Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/514191
78 • JUNE 2015 • WORLD FENCE NEWS Fencer muses on the meaning of life high above earth continued from previous page let me catch the flight I missed at its scheduled fuel stop somewhere. I log about another 1,000 air miles in the process, and am getting damn tired of flying right about now! I change planes, and get to the shuttle to Tampa, which arrives about 2 a.m. The first thing I do is kiss the ground. Well, anyway, should I die and head for Heaven, I'll probably have to change planes in Atlanta! Tips for conducting effective safety meetings For many years, World Fence News has published articles contain- ing suggested topics for company safe- ty meetings or "tool box talks." Now, here are some tips on how to effective- ly conduct these meetings, courtesy of OSHA. These are a continuation of some suggestions presented in last month's edition of WFN. • • • Records and reports You should maintain a log of meeting topics, date presented, and have persons attending sign their name. As a rule, it is not advisable to take notes or keep any long records or minutes of tailgate meetings. It would limit participation by others. You can make notes later for your own refer- ence that you discussed such-and-such a subject on a certain day. Here are some possible meeting topics: Vehicular 1. Special instruction on safe op- eration of equipment to new employ- ees or to old employees on new or un- familiar equipment. 2. Fueling or working on equip- ment with engine running or in en- closed spaces. 3. Leaving equipment unattended with engine running. 4. Proper procedures in setting up pumps, mixers, hoists, etc. 5. Proper driving procedures, avoiding rear end collisions, intersec- tion crashes. 6. Maintenance of truck, driver reports, complaints. 7. Backup signal devices. 8. Use of seat belts on vehicles and motorized equipment. 9. Use of signal men in moving equipment and vehicles. 10. Basic signals by person in di- rection drive. Ladders 1. Reporting deficiencies in equip- ment to supervisor, scaffolding or working area foreman. 2. Proper usage of ladders and ramps. Personal protective equipment 1. Proper footwear and care of feet. 2. Eye protection as needed and eye burn care. 3. Use of seatbelts on all vehicles and motorized equipment such as forklifts. General 1. Any safety problem that needs attention, cooperation or correction. 2. Removal, abuse, displacement, danger to, or destruction of or carry- ing off of safety devices. 3. Obscuring, covering or remov- ing safety warnings, notices or red tags. 4. Proper lights and lighting on equipment and on the job site. 5. Special hazards of working at night. 6. Checking, maintenance of hy- draulic systems: Leaks, oil level, etc. 7. Tagging of equipment out of service. 8. Making safety of self and oth- ers the concern of everyone on the job. 9. Care and use of fire extinguish- ers on equipment. 10. Safety rules First aid 1. Simple first aid for typical types of accidents. 2. Location of first aid supplies on the job. Housekeeping 1. General housekeeping on the job, i.e., debris, ditches, mounds, etc. Material handling 1. How to lift to avoid back injury. 2. Handling and transportation of materials. Accident investigating 1. Review of conditions contribut- ing to recent accidents. 2. Reporting of accidents to su- pervisor and recording of required corrective follow up. Environmental health 1. The use of ear plugs, muffs and sound baffles and noise controls on machinery. 2. Danger of operating gas en- gines in confined areas. 3. Care of clothing and skin to prevent dermatitis. Tools and equipment 1. Care in use of power hand tools. 2. Proper installation of guards for power equipment. 3. Keeping hands out of moving parts. 4. Alertness of other equipment being used on job site. Electrical 1. Proper wiring and grounding of power equipment and cords. 2. Proper lights and lighting on equipment and on job site. 3. Tagging equipment out of ser- vice. Brief outlines for talks 1. Safeguards left off. A. Guards are placed on machines to prevent a person from contacting moving parts. B. Scores of workers are injured or killed each year because guards are left off. C. Why are guards left off equip- ment? Some reasons often given are: "No time to replace it." "The boss said, Let's go!" "Wanted to be sure the machine operated properly before installing the guard, but it was left off indefinitely." "Guard did not fit a new drive." "Had to remove guard to adjust or lubricate." "Could not do the work with the guard on," or "It slowed us down." "Ran this equipment for years without a guard, and never got hurt." D. Each of the above alibis and others have been stated hundreds of times following serious injuries. After the accident, positive corrections are being taken. Attitudes are changed, safety measures are revised. But that should be done beforehand. That is the reason for the safety meetings! 2. Portable power chainsaws. A. Chainsaws are safe if properly maintained and used. B. Discuss hazards such as re- volving chain, flying chips or broken fragments. 3. Defective hand tools. A. Mushroom heads, split han- dles, loose shovel handles, dull or bro- ken teeth. B. Review injuries your group has had because of defective hand tools. C. Bring some defective tools (if any) found on your own operation, and discuss them. D. By discussion, set up a program of reporting and repairing or replacing defective tools. Note: Misuse of hand tools should probably be mentioned, but do not let that confuse the thinking on defective hand tools. Misusing tools can be the subject of another discussion. Many accidents, some causing personal injury and some not, would be prevented by proper job planning with the group that is going to do the job.