Demolition, according to OSHA, is the dismantling, razing, destroying, or wrecking of any building or structure or any part thereof. It can be a very dangerous and hazardous job without proper safety procedures in place. At Frontier Industrial Corp., we make sure workers safety is the number one priority. Our decades of experience working on a wide range of demolition and redevelopment services has made us experts on how to avoid accidents while working on the most challenging of projects.
FIC leads the industry in project site safety, with a top-down focus. We are committed to protecting and promoting the well being of our workers. On any project site, we have dedicated Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) representatives to keep workers safe.
Before you begin destroying and wrecking structures, there are things that must be done to ensure it is safe to begin work. Here are five tips to follow :
- Maintain a Clean Job Site : A messy job site with too many things in the way creates for more problems and a higher chance of an accident occurring. Keep your site clean and remove debris as you work so you don’t have to do it all at the end.
- Shut off Utilities : Turn off all electricity, sewer, gas, water, and other utility lines before starting.
- Start at the Top : The safest approach when demolishing exterior walls and floors is to start at the top of the building and work your way down.
- Remove Asbestos : No demolition should be started until all asbestos has been safely removed
- Clear all Walkways : Make sure workers can navigate the site freely and create pathways that are out of danger zones.
Next, In order to minimize the chance of accidents and injuries from arising during the job, there must always be proper planning, personal protective equipment, and training in place.
PROPER PLANNING
Plan ahead to get the job done safely. Having a proper plan helps not only to keep everyone on the same page, but also helps to ensure that there are protocols to follow in a situation where danger arises. Here are some ways you can prepare for a demolition job and have a proper plan of action in place
- An engineering survey completed by a competent person before any demolition work takes place. This should include the condition of the structure and the possibility of an unplanned collapse.
- Locating, securing, and/or relocating any nearby utilities. For help, call 811 before you dig.
- Fire prevention and evacuation plan.
- First Aid and Emergency Medical Services.
- An assessment of health hazards completed before any demolition work takes place.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
At Frontier Industrial Corp., we are experts when it comes to personal protective equipment (See safety poster to the right of a FIC worker prepared for the job). The following protection gear should be worn when working on a demolition project :
- Hard Hat
- Safety Goggles
- Hearing Protection
- Leather Gloves
- High Visibility Shirt
- Safety Vest
- Work Pants
- Safety Toe Work Boots
TRAINING
Being trained once on safety procedures is not enough — It is important to refresh and review trainings so workers stay top of mind on how to keep safe. FIC annually engages our entire management team in a comprehensive review of the Certified Safety Management Practitioner (CSMP) to ensure practical experience is incorporated into the governing EHS policies. Also, every FIC employee receives New Employee Orientation training that includes a review of our CSMP and participates in a 10 hour OSHA Outreach training course. All employees also participate in annual baseline refresher training.
At Frontier Industrial Corp. we strongly believe that with any constriction site project, Safety is the Greatest Tool on the Job. Following a proper plan, wearing personal protective equipment, and staying up to date on trainings will help keep you protected while working on a demolition site.
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