Silent Warnings

Originally published on 05/17/2017

Signs are used to communicate important messages. Signs on a construction jobsite are essential for everyone’s safety.

We see these signs every day. Signs that remind workers of the dangers of working in and around confined spaces or electrical hazards. Signs that alert motorists to the existence of a work zone, warning them to watch out for workers. Signs on containers that provide a list of contents or special instructions. For the most part, we recognize the messages conveyed on these signs and react accordingly.

But what are silent warnings that point to safety hazards with the potential to cause harm? Examples include:

  • a hole in the floor
  • a leaning pile of material
  • a flagger station just over the crest of a hill
  • a worker sitting on a barrier in a construction zone
  • protruding nails
  • an unprotected trench
  • an uncovered rebar protruding upward
  • falling material
  • defective tools

Learn to recognize a silent warning just as readily as you would a sign with words, then take prompt action to prevent accidents.

Don’t assume it’s not your responsibility to deal with a problem just because you didn’t create it, or it’s not in your normal work area. Instead, deal with the issue immediately. Prompt corrective action could mean the difference between a safe working environment, you or a co-worker suffering an unnecessary injury – or worse. Don’t ignore a hazard. Don’t assume someone else will deal with it. If it is something you cannot handle without putting yourself in danger or violating company policy, then immediately report the hazard to a supervisor.

Be alert. Make every effort to observe these less obvious warning signs, because they point to potential accidents waiting to happen. When you do recognize potential safety hazards, take action. Promptly and responsibly take steps to ensure they are corrected.

Download the recording form here.

Safety Tips for Night Work Construction Crews

Originally published May 9, 2017

According to one report, nighttime construction work is almost 2 ½ times more dangerous than daytime construction work.

Some reasons this work is more dangerous include: operators and motorists find it difficult to see beyond the glare of headlights or work zone lights; motorists and workers are more likely to be fatigued and drowsy; a higher percentage of motorists may be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and work zone lane changes can catch motorists by surprise. Add it all up and it’s easy to see why nighttime work is more dangerous.

However, working at night is here to stay. Lane closures for roadway construction or repair can be accomplished with less disruption to the traveling public by doing the work during off peak (nighttime) hours. So what can we do to help ensure our safety when we are working at night?

While Off The Job – Make Sleep a Priority

  • An hour or so before you want to go to sleep, take a warm shower or bath to relax.
  • Lower the temperature in your bedroom (a cool environment improves sleep).
  • Darken your bedroom by pulling shades.
  • Avoid caffeine several hours before you want to go to sleep.
  • Don’t activate your brain several hours before you want to go to sleep.
  • Wear earplugs if daytime noise keeps you awake.
  • Turn on a “white noise” machine, like a fan, to give a gentle background noise.
  • Develop a regular sleeping schedule.

While On The Job

  • All construction crew members should wear high-visibility clothing. Flaggers in particular, should wear safety vests that are labeled as meeting the American National Standards Institute standard performance for Class 3 risk exposure safety vest, with “retro-reflective” striping.
  • Take short breaks when you feel yourself becoming tired.
  • Use the buddy system – try working close to a co-worker for conversation and help in recognizing when you’re getting drowsy.
  • If you find yourself fighting to stay awake, let a supervisor know and take a short break. A short break could prevent a serious accident.

We don’t recommend using sleeping pills or alcohol to go to sleep. They might help for a day or two, but not long-term. We also don’t recommend drinking lots of highly-caffeinated drinks, because the short-term energy burst they give is followed by a deeper sense of fatigue a short time later.

Consider these safety tips when working at night. The life you save may be your own.

Download the recording form here.

2019 Safety Program Awards

ELIGIBILITY

To be considered for an award, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Current ICI membership;
  • No OSHA citable work-related fatalities since January 1, 2018;
  • Must have one or more active jobsites available for visit during August and September 2019;
  • Must allow a random and unannounced jobsite validation and worker interviews;
  • Award recipients must work with ICI’s Safety Committee to participate in a safety roundtable gathering in early 2020.

Awards will be announced at ICI’s Annual Membership Meeting on Thursday, November 21.

COMPLETING THE APPLICATION

The ICI application process consists of three parts:

  1. Interactive application form which is filled in and submitted electronically once you have provided all of the requested information. Each section of the application clearly states what is required for that section.
  2. The application form will also request some independent documentation. Please save these documents as a PDF file to upload with the application.
  3. Once you complete the application form, ICI will send you links to electronic supervisor and onsite worker surveys. You will need to provide those links via text or email to your supervisors and onsite workers so they can take the one/two-minute survey.

NOTE: Please contact Ashley Aiken at aaiken@indianaconstructors.org, or by phone at (317) 634-7547 if your company is unable to participate electronically.

DEADLINE

Applications are submitted electronically and must be received by Friday, June 28, 2019. At least the minimum number of all supervisor and onsite worker surveys must be submitted by the June 28 deadline (refer to application for minimum number needed).

CONFIDENTIALITY

To ensure fairness in the judging process, ICI will remove all identifying information, such as company name and address, from the applications and supporting documentation before providing information to ICI’s Safety Program Awards Selection Committee.

COMPANY SAFETY PROGRAM

Please provide “yes” or “no” answers to three questions, adding explanations and/or comments as appropriate.

  • Please attach a sample copy of one of your jobsite safety plan, hazard analysis and preventative action.
  • Please attach a sample copy of your written plan to provide task-specific, hands-on training for new hires and employees who transfer to a new task.

SAFETY PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Please attach a copy of the Table of Contents from your company’s safety manual.

TARGETED QUESTIONS – SHORT ANSWER

Please provide brief answers to the two questions. These short answers provide additional insight into a contractors safety efforts that safety numbers may not show; so your written answers to these questions will help judges to better understand a contractor’s safety efforts and programs. Although ICI will remove all identifying information, please refrain from using the company name and/or company-specific acronyms in this section.

SURVEYS

ICI uses electronic surveys to make it easier for companies to distribute and request anonymous feedback from employees about the company’s safety program. Contractors without the capabilities of doing the surveys electronically should contact Ashley Aiken at aaiken@indianaconstructors.org at (317) 634-7547 for paper surveys and instructions.

APPLICATION SUBMITTAL

Completed applications will be automatically sent to ICI via the interactive application form. Survey forms should be submitted by Friday, June 28, 2019.

QUESTIONS

If you have any questions during the application process, contact Ashley Aiken at aaiken@indianaconstructors.org at (317) 634-7547.

Deadly Distraction

As any employer with industrial machinery knows, preventing accidents starts with making sure employees are aware of their surroundings. The inappropriate use of cell phones decreases employees’ awareness of their surroundings, therefore reducing their ability to recognize and react to hazards. OSHA construction regulations pertaining to cranes and derricks (29 C.F.R. § 1926.1417(d)) forbid the use of cell phones, but the hazard exists across any dangerous equipment. Accordingly, active operation during the use of industrial equipment should be strictly prohibited.

Want more in-depth info? Check out this article on cell phone use risk.

Does your company currently have a cell phone policy in place? If not, and you aren’t sure where to start, ICI is here to help! ICI Manager of Safety and Transportation Issues Ashley Aiken has created a template policy for member use. We encourage you to modify the document to make it meet your company’s needs.

Download the template here.

If you have any questions, contact Ashley Aiken at (317) 634-7547.

Conducting an Internal Safety Audit

Originally published March 21, 2017

Safety should be the first concern on every construction site. To enhance your company’s safety culture, it’s a good idea to periodically perform an internal safety audit. An audit is a systematic or methodical review. It’s a time to examine with the intent to verify and/or rectify. When you take the time to perform your own, internal audit and make the necessary changes, you will not only enhance the safety of everyone on your construction site, but you will also reduce the possibility of being cited if you ever have an OSHA audit.

Here are some elements of a safety audit:

  • Include the entire organization.
  • Use a variety of assessment tools (e.g. interviews, focus groups, questionnaires, observations and document reviews).
  • Appoint a designated team representing all organizational levels and functions of the company to carry out the self-audit.
  • Include a specialist in safety culture on the team.
  • Train team members on how to perform a self-audit. Examples of things to look for include:
    • The correct PPE for each particular job on the site (e.g. correct eye protection, gloves, footwear, chemical aprons or harnesses).
    • Is the PPE is in good condition? If it is not, repair or replace it.
    • Do workers have the correct tools for the job and are they are in good condition?
    • Are workers properly trained to operate tools or equipment?
    • Verify that all harmful energy sources around the work area(s) have been identified and isolated.
    • Do workers inspect heavy equipment daily?
    • Do workers know the location of the fire extinguishers and how to use them? Are they in good condition?
    • Test the back-up alarms on heavy equipment.
    • Is there a list of hazardous materials for this job site?
    • Are hazardous materials in the proper containers with correct labels?
    • Do employees practice good housekeeping and material storage?
    • Are barricades/debris protection and warning signs in place?
    • Are excavation sites and trenches properly protected?
    • Do employees know where the first aid kits are located, and is there someone on the site certified in first aid? Is eye wash available?
  • It is a good practice for the designated audit team to summarize the results of their audit and identify areas for improvement and suggest actions to be taken.
  • Report the results of the self-audit to management at the appropriate level.
  • Do a follow-up self-audit to determine if all recommended changes and improvements have been made.

Download the recording form here.

Foot Protection

Originally published 01/10/2017

In construction, we typically spend more than 10 hours a day on our feet. We walk on uneven surfaces, through mud, water, ice and snow, and expose our feet to all kinds of hazards. A work boot that doesn’t fit properly or doesn’t provide the protection you need can cause you long-term problems.

Foot protection means guarding your toes, ankles and feet from injury. Each foot has 26 bones for support and 38 joints for movement, along with blood vessels, ligaments, muscles and nerves. Protective footwear is designed to protect your feet from physical hazards such as falling objects, stepping on sharp objects, heat, cold, wet and slippery surfaces or exposure to corrosive chemicals.

Here are some tips for selecting the proper work boot:

  • Select a work boot that will protect you against the hazards you’ll be exposed to. Make sure the boot is puncture resistant and provides ankle support to protect against ankle sprains from slips and falls.
  • If you’ll be working around heavy objects that could possibly crush your foot, select boots with steel or non-metallic protective toe caps. Work boots can also protect your feet against weld spatter, electric shock, water, cold, etc.
  • Make sure your boots meet the ANSI Z41“American National Standard for Personal Protection-Protective Footwear (which should be noted on the boot tongue, sole or upper part of the boot). OSHA requires that work boots meet this standard.
  • Make sure the work boot fits properly.
    • Work boots should feel comfortable from the first moment you wear them.
    • Measure both feet when being fitted. Often you will find your left and right foot aren’t the same size, so select a size that fits the larger foot.
    • It’s important to try the boots on in the afternoon after you’ve been walking for a while, because your feet swell as the day wears on.
    • When trying on boots, make sure you are wearing the same kind of socks you typically wear to work.
  • When putting your boots on, lace them up fully and snugly for proper fit and support.

Don’t shortchange your foot protection. Buy work boots that will provide your feet with the protection you need and will be comfortable to wear all day.

Download the recording form here.