‘Fall’ Back On Good Safety Practices with the Changing Seasons

- Expo Session Related Topic -

‘Fall’ Back On Good Safety Practices with the Changing Seasons

As our job sites move into autumn the days get shorter.  The sun comes up later in the morning and goes down earlier at night.  These changes in work conditions are important to our safety on the job.  As we rush to complete these jobs we need those work hours and good visibility.  Ed Yarbrough, Caltrans North Region Construction Safety Engineer, addresses these twilight conditions when you might want to bring-in a light plant.

“I have a simple rule of thumb that works.  If you are concerned about the lighting, have an employee stand in front of a truck (parked, of course!) with the headlights on and see if the headlights are reflecting off their safety vest.  If they are, then you are down to 5-6 foot candles of light based on my measurements a number of times over the last couple of years.  Keep this in mind for staff that is starting early or working late.”

Do your own “rule of thumb” tests on your job sites with dusk coming two-or-three minutes sooner every day.  Protective sunglasses need to disappear sooner and Ansi Z87+   clear or amber safety glasses need to appear sooner.  Safety should always be present Winter, Summer and in-between.

 Ed Yarbrough is the CalTrans North Region Construction Safety Coordinator.  Ed hold the distinction of being one of a half-dozen speakers who have presented at all five prior Safety Expos.  Ed is invited to return because he adds the perspective of safety expectations and requirements for those working for CalTrans and his sessions have a direct carry-over for those working around heavy equipment.  Ed consistently draws one-hundred attendees to his workshops and receives very high marks on his evaluations.  Attendees have said “…Ed…is very informative..” and “a great speaker”.  Finally, evaluation feedback asks that his “workshops need to be longer.”  Ed Yarbrough will be invited back for a sixth year to the 2010 Annual Statewide Safety Training & Construction Management Expo, March 30, 31, April 1 2010.

For more information go to www.sacsafetyexpo.com

This article taken in part from an email message from Ed Yarbrough, CalTrans.