New Findings on Contractor Use of Safety Best Practices Released

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A new report from CPWR and Dodge Data & Analytics, “Contractor Use of Best Safety Practices,” summarizes the results of two recent surveys that explored topics such as how frequently contractors engage in selected safety practices, differences between large-, small- and medium-sized contractors and use of Lean construction. In the case of Lean construction, the report found that familiarity with the concept has grown considerably. In 2013, when contractors were first surveyed about this concept, only 52% said they were familiar with Lean construction compared to 71% today. As shown in the accompanying chart, this report also found that contractors … Read more

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Build with Strength Releases Wind Test Video after Tornado Crisis, Encourages Material Tests for More Secure Structures

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In the wake of recent destructive spate of tornadoes across the American Southeast, Build with Strength, a coalition of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association consisting of civic organizations, fire service professionals, architects, engineers and industry experts committed to enacting safer and more sustainable building standards, has released a video promoting the safety advantages of building with concrete. The three-minute video predominantly features the use of wind tunnels, or simulated high-velocity wind machines, designed to replicate the potential debris damage in a violent storm or tornado. Alabama experienced its deadliest storms in eight years with at least 18 tornadoes touching … Read more

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Study Finds Upward Trend in Elevator-Related Construction Fatalities

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Workers are at risk of serious injury or death when installing, repairing and maintaining escalators and elevators, as well as when cleaning elevator shafts, conducting emergency evacuations of stalled elevators or performing construction work near open shafts. A recent study by CPWR’s Data Center found that while fatalities fluctuate year-to-year, the general trend in elevator-related deaths has been upward. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of deaths doubled from 14 in 2003 to 28 in 2016, with a peak of 37 deaths in 2015. Between 2011 and 2016, 145 construction workers died due to elevator-related … Read more

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IBM Helps Organizations Monitor Workers’ Safety with Watson IoT

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IBM Think has collaborated with Garmin Health, Guardhat, Mitsufuji and SmartCone to monitor worker safety in hazardous environments, including those working in construction, mining and factories, using IoT technologies, integrated into wearables. IBM’s Maximo Worker Insights will monitor biometric and environmental data to help identify whether employees are experiencing dangers or risk. Data will be gathered in near real-time from wearables, smart devices and environmental sensors to help organizations quickly respond to problems or react to changing environmental conditions. Employees working in rapidly changing environments face shifting conditions, whether on the factory floor, on the forklift, atop a cell tower … Read more

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The Importance of Proper Fall Protection Training for Workers at Height

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By Baxter Byrd, Pure Safety Group As the march of technology pushes fall protection products into the future, the most useful tool for the worker-at-height remains the one between their ears. Keeping that tool keen and sharp with a properly managed training program is the most effective way to ensure that what goes up, comes down safely. 2017 was an important year regarding worker-at-height training. OSHA released its long-awaited update to the 1910 Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment (Fall Protection Systems), which became effective on Jan. 17, 2017. If there was any doubt before this release as to the … Read more

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