Construction is a dangerous industry. The best way to arm yourself against the dangers you face in your daily job is to learn about the most common safety hazards in construction. Below we will go over the top causes of death in construction, the most common hazards in the construction industry, and how you can stay safe. An Introduction to the Fatal Four As we mentioned above, OSHA breaks down the top safety hazards into four main categories, collectively known as the Fatal Four. They include falls, struck-by object, electrocutions, and caught-in-between. The best ways to prevent the Fatal Fo ..read more

Storms can strike at any time, and if your construction site isn’t properly prepared, the storm can lead to major destruction. Creating a safety plan that outlines pre-storm, during-storm, and post-storm procedures will keep your worksite safe for all employees and ensure you’re able to quickly resume work and complete your project on time. Below we will review the best ways to prepare your construction site for storms, and the types of storms you can expect at different times of the year. How to Prepare Your Job Site Ensure you’re prepared for intense weather to strike with the following four ..read more

Exposure to loud noises, no matter how frequently, can lead to irreversible hearing damage and hearing loss. If that wasn’t scary enough, loud noises contribute to workplace accidents and further health issues. With so many sources of loud noises on construction sites, it’s easy to see why hearing protection is an essential form of personal protective equipment and why safety measures have to be put into place to prevent hearing harm. If you work with or near tools or jobs that create loud noises, the hearing protection safety tips we will dive into below are for you! Tips to Prevent Hearing L ..read more

With more and more people becoming aware of the harmful effects of allergens and mold, mold inspectors are in high demand. Not only can this career be lucrative, but it can also be emotionally fulfilling. With all the benefits of being a mold inspector, it does come with some drawbacks. The road to becoming a mold inspector isn’t always easy, and it does require training and certain qualities to be successful. Below, we will dive into the required training and qualities a mold inspector must possess to be good at their job, but first, we will explain some mold inspection basics. What is a Mold ..read more

According to OSHA, every year, dozens of workers die, and thousands get sick from working in the heat. However, this statistic can change if everyone practices staying safe in the summer. Below, we provide helpful tips for both supervisors and workers! Tips for Supervisors Under OSHA law, employers are responsible for providing a safe working place free of safety hazards for their workers. So, as the supervisor, you should follow a strict procedure to keep your employees safe. 1. Training OSHA states that heatstroke and heat exhaustion are the two most dangerous heat-related illnesses. Yet, id ..read more

While utility poles are essential for our modern-day conveniences, they can be equally dangerous as they are necessary. With a variety of exposed wires and voltage transformers, they can be extremely unsafe if dealt with incorrectly.  There are two variations of utility poles, they can either be above-ground, as 35-foot tall poles or buried six feet in the ground and spaced 125 feet apart. With above-ground poles, you need to be concerned with exposed live wires, while with underground poles, concerns arise when you’re digging or when the wire insulation starts to decay.  Below we will explain ..read more

OSHA defines demolition as the dismantling, razing, destroying or wrecking of any building or structure or any part thereof. Based on what you see on TV, demolition looks like it might be a lot of fun. Whether you are attacking an old wall with a sledgehammer or blowing-up a 15-story building, what could be more exciting and stress relieving than tearing something apart? Unfortunately, demolition work is much more dangerous than it is fun. Going into a structure without a plan and knocking things down is a good way to get yourself and others (including innocent bystanders) seriously injured. T ..read more

We take electricity for granted. We just have to flip a switch or push a button and the light goes on, the TV comes alive, and the smartphone screen asks you to sign in. But what makes all of our electrical systems work—is it electric energy? Or electric power? Or do those two terms mean the same thing? Electricity, energy, and power are often used synonymously, but they’re actually three very different things. Let’s dive into the differences below! What is Electricity? In simple terms, electricity is a form of energy that results from the movement of electrons. There are two types of electric ..read more

Unfortunately, you can’t dispose of construction waste the same way as regular trash. There’s no tossing it in a bag and waiting for the city to pick it up. Construction and demolition (C&D) debris need to be handled and removed with care because of the contaminants they contain. While this can certainly take more time, it avoids polluting the environment and saves you money from non-compliance fees. Before we take a look at the proper methods for disposal of construction waste, let’s define and identify types of C&D debris: Construction and demolition debris is the nonhazardous materi ..read more

While safety glasses may be a small piece of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), they should not be forgotten. In fact, almost three out of five injured workers were either not wearing eye protection, or not wearing the correct eye protection when they were injured. Take a look at these other staggering statistics: Eye injuries make up nearly 45% of all head injuries that lead to missed workdays Eye injuries account for an estimated annual $300 million in medical bills, workers’ compensation, and lost production time 80% of workplace eye injuries happen to men between the ages of 25-44 40% of ..read more