Fire Extinguishers

An adequate number of fire extinguishers are required to be on site. The number required is determined by the types of extinguisher required to extinguish the various types of materials, such as paint, corrosives, and other flammables, on the jobsite. Also, the size of the jobsite must be considered, and there must be one extinguisher at each welding station. Refer to the EM 385 for further guidance.

Material Safety Data Sheets are required to be on site for all hazardous material. (MSDS will be discussed in this chapter.)

All high work is serious business. Work above 5 feet in height must be particularly well planned and personnel safety constantly enforced.

Scaffolds

Accidents occur when high work becomes so routine that safety measures become lax and inspection of scaffolds is not performed. A healthy respect for the hazards must be maintained. References (1) and (3) contain detailed safety information on scaffolds, and additional safety guidance can be found in reference (2). Scaffold safety is also discussed in chapter 6 of this manual. Some of the more general precautions are the following:

Work above 5 feet must have scaffolding provided.

People working above 12 feet and not on scaffolding must have a safety belt and lifeline.

Ground personnel must be kept clear of high work.

Never use makeshift, expedient scaffolding.

Inspect scaffold members and equipment daily before work is started. Keep all members in good repair without delay.

Do not use scaffolds for storage space.

Use handlines for raising and lowering objects and tools.

Do not paint scaffolds since painting can conceal defects.

Welding and Cutting

A significant part of construction and maintenance/repair work is welding and cutting. Safety was addressed in volume 1 of this manual and is addressed here as a part of general on-site safety concerns. Safety precautions required for this work are extensive and specialized. The importance be shown by the extent of guidance on welding safety provided in references (1), (2), and (3). One point to bear in mind is that welding safety must be concerned with other personnel on the jobsite as well as the people performing the work. A list of some of the more basic precautions and procedures welders must be aware of or adhere to should include the following:

Eye injury.

Burns. Toxic vapors.

Electric shock (when applicable).

Fire and explosion.

All welding equipment should be inspected daily. Remove the defective items immediately from service.

personnel protective equipment and clothing must be considered an integral part of the work and must be inspected and maintained accordingly. No compromises in the protection of welders is allowed.

Areas should be marked with Danger - Welding and Eye Hazard Area signs.

Welders working above 5 feet must be protected by railings or safety belts and lifelines.

When welding any enclosed space or pontoons, ensure that a vent opening is provided and that the space is free of flammable liquids and vapors.

Do not weld where flammable paint or coating can cause a fire hazard.

After welding is completed, mark the area of hot metal or provide some means of warning other workers.

SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES

Figure 1-7 shows the Battalion Safety Control and Reporting Organization. As a crew leader, you will report to the safety supervisor, who directs the safety program of a project. Duties of the safety supervisor