Tag: accidents

Simulation makes puts fall protection training in your hands

Posted on by Andria Hine

Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry. In 2014, over 300 construction workers died as a result of a fall at work. These deaths were preventable with the proper use of fall prevention and fall protection.

The Master Builders’ Association worked with Simcoach Games to bring fall protection training to the modern day and created an app to train anyone with a Smartphone or tablet. “Harness Hero” is an innovative approach to saving lives in the construction industry and allows you a safe way to practice setting up fall arrest systems.

Learn more and download the simulation today.

New fall prevention infographics raise awareness

Posted on by Andria Hine

OSHA, the National Institute for Safety and Health and Center for Protection of Workers Rights created a series of infographics to aid the National Campaign to Prevent Construction Falls. These images identify risks, provide steps to prevent falls and link to a ladder safety app that can help your crew make better decisions when working at heights. Download them here.

INSafe offers fall prevention training

Posted on by admin_ici

May 2-6 is National Safety Stand-down to Prevent Falls in Construction, as coordinated by OSHA. The Indiana Department of Labor’s INSafe division will offer fall prevention training in north, central and south Indiana – free of charge. The events will include a full training session, educational materials and resources for attendees, and participants will also receive certificates of participation following completed training.

Find out more about INSafe’s involvement, registration and additional resources are available on the agency’s website.

AGC Safety & Health Conference slated for July 27-29

Posted on by Andria Hine

Construction safety and health is vital for the success of the industry. Join more than 150 industry professionals and participate in the development of regulatory and legislative activity on both a national and local levels, assist in the development and creation of new safety training programs and products and hear the latest initiatives from OSHA and other industry experts.

  • Get the latest updates to regulations and OSHA activities
  • Peer-to-Peer Interaction and networking.
  • Find out what is or is not working from construction safety professionals across the industry.
  • Get the latest updates on congressional activities directly affecting construction safety and health.
  • Take an active role in improving safety and health in the construction industry
  • Conference sessions will cover: safety culture and climate, leadership, how to conduct effective safety and health training, safety and health considerations surrounding the aging worker, and building erection stability among others.

The AGC Safety & Health Committee Meeting is open to both interested AGC members and non-members.

Fighting Fatigue

Posted on by admin_ici

Fatigue is the condition of being physically or mentally tired or exhausted. Extreme fatigue can lead to uncontrolled and involuntary shutdown of the brain, which can be extremely dangerous on a construction site. Research has shown that:

  • 17 hours of continuously being awake is equivalent to a blood alcohol content of .05;
  • 21 hours of continuously being awake is equivalent to a blood alcohol content of .08 (the legal limit in Indiana); and
  • 24-25 hours of continuously being awake is equivalent to a blood alcohol content of .10.

These statistics show that when you are fatigued it is very likely that you will make errors in judgement. Your mind and eyes can be off task, and you can make a critical error.

A sleep-impaired worker may also experience lack of manual dexterity and alertness. The drowsiness associated with sleep deprivation can jeopardize safety when working with machinery, at heights and certainly while driving vehicles. Sleep-impaired workers may be more irritable and might take more risks than they would if they were rested. Research has also proven that workers are far more likely to forget rote tasks when they are deprived of sleep on a regular basis.

Here are some tips from the National Sleep Foundation for getting a good night’s sleep:

  • Don’t sleep in on your days off. Maintain your workday sleep schedule.
  • Wind down before going to bed. Experts recommend that you establish a regular relaxing routine to transition between waking and sleeping. Soak in a hot tub or read a book before retiring. This can greatly improve your quality of sleep. Make your bedroom sleep friendly by making it a dark, quiet, cool and comfortable place.
  • Use your bed for sleeping. Watching television or working on a computer can impede your ability to truly relax when it’s time to sleep.
  • Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol for several hours before bedtime.
  • Allow enough time for sleep. Before you protest and say you would if you could, consider that people who get enough sleep are significantly more productive during their waking hours than people who are sleep deprived.
  • Nap when possible. A 20-minute nap (no more) followed by exercise will make you feel refreshed and provide a pick-me-up that will make you more productive.
  • Exercise regularly and complete your workout a few hours before bedtime.
  • Finish eating at least two to three hours before your regular bedtime.

Remember, the treatment for sleepiness and fatigue is sleep. A rested worker is more alert and focused, and is likely to be more productive and work safely.

Download the recording form here.

Hard hat inspection and maintenance

Posted on by admin_ici

The hard hat is one of the oldest, most widely used and important pieces of personal protective equipment on the construction site. In order for it to protect you, you must be regularly inspect it, maintain it and wear it properly. The following tips will help you keep your hard hat in optimal condition:

  1. Inspect your hard hat before each use.
  • Begin with the shell, and look for cracks, nicks, dents, gouges and any damage caused by impact, penetration or abrasions. If your hat is made of thermoplastic materials, check the shell for stiffness, brittleness, fading, dullness of color or a chalky appearance. If any of these conditions are present, or if the shell is damaged, replace it immediately.
  • If your work is predominantly in sunlight, consider replacing your hard hat more frequently. Ultraviolet light can cause the hat’s shell to deteriorate over time. Also, replace your hat’s shell if you work in an area with high exposure to temperature extremes or chemicals. You can find the date code on the underside brim of the cap.
  • Inspect the suspension in your hard hat. The suspension absorbs the shock of a blow to the top of the hard hat. Look for cracks, tears, frayed or cut straps or lack of pliability. All keys should fit tightly and securely into their respective key slots. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for assembly. Replace your suspension if it shows signs of wear or damage.
  1. Limit the use of stickers. They won’t necessarily interfere with the hat’s performance, but they may interfere with your ability to thoroughly inspect the shell for signs of damage.
  2. Replace a hat that has been struck by a forcible blow. The impact can reduce a hard hat’s effectiveness.
  3. Never modify the shell or suspension. Do not drill ventilation holes in the shell. Never use a suspension that is not intended for use in your particular hard hat shell. Do not carry or wear anything inside of your hard hat between the suspension and the shell.
  4. Don’t wear your hard hat backwards unless the manufacturer certifies that it is safe to do so. You should have written verification from the manufacturer that your hard hat has been tested and that it complies with the requirements of the American National Standards Institute when worn with the bill turned to the rear. The manufacturer may specify that the suspension should be reversed in the helmet to ensure adequate protection. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Inspecting, maintaining and/or replacing your hard hat is well worth the effort and expense. You don’t want to be injured because you are wearing a hard hat that has outlived its usefulness.

Download a recording form here.