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Employees working in the rain face additional hazards, such as poor visibility and wet, slippery surfaces. Here are work practices that will help prevent accidents and injuries when working in the rain.

• Move more slowly and carefully. When working in the rain, a natural reaction is to try to work more quickly to get back inside as soon as possible. However, because rain makes everything more slippery, you should do the exact opposite—work more slowly and deliberately to prevent slipping and falling, especially when climbing ladders.
• Use the correct equipment. Do not use electrical tools and equipment that are not specifically rated for outdoor use when working in the rain. When using hand tools, use tools with textured, nonslip grip handles
• Wear appropriate rain gear. If you are cold and wet, you are likely concentrating more on how miserable you are than the work at hand. Rain gear which includes both a coat and pants or overalls and is ventilated should be worn for prolonged wet-weather work. If it’s cold and rainy, wool or synthetic fibers specifically designed for cold weather use are the best for wear under rain gear because it will keep you warm even if it gets wet. Also, wear rain gear that is the proper size; if it’s too large it may interfere with movement.
• Wear appropriate footwear. Footwear for use in inclement weather should have deep treads to help prevent slipping. Footwear that is in poor condition (treads are worn down or worn smooth or footwear with holes) should not be worn. To keep water out of shoes or boots, make sure the top of the shoe or boot extends above the ankle and rain gear extends to the ankles. Also, the top of the boot or shoe should be inside the pant leg (as opposed to tucking the pant leg into the footwear)
• Use proper hand protection. When doing work requiring a sure grip (using hand tools, for example), wear gloves that fit snugly and provide a nonslip grip. To prevent water from entering gloves, make sure that the sleeve of the glove is either tight fitting or is long enough that it fits under the cuff of your raincoat
• Ensure that you can see. If wearing goggles or eyeglasses, use antifogging sprays or wipes on them before going outside. Be sure that the area you are working in is well lit; if needed, light the area using lights rated for outdoor use. Wear hoods or hats to keep rain out of your eyes. Also, since hoods on rain gear narrow your range of vision, make it a point to turn your head to look both ways and above and below you when wearing a hood in the rain.
• Make sure that you can be seen. If working in an area where there is vehicular traffic (trucks, cars, forklifts, etc.), always wear bright-colored, reflective vests or rain gear, even during the day.

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We’ve all had the very frustrating experience of doing what we thought was a favor for someone only to have it rejected or go unappreciated. I suppose if machine guards were human, they would experience this sort of frustration frequently.

While the basic motive for guarding is to protect, not prohibit, guards are often looked upon by employees as obstacles. However, guards are for your protection-regardless of what kind they are or where they are placed.

Specifically, machine guards are used to protect against direct contact with moving parts. There are also guards designed to protect against flying chips, kickbacks, and splashing of metal or harmful liquids. Mechanical and electrical failures are also guarded against in many situations.

Guards are also provided against human failure, which calls for special protection since human failure has a much broader scope than guards can generally meet.

Nevertheless, guards are engineered to give as much protection as possible even to machine operators who deliberately take chances or who are distracted or involved in an emotional upset while on the job.

While guards may appear to be a hindrance in some cases, overall they have proven to be otherwise. They’ve made large contributions to both security and protection. Greater machine speed have been possible through proper guarding, and certainly the conscientious employee works with greater confidence, knowing that his machine offers maximum protection.

Using Machine Guards for Safety

Most of the machinery you work with is probably equipped with safety guards. Guards are designed to protect you from numerous dangers, including moving or sharp machine parts, flying sparks or particles and hot surfaces.

Guards help protect your arms, hands and fingers, which are especially vulnerable to injury from a variety of machinery parts: cutting edges, punching and shearing parts, rotating and in-running shafts and pointed objects.

The machines you use should have guards if there’s any way your hands could come into contact with the point of operation or any moving parts. There should be no way for your hands or fingers to get in from any angle, and the guard itself should not have any sharp surfaces or pinch points.

Common guarding methods include:

• Enclosures
• Interlocking devices
• Remote control
• Electronic safety devices
• Removal devices
• Moving barriers
• Two-handed tripping devices

Machine Guard Safety Rules

• Never remove or bypass a guard or other safety device
• Never operate a machine if a guard is missing, modified, or not working properly
• If a guard must be removed for maintenance, make sure it’s replaced and working properly before operations resume
• Always use a PUSH STICK and never wear gloves

Working with Guards

There’s never any good reason to remove or modify a guard on a machine that you’re using. Even if you think you can work faster without the guard, it’s there to protect you and help you do the job more safely. Talk to your supervisor if you’re worried about meeting production goals or if you think the guard should be changed.

Types of Guards

Two types of guards are used to protect machine operators, and probably most of you have been involved with one or the other at some time. These are fixed guards and interlocking and gate guards.

Fixed guards are most commonly used and are preferred over others, the reason being that the fixed guards offer protection from dangerous parts of machines at all times. Fixed guards may be adjusted but only by authorized personnel.

Interlocking guards are used if a fixed guard is not practical for some reason. This type will not allow the machine to be put into operation until dangerous parts are guarded. The interlocking guard is designed to disconnect the source of power from the machine.

Safety devices such as pullbacks, sweeps, and electronic devices are used when neither a fixed nor interlocking guard can be used satisfactorily. Safety devices are operated by the machine itself. When this type of guard is used on a machine that is loaded and unloaded by hand, the operator must use hand tools.

No guard can do the job for which it is intended without the cooperation of the person operating the machine. When a new worker hires on, the job indoctrination includes pointing out guarding devices and explaining their importance.

It is equally important that everyone working with or around machinery understands the generally accepted safe procedures for his kind of work. No guard should be adjusted or removed unless permission is given by the supervisor, the employee concerned is specifically trained, and the adjustment is considered a normal part of the job

In addition, no machine should be started without guards in place. If you see that guards are missing or defective, report it to your supervisor immediately. When guards or safety devices are removed for repair or adjustment, the power for the machine should be turned off and the main switch locked and tagged.

Everyone wants to work in safety. To do this, you must have a mature respect for machinery and for safeguards. They both will do the job for you if you let them.

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Scarcely a day passes that we don’t read of or hear about someone being injured or killed in a scaffold fall. Faulty design and inadequate construction are sometimes involved but, in most cases, scaffold accidents are caused by careless maintenance and improper use. Help keep your scaffolds safe by observing these simple procedures:

• Inspect scaffolds daily prior to use, particularly guardrails, connectors, fastenings, footings, tie-ins, and bracing
• Keep platform closely boarded. The space between scaffold planks should not exceed a half inch
• Keep platforms fenced and securely fastened. Tube and frame scaffolds must be tied to the permanent structure at intervals of 30 feet horizontally and 26 feet vertically
• Don’t stockpile materials on scaffolds; remove all materials at the end of the day
• Never overload scaffolds. Pile materials being worked over ledger and bearer points to minimize platform loading
• Don’t work on scaffolds during storms or high winds, and clear platforms of all ice ands now before using. Sand wet platforms to prevent slipping.
• Protect scaffolds. Don’t bump or strike against scaffolds with vehicles or materials. Control hoisted material from the ground with taglines
• Prior to moving portable scaffolds, make sure platform planks are securely fastened or remove them
• Keep platforms and the area around scaffolds cleared of debris, unneeded equipment, material, and other hazards that will cause you to trip or fall

Scaffold Safety Rules

Supported scaffolds must sit on base plates and mud sills or other steady foundations.

• Objects such as blocks of wood or buckets must not be used to support scaffolds or be used as working platforms
• Supported scaffold poles, legs, posts, frames and uprights must be perfectly vertical and braced to prevent swaying and movement
• The inboard ends of suspension scaffold outriggers must be stabilized by bolts or other direct connections to the floor or roof deck, or stabilized by counterweights
• The connections must be checked before you use a suspension scaffold
• Counterweights must be secured by mechanical means to the outrigger beams of a suspension scaffold. They can’t be made of flowable material, such as gravel, or construction materials, such as masonry units or rolls of roofing felt
• Suspension ropes must be inspected before each work shift and after every event which could affect a rope’s integrity
• Report any rope problems to your supervisor, such as any physical damage which doesn’t allow the rope to work properly or that makes it weaker; kinks that might cause a problem during tracking or wrapping around a drum; and broken wire strands, abrasions, corrosion or flattening, causing loss of more than one-third of the original diameter of the outside wires
• Gasoline-powered equipment and hoists must not be used on suspension scaffolds
• Gears and brakes of power operated hoists used on suspension scaffolds must been closed to prevent pinch hazards
• Two-point and multipoint suspension scaffolds must be tied or secured to prevent them from swaying. Window cleaners’ anchors can’t be used for this purpose

Platforms and You

• For every 4 feet of a scaffold’s height, its plank must be at least I foot wide. If it isn’t, it must be protected from tipping by tying, bracing or guying
• The front edge of the platform must not be more than 14 inches from the face of your work unless guardrails are erected along the front edge. Note that the maximum distance from the face of work for plastering and lathing is 18 inches
• The ends of your platform, unless cleated or somehow restrained. must extend over the center line of its support at least 6 inches except when each end of your platform is 10feet or less in length, and then it must not extend over its support more than 12 inches.When each end of a platform is greater than 10 feet in length, it must not extend over its support more than 18 inches, unless it’s designed to support workers and/or materials without tipping, or it has guardrails to block workers’ access to the platform end
• Wooden platform planks should be rough-dressed, seasoned, straight-grained and free of knots
• Never drill, cut or nail into planks or allow them to be damaged by welding sparks or by throwing them
• Test the plank by laying it across two concrete blocks and having two people stand in the center
• Always secure the plank by wiring it to the scaffold

Using Scaffolds

• Before each shift, inspect the scaffold and plank for defects
• Always inspect the scaffold to ensure all pins and clips are in place. Look for any damage or parts that need repair
• Never load a scaffold to more than its maximum intended load or rated capacity
• Never work on scaffolds during storms or high winds
• Avoid letting debris accumulate on your scaffold
• Remove elements such as ice, snow, water, grease, mud and other slippery materials from your scaffold
• Always use fall protection when working on a scaffold platform
• Never use the cross braces to gain access to a scaffold
• Never use improvised scaffolding such as piling boxes on top of the plank
• Remove all materials and tools from scaffolding at the end of the day
• Place screen or toe boards around the scaffold to keep objects from falling off
• Never allow vehicles or materials to bump or strike scaffolds

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Portable ladders are a simple and effective means for safe climbing except for one major problem. Workers sometimes find portable ladders so easy to use that they neglect normal precautions and safety rules. The result, too often, is an accident.

Almost all ladder accidents can be avoided by following the three basic rules of ladder safety:

• No ladder is safe unless it is the right type and right size for the job
• No ladder is safe if it is missing rungs, if its rungs or rails are defective, if it is poorly built, or if it is in a weakened condition
• No ladder is safe unless the person using it takes common sense precautions

A ladder should always be examined before it is used to be sure there are no defects that make it unsafe to use. (The reason a ladder should never be painted is that the paint could conceal significant defects.)

A ladder is unsafe to use if side rails are cracked or split or if there are sharp edges or splinters on cleats, rungs, or side rails. Check also for missing, broken, or weakened cleats, rungs, or treads by placing the ladder flat on the ground and walking on it. If a defective ladder cannot be repaired, it should be disposed of permanently.

Once the ladder has been checked and found safe, set it at an angle of about 75° with the floor or ground. The distance from the wall to the foot of the ladder should be about equal to 1/4 of the ladder’s total length.

After setting the ladder in place, check it for firm and level footing. To prevent slipping, nonslip points or safety shoes are recommended. But, if this is not practical, the ladder should be secured firmly by lashing it with rope or some other suitable line.

The ordinary straight ladder is not built to support more than one person at a time. In going up or down, always face the ladder and grasp the side rails with both hands.

Never carry tools or materials in your hands when going up or down the ladder. Instead, put them in a sack that hangs from a strap over your shoulder or use a bucket and rope to raise and lower them.

Don’t lean a ladder against an object that might move, and never lean it against a window sash. If you must work near or on a window, fasten a board securely across the top of the ladder to give a bearing on each side of the window

Always stay below the top three rungs unless you have a firm handhold or a safety belt. Even then, you should hold on with one hand while working.

Be sure you keep moving the ladder as needed to reach new areas to be worked. Never overreach, push, or pull the ladder while working on it. Never straddle the space between the ladder and another object or try to work in a high wind. Any of these actions could upset you and the ladder.

If you’re working in front of a door that opens toward the ladder, the door must be blocked open, locked, or guarded. In any other situation in which a person or vehicle may bump into the ladder, get a helper to stand guard. If you can’t, then be sure to rope off the space around the ladder.

Some points to remember:

• Always inspect a ladder before using it
• Outdoors, don’t work on a ladder if it’s very windy
• When going up or down, face the ladder. Don’t hurry. Take one step at a time, and hold on with at least one hand
• Don’t overreach or try to reposition the ladder while you’re on it. Instead, get down and move the ladder to a better working position
• Don’t work on any of the top three rungs of a ladder unless you have a firm handhold or a safety belt
• Secure the ladder against slipping before you try to use it
• Don’t ever use a metal ladder near live wires or parts
• When a ladder is not in use, store it under cover, horizontally, with supports to prevent sagging
• Don’t let it lie on the ground where heat or dampness may weaken it

Ladders can be a great help on the job. They’re simple to use and get you where you need to be. Although ladders are uncomplicated devices, they can be dangerous. It’s important to know and follow ladder safety guidelines.

Choose the Right Ladder for the Job

• Make sure your ladder’s strong enough and long enough for the job
• Check the ladder’s duty rating and don’t exceed its limits. Type I, an industrial ladder, holds 250 pounds. Type II holds up to 225 pounds. Type III, the household ladder, holds up to 200 pounds
• Remember to consider the weight of your tools when selecting a ladder
• If you work around electrical wires or power lines, use a wooden or nonconductive fiberglass ladder, not metal
• Never connect two short ladders to form a long one

Inspect Your Ladder Before You Use It

• Check for loose or bent rungs, cracked side rails or bent or missing parts
• Make sure the spreaders can be locked in place when opened
• Metal ladders should have plastic or rubber feet and step coverings
• Check for oil and grease on the rungs which could cause you to slip
• Replace missing parts and tighten loose hardware
• Avoid repairing major structural damage. Instead, get a new ladder
• Make sure the steps are wide enough for you to spread your feet for balance

Set Up Your ladder Carefully

• Place your ladder on a firm, level- surface with its feet parallel to the wall it’s resting against
• Use the 4-to-1 ladder rule: Set the base of your ladder 1foot away from the wall for every 4 feet of ladder height
• In busy areas, use a barricade to prevent collisions
• Lock nearby doors that could open toward you
• Always tie off your ladder. Lash straight ladders at the top and bottom
• The top of a straight ladder should extend 3 feet beyond its resting point
• Carry your ladder vertically, or use two people-­one at each end.

Climb Cautiously

• Face the ladder when you climb up or down
• Hold on to the side rails with both hands
• Carry only necessary tools on your belt
• Use a rope to raise heavier equipment
• Never overreach
• Use the “belt buckle” rule. Always keep your body centered between the rails
• Always wear a safety harness if you’re climbing more than 6 feet off the ground
• Allow only one person on a ladder at a time
• Wear shoes with nonskid soles
• Make sure your hands are dry and free of grease
• Never step on the top two rungs of a ladder
• Never use a ladder for anything other than its intended purpose

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• 1.
  Notify the Department of Safety & Environmental Affairs (S&EA) at 818-954-2890, 24 hours prior to any digging activities if the depth is five (5) feet or greater
• 2.
  Keep a copy of the permit/notification on the job site
• 3.
  A competent person must supervise the trench/excavation at all times
• 4.
  Determine and locate any underground utilities before digging (e.g. telecom, plumbing lines, electrical conduits and vaults) by calling Underground Services Alert: (800) 422-4133. 48-hour notice required
• 5.
  If applicable, remove trees, poles, boulders and/or objects that may contribute to hazardous site conditions
• 6.
  The competent person shall assess the job site for existing and anticipated hazards (e.g. water, rainstorm, and/or earthquake) that might affect the trench/excavation stability before any worker entry
• 7.
  Workers shall be protected by shoring, sloping, benching, shielding, casing or other equivalent alternate methods. Protective devices or materials which are utilized shall conform to the type of soil present at the job site
• 8.
  All workers shall be trained and qualified to enter the trench/excavation
• 9.
  Excavated soil/dirt (spoils) shall be kept at least two (2) feet from the edge of the trench/excavation. Check for cracks and sloughing around and above the excavation area
• 10.
  Provide a convenient way for the workers to enter and leave the trench/excavation. A ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress shall be in a trench/excavation that are at four (4) feet or deeper and shall require no more than 25 feet of lateral travel for employees
• 11.
  Ladders/ramps used as an access to the trench/excavation shall be free of any defects
• 12.
  Where employees or equipment required or permitted to cross over excavations deeper than six (6) feet and wider than 30 inches, walkways or bridges with standard guardrails must be provided
• 13.
  Maintain a safe distance when parking heavy equipment/machinery next to a trench/excavation
• 14.
  Do not excavate beneath the surface of an adjacent foundation and/or retaining wall. Support undermined sidewalks and adjoining structures if these conditions exist
• 15.
  Do not use an existing wall or structure as a retaining wall unless it will safely support the expected load. This must be determined by a competent person
• 16.
  Protective barriers, barricades and/or caution signs shall be provided at the trench/excavation in remote areas, or areas where the employees/general public could fall into the trench/excavation. If applicable, adequate lighting must be on the job site during night work
• 17.
  Back fall temporary pits, holes, and trenches/excavation immediately upon completion of operation
• 18.
  If the trench/excavation is 20 feet deep or greater, shoring, sloping, benching, shielding or any other equivalent protective method shall be designed by a registered professional engineer
• 19.
  Workers shall wear the appropriate type of safety shoes/work boots at the job site
• 20.
  The use of head protection shall be determined by the competent person and provided at the job site when there is an overhead hazard
• 21.
  If the trench/excavation may present a hazardous atmosphere (e.g. it has too much or too little oxygen; or, it contains 􀃙ammable and combustible agents) call S&EA to conduct air monitoring
• 22.
  A competent person must document and perform daily inspections of the trench/excavation
• 23.
  If you have any safety concerns or want to report unsafe work conditions anonymously, please call the safety hotline number 818-954-2800

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When climbing a xed ladder over 20 feet in length without rest balconies, or that is not equipped with a ladder cage, you must use a ladder safety device. This equipment includes: a full-body harness and a sliding sleeve attached to either a xed-rail or cable system.

Prior to using any fall protection equipment, Southern CA IATSE employees are required to have passed the CSATF Safety Pass Course D – Fall Protection

• Inspect all fall protection equipment prior to use
• Connect the sleeve to the “D” ring located on the front of your harness
• Connect the sleeve to the fixed-rail or cable. Connect the sleeve onto the xed-rail or cable with the arrow pointed toward the top of the ladder
• Once attached, climb up the ladder normally. The detachable cable sleeve will follow you as you climb.When you reach the top of the ladder, carefully disconnect from the ladder safety device to exit the ladder
• To descend the ladder, reattach your “D” ring to the sleeve and climb down smoothly in a normal manner. Allow the sleeve to “lead” you down. Climbing down out of position will cause the sleeve to lock onto the fixed-rail or cable
• If the sleeve locks, move upward slightly to release the sleeve.You must be attached to the ladder safety system whenever you are on the ladder
• Before using unprotected fixed ladders over 20 feet in length, contact the Production Safety Representative

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• 1.
  Store and transport compressed gas cylinders in the upright position with the valve protective caps on. Secure cylinders in portable service upright with a chain.
• 2.
  Never weld in areas with limited or restricted air supply (con􀃘ned space) without prior approval from the Department of Safety and Environmental Affairs
• 3.
  Do not store or place cylinders where they will be exposed to heat, flame, impact, electric arcs or circuits, high temperature process equipment or sparks
• 4.
  Use regulators and pressure gauges only with gases for which they are designed and intended. Do not attempt to repair or alter cylinders, valves, or attachments
• 5.
  Place a “Defective” tag on any fuel gas cylinder in which leaks occur and immediately remove it from service and store outdoors
• 6.
  If gas cylinders are close to welding or cutting operations, place a fire resistant shield between the cylinders and these operations
• 7.
  Place an “Empty” tag on all empty cylinders and store them separately from full one
• 8.
  Before removing a regulator from a cylinder valve, close the cylinder valve and release the gas from the regulator
• 9.
  Wear proper eye and/or face protection when welding
• 10.
  Inspect torches in use at the beginning of each working shift for leaking shutoff valves, hose couplings, and tip connections
• 11.
  Use friction lighters or other approved devices to light torches. Never use matches or hot work to light torches.
• 12.
  Shut gas cylinders off when operations are suspended for any substantial period of time, such as during lunch or overnight. Upon completion of welding operations, warn other workers of the location of hot metal
• 13.
  Cut or weld only in areas that are or have been made fire safe
• 14.
  Where practicable, relocate all combustibles at least 35 feet from the work site. Where relocation is impracticable, combustibles should be protected with flame-proofed covers or otherwise shielded with suitable guards or curtains
• 15.
  Maintain suitable fire extinguishing equipment ready for use while welding and cutting are being performed
• 16.
  Make sure fire watchers are employed whenever welding or cutting is performed in locations where other than a minor fire might develop

Arc Welding and Cutting

• 1.
  Protect workers or other persons adjacent to the welding areas from the rays by erecting noncombustible or flameproof screens or shields, or have them wear appropriate safety goggle
• 2.
  Make sure arc welding and cutting cables are insulated, flexible and capable of handling the maximum current required by the operations, taking into account the duty cycles
• 3.
  Make sure ground connections are mechanically and electrically adequate to carry the current
• 4.
  When electrode holders are left unattended, remove electrodes and place holders to prevent employee injury
• 5.
  Keep the power supply switch in the off position when arc welders or cutters leave or stop work or when machines are moved
• 6.
  When arc welding is performed in wet or high humidity conditions, use additional protection, such as rubber pads or boots, against electric shock
• 7.
  If you are exposed to UV radiation, make sure your skin is covered completely to prevent ultraviolet burns and damage. Be sure your helmets and hand shields do not have leaks, openings or highly reflective surfaces

Soldering

• 1.
  Perform soldering activities only if you are trained and authorized to do so
• 2.
  Always wear personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, when soldering
• 3.
  Always solder in well-ventilated areas
• 4.
  Minimize soldering fumes by using the lowest acceptable wattage and holding the electrode perpendicular and as close to the work surface and possible
• 5.
  Position yourself while welding or cutting so that your head is not in the fumes
• 6.
  Remove all nearby flammable or combustible materials before striking an arc or lighting a flame
• 7.
  Keep welding areas free of equipment and machines that could cause trips or falls

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In order to comply with Federal, State and Local Laws this production carefully controls the use and disposal of hazardous substances such as paint and paint related materials. You are expected to follow the guidelines below:

Waste Paint Consolidation and Labeling

These guidelines are mandatory for all employees working with paint and paint-related materials.

• 1.
  Store waste lacquer, solvent and other flammable paints in 5 gallon plastic buckets
• 2.
  Store waste latex, vinyl, and other water based paints in 5 gallon plastic buckets
• 3.
  Flammable paint materials such as brushes, rollers, rags and stir sticks should be isolated in a separate bucket which does not contain paint
• 4.
  Water based paint materials such as brushes, rollers, rags and stir sticks should be isolated in a separate bucket which does not contain paint
• 5.
  Water based paint waste and solvent based paint waste are to be kept separate from one another and as clean of debris as possible for recycling purposes
• 6.
  Waste solvent may be mixed with waste flammable paint, but these should be kept separate from other paint related wastes, and should be kept as clean of debris as possible for recycling purposes. Productions generating debris-laden or mixed paints will be charged at a premium rate
• 7.
  Used plastic liners should be wiped as clean as possible while the paint is still wet, and liners crushed and packaged in a separate 5 gallon bucket, and labeled as such
• 8.
  All aerosol cans are to be disposed of separately from other waste paint related material, in a metal 5 gallon bucket, sealed and labeled
• 9.
  Empty waste paint buckets should be wiped clean while still wet and then sealed and labeled “Empty Paint Can”. Cans should be stored in labeled plastic garbage bags to prevent evaporative emissions
• 10.
  When filling buckets with waste paint or solvent, do not fill the bucket to the rim. Leave two or three inches head space to allow for expansion
• 11.
  All Wash Water From Washing Brushes, Rollers, Buckets, etc. is to be saved and handled in the same manner as the water based paint waste. Buckets should be labeled “brushwater”

Accumulation Limits

A total of 55 gallons (11 five gallon buckets) of paint and paint related materials may be accumulated inside the stage or on the set if the following conditions are met:

• 1.
  All FLAMMABLE WASTE (thinner, lacquer, solvent rags) are correctly labeled and stored in sealed METAL five gallon buckets in a 􀃘re department approved flammable locker.
• 2.
  All NON-FLAMMABLE WASTE (latex, vinyl, used rags) are correctly labeled and stored in sealed METAL or PLASTIC five gallon buckets separate from the flammable paint inventory
• 3.
  All used rollers, paint brushes, and sticks shall be considered flammable hazardous waste and stored in sealed metal five gallon buckets, not mixed with paint, in a fire department approved flammable locker
• 4.
  Waste Paint Disposal Procedures
• 5.
  Do not allow waste paint to accumulate in large quantities when on location. Remember:
• 6.
  When labeling a bucket, describe the contents of the bucket exactly. For example: “Dirty Water Based Paint”, “Used Thinner/Flammable”, “Empty Aerosol Cans”etc. Do not use terms such as “Sludge”, “Dynamite”, or “Hazardous Waste” to describe the contents of a bucket!

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Recognizing and Understanding Hazardous Chemical Warning Labels

Understanding warning labels will help you to handle and use hazardous chemicals properly and to avoid health and safety problems at the worksite. The Hazard Communication Standard–or HazCom-requires all hazardous chemical containers to have warning labels on them or on a sign placed near the container.

What You Can Find on a Warning Label

• The name of the chemical
• The name, address and telephone
• The number of the manufacturer or importer
• The chemical code number
• One of three signal words indicating the danger level of the chemical: “Warning,” “Caution” or “Danger”
• The word “Poison” if the chemical is highly toxic
• Physical hazards (flammable, explosive, corrosive, etc.)
• Health hazards (eye, lung and skin irritation, burns, etc.)

Some warning labels may also show:

• How to store the chemical
• How to dispose of the chemical
• What personal protective equipment to use with the chemical
• How to clean up the chemical
• How to handle leaks or spills
• How to handle leaks or spills. First aid instructions for exposure

Always Read the Label

When you take responsibility for knowing the contents of chemical containers, you protect yourself and every other worker at your worksite.

• Always read the warning label whenever you use any hazardous chemical. Even if you’ve used the same chemical many times, the manufacturer may have changed the formula or provided the wrong concentration.
• Avoid identifying chemicals by the label’s color or design alone
• If the label raises any questions in your mind about the appropriate ness of your environment and protective equipment, check your company’s policy or consult your supervisor before using the chemical

Warning Labels Are Everyone’s Responsibility

Making certain that hazardous materials are properly labeled is a responsibility that all workers must share.

• If you find a container without a label or with a torn or illegible label, report it to your supervisor immediately
• Don’t attempt to handle a chemical without a label until you know what it is
• If you’re carrying hazardous chemicals in a portable container that someone else might use, label the container to ensure the safety of other workers

Safety Checklist

• I always read the warning label every time I work with the chemical
• I make sure each chemical in my area has a label
• I report missing or illegible labels
• If I don’t understand the information on the label, I ask for help
• I always follow the instructions on the label
• I make sure labels aren’t covered up or removed
• If I need to know more information about a chemical, I read the Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

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In today’s world, most tasks require the use of some type of chemical. While many chemicals are classed as “hazardous,” we can use these chemicals safely, if we bear in mind that they must be used cautiously. Just because we are familiar with a chemical doesn’t mean that we should regard it lightly. Needed precautions must be taken every time we handle that chemical, even if it is for the 100th or 1,000th time.

Our company and the manufacturer of the chemical or chemicals that we use want to help you work safely with these substances. That’s why there is now a safety data sheet, or SDS, available at your job site for every chemical that you will be exposed to on the job. Familiarize yourself with what it says on the SDS about every substance that you come into contact with.

The SDS is there for you. It will tell you about the chemical, what the possible dangers could be, and how to avoid those dangers by handling the substance in a safe manner. If you need to use protective equipment, the sheet will tell you that, too. If there is something on the SDS you don’t understand, ask your supervisor. It won’t make you look stupid to ask. It will make you look careful and concerned, which is what you ought to be

In addition to reading the SDS before using a chemical, you will also want to read the label on the container. The label will tell you what the chemical is, the manufacturer, the hazards, and how to use it safely. But don’t stop with reading the label just once. Read that label every time you handle the can, barrel, drum, or pipe that contains a chemical that you use. At least look at the hazard warning to remind yourself if the chemical is flammable or combustible and what the health hazards might be

Is the chemical a corrosive that you must keep from contact with your skin? Is it a reproductive hazard or a carcinogen that you will want to be especially careful handling? The label will give you advice on avoiding harm from the product. It might tell you not to breathe the vapors, or to keep the container closed when you aren’t using it

When you look at the label, look for special symbols and signal words that will give you information quickly and easily. If a product is flammable, for instance, a red symbol together with a picture of flames and the word “flammable” will let you know that the chemical will burn. If the chemical is a poison, expect to see the word “poison” and a skull and crossbones

Words that tell you how dangerous the chemical can be include:

• CAUTION: which means be careful; you can be injured, but the injury will not be grave
• WARNING: which means the substance can cause a serious injury, even death
• DANGER: which means that the substance is a present danger which could cause a serious injury that might be fatal

Because almost everything we do in the workplace today depends upon the use of some sort of chemical-and because most of us do use chemicals in our work-it is up to us to take the utmost care. We can begin to do that by reading the material safety data sheet for every chemical that we use and by reading the label every time we take out a container. Yes, every time!

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