Have you stopped to think about your reasons for working safely? Do you go along with safety regulations because OSHA and the company say so, or to win recognition for being accident free? Everyone has their reasons for why they do certain things or why they may choose not to do something. Safety on the job or even just at home is no different. To deliberately do something day after day you need a reason. You eat because you need food to live so you choose to eat. You sleep because your body needs the rest, so you choose to sleep. You go to work to provide for yourself and your family, so you choose to get up and go to work. Today we are going to cover some topics to help you understand why you should choose safety every day at work.

• Choosing Safety leads to Zero Harm
• Someone is counting on you
• Working safely enhances your reputation

• Choosing safety leads to Zero Harm

Obviously, your health and well-being should be the biggest motivator as to why you should choose to work safely. Once we lose our health or impact it severely, it may never be the same. It is important to really think about how an any injury would change the rest of your life. Some injuries result in months of pain or hospital stays. In some cases that pain might never go away.  A disability could end all your favorite recreational activities.  A head injury could impact your ability to speak, read, or even enjoy your favorite TV show.  You want to enjoy life with your family and friends without the changes that an injury could impose.  You have plans for the future. Career! Family! Kids! Grandkids! Travel! Retirement!  One bad choice can take that all away in an instant.  Like we always say – Safety over production 100 out of 100 times

• Someone is counting on you

Whether it be a spouse, significant other, children, or maybe even a pet.  We all have someone that is counting on us to come home from work the same way we left.  Even if it is only for a short time, the financial and emotional effects on your loved ones after an injury can be drastic. Taking a step beyond the dollars, how would your child respond when you can’t go out and throw a ball with them or take a walk on the beach ever again.  Making the choice to work safely only takes seconds but making the wrong choice can cost you so much more.  One person that wasn’t mentioned yet is your coworker.  Yes, that person sitting next you, the person you gave direction to this morning, or that person you will jump in the trench with later today, they are all counting on you.  Your full attention or lack of attention can be the difference between an injury free shift and coming home with one less finger or not at all.  Daily work authorizations, tailgate meetings, stop work authority – these are all ways to take care of those folks that are counting on you each and every day.  So don’t just brush over them to check a box.  Take the time and pay attention, contribute, and speak up when working those processes.

• Working safely enhances your reputation

Benjamin Franklin once said, “It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.”. No one wants to reward risk-taker and definitely thinks twice before agreeing to work side by side with someone that is not going to put safety first.  When you get tagged as an unsafe worker, your opportunities for growth are limited.  You are more likely to get passed over for that promotion or raise you have been waiting for.  When you get the reputation as a supervisor that only cares about the bottom line, your team is not going to go that extra mile for you or take the time to make that project mistake free.  Your personal reputation is a direct reflection of the company’s reputation.  We stake our reputation on safety and so should you. If you heard it once, you have heard it a thousand times – Safety is and always will be our core value.  If you are more concerned with finishing under budget by cutting corners hoping that your reputation will shine or willfully put someone in a bucket truck without proper training because it’s a real quick job – then safety isn’t your core value and Ontivity isn’t the place for you. 

The next time you are considering taking a shortcut while on the job or directing someone to just get it done, stop and consider the reasons you are taking that route.  Reminding yourself of the far-reaching consequences an incident can have on many different people.  Working safe is really a very small price to pay for being able to improve and maintain your lifestyle. There is no job or piece of production that is worth the risk of injury.  No matter your job title, you can be an influencer to those around you through your actions.  What kind of influence will you be?

If you would like more information on this topic or any other safety-related topic, please reach out to the Ontivity safety team at safety@ontivity.com, and we will get you taken care of. 

 

The US Navy SEALS are one the most elite military forces in the world and lose under 1% of their fighters in some of the scariest situations on earth. When asked why mortality rates are so low among the SEAL community, Jocko Willink, famed Navy Seal commander turned speaker, credits the intense training and pre-planning involved. Their ability to plan for the unknown and intense training methods are what they rely on to get them home. With this in mind, why would we want to cut corners on our own methods of pre-planning (i.e., daily hazard assessments)? Our jobs place us around hazards that when not mitigated can cause great harm.

When we discuss ways to stay vigilant and ahead of hazards, we are going to break this morning’s topic into three areas:

1. Understanding the Importance of Hazard Assessment
2. Tracking and Analyzing Trends to Keep Workers Safe
3. A Technological Approach to the JHA

• Understanding the Importance of Hazard Assessment

What is a hazard assessment and why is it important? Simply stated, a Job Hazard Assessment (JHA) is a systematic procedure that breaks each job/task into key training sequences, identifies safety elements of each required step, and coaches the employee on how to avoid potential safety hazards. Both a JSA and JHA are considered the same thing, so do not let the name confuse you. By approaching a worksite the same way each time, we can ensure consistent and safe steps. It also allows us to utilize everyone’s collective knowledge of the situation to identify potential hazards and what to do when we encounter them. You might be unaware of certain intricacies of a new product or how fast the weather can change in a new location. That is where another crew member’s knowledge and experience on the subject can help keep you safe.

• Tracking and Analyzing Trends to Keep Workers Safe

Where does the information go when we complete a JHA? Ontivity uses and compiles different data gathered from hazard analysis’, incident and near miss reports, vehicle data, and safety audits, to name a few. Then we analyze it to see if there are any trends or common occurrences. Maybe one rigging mishap in a market does not sound like big deal. However, if the one singular occurrence happens across 5 family member companies there is a greater issue. What if while investigating the incident, we identify a faulty rigging component. Now the safety team can engage the manufacturer and the item might be recalled. Perhaps there is a missing component to the training and crews are issues a new rescue component that they unfamiliar with? The overall process is simple in concept, but it requires the buy-in from everyone in the company and a centralized platform.

• Electronic JHA Platforms

Data collection can assist us in staying ahead of danger. However, paper forms have to be scanned/emailed, people lose them, or sometimes crews will run out of copies and try to use an old form. To help combat this we, have rolled out a new platform at Ontivity using our safety app. This powerful tool allows us to improve records and data collection as well as improve and expedite incident reporting helping us be b

If you would like more information on this topic or any other safety-related topic, please reach out to the Ontivity safety team at safety@ontivity.com, and we will get you taken care of. 

As temperatures drop, it’s important to begin preparing for colder months and the threats they present. Winter storms can bring extreme cold, freezing rain, snow, ice, and high winds. These conditions can create a higher risk of car accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning and even heart attacks from overexertion.  Winter storms can blow in quickly and without notice.  Case in point, this past weekend, the Denver metropolitan area received 10 inches of snow just a few days after having multiple 85-degree weather days. 

Today let discuss three areas of concern to help better prepare you for the upcoming winter months. 

PRE-PLANNING

During most safety calls, we discuss the importance to pre plan.  Whether that’s planning a specific task or deciding whose hosting Thanksgiving this year.  Preplanning during the winter is key to preventing incidents.  Much of the work our men and women do Is outdoors and there are many things to consider.  Have we looked at the forecast and made a conscious decision that it is safe to proceed?  Pre-planning could include the determination that special equipment to access a jobsite is needed or maybe even postponing a job altogether.  We need to consider things like our path of travel, how long is a realistic expectation of being on tower, and what additional supplies we might need to keep us safe and warm.  Although our trucks keep a lot of gear and material in them it’s crucial that we keep additional clothing and supplies in case we need to bundle up or get stranded.  Making sure our vehicles are prepared for winter is a large key to your success and safety.  Verify your tires are in good condition with plenty of tread.  Top off your windshield washer fluid with a product that can work below freezing temperatures, check fuel levels, and make sure you have a snow brush to scrape or remove the elements. 

DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER

Arguably the most dangerous hazard winter poses in many parts of the country is poor driving conditions. According to the Department of Transportation, winter weather conditions are responsible for over 192,000 injuries and 2,200 deaths each year on the road. Outside injury and loss of life, winter weather conditions are responsible for millions of dollars in property damage incidents. The hazards created by winter weather make it hard for even the most experienced drivers to operate a vehicle safely.  The roads can be dangerous when there’s snow, ice, or sleet on them. The best advice is simply… take it slow.  Allow for extra time to arrive to your work locations during inclement weather.  Be sure to remove snow and ice from all surfaces, especially your windshield before moving your vehicle.  Stopping distances can be 10 times greater when it’s icy. Gentle maneuvers and slow speeds are the key to safe driving in ice and snow.  Four-wheel drive won’t help you when you are sliding.  In fact, it can make matters worse.  Colder conditions are known to create a spike in cold and flu symptoms.  You should avoid operating any type of vehicle if you are not feeling well or on any medication that could make you drowsy. These conditions can have a serious impact on your reaction times.  A delay in reaction is not something we want during inclement conditions.

RECOGNIZING COLD STRESS

Knowing the signs and basic treatments for frostbite and hypothermia is important. Frostbite can cause loss of feeling and color around the face, finger, and toes.  Another symptom is numbness in the extremities or firm or waxy skin. If you think you are experiencing frostbite, go to a warm room, soak in warm water, and use body heat to warm yourself.  Similarly, if you are experiencing an unusually low body temperature (less than 95 degrees) accompanied by confusion, fumbling hands, or slurred speech, you may be experiencing hypothermia. If you are, go to a warm room, stay dry and wrap yourself in blankets.  Damp or wet clothing can cause your body temperature to drop quickly, putting you at greater risk for cold stress injuries. Should your clothes become wet or damp, you should change them immediately.  In colder temps you should dress in layers that are easy to take off or put back on throughout the day.  Face and hand coverings are vital prevention measures during the colder months, especially in windy conditions.  Lastly, we lose a great amount of body heat from our head and as such wearing a beanie or other insulated head cover will help keep you warm. 

Before we close out our discussion today, I want to also mention another hazard that comes into play when ice and snow are present.  That is an increased risk of slips, trips, and falls.  Snow, sleet, and ice greatly increase the chances for slip, trip, and fall incidents to occur. Take your time when walking across slippery surfaces. Taking smaller steps lessens your chances of losing your balance.  Winter can be one of the most beautiful times of the year.  However, don’t let those breathtaking views of snowcapped mountains fool you, it’s also a dangerous time of the year and requires your full attention.

If you would like more information on this topic or any other safety-related topic, please reach out to the Ontivity safety team at safety@ontivity.com, and we will get you taken care of. 

Ontivity is a national-scale network infrastructure services provider built upon the long-standing foundation of the local expertise and experience of our strong Family Member Companies. With 24 branch offices operating across 28 states, Ontivity’s member companies are the leading turnkey services producers in the wireless infrastructure space. Services provided include technology upgrades, structural engineering, macro tower builds, small cell, in-building, DAS and 5G installations, tower modifications, generator services, project management, civil services, microwave networks, and more. The Ontivity companies are Enertech Resources, ET Tower, Mountain Wireless, Legacy Wireless, and CMS Wireless.  Ontivity is headquartered in New Braunfels, Texas. To learn more about Ontivity and its member companies, please visit https://ontivity.com.

Theft in the construction is literally and figuratively big business, with industry experts estimating annual losses at roughly $1 billion.  In recent weeks, we have seen a spike across the industry with companies suffering significant losses. Now, we are sure some of these incidents occurred even when the necessary prevention steps were taken however, many that resulted may have been avoided by taking simple steps to protect the assets in our care.  Today, we will discuss three reminders in an effort to minimize losses from theft.

1. Always remove high dollar assets each night
2. Remember – Out of sight, out of mind
3. Always make sure the truck and trailer are locked while unattended

1. Always remove all high dollar assets each night

The problem with thieves is they can and do strike when you least expect it, yes even in areas you might consider low risk.  This is why we must always take steps to prevent theft.  Taking the extra time and effort to bring high dollar test equipment indoors at the end of the day can save tens of thousands of dollars. We get it, carrying in heavy sweep gear is probably the last thing anyone wants to do at the end of a long day but in today’s world it’s pretty much mandatory to prevent theft.

• Remember – Out of sight, out of mind

Tools and equipment should always be stored and put away after use. Leaving things out is not only a hazard to employees, but also can leave room for theft. When the workday is over, make sure all items are stored properly.  Many of our projects require the use of heavy equipment for several days which is why removing keys and properly securing them is critical to prevention of theft.  Do not leave valuables where they can be seen through a window. Seeing valuables could give a thief the green light to break in and retrieve the object and more.  This is yet another scenario where a few more minutes can help prevent theft.

• Always make sure the truck and trailer are locked while unattended

An estimated 90% of all equipment thefts take place between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Monday. Holidays and weekends are the next timeframes for increased chance of theft.  During the process of completing a project we can have equipment and material that is stored on site or in our warehouses making them prime targets for theft.  We must not get in a rush at the end of the day and not take the time to properly secure these areas.  In the words of one of our team members, use the “Buddy Check” to ensure worksites and facilities are properly secured.  Giving our worksites, trailers, and toolboxes one last check before leaving them unattended to ensure proper securement is definitely well worth the effort.

Theft is a problem that just won’t go away and it just about next to impossible to 100% eliminate it from our daily lives.  However, that doesn’t mean we should accept that and not do everything within our power to prevent it.  Taking the few extra minutes to safeguard valuables is something no one should turn a blind eye to.

If you would like more information on this topic or any other safety-related topic, please reach out to the Ontivity safety team at safety@ontivity.com, and we will get you taken care of. 

The impact that a car accident can have on your family financially and emotionally is tremendous.  Everyone should make it a habit to make safe driving choices anytime you are behind the wheel of a vehicle.  Today we are going to review some topics related to alerts from our fleet monitoring tool that occur far too frequently. 

ALWAYS WEAR A SEAT BELT

While drivers can make every effort to stay safe and aware when operating a vehicle, accidents can still happen. One fundamental safety measure is wearing a seat belt. According to the NHTSA, seatbelts reduce crash-related injuries and deaths by half.  Wearing a seatbelt also enhances the effectiveness of other safety features. For example, airbags are more likely to prevent serious injury or death when combined with the use of a seatbelt.  Individuals who do not wear their seatbelts are more likely to be ejected from the vehicle in a crash. Seatbelts serve as a restraint for passengers in a vehicle. They restrain an individual to the seat instead of them potentially being ejected from the vehicle or being thrown around the interior of a vehicle in the instance of a crash. Seatbelts need to be worn every time you are in a vehicle. Reasons such as being uncomfortable or “not cool” are not good enough for not wearing a seat belt. As a driver, you bear the responsibility not only for yourself but for everyone in your vehicle. Ensure that both you and your passengers wear your seatbelts every time you get in a vehicle.

COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT ALL STOP SIGNS

Stop signs are a critical aspect of road safety. Regardless of whether you’re on a back country road or in a bustling city, a stop sign means stop. A stop sign is designed to notify drivers that they must come to a complete stop and make sure the intersection is safely clear of vehicles and/or pedestrians before continuing past the sign.  It doesn’t matter if the stop sign is on a back country road or major metropolitan area.  A stop sign means stop.  The safety of others as well as yourself can be compromised by rolling through a stop sign. For example, many pedestrians rely on drivers stopping in order for them to cross the street safely. Not only that, but a only conducting a quick glance you can easily miss pedestrians crossing, especially small children, resulting in a pedestrian accident.  The road is no place for uncertainty, but that’s what a rolling stop gives to other drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. If another individual is unsure whether you will roll through or completely stop at a stop sign, it can affect his or her actions and driving decisions in a destructive or unsafe way. Receiving a ticket or fine is certainly on the list of reasons why failing to stop at a stop sign is a bad idea. However, there are others that are more severe. For instance, causing an accident while negligently failing to stop can cause very serious injury to you or another person.   A stop sign is not a suggestion to slow down, it means your vehicle needs to come to a complete stop and verify all is safe before you continue driving.

ALWAYS SCAN THE ROAD AHEAD

The last item we want to cover is near collisions. When driving you should not only pay attention to cars in front, back, and on either side of you.  You should also be looking ahead past the car in front of you.  This enables you to observe what is going on ahead of you and give you time to adequately prepare yourself.  Many workers can find themselves in rural areas where the added complexity of dealing with unpredictable wildlife is also a hazard.  These animals can blend into the vegetation and appear like magic.  This is why we need to slow down and give ourselves time to react, especially in the morning and at dusk.  Man, all this paying attention to the road seems like it might get in the way of using your phone or taking a bite of your lunch.  Well, it shouldn’t, because when you are operating a vehicle, your main task is ensuring you and your passengers arrive to your destination safely.  If you need to make a call, return a text, or eat then pull over to a safe place to do that.  Minimizing all distractions and making your main focus on the road ahead of you is the best way to be safe while driving.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the leading cause of workplace injuries was from automobile crashes. If we don’t take swift action to correct the behaviors we discussed today and hold each other accountable to drive safe, we are going to eventually have someone contribute to the statistics.  Remember, we are not in a race, the few extra seconds, or minutes it takes you to safely reach your destination can be the difference between life or death.

If you would like more information on this topic or any other safety-related topic, please reach out to the Ontivity safety team at safety@ontivity.com, and we will get you taken care of. 

Safety is defined as “freedom from the occurrence or risk of injury, danger, or loss; the action of keeping safe.” Simply stated, safety in construction is the removal of inherent risk. There are a number of safety problems common to job sites that can be solved with a little planning and thinking ahead. Good safety habits like keeping trash out of the walkway or breaking down boxes and storing them properly to mitigate trip hazards. Always use a GFCI or proper lockout/tagout procedures when working with electricity. These simple principles, when overlooked, can snowball into grater hazards that may injure personnel.

To help us own our personal safety, we are going to break it down into three different topics:

First, Identify and eliminate all hazards.

Second, Utilize common sense.

Third, Take ownership of the safety and wellbeing of yourself and those you work with.

IDENTIFY AND ELIMINATE ALL HAZARDS

In the OSHA Construction standard, a “competent person” is defined as “one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them” Well what does that exactly mean? To me, it states that an experienced worker should be able to recognize any potential jobsite hazards. In this example, we will use a fall from ice bridge. Next, they should be able to evaluate the level of concern. If someone were to fall while working on the ice bridge, how major is the potential for injury? Lastly, control the hazard. What can we do to ensure the job can be done safely? Perhaps a more stable ladder, the assistance of another worker, the list goes on. While it is the responsibility of the competent person to promptly mitigate hazards, all workers should be assisting the competent person to create a safer environment. Everyone has a role, not just the foreman.

UTILIZE COMMON SENSE

Common sense is the basic level of practical knowledge or judgment that we all need to help us live in a reasonably safe way. We acquire this practical knowledge through our own life experiences as well as others’, making common sense a shared experience. For example, while growing up you hopefully learned not to put a fork in an electrical outlet. Either you had a negative experience by trying it, Zap, or your parents told you that it would hurt. It is often presumed we all possess the same level of common sense. This is where the issue comes onto the jobsite; you tell a coworker they should use common sense while working. Unfortunately, everyone’s life experiences are unique to them. What if your greenhand never learned the downside of placing objects into outlets, walked too close to an exposed ledge, or never worked around cranes and knew to look up to identify overhead hazards? If not, did someone else share their experiences with them to create “common sense”? I prefer the term, not so common, common sense. It is better to assume others do not have your level of experience and take the time to teach them.

TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE SAFETY AND WELLBEING OF YOURSELF AND THOSE YOU WORK WITH

We are nearing the end of 2023. That means in my household, the movie “A Christmas Story” is on the horizon. My favorite scene in the show was always the little brother, Ralphie, getting bundled up by his mother to go outside in the cold. He was so engulfed in warm weather gear, at one point he exclaims, “I can’t put my arms down!” As funny as the scene is, it brings home an important theme. As a safety professional, I cannot go onto the jobsite and wrap everyone in bubble wrap ensuring that you are impervious to damage. At some point, tower technicians have to climb to elevated workstations or civil technicians have to perform an excavation. While PPE might mitigate an oops moment on the jobsite, we should be working to engineer as many hazards out of the process as possible. You cannot be struck by a dropped tool if it is properly tethered to your harness. If at any point you cannot find a safe workflow, reach out to your manager, or call the safety hotline. You have the support in the field, you just have to ask. Do not take your personal safety lightly.

If you would like more information on this topic or any other safety-related topic, please reach out to the Ontivity safety team at safety@ontivity.com, and we will get you taken care of. 

At any given moment on any given day, we may find ourselves driving in a work zone.  Whether its road construction, accident investigations or a temporary road closure due to work being done adjacent to the road. In 2019 alone, almost 30,000 crashes happened in construction zones just in Texas alone, with an average of over 850 fatalities nationwide. Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) and passenger vehicle drivers both need to be particularly careful while traveling through work zones.  Trucks and buses have limited maneuverability and large blind spots, both of which make operating in these areas more challenging for them. In fact, large trucks are disproportionately involved in work zone crashes.  Work zones present many challenges for trucks – narrow lanes, sudden stops, traffic pattern shifts, and uneven road surfaces require all drivers to stay alert. In fact, large trucks represented in work zone crashes, make up nearly one-third of fatal work zone crashes. It’s critical that all road users approach work zones with caution and do their part to keep the road safe for everyone. 

Today we will discuss three key points that are documented measures to reduce work zone driving incidents.  

First, Slow Down

Second, Keep your distance.

Third, Expect the unexpected

SLOW DOWN

Driving through work zones present many challenges for drivers.  Often the posted speed limit, which you may normally be used to has been altered to get drivers to slow down.  Speed is altered for many reasons such as road damage, equipment in use and of course worker safety.  With lowered speeds comes higher fines for violating those speed limits.  The reduced speed zone shall be marked in the “Advanced warning area” prior to the work zone.  The signage should indicate the step-down speed and if the adjusted limit fines are doubled. What does this mean?  In Colorado for instance, a speeding citation for 10-19 over the posted limit holds a fine of $378 and 20 to 24 over the limit $628.   Incidents involving speeding 2021-2022, increased by nearly 40 percent over the previous year, which is a sad trend.  By speeding through construction zones, it places undue risk on workers and equipment.  Speeding and inattentive drivers are the top 2 reasons construction zone wrecks are so common. Unsurprisingly, rear-end collisions are the most common.

There’s a reason the speed limit is reduced in construction zones. There are so many hazards you don’t encounter in other places. 

KEEP YOUR DISTANCE

Rear end collisions are a leading cause of crashes within work zones.   Never tailgate the vehicle in front of you.  Often, we get frustrated with the amount of time it taking to travel through a construction zone, so we may find ourselves getting antsy or agitated.  Keep calm do not get distracted by the work being completed. It is recommend keeping two-three car lengths between you and the car ahead and maintaining space between your vehicle and construction workers and their equipment.   By keeping your distance, you will be better prepared if that vehicle must stop immediately or change lanes abruptly.   Often in these work zones there are loose materials such as rocks, packaging, pipes and tools.   By maintaining a safe distance, you are giving yourself time to react to avoid a collision.   

Having stood roadside myself, the fear of being struck was always present.  Making sure you move over when applicable and giving space for you and the workers shows your attention to the conditions.  Do not ride the cone line, try and adjust your steering to provide that additional space away from workers and the closure. 

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

Construction zones sometimes present unforeseen and potentially dangerous situations for drivers. Depending on the level of traffic, lanes may unexpectedly close, and vehicles may be redirected in new directions. The best way to remain safe in a construction zone is to proceed with caution and always pay close attention to your surroundings. Be prepared to slow down at any moment, when you see workers or signage in the area, indicating a decreased speed limit. Always expect the unexpected when driving in a construction, or anytime really. That way, you’ll never be surprised, and you’ll always be in control.  When driving through a work zone, you should be prepared to deal with more distractions and sudden changes than normal. Stay alert, you should always look for hazards like distracted drivers, construction workers, heavy machinery, flaggers, sudden lane changes, narrow lanes, wildlife, uneven roads and contractor vehicles exiting from the construction zone.  

Always pre-plan your trip as discussed on previous safety calls.  If possible, avoid work zones all together.  If driving through a work zone is unforeseeable remember that construction zones aren’t there to personally inconvenience, you. They’re necessary to improve the roads and to keep everyone safe from surrounding activity.  Whether you’re dealing with irresponsible drivers or long delays, the best way to deal with the frustration of driving in a construction zone is to take a deep breath, collect yourself and calm down. Safety always comes first.    

If you would like more information on this topic or any other safety-related topic, please reach out to the Ontivity safety team at safety@ontivity.com, and we will get you taken care of. 

In our world of working at height one fall is too many and any fall from height can be fatal. We want to take a moment to discuss four bullet points that we should keep in mind to avoid a fall from height.  

First, Properly prepare for the day’s tasks by executing the pre-job planning process.   

Second, Inspect your PPE.

Third, Maintain continuous fall protection AT ALL TIMES.

Fourth, Utilize the buddy check system.

PROPERLY PREPARE FOR THE DAY’S TASKS BY EXECUTING THE PRE-JOB PLANNING PROCESS.

There are several different sayings that come to mind when we think of pre-job planning. The first one that comes to mind is “Plan the work, then work the plan.” The second is “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Both sayings focus on the importance of putting in the work on the front end. The easiest way to accomplish this is by completing the daily Job Hazard Assessment. By reviewing the tasks associated with that day’s scope of work, identifying the hazards, and employing the hierarchy of controls to mitigate those hazards, you greatly reduce the odds of a workplace incident from taking place. We cannot stress enough the importance of executing the pre-job planning process. It truly is the basis of which we work from.

INSPECT YOUR PPE DAILY

There are certain hazards that we simply are not able to substitute, engineer, or employ administrative controls and we have no other choice but to utilize PPE. Whether it means using safety glasses, a hard hat or a personal fall arrest system, we must inspect them daily and/or before each use. Looking for signs of excessive wear and/or damage will ensure that the PPE will perform should it be needed.

MAINTAIN CONTINUOUS FALL PROTECTION AT ALL TIMES

There are three primary means of fall protection. You have fall prevention which includes warning lines and guardrail systems which prevent access to the fall hazard, you have fall restraint which prevents a person from falling, and then you have fall arrest that stops a person from falling once it has occurred. No matter what system you use or what the circumstances are, the use of a fall protection system is required whenever an employee may be exposed to a fall greater than six feet. Employees working at-height are at a significantly higher risk to injury when transitioning from one position to another due to the increase in the number of times you connect and disconnect during the transitioning process. But you can also be exposed to fall hazards when working on rooftops or near open trenches or pier holes. By utilizing warning lines, guardrail systems, fall restraint, and/or fall arrest, you can eliminate the potential for fatal consequences. We are often faced with different challenges when working aloft so if there are any questions or concerns, Stop and Make the Call to your supervisor or Field Safety Advisor.

UTLIZE THE BUDDY CHECK SYSTEM

The wellbeing of a team is within the hands of the team. The buddy check system can help avoid complacency by providing a new look or perspective about the current task or simply pointing out a hazard that you didn’t see. Just like the old saying goes, there is safety in numbers. Two sets of eyes are better than one. Often times, a second set of eyes can be helpful when it comes to identifying or verifying anchor points. The buddy check system gives a last-minute opportunity to make sure that everything is functioning correctly and is safe to use.

If you would like more information on this topic or any other safety-related topic, please reach out to the Ontivity safety team at safety@ontivity.com, and we will get you taken care of. 

Working at height presents too many opportunities for dropped object events. One example, antenna platforms that weigh over 100 lbs that are not fully secured can easily become dislodged during the maneuvering of the platform into place causing it to fall. Objects like tools that are not properly secured can easily be dropped and come in contact with workers below. PPE acts as a protection from falling objects but there is no better protection than properly securing tools and minimizing dropped object events in the first place. Todasy we will discuss 3 key points aimed at minimizing dropped object events in our workplace.

First, Know what to tether.

Second, Use the appropriate type of tether.

Third, Communicate when equipment is temporarily secured on a structure.

KNOW WHAT TO TETHER

This key point is rather simple to cover by simply knowing the definition of a dropped object.  A dropped object is any item that falls or falls over from its previous position that has the potential to cause injury, death, or equipment/environmental damage.  Pretty simple right?  When it comes down to it we can find a solution to tether almost anything.  Key word there is almost, there are some unique situations that just might not have a solution.  For example, bull pins that are used by our tower stacking crews pose a situation that we just have not been able to find a solution for as of this morning.  These unique situations are going to require you to engage the safety team to determine the best course of action.  In cases we cannot identify a solution you will need to proceed with a heightened sense of focus, and you absolutely do not want to be in a rush.  One last item to cover on this point is the securement of items during the process of installation or decommissioning.  These tasks can often require you to leave items in a partially secured condition while other portions of the scope are completed.  During this process it is critical that we tether any equipment that could accidentally become dislodged and fall.  Especially, when we are forced to leave items overnight.  The last thing we want to have happen is for nature or gravity to cause items to fall.  

USE THE APPROPRIATE TYPE OF TETHER

Since the release of ANSI 121 in 2018 (the industry consensus for dropped objects) there has been a flood of tethering products to hit the market.  It is important to know that not all tethers are created equal, that is why we must make sure that we are using the appropriate tethers.  All tethers must have a weight rating on them, which is something we need to be aware of and adhere to.  Using the appropriate slings and hardware to secure equipment during installation or decommissions tasks ensures that these items will not become a point of failure in adverse conditions.  Duct tape and mule tape are not included in the list of appropriate methods for tethering of tools or equipment.  Remember that one of our values is nothing homemade, and that certainly applies when choosing the appropriate type of tether and methods of securement.

COMMUNICATE WHEN EQUIPMENT IS TEMPORARILY SECURED ON A STRUCTURE

As previously mentioned, during various tasks that we are assigned we can be forced to leave some items partially secured to structures or laying on platforms after we have stopped for the day.  In addition to properly securing these items, we must also communicate to the respective entities that we have a heightened risk for dropped objects that could be hazardous for others after we have left the site. Those respective entities can be all or one of the following depending on your situation:  tower owners, customers, building engineers, or property owner POCs.  You might even consider putting up caution tape or cones that can let someone know they are entering an area that they need to exercise extra caution in.

Our main key points today covered some of the basic items.  Before we close for the day, I want to mention a couple other quick points that we all must keep in mind.  In any situation where any type of work is taking place even one foot over your head you must increase your level of focus.  Avoid positioning yourself under that work.  If you just cannot avoid it, make sure you have your PPE on and avoid looking up.  Lastly, if you see a nut, bolt, water bottle, or anything else on a raised platform or on a rooftop that could create a dropped object event, stop work, pick up that item and properly dispose of or secure that item to eliminate the hazard.  The few seconds it can take to pick up that item or the couple minutes you spend securing tools and equipment properly will make all the difference!

If you would like more information on this topic or any other safety-related topic, please reach out to the Ontivity safety team at safety@ontivity.com, and we will get you taken care of.