STOP. THINK. PREVENT. BLOG.
Thanks to Allyson Clark for the mention in her great article, located at:
leadingehs.com/ Fall prevention and fall protection aren't just about one set of rules, or one type of protective system. It takes a holistic approach to address all of the exposures and all of the controls. One size does not fit all! Insert yourself into the process. Ask questions. Challenge convention. Empower employees. Engage, daily! Stop. Think. Prevent. Dates to Remember:
April 23 – 30th anniversary of L’Ambiance Plaza – 28 fatalities on a construction site in Bridgeport, CT prompted cessation of lift slab construction process. Some of you are too young to remember… https://lnkd.in/d3UvTie https://lnkd.in/dnJDSQq https://lnkd.in/dwX9gTU https://lnkd.in/dwMscek April 28 – Worker Memorial Day, also the anniversary of OSHA. “Remember the dead, fight like hell for the living…” Be safe. Stop. Think. Prevent. Stopthinkprevent.com has just lined up another sponsor - American Ladders & Scaffolds, Inc. Kevin and Jamie Prior and their crew have been supporters of safety and outreach efforts for years, and now they've joined with stopthinkprevent to spread the word about safety across the country. Thanks Jamie and Kevin! From the ALS, Inc. website: Our mission: To supply the construction industry with the highest quality climbing equipment. Vision: To be the largest supplier of ladders, scaffolds and truck equipment in the world. American Ladders & Scaffolds, Inc. was started in a small warehouse in Glastonbury, CT in 1988. With a few truckloads of ladders and scaffolds ALS began supplying local contractors with climbing equipment. Over 25 years later ALS is the largest supplier of ladders, scaffolds and truck equipment in the nation. ALS offers training and inspections and has a full service truck and van upfit service center. The staff at ALS takes great pride in their company and providing the highest level of customer service and quality products. Customers can order from the ALS secure e-commerce website or do research online and pick up products at a branch location or distribution warehouse. ALS also has worldwide distribution warehouses to provide quick shipments of all products. Join ALS. Join stopthinkprevent.com Help us get the word out! Get your stickers here...spread the word! Add to cart to see quantity discounts...price changes significantly with quantity! These are custom-printed per your order - we do not keep stock, but shipping is VERY quick, and FREE in the US Spreading the word via speaking engagements, sticker handouts, tool inspections, and social media. Looking for your help! Spread the word, help create visibility, share your stopthinkprevent photos and success stories! Recent engagements: CCIA Safety Day September 2016 BBE Safety Stand Down October 2016 American Ladders Scaffold Competent Person Class February 2017 IUOE 478 Safety Day March 2017 Latest and greatest Safety Contacts - they share the message, the enthusiasm, and the cutting edge: Justin Krook www.vizreflectivesna.com Simply the BEST HiViz workwear available (in my opinion) Jack Benton www.linkedin.com/in/jackbenton/ Twitter: @usasafetynews Always in the thick of things Cool App available for Apple or Android: Harness Hero Courtesy Bob McCall and Master Builders Association/Constructors Association Western PA Great use of the sticker...I have seen on hard hats (of course), trucks, laptops, and phones. Great addition to any fall-related equipment such as ladders (put them at THAT rung that says DO NOT STAND HERE), scaffolds, retractables - anywhere that may cause a person to pause, if just for a moment! Get your stickers here...spread the word! Add to cart to see quantity discounts...price changes significantly with quantity! These are custom-printed per your order - we do not keep stock, but shipping is VERY quick, and FREE in the US 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. |