Health & Safety Program
Accident Prevention Plan

This is the on-site web version of Vezina Industries' Washington Health & Safety Program (Accident Prevention Plan), for quick field reference. The complete program — including OSHA Table 1 silica control methods and all fillable forms — is the controlling document. Report any unsafe condition to your supervisor immediately, without fear of reprisal.

1. Policy / Management Commitment

The safety of our employees is of the utmost importance. This program is designed to help employees and management adhere to safe standards; the ultimate objective is to prevent accidents and injuries to all employees. While management maintains compliance with safety standards, it is also every employee's responsibility to perform their job and conduct themselves accordingly.

There is no job so important, nor any service so urgent, that we cannot take time to work safely. Every contractor on our projects must perform all work safely and conform to OSHA and all applicable federal, state, and local requirements.

2. Responsibilities & Compliance

Safety Director

Vezina Industries has designated Alex Carter as Safety Director, with authority and responsibility over this program. A Competent Person is designated for each project (the jobsite Superintendent unless otherwise noted). The Safety Director maintains safety interest at all levels, reviews accident investigations, implements controls to prevent recurrence, and oversees training and recordkeeping.

Managers & Supervisors

All managers and supervisors implement and maintain this program on their job sites, answer worker questions, and enforce the rules fairly and uniformly. A copy of this program is available to any employee who requests it.

Employees

• Work safely by following rules and instructions; be considerate of others.
• Report rested and physically able to perform the work.
• Do not undertake a job or use chemicals until trained and authorized.
• Keep mechanical safeguards in place at all times.
• Report all hazards and unsafe conditions to a supervisor without fear of reprisal.
• Report any work-related injury or illness to your supervisor immediately.

Disciplinary Policy (3-step)

• 1st violation (12-mo): formal verbal or written warning, depending on severity.
• 2nd violation (12-mo): formal verbal or written warning, depending on severity.
• 3rd violation (12-mo): transfer, suspension, or termination.

Serious or willful violations may result in any of the above steps being taken immediately.

Recordkeeping Retention

• Hazard-assessment inspections: at least 1 year.
• Safety & health training records: at least 3 years.
• OSHA 300/300A/301 logs (300A posted Feb 1–Apr 30): at least 5 years.
• Ventilation / air-monitoring records: at least 5 years.
• Medical & occupational exposure records: at least 30 years.
• Accident reports & follow-up investigations: at least 5 years.

3. Codes of Safe Practice

Everything possible will be done to protect employees, customers, and visitors from accidents. Failure to comply with safety rules is grounds for corrective discipline.

General

• Report all unsafe conditions, equipment, accidents, injuries, and illnesses to your supervisor/safety coordinator immediately.
• No one under the influence of alcohol or drugs is allowed on the job; no horseplay.
• Keep means of egress unblocked, lighted, and unlocked; keep aisles clear; store nothing against exits, fire ladders, or extinguishers.
• On fire alarm: stop work safely, shut off machines, evacuate to the staging area. Only trained workers respond to a fire/emergency.
• Clean up spills promptly (call 911/trained team for large spills). Use proper lifting technique; get help for heavy objects.
• Report frayed/damaged wiring; never use a metal ladder near energized parts; use only grounded or double-insulated tools.
• Wear hearing protection in high-noise areas; face shields when grinding; keep flammable/toxic chemicals in closed, labeled containers.

Construction

• No one may work in unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous conditions; inspect equipment, materials, and job sites regularly.
• Only competently trained/experienced employees operate equipment; wear proper PPE for the task.
• Hard hats required for overhead/electrical hazards or where posted; hearing protection above 90 dBA; respiratory protection when dust exceeds SDS limits.
• First-aid kits on all sites; potable water & washing facilities; 1 toilet per 20 employees; fire extinguisher within 75 ft; a person certified in First Aid on site (CPR also required for confined-space work).

4. Compressed Air & Equipment

Pipes, hoses, and fittings must be rated for maximum compressor pressure and identified by psi. Keep hoses off floors/aisles and secure hose ends against whipping. Never point pneumatic tools at anyone. Compressed air must never be used to clean dirt/dust from clothing or skin; shop air for cleaning must be regulated under 30 psi, with eye protection worn. Air receivers, distribution lines, pressure-regulating devices, compressor operation, and maintenance must follow the detailed requirements (ASME safety valves, drains, guarding, grounding; gas/diesel compressors never used indoors).

5. Communications & Training

Open two-way communication is maintained through new-employee orientation, program review, regular safety meetings, and posted information. Employees may raise concerns/suggestions without fear of reprisal.

All employees, managers, and supervisors receive general and job-specific training: at hire; on new assignments; when new substances/processes/equipment introduce a hazard; and whenever a new hazard is recognized. No employee performs a task or operates equipment until trained to do so.

Site Safety Tailgate Meetings

As GC, we hold safety meetings with subcontractor foremen at the start of each job and at least weekly. Meetings review walk-around inspections and accident investigations, are tailored to the work, and are documented (attendance + topics + trainer signature) and retained at least one year. Subcontractors must hold their own weekly tailgate meetings.

6. Driving Safety

Only qualified employees with a valid license and 3 years' experience on the vehicle type may operate a company vehicle. The Safety Director screens motor-vehicle records annually and reviews all accidents. Rules:

• Seat belts for all occupants any time the vehicle is moving.
• No cell phones / electronic devices while driving — park safely first.
• No alcohol/illegal drugs (or impairing medications); vehicles subject to random inspection.
• Pre-trip: 360° walk-around, check windshield/lights/fluids/fuel/plates, first-aid kit & fire extinguisher, secure loads, be rested.
• Drive for conditions (two-second following rule; add 4–5 sec in poor conditions); report all citations, damage, and near-misses to your supervisor.
• Aggressive driving is a traffic offense; road rage is a criminal offense — never engage; if followed, drive to a police station.

7. Electrical Safety

• Maintain and inspect all electrical tools before each use; protect all temporary power (incl. extension cords) with GFCIs.
• Keep ladders, scaffolds, equipment, and materials at least 10 ft from overhead power lines (more above 50 kV).
• No work on hot circuits — de-energize and apply lockout/tagout. Work must conform to the NEC and the current NFPA 70E.
• Temporary wiring/lighting: UL-assembled circuits, no open wiring, bulb guards, splices in secured junction boxes, effective grounding per NEC.

8. Emergency Response

The Superintendent establishes, for each site, emergency contact numbers, the nearest hospital/clinic, and an emergency staging area.

• Injuries/Emergencies: provide first aid; call 911 for serious injury (state location + callback number); notify the Superintendent.
• Fire: notify the Superintendent to sound the alarm and call 911; evacuate by the safest exit (no elevators) to the staging area for roll call. Only fight a small, confined fire if 911 is called, you're trained, have a clear exit, and a second person present.
• Hazardous spill: prevent it from reaching waterways/drains; contain small spills with absorbents; Superintendent notifies emergency services for anything that can't be safely contained; document & investigate.
• Bomb threat: stop work, evacuate, account for all personnel, notify authorities; don't touch suspicious articles.
• Alarm: one continuous air-horn blast = first-aid needed; three long blasts = evacuate.
• Provide first aid regardless of severity; avoid contact with blood (bloodborne pathogens) and report contamination for decontamination.

9. Fall Protection

Only access walking/working surfaces with the strength to support you, and only after a competent person deems them safe. Anyone exposed to fall hazards is trained by a competent person (hazards, when/what protection is required, system use & limits, WAC requirements), with documented, demonstrated understanding; retraining when conditions or systems change.

Regardless of Height

Guard open-sided floors/platforms above dangerous equipment; guard floor holes/openings (railing + toe board or secured cover); protect against impalement hazards (rebar, stakes).

At 4 ft or More

Protect all open sides with a guardrail, fall restraint, personal fall arrest, safety net, catch platform, or warning line. Applies to walking/working surfaces, ramps/runways, floor and wall openings, hatchways, skylights, form/rebar work, hazardous slopes, and roofs (steep-pitch >4:12 requires restraint/arrest/positioning — no monitors or warning lines).

At 10 ft or More

Required for low-pitch roofing work, non-standard surfaces, and trenching/excavation (for those not directly involved). A written Fall Protection Work Plan is required wherever 10 ft+ hazards exist.

Systems (key specs)

• Guardrails: top rail 39–45", withstands 200 lb; mid-rail withstands 150 lb; openings ≤19".
• Safety nets: ≤30 ft below the surface; extend 8–13 ft out; inspected weekly.
• Personal fall arrest: D-rings/snap hooks ≥5,000 lb; limit arresting force to 1,800 lb (harness); no free fall >6 ft; anchor 5,000 lb per person or 2× safety factor; harness attaches at center-back; remove impact-loaded gear from service; employer provides prompt rescue.
• Covers: support 2× the load (min 200 lb, safety factor 4), secured, and marked "HOLE" / "COVER".

10. Fire Prevention

• Know extinguisher locations & use; inspect extinguishers monthly and before hot work.
• Dispose of oily rags in approved containers; store gasoline/flammables in approved, labeled safety containers (never use gasoline to clean).
• No combustibles in mechanical rooms; no LPG cylinders in enclosed areas; ventilate when burning fuels; keep exits clear; remove trash daily.
• Extinguishers: one ABC per 3,000 sq ft; ≤100 ft travel distance during construction.
• Temporary heaters: only approved gas/hydronic/steam/electric/infrared units per ANSI/UL/NFPA; keep combustibles ≥10 ft away; inspect daily; monitor CO indoors (below 25 ppm TWA).

11. Hand & Power Tools

• Maintain tools in safe condition; keep all guards working; use double-insulated or grounded tools.
• Power saws must have blade guards; turn off when unattended.
• Pneumatic and powder-actuated tools: trained/experienced users only, with eye protection; powder-actuated tool users must be certified.

12. Hazard Communication Program

Each site Superintendent implements HazCom. Every subcontractor maintains a chemical list and SDSs (a copy of each SDS to Vezina before use); employees have access to SDSs for their area. Containers are labeled with product identifier, signal word, hazard statements, pictograms, precautionary statements, and manufacturer info; secondary containers get a GHS label. Employees are trained before starting work (rights, SDS/label reading, health effects, exposure controls, emergency procedures) and again when a new hazard is introduced. Before working on unlabeled pipes/vessels, confirm contents, hazards, and precautions with your supervisor.

13. Hazard Evaluation & Correction

A competent person conducts periodic inspections: daily for required equipment/tasks; when new hazards, substances, or equipment are introduced; when injuries occur; and whenever conditions warrant. As GC we conduct documented walk-around inspections at the start of each job and weekly, jointly with an employee representative. Hazards are corrected promptly by severity; imminent hazards are reported to management at once and only corrected by trained personnel when it can be done safely.

14. Heat Illness Prevention

Each job has sufficient potable water on site. Know the signs and first aid:

• Heat stroke (life-threatening): high temp, confusion, hot dry skin/heavy sweating, seizures — call for medical help immediately, move to shade, cool the body with water.
• Heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea — rest in a cool area, drink water, cool shower.
• Heat cramps: muscle cramps/spasms — stop, rest in a cool place, drink water/juice/sports drink; seek help if not resolved within an hour.

Prevent it: monitor yourself and coworkers, wear light breathable clothing, build up to heavy work, schedule heavy work for cooler hours, take shade breaks, and drink water frequently before you're thirsty.

15. Housekeeping

• Keep the site clean; floors/walkways free of nails, splinters, and openings; minimize airborne dust when cleaning.
• Cover or suspend hoses/cords across walkways; keep aisles marked and clear; store materials stably (blocked/interlocked, limited height).
• Maintain free access to exits, alarms, and fire equipment; keep lunch/wash/restrooms clean with covered, daily-emptied garbage cans.
• Continuously clean up during construction; use covered containers for oily/flammable/hazardous waste; dispose per OSHA/state/federal rules.

16. Injuries, Incidents & Near Misses

All injuries, near misses, and incidents are investigated by supervisory personnel to find the root cause and prevent recurrence — not to fix blame. Investigate as soon as circumstances permit (treatment of the injured comes first), gather information, take witness statements and photos, take corrective action, and forward the completed report to the Superintendent and Safety Director for review.

17. Lockout / Tagout

Before servicing or maintaining equipment where unexpected energizing or release of energy could cause injury, the equipment is rendered safe by lockout/tagout. Lockout is the preferred method. Anyone operating an energy-isolating device that is locked/tagged out will be disciplined. Energy sources include electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, and gravitational.

Basic Steps

• Notify affected workers → Shut down → Isolate all energy sources → Lockout/tag each isolating device (each worker applies their own lock & tag) → Dissipate/block residual energy → Verify zero-energy state before work.
• Restore: confirm tools removed and guards installed, all clear, remove your own lock/tag, restore energy per the write-up.
• Multiple workers use a hasp; multiple energy sources use job locks + a lock box. Never remove another person's lock. Cord-and-plug equipment is isolated by unplugging and keeping the plug in sight or in a plug-locking device.

18. Personal Protective Equipment

• Hard hats at all times on site (outside job trailers); electrical workers use rated hats.
• Eye protection meeting ANSI Z87 with side shields; goggles/face shields for welding, grinding, chipping, and chemical handling.
• Hi-visibility Class 2 (fluorescent orange or green/yellow) when exposed to mobile equipment; reflective stripes near roads or in low light.
• Work boots at all times; long pants and sleeved shirts; other PPE (gloves, respirators, harness) per OSHA or the Job Hazard Analysis. Inspect PPE daily and keep it clean; training provided on selection, use, and care.

19. Sanitation

• Maintain the site sanitary; store and dispose of waste properly; no open burning.
• Potable water: adequate supply, tightly closed dispensers with taps, no common cup, single-use cups with disposal; containers cleaned weekly.
• Wash water: clean, tepid (70–100°F), with towels and cleansing agents; no gasoline/solvents for personal cleaning.
• Toilets: 1 (1–10 employees), 2 (up to 25), 3 (26–40), 4 (41–60), 5 (61–80), then +1 per additional 20; kept clean, stocked, and lockable; separate facilities when 20+ of both sexes.
• On multi-employer sites the prime contractor ensures compliance; facilities inspected each shift, within 200 ft of employees (every third floor on multistory).

20. Scaffolding

• Everyone erecting/using/inspecting scaffolds is trained by a competent person (documented).
• Green tag = OK to use; red tag = do not use. A competent person inspects each scaffold daily and after windstorms.
• Erect on firm, level footing (no scrap wood/block/brick); provide ladders/stairs; keep platforms clear; tie off when height = 4× base width; never move a rolling scaffold with workers aboard.
• Fully plank with scaffold-grade material; guardrails on platforms over 6 ft (top rail 42"±3", mid-rail); toe boards over entrances/where others pass; stair scaffolds inspected daily and enclosed in winter.

21. Silica Exposure Control

Respirable crystalline silica (from cutting, grinding, drilling, or crushing concrete, stone, masonry, etc.) can cause silicosis, lung cancer, and kidney/immune effects. Smoking greatly increases the risk.

• Action Level (AL): 25 µg/m³ (8-hr TWA). Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL): 50 µg/m³ (8-hr TWA) — no employee may be exposed above the PEL.
• Use the specified controls in OSHA Table 1 for common tasks (wet methods, on-tool dust collection/HEPA, enclosed cabs) with the listed respiratory protection — when fully implemented, air sampling isn't required for those tasks.
• Prohibited where it could increase exposure: dry sweeping/brushing and using compressed air to clean. Use wet sweeping or HEPA vacuuming.
• A written exposure control plan and a designated competent person are required; regulated/restricted areas are posted; medical surveillance offered to employees exposed ≥30 days/yr or wearing a respirator ≥30 days/yr.

22. Stairways & Ladders

• Install guardrails on stairs before general use; inspect ladders and repair/discard defective ones.
• Secure ladders top or bottom; on a stable non-slip surface; extend ≥3 ft above the landing (or install grab rails).
• Use ladders only as intended (not as a platform/runway/scaffold); follow manufacturer directions. Portable metal ladders are not permitted.
• Provide trailers with stairway access to all doorways; landings/railings allow ≥20" clearance for door swings.

Forms & Required Postings

The complete program includes these forms (available from your Superintendent / in the full program):

• Job Safety Inspection Form · Safety Training log · Employee Violation Warning Notice
• Accident, Injury & Illness Investigation Form · First Aid Form
• Lockout/Tagout/Blockout Inspection Sheet & Energy Control Fact Sheet
• Written Site-Specific Silica Exposure Control Plan
• New Employee Orientation Safety Checklist · Employee Separation Clearance Checklist

Post at every job site: Emergency Contacts · Emergency Action Plan · Codes of Safe Practice (Section 3 above).