Safety and Health

Help Needed to Evaluate Trunk and Arm Support Exoskeletons in Construction

Researchers from the University of California San Francisco, Berkeley and Virginia Tech are conducting research on occupational exoskeletons.

Passive exoskeletons, requiring no actuators or power supply, are an innovative technology that may make construction work safer, easier, and more accessible for aging and diverse worker populations. The research teams are investigating how exoskeletons can be implemented safely and effectively in construction. Specifically, their research is designed to:

1. Understand the perspectives of a broad set of construction industry stakeholders.

2. Quantify the benefits and risks of exoskeleton use for specific construction tasks, including masonry.

3. Facilitate effective user adoption.

4. Prevent unintended consequences from safety hazards and usability issues.

Researchers are looking for active members, contractors, or other industry stakeholders (e.g., managers, owners, union representatives, and health and safety officers) who have used exoskeletons. If interested, please email aanu@vt.edu and include in your email, your job title and your experience using an exoskeleton. Those completing the interviews will receive a $30 gift card.

There are also opportunities to participate in laboratory-based studies, for both arm and back supports. If interested in participating, you can email ucergonomics@gmail.com (arm) of aanu@vt.edu (back). //

Every Step Matters: National Ladder Safety Month

Each year in the US, more than 500,000 people are treated and about 300 people die from ladderrelated injuries.

This March, BAC is joining the American Ladder Institute and many other organizations in support of the National Ladder Safety Month to raise awareness of ladder safety and to decrease the number of ladder-related injuries and fatalities. Visit laddersafetymonth.com to learn more. In addition, the ALI offers a free ladder safety training tool online at laddersafetytraining.org.

Remember, every step matters. From step stools to extension ladders, make sure you’re putting the right foot forward. //

laddersafetymonth.com

Message from the IU Health & Safety Manager Liliana Calderon

In my 14 years as bricklayer, member of Local 21 Chicago, I have learned the hard way that it does not take days or years for an accident to occur, it happens in a blink of an eye.

Like many, safety was not the first thing on my mind while I completed my apprenticeship. I learned after I was faced with multiple accidents, injuries, and fatality near-misses, by the men and women I worked with how important working safe is. When I was green in the industry, like most, I was blinded by naiveite and youth. I look back now and cringe at how lucky I was. From cutting material with a table saw, to climbing a ladder onto a scaffold, to neglecting “simple” things like a hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, and dust masks.

Apprentices can easily be overwhelmed — I know I was — with tons of new information coming from all directions. When it comes time to learn about OSHA and workplace safety standards, it is easy to tune out a bit during that instruction. Those lessons though become very relevant to the day-today activities on various job sites.

Safety should be everyone’s first priority, not just the responsibility of one or two people at the jobsite. We do not build projects by ourselves. We should all collectively ensure the job site is safe for every person on it.

Last month the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published the top 10 violations of 2021. Fall protection was the number one, for the 11th year in a row. Not only are our fellow union brothers and sisters exposed to this grave hazard, but too many have had fatal accidents because of it. One case is that of Brother Brian Cotter, 47, from Oaklawn, IL. Brother Cotter was working on tuckpointing repairs at a school when he fell down the chimney shaft.

Most of us have seen close calls. My experience out in the field as an apprentice and then as a forewoman gives me great perspective. To make sure I never saw a member hurt on my crew, I would insist proper PPE was used and to do regular inspections. When I saw something unsafe, it was crucial that I not reprimand the crew member but explain to them why it was dangerous and how to do it safely. This approach resonated better. No one likes getting yelled at.

It is very important for us to make Health and Safety part of our regular routine. Training should not be a one-and-done. We need to be on the lookout for hazards on the job. Refresher courses are a great way to remind yourself of what to look out for. It is easy to find a refresher could by going to imtef. org/safety-health. There are many resources out there from OSHA to CPWR (Center for Construction Research and Training) that we can utilize.

If you ever have a question about Health and Safety, please reach out to me directly at lcalderon @bacweb.org. //