 In construction, millions of workers use scaffolds to erect building envelopes and finishes. Scaffolds can be a cost-effective solution for large scale projects and where heavy loads are required to reach new heights. When scaffolds are in use, it is important to remember that many need to be designed and erected by professional, competent employees. Let’s review some of the ways scaffolding can be erected and used in a safe manner.
Erecting Your Scaffolding Before erecting your scaffolding, you will need to make sure it is designed by either a Qualified Person or an Engineer. An Engineer is required to design your scaffolding system when:
After the design has been made, your major scaffold components will include:
Safe Scaffold Use Before beginning work from a scaffold, an inspection will need to be completed by a Competent Person to check for defects or changes to the structural integrity of the system. When an inspection has been completed, be sure to tag the system so workers know it is safe to use. When using a scaffold system, some safe working tips include:
Scaffolds are a common solution when working at heights but falls and load failures will always be a hazard. Make sure your scaffold is designed by a Qualified Person or Engineer, inspected by a Competent Person, and workers are trained and know how to safely operate from a scaffold. To keep the conversation going, download the Scaffold Safety Toolbox Talk (TBT) or comment below.
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 The New Year has officially begun and the cold front has made itself a home for the next few months. As winter is in full swing, new hazards related to the weather are rearing their ugly heads. Let’s take a look at some of the potential winter hazards you may face and some ways to prevent injuries from occurring.
Cold Stress Cold Stress occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can be produced. Common types of Cold Stress include:
Slip, Trip, & Fall Hazards While these hazards continue to be the leading cause of injury, it is important to highlight the winter conditions that will intensify these hazards in the cold. Snow, sleet and ice make slips, trips, and falls a serious injury when working outdoors as simple tasks can become dangerous. Some ways to prevent these types of injuries in the cold include:
Heating Hazards Heaters are a man’s best friend during the winter. While they allow us to keep warm and dry, additional hazards like electrical shock, burns, and fires are common when heaters are in use. When using heaters, be sure to:
While the snow makes for a beautiful scenery, knowing the hazards that come with the weather and knowing how to prevent them will keep everyone safe while working out in the cold. To keep the conversation going, download the Cold Stress toolbox talk (TBT) or comment below.  During the holiday season, an estimated 47,000 fires claim more than 500 lives each year. This is why safety is not just important in the workplace, but also in your home. Let’s review some of the best ways to keep yourself safe from fires, decorating hazards, and even the invisible killer this season.
Holiday Decoration Safety With over 7,000 fires from Christmas trees and holiday decorations each year, tis the season for safety. When choosing holiday décor, remember to:
Smoke Alarms When a fire breaks out, a smoke alarm can be the quickest way to alert the whole household of an emergency. Some helpful tips to remember regarding smoke alarms include:
Carbon Monoxide Safety Also known as the ‘Invisible Killer’, carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless/colorless gas created when fuels don’t burn completely. With over 80,000 incidents each year, having a CO detector during the cold months is imperative to home safety. Consider these tips when looking to install your monitor:
Home fires can start and spread quickly. Remembering to keep decorations away from hazards and checking your alarms/monitors regularly can keep your family safe and ready to respond to an emergency. To keep the conversation going, download the NFPA Safety Tips or comment below.  Workers are exposed to thousands of chemicals each day, many of which can be harmful. With nearly 200,000 injuries from chemical exposures each year, taking extra precautions when handling and working around chemicals begins with protecting your airways. Below we will review the different types of respirators that can be found on the job and when is the best time to use them.
What is a Respirator A respirator is a device that protects you from inhaling dangerous substances, such as chemicals and infectious particles. They work by either filtering particles from the air, chemically cleaning (purifying) the air, or supplying clean air from an outside source. Before choosing a respirator, the airborne hazards and their concentration must be determined to make sure the device and filters will be sufficient. Types of Respirators There are four types of respirators, all of which filter, clean, or supply air to the individual. Let’s look at these types from the least protective to the most: Particulate Respirator Commonly known as “N-95” or “dust mask”, these respirators protect against dust particles, fumes, and mists. These are the most affordable respirators as they are typically disposable when finished. You will need to replace these respirators once they become discolored or the filter is clogged. Air Purifying Respirator Commonly known as “gas mask” or “half-face/full-face respirator”, air purifying respirators filter/clean the air as you breathe in. Equipped with filter cartridges, these respirators are secured to your face to create a seal around the mouth to prevent vapors and gases from entering the airway. These respirators typically require a medical examination and fit test to make sure the user is physically able to wear and breathe properly. Make sure you select the proper cartridges for the hazard at hand and replace them once they have expired or they reach their use limit. Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) PAPRs use a fan to draw air through a filter to a helmet or hood. These are very similar to an air-purifying respirator, but do not require testing or a tight fit against the face. Filter cartridges are required and must be selected for the hazard you may face. Replace them once they have expired or reached their use limit. Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) SCBAs use an air tank to supply clean air to the user through a mask. They provide the highest type of protection from high concentrations of chemicals and require specialized training before use. SCBAs are typically used in atmospheres that are immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) or are very oxygen deficient. Since there is an air tank, there are no filters or cartridges to replace, but the air tank itself will need to be inspected regularly and removed from use once it has reached its expiration. While there are many varieties of respirators, making sure you select the best option for the hazard you face will keep you and your lungs safe from exposure. Make sure you know the hazards at hand, have the proper filters/cartridges for said hazard, and are physically able to use the respirator without any medical issues. To keep the conversation going, download the Respiratory Protection Toolbox Talk (TBT) or comment below.  An emergency or disaster can strike at any moment, causing injury and destruction along the way. This is why being prepared for any and all situations is necessary, so a response is effective. Below we will discuss some ways OSHA recommends preparing for an emergency and what you can do to keep your employees safe in a disaster situation.
OSHA Requirements for Emergencies A workplace emergency is a situation that threatens workers, customers, or the public; disrupts or shuts down operations; or causes physical or environmental damage. In the construction industry, OSHA requires plans to be in place for means of egress, fire prevention, and emergency action:
Emergency Action Plan Review Before writing an EAP, a hazard assessment must be completed to analyze any and all physical and chemical hazards present around the building. Once an assessment is completed, each hazard should have a plan on how to address the threat along with any specific workplace layouts or emergency systems that need to be included in remediating the hazard. Once hazards are identified and addressed, your written EAP should include the following information:
Preparing Your Workers The best way to prepare your workers for an emergency is to provide training and practice all emergency responses so workers can act quickly when a disaster strikes. Emergency Preparedness Training should include roles, responsibilities, and any special tasks required by employees during an emergency. Annual training drills should be conducted to practice emergency procedures with emergency responders to keep knowledge fresh in all worker minds. Additionally, emergency systems need to be tested regularly to make sure notifications and alarms will properly alert employees during an emergency. Knowing a disaster can strike at any moment, being prepared is paramount to the safety of yourself and your workers. Creating a proper Emergency Action Plan and preparing your employees will keep you ahead of anything that mother nature may throw your way. To keep the conversation going, download the Emergency Action Plan Toolbox Talk (TBT) or comment below.  When it comes to construction projects, your foundation excavation is important and yet the most dangerous aspect of the job. From the utilities underground to the shifting of soils, it’s important to have a competent person available to know these hazards and make sure everyone works safely around them. Let’s look at what it means to be a competent person on an excavation project.
What is a Competent Person? OSHA defines a competent person as “one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.” In short, a competent person has the knowledge and understanding to remove hazards. One can assume this role through experience in the field, proper training by the company, and through their knowledge and understanding of OSHA standards and practices. Once the competent person has been identified for a project, it’s important they review their duties and responsibilities each and every day as the job changes. Duties of a Competent Person Open trenches and excavations are a dangerous operation as they disturb the soil and surrounding areas in new ways each day. That is why the competent person must be prepared for any and all hazards you may see. Some responsibilities the competent person will need to be perform include:
In Case of Emergency Your competent person needs to be on the jobsite every day to assist with the job duties and safety inspections, but this doesn’t mean they can be everywhere all the time. For this reason you need to ensure all workers have proper training around open excavations and have the ability and confidence to stop work if something seems wrong. In the event of a cave-in or collapse, make sure everyone knows to dial emergency services immediately. Excavations and trenching operations are paramount to the beginning of a project. Ensuring the safety of those working means you need to make sure your competent person is prepared and has the authority to keep everyone safe at all times. To keep the conversation going, download the Competent Person Toolbox Talk (TBT) or comment below.  This year, nearly 400,000 new workers entered the construction industry. While this is an increase from the previous year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there are over 700,000 job openings annually that need filled. With the influx of new employees and need for even more, a proper training program is paramount to make sure employees are safe and competent with their work. Below we will explore some ways to improve your training program and how you can properly implement these changes.
Assess Training Changes As safety and technology continue to advance, new changes should be reviewed and assessed regularly to ensure your training meets the needs of the work at hand. Some changes that can affect your training needs include:
Update Training Plan Once your training updates have been identified, your supervisors need to work on identifying ‘what’ needs changed and ‘how’ to implement these changes in your organization. Some of these examples can include:
Implement Training Changes After your training plan is updated, the implementation process should include tracking training procedures, evaluating employees on their knowledge retention, and continuously monitoring the quality of training and updating as needed. If this training is something that is needed on an annual basis, make sure that your employees and their training are recorded and tracked to make sure they continue to receive their training on a regular basis. This type of training management is something that can easily be handled by STAC and our unique QR codes. When updating your training plan, employers need to make sure that all parts of the organization are included in the assessment, update, and implementation process. When everyone is included, the most effective solution can be implemented. To keep the conversation going, download the Health & Safety Plan Toolbox Talk (TBT) or comment below.  In July 2023, OSHA created a National Emphasis Program on Warehouse and Distribution Centers to evaluate high-risk workplaces. Since this program was enacted, over 600 inspections have been conducted by OSHA with nearly $2.5 million in penalties, most of which involve Powered Industrial Trucks (PIT). Below we will focus on the operation and training procedures of PITs and some hazards to be aware of when in use.
PIT Operation Before operating a PIT some things to remember:
PIT Training Requirements Before operating PITs, you need to be trained by a competent person. Training requirements include:
When it comes to PIT use in and around your workplace, making sure you have been properly trained is paramount to the safety of yourself and your coworkers. To keep the conversation going, download the Forklift Safety Toolbox Talk (TBT) or comment below.  Recently OSHA updated the Hazard Communication (HAZCOM) Standard which controls the rules on how to handle potentially harmful chemicals in the workplace. Effective on July 19th, the intent of the updated standard is to align with international trade partners and make things easier for manufacturers and distributors to transport chemicals. Let's dive into some of the updates to the standard and refresh employers on their responsibilities regarding hazardous chemicals.
What’s New Some of the major changes found between the 2012 and 2024 standards include:
https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/HCS_side-by-side.pdf Employer Responsibilities
Why Does This Matter to You About 3,500 workers are injured and another 1,000 die each week from exposure to hazardous substances and from not understanding the proper protocols in case of a spill or exposure. These updates will assist in providing more information to anyone distributing or working with hazardous chemicals and providing them with safe operating procedures. Familiarize yourself with the pictograms and proper hazards via OSHA's Quick Card and view the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) of any chemicals you use in your workplace. To keep the conversation going, download the Hazcom Update Toolbox Talk (TBT) or comment below.  Falls in the workplace continue to be the leading cause of fatal accidents accounting for nearly 900 deaths each year. That’s why fall protection for exposed heights 6ft or greater is an important aspect to any safety plan. One of the simplest yet effective fall protection systems that are frequently used are guardrails. Let’s discuss how these systems are designed and why they are effective among leading edges.
Guardrail Design Guardrails are designed with four different components:
Benefits of a Guardrail Some benefits of a guardrail system include:
While there are many ways to protect yourself from falls, guardrails are one of the most economical and effective when faced with leading edges and open hazards. To keep the conversation going, download the Guardrails Toolbox Talk (TBT) or comment below. |
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