Review Best Practices
Let’s recap some of the highlights from the video:
Residential and Commercial Site Safety:
- Residential installation crews may be able to unload at the workplace door using state –of-the art devices to get the countertop right to where it is hoisted onto the counters.
- Often residential sites are not paved.
- Commercial job sites might include installers from multiple trades at one time.
- Commercial job sites may use scaffolds, exterior elevators and material staging which should be considered when planning your installation.
- Pre-installation planning is the key to job efficiency and minimizing the possibility of injury.
Injury Statistics:
- In a 45 year career, people in construction have a 75 percent chance of experiencing a disabling injury and a one in 200 chance of being fatally injured.
- 20 percent of all workplace deaths are in the construction industry.
- 60 percent of construction workplace injuries occur within the employee’s first year of employment.
- More than 25 percent of the most serious falls are from 10 feet or less.
- Falls from scaffolds are also common and account for 1/3 of all accidents.
- 25 percent of all injuries are back injuries and back injuries cause one in 100 construction workers to miss work periods ranging from 7 to 30 days or longer.
- 1 in 3 fatal accidents at worksites involve vehicles.
Types of Injuries and Risks:
- Back injuries are sprains and strains from incorrectly lifting, lowering, pushing and pulling large pieces of granite or other stone materials.
- Falls on job sites are often caused by tripping over debris, tools, and construction materials.
- Cuts and bruises to the hands can come from failure to wear proper gloves during stone handling and cutting.
- Eye protection is particularly important when installing tile.
- Apart from heavy vehicles, you must also watch out for falling objects.
- Your installation procedures should always account for electrical incidents including contact with power lines and extension cords.
Overexertion, dehydration and exhaustion all contribute to a lack of focus and can lead to small mistakes with big consequences.
