May 2011 NECA - IBEW Joint Safety Committee Meeting   

(Click HERE to download meeting agenda and information packet)                   

Attendance: 

Theresa Hollan, Ed Ryding, Dave Jacobsen, Nancy Cary, Mike Jacobs, Alan Keser and Gary Fadden.

The meeting was called to order at 1:30 PM and previous meeting minutes were approved as written.

Communications:

• OSHA Citation - Wind Turbine LOTO

• Safety & Health - Alone But Not Alienated

• Qualified Rigger / SIgnalperson Fact Sheet

Old Business

Qualified Rigger / SIgnalperson Clarification - the committee discussed who had to be trained as a rigger and / or a signalperson when working in the fall zone.  The OR-OSHA fact sheet was reviewed which indicates only those whose duties warrant rigging or signaling are required to be certified as such.

Hard Hat Service Life - the committee reviewed a fact sheet which detailed the ANSI and OSHA requirements for hard hats. Confusion in the field as to when hard hats had to be taken out of service were addressed.

New Business

Control of Hazardous Energy Incident - the committee discussed following standardized procedures when applying LOTO principles as well as the responsibilities each authorized person has in the process.  The group reviewed a recent OSHA citation which involved arc flash injuries during wind turbine work activities when LOTO was not utilized.

Lone Worker Best Practices / Policies - the committee discussed situations when employees are working alone and when additional workers, or other steps, would be necessary to ensure their safety.  The group compared osha standards and interpretation as to when additional workers are mandatory.

Heat Related Illness Standard - Dave reminded the group that warmer temperatures are around the corner and that WA DOSH requires employers to have a written Temperature Related Illness program as part of their overall accident and injury prevention program.

OR-OSHA Citation Fall Protection Training Documentation - the committee discussed fall protection training and OSHA’s requirement to document that training.  Many workers receive basic fall protection training during classes at the NIETC but only receive completion certificates or cards that do not provide course content and details of training.  Barry will establish detailed training content for each safety related NIETC course and send to employers.

Round Table

Toolbox Talks - the group discussed having more options for toolbox talks and content that is industry specific.  I.E. - industrial related or solar related.

Stairways w/o Handrails - a discussion about work sites where stairs have been installed but lack handrails took place.  Employers are responsible for fall protection as the exposing contractor regardless of who built or installed the stairway.  Best practices would be to prohibit traffic on stairs until appropriate safety measures are implemented.

Exposure of Electrical Hazards to Public - the committee discussed situations where energized electrical equipment has been exposed in areas where the public has access.  Best practices for these situations include barricades, signage and a spotter when necessary.

CPR Recertification - the challenge of keeping certifications updated was brought up, specifically CPR/AED which has a one year expiration period.  The NIETC is just now releasing a online CPR recertification course this summer to ease this burden.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:15 PM.  The next meeting is scheduled to July 21, at 1:30 PM.