safety trained supervisor construction skills... · instructor is often the first person a student...

IntroductionSTS Construction Blueprint and Examination Specifications

• Welcome back. Now it’s time for the STS Skills module where we’ll get into the ten task areas identified in the STS Construction Blueprint and Examination Specifications.

• These task areas are displayed in the Safety Trained Supervisor “Candidate Handbook” published by CCHEST, which you are highly encouraged to obtain and refer to, if you haven’t already. We’ve provided a link to the CHEST website on your screen if you’d like to go there now.

IntroductionTask Areas• There are ten task areas of focus in the STS Construction

Examination. According to the STS Handbook, the STS examination blueprints are based on surveys of what first-line supervisors do in practice. The ten task areas are:

1. Conduct new employee safety and health orientation2. Perform pre-task safety and health hazard analysis3. Perform basic safety and health hazard recognition4. Issue and monitor the use of personal protective equipment5. Conduct safety and health meetings6. Plan for safety and hazard prevention7. Inspect tools and equipment8. Apply safety and health standards on jobsites9. Participate in job safety and health inspections10. Investigate accidents and/or incidents

Task Areas• Click on the icon to display the details of the STS Examination

Blueprints. This is reproduced with permission from CCHEST. The top levels, called tasks, represent major functions that supervisors perform. Within each task is a list of knowledge and/or skills required to carry out each task.

• The percent of the examination devoted to each task is shown next to the task number. We suggest that you print this if you can for reference during the session.

Introduction

Task Areas• We are now going to address each one of these task areas in the

following topics. We’ve modified the names slightly for convenience.

1. Safety orientation2. Hazard analysis and work planning3. Hazard recognition4. Personal protective equipment5. Conducting safety meetings6. Hazard prevention7. Tools and equipment8. Applying standards to the jobsite9. Jobsite inspections10. Incident investigation

Introduction

Knowledge Item• OSHA regulations• Company safety rules & procedures• Industry safety requirements• Potential hazards• Job,craft, and phases of construction• Communication at all organizational levels• Observation techniques• Training methods• Job hazard analysis• Test equipment usage• Enforcement techniques• Proper tool and equipment selection• Reporting techniques• Accident/incident investigation techniques

% Allocation• 14.6%• 14.6%• 14.6%• 14.6%• 11.5%• 11.6%• 8.3%• 1.3%• 1.5%• 1.2%• 1.6%• 1.2%• 2.4%• 1.2%

STS Construction Knowledge

Introduction

Safety OrientationHazard Communication• When communicating workplace hazards to employees it is critical

that all training materials be accurate, thorough and easily understood. To ensure the highest level of effectiveness, the level of detail in the training material must meet the needs of the audience. For example, a high level overview of procedures that require specific PPE & mandated processes to complete safely, is not enough information.

• Training employees on tasks that require special skills, knowledge or procedures require very high levels of detail and hands on training to be effective. Giving a quiz at the end of each chapter or training procedure is one method of ensuring the employees have retained the necessary information required to work safely.

Safety OrientationBi-lingual Training• Another critical element to consider when orientating employees is

that both the material and instructor are fluent in the languages spoken on the jobsite. Many orientations fall short by not presenting training in all languages spoken by the workers. For example, Spanish speaking workers experience a disproportionately higher level of deaths & serious injuries in the construction industry.

• Incident investigations have shown a direct correlation between high injury and fatality rates and inadequate training and planning. Ensuring that everyone on your jobsite has the appropriate level of training and safety oversight will enable each of your employeeswith the basic knowledge necessary to safely complete their tasks.

Safety Orientation4 Critical Areas for Successful Training• The success of your safety orientations will be dependant on 4

critical factors; the material, the instructor, the learning environment and the participation of the students. Instructors that are not proficient in the orientation material, do not have excellent presentation skills and do not effectively engage the students during the class, may actually be causing more harm than good. Your instructor is often the first person a student sees before starting work and they represent the beginning of the “safety attitude” in the field.

• The classroom environment is often an overlooked element in the effectiveness of safety orientations. A classroom that is conducive to learning will have a positive effect on the level of retention exhibited by the attendees. The quality of both the material and delivery method will have a direct effect on the overall safety performance of the job. The time and effort you spend in the development and implementation of your safety orientation program sends a loud and clear message to the students about your commitment to safety.

Safety Orientation

Weekly Safety Meetings• Weekly safety meetings are an integral part of any effective safety

program. By ensuring constant reinforcement of safety expectations, policies and general safety information, you enable your employees with the best opportunities to complete their work safely.

• Complacency in your safety program is something you want to avoid at all cost. When employees begin to take the safety program forgranted by taking short cuts and accepting unnecessary risks, the chances for injury and incidents to occur increase dramatically.

Safety OrientationWeekly Safety Meetings• By ensuring that an informative, interactive and timely safety

meeting is held and attended by all employees, you can help prevent complacency from occurring. Weekly safety meetings should include both site specific and general safety information that will help them recognize and mitigate hazards.

• In addition, the use of safety bulletins, newsletters, websites,posters, payroll stuffers, bulletin boards and on-the-job positive recognition, will all help you maintain a successful safety program on your worksites.

Safety OrientationDaily Safety Meetings• Starting each work day with a short safety meeting is one method

that many companies are using to attain world class safety performance.

• Daily safety refreshers are an excellent way to keep safety in the forefront of everyone's mind. Timely topics of discussion such as changes in field conditions, updates on injuries and incidents, new jobsite hazards, and critical focus areas will keep your employees safe and ahead of the competition.

Safety OrientationDaily Safety Meetings• In addition, having a senior supervisor such as a superintendent or

General Foreman lead these meetings will send the signal that management is engaged and leading the safety efforts on the jobsite.

• Always take the time necessary to prepare for every safety meeting. Your staff will be able to detect your commitment to safety by the effort put forth in preparing the materials and the passion you display in delivering the message. We’ll talk more about safety meetings later in the course.

Hazard Analysis & Work PlanningPre Task Planning• Effective hazard analysis and Pre-Task Planning are the two most

critical tools used today in providing a safe work environment. Ensuring that a Job Safety or Job Hazard Analysis, also known as a JSA or JHA, has been completed and then utilized in the preparation of a Pre-Task Plan, is the best known method available for ensuring the safe completion of work.

• Supervision, Safety and the work crews should all be engaged in the preparation of each hazard analysis. All work processes should have a formal hazard analysis completed and made readily available to the work crews to help plan their daily activities.

Hazard Analysis & Work Planning

Pre Task Planning• Once all of the identifiable hazards have been documented,

employees and supervision create a pre-task plan that includes specific and detailed mitigation efforts for each of the hazardsidentified. When employees are engaged in the planning process, it drives ownership and personnel awareness for everyone involved.

• Supervisors that use JSA’s routinely as part of their work planning routine have documented a decline in overall injuries and incidents on their jobsites. Responsible supervisors should require the use of hazard analysis & pre-task planning by all of their employees in an effort to help send them home safely everyday.

Hazard Analysis & Work PlanningJob Safety Analysis• A Job Safety Analysis is a formal process where all tasks are

reviewed for hazards by a team of qualified members. Ideally JSA’sshould be conducted by a team made up of safety, supervision andthe trades that will be performing the tasks. Many companies conduct JSA’s for all of the routine tasks they perform and keep them in a master file for easy review by the project teams. These “high level” JSA’s are the basis upon which the work planning documents are created. For example, a company that erects steel as their primary business will have a master JSA on file for each of the different types of steel erection they perform.

• Once a task has been scheduled to be performed in the field, thesupervisor and his staff will use the corporate JSA to create their daily work plan in the field. The JSA should identify all of the typical hazards and provide appropriate corrective actions for those tasks. An effective work plan will incorporate all of the applicable mitigations and special hazards or risks associated with that particular task.

Hazard Analysis & Work PlanningPlanning for Change• Studies have shown that inadequate or failure to effectively plan work

activities is the leading contributing factor of injuries & incidents that occur on the jobsite. In addition to helping prevent serious injuries and incidents, Pre-Task Planning has proven to be an excellent tool in improving employee productivity and effectiveness.

• When you require employees to plan out their work before they start, they are better prepared for the challenges of that task and have thought through the hazards. The key to a good Pre-Task Planning program is to ensure a continuous improvement process is in place.

• Pre-Task Planning forms should be considered a living document. Thatmeans that they are constantly reviewed and updated to ensure effectiveness. When changes occur, new risks or ideas are identified for a particular task, they must be captured into the Pre-Task Planning document and then transferred to the master JSA if applicable.

Hazard Analysis & Work PlanningPre-Task Planning & Safety• Planning work safely and effectively is in everyone's best interest.

Ensuring that a pre task work plan is completed that identifies the hazards & mitigations necessary to complete the job safely is the best known method for preventing injuries and incidents on the jobsite.

• People want to work for supervisors that they feel care about their safety. Supervisors that ensure JSA’s are followed and that effective work planning is occurring will be admired as leaders and safety role models by their staff. Engaging your staff in effective safety planning is an excellent method for getting their buy-in of the overall safety program.

Hazard Analysis & Work Planning8 Key Elements• There are 8 key elements of an effective work planning program and

they include: 1. Understanding the job scope 2. Review applicable JSA’s for typical hazard review 3. Identify key tasks to be performed and sequence them 4. Identify risks and mitigations5. Develop work plan6. Establish ownership and accountability7. Review work plan with all team members 8. Execute task to plan• Helping employees formally think through the work process will help

them work safely and more efficiently. Always remember to stop and re-evaluate the work plan if unplanned changes or events occur. Incident investigations often identify unplanned events or changes in work scope as major contributing factors when serious injuries &incidents occur.


Understanding the Scope• Having a clear and concise understanding of the Scope of Work that

is being performed is a critical first step in the safe work planning process. Always take the time necessary to walk the work site, with the key individuals that are knowledgeable of the work site or process, to ensure alignment and agreement with the work to be performed.

• Ensure that all drawings used to perform the work are the latestrevision and are representative of the conditions in the field. If field conditions and drawings are not consistent, accuracy should be verified before any work begins. Many serious injuries and incidents occur everyday in the construction industry due to failure to fully understand the scope of work and the associated hazards.


Hazard Analysis Review• Engaging your work crews in the safety planning process is a

proven method in reducing injuries and incidents. Companies thathave established the mandatory use of Pre-Task Planning, or PTP, are among the construction industry’s leaders in safety performance.

• The most successful Pre-Task Planning programs utilize a task specific Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) as the foundation for developing the PTP. To ensure JHA’s are readily available, Each jobsite should maintain access to a master library of their company’s JHA’s. By utilizing the typical hazards and mitigations identified in the JHA as a guide, the foreman and their crew can then assess their specific tasks for additional hazards and risks.


Identify Key Tasks• The first step in developing a pre task plan is identifying key tasks

that are necessary to perform the work. Taking the time to systematically evaluate the work flow process will help ensure you don’t leave out a critical step!

• One widely used method establishes a list of critical procedures that are developed by the work crew. Once the key task list has been finalized, it is then included in its entirety on the PTP. Your main goal will be to ensure both typical and project specific tasks are included on this list. This key task list now becomes the basis for identifying and mitigating hazards associated with the work to be performed and ultimately how safe your project will be.


Identify Hazards/Develop Mitigations• A critical component of any successful safety program is ensuring all

employees have received effective training and have demonstratedknowledge in identifying and mitigating workplace hazards. Whilefrontline supervisors such as Superintendents, General Foremen and Foreman are ultimately responsible for identifying and mitigating workplace hazards, everyone must be responsible for safety to achieve desired performance.

• In a world class safety culture, every individual is responsible for their own safety as well as the safety of their co-workers. To that point, ensuring that every member of a work crew is actively engaged in looking for hazards and implementing corrective actions is paramount for success. In addition, while high hazard activities may pose the greater overall risk, most injuries occur while performing routine tasks and are easily preventable by ensuring proper PPE is worn at all times.


Developing a Pre-Task Plan• The key to developing an effective PTP is ensuring that all hazards

and risks, large and small, have been identified and entered on the plan. Taking the time to thoroughly walk the jobsite with the work crew and asking them for help in identifying hazards is a best known method for developing a PTP. Any format that is used for developing a Pre Task Plan should be effective, simple to use and easily understood.

• Many companies use a standardized form that utilizes prompts of typical hazards found in most phases of construction. Examples of a few common prompts are: eye protection, hand protection, respiratory protection, control of hazardous energies, fall protection, and specialized PPE requirements. Effective pre task planning will not only reduce injuries and incidents, it has been proven to improve productivity and reduce rework.


PTP Review & Accountability• Once completed, an effective PTP will include all known hazards

and effective preventative measures. However, even the best written PTP will not be effective if it isn't acknowledged and followed by the work crew. The leading cause of incidents and injuries that occurred when an effective PTP was in place, is the failure to execute to the plan.

• Reviewing and ensuring that the crew fully acknowledges their role and accountability to execute to the plan, is paramount for success. The most effective PTP programs require that the foreman and work crew individually sign their pre task plan. This step establishes that they have all read, understand and are personally accountable tofollowing the plan.


Execute to Plan• As a supervisor, it is your role to ensure that your personnel

effectively plan and execute their work activities as safely andefficiently as possible. All of the effort put into work planning, hazard identification, evaluation and mitigations cannot have a positive impact if they are not followed.

• It is imperative that you routinely observe and evaluate your work crews to ensure 100% compliance to the requirements of the PTP. Most successful and respected supervisors openly provide praise and positive recognition to their work crews that embrace the PTP process. By ensuring each of your employees are actively following the details in their Pre Task Plan, you are showing your personal commitment to their safety and the safety of their co-workers.


Planning for Change• Another leading cause of serious injury and incidents is the failure to

identify new hazards after changes in scope occur. It is very common in construction for changes and unforeseen problems to arise during the course of work.

• If left unmitigated, the additional hazards associated with these changes can negatively impact your ability to complete the taskssafely. Always ensure that your PTP is updated and addresses any significant changes to the original work plan. By ensuring your crew takes the few extra minutes necessary to reevaluate your PTP, you will greatly improve their chances of completing the work injury and incident free.


Improved Safety & Productivity• Companies that have effectively implemented Pre Task Planning

have documented improvements in both safety and productivity. Studies have shown that the time taken by the work crew to plan out the scope, identify hazards, develop safety measures and follow the PTP, enables the entire crew to be more efficient, organized andprofitable.

• A well thought out and executed PTP allows the team to ensure they have all the necessary permits, tools, materials, PPE and training necessary to safely and efficiently complete the work. By ensuring your work crews are properly trained in using the PTP program asan effective planning tool, you can help eliminate costly delays in construction.

Hazard RecognitionFatality Prevention• Having a robust fatality prevention program in place is critical in

preventing serious injuries and deaths at your jobsite. Each year, an average of 5 construction workers die every work day in the United States.

• That equates to over 1,200 fatalities each year in commercial construction. Another alarming statistic is that while construction employs only 6% of the US workforce, it accounts for nearly 22% of all workplace fatalities, with every single death being preventable!

Hazard RecognitionFatality Prevention• The 4 leading causes of death and serious injury in the construction

industry are:1. Falls from height2. Electrocutions3. Struck by objects4. Caught in between objects

• Fatality prevention programs are designed to ensure that all high risk activities are planned, managed and completed safely. Utilizing Safety Professionals to help you evaluate risk and to develop effective fatality prevention programs is the first step in creating a safe workplace.

Hazard RecognitionFalls From Elevation• Supervisors Responsibility• With falls from heights being the leading cause of death in the construction

industry, ensuring that your employees are trained and are required to wear proper fall prevention and arrest equipment when working at heights is a minimum requirement as a construction supervisor.

• Every year in the U.S., over 400 construction workers fall to their deaths due to improper planning, training and/or failure to protect themselves from falls. The majority of these deaths occurred within companies that had a fall protection program in place. So why do falls continue to be the leading cause of death in the construction industry? The answer is lack of compliance and enforcement. By not effectively enforcing your fall prevention program as a zero tolerance policy, many employees will not comply when not being “watched”. Management and Supervision are responsible to ensure that all policies, programs and procedures are up effective, up to date and are being enforced 100% of the time.

Hazard RecognitionFalls From Elevation• Supervisors Responsibility• While OSHA allows certain job descriptions to work without fall

protection up to 30 feet in the air, the majority of owners and your industry leading General Contractors and Construction Managementfirms all require fall protection when working 6’ or higher above ground.

• However, just requiring fall protection to be worn without ensuring proper training, equipment and approved anchorage points are readily available can be just as dangerous as not wearing any protection at all.

Hazard RecognitionFalls From Elevation• Supervisors Responsibility• All supervisors must take the time and effort necessary to be trained

and certified in proper fall prevention & arrest methods. Having the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions is critical when assuming a leadership role in safety.

• By ensuring that your jobsite has a 100% tie-off mandate, a zero violation tolerance rule for fatality prevention programs that is enforced at all times, and pre-engineered fall protection systems in place, will send a strong message about your dedication to safety.

Hazard RecognitionProtecting Against Falls• 2 basic types of fall protection:

• Fall Restraint• Fall Arrest

• Fall restraint is the preferred method.• 2 most widely used are:

• Guardrails Systems• Personal Fall Restraint Systems

• 4 Key elements:• Engineered• Appropriate equipment• Training• 100% compliance

Hazard RecognitionFall Restraint Systems• Guardrails:

– Preferred method.

– Must be able to withstand a 200 pounds of force in a downward or outward direction.

– Must be between 39” & 45” above the working level.• Fall restraint systems:

– Prevent you from reaching a leading edge.– Consist of a:

• Full body harness or belt• Engineered tether system• Engineered anchorage point.

Hazard RecognitionFall Arrest Systems• Properly engineered, inspected, worn & secured fall arrest systems

will save lives!• Fall Arrest Systems typically consist of:

• Full Body Harness (no belts allowed)• Shock absorbing or retractable lanyard• Connecting device• Rated anchorage point.

• Fall Arrest systems save lives by decelerating the speed of decent and preventing wearers from striking the ground!

Hazard RecognitionFall Arrest Systems• Afford protection ONLY when properly inspected, worn and secured.• Supervisors MUST ensure workers:

– Inspect fall arrest equipment before each use.– Never use damaged, worn or outdated equipment.– Never use unsafe tie-off points (the most noted violation in the

field).– Have a proper type and length of lanyard. Ensure their tie-off point

and total length of lanyard will prevent hitting the surface below. – Always tie-off their lanyard(s) when working at heights!

Hazard RecognitionStruck By Injuries & Incidents• Most construction sites have numerous activities occurring at the same time

which can often create an unsafe condition. OSHA reports that being struck by an object is the second highest cause of construction-related deaths. Of these fatalities, approximately 75% involve heavy equipment such as trucks or cranes. The ideal situation to prevent struck by incidents is to separate operating equipment and people by creating designated travel paths and barriers from heavy equipment.

• Employees should always wear highly reflective vests or clothing when working on or around moving equipment. All moving equipment should be operated by qualified individuals and contain side and rear view mirrors, back up alarms and spotters that help increase the vision and communication with the equipment operators. Employees must be cautioned to stay away from operating equipment and to never walk behind equipment with out first getting the attention of the operator.

Hazard RecognitionPreventing Struck By Injuries• Research has identified that construction laborers were much

more likely to be involved in a "struck-by" injury than any other trade. In order to prevent struck-by incidents, the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, or NIOSH, recommends that employers:

1. Have policies that require workers on foot to maintain a safe clearance from mobile equipment.

2. Have policies that require mobile equipment operators to follow the safety instructions in the equipment operator's manual and provide additional safety training to all mobile equipment operators.

Hazard RecognitionPreventing Struck By Injuries3. Consider conducting pre-work safety meetings each day to

discuss the work on tap that day, the potential safety hazards and safe work procedures.

4. Ensure that PPE such as high-visibility clothing is provided and used in accordance with company policy.

Hazard RecognitionCaught Between Injuries• Caught between or crushing type incidents occur when the body or

any part of the body is squeezed between two moving objects or caught between one moving and one stationary object. Even a minor crush type incident can cause serious injuries resulting in severe pain, disability, and time away from work. Major crushingtype incidents often result in the loss of life.

• Caught/crush hazards are not always limited to machinery. Trenchcave-ins, vehicles, powered doors and lifts, forklifts and the improper lifting of heavy objects are all examples of activities that may pose a caught between/crush hazard. Supervisors should ensure that adequate work procedures are developed that prohibit employees from placing any body part under or between powered equipment unless it is de-energized and in a neutral energy state.

Hazard RecognitionExcavations• Excavation cave-ins continue to be a leading cause of fatalities in

the construction industry. Over 100 fatalities occur each year during excavation and trenching operations and over 11 times as many workers are injured. These deaths account for nearly 1% of all work related fatalities in the United States.

• To ensure the safety of your employees, all excavations must be evaluated daily by a competent person. The designated competent person must monitor the condition of the excavations throughout the day and prevent entry if unsafe conditions are found. All excavations 5’ in depth or greater will require cave-in protection such as shoring, sloping, or benching. Travel distance to a ladder inside an excavation cannot exceed 25’ in any direction and all excavation spoils must be placed a minimum of 2 feet back from the leading edge.

Hazard RecognitionElectrocutions• Each year an average of 400 construction related deaths are

recorded due to unprotected exposure to energized electrical systems. This number does not represent the thousands of injuries and disabilities that occur from not adequately controlling hazardous electrical energy.

• Proven methods for controlling hazardous electrical energy have been around for decades, but workers continue to place themselves at risk of serious injury and death by not following simple lockout/tagout procedures. OSHA is very clear on the requirements for controlling hazardous energies and places the responsibility on management to ensure effective programs, training, equipment andcompliance are taking place. Electricity is not the only hazardous energy that exists on a job site but is usually the most common.

Hazard Recognition

Hazardous Energies• Electrical• Mechanical• Chemical• Thermal• Radiation• Stored or Potential

Hazardous Energies• Electrical• Exposure to uncontrolled electrical energy often results in shock,

burns and all too often, electrocution. Over 400 electrocutions occur in the United States every year and every one was preventable. Insufficient training and failure to follow lockout/tagout procedures are the leading cause of these deaths.

• OSHA has recognized for years that employee exposure to electrical hazards are one of the most preventable causes of injuries in the work place, but even with strict regulations, the deaths continue to occur. Your responsibility as a supervisor requires you to read and understand your company’s Control of Hazardous Energy Policy and to ensure it is effective and being followed at all times. Ensuring 100% compliance with the control of hazardous energy policy willsave lives.

Hazard Recognition

Hazard RecognitionHazardous Energies• Mechanical Energy:• Any equipment that has an energy source and moving components

contain mechanical energy. Mechanical energy is responsible for thousands of severe injuries and hundreds of fatalities each year. Mechanical energy is not always easily detected without equipment specific experience and training. Supervisors must ensure all workers are trained and competent in identifying the hazards associated with each specific type of mechanical equipment that they work on.

• Failure to adequately control hazardous energies, most often mechanical energy, is the leading cause of amputations in the workplace. Ensuring all energy sources have been locked and tagged out, and that a zero energy state had been verified, is the best known method in preventing serious injuries and incidents from occurring.

Hazard RecognitionHazardous Energies• Chemical Energy:• All chemicals and gases have unique and specific risks that must be

identified and mitigated. As a supervisor you and your staff are required by law to understand the inherent hazardous properties and the manufacturers recommended conditions for use, prior to handling any chemical or gas.

• Failure to follow proper handling procedures can result in fire,explosion, chemical reaction, displacement of oxygen resulting in asphyxiation, inhalation hazards, sudden pressure release, and chemical burns. Protect yourself and your workforce from chemical hazards by ensuring MSDS’s are available, have been read and thoroughly understood before any chemicals are used. Supervisors are responsible to ensure adequate training has occurred and that all employees are taking the appropriate precautions, before work begins.

Hazard RecognitionHazardous Energies• Thermal Energy

• Employees that are exposed to extreme hot and cold temperatures can suffer severe negative health effects if their condition is not recognized and addressed quickly. Heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness which can range in severity from mild heat cramps to potentially life-threatening heatstroke.

Hazard RecognitionHazardous Energies• Thermal Energy• Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include: • Feeling faint or dizzy • Nausea • Heavy sweating • Rapid, weak heartbeat • Low blood pressure • Cool, moist, pale skin • Low-grade fever • Heat cramps • Headache • Fatigue

Hazard RecognitionHazardous Energies

• Negative health effects from cold can occur in weather that is not freezing. Wind, humidity and moisture remove body heat, which can eventually lead to frost bite and hypothermia. The cold primarily affects the body's extremities. Hands and feet are further away from the body core and have less blood flow.

Hazard RecognitionHazardous Energies• Radiation Energy:• Radiation energy is a form of electromagnetic energy and is found in

two basic forms, Ionizing and Non-Ionizing. Exposure to ionizing radiation can cause cancer and negatively effect reproductive organs. Non-ionizing radiation includes the spectrum of ultraviolet (UV), visible light, infrared (IR), microwave (MW), radio frequency (RF), and extremely low frequency (ELF).

• Lasers commonly operate in the UV, visible, and IR frequencies. Non-ionizing radiation is found in a wide range of occupational settings and can cause thermal burns and eye injuries. The lasers typically found on a construction site are a form of non-ionizing radiation. Construction site lasers must have precautions taken to prevent exposure to those working with or nearby these lasers.

Hazardous Energies• Stored or Potential Energy:

– Types:– Gravity– Elastic– Hydraulic– Pneumatic– Springs– Electrical capacitors– Batteries

– Severe injuries and death can occur from exposure.– Verify and control all energy sources.

Hazard Recognition

Hazard RecognitionSpectrum of Hazards• The ability to recognize the spectrum of hazards that can exist in

and around a construction jobsite is a critical skill that all supervisors should be proficient at. An obvious hazard to one individual may be an acceptable hazard to another, which is why standardized hazard recognition training is necessary. Many people that work aroundhigh hazard activities often forget the fear that they once had when they first started working.

• This loss of fear is also known as complacency. Employees that become complacent working around hazards is often a recipe for disaster. As a supervisor, you will need to evaluate your employees and ensure that they do not accept unnecessary levels of risk intheir daily work routines. Studies have shown that employees that assume high levels of risk are prone to injuries and incidents.

Hazard RecognitionHidden & Obvious Hazards• Many types of hazards exist on a construction site and they range

from minor to severe, obvious to hidden and from easily resolved to a complex mitigation process. Taking the time to become proficient in hazard detection will help protect you and your workers from serious injury and death. A primary method used by most safety professionals to detect job site hazards is the site walk.

• Taking time out our of every day to walk the site is a critical element in ensuring a safe job site exists for everyone. It is very easy for a supervisor to get over burdened with a heavy work load to the point where they don’t spend enough time in the field assessing conditions. Since conditions can change very quickly, the time you spend on safety by walking the project will be among your most valuable efforts in ensuring a safe worksite.

Hazard RecognitionMinor Hazards?• Focusing on only the high hazard activities on a job site will not prevent all

serious injuries and incidents from occurring. Often, seemingly minor hazards have resulted in serious injury and even death. A tripping hazard from a power cord, poor housekeeping or an uneven walking surface could have a range of effects on its unsuspecting victim. A trip from a power cord could result in nothing but a trip, or if it was located next to a leading edge, something far worse could result.

• Taking the time to assess the conditions that prevail around hazards will allow you to make the right decision, the first time. Statistics show that the majority of injuries experienced on a construction site occur while just walking around. While this may sound odd, the facts are that construction project travel paths are often uneven with many tripping and slipping hazards. Taking the time to evaluate the walking surfaces of your project can and will prevent injuries from occurring.

Hazard RecognitionChemical Hazards• Employee exposure to chemicals on today's construction sites are a

growing concern. Many new chemicals exist today whose chemical properties are often overlooked or not evaluated effectively before being used. Chemical hazards exist in the form of solids, liquids, vapors, fumes and gases. Industrial coatings, paints, epoxies, curing & releasing agents, flammables & combustibles, acids & bases, cleaners & degreasers are all considered chemicals and are foundthrough out a typical jobsite.

• Always ensure that every chemical on your site has a Material Safety Data Sheet available and that it is used to determine proper storage, handling, use and disposal requirements. A master chemical inventory should be managed by the General Contractor to ensure that they are aware of the type, quantity and location of each chemical on site.

Hazard RecognitionGFCI / Assured Grounding Program• A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) or an Assured Grounding

Program must be in place for all temporary power systems. A quarterly audit program is required to ensure cords are inspected and replaced if damaged.

• Extension cords, plugs, and temp power systems are prone to wearing out during typical construction activities so it is important to inspect and test them frequently. Always remove defective equipment from service immediately by red tagging or disposing of the damaged equipment.

Hazard RecognitionCuts & Lacerations• Cuts & lacerations continue to be the most common of all injuries in

the construction industry. Taking the time to identify typical contributing factors for cut & laceration injuries, and employing proper protective equipment, will help eliminate these type of injuries from occurring.

• Common hazards that can lead to cuts & lacerations include: sharp edges, pinch points, handling materials such as glass & debris,demolition work, using knifes or razor cutters and cutting operations. By ensuring your employees use the proper tools, are using and maintaining their equipment in good condition , and implementing a 100% hand protection program will help eliminate injuries and incidents.

Personal Protective EquipmentPPE• It is the responsibility of the supervisor to ensure that the proper

PPE is available and being worn correctly and effectively by their employees. Employees must be trained in the use and maintenance of their PPE and all training must be current and updated as necessary. Ensure that employees take good care of their PPE by keeping it clean and in reliable working conditions at all times.

• Wearing the proper PPE can protect you and your employees from serious injury and illness. PPE, however, is considered the last line of defense. Engineering and administrative controls should be implemented wherever possible to eliminate hazards.

Personal Protective EquipmentStandard PPE Requirements• Most construction companies today require a minimum level of PPE

to be worn at all times. Typically, standard PPE requirements include hard hats, safety glasses with side shields that meet ANSI Z87 standards, and leather, over the ankle sturdy work boots.

• Depending on your work location and the type of work being performed, additional PPE may be required and include reflectivevests, gloves, hearing protection, chemical resistant suits, andrespirators. Hardhats are always required to be worn when working in areas where falling objects or overhead power lines are present.

Personal Protective EquipmentRespiratory Protection• Many jobs round the construction site require respiratory protection

to perform them safely. Any time you must wear a respirator, special requirements exist that must be followed at all times. Your employer must authorize any employee to use a respirator before they are allowed to utilize them.

• The authorization process includes each person to receive medical clearance, proper training and be fit-tested for the particular respirator they will be using. Training will cover identification of airborne hazards, how to select and wear the proper equipment, as well as proper cleaning and storage techniques.

Personal Protective EquipmentHand Protection• The majority of injuries that occur in the construction industry are

hand injuries. Your goal as a supervisor should be to eliminate all injuries to your employees, especially their hands. A robust hand protection program will eliminate most hand injuries. Requiring employees to wear hand protection at anytime they perform work potentially hazardous to their hands.

• Examples of work that increases the risk of hand injuries include: handling chemicals, metal materials, cutting, grinding, sawing, using knifes, handling wood, glass or trash, using impact tools, welding operations, handling hot & cold objects or any time the potential for injury is present.

Conducting Safety MeetingsEffective Communication• Effective communication of safety and health requirements is a

critical aspect of any safety program. Unfortunately, many individuals responsible for communicating this message have never received formal training on how to do so effectively.

• Just holding a safety meeting without taking the time necessary to prepare and deliver an effective meeting, will not produce the results you are looking for. An ill prepared or delivered safety message can cause the workers to lose interest and negatively impact their attitude on safety.

• Understanding how to effectively plan, prepare and deliver a safety meeting is a critical element in successful safety communications. The first step in developing a successful safety meeting is determining what the message or topic is that you want to convey.

Conducting Safety MeetingsSafety Materials• In today's electronic age, the internet enables anyone, anywhere,

access to an almost endless array of safety related messages, topics, ideas, lessons learned and real life incident reviews. In addition, timely and accurate safety materials, on hundreds of topics, can be obtained on a routine basis from numerous suppliers.

• Not having safety materials or topics available should never be an excuse for cancelling a safety meeting. All safety meetings should be planned and scheduled well in advance to prevent the appearance of a last minute, ill prepared effort.

Conducting Safety Meetings

Delivering the Message• The most effective safety meetings, regardless of the message, are

those that are planned as a team effort between project supervision and the safety department. When supervisors show sincere engagement and leadership in developing and delivering the safety message, employees get a clear message that safety is a condition of employment.

• Supervisors must take the time to understand the safety materialbeing presented and actively engage all employees in the training dialogue. People learn faster and retain information longer whenthey are part of the safety meeting and the best way to engage the classroom is by asking questions and soliciting answers.


Presentation Skills• The methods used to deliver your safety message is often more

important than the material itself. There are 4 basic elements to consider when preparing and delivering a talk on safety. The first element is Expertise.

• You must have credibility in the eyes of the audience concerningyour subject matter. Always take time to enhance your knowledge of the subject area before you speak. Not being able to answer every answer question that arises after a talk is not an issue.

• Not being able to answer any questions correctly, is a pitfall to avoid. Secondly is your overall Presentation Ability. Work towards developing your speaking skills by including entertaining and informative methods such as humor and audience interaction.


Presentation Skills• The third critical presentation skill that is often lacking in safety

meetings is Captivation . Your ability to captivate the audience is based on the passion and the intensity in your presentation that will draw in and lock the attention of the audience. The ideal state is for the trainees to listen and internalize the message behind your words and to feel like they are a part of something important.

• The last skill necessary to have a successful safety meeting is Motivation. You must hone your skills and be able to move your audience from being passive listeners to engaged participants. After you present at a safety meeting always ask for feedback on how well the presentation was received from a random assortment of attendees. This information is critical to drive continuous improvement in your presentation skills and overall effectiveness.


Supervisor Safety Expectations• The main goal of any safety meeting is to motivate employees to

take interest and responsibility for their safety and the safety of their co-workers. The commitment and passion you display while presenting safety performance expectations will have a direct effect on the safety results your workforce achieves.

• The overwhelming majority of your workforce fully understand that they must meet the expectations of their supervisor to remain employed. When supervisors establish their personal commitment to employee safety by placing safety above schedule and budget priorities, safety performance will improve dramatically. As a supervisor you will obtain the level of safety performance that you demonstrate you want to achieve.

Hazard PreventionLasers• Lasers are commonly used in construction for establishing levels

and leveling activities. The power level of a laser will determine the level of hazard present. There are 5 classes of lasers, with class 3b and class 4 being the most hazardous.

• Risk of exposure to lasers include thermal burns, eye damage, and fire. When lasers are used on your site ensure that proper precautions have been taken to protect employees working nearby.

• Control measures will vary depending on the class of laser beingused. The use of protective eyewear, laser curtains or protective barriers and establishing a laser controlled area are all examples of effective control measures.

Hazard PreventionHot Work• Hot work is considered any operation involving an open flame or

activities which produce heat or sparks. This includes welding, cutting, brazing, soldering, grinding and the use of propane heaters. When open flames or ignition sources are present, all combustible material must be removed or covered within a 35 foot diameter. The immediate hot work area must be evaluated at all levels to ensure sparks or hot slag cannot leave the containment area.

• A trained firewatch should be utilized to watch for hot spots and to react quickly if a fire starts. Fire watches must be trained in fire hazard recognition, the use of fire extinguishers and emergency notification procedures. The fire watch should remain at the hot work site for 30 minutes after all hot work has ended to prevent any hot spots from igniting a fire.

Hazard PreventionConfined Spaces• There are 2 Types of confined spaces, high and low hazard. High

hazard confined spaces require a Permit to enter and many safetyrequirements that must be met before entry is allowed. Low hazard confined spaces require a checklist be completed before entry isallowed. To be classified as a confined space, any area must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Is large enough for a person to enter and perform work2. Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit, and 3. Is not designed for continuous human occupancy

Hazard PreventionLadders• There is absolutely no reason for anybody to get injured, disabled or

die while using a ladder, yet it happens every single day. It is not uncommon to find someone who is stepping on the safety sticker that says "This is not a step!“, or someone who places a rock under one of the legs because the ladder “isn’t quite stable enough".

• Falls from ladders are a leading cause of serious injuries and death in the construction industry. In addition, falls from ladders 6’ or less are the #1 cause of accidental death in the home. Working off aladder should always be the last choice, with platforms, MEWP’s or scaffolding being the safest choice.

Hazard PreventionLadder Selection• The first step in ladder selection is choosing the right style of ladder

for the job. Different styles of ladders are designed to keep you safe and productive when climbing or standing. Using the wrong style of ladder or simply ignoring the limitations of climbing equipment, can result in a fall or serious injury.

• Many supervisors are only aware of basic step and extension ladders. However, there are many different types available such as platform, twin step, telescoping multi-ladder, multi-purpose, tripods and many others. Taking the time to research and procure the appropriate ladder for the job will help ensure the safe and efficient completion of the task.

Hazard Prevention10 Steps for Safe Ladder Use• The ten steps to teach your employees for safe ladder use are:• 1. Inspect ladder before use• 2. Use a tall enough ladder for the job• 3. Maintain 3 points of contact at all times while climbing up or down• 4. Move the ladder to the proper spot--Don’t over reach• 5. Keep your belt-buckle inside the frame of the ladder at all times.• 6. Use cones or barricade tape in congested areas & passage ways• 7. Never stand on the top step or cap of the ladder• 8. Don’t climb with tools/equipment in your hand-use a tool belt. • 9. Never move a ladder while standing on it. Don’t scoot the

ladder…..move it!• 10. Never use an A-frame ladder as a tilt up.

Hazard PreventionExtension Ladders• Always enforce the 4:1 rule when employees are using an extension

ladder. That means for every 4 vertical feet up, they must have the base 1 foot away from the wall. Standing on the top 3 rungs is always prohibited because the ladder becomes very unstable and can topple easily. Always overlap the top surface by 3’ if climbing off the ladder at the top level.

• Ladders must be secured at the top and bottom to increase stability; if that is not possible an attendant must hold the ladder while working on or climbing the ladder. Taking the time to ensure employees are trained in the proper rules of safe ladder use, and are being held accountable to complying with those rules, will pay dividends everyday in that they go home safely.

Hazard PreventionLadder Safety• When working from a ladder is unavoidable, ensuring your

workforce are following all ladder safety protocols should be a primary concern of the supervisor. Always require the use a spotter to hold the ladder, if possible, and ensure all extension ladders are secured at the top and bottom for stability.

• Never allow the use of aluminum ladders when working around water or electricity. In addition, wood ladders are extremely susceptible to weather, chemicals and aging and are not the bestchoice for use in construction. By enforcing a zero tolerance policy towards unsafe ladder use, you can effectively reduce the number of injuries and incidents that occur on your projects, sending morepeople home safely.

Hazard PreventionScaffolds• While ladders are found throughout most construction sites, the first

choice should be to use a scaffold or mobile elevated work platform to access and perform work safely. Scaffolds are used on nearly all construction projects because they are versatile, portable and seemingly simple to use.

• It is estimated that 65 percent of construction workers use scaffolds or elevated work platforms daily. However, the advantages for using scaffold systems become disadvantages when they are not erected or used properly. In a recent study, 72 percent of workers injured in scaffold incidents were caused by either planking or supports giving way or because employees were struck by a falling object.

Hazard PreventionScaffolds• A very common violation that is cited during OSHA inspections are

unsafe scaffolds. All too often scaffolds are installed incorrectly and unsafely, improperly modified and are found to incorporate damaged parts. OSHA requires that all scaffolds must be built by trained and experienced personnel under the direction of a competent person.

• Everyday a competent person must inspect scaffolding and certify it is safe for use by inspecting for proper equipment used, footings, access ways, bracing, toe boards, hand rails, and that OSHA grade planking is being used and in good condition. Never allow your workforce to use scaffolds that are not green tagged as “safe for use”.

Hazard PreventionScaffolds• There are 2 basic types of scaffold used in construction. Supported

scaffolds are platforms which are supported by rigid, load bearing members, such as poles, legs, frames, & outriggers. These are the most common type of scaffold found on a construction site. The other type of scaffold is called Suspended scaffold.

• Suspended scaffolds are working platforms that are suspended in the air by wire ropes, cables or other non-rigid, overhead support. Each of these scaffold types can be used safely when they are erected and used within the manufacturers specifications and areinspected daily by a competent person in scaffolds.

Hazard PreventionScaffolds• Scaffolds shall be designed by a qualified person and shall be

constructed and loaded in accordance with that design. As a safety factor, each scaffold and scaffold component shall be capable ofsupporting, without failure, its own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to it.

• All structural members such as poles, legs, posts, frames, and uprights must be plumb and braced to prevent movement and shall bear on base plates and mud sills or other adequate firm foundations. Supported scaffolds with a height to base width ratio of more than 4:1 must be restrained by guying, tying, bracing, or an equivalent means.

Hazard PreventionScaffolds• To ensure employees are protected from falls, all scaffolds must be

installed to meet the minimum requirements detailed in CFR 1926.451. Guardrail systems must be a minimum of 38 inches in height whenever the guardrail is designed as protection against falls. This requirement changes to a 36 inch minimum height where fall arrest systems are used as primary fall protection.

• Always ensure that efforts are made to protect from falls and falling materials between the top rail and surface, by using midrails, screens or mesh. Protective barriers must be strong enough to support a falling employee.

Hazard PreventionScaffold Access• To prevent tall scaffolds from falling over, the height of any scaffold

may not be more than four times its minimum base dimension. If it is necessary to erect scaffold that exceeds this requirement, it must be secured to the building or structure by use of guys, ties, or braces. An often noted scaffold violation is the failure to supply a safe means to access the scaffold system.

• You must ensure a safe access is provided when scaffold platforms are more than 2 feet above or below a point of access. Permittedtypes of access include: ladders, stair towers, ramps and walkways. Stair towers are recommended wherever feasible as they offer thesafest access and egress as they greatly reduce exposure to falls.

Monitoring Equipment• Hazardous Atmospheres• Permit required confined spaces are an example where atmospheric

monitoring equipment is used to determine whether employees areallowed to enter a confined space. Toxic gas monitors, explosivemeters and O2 sensors are used to evaluate for toxic, explosive or oxygen deficient conditions.

• Atmospheres where contamination is below permissible exposure limits (PEL) or threshold limit values (TLV), may be entered without respiratory protection. Atmospheres where contamination is abovethe permissible exposure limits (PEL) but below values immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) may be entered when appropriate respiratory protective equipment is properly worn. Atmospheres having an oxygen content less than 19.5% oxygen can not be entered without approved respiratory protective equipment.

Hazard Prevention

Hazard PreventionMonitoring Equipment• Minimum Lighting• Temporary lighting is commonly used throughout the construction

process. When OSHA developed standards for the construction industry, inferior lighting was identified as a common problem and created minimum levels of lighting to provide workers with a safe work environment.

• OSHA standard 29 CFR 1926.56(a) states that general construction areas must have a minimum of 5 foot candles of illumination. Foot candles are measured by means of a light meter that monitors light levels in the work area. Low light working conditions not only place employees at higher risk of injury but it also negatively impacts quality and productivity. Ensuring proper lighting is available for your work force just makes good business sense.

Hazard PreventionMonitoring Equipment• Airborne Particulate Matter• Particulate matter is the term used for particles and liquid droplets

suspended in the air that we breathe. Typical sources of particulate matter include factories, power plants, vehicles, construction activity, and natural sources such as fires and windblown dust. Many scientific studies have linked breathing particulate matter to a series of significant health problems, including premature death.

• Protecting workers from exposure to excessive particulate matter is the direct responsibility of the supervisor. Testing should be conducted on work activities that generate airborne particles. To ensure employee safety. Always use a Certified Industrial Hygienist to conduct employee health studies and use the information collected from the testing to determine appropriate actions.

Hazard PreventionMonitoring Equipment• Lead Abatement• In construction, lead is used frequently for roofs, cornices, tank

linings, and electrical conduits. Workers potentially at risk for lead exposure include iron workers; sand blasters; demolition workers; painters; HVAC workers; welders and plumbers. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring a worker protection program is in place for all employees exposed to lead above the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL).

• Because lead is a cumulative and persistent toxic substance, employers must use every precaution feasible to minimize employee exposure to lead. Always ensure that a Certified Safety Professional, experienced in lead programs, establishes the worker protection plan. Field monitoring data should be collected and analyzed by a Certified Industrial Hygienist.

Tools & EquipmentProper Tools & Planning• Hand and power tools are a part of our everyday lives as they allow

us to perform tasks that otherwise would be difficult or impossible. However, the use of even simple tools can present serious risk of injury to the user and those nearby. These standard risks are extremely elevated when tools are modified, used and/or maintained improperly.

• As a supervisor, your attention towards hand and power tool safety is necessary in order to reduce or eliminate these hazards. Always ensure that your employees conduct a 360º evaluation of their work area before they start using tools . By utilizing a Pre-Task Planning process, each employee will be made aware of the hazards in the work area before work begins, allowing them to select the correct equipment and tools to complete the task safely.

Tools & EquipmentRight Tool for Right Job• Using power tools is a great way to increase productivity, but all too

often the wrong tool is used which leads to an injury or incident. Even a seemingly simple task of using a hand drill can become a high hazard activity when improper equipment such as the wrong drill or bit is selected or just a dull bit is being used beyond its service life. When using drills or saws, selecting the correct size bit or blade can prevent contact with unintended materials.

• Assuring that bits and blades are sharp will prevent overexertion and lessen the chance of breaking. Supervisors should ensure that all tools are maintained in good working condition be requiring employees to inspect them daily. In addition, always ensure a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (or GFCI) is used with all power tools, especially in wet conditions and never allow employees toremove a safety device from a tool.

Tools & EquipmentPlanning• Ensuring proper planning of construction activities is the best known method

for preventing injuries and incidents. Many drilling activities require boring into material with unknown contents. When performing this kind of work, you can never be 100% certain what is buried inside the material. Many serious injuries have occurred due to “just drilling a hole”… that made contact with a live electrical, utility, chemical or gas system. Supervisors should train their employees to never assume that drilling a hole is safe until they take the time to verify it is. Verification may be as simple as looking at the other side of the wall or calling out a utility locating service.

• Another often used tool that can lead to catastrophic results is the Saws-all. The use of Saws-alls must be closely controlled as there have been many serious incidents and injuries that have occurred with their use. Always ensure that a saws-all type saw is the appropriate tool for the job before allowing their use. Requiring your employees to take the time to think the work process out and evaluate the impact their work can have, will pay rewards in both safety and productivity.

Tools & EquipmentInspecting• Inspecting all tools & equipment before each use is a critical step in

ensuring that they are safe to use. Equipment such as ladders, rigging materials, rope, power cords, mechanical equipment, PPE and hand tools should always be inspected prior to use. Ensure that your staff are qualified to inspect equipment or assign someone that is qualified to perform the inspections.

• One of the most noted and dangerous safety violations found withpower tools is the elimination or modification of safety guards.Always ensure that all protective guards and safety switches are in place and functioning as designed on all rotating equipment. Grinding wheels should always have their adjustable work rests set to no more than a 1/8” gap between the wheel and rest. Failure to enforce these basic safety requirements can result in catastrophic injuries to your employees!

Tools & EquipmentTools and PPE• Failure to wear adequate PPE while using power tools is a leading cause of

injuries on a jobsite. It is the supervisors responsibility to require and enforce the use of proper PPE by their employees. Employees that use hand and power tools must protect themselves from the hazards of falling, flying, abrasive and splashing materials. While all safety conscious companies require the 100% use of safety glasses on their jobsites, safety glasses alone do not afford appropriate protection.

• The use of goggles and face shields are often required to adequately protect employees from serious injury. In addition to flying materials, protecting your employees and their lungs from exposure to harmful dusts, fumes, mists, vapors, or gases is also a supervisor’s responsibility. If the average person breathes in about 44 pounds of dust in their lifetime, you can imagine how much more a construction worker could be subjected to breathing if proper PPE is not worn.

Tools & EquipmentReducing Injuries and Incidents

• Successful supervisors have found that by enforcing a few basic safety rules for power tool use, they have been able to greatly reduce common injuries and incidents from occurring to their workforce. For example, requiring employees to disconnect the power source to all tools when not in use, before servicing and cleaning, and when changing accessories out is a best known method for preventing inadvertent operation of the equipment. Where possible, ensure that employees have a designated work area, with appropriate warning signs, that will keep unauthorized people out of the work zone.

• Taking the time to coach your employees in the proper means for securing their work with clamps or a vise, which will allow both hands to be able to operate the tool, is always time well spent. Employees should always consider what they are wearing especially when operating certain types of rotating equipment. Loose clothing and jewelry can get caught in moving parts and cause serious injury and death. Always require your employees to remove damaged tools from the job site and to red tag them with: “Do Not Use”.

Applying Standards to the JobsiteUnderstanding Standards• There are many standards, rules & regulations that pertain to the

construction industry. Supervisors must take the time to both understand the intent of the requirements and how to apply the actual regulations to their job site.

• We will discuss a few of the most common construction standards here but you must familiarize yourself with the OSHA Code of Federal Regulations, namely the Construction regulations found in 29 CFR 1926, that pertain to the work that you are supervising. By taking the time and making the effort to become proficient in the regulations, you are taking your leadership role seriously and demonstrating your commitment to providing the safest worksite possible for you and your team.

Applying Standards to the JobsiteEnsuring Safe Access• Getting access to work has always been a challenge in the

construction industry. Ensuring that safe methods for access areused is a primary responsibility of the supervisor. Common access standards include; stairways must remain clear of debris, have handrails installed 36” above the tread, and should be clearly marked as an emergency exit if they will be used for that purpose. All guardrails must be able to sustain a 200 pound force applied in any location and direction except for upward.

• All holes in the walking surface should either be properly barricaded or covered for employee protection before they are allowed access. All holes 2” and greater in diameter must be covered with material that can sustain twice the weight of employees and have the word“HOLE” or “COVER” painted on the cover to warn others of the impending danger beneath. Unfortunately, too many fellow workershave lost their lives after picking up what they thought was just a piece of wood, only to walk through the hole that was hidden inconspicuously below.

Applying Standards to the Jobsite

Ensuring Safe Egress• OSHA places responsibility on the employer and the general

contractor to ensure safe access and egress to and from the construction site is maintained at all times. That means that the normal entry and exit routes to the workplace must remain unobstructed and clear of hazards. More importantly, it requires that emergency exits be kept clear of obstructions and be available for immediate use in an emergency.

• Emergency egress is often an overlooked critical aspect noted infield safety audits. The law is very clear that emergency exits must be maintained, exit signage provided and employees trained in the proper means for an emergency evacuation.


Ensuring Safe Egress• Stairwells must have lighting and each floor of a multi-story building

should be designated as to floor number and emergency exit paths. Fire extinguishers must be located so that travel distance from any one point is no more than 100 feet. In addition, firefighting equipment shall be conspicuously located and readily accessible at all times, shall be periodically inspected, and be maintained in good operating condition.


Safe Site Access and Travel• Ensuring that overhead power lines, both permanent and

temporary, do not become involved in an incident involves critical planning and communication. Ensuring that all overhead power sources have warning signs will help alert large equipment operators of the hazard as they travel the jobsite.

• All cranes, boom trucks, mobile elevated work platforms, pumping trucks, etc. should have a safe work plan that addresses how they will prevent contact with overhead equipment and power. Ensuring that all excavations are clearly marked and barricaded will also help prevent equipment from inadvertently driving into them.

Applying Standards to the JobsiteTemporary Power Systems• Temporary electrical power is common on all jobsites. Properly

installed and serviced temporary power systems are not quite as common. Temporary power systems must be engineered to handle the expected load, must be protected from damage caused by traffic and weather, and must meet all applicable NEC and local code requirements.

• All electrical panels must be kept clear of debris and have at least 36” of clearance for safe access. Fire extinguishers must also be kept on the jobsite and are required every 50 feet if there are more than 5 gallons of combustible or flammable liquids stored or used on the jobsite.

Jobsite InspectionsManagement’s Role• Creating a formal jobsite inspection process is an excellent tool that

will help you maintain a pulse on project conditions, personnel behaviors and forge a close relationship with your safety personnel. The ideal jobsite inspection should be conducted by a combination of project personnel and management.

• Having management engaged in the field auditing process allows them to see first hand the challenges that exist and drives their involvement in the development of sustainable solutions. Many GC’s require their supervisors to conduct weekly safety field audits with the their subcontractor management. This system allows for collective observations, timely responses and more importantly, it gets management in the field talking with employees about safety.

Jobsite InspectionsWhat to Look For!• One of the pitfalls to avoid when conducting a field safety audit is to

just focus on the negatives. Many auditors believe that their role is to only point out the weaknesses or violations they can find. While this is a worthwhile effort and necessary to gain continuous improvements, not taking the time to recognize good behaviors and practices is missing excellent opportunities to further a positive safety culture.

• Always take the time to thank those employees that always wear their PPE, go above and beyond safety requirements and follow the rules day in and day out… as they are the ones that help make the project safer, more productive and profitable. Positive recognition is a powerful tool that supervisors must learn to use randomly and often as it makes those that actively participate in the safety program feel appreciated for the effort they put forward.

Jobsite InspectionsLooking for Hazards• During a jobsite safety inspection, the auditors should always

maintain a strong focus on what is considered Immediate Danger to Life and Health or IDLH hazards. There are typically four leading hazards that cause 90% of deaths and injuries in construction. These leading hazards are:

1. Falls from heights;2. Being struck by objects and vehicles;3. Being caught in or between equipment, machinery and cave-ins;4. Exposures to electrical systems such as overhead power lines,

power tools and cords, outlets and temporary wiring. • Your project should have an active fatality prevention program in

place that addresses each of these focus areas on a daily basis.

Jobsite InspectionsHousekeeping• Walking the project is the best way to assess the effectiveness of

the safety program and gain direct feedback from the workers. Building a positive relationship with trades people during safety walks is a key element in creating a positive safety culture. However, even the best relationships cannot help create a positive safety culture if housekeeping is poorly managed.

• Poor housekeeping contributes to injuries, incidents and negative attitudes about safety as no one likes to work on or around a dirty, cluttered project. Maintaining a concerted effort on good housekeeping is an easy way to improve safety performance and morale.

Jobsite InspectionsGeneral Conditions• Another area of focus when looking at general conditions are the

Quality of life issues that have been overlooked for years in the construction industry. Workers often endure insufficient and dirty bathroom conditions, a lack of hand washing facilities as well as having to eat lunch in areas with blowing dirt and dust.

• Ensuring that these conditions do not exist on your project is a huge morale boost to the work force and a positive influence on the safety culture. OSHA has minimum requirements of 1 toilet and 1 urinal for each 40-50 employees on site depending on the total headcount on site.

Jobsite InspectionsGeneral Conditions• Access and egress issues abound on most construction sites. A

workers ability to get from one side of a project to the other is often left up to their own ingenuity. Studies of thousands of injuries have shown that just walking around the jobsite contributes to the majority of injuries that occur on a construction site. Every job site should have designated travel paths that segregate vehicles from pedestrians and allow workers safe access to their work areas.

• All walking surfaces should be level with a stable walking surface and appropriate signage should be in place to denote emergency exit paths. If work is being performed at night, emergency lighting should be provided to ensure safe egress during a power failure.

Jobsite InspectionsBasic Compliance• Ensuring 100% compliance with all of the basic safety requirements

on your jobsite will establish the foundation that a successful safety culture can be built upon. Enforcing worker compliance to the minimum safety requirements such as hardhats, safety glasses, gloves and work boots may seem to be trivial in impact, but in reality it is a critical component of an effective safety program.

• The worst possible scenario is where no one complies with the basic requirements and safety is looked at as a hindrance to production. Projects that have this type of safety culture typically have the highest rates of incidents and injuries.

Jobsite InspectionsTemporary Power & Lighting• Temporary power systems need constant attention to ensure that

their integrity is not compromised by daily activities and use. 120 volt temporary wiring systems must have Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters installed unless your have an "assured equipment grounding conductor program.

• This is a program where your company conducts regular testing ofthe ground on plugs, outlets, cords, and other electrical equipment and inspection marks are placed on equipment and records are kept. Temporary lighting must be equipped with guards to prevent accidental contact with bulbs and all electrical cords must not be frayed, cut, nicked and in good repair. Electrical cords should be kept off the ground where possible to eliminate tripping hazards and prevent damage from equipment.

Jobsite InspectionsGaining Access Hazards• Gaining access to work is often the highest risk activity a worker

faces. All areas used for access and egress which have a change in elevation of more than 19" must be provided with stairs, ladders or properly designed ramps. Any stair system that has 4 or more steps must have a handrail installed that meets handrail standards. Inaddition, all job-built ladders must be constructed in accordance with 29 CFR 1926.25 regulations.

• The use of MEWP’s (Mobile elevated work platform) has made access much safer when they are used correctly. MEWP’s must be inspected daily before use and all equipment operators must be certified to operate every piece of equipment they are authorized to use. Fall protection must be worn while workers operate all boomlifts and while working on scissor type lifts if their feet leave the floor of the lift.

Incident InvestigationPreventing Future Incidents• Thoroughly investigating all injuries, incidents and near misses, and

implementing effective corrective actions, is the best known method for preventing them from happening again. Identifying a singular act or condition, often called a Root Cause, that could have prevented the incident, and all of the contributing factors, is the foundation for creating corrective actions.

• Ensuring that the corrective actions are appropriate and are implemented in the field, will help lower your incident and injury rates and make your jobsite safer for everyone. Another focus area used to help determine root cause is the term Precipitating Event. Precipitating events are the things that occurred just before the incident that may have contributed to the incident or injury. We will discuss the details of a thorough incident investigation process next.

Incident InvestigationFlawed Mindset• Failing to conduct thorough incident investigations and implement

effective corrective actions is by far the leading reason that the construction industry continues to have unacceptable safety performance. Many construction firms, managers and supervisors still believe that construction activities are just dangerous, and due to past experiences, continue to accept injuries and incidents as a cost of doing business.

• This flawed mindset, a mindset that accepts that construction is and always will be a dangerous industry, is the main reason that 5 construction workers die every work day in the US. This mindset must change before we will see sustainable, world class safety performance in the US construction industry.

Incident InvestigationNear Misses• A common safety gap that exists in many companies is their failure

to thoroughly investigate all near miss incidents. Many believe that because it was a near miss, nothing bad happened and it’s back to work. That too is a flawed mindset. In reality, the only difference between a near miss and a catastrophic event is often nothing more than pure luck. By not taking the time to learn from each and every near miss, companies and supervisors are destined to have a repeat incident that may have dire results.

• All of the top safety performers in the construction industry routinely investigate all near miss incidents as if they were a catastrophic event. They then take the lessons learned and share them across their organizations as a standard business practice. Communicating the results of incident investigations throughout your company is a crucial step in preventing similar incidents from reoccurring somewhere else.

Incident InvestigationWhen to Conduct an Investigation• As a general rule, investigations should be conducted for all injuries,

incidents and near misses, including the very minor ones. Understanding the reasons why minor injuries and incidents are occurring is the best way to prevent the major ones. Many of theindustry leaders in construction safety performance track and investigate first aid injuries as they realize that understanding the reasons minor injuries occur will help them prevent the more serious injuries.

• The same holds true for investigating incidents. Incidents are defined as any unplanned event that results in an injury, property damage, production interruption, or any negative impact. Injuries and incidents can all result in negative impacts to health, attitudes, productivity and profitability. It just makes good business sense to eliminate them.

Incident InvestigationProcess• To ensure success, all incident investigations must have a process

put in place that everyone knows, understands and follows. The safety department should prepare and train all affected employees on the process used for incident investigation. The incident investigation process is only as good as the time and effort put into developing it.

• There are a few types of investigation processes available that are used throughout the construction industry. The most common process is a Root Cause or Fault Tree type of analysis. These type of processes allow the user to systematically identify a root cause and corrective actions. Taking the time to select and utilize a standard incident investigation process for your company or project is a critical step in eliminating injuries and incidents.

Incident InvestigationSecure the Scene• Immediately after a serious incident or injury occurs, emergency

notifications have been made and/or medical response is in progress, it is critical to secure the scene of the incident. The incident response team needs to ensure that evidence is not moved or removed to allow for a detailed investigation to occur.

• In addition, government agencies such as OSHA may need to be contacted depending on the circumstances. OSHA and/or local authorities may inspect and require that all material evidence be marked and remain at the scene of the incident.

Incident InvestigationInvestigation Techniques• The next step is to begin the formal investigation process. This is a

critical element that must be conducted in an unbiased, fact finding manner. The key to a good incident investigation is to look for facts, not for faults! Your job is to gather useful facts as soon as possible after an incident occurs.

• You are looking for as much information as possible that either directly or indirectly contributed to the incident. You must interview all eye witnesses and key involved personnel separately and as soon as possible after the accident. Taking the time to review related training and maintenance records can also hold valuable information for the investigation. Always be sure to keep excellent records of all interactions by taking notes, photographs, videotape, or sketches and appropriate measurements.

Incident InvestigationSequence of Events• Use the information gathered to develop a detailed step by step

description of the accident. Always ensure that your have made adequate and accurate notes, with enough detail to enable an individual unfamiliar with the situation to envision the sequence of events.

• Do not just describe the incident itself, as this will leave out critical information of the events that led up to and followed the incident. Taking the time to place the events in chronological order will pay huge dividends as you try to piece together exactly what occurred, when it occurred and why.

Incident InvestigationDetermining Root Cause• The next step is to determine the root cause(s) and contributing

factors of the incident. This is often the most difficult step in the investigative process because if a standard process is not followed, the identified root cause may be incorrect resulting in corrective actions that are misguided and ineffective.

• Jumping to conclusions by identifying surface causes without asking enough is a common trap to avoid. Always take the time necessaryto ask all the questions necessary before concluding on a cause.Generally speaking, over 90% of incident investigations will highlight a management failure or inadequate oversight as either a root cause or a major contributing factor.

Incident InvestigationImplementing Corrective Actions• The successful implementation of corrective actions is a critical step

in eliminating recurrence of similar incidents. All of the hard work and effort put forth in the investigation process is wasted if the preventative measures identified are not effectively implemented. Typical corrective actions are based around 3 or 4 areas.

• First and foremost, engineering controls must be addressed to engineer out the hazards. Examples may be relocating low hanginghazards, adding exhaust ventilation or requiring the use of a lift assisting device. Secondly, administrative controls are a commonarea for improvement. This includes updating training, procedures and improved supervision.

Incident InvestigationImplementing Corrective Actions• In addition to engineering and administrative controls, reviewing the

work practices used in the field is a excellent area to identify areas for improvement. Many injuries and incidents occur in our industry due to poor work planning. Conducting a thorough review and requiring updated work practices is time well spent.

• Requiring all tasks to have a Pre-Task Plan completed before work begins is a best known method of reducing injuries and incidents. Requiring the proper use of PPE is also a very common correctiveaction noted after an investigation. Ensuring your employees have available and wear the appropriate PPE for the hazards they face is enabling them the best protection available against injury.

Incident InvestigationCommunicating Findings• The worse thing that can happen after an incident investigation is for

the critical information to die in a file somewhere. To have an effective safety program, companies and projects must have an open door communication process when it comes to sharing lessonslearned and corrective actions.

• Failure to share critical information and corrective actions from an incident investigation borders on criminal intent. Imagine if someone new the bridge was out and didn’t let everyone know before they attempted to drive over it? When companies learn of issues and identify ways and means to prevent injuries and incidents from occurring, it is their civic and professional responsibility to share that knowledge. Knowledge is a very powerful tool in the process of eliminating injuries and incidents.

Safety Trained SupervisorConclusion• You have now completed the Click Safety, Safety Trained

Supervisor for Construction Skills module. We have discussed many OSHA regulations, best known safety methods and industry leadingprograms that can help you to be more successful in managing your day to day safety responsibilities.

• In the next module, STS Safety Leadership, we are going to focuson specific leadership traits and techniques that can help you become a world class safety trained supervisor.

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