Ground-fault Protection for Construction Sites

According to the National Institute of Safety and Health, the most frequently cited Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) electrical violation is improper grounding of equipment or circuits. This is especially troubling for construction managers in light of the fact that construction workers suffer more electrical burns and fatal electrical injuries than workers in all other industries combined. Each incident carries significant costs in terms of lost time and resources and increases the employer’s risk of costly lawsuits. The most tragic aspect is that many of these accidents could have been prevented with the implementation of proper ground-fault protection practices.

OSHA Regulations

OSHA requires employers to provide either: (a) ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) on construction sites for receptacle outlets in use and not part of the permanent wiring of the building or structure; or (b) a scheduled and recorded Assured Equipment Grounding Conductor Program (AEGCP), covering all cord sets, receptacles not part of the permanent wiring of the building, and equipment connected by cord and plug.

About GFCIs

Grounding a tool or electrical system involves creating a low-resistance electrical path that connects to the earth. A ground-fault occurs in a tool or electrical system when there is a break in this low-resistance grounding path. The electrical current may then take an alternative path to the ground through the user, resulting in serious injuries or death. GFCIs automatically limit or stop the flow of current in the event of a ground fault, overload or short circuit in the wiring system. They operate by monitoring the amount of current going into electric equipment and the amount of current flowing out along the circuit conductors. If the difference exceeds 5 milliamperes, the device automatically shuts off the power to prevent injury.

About AEGCPs

The OSHA-approved alternative to using GFCIs on a construction site is an AEGCP, which is a regimented system for testing electrical tools and extension cords to assure their proper grounding. If an AEGCP is used in place of GFCIs for ground-fault protection, the following minimum requirements apply:

• Keep a written description of the program at the jobsite. Outline specific procedures for the required equipment inspections, tests and test schedule, and make them available to OSHA and to affected persons upon demand.
• Designate one or more competent persons to implement the program. OSHA defines a competent person as someone who is a) qualified to identify hazards and b) authorized to take prompt corrective measures.
• Visually inspect all cord sets, attachment caps, plugs and receptacles, and any equipment connected by cord and plug, before use each day. If you see any external damage, such as deformed or missing pins, damaged insulation, etc., or discover internal damage, take the equipment out of use until it is repaired.
• Perform two OSHA-required tests on all electrical equipment: a continuity test, and a terminal connection test. 

These tests are required:

• Before first use
• After any repairs, and before placing back in service
• After suspected damage, and before returning to use
• Every 3 months

Maintain a written record of the required tests, identifying all equipment that passed the test and the last date it was tested (or the testing interval). Like the program description, make it available to OSHA inspectors and affected persons upon demand.

Using GFCIs in Conjunction with AEGCPs

Although OSHA permits the use of an AEGCP in lieu of GFCIs, it would be a mistake to view the choice as strictly an either/or proposition. The best course of action is to use GFCIs in conjunction with an Assured Equipment Grounding Conductor Program. Taking this step will not eliminate the possibility of a costly electrical accident on the worksite, but it will significantly reduce the risk of injury or death due to ground faults.

For more risk management tips, contact Naught-Naught Agency at 573-634-2727.

Source: OSHA

Public Sector Fatalities in Missouri Now Investigated by the State

Did you know that OSHA does not have jurisdiction over public sector employees in Missouri? This means they do not conduct investigations into public sector workplace fatalities. Public sector fatalities in Missouri have typically only been investigated by insurance companies and attorneys. A recent municipality fatality shed light on the investigation gap. So how has Missouri resolved this problem? 

After the gap was revealed, it was identified that Missouri statute RSMo Section 286.147 empowers the state to perform investigations of all workplace fatalities. In response to this discovery, the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DOLIR) established a public sector fatalities investigations unit.

How it works
DOLIR enforces its statutory authority to investigate public sector fatalities by looking at contributing factors such as machines involved, safety policies, training and maintenance records. Additional information is also obtained by interviewing management and co-workers if necessary. The final DOLIR report may be subpoenaed and forwarded to the Attorney General if an investigation finds gross negligence, criminal neglect or criminal liability.

To reduce duplication, DOLIR does not conduct fatality investigations when another regulatory agency is involved. For example, in the case of work-related vehicle crashes DOLIR will use Missouri State Highway Patrol reports. Private-sector fatalities will be investigated by OSHA and DOLIR will then use OSHA’s report.

Working for a safer tomorrow 
The purpose of the investigations is to find cause, not fault. According to Leon Lawson, Assistant Director, Division of Labor Standards, the investigations are used to correct safety problems and develop information to prevent future fatalities. The investigations are documented and forwarded to the Governor’s office, per statutory requirements. At this time there is no reporting requirement, method or statutory authority for levying fines.

Providing a safe work environment is a way to avoid workplace fatalities and injuries. Employers can start by implementing the following:

• Provide routine safety training.
• Develop and enforce formal safety rules including a seat belt policy.
• Properly maintain vehicles and equipment.  
• Train employees to do their job correctly and recognize hazards.
• Provide safety gear including confined space air monitors, trench boxes and                                 lockout-tagout equipment.

Want to get started on building a safety program or just need to refresh some policies? Give Construction Insurance TOGO a call at 800-392-0423 or click here to email us.

OSHA Record keeping Requirements are Worth Keeping Up With

When a workplace injury occurs, there is a mountain of paperwork to go with it. Somewhere in that mountain are OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements. Although injury recordkeeping can seem like just another thing on your to-do list, the information it provides is not only required but it is vital in preventing future injuries. Recordkeeping data identifies past problems and trends to consider when updating your workplace safety program.

Keep in mind that an OSHA log is an important part, but does not include all types of injuries and incidents that could have resulted in employee injury or those that only resulted in property damage. You need to keep track of all incidents to make your workplace safe.

Change is on the way, current requirements still apply
OSHA has issued a proposed standard for public input which means the existing requirements will likely change in the near future. For now, employers with more than 10 employees are required to report according to the current standards. Some lower hazard business sectors are typically exempt from recordkeeping. Visit OSHA’s website to find out if you are exempt. It’s important to note that if OSHA or the Bureau of Labor Statistics has requested your company to maintain a recordkeeping log, you are still required to do so even if you are on the exempt list.

All employers, including those that are exempt from OSHA recordkeeping requirements, must report to OSHA at 1.800.321.OSHA (6742) any incident that results in a fatality or the in-patient hospitalization of three or more workers within eight hours of occurrence.

OSHA logs that must be maintained
Employers that are not exempt from OSHA recordkeeping requirements must maintain three different logs. These forms must be kept up-to-date for five years after the year they cover. Unless requested, you do not have to mail these to OSHA. Download each of the forms in PDF or Excel format.

OSHA Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses)

• Lists injuries and illnesses, and tracks days away from work, days of restricted work or transferred
• Maintained and updated throughout the year as incidents occur and must be filled within seven days of the injury
• Refer to OSHA’s Recordkeeping Tutorial and the full standard for details.

OSHA Form 301 (Injury and Illness Incident Report)

• Records supplementary information about each recordable case 
• A new form for each injury is added throughout the year as incidents occur.

OSHA Form 300A (Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses)

• Displays the totals for the year in each category. This must be posted in the workplace from Feb. 1 through April 30 each year for the prior year’s injuries and illnesses. 
• Even if no recordable injuries occurred during the year, you are still obligated to post this form.

Visit OSHA’s recordkeeping page for everything you need to know, including which types of businesses need to maintain the records and what qualifies as an OSHA recordable injury.