There is good reason to increase our focus on safety this month. Continuum Services has partnered with Huntington Insurance to develop comprehensive safety programs across all REDICO properties.
Ryan Daniel, Huntington Insurance Loss Control Consultant, Ben Osborne, Continuum Account Manager, a 12-person safety committee, our executive team, and division leaders, initiated over 20 safety programs.
As a result, the group has implemented policies to improve safety across all fronts. Risk assessment and compliance are central to our safety efforts as well, with regular site visits and ride-arounds to spot potential hazards.
Safety at Home
Safety becomes more important as the number of home projects increase during the summer months. Continuum’s COO, Ted Spicer, for example, stresses that safety practices are equally important at work and home.
Valuable Safety Tips
Stay hydrated – On warm days, it’s easy to become dehydrated when engrossed in a project or exercise. Accordingly, take frequent water breaks even if you don’t feel thirsty.
Wear quality safety glasses – Over a million eye injuries happen while working on home DIY projects each year in the US. Be smart about ladders – Use caution and keep in mind these tips:
• Lock A-frame ladders in the open position
• Situate ladders on stable, level surfaces
• Never step on the top two rungs of a ladder
• Lean ladders against vertical surfaces with a one-foot spread at the base for every four feet of height
• Never use aluminum ladders near utility poles or around electrical wires
• Next, never place a ladder in front of an unlocked door that swings toward it
When climbing a ladder, utilize Three Points-of-Contact. Ensure that you:
• Always have three out of four feet/hands in contact with the ladder steps, rungs and/or side rails.
Wear a dust mask or respirator – Check reference documentation to ensure you’re using the correct protection over nose/mouth.
Be careful around gas and electricity – You may know basic safety points of working with gas or electricity, however, hiring a professional is best.
Dress with safety in mind – Tie back hair, wear sturdy shoes, and avoid jewelry, long sleeves, or loose clothing that could catch on equipment.
Avoid chainsaw kickback – Finally, if you have an old chainsaw, purchase a replacement chain. If purchase a new chainsaw, look for one with added safety features.
Following is a list of projects that are best left to the pros:
• Plumbing work
• Electrical work
• HVAC systems
• Roofing repairs
• Window replacements
Conclusion
Never take safety for granted, as one wrong move can lead to serious injury.
Sources:
“Top 10 DIY Safety Tips,” Howstuffworks.com
“Playing it Safe,” Huntington Insurance
