Environmental Bulletin no. 1

7 Ways to Lower Electric Bills

       In today’s economy it is very important to lower your bills and cut costs anyway you can.

      One quick way you can lower your monthly bills is by lowering your electric bills. There are many ways you can do this that will only take you seconds to do every day.

      Taking these easy and simple steps each day will allow you to save the money you need to each month

Here are seven easy ways to lower your electric bills:

1. Unplug Unused Appliances

One surprising way you can cut your electric bills is to unplug any unused appliances. Believe it or not even when appliances are turned off, if they are still plugged in they still use electricity. Cell phone chargers are another way to unknowingly drain electricity. Next time remember to unplug things such as your hair straightener, game consoles, coffee pot, and printer when you are not using them.

2. Lower Cooling Costs

Be sure to close your blinds on the sunny side of your home during the day. This will prevent the sun from heating up your room and forcing your air conditioner from running more than it needs to. By reducing the amount your air conditioner runs, you reduce your total electricity bills. You further reduce your electric bills by turning your air up a few degrees so that your air conditioner is not running constantly. You can also install and run ceiling fans to help air circulate and lower your cooling costs. A final tip to lower cooling costs is to turn the thermostat up during the evening and placing a fan in the rooms that will be slept in. This will prevent you from cooking the rooms that you are not using. Lowering your cooling costs will save you 10% each year.

3. Change from Incandescent to Fluorescent

Although this will cost you more in the beginning, changing from incandescent lighting to fluorescent lighting will save you money in the long run. Fluorescent lights last 10 times longer than incandescent lights. You ultimately save by reducing the number of bulbs you buy.

4. Turn off Those Lights

Although it seems like an idea too simple to mention, it is surprising how many people keep unnecessary lights on around the house during the day. It really is a simple task to switch off a light when you don’t need it. And while you are at it, unplug the TV or other electrical appliance when not in use. There is no point in keeping a light turned on that you are not using.

5. Maintain Your Refrigerator

You may have noticed that over time your refrigerator does not cool as efficiently as it once did. Instead of turning it up or running out and buying a new refrigerator, you should clean off the coils in the back and clean under the unit. This will clean up the dirt, dust, and pet hair that have collected behind and underneath your refrigerator. This can save you 30% on your cooling costs.

6. Use Natural Light

Use natural light during the day instead of electric lights. Open the blinds and shutters and allow some direct sunlight into your home or office. In a bedroom, you can increase the use of natural light buy placing a large mirror in a strategic location to spread the light. This is an obvious money saver because it lowers the amount of money you use lighting your home.

7. Use Timers

If you have a hard time remembering to turn things off you might want to consider putting timers around your home. This will help lower costs all around and you won’t have to worry about remembering to turn things off.

Fall Protection

Objectives

• Identify common fall hazards
• Know when to provide fall protection
• Discuss hierarchy of controls for fall hazards

STATISTICS

Falls are the number one cause of fatalities in the construction industry.
• Falls 33%
• Struck By 18%
• Caught In 18%
• Electrical 17%

In 2004, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 1,224 workplace fatalities resulted from falls with more than 100,000 injured.

• 40% of fall fatalities were from heights over 40 ft.
• 25% of fall fatalities were from heights of 20-30 ft.
• 25% of fall fatalities were from heights of 11-20 ft.

Most falls occur on scaffolds or roofs.

Data from US BLS


Identifying and Evaluating Fall Hazards

- Fall Hazards
A fall hazard is any condition in the construction workplace which exposes an employee to an unprotected fall that may result in injury or death.

1. Fall from an elevation
2. Fall on same level
3. Being struck by falling object

Common Injuries Associated with Falls from Height

Falls from height can result in;
• fractures
• serious head injuries
• in some cases, death
It is therefore, essential that special care is taken to protect workers when they are working at height.

Elevated locations which require increased fall hazard awareness

- Scaffolds
- Ladders
- Roofs
- Open sides & edges
- Excavations
- Bridges
- Floor openings
- Form works

Falls from any of these locations may occur while accessing, 

climbing, traveling, or working.

Duty to Have Fall Protection

- Fall protection is required when one or more employees have exposure to falls of six feet or greater to the lower level.

Unsafe Practices and some Common Hazards at Elevated Workplaces

Working Unsafely at the Edge of Roof

Excavation

Wall Openings

Unsafe floor openings

No stair rails

Hierarchy of Fall Hazard Control

• Eliminate the fall hazard
• Prevent / prohibit exposure to fall
• Control the fall

Eliminating the fall hazard
(from elevated work-area)

- Fall hazards can be eliminated through engineering controls and/or alternative work methods.

Engineering Control
- Performing as much work on the ground as possible to eliminate the hazard of climbing/working at elevation.
Examples:
1. Assembling guardrail systems at ground level rather than at elevation.
2. Maximize pre-assembly of structural components on the ground.

Alternative Work Methods
Example:
Use of radio communication for signaling instead of employees hanging over the edge giving signals.

Preventing employee exposure

Fall prevention methods include:
- Use of a properly erected scaffoldings
- Protecting openings with covers or guardrails
- Providing leading edges with guardrails
- Providing proper access to elevated work area using standard ladders and stairs with handrails
- Use of fall restraint system

Guardrail

• A guardrail is a permanent or portable horizontal structural system consisting of a top rail, mid-rail and toe board secured to vertical posts intended to stop a worker from inadvertently stepping off a working level and falling to a level below. May be of wood or pipe material.

1064.03: Manholes and Other Openings:

1. Manhole floor openings shall be guarded by manhole covers of adequate strength, which need not be hinged.
2. Other floor openings into which persons can accidentally walk shall be guarded either by permanent railings and toeboards on all exposed sides or by hinged-floor opening covers of adequate strength.

Rule 1064.04 Construction of Railings

1. All railings shall be permanently constructed of wood, pipe, structural metal or other material of sufficient strength.
2. Standard railings shall be at least 1 meter (3.3 ft.) from the floor level to the upper surface of the top rail.
3. Standard railings shall have posts not more than 2 meters (6.6 ft.) apart and an intermediate rail halfway between the top rail and the floor.
4. The dimensions of railings and posts anchorage and framing of members shall be such that the completed structure shall be capable of withstanding a load of at least 100 kgs. (220 lbs.) applied from any direction to any point of the top rail.

Rule 1964.05 Construction of Toeboards

1. Toe boards shall be at least 15 cm. in height.
2. Toe boards may be made of wood, iron, steel or other equivalent material.
3. Toe boards shall be securely fastened in place, with not more than 6 mm. clearance above the floor level.

Safe Construction of Stairs

Rule 1065.07 Railings

- Item (1) All stairs having four or more risers shall be equipped with stair railings on any open side.
- Item (4) Stairs railings shall be constructed in a permanent and sufficient manner of wood, pipe, structural metal or other materials of adequate strength.
- Item (5) The height of the stair railings from the upper surface of the top rail to the tread in line with the face of the riser at a forward edge of the tread shall not be more than 90 cm. or less than 80 cm.
- Item (6) Handrails shall be continuous throughout a flight of stairs and at landings without obstruction other than those intended to prevent persons from sliding.
- Item (10) The completed structure shall be capable of withstanding a load of at least 100 kgs. applied in any direction at any point of the trail.

LADDER SAFETY

Ladder Angle

Non-self-supporting ladders: (which lean against a wall or other support)

- Position at an angle where the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is 1/4 the working length of the ladder

Painting Wood Ladders

- Don’t paint ladders
- Don’t use an opaque covering (like varnish) on a wood ladder

LADDER INSPECTION

Inspect ladders before each use.
• All rungs and steps are free of oil, grease, dirt, etc.
• All fittings are tight.
• Spreaders or other locking devices are in place.
• Non-skid safety feet are in place.
• No structural defects, all support braces intact

FIVE RULES OF LADDER SAFETY
1. Select the right ladder for the job.
2. Inspect ladder before you use it.
3. Setup the ladder with care.
4. Climb and descend ladders cautiously.
   • Face ladder and hold on with both hands.
   • Carry tools on belt or raise and lower with hand line.
   • Check shoes and rungs for slippery surfaces.
5. Use safe practices when working on a ladder.
   • Always hold on with one hand and never reach too far to either side or rear to maintain balance.
   • Never climb higher than second step from top on a stepladder or third from the top on a straight ladder.
   • Never attempt to move, shift, or extend ladder while in use.

Fall Restraint Systems

Travel Restraint System – is an assembly composed of body belt and proper accessories that prevent a
worker from traveling to an edge where the occurrence of a fall may happen.

Use of Body Belts

- Effective January 1, 1998, body belts are prohibited as a fall arrest device. (OSHA)
- Body belts can still be used as a travel restraining device.

Fall Restraint Systems

- Use to prevent the user from reaching an area where free-fall could occur (e.g. leading edge roof work)

Controlling the fall

- Least desirable method of protection because it minimizes the consequences of a fall rather than preventing its occurrence.
- Should only be considered after determining that the fall hazard cannot be eliminated or the possibility of falling prevented.

Fall Arrest Systems

- Protect you AFTER you fall by stopping the fall before you hit the surface below.
- Requires the use of personal fall protection equipment or a safety net to prevent a complete fall.

Components of a personal fall arrest system

Full-Body Harness

- It consists of straps passed over the shoulders, across the chest, and around the legs. In a fall, a full body harness protects you more than a safety belt, because it distributes the force of impact over a greater area of your body.

Anchor

- A secure point of attachment capable of withstanding the anticipated forces applied during a fall.
- Shall be located above the worker.

► Anchoring Points
– Structural Members
– Imbedded Eyebolts

► Non-Anchor Points
– Guardrails
 – Railings
– Ladders
– Scaffoldings
– Ductworks/Pipe Vents
– Conduit/Plumbing
– C-clamps
– Roof stacks, vents, fans

Lifeline

- is an independent length of synthetic fiber or steel wire rope attached to a point of anchorage at one or both ends. It is used to guide a fall arrest device.

Horizontal Lifeline

- Consists of a fixed rail or synthetic fiber rope or wire rope rigged between two substantial anchor points
- Allows a worker to move horizontally

Vertical Lifeline

- An independent length of synthetic fiber or steel wire rope attached to a point of anchorage. It is used to guide a fall arrest device.
- It allows a worker to move vertically on an aerial lift device.

Lanyard

- Flexible line of webbing or a synthetic rope used to secure a body belt or full body harness to a lifeline or anchor
- Inspect the lanyard before each use

Shock-absorbing Lanyards

- Extend deceleration distance during a fall, significantly reducing fall arresting forces by 65 to 80 percent (below the threshold of injury).
- Make certain the lanyard is the proper length to allow the necessary worker movement and positioning.

Shock absorber

- A shock absorber slows and cushions the fall, reducing the force of stopping the fall.
Warning: The shock absorber may increase the length of the lanyard by as much as 1.2 m (4 ft)during a fall. Allow for this extra fall distance when you include a a shock absorber in your personal fall protection system.

Swing fall hazard

- If involved in a fall with an anchorage point that is not positioned directly overhead, a swing fall or pendulum effect will occur.
- Striking an object while swinging can lead to serious injury. It is very important to position your anchorage point directly overhead whenever possible to minimize swing falls.

Accessories of a Fall-Arrest System

After A Fall

• Immediately remove from service all equipment used to arrest the fall. You cannot use the equipment again until it’s been inspected and approved by the manufacturer or other approved agent, or by a professional engineer.

Safety Net/Mesh

- Constructed of materials of sufficient strength to catch a falling person or debris
- Sufficient tension and clearance to prevent a falling person against contacting any surface or structure below the net
- Inspected at least once a week for wear, damage and other deterioration
- Place as close as possible and no more than 30 feet below where employees work

Training

Employers must provide fall protection training

The training must cover:
> Fall hazards
> Fall protection systems
> Use of fall protection devices

Thank you!