Cuts and Lacerations to the Hands and Arms
This is the leading injury for construction workers and can be prevented by developing a hand protection policy and following it each day. The most important rule should be “no gloves, no work.” Also, designating a specific glove for a specific task will ensure safety to the highest level. Examples of this would be using Kevlar or cut-resistant gloves when working with metals, using leather gloves for working with wood products, and using chemical-resistant gloves when working with chemicals.
Strains and Sprains to the Back and Shoulders
Many injuries happen when workers are not warmed up for the task at hand and therefore overexert themselves. Because of this, many companies are now using a warm-up and stretching program before work starts for the day, making sure to implement micro-stretching before strenuous tasks. Basically, as we develop ergonomic programs that require stretching and flexing for workers out in the field, just as programs are being put in place for office workers to prevent carpal tunnel and eye strain from computers, we hope to decrease the number of workers injured with strains and sprains exponentially.
Injuries to the Head and Face
Serious head injuries can be avoided by the simple use of hard hats and face protection. Like most construction projects, we have what we call trade stacking, or one trade doing their work above another trade. Injuries occur when workers drop tools or materials to a lower level. Many injuries occur when a worker overhead is drilling or hammering. These injuries are preventable if all the workers near or under the job wear hard hats and face shields to eliminate exposure.
Crush/Pinch Points/Caught-in-Betweens
Job hazard analysis, or JHA, is a great tool for planning the work that needs to take place. There are different varieties and levels of JHA. I have found that a mini JHA in the field, created by the workers who will actually be doing the work, is a powerful tool. Most of the time, the workers know the best way to accomplish a task as well as what precautions need to be taken. Where injuries could occur needs to be determined in the area of work. Simple questions for the workers to ask are:
• Have I been injured before doing this task?
• Has someone I know been hurt performing this task before?
• How could I get hurt doing this task?
Eye Injuries
Developing and implementing an eye protection program is key. Eye protection is necessary at all times while working, period! Eyeglasses need to be Z87 with the proper side shields. Where simple programs like this fail is enforcement. The program needs to be enforced as soon as any worker steps onto the jobsite, not when they get to their work area. Better programs identify specific tasks where additional eye protection would be needed, such as safety goggles, face shields, and welding hoods.
About the Author
Kevin Scannell is both a certified safety professional (CSP) and construction health and safety technician. His firm, Scannell & Associates, Inc., a professional safety consulting company based in Phoenix, provides construction safety counsel, construction risk management, manufacturing installation, process installation, decontamination safety, and demolition safety in addition to the development of environmental, health, and safety training programs.
Scannell holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in industrial safety. He belongs to the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), the Semiconductor Safety Association (SSA), and the National Safety Council (NSC). In addition, Scannell is a past presenter at the NSC Congress. Scannell & Associates proudly services the biotechnology, chemical, petrol chemical, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor industries. For more information on Scannell & Associates, please visit www.sasafety.com.
