Consistent approach keeps workers safe, productive
Workers have certain expectations when they take a job. They expect to be paid on time and that they’ll be filled in on details such as where the bathroom is located and where they can park.
Just as importantly, they expect a workplace that is safe and responsibly operated.
Most jobs in precast come with some level of inherent risk. Tasks like operating large-scale machinery and manipulating large forms demand not only precise techniques but also a strong, consistent focus on safety.
Here are seven points of emphasis for precast facilities aiming to build a safety-conscious culture:
Provide and Wear Personal Protective Equipment
Before even taking that first step into a precast facility, workers need to obtain a work-safe pair of boots. Next comes the rest of the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Wearing PPE helps to avoid any number of nicks, bumps and bruises – or more serious injuries.
“At our plants, you’re required to have a hard hat, safety glasses and boots, pants. Obviously, no loose clothing or chains. Things like that can get hung up on something,” said Thomas Jimeno, occupational safety and health manager for Wilbert Precast in Spokane, Washington.
Providing ready access and setting and following standards for worker apparel is an easy preventative measure against the debris and material manipulation involved in precast. Employees may need to do a variety of tasks during a shift in a precast plant, so having a variety of PPE also is a must.
“We provide different styles of gloves depending on what they need them for,” Jimeno said. “We have voluntary hearing protection available on the floor. We have face shields, too, if somebody needs to grind down a piece of concrete.”
- Provide Personal Protection Equipment
- Inspect Large Equipment and Machinery
- Provide Thorough Training and Orientation
- Review Fire Safety
- Teach Lifting Safety, Caring for the Body
- Encourage and Facilitate Focus
- Build a Culture of Safety