#OSHAStandard

[oshalockouttagoutguide]

OSHA Lockout Tagout Standard: Application of Control 1910.147(d)(4)

The next element of the sequence is:

Lockout Tagout application: The isolating device must be locked and tagged out by the authorized employee using individual Locks and Tags. These Locks & Tags must be affixed to each energy isolating device to hold it in a safe or off position and physically prevent its operation. Tagout devices must be affixed in a manner that it indicates the movement of the isolating device from the safe or off position is prohibited. Moreover, when the Tagout device is used along with the Lockout device, capable of being locked out, the tag so attached must be fastened at the same point at which the lock would have been attached. Although the Tag is supposed to be attached to the equipment along with the isolating device, in cases where the tag cannot be directly attached to the energy isolating device, it shall be located as close as safely possible to the device. Making sure that it is easily visible to the employee working on the machine, or around the machine, to avoid any inadvertent energization. Check OSHA Guidelines - https://www.safetylock.net/learn-lockout-tagout/osha-documentation/

[esquareloto]

OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.147 - Definition of Hot Tap and & Normal Production Operations

Hot Tap:

As discussed in our previous post, OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.147(a)(2) does not apply to Hot Tap and Normal Production Operations.

Hot tapping, or pressure tapping, is the method of making a connection to the existing piping or pressure vessels without interrupting the servicing for air, gas, water, steam, and petrochemical distribution systems. This means that a pipe can continue to be in operation while maintenance or modifications are being done to it. Only if the employer demonstrates that

·   continuity of service is essential

·  shutdown of the system is impractical

·   documented procedures are followed, and special equipment is used which will provide proven effective protection for employees.

Normal Production Operation:

Certain tasks such as minor and repetitive adjustments are considered normal production operations when they are integral to the use of the equipment, and when they do not increase the risk of injury to employees.

So, OSHA Standard, 29 CFR 1910.147 (a)(2) does not apply to Hot tap and Normal Production Operations only when the employees working on it are considered to be SAFE.

Check OSHA Guidelines - https://www.safetylock.net/learn-lockout-tagout/osha-29-cfr-1910-147-explained/

[thomsonscaffolding]

Regulatory Compliance in Commercial Scaffolding

Regulatory compliance in commercial scaffolding involves adhering to safety standards set by authorities like OSHA and local building codes. This includes proper installation, regular inspections, and ensuring worker safety. Compliance ensures structural stability, reduces risks of accidents, and maintains legal requirements, promoting safe construction practices.

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Learn about OSHA-10 training alternatives in Arizona to ensure you have the necessary safety equipment. Enroll in a globally recognized education program to ensure a safe future.

[isprevolution]

Tower Climbing Safety Standards and Protocols for WISP Operations

Introduction

In the dynamic landscape of Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs), the efficient functioning of networks is reliant on the tireless efforts of tower climbers. These skilled professionals face the unique challenge of scaling heights to install, maintain, and troubleshoot wireless infrastructure. With the inherent risks associated with tower climbing, it is imperative for WISPs to establish and adhere to stringent safety standards and protocols. In this comprehensive discussion, we will delve deeper into U.S. government regulations, compliance necessities, and best��practices aimed at safeguarding the well-being of tower climbers in WISP operations.

Government Safety Regulations for Tower Climbers in WISPs

FCC Regulations: The FCC, as the regulatory authority overseeing wireless communications, imposes guidelines to ensure the safety of both workers and the general public. FCC regulations encompass two critical aspects: radiofrequency emissions and structural integrity. Tower climbers must adhere to prescribed emission limits and follow structural guidelines to prevent tower collapses. Compliance with FCC regulations is not only a legal requirement but is instrumental in securing licenses and maintaining the integrity of wireless networks.

OSHA Standards: OSHA, the cornerstone of workplace safety in the U.S., has established specific standards for tower climbing operations. These standards cover a range of safety measures, including fall protection, equipment specifications, and comprehensive training requirements. WISPs are obligated to meet these standards to guarantee a secure working environment for tower climbers and mitigate the risks associated with working at heights.

Compliance and Best Practices for Tower Climbing Safety

Comprehensive Training Programs: Tower climbing demands a unique skill set that extends beyond technical proficiency. WISPs must invest in comprehensive training programs that not only impart technical know-how but also instill a strong emphasis on safety protocols, emergency procedures, and the correct utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE). Certifications such as the Tower Climbing Safety and Rescue Training are instrumental in ensuring climbers are well-prepared for the challenges they may encounter.

Equipment Inspection and Maintenance: Regular and meticulous inspection of climbing equipment is imperative to identifying potential risks. Harnesses, lanyards, helmets, and other safety gear should undergo scrutiny before each use. Prompt replacement of faulty or worn-out equipment is vital to preventing accidents and ensuring the reliability of safety measures.

Fall Protection Systems: Fall protection systems serve as a critical line of defense for tower climbers. WISPs must implement and enforce robust fall protection measures, including certified fall arrest systems, guardrails, and ladder safety devices. These measures not only minimize the risk of falls but��also provide climbers with effective protection in the event of an unexpected descent.

Communication Protocols: Effective communication is paramount during tower climbing operations. WISPs should establish standardized communication protocols that minimize the risk of misunderstandings and enable climbers to convey critical information promptly. Clear communication channels with ground personnel, fellow climbers, and relevant stakeholders enhance overall safety and coordination.

Emergency Response Plans: Developing and regularly reviewing emergency response plans specific to tower climbing operations is essential. These plans should outline procedures for responding to injuries, rescuing climbers in distress, and coordinating with emergency services. Regular drills and simulations contribute to the preparedness of all involved parties.

Weather Monitoring: Given the exposure of tower climbers to the elements, WISPs should implement robust weather monitoring protocols. Establishing clear guidelines for suspending climbing activities during adverse weather conditions, such as high winds, thunderstorms, or icy conditions, is crucial to ensuring the safety of climbers.

Documentation and Record-Keeping: Maintaining meticulous records of safety training, equipment inspections, and any incidents that occur during tower climbing operations is integral. These records not only serve as evidence of compliance with regulations but also offer valuable insights for the continuous improvement of safety protocols.

Conclusion

In the realm of WISP operations, where success is measured by connectivity and coverage, ensuring the safety of tower climbers is non-negotiable. By rigorously adhering to government safety regulations, investing in comprehensive training, and implementing best practices, WISPs can fortify the safety of their tower climbers. In an industry that reaches new heights every day, the well-being of those who scale the towers should remain a steadfast priority, reflecting a commitment to both regulatory compliance and the preservation of human life.

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Get Tax Credits for Keeping Employees Safe During COVID-19 #childcareandschoolclosures #COVID19relatedquarantine #eligiblewages #employeeretentioncredits #ERCcalculation #ERCdocumentation #IRSmemo #OSHAstandards #taxcredits #workplacesafetyguidelines

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[oshalockouttagoutguide]

OSHA Lockout Tagout Standard: Application of Control 1910.147(d) (5) (6)

Stored Energy: After applying the Lockout Locks and tags, check for the stored or residual energies. Any residual energy ignored by any chance can be a potential danger, leading to accidents and fatalities. Therefore, it shall be relieved, disconnected, controlled, and otherwise rendered safe. Although the hazardous energy has been isolated in the previous step, stored, residual or potential energy may still be retained in the machine. To control potentially hazardous stored energy, the spring should be brought to a relaxed or neutral position. Verification of isolation shall be continued until the maintenance work is completed, or until the possibility of such accumulation no longer exists. The authorized employee is responsible to check, and verify that isolation and de-energization of the machine or equipment have been accomplished. Machines must be tried-tested-verified by visual inspection, to make sure that the energy isolation has been accomplished.

Some companies perform LOTOTO - Lockout Tagout Tryout, to confirm that the machine has been rendered safe.

[oshalockouttagoutguide]

OSHA Lockout Tagout Standard: Application of Control 1910.147(d)

The established procedures for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) covers the following elements and actions as mentioned above. Preparation of Shutdown: Before an authorized employee turns off the machine, he must have knowledge regarding the types, magnitude, hazards, and the means to control the energy. The first step is intended to notify all the affected employees regarding the Lockout and allow the employees to get ready for the shutdown, and plan ahead to perform safely.

In complex or group Lockout Tagout situations, all involved personnel should be made aware of their respective roles and assignments. Machine or Equipment shutdown: To place the machine in a state that it will let employees work on it safely, it must be turned off or shutdown using established procedures. An orderly shutdown must be used to avoid any increased or additional hazards to employees as result of shut down. Machine isolation: All the isolating devices such as isolators, valves, etc. that are needed to control the energy of the machines, must be physically located and operated so that the machine is isolated from its energy sources. Check OSHA Guidelines - https://www.safetylock.net/learn-lockout-tagout/osha-documentation/

[oshalockouttagoutguide]

OSHA Lockout Tagout Standard: Application of Control

Under section (a)(3)(i) of the Lockout Tagout standard 1910.147, the employers are required to establish a program and utilize procedures for affixing appropriate lockout devices or tagout devices to Energy Isolating Devices, and to otherwise disable machines or equipment to prevent unexpected energization, start up or release of stored energy in order to prevent injury to employees.

This section (d) of the Lockout Tagout standard, highlights the elements of the application of control of the established procedures.

The procedure shall cover the following elements and actions and it shall be done in the sequence mentioned below:

• 1910.147(d)(1): Preparation for shutdown.

• 1910.147(d)(2): Machine or equipment shutdown.

• 1910.147(d)(3): Machine or equipment isolation.

• 1910.147(d)(4): Lockout or tagout device application.

• 1910.147(d)(5): Stored energy.

• 1910.147(d)(6): Verification of isolation.

Check OSHA Guidelines - https://www.safetylock.net/learn-lockout-tagout/osha-documentation/

[oshalockouttagoutguide]

Lockout Tagout - Energy Isolation and Notification of Employee

Section (c) states that the process of Lockout Tagout shall be performed only by the authorized employees who are servicing. This is so because, an authorised employee is especially trained for the particular isolation, which any other employee might not be able to perform efficiently.

Lockout Tagout requires technical understanding, which cannot be done by any unskilled professional. Therefore, an authorised employee is assigned by the supervisor.

Notification of Affected Employees.

Lack of information regarding the status of equipment could endanger the employees who re-energize, operate or work around the machines. Whenever LOTO control might directly affect another employee’s work activities, paragraph (c) (9) requires the employer or authorized employee to notify the affected employees prior to applying, and after removing the Lockout Tagout device.

Such notification informs affected employees of the impending interruption of the normal production operation and reinforces the importance of the restrictions imposed.

After removing a LOTO device, notifying employees, alerts them that the equipment is capable of being started-up. Else, employees might mistakenly believe that a system is safe to continue working around the machine, leading to heinous accidents.

Check OSHA Guidelines - https://www.safetylock.net/learn-lockout-tagout/osha-29-cfr-1910-147-standard/

[oshalockouttagoutguide]

OSHA Lockout Tagout Standard 1910.147(c) - Employee Retraining

While the employer is required to provide effective training for all employees covered by the LOTO standard, under section (c)(7)(iii) Retraining must be provided to all the authorized as well as affected employees depending upon the circumstances mentioned above.

There are three types of employees which must receive Training & Retraining: authorized, affected, and other. The amount and type of training/retraining that each employee receives is based upon the relationship of that employee's job to the machine and upon the degree of knowledge relevant to hazardous energies.

In addition, retraining must be conducted if an inspection reveals a lack of understanding of LOTO procedures by the employees. This is called Additional Retraining.

Whenever a periodic inspection discloses any deviations or inadequacies in the employees' understanding, additional retraining becomes mandatory.

Under section (c)(7)(iv) Employers are required to certify that effective training and retraining has been provided to all employees covered by the standard. The certification must contain each employee's name and dates of training.

Check OSHA Guidelines - https://www.safetylock.net/learn-lockout-tagout/osha-29-cfr-1910-147-standard/

[oshalockouttagoutguide]

𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐓𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐮𝐭 - 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (Part D, E and F)

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐃 specifies,

Tags must be made of materials capable enough of withstanding the environment to which they are exposed for the maximum period of time.

This also means that, exposure to weather conditions or wet and damp locations should not cause the tag to deteriorate.

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐄 further elaborates -

These Lockout Tags although play a very important part in providing safety to the worker applying the safety device, but they might induce false sense of security to the plant worker, if used alone.

Incidences occur where, due to bad environmental condition or physical dismantling, LOTO Tag got removed during servicing, lead to mishaps.

Therefore, Lockout tags must always be used along with LOTO Locks if the machine or equipment in use is capable of being Locked out.

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐅 says,

It is necessary that these Tags must be securely attached to the energy isolating devices so that they cannot be inadvertently detached.

They are non-reusable, self-locking, and non-releasable with a minimum unlocking strength of no less than 50 pounds.

Workers on the site must be specified and trained about these limitations of Tags.

Check OSHA Guidelines - https://www.safetylock.net/learn-lockout-tagout/osha-29-cfr-1910-147-standard/

[oshalockouttagoutguide]

Lockout Tagout - Training and Communication

Although Tags have a significant importance in the LOTO procedure, but when used alone, they have certain limitations, and employees should be trained in the limitations of tags when applied alone. Part A specifies, Tags are warning devices that are affixed to energy isolating devices; which means they do not act as physical restraint on those devices, unlike a lock. When a Lock is applied to an energy isolation device, it acts as a physical barrier that blocks the operation of the machine until the authorized employee removes it. Whereas, Tags applied along with the Lock acts only as a cautionary instruction. They might get dismantled, eroded, ignored, bypassed or defeated, if used alone. Part B says, for the placement of Lockout Tags, an authorized employee is always assigned by the supervisor as per the procedure. This person is a trained employee who knows what devices to be used, how and where to be used effectively to block the flow of hazardous energies. Since, these industrial tags are made of high performance, durable materials that can withstand harsh environments - both indoors and outdoors; they cannot be bypassed or defeated unless intentional. Part C says, Tags must be legible and understandable by all authorized, affected, and other employees who are involved. OSHA requires that the major message printed on the tag “warn against hazardous condition of the equipment is re-energized.” Five examples of acceptable warnings are provided, including Do Not Start. Do Not Open. Do Not Close. Do Not Energize. Do Not Operate. In all cases, employees must know and understand the meaning of the Tag. For more details about Tag limitations, visit -  https://www.safetylock.net/learn-lockout-tagout/osha-documentation/