Employee-owners at Sundt’s Stone Oak Park & Ride job site in San Antonio got a little lift earlier this week.
Representatives from 3M were there showing the benefits of their fall protection systems as contractors across the country celebrate Safety Week. The systems are harnesses that attach to workers’ backs and tie off to a sturdy part of the structure under development. If the worker slips and falls, the device catches the person and keeps him or her safely suspended until rescued.
We have used similar systems for many years. Anyone working at a height of 6 feet or greater is required by the company to wear a full arrest system. In tests, a 220-pound weight created 5,000 pounds of energy when falling 6 feet, plenty of force to cause serious injury.
Every year, more than 80,000 workers are injured on construction sites across the U.S. Slips and falls are the most frequently cited safety issues by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
“In this era of construction safety, and with the fall protection equipment we have available, we need to plan the work and work the plan to ensure there are no falls on our projects,” said Sundt Corporate Director of Quality & Safety Paul Levin.
Safety Week’s mission is to raise the awareness of the construction industry’s continuing commitment to eliminating worker injury, and to clearly communicate its dedication to a shared culture of care and concern.
Our Safety by Choice program focuses on both how and why workers need to be safe. We encourage our employee-owners to make good choices every day so they can go home to enjoy time with family and friends.