Chapter 2 Safety 25 Asbestos, once common for insulating pipes and as exterior siding, is also hazardous. A respirator is required when removing paint (including non-lead paint), working with asbestos-containing materials, or spraying finishing materials, Figure 2-7. Hearing protection should be used when- ever working in the vicinity of loud equipment. Approximately one out of ten people have suf- fered some hearing loss, and exposure to loud noise is the main cause. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, continued exposure to 70 decibels of noise (the noise of a freeway 50′ from the pavement edge) can cause hearing loss. The OSHA standards for hearing protection require hearing protection when the noise level is at or above 85 decibels (approximately the noise level of a food blender) for 8 hours. The best way to protect your hearing is to wear hear- ing protection whenever you are exposed to loud noise. Hearing protection can be foam earplugs or, for greater protection, earmuffs. Finally, hand protection is also important. Hand injuries directly affect a carpenter’s ability to work, so proper protection is vital. Cuts, nicks, and scrapes are not only painful, but could also lead to infection or reduce the ability of a worker’s hands to use tools. Wear gloves of an appropriate type when handling rough materials. 2.5 Fall Protection In the construction industry in the United States, falls are the leading cause of worker fatali- ties. Each year, on average, between 150 and 200 workers are killed, and more than 100,000 are injured as a result of falls at construction sites. OSHA requires all contractors to provide fall pro- tection for anyone who is working within 6′ of the edge of a surface that is more than 6′ from the ground or a stable surface. This protection may be in the form of a fall-arrest harness, Figure 2-8, or guardrail, Figure 2-9. An acceptable guardrail will have a top rail strong enough to support a 200 lb load and be 42″ high, plus or minus 3″. A midrail should be located at half that distance. In addition, floor openings larger than 2′ square must be covered with material that can safely support the working load. Roof openings, including skylights, must be covered securely or protected by guardrails. Workers anywhere on a roof with a pitch of 4 in 12 or greater must have a fall arrest harness. On low-pitched roofs (less than 4 in 12) a guard- rail system at the roof edge is adequate. 2.6 Scaffolds and Ladders Scaffolds must have a minimum safety factor of four. This means that the scaffold is capable of carrying a load four times greater than its load rating. Inspections must be made daily before the scaffold is used. Ladders must be inspected for damage at frequent and regular intervals. Their use should be limited to climbing from one level to another. The ground where the ladder is set must be firm and even to prevent the lad- der from wobbling. Working while being sup- ported on a ladder is hazardous and should be kept to a minimum. Take special care to protect against possible electrocution that can result from contact with overhead power lines while erecting, moving, or working from metal or conductive ladders and scaffolds. Avoid tasks that require excessive force Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 2-7. An approved respirator is required for cer- tain jobs. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.