OSHA Approved Instructor

Trenching/Excavation

10-30 HOUR OSHA CLASS

Jimmy Knox Services 10-30 Hour OSHA Class

Fill out the form carefully for registration

SAFETY INFORMATION

General Housekeeping

1. It is everyone’s responsibility to pick up trash, debris and materials.
2. All spills are cleaned appropriately immediately after they occur to avoid slips.
3. Worksites are vacuumed/sweep when finished for the day to gather stray materials and debris.
4. Proper air circulation is provided throughout interior worksites, especially in areas that have come into contact with paint, sawdust, or other materials that could be hazardous when inhaled.

Slips & Falls

1. Walking/working surfaces are inspected to make sure they are clean and dry, if possible.
2. Signs are posted to alert workers to wet, icy, greasy or otherwise slippery areas.
3. The worksite is cleaned up at day’s end to avoid creating tripping hazards.
4. A clear pathway is kept through a work area at all times.
5. Ladders and step stools are inspected to ensure that they are in sound working order.
6. Workers do not compromise their safety while on a roof or other high area by reaching, leaning, or otherwise being without sure footing.

Ladder Safety

1. Ladders are inspected before use to make sure they are clean and undamaged.
2. Ladders are only set up on a dry, stable surface.
3. Employees are to position ladder so that its feet are approximately one (1) foot from the base of the building for every four (4) feet of the building’s height.
4. If there’s any chance the ladder’s feet will slip, dig a small trench for the feet or secure them another way.
5. Proper ladder use instruction tell employees to extend the top of the ladder three (3) feet above the top of the roof, or whatever surface it is leaning against.
6. Employees tie off the ladder to prevent it from slipping.
7. Employees are trained to face the ladder when climbing and keep both hands on the ladder.
8. Employees are instructed not stretch or reach while on the ladder—come down and move the ladder to the desired location.
9. Employees are instructed to hold the base of the ladder as someone descends. And if someone else is descending without support to assist them.

Material Handling

1. Posters on site remind workers about proper lifting techniques: Bend at the knees, grab an object securely; hold it close to the body.
2. Employees are warned to be cognizant of health and ability to handle heavy objects/labor intensive or strenuous tasks and not take on more than they are physically able to handle.
3. Employees are instructed when they are transporting heavy/awkward objects to confirm that pathway is clear of debris and safe to walk on.
4. Employees are instructed to keep an eye on both ends of long objects like wood beams, ladders, and railings whether carrying them or working near them. They are told not to back up with object in hand without checking for obstacles such as windows, ladders, or people.
5. When putting debris from upper levels into dumpsters on the ground, appropriate closed shoots are used.
6. Trash is carefully handled to avoid lacerations from glass or contact with other unsafe items within the bag.

Personal Protective Equipment

• Appropriate PPE are provided for each task.
• For any job that requires specific types of PPE, employees are told what they should wear and to make sure they receive the proper PPE and any necessary instruction on how to use the equipment.
• PPE is replaced if its effectiveness is compromised.
• PPE is discarded appropriately; any hazardous material encountered could also be on the equipment.

Hazardous Materials

1. Employees are instructed what to do in the event of a mishap.
2. Materials are kept in proper containers and labeled properly.
3. Gloves, masks or other PPE are provided and worn by employees as appropriate.
4. MSDSs are available on the work site; a person is assigned to this task.
5. Materials are discarded in appropriate manner—many materials require special disposal and should not be flushed down sinks, poured into the ground, or thrown in the trash.
6. Employees are instructed to thoroughly wash hands and work area after handling hazardous materials, even if wearing PPE. There is still the danger of transporting the material to their eyes, mouth, or someone else unless everything is cleaned.

Electrical Safety

1. Tools are inspected to make sure they have guards, grounding prongs, and are undamaged.
2. Power tools are only used by those trained to operate each specific tool.
3. Extension cords are inspected to make sure they are undamaged and are three-pronged.
4. Power is turned off before working on lighting or other wiring projects.
5. Employees know to watch for overhead power lines when working outside.

Power Tool Safety

1. Employees are instructed how to use tools prior to use; only employees trained on a specific tool are allowed to operate that tool.
2. Employees check that power cord does not pose a tripping or electrical hazard.
3. Employees stay focused on task at hand; no horseplay is allowed on the site.
4. Employees do not shoot nails in wood when there are people behind wood beam, check walls for wiring/plumbing before contact, and do not operate anything electrical in the rain.
5. Employees avoid wearing loose fitting clothes that could get caught in a tool or machinery.
6. Employees are taught to use caution in “wind-down” mode—when most power tool accidents happen.
7. Employees are instructed not use cords to hoist or lower tools.
8. Employees make sure the tool is in the OFF position before plugging in the cord, passing to another worker, or setting the tool on the ground.

Fire Prevention

1. Do not smoke on a work site.
2. Be aware of the nearest fire extinguishers on site.
3. Employees using gas-powered equipment let engines or motors cool before refueling.
4. Electricity and gas are shut off before starting major construction projects.

Water Damage Prevention

1. Employees clean up spills immediately after they occur.
2. Water is shut off before working on any plumbing job.
3. Locate water pipes before beginning major construction (doorway widening, replacing dry wall, installing fixtures or grab bars, replacing appliances, etc.)

Environmental Awareness

1. Employees know to check the condition of the floor, steps, or other materials before putting weight on them.
2. Employees pay attention to traffic or other neighborhood hazards.
3. Sensitive employees know to check for plants such as poison ivy/oak, thorns, or other items that might cause an allergic reaction (bees, pollens, etc.) and carry appropriate medications, such as Epinephrine auto-injector.
4. Employees watch for tripping hazards inside and out, including pipes, loose bricks, roots, extension cords, hoses and uneven ground.
5. Employees use caution when entering/leaving work area in a motor vehicle—check for other cars and people, as well as tools, lumber or other worksite material that might be in the way.
6. When removing tree limbs or beams overhead, employee’s check what is below that could be damaged by falling materials—including other people.
7. Many accidents happen while someone is angry or distracted. Those who stay cool and focus on the job at hand remain safer. Supervisors know when to intercede and tell an employee to take time out and cool down.
8. If paint is suspected of being lead-based, proper precautions are used to remove it.
9. Proper hardhats, work shoes, gloves, respirators, goggles, face shields are used for the assigned task.