Page 296 - Safety Memo

D. Ventilation regulations for welding, cutting, and brazing Work Over or Near Water
operations require that workers’ exposures 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, be maintained, and be 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 compliant with 1603(a) or a safe
mechanical ventilation is not feasible or able to prevent walkway 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, an d
F. Employer needs to include all potentially hazardous materials 1603.1.
involved in welding and cutting such as fluxes, coatings,
coverings, and filler metals in the HAZCOM program.
Employer also must provide employee access to labels and
safety data sheets, and train employees, 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), and 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.

150 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2019 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2019 151