Masonry Magazine August 2004 Page. 22
Personal SAFETY
To keep employees safe, employers must be knowledgeable about both the range of potential hazards and the types of safety equipment needed.
From Head to Toe
It's not enough to pick and choose to protect some parts of the body, while leaving others uncovered and vulnerable. On average, a complete personal protection system should include respirators, hard hats, eyewear and faceshields, hearing protection, gloves, and protective clothing and footwear. In addition, specialized protection should be included when the need arises, such as personal fall protection when crewmembers are working at heights over six feet or gas detectors if the job site includes possible exposures to toxic or combustible gases or insufficient oxygen.
Protective industrial helmets, or hard hats, play an important function in protection on the job site, particularly where falling hazards exist. One additional benefit of wearing a hard hat is that other personal protection can easily be attached to protect the face and ears. Safety product manufacturers design faceshield frames so that various types of lightweight plastic and wire-screen faceshields can be quickly snapped into place. Earmuffs can be fastened to the hard hat and raised or lowered when needed. The latest protective helmets have air ventilation slots in the crown and ratchet suspensions for an easy, secure but comfortable fit, and come in all colors and sizes.
www.masoncontractors.org
NEW CONSTRUCTION SAFETY HANDBOOK
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) unveiled "Construction Safety Management: Fundamental Components of Successful Safety Programs," a new 118-page handbook that details the means, methods, policies and procedures used by the safest companies in ABC's Safety Training and Evaluation Process (STEP), a contractor-developed program that provides construction firms with an objective method to analyze and improve their safety and loss prevention programs.
"This book is a must-read for construction firms establishing their first safety program, as well as seasoned industry veterans," said Kirk Pickerel, ABC President and CEO. "For more than 14 years, ABC's STEP program has recognized some of the construction industry's safest firms. Over the years, these firms have provided ABC with extensive details on how the best, brightest and safest contractors manage safety and health issues. Now, ABC has assembled this information in an easy-to-use, low-cost guide that is available to the entire industry."
Researched and compiled by Michael Hayslip, President and Founder of construction safety consulting firm NESTI, Inc., Dayton, Ohio, "Construction Safety Management" offers detailed information on the components necessary for an effective safety and health management program, such as proper training and inspections; outstanding recognition and incentives; and clear, comprehensive written safety materials.
Additionally, the publication provides tips on such safety and health program essentials as management support, pre-task planning, substance abuse testing, returm-to-work plans, and finding experienced, safe craftworkers.
ABC is a national association representing 23,000 merit shop construction and construction-related firms in 80 chapters across the United States. For more news and information, visit ABC's web site, www.abc.org.