Blog Archives

4/24/2015

Short Cuts ~ ACP Safety Meeting

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Question: (Yes/No answer) Nearly everyone we know uses short cuts to get the job done?

Answer: Generally yes.

However, there are some reasons not to use short cuts. As we all know, a project is completed by use of certain construction methods. Short cuts usually modify methods and as a result, decrease the safety built into proven methods.

Guide for Discussion

What are some ideas to keep in mind when doing short cuts?

Everyone uses short cuts
They can be dangerous
Sometimes they are deadly
Our company is willing to take the time necessary to do a job properly Heights increase the dangers of short cuts

Excavation and tunnels increase the dangers of short cuts
Warn those using unsafe short cuts of the hazards associated with short cuts.

Additional Discussion Notes:

Short cuts can really hurt our customers and our profits. Name some examples you have seen on the job.

Remember: Although we all use short cuts in our daily routines, we must be aware of the dangers that short cuts expose us to. There are two ways to perform a work task. Often the safe way is not the fastest or easiest way.

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4/17/2015

Horseplay ~ ACP Safety Meeting

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Introduction: Nearly everyone has heard a practical joker say “This one is gonna kill ya.” Well, hopefully it never will. However, practical jokes invite danger. The building trades industry is potentially dangerous and anything that unnecessarily increases the chance of an injury must be eliminated. Horseplay benefits no one and usually only builds up resentment and fosters retaliation. Practical jokes should be discouraged. At some point, if they continue they need to be reported.

Guide for Discussion

Examples of Horseplay

Scaring someone.
Air hosing someone.
Wrestling with someone.
Boxing.
Goosing.
Dropping objects next to someone. Throwing water on someone. Throwing objects or tools at someone. Placing tacks under someone.

Additional Discussion Notes:

Can you think of other examples?
What are the adverse (bad) consequences of horseplay? When is it appropriate to report horseplay to supervisors?

Remember: Practical jokers can not guarantee the success of their jokes. They can guarantee that they increase the chance of an accident occurring. Imagine a joke that backfires, resulting in an injury or death to a co-worker. Do you want any part of that? It’s easy enough to get hurt on the job as it is. Let’s not increase anyone’s chances.

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4/10/2015

Proper Lifting ~ ACP Safety Meeting

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Most of us forget the importance of our backs for the enjoyment of a normal, happy and successful life. However, the back contains one of the most critical muscle groups in the body, as well as the spinal cord and associated vertebrae and disks. Everyone working in the building industry must lift materials to either put them into place or to expedite from one location to another. Back injuries are cumulative; a lot of small injuries lead up to the big one. It is, therefore, important to remember the key elements of proper lifting.

Guide for Discussion Preparing to Lift

Do you need help? Get help if needed (more people, lift equipment). Do you need to stretch before preparing to lift?
Determine the load capacity.
Determine your ability to handle the load.

Wear safe shoes.
Wear gloves to protect your hands if the surface is rough. Make sure you have a clear walkway.

Making the Lift

Center the load between your legs or shoulders
Always bend with your legs.
Keep your back straight.
Lift with your legs (You can feel your leg muscles doing the work). Keep the load close to your body. (Hug the object you are lifting.)

Moving the Load

Keep your back as vertical as possible.
Keep the load close to you.
Don’t twist your body – move your feet.
When lowering your load, bend with the knees and keep the back straight.

Remember to follow these rules of lifting and you will give your back a break rather than breaking your back.

Remember: The only thing you’ll prove by lifting more than you should is that your back is a poor substitute for a forklift. Think before you lift—everytime.

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4/3/2015

Warming Up ~ ACP Safety Meeting

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“Construction is an athletic event” The importance of being warmed up prior to starting construction work (or any work involving heavy lifting) is just like getting ready for a sporting event. Stretching is a means to avoid the most common body sprain/strain injuries. Stretching before lifting is especially helpful to avoid back injuries. According to safety experts, over half of all workers’ compensation claims and costs were due to sprain/strains.

Guide for Discussion

Overexertion effects:
Backs; Trunks (Waist, Hips); Knees; Shoulders, Arms and Elbows

The hardest injury to live with is a back injury; once you are injured expect repeat injuries. One professional study indicates that once you do injure your back, you are five times more likely to suffer a re-injury.

Stretching: Brick masons working a major project (Intel Ronda Acres in Hillsboro, Or.) demonstrated that those who stretched before starting work didn’t have any back sprain/strain or lifting injuries.

Helpful Hints:

Go into stretching with a relaxed and open mind.

Stretch to the point where it is comfortable, not painful.

Do not strain when you stretch – straining keeps the muscle from relaxing. Concentrate on the muscle being stretched – think about the good feeling of a proper stretch. As the feeling of the stretch changes to a mild stretch, stretch a little further, comfortable with no pain.

Don’t bounce when you stretch. That can cause injuries. Always stretch to the tight side first.

Breathe with a slow, normal rhythm. Do not hold your breath.

Demonstrate proper stretching exercises.

Remember: Construction is an athletic event. Stretching before you start work will make your job easier and helps prevent injuries on the job. Try it at home too.

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ACP News

Short Cuts ~ ACP Safety Meeting

Horseplay ~ ACP Safety Meeting

Proper Lifting ~ ACP Safety Meeting

Warming Up ~ ACP Safety Meeting

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