Construction is one of the few industries that still relies heavily on hands-on work. With a job that requires so much hands-on activity, new technologies like a quick response code (QR code) can help improve productivity, reduce downtime, and create a digital network of forms and inspections. This blog will address what a QR code is and how it is being implemented within the construction industry.
What is a QR Code? A QR Code is a two dimensional barcode that is used to access online information via a digital camera (phone, tablet, etc.). Originally created for the automotive industry for inventory tracking, the QR code quickly gained popularity in other industries due to its readability and larger storage capacity for information. When using a QR code, the black squares are arranged in a unique pattern that allows the data to be interpreted when scanned. Due to its size and features, all QR codes are unique and offer nearly a limitless option for use. Uses Within Construction Paperless Checklists and Inspections Maintaining daily and weekly checklists/inspections can create lots of paperwork and storage problems. Most of these documents can now be made electronically accessible using a QR code. Now employees can scan, fill out the form, and it is tracked/maintained online. Toolbox Talks and Sign-In Sheets Sharing the weekly safety information and timesheets with foremen/superintendents can be more efficient with QR codes. Scan the code, fill out the employee information, and send to the office on a regular basis so time and training is maintained effectively. Emergency Contact Information Have an emergency on the jobsite? Is an employee injured and not sure who to contact? QR codes are great for sharing contact information like phone numbers in case of an emergency. Quickly scan a QR code to access the project or safety manager’s phone number or scan to find out an individual’s emergency contact. Equipment and Inventory Tracking As equipment and tools move from job to job, keeping track of where they are and who has them can be difficult. Using QR codes to check in/out tools can help provide an accurate inventory of equipment and allow for the ability to know when tools need maintenance or removed from use. Employee Training Management Having trouble keeping track of employee safety, training, and HR records? Finding it difficult to know when training needs renewed or making sure it hasn’t expired? STAC uses QR codes to help create employee profiles that when scanned, show their training and HR records to remind you when they are close to expiration. Utilizing QR codes for training management allows for easy recordkeeping and a singular storage place for all documents. These are just a few ways QR codes are being used in the construction industry. There are many other uses for QR codes and even more technologies becoming available that help improve productivity and reduce administrative time on a jobsite. What ways does your company use QR codes? Where could your company see the benefit in using QR codes? To find out more about STAC and the way we use QR codes, scan or click the QR code below.
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With summer officially here, it is time to enjoy the great outdoors. While the sun beats down, many people will remember sunscreen to stop sun burns, but will they remember the most dangerous effects from the sun? Heat Illness is a medical condition that comes from your body’s inability to cope when it is overheated. Many factors like temperature, humidity, direct sun exposure, and physical activity can contribute to the effects of Heat Illness. This blog will be exploring the four types of Heat Illness, how to recognize the signs, and how to prevent serious injury. Heat Rash The most common form of Heat Illness is a Heat Rash. This condition is caused by extensive sweating in areas like your neck, armpits, elbows, or knees creating a red cluster of pimples or blisters. While a Heat Rash may be uncomfortable, it is usually mild and can be relieved by keeping the area dry and applying powder for comfort. Heat Cramps Muscle pains caused by the loss of body salt through sweat are called Heat Cramps. Heat cramps are uncomfortable and usually affect the stomach, arms, or legs. To relieve the effects of Heat Cramps, replenish your body’s fluid loss with water and carbohydrate/electrolyte sports drinks every 15 to 20 minutes. Heat Exhaustion As your body heats up, it is important to make sure it can cool itself back down. If your body temperature begins to climb over 100°F, you may start to feel signs of Heat Exhaustion. Headache, dizziness, confusion, and body weakness are all signs of Heat Exhaustion. If you see these signs, get the person out of the area to cool down and replenish their liquids. Make sure the symptoms do not worsen and contact emergency personnel if they do. Heat Stroke The most serious and potentially fatal Heat Illness is Heat Stroke. Heat Stroke occurs when your body can no longer cool itself and your body temperature reaches over 104°F. Confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, and loss of sweat are the common signs of your body shutting down. If someone begins showing signs of Heat Stroke, get medical help immediately. If you can, move the person to a shaded area, remove any heavy clothing, and wet their body down to lower their body temperature. Prevention Tips Now that you know the signs and symptoms of Heat Illness, here are some things you can do to keep you and others safe from heat-related health problems:
Summer is a time to enjoy the outdoors but making sure your body is prepared for the heat is an important part of your to-do list. Know your limits, make sure you are acclimated, and stay hydrated as you spend the day in the sun. To keep the conversation going, download the Heat Stress Toolbox Talk (TBT) or comment below. Falls have continued to be the leading cause of occupational deaths in the United States for over 10 years accounting for nearly 1,000 deaths yearly. The unfortunate part, all falls are preventable. Multiple organizations partner with OSHA each year to have both educational and promotional campaigns to help prevent falls and save lives in their industry. One thing is clear, training and employer provided resources are key in helping prevent falls in the workplace.
OSHA has two primary fall prevention standards:Each focus on the three principles of Plan, Provide, and Train. These principles assist in the prevention of falls within the industry in addition to providing a more well-rounded worker. Plan Proper planning through a Job Hazard Analysis or Job Safety Analysis (JHA/JSA) is the acceptable method of identifying hazards on a jobsite or facility. Through the use of JHAs, workers collaborate and communicate to come up with a safe way to perform the task at hand. While providing the safest process, recording the information for estimators will also allow for safety equipment to be included for future work. As each day begins, the JHA should be reviewed in a morning huddle or pre-task plan to make sure that conditions have not changed or that additional equipment, personnel, or tools are not necessary to complete the day’s work. Creating a plan and adjusting the plan as new conditions arise are a vital part of getting the job done safely. Provide Providing the right tools and equipment is the second most important component of ensuring worker safety. Before the project begins while using the JHA and past experience, the employers or supervisors should identify what tools or equipment are needed to get the job done. Once that happens a valiant effort should be made to provide all possible means to ensure worker safety. Is a lift required? Is a personal fall arrest system (PFAS) needed? Do you need guardrails or floor coverings? All these questions need answered before any work begins. As an employer, it is your responsibility to provide the equipment and resources needed to complete the work in the safest manner possible. Train Understanding how and when to perform certain tasks is key to preventing falls in the industry. Training on how to use personal fall arrest systems (PFAS), ladders, scaffolds, and guardrails are critical components of a fall prevention program. Not only should workers be trained on how to use a specific tool or piece of equipment, they should also know how to recognize and mitigate hazards as they are made apparent. Supervisors should verify worker training and their competency to make sure employees can identify and mitigate hazards as they work. If a worker fails to complete a task or has a near miss then retraining may be necessary to make sure that there is not an accident in the future. It is a proven fact that with proper knowledge, equipment, and collaboration all falls are preventable. Planning for tasks, Providing proper equipment, and Training your employees are critical parts to fall prevention plans that will save lives. To keep the conversation going, download the General Fall Protection Toolbox Talk (TBT) or comment below. Each year there are an estimated 400,000 injuries and 3,000 fatalities due to crashes from distracted drivers. As technology has advanced and safety features are standard, it appears as though drivers have become even more distracted as they rely too much on phones and features. In this blog we will look at the main distractions drivers face and how to help prevent them from causing an accident.
Cell Phones The largest contributor to distracted drivers and the main cause of fatalities. Now with smart phones, drivers are not only tempted by calls and texts but with videos, emails, web surfing, and many other apps. When it comes to cell phones the best policy is Out of Sight, Out of Mind. Some ways to keep your cell phone from becoming a distraction include:
Other Electronics Radios and GPS are other types of electronics normally used when operating a vehicle. These audible distractions are dangerous as they can take your focus away from the road and onto something unseen. Some tips to keep these electronics from becoming a distraction are:
Eating, Drinking, and Smoking When you’re on the go, all aspects of your life sometimes need to be as well. This can include eating, drinking, and smoking while driving. While they may help you stay focused long-term, they also preoccupy your hands from the wheel and eyes from the road. When on the go, some tips to remember are:
Driving is the main mode of transportation for many Americans and will likely stay that way for years to come. As drivers, it is your responsibility to stay focused on the road and to avoid distractions for your safety and for those around you. Remember to keep your eyes on the road and if tasks can be done before your car leaves park, make sure they are done. To keep the conversation going, download the Distracted Driving Toolbox Talk (TBT) or comment below. Equipment is all around us. It’s used to pave the roadways we drive on, assemble the cars we drive in, and manufacture the phones we so desperately can’t live without. Equipment can be extremely helpful in our daily jobs, but also extremely dangerous if not utilized correctly. So what does OSHA say about construction equipment? Standard 1926.20(b)(4) states “The employer shall permit only those employees qualified by training or experience to operate equipment and machinery.” What type of training do you need? What qualifies as experience? We will explore these questions for the many different types of equipment you will find on a jobsite.
Construction Equipment Excavators, bull dozers, graders, milling machines, skid steers, loaders, and other outdoor equipment are required to follow the basic OSHA standard as mentioned above. Qualified means one who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated his ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers states to be qualified, you must understand the written instructions supplied by the manufacturer, have training including actual operation of the equipment, and know the safety rules and regulations for the jobsite. So what do they all have in common? Three basic principles:
Forklifts / Powered Industrial Trucks Do forklifts fall in the same category as construction equipment? The short answer is No. Forklifts have their own OSHA standard and are one of the few types of equipment that have additional regulations associated with using a powered industrial vehicle. Powered Industrial Trucks (forklifts) require specified training depending on the classification of the forklift, which is in close relation with the type of fuel source the forklift utilizes to power the engine. It is important to understand the differences between passenger vehicles and forklifts as the center of gravity, stability, and weight vary greatly. Forklifts require operators to be certified to run the equipment and the certification must be renewed every 3 years. The specific requirements can be found in OSHA standard 1910.178(I). Aerial Lifts / Scissor Lifts / Mobile Elevated Work Platforms Traditionally Aerial Lifts and Scissor Lifts were found under the mobile scaffold standard, but this has begun to change with new industry best practices and associations implemented in 2021. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) released a new standard, A92, which recategorizes lifts into 2 Groups and 3 types. It also mandates newer safety features from manufacturers to assist in safe operation of the lifts and avoid tip overs while working from heights. With these changes, the goal is to align more closely to a globally recognized standard, yet requires retraining for all employees that use any type of lift on a jobsite. Since these standards were applied by ANSI and OSHA references ANSI in standard 1926.453, it by reference becomes an OSHA standard required under law. Very similar to forklifts, the Mobile Elevated Work Platform standard requires classroom and operation to be considered qualified to operate the MEWP equipment. There are various other types of equipment found on jobsites or in manufacturing facilities, yet all of them require safety training prior to use. Make sure you know and understand the operation manual and perform a visual or written inspection prior to operating each shift. Don’t forget a refresher will be required every few years to confirm safe operation and review any new safety features available or in operation. To keep the conversation going, download the Aerial Lift Toolbox Talk (TBT) below or comment below. According to the National Safety Council, nearly 250,000 work-related injuries are due to falls each year. Coupling this with slips and trips, these become the most dangerous in the workplace accounting for nearly 30% of all injuries each year. How can you help reduce slips, trips, and falls in your workplace? We will review three main ways to help you and your employees prevent these workplace injuries.
Proper Housekeeping What is the single, most important step in preventing slips and falls? Proper Housekeeping. Keeping your floors clean, dry, and free of obstructions are the best way to provide a safe working environment for your employees. Some things to remember when it comes to housekeeping:
Choose the Right Equipment What height are you working at? What types of activities are being done? What training have you completed? These are all questions that should be answered before you begin working in heights above the floor. Once answered, choosing the right equipment will help you assess the risk and find the best way to complete the task safely. Here are some types of equipment for heights and the best way to use them:
Use a Fall Protection System Protection systems allow workers to move freely at heights while either preventing them from reaching fall hazards or preventing a free fall. Common types of fall protection systems include:
While slips, trips, and falls are the leading cause of injury and citations in the workplace, we need to remember that all are preventable. Proper housekeeping, choosing the right equipment, and using a fall protection system are all great ways to help prevent these injuries, but a proper plan, risk assessment, and finding the best way to complete the task are the most important. To keep the conversation going, download the General Fall Protection Toolbox Talk (TBT) below or comment below. Since November 5th, OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) on COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing is the latest push to minimize COVID-19 transmission in the workplace. With nearly 750,000 reported deaths in the U.S. from COVID-19, the ETS is requiring employers with 100 or more employees to develop, implement, and enforce policies that either require mandatory vaccinations or require weekly COVID-19 testing for those who do not wish to be vaccinated. This blog will help walk you through the summary of OSHA’s ETS to give both employers and employees a look at what will be required of them in 2022. Who Does This ETS ImpactThe ETS generally applies to all employers that are under OSHA’s authority and jurisdiction and currently have more than 100 employees firm-wide/corporate-wide. Employers who are exempt from this standard include:
For those employers who are not exempt from the ETS, a policy regarding vaccination or testing will be required. What is Required in the Employer Policy For employers who decide to enforce a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, they will be required to:
For employers who permit non-vaccinated employees to work, they will be required to:
When implementing either policy, employers will be required to:
What Additional Requirements Must Employers Meet Alongside implementing the policies above, employers will be required to:
When Does This Emergency Standard Take EffectThe ETS, officially published on November 5th, will take effect 30 days from publication (December 5th). Once effective, all requirements (besides testing employees) will be required. Testing for employees who have not received any or all vaccinations will be in effect 60 days from publication (January 4th). While this standard is set to take effect next month, multiple states have currently filed suit in the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to stay (halt) the enforcement until further review from the court.
With the ETS looming, employers should prepare themselves for this standard becoming effective. If you are looking for help maintaining and reporting employee records, STAC is here to be your solution. With our unique QR coded stickers and ID badges, you will be able to adhere to the ETS standards while also providing other important training information for your employees with a simple scan from your phone. For more information regarding the ETS, visit https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/ets2 Benjamin Franklin very accurately stated that “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Emergency Action Planning is planning not to fail in the event of an emergency evacuation, severe weather event, fire, or other emergency. A great Emergency Action Plan (EAP) will reduce confusion, result in fewer and less severe injuries, and produce less damage if executed effectively. OSHA requires that every employer have an EAP for each workplace. To successfully develop an EAP, a workplace assessment should be done to identify all potential and likely threats and emergencies at your workplace.
The purpose of an EAP is to facilitate and organize employer and employee actions during workplace emergencies. The written plan shall be kept at the workplace and made available for employee review. The EAP plan should cover at a minimum:
Upon initial assignment, the employer must review the plan with each employee. The most common method is during an employee orientation. As conditions or roles change the employer is required to review the EAP and determine if responsibilities, or requirements need to change as well. It is best practice to also review annually to make sure something was not missed throughout the year. Before implementing the EAP, the employer is responsible for designating and training a sufficient number of employees to assist in the safe and orderly emergency evacuation of employees. Examples of employee roles in an emergency evacuation could include: fire brigade, medical team, emergency action coordinator, chemical response team, etc. Reasons for evacuation could include: fire, severe weather, acts of violence, chemical spills, or civil disturbance. The employer shall designate what signal will be used to warn employees and to designate rally points throughout the jobsite. Likewise, employees are responsible to know their role and all tasks associated with that role. When the EAP signal has been given (horn, strobe light, siren, etc.) employees must calmly proceed to the rally point or evacuate quickly. Good Emergency Action Plans will have an associated Fire Prevention Plan, but great EAPs will also have detailed plans for explosions, toxic releases, civil disturbances, and workplace violence. Depending on where in the country you may be located, plans for additional natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, wildfires, and winter weather should be considered. For more information on EAPs, OSHA standards can be found in CFR 1926.35(e) alongside a designated page for EAPs and different situations (https://www.osha.gov/emergency-preparedness). To keep the conversation going, download the Emergency Action Plan Toolbox Talk (TBT) or comment below. On average, 54 fatalities occur from trenching and excavation work each year. OSHA standards
require, before any worker entry, that employers have a competent person inspect trenches daily and as conditions change to ensure elimination of excavation hazards. When working around excavations here are some safety measures to remember: 2 FEET – SPOIL PILES Keep excavated soil (spoils) and other materials at least 2 feet (0.6 meters) from trench edges. 3 FEET - LADDER When portable ladders are used for access in and out of the excavation, the ladder side rails shall extend at least 3 feet (.9 m) above the upper landing surface of the excavation. 4 FEET - ACCESS OSHA requires employers to provide ladders, steps, ramps, or other safe means of egress for workers working in trench excavations 4 feet (1.22 meters) or deeper. The means of egress must be located so as not to require workers to travel more than 25 feet (7.62 meters) laterally within the trench. 5 FEET – PROTECTIVE SYSTEM Trenches 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep or greater require a protective system (sloping, benching, shoring, or shielding) unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. If less than 5 feet deep, a competent person may determine that a protective system is not required. A protective system needs to be appropriate for the soil type (as determined by the competent person). It could be stable rock, Type A, Type B, or Type C soil. 6 FEET – FALL PROTECTION When working, each employee who is constructing a leading edge 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems. When working in and around excavations, cave-ins are a serious threat to everyone. Remember the safety measures above and if any conditions change, be sure to reinspect the trench. To keep the conversation going, download the Excavation Safety Toolbox Talk (TBT) or comment below. When it comes to employer Health & Safety Plans, the minimum requirements for an accident prevention program should include inspections of the workplace for potential hazards, training and evaluation of employees for tools and equipment on the job, and personal protective equipment (PPE) training and use practices. While these three components are important, many safety and health managers will agree that there are additional elements that should be included. Here are STAC’s six elements to a proper Health & Safety Plan:
Leadership Involvement An effective prevention program must start from the top. With C-Suite and managing directors actively participating, tracking, and committing time and resources to your plan, this will leave a lasting impression for all employees involved and help reinforce positive behaviors mirrored in your plan. Studies have shown that management involvement in your program have a direct impact on reducing your DART and TRIR rates. Worker Participation Once management has helped create and implement the safety plan, it is up to the employees to participate in processes to help identify workplace hazards. Types of employee participation can include:
Hazard Identification & Assessment With employees actively participating in identifying workplace hazards, an assessment can be made with a Job Hazard Analysis to help identify ways to prevent and control the hazards. An example of a Job Hazard Analysis can be found here: OSHA JHA Sample Form Hazard Prevention & Control Once hazards are identified, employers can look to eliminate or control the hazards using OSHA’s Hierarchy of Controls:
Education & Training Providing employees with the proper education about the workplace hazards and specific training on how to prevent, eliminate, and control these hazards are pivotal to keeping employees safe. Education can include orientation, safety manuals, and SDS sheets for the different chemicals and materials they will be handling. Workplace specific training should be done by a qualified employee and be given to those who operate equipment and machinery for their job. Program Evaluation The final element in the program is to evaluate how well your plan eliminates, prevents, and controls hazards. Different types of evaluations can include:
While Health & Safety Plans can have many different elements, the goal of all plans are to help keep employees safe and reduce the risk of injuries in your workplace. Remember, safety is everyone’s responsibility. To keep the conversation going, download the Health & Safety Plan Toolbox Talk (TBT) below or click on the QR code to see how STAC can be part of your plan. |
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