Spring signals that it’s time for a new start. So after the ice melts, what can you do to renew the safety of crews inspecting a roof or working on rooftop systems? A good idea is to check for debris left over from snow, ice and gusty winds. And why not use this time to review safety policies, conduct a company-wide refresher on rooftop safety, and make sure that your workers and job sites are well equipped.
Read MoreTopics: Construction, fall protection, OSHA, roof
Falling from a rooftop is a very real hazard throughout the construction industry, and most certainly for HVAC workers. Whether installing HVAC equipment or doing regular maintenance, careful planning for fall prevention is an essential part of every job. At the bare minimum, compliance with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards is a must.
Topics: fall protection, OSHA, personal fall protection, roof
Hazards and dangers are inherent in any job, but when working high up in the air, the risks increase. From roofers, to window cleaners, to construction workers – everyone needs to be prepared for the risks involved in their job while working at a higher elevation. Most accidents that occur are a result of falls but many of these can be prevented. Here are some tips to increase your awareness and help you to stay safe at higher elevations.
Read MoreTopics: safety, Construction, personal fall protection, protection, roof
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Can you remember coming across a situation in which you felt unsafe and your intuition kicked in to guide you through? Thank goodness for that sixth sense. Sometimes, however, it's not about intuition. It's about knowing the facts and getting input from knowledgeable safety experts. Our priority at General Safety Services is to keep people safe. (It is our middle name, after all.) We'd like to share some of the most frequently asked questions that we receive to help you with your safety process.
Read MoreTopics: safety, Construction, OSHA, personal fall protection, roof, skyilght, window washing
We’ve all heard the expression, “There’s more than meets the eye.” This holds true for so many things in life ranging from a person’s mild demeanor to a complicated job that seems simple to a layperson. It also holds true for roof anchor points.
Read MoreTopics: safety, fall protection, OSHA, personal fall protection, roof, window washing
The latest superhero movies inspire us to be strong, right wrongs, and use amazing super powers. But alas, we are mere mortals and cannot fly like Superman. So when it comes to roof safety, we still need a strong, sturdy fall protection system.
Read MoreTopics: safety, fall protection, OSHA, personal fall protection, protection, roof
Deaths by Falling Are More Common Than You Might Think
According to OSHA, falls are one of the most common causes of work related injuries and deaths. In fact, 90% of fatal falls occur when no fall protection is in place. As a building owner you're required by law to provide a safe workplace that's designed to prevent workers from falling off of roofs and overhead platforms, or into holes or skylights on the roof surface.
Read MoreTopics: safety, Services, fall, fall protection, OSHA, personal fall protection, protection, roof, railing rental, guard rails
Last Tuesday, a local construction worker fell to his death in a tragic accident; his fall yet another unfortunate statistic enforcing the need for proper safety equipment. Despite regulations, the contracted HVAC worker was alone on the roof of the Millbury Cinema complex when he fell approximately 30-35 feet from the unsecured structure. The victim was unresponsive to first responders and later pronounced dead at UMass Memorial Medical Center. While deemed an accident, NBC’s website reports, “a MPD Detective, the Worcester County State Police Detective Unit and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) representatives are conducting concurrent investigations” (Buja, 2017).
Read MoreTopics: accident, death, Boston, Construction, fall protection, local, n m, News, roof
Many homeowners enjoy the additional sunshine that a skylight can bring. However, installing a skylight can be quite dangerous for construction personnel. In fact, occupational fatalities caused by falls remain a serious public health problem throughout the United States. Data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries indicate that falls are one of the leading causes of traumatic injury death in the workplace, accounting for 13.7% of such deaths (808 of 5,900) in 2001. During that year, 23 workers died in falls through skylights, 11 died in falls through existing roof openings, and 24 died in falls through existing oor openings. Most of these deaths occurred in the construction industry [BLS 2002(a)].
Read MoreTopics: Construction, fall, industry, News, protection, roof, skyilght
Most people with a height phobia actually fear the possibility of falling rather than height itself--and with good reason. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, “Falls are the second leading cause of accidental or unintentional injury deaths worldwide [with] 37.3 million falls severe enough to require medical attention” (September 2016). Just last winter, several Boston-area businesses faced legal action following fall-related deaths. Couple these statistics with those concerning preventable snow-related fall injuries (16 OSHA-investigated cases in the past decade), and it is clear that this particular phobia is well substantiated.
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