Because our industry requires a somewhat unique set of safety controls, most of which do not appear in OSHA or State safety codes, we present these safety tips for our Members to adopt into their daily work activities. These are practical tips and techniques, and represent Best Safety Practices for sweeping professionals.
Most would agree that nothing on a jobsite should receive a higher priority than safety. However, a lot of effort is required to keep the information and emphasis on this topic current and foremost on the minds of your employees.
According to the National Safety Council, one out of four vehicle accidents can be blamed on poor backing techniques. Backing accidents cause 500 deaths and 15,000 injuries per year – and are almost entire preventable. Following are some practical tips to make sure you don’t become another statistic.
There has been increased attention on the danger of distracted driving recently, specifically on the dangers of cell phone use and texting while driving. Other secondary task involvement includes eating, drinking, conversing with passengers, as well as interaction with in-vehicle technologies (e.g., navigation devices and GPS), as well as portable electronic devices.
Whatever job you or one of your employees is performing in or around a sweeper, the fact is that danger exists. That’s why it is extremely important – no, make that mandatory – that anyone who is working on or around a particular sweeper has at the very least read the safety section of the operators manual and verifiably understood every part of it.
Carol Uribe, of Cornerstone Insurance, offers a number of everyday practices for the independent sweeping contractor. Articles includes a variety of workplace-related suggestions that can be implemented on a day-to-day basis to help curtail losses.
