Construction Safety Meeting Objectives To highlight construction work's multiple hazards and safety concerns and to emphasize the need to know and follow safety procedures. The result should be greater willingness to use safety equipment and procedures and fewer accidents and near misses. Suggested Materials to Have on Hand Note: If possible, conduct this meeting on a job site, where you can use both hazards (equipment, power sources, heights, trenches, etc.) and protections (hard hats, harnesses, warning signs and barriers, etc.) as examples. You may wish to customize the content of this meeting to mention only the specifics that relate to your employees' jobs. However, an overview of varied construction hazards and protections may help increase employees' awareness of and commitment to the need for safety rules and procedures. Introduction/Overview Construction work requires skill and experience. No matter what type of construction you do, from putting up a building to installing a pipeline to repairing a roof, you have to know exactly what you're doing. The wrong materials or the wrong procedures can make for very expensive fixes and replacements later on. But there is no area where knowledge and precision are more important than safety. A careless move, a skipped procedure, a piece of protective gear left in the truck can cause a serious accident. And in too many cases, construction accidents can be deadly. In a recent year over 1,200 construction workers died on the job, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Every one is one too many. And many deaths can and should be prevented by knowing and following safety rules. No single safety meeting can possibly cover all the hazards you could come up against on a construction job or all the ways you can protect against those hazards. We
can, however, take some time to focus on this critical aspect of our jobs and the need to take our safety responsibilities seriously. General Hazards No individual construction worker faces all the hazards of construction work, of course. But if you took the time to catalog all the different safety concerns that come up in the course of a year's work, you would probably be surprised by the number and variety. On a construction site, you face not only the hazards of your own work but those of the other trades, too. Even if you make a habit of doing safety checks on the hazards you know, you may not be as familiar with other trades' hazards. And the other workers on the site may not be as aware of yours. So it's really important for all construction workers to put safety first. Let's consider some of the hazard categories you might find on a construction job site: Working on heights a building, scaffold, ladder, pole, etc. Falls are the most common cause of construction work deaths. Working on heights presents other hazards, too, including electrocution or dropping objects that can injure someone below. There are many safety rules designed to protect you when you work on heights, and the fatality statistics give you excellent reasons to follow these rules closely. Electricity in anything from a power line to an extension cord can create risks of shock or electrocution or fire. Electrocution is another major cause of construction deaths. Working in trenches, excavations, or confined spaces is also dangerous. If not done properly, there's a danger of being trapped and overcome or smothered. This is another hazard group that's responsible for deaths on the job every year. Hand and power tools that can fall, shock, puncture, or otherwise cause harm. Wood, steel, cement, and the many materials on a job site can fall off vehicles and high work areas, cause people to trip when on the ground, etc.
Forklifts, cranes, trucks, and other vehicles can hit people or objects, tip over, etc. In fact, being struck by something a vehicle, piece of equipment, materials, etc. is a major cause of construction workplace fatalities. Fire and explosion are hazards in most construction jobs. There are many things that can catch fire or explode, and many sources of ignition that can set them off. Slips, trips, and falls are another source of possible injury on job sites. They're not just a problem when you're working on heights, either. You can slip on a wet spot, trip over materials, fall from a vehicle. You may not fall as far, but you can still get badly hurt. Noise is yet another job hazard, though we often don't think about it. Yet many job sites have noise levels high enough to damage hearing. Falling and flying objects are another problem. Just think about what can tumble off a beam or truck bed, get kicked up by vehicle tires, or fly through the air from the work of a jackhammer, chisel, or so many other tools. If those things fall on your head or foot or get into your eye, you could get badly hurt. Weather, insects, and plants present hazards when you work outdoors. Cold, heat, wind, rain, biting and stinging insects, poisonous plants, and allergic reactions to plants and insects can all cause problems. as: Any of these hazards can get much more dangerous if you mix in other hazards such Working under the influence of alcohol or drugs that slow physical and mental reactions or make you confused. Remember that a lot of prescription and over the counter drugs tell you not to use them when you operate heavy machinery. There's a good reason. Poor physical condition can be hazardous, too. Maybe you aren't getting enough sleep, have put on too much weight to work comfortably in the areas where you're assigned, or get out of breath easily. These and other problems can make it more difficult for you to do your best and safest work.
Personal problems can be a problem on the job, too. You can't afford to give your attention to anything but your job and your situation when you work in construction. Horseplay is another safety hazard. It's just dangerous to fool around on the job. Don't throw things, hide things. play a little Frisbee with your hard hat, or play practical jokes. Not at all. A little slip and someone could be seriously hurt maybe you. A bad attitude is one of the biggest hazards. Someone who doesn't like the job, doesn't like the supervisor, doesn't like the equipment, doesn't like the weather, and doesn't like the safety rules is a real problem for all of us. Unwillingness to ask questions can be hazardous, too. There are a lot of safety rules that apply to our jobs and a lot of procedures you have to follow. It's understandable that you may not always be sure about some of them. Don't be embarrassed to ask. You're not admitting you're ignorant; you're admitting you can recognize your knowledge gaps, and you don't want to make any mistakes. OSHA Regulations With all these hazards, it's not surprising that OSHA has a very long set of regulations that apply only to the construction industry (29 CFR 1926). These regulations, some of which are similar to those for general industry, are designed to address the particular problems and precautions involved in construction work. Regulations are just one part of OSHA's efforts in construction, however. The federal safety agency has, in recent years, been focusing on cooperative programs with state agencies and construction industry groups and unions to bring down construction death and injury rates. Construction nonfatal accidents and injuries have declined over the years, though they're still a serious problem. But in terms of fatalities, "construction continues to be more hazardous than work in general industry." OSHA recognizes that it's tough to achieve safety goals in construction. Jobs can be large and complicated, with a variety of employers and equipment, a workforce that's there only for a specific part of the job, logistical delays, and project deadlines. To deal with that, the agency is focusing on partnership and outreach, as well as targeted
inspections. OSHA inspections are emphasizing industries with high hazards and fatalities, including highway construction, steel erection and mechanical contract work, roofing, and trenching. In addition, the agency is working to develop partnerships with industry and labor to encourage cooperative efforts to improve workplace safety and health. The agency has pointed out that good safety and health programs not only protect workers, they reduce costs and improve efficiency by reducing the number of lost workdays and workers' comp claims. They build safety in from the beginning instead of having to backtrack. They keep workers safe and healthy, reduce the chance of accidents, and make it less likely that OSHA will find violations when inspectors do arrive. Identifying Hazards Before you can take the necessary actions to work safely, you have to identify the hazards on your job site. Try to think of yourself as an OSHA inspector, looking at the job site, the equipment, the tasks, and what could go wrong. For example, any job that involves working on heights deserves close attention. You shouldn't start such jobs until you've been trained to identify hazards and follow safety procedures. You should be sure that the necessary guardrails and other protections are in place. You should use the proper safety harnesses and other protective gear. And, when you're up high, you have to follow procedures to avoid slipping, dropping objects, contacting live electricity, etc. The first step in most jobs is inspecting the equipment. Whether it's a forklift, crane, hard hat, or hammer, you have to be sure that everything you're using is in good operating order, undamaged, and able to do its job efficiently and safely. You need to know if there are hazardous substances around, too. Are you using solvents? Does the old roof contain asbestos? Is there lead based paint? What gases might be in a confined space you have to enter? Know what's there, what hazards it could pose, and what you can do to reduce the chance of exposure. Check the signs and barriers on the site. Do they warn you about excavations, slippery surfaces, or noise? Do they restrict entry to authorized people? Do you know
who's authorized and why? Don't forget electrical hazards. You don't want to contact live power, especially with something metal. And what about fire? Do you know what substances are flammable? Do you think about your tools as heat or spark producers? The list goes on and on at every job site. And you have to do this every day before every task. The bottom line is that you should be aware of every hazard that you could come up against on the job every day and know what you have to do to protect against that hazard. Then, of course, you have to do it. Protection Against Hazards There are many ways you can protect yourself against the hazards of your job. Start by being familiar with the OSHA standards and employer safety procedures that apply. They're all aimed at preventing accidents, which is something that we can all support. If you're working on heights, in trenches, or around live power, OSHA has rules about how you should do it. These procedures are not designed to make your life difficult. They're designed to protect you so that you don't become a statistic. Another way you protect against hazards is by using the right tool for the job. Don't improvise. Every piece of construction equipment, from the smallest hammer to the biggest crane, is designed for specific purposes. Use them properly, and, if you're not sure just how to do that, find out. One of the most important forms of protection is personal protective equipment, or PPE. The PPE you need depends on the job you're doing. But it's absolutely essential. When you work in construction, you may need: A hard hat. Almost every construction job requires you to wear a hard hat to protect from falls and against the materials that are always falling and flying on a construction site. These hats have to be undamaged and fit properly. If you work around electricity, you also have to wear hats approved for that purpose, with no metal parts that could conduct electricity. Sturdy work boots or shoes. If construction tools or materials fall on your foot, you could have a bad injury. Nails and other objects could puncture a light shoe. And electricity could make you a conductor if your shoes have
metal parts. If you have to climb poles, you may need special footwear for that purpose. No matter what your task, be sure to choose comfortable footwear that protects you from your job's hazards. Eye protection. Safety goggles are a must on many construction jobs. There are flying objects and fragments as well as dust. Protect your eyes. Hearing protection. Construction equipment is noisy. Blasting, jackhammering, and other tasks can't be done quietly. So you may need to wear equipment that protects your hearing. When you're on a construction job, wear clothes that properly protect you from injury and from the weather. You may also need additional protective gear such as gloves, welding face protection, respiratory protection, etc. Know what your job involves, what the hazards are, and what protective gear is assigned to you. Then wear it! It's one of the best ways to protect yourself from injury at work. Protective gear is more than clothing. When you work on heights, you will probably need a personal fall arrest system, a body belt or harness whose sole function is to keep you from falling. When you work in an excavation or confined space, you may need to wear a harness with a lifeline. Again, the only reason for this is to be able to rescue you if you're in danger. So always wear every piece of assigned protective equipment. Always inspect it before use to make sure that it's not damaged. A hard hat that's cracked or missing a chin strap won't do much to protect you. Neither will shoes with holes or a harness with a damaged or missing connection. Another critical form of protection on the job is safety training. Safety training programs identify what can go wrong and what you can do to prevent trouble. This is information you absolutely must know for your own safety, health, and even life. Some OSHA regulations specifically require training and require workers to demonstrate a certain level of safety knowledge before they can do a job. Always take part in every safety training program, meeting, or discussion that applies to you. No matter how experienced you are, you need this training. It's required, and it helps keep you alive and healthy on the job.
Safety Procedures Safety training helps you master the many safety procedures that are part of every job you perform. No matter what you're doing and where you're doing it, you have to follow the rules. Don't skip steps, don't cut corners, and don't guess. Again, these procedures exist only to protect you. So make the most of them. For example, construction site hazards are often identified by signs, barriers, and various kinds of signals. If you see a sign or barrier that says "Keep Out" or "Hard Hat Area," this means you. Know what the whistles, hand signals, and other warnings mean. Keep an eye on the heavy equipment operators around you and pay attention to their signals and movements. If you're the one giving the signals, don't forget. And look around to make sure that people in possible danger see you and act accordingly. When you operate forklifts, cranes, and other equipment, follow all procedures exactly. You can't operate these without training, and you have to use your training to be sure that your vehicle is safe, that you're using it properly, and that you're not putting yourself or others at risk. This applies to every piece of equipment you use on the job, no matter how small. Follow every safety precaution you've ever learned, and follow it precisely. Don't point nail guns at others. Check that platforms and ladders are in good condition. Drink plenty of water when you're working in high heat. The list goes on and on, depending on the job and the job site. But every step is important, and most of them are really very simple and common sense. You must make them a habit and an automatic part of how you do your work. It's especially important to know and follow safety procedures in construction's more hazardous tasks. Remember that a large percentage of construction deaths occur from falls, electrocutions, and working in trenches or excavations. And any jobs that expose you to these hazards have very precise safety procedures to keep you from harm. Follow them. For example: Use assigned personal fall arrest systems and/or safety nets when you're working on heights. Be sure guardrails that meet OSHA specifications are in place when you work
on heights. Be careful how you store and stack materials on roofs and other heights. Know the details of your fall protection plan for sites where OSHA allows employers to have alternatives to fall protection systems. On jobs that have a risk of electrocution, be sure to: Do only what you're trained and authorized to do. Use only nonconductive tools and wear nonconductive PPE when your job could expose you to live power. On jobs that involve trenches or excavations: Know the hazards of your particular job, such as loose soil, water, etc. Follow pre entry procedures, from testing the atmosphere and ventilation to stabilizing the sides. Wear assigned PPE. Keep objects, materials, and equipment behind retaining devices or at least two feet from the edge, or both. And in general: Walk slowly and watch where you're going at all times. Don't carry loads you can't see over. Put tools and materials away when they're not in use. Dispose of trash and debris regularly and properly. Obey signs, barriers, and verbal warnings. Operate equipment only if you're trained and authorized. Be prepared for weather emergencies. Wind, water, and ice can make hazardous jobs more hazardous.
This is by no means a full list of all you have to think about and do in order to stay safe on the job. It's not as difficult as it sounds, though. As I said before, most of it is just good sense, backed by special procedures and equipment that experience has proved can give valuable protection. One of the most important safety procedures of all is to take safety seriously. Treat it as an extremely important part of your job that demands your full skill and attention. You can't afford to let your mind wander or your concentration be less than total. In construction work, a small slip can have big and terrible consequences. Suggested Discussion Questions 1. What are some of the hazards you see most often on the job? 2. What do you think are the most dangerous hazards you encounter on the job? 3. What type of PPE do you use for protection? 4. What kinds of inspections do you conduct before starting work every day? 5. What procedures do you follow when performing your most hazardous jobs? 6. What safety hazards do you think are most ignored by construction workers? 7. What safety procedures would you like to cover in refresher training? 8. What hazardous substances are you likely to encounter on the job? 9. Why is it so important to clean up debris and trash regularly on the job? 10. Are there any other questions? Wrap up Construction work can be very demanding. You need a lot of skill to do everything just right so that a building, a road, a pipeline, will provide long lasting use and safety. And you have to do it all under what can be tough conditions as well as pressure to finish on time and on budget. But once it's completed, you can take a lot of satisfaction in a job well done. The
safety part of construction work is much the same. It takes time and effort to build and use the skills and knowledge you need to do your work safely. Sometimes the safety equipment can be uncomfortable or make it a little harder to perform certain tasks. But there's a lot of satisfaction to be had in knowing that you are doing the job right in terms of safety. It means that at the end of the day, you and your co workers will go home safe and sound. At the end of the job, we'll know that everyone is here and ready to go on to the next job. And what is more satisfying than that?
Sample Handout Put Safety First in Construction Know the hazards on your job site. Use all assigned personal protective equipment. Inspect PPE, tools, and equipment before use. Don't use anything that's damaged or not working properly. Obey warning signs, barriers, and signals. Participate in all safety training. Follow all safety procedures for all tasks. Walk don't run and pay attention to where you're going. Operate moving equipment safely to avoid tipovers and accidents. Never skip safety steps. Be especially careful when working on heights, in excavations, and around live electricity. Don't indulge in horseplay on a job site. Don't work under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Don't use equipment or perform tasks for which you're not trained and authorized.