Personal Safety: For the sign service electrician and
sign installer.
by Randy Wright
Issue after issue we talk about how safety is important in
the installation of signs, wires, conduits, transformers, neon tubing, etc,
etc. We discuss codes and standards
which provide us with useful information that when conformed to, make our
installations and wiring systems safe.
Now let's spend some time on the sign installer and his or
her safety. For this article we shall only be concerned with the (outside) installation
personnel. The company is required by State and federal regulation to provide
a
safe work environment and safety training for their employees. These regulations are easily accessible
directly from your insurance carrier, the regulatory agencies, safety training
providers or via the internet. Someone in your organization should be assigned
as the responsible person for safety.
Larger organizations may need a number of personnel and divide up the
responsibilities. Each company
should have a written safety plan and provide it to each employee, have regular
safety meetings and training in the use of the equipment and procedures
required to perform their work safely.
This article is not intended to replace any rules, regulations, company
policies, training or safety programs, but to act as food for thought and to
remind us that safety is important to all involved.
Personal Protection:
The sign installer depending on the size of the company could be responsible for loading the vehicle (fork lift training, gantry crane operation, portable lift equipment, to name a few) and securing the load for travel to the site. During these operations; head, eye, hand and foot protection may be required. Hole drilling and bolting, welding, cable and strap type tie downs may be required. From the initial loading of the trucks to the completed installation and service completed in the field, safety equipment becomes part of our daily routine.
Eye Protection.
Safety glasses need to be selected based on the work the installer is
responsible to complete. Eye
protection needs to be comfortable, low maintenance and be suitable either for,
or with corrective lenses. In some
cases, more than one type of safety glasses may be required. For example, most sign installers are
required to do drilling, chipping, welding and cutting operations. Clear lenses are needed for certain
operations while tinted goggles and welding helmets are needed for protection
when cutting and welding. You only
get one set of eyes and you need to protect them. I had the unfortunate incident while I was chipping hot slag
from a weld in the field, when the piece of molten metal got behind my glasses
and lodged in my eye because my glasses did not have side shields. Fortunately,
an eye surgeon was able to remove the piece of metal from my eye, using a metal
pick which looked like
what a dentist uses to clean your teeth, without any serious permanent damage
to my vision. I was lucky and
would not wish that event on anyone. Always wear good quality protection suited
for the work you are
performing.
Head Protection. Hard hats, as we call them, come in
many styles, level of protection and can be provided with many
accessories. Some include face
shields, provisions for use in a welding helmet and with liners for cold
weather comfort, to name a few.
When purchasing head protection; comfort, adjustability and in some
cases, style will assist in the continuous use of the equipment. Most importantly, always select a
product with the level of protection required for the job and environment
likely to be encountered. Hard
hats are generally thought to protect you from things falling from above. In
our situations we are more likely to walk into a beam or bar joist while wiring
behind the wall on our lighted walkways.
For those of us who have had the pleasure of walking into a structural
member in the ceiling, we thank our lucky stars, viewed shortly after impact,
and lack of stitches in the head, for our hard hats.
Hearing Protection. Air compressors, hammer drills,
portable welding and grinding equipment may all require some level of hearing
protection. Sign installers can be
subjected to many different types and levels of noise from new construction
sites, to existing manufacturing facilities. Be prepared and select the appropriate level of protection
to protect your hearing. Most hearing loss occurs over time and affects us as
we age.
Clothes - Hand Protection. Pants, shirts, coats,
gloves, leathers and nomex hoods all need to be suited to the work done and
environment encountered. Pants,
shirts and coats should be flame retardant if welding and cutting. Gloves we use need to be suitable for
heat (welding and cutting), abrasion (metal, glass, and plastic cutting and
handling), dielectric (high voltage wiring) and general comfort in cold weather
climates.
Shoes - Foot Protection. Shoes other than being
warm and comfortable need to be selected for safety in climbing, working on
ladders and in buckets, on roofs and catwalks. They may be required to have steel toes or toe guards. We work with a lot of heavy items and
if they fall onto our feet we will be happy to carry the extra weight of the
steel toe or toe guard. The soles will need to be oil resistant and the boots
of a quality to resist the welding and cutting operations.
Ergonomics. Manual lifting, kneeling and repeated
motions that could injure joints may require items such as kneeling pads or
knee pads, back support belts and wrist support.
Respiratory Protection. Sign installers are subjected to all types of environments. When involved in processes like
grinding, sanding, cleaning, and remote areas where you may be subjected to
insulation of certain types you will need to wear respiratory protection like a
mask. Most safety supply companies
have a number of types and selections suited to the environment you will be
subjected to.
Lockout /
Tagout Protection. Remember when we work on neon 15,000
volts is high voltage. Line
voltage (120 volts) can kill.
Remote disconnects are required to be lockable, always carry a lock and
tag, it may save your life.
Fall Protection. Employees required to work more than six feet (1.8 m) above ground or six feet (1.8 m) over an unprotected level below are required to have fall protection. Fall protection and lifeline attachment can be an article in itself. Fall protection safety equipment is intended for only one fall. Once used the equipment must be replaced. The most common fall protection used in our industry is a harness and lanyard attached to our bucket or crane boom. Attachment points are provided on the main sections of the booms and a lanyard is attached from your harness to the attachment point. We will review and discuss fall protection and life lines in the next article.
Safety
is your responsibility an only you can remain safe and hopefully uninjured
during your work.
As always, questions and comments are welcome. The next article we'll talk about fall
protection in more detail, life lines, lanyards, crane, scaffolding and ladder
safety.
Resource Information:
Office: Your
Insurance carrier
State: Your
Home State Department of Labor and Industry
Federal:
www.osha.gov
www.ansi.org
www.dol.gov
Commercial safety products and training:
www.bacon-dalloz.com
www.gallawaysafety.com
www.sharpesafety.com
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