Tag: safety: Page 53

Business

Sub Zero: Polar Vortex causes equipment breakdowns, sends construction workers home and indoors in Minnesota and North Dakota

We told you yesterday about a crew in Louisville used to working in the cold that was forced to pack it up thanks to this Polar Vortex. Today we’ve got an even better idea about just how formidable this thing is with news of the hardened crews of Minnesota and North Dakota having to take […]

January 8, 2014

Roadbuilding

Submit your extreme winter maintenance stories and photos

With the polar vortex that has made temperatures in the Midwest drop to subzero temps (with the windchill, temps are as cold as -45 degrees Fahrenheit in Chicago and close to -30 in the Columbus, Ohio, area where I am now), this graphic made me laugh. It’s on days such as these I am grateful […]

January 7, 2014

Safety

6 tips to avoiding Fatal Falls on the construction jobsite

Of OSHA’s Fatal Four accidents—falls, struck by object, electrocution and caught in/between—falls are the most deadly. Of all construction accidents, falls account for a third of construction fatalities. If you’re working at heights, here are six tips to prevent falls on the jobsite: Personal fall arrest system If you’re working at a height that could […]

January 7, 2014

Roadbuilding

NHTSA officials could require vehicle-to-vehicle communication in future cars

Manufacturers may soon be required to include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) technology in all new cars. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) officials are working to decide whether the technology should be a requirement to help prevent car crashes, ABC News reports. The report notes that a recent study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that […]

January 2, 2014

Safety

How to safely combat the winter months on a construction site in 8 steps

Winter sees dark mornings, dark nights, grim weather and dull days, which can put health and safety at risk on a construction site. A construction site has a lot of equipment and heavy machinery that needs to be kept in tip top condition throughout the year and especially over the winter months when things can […]

January 2, 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

Construction Equipment

Helicopter rescues stranded crane operator high above a raging inferno

A student housing complex under construction in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, caught fire Tuesday afternoon, stranding a crane operator high above the inferno below. Around 2 p.m. Tuesday, explosions were heard at the site, according to the CBC. Thought to be the sound of propane tanks exploding, the resulting blaze engulfed the under-construction housing complex and […]

December 18, 2013

Roadbuilding

Wisconsin lawmaker moves to increase road worker safety with cell phone ban in construction zones

A bill proposed in the Wisconsin state Legislature would ban drivers from talking on their cellphones while driving in a construction zone, the Associated Press reported. Sen. Jerry Petrowski (R-Wis.) authored the bill, which would be in place only when workers are present in the construction zones. Violators would be fined between $20 and $40 […]

December 12, 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