Safety Newsletter
When you hear the term “pre-job brief,” what comes to mind? Perhaps a meeting, a form to fill out or maybe even a complete waste of time? How we perceive job briefings has a huge impact on how we complete them. Job briefings are required by OSHA to be completed before each job; but more importantly, when performed effectively, they are critical for our crews to understand how to complete their tasks safely throughout the entirety of the project.
A pre-job briefing is intended to be used as part of the planning process to complete the job safely and successfully. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269(c)(2) requires that the following topics be covered, at minimum, during a briefing: hazards associated with the job, work procedures involved, special precautions, energy-source controls, and personal protective equipment requirements. All of these elements are essential. By design, job briefings encourage us to slow down and identify the desired outcomes and potential risks of the job we are about to perform. When we take time to think, we begin to identify desired outcomes as well as possible risks.
Unidentified hazards are one of the greatest contributors to undesired outcomes. Hazard assessments are required to be covered in a job briefing, but identifying those hazards can be a challenge. Hazards are easy to miss, and we can’t assume that all jobs have the same hazards. So, what hazards should we be looking for and discussing during a job briefing? The simple answer is hazards with the highest levels of risk.
Every task completed has a level of risk associated with it. For instance, walking down a flight of stairs has risk, but most of us walk up and down stairs every day without thinking about the risk involved. So, what is risk? It is a combination of several factors but has two primary components: likelihood and severity.
In addition to the topics that must be covered, OSHA also has requirements regarding how often job briefings are to be conducted; those can be found at 1910.269(c)(3) and (c)(4). Briefings are required
Again, planning is the intent behind these requirements. When the scope of a job changes, it’s a reasonable assumption that other items, especially hazards, could change along with it.
Documenting each briefing offers benefits to both the employer and the employee; one of those benefits being that when a briefing is documented, it provides the employee with a checklist to follow to ensure the planned work remains safe. Keep in mind, though, that simply writing something on a job briefing doesn’t necessarily mean that it happened. In order to reap the benefits of these briefings, workers must discuss and understand the documentation before signing it. Note: The content of the briefing is, and should be considered, far more important than the paperwork associated with the briefing!
When work is not thoroughly planned ahead of time, the possibility of human error greatly increases. An effective pre-job briefing enables crews to stay connected on the job site through an understanding of the job, its hazards, the necessary controls and worker responsibilities.
At Indian Point, Todd Calabrese and his crew exemplify the highest standards of safety, compliance, and professionalism. Their work involves the careful handling and containment of hazardous materials, including radiation, asbestos, and lead, and they approach every task with precision and respect for the regulations that govern their work.
Fully compliant with EPA, NRC, and all local, state, and federal requirements, the crew maintains a zero-tolerance approach to error in every phase of hazardous waste packaging and shipment. Their meticulous attention to detail ensures that each container is sealed, secured, and verified to meet or exceed all safety expectations.
When it comes to loading sealands (shipping containers), their precision is “Tetris standard” a testament to their ability to maximize space while maintaining absolute safety and stability. This level of discipline and care demonstrates not only technical excellence but also a deep commitment to environmental responsibility.
A sincere thank-you to Todd and his crew for their continued dedication and commitment to safe practices. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed and are truly appreciated.
