News about construction safety issues.
Updated on July 7, 2023 The year 2022 was a costly one for the United States. Hurricane Ian, a category four monster, struck Florida, leaving many without homes or basic survival resources. The National Hurricane Center’s most recent data report concluded Ian’s damages to be a staggering $112 Billion; this calamity not only etched its name…
On this blog, you’ve read about two different categories of hazards posed by overhead cranes. You’ve learned about the potential problems that electrical lines and power sources can cause as well as the risks of overloading a crane lift. But there’s a third class of overhead crane danger which should concern everyone who owns a…
Anyone who has gone through the construction supervisor licensing process in Massachusetts knows that a substantial amount of the qualification exam focuses on a single topic: safety. This makes sense; after all, safety on the job is so important in the U.S. that the National Safety Council sets aside an entire month to commemorate it.…
When you see a crane accident on television, the images are often difficult to comprehend. After all, how can a massive overhead crane either tip over or allow its load to fall to the ground (or on top of equipment or people)? Odds are, the reason that a given accident occurs is because of operator-triggered…
Two of the most important duties of a construction supervisor are to advocate for his subordinates and to lead by example. The area in which these two duties intersect is safety. After all, a good construction supervisor tries to protect the well-being of the workers who report to him, and he also protects the interests…
If you are reading this article, you are probably exploring the idea of a career as a crane operator. If you have just begun your investigation, you have probably discovered that there is a lot more to being a crane operator than you originally assumed. If you are further into the learning process you know…
As we continue expanding on our “Comprehensive Guide to Hoisting Safety,” we have arrived at a point where the discussion turns from “how” and “why” to ensure that we have a clear understanding of two terms: Competence and Control. The key to hoisting safety begins with and depends upon your entire team understanding precisely what…
When our routine becomes mundane, we tend to become less careful. When we become less careful, we tend to overlook “the simple things.” When we overlook the simple things, that tends to have a peculiar way of resulting in unintended consequences. Consequences that could be disastrous. Watch this eye-opening, 4-minute video produced by WorkSafeBC. Then,…
Boeing News Release (2002) “The Boeing Company extends its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the employee who was fatally injured in an accident at the Boeing site in Auburn, WA. The employee, who worked for Boeing Equipment Services, was performing routine maintenance on a machine in the Integrated AeroStructures building when…
Safety First! If safety is first, why should we publish a guide to hoisting safety? Isn’t safety the number one concern of anyone operating, working near, or responsible for hoisting equipment? It should be, but the reality is that it is not, at least not always. Contents Why Safety Is Not Always First Why Safety…