Tag Archives: construction

2020 OSHA Update

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With fall officially underway and Halloween right around the corner, it can only mean one thing: sweets, sweets, and more sweets. However, I would ask that you put down whatever candy your kids have rejected so you can start reflecting on 2019 and planning for 2020.  And as all successful businesses know, it is important to not only include a sales or production evaluation but an evaluation of your safety program. To help, here is a 2020 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) update to move you in the right direction.

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6 Construction Job Site Safety Tips

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Let’s face it; working in construction is dangerous. In 2015, one in five worker fatalities occurred in construction. Is it any wonder why the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) conducted almost four times as many inspections and issued over twice as many penalties for the construction industry compared to the next closest industry classification? By the numbers, that’s 11,869 inspections, 29,777 citations and nearly $72 million in fines from October 2015 through September 2016. (more…)

Contractors’ Errors and Omissions

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Artisan contractors are experts at what they do and expect to complete their projects without mistakes. But customers can be quick to allege negligence in a contractor’s work, and narrow margins expose contractors to costly errors. Contractors’ Errors & Omissions (E&O) is a specialized liability coverage to protect for potential exposures resulting from faulty workmanship claims. Consider these real-life scenarios: (more…)

9 Smart Tips for Construction Site Personal Protective Equipment

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This entry is part 4 of 13 in the series Safe With Society
As we celebrate our 100th year in business in 2015, we embark on another century of commitment to our policyholders. Our mission is to protect the livelihoods of our policyholders, and, as the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In keeping with that theme, we’ll celebrate our 100th year in business with 100 important tips to help identify, evaluate and prevent dangers that could result in financial loss or injury in a year-long “Safe with Society” blog series.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is your last defense against injury. Exposure to elevated noise, potentially harmful gases and liquids, and objects ejected from work processes can be an everyday occurrence. Protecting your health and safety depends on your attitude and ensuring that you maintain your PPE properly. Follow these smart tips… (more…)

Working in Traffic: 6 Important Safety Precautions (Part 2 of 2)

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This entry is part 2 of 2 in the series Working in Traffic
Working in traffic is a dangerous job, and it is easy for workers and drivers to become confused and frustrated as they navigate through construction zones. In this two-part blog series, I share ways to prevent, or even eliminate, work zone injuries and fatalities with a strong focus on safety.

Now that you have assessed the unique dangers that may affect your worksite, let’s take a closer look at six common controls that will help to keep your employees safe when working in traffic. (more…)

Working In Traffic: Do You Know the Dangers? (Part 1 of 2)

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This entry is part 1 of 2 in the series Working in Traffic
Working in traffic is a dangerous job, and it is easy for workers and drivers to become confused and frustrated as they navigate through construction zones. In this two-part blog series, I share ways to prevent, or even eliminate, work zone injuries and fatalities with a strong focus on safety.

Summer is great! Warm weather, the smell of food cooking on the grill, the sound of kids outside enjoying the day with their friends, and, of course, the best sight of all: orange barrels.

Yes, road construction can be frustrating, especially when you are not expecting it. But keep in mind that it is also frustrating for those who are building the roads and bridges that we depend on. And not only that – it is also very dangerous. There were 609 fatalities in construction and maintenance work zones in 2012. (more…)

Stay Clear from Falling into Floor Openings During Construction

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Falls cause far more deaths in the construction industry (about one-third) than any other type of accident. If a construction worker is carrying an object obstructing his or her view, not spotting a floor opening can lead to serious injury. Protection from floor openings is therefore crucial to ensuring the continued safety of construction workers on-site.

Before your workers begin construction above ground level, equip them with the right safety tools and tips they’ll need to stay on their feet. (more…)