Site Communications
(Taken
from the Occupational Health and Safety Magazine, Vol. 69, No. 12,
December 2000)
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|
Timothy
S. Mustard,
Judy A. Blakemore
Stevens Publishing Corp.
Reprinted with
permission, ©2000, Stevens Publishing Corporation |
Personnel should
practice the signals to be used in various circumstances, such as hand
and body signals during excessive background noise or while using respirators.
The ability to rapidly
and effectively communicate is essential for worker safety in hazardous
waste operations, construction sites, and in other types of workplaces.
Communication while wearing respirators can be extremely difficult, especially
in situations with considerable background noise.
For hazardous waste
operations, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration in
29 CFR 1910.120 and 1926.65 requires employers to establish site communication
procedures, including the means to alert personnel in the event of an emergency.
All too often, health and safety plans may require emergency hand signals
but provide very minimal guidance. The plan may list a few examples, such
as the hand signals listed in the NIOSH/OSHA/USCG/EPA guidance manual (e.g.,
hand clutching throat means "out of air"). Very often, crews will have to
establish their own hand signals and may or may not effectively use them.
A new employee joining the crew may not understand the signals and may be
placed at risk.
In order to establish
uniform guidance in site communication for hazardous waste operations,
the authors researched available literature, and drawing on experience,
have developed the following communication protocols.
Hand and Body
Signals
Radios and bullhorns may be effective in emergency communication, if background noise does not prohibit their use.
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Hand and body signals should be used as a means of communication when
voice communication is impractical because of excessive background noise
or when respirators are being used. Hand and body signals should be clearly
understood by all personnel and practiced prior to implementation.
The following list
of signals is suggested for general communication:
Signal
|
Meaning
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Point index
finger toward self
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I/me
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Point index
finger toward object
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It/them
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Point index
finger toward person
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You/them
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Circle index
finger at group
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We/us/all of
us
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Beckon with
index finger
|
Come here
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Point with
thumb in a particular direction
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Move this way/go
this way
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Bring index
finger across throat
|
Quit
|
Slowly ease
palm face down
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Relax/slow
down
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Put palm over
brow
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Scout it out/check
it out
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Move hand far
away from body
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Stay away
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Put fist in
air
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Stop/hold position
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Hold index
finger up near head
|
Wait
|
Hands on top
of head
|
I'm OK
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Thumb up
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Good/OK
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Thumb down
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Bad/not OK
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Slap forehead
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Bad idea
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Palm down and
rotated from side to side
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Unsure/can't
decide
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Wave goodbye
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Goodbye
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Form a circle
with thumb and index finger
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OK/I understand/agree
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Military salute
|
I understand
and will comply
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Shake head
from side to side
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No/disagree
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Shake head
up and down
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Yes/agree
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Emergency Signals
Emergency signals
are necessary to alert workers of danger and to maintain site control
during emergencies. Compressed air horns ("sport horns") are the most
common emergency signaling device in hazardous waste operations.
Radios and bullhorns
also may be effective in emergency communication, if background noise
does not prohibit their use. Emergency hand signals should also be developed
as a secondary means of communication.
The following list
of signals is suggested for emergency communication:
Signal
|
Meaning
|
One long blast
on air horn/siren/whistle
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Evacuate area
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Two long blasts
on horn/siren/whistle
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All clear
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Hands on top
of head
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I'm OK
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Strongly wave
arm(s) over head
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Help/need assistance
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Cross arms
in front of head, fists closed
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Stop/stay away
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Point one arm
in direction of evacuation, make large circling motion with other
arm in direction of evacuation
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Evacuate area
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Hand clutching
throat
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Out of air/can't
breathe
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Grip partner's
wrist or waist
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Leave area
immediately
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Signals for Vehicle
Operations
A variety of communication
signals have been developed for assisting vehicle operators. The American
National Standards Institute and OSHA (in 29 CFR 1926.550) have published
standard hand and body signals for crane operations. Personnel involved
in these types of operations are referred to the standard and regulations
for signal descriptions.
Other vehicle signals
have been developed by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers,
various fire departments, governmental agencies, trade associations, and
contractors.
The most common signals
are summarized below.
Signal
|
Meaning
|
Move arm in
circular (cranking) motion at waist level
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Start engine
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Move hand,
palm down across throat
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Stop engine
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Circular motion
with hand pointing to ground
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Lower equipment
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Circular motion
with hand pointing up
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Raise equipment
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Palms in front
of head at ear level, moving laterally to indicate distance to go
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This far to
go
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Point to vehicle,
beckon with arm motioning toward body
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Come toward
me
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One hand above
head, palm toward face, waving back
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Move straight
back
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Both arms pointing
in same direction, index fingers extended
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Turn
(direction indicated)
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Put fist in
air or cross arms in front of head, fists closed
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Stop
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Thrust fist
upward from shoulder and downward to shoulder several times
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Speed up
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Extend arm
sideways, palm down, and wave arm downward 45 degrees several times
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Slow down
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Radio Communication
All employees
must give absolute priority to emergency communication.
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Radio communication
is commonly used, especially when crews are working at remote locations.
Personnel should be instructed in the use of the particular radio, which
channel(s) should be used, and in radio protocols. They should be instructed
to speak clearly and use the radio only for necessary work-related communication.
The following guidelines should be provided to the radio users.
- Before transmitting,
listen long enough to make sure the channel is not being used.
- Call the name
or call sign of the individual or unit you are trying to reach and then
identify yourself (e.g., "Backhoe One, this is Safety.").
- Wait for further
transmission until acknowledgment is received (e.g., "Safety, this is
Backhoe One.").
- Proceed with your
transmission. When finished, say "Over" when a response is expected
or "Out" when the transmission is complete and no response is expected.
- An employee receiving
a radio call must acknowledge the call immediately unless doing so would
interfere with safety.
- If a transmission
is incomplete or not understood, request clarification.
- A phonetic alphabet
(see Table 1), should be used to pronounce letters clearly.
- Emergency calls
should begin with the words "Emergency, Emergency, Emergency." All employees
must give absolute priority to emergency communication. Unless they
are answering or aiding the emergency call, employees will not use the
radio until they are certain they will not interfere with further emergency
communication.
- Radios will be
charged and tested prior to each work shift and as necessary thereafter.
Malfunctioning radios must not be used and must be replaced immediately.
- Employees must
not transmit false information or unidentified communication.
- Profanity and
indecent language are prohibited. Sensitive information will not be
transmitted over radios.
Table 1. Radio Alphabet
Letter
|
Word
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A
|
Alpha
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B
|
Bravo
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C
|
Charlie
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D
|
Delta
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E
|
Echo
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F
|
Foxtrot
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G
|
Golf
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H
|
Hotel
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I
|
India
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J
|
Juliett
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K
|
Kilo
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L
|
Lima
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M
|
Mike
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N
|
November
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O
|
Oscar
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P
|
Papa
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Q
|
Quebec
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R
|
Romeo
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S
|
Sierra
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T
|
Tango
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U
|
Uniform
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V
|
Victor
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W
|
Whiskey
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X
|
X-Ray
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Y
|
Yankee
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Z
|
Zulu
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Timothy Mustard,
CIH (Tim.Mustard@Parsons.com
) is a health and safety manager and instructor for Parsons Engineering
Science in Denver, Colo. He is project manager or safety manager for hazardous
waste operations nationwide.
Judy Blakemore (Judy.Blakemore@Parsons.com)
is a geologist and safety specialist and instructor for Parsons Engineering
Science in Denver. She is site safety officer for hazardous waste and
construction operations. Parsons Engineering is part of The Parsons Corporation,
one of the world's largest international engineering and construction
organizations. It specializes in hazardous waste operations and construction
management.
This paper appears in the eLCOSH website with the permission of the author and/or copyright holder and may not be reproduced without their consent. eLCOSH is an information clearinghouse. eLCOSH and its sponsors are not responsible for the accuracy of information provided on this web site, nor for its use or misuse.
© Copyright 2000 Stevens Publishing Corporation
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