Tag: construction safety tips

Safety

Skanska incorporates stretching, light exercise into toolbox talks, sees huge decrease in worker injuries

With one senior vice president saying the program, “has become a team sport,” for the company, construction giant Skanska USA’s Stretch & Flex program has proven to be much more than an agreeable way for employees to start the day. According to a report from The Tampa Tribune, in the last year, the company’s Northeast team […]

July 1, 2015

Safety

3 tips for avoiding deadly structural collapses on construction jobsites

Construction accidents often seem to occur in spurts, as you’ll hear of a cluster of accidents grouped together in a short period of time. That’s certainly the case right now with collapsing walls, as four workers have died in structural collapses since November 1. In at least two of the accidents, proper permitting for the […]

November 16, 2014

Safety

With demolition deaths on the rise, make sure your crew is safe with these 4 safety tips

Over the past couple of years, demolition accidents have been on the rise. The uptick started in the summer of 2013, when a building undergoing demolition in Philadelphia collapsed, killing six and injuring 14. After that, a worker on a shopping mall project was struck and killed by pieces of falling concrete. This past summer, […]

November 11, 2014

Workforce

How to stay safe while working with a small or short-handed construction crew

One of the lingering effects of the construction downturn is the difficulty contractors now face finding skilled workers. Whether construction workers have found other jobs, moved to a new city or left the industry altogether, skilled workers can be hard to find in some areas. If you’re making do with, or are part of, a […]

October 7, 2014

Safety

How to break through apathy and other barriers to implementing safety training on the jobsite

As many as a million construction workers participated in OSHA’s National Fall Safety Stand Down last week. I saw a number of press releases, photos and tweets from companies that were participating in the event. However, one of the first news articles I read on Monday was about a fatal fall by a construction worker […]

June 11, 2014

Safety

3 quick tips for staying safe when you’re working alone on the jobsite

If you read Equipment World’s safety articles, you’ll have noticed that many recommendations for staying safe on the jobsite involve bringing in another set of eyes to watch your back. Most of our equipment accident articles recommend using a spotter, for example, to prevent striking another worker. However, a number of the accidents we’ve covered […]

February 11, 2014

Safety

5 safety tips for avoiding caught-in/between accidents

According to OSHA, caught-in hazards collectively are one of the four deadliest dangers found on a construction site. Although it seems like common sense to never place yourself between a piece of heavy equipment and an immovable object, when you’re concentrating on the job at hand sometimes you find yourself in unexpected danger. Here are […]

December 29, 2013

Home

Safety Step 2: Double-check equipment

If you’ll be working on around electrical circuits or parts, check to see that machinery and power tools are properly grounded and check the condition of all power cords. If you need to inspect or repair machinery, pull the plug first.   < Safety Step 1            Safety Step 3 >> […]

November 25, 2013

Home

Safety Step 1: Keep Your Distance

OSHA requires you stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines with up to a 50,000-volt current. For lines that exceed 50,000 volts, you’re required to add a distance of stay at least 10 feet plus 4 additional inches for each additional 10,000 volts of current above 50,000 volts.   < Back to […]

November 25, 2013

Home

Safety Step 3: Wear the right PPE

Your personal protective equipment is the last line of defense between you and any hazards you may face. Make sure your PPE is approved for the type of work you are performing, and keep it in good condition. Uncomfortable PPE or items in disrepair can distract you from the task at hand, making you more […]

November 25, 2013

Safety

3 Safety Steps for avoiding electrocution on the jobsite

Of all the causes for on-the-job construction fatalities, electrocution may seem the most avoidable. It’s merely a matter of avoiding live wires, right? However, at approximately 140 U.S. deaths annually, electrocution is the fourth leading cause of construction fatalities in the nation, making it one of OSHA’s “Fatal Four.” So, why are so many construction […]

November 25, 2013