Habitat Springfield Construction Safety Guidelines

Safety is an important consideration at any construction site, and should be everyone's primary concern — construction of buildings can be a dangerous activity. Since Habitat work crews normally have a large proportion of people who are not experienced in construction, everybody must pay particular attention to the safety of themselves and others. An observer can often see dangerous situations more clearly than the worker involved in the project.

Safety is based on knowledge, skill, and an attitude of care and concern. The construction manager will hold a safety orientation talk in the morning and will instruct each worker about the correct and proper procedures for performing each task. This should familiarize the worker with the potential hazards of the tasks and inform him or her how such hazards can be minimized or eliminated. Each worker will also be required to sign a liability waiver and provide emergency contact information, and will receive a card to carry that summarizes safety guidelines and information.

The construction site is also a community with residents and neighbors, so please help us keep the work site clean and trash picked up at all times. Habitat recycles aluminum cans, so please put them in the appropriate receptacle. Take a few minutes at the end of the days to pick up any trash that you see.

All appropriate OSHA construction standards apply to the Habitat for Humanity safety guidelines.

Summary of guidelines for a safe Habitat construction site

1.      Please check in with the construction site supervisor every time you arrive to volunteer.

2.      No one under age 16 is allowed on the active construction site; those under age 18 are not allowed to operate power tools or motor vehicles, work from a height of six feet or more, or work on excavation or demolition projects.

3.      Focus on your job, and be aware of your surroundings, including the location of any other people nearby.

4.      Drink plenty of water (located near supply trailer), and please use sunscreen.

5.      Know the location of first aid kits, protective equipment, and hospital/urgent care facilities (listed at the end of these guidelines and on the safety card that will be provided on site).

6.      Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes, and clothing that is neither too binding nor too loose.

7.      Wear the protective clothing supplied (hard hat during framing and setting trusses, hearing protection, safety glasses, dust mask, gloves) as appropriate, or whenever advised to by the site supervisor.

8.      Protect your back - Bend your knees to lift and don’t lift beyond your ability.

9.      If you have ANY questions about your assignment, ASK the site supervisor!

10.  Keep the site clear of danger as you work – remove nails from waste wood, move trip hazards and obstacles, etc.

11.  Report any unsafe conditions or practices that you observe IMMEDIATELY to the site supervisor.

12.     Report injuries IMMEDIATELY to the site supervisor.

Safety equipment

Proper clothing is as essential to safety as the proper selection and use of tools. Wear clothes and gloves that are appropriate for the work and weather conditions. Loose clothing is dangerous around power tools.

·        Footwear must be work boots or thick-soled shoes in order to protect the feet from falling objects or from penetration by nails, and should have non-slip soles, especially for roof work. Any worker wearing sandals or other types of inappropriate footwear shall not be permitted to remain at the construction site.

·        Hard hats are to be worn while doing demolition work, during the framing and truss-setting phases of construction, or when required by a supervisor, and are to be made available to workers at all times.

·        Protective glasses will be available for every construction worker. A worker must wear protective glasses any time he or she is operating a power tool or when instructed by a supervisor.

·        Each worker must wear a dust mask when installing insulation, sanding, or when instructed by a supervisor.

·        Hearing protection must be worn when using a power tool for a prolonged period of time or when instructed by a supervisor. Hearing protection is to be made available to workers at all times.

Emergency medical care

If someone is injured on the job, report it to the supervisor immediately and summon any necessary medical help. You also should use the supplies in the first-aid kit located in the supply trailer to stabilize the injury as much as possible until medical help arrives. Your supervisor is trained in first-aid and will help any injured worker. Accident report forms are located with every first-aid kit

Age Limitations

No one under the age of 16 will be allowed on a building site while work is being done. No one under the age of 18 will be allowed to do any hazardous activities including the use of power tools or motor vehicles, work from a height of six feet or more, or work on demolition or excavation projects. Volunteers under the age of 18 and their parent or legal guardian are required to complete and sign a “Minor’s Release and Waiver of Liability” form.

Clean Work Site

·        A clean work place is a safe work place. This refers to the neatness and good order of the construction site. Maintaining good housekeeping contributes to the efficiency of the worker and is important in preventing accidents.

·        Position building materials and supplies in carefully laid out piles to allow adequate aisles and walkways. Clean up all rubbish and scrap materials on a daily basis. Do not permit blocks of wood, nails, bolts, empty cans, pipe, wire or other materials to accumulate on the work site. They interfere with work and can constitute a hazard. Keep tools and equipment that are not being used in chests, panels or toolboxes. This protects the tools and the work­ers. Never leave a work site unattended unless all tools and materials have been properly secured.

Poisons and toxic substances

·        The poisons, toxic substances, and hazardous materials that can be found most often on a work site are adhesives, solvents and animal feces. Special care must be taken when you come in contact with any of these substances or any unfamiliar substance.

·        Painting and cleaning solvents should be stored in labeled containers with safety instructions.

·        Dust masks are the best protection against breathing germs that can be borne in dust containing animal feces (such as rodent droppings).

Task-specific guidelines

Framing

·        It is critical to brace the gable truss properly.

·        Wear hearing and eye protection when using power saws.

·        Guards on saws must be in place & operating. Tools must be in a safe condition and meet OSHA standards, i.e. no nicks in cords.

·        Don't bind the blade of any saw. If a saw blade binds, it will kick back toward the operator. Use two hands to hold circular saws and have solid footing. Don't overreach.

·        Keep electric cords out of the way of the saw.

·        Use a ladder that will reach the work. An extension ladder should reach three feet above the step off point. Move the ladder with your work. For every four feet of height, move the bottom of the ladder one foot away from the wall. Place ladders on solid footing.

·        Immediately remove nails from lumber before you discard it.

·        Don't leave loose objects on the roof or a on a ladder. Keep your tools in your tool belt at all times. Place nails and plywood and stack shingles so that they are stable and secure.

·        Use extra caution when on the rooftop. Watch your footing.

·        Use toe boards or roof jacks when roofing. Have one person on the ground (two if roofing both sides of the house) to watch and warn roofers nearing the edge.

·        Keep rooftop swept free of sawdust and dirt.

Siding

·        Wear hearing and eye protection when using power saws.

·        Use a ladder that will reach the work. Move the ladder with your work and don't lean. Place ladders and scaffolding on solid footing.

·        Don't bind the blade of any saw. When cutting long panels, the blade may bind and kick back toward the operator.

·        Don't leave objects loose on a ladder or scaffolding. Keep your tools in your tool belt at all times.

·        Use extra caution when on scaffolding and watch your footing at all times.

·        When using a utility knife, keep your hands out of the path of the blade. Always retract blade when not in immediate use.

·        Habitat requires that hard hats be worn if roofing is occurring overhead.

Drywall

·        Stack material so that it is stable and secure. Do not ever pull the stack away from the wall as shifting stacks has broken many bones. Drywall is very heavy!

·        Safety glasses and dust masks help prevent drywall dust from getting in your eyes and lungs, especially when working on the ceiling.

·        When using a utility knife, keep your hands out of the path of the blade. Always retract blade when not in immediate use.

Interior Trim

·        Wear hearing and eye protection when using power saws.

·        Don't bind the blade of any saw.

·        Keep electric cords out of the way of the saw.

·        Don't cross hands over to stabilize material when using miter saw. Have someone else hold it for you.

·        Immediately remove nails from lumber before you discard it!

·        Don't bind the blade of any saw.

·        Be careful when lifting cabinets. Support them securely.

Painting

·        Use a ladder that will reach the work, and place ladders on solid footing.

·        Don't leave any paint or tools on top of ladders.

·        Wear eye protection especially when using rollers.

·         Ventilate the work area.

Equipment-specific guidelines

Power tools and other electrical equipment

·        A power tool should not be used without proper instruction on its use and on what can happen if the tool is not used properly. The instruction should be done by a qualified person and should be given to all workers; even experienced do-it-yourselfers should receive instruction. The trainee should use the power tool in the presence of the instructor, until the instructor is satis­fied that the trainee knows how to use the power tool properly.

·        Never lower or carry a power tool by its cord. Clean tools daily. Power tools should be checked for defective switches, cords, plugs and proper grounding. Defective tools should not be used and should either be reported to the supervisor or labeled and brought to the tool room for repair immediately. (Do not wait until the end of the day.)

·        To avoid electrical shock, the following rules must be obeyed:

1.     A three-pronged plug must be used on all electric power tools.

2.     Extension cords must not have frayed insulation or be fastened with staples, hung from nails or suspended from wires.

3.     All temporary lights must be equipped with non-conductive guards.

A special word on saws:

1.     Don't bind the blade of any saw. When cutting long panels, the blade may bind, and the sawmill will catch and kick back toward the operator. Use small wood wedges or shim shingles to spread the saw cut as you go along.

2.     Maintain the blade guard. A spring-actuated blade guard often can become bent and won't slide quickly, or the spring can become stretched so the return is slow. Repair any damage to the guard as soon as it happens, and NEVER tie the guard back out of the way.

3.     Support what you are working on properly. Never attempt to cut something that could tilt or fall and cause the saw to slip.

Hand tools

·        Always select the correct type and size of tool for your work and be sure it is sharp and properly adjusted. Guard against using any tool if the handle is loose or in poor condition. Dull tools are hazardous to use because excessive force must be used to make them cut. Oil or dirt on a tool may cause it to slip and cause an injury. When using tools, hold them correctly. Most edged tools should be held in both hands with the cutting action away from yourself. Avoid using your hand or fingers as a guide to start a cut, but if it is necessary, use extreme caution.

·        Handle and carry tools with care. Keep edged and pointed tools turned downward. Carry only a few tools at one time unless they are mounted in a special holder or carried in a tool belt. Anyone working with a hammer at a height should wear a hammer loop or tool belt, and, when not in use, the hammer should be kept in the loop or belt and not placed on a sloping surface or in a precarious position. Do not carry sharp tools in your pock­ets. When not in use, tools should be kept in special boxes, chests or cabinets.

Ladders

·        Inspect a ladder before you use it. If the ladder is unsafe, don't use it. Look for wear and tear, loose rungs and defects. Use a ladder that will reach the work. An extension ladder should reach 3 feet above the work level. Move your ladder with your work. If both of your shoulders are extended outside the ladder while you are working, you are reaching too far. When using an extension ladder, use the "4-to-1" rule: For every 4 feet of height, move the bottom of the ladder 1 foot away from the wall. A ladder is pitched at the proper, safe angle if you can grasp a rung at shoulder height.

·        Place your ladder on solid footing. If there is a danger of the ladder moving while you work, tie it down. If there is a danger that the ladder will be hit, barricade it. If the feet of the ladder are not level, dig the ground out under one foot with the claw of a hammer rather than raise one foot with blocks.

·        Never use an aluminum ladder in the vicinity of electrical lines and never use a ladder outdoors during inclement weather or on very windy days.

·        Carry tools and materials in proper carrying devices and keep your hands free for climbing. When climbing, always face the ladder.

Scaffolding

·        All scaffolding that is elevated 10 feet or more must be equipped with a safety railing. All scaffolds must be equipped with a toe board to eliminate the possibility that tools or debris will be kicked or pushed onto people below. A scaffold must be designed to support four times the weight of the workers and the materials resting on it. Scaffolding components that are not designed to be compatible should not be mixed.

·        Inspect all scaffolding each day before using it. Never use damaged or defective equipment and avoid rusted parts since their strength is unknown. When erecting scaffolding, provide adequate sills for the scaffold posts and use base plates. Use adjusting screws, not blocks, when on an uneven grade. Make sure to plumb and level scaffolding and do not force end braces when constructing the scaffolding.

·        Use only properly graded and inspected lumber for planking. Inspect planking daily for splits and knots, and remove defective or damaged planking.