CSA Unit 1 - Safety

Chapter 1: On-the-job Safety Measures

Introduction to Gas Technician/Fitter Safety

Safety is the responsibility of all workers in all trades. Gas technicians/fitters routinely work in potentially dangerous locations with equipment that could cause injury to oneself and others. A gas technician/fitter must be thoroughly familiar with hazards and safety procedures that relate to work habits, work sites, and use of various tools and equipment.

Remember: Safety is not just about following rules—it's about developing a mindset that prioritizes well-being in every decision and action you take on the job.

Safety Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

Personal Safety Factors

Understanding the importance of proper work habits, clothing, and protective equipment

Site Hazards and Protections

Recognizing potential dangers in the workplace and implementing appropriate safeguards

Tools and Equipment Safety

Properly maintaining and using all tools and equipment to prevent accidents

General Safe Work Habits

Establishing routines and practices that prioritize safety in all work situations

🧠 Knowledge Check 1

1. Who is responsible for safety in the workplace?

Only supervisors and managers
Only safety representatives
All workers in all trades
Only experienced workers

Key Terminology

Before we dive deeper into safety practices, let's familiarize ourselves with important safety terminology:

Term Abbreviation Definition
Confined Space - Work area where location, design, or construction restricts entry and exit and where equipment, operations, or atmospheres may pose hazards to health and safety.
Group Safety Equipment - Equipment such as fire extinguishers and first aid kits supplied by the employer and positioned around the job site.
Lockout Procedures - Procedures using locks and safety tags to ensure the isolation and lock off of all sources of potential, kinetic, and stored energy during work on a system.
Musculoskeletal Disorder Hazards MSD Hazards Aspects of the job or the process of doing the job that increase the risk of a worker developing a musculoskeletal disorder. Primary hazards are force, postures, and repetition.
Personal Protective Equipment PPE Standard safety clothing and equipment designed to protect the wearer.
Ventilation Equipment - Equipment found in workshops designed for the removal of harmful dust or fumes.

Personal Safety Overview

Personal safe work practices are as important as a gas technician's/fitter's trade skills. Personal safety is a combination of knowledge and awareness: a gas technician/fitter must be knowledgeable and skillful in the use and care of tools and aware of the hazards and safety procedures that apply to any job or job site.

Work Habits

Developing proper techniques and awareness of how actions affect others

MSD Hazards

Understanding and preventing musculoskeletal disorders through proper techniques

Clothing

Wearing appropriate attire for specific work conditions

Protective Equipment

Using proper PPE for head, respiratory, eye, hearing, hand, and foot protection

Work Habits for Safety

Courtesy

Taking into account the safety of those you are working with. Put yourself in the other person's place and keep the other person in mind.

Attention

To the safety of your environment and those working nearby helps avoid accidents.

Safe Conduct

Includes wearing appropriate clothing and protective equipment, observing good housekeeping and safety procedures, and displaying common sense.

Important: A competent worker learns skills to the point where they become automatic. Skilled workers have learned to do the job both safely and correctly without losing sight of how actions may affect the safety of other workers.

🧠 Knowledge Check 2

2. What does MSD stand for?

Material Safety Document
Musculoskeletal Disorder
Manufacturing Safety Division
Mechanical System Design

3. The primary MSD hazards are:

Heat, cold, and noise
Force, postures, and repetition
Chemicals, radiation, and electricity
Fire, explosion, and fall hazards

Musculoskeletal Disorder Hazards

Force

The amount of effort exerted by the muscles and the amount of pressure on body parts that result from different job demands.

Posture

The position of various parts of the body during any activity. Good or "neutral" posture means joints are used near the middle of their full range of motion.

Repetition

The risk of developing an MSD increases when the same parts of the body are used repeatedly, with few breaks or chances to rest.

Other MSD Hazards

Contact stress, vibration, cold temperatures, hot work environments, and repeated impacts.

Proper Lifting Technique

For most joints, a good or "neutral" posture means that the joints are being used near the middle of their full range of motion. The farther a joint moves towards either end of its range of motion or the farther away from the neutral posture, the more awkward or poor the posture becomes and the more the muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the joint experience strain.

Key Point: Always demonstrate good posture when lifting pipe or other materials. Keep your back straight, bend at the knees, and lift with your legs, not your back.

Appropriate Work Clothing

For gas technicians/fitters, wearing street clothing is not usually recommended on the job. Each work task will dictate which work clothing is necessary for the job conditions.

✅ DO

  • Always wear clothing supplied by the employer or as directed by the safety supervisor
  • Wear non-synthetic breathable workwear that covers all exposed body parts
  • Wear specific workwear for tasks requiring special ratings, such as flame-retardant clothing
  • Wear clothing that protects your body from dirt, heat, sparks, and flying chips
  • Wear caps or hairnets if you have long hair or a beard
  • Remove rings, metal watchbands, bracelets, loose ties, and neck chains when working around electrical equipment

❌ DO NOT

  • Wear oily, greasy, or synthetic clothes since they are fire hazards and may cause skin irritation
  • Tuck your pant legs inside your boots if you are working with or near a torch or grinder

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Specific work conditions will dictate the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) you will use as a gas technician/fitter. You should note, however, that safety equipment including PPE is considered the "last line of defence". You should employ first and foremost an awareness of your environment and safe work practice.

🪖 Head Protection

Hard hats and accessories to protect from falling objects

😷 Respiratory Protection

Masks and respirators to prevent inhalation of harmful substances

👓 Eye Protection

Safety glasses, goggles, and face shields for various tasks

🎧 Hearing Protection

Ear plugs and ear muffs to prevent hearing damage

🧤 Hand Protection

Various types of gloves for different hazards

👢 Foot Protection

Safety footwear with toe protection and other features

Important Rule: As a general rule for tools, if you are not familiar with a piece of equipment, do not use it until you have read the instructions and are ready to proceed.

🧠 Knowledge Check 3

4. PPE is considered the:

First line of defence
Last line of defence
Only necessary protection
Most important safety measure

5. When working around electrical equipment, you should NOT wear:

Safety glasses
Hard hat
Metal jewelry
Work boots

Site Hazards and Protection

A gas technician/fitter will work in a variety of different work environments in many capacities and will encounter hazards specific to the work site. Site hazards change with each specific work site or area. Your first action is to identify the hazards and ask questions if you are unsure of the situation.

Physical Hazards

Restricted Spaces

Working in cramped work areas with limited movement

Access Difficulties

Challenges in gaining entry to work areas

Moving Equipment

Non-fixed equipment or appliances that can shift

Electrical Hazards

Exposed wiring or energized equipment

Temperature Extremes

Very hot or cold environments that can cause injury

Corrosive Residues

Chemical substances that can damage skin and equipment

Atmospheric Hazards

Atmospheric hazards are generally chemicals or materials in the air around the work site. They could also be in confined spaces and are often more difficult to assess.

Combustible Gases

Explosive gases and vapors that can ignite

Oxygen Levels

Too much or too little oxygen in the atmosphere

Toxic Fumes

Harmful gases like carbon monoxide (CO)

Critical Safety Rule: You must check the atmosphere every time you plan to enter a confined space and regularly while you work there. Various types of gas detection equipment are available, and you must use the proper equipment to test specific conditions.

Safety of Tools and Equipment

A gas technician/fitter is required to use hand, power, electric, and pneumatic tools. The use and care of tools is very important to any tradesperson. All these tools have specific safety rules geared to the specific type of tool to protect you and others from harm.

Hand Tools Safety

✅ DO

  • Always select the proper tool for the job
  • Keep hand tools clean, serviced, and in good condition
  • Check that handles of hammers and axes fit tight into the head
  • Only use pipe wrenches to turn or hold a pipe
  • Pulling on wrenches is preferred to remain in control of the force
  • When using sharp-edged tools, always cut away from the body
  • Always wear appropriate PPE for the hazards presented

❌ DO NOT

  • Use a tool for a purpose other than what it is meant for
  • Use damaged or unsafe tools
  • Leave tools where they protrude or can fall and strike someone
  • Use a file or rasp without a handle
  • Use pipe extenders with wrenches
  • Use pliers instead of a wrench or a wrench as a hammer

Power Tool Safety

Power tools require special attention to authorization, training, inspection, shutdown procedures, and adjustments.

Authorization

Only authorized persons are allowed to use power tools or equipment. Consult your supervisor.

Training

Before using any power tool, review the operation and safety manual for the specific tool.

Inspection

Before using any tool, check the condition of all guards, tool retainers, power supply cords, and accessories.

Shutdown

Shut off machinery when you leave the immediate area. Make sure revolving machinery has stopped before leaving.

🧠 Knowledge Check 4

6. When entering a confined space, you should:

Enter immediately if it looks safe
Test the atmosphere before entry and regularly while working
Only test if you smell something unusual
Trust that previous workers have already tested it

7. The proper way to use a wrench is to:

Push away from your body
Pull toward your body to maintain control
Use pipe extenders for more leverage
Use it as a hammer when needed

Lockout Procedures

Lockout procedures are quite basic. If you work on a machine or system, use locks to ensure that all sources of hazardous energy are isolated and locked off during work.

Zero Energy State: Lockout must involve more than merely disconnecting the energy source. You must isolate and lock off all energy sources - potential, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, rotational, static or dynamic. This is called zero energy state.

Key Components of Lockout

Locks

Locks are keyed to render a system inoperative. Each worker has their own lock and key.

Safety Tags

Safety tags are used to identify the person who locks out a system and warn other workers not to operate the equipment.

Important Rules:
  • Each worker has his or her own lock and key (combination locks are not allowed)
  • Only those who placed the locks can remove the tags and locks
  • The shift supervisor keeps a master key for use in an emergency
  • It is against regulations and extremely dangerous to remove someone else's lock

Multiple Lockout

Sometimes more than one person is working on a system or piece of machinery. A device called a safety hasp is used to hold multiple locks, ensuring that equipment cannot be reactivated until all workers have completed their tasks and removed their locks.

Ladder and Scaffold Safety

Accidents involving ladders and scaffolds are a major cause of injuries and fatalities in the workplace. Use the correct ladder for the job: do not improvise or use a ladder for any purpose other than its intended use.

Common Ladder Hazards

Proper Ladder Positioning

3:1 Ratio Rule: Ensure the ladder is set 1 ft (30 cm) out for every 3 ft (90 cm) up. The top rails should be at least 3 ft (90 cm) above the sill or landing.

Ladder Usage Safety

Three-Point Contact

Face the ladder when going up or down and maintain "3-point contact" - two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand on the ladder at all times

Tool Handling

Lift tools or materials with a hoist rope (in a bucket) rather than in your hands

Safety Harness

At heights over 10 ft (3 m), wear a safety belt or harness that is tied to the building you are climbing to

🧠 Knowledge Check 5

8. The proper ladder positioning ratio is:

1:1 (1 foot out for every 1 foot up)
2:1 (1 foot out for every 2 feet up)
3:1 (1 foot out for every 3 feet up)
4:1 (1 foot out for every 4 feet up)

9. When climbing a ladder, you should maintain:

Two-point contact
Three-point contact
Four-point contact
One-point contact

Responsibilities of Parties Involved

Everyone involved in a construction site has specific responsibilities for safety. The following are typical responsibilities found in provincial Acts and Regulations for construction projects:

Constructor

Ensures measures and procedures required by Acts and Regulations are carried out on the job site

Employer

Provides equipment, materials, safety clothing, and protective devices required by law

Supervisor

Ensures workers follow safety procedures and use proper protective equipment

Worker

Works in compliance with all applicable Acts and Regulations

Health and Safety Representative

Performs site inspections and helps mediate disputes over unsafe conditions

Worker Responsibilities in Detail

General Safety Rules and Safe Work Practices

The following safety rules apply in all training and work situations. You must follow these rules when doing any practical task.

No Horseplay

Do not tolerate running, wrestling, throwing objects around, and all other types of unsafe behaviour in the shop.

Clean Up

Good housekeeping is a must: keep your work area clean; remove or protect protruding sharp objects; post hazard signs; store gas cylinders upright.

Tool Organization

Keep tools clean and store them properly when not in use.

Prevent Falling Hazards

Do not place articles on ladders or where there are falling hazards.

Adequate Lighting

You must be able to see what you are doing: if you need more light, use a trouble lamp.

Proper Lifting

Use the correct posture and rigging equipment to prevent injury.

Additional Safety Practices

Use Protective Equipment

Safety gear and clothing are required when working in the shop or job site.

Tag Defective Items

Tag tools or equipment that are defective and remove them from the work area.

Report Accidents

Report any accident or injury, no matter how minor, to your supervisor and first aid attendants.

Monitor Health

Report any health problems to your supervisor, even minor issues that could affect your safety.

No Impairment

Do not work while impaired by alcohol or medication.

Address Unsafe Conditions

Correct any safety violation or unsafe condition right away or report it immediately.

🧠 Final Assessment

10. Which of the following is NOT a worker responsibility?

Report equipment problems to supervisor
Use required PPE
Purchase their own safety equipment
Work in compliance with safety regulations

11. The "last line of defence" in workplace safety is:

Safety training
Safety procedures
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Safety inspections

12. Zero energy state means:

The machine is turned off
The power cord is unplugged
All sources of hazardous energy are isolated and locked off
The emergency stop button is pressed

Safety Resources

For additional health and safety information, consult these resources:

Federal Resources

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC):
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/labour/health_safety/index.shtml

Canadian Government Safety Departments

List of Canadian government departments with chief responsibility for occupational health and safety:
http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/information/govt.html

Confined Space Safety

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety:
www.ccohs.ca

Workplace Health and Safety

Canada's National Workplace Health and Safety website:
http://www.canoshweb.org/