What Are Stairways and Ladders'? What Are Fixed Ladders ...

What Are Stairways and Ladders'?

Stairways and ladders are two means of providing access at a construction site. Stairways and ladders are needed whenever movement from one level to another requires a step of more than 19 inches and no other means of access is provided.

What Are

Fixed Ladders'?

A fixed ladder cannot be readily moved or carried because it is a necessary part of a building or structure.

What Are Portable Ladders'?

Portable ladders are straight ladders or step ladders that can be readily moved or carried.

What Are Job-Made Ladders'?

A job-made ladder is not e;ommercially manufactured. A job-made ladder is fabricated by workers, typically at the con�truction site.

Section

Construct Your Futur,

Smart Mark OSHA 10-Hour Training

What Are Handrails?

A handrail is a rail that provides workers with a

handhold for support.

. Handrail: °y Used to provide workers with a

handhold for support.

}

Stairrail System: Vertical barrier erected

along unprotected sides

and edges of a stairway.

What Is a Stairrail System?

from falling to lower levels. A stairrail system means a vertical barrier

erected along the unprotected sides and

edges of a stairway. This prevents workers

The top surface of a stairrail system may be

called a 'handrail.'

What Is Riser Height?

Riser height means the vertical

distance from the top of a stair tread

to the top of the next tread or

platform/landing. Or the distance

from the top of a platform/landing to

the top of the next tread or

platform/landing.

What Is Tread Depth? Tread depth means the horizontal

distance from the front to the back

of a stair tread.

BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES DEPARTMENT

Riser Height: Vertical distance from top of tread to top of next tread.

TREADDEPTH

�r RISER

�HEIGHT _ ____.

Tread Depth: Horizontal distance from front to back of a stair tread.

•

•

►

�

�

�

What Is a Point of Access?

Point of access means any area

used by employees for work

related passage from one area or

level to another.

STAIRWAY OPENINGS Point of Access:

Points of access include but are

not limited to:

• doorways,

• passageways,

• stairway openings,

• studded walls, and

• various other permanent or

temporary openings used for

travel.

DOORWAYS

Any area used by workers

for passage from one area

or level to another.

PASSAGEWAYS

STUDDED WALLS

OTHER POINTS

What Are the Dangers of Stairways and Ladders?

The biggest danger on stairs and ladders is

falling. Most deaths involving ladders happen

from 10 feet or lower. About 12% of OSHA

citations for physical hazards are unsafe stairs

or ladders .

12% of OSHA citations for physical hazards are for unsafe ladders or stairs.

What Are the Hazards of Stairways and Ladders?

OSHA has identified the seven most common

hazardous conditions on stairways and

ladders:

• No handrails or

guardrails on stairs,

• Uneven risers,

• Portable ladders not

secured from

movement,

• Ladder not extended 3

feet above landing,

• Defective portable

ladders,

• Ladders within 1 0 feet of

power lines, and

• Fixed ladders without fall

protection.

Section

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What Are OSHA's Basic Req_uirements for Stairways and Ladders'!

OSHA has several common sense

requirements:

• A change in elevation of 19 inches or more

requires a stairway or ladder where no

ramp, runway, sloped embankment, or

personnel hoist is provided.

• The employer must provide safe stairways

or ladders prior to any other work at the

elevated areas.

• Two or more ladders or a double-cleated

ladder are needed at an access point for a

work area for 25 or more employees.

• At least one access point between levels

must be kept clear at all times.

• No temporary spiral stairs can be used in

construction.

♦ 19"

What Are OSHA's Training Requirements?

OSHA requires employers to provide training

for each employee in recognizing and

minimizing the hazards of stairways and

ladders.

Each worker must be trained by a

competent person in these specific topics:

• the nature of fall hazards,

• the correct procedures for erecting,

maintaining, and disassembling the fall

protection systems,


• proper construction,

use, placement, and

care in handling of all

stairways and

ladders,

• the maximum

intended load

carrying capabilities

of ladders used, and

• OSHA standards

covering stairways

and ladders

Subpart X.

This also means that a

worker has a responsibility to learn the

information and to follow the procedures.

What Are the Requirements for Stairways'?

OSHA's key

requirements for

stairways cover

these items:

• landings,

• uniform riser height

and tread depth,

• slippery conditions

and protruding

objects,

• temporary service, and

• handrails, midrails, and guardrails.

Let's discuss each requirement and ask why

it's needed.

What About Landings'?

Landing: Everv 12 feet or less of vertical rise.

Stairs that will not be a permanent

part of the structure must have

landings at least 30 inches deep and

22 inches wide at every 12 feet or

less of vertical rise.

Riser height ond tread depth:

Cannot vary > 1/4"

Treads for temporary stairs must bit wood

or other solid material. Treads must ba installed the full width end depth or the stair.

What About Uniform Risers and Tread'?

Riser height or stair tread depth cannot vary

more than ¼-inch in any stairway system,

including any foundation structure used as

one or more treads of the stairs.

What About Doors/Gates Opening onto

Stairways'?

Treads for temporary stairs must be made

of wood or other solid material. Treads must

be installed the full width and depth of the

stair.

Where doors or gates open directly

onto a stairway, a platform must be

provided that extends at least 20

inches beyond the swing of the door.

Section


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What About Hazardous Projections and Slippery Conditions?

UNSAFE

CONDITION

You must keep all parts of a stairway free of

hazardous projections.

You must eliminate slippery conditions

before a stairway can be used to reach upper

levels.

What About Handrails, Midrails, and Guardrails?

Stairways with 4 or more risers or rising more

than 30 inches in height, whichever is less,

must have at least one handrail.

Thirty inches may seem like a short

distance to fall. But as you fall, you accelerate.

Soon you are falling very fast. As you pick up

speed, your potential impact force increases.

FALL TIME IMPACT FORCE DISTANCE {SEC} 200 lb WORKER

2.0 inches 0.1 256Ibs

7.6 inches 0.2 1,024 lbs

17.0 inches 0.3 2,304 lbs

31.0 inches 0.4 4,096 lbs

The potential impact force is about 16

times greater for a 0.4-second fall of 31

inches than for a 0.1-second fall of 2 inches.

So if you fall 31 inches, the potential impact

force is about 4,096 pounds.

Would you like to be hit by a 4,096-pound

object? Of course not. That's why OSHA

requires a handrail when a

stairway has 4 or more

risers or rises 30 inches in

height, whichever is less.

200-pound worker falling 31 11

= 4,096 pounds.


What Are the Requirements for Temporary Service?

During a stairway's construction, metal pan

landings and treads must be temporarily filled

with wood or other material.

All treads and landings must be replaced

when worn below the top edge of the pan.

During a stairway's construction, skeleton

metal frame structures and steps must be

fitted with secured temporary treads and

landings long enough to cover the entire tread

and/or landing area.

Employees may not

use the stairway

until it has full

protection and

the temporary

treads are

in place.

Section

How Do We Use Ladders Safely?

You can control how

you use a ladder.

These are the safety

requirements you

must follow.

• Use ladders only for

intended purpose.

• Extend ladders 3

feet above upper

landings.

• Secure all ladders in

traffic areas.

• Use proper angle of

lean or pitch.

• Keep tops and bottoms clear.

• Use 3-point climbing.

• Do not move a ladder while it is occupied.

• Do not climb cross-braces or stand on top

step .

• Maintain the ladder.

• Do not overload the ladder.

• Do not use on slippery surfaces.

• Use non-conductive ladders near electrical

contacts.

Finally, OSHA requires a competent person to

inspect ladders on a periodic basis and to tag

and remove defective ladders.

Why Should We Use a Ladder Only for Its Intended Purpose?

Use ladders only for the purpose for which

they were designed. Have you ever seen

someone climb a closed step ladder leaned

against a wall? How about using a metal

ladder near electricity? Most of the time,

nothing may happen. But it only takes once to

kill or maim. Carelessness in one area also will

make you careless in other areas.




Why Should We Extend a Ladder 3 Feet Above an Upper Landing?

When you use a portable straight ladder for

access to an upper landing, the ladder side

rails must extend at least 3 feet above the

landing. When this is not possible, then you

have to secure the ladder at its top to a rigid

support and provide a grab rail. By extending

the ladder above the upper landing and

securing it, you prevent movement of the

ladder which might cause an accident.

Why Should We Secure Ladders in Busy Areas?

Ladders placed in any location where they

can be displaced by workplace activities or

traffic must be secured or barricaded. Some

examples are: passageways, doorways, or

driveways. The chance for ladder movement

in a busy area is too great to allow work with

an unsecured ladder.

Why Should We Lean Ladders at About 75 °?

Lean a ladder so the horizontal distance from

the top support to the foot of the ladder is

about one-fourth of the working length of the

ladder-about 75° . This gives workers a

comfortable angle for going up and down the

ladder.

Why Keep the Tops and Bottoms of Ladders Clear?

You must keep the areas around the top and

bottom of a ladder clear. Do not let debris or

materials accumulate there. Materials and

debris can create a tripping or falling hazard

for workers climbing up or down the ladder.

Section



Why Should We Use 3-Point Climbing?

When you climb up or down a ladder, you

must face the ladder. You must have at least

one hand on the ladder at all times. You

cannot carry any load that could cause you to

lose your balance.

Three-point climbing means you have two

hands and one foot or one hand and two feet

in contact with the ladder at all times. It is the

safest and most sensible way to climb a

ladder.

3-POINT

CLIMBING

Why Can't We Move a Ladder When It's Occupied?

This may seem obvious but you never know

what some people will try to do. Moving a

ladder when it is occupied may seem like a

good way to save 5 minutes. But in the long

run , its a recipe for disaster.

Why Can't We Climb Step Ladder Cross-Bracing? Cross-bracing is much too flimsy to hold a

worker.

Why Can't We Stand on the Top Step of a Step Ladder? Standing on the top step of a step ladder

may be a common mistake. Professional

construction workers don't do it much now.

Homeowners sometimes do it and end up

falling.

UILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES DEPARTMENT

Why Not Use Conductive Ladders

Near Possible Electrical Contact?

This is very serious. Every year

too many people are killed

when their metal ladders come

into contact with electrical

lines.

Why Can't We Overload a Ladder?

Does it seem like it should be

okay to overload a ladder just

once? You cannot load a

ladder beyond the maximum

intended load or the

manufacturer's rated capacity

at any time.

I /J.••.11,.1�j,

Section


111 mart Mark OSHA 10-Hour Training

Why Can't We Use a Ladder on Slippery Surfaces?

Use ladders only on stable, level, clean

surfaces unless the ladder is secured or

provided with slip-resistant feet. Slippery

• On slippery surfaces,

provide slip resistant

feet and a place to

wipe work boots.

• Maintain ladder free of

oil, grease, and other

slipping hazards.

surfaces lead to slips or falls. Slips or falls from

ladders frequently result in lost-time injury.

Why Do We Have to Maintain Ladders?

You must maintain ladders free of oil, ice, and

other slipping hazards. Slipping hazards

cause slips. Slips cause accident and injury.

Why Does OSHA Require Inspection of Ladders by a Competent Person?

A competent person must inspect

ladders on a periodic basis and after

any event that might affect their safe

use. Ladders with defects must be

immediately marked or tagged "DO

NOTUSE."

REMEMBER:

A competent person is one who is capable

of identifying and predicting hazardous

conditions and is authorized by the

employer to take corrective action.

BUILDING ANO CONSTRUCTION TRADES DEPARTMENT

What Are OSHA's Requirements for the Condition of Ladders?

In addition to requirements for safe use, OSHA

has requirements for the condition of ladders.

These include load requirements, basic

requirements for appearance and construction,

and specific requirements for spacing between

rungs, cleats, steps, and side rails.

Portable ladders must be capable of

supporting 4 times the intended load. Heavy

duty type 1 A metal or plastic portable ladders

must be capable of supporting 3.3 times the

intended load. Each step or rung of fixed

ladders must be capable of supporting a single

concentrated load of at least 250 pounds.

OSHA specifies measurements for spacing

between rungs, cleats, steps and side rails for

fixed and portable ladders.

Rungs, cleats, and steps of portable ladders

and fixed ladders must be spaced not less than

10 inches and not more than 14 inches apart.

Rungs, cleats, and steps of step stools must be

not less than 8 inches and not more than 1 2

inches apart. All rungs, cleats, and steps must

be parallel, level, and uniformly spaced.

Basic Requirements.

Rungs of portable metal ladders and fixed metal ladders must be corrugated, dimpled, or coated to prevent slipping.

Ladders must be surfaced to prevent injury to workers from punctures and to prevent snagging of clothing.

Wood ladders must not be coated with any opaque covering except I �I for identification or warnings on one face of a side rail.

OSHA also sets these

minimum clearance distances:

16 inches between the sides of

rung and step ladders, 11 ½

inches between the side rails of

portable ladders, and 30

inches clearance from the

center of a fixed ladder.

Finally, ladders must not be

tied (spliced) to provide longer

sections unless specifically

designed for such use.

Section



What About Access/Egress (Coming and Going)?

OSHA has two main requirements for access

and egress. On fixed ladders, the step-across

distance must not be less than 7 inches or

more than 1 2 inches .

If the step-across distance is more than 12

inches, a landing platform must be provided.

Access/Egress {Getting On and Off):

. ,. Step-across distance on fixed laddersnot less than 7" and not more than 12".

Cages, Lifelines, Wells:

Fixed ladders must have cages, wells, ladder safety devices, or self-retracting lifelines where the length of climb is

less than 24 feet but the top of the ladder is at a distance greater than 24 feet.

What About Safety Devices, Lifelines, Cages, and Wells?

Fixed ladders need the following when the

climb is 24 feet or more:

• self-retracting safety lines or rest platforms at

150-foot intervals, or

• a cage or well and multiple ladder sections

of 24 feet with landing platforms at 50-foot

intervals.


Section

.Ii.

The HazCom standard requires your

employer to:

• use labeled products,

• get and provide MSDSs on all

products,

• provide training and information for

workers, and

• have a written HazCom program.

A HazCom program requires the

employer to provide the information to

workers in these ways:

• on container labels,

• on other posters, placards, or

warnings the employer may use,

• in training provided to workers, and

• through MSDSs available to workers

and their representatives.

C>

What Is Hazard

Communication'?

The purpose of the OSHA Hazard

Communication standard is to let you know the

hazards of the chemicals in your workplace.

Chemical importers, manufacturers, and

reformulators must automatically send

chemical hazard information to downstream

employers, like yours. They must use labels

and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs).

When employers receive the labels and

MSDSs, they must use these to inform and

train workers and to design and run worker

protection programs.

MSDS & LABEL DISTRIBUTION

IMPORTER

t�

� 1 EMPLOYER

�

EUM!fii Ml RESTRICTED

AREA

OTHER WARNINGS MSOS & LABELS TRAINING

In this course, we focus on the parts of the Hazard Communication regulation that directly affect

your health and safety in the workplace.

Construct Your Futur


What Products Require MSDSs?

Your employer must have an MSOS for every

hazardous product used or stored on each job.

This includes items such as pipe if it's welded,

cut, or ground. It includes treated lumber. It

How Do We Get MSDSs?

OSHA gives you the right to request from your

employer an MSDS for any chemical with

which you work. Your union representative

also has the right to request MSDSs for you.

does not include 'articles' such as a piece of

wood, metal, or ceiling tiles - unless the article

will be modified. Modification includes cutting,

burning, welding, and pulverizing.

OSHA requires your employer to provide the

requested MSDSs to you or your union

representative.

What Information and Training Does HazCom Require?

Your employer must train and inform you of

the hazards of chemicals you use in your job.

The employer's training must provide:

• general training about HazCom, health and

safety hazards, and control methods, and

• specific training for the hazards in your

workplace.

How Should Products Be Labeled?

All manufacturers, importers, and distributors

of hazardous chemicals MUST label products

so that you can recognize the hazards of the

product. If the product is transferred to

another container, it MUST be labeled also,

unless the amount is for the use of one person

during one shift.

Why Do Construction Workers Need HazCom?

A recent study shows that 18% of on-the-job

deaths in construction are due to exposure to

harmful substances. This does not include the

large number of construction workers who die

later after getting chronic diseases from

exposure to harmful substances.

Before HazCom, manufacturers did not have

to tell workers or their doctors about harmful

chemicals in products.

Only since the mid-1980s have you had the

right to know-thanks mainly to the efforts of

unions.


This course helps you learn to get and

understand chemical information, so you can

protect yourself and your family.

18% of on-the-job deaths in construction are

due to exposure to harmful substances.

This does not include workers who die

off-the-job due to acute or chronic

conditions caused by harmful exposures.

What About Multi-Employer Sites'?

All employers on a multi-employer site must

provide information to each other.

Each employer's written HazCom program

must include methods to:

• provide other employer(s) with a copy of

MSDSs or to place them at a central location,

• inform other employer(s) of any

precautionary measures to take during

normal operating conditions and in

foreseeable emergencies, and

• inform the other employer(s) of his or her

labeling system.

'rll � I

� -� · 1 /t,?\

[1] � i [t] What Is an MSDS'?

The MSOS is a detailed technical bulletin. It is

the primary source of information about

hazardous products used on your job. Almost

every product in your workplace has an

MSDS-solvents, concrete, paint, adhesives,

grout, degreaser, diesel fuel, and more.

What Information Is in an MSDS'?

The MSDS tells:

• what company makes the product,

• what the physical and health hazards are,

• how to recognize when you are

overexposed, and

• l1ow to protect yourself from the product.

Symptoms of Exposure

Safe Handling and Use

Material Safety Data Sheet 1

Manufacturer's Name

Product Name

Physical Hazards

Health Hazards

'! ilrotective Measures

��

--...._

----

I .

"

--------

------

.-----

r✓ , ....

Section


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How Should We Read an MSDS?

PRODOCT IDENTITY

� MANUFACTURER HAZARDOUS INFORMATION INGREDIENTS

SAFE HANDLING

(';J 11:'.1

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS

REACTIVITY l /!:, tt!iff::,. I. L DATA �, - -�� HEAL TH HAZARD ·�

DATA CONTROL MEASURES

The best way to read an MSDS is to ask questions. Take the questions one at a time and look in the part of the MSDS where each answer is most likely to be.

What Is the Product Identity?

The product identity or trade name must appear on the MSDS as it appears on the product label. If the MSDS name is not the same as on the label, you can't be sure the MSDS is the right one.

Be careful. The difference could be deadly.

A sample MSDS for a make-believe product called ABC Solvent is on page 22. Companies make MSDSs in different formats. The sample is recommended by OSHA It has nine sections. Others may have up to 17 sections. But all MSDSs must contain the same basic information.

The sample MSDS contains the following information: • product identity,• manufacturer information,• health hazard data,• hazardous ingredients,• physical and chemical characteristics,• fire and explosion data,• reactivity data ,• safe handling and use, and• control measures.

Now, let's review each section of the sample MSDS.

�

What Is the Manufacturer Information?

• Who is the manufacturerof ABC Solvent? Whomakes this product?

• What is themanufacturer's address?

• What is the emergencyphone number for ABC Solvent?

• What is the information phone number forABC Solvent?


• What is the date this MSDS was prepared?Some MSDSs are more than five years old!Old MSDSs may underestimate a product'shazards.

• Who signed this MSDS for ABC Solvent?

The signature is the "official seal of approval"of the preparer. This is not required by law.

What Is Health Hazard Information?

The health hazard information tells you about

the harmful effects of a product. Health

hazard information includes:

• routes of entry

• types of health hazards

• target organs

• carcinogenicity

• signs and symptoms of exposure

• aggravations to medical conditions

• emergency or first aid procedures

What Are the Main Routes of Entry?

For a chemical to harm you, it must get onto

or into your body.

The MSDS lists the ways the chemical gets

into the body:

• breathe it.

• swallow it.

• absorb it through your skin.

You can't smell or taste all chemicals. Not all

chemicals are irritating. Even when chemicals

have warning properties, such as an odor, you

stop smelling them after a while. This doesn't

mean they won't harm you. You just don't

notice them anymore.

What happens when you breathe, absorb,

or swallow a chemical? The chemical may get

into your bloodstream. From there, it can

circulate throughout your body. It can stay in

your body for a long time or a short time. It

may cause serious health effects.

It may irritate or injure your nose, mouth,

throat, or lungs. It may damage:

• your bone • your brain • your glands

• your liver • your kidneys • your fat

• your muscle • your heart

These are target organs. If a chemical is

known to harm certain organs, they are

named in the health hazard section. Often, the

MSDS uses the organ's name: heart. Other

times it describes the chemical: cardiotoxic.

Section


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111


What Are the Two Types of Health Hazards?

MSDSs list health hazards as either:

• acute

• chronic

An acute effect is immediate. It often

happens from a single exposure. Acute does

not mean mild. Acute effects of chemical

overexposure include irritation of skin, nose,

throat, or eyes, nausea or dizziness, heart

failure, a coma, or death.

A chronic effect is long-term and persistent.

It does not always mean a critical condition,

though many chronic health problems are.

An acute effect on the eyes might be

irritation. A chronic effect could be scarred

cornea.

What Is Carcinogenicity?

Carcinogenicity means cancer-causing. If the

product contains a carcinogen, the MSDS

must say so. If any chemical in the product is

An acute

respiratory effect I ACUTE

might be

irritation. A

chronic effect

could be

bronchitis.

An acute

effect on skin

might be

irritation. A

chronic effect

could be

dermatitis.

CHRONIC

a suspected or confirmed animal or human

carcinogen, ask your supervisor for a safer

product. Treat the product as a carcinogen.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Exposure?

Many acute, reversible effects of exposure are

listed on the MSDS as signs and symptoms of

exposure:

• dizziness

• skin irritation

• headaches

• cold sweats

• difficulty breathing

• nausea

• fatigue

• sneezing

• irritability

• eye, nose, or throat

irritation

l''lUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES DEPARTMENT

These signs and

symptoms are

your body's way

of reacting to

foreign

substances. They

are meant to alert

you that you may

be harmed. They

are listed on the

MSDS to serve as

early warnings of overexposure.

•

,;

What Medical Conditions Are Aggravated by Exposure?

Sometimes chemicals can make a certain

medical condition worse. Many solvents

aggravate asthma or bronchitis. One

degreaser, methylene chloride, breaks down

to carbon monoxide in the blood stream and

may aggravate heart conditions. If the product

aggravates any medical condition, the

manufacturer must list it.

What Emergency or First Aid Measures Are Given?

The MSDS will offer some recommendations

for emergency or first aid procedures.

These recommendations are usually not

sufficient for a treating physician.

What Are Hazardous Ingredients?

This part usually contains three types of

information:

• the hazardous components,

• the exposure limits, and

• the percent of the chemical in the product.

Let's review each one:

Hazardous Components. Lists the

product's chemical names and synonyms and

may list common names.

PEL or TLV Gives the legal or

recommended exposure limit for each

hazardous chemical in the product.

The PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) is the

airborne concentration of a chemical to which

workers may be legally exposed day after day

for a lifetime. PELs are set by OSHA. PELs are

not necessarily

'safe' exposure

levels. The TLV

(Threshold Limit

Value) is a

recommended

airborne

concentration of

a chemical set

by a private

organization of safety and health

professionals.

The percent of the hazardous ingredient in

the product is usually the percent by weight or

volume. The higher the percent of an

ingredient in a product the greater your

potential exposure to it.

Section


"mart Mark OSHA 10-HourTraining

How Do We Measure PELs and TLVs?

Both PELs and TLVs are usually measured in

parts per million.

Parts per million (ppm) is a measure of

small amounts of gases or vapors in air. As a

fraction, a ppm is one-millionth. This is an

extremely small amount of material. It doesn't

take a lot of a chemical to make you sick.

A PEL of 1 ppm may be 1,000 times more

toxic than a PEL of 1,000 ppm.

Use the PEL or TLV as a relative

comparison of the hazard. Knowing the PEL

can help you understand how important it is

to keep the chemical out of your body.

Often, the lower the PEL, the more

dangerous the chemical. PELs are like fish

hooks or wire-the smaller the number, the

bigger the hazard. Chemicals with smaller

PELs are more harmful because smaller

amounts of the chemicals will cause harm.

PPM 1001" I

50 -I I

10 t I

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I TOLUENE

The lower

the PEL ...

t! ... the greater

the toxicity.

BENZENE I

What Are Physical and Chemical Characteristics?

These characteristics help us predict a chemical's behavior.

Like people, chemicals have characteristics

that predict how they will behave. A chemical's

characteristics can help us understand when,

how, and why it becomes most hazardous.

These characteristics include:

• boiling point • specific gravity

• vapor pressure • melting point

• vapor density • evaporation rate

• solubility in water • appearance/odor

What Are Fire and Explosion Hazard Data?

Use the MSDS to find out about the fire and

explosion hazards of a product. Precautions

for fire fighting and fire-related physical and

health hazards are also listed here.

What Does 'Extinguishing Media' Mean?

Extinguishing media is what will put the fire

out. Typical extinguishing media are water fog,

foam, alcohol foam, CO2, and dry chemical.


Never make the mistake of assuming that

water works for everything.

\

What Is Flash Point?

Flash point is the temperature at which a

chemical releases enough vapors to ignite.

Liquids evaporate and give off vapors. At the

flash point temperature, a spark or other

source of ignition will ignite the vapors. The

lower the flash point of a chemical you use,

the more likely that a heat source will cause it

to burn or explode.

A product with a flash point under 100° is

classified as flammable. A product with a flash

point above 1 00° but below 200° is classified

as combustible.

Section

� -- COMBUSTIBLE - 100° to 200°

-- FLAMMABLE - BELOW 100°

-45 ° GASOLINE

What Are Special Fire Fighting Procedures?

This tells the equipment and procedures for

fighting a fire involving the chemical. Typical

recommendations include methods for

cooling containers of chemicals and personal

protective equipment needed for fighting the

fire. Generally, it is better to leave the fire

fighting to the fire fighters.

What Is the NFPA Label?

The National Fire Protection Association

(NFPA) label was developed to warn fire

fighters about the hazards of chemicals in a

fire. Today, the NFPA label appears on many

product containers and on some MSDSs.

The NFPA label is a diamond containing

four squares of different colors. The squares

contain a number from O to 4, with O meaning

no hazard and 4 meaning a severe hazard.

The internal squares are red, blue, yellow, and

white.

• RED is fire,

• BLUE is health,

• YELLOW is reactivity.

• WHITE is reserved for special hazards such

s 'use no water,' represented by W.

FLAMMABILITY · RED

HEALTH

BLUE

REACTIVITY

YELLOW

WHITE

�RADIOACTIVE -W WATER REACTIVE

The NFPA does not cover chronic health

effects or give the name of the chemical, the

product, or the manufacturer, which is

required by the OSHA regulations.

What are the hazards for the product of the

NFPA label pictured above?


I I I


What Is Reactivity?

A chemical labeled reactive tends to undergo

chemical change and release energy. These

chemical changes may cause pressure build

up, temperature increase, or formation of toxic

What Is Safe Handling and Use?

The MSDS must give advice on:

• accidental spill or release

• disposal of materials

• recommended handling and storage

precautions

or corrosive by-products. These chemical

changes can be started by:

• heat,

• improper storage or handling, or

• direct contact with other incompatible

chemicals.

Polymerization is one example of chemical

reactivity. Have you noticed that the bond of a

two-part glue gets hot as the glue sets? This

is a controlled polymerization. But when a

reactive undergoes polymerization, it can get

out of control. The result is usually a fire o�

explosion. If the chemical is capable of

hazardous polymerization, then it's noted here

in this part of the MSDS.

What Are the Precautions for Spill or Release?

These are the procedures to use if the

material is released or spilled in an

uncontrolled or unplanned manner. These

usually include such things as:


• avoid breathing

gases and vapor

• avoid skin contact with liquid or solid

• remove sources of ignition

t

�

4

What Does Disposal Mean?

Disposal means how to get rid of the material

or its waste when you are finished. Methods

must always follow federal, state, and local

regulations.

What Are Handling and Storage Requirements?

Conditions for storage are given here, such as:

• safe storage life

• temperature

• ventilation

• no smoking

• sources of ignition

What Are Control Measures?

If you look at nothing else in the MSDS, check

this out. These are the control measures you

can use to reduce your exposure to

hazqrdous chemicals. Control measures are

methods used by employers or workers to

reduce exposures to hazardous substances.

One important control measure that

probably will not be listed on an MSDS is to

substitute a safer product.

What Are the Limitations of the MSDS?

MSDSs cover chemical hazards of products

you use in your workplace. But construction

workers face many other hazards that aren't

described on MSDSs. Among them are:

• heat stress

• noise

• vibration

• electrocution

• CO from combustion

Some of these exposures may aggravate

chemical exposures from the products you

work with. Your employer is responsible for

informing you about all the hazards in your

workplace.

Section



ABC SOLVENT - MAKE-BELIEVE SOLVENT

Material Safety Data Sheet for the U.S.A. and Canada

I SECTION I - PRODUCT INFORMATION

IDENTITY (TRADE NAME):

SYNONYMS:

ABC PART NUMBER(S):

FAMILY/CHEMICAL NAME:

PRODUCT USE:

ABC SOLVENT

STODDARD SOLVENT

6617

ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBON

Cleaning and degreasing metal parts

I SECTION II - MANUFACTUER INFORMATION

MANUFACTURER:

TELEPHONE:

ISSUE DATE:

PREPARER:

ABC COMPANY

777 Big Timber Road

Parker, Oregon 90210

1 -800-421 -5144

March 19, 1998

Product MSDS Coordinator

I SECTION I ll - HAZARDOUS COMPONENTS

Name Synonym WT% CAS PEL

Parts Washer Stoodard 85.0 64741 100

Solvent Solvent

Xylene Dimethyl- 15.0 7890 100

benzene


ABC SOLVENT - MAKE-BELIEVE SOLVENT Material Safety Data Sheet for the U.S.A. and Canada

Page 2 of 3

I SECTION IV - HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION

Routes of Exposure: Eye and skin contact; inhalation, ingestion.

Signs/Symptoms:

Acute

Eyes: Contact with liquid or exposure to vapor may cause moderate irritation with

stinging, tearing, or redness.

Skin: Contact tends to remove oils, possibly leading to irritation.

Inhalation: High concentrations of mists may be irritating to respiratory tract.

Ingestion: Low order of acute oral toxicity. May cause irration of throat, nausea,

vomiting, myocardial injury with arrhythmias and symptoms of central nervous system

depression.

Chronic

Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause drying and cracking or dermatitis.

First Aid

Flush eyes with water for 15 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing; wash skin twice with

soap and water. Remove to fresh air. For ingestion, seek immediate medical attention.

I SECTION V - PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL DATA

Appearance: Clear, green with hydrocarbon odor.

Odor Threshold: None known.

Vapor Pressure: 2mmHg.

Specific Gravity: 0. 77-0.80

pH: 7

Molecular Wt: 142

Evaporation Rate: 0.1 (butyl acetate=,).

Section



ABC SOLVENT - MAKE-BELIEVE SOLVENT

Material Safety Data Sheet for the U.S.A. and Canada Page 3 of 3

I SECTION VI - FIRE/EXPLOSION DATA

Emergency Response Guide Number: 27

Vapor explosion hazard may occur indoors, outdoors, or in sewers. Decomposition and

combustion products may be toxic.

Extinguishing Media: CO2, foam, dry chemical, water spray.

Fire Fighting: NFPA 704 Rating 0-2-0 (Health-Fire-Reactivity) Keep storage containers

cool with water spray.

Flash Point: 105° F (40° C).

I SECTION VII - REACTIVITY

Stability: Stable under normal temperatures and pressures; not reactive with water.

Hazardous Polymerization: None known.

Incompatible Materials: None known.

I SECTION VIII - SAFE HANDLING

Spill Procedures: Remove all ignition sources. Stop leak.

Shipping: Keep container tightly sealed.

Hygiene: Wash thoroughly with soap/water after handling.

I SECTION IX - CONTROL MEASURES

Ventilate area; avoid breathing vapors. Water spray may reduce vapor. Wear chemical

goggles/face shield. Wear Nitrile gloves. Use NIOSH-approved respirator when vapor

concentration exceeds applicable exposure limit.


What Is Electrical

Current?

Electrical current is the

flow of electrons through a

conductor.

What Is a Conductor?

A material that allows electrons to flow

through it is a conductor. Wires are

conductors. Electricity flows through a wire

much like water through a hose.

Electricity flows through the human body

more like water through a sponge.

fl f

What Is an Insulator?

Insulators resist the flow of electricity. Glass,

rubber, plastic, and dry wood are insulators.

What Is Resistance?

Resistance opposes electron flow. Electricity

flows through any available path, but more of it

flows through the path of least resistance.

Section

Construct Your Futur


What Is an Electrical Circuit?

Current flows in a loop or a circuit. Circuits are

AC or DC. AC is alternating current. DC is

direct current.

DC current flows from NEGATIVE to POSITIVE.

Most AC current flows from HOT to NEUTRAL.

Most circuits in a typical home or

construction site are AC.

What Is a Faulted Circuit?

In a faulted circuit or electrical fault, current

follows the wrong path and bypasses the

normal load. This happens in one of two

ways.

• the short circuit

• the ground fault

Ill u Ill: :, 0 en

+NEUTRAL

-=

Short Circuit. Two HOT wires or a HOT wire

and a NEUTRAL wire touch (points 1 and 2). The

current then bypasses the tool.


A simple AC circuit has five parts:

• electrical souRCE (point 1 );

• HOT wire that sends electricity (point 2);

• CONSUMING DEVICE-a tool, appliance, or light

that is powered by electricity (point 3);

• NEUTRAL wire that returns electricity (point 4),

and

• 'earth' or GROUND (point 5).

When a circuit works right, current flows

through the hot wire to the CONSUMING DEVICE.

It then returns to the SOURCE through the

NEUTRAL wire. When something goes wrong

with a circuit, it is called a faulted circuit-or

electrical fault.

Short circuits cause shocks and damage

equipment. They make excess heat that can

start fires. With a short circuit, a tool usually

will not work.

HOT

en �NEUTRAL

Ground Fault. The HOT wire touches an outlet

or tool casing (point 1 ). The outlet or tool may

keep working until something- like a person

(point 2) touches it-creating multiple paths to

ground (points 2 or 3).

Ground faults cause shocks.

What Are the Harmful Effects of Electricity?

Electricity can cause shocks, burns, fires, and

explosions in the workplace.

Electricity is the fourth leading cause of

occupational death in construction.

Shock. Shock can cause

electrocution. Or it may

cause a physical reaction

that results in a fall.

Current flowing

through your chest,

neck, head, or major

nerves can stop your

breathing. Current

through the heart can

make it beat out of rhythm or stop.

Burns. Burns may accompany shock. Your

body is not a good conductor. So there is

resistance to current flow. That resistance

turns into heat. Electricity can 'cook' internal

organs or cause internal bleeding. Internal

effects may happen days later.

Fires. Heat from electricity can ignite fires.

Bad insulation or loose connections cause

electrical fires.

Explosions. Explosions are fires that burn

very fast. Bad insulation, overloaded circuits,

or sparking at switch contacts can ignite

explosive mixtures in air.

How Do We Work Safely with Electricity?

At a minimum, employers

must follow the OSHA

Electrical Standards

(Subpart K).

These standards

provide protection for

using temporary wiring in

construction. The

What Is Temporary Wiring?

Temporary wiring is electrical wiring installed

for a construction project. It must use

separate circuits for power (1) and lights (2).

OSHA does not allow power outlets or screw

in converters on light circuits. Power and light

circuits must have separate circuit breaker

boxes (4) or fuses.

Feeder boxes (3) contain the main shut-off

switch for site temporary wiring. The system

rounding electrode (5) is located in the main

regulations include three protective methods:

• electrical isolation,

• grounding, and

• circuit interruption.

D

box. Temporary wiring includes power from

portable or vehicle-mounted generators.

Section



What Is Electrical Isolation'?

We isolate electricity by keeping it

away from ourselves or our

workplaces.

To isolate electricity, we do one or

more of the following:

• Insulate the wires.

• Isolate the wires in enclosures.

• Elevate the wires.

• Bury the wires.

• Cover the wires.

Does Grounding Always Work'?

No. Grounding won't work if your resistance

is less than the GROUND path. For example:

• If you're holding a metal pipe that goes

directly to GROUND,


What Is Grounding'?

Grounding is a separate, low resistance

pathway for electricity when it does not follow

normal flow from HOT to NEUTRAL.

In case of a ground fault, most of the

electricity takes the GROUND to SOURCE (points

6 and 7). This helps keep you from becoming

part of the circuit.

OSHA has extensive requirements for grounding

in 1926.404(f)(1) through (11)

• If you're standing in water, or

• If your tool doesn't have a ground

connection.

What Makes a Proper Ground Path?

A proper grounding path must do two things:

• prevent electricity from flowing between the

enclosures of an electrical circuit or system,

and

• provide a path for fault current to flow back

to its SOURCE that is less resistant than other

paths.

For the grounding path to do these two

things, it must meet four conditions:

• the path to ground must be permanent and

continuous;

• the path must have ample capacity to cause

the operation of the overcurrent device;

• the path must have low resistance; and

• all circuit parts must be bonded together.

What Is Circuit Interruption?

The last method of electrical protection

required by OSHA Subpart K is circuit

interruption.

For electricity to flow, it must complete a

loop or a circuit. Circuit interrupters break the

loop, opening the circuit, so the electricity

does not flow.

For safety, you need two types of circuit

interruption:

• Circuit breakers or fuses for wiring and

equipment protection and

• Ground Fault Protection for shock

protection.

t

-

Q

Overcurrent

Devices

Section

GFCls



How Do Circuit Breakers and Fuses Work'?

Circuit breakers or fuses connect in the path

of the HOT wire. When HOT wire flow is over the

rating of the circuit breaker or fuse, it opens.

This interrupts the circuit before the wire or

equipment is damaged.

Circuit breakers or fuses must match the

circuits to which they connect. A 15 amp

circuit must use 15 amp circuit breakers. If

circuit breakers or fuses keep blowing, there is

a reason. Contact your supervisor.

If a test shows no grounding problems, the

problem may be overload. Try moving part of

the load to another circuit. Do not increase the

circuit breaker size. You could overheat the

wiring.

Only qualified electricians should change the

rated capacity of breakers or fuses on a circuit.

circuit breaker

��; llf.v1 ·1 i•·! '! ;I I: '

'

!I,'! :I I; :, ,: ii ii :- 1:

L __ �

._ -

-

.

-

What Are the Limitations of Overcurrent Devices'?

A circuit breaker's job is to protect equipment

from heat build-up caused by overload and

faults.

For protection from electrocution, you need

Ground Fault Protection.

What Is Ground Fault Protection'?

If a short circuit or ground fault happens,

electricity should return along the ground path

to the SOURCE. At the SOURCE, this higher rate of

current flow opens the circuit breaker or fuse.

The device may not open before you get a

tremendous shock. Sometimes the GROUND

path of a system may not work properly.

That's why OSHA supplements ground fault

requirements with two alternative mandatory

provisions required "in addition to any other


requirements for equipment grounding

conductors." These requirements are:

• GFCI or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, or

• Assured Equipment Grounding Program.

The employer must use one of these

methods.

What Is a GFCI?

GFCI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter.

While circuit breakers and fuses protect wiring

and equipment, GFCls protect you from

shock.

GFCls install in the path between the hot

and NEUTRAL wires of a circuit. GFCls are used

in combination with-not instead of-fuses

or circuit breakers.

The GFCI is not an 'overcurrent device.' A

GFCI only cares about the difference in

current between the HOT and NEUTRAL

conductors. So a GFCI cannot replace circuit

breakers for overcurrent protection.

:1 !1

\\.-\'' ( :IN,: SrrA :1 !1

' ◄' !... ___ , '

-

How Does a GFCI Work?

GFCls work by detecting differences in current

between the HOT and NEUTRAL wires. If the

difference exceeds 5 milliamps, or 5/i ,000th

of an amp (.005 amp), the GFCI opens the

circuit.

This difference in current flow is typically well

below the threshold of a circuit breaker or fuse.

As a result, ground faults which would

never open a circuit breaker will open the

GFCI.

For example, if a ground fault directs 6 mA

(.006 amp) of current through you, it reduces

the current returning to the source on the

NEUTRAL by the same amount.

Because the difference is less than i 5

amps, the circuit breaker will not open. But

the GFCI will trip because the difference is

greater than 5 mA (.005 amp).

You are saved from a shock.

Section


mart Mark OSHA 10-HourTraining

How Do GFCI and Circuit Breaker Shock Protection Compare?

A GFCI opens at 5 milliamps. You might

experience a painful shock, if you have dry

skin. But you can let go of the wire. This flow

is well below the threshold for lung paralysis,

heart failure, heart paralysis, or burns. So,

even if your skin is wet or you are standing on

a wet surface, the GFCI will open before you

experience harmful effects.

By contrast, a 15 amp fuse or circuit breaker

does not open until 15,000 milliamps of power

flow through it (15 amps = 15,000 milliamps).

This means enough current can flow through

you so that you can't let go of the power.

4.000 AMP - bums, heart p:ualysis. 0.100 AMP - certain heart failure, fatal. 0.050 AMP - possible heart failure. 0.030 AMP - temporary lung paralysis. 0.Ol 5 AMP- can't let go of power.

Where Are GFCls Installed?

If the employer selects the GFCI option, then

the employer must put GFCls on all 120-volt

single-phase 15 and 20-amp receptacle

outlets used by employees on the construction

site-except outlets which are part of the

permanent wiring of the building or structure .

GFCls are installed almost anywhere in the

electrical circuit.

GFCls can be installed:

• at the service entrance panel (point 1);

• at the branch circuit level in a branch circuit

panel (point 2);

• at the outlet level (installed first in line to

protect other outlets) (point 3); or

• on every extension cord used for power

delivery (point 4).


Combination circuit breaker-GFCI

=-,�-.; - - -

�

GFCI on extension cord a1\ m rrm �@

. .

What Is an Assured Equipment Grounding Program?

An employer who does not use GFCls must have an assured equipment grounding

program, a selfinspection and testing program with six mandatory steps: • Written

Program.

Available forinspection andcopying byOSHA or anyaffectedemployee.

• Competent

Person{s). Todo dailyinspection andperiodictesting.

What Else Does OSHA Require?

Subpart K also includes detailed wiring designs, methods, and installation practices.

• Inspection. Each day before work, inspectfor defects:- all cord sets,- attachment caps,- plugs and receptacles, and- any equipment connected by cord and

plug even if fixed and not exposed.• Testing. Continuity testing on all equipment

ground conductors before first use, followingrepairs, and at least every three months.

• Equipment Availability. All equipment isinspected and tested before use.

• Recordkeeping. T he employer keeps arecord of all tests and inspections. The

NECA color coding scheme is one way to

keep track of inspections.

To learn more about these detailed requirements, look at Subpart K.

How Do We Select an Extension Cord?

For portable power tools and appliances, OSHA permits only 3-wire extension cord sets designed for hard or extra hard usage.

Cord markings also should show that it is 3-wire and rated for 20 amp currents. Anyextension cord you use must have theseratings clearly marked on it.

Hard Use: S, ST, SO, STO

Junior Hard Use: SJ, SJO, SJT, SJTO

(NEC ARTICLE 400, TABLE 400-4)

Section



Where Can�t We Use an Extension Cord?

OSHA sets four specific limits on extension

cord use.

• Do not pass through holes in walls, floors,

or ceilings or through windows or doors.

• Do not run behind building walls, ceilings,

or floors.

• Do not attach to building surfaces (including

hanging them from nails, staples or bare wire).

• Do not use as a substitute for the fixed

wiring of a structure.

If you can't get

power without

breaking one of

these rules, talk

with your

supervisor or

employer so they

can solve the

problem.

What Is Strain Relief?

When cords are plugged in, a lot of pressure

is applied to the prongs or to the connectors.

This can loosen the prongs or the connection

of the conductors to the prongs. The easiest

way to prevent this problem is by using strain

relief on the cords.


•

How Do We Plug or Unplug an Extension Cord'?

Pull on the plug, not the cord. This prevents

stressing the terminals where the conductors

connect to the plug.

Pulling on the cord loosens the

connections. This sometimes causes arcing

between terminal and conductor (point 1) or

reduces grounding effectiveness (point 2).

Often the outer cover of the extension cord

will pull right out of the plug (point 3), leaving

insulated conductors exposed.

What Is the Most Unforgivable Misuse of an Extension Cord'?

rtml �

◄-

The most unforgivable misuse of an extension

cord is removing the grounding connection.

This increases the likelihood that fault current

will flow through you.

Section



How Do We Maintain Extension Cords? ·'.,c·.,

Clean, inspect, coil, and store extension

cords. Wipe with a dry rag.

Coil cords using a figure 8, regular coil,

reverse coil, or winding armature.

Store away from oil, dirt, solvents, acids,

caustics, or moisture. Keep away from sharp

tools.

How Do We Inspect Extension Cords?

Visually inspect

cords at least

once each day,

before use.

Check the

insulation for

cracks, cuts, or

breaks. Check

the plug

attachment.

Extension cords should have ground

continuity testing at least every 90 days. Look

for insulation damage (2, 3, 6) and for bent or

weakened conductors (2). Are connections at

the plug ends frayed (1)? Are male plug ends

damaged or bent (4, 5)?

Don't repair extension cords. Just unplug

them, cut the heads and tails off, and throw

them away.

What About GFCls on Extension Cords?

With a GFCI extension cord, when defects in

isolation or grounding happen, the GFCI can

shut down the current in the extension cord

before a shock. A GFCI extension cord

reduces the possibility of false shutdowns

caused by normal current loss in a circuit-as

often happens when GFCls are located farther

away in outlets (point 1) or in circuit boxes

(point 2).

Checking extension cord integrity by testing

the GFCI each day before work provides extra

assurance that the extension cord is

operational.


4

•

•

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