During my travels, jobsite tours, consultations, and interviews with contractors and subcontractors I am amazed at the flippant attitude many have about Safety. To many mid size and smaller operations Safety is viewed as a pain. Their attitude is that it cost money, it takes up billable time and shows no measurable results. It requires
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I was touring a 6th floor tenant build out project in a last week and suffered a flashback of a costly accident that happened on one of my jobs several years ago. The scope of the project included the demolition of an entire 5th floor consisting of 8,500 sf existing tenant space and then building
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Before you operate an aerial lift you need to be qualified.  Qualification can accomplished through classroom and hands-on training with the type of aerial lift that will be used.  Do not operate or work from an aerial lift unless you are qualified.  This tool-box-talk will highlight some basic requirements. Aerial lifts include the following types
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Everyone knows Bucket Lifts or any type of aerial lifts in fact, are not to be used as cranes right?? As I was writing a Safety Simplifed© Tool Box Talk titled “Aerial Lift Safety I had a flashback of an event I witnessed some 20 years ago that I think is worthy of sharing. This
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Every so often a tool-box-talk is written with your family’s safety in mind.  Here is one of those talks from “ChildrenSafetyZone.com”. Note that a lot of the suggestions also apply to the workplace and jobsite. Trick-or-Treaters • Carry a flashlight • Walk, don’t run. • Stay on sidewalks. • If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left side
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Children get caught up in the excitement of “back-to-school” season and forget to look out for cars.  Many youngsters have trouble making accurate judgments about traffic, speed, and distance, so drivers have to be particularly aware. Twenty percent of all children 14 years of age or younger who die in motor vehicle crashes are pedestrians,
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With the record breaking heat wave smothering the US I thought it might be a good time to review the seriousness of heat induced heat strokes and heart attacks. In construction we all have to work outdoors at some point. The important thing to acknowledge just how serious heat can be to our bodies –
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Summertime brings bring special hazards for those working outdoors. The combination of heat, humidity and physical labor can lead to fatalities. The two most serious forms of heat-related illnesses are heat exhaustion (primarily from dehydration) and heat stroke, which could be fatal. Signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke need immediate attention. Recognizing those warning
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The simple task of backing a vehicle is a common occurrence. Yet few folks realize how dangerous backing can be. Most companies report that 30 to 60% of their total motor vehicle accidents are backing accidents. And the average driver spends a lot less than 1% of their driving time backing the vehicle. That means
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Over the years workers in the construction industry have been seriously injured or killed while working with or near rigging operations. Employees whose work activities include rigging must be trained in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions. Below are some basic Rigging and Material Handling guidelines. Rigging equipment includes chains, wire rope, synthetic web
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