Safety training doesn't cost...it pays

No matter what the job, an effective safety program will help the job go more efficiently and help workers lead happier, healthier lives.

by Kent Sipes

Training your employees to be safe means more than just telling them to be safe. An effective safety program provides employees with the following types of training:
• Hazards inherent in the jobsite;
• Potential job tasks hazards;
• Recently-discovered hazards in current tools and equipment;
• Potential hazards of new tools and equipment;
• Refresher training to keep knowledge current;
• How to spot potential hazards on the jobsite;
• Proper use of safety equipment;
• First aid/first responder; and
• HAZMAT communication.

Hazards inherent in the jobsite
Every jobsite has its risks, whether it’s heights, weather, low visibility, vehicle traffic, falling objects, confined spaces, unstable or uneven footing or even chemical or biological agents.

When employees are aware of hazards, they are more likely to protect themselves from those dangers.

Hazards from job tasks
One example of a common task that presents a variety of hazards is concrete drilling and cutting. It’s common knowledge this work exposes eyes and unprotected skin to flying concrete chips and can damage hearing, so most workers use the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as safety glasses, protective clothing, and hearing protection. But recent studies have shown that concrete dust can cause serious lung problems, such as silicosis. That means some sort of breathing protection should also be used and employees need to be aware of it.

When employees are aware of the dangers that may be present during a particular job task, they can use PPE and take steps to eliminate, reduce, or avoid the hazards.

Understanding these dangers may also prompt employees to watch out for each other.

Hazards from tools and equipment use
Almost all tools and equipment pose the potential to cause an injury if not used as intended. Make sure the tool is in good working order and all guards are in place. Workers must follow operating guidelines listed in the operator’s manual and training should instruct each user on proper tool use.

Refresher training
People forget, get distracted, or just miss things the first time they hear them.

Just as firemen, first responders, and police constantly work to sharpen their skills and review the basics of their profession, construction professionals need to refresh their knowledge of safe tool and equipment use and incorporate them into solid work habits.

Refresher safety training also helps build conscientiousness in the work crew and they are also more likely to watch out for each other and themselves.

Spotting hazards
Safety on the jobsite shouldn’t begin and end with the safety director. Every employee can learn to be proactive, spotting hazards and potential safety problems and must believe that he or she is empowered to mitigate or eliminate them.

Proper use of safety equipment
Buying the right gear is just the beginning; employees must understand and be committed to its proper use. If an employee understands the hazards from which he/she is being protected and how this protection works, it’s more likely that he or she will use equipment properly.

Hardhats are a great example. If a hardhat is assembled and worn correctly (with the brim forward and with only recommended attachments), it will protect against overhead danger. If a hardhat is assembled incorrectly, worn backward, worn with a cap underneath, or has been damaged, it may not provide adequate protection. Regular, effective training helps you get the maximum benefit from the safety gear you buy.

First aid/first responder training
If an employee is injured or suffers some other accident such as a heart attack, allergic reaction or other health-related problem on the jobsite, first aid can reduce the impact to the victim and your project. First aid training can be as simple as a 30-minute basic session on dealing with a specific hazard, such as heat safety and rehydration, or it can be as involved as a two-week first responder class.

Simple first aid can greatly reduce the time missed from work due to an accident. For example, if employees are trained in heat safety and rehydration, one worker might spot the early signs of heat exhaustion in a fellow worker and help prevent him/her from moving into full-blown heat stroke.

HAZMAT training
How contractors communicate the dangers of hazardous materials used on the jobsite continues to be one of OSHA’s hot buttons. From October, 2001 to September, 2002, OSHA (Federal) issued 1,428 citations for deficiencies in hazard communication.

To meet OSHA standard for hazard communication, employees must know what your HAZMAT program is about; how to get information on hazardous materials that may be on the jobsite; how to avoid or lessen the impact of these hazards and what to do if they are exposed to the hazardous materials.

Safety training resources
There is no shortage of good training resources. Here are a few excellent ones:

OSHA: OSHA has extensive training resources available through its Consultative Services branch. Training is free, and it’s a good step toward showing OSHA that your company is making a good-faith effort. If the Consultative Services branch of OSHA makes a recommendation, it doesn’t share that information with its Regulatory Branch. Employers using this program may also be exempted from OSHA general inspections for one year. Go to www.osha.gov to get contact information. This Website also has training brochures, trainer certification, posters, Web-based training, and other materials in English and Spanish.

Distributors: A full-service distributor is a good source for safety training. They are often willing to come to your jobsite to provide free training, or may host “lunch and learn” events to train key safety personnel on selected topics. Distributors may also be qualified to certify your employees in the use of tools and equipment such as powder-actuated tools.

If your distributor can’t provide specific training, it can very likely help you find another source.

Manufacturers: Manufacturers want you to make the best use of their products by offering training in print, in-person or through in-depth classes at their site. They also offer videotaped presentations or safety training via the Internet. Some manufacturers offer training materials in Spanish.

Insurance Companies: Worker’s Compensation carriers and business liability carriers are anxious to help contractors reduce claims, so they offer free training in setting up and staffing a safety program, safe driving, employee safety orientation and overall contractor safety.

Your Employees: Some of the most effective safety training can come from your own employees. Employees who believe in safe work practices can be very effective evangelists for safety. They often have effective tips on safe tool use, hazard elimination or proper safety equipment use.

For example, if an employee has been protected by a hardhat from a falling object, that employee could describe the experience and tell how glad he or she was to have been wearing a hardhat.

International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA): The ISEA has several types of training resources in electronic and print formats. Go to www.safetyequipment.org for more information.

Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine: Every issue, this magazine offers safety-related articles that can be used as the basis for safety training sessions. Many of the articles are also posted at the magazine’s Web site, www.ContractorToolsAndSupplies.com. It also has helpful links to other sites that offer safety information.

Editor’s note: Kent Sipes is the Training Coordinator for The Evergreen Marketing Group. Some material in this article was provided by OSHA and the International Safety Equipment Organization (ISEA).

Published in the May/June 2003 issue of Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine.

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