Construction Safety Week: Continue Learning
The construction industry is filled with people of all ages, backgrounds, cultures and experiences. How do we unite as one connected, supported, and safe industry? Sharing lessons learned on new innovations to a common issue or streamlining a task to make it safe and more efficient will allow us to continually learn and improve our overall safety.
TODAY'S TOPIC: CONTINUE LEARNING
Take time to plan an interactive demonstration aimed at improving the common knowledge of how to perform specific tasks safely. Seek out experienced crew members to help lead these discussions and demonstrations. Invite outside speakers to share insights and presentations and encourage participation from all in attendance. Make it interactive, educational, and fun. Here are a few examples to help you plan your demonstration day.
DEMO DAY EXAMPLES
A Safety Helmet Demonstration: Many companies are implementing the use of helmets rather than hard hats. Why might this be a good idea? Lead a discussion on the history of the hard hat, current head injury statistics, and why much of the industry is moving toward better head protection.
Emergency Action Planning: Do your team members know that to do in the case of an emergency, such as a fire, flood, tornado, hurricane, or some other type? Now is a good time to review your plan. Host discussions on potential emergencies that could arise and what protocols to follow. Maybe even run a mock drill a day or so after the demonstration.
Traffic Safety: Working in the public right-of-way can be extremely dangerous. As the weather warms up and road construction projects ramp up, it’s a great time to review the fundamentals of traffic safety. Set up a demonstration of traffic control and have experienced crew members or outside presenters lead the discussion.
Workplace Fatigue Awareness, Mental Health, and Nutrition: Invite outside speakers, such as nutritionists, wellness coaches, or personal trainers to come in and speak to the team. Focus on the realities of the work which can include long hours, long commutes, shift work, and much more. What practical things can one do to improve mental and physical health? If you offer an Employee Assistance Program, be sure to let your team know all the benefits offered.
Line of Fire Awareness: Take a deep look at past injuries or near misses experienced by members of your team or past incidents. Review the most likely line-of-fire injury potential on your site and how you’re handling it. Host discussions with project managers, team leaders or those workers with the most experience. Encourage your crews to search out other line-of-fire potential and reward them for their discoveries.
More ideas and examples for hosting your own demonstration day can be found at www.constructionsafetyweek.com.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
1.) The History of the Hard Hat. Hard hats have come a long way since their origins on the battle fields of WWI. Back in those days, the number of construction workers getting killed on the job was a lot higher, owing largely to lax safety regulations and very basic standards of personal protective equipment.
2.) 7 Safety Tips for Road Construction Work Zones. While there is a growing need for more road construction projects, states are starting to feel the pinch due to tighter budgets and a shrinking workforce. Even in the face of these variables, construction crews continue to take on high-risk projects on public roadways.
3.) Healthy Foods for Manual Laborers and Contractors. Poor diets and bad nutrition can have a detrimental effect on manual laborers and contractors: affecting their morale, safety, productivity and long-term health, according to a report by the International Labor Organization, which examined the effects of poor nutrition on workers.
4.) Don't Ignore Line of Fire Safety: Here's What You Need to Know. Did you know failure to have proper line of fire safety training could result in serious injuries? Line of fire hazards are one of the most deadly hazards in the construction and manufacturing industries — and are second only to slip and fall accidents.
5.) Is Your Construction Site Prepared for a Disaster? Natural and man-made disasters can strike anyone, anytime, anywhere. Because clear thinking is difficult when a crisis is occurring, creating emergency action plans in advance is the best way to ensure that the proper steps are taken when the “what if?” becomes “it’s happening!”