Safety News
Safety Week 2024: May 6 – 10
When we all come together to share safety knowledge and best practices, we all benefit. Workers and construction sites are safer, stronger and better equipped to shape the landscape of our communities. Be someone who is committed to building a culture of safety across the industry. Employers count on your voice and the voice of others to improve the job sites.
Toolbox Talk
Monday, May 6, 2024 – Driving Personal Ownership
Although the construction industry has extensive safety standards, processes, and procedures in place to keep us safe, serious accidents and dangerous events can occur at any time unless we continue to maintain consistent focus. It’s important that every one of us accepts a greater level of responsibility for our own safety and the safety of others. When it comes to safety, whether it be an unsafe condition or behavior, if you see it, you own it, if you walk by it, you condone it.
WE VALUE EVERY VOICE AND YOUR VOICE MATTERS
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 – Encourage & Welcome New Ideas
Valuing every voice makes sure all team members have a chance to add ideas and are not restricted to the perceived best practice of the loudest voice on the crew. Instead, they are empowered to ask questions, challenge norms, share different ideas for improvement and solve problems in a collaborative and more effective manner. The dialogue created through everyone’s contribution to the discussion brings forward all the expertise on the crew and leads to better hazard identification, and safety improvements in the work process.
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 – Embracing Every Voice
Embracing every voice creates an environment where every team member feels valued and heard. When people feel their voice is heard, employee morale and engagement improve, teams are more productive, and a variety of perspectives are brought into the conversation. In contrast, if people do not feel heard, they are substantially less likely to bring forth concerns, which then directly correlates to decreased morale and productivity. We embrace every voice with open communication, active listening, communicating concerns, encouraging engagement, and conducting follow-ups.
https://emodsafety.com/blog/psychological-safety-construction
Thursday, May 9, 2024 – Strengthen Our Culture
Having an effective safety culture is a critical component of our successes. Communication is the key – trust is the cornerstone. The schools we build, the stadiums we erect, the high rises and shopping malls; the playgrounds and hospitals and the infrastructure projects we work on; they’re each a part of our legacy. They’re a sum of work greater than all of us, and for most of us, they are projects we can be proud of. The rewarding “I built that” message we give to our friends and families is bound by the culture we establish and the safe work habits we engage in. Culture exists in every corner of our lives, and our work culture echoes our own, both at and away from our project sites.
Friday, May 10, 2024 – Thank You for Using Your Voice
We all have something to contribute when it comes to safety, and it’s important to demonstrate that every voice matters when forming a plan. Diversity of thought creates more efficient and effective solutions and helps teams take ownership of preventing incidents together. When our craft trust their team and use their voices to raise concerns or provide best practices to protect each other, it helps increase their and their team’s understanding of a task and the associated hazards. Thank you for your participation in Construction Safety Week 2024! We know it’s a collaborative effort, and one that we all must participate in.
Toolbox Talk At Home
Fire Safety
Equip your home with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors:
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and inside each bedroom
• Include the installation of several carbon monoxide detectors
• The kitchen smoke alarm should be at least 10 feet from the stove to avoid false alarms
• Test devices monthly to ensure they are working properly
• Use strobe lights and bed shaker devices for those with hearing loss
• Replace batteries annually on all devices; replace devices after 10 years
Make an Escape Plan:
• Plan two ways to escape from each room
• Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily
• Identify secondary routes of escape
• If you live in a multi-story building, plan to use the stairs – never the elevator
• Designate an outside meeting place a safe distance from the building where everyone should meet
• Teach children never to hide during a fire, and how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them
• If you have pets and are unable to locate them during a fire, leave all exit doors open
• Practice:
» Getting out with your eyes closed, crawling low to the floor and keeping your mouth covered
» Closing doors behind you
» How to “stop, drop and roll” if your clothes catch on fire
» Testing door handles to see if they are hot before opening them
CALL 911 – Teach your children and all household members how to call for HELP!
Minimizing Safety Risks At Home
• Child Proof your home:
» Apply locks to cabinets that contain medicines and toxic items
» Store tools and sharp objects in a safe and secure place out of reach to children
» Have a first aid kit well stocked and available in an accessible location
» Be sure to keep children away from stoves and all heating elements
• Be Alert at all times – get enough sleep.
• Pick Up Spills immediately to avoid possible falls or injuries.
• Develop a Home Safety Plan and practice different ways to exit your home.
• Fire Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors – Test monthly, change batteries annually.
• Remove Clutter from floors, halls and entry ways to provide safe pathways.
• Vehicle Safety – Wear seat belts and properly secure children in car/booster seats.
• Safety Helmets – are required to be worn by children and adults when riding bikes.
• Water/Pool Safety:
» Learn how to swim
» Never swim alone; children need to be supervised at all times
» Install a pool barrier (fencing), alarm and safety net/cover
» Keep chemicals/cleaning products under lock and key
» Deflate and remove inflatables and ladders when not in use
» Life jackets are required when riding in any type of water vessel
• Window Safety – Loose or looped window cords pose a risk for strangulation – go cordless.
• Safety Rails – in bathrooms, stair and entry ways to assist with balance concerns.
• Bed Rails – Should be considered to avoid any concern for falls.
• Electrical – Replace all frayed electrical cords and cap off unused electrical outlets.
• Poison Control Center – Always keep this number handy (1-800-222-1222).
• CPR – Consider taking a CPR course to learn how to administer life-saving measures.
• Cell Phones – Keep them well charged and handy for any emergency needs.
• Emergency Phone List – Post a listing of phone numbers for emergency use.
911 – Teach your children and all household members how to call for HELP!
