HVAC / PLUMBING BASIC SAFETY UNIT

INTRODUCTION SAFTY OBJECTIVES-------- Follow safe work practices and procedures Inspect safety equipment before use Proper use of safety equipment Understanding these objectives will provide you with the proper knowledge to take full advantage of training, job, and career opportunities.

Career Opportunities Union Positions, local company jobs, and continuing education Always a need for skilled workers More training and schooling means more $$$$$$

Characteristics of a Professional Craftsperson Honesty- Be honest and truthful in all dealings Integrity- Doing right even when there is great pressure Loyalty- Be worthy of trust Respect for others- don’t take unfair advantage of others mistakes or difficulties Law abiding- Abide by laws, rules, and regulations relating to all personal and business activities Commitment to excellence- being well-informed and prepared and always trying to increase proficiency Leadership- seek to be a positive role model for others

Accidents: Causes and Results What Causes accidents? Failure to communicate Poor work habits Alcohol or drug abuse Intentional acts Unsafe acts Unsafe conditions

Failure to communicate Many accidents happen because of a lack of communication Remember that different people, companies, and job sites do things differently Never Assume----assuming that other people know and will do what you think they should know and do can cause accidents!!!!!

Specific signs and markings Information signs are blue and provide general information Safety signs give general instructions and suggest safety measures and are green with white letters

Continued Caution signs tell about potential hazards and are yellow and black Danger signs tell you that there is an immediate dangers and are black, red, and white

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) A document that must accompany any hazardous material. MSDS identifies the substance and gives exposure limits, physical and chemical make-up, the kind of hazard it presents, precautions for safe-handling and use, and specific control measures MSDS sheets from cleaning solutions to batteries for cordless drills

Poor work habits Poor work habits can cause serious accidents. Procrastination, putting off repair, inspection, or cleaning of equipment Your safety is affected by not only by how you do your work, but also by how you act on the jobsite

Alcohol and Drug abuse Alcohol and drug abuse costs the construction industry millions of dollars a year in accidents, lost time, and lost productivity You don’t have to be using illegal drugs but over the counter or prescribed drugs cause accidents

Lack of skill Be sure to learn and practice new skills under careful supervision Do not use a tool unless you were properly trained

Intentional Acts When someone purposely causes an accident. Retaliation Acts Disgruntled Mailmen!!!!!!!

Unsafe acts Failing to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Using defective equipment Using equipment improperly Operating equipment at improper speeds Lifting improperly Failing to warn co-workers

Unsafe conditions Congested workplace Defective tools, equipment, or supplies Fire and explosive hazards Poor lighting Radiation exposure Inadequate warning systems

Reporting injuries and accidents, and incidents You must report all on-the-job injuries, accidents, or incidents, no matter how minor, to your supervisor Four leading hazard groups Falls from elevations Struck by accidents involve unsafe operation Caught-in or caught between involve unsafe operations Electrical shock ANSWER QUESTIONS

Construction site job hazards This part of the unit describes some of the more common hazards and explains how to deal with them Always be aware of the specific hazards when you are working

Welding or use of torches Always keep oxygen away from sources of flame and combustible materials especially oil and grease When welding beware of ultraviolet rays to avoid flash burn

Hoses Fuel hose is always red w/ left handed thread Oxygen hose is green w/right handed threads Be sure to check for leaks, burns, worn places, or other defects

Regulators Attached to cylinder heads to lower high cylinder pressures to required working pressure Never mix regulators—ex : oxygen on acetylene Never use oil to lubricate

Confined Spaces Is a space that is large enough for a person to work but has limited means of entry or exit Many confined spaces contain hazardous gases or fluids when equipment is in operation EX: HVAC-if refrigerant leaking, especially lower to the ground, Plumbing-primer and glue fumes

Working safely with job hazards Lockout/tagout This system safeguards workers from hazardous energy while working on machines or equipment The person who puts on the tag always has the key Lock out and tag all electrical systems All questions about lockout\tagout contact supervisor

Barriers and Barricades Any opening in a wall or floor is a hazard and must be guarded Warning barricades Red means danger Yellow means caution Yellow and purple mean radiation

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) PPE is designed to protect people from injury Hard hat Safety glasses, goggles, and face shields Harness Gloves Shoes Hearing protection Respiratory protection

Lifting One fourth of all occupational happens when workers are handling or moving construction materials Move close to object, position feet in a forward/backward stride Bend knees and lower body keeping back straight Put hands under object, slip one hand under one corner and the other to tilt object

Cont. Draw the object close to your body Lift slowly by straightening your legs and keeping the objects weight as much as possible over your legs Pick object up facing the direction you are going to go

Aerial work There are many times when workers must work in elevated locations When aerial work is done properly with proper equipment, it is very safe In the following sections you will learn how to use aerial equipment, inspect it, and how to maintain it.

Ladders & Scaffolds Used to perform aerial work When using ladder be sure to use three point contact Be sure to use ladders and scaffolds for their intended use Be sure not to use aluminum ladders when working with electric

Extension Ladders A combination of 2 straight ladders When inspecting be sure rope is not frayed or has worn spots When using be sure rungs are secured and rope is secure

Step Ladders Self-supporting ladders w/ two sections hinged at the top When inspecting be sure to pay attention to all the hinges Be sure to have spreaders completely open Never stand on top step or use braces as steps

Scaffolds Two types; manufactured and rolling When inspecting be sure to check tags for the scaffold for OSHA standards Green – meets Yellow – does not meet Red – scaffold in process of being put up or taken down

Hazard Communication Standard This is a rule that OSHA devised, also know as the “Right to Know” requirement. Requires all contractors to educate their employees about hazardous chemical they might be exposed to Hazardous chemicals applies to paint, concrete, and even wood dust

Fire Safety In order for a fire to start, oxygen, fuel, and heat must be present Must know P.A.S.S.

Classes of Extinguishers

Electrical Safety Be sure that all equipment that is being used is properly grounded Always inspect electrical tools Never use bare electrical wire Never use a metal hard hat Always use ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) where moisture is present

If someone is shocked Immediately disconnect the circuit If unable to disconnect circuit use a non-conductive object to separate victim from circuit Once victim is separated from circuit, apply first aid and call ambulance