Department of Labor Proposes Rule to Clarify PPE Standard, Ensure Safety of Construction Industry Workers

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The U.S. Department of Labor announced a notice of proposed rulemaking to clarify the personal protective equipment standard for the construction industry. The current standard does not state clearly that PPE must fit each affected employee properly, which the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s general industry and maritime standards do. The proposed change would clarify that PPE must fit each employee properly to protect them from occupational hazards. The failure of standard-sized PPE to protect physically smaller construction workers properly, as well as problems with access to properly fitting PPE, have long been safety and health concerns in the construction … Read more

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4 Types of Heat Illness + Tips to Prevent on the Jobsite

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How water, rest + shade to get the work done By Taylor Klitzke With drastic, seasonal weather changes in many parts of the country, it’s a good time to review the extra precautions that must be taken to protect our workers. On occasion, workers may be required to work in hot environments for long periods, and when the human body is unable to maintain normal temperature, heat-related illnesses can occur. Every year, thousands of workers become sick from exposure to heat, and several even die. To prevent heat-related illness and fatalities, superintendents must learn the signs of heat illness and … Read more

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Practice Ladder Safety All Year Long

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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ladder deaths accounted for 161 on-the-job fatalities in 2020, the most recent year for which statistics are available. That same year, there were 22,710 ladder-related workplace injuries, an injury stat that has remained relatively constant over the previous several years. The American Ladder Institute recently marked National Ladder Safety Month, spreading the word about safe ladder practices, training opportunities and more. Because safety never takes a break, now is the time to take the lessons learned in March and carry them forward all year long. By continuing to follow ladder safety practices … Read more

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Cold Stress Safety, Protection on the Jobsite

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By David DeSilva and Dr. Mark S. Williams The best time to think about cold stress safety isn’t when it’s about to snow – it’s when it’s still warm out. Cold stress happens when skin temperature and internal body temperature drops. If the body can’t warm itself, the stress can lead to serious illnesses and injuries. Superintendents may start thinking about protecting their crew against the cold during frigid temperatures. Oftentimes, however, that may be too late, especially if the jobsite is in the Northeast, Midwest, Rocky Mountains or parts of the upper Pacific regions of the U.S. When a … Read more

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Tangible Ways to Improve Day-to-Day Safety Performance

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How STEP influences the role of a superintendent through leadership, culture, process + results By Joe Xavier Our people are our greatest asset, and we must take advantage of every opportunity to leverage and advance world-class safety for the construction workforce of more than 7.5 million. Safety is an essential pillar of Associated Builders and Contractors’ mission, and we strive to ensure all construction workers go home in the same — or better — condition than when they arrived on the jobsite or at the office. One of the most important tools in the journey to safety is the STEP … Read more

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