New standards, safety gear help workers take a stand against injuries By Chris Maday Schmidt It goes without saying that the number one priority for superintendents is the safety of their crews and subcontractors. And that the number one goal is 100 percent zero incidents so that every worker goes home, unscathed, at the end of each day. Nearly 6.5 million people work at approximately 252,000 construction sites across the nation on any given day, according to OSHA. And, when compared to all industries, the fatal injury rate for the construction industry is higher than the national average in this … Read more
National Campaign to Prevent Falls in Construction Presents Webinar
At 2 p.m. EST on Wednesday, March 1, the National Campaign to Prevent Falls in Construction presents Getting Ready for the 2017 Safety Stand-Down. The speakers for the webinar include: Chris Trahan Cain, executive director, CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training Christine Branche, Ph.D., principal associate director, NIOSH, and director, Office of Construction Safety and Health Dean McKenzie, Director, OSHA directorate of construction Falls are the top cause of construction fatalities and account for 1/3 of on-the-job injuries and deaths in the industry. In 2012, CPWR, NIOSH and OSHA together launched a national construction fall prevention campaign. … Read more
McCownGordon’s Ian Wood Receives Safety Trained Supervisor Construction Certification
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Senior Superintendent Ian Wood of McCownGordon Construction has completed all requirements to become a Board of Certified Safety Professional and has received BCSP’s Safety Trained Supervisor Construction certification. To become certified, individuals must meet eligibility criteria and demonstrate experience in the safety, health and environmental discipline. Individuals receiving STSC certification must recertify every five years to maintain certification. According to Brian Schrader, McCownGordon’s safety director, “Ian truly exemplifies our company’s culture of safety. At McCownGordon, safety is more than a procedure, process or plan. It is a daily practice and our moral responsibility.” Safety issues have … Read more
Construction Industry Alliance Announces New Resources Aimed at Suicide Prevention
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Associated Builders and Contractors have made new resources available to its members through its membership in the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention. ABC joined the Construction Financial Management Association-led alliance in October 2016 to help provide resources and disseminate information on suicide prevention and mental health awareness in the construction industry, with a goal of building a zero-suicide industry. A 2016 Centers for Disease Control report showed that construction is one of the most at-risk industries for suicide, with 1,324 of the 12,300 suicides (10.8 percent) studied occurring among individuals who worked in the construction or … Read more
OSHA Issues Recommended Practices to Promote Workplace Safety, Health Programs in Construction
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs in Construction to help industry employers develop proactive programs to keep their workplaces safe. The recommendations may be particularly helpful to small- and medium-sized contractors who lack safety and health specialists on staff. Safety and health programs encourage finding and fixing workplace hazards before they cause injuries, illnesses and deaths. Implementing these programs also helps reduce the financial difficulties these events can cause for workers, their families and their employers. Contractors can create a safety and health program using a number of simple … Read more