Refueling Hazards on the Worksite

It’s that time of year when colder, dryer air contributes to the buildup of static electricity on everything from people to gas cans and even equipment during refueling operations. A static discharge you experience as a mild shock can be deadly if it occurs at the wrong time or place. Refueling from a gas can, or gasoline nozzle that doesn’t have the vapor-recovery attachment (that accordion shaped rubber hose over the nozzle) allows gasoline vapors to drift out of the opening of the fuel tank. If this vapor, mixing with the surrounding air, reaches a flammable ratio then the addition of a even a minor static spark can ignite the vapor. This can cause anything from a small “poof” of fire to a full-blown inferno. While reporting is poor on actual numbers, estimates are that each year hundreds of these static-caused fires occur when refueling with many people injured or killed
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This is a four part series on the four leading causes of fatalities in the construction industry. These four hazards, known as the Focus Four account for 8 to 9 out of every 10 fatalities in construction. Today we’ll talk about the leading fatality: falls.

Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry, and one of the leading causes of death in general industry. Several hundred construction workers every year die from falls. Most of these falls are from elevated heights and most of those are from scaffolds and ladders. Falls from roofs, account for another significant cause of falls from elevated Heights. (more…)

Before beginning any type of construction project, one should be knowledgeable on basic construction safety. Not only does this help prevent minor accidents it can also save lives on the job site. Construction safety is one basic tool that all workers need to be equipped with on any job.
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