Three Point Climbing Safety

Introduction: Whether climbing or descending ladders, equipment, climbing rungs, or steep angle steps, a three point contact climbing technique is essential for safety. We don’t usually consider a mundane task such as climbing a ladder to be dangerous feat, however, falls from ladders alone is the twelfth leading cause of on-the-job deaths in the United States. Falls account for hundreds of deaths, and thousands of injures every year. Climbing to any height on a vertical or nearly vertical structure is a hazard worthy of the same safety techniques used by mountain and rock climbers to scale great heights. Following are guidelines to safety climb and/or descend:

Three points Climbing Techniques: It is common and natural when climbing to move your alternating limbs at the same time to ascend or descend. This means that you move your left leg and right arm at the same time, or vice-versa. While this may be the quickest way to climb or descend, it is not the safest way:

• By moving two limbs at the same time you only leave two points of contact on the step, rung, or ladder. This is an unstable platform from which to keep your balance or shift your weight.
• When climbing with only two points of contact if one point of contact slips, you will either be left hanging by one hand, or one foot or you will fall.
• By moving only one limb at a time you maintain a three point contact at all time (both feet and one hand, or both hands and one foot). This is a much safer, and a much more stable position.
• If one limb (or point of contact) slips while using a three point contact, you still have at least one hand and one foot on the structure to support your weight, and can recover without harm.
• You must ensure that your three points of contact have either a firm grip or solid purchase before moving the next hand or foot to another position.

Note: When climbing using a three point method of climbing you cannot carry anything in your hands as it will not allow you to maintain three points contact at all times.

General Climbing Safety Tips:

• Employees can slip or loose their balance while climbing by over-reaching while working from ladder.
• Use harness or suitable fall protection to work from a climbing structure.
• Slippery substances such as grease or oil on rungs or steps can also cause slips and falls.
• There is always the hazard of falling object from workers caring tools or materials up a a ladder. Do not hand carry objects while climbing. Use a sling, harness, or tool belt to carry tools or material, or line or hoist raise tools or material after climbing.
• Always inspect any ladder for damage or defect prior to use. Inspect for broken or missing rungs or steps, broken or split side rails, defective or missing safety pads, corrosion, securely fitting components between steps and side rails, rungs that are free of grease and oil, and no splinters or sharp points that may snag closing.
• Never stand on the four top rungs of a straight or extension ladder, or on the top two steps of a step ladder.
• Hoist tools and other material up after reaching the top of the ladder. Use of tool belts helps to manage tools while working from a ladder.
• Never over-reach while working from ladder. Work with your body within the ladder’s side rails. Descend and reposition ladder as needed to stay close to work.
• Rung or steps on metal ladders must be treated to prevent slipping. Treatment may include being corrugated, dimpled, knurled, or coated with non-skid, and slip-resistant material.

Conclusion: If you consider how often you climb and descend, and up the steps you make these common means of access to higher or lower levels, you will probably find that you climb the equipment of a small mountain throughout the course of a day. Respect the hazard of climbing and take the time to do it safely.

Choosing Your Ladder

Ladders are involved in 29% of disabling falls among construction workers, which is the highest in the industry. To avoid becoming a statistic, learning to select the best ladder for the job is fundamental. Key factors to consider during ladder selection are type and style, length, duty rating, and the material from which the ladder is composed.

Type and Stile

1. Portable ladders are either self-supporting (standard stepladder), or non-self-supporting (extension ladder). Consider the type of work you are doing before deciding which style will work best.
2. Consider the material that the ladder is made from, as well.

• Aluminum – Ladders made from aluminum are lightweight and resistant to corrosion; however, they do not insulate against heat or cold and conduct electricity. Never use this type of ladder around a charged electrical current.
• Fiberglass – this material makes ladders that are weather resistant, durable, and non-conductive when clean and dry; however, these ladders are very heavy and tend to chip and crack when handled improperly.

Length

• Stepladders – when working from a stepladder, you should be able to reach about four feet from the top of the ladder, while standing on the second step from the top.
• Extension ladders – for the best setup, an extension ladder should be 7 – 10 feet longer than the vertical distance to the highest contact point on a structure.

Duty rating

• Light duty (111) 200 pounds
• Medium duty (11) 225 pounds
• Heavy duty (1) 250 pounds
• Extra heavy duty (1A) 300 pounds
• Special duty (1AA) 375 pounds 

Influencing Attitudes for Safety 

Do attitudes matter?
Attitudes have a great deal to do with how employees perform their daily tasks. Positive attitudes are conductive to safety performance and productivity, while negative attitudes can lead to accidents and injuries.

Negative attitudes: Certain attitudes towards safety can put people at risk.

Over-confidence: The belief that experience and skill can replace the need for safety precautions.
Under-confidence: The belief that you are unable to influence your safety environment. Possible underlying beliefs include:

• That safety is a matter of chance, fate, or destiny, rather than personal action
  
• That the nature of your job requires overlooking safety practices
  
• That your organization does not really care about safety, and they will not listen to your concerns
  
• That making safe choices will have a negative impact on how you are perceived by coworkers, because it will slow you down

Positive attitudes: People play active role in their own safety when they believe that they can and should do so. Positive believes include:

• Accidents have causes, and they can always be prevented
  
• Accidents interfere with production; therefore, safe work is efficient work
  
• Working safety shows care for family and loved ones
  
• Organizations want safe working environments
  
• Coworkers will respect good judgment and safe choices
  
• Working safely is a mark of skill and positive professional conduct
  
• Contributing to an organization's positive safety record is important

Create a culture of safety:

Attitudes are contagious: Creating a good environment for safety practices and ideas makes everyone more likely to accept them
Attitudes are influenced by example: Set an example by working safely and working for safety. Others will be influenced by what they see
New hires are impressionable: They are strongly influenced by the behavior of direction and safety instruction right from the start

Positive safety attitudes will spread throughout the work culture if each employee takes an active part in the discussion of how accidents can be prevented.

Eye and Face Protection

The facts...

Workplace safety: Are you ready for your work day? Do you have your safety glasses? Are they handy? Do they fit properly? Do you know where the nearest eyewash stations are from your work area? Do you know how to get medical attention if needed?

Get Educated About Eye Protection

An eye injury is one of those things that are difficult to believe in – until it happens to you. It just doesn’t seem possible that a particle can fly through the air and strike your eye before you can blink.

But that is precisely what can happen. A sliver of wood, a chunk of metal or another object can be projected from a rotating machine or an impact tool. Your natural protective reflex is no match for the speed and force of the flying object.

Unfortunately, many workers learn this lesson the hard way. They get an education in an instant, when something hits them in the eye. The resulting eye injury is likely to be painful and inconvenient and it can cause permanent blindness.

Don’t wait for an injury to show you the importance of eye safety. Follow these guidelines to protect your sight:

• Operate tools and equipment correctly according the manufacturer’s instructions and your safety training. Grinding equipment is a common cause of eye injury. Use the correct grinding wheel at the recommended speed, examining it first for any defects which might cause it to disintegrate.
• Use a vacuum system for cleanup rather than a broom or compressed air, both of which can send dust and larger particles into the air.
• Wear the safety eyewear recommended for your job. There are many different types of eye protection. Spectacles made of an impact resistant material are called for in many situations. Side shields add further effectiveness to safety glasses. Goggles are also used to protect against impact and particles. Other types of goggles provide protection from chemical liquids and vapors. A face shield may be required for operating with a high likelihood of producing flying debris.

In case something goes wrong, you should know first aid eye injuries:

• For a particle in the eye, lift the upper eyelid outward and pull it down over the lower lid. Let the tears wash out the particle or use eyewash. If the speck does not wash out, keep the eye closed and loosely bandaged while awaiting medical help. Don’t rub the eye.
• For a blow to the eye, gently apply a small cld compress without pressure to reduce discomfort and swelling. Seem emergency medical care in case of pain, reduced vision or a black eye, all of which can indicate imternal eye damage.
• For cuts or puncture of the eye or eyelid, bandage the eye lightly without pressure. Do not wash the eye with water and do not try to remove an object stuck in the eye. Get medical help right away.
• For a chemical splash, flood the eye with water from eyewash or another clean source for 15 to 20 minutes and medical help immediately.

Don’t wait until you can’t see to believe in eye protection.

Handling Power Tools Safely

Power tools can be very dangerous when used improperly. Cuts, punctures, electric shock and burns are common consequences of accidents involving these tools. Always exercise caution when working with or around power tools.

• Keep tools clean. Poor maintenance is responsible for many accidents.
  
• Ensure that all guards are in place
  
• Disconnect the power source before adjusting, oiling or changing accessories - always replace guards when you are done
  
• Ensure that all cords are placed in safe locations, where they do not create a tripping hazard
  
• Inspect the insulation on all wires each day. Report all damaged wires
  
• Inspect the couplings on pneumatic hoses before each use. Report all damaged couplings immediately
  
• Ensure that the tool that you are using is properly grounded
  
• Sanders should be moved away from the body when using
  
• Only properly trained and certified operators may use power actuated tools
  
• Tools must always be lift unloaded until ready for use. Studs should be driven a safe distance from the edge or material
  
• Operators should wear safety goggles or face shields
  

Back Care: You Can Make a Difference!  

"Ouch! Why did I try to lift that much weight on my own? Did you ever ponder those words after you hoisted something heavy, or lifted from an awkward position? These incidents are well known causes of back strain, but you might not have considered other "underlying" factors that lead to back injury. Several conditions influence your "back health".

The cause of most back problems is poor posture, loss of flexibility, stressful living/working habits and above all, a general decline in physical fitness. Surprised? You shouldn't be. When you "let yourself go", (and most of us do with age) the first thing to go can be back strength. Along with correct lifting techniques, we should also work on our overall physical condition.

Nutrition is an important key to staying physically fit! As we grow older, our metabolism slows down. To counteract this natural event, we have to eat the right type of food and not too much of it or the pounds come on quickly! Now, what does nutrition have to do with a healthy back? For one thing, a healthy back is correctly balanced on your spine. With a "sway" back, that balance is lost and those darned potbellies cause sway backs. Carrying around excess weight puts tremendous strain on back tissues, so lifting even a small load cause an injury.

Exercise plays an important role as well. A form of exercise as simple as walking 30 minutes a day can raise your heart rate and burn enough calories to help keep you lean. Flexibility is another condition that changes as we grow older, if we don't work to retain it. It's true, as they say - "Use it or lose it!" Without flexibility, we lose our body's full range of motion. Then, when a sudden physical demand takes a muscle or joint further than it's used to, thee risk of injury is high. You can do stretching exercises every morning to keep yourself flexible and ready for the physical demand on work. After all, don't athletes warm up before a game to prevent injury?

Fixed positions - not moving enough - can also cause back problems. Staying in fixed position for too long can lead to muscle spasms. We feel it as stiffness, but by the time discomfort from "static" muscle contractions is experienced, low level tissue damage has begun. Take stretch breaks between long standing or sitting periods to improve circulation and prevent back strain.

Poor body mechanics and bad lifting habits usually "trigger" a back injury and are more likely to do so if overall physical condition is poor. Remember these techniques to help escape injury:

• Avoid using fast, jerking motions when lifting
  
• Avoid bending and twisting at the same time
  
• Avoid hanging a load too far away! Keep the load close to your body
  
• Teamwork! If the load is too heavy, two persons should carry the load

Emotional stress leads to mental distraction, so that thing other than proper body mechanics are on you mind. Stress and back pain seem to go together. Low back pain has been called "a tension headache that slipped". Solving our personal problems isn't always easy to do, but it often takes away back pain and helps prevent repeated injuries.

In conclusion: Improper lifting isn't the only thing that causes back injuries. People who do not also stay in good physical and mental condition are at risk for back problems.

In order to prevent property damage and physical injury when working in attics, do the following before beginning any work:

• Be aware of fire suppression systems installed in the attic space
• Inspect the work area for any exposed insulation or lack of flooring
• Be prepared to work on un-floored surfaces by keeping a “surf board” or “attic board” in your vehicle
• Make sure that your” surf board” is visible and can be distinguished from the insulation or attic flooring.
• Paint it a bright color (orange) so that you can easily see it in the dark work space.
• Make sure you have adequate lightning in the work area.
• Use lighted head gear or drop lights for additional visibility.

Importance of Hydration

We’ve all experienced it at some point when working or playing hard – fatigue sets in, your mouth feels dry and your legs are heavy and maybe you even get a headache. These are all common signs of dehydration.

When you are working hard, body fluid is lost through sweat. If the fluid through sweat is not replaced, dehydration and early fatigue are unavoidable. Losing even 2% of body fluids (less than 3.5 pounds in 180-pound person) can impair performance by increasing fatigue and affecting cognitive kills. During the summer heat it’s easy to become dehydrated if you don’t drink enough fluids to replace what is lost in sweat.

However, dehydration can easily be prevented:

When to drink: Ensure you drink before you start working, trying to catch-up for fluids after a period of time is very difficult. Also, drink before you get thirsty. By the time you’re thirsty you are already dehydrated, so it’s important to drink at regular intervals – especially when it’s not outside.

What to drink: Water is truly one of the best things to drink. Research also shows that a lightly flavored beverage with a small amount of sodium encourages people to drink enough to stay hydrated. The combination of flavor and electrolytes in a sport drink like Gatorade provides one of the best choices to help you stay properly hydrated.

What not to drink: During activity, avoid drinks with high sugar content such as soda and even fruit juices. These are slow to absorb into the body. Also alcohol and caffeinated beverages should be avoided.

Many people ask how much to drink and that truly depends on your activity level and how much your body is losing fluids. In general, when you are working and sweating, you should drink at least every half-hour. Ensure you are drinking enough to replace your lost fluids. A good rule of thumb from a wise man says: “if you aren’t urinating, you’re not drinking enough”.

Watch Your Footing around Vehicle Falls

When you think of accidents involving motor vehicles, you probably thin of collisions. However, there is another leading type of injury accident – falls.

Drivers, passengers and cargo handlers, among others, can be seriously injured in falls from vehicles and around vehicles.

There are several common situations where slips, trips and falls occur on vehicles:

• When climbing in or out of the cab
• When hooking up or unhooking the trailer
• When standing on the front bumper to do maintenance such as checking the oil or cleaning the windshield
• When entering or exiting the cargo area of a vehicle
• When walking on or stepping down from a loading dock

Here are some reminders about preventing falls around trucks and other vehicles:

• Use the step plates and hand holds provided on a vehicle. Make sure these safety aids in place, clear of grease or ice, and in good condition. If they are missing or if the non-skid surface has worn away, have them attended to
• Check your footwear for oil, snow and ice before stepping up or down from vehicle
• Maintain “three point contact” when entering or exiting the cab, or climbing up or down any part of the vehicle. This means you should have two hands and one foot or one hand and two feet in contact with the vehicle
• Do not jump down from the back cargo door. Instead, use the step bar or mobile steps
• A particularly dangerous practice is pulling down the overhead door as you jump down from the vehicle. Instead, maintain firm footing as you close the door
• Check the ground or pavement before stepping off vehicle. Look for debris, ice or loose gravel that could cause you to fall
• Even in a low vehicle such as a passenger car, falls can occur on entering and exiting. Be sure of your footing before step out of a vehicle, especially in icy winter conditions
• Operators of passenger vehicles must be constantly on the alert for fall hazards such as torn floor coverings and non-skid surfaces which have been worn down by traffic. You can prevent passenger falls by stopping as close to the curb as possible, waiting until passengers are seated before starting out and driving smoothly

Falls can also occur around vehicles and in areas where cargo is being loaded or unloaded. Here are some safety reminders:

• Never jump down from loading dock to the level below – take the stairs
• Watch where you are going, particularly if you are working near the edge of a dock
• If you are carrying materials, be sure you can see around the load
• Beware of slipping hazards such as icy steps and docks, clutter in traffic areas and rough pavement. Correct or report any such hazards to protect others from falls
• Wear well-fitting work shoes in good condition with non-skid soles
• Maintain good lighting in work areas. Report any problems such as burned out fixtures.
• Have your vision checked regularly and wear the required prescription eyewear. Keep your glasses clean

Falls around vehicles can cause serious injuries. Watch where your feet a going to prevent slips, trips and falls.

Tips for Driving Safely at Night

Is driving after dark really that risky? The National Safety Council says it is. The organization claims: “Traffic death rates are three times grater at night than during the day.” To keep you safe on the road after sundown, we’ve put together a hit list of top tips for driving safely at night.

Clean Your Windshield

Sure, that dirty wind shield seems annoying but harmless during the day – but it can cause blinding glare when sunlight and headlights hit it just right. Dust that you might not notice during the day can build up oh the inside, too, so it,s important to clean your windshield – both inside and out.

Check Your Lights

Are your headlights and taillights in good working order& Are they aimed properly? What about your turn signals? You want to see and be seen without blinding other drivers, so make sure everything is aimed and working just right. And feel free to turn on your lights an hour before sundown; they may help other drivers see you coming.

Don’t Look into Light

Try not to look directly into the lights of oncoming traffic. When cars are coming at you, do your best to cast your gaze down and to the right, while focusing on the white line. This will prevent you from being temporarily blinded by their headlights.

Increase Distance and Reduce Speed

Sure, you’re all in a rush to get home, but reducing your speed and avoiding tailgating is far likelier to get you there safe and sound. Use your headlights to help you gauge your distance and stopping time. If you can’t stop within the illuminated area you’re too close! Another way to gauge your distance is by using the 4 second rule: as the vehicle in front of you passes a designated landmark along the road(a tree, construction barrel, etc.), there should be at least a 4-second gap before you reach the same area. If it takes less than 4 seconds to catch up, slow down! Increase following distance in poor weather.

Be Seen on the Side

If you need to pull over, be sure you’re easily seen by other drivers. Carry reflective triangles, turn on your hazard lights, and even turn on your dome light to increase your chances of being seen. And remember: the safest place to wait for help I inside your car.

Don’t be Distracted

Whether you’re texting, fiddling with the radio, or dining in your car, taking your attention off the road is dangerous. It’s not just the hefty fines that make distracted driving risky business. When you’re tired after a long day of work, your reaction times will be reduced. Taking your full attention off the road is a bad idea.

Watch for Pedestrians

Walkers and joggers don’t always wear safety gear, and can be incredibly difficult to see after dark. Always take extra time to watch for pedestrians, especially on poorly-lit roads. If you’re at an intersection, be sure to look both ways before you make your move to ensure no one is stepping off the curb.

Don’t Drink and Drive

Foot Protection

Safety shoes should be worn if there are hazards from falling objects or when handling heavy crates or equipment.

Gloves

Gloves and arm protectors should be used to prevent lacerations while handling sheet metal.

Clothing

Appropriate clothing should be worn to protect from heat or cold. Boots with good traction should be used if wading through pools of mud or water.

 

Ear protection

It may be necessary to wear earplugs or muffs when noise levels surpass 90 decibels.

Respiratory Protection

Adequate respirators should be used whenever the air is contaminated with excessive concentrations of dust, fumes, mist, gases, or vapors.

Protecting Your Knees

When working it it often necessary to bend, squat, crawl, or kneelfor extended periods. Any of these activities may cause injury to your knees. Knee injuries can be placed into two categories: impact injuries and strain & sprain injuries. Following are some steps to protect your knees and reduce the chance of knee injury.

Impact Knee Injuries: Impact injuries occur as a result of being struck in the knee, or your knee striking an object such as floor. Repetitive kneeling or kneeling for extended periods with your body weight supported on your kneecaps can also cause impact injury to your knees. Knee pads are essential to the prevention of impact knee injuries. Knee pads for commercial and industrial use normally come in two varieties:

• Soft padded cover that cushions knee. These kneepads will provide adequate protection for about term of occasional use.
• Hard plastic or leather outer layer over padded inner layer. These knee pads are better suited for extended and daily use; they will wear better and provide more protection to the knee.

Knee pads should be used whenever your knees are susceptible to repetitive banging or grinding or when your job requires you to be on your knees for extended periods. While crawling on the floor or kneeling to perform a task it is possible that you will injure your knee by the pressure and impact of your kneecap bearing the weight of your body. Impact injuries can be very painful and may be permanent.

Strain & sprain knee injuries: strain and sprain injuries usually occur as a result of the knee joints twisting, attempting to place too much weight on one knee, or hyperextension of the knee joint. Hyperextension is caused by straining the knee joint too far in the direction opposite the way the knee is designed to bend. Following are prevention techniques to reduce the chance of strain and sprain knee injuries:

• Stretch your legs prior to beginning work.
• Stretch your legs frequently while squatting, bending or kneeling.
• Be aware of uneven walking surfaces that may increase the chance of twisting a knee, especially while carrying a load.
• Do not carry a load that is too heavy and may cause a serious back or knee injury.
• If you have weak or previously injured knees wear your knee pads brace while working on the job just as you would while playing sports.
• If you have previously experienced knee injuries, exercises to help strengthen the leg muscles.
• Do not lock your knees while performing routine tasks as this may increase the chance of hyper extending the knee joint.
• Use extra caution when using ladder and stairs.

Conclusion: your knees are a vital and vulnerable part of your body. Injuries experienced may not be apparent, ofr may seem insignificant until later in your life. For these reasons it is extremely important that you protect and use preventative measures to keep your knees free of injuries and working properly for life.

High Voltage Electric Safety

62. UNCOMMON CASES – the chapter present wide variety uncommon cases of the Rough-in, basement and others
installations, such as: pool fan installation, suspended furnace installation, etc.
CONCLUSION – the chapter wishes a good luck in a new profession.

Are you looking for work? Not yet? When you will, they are going to ask you about your experience and it should be at least from three to five years or even more then that! However, under a good supervision, it just one year is enough to put your hands on!!
So, why do they need more, are they crazy? No, they are not! They just need that you able to do your job without asking too many questions!
My entire book is designed to help you out in this regard, but this chapter in particular! Once you have read this chapter, undoubtedly, you can claim that you have a knowledge equal at least of ten years of experience!
The chapters have 41 pictures; 10 pages. $3.41 (Instant Access)