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CONSTRUCTION NEWS BULLETIN
Most people have experienced the nuisance that is a ‘hypnic jerk’. Yes. They finally have a name for that cumbersome jolt that arbitrarily occurs as we lull ourselves to sleep. Isn’t it weird how sometimes the feeling is that of a dream of free falling or tripping, and not being able to catch ourselves? Or is that just me? It’s that point when our body is falling asleep when ‘twitches’ are released from our brains. It gets more technical, but usually leaves us wondering where we are for a split second. As real as the dream might seem, we are left shaken up and rolling over to catch the rest of our Z’s. However, the reality is a little more dangerous and can be fatal. It is what most construction companies try to prevent with consistent and continuous training. That is why OSHA decided to initiate a conversation for various construction companies around the nation called the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction. According to the OSHA website, the Stand-Down is an opportunity to raise awareness toward preventing fall hazards in construction. “Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction workers.” Of the 874 construction fatalities recorded in 2014, 337 were from falling. The main point that OSHA and their partners from throughout the nation want to point out is injury and death are preventable. The Stand-Down proved to be extremely successful. In 2015, over 2.5 million construction workers reportedly participated in the Stand-Down activities. With their eyes set on doubling that number, OSHA hopes to reach at least half of the construction workers nationwide. The Safety Stand-Down is an event for employers to speak to employees directly about falling and safety. It emphasizes ‘fall hazards’ and bolstering the message of fall prevention. OSHA worked with several key organizations throughout the nation including, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, the National Occupational Research Agenda, the Center for Construction Research and Training, the National Safety Council, the U.S. Air Force, and the OSHA Training Institute Education Centers. But, with a goal of reaching nearly 5 million construction workers, it’s important to get the word out to everybody.
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Consider designating someone to plan and organize the discussions; make a mini-conference out of it. Encourage it to be a part of team building and professional development. It’s a pretty cool opportunity to gain some traction from employees and management alike. It’s an opportunity to get more ideas and to even improve some others. Team building does not just stop with your crew and managers, but also the folks who subcontract, the engineers and architects who help with the larger project, and even the owners. It gives everyone a crash course or a refresher on what you’ve already been practicing. It might also help update an antiquated protocol that could be hindering efficient work. Getting more people involved in the conversation doesn’t just prevent the worst-case scenario, but helps everyone stay on the same page. It is really the best time to have a “what can we do better?” conversation. It’s the time to ask the hard questions, like: “What needs to be improved?”; “Are we meeting our goals?”; “Are we experiencing any safety issues involving falls? Fatalities, injuries, or near misses?”; “Are our employees aware of our fall protection protocol?”; “Should we have more available trainings?”; and “Do we need to revise policy?” When planning your Stand-Down, you might want to take a gander at the OSHA website, as it provides a wealth of knowledge, especially with the many resources like training tools, materials, lesson plans, and videos. It’s never a bad time to plan for extra training, even if it’s just to have employees brush up on their skills especially when it has something to do with something as important as safety. The Stand-Down in all it has to offer, also gives us a soft place to land so we can get right back up and learn from what we can fix and what we can do better.
OSHA also encourages employers to share the message over social media. Social media has taken over our way many people communicate nowadays. Likes, shares, hashtags, ‘double-taps’ have not just become the newest marketing tools, but have made it a way to share numerous messages. They are interactive ways to raise awareness within the entire community. By taking and sharing photos, writing about company’s participation, and using the hashtag #StandDown4Safety, construction companies are sure to initiate and even continue a conversation worth having – one that can save lives. However, this conversation should be universal, and year round. Even though the dates for this year’s Stand-Down have passed, you can get jumpstarted on next year, or even plan your own Stand-Down event between now and next year. But, how do we plan something that doesn’t take away from normal, day-to-day operations? Simple. Incorporate it as much as possible into team meetings and such. The OSHA website provides some useful tips, which range from the early stages of organization the Stand-Down to the after-action follow up.
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MAY2016 | 21