In a specification submitted document written by Rudy Powell, the Florida State Specifications Engineer, to Monica Gourdine, the Program Operations Engineer, the material that is specified for sidewalk cover plates is to be replaced.
(more…)

The environment of a wastewater treatment plant is dangerous, plant operators are exposed to raw sewage, dust, water, oil, and chemicals while trying to work on machinery.  Wastewater treatment plants use safety grating for several dangerous areas throughout their facilities.  Areas where safety grating are utilized include platforms, walkways, tanks areas, mezzanines, stairs, and trench covers, among others.
(more…)

Skanska USA Inc. has taken worker safety to a new level.  While they know that it is hard for a construction site (or any workplace) to be 100% accident free, it’s what they do after an accident has happened that really sets them apart.  It is something that should become a best practice for any company.
(more…)

According to an article by Fred Hosier entitled &lquo;12 Common Mistakes in Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention“, &lquo;Slips, trips and falls are routinely one of the top causes of injuries in workplaces.  They also subtract from a company’s bottom line due to medical and workers’ compensation insurance, lost productivity and retraining costs.&rquo;  There are many different methods that are used to prevent these injuries from occurring, but some of them don’t stand up to the challenge.
(more…)

SlipNOT® 3/8“ aluminum plates are utilized on mail loading docks in major North American Postal Operations.  These loading docks are equipped with SlipNOT® non slip plates to keep workers safe while on the job.  The platform is attached by a hinge that allows the ramp to be lowered to the desired height.  The mail truck is then backed into place and the ramp is lowered.  Mail is then transferred from the truck into the facility, or vice versa.  The SlipNOT® aluminum substrate and surface provides lightweight properties and corrosion resistance.  SlipNOT® non slip ramps are also used throughout facilities to keep pedestrians and workers on their feet while traveling up or down an incline.  The SlipNOT® non slip surface is applied to scissor lifts, dock levelers, stairs and platforms.  Dock levelers and scissor lifts are hydraulic aerial lifts that could be dangerous if slippery.  SlipNOT® galvanized steel and stainless steel is used for outdoor applications due to its weather resistant properties.  SlipNOT® gives workers a piece of mind and ability to get the job done effectively, without the worry of an accident.  SlipNOT® can withstand the high volume of mail and heavy traffic in a postal operation environment.

The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) will offer a virtual safety seminar titled “Slips, Trips and Falls: Best Practices and Standards” on October 20-22. The virtual symposium is an academic conference online. Symposium attendees that participate in the online program will hear from safety professionals around the world that give advice, share experiences and provide learning opportunities. The virtual symposium will also discuss the costs of slips, trips and falls in the workplace, both personal and financial. ASSE and its members have found that slips, trips and falls account for a vast majority of workplace incidents. For more information and to find out how to participate in this virtual symposium please go to ASSE.org.
(more…)

According to safety meeting notes provided by the State Compensation Insurance Fund, entitled “Ladders – Make Ladder Safety a High Priority,” a majority of accidents that occur on work site locations are a direct result of improper ladder safety.  They strongly believe that workers should consider the following: “Before using any ladder, check its condition.  Make sure there are no broken, cracked, or missing rails and that the ladder rungs are not slippery from grease or oil.”  The condition of ladder rungs is very important to avoid slip and fall accidents.
(more…)

Based on an article by members of the Alliance Program Construction Roundtable, through the OSHA Alliance Program, fall fatalities in the construction industry are more prevalent than they should be.  Out of a total of 433 fatal falls for 2006, 68 were from ladders.  These falls could be the result of ladder rungs without a slip resistant coating.  Portable and fixed ladders are a necessity to the construction industry, making slips and falls a possibility on a daily basis.

The following statistics make it apparent why slip and fall prevention on ladders is crucial.  When falling from a ladder, by the time you react, your body will be four feet below where you fell.  A realistic reaction time for a human is one second. In one second, under the force of gravity, a body will fall 16 feet. Using a reaction time of .5 seconds, on the higher side, your body center will travel four feet downward.

Non slip metal ladder rungs and covers are a permanent sturdy solution to slips and falls.  Slip resistant ladder rungs can be easily incorporated into building and designing new ladders, and are also designed to be easily retrofitted over existing dangerous ladder rungs.  Non slip ladder rungs and covers are a small cost in comparison to the costs of an injury or even worse, a fatality. Architects can help eliminate fatalities by specifying slip resistant ladder rungs to be incorporated into new projects to ensure the safety of pedestrians and workers. Construction site managers are also responsible for equipping personal portable ladders used to complete jobs with slip resistance, and keeping employees safe.

Alliance Program Construction Roundtable. “Prevention of Fall Fatalities and Injuries in Construction”

When developing a safety plan or objective, checklists are an important component to staying organized and analyzing a situation.  In order to keep a job site safe, materials and tools must be checked multiple times throughout the course of a project to avoid accidents.  One of the most frequently employed tools on a construction site is a ladder.  The main component of a ladder is the ladder rungs.  Ladder rungs must be properly maintained to ensure safety during use.  Due to constant climbing up and down these ladder rungs, wear and tear can happen.  Checklists are essential in keeping track of all of the simple but potentially dangerous details of ladder rungs.
(more…)

In an article entitled “Use a Scientific Approach to Prevent Slips and Falls” by Kenneth Fisher, OSHA states that “Slip resistance can vary from surface to surface or even on the same surface, depending upon surface conditions and employee footwear.  Slip resistant flooring material (or treatments) such as textured, serrated, or punched surfaces and steel grating may offer additional slip resistance.”  Slip resistant flooring should be installed in areas that are slippery due to wet and oily conditions.
(more…)