Author: ebolanos

OSHA Fatal Four Hazards

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Working in the construction industry takes skills and stamina, but no matter how agile and experienced a worker may be, it does not detract from the hazards they may face. Every day new challenges arise that put workers at risk of being hurt or fatally injured on the job. Dangerous elements of a construction job may include the use of heavy equipment or hazardous chemicals, falling objects, and flying debris, or becoming stuck in between machinery or supplies.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) generated the “Fatal Four” list, which accounts for the most fatal work accidents that may occur in construction or similar industries. It consists of falls, struck by objects, electrocution, and caught-in/between incidents. Falls accounted for nearly 40 percent of workplace accidents in 2017, which makes them the most common. In fact, OSHA ranked fall hazards as the most common violation for seven years running. Being struck by an object, electrocution, and getting caught in or between objects accounts for under ten percent each (eight percent, seven percent, and five percent respectively). Fatal Four-recognized accidents make up around 60 percent of construction accidents per year. Nearly 600 lives could be saved each year if Fatal Four accidents could be prevented altogether.

The South Jersey workers’ compensation lawyers at Pietras Saracino Smith & Meeks, LLP present this infographic that displays the four most fatal construction accidents that fall under OSHA’s Fatal Four and how commonly they take place.

How to Prevent the Fatal Four Accidents

So, what can be done to avoid these accidents and injuries from occurring? Employers and workers can prevent these dangers by taking the following steps.

  • Provide job hazard and workplace safety training to all workers
  • Wear and use personal protective equipment
  • Cover and secure floor openings
  • Keep floors clean and clear of objects
  • Install guardrails and handrails
  • Use ladders and scaffolds safely
  • Never position yourself between moving or fixed objects
  • Wear high-visibility clothing
  • Disconnect or power down tools when not in use
  • Keep cords away from heat, oil and sharp edges
  • Maintain a safe distance from power lines
  • Never use power tools near live electrical wires or water pipes
  • Be aware of moving equipment and moving parts
  • Secure machinery to prevent it from tipping over
  • Avoid wearing loose clothing or loose hair that could get caught in machinery
  • Never overload machines
  • Turn off machinery when not in use

Source: OSHA Fatal Four Hazards | Learn More About How It Can Affect You (njworkinjuries.com)

How to Protect Yourself & Others Against Covid-19

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Get Vaccinated and stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines

Wear a mask

  • Everyone ages 2 years and older should properly wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public in areas where the COVID-19 Community Level is high, regardless of vaccination status.
  • Wear a mask with the best fit, protection, and comfort for you.
  • If you are in an area with a high COVID-19 Community Level and are ages 2 or older, wear a mask indoors in public.
  • If you are sick and need to be around others, or are caring for someone who has COVID-19, wear a mask.
  • If you are at increased risk for severe illness, or live with or spend time with someone at higher risk, speak to your healthcare provider about wearing a mask at medium COVID-19 Community Levels.
  • People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system may not be fully protected even if they are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines. They should talk to their healthcare providers about what additional precautions may be necessary.

Everyone aged 2 years or older—including passengers and workers— should properly wear a well-fitting  mask or respirator in indoor areas of public transportation (such as airplanes, trains, buses, ferries) and transportation hubs (such as airports, stations, and seaports), especially in locations that are crowded or poorly ventilated such as airport jetways.

Stay 6 feet away from others

  • Inside your home: Avoid close contact with people who are sick, if possible. If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members. If you are taking care of someone who is sick, make sure you properly wear a well-fitting mask and follow other steps to protect yourself.
  • Indoors in public: If you are not up to date on COVID-19 vaccines, stay at least 6 feet away from other people, especially if you are at higher risk of getting very sick with COVID-19.

Avoid poorly ventilated spaces and crowds

Test to prevent spread to others

  • You can choose from many different types of tests.
  • Tests for SARS-CoV-2(the virus that causes COVID-19) tell you if you have an infection at the time of the test. This type of test is called a viral test because it looks for viral infection.
  • Regardless of the test type you select, a positive test result means that you have an infection and should isolate and inform your close contacts to avoid spreading disease to others.
  • Over-the-counter self-tests are viral tests that can be used at home or anywhere, are easy to use, and produce rapid results. Anyone can use self-tests, regardless of their vaccination status or whether they have symptoms.
  • COVID-19 self-tests are one of many risk-reduction measures, along with vaccination, masking, and physical distancing, that protect you and others by reducing the chances of spreading COVID-19.

Wash your hands often

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • It’s especially important to wash your hands:
    • Before eating or preparing food
    • Before touching your face
    • After using the restroom
    • After leaving a public place
    • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
    • After handling your mask
    • After changing a diaper
    • After caring for someone sick
    • After touching animals or pets
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Cover coughs and sneezes

  • If you are wearing a mask: You can cough or sneeze into your mask. Put on a new, clean mask as soon as possible and wash your hands.
  • If you are not wearing a mask:
    • Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or use the inside of your elbow and do not spit.
    • Throw used tissues in the trash.
    • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean and disinfect

  • Clean high touch surfaces regularly or as needed and after you have visitors in your home. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
  • If someone is sick or has tested positive for COVID-19, disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

Monitor your health daily

  • Be alert for symptoms:
    • Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
    • Take your temperature if symptoms develop.
    • Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen.
    • Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.
  • Monitoring symptoms is especially important if you are running errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of 6 feet.

Follow recommendations for quarantine

Follow recommendations for isolation

Take precautions when you travel

Source: www.cdc.gov