THINGS CONTRACTORS SHOULD NEVER TAKE FOR GRANTED

Contractors make certain activities look super easy. As things become routine, some may get complacent and take certain things for granted. We’ve all been there before – not appreciating why we do things the way we do until something goes wrong. As a contractor, you may be the best in your field, but that doesn’t mean you should take safety for granted. Many fatal accidents happen when we take shortcuts in safety routines on the job. Sometimes we think it’ll be okay just this one time, but one time is all it takes to turn our routine work to disaster.That is why we encourage you to take our OSHA courses and keep the lessons with you always. Here are some of the things contractors get too comfortable with over time.

Ladders and fall prevention

Ladders become extremely familiar to a contractor. However, most accidents on construction sites have something to do with them. Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in construction, accounting for about one-third of all fatalities in the industry. OSHA recognizes that incidents involving falls are generally complex events, frequently involving various factors. Some Contractors fail to;

Choose the right ladder for the job.
Maintain three points of contact.
Secure the ladder.
Always face the ladder.

Whether you have a contractor’s license or not, you must never get so comfortable on a ladder that you get lax with these safety measures. Check out our Fall Protection OSHA Course.

Using safety garments

As a contractor, It is very important to protect yourself with Construction Personal Protective Equipment. This includes

Safety glasses,
Boots with slip-resistant and puncture-resistant soles,
Gloves,
Hard hats
Earplugs in high noise work areas

Use of these on the work site need to be enforced for the health and safety of everyone. When you decide to go without protection, you’re exposing yourself to flying debris, sharp objects, hot surfaces, or heavy objects. Some Contractors believe that since they are experienced, they know how to handle themselves to prevent accidents. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Take a look at our OSHA course.

Power tools

Power tools aren’t something to ever get comfortable with. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nail guns are responsible for an estimated 37,000 emergency room visits each year — 68% of these involve construction workers. One study found that 2 out of 5 residential carpenter apprentices experienced a nail gun injury over a four-year period.Having a certified contractor license doesn’t give you superpowers against power tools. Some of these dangerous tools are;

Table saws
Nail guns
Circular saws
Jackhammers
Electric hammers

You’re likely to visit an emergency room when you incorrectly handle power tools like the above. It’s important to keep your full attention on the job at hand when using these and always follow the manufacturer’s safety procedures.

Weather Safety concerns

As a Contractor, you might have experienced extreme weather conditions such as extreme heat or cold. Winter weather can expose outdoor workers to frostbite, hypothermia, and cold stress. New and returning workers need to build tolerance when experiencing such weather conditions for example, taking frequent breaks when working in the heat. Some Contractors may think that they can easily handle such weather conditions, but the human body says otherwise. One must dress properly, drink warm fluids in winter, drink lots of cold water, and dress for the heat. A safe workplace is a productive workplace.You can take our OSHA courses to gain more info on safety.