Speaking of Safety
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.
From a safety professional’s point of view, this data is troubling and makes us scratch our heads wondering how we can begin to turn this trend around. Complying with OSHA standards helps you keep workers safe and avoid costly fines. The annual OSHA Top 10 list reminds us that we must continue to improve so we can make workplace safety better now and for future generations. So why do we see repeatedly the same standards making this list year after year?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that the warehousing industry, represented by NAICS code 493, experiences 4.8 total recordable injuries for every 100 employees. That is 39% higher than the 2.9 injury average across all industries. Each year, OSHA provides information regarding the most common warehouse safety violations that often contribute to such a high rate of injuries. View the top 10 safety issues at a warehouse, based on OSHA recorded violations.
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.
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.
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.