Skid-Steer Safety

As cities look for ways to improve efficiencies, and reduce sprain and strain injuries associated with manual material handling, a skid-steer is one piece of equipment they often turn to.  But as with any equipment operation safety needs to be paramount. And while OSHA does not have a specific standard on skid-steers, employers have received citations for a serious violation under the General Duty Clause of the OSHA Standard (Section 5(a)(1)).

OSHA Citations related to Skid-Steers:

• Improper employee training on the safety features associated with the skid-steer loader

• Disabling of the interlock control system caused it to not function properly.
• Backup alarms did not function properly.
• Seatbelts had been removed from the skid-steer loaders.
• Failure to use an approved lift arm to support device during servicing.
• Not properly maintaining the skid-steer loader according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Employees intentionally bypassing of the safety systems of the skid-steer loader.

Skid-Steer General Safety Practices:

• Always read and understand the operator's manual before using the piece of equipment.

• Always lower the bucket or attachment so that it is flat on the ground.

• Do not attempt to activate the skid-steer loader’s controls from outside the operator's compartment.

• Do not leave the operator's seat while the engine is on. Never attempt to activate the controls unless properly seated with the seatbelt fastened and the seat bar (if equipped) lowered.
• Keep all body parts inside the cab while operating a skid-steer loader.
• Never modify, bypass, disable, or override safety systems.
• Never permit riders on the skid-steer loader, in the bucket or attachment, or in the operator's compartment unless the compartment is designed to accommodate a second rider.
• Establish a routine maintenance and inspection program in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, and use approved lift arm support device.
• Train personnel on the proper inspection, use, maintenance, and repair of skid-steer loaders.

Getting On/Off Equipment:

§  Use three points of contact when getting in and out of skid steer. If using snow bucket or other large attachments, consider a side step for getting in and out of unit.

By Joe Ingebrand

Flushing out resources!

Do you recall a time when you felt foolish for not using something that made your work life so much easier? Then you tried it and wondered why in the world you didn’t use it sooner? Well…. this may be another one of those opportunities for you.

I was a speaker at a Rural Water training event and boy I wish I could have had on film a conversation that took place so I could share it with you here- the video would have said it all but the conversation was not caught on tape. What you would have seen is one Public Works Director’s shock and amazement that everyone else in the room was not utilizing the documents and resources available to them in LMCIT’s Sanitary Sewer Toolkit. It saved him numerous hours of time and was essentially a "plug and play" program for his city.

You can find links to all the helpful documents and guides at the following web address: LMCIT Sewer Tool Kit .

What’s your opinion of the tools available there?

by Andy Miller

City Employee Injured After Fall

"A City of Watertown, SD, employee is in intensive care after falling off a piece of city equipment last week. The employee fell off a street sweeper on April 2, 2013 and fractured his skull. Initially, he was conscious and responsive, but due to the severe trauma, he was air-lifted to Avera Mckennan Hospital in Sioux Falls." (The Public Opinion .Com, Watertown, South Dakota)

  

(3-point contact)



(Portable steps)



No matter what type of equipment employees are operating, safety precautions need to be taken when it comes to climbing in and out of the equipment, or performing maintenance activities on the equipment.

(Built in steps)



 Three-Point Contact Every Time

DO

• Keeps steps and standing surfaces free of snow, mud and debris.
• Wear shoes with good support and tread.
• Exit and enter facing the cab.
• Slow down and use extra caution in bad weather.
• Get a firm grip on rails or handles with your hands.
• Look for obstacles on the ground below before exiting.

DON’T

• Don't climb down with something in your free hand. Put it on the vehicle floor and reach up for it when you get down on the ground.
• Don't rush to climb out after a long run. Descend slowly, to avoid straining a muscle.
• Never jump! You may land off balance, on an uneven surface and fall.
• Don't use tires or wheel hubs as a step surface.
• Don't use the doorframe or door edge as a handhold.
• Don't get complacent and become an injury statistic!

 

Hot Fun In The Summer Time! Free Webinar

Summer is here!—which means that municipalities need to begin preparing their pools and aquatic facilities for kids and families who will soon be trying to escape the heat. While swimming pools can be relaxing, great exercise, and a lot of fun, they can also cause a significant amount of trouble if not cared for properly. Performing routine inspections of your aquatic facilities can help keep your citizens safe and decrease your city’s potential for claims.
Participate in this live webinar to:

• Learn about the rules and regulations as enforced by the Minnesota Department of Health – Minnesota Pool Code
• Discover the primary areas of liability with public pools and aquatic facilities (including slips/falls, drowning, and electrocution)
• Find out about some common pool and aquatic facility exposures, including: unprotected drains, poorly installed/maintained electrical equipment, inadequate warnings, lack of fencing, lack of emergency equipment, slippery surfaces, and improper design
• Learn about exposure controls and how to protect your city from pool-related claims
• Understand the importance of inspections and receive a safety checklist to ensure you have everything in place
• Get your questions answered. (Submit questions to lmcwebinar@lmc.org.)

http://www.lmc.org/page/1/webinar-poolsafety.jsp

 

Presenter:

• Jackie Torgerson, Sr. Loss Control Consultant, League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust

How'd They Do That?

The City of Ely built these special drum dollies so they could ealily transport used oil around the shop. They cut the base off of a plastic drum and installed handles on the sides for easier lifting. The drum dolly has a handle welded to it so that the employee can move (by pushing or pulling) them around in an upright position. The handle also folds down so they can be positioned under the vehciles while remaining on the dolly.

By Jackie Torgerson

“Hand Injuries: Protecting Your Valuable Tools”

Have you asked yourself what it would be like to lose a finger, a thumb or a hand?  Your hands are one of the most valuable “tools” that you use (both on the job and off), and injuries to the hands and fingers can make everyday tasks very difficult or even impossible. 

There is no standard for hand injury prevention, but hand protection is addressed in OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.138 which relates to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).  It states, “Employers shall select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes.”  OSHA’s General Duty Clause would also apply to situations that may cause injury to the hands.  The General Duty Clause states, “Each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees."

Coming up with a list of situations that could cause hand injuries can be difficult, but following these basic steps will help keep hands safe.  They include:

1. Be aware of and respect the potential hazards on the job, which includes knowing the possible dangers to your hands
• Pinch points
• Temperature extremes
• Sharp objects
• Rotating or moving parts
• Toxic or corrosive chemicals
• Insect bites and stings
• Electrical burns or shock
• Excessive force or repetition
• Vibrating equipment
2. Focus your attention on the task you are doing and don’t let your attention wander
3. Be familiar with your PPE policy and use the correct gloves and safety equipment provided
4. Don’t wear loose clothing or jewelry while operating tools and machinery
5. When working with chemicals, consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
6. Ensure that proper guards are in place on tools and machinery
7. When using knives, cut away from you and use a retractable blade if possible
8. Wash hands often to help prevent the spread of disease and infection
9. Keep in touch with safety by following safe work practices such as good housekeeping and using the right tools or PPE in the correct manner for the job

Before assuming that PPE is needed to control an identified hazard, you should investigate possible engineering and work practice controls to remove or isolate the hazards.  With engineering controls, it is possible to physically change the machine or work environment to prevent exposure to hazards altogether.  If engineering or work practice controls are not feasible or cannot eliminate or adequately control potential hazards, then you may need to look at PPE.  The most common PPE for hand protection is gloves.  Of course there are many types of gloves on the market, so it is important to select one with performance characteristics needed in relation to the task being performed.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are about 250,000 serious injuries to fingers, hands, and wrists every year.  It is believed that as much as 90% of hand injuries are caused by human error.  Distractions, stress, exhaustion and overexertion can sometimes lead to unsafe work practices that may cause hand injuries.  The first step you need to take to prevent hand injuries from happening is to be aware of and respect the potential hazards on the job.

Remember that it’s very important to control or provide good protection from hazards that present a threat to hands and fingers, because it only takes a split second for a life-changing event to occur.

By Jackie Torgerson

How'd They Do That? Creative solutions from Public Works employees

By Joe Ingebrand: 

There are lots of creative safety solutions we see on our field site visits.  I thought I'd share a couple with you in this blog.  Both of these are ergonomic interventions designed to minimize lifting, bending and reaching.  If you've got something you'd  like to share contact your Loss Control Consultant (see our profiles) and we'll get it posted for others to see.  The more we share these kinds of ideas the safer our Public Works employees will be on the job. 

Wastewater aerator cover lifted with electric winch.

The Pine River Area Sanitary District installed an electric winch to lift the heavy insulated hinged cover on an aerator used in their waste water treatment operation.

 

Zamboni cutting edge lifter

The City of Fergus Falls uses a floor jack adapted to remove and reinstall the cutting edge ice scrapper for the Zamboni.

They attached a jig, which holds the cutting edge, allowing the employee to remove fasteners and replace the cutting edge blade.