Beat the Heat on Construction Sites
In 2020, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created a report on heat stress in the construction industry. Collecting information from hospital and OSHA reports, the CDC was able to come to conclusions that should be no surprise to anyone who has ever worked construction in the dog days of summer.
The CDC reported that around 12 people each year, over the past 24 years, lose their lives due to some form of heat related injuries (HRI). This number underestimates the severity of the situation due to the misclassification of injury reports. Heat related injuries are most abundant, as one would expect, between the months of June and August. The report states that heat can cause those who it affects to lose their focus and decision making capabilities. Normal mistakes, something as minor as falling off of a ladder or not checking your surroundings, are much more likely to occur, and traumatic injuries increase when experiencing extreme heat. From 2008-2010 the most common workplace injury for patients aged 19-45 were occupational HRI’s. Even the youngest, healthiest workers are susceptible to these HRI’s.
The CDC and OSHA have teamed together to provide tips on how to better manage the heat and humidity when out on the job. Regulations require that workers always have a sufficient amount of cold water handy at all times. Workers are also required to take mandatory rest breaks in order to limit work and pressure. Light colored, loosely fitting clothing are recommended as well.
HRI’s aren’t always obvious, if your employee begins to feel dizzy, slow, and tired have them step away for a break. When you and your employees show signs of heat exhaustion, make sure someone has the necessary knowledge and preparations to get them help.
The Importance of Safety Training to Supplement Experience
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reported two similar violations stemming from different companies in the Midwest. In both cases, employees were seriously injured as a result of unsafe power industrial vehicle (PIV) use. Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA), first reported on the incident earlier this month. Representatives for the CBIA attribute these accidents to the machine operator’s lack of training. Both accidents totaled 7 violations and penalties of over $300,000.
One company, based out of Chicago, had failed to provide its employees with a PIV training refresher. OSHA requires PIV refreshers every 3 years and proper certification for use. The incident came as a result of a common, but avoidable, mistake that the company chose to overlook. The OSHA area director states, “This worker’s life-altering injuries could have been prevented if … had followed its own and federal safety regulations against employees riding improperly on moving powered industrial vehicles.” The area director then went on to say that PIV accidents are one of the most common workplace incidents and remain among OSHA’s top 10 most cited violations.
In the other case, a food packaging company out of Wisconsin saw their second violation within the past 6 months. After an inspection last November, OSHA cited the facility for poor lockout/tagout procedures when an employee was injured during routine maintenance. This incident, coupled with yet another training violation, resulted in heavy fines for the company. Robert Bonack, OSHA area director for this region, once again reiterated that it’s the employer’s responsibility to ensure that employees are trained in the use of PIV. Any injuries involving industrial vehicles fall back on to the employers for neglecting to provide workers with the knowledge and understanding of their tools.
It’s always important to train you employees on the necessary precautions when operating a powered industrial vehicle. Don’t make the mistake of putting your workers in danger.
Want to learn more about how you can keep your employees safe and avoid a fine. Take a look at our PIV training to make sure this never happens to you.
Construction Site Injuries Can be Linked to Time of Day
According to a recent study from Oregon State University (OSU), the time of day, unsurprisingly, has an effect on injuries within the construction industry.
Liu Yang, a recent doctoral graduate from OSU, analyzed workers compensation injury claims by the hour of the accident. Yang found that workers often get hurt more often within the first 4 hours of the workday. The study also shows that night shifts experienced a significantly larger number of more frequent and more severe injuries as opposed to day shifts. The average number of days missed by an injured worker is just over 80, while the expenses incurred from these injuries averaged $12,000.
Data was collected entirely from the state of Oregon (who sees a higher percentage of construction related injuries than the national average) and focused on insurers who accepted “disabling” claims. The classification for disabling injuries is rather broad. A disabling industry could require a worker to take 3 days of leave or be a hospitalizing/fatal injury.
The authors noticed that while injuries were much more common during the first 4 hours, there were more severe injuries right after the mid-point in a workers’ day. The source theorizes that most workers take a mid-day break or lunch, allowing their bodies to recover. Skipping or delaying this break for whatever reason, may be a huge factor in the susceptibility to injury. This theory emphasizes the necessity of working at a safe pace with the right amount of breaks.
Yang claims that the two interventions that she thinks could help reduce workplace injuries the most are increased supervision by a safety staffer and an increase in rest and meal breaks.
New HAZCOM Update Proposed for Expanded Employee Protection
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently proposed an update on their Hazard Communication Standard (HAZCOM) with the goal that making this revision could help protect employees from illness and exposure.
OSHA continuously looks to further improve the information provided on chemical labels and Safety Data Sheets, and this update would align with the seventh revision of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification (GHS) and Labelling of Chemicals. Individuals may submit comments identified by Docket No. OSHA-2019-0001, electronically at http://www.regulations.gov. The deadline for submitting comments is April 19, 2021.
Most recently updated in 2012, but stemming all the way back to the first draft in 1983, HAZCOM has set a safety standard for employees working with chemicals for over 35 years. This latest revision hopes to find a new approach to classifying chemicals. In compliance with the update in 2012, which had made chemical labeling and other information much easier to understand, OSHA now wants to make chemical awareness and safety more widespread. OSHA states that they hope employees will become much more conscious of the hazards surrounding them.
It is employer’s responsibility to make sure its workers are safe when handling chemicals, whether it’s in an office setting or a construction site. HAZCOM courses are available for employers and employees so all involved in a project are certified.
March is National Ladder Safety Month
Ladder related accidents claim over 100 lives every year, with many, many more suffering serious injury. Better training and awareness is the key to reducing the amount of these very preventable accidents.
Every March for the last five years, the American Ladder Institute (ALI) has been leading the way with National Ladder Safety Month.
The goal of the month is based around six key points:
- Decrease number of ladder-related injuries and fatalities
- Increase the number of ladder safety training certificates issued by ALI
- Increase the frequency that ladder safety training modules are viewed on www.laddersafetytraining.org
- Lower the rankings of ladder-related safety citations on OSHA’s yearly “Top 10 Citations List”
- Increase the number of in-person ladder trainings
- Increase the number of companies and individuals that inspect and properly dispose of old, damaged or obsolete ladders
Ladder accidents, whether they’re at home or on a job site, are preventable and some basic awareness is all it takes to keep you and anyone working for you from adding to the already too high number of injuries and fatalities that take place.
For commercial and industrial use, training courses such as Competent Person Fall Protection Training (EM 385 Training) go into great detail about not just working at elevated heights, but specifically providing an overview of fall protection use and requirements on ladders, stairways, and scaffolding systems. This training is intended for those in a leadership position who must also serve as the competent person and supervise other contractors and employees working at an elevated level.
However, the accidents that occur from ladders aren’t only on jobsites. Residential/personal use cases require diligent safety procedures, from painting high walls and ceilings to cleaning gutters and accessing a roof. The American Ladder Institute has put together a number of helpful videos and infographics for home use that can keep you safe.
It is ultimately up to the user to keep themselves safe while using a ladder of any height. It’s our hope that with commercial and residential resources promoted throughout the month of March, the amount of accidents that happen on ladders is reduced.
Always Remember:
Can Your Company Afford $420,000 in Penalties?
Employees have a basic right to be able to work safely at their site, in their office, or in the field, and it is up to employers to meet the standards set by OSHA across a number of industries to meet those guidelines. Unfortunately, for any number of reasons that may not always take place and the results are harmful or even deadly.
In Hugo, OK, the US Department of Labor cited Trinity Rail and Maintenance Services for confined space violations in August 2020 fatality investigation. OSHA determined that an employee of Trinity Rail and Maintenance Services Inc. became unresponsive after entering a natural gasoline rail car with the intent of cleaning the space in August of 2020. A second employee entered the rail car and was also overcome after attempting to rescue the fallen worker.
Unfortunately, both workers lost their lives during this incident.
After an investigation, OSHA concluded that the company had numerous violations. Two of these were willful violations, defined as: a violation in which the employer either knowingly failed to comply with a legal requirement (purposeful disregard) or acted with plain indifference to employee safety.
As a result, a proposed fine of $419,347 was levied against Trinity Rail and Maintenance Services.
An unexpected tragedy at a worksite is always an uncomfortable topic to discuss. It doesn’t need to be this way however. Permit Required Confined Space Entry Courses provide the practices and procedures to protect employees from the hazards of entry into Permit Required Confined Spaces. These types of courses are vital to keep accidents such as the one in Oklahoma from being repeated, and keeps your business from bearing an additional financial burden from these incidents.
Despite Vaccine, COVID-19 Prevention is Still Necessary
Coronavirus Protection Program Guidelines Updated by OSHA
On January 29, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace which updates guidance and recommendations to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The guidance issued by OSHA informs employers and workers outside of healthcare to help identify risks of being exposed to and/or contracting COVID-19. As many are aware, COVID-19 is highly transmissible and can be spread by people who have no symptoms.
What Workers Need To Know about COVID-19 Protections in the Workplace
The guidelines both inform workers and advise employers about the resources and policies that should be in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Workers should expect a safe and healthy workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. The guidelines reiterate the existing procedures workers can follow to keep themselves safe.
- OSHA continues to advise that the best way to protect yourself is to stay far enough away from other people so that you are not breathing in particles produced by an infected person – generally at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths), although this is not a guarantee, especially in enclosed spaces or those with poor ventilation.
- Practicing good personal hygiene and washing your hands often helps prevent the spread of the disease.
- Face coverings are simple barriers to help prevent your respiratory droplets or aerosols from reaching others. The main function of wearing a face covering is to protect those around you, in case you are infected but not showing symptoms. Even though COVID-19 vaccinations are in the early stages of rollout, it is important to wear a face covering and remain physically distant from co-workers and customers even if you have been vaccinated because it is not known at this time how vaccination affects transmissibility.
- Employee protections are in place for workers who bring up coronavirus related concerns.
The Roles of Employers and Workers in Responding to COVID-19
Under the OSH Act, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm.
Implementing a workplace COVID-19 prevention program is the most effective way to reduce the spread of COVID-19 at work, and engaging workers in the development of the program improves adoption. Examples of an effective prevention program include:
- Assignment of a workplace coordinator
- Identification of where and how workers might be exposed to COVID-19 at work
- Consideration of protections for workers at higher risk for severe illness through supportive policies and practices
- Minimize the negative impact of quarantine and isolation on workers (provide remote/work-from-home opportunities)
- Establishment of a system for communicating effectively with workers and in a language they understand
In addition, a greater emphasis on face coverings is included in the updated guidance. Key among new additions is that “Employers should provide face coverings to the workers at no cost,” and “Require any other individuals at the workplace (e.g., visitors, customers, nonemployees) to wear a face covering unless they are under the age of 2 or are actively consuming food or beverages on site,”
OSHA advises that the recommendations are advisory in nature, informational in content, and are intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace. But as
We’re Here to Help
Although the COVID-19 vaccine is becoming more widely available, any workplace environment is still susceptible to an outbreak. Keep United Alliance Services in mind for the following safety service options:
COVID-19 CONSULTING BUNDLE – Written directive/policy on requirements which can be either a corporate policy or a site-specific policy.
COVID-19 TRAINING (INFECTION CONTROL WEBINAR) – We offer Open Enrollment Classes and Private Company Sponsored Classes made available at your convenience.
COVID19 TESTING – We now offer COVID-19 Testing Services For Colleges, Universities, Private Companies, And Public Agencies
If you have concerns about your workforce and coronavirus, please contact us today to learn about steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your employees.
March 2 Deadline For 300 Log Electronic Reporting Compliance
March 2 is the deadline for employers to file directly with OSHA their 300A and two other reports—Forms 300 and 301.
OSHA provides in-depth information regarding filing the form 300A. Below, is a summary of important requirements taken from their website to help navigate the filing requirements.
Recordkeeping Requirements
Many employers with more than 10 employees are required to keep a record of serious work-related injuries and illnesses. (Certain low-risk industries are exempted.) Minor injuries requiring first aid only do not need to be recorded.
This information helps employers, workers and OSHA evaluate the safety of a workplace, understand industry hazards, and implement worker protections to reduce and eliminate hazards -preventing future workplace injuries and illnesses.
COVID-19 can be a recordable illness if a worker is infected due to performing work-related duties. However, employers are only responsible for recording cases of COVID-19 if all of the following are true:
- The case is a confirmed case of COVID-19 (see CDC information on persons under investigation and presumptive positive and laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19);
- The case is work-related (as defined by 29 CFR 1904.5); and
- The case involves one or more of the general recording criteria set forth in 29 CFR 1904.7 (e.g., medical treatment beyond first aid, days away from work).
Maintaining and Posting Records
Keep in mind, records must be maintained at the worksite for at least five years. Each February through April, employers must post a summary of the injuries and illnesses recorded the previous year. Also, if requested, copies of the records must be provided to current and former employees, or their representatives.
Who needs to file:
Only a small fraction of establishments is required to electronically submit their Form 300A data to OSHA. Establishments that meet any of the following criteria DO NOT have to send their information. Remember, these criteria apply at the establishment level, not to the firm as a whole.
- The establishment’s peak employment during the previous calendar year was 19 or fewer, regardless of the establishment’s industry.
- The establishment’s industry is on this list, regardless of the size of the establishment.
- The establishment had a peak employment between 20 and 249 employees during the previous calendar year AND the establishment’s industry is not on this list.
How to file:
OSHA provides a secure website that offers three options for data submission. Users can manually enter data into a web form or upload a CSV file to process multiple establishments at the same time. Those using automated recordkeeping systems will have the ability to transmit data electronically.
- View the CSV instructions for submission of:
- Download a CSV file template for submission of:
- Download a CSV sample file for submission of:
- View the API technical specifications for:
We’re Here to Help
The current reporting requirements can be confusing and difficult to follow. It’s important to stay up to date to avoid unnecessary OSHA fines and penalties. If you need help meeting this filing deadline, contact us today.
We can help with:
OSHA CONSULTING BUNDLE – Written directive/policy on requirements which can be either a corporate policy or a site-specific policy.
OSHA TRAINING – We offer Open Enrollment Classes, Online Courses, and Private Company Sponsored Classes made available at your convenience.
If you have concerns about your workforce and coronavirus, please contact us today to learn about steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your employees.
Keeping Your Construction Site Safe – What You Need to Know
It’s safe to say, construction is a high hazard industry.
Comprised of a wide range of activities, construction workers engage in many activities that may expose them to serious hazards.
According to the 2020 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index report, the top 5 five injuries from construction sites – falls to lower level, struck by object, overextension, falls to same level, and hit by vehicle – accounted for $7.87 billion in costs.
Providing a safe construction worksite is key to maintaining healthy workers and keeping the job on schedule.
To accomplish this, many companies hire a full-time safety advisor. This person is typically responsible for in-house safety programs, managing OSHA related inspections, and training workers. In a perfect world, this works fine. However, finding and hiring for this role can be challenging.
Keep Your Project On-Track
Many construction companies rely on out-sources construction site safety services that augment an existing in-house safety team. This helps to free up the company from the challenge of finding and hiring safety consultants for special projects.
When a construction project requires specific expertise, adding this type of resource can make the difference between winning or losing the bid.
Out-sourced safety services can be used on new construction projects, shutdowns, or maintenance-related activities. If one of the safety consultants becomes unavailable because of illness or other reasons, they can quickly be replaced, without sacrificing quality or missing project deadlines.
United Alliance Services’ qualified Safety Advisors work with your team to integrate safety on your project, from the initial planning stages to the daily task-specific toolbox meetings. Our motivated team of professionals understands that safety, quality, and productivity work hand-in-hand.
Construction Site Safety Services
We work with many construction companies in a variety of ways.
- OSHA State and Federal Laws
OSHA construction safety standards can be overwhelming. We can help you anticipate and meet the legal requirements for worker safety. - Safety Programs and Site-Specific Plans
Whether it’s a new safety program you need or just an update of your current safety program to meet new requirements, we can help to develop a specialized set of standards, policies and procedures. The potential safety program components are based on construction standards from OSHA. - OSHA Inspection and Citation Assistance
We will help manage the regulatory inspection process at your jobsite. Our safety professionals have years of experience managing these situations from opening to informal conference. - OSHA Recordkeeping and Documentation
We can help your company understand all the statutory recordkeeping requirements identified by OSHA. - Construction Safety Inspections
Construction safety inspections are the most effective means of identifying hazardous conditions at the worksite. Construction sites require constant monitoring and careful observations to stay ahead of safety issues. We help to identify potential OSHA violations, liability issues and risk exposures while assisting clients with mitigating hazards before they damage the reputation of the company and injure employees.
Why Construction Job Site Inspections are Important
Written safety programs, safety training, job hazard analysis, and other tools are used as part of a successful safety program. Construction safety inspections ensure that the safety planning and tools used have the desired effect in the real world. By identifying hazards, you’ll have the opportunity to fix these issues before injuries and accidents can occur.
The best defense against injury and loss is a comprehensive understanding of risks and deficiencies within your construction company and your projects.
We use the same methodologies and standards employed by OSHA and the insurance industry – or your own safety standards – as the basis for our review to ensure a safer construction job site.
We’re here to help
Need help making your construction job site safe? We offer the following services to help:
OSHA CONSULTING BUNDLE – Written directive/policy on requirements which can be either a corporate policy or a site-specific policy.
OSHA TRAINING – We offer Open Enrollment Classes, Online Courses, and Private Company Sponsored Classes made available at your convenience.
If you have concerns about your workforce and coronavirus, please contact us today to learn about steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your employees.
Core Elements to Starting Your OSHA Health & Safety Program
Starting a OSHA Health and Safety Program is key to providing a safe work environment, and is one of the most effective ways of protecting your employees from unnecessary harm or illness.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the total cost of work injuries in 2019 was $171.0 billion. This figure includes wage and productivity losses of $53.9 billion, medical expenses of $35.5 billion, and administrative expenses of $59.7 billion.
The cost per worker in 2019 was $1,100.
OSHA provides a straightforward approach to setting up your safety and health program with seven core elements. Last week, we discussed the 10 Easy Things to Get Your Program Started
Today we’ll review the first element: Management Leadership
Initiating a health and safety program is relatively easy. The difficult part is getting everyone in your workplace onboard with the plan.
This all starts with management.
Management provides the leadership, vision, and resources needed to implement an effective safety and health program. When we speak about management leadership, we’re referring to business owners, managers, and supervisors – anyone who is considered able to make decisions for the good of the overall business.
As a manager, the overall goal of starting, or revamping, a health and safety program is to:
- Make worker safety and health a core organizational value.
- Eliminate hazards, protect workers, and continuously improving workplace safety and health.
- Provide the resources needed to implement and maintain the program.
- Demonstrate and communicate their safety and health commitment to workers and others.
- Set an example through their own actions.
Four Action Items to Take
This can seem daunting, at first glance.
But OSHA provides insight into four action items any management team member can take to get the process started, and how keep it going.
Below is a summary of each action item.
Action item 1: Communicate your commitment to a safety and health program
A clear, written policy helps you communicate that safety and health is a primary organizational value –as important as productivity, profitability, product or service quality, and customer satisfaction.
Action item 2: Define program goals
By establishing specific goals and objectives, management sets expectations for managers, supervisors, and workers and for the program overall. The goals and objectives should focus on specific actions that will improve workplace safety and health.
Action item 3: Allocate resources
Provide the resources needed to implement the safety and health program, pursue program goals, and address program shortcomings when they are identified.
Action item 4: Expect performance
Lead the program effort by establishing roles and responsibilities and providing an open, positive environment that encourages communication about safety and health.
A quick reminder…
Maintaining a positive and encouraging tone is important.
A successful program rewards, rather than disciplines, workers who identify problems or concerns. Disciplinary measures should be reserved for situations in which an individual manager or worker is uncooperative or becomes an impediment to progress.
This type of reaction is counterproductive to the overall goal. Taking the person aside to discuss their behavior, and how it affects others, is important to establishing the ground rules of acceptable behavior. Remind this person that the program isn’t intended to make their job harder but to ensure their safety and the safety and wellbeing of everyone.
Don’t Go It Alone
Starting a Health and Safety Program takes time, effort, and commitment from everyone. If you need guidance on getting your safety and health program started – we’re here to help.
We work with many companies with the following services:
OSHA CONSULTING BUNDLE – Written directive/policy on requirements which can be either a corporate policy or a site-specific policy.
OSHA TRAINING – We offer Open Enrollment Classes, Online Courses, and Private Company Sponsored Classes made available at your convenience.
If you have concerns about your workforce and coronavirus, please contact us today to learn about steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your employees.
10 Ways to Start Your OSHA Health & Safety Program
Safe and healthy employees are key to the success of your business.
Providing a safe work environment is one of the most effective ways of protecting your employees from unnecessary harm or illness.
Losing workers to injury or illness, even for a short time, can cause significant disruption and cost—check OSHA’s $afety Pays online calculator to see just how much – it can also damage workplace morale, productivity, turnover, and reputation.
According to the 2020 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index report, based on information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workplace injuries and accidents that cause employees to miss five or more days of work cost U.S. employers nearly $59 billion in 2020,
It also notes the top 5 five injuries from construction sites – falls to lower level, struck by object, overextension, falls to same level, and hit by vehicle – accounted for $7.87 billion in costs.
So, it’s important, not only to the overall financial health of a business but also to the wellbeing of employees, to implement safety programs and protocols to keep the work environment clear of unnecessary risk and hazards.
Having a proper safety program in place helps to identify and solve issues before they occur, rather than reacting to an incident later, and can help to reduce the chance of injuries and potentially reduce the costs associated with a loss.
If you don’t have a program in place – or if you’re looking to update your current program – here are some important steps to know about.
Recommended Practices: 10 Steps to Get You Started
OSHA provides steps you can take to develop and implement Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs. This is a straightforward approach to setting up your safety and health program with seven core elements, which will be discussed in our next blog post.
Keep in mind, not all details need to be planned before getting started. The point is to get started!
And remember, this is a guide, you get to decide how to best complete the steps in a way that makes sense for your business.
One of the first steps you can take is to review the 10 Easy Things to Get Your Program Started.
This is a list of very basic items to start you on the path towards responsible safety and health management.
Here is an overview of the steps you can take:
- Establish safety and health as a core value. Let them know you will work with them to find and fix any hazards that could injure them or make them sick.
- Lead by example. Practice safe behavior by making safety part of your daily conversations with workers.
- Implement a reporting system. Provide an easy (or even anonymous) way for employees to safely report injuries, illnesses, and hazards.
- Provide training. Train workers on how to identify and control hazards in the workplace.
- Conduct inspections. Inspect the workplace with workers and ask them to identify any activity, piece of equipment, or materials that concern them.
- Collect hazard control ideas. Ask workers for ideas on improvements.
- Implement hazard controls. Work with employees to choose, implement, and evaluate solutions to reduce hazards and risk.
- Address emergencies. Identify foreseeable emergency scenarios and develop instructions on what to do in each case.
- Seek input on workplace changes. Consult with workers to identify potential safety or health issues of any changes to the workplace environment.
- Make improvements. Set aside a regular time to discuss safety and health issues, with the goal of identifying ways to improve the program.
The Benefits of Implementing These Recommended Practices
The main goal of a safety and health program is to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths, and prevent financial hardship these events can cause for workers, their families, and their employers.
With a program in place, other benefits may present themselves. With full cooperation of employer and employees, the following benefits may arise:
- Improvements in products
- Increase in customer service quality.
- Better workplace morale.
- Improved employee recruiting and retention.
- A more favorable image and reputation
We’re here to help
Need help getting your safety and health program started? We offer the following services to help:
OSHA CONSULTING BUNDLE – Written directive/policy on requirements which can be either a corporate policy or a site-specific policy.
OSHA TRAINING – We offer Open Enrollment Classes, Online Courses, and Private Company Sponsored Classes made available at your convenience.
If you have concerns about your workforce and coronavirus, please contact us today to learn about steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your employees.
