Stay up-to-date with the current OSHA Recording guidelines required for posting from 2/1/2013 to 4/30/2013

Construction workers are at an increased risk for developing Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), which is a painful and potentially disabling condition of the fingers, hands and arms.

Symptoms of HAVS include numbness, tingling and loss of nerve sensitivity, and can lead to the loss of strength and grip in the hands.

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It’s been more than 10 years since the first case of West Nile Virus appeared in the United States, but it’s still a risk that affects outdoor workers during the summer months.

Transmitted by mosquitoes, West Nile Virus symptoms can range from as mild as a fever, to as severe as encephalitis or meningitis.

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 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry had the highest number of fatal occupational injuries in 2010.

Relying on employee "common sense" and assuming workers know how to identify hazards are not surefire ways to prevent accidents.

Accident prevention training should be provided for all workers and incorporated into every job site, especially before starting new job tasks. Training should include:

• Knowing when to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Recognizing and avoiding hazards
• Following specific procedures to avoid accidents
• Inspecting all equipment and tools to ensure they work properly
• Reinforcing the importance of proper housekeeping

For accident prevention posters and additional resources to help your employees identify hazards, contact CFR, Inc. today.

Saw dust, metal shavings, paint and other construction materials are the usual suspects for causing potentially harmful eye damage to construction workers. But for those who work outdoors, the sun is also the cause of irreversible damage to the eyes.

Poor communication between work crews and supervisors is one of the leading causes of accidents on construction sites. Hearing difficulties, due to the high level of sound emitted from construction equipment, is one contributing factor to miscommunication. Some equipment emits sounds higher than 125 decibels, which makes communicating with other workers nearly impossible.

Construction contracts can contain terms that impact your company’s bottom line. Reviewing them carefully prior to signing is indispensable, and can save your company time and money.

 

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According to the Center for Construction Research, a construction worker has a 75 percent chance of suffering a disabling, work-related injury over the course of a 45-year career period, with Hispanic workers having a 20 percent greater risk of dying than white, non-Hispanic workers.

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Loud noise can cause permanent hearing loss and contribute to workplace accidents and injuries by making it difficult for workers to hear warning signals.

DID YOU KNOW?

More than one-third of fall deaths in residential construction are caused by falls from roofs.

Portable generators play a crucial role on the construction site, but, if used improperly, generators can cause serious illness or death. On average, about 170 people in the United States die every year from carbon monoxide (CO) produced by generators and other consumer products.

Unprotected trenches are among the most dangerous hazards a construction worker can face; between 2003 and 2011, more than 200 workers have been killed in trench cave-ins. Hundreds more have been seriously injured. To help combat this problem, OSHA has produced a number of guidance documents aimed at keeping construction firms in compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1926.651 and 1926.652 (as well as their counterparts from state-approved plans).

An arc flash is an electrical breakdown where electric current jumps through an air gap between conductors. With a flash of bright light, intense radiant heat and loud noise, an arc flash explosion can produce a temperature of 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Both the heat and the energy can cause substantial damage to equipment, fire or severe injury or death.

A recent study published in the Journal of Construction Engineering and Management examined construction projects designed to achieve the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

 

There is no one set definition of an independent contractor in the United States. State and federal regulations that determine whether someone is an independent contractor or an employee are different, and each state tends to have their own unique criteria. Misclassifying a worker can bring strict penalties and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has increased their audits on companies suspected of misusing the contractor title.

Nail guns are one of the most commonly used tools on the jobsite. Unfortunately, they are also commonly the cause of injuries, most of which are easily preventable.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently released new guidance for nail gun safety, including best practices for safe use and gun type recommendations.

Many contractors try to expand the scope of their business to stay busy during slow periods. This attempt to make a little extra money can turn out to be a bad idea if the situation isn't entered into carefully and with thorough consideration of all risks.