Over the past few months of increased scheduling of projects, I’ve witnessed first-hand many poor decisions, many that were even risking decisions, impacted by the need to be fast in completing projects. When too much speed and workers collide it often ends in a not so positive result.
With the huge release of work that has now permeated almost every state in the United States, contractors can’t find enough workers, and time, to complete the amount of work that customers are crying to complete. And when such demands are scheduled, with little room to breath between projects, it is almost a given that field leaders can and will shorten or eliminate some precautions for safety. Let me give you one example that probably fits every reader of this article.
The presence and use of what most contractors call the “quickie saw,” has become a normal part of most contractor’s equipment and tool resources. Used by both asphalt and concrete contractors, it is the “quickie saw” that allows a crew to quickly trim off an area or to cut a small square footage of concrete that can then be torn out by the Skid Steer with the appropriate attachment.
If this process is performed safely, the use of such a great tool (i.e. Quickie-saw) is great…doing exactly what it is designed to perform. However, because so many foremen feel hurried to complete their work, a crew worker will quickly be instructed to grab the “quickie saw” and start cutting. However, here is what most foremen often forget to remind their saw-cutter to wear…their PPE including:
- No watering system (directly or manually applied) to help reduce dust from the cutting effort
- Lack of face shield and/or face mask to reduce both any flying debris or dust inhalation
- Ear plugs to reduce the decibels put off from the saw
- Hard hat to keep any accidental material from hitting the head (at an accelerated mp
- Gloves that can prevent material debris from scratching or cutting their hands, wrist, etc.
- Long-sleeve shirt that can protect any debris from scraping or cutting their arms
- Safety glasses that perhaps is THE MOST critical of PPE
As contractors, we must protect our workers and we cannot trade expediency of getting jobs done more quickly for the safety hazards that await such trade-offs. I’ve seen the invaluable “quickie-saw,” with a guard properly in place, still send material out the rear and bounce off a curb or other item that finds it way into the eyes of a worker not wearing Safety Glasses. Fortunately, it was nothing more than an irritation for the worker, but accidents are reported every year as to the serious injuries that can occur to those using the saws or those working close by that do not have on the appropriate PPE.
Hey contractor and construction leader, unless your foreman is especially disciplined to always ensure that their workers are safely prepared, it is only normal to think that they might forego all the proper PPE at the moment of having to use the saw. Our role is to influence them to the point where they instinctively choose safety over expediency. Just think about this point, in less than 60-90 seconds the worker can place all of the needed PPE to safely operate the saw. Isn’t the safety of our workers, no matter how tight the schedule, more important to our long-term success?
Here’s to slowing down the decision-making process just a few seconds to strengthen employee safety.
Brad Humphrey is Vice President of HR & Employee Development for Pavecon, a pavement maintenance leader in the industry. Brad is also known as The Contractor’s Best Friend. You can listen to Brad on the The Contractor's Best Friend Podcasts, sponsored by Caterpillar and A.C. Business Media. Be sure to sign up for Brad’s workshops at the 2022 National Pavement Expo in Charlotte NC, February 23-25.
