Beat the Heat

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Safety reminders to ‘keep your cool’ this summer By Richard Ryan “Hottest summer on record” is a phrase many of us are likely tired of hearing, and none so much as construction project leaders. When you coordinate and lead hundreds of people working outdoors every day, “hottest summer” goes beyond an uncomfortable inconvenience and can quickly verge on danger for all involved. As with many aspects of construction safety, keeping your team safe during hot conditions rests on three equally critical pillars: knowledge, preparation and collective care. When we know the warning signs, prepare to respond competently and commit to … Read more

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I Felt the Earth Move Under My Feet

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Top 4 ways to mitigate accidents when using earth-moving equipment By Taylor Klitzke Perhaps Carole King didn’t have mobile earth-moving equipment in mind when she wrote that song, but construction superintendents should. Because it could be a matter of life or death. As new workers prepare to begin on jobsites, construction managers and general contractors must provide a comprehensive orientation to mitigate accidents. To reduce the risk of injuries — and possibly fatalities — training should educate workers on safety protocols, equipment operation and hazard recognition, as well as all federal, state and local regulations. Proper earth-moving equipment training ensures … Read more

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Applying Hierarchy of Fall Protection Controls Saves Lives, Money

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By Philip Jacklin Falls continue to be a leading cause of death and injury on construction sites. Per Occupational Safety and Health Administration 1926.501, employers must protect construction workers in an environment with the potential to fall 6 feet or more to the next lower level. (Note that general industry companies must adhere to OSHA 1910 and must be protected at 4 feet or more.) On a typical jobsite, the next lower level could be an elevator shaft, several floors of unfinished framing, steel beams, rebar, heavy machinery, the hard earth below or even an excavation pit underneath that. The … Read more

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American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Bechtel Partner to Prevent Construction Worker Suicides

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The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Bechtel recently entered a multiyear partnership dedicated to saving lives in the construction community lost to suicide. The new partnership will reach 500,000 U.S. construction workers over five years through industry-specific programs and resources developed by AFSP and Bechtel. The general contractor’s $7-million commitment to AFSP will fund the effort and is the largest-ever pledge received by AFSP. The construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates of any profession in the U.S. In fact, the number of suicides in the industry is nearly five times higher than the number of lives … Read more

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5th Annual National Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-by Incidents Coming in April

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National Work Zone Awareness Week 2024 will take place April 15-19, including the NORA Construction Sector Council’s fifth annual National Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-by Incidents. Any workplace can hold a stand-down by taking a break to focus on struck-by hazards and reinforcing the importance of training and prevention. Learn how to participate in the event and about this hazard — including resources to make workers safer — on CPWR’s Struck-by Hazards webpage. Also, CPWR is recruiting general and specialty contractors to participate in a pilot planning program to prevent struck-by incidents. Learn more about the free program and how to … Read more

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