Tag: contractor safety

Ways to Stay Cool at a Job Site

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The heat is no fun to work in. That hot sun mixed with concrete and humidity – sounds like a recipe for disaster. Unfortunately for those contractors in the Sunshine State, there is rarely a break from the hot weather. Even Florida’s cooler days are extremely hot for workers to spend hours working in. Contractors wear heavy clothing and equipment which can make them even hotter. Hot temperatures combined with strenuous activity could potentially lead to head exhaustion or heat stroke, which can be extremely scary, but also force the worker to be out of work for a bit while he or she recovers. In fact, since 2003, 30 workers have died each year on the job due to heat stroke.

Below, we wanted to share with you some items and ways to keep cool at the work site, so you won’t experience dizzy spells or get sick from those hot days on the job.

  • If you’re at a job site, try and have a trailer with AC for workers to come to throughout the day for breaks and to reset before heading back out on the job.
  • Wear sweatbands. These products will help absorb the sweat and keep you from sweating all over the place.
  • Keep hydrated, which may be the most important thing any person can do to keep heat-related illnesses away. Workers should aim to drink 8 ounces every 15 minutes on hot days.
  • Like sweatbands, there are also products that provide a cooling effect through evaporation. The company Grainger makes a lot of these products. They make headbands, wristbands, vests, and neckbands that can be used over and over again. They provide around 10 hours of cooling.
  • Purchase hard hats with wider brims to block the sun from hitting more spots on your body and eyes.
  • Shift the work day to reflect the temperatures. In the summer, it’s best to start earlier in the morning when the air is still cool.
  • Try to provide or make ways for shade in the work site as spaces for rest and reprieve for the workers. Weather it’s a small tent or an umbrella, this will help keep workers cool during those scorching hot days.
  • Put on sunscreen to prevent burns.
  • Eat lighter meals so your body doesn’t have to work hard to break down heavy foods.
  • Splash cold water onto yourself throughout the day or a cold, damp towel on your neck.
  • Use fans (if you can).

Looking to become a Florida contractor? Or a contractor in any other state? We can help you through the license applicant process. You’ll give us information and we will pull everything together and file it properly and timely for you to get you licensed fast. To contact our Florida contractor licensing company, click here or call 239-777-1028.

How to keep Your Construction Site Safe

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Did you know that construction equipment theft is a really big problem? Unfortunately, it is. Contractors truly have to concern themselves with this issue. Construction zones and project areas are known to be high-risk targets for theft. In fact, according to the National Equipment Register (NER), only about 25% max of all stolen items are ever found. The average loss of stolen equipment is $46,273. However, the national amount that is stolen each year is between $300 million and #1 billion. That’s a lot!

Is it inevitable that your construction work zone will get robbed? Not necessarily. There’s plenty you can do to protect yourself and equipment as best as possible. However, nothing is fail proof, and you cannot guarantee your equipment’s safety, but you can raise your chances of remaining theft-free.

As a Florida contractor licensing company, we understand the importance of this equipment and it can truly make/break a business if thousands of dollars worth of things go missing. We wanted to share with you a few ideas and tips of things you can do and incorporate in your construction site to protect your equipment.

  • Make sure your equipment is always secured and locked before leaving the site for the day.
  • If you have smaller tools and equipment, store them in a locker/shed/bring them back to an office, so they won’t be out in the open and easy to grab.
  • Surround the work site with a chain-link fence/barb wire to keep out unwanted intruders.
  • Opt for a video surveillance/alarm system if you’re working a big job with expensive equipment.
  • Put up signs telling people that the area is under video surveillance.
  • Manage, monitor, and be restrictive about who has access to keys, codes, and combinations to access work sites.
  • Install security lighting. It’s harder for intruders to get away with theft if they can be easily seen.
  • Always keep an up-to-date log of inventory, so you will know exactly when something is missing.
  • Look for technologies and apps that help improve your security and safety. For example, keyless ignitions and personal ID numbers to gain access to something.

You want to deter thieves from entering your work site. You want to make it look hard for them to steal anything, so that they won’t even bother. Stolen equipment is a headache. You will lose money and it could slow down your project completely. Think about incorporating some of the key tips above to help protect your construction assets.

Are you interested in a career in contracting? Let us help you get your Florida contractor’s license. We are a Florida contractor licensing company who has helped thousands of people get licensed. We do all the work for you. You’ll be licensed in no time! Click our Florida contractor’s license contact page or call us at 239-777-1028 to get started with us today.

 

The importance of safety glasses

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What do flying debris, airborne dust, and shattering glass have in common?

 

They can all cause eye injuries.

 

It’s no surprise that the construction industry ranks second among occupations with the highest rate of eye injuries, given the number of potential hazards that workers face each day.

 

According the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, three out of every five eye injuries in the workplace happen to individuals who are not wearing eye protection. More than 20,000 eye injuries occur at work each year, and reportedly cost an estimated $300 million in lost productivity, medical bills, and workers’ compensation claims.

 

The federal Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) maintains safety standards for eye and face protection; in most cases, personal protective eyewear is mandatory at job sites. Safety glasses with side shields are required for environments in which concrete, metal, and wood particles are in the air.

 

Here are a few tips for picking the right pair of safety glasses and staying safe at work:

 

–Simply put, wearing safety glasses is your best defense against injury. Be sure your eyewear is OSHA-compliant and carries the approval of the American National Standards Institute. Sealed glasses provide the best protection from airborne debris.

 

–Workers exposed to daylong sunlight should wear safety glasses that offer protection from the sun’s ultra-violet rays. Look for glasses marked “UV400,” which provide 100-percent protection. Glasses with variable lenses stay clear indoors, and transition to a dark tint outdoors. Lenses with an anti-fog coating will prevent temperature and humidity changes from obscuring your view.

 

–Take steps to create a safer work environment and make an eye safety checklist. Identify primary hazards at each job site, secure objects that could fall, make sure that safety systems on power tools are functional, and designate specific areas for activities that create dust and debris. Take time at the end of each day to clean up and re-evaluate the workspace for potential issues.

 

–Make sure you have a first-aid kit on hand that contains an ample amount eye wash, which can be used to flush out any specks of debris.  However, a person who has suffered an eye cut or puncture should not flush the eye, and instead seek immediate medical attention.

 

Having the right licenses for the job are just as important as workplace safety. A Florida contractor licensing company can help individuals and companies navigate the state’s licensing requirements, with approvals as quick as 10 days. For more information on Florida contractor requirements or to get an application started, visit our Florida contractor licensing page or call 239-777-1028.

June is National Safety Month

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And in the world of contracting, safety is of the upmost importance. The National Safety Council dedicates an entire month to safety awareness because it reminds people of the importance of safety and how we can all keep ourselves, our friends, our workers, and loved ones safe. The goal of the month is to reduce leading causes of injury and death at work, on the road and even at home.

We wanted to share some contractor safety tips with you in honor of this important month.

  1. Access the safety of your workplace. Look around at all potential hazards and risks. Remove them if at all possible. If they cannot be removed, make all employees aware of such hazrds, so they will know to avoid them.
  2. Make sure all your workers hae the proper licenses and qualifications so you know they will be tackling jobs you give them in a safe and correct manner.
  3. Offer safety training. You can offer classes or online courses where your employees can learn safety about emergency procedures and hazards.
  4. Always communicate with employees about what you’re working on and what you’ll be doing. Have all your workers learn to communicate with each other, as well. That way no one will accidently walk through a zone that may be unsafe. Everyone will know what is going on at all times to avoid any dangerous area.
  5. Check all equipment. From ladders and drills to machinery and hard hats, make sure everything is in working order and is not falling apart. You do not want your equipment failing you, because you failed to inspect and maintain your own items properly.
  6. Post warning signs in appropriate areas in work sites.

In 2012, 500 workers were killed on the job in the construction industry. With more safety knowledge and precautions in place, we can help reduce this number each year.

If you’re looking to get your Florida contractor’s license or business license, we can help you. We can even steer you in the right direction for contractor safety information for the state of Florida. We are a Florida contracting company and we’ve helped thousands of people get their Florida contractor licenses and business licenses. To learn more and contact us, click here or call 239-777-1028 .

 

Hidden Hazards on the Job

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construction hazards

Some occupations out there are known to be a bit more dangerous than others – contractor jobs definitely are one of them.  Much of the work contractors do is, in fact, inherently dangerous. Big machinery. Live electrical wires. Tall ladders. Sharp tools. Potential dangers are bound to be lurking on any job site, inside or outside. Below, we detail what to look out for on the job and keep a critical eye on to prevent injury.

It’s always important to be aware of your surroundings, especially when you know you’re entering a seemingly dangerous work site. Upon arrival, check the entire site out and get an idea of where everything is. That way, there will be no surprises.

Things that can be hazardous/Things You Should Check

  • Make sure the floor or ground is solid and sturdy before placing ladders or any heavy equipment on it.
  • Check for mold and asbestos. You don’t want to be breathing in these things while on the job every day. This can cause health problems down the road.
  • Check bushes and greenery for anything poisonous, sharp, or filled with dangerous insects that could hurt you (wasps).
  • Look around for sharp objects sticking out anywhere that can get in the way and be harmful.
  • Watch out for any exposed wiring.
  • Check to make sure fluorescent lamps are intact. Broken lamps can potentially release mercury.
  • Double check on any and all types of underground services that may be around (electrical, natural gas, water, septic, sewer, telephone, cable, and more). You don’t want to be striking into any of these lines and causing any environmental damage, property damage, or self harm.
  • Check for any unstable high objects that could potentially fall down on top of you.

These are just a few hazards, in general terms, that contractors (of all kinds) can face on a daily basis. It’s best to identify all hazards and eliminate them or make them safer situations to the best of your ability. Also, make sure you have a first-aid kit on site in case of an emergency. Not all accidents can be prevented.

If you’re looking to get into the contracting business and need to apply for a license, our team can help you get a Florida’s contractor license. We do all the work for you in a quick, easy process. Click here to learn more and get your license today!