OSHA Quick Card - Protect Yourself - Silicosis

Download the OSHA Quick Card:

http://toolboxtalks.coffeecup.com/assurance/OSHAQuickCardSilicosis.pd

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Back Injuries

In construction, 25% of injuries are back injuries. Construction has the highest rate of back injuries of any industry, except transportation. Every year, a back injury causes 1 in 100 construction workers to miss work — usually missing about 7 workdays, but sometimes more than 30. Most of the back problems are low-back injuries. Repeated injury to your back can cause permanent damage and end your career.

The Hazards

Most back injuries are sprains and strains from lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing, and pulling materials. You are at higher risk of low-back injury if you often carry heavy loads, must twist while carrying heavy loads, or work a lot while bent over or in other awkward postures.

Protect Yourself

Injuries can be reduced by planning, changing how work is done, and training workers and supervisors.

Plan

• Cut down on carrying. Have materials delivered close to where they will be used.
• Try to store materials at waist height.
• Raise your work to waist level, if you can. Pipefitters use pipe stands. Masons have adjustable scaffolds to keep the work at waist height.
• Make sure floors and walkways are clear and dry. Slips and trips are a big cause of back injuries.
• Take rest breaks. When you are tired, you can get injured more.

Get Help

• Use carts, dollies, forklifts, and hoists to move materials — not your back.
• Use carrying tools with handles to get a good grip on wallboard or other odd-shaped loads.
• If materials weigh more than about 50 pounds, do not lift them by yourself. Get help from another worker or use a cart.

Move Carefully

• When lifting or carrying materials, keep the load as close to your body as you can.
• Try not to twist, when lifting and lowering materials. Turn your whole body instead.
• Lift and lower materials in a smooth steady way. Try not to jerk the lift.
• When you pick up materials off the ground:

·        Try supporting yourself by leaning on something while lifting.

·        Don’t bend over; instead, kneel on one knee and pull the load up on to your knee before standing. (Wear knee pads when you kneel.)

Apprentices

Apprentices get some of the hardest work to do. Being young and strong, they sometimes carry more weight than they should. Make sure apprentices are protected against back injuries, so they don’t end up with back problems and have to leave the trades.

Work with your employer to decide how the work can be changed to protect you and your co-workers from back injuries. Build back-safety into any training. Fewer injuries mean better productivity and lower costs.

What About Back Belts?

Some contractors have workers wear back belts. If a doctor prescribes a back belt, it may help someone recovering from a back injury. But a recent government study (by NIOSH) found no evidence that back belts can prevent injuries. Don’t depend on a back belt to protect you; instead, try to change the lifting work so it can’t hurt you. 

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

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2015 Pinstripes "Have a Ball " Event Video

"Have a Ball" at Pinstripes Bowling, Bocce & Bistro
100 West Higgins Road, South Barrington, IL
Thursday, October 22, 2015

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Happy Thanksgiving from the RCEC

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you the best of everything always. Cathy Kirin Executive Director Residential Construction Employers Council One Tower Lane, Suite 1700; Oakbrook Terrace, 60181 V. 630.512.0552 - F. 630-812-0442 www.rcecusa.org cathyk@rcecusa.org

2015 Annual Economic Conference

September 24, 2015

View the Video.

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Safety Training & Education - On the job Tool Box Talks

Download the RMA Sign In Sheet. DOC Format

Download the RMA Sign In Sheet. PDF Format

 Good construction site safety not only protects your company's assets, it also protects you, your tools, and your job. You are an important player in job site safety. The simplest of tasks such as: placing trash where it belongs, coiling up extension cords when they are not being used, and stacking lumber out of the way, may seem unimportant and unnecessary, until someone gets hurt.
 
Your employer is responsible for training you in the recognition, avoidance, and prevention of unsafe conditions and in the regulations applicable to your workplace. This training should allow you to better control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury.

OSHA has listed some things you need to be specifically trained on. [READ MORE]

Download the full article.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency.

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Workplace Violence - On the Job Tool Box Talks

What is workplace violence?

Workplace violence ranges from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and even homicide. It can affect and involve employees, clients, customers and visitors. Workplace violence includes but is not limited to:

·        Physical violence

·        Harassment

·        Intimidation

·        Other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site

How can workplace violence hazards be reduced?

Behaviors of concern can help workers recognize potential problems with fellow employees. If a coworker begins acting differently, determining the frequency, duration, and intensity of the new, and possibly troubling, behavior can prove helpful. Specific behaviors of concern that should increase vigilance for coworkers and supervisors include:

·        Sadness or depression
·        Threats
·        Menacing or erratic behavior	·
·        Aggressive outbursts	·
·        References to weaponry        Verbal Abuse        Inability to handle criticism        Hypersensitivity to perceived slight          Offensive commentary or jokes referring to violence

These behaviors—when observed in clusters and coupled with diminished work performance (as manifested by increased tardiness or absences, poor coworker relations, and decreased productivity)—may suggest a heightened violence potential. It must be pointed out, however, that no single behavior is more suggestive of violence than another. All actions have to be judged in the proper context and in totality to determine the potential for violence.

Care must be taken when dealing with what can be highly charged situations. Certain signs that may help determine if a coworker is experiencing such difficulties include:

·        Disruptive phone calls and e-mails	·
·        Anxiety
·        Poor concentration
·        Unexplained bruises or injuries          Frequent absences and tardiness         Use of unplanned personal time           ·        Disruptive visit from current or former partners

Remember that all incidents are different and must be viewed on their own individual merits.

What is the process if I witness or experience workplace violence?

Report concerns regarding workplace violence to your supervisors or Human Resources Department.

Your employer will investigate all threats, incidents of actual violence, and suspicious individuals or activities.

The identity of the individual making a report will be protected as much as possible. Your employer will not retaliate against employees making good-faith reports of threats, violence, or suspicious individuals or activities.

Following an investigation, disciplinary action may be taken, up to and including termination of employment. 

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency