Category: Safety

In the construction industry, workers are surrounded by an environment filled with potential hazards, from falling debris to electrical equipment, and from heavy machinery to harmful airborne particles. To protect themselves, workers rely heavily on safety equipment. But it’s not just about having the right equipment—it’s also about ensuring it fits correctly. Properly fitting safety equipment is a crucial element of workplace safety, and understanding its importance can be a matter of life and death. Let’s dive deep into the importance of properly fitting construction safety equipment and how to achieve it. 

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Compliance & Legal Requirements

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other safety organizations often have guidelines that dictate not only what safety equipment should be worn, but also how it should fit. Non-compliance can lead to penalties for companies and increased risk for workers. OSHA provides resources to help guide contractors on best practices for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which is a minimum guideline for wearable safety equipment. 

Essential Safety Equipment and Fitting Tips

Safety Glasses must have a minimum Safety Rating of Z87+. 

Hearing Protection: 

Selection: Earplugs or earmuffs should be chosen based on noise levels and personal comfort. Some jobs might require electronic earmuffs that allow communication between team members.

Fit: Earplugs should seal the ear canal without causing discomfort. Earmuffs should encompass the entire ear.

Care: Clean earplugs and replace them regularly. Earmuffs’ cushioning can wear out, affecting the seal, so inspect and replace as needed.

The permissible exposure limit for Sound level dBA’s can be found in Table D-2 of OSHA 1926.52(d)(1) 

Respirators: 

Selection: The type of respirator depends on the airborne hazard. For dust, a simple mask might suffice. For chemicals or other toxins, a full-face respirator might be necessary. 

Fit: A proper seal is crucial. Respirators should be fit-tested annually or whenever there’s a significant change in the wearer’s facial structure. Facial hair can disrupt the seal, especially for tight-fitting respirators. It’s essential to either opt for full face respirators or ensure workers are clean-shaven. 

Care: Clean after each use. Filters should be replaced as recommended or if breathing becomes difficult. 

Harnesses: 

Selection: Choose based on the type of work—fall arrest, positioning, or retrieval.

Fit: The harness should be snug but allow full range of motion. All straps should lie flat, and there shouldn’t be any twisted webbing. 

Care: Inspect before each use. Look for frayed straps, damaged buckles, or other signs of wear. 

Foot Protection: 

Selection: Safety shoes should cater to specific risks. Steel-toed boots, for instance, are essential where crushing hazards exist.

Fit: There should be wiggle room for toes, but heels should sit snugly to prevent blisters. 

High-visibility Clothing: 

Fit: These should be snug but not restrictive. Too loose, and they might get caught in machinery. 

Material Considerations: For warmer climates, opt for breathable fabrics to prevent heat-related illnesses. 

Final Thoughts

In construction, every layer of protection counts. By ensuring that safety equipment is selected and fitted properly, workers can be confident in their protection, employers can be assured of their compliance, and projects can proceed with minimal risk. Properly fitting equipment is more than just a box to check off—it’s a commitment to safeguarding lives on the job site.

As we’ve delved into, the right fit enhances protection, ensures comfort, prevents additional hazards, and meets regulatory standards. By understanding these nuances and investing in the right fit, construction sites can remain productive, efficient, and above all, safe.

If you’re planning a new building construction project, it’s essential to prepare the site properly. The right preparation can make all the difference to your building’s success. A good foundation can save time, money and headaches both during the construction process and during the lifespan of the building.

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Risks to Consider in Site Preparation

While site preparation is critical, it can also present challenges:

• Environmental Concerns
  Managing environmental impacts and adhering to environmental regulations can be complex and costly. Strategies for mitigating these concerns should be integrated into the site preparation plan.

• Unforeseen Conditions
  Sometimes, unexpected conditions like buried debris or unsuitable soil can emerge during excavation, leading to delays and added costs. A thorough site assessment can help minimize these surprises.

• Weather
  Adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain, can impede site preparation activities. Project managers must have contingency plans in place to address weather-related delays.

Preparing the site for construction is an important part of the process. The site must be prepared before you start construction, so it’s important to make sure that your contractor does this properly. Follow these key steps to ensure that the process goes smoothly.

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Key Steps in Site Preparation

Effective site preparation involves a series of well-coordinated steps:

1. Site Assessment

The first step is to assess the site thoroughly. This includes evaluating the soil composition, drainage patterns, existing structures or vegetation, and potential environmental impacts. Understanding these factors is essential for making informed decisions throughout the construction process.

2. Clearing and Demolition

If there are existing structures, trees, or debris on the site, they must be either removed or properly protected. Demolition and clearing activities should be carried out safely and responsibly, taking care to dispose of materials properly.

3. Excavation and Grading

Excavation involves digging and removing soil to achieve the desired site elevation and shape. Grading ensures a level surface and proper drainage. These processes often require heavy equipment and skilled operators.

4. Soil Stabilization

Depending on the soil type, it may be necessary to stabilize it using techniques such as compaction, soil reinforcement, or geotechnical engineering methods. This step ensures that the soil can support the planned structure.

5. Utilities and Infrastructure

Utilities such as water, sewer, electricity, and gas need to be installed or connected to the site. Additionally, access roads and temporary infrastructure may be required for construction activities.

6. Erosion Control and Environmental Compliance

Preventing erosion and sediment runoff is crucial for environmental protection and regulatory compliance. Installing erosion control measures, like silt fences and sediment basins, helps mitigate these risks.

7. Site Security

Securing the construction site is essential to prevent unauthorized access and protect equipment and materials from theft and vandalism.

Best Practices for Effective Site Preparation

Site preparation is the crucial first step in any construction project, and its importance cannot be overstated. It lays the foundation for safety, structural integrity, compliance with regulations, efficiency, and project success. By following best practices and addressing potential challenges proactively, construction professionals can ensure that their projects start on the right foot.

Investing time, effort, and resources into thorough site preparation is an investment in the long-term success of the construction endeavor. It not only reduces risks and delays but also sets the stage for a smooth construction process and a durable, high-quality final product.

To ensure a seamless site preparation process, consider the following best practices:

1. Comprehensive Site Assessment

Thoroughly assess the site to identify all potential challenges and opportunities. Engage geotechnical engineers and environmental experts to provide insights into soil conditions and environmental concerns.

2. Clear Communication

Open and transparent communication between all project stakeholders, including contractors, engineers, and regulatory authorities, is essential. It helps in addressing issues promptly and ensures everyone is on the same page.

3. Proper Equipment and Expertise

Select the right equipment and skilled operators for each task. Using modern machinery and employing experienced operators can significantly improve the efficiency and quality of site preparation work.

4. Environmental Responsibility

Implement environmentally friendly practices during site preparation. This includes proper disposal of waste, minimizing soil disturbance, and using eco-friendly construction materials when possible.

5. Contingency Planning

Develop contingency plans to address unexpected challenges that may arise during site preparation. Having alternative strategies in place can help mitigate delays and budget overruns.

6. Safety First

Prioritize safety throughout the site preparation process. Ensure that workers have the necessary training and personal protective equipment (PPE). Regular safety audits and risk assessments should be conducted.

7. Quality Control

Establish strict quality control measures to monitor the progress and quality of site preparation work. Regular inspections can help identify and rectify issues before they become major problems.

Final Thoughts
If you’re planning a construction project, it’s important to know how much work it will take and whether you have the right trade partners to complete it. By following these steps, you can make sure your site is ready for building.

Contact us to learn how we can help you through this process.

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Key Safety Considerations in Tilt Panel Picks

The practice of lifting and positioning large concrete panels, often weighing 150 tons or more, can be fraught with hazards. Any failure in handling these panels can lead to catastrophic consequences, including serious injuries or fatalities, as well as substantial damage to property, delays to the schedule and more.

To optimize safety, the following strategies must be utilized in conjunction with an experienced team:

1. Planning and Designing

Proper planning and engineering are foundational to safe tilt-up construction. This includes:

• Structural Analysis: Panels should be designed with proper reinforcement, considering all forces they will be exposed to during lifting and positioning. A qualified structural engineer must be involved in panel design.
• Lifting Inserts and Hardware: The right materials, inserts, and hardware must be chosen, ensuring they can handle the forces exerted during the tilt process.
• Crane Roads & Terrain Analysis: Proper haul roads must be designed and engineered to ensure the load of the crane will be supported by the surface on which it will sit. The crane might be positioned outside the building area, within it, or a combination of both, during the pick process. Each surface must be extensively analyzed by licensed and qualified engineers.

2. Training and Qualification of Personnel

Handling tilt panels requires specialized skills. Key considerations include:

• Training: Workers should be trained on specific procedures, safety regulations, and potential hazards.
• Certification: Using certified crane operators and riggers who understand the dynamics of lifting heavy panels is vital.
• Site Specific Safety: Every individual site must be evaluated prior to picking panels to determine the plan for safety, including who will be involved, what tools they need, and what the exit routes are in the event of catastrophic failure during panel placement.

3. Equipment Selection and Maintenance

The right equipment ensures safe and efficient lifting. Key aspects include:

• Crane Selection: Cranes with proper capacity and reach must be selected. Other factors, including but not limited to crane transport routes and placement, must be considered.
• Equipment Maintenance: Regular inspections and maintenance of cranes, rigging, and other equipment are essential to prevent mechanical failure. This kind of failure is both costly and can also be dangerous to onsite crews and operators.
• Slab Protection: If the crane is placed on the floor slab, analysis must be completed to ensure the slab can withstand the crane load. Measures such as temporary matting, outrigger locations and increased structural capacity of the slab will all be considered prior to the pick.

4. On-site Safety Measures

Safety practices during the tilt process should include:

• Safety Barriers: Establishing clear safety barriers around the lifting zone to keep unauthorized personnel away.
• Communication: Ensuring clear and constant communication between the crane operator, ground crew, and supervisors.
• Weather Considerations: Monitoring weather conditions and postponing lifts during high winds or other unfavorable conditions.

5. Emergency Preparedness

Having a clear emergency response plan is crucial. This includes:

• Emergency Training: Regular drills and training on what to do if something goes wrong.
• First-Aid Availability: Having first-aid facilities and trained personnel on-site.

Utilizing Case Studies to Increase Safety

Analyzing previous accidents in tilt-up construction can provide valuable insights. One common theme in many incidents is a failure in communication or oversight. Such failures might be addressed by implementing comprehensive safety protocols and ensuring all team members are aware of their individual responsibilities.

As usual, prevention is the best medicine. A good plan prior to beginning this work is the key to maintaining a safe jobsite.

Final Thoughts

Safety during tilt panel picks in construction is not just a matter of compliance with regulations; it’s a vital aspect that protects lives and investments. By embracing a safety culture that includes proper planning, training, equipment selection, on-site safety measures, and emergency preparedness, construction companies can greatly reduce the risks associated with tilt-up construction.

The rewards for prioritizing safety in tilt panel picks go beyond just preventing accidents. It fosters a more efficient and harmonious working environment and ensures that projects are completed on time and within budget. In a competitive industry where reputation matters, a strong commitment to safety can also become a valuable asset, setting companies apart and cultivating trust with clients.

Perlo has completed hundreds of tilt buildings in our 65+ year history. We have even been labeled the ‘Tilt Kings’ because of our strength in this market. If you’re interested in a new building, get in touch with us today.

Featured Tilt-Up Projects

Building codes serve as essential regulatory tools that shape the built environment we live in. Regulations and standards are put in place by governments or regulatory bodies to guarantee that buildings and structures are safe, healthy, accessible, and sustainable. These codes are crucial to ensuring that these requirements are met. In this post, we will explore the significant impact that building codes have on our man-made environment and how they contribute to enhancing safety, sustainability, and accessibility.

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Ensuring Structural Integrity

Building codes define standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure their stability and resistance to various loads, such as wind, earthquakes, and snow. By specifying materials, construction techniques, and structural engineering principles, building codes play a crucial role in ensuring that structures can withstand the forces they may experience.

For example, buildings in the Pacific Northwest are built to withstand seismic activity due to the proximity of the Cascadia Subduction Zone. The requirements for structural designs in this area will differ from other areas of the country where seismic risk is lower. 

Compliance with building codes leads to robust and durable buildings, reducing the risk of collapses and enhancing the longevity of structures.

Achieving Accessibility within Structures

Building codes often include provisions for accessibility, ensuring that structures can be accessed and used by individuals with disabilities. These requirements cover aspects such as:

• Ramps
• Elevators
• Door widths
• Signage
• Parking spaces
• Door hardware
• Restroom sizing

Promoting inclusivity and equal access for all, these codes are backed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was passed by Congress in 1990 and amended in 2008. By mandating accessible design, building codes contribute to creating an environment where people of all abilities can navigate and utilize buildings without barriers. This aspect is vital for promoting equal opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

Improving Energy Efficiency within the Built Environment

In response to the pressing need for sustainable practices, many building codes incorporate energy efficiency standards. These codes may include requirements for insulation, efficient HVAC systems, lighting, and renewable energy integration. By promoting energy-efficient design and construction practices, building codes contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving natural resources. Energy-efficient buildings not only reduce environmental impact but also offer economic benefits through lower energy costs for occupants.

Many states, including Oregon, have a range of incentives to help building owners implement more efficient systems into their buildings, with programs like Energy Trust of Oregon helping coordinate access to funds.

Overall Health of Building Occupants

Building codes often address aspects related to occupant health and comfort. They may specify ventilation standards, acceptable indoor air quality levels, and requirements for the use of non-toxic materials. These provisions aim to create healthy and comfortable indoor environments for occupants. Adequate ventilation and using low-emission materials reduce the risk of indoor air pollution and associated health issues. In addition to creating healthier living and working environments, building codes encourage the design and construction of buildings with occupants’ well-being in mind.

Influences on Urban Planning and Aesthetics

Influencing the overall urban planning and aesthetic aspects of an area, these often playing a crucial role in maintaining the visual character and coherence of a neighborhood or city. They may include provisions regarding setbacks, building heights, density, landscaping, and other elements that shape the visual character of a neighborhood or city. This ensures that new construction aligns with the existing built environment and does not disrupt the overall aesthetic harmony.

These codes often address façade design, encouraging architectural diversity and quality, which enhances the appeal and livability of urban spaces. Additionally, building codes may include landscaping and open space provisions that promote greenery and contribute to a more pleasant and sustainable urban environment.

Larger than Local Impacts

Building codes often reflect the local context and consider climate conditions, geographical factors, and cultural considerations. However, there is also a growing effort towards global harmonization of building codes, particularly safety standards and sustainable practices. International organizations work towards aligning codes to facilitate trade, promote knowledge sharing, and ensure consistent standards worldwide. This process benefits the construction industry by enabling international collaboration, reducing barriers to entry in global markets, and promoting best practices across borders.

Final Thoughts

Building codes are a fundamental component of the construction industry that significantly shape the world we live in. They play a crucial role in ensuring the safety, sustainability, and accessibility of buildings and structures for people and the environment. They also shape the visual character and coherence of urban areas, promoting aesthetics and urban planning considerations.

Overall they provide a regulatory framework that helps create safer, more sustainable, and inclusive built environments, benefiting individuals, communities, and the broader society.

As summer approaches and temperatures soar, we need to turn our attention towards a critical occupational safety issue that affects thousands of construction workers each year: heat exposure.

Heat, particularly extreme heat, is not merely an inconvenience or discomfort for construction workers; it can be a deadly danger. According to OSHA, between 1992 and 2017, heat stress has killed 285 construction workers in the U.S. and injured far more. However, these statistics are far from the true toll heat takes on the workforce, as many heat-related incidents are underreported.

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Common Heat Related Illnesses

Heat Stroke

This is the most severe form of heat-related illness and is considered a medical emergency. It occurs when the body’s temperature control system fails, leading to a dangerously high body temperature, usually above 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Symptoms include confusion, altered mental state, slurred speech, loss of consciousness, hot and dry skin, rapid heartbeat, and seizures. Without immediate treatment, heat stroke can cause major organ damage or death.

Heat Exhaustion

This is a serious health problem that can develop from prolonged exposure to high temperatures, especially when combined with high humidity and strenuous physical activities. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, weakness, cold, pale and clammy skin, a fast, weak pulse, nausea or vomiting, and fainting. If not treated, heat exhaustion can escalate to heat stroke.

Heat Syncope (Fainting)

This typically occurs when a person stands or rises suddenly in a hot environment and experiences a temporary decrease in blood flow to the brain. Symptoms include light-headedness, dizziness, and fainting.

Heat Cramps

These are painful, involuntary muscle spasms that usually occur during heavy exercise in hot environments. They are likely linked to an electrolyte imbalance caused by sweating. The cramps may occur during or after physical activity.

Heat Rash (also known as prickly heat)

This is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot, humid weather. It can occur at any age but is most common in young children. Heat rash looks like a red cluster of pimples or small blisters. It is more likely to occur on the neck and upper chest, in the groin, under the breasts, and in elbow creases.

Each of these conditions requires varying degrees of medical intervention. In all cases, moving the affected person to a cooler environment, providing fluids, and rest are essential first steps. However, severe conditions such as heat stroke require immediate medical attention. It’s crucial to recognize the signs of these conditions and take immediate action to prevent lasting health issues.

Why Construction Workers Are at Risk

Construction workers are particularly susceptible to heat stress due to several factors. First, the physical nature of the work increases metabolic heat production. Workers lifting heavy objects, operating machinery, or simply being active for extended periods inevitably produce more internal heat.

Second, construction workers are often exposed to direct sunlight, exacerbating the ambient heat. Sunlight not only increases the temperature but also causes sunburns and raises the risk of skin cancer.

Lastly, the personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary for construction work can limit the body’s ability to dissipate heat. Hard hats, heavy boots, gloves, and protective suits, while essential for safety, can also trap heat and hinder sweat evaporation, causing the body to overheat.

Employers should also consider adjusting work schedules to avoid the hottest parts of the day. Where possible, heavier work can be scheduled for cooler early morning hours, and lighter tasks reserved for warmer periods. Technological advancements can also be leveraged. For instance, wearable technology that monitors vital signs can provide early warnings of heat stress, while cooling vests and moisture-wicking fabrics can help regulate body temperature.

Federal Regulations to Protect Workers from Heat Related Dangers

Employers are responsible for creating safe places for workers, including mitigating the effects of the natural environment. Oregon OSHA implemented rules in 2021 strengthening requirements for employers to enact safety measures for workers in extreme heat scenarios.  

To best understand these rules, employers can contact Oregon OSHA for consultations. There are also a myriad of resources on the Federal OSHA page, including posters that can be utilized on jobsites to inform workers and supervisors of their duties and responsibilities.

In general, employers should:

• Provide workers with water, rest and shade
• Build heat tolerance by gradually increasing workloads and taking frequent breaks
• Plan for emergencies
• Teach workers how to prevent heat related illnesses and recognize the signs
• Monitor workers for signs and symptoms of heat illness

Individuals must also take precautions and educate themselves on the risks of heat illnesses, including their own personal risk factors. These may include:

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Low physical fitness levels
• Certain medications
• Alcohol use
• Drug use

Employees should ensure they’re drinking water, taking designated work breaks, finding shade and acknowledging when symptoms of heat illness may be starting.

Final Thoughts

Extreme heat is a serious occupational hazard for construction workers, leading to severe illnesses and even death. As global temperatures continue to rise, the construction industry must recognize and mitigate the risks associated with heat exposure.

By understanding the dangers, implementing comprehensive heat illness prevention programs, and harnessing the power of technology, we can protect our invaluable construction workforce from the perils of summer’s scorching heat.

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What is your soon to be ending role?

I’m the Director of Safety for Perlo Construction, which means I oversee our corporate safe work practices and policies, including compliance with federal, state, and local rules and regulations related to safety in our office and on our jobsites. I manage our dedicated safety professionals who are a committed resource for our construction supervisors and crews. I coordinate and deliver safety-related training with an emphasis on making it relevant to our employees, both in the office and on the jobsites. I’m also responsible for incident/injury investigations.

How did you get into safety?

What have you seen change in your time managing safety programs, in general?

Certainly, industry-wide there is a greater emphasis on construction safety in recent years. Not only from a total worker health perspective, but as a demand from clients to improve. There’s also more emphasis placed on organizations to have better safety scores (lower EMR, total recordable incident rates, etc). This is being driven by public and private clients, as well as insurance companies.

There’s also been a greater emphasis on credentials for safety professionals; for instance, CHST (Construction Health Safety Technician) is basically a minimum requirement now, replacing the once minimum qualifications of OSHA 10 and OSHA 30. For a lot of employers, ASP (Associated Safety Professional) and CSP (Certified Safety Professional) are desired. The CSP is basically the highest-ranking certification for safety out there. There’s a lot more emphasis from our clients as well on having safety professionals be credentialled at the higher levels.

Perlo has all of our Field Safety Coordinators working on obtaining their CHST.

What have you seen change with Perlo’s safety program in your time here?

A lot! To begin with, it was pretty informal prior to my role beginning. One individual took care of the administrative aspects of safety for Perlo, so we had a safety manual and the basic reports covered. Our lead field superintendent managed the field component for investigations and compliance, but there wasn’t an audit system at all. When I was hired, we had about 20 superintendents and now we have 45+. So, our workforce has grown substantially. And our safety team went from just me to now having 6 safety professionals. As far as other changes, there’s more formality now with compliance. For example, we have a safety management software that helps us audit and track safety scores and training records, including our incident/injury reports, etc.

When I got here, there was a safety incentive program, but it has since been expanded extensively. We used to give out just high-viz men’s shirts as awards, but now we have tons of swag, and even do lunches for 100% safety audit scores. All of our foremen, superintendents, project engineers, project managers, and executive team members are OSHA-30 certified as well. Safety overview audits are now being done by all project engineers, managers and executive teams on a monthly basis. All of this has basically led to more accountability for safety both in the field and in the office.

Safety training has also greatly improved overall. We have a much bigger awareness and understanding as a company about how important it is. We also created a safety committee in the last few years to make sure we have involvement from a wide variety of field members.

What are you most proud of with regards to your career in safety?

The relationships that I’ve built with our employees. They see the Safety Department more as a resource and not just as the ‘bad cop’ for safety-related topics. I have a lot of discussions with employees that are outside of work topics. It’s cool to be a resource and mentor that’s available no matter what the concern or crisis is. For me, that’s really rewarding, and I try to instill in our safety coordinators that you need to build those relationships first, then you can use those to help motivate workers to enact safe work practices.

Why do you think it’s so hard for people to think about working safely?

I think construction in general is a “Type A” industry, and there is still a taboo associated with working safely. People still want to be ‘tough’. There’s also a huge emphasis on production over safety. I’m really proud that our culture is changing in that regard, but the industry still has a lot of people that value production over safety and don’t realize that you can still prioritize both. The reality is that you can still have a productive jobsite that is also safe. A safe, clean site leads to efficient production, less off-work time, higher morale, etc.

You want people to appreciate what they’re working for, and it’s not necessarily what they have at work, but it’s what they have at home.

What challenges do you see for our industry with regards to safe work practices?

Definitely, tighter project budgets. It makes it hard for people to prioritize safety when cost is a huge driver. Also, increasing regulations from the federal and state governments. For example, there are new heat related policies that require work to stop in certain conditions. The government has to take action because accidents and deaths have occurred from these, and Federal OSHA has to paint with a broad brush. So, regulations are getting tighter and tighter, and this isn’t a bad thing, but it is a challenge. We now have to look at full personal health, so noise exposure, chemical exposure, wildfire smoke, silica, etc. We now have to take action at much lower thresholds than before, and this does affect production, for sure. Suppose your options are to stop work or put everyone in a respirator during wildfires. In that case, the work is going to slow down significantly.

The other real challenge is that today’s workers coming into the workforce have much less exposure to physical labor than in past generations. You don’t necessarily have people that have worked in a rural environment with their hands. Instead, they’re used to being indoors on gaming systems or things like that. Then they’re entering a very physically demanding job without the knowledge and stamina built-up from the get-go.

I tell people at orientation that construction is hard work. If you aren’t tired and sore at the end of the day, you’re probably not working hard enough. Sore muscles aren’t an injury, and you need to know the difference. And people can build up that stamina, but it’s going to take a while. Technology is great, but we have so much of it now that people are generally less prepared to enter a labor-intensive trade like construction.

What is the biggest ‘lesson learned’ you’ve had in your career? 

I don’t know if it’s a lesson, but it’s a reality that you never can know everything about construction safety. It’s always evolving, especially as a General Contractor; we work with so many subcontractors that have new practices we can learn from. There are always new processes, policies, and practices. You can never know it all. It changes all the time.

What will you miss most about your work here?

The people, most definitely. Those relationships.

What are you looking forward to in retirement?

I’m really looking forward to having more time freedom. I think it will be nice to also not have to carry two phones and be worried about what phone call you might get. Safety is 24/7 job, and I’ve always looked at it as my responsibility to be available when the phone rings. I do get those calls during off hours or weekends, and that can wear on you. You can’t really step away entirely, and that’s a lot of my own ‘fault’ because I’m passionate about what I do and hold myself accountable to be available.

What do you want to share as parting words with us?

I look back at my time here with Perlo, and it’s a really special workplace. There is such an investment made to keep workers connected and truly make our workplace a fun place to be, which is engaging and social. Yes, we work hard, but there are a lot of rewards for doing that. To have an organization that makes so much effort to make people feel welcome and be social so that they’re heard and have an opportunity to participate both in and outside of work activities. That’s really what makes Perlo special–and I’m going to miss it.

Final Thoughts

We want to thank Dennis for taking the time to not only share his work and experience at Perlo, but to reflect on the faithful 8 ½ years of service that he has dedicated much of his time to. Dennis will be retiring in June, and his leadership and legacy will very much be missed.

If you’re interested in a career in construction, take a look at our Careers page for more information!

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5 Reasons Why Increasing Safety Isn’t Prioritized

3. Lack of Education

Another reason why people resist efforts to create safe jobsites is a lack of education. Some workers and contractors may not be aware of the hazards present on a construction site and the steps that can be taken to mitigate them. This can lead to a false sense of security and a lack of action to ensure safety. Providing education and training can help to alleviate this issue.

4. Lack of Enforcement

Even when safety measures are put in place, they may not be enforced properly. This can occur when there is a lack of oversight or accountability. Some contractors may choose to overlook safety violations in order to keep the project moving forward. Additionally, some workers may not follow safety protocols if they do not see their coworkers doing so. Proper enforcement and accountability are essential for creating a culture of safety on a construction site.

5. Resistance to Change

Finally, resistance to safe jobsites may occur simply because people are resistant to change. Some workers and contractors may be used to working in a certain way and may be resistant to implementing new safety measures. This can be especially true for seasoned workers who have been in the industry for a long time. It is important to provide education and training to help workers understand the importance of safety measures, and to address any concerns they may have about implementing new protocols.

Overcoming Resistance to Increasing Safety on Jobsites

Some possible solutions to overcome the resistance to safe jobsites in construction are:

Enforcement

Proper enforcement and accountability are essential for creating a culture of safety on a construction site. This can include holding workers and contractors accountable for safety violations, implementing consequences for non-compliance, and ensuring that safety protocols are being followed at all times.

Technology

The use of technology can also play a role in creating safe jobsites. For example, the use of sensors, drones, and other monitoring devices can help identify potential hazards and allow for real-time monitoring of safety conditions.

Resources Available for Education and Training

There are many resources available that contractors can use to enhance their safety programs. Here are some examples:

These are just a few examples of the many resources available to contractors to enhance their safety programs. By taking advantage of these resources, contractors can improve the safety of their workers and ensure the success of their projects.

Final Thoughts

Creating safe jobsites in construction is essential for the well-being of workers and the success of projects. However, resistance to these efforts can occur due to cost, time, lack of education, lack of enforcement, and resistance to change. By addressing these issues and prioritizing safety, we can create a culture of safety in the construction industry and prevent accidents and injuries.

Ultimately, creating safe jobsites in construction requires a collective effort from all parties involved. While there may be resistance to implementing safety measures, the long-term benefits of investing in safety far outweigh the short-term costs. By prioritizing safety, we can ensure that workers are protected, and that projects are completed efficiently and successfully.

The Pacific Northwest has experienced multiple heatwaves during the summer of 2021. This year, the soaring temperatures are once again highlighting the need to prioritize awareness of heat exposure related illnesses, heat safety in construction as well as strategies to keep workers safe in these conditions.

In July of 2021, Oregon OSHA enacted an emergency rule to require employers to take precautions for workers during high temperatures. Utilizing the heat index and tiered levels of regulation, the basic idea is to provide shade and water at regular intervals to keep workers hydrated and healthy as temperatures rise.

In addition to these rules, Perlo has been utilizing a variety of strategies to minimize heat exposure and maintain worker safety in all aspects of our jobsites. Today we’ll explore more about OSHA’s new rules as well as strategies to minimize the risk of heat related illnesses on our sites.   

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The Heat Index

According to the National Weather Service, The heat index is ‘what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature’. To determine the heat index, the temperature and relative humidity must both be accounted for. In higher humidity environments, the relative temperature will feel hotter than in low humidity environments.

Critical to note is that the heat index is based on temperatures in shady locations, which means that workers in direct sunlight can experience an increase of the heat index value by up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re inclined to do manual calculations to determine the heat index, the National Weather Service provides the Heat Index Equation on their website, although most weather apps will identify this.

Heat Related Illnesses

There are a variety of heat related illnesses that an individual may succumb to. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) outlines these clearly on their website. They can include:

NIOSH provides a two-page First Aid for Heat Illness Fact Sheet to educate employers and workers on heat related illness, prevention techniques and first aid protocols, and has additional educational resources on their website.

Site Strategies for Heat Safety in Construction

The best strategies for individuals to avoid heat related illnesses are to stay hydrated, to slowly acclimate to high temperatures, wear loose and comfortable clothing, and avoid direct sunlight. On construction sites, we must take special care to ensure that workers remain healthy and safe, especially when temperatures rise beyond 80 degrees.

Final Thoughts

Heat related illnesses are a serious concern.  By employing strategies to both educate workers about the risks, as well as provide opportunities for breaks, shade and hydration, these concerns can be minimized. It is always our goal for individuals to be safe and healthy on our jobsites. We encourage you to stay safe as we progress through this summer’s heatwaves. 

This week, we’re joining contractors across the country in acknowledging Safety Week from May 2 – 6, 2022. Safety is a topic within the industry that has grown in recent years to be a top priority for all reputable contractors, with an emphasis on ensuring that the workplace for construction crew members be physically and emotionally safe. These efforts will undoubtedly make for a stronger workplace with long term, healthy employees that can work in their respective trades for many years.

Most contractors have some form of a safety program in place to provide training, enforcement and record keeping. Measuring the success of those programs to evaluate how safely a company operates isn’t as simple as it might seem, but there are efforts to standardize certain measurements to compare companies to each other as well as gauge performance and improvement over time.

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Safety Units of Measurement

Today, we will spend some time reviewing what units of measurement exist and how they are used to gauge the safety record of a given company. These measurements include:

• Experience Modification Rate – EMR
• Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred – DART
• Total Recordable Incident Rate – TRIR

In addition to these more formal measurements, individual companies will track several other benchmarks and measurables to watch for trends in their safety program, including:

• Total number of employees
• Total employee work areas
• Total number of deaths
• Total number of lost workday cases
• Total recordable injury/illness cases
• OSHA citations

Lagging vs. Leading Indicators

The above listed measurement tools are all lagging indicators; as in, they’re based on past incidents as opposed to predicting future performance through leading indicators. Leading indicators might include measurables such as:

• Worker attendance rates at safety meetings.
• Response time by management to potential safety incidents.
• Frequency of safety audits performed on jobsites.

Evaluating the leading indicators for a safety program is an important tool in creating a positive, safe culture for construction work. However, these measurables aren’t as standardized as the lagging indicators that we will be reviewing today. We will focus primarily on the EMR, DART and TRIR measurements, how they’re calculated and what that means for contractors and clients.

Experience Modification Rate

Days Away, Restricted or Transferred

The DART rating, or ‘Days Away, Restricted or Transferred’ is a measurement developed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that measures three factors:

Away Incidents
The number of days employees are absent because of a work-related injury or illness.

Restricted Incidents
The number of days an employee must perform a modified work assignment due to work related illness or injury.

Transferred Incidents
The number of days an employee is transferred to another job because they cannot complete their normal duties due to a work-related injury or illness.

The DART rate is based, in theory, on relatively severe incidents since it is based on lost or modified workdays. As of 2018, the average DART rate for the construction industry was 1.8.

It’s in a company’s best interest to reduce all of these types of incidents, as they all reflect on productivity and therefore, profitability. Additionally, regulatory bodies such as local building departments or the local health and safety administration may increase the number of random inspections that occur on sites run by contractors with higher DART ratings. A higher DART rating, in essence, equates to a riskier company in terms of worker safety.

The DART rating is based on the following formula:

An example of a DART calculation if a company works 250,000 annual hours, with 4 restricted duty days and 2 transfer days:

DART RATE = (4 + 2) x 200,000 / 400,000 = 3

Total Recordable Incident Rate

The TRIR, or Total Recordable Incident Rate, is based on all OSHA-recordable incidents in a company, including those that do not require lost or modified workdays. The TRIR rate will typically be higher than the DART rate, since that rate is only based on more severe incidents that do result in missed workdays or modified duty. The formula for TRIR is as follows:

If we follow our above example, let’s say the same company has 4 incidents in addition to the restructure or transfer days, for a total of 10 incidents:

TRIR = 10 X 200,000 / 400,000 = 5

A good rule of thumb for TRIR is to have a number less than 3.0, as the average is 3.1.

Lowering these safety ratings to below average at a minimum brings many benefits, including, but not limited to:

• Workers are genuinely safer and healthier when on the jobsite.
• Insurance rates are reduced.
• Eligibility to work for large corporate clients or otherwise safety-conscious clients increases.
• The frequency of inspections by OSHA or other governing bodies are reduced.

The effort and cost to create a safe work culture can pay back tenfold for both a company and their workforce.

Final Thoughts

As we walk through safety week 2022, we want to think about the large and small consequences of jobsite safety. If you want more resources on safety in the industry, we encourage you to check out some of our past articles on the topic below.

Construction takes place in many locations, often without the general public present. However, many projects are completed in spaces where it’s not feasible to move occupants out while completing the work. When a space is occupied, unique challenges exist when it comes to getting work completed safely while minimizing any disruption in the health and productivity of the day-to-day occupants.

Today, we will look at the challenges presented when construction occurs in occupied spaces and tips for how to overcome them.

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In addition to considering the people in the building, contractors must have plans in place to protect the existing building elements and equipment. Spaces that include food manufacturing or healthcare facilities will have additional protocols required to protect products and/or patients. In Mission Critical facilities, safety of the existing mechanical systems maintaining servers is paramount.

Attractive Nuisances

Avoiding disruption and maintaining safety often hinges on reducing attractive nuisances. An attractive nuisance is anything on the project that is both dangerous and enticing to children. Examples include, but are not limited to: heavy machinery, fence climbing, scaffolding, and construction materials or debris. Project signs ( i.e., No Trespassing) are not generally considered preventative measures. To minimize these attractive nuisances, project teams must:

• Remove the hazard(s)
• Discard construction debris on a daily, if not hourly, basis
• Secure and obscure the hazard(s)
• Lock heavy equipment doors and/or remove keys
• Remove, store out of reach, or secure ladders

• Provide locked enclosures around scaffolding/stair towers
• Provide a fenced storage area for stored construction materials
• Ensure fencing includes driven posts to prevent displacement
• Consider opaque fence fabric along public areas

While production and quality are near the top of the priority list for every construction company, the safety of workers and occupants is the most important of them all. Great consideration should always be given to this topic to ensure that at the end of the day, workers and occupants all return home safely.

2. Minimizing Noise, Dust and Odors

Construction is inherently dirty, with saw-cutting and demolition procedures often generating dust and debris, activities such as paint and carpet installation generating odors, and more. Occupants are understandably averse to experiencing the effects of noise, dust and odor, requiring contractors to find ways to prevent these factors from affecting building users.

With special care, the noise, dust and debris can be minimized. Some strategies may include:

A failure to prevent dust, noise and odor from interrupting building users can be inconvenient at best, and dangerous at worst. Containment of contaminants is vital in locations such as hospitals and other medical facilities. In office or school settings, dust, noise or odor can cause headaches or other symptoms, forcing lost work time by occupants in addition to inconvenience and possible pain.

3. Developing Effective Phases and Schedules

Safety, health and productivity are all optimized with proper planning. This includes phasing work areas, staging prep space, and creating effective schedules that account for maximizing work while minimizing disruption to occupants. Phasing plans and work schedules all tie into the larger site logistics strategy for a given project.

4. Minimizing Utility Interruptions

A significant challenge when completing construction work in occupied spaces relates to modifying utility services such as plumbing, electrical, mechanical and fire protection systems, as well as security and low voltage. Let’s look at some examples of modifications to those systems and the simplified ways to minimize interruptions to existing operations:

Final Thoughts

Proper planning is the key to solving all challenges related to occupied space construction. With proper planning, any challenges that arise during the work can be optimally navigated and solved in a manner that minimizes delays and interruption to building occupants.

Our teams are knowledgeable about the challenges involved in completing work in occupied spaces. If you’re considering a project, get in touch with us to discuss your options.

It’s nearly Independence Day here in the United States, and this year, Perlo Construction wishes you a happy and safe day of celebration. Today we take a moment to remind everyone to use caution this weekend so that you and your families can celebrate many more years together. 

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Here are some tips to remain safe this year:

1. Plan for a designated driver if you’re going to consume alcohol.

According to the National High Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 38% of fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes over the Fourth of July weekend involved drunk drivers.

2. Use caution with fireworks. 

Fireworks routinely cause significant injuries to kids and adults.  An estimated 10,000 fireworks related injuries occur in the United States each year, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). According to the National Fire Protection Association, an estimated 19,500 fires were started by fireworks in 2018 alone, resulting in five civilian deaths, 46 injuries and $105 million in property damage.

3. Enact safe practices when grilling and cooking.

According to the NFPA, July is the peak month for grill fires. Check out these safe grilling tips to ensure a stress free day of outdoor cooking.

4. Practice safe boating and swimming.

Fourth of July weekend combined with Memorial and Labor Day weekends account for nearly 1/3 of all boating and related accidents and fatalities.  Follow these tips to remain safe on the water this weekend. According to the USA Swimming Foundation, an average of 17 children drown in pools or spas during Fourth of July weekend.  Check out these tips to make sure your kids stay safe.

5. Beat the heat!

With the current record-setting heat wave in the Pacific Northwest, it’s more important than ever to know the signs of heat related illnesses.  Check out this tip sheet from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to learn more.

As always, Perlo strives to create a safe work environment for our people, but we care about them when they’re away from our sites, too. If we all use caution, we can celebrate safely this weekend. With safety in mind, have a wonderful holiday weekend celebrating our nation’s independence!

Spring is in the air, and summer is near – one of the busiest seasons for completing construction of all types.  Drier weather lends itself to optimal conditions for road construction and excavation, as well as roofing and re-roofing scopes.  Additionally, seasonal work for schools is common during summer months while students are on break, and larger sites aim to complete excavation work, as well.

While summer presents opportunities for efficient work, it also presents some additional challenges for quality of certain products and safety risks to onsite workers. Today, we explore the top 6 challenges of summer construction work.   

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1. Dust Control and Airborne Particles

2. Timing of Planting Materials

Another challenge related to the heat of summer is landscaping and the timing for planting vegetation. Most jurisdictions have specific requirements for plantings, particularly here in the Pacific Northwest.  The City of Portland has a page dedicated to landscaping and screening with a variety of resources for landowners and designers to consider. 

Often, jurisdictions will not finalize certificates of occupancy until landscaping is completed on the site.  However, landscape companies won’t always warranty plantings if they’re done mid-summer. Frequently, contractors may need to negotiate with the jurisdiction for temporary occupancy and follow-up to achieve final occupancy once all plantings are completed, often in the Fall when temperatures and rainfall will better support root growth.

Additionally, some jurisdictions will verify that plantings must thrive for a certain period of time following the completion of construction. If plants fail to thrive, they must be replaced.

A competent contractor will help manage the risk of plant failure through strategic scheduling of the site plantings. While some landscaping will need to be installed during the summer months to assist with dust and erosion control, other items may be able to wait until better weather conditions will support the plantings.     

3. Concrete Curing

4. Combustible Materials, Fire and Smoke Danger

The summer and fall of 2020 in the Pacific Northwest brought new attention to the dangers of wildfire smoke on workers. The air quality at times was so poor that jobsites had to temporarily close for several days.  We anticipate that OSHA will be issuing new guidelines for air quality considerations for construction sites in the coming year.

In addition to wildfires, dry conditions of summer and extreme heat can easily cause grass fires.  Some tactics we take to avoid accidental onsite fires include:

• Avoiding storage of materials in grassy areas.
• Concentrating crew parking in non-vegetated areas.
• Storing heat sensitive materials in shaded or air-conditioned spaces.
• Create designated smoking areas with receptacles for disposal.
• Ensure all mechanized equipment is inspected before use.

In addition, crews must be alert for fire risks, and have fire extinguishers and water easily accessible.

5. Increased Employee Distractions

Summer time is enjoyable for many people because of longer days, optimal weather and kids home from school.  This leads to an increase in employee distractions during work hours.

Workers may stay up later, consume more alcohol during off-hours, or desire to condense their breaks in order to leave the site sooner. All of these factors can contribute to exhaustion and, in turn, less safe work practices by individuals. It’s critical that supervisors keep an eye on individuals at all times, and during summer months, pay particular attention to any impairments that may exist.  Utilizing morning huddles and stretching routines to help assess employee health is one key moment in time to complete these evaluations.

For instance, many morning stretch routines include standing on one leg.  If an employee can’t complete that action, it may be a sign of impairment.   

Additionally, supervisors must enforce adequate break periods and ensure workers utilize appropriate break times. Proper rest is imperative for workers to maintain clear thinking and avoid fatigue. Compromising on these guidelines can lead to accidents and/or mistakes in the field.

6. Increased Safety Concerns – Heat Risks and Injuries

Final Thoughts

It’s critical that care is taken during warm work hours to avoid injury to workers and also to deliver a quality construction product. With proper planning, diligence and supervision, these summer construction challenges can be overcome. If you’re thinking of embarking on a new construction project, please reach out to us to find out more about how we can help you.

Safety in construction is top of mind in the industry today, but that focus is relatively recent. Some of today’s current construction professionals, in fact, have experience from earlier days in their careers where the focus was on production, and not on safe work practices.

George Trice, a current Perlo superintendent, began his career as a carpenter. As such, he was actively doing the work to build forms, tilt concrete panels, install roof structures and other carpentry tasks. Safety then was tremendously different than now. Today, we’re going to discuss the evolution of safety in construction through the lens of his lived experience. 

Join us as we explore George’s journey with safety.

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What happened when people were injured onsite in the past?

I was lucky, I guess. I never witnessed any really bad injuries or had one myself. We had aches and pains, people hit their thumbs with hammers or cut themselves, and we just didn’t really worry about it.  We went to work, worked hard, and went home tired. And then got up the next day and did the same thing.

I sprained my ankle onsite once and went back to work the next day, even though it hurt. I almost cut off my pinky finger one time.  I told my superintendent and he sent me to the doctor and then I came right back to work with my stitches! These days I would have been sent home until the doctor released me. I can’t say I would have liked that.  I liked coming to work and doing my job, and I think most people do.

How did safety start to evolve?

I don’t know if there was a safety program when I started, but I think it was about 6 – 8 years after I started that the company really worked to implement a more formal safety plan.    It started with things like adding handrails, more fall protection, or putting lifts underneath the opening of a skylight. Training became more frequent and superintendents had to pay attention to it.

I was put on the safety committee for a little while and I’m not sure I was the best choice at that point, because I still wanted to operate things in the ‘old school’ way. Over time our safety programs have evolved considerably. Now it’s much more formal, takes more planning, and we have audits of our sites where we are scored on how safe our sites are. It’s gotten stricter every year and people aren’t getting hurt like they used to.

What motivates you to make sure your job sites are safe?

Well. As I’ve said, I understand why our workers don’t always want to follow the safety protocols.  It’s not always very fun to follow them.  But they’re my responsibility and having incidents or injuries on my site would mean I’ve failed my crew. 

Also, we have these audits that our safety crews complete on a regular basis.  They come out and there’s a set list of items that they review and we get scored on those.  And I believe that anything less than 100% on my jobsite means I’ve failed.  And I don’t like to fail!  So I tell my crews and my foreman:  follow the rules.  Do it right.  Anything less than 100% means we’ve failed.  It really does motivate me to be better, so I pay attention to the safety stuff.

Do you think the safety efforts mean workers are safer now?

Absolutely. Don’t get me wrong, being a carpenter or in the trades is still a physically demanding job. People are going to have aches and pains, or hit their thumb with a hammer or slice a finger. Maybe get a bee sting or a sunburn. There are risks to the job, but much less now than there used to be. With proper protocols in place it’s much harder for someone to have a serious accident.

There are hazards that workers tend not to think about, for whatever the reason. It’s easy to just get into the groove and forget to think about proper safety protocols. For instance, if you’re forming up something and realize you just need one more cut…so you try to just quickly make the cut and don’t think about putting your safety glasses on. It’s easy to have those lapses.    

The thing is, you have to constantly remind workers to follow the rules, because it’s so easy to forget when you’re wrapped up in your work. Some of the PPE items aren’t super comfortable, but they’re important.  And the more I remind the crews, the better they are about keeping up with the safety protocols.

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Final Thoughts

Increasing safety on jobsites isn’t a task that is completed quickly.  It takes hard work and strategic implementation of policies and programs, as well as nurturing the culture of safety so that every worker, from top down and bottom up, is willing to participate in the effort. As we have seen through George’s story, it also requires a transformation of thinking by those individuals who didn’t prioritize safety over production, but now understand its purpose and help to enforce safe practices on our construction sites.

We commend George and all of our workers on their efforts to improve on safety in our work. 

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The OSH Act of 1970 – The Foundation of OSHA

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 created the occupational Safety and Health Administration, which is more commonly referred to as OSHA.  The goal was to ensure the health and safety of American workers by creating and enforcing safety standards; providing research, training, and education; and working with employers in order to promote safe work practices. Construction is now highly regulated by OSHA which, over time, has led to significant reductions in injuries, illnesses, and fatalities on jobsites. 

Spurred by OSHA regulations, insurance providers, and both public and private companies, the construction industry has also taken on the continued improvement of safe work practices.  Driven by demand, suppliers have simultaneously worked to increase technologies on construction tools and equipment to help further reduce worker injuries.

PPE and Wearable Technology

Another more modern innovation, video technology, has made a great impact on construction in a variety of ways.  Tracking progress, weather conditions, and people onsite allows for greater accountability and transparency related to project conditions.  Video recordings can provide:

• Historic documentation
• Evidence in the event of an incident
• Learning opportunities

Cameras are utilized in a stationary manner to watch construction, as part of motion sensing security systems, and in equipment and vehicles.  Drones are often used for documentation purposes, as well as to explore compromised structures or record active construction while keeping people out of harm’s way. 

Safety Technology of the Future

We are starting to see technologies that are even more sophisticated, such as Hilti’s exoskeleton.  A variety of companies are working on exoskeleton technologies to provide support and physical enhancements to human labor, especially when it comes to high-risk activities like heavy lifting and repetitive motions. 

Another emerging construction safety innovation is artificial intelligence which is making its way into safety, with smart video and smart goggles helping to identify hazards and predict issues before exposing workers to those hazards.

Proper planning and prevention is the best way to ensure worker safety, so improved technologies will only help reduce the instance of injuries and fatalities in construction.  While we can’t predict exactly which of these technological advances will be implemented, the possibilities are exciting to consider.   

Implementing Technology in the Workplace

The modern construction industry is well aware of the importance of maintaining and improving safety on jobsites but, it isn’t always easy to get individuals to adhere to optimal safe work practices. The key to implementing new safety measures requires that the workplace culture be open and accepting of new means and methods.  Improving and increasing safety is a team effort; all parties from leadership to laborer must be willing to accept changes and enforce them.

Communication and collaboration to share knowledge are imperative, and technology is only helpful if properly utilized, shared, and implemented. Some characteristics of a great safety culture include:

• A passion for improvement;
• Buy-in from the top down and bottom up;
• Patience while new processes and procedures are implemented and accepted;
• Cooperation and communication amongst all workers;
• Sharing of lessons learned.

If this kind of culture is in place, then the implementation of new technologies will be better received and more easily implemented.

Final Thoughts
Here at Perlo, we put great emphasis on safety, construction safety innovation and finding ways to improve every day. We also strive to match our everyday actions with our Perlo Practices, creating a genuine, inclusive environment to increase health and wellness for our people. 

According to this US News & World Report article, the need to complete deferred maintenance and improve safety and health in our public schools is astonishing. The recent wave of passed bond measures across Oregon will help to fill that void.

Construction in school settings requires particular care in planning for safety and responsibly utilizing public funds.  Here, we will explore the types of work occurring in schools, and the complexities that come with completing work in the K-12 education space, with challenges that arise due to the age of the buildings, deferred maintenance, occupied space considerations, and budget concerns.

New Construction and Remodels

We have extensive experience in the education sector with the most recent being several remodels for the Gresham Barlow School District and North Clackamas School Districts.  Most of these renovations occur during the summer months when students and staff are not occupying the buildings.  Larger and more complex scopes of work may span a year or more. 

Safety in School Construction

Environments occupied by and serving youth dictate an extra level of care specific to safety. While safety measures are imperative in other product types, schools present an added challenge as children are more susceptible to environmental contaminants and must be protected from the hazards that inevitably exist in work zones. 

Special care is taken to install secure barricades and signage to separate the work zones from student zones, to avoid excessive noise or odor producing activities, and plan material deliveries and traffic routes to minimize the impact to school operations and maintain traffic flows.   

Given the age of many public schools, hazardous materials abatement is often involved in renovation work.  Close attention is dedicated to inspecting existing systems and materials containing hazards and completing the remediation work without contaminating the building. Workers in all trades are trained to recognize these hazards in the event that demolition activities reveal contamination where it was not expected. 

Maintaining the optimum learning environment for students, and low levels of noise or disruption is our top priority.

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Multiple Stakeholders

One challenge that occurs with such a large variety of project decision makers is the ‘analysis paralysis’ that can sometimes come with group decision making in spite of the best intentions. In addition, most of those involved in making decisions will have varied priorities for each project.  A good general contractor must find a way to collaborate and listen to each of them, ultimately finding the best path forward to meet as many individual needs as possible while still completing the work under budget and on schedule.

Immovable Deadlines  

School projects, whether new or renovation projects, are tied to occupancy dates that cannot be moved.  As is true with any construction work, meeting deadlines can be challenging when unanticipated impacts like weather delays, pandemics and other events interrupt the work. In this case, there is more than money at stake – the nature of some work is such that it cannot occur when students are inside the facility so finishing late is simply not an option. 

Strategies that can be used to prevent schedules from being overrun might include:

• Hiring the general contractor on a negotiated basis in lieu of hard bid so that they can participate in preconstruction investigations and constructability reviews.
• Review subcontractor pricing not just for low price, but evidence that the company can sufficiently staff the project.
• Complete a thorough schedule analysis long before work commences and evaluate phasing options for completing the work.
• Relocate students and staff to portable buildings or offsite so that work can take place during the school year. 
• Pre-ordering long-lead materials to arrive onsite prior to beginning work.

A variety of factors will go into decisions about scheduling of work, but the bottom line is that the building team, including the decision makers, general contractor and design teams must work in a collaborative manner to fully develop the scope of work, site logistics and materials used to complete the project.

Renovation Costs vs. Lifecycle Costs

It’s easy to get trapped in a ‘spend less’ mentality when public dollars are involved, but it’s critical to evaluate both the initial and life-cycle costs, as well as the environment we are providing for our children during planning discussions. 

Final Thoughts

Construction in the K-12 space is anything but simple, with the variety of needs that must be met, tight schedules and varied stakeholder concerns.  However, it’s critical work for improving the lives of our children, improving their education and responsibly stewarding public funds.  With a good general contractor on board and extensive planning, these projects are successful and rewarding.

To see more of Perlo’s past experience, take a look at our education projects.  If you would like more information about the services we can provide, please contact us here.

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Governmental Agencies

Perhaps the most well-known governmental entity that works to provide training is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Commonly referred to as OSHA, their construction industry web pages include assistance and guidance to help identify, reduce and eliminate construction-related hazards.

In addition to the national OSHA assistance, there are typically state agencies such as Oregon OSHA and Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. Both of these agencies offer consultations for businesses in their respective states.

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University Education

Several colleges and universities offer degree programs in health and safety. If you’re interested in pursuing a degree to become a safety professional, OSHA has a list of the colleges and universities, searchable by degree type from certificates to doctorates. You can find this searchable database here. Some of the programs are offered by institutions such as:

• Northern Illinois University
• University of Cincinnati
• Rochester Institute of Technology OSHA Education Center
• Pacific Northwest OSHA Education Center University of Washington
• University of South Florida

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Third Party Consultation

Many third party consultants exist to help companies improve their internal safety programs. These companies can offer one-on-one help and insight, as well as onsite training and inspections. Here are just a few in the Pacific Northwest:

• GEW, LLC
• Safety Northwest, LLC
• Columbia Industrial Training & Education, LLC

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Vendor Training

Many vendors that rent or sell safety equipment offer training services either online or onsite. Here are a few of them:

• CAT
• United Rentals
• ACME

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Other Educational Sources

Of course, some less formal training resources exist on the internet. Safety Talk Ideas help provide discussion points for safety professionals to use when speaking to crew workers. There are also great examples of employee safety training available online, such as Oregon State University, Portland State University and Washington State University.

There are also safety conferences for added education. One example is the Washington State, Governor’s Industrial Health and Safety Conference. This conference is all virtual this year and runs September 21 – 25, 2020.

In addition to these, some topics that are less directly related to construction activities and more related to mental health. 2020 has brought us plenty of challenges, but there has been a mental health crisis for many years in our country, and efforts need to be made to combat these concerns, as well. Perlo has put a new focus on helping employees through this time, and the industry as a whole is taking note of the challenges that people are facing with regards to this issue, as well.

It’s important that employers provide training and support for those who may be struggling with mental health challenges. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides a myriad of resources to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. You can also call 1-800-723-8255.

Many health insurance providers will also have resources available for employers and employees, and we encourage you to ask about those services.

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Perlo’s Safety Program

Perlo is dedicated to our safety program and is continuously evolving its practices so we can improve. We employ a full-time safety manager, assistant safety manager, and four field safety coordinators. All projects are visited on a regular basis by our safety team members. A unique site-specific safety plan and job hazard analyses is created by the project management team and safety manager prior to construction activities. We also align all of our efforts to our Perlo Practices.

Continuing education for superintendents and site management staff is considered and delivered prior to each project. The safety manager utilizes weekly Toolbox Talks to emphasize safe work practices and ensures all superintendents are certified in OSHA-10 and/or 30, CPR, first aid and AED.

Superintendents are trained to the competent person level in fall protection, trenching and excavation, scaffolding, and in the management of crystalline silica. Each workday begins with a daily huddle to emphasize safe work practices, issue work assignments, and coordinate work activities.

The ultimate responsibility for each job site lies with each superintendent, who are on-site during all working hours, and set up employees for success every day by providing the right tools, training and safeguarding the public from any construction activities we’re performing.

Safety on construction sites is our number one priority, and as we join the industry in celebrating Safety in Construction Week, we hope that the resources listed above will help others with improving their safety programs, too.

Be well. Be safe. Stay healthy. Join us this week, increasing the awareness of safety in construction, for yourself, and your fellow workers.

In recent decades, safety in the construction industry has risen to the forefront as a high priority for contractors, labor unions and project owners. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), construction fatalities still make up nearly 1 in 5 worker deaths for private sector workers, mostly attributed to falls, being struck by an object, electrocution and caught-in/between incidents. While worker injuries and illnesses are down significantly in the last 50 years, the industry still has work to do to eliminate injuries and deaths on jobsites.

Here at Perlo, we have developed a series of practices – known as the Perlo Practices – that we strive to represent each and every day. If we work in ways that are consistent with these practices as they relate to safety, we will continue to see rates of injuries decline. It is our goal that all our people go home each day as healthy as they came, without strains, sprains, abrasions or worse. Here we explore just how each of these practices relate to construction safety.

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The bottom line is that safety is priority #1 on our jobsites. We care about our people and their well-being both on and offsite, and want to see them living their best lives, free of injury, each and every day.

Perlo is a leader in the construction industry by addressing safety on all fronts – especially through this time of COVID-19. By embedding safe work practices into all of our daily activities, including the extra regulations to protect against the virus, we know that as a company and an industry, we can emerge with improved jobsite practices, strong morale, and healthy crews.

Safety is about more than a checklist or wearing the right equipment. It’s engrained in the Perlo Way and is part of how we look out for each other and serve our communities. Safety is something we take very seriously and have been addressing with appropriate changes in how we do things.

Safety is up to all of us and is the right thing to do. This ties into our core values, the first of which is to “Do what’s right.” By doing what’s right, we’ve been able to keep nearly 400 people in Oregon and Washington employed, as well as countless subcontractors and suppliers.

Safety on the jobsites.

Our partners have definitely noticed our attention to safety. As Scott Brimhall, General Foreman for Sturgeon Electric shares, “The Perlo Construction team, headed up by Lance Livingston, have done a great job of implementing and adhering to safety protocols. Everyone feels safe and morale is great. We truly appreciate the effort.”

The importance of clear communications.

Clear communication is the key to ensuring there are no surprises. We pride ourselves on taking a proactive approach, including sharing copies of our job hazard analyses and action plans on all of our work sites with both workers and clients. In addition, we’ve built a visible COVID-19 safety campaign on each jobsite. Through multiple banners and signs we spell out new policies and procedures so that everyone feels comfortable.

As Dennis Bonin, our Safety Manager, shares, “We have adapted to individual requirements of jobsites as well as meeting all of the State of Washington and State of Oregon safety policies. That’s been kind of a challenge to navigate, but certainly, we’re up to it. Our goal is to go beyond the requirements and be out in front of them!”

Safety as part of our culture.

Support for our people.

We understand that as our people continue to come to work on a day-to-day basis, they may have different stressors or anxieties depending on how the situation moves at this challenging time.

To help employees cope with the COVID crisis, we’ve launched a #PerloStrong internal campaign. Lunches, produce boxes, sweatshirts, and stress-relief balls are just part of our response. We’re also stepping up our internal communications through the launch of our weekly “Perlo Post” which helps us reiterate our appreciation for all Perlo team members as well as keeping them apprised of ways they can get involved and be part of the solution.

Safety makes us strong.

Dennis and his team have implemented processes that ensure each superintendent stays in regular communication with a member of our Perlo Safety Team. Working closely together, they determine the risks and research ways to execute on tasks in the safest way possible. In short, safety is always the number one factor in everything Perlo does.

We commend Dennis and his team as well as all of our field and office workers for their continued commitment to safety. This foundation will keep us strong today and into the future.