35 states add jobs in September; Dodge predicts starts will rise in 2017; ABI slips again. [more]
Tag: workers
AGC’s Data Digest – October 3-7, 2016
September employment hits highest level since 2008; August spending slides. [more]
First Aid Basics
Contractors are required to have at least one person on the worksite with first aid training. However, it is a good idea for everyone to have some basic knowledge of first aid.
All jobsites must have a readily-accessible first aid kit that meets ANSI standards (ANSI Z308.1-2015). Keep in mind that ANSI standards are minimum. You may need to supplement your kits with additional supplies and equipment to handle severe injuries, injuries to multiple patients, or CPR on two victims simultaneously.
To help ensure the safety of everyone on your jobsite:
- Keep first aid kits in a place that is accessible to everyone. All employees should know the location of the kits. Never lock them up.
- Inventory your first aid kits regularly to ensure emergency supplies are ready. Appoint someone to be responsible for checking and restocking the kits.
- Make sure all employees know who the first aid responders are on their jobsite and how to contact them. There should be a first aid responder for each shift, including holidays.
- Make sure the first aid responder is easy to identify. Usually a sticker on the safety helmet will suffice.
- Provide at least one accessible phone that dials out to 911.
- Keep a sufficient amount of PPE on hand.
Keep a bloodborne pathogen protection kit with your first aid kit. This kit should include Nitrile exam gloves, eye protection, an apron and CPR shield/mask.
When first aid is required:
- Immediately send someone for your on-site first aid responder.
- If necessary, have someone call 911.
- Remove the hazard from the victim if it is safe to do so. Do not move the victim unless it is absolutely necessary (i.e. – patient is in immediate danger).
- Remain with the victim and give reassurance. Unless you absolutely need to signal or call for help, stay with the person at all times.
- Once you’ve established that the victim is breathing and has a pulse, look for bleeding. Your first priority should be to stop any bleeding. Use direct pressure on a wound before trying any other method to manage the bleeding.
- Make the person as comfortable as possible, but do not move the injured person’s head or prop it up on a pillow.
- Do not give the victim food or drinks. It is appropriate to moisten their lips if they need it.
- Do not allow the person to smoke.
These are just a few things each person should know about first aid. While most of us won’t be the designated first aid responder, there may be instances where you will need to step in until the first aid responder arrives.
Know First Aid Basics – It Could Save A Life
AGC’s Data Digest – September 12-19, 2016
PPI for new buildings moderate; hiring plans diverge; income properties remain healthy. [more]
Employers Must Update Two Federal Employment Law Posters
Source: AGC Federal Report
Employers Must Update Two Federal Employment Law Posters
Immediate Requirement
With little notice, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) revised two federal employment law posters – the Federal Minimum Wage poster and the Employee Polygraph Protection Act poster. As a result, employers must immediately ensure that the new posters are properly displayed.
There are two notable changes to the federal minimal wage poster. The federal minimum wage, itself, did not change. However, information on the rights of nursing mothers to receive breaks for expressing breast milk was added, and text regarding child labor was removed.
As for the Employee Polygraph Protection Act poster, minor changes included an updated toll-free phone number along with the addition of a TTY phone number for the hearing impaired.
Civil penalty limits were removed from both posters.
Concrete and Cement Safety
As with most products used in construction, there is always the potential for injury or illness when you don’t take the proper precautions. This is true with concrete and cement. Potential hazards for employees working with these products include:
- Eye, skin and respiratory tract irritation from exposure to cement dust.
- Eye contamination can cause redness, chemical burns and even blindness.
- Skin irritation may be anything from contact dermatitis, allergic reactions, thickening or cracking of the skin to severe skin damage from chemical burns.
- Silica exposure can lead to lung injuries including silicosis and lung cancer.
- Overexertion and awkward postures.
- Slips, trips and falls.
- Chemical burns from wet cement.
There are steps you can take to prevent these job-related injuries.
- Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment when working with concrete and cement. This would include:
- Alkali-resistant gloves;
- Long-sleeve shirts and full-length trousers (pull sleeves down over your gloves and tuck your pants inside your boots. Duct-tape at the top to keep mortar and concrete out of your boots and off your skin);
- Waterproof boots high enough to prevent concrete from flowing in when you must stand in fresh concrete;
- Suitable respirator protective equipment such as a P, N or R 95 respirator when you can’t avoid cement dust;
- Suitable eye protection where mixing, pouring or other activities may endanger eyes (minimum – safety glasses with side shields or goggles. Under extremely dusty conditions use tight-fitting, unvented or indirectly vented goggles. Don’t wear contact lenses when handling cement or cement products.)
- Where possible, wet cut rather than dry cut masonry products.
- Mix dry cement in well-ventilated areas.
- Do not ride on or work under concrete buckets.
- When kneeling on fresh concrete, use a dry board or waterproof kneepads to protect knees from water that can soak through fabric.
- Do not wear jewelry. Wet cement can collect under jewelry and cause skin irritation.
- Remove wet, cement-contaminated clothing quickly and wash the skin immediately with large amounts of cool, clean water.
- Don’t wash your hands with water from buckets used for cleaning tools.
- Wash hands and face before eating, drinking, smoking or using the toilet, and before you leave the site to go home.
- Change your shoes and clothes before getting into your vehicle to go home.
- If you do come in contact with wet or dry cement:
- Immediately wash the affected area with cold water. Wash the eyes with cold tap water for at least 15 minutes before going to the hospital.
- Flush and cover open sores with suitable dressings.
- Report chemical burns or cement-related dermatitis to your supervisor.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Think smart and stay safe.