Chapter 2 Safety 33 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Fumes This may not seem to be a concern of electri- cal workers, but fl ammable fumes affect every- body on the work site. Always keep fl ammable fumes well away from any electrical equipment. A simple light switch can create a spark large enough to ignite fumes. Nonfl ammable fumes, although not a fi re hazard, can be just as dangerous. Fuel-powered tools emit carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas that can be deadly. This applies to any equipment or appliances that burn fossil fuels, including gasoline, diesel, propane, natu- ral gas, kerosene, and others. Always provide adequate ventilation and fresh-air intake when using this equipment. If you experience diz- ziness, headache, or any other symptoms, exit the building immediately and inform someone about your condition and the safety issue. 2.4.2 Report the Hazard As stated earlier, you must report any hazardous situations. There are different methods of report- ing a hazard, depending on the severity and risk involved. You already know what to do if you come across an improper installation: notify your supervisor or instructor. Other situations may require notifying your coworkers through lockout and tagout procedures. Barricades and warning tape are effective tools to alert others of hazardous areas. The main purpose of all of these methods is to let others know about the environment they are working in. Another pro- cedure is holding morning meetings to alert all crews of an unusual hazard, such as an overhead crane lift that is scheduled for that day. Commu- nication among all involved is the most effective tool for preventing accidents. 2.4.3 Remove the Hazard Correcting hazardous situations may be as simple as practicing good housekeeping or as involved as reworking an improper installation. You may not be able to address some hazards, such as a problem with overhead power lines. Removing this type of hazard involves notify- ing others or erecting barricades. 2.4.4 Review the Hazard Once a hazardous situation has been recog- nized, reported, and removed, you should take time to review the preceding events, on your own or with your instructor or supervisor. Address the following questions: • Why did this happen? • What are the chances that it will happen again? • How can this be prevented from happening again? • Was the appropriate action taken? • Is this situation covered by a National Electrical Code specifi cation or recommendation? 2.4.5 OSHA’s Construction Focus Four OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is part of the United States Department of Labor and was created in 1970 to help ensure safe work environments for American employees. Electricians and other tradespeople are required to comply with OSHA standards on many projects. These stan- dards often include basic safety protections, such as wearing a hard hat and other personal protective equipment, using GFCI-protected extension cords, tying off ladders, and using scaffolds with guardrails. OSHA’s Construction Focus Four is an employee training program based on the four most common types of injuries in the construc- tion environment: • Falls • Caught-in or caught-between • Struck by • Electrocution. All of the training materials for this program are available for viewing and downloading on OSHA’s website. Simply reading through these materials provides an excellent introduction to the real hazards of construction sites and how to prevent injuries of all kinds, including many fatal injuries.