2021 – Page 2 – Indiana Constructors Inc

Work Site Speeding Points

Posted on 2021-05-11 by Dan Osborn

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) has proposed a revised Traffic Violations Points Table. The proposal is contained in a proposed rule posted on April 28. The BMV has scheduled a public hearing for May 27.

The BMV’s proposal includes the following:

ADDS section including points for excessive speed in a school zone.
ADDS section including points for excessive speed in a work site.
REVISES the current language associated with texting while driving to associate with the 2019 law change disallowing use of handheld devices while driving.

Proposed points for excessive speed ranges and associated points for school and work sites are: 1-15 mph 4 points, 16-25 mph 6 points, and over 25 mph 8 points. Accumulating 20 points will result in a one-month suspension. The state may already impose a 60-day license suspension under Indiana Code 9-21-5-11(f) and 9-30-13-9 after two or more violations within a work site within one year.

Falls & Equipment

Posted on 2021-05-012025-05-30 by Jim Wood

Falls are the No. 1 cause of construction worker fatalities. This OSHA statistic includes falls from equipment and large vehicles.

When You Are Entering or Exiting Construction Equipment and Larger Vehicles

Face the equipment.
Maintain three points of contact.
Be aware of loose clothing, shoelaces, jewelry or other items that can potentially get caught on steps or handholds.
Don’t jump off the equipment.
Ensure the handholds and steps are clean and undamaged.
Pay attention to the surrounding ground conditions.
Turn off the engine and engage the brakes before leaving.
Avoid carrying materials and tools when climbing.

Maintenance Considerations

Falls can happen when you’re performing daily inspections and routine maintenance checks.
Use a stepladder to check the engine and other service locations.
Avoid climbing on equipment areas that are not intended to be used as walking surfaces.

Download a printable PDF and recording form here.

Concrete Safety – Concrete Burns

Posted on 2021-05-012025-06-03 by Jim Wood

Health Hazards

Along with quartz (crystalline silica), dry concrete contains calcium oxide. When it’s dry, calcium oxide can potentially cause respiratory irritation. The more serious hazard is when you add water to the concrete mix. When water mixes with calcium oxide, it forms calcium hydroxide, which is extremely alkaline (caustic) with a pH of 12 to 13.

Skin contact with calcium hydroxide can result in red, irritated or blistered skin. Calcium hydroxide contact can cause second- or third-degree burns that can form slowly over hours or days. Wet concrete is also hygroscopic, drawing water away from anything that holds moisture, including wet clothing or skin.

If your skin or eyes have been exposed to wet concrete, you need to take immediate action to reduce the severity of the injury:

Immediately wash the exposed area with clean water for approximately 20 minutes. Add vinegar to the water to help neutralize the alkalinity. Never use a water/vinegar solution to rinse the eyes.
Flush eyes with clean water and get immediate medical attention.
Remove and replace any wet PPE or clothing.
Wash all exposed skin areas, even if you are not aware of contact. Concrete burns can take hours to form.
Seek professional medical attention immediately and provide the medical personnel with the product Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

Personal Protective Equipment

You must wear PPE to protect the skin and eyes from contact with concrete containing calcium hydroxide.

Safety glasses –create a barrier between your eyes and wet concrete with appropriate eye protection.
Chemical-resistant gloves – protect the hands with PVC, nitrile or neoprene gloves.
Rubber boots – prevent contact with the feet, ankles and calves. Take additional measures to prevent concrete from entering over the top of the boots.
Knee pads or boards – knees and lower extremities are susceptible to concrete exposure during finishing activities. Wear knee pads or use knee boards to prevent contact.

DO NOT DELAY in getting medical treatment if your skin is exposed to wet concrete. Delaying treatment can mean the difference between a mild burn and a severe injury.

Download a printable PDF and recording form here.

Equipment & Vehicle Blind Spots

Posted on 2021-05-012025-05-30 by Jim Wood

Construction equipment and vehicles have blind spots that reduce or eliminate visibility for the operator or driver. If you’re working around this kind of machinery, make sure you’re careful to avoid blind spots.

Basic Safety Rules

If you can’t see the operator or driver (directly or through mirrors), they can’t see you.
Don’t cross directly in front of or immediately behind equipment or trucks without communicating (verbally or visually) with the operator or driver.
Coordinate with the operator or driver before approaching or performing any work on or near the equipment.
Pay close attention to a piece of heavy equipment that’s moving with a raised bucket.
Watch for sudden movements or changes in direction. This includes the booms of excavators and cranes.
Develop an internal traffic control plan with strategies to control the flow of workers, vehicles and equipment inside the work zone.
Reduce hazards for equipment operators:
- Limit access points to work zones.
- Establish pedestrian-free areas.
- Develop work zone layouts to accommodate specific types of equipment.

Blind Spot Safe Work Practices

Perform a 360° walk around the equipment or vehicle before you begin a work activity or move the vehicle.
Take the necessary precautions to prevent entry into an equipment’s swing radius (e.g., erect barricades, warning lines or other industry recognized procedures).
Use a spotter when movement would create a struck-by hazard or when there’s a lot of worker activity in the work zone.
Stop the machinery if someone needs to approach.
Set parking brakes when vehicles and equipment are parked. Chock the wheels if they are on an incline.

Download a printable PDF and recording form here.

INDOT/DOR Working to Improve OSW Permitting

Posted on 2021-04-122025-04-10 by Dan Osborn

Several ICI members recently communicated concerns to me about oversize/overweight (OSW) load permitting. Members stated that, as the newly instituted OSW permitting system works well for the majority of loads and routes, concerns remain including difficulty delivering equipment to project sites and unusual long and broken up routing. While members have worked diligently to communicate issues directly to the Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) and INDOT, ICI’s Director of Government Affairs Dan Osborn followed up with agency contacts to emphasize industry concerns and determine what industry, the DOR and INDOT could do to avoid the issues.

INDOT Multimodal Director Kristen Brier responded to ICI. She explained that the new permitting system includes a more comprehensive evaluation process including “vehicle configuration, origin, and destination to automatically generate a safe route safe route, taking into account road restrictions and closures, vertical clearances for bridges, and bridge load rating.”

“We are working with our vendor to make the location of the failed bridges visible externally, to help applicants determine if a different origin or destination on the state system will avoid those bridges. Information about the road restrictions and closures can be displayed within the permitting system, and it remains available on the Indiana Truckers’ Info page. Bridge vertical clearance information remains available as well, through the online Bridge Clearance Map,” stated Brier.

Brier offered several agency contacts to assist permittees. Contact INDOT Freight Manager Leslie Morgan to disclose unsafe routes or difficulty with a permit involving accessing a project site.

If you need help using the new permitting system, contact DOR Motor Carrier Services Division OSW Supervisor James Vest or Morgan.

Contact Dan Osborn if you have feedback or recommendations about any aspect of OSW permitting.

AGC Multiemployer Pension Fund Update

Posted on 2021-02-172025-04-10 by George Sheraw

Source: James Young, senior director, Congressional Relations, HR, Labor and Safety, Associated General Contractors of America

As you may have seen, Congress is working on the next round of Covid relief and it includes a new round of multiemployer pension relief. The bill would create a Special Financial Assistance Program for struggling multiemployer pension plans. This concept differs greatly from previously debated relief programs like an expansion of partitioning or loan programs. This new approach by Congress is meant to clear procedural rules to avoid a filibuster and improves the likelihood the relief is enacted into law. Under the Special Financial Assistance Program plans using 2020 assumptions that are Critical and Declining plans, some critical plans and a few endangered plans would receive a onetime lump sum payment that is equal to the amount needed to pay benefits through 2051 (30 years). There is no concept of repayment for this assistance. The package would also include provisions similar to those in response to the 2008 market event: 2-year zone freezes; 5-year extension of funding improvement and rehabilitation plans; investment loss smoothing; and, man hour smoothing.

Starting in 2031 PBGC premiums would be increased to $52/year and indexed for all plans and participants. Premiums are currently scheduled to be about $43 in 2031 because of indexing.

More details on the pension provisions can be found on a Fact Sheet.

Unfortunately, the budgetary rules being used to advance the legislation means that there will be no authorization of Composite Plans or additional plan design tools. AGC will continue to look for opportunities to advance other reforms and the Composite Plan design.

For health plans, the legislation will provide 85% COBRA subsidies for 6 months. This is similar to 2008 response when subsidies were 65%.

Also, there is no paid leave mandate but the voluntary tax credits under FFCRA for paid sick time and paid family leave credits are extended from March 31, 2021 through September 30, 2021. And a provision extends the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) through December 31, 2021. Previously it was available through June 31, 2021.

At this time, it is possible much of these provisions will become law by the end of March. Of course, that can change rapidly and it’s a very fluid situation. We will continue to update the committee on developments and our strategy to enact additional reforms and new plan design in the future.

Medical Health & Cold Weather

Posted on 2021-02-012025-05-30 by Jim Wood

Working in cold weather can have a greater impact on people with underlying health issues. Those people who take certain medications, are in poor physical condition or suffer from illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure) or cardiovascular disease may be at increased risk during cold weather exposure.

Increased Blood Pressure

For people with hypertension, colder weather can increase their blood pressure to levels higher than normal. Cold weather narrows blood vessels, leaving less room for blood flow which, in turn, raises blood pressure. The heart must pump harder to circulate blood through constricted blood vessels. As a result, your blood pressure and heart rate increase. Higher-than-normal blood pressure and increased heart rate can potentially lead to a heart attack.

Caffeine Use & Cold Temperatures

Blood pressure can go up significantly after caffeine use because it can block a hormone that keeps our arteries open wide. The blood vessels supplying blood to the brain can narrow as much as 27% after caffeine intake. Together, caffeine and cold temperatures can put those with underlying heart issues at greater risk.

Medical Conditions Affected by Prolonged Exposure to Cold Temperatures

Excessive cold stresses the body, causing it to release hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. Cortisol, the hormone released into the bloodstream during stressful situations, helps regulate the body’s sugar, salt and fluid levels. Elevated cortisol over the long term produces glucose, leading to increased blood sugar levels. For those with diabetes, this can be dangerous.

General Guidelines

Reduce caffeine intake if you are being treated for hypertension or other cardiovascular issues.
Be aware of possible medical complications with your medications while you’re working in cold weather.
Dress in layers and keep your head and hands covered.
Keep extra gloves, hats and jackets available.
Take frequent breaks in a warm, dry area.
If someone shows signs of cold-related stress or injuries, get them to warmth immediately.

Download a printable PDF and recording form here.

Cold Stress

Posted on 2021-02-012025-06-03 by Jim Wood

Just as there is the potential for heat stress in spring and summer, there is the potential for cold stress in the fall and winter months. Cold stress happens when the skin temperature drops and eventually reduces the internal body temperature. When the body is unable to warm itself, serious cold-related illnesses and injuries may occur, and permanent tissue damage or death may result. The body loses heat through:

Convection – We can lose up to 10-15% of our body heat as air moves across the skin’s surface.
Radiation – The body radiates and loses heat. Your body loses 40-45% of its heat through the head and neck. Combine that with wrists and ankles, and heat loss approaches 60%.
Conduction – Holding cold tools or kneeling or sitting on the cold ground will cause your body to lose heat.
Respiration – When we breathe, we warm the air in our lungs. Then we exhale that warm air, resulting in significant heat loss. Breathing through your nose helps warm the air as it enters your body slightly more than breathing through your mouth.

Keep Your Core & Body Extremities Covered

It is important to dress in light layers that you can add/remove as you become colder or warmer. Excessive layers can cause you to sweat, leading to wet clothing that can affect your body’s ability to maintain its temperature. Wear synthetic or cotton/synthetic blends as a base layer next to your skin to wick away sweat.

Medical Conditions Resulting From Prolonged Exposure to Cold Temperatures

People who take certain medications, are in poor physical condition or suffer from illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension or cardiovascular disease may be at increased risk during cold weather exposure.

Cold stress often causes the body to release survival hormones such as adrenalin and cortisol. These cause the liver to release more glucose for energy, which can result in higher-than-normal blood sugar levels. Cold weather can also increase blood pressure, resulting in the increased potential for heart attacks.

General Guidelines

Dress in layers and cover your head and hands.
Keep extra gloves, hats and jackets available. This enables you to add layers or replace wet clothing.
Take frequent breaks in a warm, dry area to limit the effects of exposure to the cold.
Include a thermometer and chemical hot packs in your first aid kit.
If someone shows signs of cold-related stress or injuries, get them to warmth immediately.

Download a printable PDF and recording form here.

Winter Temperature Injuries – Hypothermia

Posted on 2021-02-012025-06-12 by Jim Wood

It is important to recognize how winter weather can affect working conditions and produce cold weather-related hazards resulting in an injury.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is brought on by extended exposure to very cold temperatures. When your body loses heat faster than it can produce it, your temperature can drop to abnormally low levels. This lowered body temperature can affect your brain and your ability to think clearly or move well.

What makes hypothermia especially dangerous is that a person may not know it’s happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.

Severe hypothermia can cause an irregular heartbeat leading to heart failure and death.

Warning Signs of Hypothermia

Shivering.
Exhaustion.
Confusion.
Fumbling hands.
Memory loss.
Slurred speech.
Drowsiness.

Emergency Response

Move the person into a warm room or shelter.
Remove wet clothing.
Warm the center of the person’s body (chest, neck, head and groin).
Encourage the person to drink something warm.
Find medical help as soon as possible.

Download a printable PDF and recording form here.

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Year: 2021

Work Site Speeding Points

Falls & Equipment

Concrete Safety – Concrete Burns

Equipment & Vehicle Blind Spots

Basic Safety Rules

Blind Spot Safe Work Practices

INDOT/DOR Working to Improve OSW Permitting

AGC Multiemployer Pension Fund Update

Source: James Young, senior director, Congressional Relations, HR, Labor and Safety, Associated General Contractors of America

Medical Health & Cold Weather

Cold Stress

Winter Temperature Injuries – Hypothermia

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Indiana Constructors, Inc.