56/57.12019 Suitable Clearance Around Stationary Electrical Equipment
This standard requires that where access is necessary, suitable clearance shall be provided at stationary electrical equipment or switch gear. The intention of this standard is to provide sufficient access and working space around such electrical equipment to insure worker safety and to avoid contact by persons with electrical components.

The standard is intended to apply to the many and varied situations that do or will exist on mine property. Among the general factors to be considered in determining "suitable clearance" are voltages and conductors (including size), insulation, guards, existing passage or working space, direction of access to electrical components, potential exposure to live or exposed electrical parts, and the grounding of live parts.

The current editions of the National Electrical Code and the National Electrical Safety Code may be used as guidance in determining "suitable clearance." The provisions of the National Electrical Code for safe work clearances around electrical equipment can be found in Article 110 ("Requirements for Electrical Installations") and Article 710 ("Over 600 Volts, Nominal, General"). Part 1 of the National Electrical Safety Code contains two sections that may be of assistance: Section 11 ("Protective Arrangements in Electrical Supply Stations") and Section 12 ("Protective Arrangements of Equipment"). The National Electrical Code may be obtained from the National Fire Protection Association, 470 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. The National Electrical Safety Code (also referred to as ANSI-C2) may be obtained from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., National Bureau of Standards, 345 East 47th Street, New York, New York 10017.

Areas around stationary electrical equipment or switch gear should be restricted to authorized persons. Normal travel by or through such equipment should not be allowed unless no other travelway is available. However, if persons do travel by stationary electrical equipment, standard 56/57.11001 requires that a safe means of access be provided.
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Safety and Health:

Safety and Health will cover standard footwear requirements in all relevant Site orientations and training, and be available to respond to compliance concerns for a particular type, or specialized type of foot wear.

 Managers and Superintendents:

Divisional Managers and/or Department Superintendents will assess area needs and authorize types of footwear that vary from the standard footwear requirements. 

DEFINITIONS:  

“Hard-toed” Shoe / Boot:

A hard–toed shoe or boot is one with foot protection that meets ASTM F2413-05 (M/F) I/75 C/75 standards. 

“6-inch” Shoe / Boot

A “6-inch boot” is defined by the height of the upper of the boot being 6 inches above the heel of the foot and must otherwise provide adequate support above the ankle.

 Required Standard Footwear:
Footwear that meets the minimum standards of:

1)      hard-toed,
2)      lace up style (extending above the ankle and properly laced), 6-inch boot,
3)      without heel or with heel (as long as heel height and condition does not contribute to instability and does provide support), 
4)      and, have soles with adequate tread (no slick or worn soles, no leather soles).

 Required Rubber Footwear:

Water proof and chemical resistant footwear that meets the minimum standards of:

1)      water proof and chemical resistant certified,
2)      hard-toed,
3)      ankle support system (either lace up and/or with built in system of support),
4)      without heel or with heel (as long as heel height and condition does not contribute to instability and does provide support),
5)      and, have soles with adequate tread (no slick or worn soles, no leather soles).

 POLICY GUIDELINES:

 ·         There are many types and styles of hard-toed footwear on Site and this Policy can not address every activity and proscribe an authorized boot for every task.

  ·         The use of pull-on cowboy-style boots with leather soles and heels would be specifically prohibited.  In addition, cowboy-style boots would not offer the desired ankle support.

 ·         Similarly, there are pull-on “engineer” or “Wellington”- style boots that may have appropriate sole and heel, yet do not provide the required ankle support.

 ·         The overall condition of footwear – the sole, heel, toe plate, and uppers of the boot(s) – will be considered in determining if specific footwear meet the minimum standard.

 ·         Because boots wear out, periodic inspections of footwear may require boot replacement or equivalent rebuild to maintain the integrity of the boots, the tread and/or ankle support.

 ·         Discipline for failure to adhere to the provisions of this Policy will follow the Positive Discipline Policy guidelines, and may result in curtailment of work on Site until suitable footwear can be obtained.

 ·         Variances from the Required Footwear Standard must be authorized by Divisional Managers.

 ·         Many tasks are performed that require special, additional, or modified footwear requirements depending on specific task-related hazards.  In these cases where a specific hazard requires elevated protection, variances to the Required Footwear Standard must be authorized, communicated and enforced by the responsible Division/Department.  

Ladder Safety Loads Self-supporting (foldout) and non-self-supporting (leaning) portable ladders must be able to support at least four times the maximum intended load, except extra-heavy-duty metal or plastic ladders, which must be able to sustain 3.3 times the maximum intended load. (See Figure 1.) Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Angle Non-self-supporting ladders, which must lean against a wall or other support, are to be positioned at such an angle that the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is about 1/4 the working length of the ladder. (See Figure 2.) In the case of job-made wooden ladders, that angle should equal about 1/8 the working length. This minimizes the strain of the load on ladder joints that may not be as strong as on commercially manufactured ladders. Rungs Ladder rungs, cleats, or steps must be parallel, level, and uniformly spaced when the ladder is in position for use. Rungs must be spaced between 10 and 14 inches apart. For extension trestle ladders, the spacing must be 8-18 inches for the base, and 6-12 inches on the extension section. Rungs must be so shaped that an employee's foot cannot slide off, and must be skid-resistant. (See Figure 3.) Slipping Ladders are to be kept free of oil, grease, wet paint, and other slipping hazards. Wood ladders must not be coated with any opaque covering, except identification or warning labels on one face only of a side rail. Other Requirements Foldout or stepladders must have a metal spreader or locking device to hold the front and back sections in an open position when in use. (See Figure 4.) When two or more ladders are used to reach a work area, they must be offset with a landing or platform between the ladders. The area around the top and bottom of ladder must be kept clear. Ladders must not be tied or fastened together to provide longer sections, unless they are specifically designed for such use. (See Figure 5.) Never use a ladder for any purpose other than the one for which it was designed. Additional Information: 29 CFR 1926 Subpart X, Ladders. OSHA Standard. 1926.1053, Ladders 1926.1053(a), General Additional Examples This is improperly using the top rung of this step ladder to work from.

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The following practices have been identified as safety best practices among the Great Western Painting Company and shall be enforced at each Job

 location. Management is responsible for implementing and supporting the practices; supervisors are responsible for requiring employees to follow the practices; and employees are responsible for knowing and following all safety best practices. Individual operating companies may enforce stricter versions of the practices below at their discretion.

• Hard Hats — Company-approved hard hats shall be worn on all job sites, yards, plant sites and equipment with open roll-over protective structures. Hard hats are not required in office areas, on-road vehicles or equipment with enclosed cabs.
• Eye and Face Protection — Safety glasses, goggles, face shields or other suitable protective devices shall be worn when machines or operations present potential eye or face injury. This would include, but is not limited to, working with or working in the vicinity of pouring concrete, hot asphalt, power tools, welding or cutting, compressed air or servicing equipment.
• Hearing Protection — Hearing protection and enrollment in a hearing conservation program are required when employees are exposed to 85 dBA over an 8-hour time-weighted average. A variety of hearing protectors shall be made available to employees.
• Hand Protection — Appropriate hand protection shall be worn when there is a risk of exposure to harmful substances, punctures, severe abrasions, lacerations or cuts, chemical or thermal burns, high voltage, vibration, temperature extremes or infectious biological agents.
• High-Visibility Colored Safety Apparel — High-visibility, fluorescent-colored safety apparel shall be worn whenever employees are working on foot and exposed to mobile equipment or vehicular traffic. High-visibility colored safety apparel must contain retroreflective material when working after dark or in poor lighting conditions. All high-visibility colored safety apparel must be inspected regularly to ensure that color has not faded and that retroreflective properties have not been lost.
• Foot Protection — Sturdy work boots that come above the ankle are required at all job sites, yards and plants. Steel-toe boots shall be worn where employees are exposed to foot injury from falling objects or from crushing actions. This would include, but is not limited to, work involving pipe and concrete structures. Steel-toe boots shall be worn at all MSHA mines and plants. Where employees are required to work in abnormally wet conditions, appropriate foot protection is required. Tennis shoes, dress shoes or open-toed shoes shall not to be worn at job sites, yards or plants.
• Clothing — Appropriate clothing shall be required for the duties being performed. Long pants, shirt and work boots are the minimum requirements. Tank tops, shorts, sweatpants and tennis shoes shall not be worn on the job site, yards or plant areas.
• Seat Belts — Seat belts shall be properly worn by the operator and all passengers in company vehicles and equipment. Day Time Running Lights — All vehicles and equipment shall be operated with lights on, night and day.
  Watch Video
• www.msha.gov/alliances/formed/AEMBuckleUp-ForLife.ppt
• Cell Phones — Personal cell phone use while on the job is restricted to breaks and meal periods. The use of company-owned/issued cell phones shall be limited to the minimum required to conduct necessary business.
• Drug & Alcohol Testing — Pre-employment, random and post-accident drug testing is required of all employees. Reasonable suspicion testing is to be conducted when warranted.

Great Western Painting Company Rules of Safety complement our existing Safety Best Practices and address safety procedures to be followed at all locations. The rules place the highest priority on people and hold each employee accountable for their actions. Violation of the Rules of Safety will result in disciplinary action that, at a minimum, shall consist of a three-day suspension without pay, or, in management’s discretion, such other more stringent action as may be appropriate under the circumstances, up to and including termination of employment.

• Fall Protection: Fall protection must be used where required and the user must be properly tied off in all applicable situations.
• Lockout/Tagout: Whenever servicing or performing maintenance of machines and equipment in which the "unexpected" energization or start up of the machines or equipment, or release of stored energy could cause injury, lockout/tagout procedures must be followed.
• Permit-Required: Confined Spaces: Applicable regulations must be followed when entering a permit-required confined space.
• Trenching: Applicable regulations must be followed and a Competent Person must oversee all trenching activity.
• Falsifying Records: All required State and Federal Regulation safety records must be properly documented. Failure to do so could result in serious injury or death such as equipment inspections, work area inspection, etc.
• Horseplay: Any activity such as practical jokes, wrestling, fighting, or other physical or violent acts and any verbal threat or physically threatening act will not be tolerated.
• Unsafe Work Platform: Working out of a loader bucket, using a ladder improperly, or use of any platform not designed as such are not allowed.
• Seat Belts: Wearing seat belts while operating or as passengers in all Company vehicles and equipment, where required, is mandatory. Employees will also require non-employees to wear seat belts while in Company vehicles or applicable equipment.   Watch Video www.msha.gov/alliances/formed/AEMBuckleUp-ForLife.ppt
• Substance Abuse Policy: Disciplinary actions for violations of Substance Abuse Policy are covered by individual operating company policy. NO DRUGS

Protection for openings around travelways.
Openings above, below, or near travelways through which persons or materials may fall shall be protected by railings, barriers, or covers. Where it is impractical to install such protective devices, adequate warning signals shall be installed.

This standard applies to all platforms or work areas where you or someone else may be working and has a chance of falling.

 At the very minimum we must sign off an area warning others of the hazard but this should be the rare acceptance not the common we should always try to have up chains or swing gates or some kind of physical barricade other than caution tape  

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