We are in week 3 of National Safety Month. Our HSE leadership is excited to keep the conversation going, to raise awareness, and encourage us all to live our safety culture, from our workplaces to anyplace.

CEO John Hewitt got things started the last week of May​, followed by Matrix Service VP, HSE & People Karen McDonald who shared her expertise on safety in the home​. Last week, we heard from Matrix NAC Director, HSE Tom Pechar on hand safety.​

This week, Matrix Service Director, HSE Todd Dinesen is giving us the scoop on jobsite safety. While many of these topics may seem removed from some of our everyday lives, we encounter jobsite-like conditions all the time.

Have you ever fallen off a ladder while cleaning the gutters or been hit by objects that shifted on your way home from the grocery store as you opened your trunk​? Learning from HSE practices used in the field can help eliminate these preventable — and sometimes very dangerous — incidents.

MONDAY: Fall Protection Safety​

Falls are a leading cause of serious injuries and fatalities that occur in the workplace. The construction industry experiences many of these fatalities.​​

What causes falls?

The risk for falls is virtually present in every workplace. The factors that can lead to a fall, however, vary greatly. There are many specific unsafe acts by employees as well as unsafe conditions that lead to fall incidents; falls often result from a series of contributing factors. Because of this, it is important to look at unsafe conditions as well as unsafe actions to recognize hazardous situations when working at heights.

Unsafe conditions that lead to falls:

Best practices for avoiding falls:

TUESDAY: Crane Safety​

Cranes are utilized across multiple Matrix jobsites. When used properly, overhead cranes with bridges, all-terrain cranes, and crawler cranes can all make operations easier and safer.​

​Questions to think about:

Best practices for safe crane operation:

WEDNESDAY: Truck Loading and Unloading​​

The loading and unloading of trucks happen quite frequently at all our sites. Therefore, the need to take the proper steps is very important. The risk of injury or death is very high. Some of the items we unload and load weigh several thousand pounds to several tons in weight. The room for error is slim and gravity is unforgiving. Attention to detail is most important.

Things to remember:

THURSDAY: Dropped Object Prevention​

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2017 dropped objects resulted in 237 fatalities and 45,940 recordable injuries. To put those numbers in perspective, 126 people were injured every day in 2017 as a result of a dropped object. 

Everyone can play an important role in Dropped Objects Prevention. Please take the time to have a meaningful discussion about the basic preventative actions each of us can take.

Before starting any task, consider the potential for falling objects:

When working from elevated platforms (fixed or temporary):

FRIDAY: Angle Grinders​

What is an Angle Grinder?

An angle grinder is a handheld power tool used for cutting, grinding, and polishing. On many Matrix projects, you will see a Matrix craftsman using an angle grinder to fabricate metal, wood, or concrete.

How does an Angle Grinder work?
An abrasive or cutting disc is mounted to a motor that rotates rapidly to perform the cutting, grinding, or polishing task. Angle grinders are most commonly powered by electricity, gas, or air and come in a variety of sizes.

Hazards Associated with Angle Grinders:
Exposed fast (>9000 RPM) rotating parts, sharp objects, kickback, fire and explosion, electrical shock, entanglement, heat exposure, noise, projectiles, and repetitive motion.

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