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Drug-Free Workplace

This content comes from the February 2007 edition of the Official Newsletter of Drug Free Workplaces, published by The Council on Alcohol and Drugs (Vol. 8, No. 2). Below is a summary of what the newsletter discusses.

The newsletter began by presenting the cost of drug and alcohol abuse to business and industry. More than $160 Billion per year is lost by companies whose employees are affected by alcohol and drug abuse. Loss of productivity, injuries, increased insurance claims, absenteeism, employee morale, theft, and fatalities can all result from substance abuse. NIDA statistics report that alcohol and drug users:

1. Are far less productive
2. Use 3 times the number of sick days
3. Are more likely to injury themselves or a co-worker
4. Are 5 times more likely to file workman's compensation claims

New research shows that it is the social drinkers“not the hard core alcoholics or problem drinkers“who are responsible for most loss of productivity. 21 percent of employees said their own productivity had been affected because of a co-worker's drinking.

The newsletter goes on to discuss the problem of drug abuse within the employee's family“even when the employee is not drinking or doing drugs, he or she may be affected by a family member who has a track record with substance abuse. A study in drug-free programs at the workplace found the following improvements after programs were initiated:

1. 91% decrease in absenteeism
2. 88% decrease in supervisor/employee problems
3. 93% decrease in mistakes in work
4. 97% decrease in on-job injuries

The article gave clear, sensible advice to employees: If you are struggling with addiction,

1. Get support
2. Let your supervisor know
3. Access benefits
4. Work with your supervisor

Guidelines for Commercial Work

OSHA requires that for commercial work, we follow some basic guidelines. This is not an exhaustive list, but is designed to prepare you as an employee for a commercial job-site.

1. Hard hats must be worn at all times.
2. Steel toe work boots must be worn at all times.
3. Safety glasses must be worn when operating tools.
4. Approved fall protection is required for all work where your feet are above 6 feet off the ground.

Deviation from these guidelines are grounds for dismissal from work, and may cost cb&i the privilege to continue work on a commercial job-site. When working on a job-site where cranes are in use, keep the following in mind:

1. Take the time to think about what is going on around and above you and your coworkers.
2. Whenever possible, keep an eye on the operator and the hook/load.
3. Never stand directly under the load being moved or in its travel path.
4. Keep a hand on the hook/headache ball or load whenever it is near.
5. Care should be taken at all times to prevent hands, feet, etc. from being pinched.
6. Communication is critical. Verbal instructions should be clear and concise.
7. All employees should know the proper hand signals for communication over equipment noise, even if they do not use them to give instruction during the project.
8. The crane operator should receive instructions from only one pre-designated person.
9. Visual contact with the crane operator is crucial. Whenever necessary, due to line of site restrictions an additional employee can be used to relay instructions. However, use extra caution to insure that each party clearly understands the other's instructions.
10. Loads should be balanced before lifting them into the air. If necessary, readjust the way they are hooked or the lifting points.
11. Straps, chains and other lifting devices should be inspected for wear and defects before being used.
12. If you do not believe your knowledge or experience qualify you to perform a specified task, ask for help”injuries can be caused by misplaced confidence.

Safety Glasses

1. Safety glasses (or face shields) should be worn at all times during operations such as cutting, nailing, or handling concrete and other caustic materials.
2. Only approved safety glasses should be worn. Sunglasses should not be substituted.
3. Safety glasses are provided by the employer in case you do not have or have lost or forgotten yours.
4. Severely scratched or damaged safety glasses should be replaced.
5. Anti-fog treatment is recommended to improve visibility

Ladder Safety

1. Make sure ladders are in safe operating condition before using them by inspecting ladders regularly.

• Check for cracks or bends in the frame or rungs.
• Make sure that all latches, pulleys and ropes are in working order and not excessively worn.
• Make sure that all braces, locks, and latches function properly and smoothly. They should not be bent, sticking or binding. (Occasional light lubrication may be necessary.)
• Make sure that the ladders feet are not damaged.

1. Only set up a ladder where the material under it is level and solid enough to support the ladder and its load.
2. The structure the ladder is leaning on needs to also be sturdy enough to support the ladder and its load.
3. When leaning a ladder up check for the proper angle by placing the base of the ladder at your feet and reaching straight out in front of you. You should be able to grasp the ladder with your arms fully extended. If you have to stretch or bend you arms the angle is improper. Adjust the ladder accordingly before climbing or allowing others to climb.
4. When using ladder jacks it is especially important that both ladders be at the same angle and height and that the jacks are installed correctly and level.
5. It is always best to have a coworker hold your ladder while you are on it (whenever possible).
6. When using a ladder as a means of accessing a roof or elevated structure make sure that the top of the ladder extends at least 3 feet beyond the edge of where you will step onto and off of the ladder.
7. When working off of a ladder keep your body centered over the ladder. Leaning too far out could cause the ladder or you to fall.
8. If your ladder needs to be moved, get down and move it safely. Do not try to reach way out or bounce the ladder sideways.
9. Get a taller ladder or properly set up the one you have so that you do not need to stand at or near the top of it.
10. Never climb the back of a step ladder.
11. Whenever possible, set up your ladder so that you don't have to work in an awkward position.
12. If you did not set up the ladder, check all of the above before using it.

Miter Saw Safety

1. When cutting any material with the miter saw WEAR SAFETY GLASSES.
2. If you see a coworker not wearing safety glasses, remind him to wear them. Anyone within the proximity of the saw should wear them.
3. Always unplug the saw when making adjustments to or changing the blade.
4. All guards and safety devices should be inspected regularly and utilized at all times.
5. Keep your hands as far back from the blade as possible when cutting. Using longer pieces rather than blocks is much safer.
6. Always stand to the side of the material being cut in case debris is thrown by the blade. Also be aware of people or objects directly behind the saw.
7. Keep your eyes on the saw as long as it is running. Do not distract someone who is using the table saw.
8. Do not allow loose clothing to get near enough to get caught in the blade.
9. Only use the miter saw when it is secured to a suitable stand or on a firm flat surface.
10. WEAR SAFETY GLASSES. It's for your own protection.

Table Saw Safety

1. When cutting any material with the table saw WEAR SAFETY GLASSES.
2. If you see a coworker not wearing safety glasses, remind him to wear them. Anyone within the proximity of the saw should wear them.
3. Always unplug the saw when making adjustments to or changing the blade.
4. For your safety and proper cutting, make sure before using the saw that the fence is parallel to the blade.
5. All guards and safety devices should be inspected regularly and utilized at all times.
6. Whenever any material smaller than the table is being cut a push stick should be used. Your hands should not come within 12 inches of the blade.
7. Always stand to the side of the material being cut in case it should kick back.
8. Keep your eyes on the saw as long as it is running. Do not distract someone who is using the table saw.

Electrical Cord Safety

1. Always unplug power tools before changing blades or bits and before making adjustments or repairs.
2. Always make sure that all power tools are plugged into a GFCI outlet.
3. Do not overload circuits.
4. Make sure that the extension cords being used are of the proper rating and length for the tool being used.
5. All extension cords and power tools should be grounded or double insulated.
6. Extension cords or power tools with the ground prong broken should be removed from use until repaired or replaced.
7. If extension cords or power tool cords have cut insulation or loose cord ends, they should not be used until properly repaired or replaced. Taping the cord is an insufficient repair, the cord must be cut and a new end installed or the cord must replaced.
8. Whenever possible care should be taken to not to run power cords through puddles or wet areas.
9. Power tools should not be raised or lowered to another worker by the cords.
10. Periodic inspections of cords and power tools should be made to insure that there are no loose wires, cut insulation, or loose ends.
11. Never leave a cord, tool, or light that is damaged plugged in.
12. Use caution around electrical wires when using aluminum ladders.

Drill/Screwgun Safety

1. Approved safety glasses should be worn at all times while drilling or driving screws.
2. Use both hands whenever necessary while operating the drill in tough material. This will help avoid it torquing out of your grasp. It is a good idea to install and use the auxiliary handle.
3. Never use a drill with a cut or damaged cord/plug. Avoid using the cord to raise or lower the drill to another worker.
4. Make sure your hand is well away from the trigger when you hand someone the drill.
5. A drill or screw gun which is not working properly should be removed from use until repaired and reported to the supervisor.
6. For drills with keyed chucks, the drill should always be unplugged before changing the blade or making any repairs. The drill should also be unplugged whenever raising or lowering it to another worker.
7. Make sure the bit is properly and tightly installed in the chuck before using the drill.
8. Use the proper drill bit for the material.
9. Using dull, bent or damaged drill bits can be a hazard.
10. Avoid putting the drill or screw gun down in dirt or sand. Not only is this bad for the drill, but it can cause the drill/screw gun to fling the sand into your eyes when restarted.

Crane/Lull Safety

Note: These guidelines also apply when a Lull or other machine is used in a crane-like manner.

1. Hard hats must be worn at all times, especially when cranes or other equipment are operating overhead.
2. Extra caution should be observed whenever cranes or other lifting equipment are on-site. Each employee should look out for his own safety as well as the safety of his coworkers during lifting operations.
3. Take the time to think about what is going on around and above you and your coworkers.
4. Whenever possible, keep an eye on the operator and the hook/load.
5. Never stand directly under the load being moved or its travel path.
6. Keeping a hand on the hook/headache ball whenever it is near you can save you from being hit if it should swing suddenly.
7. Care should be taken at all times to prevent hands, feet, etc. from being pinched.
8. Communication is critical. Verbal instructions should be clear and concise. Additionally, employees should know and use the proper hand signals.
9. The crane operator should receive instructions from only one person. This will greatly reduce confusion.
10. Visual contact with the crane operator is crucial. Whenever necessary, due to line of site restrictions an additional employee can be used to relay instructions. However, use extra caution to insure that each party clearly understands the other's instructions.
11. Loads should be balanced before lifting them into the air. If necessary, readjust the way they are hooked or the lifting points.
12. Straps, chains and other lifting devices should be inspected for wear and defects before being used.
13. Know the lifting capacity of the straps, shackles, etc. being used as well as the effect of different methods of attaching them. (This info can be found on the strap's label.)