Staying Safe in Construction: Steps To Note

The steps are:

For new employees:

1

Establish a buddy system for all new hires.

2

Hold safety orientation sessions for all new hires, including temporary workers.

Ongoing training:

3

Ensure managers and supervisors have the appropriate leadership and effective communication skills to instil safety culture and concepts into the workforce.

4

Institute two separate Pre-Task Hazard Analysis training programs.

5

Hold monthly “lunch and learn” safety training programs.

6

Require all foremen and superintendents to attend “Leadership in Safety Excellence” certification courses.

7

Hold targeted safety training to address all safety incidents.

8

Make sure all training and materials are available in languages that can be read by all members of your workforce.

9

Train your trainers.

Operating procedures:

10

Create worker task-specific “pocket safety guides” for every assigned task.

11

Establish craft-specific safety mentoring programs.

12

Issue easy-to-read badges to all workers indicating their level of training.

13

Authorize all workers to issue “stop work” cards to address safety risks.

Guide To Safe Lifting

Lifting and carrying objects is common for many workers in most industries. But training is important. If performed improperly, lifting and carrying items can lead to injuries. Common materials-handling injuries include strains and sprains (specifically to the back), cuts, fractures, and bruises.

Manual materials handling is a very complex combination of moving body segments, changing joint angles, tightening muscles and loading the spinal column. 

The following DOs and DON'Ts are recommended by the National Safety Council pertaining to lifting.

Do:

• Eliminate manual lifting whenever possible to help reduce injuries.
• Stay in good physical shape if lifting items is part of your job.
• Keep materials within easy reach and have handling aids around in case you need them.
• Make sure you have a good grip on any item you attempt to lift. Test the weight and balance of items before moving them. Too heavy? Get a mechanical lifting aid or ask a co-worker for assistance.
• Keep the item you are lifting close to your body. Ensure your feet are close to the load, stand in a stable position with your feet pointed in the direction you’re moving, and lift mostly by straightening your legs.

Don’t:

• Twist your back or bend in a sideways direction.
• Attempt to lift or lower an object if you’re in an awkward position.
• Feel compelled to lift an item that is too heavy – get help instead.
• Lift or lower an object if your arms are extended.
• Continue to lift an item if you realize it’s too heavy.
• Lift above your shoulders or below your knees.

Climate Change Can Adversely Affect Worker Health and Safety

Climate change may increase the frequency and severity of occupational hazards and exposures – and create new ones, according to a report from the US Global Change Research Program. 

Outdoor workers are often some of the first people exposed to the effects of climate change through higher temperatures, lower air quality, extreme weather, diseases, industrial exposures and environment changes, the report states. These exposures can result in heat-related illnesses, stress and fatigue, potentially raising the risk of injury.

Affected workers include agricultural workers, fishermen, construction workers, first responders and transportation workers. Workers in hot indoor environments, such as steel mills, warehouses and dry cleaners, also are at risk. Health effects from climate change can increase for certain workers, such as migrant workers and day labourers, who lack access to air conditioning or live in poorly insulated housing.

In addition, climate change can lead to severe weather events, such as flooding and drought, resulting in a greater need for first responders and potentially exposing those responders to hazards, the report states. Wildfires are also increasing in severity and frequency, posing danger to fire-fighters.

The report lists factors that can contribute to climate change exposure, including:

  1. Occupation

  2. Spending time at risky locations, such as urban areas, areas with allergens and pollutants, and    flood-prone areas

  3. Response to extreme weather events

  4. Socioeconomic status

  5. Older buildings

  6. Limited mobility and function