Hunzinger takes safety education, training, pre-task planning, administration, performance, execution and corrective action measures very seriously. Hunzinger personnel are trained to identify and mitigate hazards we manage and supervise including trades that we not only self-perform but also those we subcontract. Overseeing our comprehensive Safety Program is our Safety Director, Kevin Sandkuhler, who celebrates 15 years with Hunzinger this week. Kevin was instrumental in creating our alliance with OSHA, as we are 5 Star Partners with OSHA CHASE (Construction Health and Safety Execellence). We asked Kevin to share his Top 5 Safety Tips for jobsites and here are his tips:
1. Get the right safety training and wear PPE on all job sites
Thorough training is one of the keys to minimizing the risk of accidents and injuries on construction sites. We ensure that all workers on site have their training and a thorough understanding of how to complete the task safely. We ensure that any worker who will be operating forklifts or any other form of heavy machinery has the full training and up to date certifications. Additionally, one of the simplest ways to reduce the risk of on-site accidents and injuries is to ensure that everyone is clearly visible at all times. We require all workers and visitors to our jobsites wear Personal Protective Equipment, including high visibility safety vests, hard hats, safety glasses and ear protection. It is an effective way of ensuring no one goes unnoticed and to prevent injury.
2. Use the proper tools
Workers on construction sites need to use the proper tools, plain and simple. At Hunzinger, we make sure that our tools are ergonomically correct to minimize repetitive use injuries and that the tools are being used for the task that they were designed. We make sure that tools have the proper rubber grips and are in good repair. Maintaining our equipment is paramount to keeping workers safe.
3. The HUMAN FACTORS – Maintain good posture and balance the tools
You can complete all the training, inspections and pre-task planning checklists and still have potential problems because 90% of all job site injuries occur because of HUMAN FACTORS like rushing, frustration, fatigue and complacency. Keeping this is in mind is critical to making sure it doesn’t happen. Proper lifting in correct alignment to your body at all times is crucial, as is keeping your tool belt balanced.
4. Regular job site inspections
We conduct regular site inspections and all our Superintendents and Forman are trained to conduct these regular inspections in support of our Safety Director’s work. We have specific site safety checklists that enable us to follow documented procedures to identify and correct any hazards detected.
5. Pre-task planning is critical to prevent injury and potential hazards
Our team attacks job site safety daily with Pre-task planning that includes assessing new and experienced employees, determining the work to be completed, identifying and supplying the tools, equipment and safety equipment required for the task, identifying and eliminating potential hazards, identifying “the human factor” and other potential for errors, ensuring that all permits are in hand and all inspections have been completed before beginning the work and conducting end of shift reviews, always looking for ways to improve.