Category: Construction

Hard hats have long been a staple safety item for the construction industry. For years, builders and tradespeople have relied on traditional construction hard hats to keep them safe – but things are changing. Bloomberg BNA recently released a report highlighting an increased interest in new, high-tech construction safety gear. More construction companies are switching to helmets of a new design, reducing the risk of workplace injury. These helmets protect employees from dropped objects, flying debris, and offer protection from falls. These types of accidents are the chief causes of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) among construction employees.

A report based on government data uncovered over 2,200 cases of TBI among workers in the building and construction industries between 2003 and 2010. For every 100,000 construction employees, 2.6 would die from a workplace accident. Most injuries were a result of dropped items or materials. Workers aged 65 and above suffered the highest risk for injury. Employees in working in steel and iron reported a higher number of TBI cases.

The new construction helmets (called ‘headgear’ by the wearers) have an advanced design. The design includes suspension bands within in the helmet, creating about an inch of space between the wearer’s head and the hard surface. These features serve a dual purpose:

• Cushion the impact of a fall from a height
• Absorb the effect of any object that might hit or fall on the worker’s head.

Helmet weight is evenly distributed across the wearer’s head making the headgear more comfortable and offering more protection against impacts on the head.

According to the Bloomberg report, the inspiration for the design came from equipment used in mountain climbing. Mountain climbing is very dangerous, and climbers need serious protection. Their helmets offer protection against accidents, falling rocks, and long falls. Construction companies find this design translates very well for building industry safety.

The idea to equip builders and construction workers with better safety equipment is not new. Employee safety and protection is the priority of the National Institute for Occupational Safety (NIOSH) and has been since the 1970s. Since then, the NIOSH has conducted many studies on helmet safety. NIOSH engineer Christopher Pan noted in a report that safer helmets are a major concern for all building trades. Pan stated it was time safety features rooted in science, physics, and medicine influence helmet design. to the helmet. Pan’s concerns are for the employee, he believes construction workers have a right to safe equipment. He challenges regulators and safety advocates to demand the new headgear, forcing companies to follow suit.

The law is on the side of the employee. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates safety equipment enforcement. Construction sites are dangerous. Employees on the job site risk falling and flying objects, falls, impacts, burns and more. OSHA requires these employees wear safe and secure helmets for their protection. Their helmet MUST meet or surpass the standards set by the American National Criteria Institute.

We always keep a lookout for great information about insurance topics that can influence your health, and your pocketbook. If you have any insurance related questions, please be sure to contact us.

During the hot summer months, construction moves into overdrive. Workers in this industry are grateful for the work… and may be quietly struggling with the heat.

If they’re not careful in hot weather, construction workers can suffer dehydration, muscle pain, and heat stroke. That’s for starters.

To help out, here are some tips by Mike Flynn a health and safety expert…

• Flynn stated that construction employees need to be trained to look for signs and symptoms of overheating. The most common symptoms include paleness, unsteadiness, and excessive sweating.
• Heat can also cause workers to shed their protective gear which can be dangerous when working in construction or next to traffic. Workers need opportunities to remain hydrated and extra monitoring to ensure proper safety protocols are followed…
• Workers may also lose concentration while on the job due to the high heat conditions. Flynn noted this and strongly advises construction company owners and managers to be as sympathetic as possible to outdoor workers.

For employees who have not been trained on staying safe in extreme weather conditions, Flynn encouraged folks to download the OSHA Heat Safety App so that they could come to work better prepared. (Check it out here: https://www.osha.gov/heat/)

This application lists the daily heat index and also has precautions that people should take in order to stay safe when outside.

In addition the resources offered by OSHA, it’s also a good idea to start the work day as early as possible. This will reduce the amount of time spent working outside at the hottest part of the day. Additionally, make sure to drink water constantly throughout the day and wear a wide-brimmed hat in order to limit the amount of direct UV exposure.

For other risk management thoughts to help keep your worker’s comp rates as low as possible, be sure to reach out to us. We love to help!

Envision this situation: A building employee is changing shingles on the roof covering of a two-story house 20 feet over ground. He loses his ground as well as slides, diminishing the roof covering. He’s using a fall-arrest system, and also consequently is saved from fatality.

Yet he’s not unharmed yet.

This worker can potentially experience orthostatic intolerance– additionally typically described as suspension trauma.

Just what is it?

OSHA explains suspension injury as “the advancement of signs and symptoms such as light-headedness, bad concentration, palpitations, tremulousness, exhaustion, nausea or vomiting, wooziness, frustration, sweating, weakness and periodically fainting during upright standing.”

After a fall, an employee might remain suspended in his or her harness prior to being saved. Depending upon the length of time the employee stays suspended, the continual stability could lead to unfamiliarity and even death. This is because of “venous pooling,” a problem that takes place when a person’s legs are stable as well as blood swimming pools in the legs, decreasing the amount of blood distributing in the body.

OSHA keeps in mind that the body reacts to venous pooling by quickening the heart price in an attempt to keep adequate blood circulation to the brain. If a person’s blood supply is considerably minimized, this won’t be effective as well as the body will after that “suddenly slow down the heart rate and also blood pressure will diminish in the arteries.” In severe situations of venous merging, an individual could faint or experience kidney failure, which can be fatal.

Move fast

Speed is crucial after an employee experiences a loss. Suspension in a fall-arrest tool can lead to unconsciousness and also death in less than 30 minutes. Inning accordance with OSHA, workers who use fall-arrest tools or that might execute rescue activities must recognize:

Ways to determine whether their personal protective tools is appropriately used and fitted

Just how suspension injury might happen, along with its signs and symptoms

How you can use suitable rescue treatments and techniques to reduce threat while put on hold

Equipment that runs on diesel is quite common in a number of industries. This includes construction sites, mining, farming, maritime and several other such sectors.

Workers in these areas are exposed to a great deal of carcinogen exhausts from such machinery. This is typically in the case where machines are not properly handled and maintained.

Emissions from such equipment are made of “Diesel Particulate Matter”. ,This is a substance that “is made of soot and is comprised majorly of metallic particles, ash, carbon, silicates and sulfates” according to OSHA.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), classified exhausts from diesel machinery under “Well-known Hazards for the Human Health” in 2012.

Even temporary exposure to exhausts and emissions from diesel equipment can lead to issues. These include constant headaches, dizziness, and irritation in the eyes, nose & throat. Long-term exposure could cause the development of more serious issues. These include breathing conditions, cardiopulmonary and cardio conditions, and even lung cancer.

Given the health threat, managing the exposure to such emissions is highly necessary.

First, make sure there is adequate supervision in place to limit the exposure of any workers. OSHA further suggests that equipment receive regular maintenance. It also suggests aging equipment be swapped out for cleaner burning engines. These should be equipped with better air filtration systems.

Second, be sure adequate safety controls are in place. For example, creating “Off-limit” areas is a great way to limit the pool of people at risk for exposure. Likewise, limit the times when machines are running so the fewest workers are around when the machinery is operational.

Smart preventive measures like these can reduce the exposure to diesel exhausts to a great extent. Plus, they can be implemented in a way that still allows a team to work at maximum efficiency.

A side benefit: By limiting diesel exposure you can help reduce workmans’ comp claims. You’ll maximize worker availability. You’ll also have a positive impact on your overall operational costs.

Structure scaffolding for work projects could provide many serious threats to employees. Inning accordance with OSHA, injuries connected to scaffolds include falls, tip-overs, being struck by falling tools, and entering contact with energized high-voltage line.

To ideal stay secure while building as well as using scaffolding, OSHA recommends a selection of tips:

Always utilize footings that are level, rigid as well as able to sustain lots without settling or moving.

Securely plumb and also support tools in order to help protect against persuading and dislodgment.

Plumb and also degree the scaffold as you go.

Make sure all connections as well as couplers are safely fastened before going on in the setting up process.

Constantly comply with the maker’s directions when installing ties as well as dental braces.

Avoid blending scaffolding parts from various makers unless you make certain you can do so safely.

Location toeboards on railroaded sides to help protect against objects from dropping.

When servicing a scaffold:

Have a qualified individual evaluate the scaffold before every shift.

Check to make certain it’s secure to use. If it is noted with red tags, it’s hazardous. Never make use of a hazardous scaffold till repair works are made.

Do not overload a scaffold beyond its maximum load ability. Never use buckets, obstructs or ladders in an effort to produce more functioning height on the platform.

Do not deal with a scaffold if it is snowy, icy or slippery.

Did you know that OSHA requires roofers and other construction workers to secure and protect skylights and open roofs? In spite of this construction sites continue to be plagued by fatal drops.

Often workers falsely believe that plastic dome covers offer adequate protection. But these are often not strong enough to carry weight and prevent falling through.

NIOSH (the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) offers the following advice for construction situation:

• Have adequate training in place to ensure workers understand the threats of resting on skylights. Be sure they are also aware of how deadly falls can be, even from heights that are perceived as “safe”.
• It is important that all roof openings and skylights are clearly delineated with barriers or warnings before work begins. This is especially true for roofing work but applies to any construction activity. These protections should remain in place throughout the project.
• Workers should be outfitted with safety harnesses to help protect workers from falls.
• Sometimes guardrails, safety harnesses, and other methods are impractical. In those cases, alternate forms of protection need to be leveraged such as safety netting.
• Skylights can be particularly dangerous. They should have warning labels affixed that caution against stepping on them.

It may seem silly or a waste of time to some to take these precautions. But, one worker death or serious injury can completely undo a construction project and an ill-prepared company.

Running a construction company can be a rewarding business. But, risk management is critical. Small investments in safety will protect against workers comp cost increases. In turn this helps to ensure maximized profitability.

Be sure to talk with your insurance professional for other risk management ideas that can help to improve the bottom line.

As a contractor, concrete is one of those materials that is worked with pretty often. It’s easy to forget that you have to be careful when handling it.

After all, cement is considered one of the safest building materials. It’s found in playgrounds, sidewalks, workplaces, and homes…

But proper precautions have to be observed when working with concrete, otherwise it can be quite dangerous.

Concrete Basics

Portland cement is the most common active ingredient in concrete. Mixed with water, sand, and rock it solidifies into a rock-hard material. Thing is, because it is so abrasive, it is really harsh on the skin.

And even if concrete doesn’t come in contact with the skin directly, it can saturate clothing and still negatively impact the skin.

In fact, fresh concrete that comes in contact with skin can cause chemical burns. It can also cause severe damage to the eyes. How bad can the burns be? According to the Portland Cement Association, it can result in third-degree burns.

That’s the last thing you want your crew to face!

Remember, your Workman’s Comp rate is based on claim experience. Taking appropriate steps to ensure proper concrete handling will help you manage risks associated with handling cement…

• It’s important that anyone handling Portland cement wear water-proof gloves, shirts and pants that fully cover arms and legs, as well as rubber boots that are high enough to prevent concrete from getting in.

• It’s also important to wear eye protection to prevent concrete dust from getting into the eyes.

• Also, concrete is heavy. Workers need to take extra care when handling it. (Be sure they push with a shovel rather than lifting concrete with it.)

Following these simple guidelines will help ensure that your team is protected as they work with concrete. You’ll keep your workers safe and you’ll help control your insurance costs.

Have heavy equipment on a job site? Make it a safe to operate…

Running heavy machinery on a construction site can lead to significant hazards. There are important techniques to bear in mind to keep a job site safe:

• Make sure that repairs to equipment are not started until the equipment is fully powered down.
• If refueling, you must be sure that engines are turned off.
• All vehicles should be checked at the beginning of each shift to verify its operability.
• If mobile heavy equipment is used on a public road, proper traffic management must be used.
• If traffic control methods such as barriers are unavailable, it is critical to leverage flaggers. Additionally, they must wear appropriate safety gear to manage traffic.

Construction vehicles on a job site should be equipped with:

• Fully operable brakes. (This includes having a working parking brake.)
• Working windshield wipers.
• Rollover protection.
• Appropriate seating.
• Lighting for operating at night.
• Backup alarms for vehicles where vision is limited when backing up.
• Exposed points on front-end loaders must be protected.
• Vehicles that are loaded by loaders, shovels, cranes, or similar equipment should have a cab that offers appropriate protection for operators.
• Controlling dust is paramount and operators in dusty environments need breathing protection.
• Loads on vehicles must be balanced and secured.

Abrasive blasting is an important method in construction to handle a number of tasks: Preparing a surface for paint, applying a texture, or for cleaning surfaces.

While a time-efficient method it comes with serious risks to worker safety.

One problem with abrasive blasting is that it is loud. OSHA says it can lead to “significant” hearing loss for individuals working with or near equipment. As a result, it is critical that employees use hearing protection. In addition, employers are required to have a well-defined hearing-loss prevention program.

Another issue is that materials used in the blasting process can create dust that is toxic to workers. Abrasive materials often include steel grit, glass grains or smashed glass, coal slag, or silica. Breathing in these materials can cause damage to the lungs and even lung cancer. Some materials contain traces of other harmful materials like cadmium, arsenic, and beryllium!

It’s critical that companies strive to keep their employees safe from these threats. It all starts with an appropriate risk assessment. Your insurance professional can be a great resource to help you understand risks and the resources you can leverage to understand dangers and protect your employees. You need to have a solid training program and you need to be sure that there’s strict adherence to all safety protocols.

Other mitigation suggestions include using barriers to separate areas being blasted. Also it is recommended to leverage less toxic blasting products and mixing with water to minimize dirt and dust. Alternatives also include using air systems to remove dust.

From a site management perspective, keeping air clean via either wet techniques or HEPA-filtered methods is important. It’s also critical to keep equipment clean. Additionally, it’s best to work on calm days as wind can pose problems.

OSHA also notes that workers should not drink or eat near locations that are being treated with abrasive blowing. It’s also recommended that workers are given access to separate locations for showering and changing so they can clean up quickly and easily and avoid bringing toxic materials home with them.