Construction Safety Archives

The National Safety Stand-Down: May 6-10

Written by SpringfieldApril 22, 2019

The week of May 6-10, 2019 will be the sixth National Safety Stand-Down, coinciding with NAOSH Safety Week. Second only to highway crashes, falls are the leading cause of workplace fatalities. Falls are the leading cause of construction deaths. The sad reality is that these deaths are preventable.

What is the Safety Stand-Down?

OSHA is promoting a voluntary event to allow employers to take time to talk with employees about fall safety. The National Safety Council (NSC) also wants to remind you that all industries can conduct a stand-down.

Who can participate?

While the primary focus of this event is construction falls, (the largest sector of work-related fall fatalities), we would like to remind you that fatal falls frequently happen in agricultural, manufacturing, and transportation industries too. The fall height of these deaths surprises many.

In 2015, 16.9% of all fatal falls were from a height of 10 feet or less.

Your company is not too small. In previous years, roughly half of the participants in the Safety Stand-Down are companies with 25 or fewer employees.

Ways to participate

Joining the stand down is easy. Some simple things you can do include:

Conduct short and simple toolbox talks focused on ladder, scaffold, or rooftop safety
Perform safety equipment inspections with employees
Refresh fall-safety training
Hold training, show a safety video, or bring in a safety expert such as Springfield
Discuss job-specific hazards, protective measures and equipment, and any safety policies and plans
Develop, review, or amend your rescue plan

How to conduct a stand-down at your workplace

OSHA has a wealth of resources to help plan and conduct your safety stand-down. Resources include training aids, a case study, quiz, videos, infographics, posters, and much more. Every effort you make to prevent fall-related deaths is worthwhile, even simple 15-minute toolbox talks.

Certificate of participation

Employers willing to participate and provide feedback will be eligible to download a certificate of participation. The certificate pages will be active on May 6 at OSHA’s Stop Falls Stand-Down and the National Safety Council’s (NSC) webpages. Certificates will be available even after the event (until June 30th), so you can still participate even if you miss the Stand-Down Week.

Springfield

Springfield is a leader in fall safety. We’ve developed the revolutionary LadderAnchor because 24% of fatal falls (2008-2010) are related to ladders. We also regularly assist commercial and industrial building operators with developing and implementing turn-key solutions for the fall safety of their facilities. These solutions exceed OSHA requirements and offer a significant return on investment.

OSHA estimates every $1 invested in workplace safety and health returns between $4 and $6.

Springfield knows OSHA guidelines inside and out. We’re not here to replace your in-house safety team but give them all the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in saving lives. Here are some of the ways we help organizations:

Incredibly thorough safety assessments
100% custom designs for expert safety solutions to your risks
Installation of temporary and permanent safety systems
Comprehensive safety fall-protection training
Inspection and maintenance of safety systems as required annually
Our SmartLight offers a much safer daylight option than traditional skylights

See how Springfield can help you with a successful Fall Safety Stand Down, or any other time of year to help prevent tragic loss. Call us today! 231-263-5300

MIOSHA 29th Michigan Worker Death of 2017

Written by SpringfieldNovember 28, 2017

We are so saddened to see that MIOSHA has recently posted the 29th Michigan Worker Death of 2017. That death being a 25-year-old roofer from Ludington, MI. “While installing roofing materials on a steep pitched residential roof, the roofer fell approximately 15 feet to the lower level.” He was not wearing fall protection at the time of the fall and later succumbed to his injuries on November 21st.

As commercial roofing installers and fall protection advocates, we cannot stress enough the importance of fall protection when working on elevated areas. Even the most experienced employee can have a minor trip-up that leads to a fall.

We offer facility evaluations to highlight areas in which your facility needs to have fall protection, followed by a proposal of custom solutions that fit any facilities needs; big or small. Please call us with any questions you may have!

A Cause for Celebration

Written by SpringfieldAugust 4, 2017

YIKES! We had a NEAR MISS – let’s CELEBRATE!!!!

We do not actually break out into a “happy dance” or have a pizza party when we have a “near miss”, but we do actually celebrate the fact that the system we put in place years ago of encouraging our field employees to speak freely to management about near misses is successful. Springfield requires that all near misses are documented and discussed with the management team. This is done in a non-judgmental, non-condescending manner.

While Springfield management has learned quite a bit from extensive OSHA and MI-OSHA training and certifications, we sometimes feel that we learn the most from our own employees and their day in, day out experiences of “hands on” construction work. We honor the men and women who work at construction jobs and we hope the attached “near miss” form will help some of you to develop a culture at your workplace where worker safety is embraced and where near misses are treated as opportunities for improvement.

Springfield photo of Dog shaking water off

Beat the Heat

Written by SpringfieldJuly 7, 2017

The “DOG DAYS OF SUMMER” are closing in on our talented and physically fit team of construction workers. Our team frequently works without shade which intensifies the heat exponentially.

Here are some tips to help you beat the heat this summer:

Drink water early, often and frequently – at least 20 ounces every hour
When on break, get into the shade or an air conditioned vehicle (if possible)
Wear synthetic, light colored, athletic clothing that wicks the heat and sweat away from your body
Come to work well rested and hydrated (note: alcohol consumption the night before work will hinder hydration)
Take shorter and more frequent breaks
Take it seriously: Know the signs of heat stress and monitor yourself and co-workers
Speak up if you notice yourself or a co-worker struggling with any heat related issues

Springfield fall protection anchor points

Workplace Safety

Written by SpringfieldJuly 7, 2017

“HONK FOR WORKPLACE SAFETY” signs lined the side of U.S. 31 in Charlevoix after a large crane tipped over at a cement plant. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

Construction workers from all over Michigan picketed to raise awareness for construction safety. They have reason to be concerned. Without proper precautions, construction can be a dangerous endeavor. Springfield holds its own employees and construction workers everywhere in high regard. We have professional engineers on staff to design, implement, and install fall prevention systems inside and outside of industrial facilities. Springfield Inc. helps clients with rooftop safety programs that keep people safe as well as keeping our commercial clients in compliance with OSHA. We do it all and can help you without costing you an “ARM and a LEG.”

Learning From Each Other

Written by SpringfieldMarch 17, 2017

“If you are going to ask someone for their opinion, you need to be willing to listen.” Terry Umlor, CEO and founder of Springfield Inc.

Northern Michigan Winters tend to slow down the progress of roof installations. While we do get a few nice “roofing” days in January and February, the Springfield management team is challenged to keep our dedicated and faithful field employees’ busy helping at the shop to minimize/eliminate having to lay them off during the dead of winter. One successful project has been developing our training program. Our field employees serve as our best consultants for this endeavor.

Many facets make up the Springfield training program. Certainly OSHA training, equipment certifications, and scheduled hands-on sessions are key components. However, LISTENING and LEARNING to feedback from our field people is perhaps the most critical component of The Springfield Training Program. We learn our “best practices” from the folks making it happen in the field. Because we listen and learn from our installation team, our training program manual will never be found covered with dust sitting on the back shelf of the storage closet. It is a living, breathing, moving set of documents used frequently and updated regularly

The 16th Michigan Worker Death of 2016

Written by SpringfieldSeptember 9, 2016

The 16th Michigan worker death of 2016 occurred on August 10, 2016. Employers and employees are urged to use extreme care and safety diligence in all work activities. The information below shares preliminary details about the most recent fatality reported to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA). The description reflects information provided to MIOSHA at the initial report of the incident and is not the result of the official MIOSHA investigation.

Preliminary summary of incident: On August 10, 2016, a 48-year-old roofer was working at the edge of a roof and fell approximately 17-feet.

We extend our sincere sympathy and best wishes to the family of the deceased roofing employee. Accidents do sometimes happen despite the best efforts to keep people safe from falls. At Springfield we have tremendous respect for the inherent dangers of our occupation and are humbled and saddened to hear of the loss of a fellow roofer.

Michigan Worker Death

Written by SpringfieldAugust 19, 2016

The 16th Michigan worker death of 2016 occurred on August 10, 2016. Employers and employees are urged to use extreme care and safety diligence in all work activities. The information below shares preliminary details about the most recent fatality reported to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA). The description reflects information provided to MIOSHA at the initial report of the incident and is not the result of the official MIOSHA investigation.

Preliminary summary of incident: On August 10, 2016, a 48-year-old roofer was working at the edge of a roof and fell approximately 17-feet.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

We extend our sincere sympathy and best wishes to the family of the deceased roofing employee. Accidents do sometimes happen despite the best efforts to keep people safe from falls. At Springfield we have tremendous respect for the inherent dangers of our occupation and are humbled and saddened to hear of the loss of a fellow roofer.

“BUTTS” on the Roof

Written by SpringfieldJuly 27, 2016

Recently a rooftop fire consumed a restaurant in Grand Rapids Michigan that was caused by a roofing contractor smoking while handling combustible materials.

When you hire Springfield, the only “BUTTS” you will see on your industrial facility rooftop are those of the hardworking men and women of northern Michigan who are hustling around and getting things done for you, our valued clients. We have a strict “no smoking” policy. The lack of cigarette “butts” on your rooftop will enable our Springfield crews to cover your “ASS-ets” in the best, safest method possible. The “butts” we bring to your rooftop are not flammable and will not damage your facility.

Michigan Rooftop Safety: “These boots are made for walking”.

Written by SpringfieldJune 2, 2016

When your employees are strolling, ambling, trudging, and trekking “Out on the roof” of your building, please know that Springfield can help them stay safe (and help you stay in OSHA compliance) with Duro-Last Walk Pads. If you have employees who need to stride, hike, stomp, or sashay across your rooftop as part of their regular job duties you need our Walk Pads.

If you depend on HVAC subcontractors to dawdle, wander, prowl, and traipse across your roof to check on and repair air conditioner units or heating units you need our Walk pads. In fact, as a building owner, you have a legal responsibility to keep people on your rooftops safe from slips and falls. Good news!!! The Duro-Last walk pads, while relatively inexpensive and easy to install, reduce slip and fall accidents by 80%. Saunter on over to the “contact us” portion of our website and give us the opportunity to “walk” you through our roof top safety plan which includes the famous Duro-Last Walk Pads.