From small contractors to global construction companies, members of the building industry are observing Construction Safety Week through May 5. There’s still time to participate.
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Construction crews across the United States and Canada will be celebrating with the theme “It’s in our hands,” emphasizing the personal stake of each worker in safety. The theme also puts a focus on hand safety, which is relevant as hand injuries are second only to back strains as a cause for missed work days.
Commented Safety Week Co-Chair Ross Myers, CEO of Allan Myers Incorporated, “It’s not about numbers, following rules, or complying with regulations. It’s about empowering everyone—from the CEO to the craft worker—to recognize the responsibility each of us has to ensure a safe work environment.” To symbolize this year’s theme, workers will leave handprints on commitment boards to show the individual obligation to create a safe working environment.
The event is sponsored by members of the Construction Industry Safety Initiative and the Incident & Injury Free Executive Forum.
Raise awareness as you raise the roof
Consider these ideas for observing safety week:
- Invite a speaker to talk about safety with your employees.
- Conduct an audit of hand injury hazards and brainstorm solutions with employees.
- Print a sign or banner for your workplace or job site.
- Schedule a morning huddle or toolbox talk on the topic of hand safety.
- Get local media to cover a safety innovation or milestone at your site.
- Print off daily tips for employees at http://constructionsafetyweek.com.