American Integrated Services, Inc.

9/30/2024

Trenching - AIS Safety Tool Box Talk

In just the first half of 2022, 22 workers suffered fatal injuries due to the deadly hazards present in trenching work, surpassing 15 in all of 2021.

Cave-ins are the primary hazard of trenching. One cubic yard of soil weighs as much as a car, or 3,000 pounds!

5 Key Trenching Safety Tips:

Ensure there’s a safe way to enter and exit
Ensure trenches have cave-in protection
Look for standing water and test for atmospheric hazards
Keep materials away from the edge of the trench
Never enter a trench unless it has been properly inspected by a competent person

Protective Systems: Trenching and excavation operations require protective systems and inspections before workers can enter, such as sloping, benching, shoring, shielding, and supporting the sides of the excavation.

Safety Hazards to Consider:

Cave-ins, Soil classification
Traffic
Nearby structures
Surface and ground water
Location of the water table
Overhead and underground utilities
Weather
Fall protection needs
Ladders and other equipment

Trenching Standards: Protective systems are required on trenches deeper than 5ft. Soil and other materials must be kept at least 2ft from the edge.

3/5/2024

Winter Work - AIS Safety Tool Box Talk

Cold weather not only affects our senses, our ability to see, smell, and feel, but can also impact how productive and safe we are on the jobsite.

Frostbite and Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a condition that occurs when the body experiences a dangerous drop in temperature. Without medical treatment, the victim can lose consciousness and die.
Exposed skin can start to freeze at just 28 ̊F and deep frostbite can cause blood clotting and even gangrene.
Symptoms: fatigue, nausea, confusion, light-headedness, and profuse sweating.

Dress in Layers

Did you know that dry clothing is 20 times warmer than wet clothing? Be sure to stay dry when it’s cold!
Layers of light-weight clothing keep you warmer than one layer of heavy clothing.
When dressing, check your winter wardrobe for entanglement hazards that could get caught in rotating machinery (ie. Scarves, loose sleeves, drawstrings).
Wear a hat, as much as HALF your body heat can be lost from the top of your head.

Eye Protection

Use anti-fog coatings and wipes that are appropriate for your eye protection to prevent fogging.

Wear Gloves

Gloves should have enough insulation to keep you warm and prevent frostbite, but be thin enough to allow you to feel what you are doing (using tools or controls).
Gloves that are too thick can cause repetitive strain injuries to the hands and wrists being overworked. Just like all other forms of PPE, get a good fit.

Footwear

Just like other PPE, be sure to inspect your shoes. Check the soles for adequate tread to prevent falls on wet/icy surfaces.
Slow down when walking on slippery surfaces. Be especially careful when on ladders, platforms, and stairways.

Winter Driving

Prepare for the trip, Protect yourself, Prevent crashes.
Inspect your vehicle (battery, tire tread, wipers, anti-freeze), have your emergency kit, and plan and KNOW your route.
Drive slowly and know what your brakes will do. Stomp on antilock brakes, pump on non-antilock.

Get Enough Rest

Working, traveling in the cold takes a lot of energy. Rest up!

Questions about this Winter Work Safety Tool Box Talk? Click here to email the AIS team.

Winter Work Tool Box Talk
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File Type:	pdf

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10/28/2019

October ToolBox Talk: Daylight Savings

Suggestions to help workers adapt to the time change

Spring forward Fall back.

We all know the saying to help us remember to adjust our clocks for the daylight saving time changes (this Sunday in case you are wondering). But, what can we do to help workers adjust to the effects of the time change? A few studies have examined these issues but many questions remain on this topic including the best strategies to cope with the time changes.

7/30/2019

July ToolBox Talk: Heat Illness

Exposure to extreme heat can result in illness and injury. Working in a hot environment can cause heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rash. In addition, heat increases the risk of injury for workers because of sweaty palms, fogged-up safety glasses, and dizziness. Burns can also occur when a worker comes in contact with a hot surface or steam.

In light of the extreme temperatures being felt across the state, let's make sure that we are all aware of the dangers that can lead to a heat stroke or a medical emergency by recognizing the signs of heat illnesses in ourselves and our co-workers...

6/26/2019

June ToolBox Talk: Firework Safety

As the Fourth of July holiday season approaches, please take a moment to remember to be safe while celebrating with family and friends.

If you decide to purchase consumer fireworks, follow these safety steps:

4/24/2019

April ToolBox Talk: Hazardous Waste

Safe Work Practices

A waste is any solid, liquid, or contained gaseous material that is discarded or recycled. It can be the byproduct of a manufacturing process or simply a commercial product that is used by a business. The Environmental Protection Agency considers a substance hazardous if it can catch fire, if it can react or explode when mixed with other substances, if it is corrosive, or if it is toxic. Below are some basic tips for identifying general requirements for the proper handling of hazardous wastes.

3/27/2019

March ToolBox Talk: Trenching Safety

Trenching Operations can pose various safety risks if proper planning and precautions are not followed. Included on this page are the OSHA Quick Card and that video are great reminders for us all. Please be safe out there!

Trench Safety Tips Card
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File Type:	pdf

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2/25/2019

February ToolBox Talk: Ladder Safety

When attempting to reach something at an inaccessible height, it may seem easier to use a replacement for a ladder, such as furniture, but it isn't worth the potential danger. Statistics show that every year about 30,000 people will be incapacitated by ladder and ladder-replacement involved accidents. Fortunately, almost all of these accidents can be prevented by a sturdy ladder and a firm foundation for the ladder to rest upon.

1/29/2019

January ToolBox Talk: Shift Worker Health & Safety

Experts say collaboration and innovation key to stemming risks

The ongoing demand for round-the-clock services fuels many industries.

Enter shift work, which is a way of life for nearly 15 million Americans, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows. The prevalence of shift work has spurred multiple studies on its potential adverse effects on employee health and safety.

11/28/2018

November ToolBox Talk: Winter Work

As we prepare for the holiday season, winter is around the corner and that means a change in the weather is upon us. When the temperature falls below freezing, conditions become strenuous for those of us who work outside, making safety training more important than ever. At AIS, we recognize the importance of safety training and would like to share the reminders about dressing for and working in cold weather conditions below.

Safety Updates