The Construction Industry and Connected Technology

The construction Industry is consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous environments to work in around the world. OSHA reports that 1 in 5 deaths among U.S. workers occurs in the sector. And, according to the World Risk Poll, the second highest reported workplace injury rate globally (22%), was among those who worked in construction, manufacturing or production. In this high-risk context, accurate, real-time monitoring of safety conditions can protect workers and equipment from damage ensuring everyone gets home safe and sound at the end of the day. With the advent of digital transformation and IoT, connected safety solutions have up-leveled programs from simple reactive compliance to proactive incident prevention.

Finding the Right PPE for the Job

No matter what occupation you are in today, finding the right PPE for your application can be tricky to say the least.  From electricians to machine operators to construction workers, utilizing the correct protective equipment is vital to employee safety and job completion. Let’s take a few steps back before we actually look at PPE and start from the beginning. 

Prevent Vibration Injuries to Hands and Arms

Vibration exposure at work can lead to discomfort in the hands and arms due to vascular and nerve damage. Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) caused by exposure to vibration at work is preventable, but once the damage is done it is permanent. Vibration damage can manifest itself as Raynaud’s syndrome, paresthesias and carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpenters, masons and construction workers are the most exposed occupational groups. There, almost 70% have been exposed to vibrating, hand-held tools for at least a quarter of their working time.

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Self-Retracting Device (SRD) Standard Updates

On June 17, 2021, ANSI/ASSP approved the new 2021 revision of Z359.14, Safety Requirements for Self-Retracting Devices (SRDs) for Personal Fall Arrest and Rescue Systems. This revision supersedes the 2014 version. This is an important date for both manufacturers and end users when it comes to ANSI compliance while using self-retracting devices. In this white paper, we will review the changes to the Z359.14 standard as interpreted by FallTech and discuss the compliance timeline and what that means for equipment you are using today.

Women in Construction

Proper PPE for Working Women in Construction

Even though females make up about 50% of the overall U.S. workforce, the construction workforce can only claim 10% of female employees. This means women are still an untapped employee market, especially in construction and the trades.  Women need to feel like they’re part of the team and have the right fitting PPE.  They are strong team members, willing to learn, and have a diverse set of skills.  Their development and inclusion as team members and as professionals at the jobsite is key to retention.

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Proper Lifting: 8 Commandments to Avoid Injury

Proper lifting technique prevents injuries. Lower, upper, spinal or otherwise, experiencing back pain is practically an aging rite of passage. Four out of five people will experience back pain in their lifetime and, considering sprains and strains are the most common work injury, it’s not unlikely that injury will occur in the worksite. So how can you prevent back injuries when lifting, bending and schlepping are all just part of the job?

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