Under the Hard Hat

Tag: Safety

  • Cutting down on cannabis use on job sites

    Cutting down on cannabis use on job sites

    Cannabis is legal in many states, and its use by construction workers is at an all-time high. Random drug tests, open communication, regular safety meetings, and access to resources are simple ways to maintain a cannabis-free job site. 

    Cannabis use and workplace safety

    Cannabis use will likely never be eliminated entirely from the construction industry, but companies can take precautionary steps to mitigate risks. 

    Vigilance is key when trying to reduce cannabis use, as is regular drug testing. Having the proper chain of custody of drug tests (keeping them in trusted and reliable hands after the test) is also important because people will cheat on the tests. 

    Having a cannabis-free worksite creates a more sober project, with fewer unproductive work hours, fewer mistakes, and fewer accidents. Creating such an environment requires presence of mind, a proactive approach, and a plan of action that is followed.

    Here are 7 ‘rules’ to follow to ensure your workplace remains drug-free.

    7 steps to reduce workplace cannabis use

    1. Implement random drug tests.

    It’s tough to beat a drug test if you don’t see it coming, so periodically, randomly choose a few employees and conduct a drug test. It’s also important to ensure employees know the repercussions of being under the influence at work.

    2. Use several types of cannabis tests

    Swapping tests isn’t uncommon, which is why urine tests for cannabis shouldn’t be the only tests used. 

    Swab tests are tougher to cheat on since the test is performed with others present. Still, allowing tests to be switched or tampered with will effectively nullify the point of the tests—to discourage and spot workers’ cannabis use.

    3. Encourage open lines of communication

    Snitching is typically frowned upon, but if it saves a life, it’s worth it. Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol on the job site doesn’t only endanger the worker’s life—it also endangers the lives of everyone around. 

    If you know someone on your job site is under the influence, let someone know. Preventing drug-related accidents through open communication and awareness will also decrease the chance of job site shutdowns due to OSHA investigations.

    4. Raise awareness

    Regular safety meetings shouldn’t just be about machine operation safety—drug safety should also be included. Sober workers are safer workers.

    5. Ensure access to resources

    Employees should have equal access to health and mental health resources—therapists, addiction programs, health professionals, insurance coverage, etc. 

    6. Encourage guidance

    Speaking from experience is one of the best ways to show support. If there are recovered addicts on your job site, encourage them to speak up and help others. People in recovery know the signs of addiction and may be the first to spot workers struggling with similar problems. 

    7. Implement strict drug-use policies

    Alcohol and drug policies are a must, and a zero-tolerance policy should be implemented and upheld—a lack of enforcement or consistency is grounds for trouble. 

    When it comes to curbing cannabis use in the construction industry, having a clear plan of action is imperative. Stick by the company’s established rules and issue warnings to workers who are caught under the influence. And if needed, hand them a pink slip if they cannot comply.

  • Crane safety becomes a focus for WorkSafeBC after multiple incidents

    Crane safety becomes a focus for WorkSafeBC after multiple incidents

    Jobsite safety is a huge priority for all construction companies, but WorkBC has honed in on crane safety after several incidents in Vancouver. 

    Quick look

    • Multiple crane incidents in the Vancouver area have forced WorkBC to focus on improving crane safety.
    • IUOE Local 115 manager Brian Cochrane suggests a lack of regulations in the industry is at fault for the incidents. 
    • WorkSafeBC has regulatory requirements for tower crane operation, a dedicated crane safety initiative, and an inspection team to identify and eliminate unsafe work practices and equipment hazards on job sites.
    • The Workers Compensation Act requires all BC employers to provide workers with the necessary information, instruction, training, and supervision to ensure work is carried out correctly and safely when operating tower cranes.

    In late January 2024, two separate crane incidents occurred within a week of each other in the Metro Vancouver area. While no serious injuries resulted, it led to many questions about crane safety in BC, including any initiatives to improve worksite safety and what the regulatory environment looks like for cranes.

    On February 21, another crane incident happened in Vancouver—this time fatal. The load from a crane fell on a building about 25 stories up in Vancouver’s Oakridge neighborhood, killing one worker. 

    In a statement released by city Mayor Ken Sim, he said officials are committed to ensuring worker safety for everyone on construction projects in the city, and they will “continue to work diligently to prevent such tragedies in the future.”

    Three weeks before this incident, the union representing hundreds of BC crane operators issued calls for the provincial government to impose mandatory training and certification for all crane workers.

    Brian Cochrane, International Union of Operator Engineers Local 115 (IUOE Local 115) business manager, stated on January 31 that he and others were concerned about the recent spine in crane accidents, pointing the blame to the lack of regulations in the industry. 

    “We don’t know the exact cause of these incidents, but we do know in an industry with no real regulation, mandatory training or contractor licensing, these incidents keep happening,” said Cochrane, referring to the crane accidents in Surrey and Burnaby in January. “We’re glad no one was seriously hurt or killed. Today was a disruption; tomorrow it could be deadly.”

    Cochrane believes that the union needs to play a bigger role in ensuring crane operations are safe going forward. “Any efforts to improve crane safety initiatives, especially as it relates to tower crane assembly and disassembly, should involve IUOE Local 115, as we are the leading trainers and experts on crane safety.”

    Following the incidents, WorkSafeBC issued stop-use and stop-work orders at both job sites, and investigations are underway.

    WorkSafe investigation

    After the latest crane incident in Vancouver, WorkSafeBC released a statement stating that “WorkSafeBC is now actively working to understand the cause of this tragic incident, as well as any contributing factors, so that a similar incident can be prevented from happening in the future.” 

    While this is the third crane-related incident WorkSafeBC is investigating since the beginning of the year, preliminary evidence suggests “there are few, if any, similarities between the three incidents, or the equipment involved.”

    Although WorkSafeBC doesn’t suggest any links between the incidents, it’s important to remind employers “to be vigilant in ensuring the maintenance of their equipment and the safe working procedures of their staff.”

    The most recent event also comes after Kelowna RCMP stated they’ve asked B.C. prosecutors to consider criminal charges in the crane collapse in July 2021 that killed five workers.

    Crane safety

    WorkSafeBC has rigid regulatory requirements for tower crane operation, a dedicated crane safety initiative, and an inspection team that seeks to identify and eliminate unsafe work practices and equipment hazards on job sites.

    The Provincial Crane Inspection Team has extensive experience and training with tower crane operations, and the team conducts proactive risk-based inspections across the province to ensure companies effectively manage and mitigate risks.

    WorkSafeBC also works closely with BC Crane Safety to provide resources to the construction industry to ensure all users understand everything there is to know about using a tower crane—proper erection, operation, inspection, and maintenance, along with how to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.

    Robust regulatory regime

    Under the Workers Compensation Act, all BC employers must provide workers with the necessary information, instruction, training, and supervision to ensure work is carried out correctly and safely.

    Employers must also follow specific regulations related to cranes and hoists in BC, specifically Part 14 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR).

    • All crane operators must be qualified and certified to operate a tower crane. OHSR sections 14.34 and 14.34.1 and their related Guidelines address crane operator qualification and certification requirements.
    • Crane operator certification in BC is administered through BC Crane Safety and SkilledTradesBC.
    • Section 14.73.2 of the OHSR requires that the erection, climbing, and dismantling of any tower crane must be done by qualified persons and per manufacturer instructions; a professional engineer is also permitted if crane installation varies from the manufacturer’s instructions.

    New regulations that came into effect March 1, 2023, specify that any tower crane working in proximity to high voltage electrical equipment, or tower cranes with overlapping operating zones, must be ‘equipped with and operated under the control of a zone-limiting device with anti-collision control.’ The regulations also specify the following with regard to maintenance and repairs:

    Any repair to load bearing components of a crane or hoist must be certified by a professional engineer or the original equipment manufacturer as having returned the component to a condition capable of carrying out its original design function with an adequate margin of safety.

    While efforts to improve crane and worker safety are ongoing, it’s important to acknowledge that continuous improvement is required. 

    OHSR does not currently require employers to submit a Notice of Project for tower crane erection, climbing, repositioning, and dismantling. However, a regulatory amendment is underway that will require employers to submit a Notice of Project before any of these activities can be performed.

    As with any field in construction, staying vigilant about safety hazards and improving safety standards is crucial. WorkSafeBC, in partnership with industry stakeholders and worker groups, will continue to improve and advance safety initiatives and regulatory measures to ensure job site safety.

  • Is your hard hat a relic?

    Is your hard hat a relic?

    Hard hats are an important piece of personal protective equipment (PPE)—but they don’t last forever. If your hard hat is more than about five years old, it probably needs to be replaced. 

    Check your hard hat expiration date 

    Hard hat manufacturers print a manufacture date on the inside of the hard hat brim. If you must wear a hard hat on the job, you should check the manufacture date and its usable lifespan. 

    With hard hats, the expiration date is usually two years to five years after the date it was manufactured. 

    • The hat’s expiration date varies widely, depending upon the manufacturer and the hard hat model
    • Assuming your hard hat is good to use for up to five years because some hard hats are good that long is a big mistake

    Even if a hat appears to be unflawed and undamaged, you cannot eyeball a hard hat and know whether or not it’s still safe to use for protection (providing it has no noticeable flaws and is within its usable period, that is) while disregarding its expiration date. 

    Remember: This date isn’t negotiable—you cannot put off getting a new hard hat if it’s out of date simply because you only wear the hat occasionally and think it should last longer. The hard hat materials slowly break down and lose their effectiveness over time, so the expiration date is firm. 

    Don’t use an expired hard hat

    Never use a hard hat that’s past its expiration date—this provides a false sense of security. 

    The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that all hard hats be replaced no more than five years after their manufacture date. 

    Don’t use a damaged hard hat

    Regularly inspecting your hard hat for damage is also critical. Construction sites are hazardous, and your hat may have endured damage during your workweek. 

    Ideally, you should inspect your hard hat daily—but certainly, no less frequently than once per week.  

    • Check the hard hat for dents, fractures, and other types of damage, including scuff marks
    • Inspect the suspension system—the web of plastic, leather, or fiber cloth that acts as the interior of the hat “shell” and sits on your head—for damage or stretching 

    In cases where your hard hat seems iffy due to damage or a lifespan beyond the manufacturer’s recommendations, replace it with a new one. 

    Clean your hard hat regularly

    Remove dirt and other corrosive agents from the exterior surface by washing with soap and water. 

    Be sure to store your hard hat in a cool, dry place to ensure that it remains as durable and protective as it was intended to be; heat can damage a hard hat’s material makeup and, thus, decrease its protective abilities.  

    Hard hat maintenance tips 

    Here’s a summary of some of our best tips to keep your hard hat in optimal condition: 

    • Inspect your hard hat daily: Check for signs of damage to the interior and exterior. A hard hat shell that is cracked or damaged is unsafe to use. Replace it immediately. 
    • Check the hard hat’s suspension: If the suspension is loose, misshapen, or ill-fitting, the hat should be replaced. Even if the suspension appears in good shape, it may need to be replaced if it’s past the expiration date.
    • Consider using disposable hard hat liners: Under some weather conditions, using disposable hard hat liners could be a lifesaver. Liners absorb sweat from your head and prevent the hat from becoming loose and ill-fitting.
    • Try no sweat liners: No Sweat hard hat liners soak up sweat and work with bump caps, too. These disposable inserts are easy to install, stick to the hard hat, and help prevent the need to constantly wipe sweat from your face. Hard hat liners can be used for one work period, and some even up to two weeks. 
    • Check the standards for your specific hard hat: Standards vary by hard hat. Always check the standards and do not use the hard hat in a way that will exceed the recommended standards of use. It will compromise its integrity and decrease the protective abilities of the hard hat.