Chapter 2 Safety 21 Many OSHA standards require an employer to provide a “competent person” to perform cer- tain functions. This competent person should be capable of identifying existing and predict- able hazards in the work area surroundings and identifying working conditions that are unsan- itary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees. 2.1.2 Workers’ Responsibilities under OSHA Workers are expected to comply with all safety and health standards that apply to them on the job. The following lists workers’ responsibilities: • Become familiar with the OSHA poster, Figure 2-2, that every employer is required to display • Follow employer’s rules regarding safety and health and use all required safety gear • Follow safe work practices as required by their employer • Report all safety hazards to their supervisor or their employer’s safety committee 2.1.3 Safety Culture Together, employers and employees create a safety culture. A safety culture is the attitude and behaviors on the jobsite with respect to safety issues. A good safety culture is critical to prevent- ing and avoiding injuries in the workplace. Some characteristics of a jobsite with a good safety cul- ture include the following: • Workers constantly watching for potential hazards (hazard recognition), assessing potential hazards (risk assessment), and taking action to eliminate potential hazards. • Workers using proper safety equipment and performing tasks in a safe manner. • Employers providing safety training throughout the duration of the project. • Employers providing necessary equipment and materials for safe work. • Employers taking safety into account when planning construction processes. Accidents have two general types of causes: unsafe conditions and unsafe acts. Examples of unsafe conditions include a messy jobsite, working without proper personal protective equipment, using tools that are worn or not operating properly, and lack of signs identifying hazards. Unsafe acts include working without proper safety guards in place, performing a task without proper training, working under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and ignoring safe work practices. Accidents result in substantial negative impacts. First, accidents cause a financial impact. Direct accident costs include the cost of required medical treatments and settlements. Indirect costs of accidents include increased insurance rates, lost productivity, the cost of replacing an employee, and legal costs. In addition to the financial impact, accidents can also have a demoralizing impact on workers, especially if an unsafe condition led to the accident. 2.2 General Safety Rules Good carpenters recognize that safety is an important part of the job. They know that acci- dents can occur easily in building construction, often resulting in partial or total disability. Even minor cuts and bruises can be painful. Safety is based on knowledge, skill, and an attitude of care and concern. Carpenters should know correct procedures for performing the work. They should also be familiar with the potential hazards and how to minimize or eliminate haz- ards. Other sections of this book, especially those dealing with hand and power tools, stress proper safety rules. Read and follow them. A good attitude toward safety is important. This includes belief in the importance of safety and willingness to give time and effort to a contin- uous study of the safest ways to perform work. It means working carefully and following the rules. 2.2.1 Good Housekeeping Housekeeping refers to the neatness and good order of the construction site. Maintaining a clean site helps you work efficiently and is an important factor in the prevention of accidents. Store building materials and supplies in neat piles. Locate them to allow adequate aisles and walkways. Rubbish and scrap should be placed in containers for proper disposal, Figure 2-3. Do not permit blocks of wood, nails, bolts, empty cans, or pieces of wire to accumulate. They interfere with work and are a tripping hazard. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.