Category Archives: Safety Performance

National Work Zone Awareness Week: How can you help?

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The 14th annual 2013 National Work Zone Safety WeekNational Work Zone Awareness Week April is this week, April 15th through 19th. Sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the week aims to raise awareness of work zone safety issues, for workers and motorists alike. The FHWA has a library of useful information regarding work zone safety. Below is a list of a few of the most common dangers and what you can do to prevent them.

Primary Work Zone Dangers

  • Confused or distracted motorists traveling in work areas (Most injuries and deaths in work zones are caused by rear-end collisions.)
  • Continue reading →

Watch Your Step Today, Daylight Savings Increases Workplace Injuries

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Daylight Savings Time responsible for more workplace injuriesThere are a few more weary eyes in the workplace today since Daylight Savings robbed us all of an hour sleep. More accurately, an average of 40 minutes per person was lost according to a 2009 study that appeared in the Journal of Applied Psychology. Now we’re all at greater risk for injuries in the workplace.

In reviewing historical data from OSHA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics regarding workplace injuries, researchers concluded that a lack of sleep is directly responsible for a measurable bump in workplace incidents on the Monday after Daylight Savings goes into effect.

The moral of this story… watch your step today, and try to catch up on sleep tonight.

Top 10 OSHA Violations

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Top 10 OSHA ViolationsOSHA violations can be a costly mistake. The incidents that may result from them can be worse. Last week’s infographic about construction site accidents looked at the frequency, nature and costs of reported incidents. We believe that 100% of construction site accidents are avoidable, and following OSHA’s standards and codes to the letter is a good start.

The top 10 most frequently cited OSHA violations for 2012 were:

  1. Fall Protection (code: 1926.501)
  2. Hazard Communication (code: 1910.1200)
  3. Scaffolds (code: 1926.451)
  4. Continue reading →

Infographic: Construction Site Accident Statistics

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Despite efforts by the industry and OSHA, injuries and even fatalities are still frequent occurrences on construction sites. We found this infographic from Same Day Steel Deck that sheds light on construction site accidents with eye-opening statistics.

When it comes to construction site safety, it’s essential to understand the risks and plan carefully. The infographic is a good place to start, along with these helpful articles.

- Planning Ahead to Prevent Construction Site Accidents

- Understanding and Evaluating Hazard Recognition and Tolerance

infographic
View full infographic Source: Click here

Planning Ahead to Prevent Construction Site Accidents

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Construction Site Safety

Safety is the top concern for every construction firm. Besides the obvious impact on workers, construction accidents can have a devastating impact on customer relationships, your ability to bid and win jobs and, ultimately, your company’s bottom line.

As you approach your next project, here’s a list of high risk areas and some tips for developing a plan to avoid them.

7 Most Common OSHA Violations

7. Hazard Communication
6. Scaffolding
5. Excavations (protective systems)
4. Head Protection
3. Ladders
2. Excavations (general requirements)
1. Fall Protection

Inspect the Site, Recognize the Hazards, Make a Plan

This should seem routine, but inspecting and understanding any unusual hazards associated with a site should be completed before any project starts. Here are some tips for keeping your team safe on the job, Continue reading →

Understanding and Evaluating Hazard Recognition and Risk Tolerance

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construction site safetyLearning to recognize hazards and establishing a low risk tolerance is the first and, perhaps, most important step toward instilling a culture of safety and reducing costs associated with poor safety performance.

What’s your Risk Tolerance? Does your team know how to recognize and correct hazards on the job site? Unsafe work behaviors are increased by inattention as a result of repetition and/or becoming complacent and overconfident with the job task. The result is an increase in unsafe behaviors that cause work-related injuries.

Hazard recognition requires daily practice. Teaching workers to evaluate every task or situation over the course of a project can have a tremendous impact on safety awareness and Continue reading →

The High Cost of Bad Construction Site Safety

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Construction Site SafetyOccupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards can sometimes be expensive, appear unnecessary or extreme, or even just a pain. But when faced with the alternative, a robust safety program is the far better option. Here are just a few factors to consider every time your team heads out to the construction site.

Insurance Hike

Workers’ compensation insurance is frequently a contractors single largest expense next to payroll and materials. Even a single claim can result in a huge rate hike that is sure to put a dent in your bottom line.

Continue reading →