Temporary Heating Precautions
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The temporary heating season came early this year. Review these helpful tips for any portable space heater:
- Always maintain a minimum distance of at least 3’ from any combustible materials and an overhead clearance of at least 6’ to prevent fires.
- Plastic and canvas enclosures are a major fuel source in many fires started by temporary heaters so keep these at least 10’ away from any open flame heater.
- Be alert for hot surfaces on and around the heater. Don’t touch metal parts that could be heated. Even though they don’t look hot, they could cause serious burns.
- Most temporary heaters are intended to be used in the horizontal position. Do not attempt to use in any other position, unless permitted by the manufacturer.
- When changing LP tanks of a heater, it is a good time to check for leaks in fuel lines and connections.
- Protect the LP hose from being damaged.
- Remember that LP gas is heavier than air so with a leak the gas will seek the lowest level in a room and could move to other areas easily undetected where an errant spark could cause an explosion.
- Each temporary heater must have a fire extinguisher with a rating of at least 20 ABC positioned to be immediately available in the event of a fire.
- No more than two LP tanks can be hooked up to a heater. All those waiting to be used must be stored outdoors.
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At the end of December, every contractor who has had 11 or more employees at any time in 2018 must complete the OSHA 300A log which is a summary of the OSHA 300 log of injuries and illnesses. If a contractor had 20 or more employees at any time in 2018, you must submit forms 300, 300A and 301, which is the Incident Report or its equivalent, electronically to OSHA by March 2, 2019.
Click here
for the forms.
2018 has seen an uptick in citations being issued to contractors who have not, in OSHA’s eyes, properly filled out the 300 log. In particular column F has drawn their attention. It’s one of the widest columns on the form but it also asks for the most information. Be sure to fully include all the information it asks even if it takes more than 1 line.
OSHA issued a final rule that clarifies certification requirements for crane operators. Under the
final rule
, employers are required to train, certify/license, and evaluate operators to safely perform crane activities. Operators can be certified based on either the crane's type and capacity, or type only, ensuring that more accredited testing organizations are eligible to meet OSHA's certification program requirements.
OSHA has altered a provision that required different levels of certification based on the rated lifting capacity of equipment. While testing organizations are not required to issue certifications distinguished by rated capacities, they are permitted to do so, and employers may accept them or continue to rely on certifications based on crane type alone. Finally, this rule establishes minimum requirements for determining operator competency.
Most requirements in the final rule will become effective on Dec. 9, 2018. The evaluation and documentation requirements will become effective on Feb. 7, 2019. For more information, see the
news release
.
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GOLD PROJECT:
Mid-American Dallas County Training Center
CONTRACTOR:
The Hansen Company, Inc. - Johnston, IA
GOLD PROJECT:
Mid-American Energy DMU Renovation
CONTRACTOR:
The Hansen Company, Inc. - Johnston, IA
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PROJECT:
Northcrest Community Repositioning
CONTRACTOR:
CBS Construction Services, Inc. - Champlin, MN
BRONZE PROJECT:
Sioux City Convention Center Addition & Renovation
CONTRACTOR:
L & L Builders Co. - Sioux City, IA
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PROJECT:
Council Bluffs Sr Living
CONTRACTOR:
CBS Construction Services, Inc. - Champlin, MN
PROJECT:
Polk Co. - I80/35/IA 141 (Rider Corner)
CONTRACTOR:
United Contractors Inc. - Johnston, IA
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WORKSAFE is a partnership between Master Builders of Iowa and Iowa OSHA, with safety services provided by Construction Safety Specialists, Inc. For more information on the WORKSAFE program or for safety inquiries, please contact Tom Suckow at 515-657-4384 or
Tom@IowaCSSI.com
.
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