Masonry Magazine May 2006 Page. 36
HEAT SAFETY
"There are a lot more heat-induced deaths than people realize," Horn said. "A lot of times deaths are not listed as heat related. They're listed as heart attacks or something else."
Workers are mason contractors' most important assets, so it only makes good business sense to ensure they're cared for and safe.
"Manpower is a problem. We can't afford to have anyone go down. We don't want to see anyone go down. We police everyone when the temperature starts getting above 95," MacDonald said.
As far as Trost knows, none of CCMCA's members have had employees suffer a heat-related injury. "Our members know that employees are the most valuable asset of the company. If you don't have healthy people working, you don't work," she said. "And you certainly don't want workers' comp claims."
A competitive marketplace also ensures mason contractors treat their workers right, Cornerstone Masonry's Zambrano said. "In this market, if they're not being treated properly, they can go somewhere where they will be," she said. "If you're fearful that your employer is not going to take care of you, then go somewhere else. It's just too costly in the end if you don't take care of your employees."
Mason contractors have a variety of ways for dealing with the heat. Brain Grant, president of Grant Contracting in Fenton, Mo, makes sure any worker who feels the least bit dizzy gets immediately off the scaffolding. He holds weekly safety meetings and, when the temperatures soar those turn into daily meetings.
"Certain things, like a couple of extra breaks a day, are standard," Grant said.
When temperatures climb into the 90s, Townsend & Schmidt Masonry's forepersons pick up 10 gallons of water and ice each morning, instead of the usual five gallons, MacDonald said. The water is readily on-hand, including on the scaffolding. When the mercury climbs into the triple digits, the workdays start at 5:30 a.m. instead of 7:00 am. and end at 1:30 pm, before the sun is extreme.
Clothing is also an issue. "We make sure there's plenty of water available and the workers are dressing in the proper attire," Jonovich said. "We like them to work with long sleeves for protection against the sun and against the heat." Brett Martin is a freelance writer located in Shakopee, Minn,
"There are a lot more heat-induced deaths than people realize. A lot of times deaths are not listed as heat related." - Steve Horn, owner of SummitStone Corporation
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