2020 – Page 5 – Indiana Constructors Inc

Fire Extinguishers

Posted on 2020-06-012025-06-03 by Jim Wood

A fire on a construction site can result in serious injuries and loss of materials, equipment and even lives. All employees need to be familiar with the jobsite’s fire protection program – who to contact, what to do, the various types of fire extinguishers and their locations throughout the jobsite. Employees should be trained in the use and limitations of fire extinguishers to ensure they are used effectively when needed.

Fire extinguishers are meant to handle only small fires. If a fire becomes too large or the environment becomes too dangerous, employees should evacuate the area.

The fire is too large.
The air is unsafe to breathe.
The environment is too hot or the smoke limits visibility.
Evacuation paths are impaired.

Keep the fire in front of you. Never place yourself where the fire obstructs your escape.

Classes of Fires and Fire Extinguishers

A Wood, paper, ordinary trash.
B Flammable liquids (gasoline, oil, grease, solvents, paints, etc.).
C Energized electrical equipment.
D Combustible metals.
K Kitchen fires.

Use the P.A.S.S. Method for correctly using a fire extinguisher.

Pull the Pin – Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and release the locking mechanism.
Aim low – Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly to operate and discharge.
Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

Fire Extinguisher Inspection

Visually inspect portable extinguishers or hoses monthly.
Verify the fire extinguisher is properly charge. Indicator must always be in the green zone.
Perform an annual maintenance check on portable fire extinguishers and document.
Fire extinguisher must be easily accessible.

Download the printable PDF and Recording Form here.

Thunderstorm & Lightning Hazards

Posted on 2020-06-012025-06-12 by Jim Wood

Approximately 50 people, on average, are killed by lightning strikes each year and others suffering permanent disabilities, such as severe burns. Thunderstorms and lightning are most likely to develop on hot, humid days. Historically, lightning fatalities have occurred between April and September, with most of the strike events happening in June, July and August.

When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors

If you hear thunder, even a distant rumble, get to a safe place immediately. Thunderstorms always include lightning. Lightning may occur up to 10 miles away from any rainfall.

Ways to Be Struck by Lightning

Direct Strike – A person struck directly by lightning becomes a part of the main lightning discharge channel. Most often, direct strikes occur to people who are in open areas.
Side Flash – A side flash (also called a side splash) occurs when lightning strikes a taller object near a person and a portion of the current jumps from taller object to the person.
Ground Current – When lightning strikes a tree or other object, much of the energy travels outward from the strike in and along the ground surface.
Conduction – Lightning can travel long distances in wires or other metal surfaces. Whether inside or outside, anyone in contact with anything connected to metal wires, plumbing or metal surfaces that extend outside is at risk. This includes anything that plugs into an electrical outlet, water faucets and showers, corded phones, and windows and doors.

Monitor the Weather

When working outside:

Continuously monitor weather conditions.
Watch for darkening clouds and increasing wind speeds.
Monitor the internet or weather apps for emergency notifications.

Seek Shelter

When a lightning storm threatens, take these precautions:

Seek shelter inside a building whenever possible. Avoid open shelters like pavilions or porches.
Once inside, stay away from open windows, sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, appliances, electric boxes and outlets.
If you’re in a vehicle, stay there and roll up the windows.

Stuck Outside?

If you’re caught outside, and there is no shelter or no time to seek adequate shelter:

Crouch down with your feet close together.
Keep your hands on your knees and lower your head.
Get as low as possible without touching your hands or knees to the ground, and DO NOT LIE DOWN.

Download the printable PDF and Recording Form here.

Heat Stress

Posted on 2020-06-012025-06-04 by Jim Wood

What Is Heat Stress?

Working muscles need a greater blood flow to cool the body. The body needs to shift blood away from muscles to assure an ideal sweat rate and to cool the blood. Dehydration can cause low blood volume, which can lower the body’s ability to cool the blood, leading to confusion, fatigue and potentially, heat illness.

Dry Clothes and Skin Don’t Mean You Aren’t Sweating!

You may not feel wet or sticky in dryer climates, but you are still sweating. You can lose as much as 68 ounces (half a gallon) of fluid on a very warm day. Fainting (heat syncope) may be a problem for workers who simply stand still in the heat when they are not acclimated to a hot environment. Victims usually recover quickly after lying down for a brief period. Moving around, rather than standing still, usually reduces the possibility of fainting.

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

Headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting.
Weakness and moist skin.
Mood changes such as irritability or confusion.
Upset stomach or vomiting.

Symptoms of Heat Stroke

Dry, hot skin with no sweating.
Mental confusion or losing consciousness.
Seizures or convulsions.

Ways to Prevent Heat Stress

Hydrating before work activity is crucial. Consume water or an electrolyte beverage 24 hours prior to activity.
Drink 16 ounces of water two-three hours before work activity.
Drink water frequently (every 15-30 minutes, drink six-12 ounces)
Most people consume enough salt in their diets. Salt tablets are NOT necessary for general use.
Post work activity – drink 16 ounces of water for every pound of weight loss.
Take breaks and move a person showing symptoms of heat stress away from heat sources or direct sunlight.
Utilize ventilation or fans in enclosed areas.
It takes one-two weeks for the body to adjust to higher temperatures. This adaptation to heat can be quickly lost, so your body will have to adjust after a vacation.
Avoid caffeine (makes the body lose water and increases the risk for heat illness).
Avoid alcohol consumption. Many cases of heat stroke have occurred the day after heavy drinking.
Wear light-colored, cotton clothes, and keep your shirt on.

What to Do for Heat-Related Illness

Call 911 at once if a worker exhibits heat stroke symptoms.
Move the worker to a cool, shaded area.
Loosen or remove heavy clothing.
Provide cool drinking water.
Fan and mist the person with water.

Download the printable PDF and Recording Form here.

Hand Sanitizer Safety

Posted on 2020-05-262025-04-10 by Jim Wood

We’ve heard a lot about hand hygiene during the COVID-19 outbreak. Along with other disease prevention strategies, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations you wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, use hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable and avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.

To meet Food and Drug Administration and CDC approval, hand sanitizers must be greater than 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol alcohol. This makes alcohol hand sanitizers highly flammable, and if an ignition source is present, hand sanitizer will ignite at room temperature.

Recently, a UPS distribution center in Plainfield, Indiana experienced extensive damage and loss of product when an employee ignited hand sanitizer in a semi trailer at the facility.

Everyone should exercise caution when using/applying alcohol-based hand sanitizers near potential ignition sources, like cigarette lighters.

For more info on hand sanitizer flammability and the importance of proper storage, check out this five-minute video by the National Fire Protection Association.

National Stormwater Quality Certification

Posted on 2020-05-062025-04-10 by Dan Osborn

Envirocert and CISEC storm water quality certifications are offering on-line training and exam solutions to comply with CDC, state, and local restrictions. Envirocert’s CESSWI and CPESC and the CISEC certifications are options to fulfill INDOT’s national certification requirement found in the Standard Specification section 205.03 (b) (2) Level 2 Stormwater Quality Manager.

See the following information provided by both certifying organizations about modifications to their programs.

ENVIROCERT (CESSWI & CPESC)

At Home/Office Online Exam with Remote Proctoring

In an effort to provide applicants with an immediate option to take exams, ECI is in the process of developing a “computer proctoring approach” which will allow applicants to take exams at their home or office. Exams will be administered online, utilizing a remote proctor that will monitor their computers via webcam. Strict security measures will be implemented to ensure exam security.

ECI has gone to great lengths to implement this technology to allow individuals to continue to work towards their Professional Certifications. Exams have been reduced to three (3) hours (full exam) to assist during these times. In order to facilitate a successful event, the vendor(s) will ensure that the examinee’s personal computer equipment and internet connectivity meets the necessary system requirements. Examinees will be able to choose between two (2) vendors who offer the ECI Certification Exams: learn.net or Prometrics. Both will administer exams online, utilizing remote proctoring and offer a bundle option for the General Principles Review and the certification exam as well as the Part A (when applicable).

Launch A

(End of April 2020)

QSM | Part A | CESSWI

Launch B

(May 2020)

CPESC | CESSWI-SI | CPESC-SI

If you have additional questions or would like any additional information, please contact ECI at info@envirocert.org or call 828-655-1600.

CISEC

CISEC, Inc. is adhering to CDC, State and local restrictions associated with the COVID-19 situation that is impacting the nation. Since attendance in an in-person CISEC program is not feasible at this time, CISEC is ready to assist you in enrolling into its online training modules and finding a proctor to administer your CISEC certification examination. Of course, should you want to you want to wait until they are once again available, there will not be any problem transferring your registration to a future in-person program.

Accessing the CISEC On-Line Training Modules

Your enrollment in the CISEC Online Training modules will be covered by your already paid in-person training fees. Instructions for access are:

Download your free CISEC training manual and drawings by clicking on the link MANUAL.
Enter into the CISEC online training modules available through IECA at ehub.ieca.org by clicking on the link ONLINE.
Contact the IECA team with any difficulties in accessing training modules (Joanna – joanna@ieca.org or Jack – jack@ieca.org).

Unless advised differently, beginning at 11:00 a.m. (MDT) on May 15, CISEC, Inc. will conduct a “Fireside Chat” webinar to provide answers and/or discuss various topics of concern.

Administering CISEC Certification Examinations

If you have been approved by CISEC, Inc. to sit for one of the CISEC certification examinations, CISEC will coordinate with you to find a proctor. This process requires you to complete and submit a proctor registration form to contactus@cisecinc.org.

Additional information about proctoring your test can be found by clicking on PROCTOR.

Once CISEC gets your proctor form, it will develop a contract with the proctor of your choice specifying a date and time for administration of your examination.

You have 24 months after completing the training modules to sit for the 3.5-hour CISEC Full examination. If you want to wait until CISEC once again hosts “In-Person” training programs, you can sit in the afternoon of Day 2 (see attached brochure), and CISEC will waive the proctor fee.

Indiana Administrative Code Updates

Posted on 2020-05-062025-04-10 by Dan Osborn

Opacity Monitoring for Portland Cement Plants Removed
The State of Indiana published the final rule removing the continuous opacity monitoring requirement for Portland cement plants. The rule became effective April 30, 2020. Here’s the link to the Legislative Services Agency document #18-364(F),

Contractor Prequalification
The INDOT Prequalification Division has begun implementation of revised contractor prequalification administrative rules as they pertain to prequalification application requirements. The revised Indiana administrative rule became effective April 29, 2020. INDOT’s prequalification director Chris Serak and engineer Jose Murillo worked with ICI staff and board during the year-long rule making (revision) process. The amendments to Indiana Administrative Code 105 IAC 11-2 effect the prequalification certificate duration, financial statements required at different capacity levels, and financial requirements for contractors seeking prequalification.

Certificates may be valid for up to 24 months instead of 12. Current work capacity thresholds for financial statements internally attested as correct, preparated and reviewed by an independent certified public accountant (CPA), and prepared and audited by an independent CPA have revised to $1 million, $1 – $2.5 million, and above $2.5 respectively.

Contractors should review the revised rule prior to renewing their prequalification applications and financial statements.

Please contact the INDOT Prequalification Division for questions and comments.

LEOs Critical to Work Zone Safety

Posted on 2020-04-012025-04-10 by Dan Osborn

ICI/INDOT Region Joint Cooperative Committee members continue to focus on work zone safety efforts in work zones. The North, South, and Central committees continue to support the use of law enforcement officers (LEOs) to protect workers and the motoring public. Improved communication among project level staff and LEOs at preconstruction, progress and prior to daily operations is the key that the committees stressed to improve perspectives, expectations and efficiency.

To learn more about committee discussion, click on the meeting minutes.

ICI/INDOT Northern Region Joint Cooperative Committee, January 21, 2020
ICI/INDOT Central Region Joint Cooperative Committee, February 21, 2020
ICI/INDOT Southern Region Joint Cooperative Committee, February 27, 2020

Please contact Dan Osborn for additional information, to discuss the content of the minutes or present new topics for future meetings.

365网站

Year: 2020

Fire Extinguishers

Thunderstorm & Lightning Hazards

When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors

Ways to Be Struck by Lightning

Monitor the Weather

Seek Shelter

Stuck Outside?

Heat Stress

What Is Heat Stress?

Dry Clothes and Skin Don’t Mean You Aren’t Sweating!

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

Symptoms of Heat Stroke

Ways to Prevent Heat Stress

What to Do for Heat-Related Illness

Hand Sanitizer Safety

National Stormwater Quality Certification

Indiana Administrative Code Updates

LEOs Critical to Work Zone Safety

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