April 23, 2014
There would be no traffic hazards, no site distractions, workers would have great visibility and the ability to hear clearly, stockpiles would be easy to reach and walk around, and of course the sky would always be blue.
Of course, there is no ‘ideal’ worksite or environment. Construction sites, quarries and other work zones are noisy, busy, and congested areas. Spring and summer weather include lightning, hail, heavy rain and wind. Stockpiles are usually irregularly shaped and located on uneven, rocky or sloped ground. Often there are access challenges or obstructions around the piles.
The construction industry is the most dangerous industry. Nearly 6.5 million people work at approximately 252,000 construction sites across the nation on any given day. The leading safety hazards on site are falls from height, motor vehicle crashes, excavation accidents, electrocution, machines, and being struck by falling objects.
In the United States, The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have developed safety requirements to help prevent injury and accidents.
OSHA’s New Initiative: A Focus on Temporary Employees
Host employers now have primary responsibility for employees at their worksites, including ensuring that hazards in the workplace are communicated to the temporary employees independent contractors. Employees must receive specific safety training that is tailored to the workplace.
To keep employees safe when working around, and with stockpiles and highwalls, MSHA offers five best practices:
Here are a few reminders of how to reduce risk on-site. They include:
More great tips and information can be found here from the Compliance and Safety website. State mining organizations, associations and societies resources can be located online here. Another great resource with domestic and international safety links is on the Construction Site Safety Wikipedia site.
Stockpile Reports’ benefits add up to better decision-making with lower risk, faster inventory turns and lower operating expenses. Contact us to find out how your business can benefit from utilizing our service today.
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