Concrete is a common building material used regularly in the construction industry. Concrete is generally made by combining cement, sand, aggregate (small stones), and water.

Although one of the most common tools used on a construction site, extension ladders can lead to severe injuries or even fatal incidents if improperly used. Ladders are involved in 20 percent of fall injuries among workers and 81 percent of construction worker fall injuries.

Your eyes are vital for experiencing the fullness of life. Losing the capability to see is not worth the risk of taking shortcuts in your work for any reason.

Flagging traffic is both a critical and a potentially hazardous part of providing a safe work zone for workers, the general public, and motorists. According to an OSHA Fact Sheet, “transportation incidents and workers struck by vehicles are responsible for the highest number of fatal work injuries,” according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In 2012, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) revised the existing Hazard Communication (HAZCOM) standard and aligned it with the United Nations (US) Globally Harmonized System (GHS). The GHS includes criteria for the classification of health, physical, and environmental hazards, as well as specifying what information should be included on labels of hazardous chemicals and safety data sheets.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH), approximately 22 million workers yearly are exposed to hazardous work-related noise. As a result, occupational hearing loss is one of the most common work-related illnesses in the U.S.

Whether it's a tractor, bulldozer, forklift, excavator, paver, milling machine, etc., working around heavy equipment adds a new level of danger to workers. Approximately 75% of construction-related “struck by” and “run over” fatalities involve heavy equipment.

Scissor lifts are considered self-propelled elevating work platforms that move workers vertically to various locations to perform work. Scissor lifts are different from aerial lifts because the lifting mechanism moves the work platform straight up and down using crossed beams functioning in a scissor-like fashion.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), scaffold-related accidents result in roughly 60 deaths and 4,500 injuries yearly throughout the country. Falls from scaffolds account for approximately 25% of fatal falls from all working surfaces.

According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), there are, on average, 4,630 structure fires involving hot work per year. Any time equipment that produces a spark or open flame or a process that generates excessive heat, there is a risk of fire or explosion.

According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), workers exposed to extreme cold or working in cold environments may be at risk of cold stress.

Date Posted: 02/17/2024

The hierarchy of hazard controls pyramid is a systematic workflow to provide the most effective control measure for workplace hazards. The tool is used worldwide and prescribes a method to always begin with eliminating any hazards you identify in the workplace.

Date Posted: 02/17/2024

Workers exposed to extreme heat or working in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress. Exposure to extreme heat can result in occupational illnesses and injuries. For example, heat stress can result in heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes

Date Posted: 02/17/2024

According to the Labor and Industries Department of Safety and Health (DOSH), Falls are the number one serious hazard for workers in most industries that can result in injuries or even death and accounted for 17 fatalities from 2017-2022 in Washington State.

Date Posted: 02/17/2024

Full-body harnesses are critical elements of adequate fall protection systems. Workers must understand how to wear and use full-body harnesses when operating at height properly. When used correctly on the job, a properly fitted and properly worn full-body harness can help prevent serious injury or death.

Date Posted: 02/16/2024

Flexible extension cords, powering tools, lighting, and equipment are everywhere on construction sites. These cords are often loose and uncovered, exposing them to opportunities for damage.

Date Posted: 02/16/2024

According to the Center for Construction Research (CPWR), one in five construction workers experiences musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), including sprains, strains, and soft tissue injuries, which gradually worsen and are often chronic.

Date Posted: 02/15/2024

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) account for a third of workers’ compensation costs. Repetitive motions cause many MSDs. A repetitive motion injury is any injury caused by repeated lifting, pushing, pulling, vibrations, or holding an awkward body position may be considered a repetitive motion injury.

Date Posted: 02/15/2024

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than one million workers suffer back injuries yearly, accounting for one of every five workplace injuries or illnesses. When drilling down on the construction industry specifically, the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) states that the construction industry has the highest incident rate of back injuries of any industry except transportation.

Date Posted: 02/14/2024

Ergonomics fits the task to the person. It strives to create the best atmosphere for any occupation to prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). These disorders affect muscles, blood vessels, nerves, ligaments, and tendons in the body and can be caused by repetitive tasks like lifting, bending, and reaching.