 With a Tool Box Talk prior to multiple crane picks today, a tsunami began...
Over twenty attendees spoke about the scope of operations for the day, coordination and communication efforts, and safety. Stop. Think. Was introduced...and the rest, as they say, will be history. Be the wave! Motivated by recent events locally, and being concerned for years globally, I have constructed a new website athttp://www.stopthinkprevent.com/ The goal is to create a wave of awareness, of action, of visibility - to falls particularly, but also to other significant killers in the workplace, at home, and on the roads. Join the discussion - ride the wave - BE the wave!
There will be much more to come, but right now we're focused on fall prevention. Future topics will likely include the "Killer Four", as well as distracted driving, intoxication on site and on the road, and other pet peeves/areas of concern. Send us your ideas, your questions, and your suggestions!  The latest update I have found regarding the fall at Hartford Hospital:
Carpenter Billy Madore fell 61' - and survived, but is expected to undergo multiple surgeries. Apparently, his spleen was removed over the weekend. WFSB story The photo above if from the Hartford Courant article, which can be found here: http://www.courant.com/breaking-news/hc-hartford-scaffold-collapse-0603-20160602-story.html Billy's family has started a Go Fund Me page, which can be found at: https://www.gofundme.com/27pyd84 Please spread the word! I found myself thinking this today...
A month ago, I proudly posted how my company honored the National OSHA Stand Down Week for Fall Prevention. We are committed to reducing falls, and improving the industry. The following week, a worker fell on a Hartford stadium project (not ours): Fall at Yard Goats Stadium Today, a worker fell at a Hartford Hospital project (not ours): Fall at Hartford Hospital Shortly thereafter this afternoon, I was onsite at one of our own projects. I noticed an ironworker using a defective retractable. I stopped him. He replaced it. I took the necessary documentary action... The problem is everywhere. It is all the time. It isn't one specific trade - it's every trade. Each has their own challenges, and their own common failure points. This isn't to say that people aren't trying - they are! Unions, open shop, associations, CMs, GCs, Subs, employers, individuals - so many are fighting the fight - yet: Falls are the leading cause of death in construction. Every year (since I started my safety profession in 1989), nearly 35% of all fatalities in construction are as a result of falls. Roofs, ladders, scaffolds, openings - all contribute to the problem. Training is an issue. Planning is an issue. Follow through is an issue. Equipment is available - but is it being used, and properly? It's time we said - "Enough is Enough". A simple message. A daunting task. Take action. Save lives. Visibility is key. A powerful message is needed. Fall prevention needs to be part of a daily discussion. I found a way to spread the word...likely slowly at first, but perhaps it will take off: One is Too Many. Stop. Think. I'm not just "selling T-shirts". That's not the point. What I am asking is that, on a monthly basis, you do the following: Encourage a Stop. Think. Day. At NOON on that Day, blow an airhorn, equipment horns, car and truck horns, whatever it takes to catch everyone's attention. Just for a few seconds - but long enough that they notice. After the horns, take ONE MINUTE to think. No work. No lunch. No meetings. No phone calls. No speeches. Just Stop. Think. For one minute. Think about the lost men and women. Think about the injuries. Think about the near misses. Think about what you're going to do next. Think about who you are going home to. Do this every month (with noise). Do it EVERY DAY, quietly. If you come up with a good idea, let me know, and I will pass it on. We have to create a wave. Don't stop, not until the madness stops. Make it your mantra. Spread the word. Make a change! Our industry has got to stop the falls. One is Too Many. Stop. Think. |
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