June is National Safety Month, created by the National Safety Council to increase public awareness of leading safety and health risks and reduce injuries at work, at home and on the road. Proper equipment and training programs can make job sites safer, but safety risks can never be totally eliminated. At TopKey Construction we are constantly working to ensure our clients receive Top-notch quality workmanship and offer them peace of mind knowing we will do it safely. We’ll walk through tips we’ve gathered to help everyone stay safe, especially as we get into the summer months.
Safety begins at home
You can increase safety on the job before you even show up for work. Here are some tips to do our part in raising safety awareness:
Hydration
During warmer weather the body requires significantly more hydration. Workers should drink water every 15-20 minutes, even if they aren’t thirsty. Your body is losing hydration quicker than you think when you’re working hard in the heat.
Limit Caffeine
Workers should be careful what they eat and drink throughout the day and night. Caffeine can contribute to dehydration because it acts as a diuretic (you urinate more often) when consumed in excess. Even if you prefer the frappuccinos to the hot drinks, caffeinated beverages warm the body, rather than cool it. Keep the coffee and energy drinks to a minimum!
Get Good Sleep
Getting enough sleep is important regardless of what you do but especially when you are taking risks like operating heavy machinery, working at heights, or working with power tools. According to a study by the National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) and published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 36% of adults are not getting enough sleep before heading to work. Adults should aim for seven to nine hours of nightly sleep. If you have trouble sleeping, don’t be afraid to consult your doctor.
Injury prevention starts with awareness
- TopKey Construction not only works to eliminate risks on the job site, but to raise awareness of safety concerns before taking on the job. Soft tissue injuries are the most common injuries that cause workplace absences. These include sprains, strains and muscle tears. Doing 10-15 minutes of stretching can reduce the likelihood of workplace injuries.
- The leading cause of general workplace accidents and injuries according to Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) are slips, trips, and falls. It is important to train all your workers to recognize, avoid, and report unsafe conditions.
- Current studies show that for every minute that passes without CPR reduces the likelihood of survival by approximately 7-10%.
- Knowing CPR/First aid is important not just in the workplace, but at home too! In the U.S., more than 30% of all injuries occur at home.
Invest in safety and training
According to OSHA, construction and warehousing are two industries with the most injuries reported. The majority of these injuries occur when inexperienced workers don’t receive proper training. At TopKey Construction our Safety Director provides multiple avenues of training for our employees ranging from online safety courses, topic specific safety talks (Toolbox Talks), and works to organize in-person training. Here are a few things to keep in mind with safety programs:
- Safety programs may come with an upfront cost, but OSHA reports that companies save between $4 and $6 for every $1 spent on safety programs.
- Safety & training can improve morale and increase long term retention. A study by Society Of Human Resource Management (SHRM) concludes 68% of workers say they would stay with their employer throughout their career if the employer made an effort to upskill them, while 65% of workers said they would stay throughout their career if their employer made an effort to reskill them. Despite that, 40% of employees do not see a clear path to advance their careers.
If you’re looking to hire a company that takes safety & your work needs seriously whether for commercial construction or property management, look no further than TopKey Construction. Our experienced team is ready to meet you where you are and help you achieve your project goals!