CONSTRUCTION LEADERS STEP UP TO BUILD A SAFER PHILADELPHIA

CONSTRUCTION LEADERS STEP UP TO BUILD A SAFER PHILADELPHIA

BY BYRON LEE, PHD., SENIOR MANAGER, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS | GBCA

“Safety only works when everyone participates.” That’s a common saying in union commercial construction, but it also represents the all-hands-on-deck approach that’s needed to keep everyone who lives and works in Greater Philadelphia safe.

While various public and workplace safety efforts are underway throughout the region, the General Building Contractors Association (GBCA) is taking the lead with programs that protect the thousands of women and men who are building up our city and suburbs through their work in commercial construction. As the union commercial construction association of Greater Philadelphia, GBCA has long been a leader in an industry where safety is paramount.

The organization, whose members include many of the most well-respected general contractors, is also extending its reach beyond the world of construction to help others stay safe at work and at home.

“Providing the tools and resources that people can use to keep themselves safe — whether they’re on a construction site or simply using an electrical cord at home — is about doing what’s right for our community,” says GBCA President & CEO Benjamin J. Connors, Esq. CAE. “Safety has always been a priority for GBCA, and we’re committed to supporting the wellbeing of Philadelphians in construction and beyond.”

ENHANCING SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION

GBCA has a robust lineup of safety resources that are available to its members as well as the construction industry at large. These include in-person training sessions held multiple times per year, on-demand online safety trainings, OSHA 30-Hour safety trainings, and a free library of mobile-friendly Toolbox Talks to keep safety at the top of minds on jobsites.

“The most successful construction companies all have one thing in common: a culture centered around safety. GBCA helps contractors and their teams foster this type of safetyfirst mentality by making essential information easy to access, easy to digest, and easy to remember,” says James McGugan, a former OSHA outreach trainer who now serves as GBCA’s Safety Consultant.

The association also works closely with local, regional, and national partners to champion crucial safety initiatives at the ground level.

GBCA helps activate OSHA’s annual Focus Four campaign that runs from March through June and features safety lessons designed to counter the four leading hazards on construction sites: electrical hazards, struck-by hazards, fall hazards, and caught in/between hazards. In addition to promoting OSHA’s resources, GBCA offers supplemental toolbox talks for construction teams.

GBCA is also partnering with OSHA for its National Safety StandDown to Prevent Falls in Construction campaign that takes place May 1-5, during which time contractors are encouraged to host all-hands discussions and events at their jobsites to focus on fall hazards and prevention.

As part of this effort, GBCA and OSHA are teaming up with the Mid-Atlantic Construction Safety Council and the Philadelphia Building Trades Council to highlight the need for fall protection equipment inspections.

“Safety is all about being prepared, which is why contractors need to proactively inspect equipment and remove any pieces that are in poor condition or past their dates of effectiveness,” says Jennifer Hall, Safety Director at P. Agnes, Inc. and Executive Advisor of the Mid-Atlantic Construction Safety Council. “This joint effort encourages everyone to think about fall protection a bit differently. Faulty equipment isn’t better than nothing — it’s a hazard. By removing this equipment from the field, we’re eliminating fall hazards from jobsites and saving lives.”

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AVOIDING EVERYDAY SAFETY HAZARDS

Beyond the construction industry, GBCA is taking its efforts a step further by sharing safety tips that the general public can use in their everyday lives more broadly.

“Many of the hazards we see on construction sites are actually the same risks people encounter in other lines of work or at home. They relate to things like using extension cords properly, avoiding slips, trips, and falls, ladder safety, and more,” notes McGugan.

These tips include pointers such as:

• Replace extension cords that are worn or that show exposed wires.

• When going up or down a ladder, always keep three points of contact with the ladder (two feet and one hand, or two hands and one foot).

• Avoid falls by paying attention to where you’re walking and making sure you can see the path ahead, especially if you’re carrying something.

• Avoid distractions like using your phone when walking or driving by active construction sites.

• Remember to take a drink every 20 minutes and rest in a shady spot when working in the heat.

“Safety reminders like these can often make the difference between having an accident and avoiding one,” he adds.

Visit gbca.com for more information and gbca.com/ toolboxtalks for GBCA’s safety resources.