Wood Pergolas/Patio Covers Orange County
Wood Patio Covers & Pergolas & Pergolas Orange County.
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CONSTRUCTION SAFETY by Blue Knight Orange County:

Power Saws: Warning, High Risk of Injury!!! Circular Saws:

Do the following:
• Use the blade guard!
• Make cuts with a functioning, retracting blade guard!
• keep your body parts (i.e. hands, arms, legs, etc…) away from the cutting path.
• Stand to the side away from the direction of the cut and be aware that the saw can bind and kick back in the reverse direction of the intended forward direction.
• Continue constant forward pressure and movement.
• When short pieces of material are needed, plan to make cuts from long material.
• When milling wide slots, do so with long material and then cut into short pieces after milling.

Avoid the following:
• Do not (hold, force, remove, tie back or wedge back) the retracting blade guard into the open position.
• Do not force forward pressure beyond what the saw can easily handle.
• Do not place hand under or near the shoe or guard of the saw.
• Do not twist the saw to change, cut or check alignment.
• Do not reverse direction. Do not use a saw that vibrates or appears unsafe in any way.
• Do not cut materials without first checking for obstructions or other objects such as nails and screws.
• Do not carry the saw with a finger on the trigger switch.
• Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance.
• Do not rip stock without properly securing the material.
• Do not cut short pieces that cannot be properly secured mechanically with clamp or fastener.

Reciprocating Saw:
!!!The most dangerous part of making a saw cut with a Reciprocating Saw is at the very end when the saw breaks through the material.!!!
• Plan out where you want the blade to end up when breaking through the material!!!
• Plan out what direction you want the blade to go after the saw cut is finished and passes through the material!!!
• Make sure that a body part (i.e. arms, legs, etc.) is not in line with the direction of the saw cut!!!
• Make sure that a body part belonging to you or another person like your helper is not in line with the direction of the saw cut!!!
• When making a cut, the cutter will lean into the material.
• When breaking through the material, the cutter tends to lurch forward into the open space outside of the material.
• Be Aware!
• Make sure that there are no body parts (i.e. human flesh, yours or someone else’s)!!
• Make sure! That your helper is not in the likely path of the saw blade when breaking through the material!!!

The Reciprocating Saw Cutting Path:
• When breaking through the material, the saw will tend to follow the natural ark of the cutter’s reach.
• Be aware! The saw blade could follow an arch like path as the cutter regains control and pulls the saw back toward his body.
• Be aware and Make Sure, that your helper is not within the radius or arch of the of the likely path that the saw will take after it breaks through the material.

SAFETY GLASSES AND RESPERATION MASK: Warning, High Risk of Eye Injury while working with power tools and especially grinders.
!!! You will wear safety glasses while grinding or cutting metal or wood!!!
!!! You will wear safety glasses while being near someone who is grinding or cutting metal or wood!!!
• You will wear safety glasses and respiration mask at all times while using or working near all power tools.

Lifting and carrying:
!!! You will exercise caution when lifting or carrying heavy items!!!
• Do not proceed to lift or carry heavy items if the weight is above your physical capability.
• If you consider an item to be heavier than your capability, inform the employer.
• Your employer will gladly provide extra man power or equipment to accomplish the task.

Ladders:
Falls from portable ladders (step, straight, combination and extension) are one of the leading causes of occupational fatalities and injuries.

• Read and follow all labels/markings on the ladder.
• Always inspect the ladder prior to using it. If the ladder is damaged, it must be removed from service and tagged until repaired or discarded.
• If the use of saws or other tools is necessary while standing on ladders, and one free hand is needed, make sure the ladder is clamped or secured, then secure your body with one hand on stable structure and both feet are in contact with ladder. Do not proceed if you are not stable.
• Maintain a 3-point (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand) contact on the ladder when climbing.
• Keep your body near the middle of the step and always face the ladder while climbing.
• Only use ladders and appropriate accessories (ladder levelers, jacks or hooks) for their designed purposes.
• Ladders must be free of any slippery material on the rungs, steps or feet.
• Do not use a self-supporting ladder (e.g., step ladder) as a single ladder or in a partially closed position.
• Do not use the top step/rung of a ladder as a step/rung unless it was designed for that purpose.
• Use a ladder only on a stable and level surface, unless it has been secured (top or bottom) to prevent displacement.
• Do not place a ladder on boxes, barrels or other unstable bases to obtain additional height.
• Do not move or shift a ladder while a person or equipment is on the ladder.
• An extension or straight ladder used to access an elevated surface must extend at least 3 feet above the point of support.
• Do not stand on the three top rungs of a straight, single or extension ladder.
• The proper angle for setting up a ladder is to place its base a quarter of the working length of the ladder from the wall or other vertical surface.
• A ladder placed in any location where it can be displaced by other work activities must be secured to prevent displacement or a barricade must be erected to keep traffic away from the ladder.
• Be sure that all locks on an extension ladder are properly engaged.
• Do not exceed the maximum load rating of a ladder. Be aware of the ladder’s load rating and of the weight it is supporting, including the weight of any tools or equipment.

Ladder Scaffolds:
• Two workers are recommended when installing planking onto jack bracket supports for scaffolding.
• Do not use ladder jack scaffolding to support a platform higher than 20 feet.
• Employees working above 10 feet on a ladder jack scaffold must use a personal fall arrest system/harness provided by Employer.


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