defective units must be removed from service. A less aggressive saw blade may minimize the kickback potential. Using beveling bowls may eliminate the dangers associated with the common technique of side grinding with an abrasive blade. Use of a governor on the saw engine or a smaller saw may reduce energy/angular momentum if a kickback occurred. Using water or wet cutting can reduce reactive forces by acting as a lubricant. Get your PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) on that will help prevent contact from a saw blade kickback, flying debris and/or noise. Approved safety glasses, hard hat with a face shield, safety shoes, hearing protection, gloves and clothing for spark protection (for metal) would be basic essentials. Respirators may be necessary if cutting is not wet. (Continued on page 3) The dolly that the saw manufacturer has available to protect the employee from kickback.
(Continued from page 2) Prepare the Work Piece Cutting should not be performed overhead, above the shoulders, working from a ladder or other awkward position. The work piece should be clearly visible and not obscured by soil, mud and/or water. The operator should be standing on a stable, dry surface for good footing and balance. Move the work to a jig or work bench when ever possible to support the piece. If the piece must be cut in place, provide proper cribbing or support to prevent the blade from being pinched or the blade being kicked back. Saw Operation for Proper Body Posture and Body Position You must be in control of the saw at all times. Two hands must be used at all times with the thumbs wrapped around the handles. Saws are built with light-weight materials which makes it tempting for construction workers to operate the saws with one hand. Monitor your stance, grip, and weight distribution during the cut to ensure control of the saw and that if a kickback occurred that you would be in a position to avoid the blade. Do not bend too far forward (over saw) when cutting. Always bend at the knees and don t bend over at the waist. Ensure that none of your body parts are in the swing area or line of travel when cutting through the material. OSHA Standards OSHA s 1926 Subpart I Tools Hand and Power has general coverage on Cut-Off Saws but does not have specific paragraphs for Cut-Off Saws. The general training section under 1926.21(b)(2) can be cited if training was not conducted or was inadequate. Summary This article is not intended to cover all aspects of Cut-Off Saw training. Training elements will vary depending on particular applications such as the type of saw, blades, materials and conditions. With any training program, an important element is to allow a new operator the opportunity to work with the saw under the direct supervision with a trained, experienced operator. For More Information RJF Agencies, Inc. has set up a website to act as a clearing house for information on Cut-Off Saws. The website is: https://passport.assurexglobal.com/client The user name and password are both: sawsafety
No fall protection being used. Misuse of Threading Machines Are You Guilty of This Shortcut? Pipe threaders are used by a numerous trades such as electricians, mechanical, HVAC, and plumbers. They are on nearly every job site. These machines are deceptively slow and appear harmless. The reality is these machines generate enough torque to wrap the worker s clothing and cause severe crushing injuries and/or death. A number of years ago, units were manufactured and retrofitted with constant pressure foot switch controls to minimize the torque hazards. The task of threading a pipe requires the worker to be exposed to the rotating part. A fixed guard would not be feasible to install. The foot switch control has been effective in minimizing the severity of the injury, if not eliminate the accident all together. This safe-guarding method requires trained workers to know how to position their body relative to their work piece and equipment. This method relies on the worker s instinct to release the foot switch if something is wrong, so the worker could freeze and maintain contact with the foot power switch. Do not use this machine to make or break fittings. This practice is not an intended use of the machine and can result in serious injury. (Page 3: Ridgid 300 Power Drive Manual) Recently, it s been noted that accidents are occurring while making or breaking fittings by using the pipe threader. This task is not the intended use of the tool. The worker holds the fitting with a pipe wrench and activates the pipe threader s foot switch. The wrench inadvertently turns with the pipe and fitting which slams the worker s (Continued on page 5)
(Continued from page 4) hand into the frame of the machine or causes the worker to be caught and twisted around the pipe. Here are two accidents that OSHA has investigated: At approximately 9:45 a.m. on November 5, 2003, Employee #1 was wrapping plastic tape on a 10-foot long by 1- inch metal conduit with a pipe threader machine. Her left arm was caught and twisted between the plastic tape and the rotating conduit, resulting in lacerations and a compound fracture to her arm. She was hospitalized for her injuries. The 120-volt, 10-ampere pipe threader machine was designed for cutting threads on metal conduit. It was not intended for wrapping plastic tape on conduit. At approximately 1:30 p.m. on August 8, 2002, Employee #1, a plumber's apprentice, was working on the installation of a gas pipeline in a house under construction. A plumber told him to thread an 18 inch long by 1/2 inch diameter black steel pipe, and Employee #1 began working with the threading machine. Employee #1 was tightening an attachment onto the black steel pipe when he activated the foot control. The fourth finger on Employee #1's right hand became caught between a wrench and the threading machine's frame and was amputated to the middle of the nail bed. Employee #1 was transported to the hospital where he was treated and released. OSHA does not have a standard in General Industry or Construction that addresses pipe threaders specifically. 1926.300(a): Condition of tools. All hand and power tools and similar equipment, whether furnished by the employer or the employee, shall be maintained in a safe condition. This standard addresses maintenance of the equipment and not the work practices. OSHA can cite the General Duty Clause for hazards that do not have specific standards. We would rely on equipment manuals, placards/warnings and review worker training conducted. This topic has been discussed in meetings between OSHA and construction associations. Compliance Officers are aware of this work practice. It would be prudent to investigate and do some additional training in the safe use/ work practices of pipe threaders. References: http://www.agedweb.org/courses/aget120/safety/pipe%20threading%20machine%20safety.doc http://www.osha.gov/dts/hib/hib_data/hib19920817.html No fall protection being used.
Region 5 Construction Fatalities for August 2010 to November 2010 SIC code and accident description 1623 Water, Sewer, Pipeline, and Communications and Power Line Construction As an employee was helping to replace a water supply line outside of a business, the 8 to 9 foot deep excavation collapsed and crushed the employee. 1795 Wrecking and Demolition Work Two employees were conducting demolition operations of weigh station concrete pads. One employee was using a skid steer with a jack hammer attachment to pound the concrete and remove rebar. The other employee was standing nearby and holding a piece of the rebar when he was struck with rebar. 1711 Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning An employee was standing on a ladder that was leaning on a newly installed air handing unit. He had opened the door to the electrical panel and was installing static tubing when he contacted live electrical wires entering a 460 volt electrical panel. 1761 Roofing, Siding, and Sheet Metal Work An employee was working on a roof when he fell through a skylight. The employee was repairing sections of deteriorated roof and was installing membrane when he fell through the 5 foot by 5 foot acrylic skylight. 1761 Roofing, Siding, and Sheet Metal Work An employee was working on a flat roof performing flashing work when he fell 35 feet to the ground. 1623 Water, Sewer, Pipeline, and Communications and Power Line Construction An employee helping to install a sewer pipe to a single family home was crushed by a collapsing trench wall. 1611 Highway and Street Construction, Except Elevated Highways A group of 6 employees were working on a highway re-paving job at night. Asphalt delivery trucks were arriving at the project to start a new run of pavement when a worker that was marking lines was run over by a backing truck. 1795 Wrecking and Demolition Work An employee was cutting down beams in an abandoned building when he fell from the ladder to the floor about 14 feet below. (Continued on page 7) This lamp is not protected from accidental contact or breakage.
(Continued from page 6) 1623 Water, Sewer, Pipeline, and Communications and Power Line Construction An employee was operating a backhoe, digging around a large tree for site preparation on a new building. The tree fell on the cab of the backhoe. 1799 Special Trade Contractors, Not Elsewhere Classified Two employees were performing repairs on an impact attenuator on the off ramp of an interstate highway and were working within a controlled access zone when a vehicle made an illegal turn and hit one of the workers. 1761 Roofing, Siding, and Sheet Metal Work While working on the roof and installing ice guard and tar paper an employee fell about 15 feet to the ground. There was no personal fall arrest system and no slide guards being used. (Continued on page 8) Broken ladder leg. Top Ten Violations Listed below are the top ten cited violations found during Federal OSHA construction inspections from October 2009 through September 2010. Rank Standard Hazard 1. 29 CFR 1926.451 General Requirements of all Types of Scaffolds 2. 29 CFR 1926.501 Duty to Have Fall Protection 3. 29 CFR 1926.1053 Ladders 4. 29 CFR 1926.503 Fall Protection Training 5. 29 CFR 1926.20 General Safety and Health Provisions 6. 29 CFR 1910.1200 Chemical Hazard Communication 7. 29 CFR 1926.100 Head Protection 8. 29 CFR 1926.651 Specific Excavation Requirements 9. 29 CFR 1910.453 Aerial Lifts 10. 29 CFR 1926.102 Eye and Face Protection
(Continued from page 7) 1611 Highway and Street Construction, Except Elevated Highways As employees were working on a two-lane state highway and applying sealant on cracks a truck approached the work zone and did not appear to be slowing down. The flagger holding the STOP sign moved into the ditch and the truck swerved into the ditch and struck the flagger. 1741 Masonry, Stone Setting, and Other Stone Work An employee was in an extended boom lift when a support for the basket failed. The employee was thrown out of the basket and was suspended from his harness and lanyard. 1711 Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning An employee was relocating four sprinkler heads and had turned off the water supply and drained the water. As he was removing a sprinkler head it started to spray water. He went to the truck and returned with a nipple valve and was standing on a ladder when he fell. 1611 Highway and Street Construction, Except Elevated Highways At a job site where the road was being milled down in preparation for re-paving an employee was run over by a backing dump truck. 1799 Special Trade Contractors, Not Elsewhere Classified A pipefitter was one of a group of six employees working to install an 8 inch high-density polyethylene pipe. A length of the pipe was being moved and may have been partially full of water. A 12 foot endless synthetic web sling was rigged to the bucket of a Caterpillar excavator to lift the pipe. The pipe slipped out of the sling and struck the pipefitter. 1761 Roofing, Siding, and Sheet Metal Work An employee was engaged with removal and repair of soft spots on a commercial roof. He was installing pieces of fiber board and metal decking and fell through an opening in the roof that had one piece of fiberboard installed. He fell about 40 feet. This trench is not protected 1926.652(a)(1) and there is no ladder for egress 1926.651(c)(2).
This newsletter provides an overview of OSHA standards and does not alter or determine compliance responsibilities, which are described in the OSHA standards and the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Because interpretations and enforcement policy may change over time, the best sources for additional guidance on OSHA compliance requirements are current administrative interpretations and decisions by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission and the courts. This employee was working in the cab of the excavator and was monitored for asbestos and respirable particulates. There were no asbestos fibers found on the personal sampler and the amount of respirable particulates was only 1% of the allowable amount. Wisconsin Contact Information Wisconsin OSHA Consultation Offices: Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene 2601 Agriculture Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53718 (608) 226-5240 (Health) Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene 141 NW Barstow Street, Fourth Floor, Waukesha, Wisconsin 53188 (800) 947-0553 (Safety) Wisconsin OSHA Enforcement Offices: Appleton Area Office, 1648 Tri Park Way, Appleton, Wisconsin 54914, (920) 734-4521, (920) 734-2661 FAX Eau Claire Area Office, 1310 W. Clairemont Avenue, Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54701 (715) 832-9019, (715) 832-1147 FAX Madison Area Office, 4802 E. Broadway, Madison, Wisconsin 53716 (608) 441-5388, (608) 441-5400 FAX Milwaukee Area Office, 310 Building, Suite 1180, 310 West Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53203 (414) 297-3315, (414) 297-4299 FAX Do you have comments or ideas for articles? E-mail them to the Wisconsin Construction Safety Newsletter at Zortman.Chris@dol.gov Ideas for Articles for Upcoming Issues Do you have any ideas for articles that you want to see or topics that you think are important? Please let us know at the email address listed just above.