1 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Safe Work Practices WEATHERIZATION ENERGY AUDITOR SINGLE FAMILY WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012

2 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Learning Objectives By attending this session, participants will be able to: Describe basic workplace safety requirements for energy auditors. Explain the purpose of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. Identify where to find guidelines for working with lead, mold, and asbestos. Describe which homes require lead-safe weatherization practices and certified renovators. Define what a materials safety data sheet (MSDS) is and why it is important to communicate hazards. Explain the function and importance of using ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) equipment. Identify personal protective equipment (PPE) for use by auditors. SAFE WORK PRACTICES

3 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Program Requirements Auditors must possess a working knowledge of: Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program regulations and policy. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines for asbestos, lead, mold, and other health hazards. Material safety data sheets (MSDS). Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) standards. SAFE WORK PRACTICES

4 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov SAFE WORK PRACTICES OSHA Standards Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) Standards Ladder safety Fall protection Personal protective equipment (PPE) Respiratory protection Motor vehicles Power-operated hand tools Fire prevention Permit-required confined spaces Other worker-related OSHA standards

5 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov SAFE WORK PRACTICES Energy Auditor Safety Procedures Auditors must demonstrate the ability to: Safely use basic hand and power tools. Identify serious mold or other unsanitary conditions. Assess and communicate work area safety hazards. o High ambient carbon monoxide levels o Electrical hazards o Structural hazards

6 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Protective suit Respirator Gloves Steel toe boots In Attics Photos courtesy of the US Department of Energy SAFE WORK PRACTICES

7 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov How Much Mold Is OK? Photos courtesy of the US Department of Energy SAFE WORK PRACTICES

8 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Material Safety Data Sheets SAFE WORK PRACTICES

9 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov MSDS generally require the following information: Product and contact information of the manufacturer Hazard ingredients/identifying information Fire and explosion hazard data Reactivity data Health hazard data Emergency and first aid procedures Personal protective equipment (PPE) MSDS Requirements SAFE WORK PRACTICES Photo courtesy of the US Department of Energy

10 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has established a recommended exposure limit (REL) for carbon monoxide of 35 ppm. CO Exposure Monitoring BW Honeywell Gas Alert Clip Extreme CO Monitor SAFE WORK PRACTICES Image courtesy of BW Honeywell

11 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Live Wire Testing Live wire tester. Especially useful for determining if knob and tube wiring is still live. SAFE WORK PRACTICES Photos courtesy of the US Department of Energy

12 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Ground Fault Circuit Interruption This could save your life. SAFE WORK PRACTICES Photo courtesy of courtesy of Coleman Cable, Inc.

13 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Always put a GFCI between yourself and a power tool. Lind Equipment Garvin Industries SAFE WORK PRACTICES Photos courtesy of Garvin Industries and Lind Equipment

14 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Ensure you have the proper gear: safety glasses, hearing protection, protective clothing, and respirators. Ensure you have the proper fit: fit test for respirators. Refer to the MSDS if in doubt about what gear you need. Personal Protective Equipment Photo courtesy of Environmental Health & Safety, Univ. of VA Respirators should meet or exceed MSDS requirements and be assessed based on OSHAs fit test guidelines. SAFE WORK PRACTICES

15 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Required by OSHA where workers could fall at least 6 ft. (or 10 ft. if working on scaffolding). Options include: Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) Safety netting Guardrails/covers Fall Protection Image courtesy of Kentuckiana Industrial Safety Training A PFAS is often the most practical fall protection for weatherization work. SAFE WORK PRACTICES

16 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Use ladders as they were designed. Keep bottom free of obstructions and slip hazards. Position bottom ¼ of the working height away from surface. If accessing upper level, ladder must extend 3 ft. above that level. Ladders Photo courtesy of blog.safesourcing.com One example of what not to do! SAFE WORK PRACTICES

17 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Safe Work Practices Exercise Safe Work Practices (45 minutes) SAFE WORK PRACTICES

18 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Summary OSHA regulations are designed to keep auditors and workers safe. Following EPA guidelines when dealing with hazardous materials protects the health of clients, workers, and their families. Auditors should be aware of MSDS when specifying chemical products for use by weatherization technicians. Wear appropriate safety equipment to reduce risk of injury. SAFE WORK PRACTICES