A Guide to Hiring and Training Seasonal Employees
Loss Control Insights A Guide to Hiring and Training Seasonal Employees Hiring seasonal workers is a necessity in some industries such as construction, manufacturing, agriculture, lawn care and retail. These workers can boost production during the summer, over the holiday season or when there’s a large contract to fulfill. There are various ways to find […]
Are You Ready for a Hard Market?
Are You Ready for a Hard Market? Planning When You Don’t Need It Will Save You When You Do Construction and surety have grown strongly over the past ten years with plenty of capacity, keeping the market soft, but it is always cyclical, so it’s just a matter of time before we start leaning toward […]
Working in Hot Environments
Working in Hot Environments Foundry workers, pastry bakers and agricultural workers are just a few of the workers who are exposed to hot or humid environments. While most workers prefer a climate-controlled environment, this is not possible in many locations. Although heat-related discomfort is a complaint of many workers, it is not the most serious […]
Trenching and Excavation
Excavation cave-ins cause serious and often fatal injuries to workers in the United States. Excavating is recognized as one of the most hazardous construction operations, killing an average of 33 people and injuring hundreds each year. Recently, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) updated its standard to simplify many of the existing provisions, to […]
Lightning Safety for Outdoor Workers
According to the National Weather Service, there have been 26 fatalities in 2011 resulting from lightning strikes in 18 states and Guam. Workers account for about one-third of the total number of people struck by lightning; roofers, construction workers, road crews, pipe fitters and farm workers are especially at high risk. Lightning typically strikes tall […]
Backing Vehicles Safely
According to the National Safety Council, nearly one in four vehicle accidents involves backing. When considering how much distance is covered each day by backing vehicles, as compared to those moving forward, the frequency of backing accidents is quite staggering. Backing accidents cause approximately 500 deaths and 15,000 injuries each year in the United States. […]
SAFELY OPERATING AND WORKING AROUND HEAVY EQUIPMENT
Heavy equipment designed to handle large loads can be dangerous if not operated properly. Operators need to remain alert and know how to properly use the equipment, while bystanders should be aware of their surroundings. OPERATOR TIPS Only operate the equipment if you’ve been trained Check the brakes and other controls prior to starting the […]
Job Hazard Analysis: A Step-by-Step Guide
Job hazard analysis (JHA) is a technique for identifying and addressing hazards created by the jobs your employees do every day. You focus on one job at a time, breaking it down into its component steps and identifying all the hazards associated with each step. Don’t be intimidated by JHAs. The process can seem complicated, but […]
Dump Truck Safety
As end-dump truck bodies and semitrailers have increased in length, the frequency of units tipping over has also increased. The construction and trucking sectors should be aware of this tip-over hazard, the contributing conditions and methods of prevention. Stability The primary hazard is related to the stability of the unit when the box is in […]
Working in Hot Environments
Although heat-related discomfort is a complaint of many workers, it is not the most serious problem associated with working in high temperature and humidity. Workers who are exposed to hot environments face additional hazards to their safety and health, such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion and fatigue. These hazards can be avoided by introducing engineering […]