Page 128 - Safety Memo

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D. Ventilation regulations for welding, cutting, and brazing Work Over or Near Water
operations require that worker’s exposure(s) to hazardous
fumes, gases, and vapors be reduced below PELs. 1536, A. At locations where there is danger of drowning, employees
1537, 5155 shall use the following safety devices unless protected by
1. Outdoor operations appropriate fall protection measures: 1602(a)
Respirators are required for any operation involving 1. Personal Flotation Devices (PFD).
beryllium, cadmium, lead, or mercury. For other operations 2. Ring Buoys.
and materials, respirators are not required when natural
or mechanical ventilation is sufficient to prevent exposure 3. Lifesaving Boats.
to airborne contaminants in excess of the PELs noted in B. Ramps used by vehicles to access the barges shall be strong,
5155. 1536(c).
have side boards, maintained, and secured. 1603(a)
2. Indoor operations
C. When employees can’t step safely from a wharf, float, barge
Respirators shall be used when local exhaust or or riverboat tow, a ramp as per 1603(a) or a safe walkway
mechanical ventilation is not feasible or able to prevent needs to be provided. 1603(b)
exposures that exceed limits specified in 5155.
D. All means of access to wharves, floats, barges, and boats
E. In enclosed spaces supplied-air respirators shall be used shall be adequately illuminated for their full length. 1603(g)
when local exhaust ventilation is not an effective means for E. Decks and other working surfaces of barges shall be
preventing potentially hazardous exposures. 1536(b), 5152 maintained in a safe condition as per 1511, 1603.1.
F. Employer needs to include all potentially hazardous materials
involved in welding and cutting such as fluxes, coatings,
coverings, and filler metals in the HAZCOM program. Also
must provide employee access to labels and safety data
sheets, and train as per 5194, 5150.

Wood Preservative Chemicals
Wood preservatives that contain creosote, pentachlorophenol,
inorganic arsenic, and chromates are widely used. Because
these chemicals are carcinogens, exposures to employees must
be eliminated or reduced to the lowest levels possible below
the PELs by using effective engineering control (for example,
enclosure or confinement of the operation, general and local
exhaust ventilation, and substitution of less toxic materials).
When effective engineering controls are not feasible, or while
they are being instituted, use of NIOSH-approved respirators
is required to eliminate harmful airborne exposures to these
chemicals. 5141, 5144(a), 5214
When the probability of skin or eye irritation exists, workers
must use appropriate protective clothing and equipment, such
as coveralls, gloves, shoes, face shields, or impervious clothing.

144 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2015 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2015 145