Lightning Safety. Teacher s Edition. Safety: It s no accident! Produced by: Blue Ridge Services, Inc.

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1 Lightning Safety Teacher s Edition Safety: It s no accident! Produced by: Blue Ridge Services, Inc. Landfill Safety Training Series

2 Instructions This teacher s edition is organized into a simple format. It includes a complete copy of the training booklets you ll give to your crew, along with some tips for helping your crew get the most out of this training program. Please take a few minutes to look over the notes and icons that are explained below: This icon indicates that some type of written input is required by your crew. This icon indicates a point where you may want to ask a question or look for comments from your crew. Text boxes contain tips or ideas on how to engage the crew or explain something. This icon indicates a point where you might want to use an example to show how this training applies to your landfill.

Make sure that everyone has a booklet entitled: Lightning Safety, and explain that it is theirs to keep for future reference. The video script follows the booklet.

3 Make sure that everyone has a booklet entitled: Lightning Safety, and explain that it is theirs to keep for future reference. The video script follows the booklet. Participants can follow along if they like. Lightning Safety Blue Ridge Services, Inc Hites Cove Rd Mariposa, CA Feel free to pause the video anytime you sense there is an important issue to discuss. Name Have everyone put their name on their booklet.

4 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Printed in the United States of America World Rights Reserved This booklet or any portion thereof may not be copied or reproduced in any form, except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, nor distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a data base retrieval system, without the express, prior, written permission of the author. Copyright 2014 by Neal Bolton Copyrighted 2014 This book is intended to assist the reader in understanding how to work safely in a variety of situations that may occur at a landfill. It is not intended to replace common sense or judgment. The author(s) and publisher(s) of this manual shall not be held responsible in any way for the safety of those using this material for training purposes. Safe operation of every landfill is the responsibility of that facility s owner, manager, operators and laborers and other staff. Published by: Blue Ridge Services, Inc Hites Cove Rd Mariposa, CA When it comes to landfill operations We Wrote the Book

5 Start the video. Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Introduction The sky grows dark; a steady wind begins to blow. He hears it. A distant rumble, followed by a moment of silence; the time is perfect! He raises his kite into the air, a single key looped onto the string. He waits and then CRASH! Lightning streaks across the sky and sends a bright spark through the key. A lightning storm is underway. And Benjamin Franklin just discovered the concept of electricity. Benjamin Franklin was not the only one to witness the effects of lightning. We ve all experienced thunder and lightning, perhaps not with a key and kite, but most of us have witnessed this natural phenomenon. Every year more people are killed by lightning than hurricanes and tornadoes combined. Apart from floods, lightning storms are the leading cause of death by natural disaster. According to National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) approximately 100 people are killed by lightning each year. But the other 1000 or so survivors may end up with life-long injuries and disabilities. How many people in this room know someone who has been struck by lightning? This video will address the risks associated with lightning storms as well as tips for preventing accidents and injuries during a lightning storm. When it comes to landfill operations We Wrote the Book

6 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude How Lightning Works Lightning is a strange and beautiful phenomenon. It also presents many risks, so understanding how it works can help workers be safe during a lightning storm. Lightning is the result of electrostatic buildup in clouds and like other electrical circuits, is based on negative and positive. Typically the negative buildup occurs in the clouds and the positive on the ground. When the charge builds up enough, a gigantic spark of electrons will move from the clouds to the ground. Does anyone know how lightning works and why it happens? If it is a big enough charge the negative will light up the sky as it descends, taking on what is called a stepladder appearance. When it comes to landfill operations We Wrote the Book

7 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude The negative will then make contact with whatever object is closest to it. Whether it is a tree, telephone line, building or person, the lightning will strike it. After the strike you typically hear thunder. The thunder sound you hear is actually the lightning charge. Its electricity makes the air around it up to 5 times hotter than the surface of the sun. That energy, makes the air around it vibrate and expand, resulting in the loud sound we hear. Statistics Many people think that being hit by lightning is unlikely, but according to statistics, lightning hits the ground in the US 25 million times a year. According to the National Weather Service, the chance of someone in the US being killed or injured in any given year is one in 240,000. But if that person lives 80 years, their odds of being hit over their lifespan become one in Chances are high that someone you know has been or will be struck by lightning. Did you know that lightning can and does strike more than once in the same place? Consider the Empire State Building, which is, on average, struck 23 times a year and during one storm was struck 24 times within 8 minutes. When it comes to landfill operations We Wrote the Book

8 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Roy Sullivan, also known as Lightning Man holds a place in the Guinness Book of Records. He was a park ranger for the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia for 35 years. During those 35 years he was struck a total of seven times, and survived every one. How would you know if someone had brain damage after a lightning strike? Risks The leading cause of death from lightning is cardiac arrest. But there are other injuries that occur from lightning strikes that will eventually lead to death. These injuries are severe burns and permanent brain damage. If brain damage does occur, the symptoms may not become evident for weeks or even months. The symptoms of brain damage are similar to postconcussion symptoms and could include seizures, nausea, vomiting, headaches, ringing in the ears, dizziness, memory-loss, and in some cases personality change. Victims may also experience insomnia, oversleeping or only being able to sleep for 2-3 hours per night. Everyone reacts differently to lightning strikes. Often survivors will not even begin to feel the symptoms of brain or nerve-ending damage for weeks to months after the injury. Because of this it is vital that victims seek medical help/evaluation immediately after being struck. It could mean the difference between life and death. When it comes to landfill operations We Wrote the Book

9 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Lightning storms can cause various problems at landfills that may include: 1) Downed power lines 2) Electrocution 3) Fires 4) Machine damage 5) Worker Injury 6) Death Listen to these stories. A man was cleaning out a storm drain when lightning struck him and threw him across the street. He only experienced minor injuries. Another scenario involves two workers who were killed while working during a thunder/lightning storm. Lightning struck the first worker who was killed immediately from heart attack. The other worker, who was too far away to see his coworker struck, was taking shelter in an outhouse during the storm. After the storm seemed to subdue, he came back out and continued working. He was bent over, working when the lightning struck him. The paramedics had trouble finding him and when they finally got him to the hospital he was declared dead. He had died from burns. When it comes to landfill operations We Wrote the Book

10 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Those kinds of incidents happen. Take the time to plan how you will react to a lightning storm. Prevention Here are some tips that can help you stay safe during a lightning storm. If a lightning storm approaches, take cover. Get into a car or machine, close the windows and stay clear of any metal objects. If you are near a building get inside and again, avoid metal objects, electrical lines and telephone lines. When it comes to landfill operations We Wrote the Book

Safety is not a plan it s an attitude If you are out in the open and there is no shelter, squat down as low as you can but do not lie directly on the ground.

11 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude If you are out in the open and there is no shelter, squat down as low as you can but do not lie directly on the ground. Lying on the ground increases your risk of becoming part of the lightning bolts circuit. Remember electricity will follow the path of least resistance as it flows to ground. As you squat down try to cover your ears to prevent hearing damage. Stay low until the storm passes to minimize your chance of being struck. Has anyone been stuck out in the open during a lightning storm? What did you do? When lightning strikes it looks for the shortest distance from the sky to the ground. Whether it is the tip of a roof, telephone pole, a tree or you, lightning will be When it comes to landfill operations We Wrote the Book Did anyone know that lightning can travel long distances along metal fences?

Safety is not a plan it s an attitude drawn to the nearest object between it and the sky. Lightning can also travel long distances along electric or phone lines, pipelines, and metal fences.

12 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude drawn to the nearest object between it and the sky. Lightning can also travel long distances along electric or phone lines, pipelines, and metal fences. Stay far from such items and avoid using a landline phone during lightning storms. After any lightning storm, wait approximately 30 minutes before going back to work if you work outside. When it comes to landfill operations We Wrote the Book

13 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude In summary: 1. Have a radio handy so that if a storm develops, you can stay informed 2. Take cover and stay low 3. Get into a car or machine and close the windows 4. Cover ears to prevent hearing damage 5. Stay away from metal objects, electrical lines, phone lines, etc. 6. Wait 30 minutes after the storm before going back outside Response Regardless of how closely you follow the tips listed above, accidents can happen. Planning in advance how to respond to a lightning-related injury could minimize injury or even save someone s life. If someone you are working with is struck by lightning there are several things you should do. First, call 911. A lightning strike victim may be disoriented, unable to speak or even unconscious. If they are not breathing you should administer CPR. Victims of lightning carry no residual electrical charge in their body so touching them poses no risk. If there is bleeding or a burn wound, administer first aid, but only after you know that the person has a pulse and is breathing. How many of you know CPR? What steps would you take to care for a lightning victim? When it comes to landfill operations We Wrote the Book

14 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Summary To sum it up, remember, if a lightning storm occurs at your facility, get inside! Whether it s inside a vehicle with closed windows or a building, get out of the open. Don t be the tallest object no matter where you are, stay as far away from metal objects as possible. If shelter is not available, squat down with your feet close together and your hands over your ears. Be prepared to call 911 in case of injury. Talk to your supervisor and coworkers about emergency response plans. The best response is to identify the risk before hand and get to safe shelter. When it comes to landfill operations We Wrote the Book

Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Safety Savvy Ok, are you safety savvy? It s time to take the safety test. Remember it s an easy test. There is no penalty for wrong answers.

15 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Safety Savvy Ok, are you safety savvy? It s time to take the safety test. Remember it s an easy test. There is no penalty for wrong answers. If you make a mistake here, nobody gets hurt or killed, but take it seriously because it will hopefully help you prepare for the real test you take everyday - out on the landfill. 1) This worker was caught in the middle of a lightning storm, there is no cover nearby-what should he do? (Show a man in the middle of an open area, with lightning all around him) You many want to stop the video after each question to allow time for discussion. When it comes to landfill operations We Wrote the Book

What is the leading cause of death from lightning?

16 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude 2) Is this worker in a safe position? (Show a worker standing in a puddle of water during a lightning storm 3) What is the leading cause of death from lightning? Encourage participation in the Safety Savvy test. When it comes to landfill operations We Wrote the Book

17 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude 4) Look at these photos. Which are considered safe during a lightning storm? When it comes to landfill operations We Wrote the Book

Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Conclusion After watching this video you should have a clear

Remember lightning can cause serious injury or death.

Remember that safety is not just a plan, it s an attitude. Use common sense and judgment, and be safe.

18 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Conclusion After watching this video you should have a clear idea of what to expect in the event of a lightning storm, as well as ways to respond to one. Remember lightning can cause serious injury or death. Know how to keep yourself and others safe during a lightning storm. Remember that safety is not just a plan, it s an attitude. Use common sense and judgment, and be safe. It s never too soon to start thinking about safety. When it comes to landfill operations We Wrote the Book Be sure to have all participants sign the attendance form and then place it in the file.

19 Take time to review and discuss the answers to the Safety Savvy questions. Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Answers Question 1 a. Squat down, b. Put his feet close together c. Put his hands over his ears d. Stay put for at least 30 minutes after the storm passes Question 2 a. He should not be near water during a lightning since electricity can travel through it Question 3 a. Cardiac arrest Question 2 a. Not Safe b. Safe c. Safe d. Not Safe e. Not Safe When it comes to landfill operations We Wrote the Book

20 NOTES: Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Are there any safety issues that require immediate attention? When it comes to landfill operations We Wrote the Book

21 Encourage participants to refer back to this booklet. Explain that the booklet is theirs to keep for future reference. Safety is not a plan it s an attitude This is Your Book. It is a valuable reference. Keep it handy and refer to it often Blue Ridge Services, Inc. When it comes to landfill operations We Wrote the Book

22 Take time to write down any important comments or ideas that came up during the class. You might want to include them the next time you teach this topic. Notes:

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27 To order more safety training supplies contact us at: ADDRESS: Blue Ridge Services, Inc Hites Cove Rd. Mariposa, CA PHONE: Office: Fax: WEBSITE:

What is Blue Ridge Services, Inc.? Blue Ridge Services, Inc. (BRS) is an engineering consulting company that was founded in 1988 to provide operational consulting services to waste facilities of all types.

28 What is Blue Ridge Services, Inc.? Blue Ridge Services, Inc. (BRS) is an engineering consulting company that was founded in 1988 to provide operational consulting services to waste facilities of all types. Since that time, we ve helped hundreds of facility owners and operators work safer, smarter and more profitably. Neal Bolton, founder and president of BRS, is a registered engineer, a licensed contractor and an experienced equipment operator. He is the author of The Handbook of Landfill Operations, and The Handbook of Landfill Safety, and has written over 100 magazine articles. You may already be familiar with Mr. Bolton if you ve read: MSW Management, World Waste, Waste Age, Solid Waste Technology or Solid Waste Online. Why not put his 34 years of experience to work for your waste facility? What can we do for you? Comprehensive Operational Review (CORE) We can perform a CORE for your landfill, MRF, recycling facility, green waste processing center, or transfer station. This is a comprehensive, technical review of your facility. It provides you with a practical evaluation of what s working and what s not. We evaluate your operation from top to bottom, looking at equipment, labor, airspace utilization, soil utilization, materials processing, environmental issues, surface water control, safety, etc. If it s part of your operation it s covered. Training BRS has conducted onsite training for scores of waste facilities. Choose from among our many standard training programs or let us customize one for your facility. BRS Webinar Join the scores of other waste professionals who have attended one of our online, interactive webinars. Check our website for dates and upcoming topics. Online Training We offer a variety of online training products, including safety, operations, and more. Visit our website for more information. Want more information? To find out more about the other training and consulting services we offer, please contact us at: Blue Ridge Services, Inc Hites Cove Rd. Mariposa, CA Office: Fax: safety@blueridgeservices.com Or visit our website at:

29 Weekly Tailgate Update No. 1 Lightning Injury Prevention When lightning strikes it looks for the shortest distance from the sky to the ground. Whether it is the tip of a roof, telephone pole, a tree or you, lightning will be drawn to the nearest object between it and the sky. What can you do to reduce your risk of being struck by lightning? (Notes) What are some things to remember when working around a lightning storm? (Notes) 2014 Blue Ridge Services, Inc.

30 Weekly Tailgate Update No. 1 I have participated in and understood this weekly tailgate update, Lightning Injury Prevention. Presented by: _ Date: Attended by: Blue Ridge Services, Inc.

31 Weekly Tailgate Update No. 2 Lightning Victims Planning in advance how to respond to a lightning-related injury could minimize injury or even save someone s life. If someone you are working with is struck by lightning there are several things you should do. What steps should you take to care for a lightning victim? (Notes) Are there any other things you should consider when helping a lightning victim? (Notes) 2014 Blue Ridge Services, Inc.

32 Weekly Tailgate Update No. 2 I have participated in and understood this weekly tailgate update, Lightning Victims. Presented by: _ Date: _ Attended by: Blue Ridge Services, Inc.

33 Weekly Tailgate Update No. 3 Outside Worker After any lightning storm, wait approximately 30 minutes before going back to work if you work outside. Why should a worker wait to go back to work? (Notes) What other kind of considerations should an outside worker keep in mind during and after a lightning storm? (Notes) 2014 Blue Ridge Services, Inc.

34 Weekly Tailgate Update No. 3 I have participated in and understood this weekly tailgate update, Outside Workder. Presented by: _ Date: _ Attended by: Blue Ridge Services, Inc.

35 Safety Meeting Sign-off Sheet Page 1 of 2 Lightning Safety I have watched and understood the training video for the topic listed above and have received a copy of the corresponding training booklet for that topic. Presented by: Date: Attended by: Blue Ridge Services, Inc.

36 Safety Meeting Sign-off Sheet Page 2 of 2 (Notes) Lightning Safety Are there any areas or issues that require immediate attention in regard to safety? (List Here) 2014 Blue Ridge Services, Inc.

Lightning Safety. Blue Ridge Services, Inc Hites Cove Rd Mariposa, CA Name

Lightning Safety. Blue Ridge Services, Inc Hites Cove Rd Mariposa, CA Name Lightning Safety Blue Ridge Services, Inc. 7204 Hites Cove Rd Mariposa, CA 95338 209-742-2398 Name Printed in the United States of America World Rights Reserved This booklet or any portion thereof may