Safety Articles» health

General Roofing Safety

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:33:57 +0000

When installing a roof there are many safety guidelines that should be followed by all workers involved. Installing a new roof on a house or building is a dangerous task, but with proper safety equipment and following proper safety procedures can lessen the chances of accidents.

Inspecting the area around the building that is to be roofed is the first step in insuring proper safety procedures. One should make sure that there is no debris around the job site. Signs should be posted in around the building informing other workers to wear hard hats and to be cautious of falling debris from the roof. If the structure to be roofed is still in the construction process, an inspection should be done checking all of the brackets to make sure that framework that supports the roof are sturdy.

Before installing a new roof the top of the building should be checked for any weak spots, holes, chimneys and or skylights. If the structure does have a chimney or skylight the location of the skylights and or chimney should be marked off around them.

All ladders should only be placed on level ground and one should make sure that the ground is not soft or uneven. If the ground is soft, stakes should be used in the ground for the legs to be tied to. This insures that the ladder is more stable when the ground is soft. The top pf the ladder should be tied off to the structure also. The rungs of the ladder should be free of dirt, oil or other debris. Making sure that the rungs are clean will prevent one from slipping when climbing the ladder.

A safety harness should be worn at all times. The harness should first be checked to make sure that there are no flaws. A safety rope should be securely attached to the harness and the anchors that are attached to the roof.

Safety glasses and hardhats should be worn. Safety glasses will help to protect the eyes from and flying debris or worse rouge nails. Hardhats will protect the head from bumps and falling debris. Wearing these two basic pieces of safety equipment is essential in almost any phase of the construction process.

By following these basic rules and having a safety plan on site will help to reduce the number of accidents.

Hardhat Safety

dana — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 18:36:24 +0000

Hardhats are an important piece of safety equipment that no construction worker should be without. A hardhat protects the head from falling debris that could cause major head trauma or even death in some cases. This indispensable piece of safety equipment is generally mandatory on many construction sites.

Hardhats are classified into three classes. Class A hardhats are made with an insulating material that protects the head from electrical shock up to 2,200 volts. Class B hardhats are also made with an insulating material, but protect the head from electrical shock up to 20,000 volts. Class C hardhats still protect the head from falling debris, but do not protect one from electrical shock.

For workers that work on and around roadways, many hardhats come with a reflective strip. This is important when working in the evening or when visibility is low since the sticker is reflective and can be seen when it hits the headlights of vehicles. This type of hardhat is mandatory in road construction or highway maintenance.

Having a properly fitting hard hat can be essential to safety. It is important to make sure that the hardhat fits comfortably on the head and fits securely. By not wearing a hard hat that does not fit the head properly cannot only be uncomfortable, it can also be hazardous. An ill-fitting hard hat that is too loose on the head can cause the hat to slip down in front of the face and can impair vision. A hardhat that is too tight or too big can also cause the hardhat to fall off giving no protection to the head.

Wearing a hardhat on the job site is essential to keep the head protected, but many neglect to wear them when doing home improvement projects at home. By wearing a hardhat when installing electrical equipment or building a deck for example can help to keep the head safe from many accidents that can occur.

Knowing and understanding hardhat safety is essential for many that work in and around construction zones. Not only is it a good piece of equipment to use, it is now the law in many countries. Wearing the proper size and class of hardhat when working can help to protect the head; it can also help to save a life when working on a job at work or at home.

Back Braces: Support Where Needed

admin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:16:40 +0000

Among the more welcome pieces of safety equipment to be broadly adopted by employer and worker alike is the back brace. Most often seen over the smock of your friendly neighborhood Home Improvement Store associate, the girdle-like garment has been the savior of many hard working people. However, even a back brace can not be a cure all for back related pains at the work site.

The most common use for the back brace is to be cinched up nice and snug around the torso for performing lifting exercises where a heavy object or load is lifted from a lower level and placed higher. Lifting lumber from a floor level to a shelf that is about at the lifter’s chest or shoulder level is an example. But not just the weight of the object should relegate the use of a back brace. Continual or repetitive lifting of even light objects can sometimes lead to muscle and or even spinal stresses that could make the back sore. Construction workers that load packs of shingles from a truck bed to a conveyor belt that takes the shingles to the roof location is an example of the potential need for a back brace. Much like any other orthopedic brace, the back brace is used to support the muscles in the back that are used for lifting and provide proper posture during lifting motions. The structural reinforcement of a back brace during heavy lifting helps correct posture and can be a blessing while actual lifting is being done, but not all situations need such support.

A common complaint with the back brace is that it is too constrictive during some lifting operations. Causes for such constriction could be cause by simply having the brace too tight, or at an extreme, it could be the improper shape or size brace for the person using it. As with all other safety garments, fit, style, and size should all be taken into consideration before slipping it on for a full shift of rigorous use. It is also a piece of equipment that may not need to be fully cinched up for the entire day on the work place. Most modern back braces come with attachment points that allow for easy adjustment for when it’s not needed.

A back brace is not the cure-all for back soreness. Proper lifting form should still be used even while wearing a back brace. Naturally, over exertion by lifting something too heavy will always be a recipe for back soreness no matter what kind of brace is used.

As with all safety gear, nothing worn can be a substitute for sound judgement. A back brace is no protection against prior injuries that can be exacerbated by continued lifting. Should back pain continue or worsen, medical treatment should be sought. Proper selection and use of a back brace can and has protected many workers from back injury. If used in conjunction with sensible lifting habits, it is one piece of equipment that the worker can accurately say “It’s got my back.”