water tank safety

Massachusetts Division of Occupational SafetyWorkplace Safety and Health Program

Nancy Pearce CIHProgram Supervisor

The Big QuestionWho covers the health and safety of public sector workers in Massachusetts???

Private versus Public Sector Workplaces

All private sector workplaces in the US are covered by OSHA Standards.

Public sector workplaces are only covered by OSHA Standards in certain states (Currently 26 states). Known as “State-plan States”.

There are additional States that have adopted some form of OSHA standards at the State level.

Massachusetts Public Sector SafetyMassachusetts has not passed a law

requiring public sector workers to comply with OSHA standards

Mass General Law Chapter 149- DOS and AGs shall determine

reasonable means and requirements to prevent injury and illness to municipal workers. (Note-does NOT cover State workers)

Mass General Law Chapter 149 for Municipal/County Workplaces Interpretation by (DOS) – in order to meet the intent of

Chapter 149 section 6 OSHA standards or applicable consensus standards should be followed as a minimum for county and municipal workplaces. If you follow OSHA standards or equivalent, you will be in compliance with Chapter 149.

What About State Workers?State employee health and safety is under the

jurisdiction of the Personnel Administrator (HRD).

DOS is providing assistance to HRD for state employee health and safety through an agency partnership agreement, including:Trainings focused on high hazard issuesOn-Site AssessmentsOutreach and informational materials on important

health and safety topics

Executive Order 511 requires joint labor/mgt health and safety committees to assess hazards, report findings etc

What does this all mean to me??

Bottom line-Municipalities, counties and State facilities are expected to follow OSHA standards

DOS can provide assistance

Key Tank Safety Hazards and applicable OSHA standardsFalls from climbing ladder

Falls from top of tank

Confined space Entry

Falls fromShould be protected

from falls the ENTIRE time you are climbing tank.

Should be able to move from attached ladder climbing device to top of tank without risk of falls. If no guardrails, never work unattached.

OSHA Website Fall Protectionhttp://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/index.html

Ladder ClimbingFixed ladders -requires

cages as minimum over 20 feet. Platforms every 30 feet.

Studies have shown cages not effective for falls

Should have ladder climbing devices !!

Walking on top of Tank OSHA requires fall

protection at elevations over 4 feet

(6 feet in construction)

Three choices-Best-Guardrails

If not- Fall restraint/prevention Fall protection

Guardrail RequirementsRailing should be 42

inches

Midrail between

Toeboard 4 inches high

Must withstand 200 pounds presssure

Fall Prevention/Fall Protection(Fall Restraint)/(Fall Arrest)

Need to be sure worker cannot fall more than 6 feet. Shock absorbing lanyards, etc.

Better because CANNOT fall-keeps you away from edge.

Anchorage PointsFall Restraint-keeps worker

from edge of tank so cannot fall over edge- requires 1000 lb anchorage point

Fall Protection-keeps from falling more than 6 feet below if go over tank edge-Requires 5000 lb anchorage point (recommended)

(Note if limiting fall to 2 feet need 3000 lb

anchorage point (self retracting lifeline/ropegrab)

More than 50 rescue workers from Jackson County, Jefferson, Hall County and Gwinnett County responded to the Jefferson water tower Thursday after Jim Lurch, 37, of New Haven, Fla., fell 30 feet into the empty water tank.

Is Fall protection necessary when looking into tank?

Best to Design in Safety Features Up Front Conceptual Design $1Construction Documents $10Field Modification $100Commissioning $1000Renovation $10,000

Courtesy of Thomas E. Kramer P.E. Certified Safety Professional LJB Inc

Maybe the old way was the better way? Stairs instead of ladders, railings around the top!!

Confined Space Entry Rusting is oxidation-uses up

oxygen and can create an oxygen deficient environment. Breakdown of organic matter can create toxic environment.

Opening hatch and putting head inside tank to inspect is considered a confined space entry

Minimum requirement is to air monitor prior to placing head inside tank

Must also be attached so cannot fall into the tank. May involve davit arm. Two persons, attendant and entrant.

Contact InformationCall DOS at 617-969-7177. Ask for Workplace Safety and Health

Program

www.mass.gov/dos/wshp

nancy.pearce@state.ma.us

OSHA Website www/osha.gov