Job-Specific Safety and Security

24.6 Job-Specific Safety and Security

Training is one of the most important ele- ments of any safety and security program. Training helps workers learn to perform their jobs properly, introduces new ideas, and reinforces existing safety policies. Training is required for both supervisors and workers. Although the content of each safety meeting may vary, each session should focus on ensuring that:

• Each worker’s immediate supervisor reviews the safe work procedures unique to that worker’s job, and knows how these safe work procedures protect against risk and danger.

• Each worker knows when PEP is required or necessary, and how to use and maintain the equipment in good condition.

• Each worker knows what to do in case of emergencies on the jobsite.

Supervisors (inspectors) are key figures in

special duties concerning the safety of work- ers. The inspector may have the primary responsibility for the actual implementation of the job-site safety program, especially as it relates directly to the jobsite.

Supervisors (inspectors) are responsible for knowing:

• Safety and health hazards to which work- ers are exposed

• How to recognize the hazards • Potential effects of the hazards • Rules and procedures to maintain a safe

workplace

Supervisors (inspectors) must convey this information to the workers on the jobsite, and investigate accidents according to the accident investigation policies stipulated by the specification.

The purpose of the safety meeting is to con- vey safety information and answer worker questions. Use the meetings to review, in language understandable to every worker, the content of the safety program, special work site hazards, serious concealed dan- gers, and MSDSs. Each day, the job-site supervisor (inspector), reviews a portion of the contractors safe work practices con- tained in the contractors safety manual or other safety related information. Whenever a new practice or procedure is introduced into the workplace, thoroughly review it for safety. Pass a sign-in sheet around each meeting, and distribute meeting notes after- wards.

Safety is a two-way street. Supervisors (inspectors) can preach safety, but only workers can practice safety. Safety educa- tion requires worker participation. Conduct

a safety instruction meeting for all workers

24-12 Safety

The workers can discuss how the safety pro- heights can range from a few feet (meters) to gram applies to their actual job assignments.

several hundred feet (meters) above the Ask them to read and discuss a section of the

ground or water. If workers are uncomfort- manual and review how the general safety

able, their concentration will be diverted and rules apply to specific situations. Remem-

they will be a hazard to themselves and oth- ber, the following general rules apply in all

ers. There are three important safety factors

situations:

when working at heights:

• No one should undertake a job that

• Attitude

appears to be unsafe

• Alertness

• No one is expected to undertake a job until

• Common sense

he/she has received adequate safety instructions, and is authorized to perform

Inspectors on the job are responsible for

the task

their own safety, including:

• No one should use chemicals without fully • Recognition of own physical limitations understanding their toxic properties and

• Knowledge of the rules and requirements without the knowledge required to work

for the job

safely with these chemicals • The safety of fellow workers

• Mechanical safeguards must be kept in place

• The duty to report any unsafe act or acci-

dent

• Workers must report any unsafe condi- tions to the job site supervisor

An inspector’s job requires work on scaf-

• Any work-related injury or illness must be

folding, platforms, and/or lifts. Falls are the

reported to management at once

leading cause of death in the construction

industry, so proper fall protection and fall

• PEO must be used when and where

required. All such equipment must be

prevention are critical issues. The

employer is responsible for fall protection It is extremely important to communicate to

properly maintained

(i.e., safety harnesses). The contractor is workers the commitment to safety and make

required to provide safe access for inspec- sure they are familiar with the elements of

tion. The access is usually defined by the the safety. If inspectors see a supervisor or

laws of the country or locale where the work someone in management do something

is performed.

unsafe, please tell that person. Do not forget