Safety

HARD HATS

Wear Your Hard Hat Your hard hat may be hot. It may be uncomfortable. But it also can save your life. Wear it: Don't ask to become an accident statistic. That innocent-looking piece of aluminum or high-tech plastic can withstand punctures from metal, wood, or glass that otherwise could pierce your brain. It can fend off large and small bumps alike. Inside your hard hat is a webbed suspension that holds the hat away from your head. This space allows for some clearance, so the hard hat - not your head - can absorb the shock of a direct hit. Each day, but especially if your hair has grown longer or been cut, check to make sure that trusty hat of yours fits. If your hard hat is too loose, your head may be too close to the shell. Why is that dangerous? You're less protected in the event of a blow to your head. If the webs are too tight, your hat won't absorb the shock either - your head and neck will receive the force of the blow instead, sometimes with disastrous results. Make sure your hat is clean and in good repair so you get the most protection. Wash it inside and out with warm water and mild detergent. Really dirty? Check the manufacturer's instructions on how to remove tar or other persistent materials. Scrub hard! When you rinse your hat with warm water, look for any cracks or dents that might weaken your hat's structure. Check the webbing and buckles for damage. Race drivers check their helmets before every race - and for good reason! Your hat may not last as long if you work in extreme heat or extreme cold, so be especially alert for damage. You may be proud of your hat, but don't store it on your car's back shelf or on the dash of your truck. Sunlight can cause the hat to deteriorate more rapidly. Even more important, your hat could become a deadly missile if you make a sudden stop or swerve to avoid a collision. Wear your hard hat and keep it in good shape - you never know when you might need to be hard-headed.

TOOLBOX TALK HIGHLIGHTS PIPE HANDLING SAFETY

Handling pipe is a big part of an underground utility worker's job. It may seem easy, but if it is not done properly, it can cause serious injury or death. To access NUCA's Toolbox Talk "Avoid Pipe Handling Pinch Spots."

NUCA of NM/OSHA Alliance members can request a CD with more than 40 Toolbox Talks covering all aspects of jobsite safety. You can print them off to use during safety meetings or as handouts to the crew.

NUCA Member Fleet Safety Benefit

NUCA has partnered with SafetyFirst, a provider of fleet safety services and training, to offer its members an effective program for improving fleet safety and reducing insurance premiums and repair costs. The program centers around stickers placed prominently on fleet vehicles. These stickers encourage motorists to call a toll-free number to report any driving behavior they might witness, either with complaints or commendations.

                                                SafetyFirst provides Fleet Safety Solutions:

                                                * Accident Reduction

                                                * Recordkeeping and Compliance Support

                                                * Vehicle Tracking

                                                * Driver Safety Awareness  Programs

 NUCA members can subscribe to the service at a reduced rate of $13 per vehicle per year. Trailers can be added to the program for only $4 per year per trailer. This fee gets the subscriber a total fleet safety program, complete with monthly training materials.

The system works like this: A highly visible decal is affixed to the rear of each commercial vehicle (van, pickup truck, delivery van, tractor trailer, etc.) with a unique identification number. Motorists who witness exceptional behaviors (either complementary or risk-taking) call a toll-free number to report their observations. SafetyFirst’s call center staff screens for accuracy and validity by confirming vehicle ID and details about the incident. The reports (along with pertinent safety bulletins) are sent to the fleet manager for investigation and follow up with the affected driver. The report is discussed with the affected driver. SafetyFirst provides the fleet manager with safety tips that relate to the specific actions taken by the driver and how they can be corrected in the future. Additional intervention may be scheduled by the fleet manager (for example, refresher training). The fleet manager is provided with trend reports monthly.

In addition, a monthly training package is delivered via e-mail to subscribers for use with their drivers. This program emphasizes proper driving techniques to avoid specific accident situations. It is intended to supplement other fleet safety training programs.

This program has been used by NUCA-contractor L.D. Alexander, safety director for RMCI, Inc. in Albuquerque, NM. He raves about the success of this program. “We started with the SafetyFirst program two years ago,” he said. “We had between five to seven accidents on the books at any one time, out of a fleet of 77 rubber-tire vehicles. Six months into the program, we had zero accidents. A year later, we still had zero accidents. I couldn’t believe it. We haven’t had an accident since we started the program. There was a lot of opposition in the company to starting this program, but I’m a firm believer in its effectiveness. I estimate we’ve saved $25,000 to $40,000 per year in repair costs alone.”

Those interested in learning more about the program should contact NUCA at (703) 358-9300 or visit the SafetyFirst website, www.safetyfirst.com .

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