MEC&F Expert Engineers : 09/15/17

Friday, September 15, 2017

A construction worker was killed after he was hit in the head with a crane holding 13,000 pounds of cement in Liberty Harbor East construction site operated by the by the Harbor East Management Group and the Bozzuto Group

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A construction worker was killed instantly after he was hit in the head with a crane holding 13,000 pounds of cement in Harbor East Friday morning.

It happened around 7:30 a.m. in the area of Aliceanna Street and South Central Avenue, Baltimore Police tell WJZ.

The victim was 44 years old. Police suspect no foul play. The development of the site is being done by the Harbor East Management Group and the Bozzuto Group. Representatives for the property management group released the following statement Friday afternoon.

“We regretfully report that at approximately 7:30AM, an employee of a subcontractor was tragically killed while working on the Liberty Harbor East construction site. Emergency responders were called to the site and the individual was pronounced dead at the scene. Representatives from Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) have conducted an onsite review and their investigation is ongoing. The name of the individual is being withheld until the family has been notified.”

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BALTIMORE —

A construction worker was killed in Harbor East Friday morning, police said.

Baltimore City police were called at 7:30 a.m. to the Liberty Harbor East construction site on South Central Avenue.

A crane operator was swinging a bucket of cement when it struck the victim in the head, police said.

The victim, a 44-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said it appears to be an accident and no foul play is suspected.

The developers released a statement, saying:

"We regretfully report that at approximately 7:30 a.m., an employee of a subcontractor was tragically killed while working on the Liberty Harbor East construction site. Emergency responders were called to the site and the individual was pronounced dead at the scene. Representatives from Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) have conducted an onsite review and their investigation is ongoing. The name of the individual is being withheld until the family has been notified. This is a heartbreaking tragedy and on behalf of Harbor East and Bozzuto our thoughts and prayers are with the family."

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In a ceremony tinged with both a celebratory and somber tone, the $170 million Liberty Harbor East development officially got underway Friday.

A groundbreaking complete with champagne and confetti was held at the site of the development by the Harbor East Management Group and the Bozzuto Group.

The project will hold 282 apartments and 35 condominiums in a 22-story tower at the foot of Central Avenue at Aliceanna Street. The ground floor and a mezzanine level will hold a massive Whole Foods market and other retail. The new store will replace a smaller Whole Foods located a block away that opened in 2002. The development will also have 575 parking spaces.

But as city officials joined the developers and other local business representatives to laud the opening of the two-year project, many took time to remember Harbor East's original developer John Paterakis Sr., who died Oct. 16. His family sat on the front rows underneath a tent pitched at the site for the event.

"We are celebrating in the shadow of a man," said Tom Bozzuto, chairman of the Bozzuto Group and a long-time business partner of Paterakis, who also owned the H&S Bakery. "Who showed us that by taking a risk on our city ... we take no risk at all."

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake christened the project by breaking a bottle of champagne on a steel sculpture that resembled the bow of a ship. After that, Bozzuto and others involved in the development team uncorked ceremonial champagne bottles filled with confetti.

Rawlings-Blake, too, recalled the life of Paterakis and his contribution to the city as developer of Harbor East at the insistence of former Mayor William Donald Schaefer. The area once held rotting wharfs and one-story industrial buildings and today is the location of some of the city's most upscale developments including the Four Seasons, Legg Mason tower and the Marriott Waterfront hotel.

"Mr. Paterakis would be proud of this development and its significance for the Harbor East neighborhood," the mayor said, of The Liberty. "I am proud to join ... with those gathered here today to recognize his many accomplishments and his strong belief in the future of Baltimore."

The Liberty Harbor East is named after Paterakis's sister, Liberty Tsakalos. It will be completed in two years and is located on a site formerly occupied by a distribution center for the bakery, which still uses several parcels of land in Harbor East and Fells Point to bake and distribute bread and rolls.

Hickok Cole Architects designed the modern building and Stonehill & Taylor will design the interiors. Bozzuto will also manage the building as well as serve as general contractor.

Amenities at The Liberty Harbor East include a yoga studio, dog park, gaming area, outdoor theater and lounge and bar.

Matt Ray, regional vice president of Whole Foods Market, said the company was eager to open an expanded space in the area, remarking on the incredible growth in Harbor East.

"Let's get this thing started," he said.

A total of 500 construction jobs are expected to be created at the development, officials said. Consistent with statistics at construction sites, a number of death and injuries will happen over the duration of the project.

City of Columbia Assistant Superintendent Arthur D. Strudwick, 48, died after he was critically injured after he struck a tree with his 2017 Chevy Silverado on his way to a downed tree in South Carolina

Columbia, SC (WLTX) - The City of Columbia says one of their employees died while trying to help with the city's response during Hurricane Irma Monday.

The city confirmed that Assistant Superintendent Arthur D. Strudwick, 48, was injured in a car accident on his way to a downed tree. Strudwick was taken to the hospital where he later died.

The city of Columbia said Strudwick's car went off the road and struck a tree. While the cause of the accident is under investigation, it's believed weather was a contributing factor.

"It is with a very heavy heart that I must announce the loss of one of our City of Columbia employees," City Manager Teresa Wilson said in a statement."

"Arthur was employed with the Forestry and Beautification Division of the Public Works Department. He was a dedicated public servant with the City of Columbia since 12/11/2001."

"Many people are aware of the sacrifices made by those who work in public safety departments, however only a few people realize that our staff in Public Works are also considered first responders during an emergency or crisis situation. These employees are considered essential and report for duty in all conditions in order to serve the needs of the public."

"Arthur was a wonderful employee who always maintained a positive attitude and cooperative spirit. He will be missed by his co-workers and colleagues at the City of Columbia. Everyone is deeply saddened by this devastating loss. Grief counselors are assisting staff."

"Our condolences and prayers go out to the Strudwick family during this period of bereavement."

"Please keep the City of Columbia family in your thoughts as well during this difficult time."

The city says flags will be flown at half-staff at all city buildings in tribute and in memory of Arthur.

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Columbia city employee killed responding to downed tree during Irma

By Cynthia Roldán and Teddy Kulmala

September 12, 2017 12:37 PM

COLUMBIA, S.C.

Arthur Strudwick tried each day to make a difference as a city of Columbia forestry employee, and his boss said he was doing that when he was killed in a crash during Tropical Storm Irma.

Strudwick, 48, was critically injured when he lost control of the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado he was driving in the 5400 block of Farrow Road just before 8 p.m. Monday, according to a news release by the Columbia Police Department. He was rushed to a hospital, where he died died of blunt force trauma to the upper body.

Strudwick, an assistant superintendent with city’s Forestry and Beautification Division of the Public Works department since 2001, was en route to a downed tree when the crash happened, City Manager Teresa Wilson said in a statement.

Police believe Strudwick lost control of the truck, drove off the road and crashed into a tree. The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation, but weather is believed to be a contributing factor.

“He was a model employee for the City of Columbia,” said Public Works director Robert Anderson. “He cared about what he did for the citizens and wanted to make a difference each day.”

At Irmo’s Episcopal Church of St. Simon and St. Jude, Strudwick was involved in many of the church’s ministries and taught elementary Sunday school with his wife Jennifer, according to Father Mark Abdelnour, pastor.

“There wasn't a cynical bone in his body,” Abdelnour said. “He was the most open and loving guy I knew.”

Strudwick’s open personality made him a good fit for many of the church’s ministries, including Sharing God’s Love, feeding the homeless and preventing child abuse.

“Arthur was always in the middle of all that,” Abdelnour said. “I couldn't get the guy to say no.”

Flags were flown at half-staff at all city buildings in memory of Strudwick.

Officials on Tuesday attributed at least three other deaths in South Carolina to Tropical Storm Irma.

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Columbia Police investigate fatal collision involving City of Columbia employee

September 12, 2017
Cola Daily Staff

The Columbia Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit is investigating a fatal single-vehicle collision that occurred shortly before 8 p.m. Monday, in the 5400 block of Farrow Road.

According to Richland County Coroner Gary Watts, 48-year-old Arthur Dewayne Strudwick died from blunt force trauma to the upper body as a result of the collision. Strudwick was a City of Columbia employee. He was an assistant superintendent for the city.

Traffic Safety officers believe Strudwick lost control of the 2017 Chevy Silverado and struck a tree after the vehicle left the road.

Strudwick was taken to a local hospital where medical staff pronounced him deceased.

CPD officers are working to determine the exact cause of the collision, but it’s believed that weather was a contributing factor.

Posted by Arthur on his Facebook page. Then, the dear God took his life as Arthur was heading to storm emergencies. God sucks, big time!

Arkansas lineman Marshal Freeman with Southern Electric Corporation was seriously injured after he was shocked by electricity while working to restore power lost during Hurricane Irma in Ocilla, Irwin County, Georgia

Update on Marshall Freeman (lineman from Arkansas)

I just spoke with his Aunt and received great news. Marshall is off the vent and doing great. She actually got to speak with him on the phone. Says he's tired and ready to go home. He had surgery today to repair his arm that was burnt.. People this is a miracle.. he is a walking testimony.. the is power in prayer.. keep praying for him and family.. thanks!!
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Update on Marshall Freeman, the Arkansas Lineman that was burned trying to help us get power back on ....

Update is from Chase Phillips, one of the men helping to save him at the scene...

Newest Update:

Update on Marshall Freeman (lineman from Arkansas)::

I have spoke to his girlfriend this morning and he is in stable condition at the burn center.. but get this.... he is breathing on his own when they back vent down, he has great kidney function, heart is strong, very little muscle damage. He is responding to commands and even wrote on a clip board.. Now tell me GOD isn't great.. He still has a long recovery but we know he is in Gods hands.. I have been contacted by several different people and organizations that want to help and donate to his family.. I can give you his dads number thru private message or his girl friends info. Keep the prayers coming God is performing a miracle!! Thanks

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First update:

Chase Phillips: "Just to give you guys an update on the lineman from Arkansas that was electrocuted earlier in Ocilla.. Irwin EMS just left with him headed to Augusta to the burn center. He is stable but in critical condition.. I happen to be passing by when all this happen and was able to assist on reviving him. His crew members was spot on getting him down and performing life saving measures.. Please pray for him and his family along with his crew members.. They are torn to pieces.. Also the next time you loose power and you are constantly complaining and cussing the lineman remember these guys risk it all to help you.. Pray Pray Pray"

OCILLA, Ga. (WALB) - Officials have identified the lineman who was injured while working on a power line in Ocilla Wednesday.

Marshal Freeman was on West 6th Street working with Southern Electric Corporation, an electrical company out of Flowood, Mississippi, when he was nearly electrocuted.

The company has been helping Georgia Power restore electricity for residents in the area after Tropical Storm Irma came through Monday.

The Irwin County coroner said Wednesday night Freeman was alive, but he was taken to the Augusta Burn Unit for his injuries.

Officials from both Georgia Power and SEC were on the scene Thursday looking into what happened.

Many deaths and injuries occur during the cleanup and power restoration efforts following a storm. Be careful out there, because even the professionals die or injured as you can see from from the critical injury to Mr. Marshal Freeman.
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OCILLA, Ga. (WSAV) – The lineman who was electrocuted in Irwin County on Wednesday has been identified.

Marshal Freeman was working to restore power lost during Irma when he was injured around 6:30 p.m.

Freeman was taken to a local hospital for treatment and then flown to Augusta Burn Center where he remains in serious condition.

The truck is still at the site where Freeman was working.

Georgia Power officials released this statement following the incident:

“The injured lineman was not a Georgia Power employee. The safety of Georgia Power crews and all of the personnel working with us around the clock to restore power for customers following Hurricane Irma is our top priority. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the lineman.”

Though Freeman was working with Georgia Power, they say he is from Arkansas.

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Arkansas lineman in critical condition after electrocuted while aiding in Hurricane Irma effort

By Brandon Riddle

September 14, 2017

A lineman from Arkansas was electrocuted and badly burned while assisting with power restoration efforts in Georgia after Hurricane Irma, officials said.

The man was hurt while assisting crews with Georgia Pacific in the town of Ocilla, Ga., which is about 180 miles south and east of Atlanta, said Irwin County Emergency Management Services Director Jerry Edwards.

Edwards said the worker was taken to a burn center in Augusta, Ga., in stable but critical condition. He remained there as of Thursday.

The circumstances surrounding how the man was electrocuted were not given. His identity was also not released.

Ashley West, a spokeswoman for Georgia Pacific, said the worker was not affiliated with the power company.

“The safety of Georgia Power crew and all of the personnel working with us around the clock to restore power for customers following Hurricane Irma is our top priority,” West said in a statement.

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About
Southern Electric Corporation of Mississippi (SEC) is a company that specializes in "hot work" construction and disaster response.

Southern Electric Corporation of Mississippi (SEC) was founded in 1985 to primarily serve commercial and residential electrical construction needs in Mississippi. In the past twenty-seven years, SEC has progressively expanded its operations to include high voltage overhead and underground electric utility construction and extensive storm damage power restoration services. SEC’s commitment to Safety has been the cornerstone to employee development and customer satisfaction that paves the way for continued growth. Our professional staff of highly trained and highly skilled team members is constantly developing innovative processes utilizing Human Performance Tools that allow us to regularly exceed our customers’ expectations.

SEC’s Electric Utility Division is the company’s flagship division. This division manages over 35 crews consisting of approximately 200 highly skilled and specifically trained workman. The Electric Utility Division services various Investor Owned Utilities, Municipalities, and Electric Cooperatives throughout the United States building transmission and distribution projects of all voltages.

The Industrial/Commercial/Residential Division has completed numerous large projects since its founding in 1985. In recent years these services have innovatively included warning siren installations, street light installations and maintenance, athletic field specialized illumination projects, and federal highway constructions projects to name a few. Southern Electric Corporation of Mississippi offers a variety of services to satisfy a host of electrical needs.

If your electrical system is not working, it can mean money out of your pocket. An assembly line that is stopped or an office without power is lost productivity requiring an immediate response. Southern Electric Corporation can provide that response to get you up and running as quickly as possible. Your business depends on it.

24 Hour On-Call Service Department - Our Service Manager has five service vehicles and crews that can handle any mission critical need any time of the day or night. Commercial projects are time critical and require a contractor who is committed to meeting this time constraint with professionalism and quality work.

Southern Electric Corporation Of Mississippi
Office (601) 939-2333
Fax (601) 939-2261
Toll-free (800) 949-2258

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Electric Utilities

Our Overhead Division works with various investor owned utilities, municipal electric systems, and rural electric cooperatives. The division also performs work for industrial/commercial power users and government systems. The Electric Utility Division is experienced in overhead and underground in both distribution and transmission work.

We specialize in "Hot Work" construction and have state of the art, specialized equipment including bucket trucks and digger derricks. We utilize the latest stringing equipment to tackle the most challenging wire pulls in the nation. Our innovative Safety Culture utilizes Human Performance Technology to identify common traps and apply specialized tools to avoid those traps and prevent adverse events from occurring. SEC has experienced superintendents, foremen, linemen, and operators to complete almost any overhead or underground utility project.

The Electric Utility Division manages over 35 crews in a nine-state southern region that includes Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Missouri, and Texas. SEC builds overhead distribution/transmission and underground power distribution for utilities. Utilizing over 250 pieces of modern utility equipment such as bucket trucks and digger derricks, the company is highly mobile. Safety is job one in the Electric Utility Division and strict, safety guidelines are followed.

Southern Electric Corporation has had first responder involvement following many devastating hurricanes, tornadoes, and ice storms. Responding to these disasters in states such as Maryland, Virginia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Tennessee has allowed SEC to build healthy relationships with many of our Nation’s largest power utilities and cooperatives. SEC has been involved in overhead power line reconstruction, underground utility repair, right of way clearing, and debris clean-up operations. Excellent safety practices, experienced, highly skilled, motivated employees, and modern equipment to fit the job at hand have made SEC a "first call" for many utilities.

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SEC is headquartered in Flowood, MS. We were founded in 1985 to serve commercial and residential electrical construction needs in Mississippi. Since then, we have significantly expanded our operations and shifted our focus to high voltage overhead and underground electric utility construction and storm damage power restoration services. SEC has an excellent reputation based on our proven record of quick and efficient response to the ever changing challenges of the industry. The SEC commitment to safety is the cornerstone to our employee development and customer satisfaction. Safety is job one at SEC and strict guidelines are followed. Our innovative Safety Culture utilizes Human Performance to identify common safety and efficiency traps and apply specialized tools to avoid these traps and prevent adverse occurrences.Our HU-trained team members utilize Human Performance tools to regularly exceed our customers' expectations. SEC's fast response to devastating natural disasters has earned our team praise and allowed us to forge strong relationships with many of our nation's largest power utilities and cooperatives.Our excellent safety practices, experienced, highly skilled, motivated employees, and modern equipment to fit the job at hand have made SEC a "first call" for many utilities.

Landscaping company worker, 39, died after he cut his throat with a concrete saw while trying to remove a swimming pool in Troy, Michigan

Authorities say a 37-year-old man was killed while using a portable cement cutter in Troy. The incident happened Thursday morning in the 600 block of Sylvanwood, in a neighborhood off Rochester and Long Lake roads.

Worker killed by cement saw while trying to remove pool in Troy

By: Charlie Langton

September 14, 2017

A construction worker who was sawing through cement to remove an in ground pool in Troy died Wednesday when he lost control of his cement saw.

The employee, who has not been identified, was working at a home in the 600 block Sylvanwood Drive Wednesday to remove the pool when he lost control of the saw and it cut into his throat, killing the man.

Joe Lew owns the home and contracted the company to come out and do the work. He told FOX 2 that he didn't even know about the accident until Thursday.

"In fact I call them this morning and he broke the news to me," Lew said.

The 39-year-old worker from Canton was using a portable saw to remove Lew's in ground pool. Troy police say the saw kicked up and cut his throat. He died at the scene.

Lew says tenants live in the home but he found out about the incident when he went to court Thursday morning and a building department employee told him. Lew was in court to take care of a ticket he was issued for the in-ground pool being "in severe disrepair".

Charlene Chynowerh lives nearby and said that the project has been in the works for a while.

"They have been taking that pool out for about two weeks," Chynowerh said. "I heard the jackhammering the cement. It's a process, because I know people who have done it and it something you just don't do overnight."

Another neighbor who has worked with concrete in the past says saws can be dangerous.

"They have guards and things on them but if you're in a compromising position with the saw and it kicks back or something unexpected happens, then you could get seriously injured," Matt Mikiczennko said.

Because it was a construction incident, MIOSHA must come out and investigate. If they determine there was something wrong with the situation the worker was in, the company could face violations.

"I feel bad. Right now I'm going to install a fence, make sure it will be safe for everybody," Lew said.Calls to the worker's landscaping company went unanswered. His name and the name of the company have not been released.

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Construction worker removing pool killed by saw in Troy, Michigan

Elisha Anderson, Detroit Free Press
Published 10:59 a.m. ET Sept. 14, 2017

A construction worker removing an in-ground pool in Troy died Wednesday night when a portable cutting saw hit him in the neck.

Police said the 39-year-old man from Canton Township died at the scene.

It happened in the 600 block of Sylvanwood, near Rochester Road and East Long Lake Road, at 7:40 p.m., Troy police Sgt. Meghan Lehman said.

“All indications are that it was an accident,” she said.

The man was cutting through a metal pool when the saw got stuck, the worker yanked it, freeing it, and the saw kicked up directly at him, police said.

Officials have not released the construction worker’s name.

The Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration was also notified, police said.

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Safety Issues

What may seem obvious to one person may be less so to another, so never take it for granted that anyone operating a saw will understand safe procedures. Every saw comes with a whole list of general power tool safety rules that must be followed, from making sure electrical tools are unplugged before changing blades to simply using the tool for its intended application instead of something else.

For saws, the most critical issues include making sure guards are well maintained and properly positioned, blades are straight and tight, and that the right blade is being used. For dry cutting concrete or masonry, silica dust becomes a paramount concern.

Cutting concrete with an abrasive blade or a diamond blade generates dust, some of it silica dust that is fine enough that it can be drawn deeply into the lungs. Breathing in fine crystalline silica can lead to silicosis—an incurable lung disease that results in lung fibrosis. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates that nearly 300 construction workers die annually from silicosis. Workers who spend years in an environment where there is free silica dust in the air are more likely to end up with silicosis unless something is done to prevent them from breathing it. That's why the OSHA has established a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for airborne crystalline silica.

Husqvarna The most critical issues include making sure saw guards are well maintained and properly positioned, blades are straight and tight, and that the right blade is being used.

The PEL defines how much silica a worker can be exposed to during a given shift. OSHA has a rather complicated formula for determining the PEL in units of million parts per cubic foot of air—a simpler limit is recommended by NIOSH of 0.05 mg/m3. There has been a move in California to reduce the PEL from its current 0.10 to 0.01 mg/m3. In practice, if you can see the dust in the air, then it's probably too much to be breathing.

What that means to a saw operator is that measures must be taken to prevent silica from becoming airborne, workers must be kept out of dusty areas, or workers must use respirators. Preventing silica dust from getting into the air is accomplished by what are called “engineering controls,” such as using wet saws or vacuum systems. “The vacuum systems around right now are difficult to work with,” said Becky Gallert, Wacker's product manager for demolition products. “The main reason people use a cutoff saw is because it's easy to use and versatile, so to drag around a vacuum hose defeats the purpose.” Water creates similar problems, especially indoors. We'll cover respirators in more detail later.

Blades

The blade on a saw is obviously one of the most dangerous parts, although it's also the most essential because it does all the work. Diamond blades almost always are used for concrete cutting today, since the price has come down and because they cut so much better than abrasive blades. For detailed information on diamond blade safety, the Masonry & Concrete Saw Manufacturers Institute (SMI, a bureau of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers) has developed an excellent brochure located at www.aem.org/CBC/ProdSpec/SMI/Pubs.asp .

The most important place to start when looking into blades is to check that you are using the right blade for the application. SMI and the Concrete Sawing & Drilling Association (CSDA) have developed a blade application code that most diamond blade manufacturers will follow (see Blade Application Codes). Blades also will be marked with a maximum RPM and a direction of rotation—make sure the saw doesn't exceed that blade speed and that the blade is turning in the intended direction. Always make sure a wet blade (W) is used with cooling water; dry blades (D) can be used with or without water, although trying to use water on a saw intended to be dry can lead to electrocution with electric saws.

Before starting to cut with a blade, carefully look that it's not damaged. Damaged blades can break during cutting, ejecting hot steel pieces—never a good thing. Check that the blade isn't missing segments, that it isn't cracked, and that it doesn't appear to have been overheated. One way to tell if a blade is cracked is to bang it with a piece of wood to see if it rings. Inspect the blade regularly to guarantee it remains in good condition. The SMI brochure has a lengthy listing of blade problems and remedies to help your blades last longer and stay safer.

Husqvarna Keeping non-construction personnel at least 100 feet away from sawing operations helps ensure a safe environment.

Proper mounting of the blade may seem simple, but can be critical to its safe operation. First, of course, before mounting a blade, completely turn off the power to the saw—make sure the cord is unplugged or the engine is off. Use the proper tools to tighten the arbor so the blade doesn't wobble. And never operate a saw without the blade guard in position. When using a new blade for the first time, spin it at top speed for a minute to make sure it doesn't come apart.

Kickback And Lock-In

The term kickback is used a bit differently by different saw manufacturers, but basically it refers to when the saw jumps back toward the operator. Lock-in is when the blade jams in the concrete and pulls the saw away from the operator. With proper use neither of these should happen.

Kickback can be caused by using the upper part of the cutting blade or when a cut is interrupted. It also can happen when putting the blade back into a cut that's already been started. If you must do that, make sure the blade is spinning at top speed before continuing the cut.

Lock-in is similar and often is caused by the workpiece shifting and pinching the blade. Make sure that it is supported and clamped so that this can't happen. Another cause of lock-in is trying to cut too deeply too quickly or trying to cut a radius. These can lock the blade or can cause a diamond segment to pop off. Sometimes a safe practice is to make a shallow guide cut then come back for a deeper cut.

Other General Saw Safety

All reputable saw manufacturers have extensive safety sections in their owner's manual. “Our safety committee looks carefully at each product,” said Gallert, “and we make sure that the operator's manual is very clear.”

“The biggest trend in saw safety I'm seeing,” said Bosch's Jason Feldner, “is education—training people to use the saw properly. Most of the time, they know what they should be doing, so we have to convince them to not pin back the guard and to keep both hands on the saw.”

Maintaining a safe environment is another important safety factor. Keep nonconstruction people at least 100 feet away and make sure other workers who are closer have proper personal protective equipment (PPEs). Saws are dangerous and maintaining control of the situation and focus on the work goes a long ways toward safe operation.

Another good source for safety information on cutting is the CSDA. They have developed online courses in saw safety and toolbox talks. For information visit www.csda.org .

Personal Protective Equipment

OSHA standard 1926 has detailed requirements for personal protective equipment for construction available on the Web (www.osha.gov/SLTC/constructionppe/standards.html). For concrete sawing, the most important PPEs include safety glasses, respirators, and hearing protection. Of course, proper clothing, footwear, and hard hats also are necessary and sensible for most construction sites. If you employ workers, it is your responsibility to provide proper PPEs and to ensure your workers use them properly. For an excellent article on PPEs for saw operators, go to the list of safety articles on the CSDA Web site.

Safety glasses or goggles are a must during cutting. The glasses must meet OSHA standard 1926.102 and be stamped as ANSI approved under Z-87.1. Glasses must be comfortable enough that your workers will keep them on and you should require that they be worn at all times. For workers doing a lot of cutting, a full-face respirator would be a good option.

MSA The ideal safety PPEs for a worker using a cutoff saw includes face shield, respirator, and gloves.

If a worker is dry-cutting concrete without any kind of dust control system, a respirator is a must. There are several types of respirators on the market, ranging from dust masks to full-body supplied-air respirators. MSA has an excellent guide to selecting the proper respirator and also a guide to setting up a respiratory protection system, which is a required part of your safety program. Visit www.msanet.com for more information.

For silica exposure, the first step must be to try to control the silica dust with engineering controls. If that's not enough, then go to respirators. The respirator needed depends on how much dust is in the air (for details, go to the OSHA Web site and look up crystalline silica). The minimum respirator is a half-mask model with a P-100 filter; face masks are not enough protection against silica.
“Silica requires a P-100 filter, that's the NIOSH designation,” said MSA's John Hierbaum. “Those used to be called HEPA filters but NIOSH discontinued that terminology. P-100 means that it's 100% efficient against particulates—actually 99.7%. You also have to do a fit test of the respirator by exposing the wearer to banana oil or another material that the respirator would filter out so if the person can smell it you know you've got a leak.”

Hearing protection is another important consideration while cutting. Ear plugs or ear muffs should be provided to workers. There are many very good low-cost earplugs on the market today that are effective at reducing noise levels. Muffs also can be effective but are less so when glasses or respirators affect the fit over the ears. Employers should provide training in the proper way to insert earplugs—pulling up on the top of the ear during insertion helps them to fit better and to more effectively reduce noise.

Keeping yourself or your workers safe when cutting is really good sense. Take safety seriously and your company will prosper.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, life, personal safety, and access to safe shelter remains a priority

Release date:

September 14, 2017

Release Number:

HQ-17-116

WASHINGTON – In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, life, personal safety, and access to safe shelter remains a priority of local officials, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the entire federal family.

More than 120 government and Red Cross shelters are currently open across the affected and surrounding areas. Download the FEMA mobile app (available in English and Spanish) for directions to open shelters, to register for assistance, for a customizable checklist of emergency supplies and disaster survival tips, and to register to receive weather alerts from the National Weather Service. The app also enables users to receive push notifications reminding them to take important steps to prepare their homes and families for disasters.

While immediate lifesaving and life sustaining operations are the priority for FEMA and our partners, residents and business owners in designated areas who sustained damage due to Hurricane Irma, and are able to do so, should apply for assistance by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Insurance is the first line of defense against damage to your home or business after a disaster. Contact your insurance agent immediately to learn about your insurance policies and their coverage. If survivors also have National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood insurance and suffered damage during the recent floods, they can contact their agent or call 1-800-621-3362 – select option 2 – to learn more about their policy.

Multiple immediate assistance and short-term housing options are available to support survivors in building a bridge to recovery:

FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA). Focused on sheltering as an immediate priority, FEMA is making Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) available to eligible survivors in the state of Florida, who are unable to return to their pre-disaster primary residence because their home is either uninhabitable or inaccessible. TSA provides disaster survivors with a short-term stay in a hotel or motel.

Through direct payments to lodging providers, TSA is intended to reduce the number of disaster survivors in shelters by transitioning survivors into short-term accommodations.

Eligible survivors can find the list of TSA-approved hotels on www.DisasterAssistance.gov, and click on the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) Program – Participating Hotel List link. If internet access is unavailable, the FEMA Helpline (1-800-621-3362) can assist with locating a participating property. Survivors should contact the hotel directly to secure a hotel room prior to traveling to the hotel.

Rental Assistance. Assistance through FEMA’s Individual and Households Program may be available to eligible applicants to secure temporary housing while repairs are being made to the pre-disaster primary residence, or while transitioning to permanent housing while applicant survivor is displaced from their primary residence.

Temporary Blue Roofs. The recent hurricane has left many homeowners with damaged roofs, which can take time to repair. In order to mitigate additional damage that could result from rain, homeowners can have plastic sheeting installed over the damaged area by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Currently the USACE, FEMA, and local officials in disaster designated areas are conducting assessments for this program. Additional information will be available in the coming days on how to access this type of assistance, but the first step is registering with FEMA for federal assistance.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available for Florida residents whose jobs were affected by Hurricane Irma, specifically those who live or work in the counties included in the major disaster declaration. This may include people not normally eligible for unemployment benefits, such as self-employed persons and farm-workers. They can apply for unemployment benefits online at Florida’s Department of Economic Opportunity.

Disaster Distress Helpline. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990) remains open 24/7 for free help coping with the stress of the storm. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories. Stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions after a disaster.

Loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) may be available to help repair flood-related damage to your home or business and replace personal property. The SBA provides low-interest disaster loans of up to $200,000 to repair a primary residence, up to $40,000 for homeowners and renters to replace personal property, and up to $2 million to businesses and most private non-profits for physical damage and economic injury needs as a result of the disaster. Survivors need to register with FEMA first to determine their eligibility for any federal assistance that may be available.

Immediate Foreclosure Relief from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) may be available for Florida and Puerto Rico residents in disaster-designated areas. HUD is granting a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures and forbearance on foreclosures of Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured home mortgages. HUD is also offering longer-term recovery assistance to survivors and impacted communities. For more information, visit HUD’s website.

There may be additional forms of immediate assistance available to survivors in declared areas to address critical needs such as water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, diapers, consumable medical supplies, durable medical equipment, personal hygiene items, and fuel for transportation. When survivors register for assistance they will receive referrals for the programs that may be available to them.

Survivors should register online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov. If they do not have access to the internet, they may register by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY). If they use 711 relay or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362 directly. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams (DSAT) are on the ground in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Florida to help affected communities during the critical days and weeks ahead. DSATs will address immediate and emerging needs of disaster survivors including: on-site registration, applicant status checks, on-the-spot needs assessments, requests for accommodations for those with disabilities or access and functional needs, and referrals to partners offering additional survivor services.

MEC&F Expert Engineers