Washington State Construction Center of Excellence

Nationally, workers suffer approximately 125,000 caught-in-between or crushed injuries yearly when body parts get caught between two objects or are entangled with machinery. These hazards are also referred to as "pinch points.” The physical forces applied to a body part caught in a pinch point can vary and cause injuries ranging from bruises, cuts, amputated body parts, and even death. According to OSHA, Caught-In or -Between Hazards are defined as Injuries resulting from a person being squeezed, caught, crushed, pinched, or compressed between two or more objects or between parts of an object. By identifying caught-in or -between hazards and understanding how they happen, we can take steps to protect ourselves. Learn about this focus four topic at toolboxtalks.info in English: https://lnkd.in/g_yAmpZA Español: https://lnkd.in/g7gp5nKb

Flaggers face two primary hazards: High-Speed Traffic: When cars are traveling at high speeds, it takes a significant amount of time to bring them to a complete stop. For example, a vehicle traveling 60 miles per hour will need an estimated 400 feet to stop completely. When working near high-speed traffic like this, driver inattention or other factors can quickly result in an accident. In such cases, the flaggers who work closest to this traffic can be severely harmed, so implementing proper flagger safety strategies is crucial. Angry or Aggressive Drivers: When roadwork causes severe delays, or drivers are impatient to reach their destinations, they can become agitated and act recklessly. In these cases, angry or aggressive drivers may try to drive around flaggers or even harm them directly. Learn about how to safely position flaggers and prevent vehicular accidents at toolboxtalks.info in: English: https://lnkd.in/gyfg3pGp Espańol: https://lnkd.in/gtrNy6AZ

How do Fires Start? Fire is a chemical reaction that requires three elements to be present for the reaction to take place and continue. The three elements are: • Heat or an ignition source • Fuel • Oxygen These three elements are typically referred to as the “fire triangle.” Fire results from the chemical reaction between the fuel and oxygen in the air. Heat, fuel, and oxygen must combine precisely for a fire to start and continue to burn. If one element of the fire triangle is not present or removed, fire will not start or, if already burning, will extinguish. Ignition sources can include any material, equipment, or operation that emits a spark or flame, including apparent items, such as torches, and less obvious items, such as static electricity and grinding operations. Stay safe with fire at: toolboxtalks.info

Slips, trips, and falls are among the top three causes of work-related injury. These injuries result in 50% more days away from work than other injuries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Learn which construction areas are at highest risk for slip, trip, and fall accidents in this FREE toolbox talk, available at toolboxtalks.info in: English: https://lnkd.in/g76R2s6q Spanish: https://lnkd.in/gVKd448F Russian: https://lnkd.in/gJEQ2xNV

Woah! 28% percent of the workers who fell said they were climbing up or down from an elevated position or location, according to a recent national study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). It’s important to plan ahead for fall protection because unsafe acts and unsafe conditions can lead to fall incidents. Learn how to plan ahead for fall protection on the job site at https://lnkd.in/gudpT_YC Español: https://lnkd.in/ghFNCZNW Russian: https://lnkd.in/gJT6pbdQ Image description: a worker is hooking their snap hook to a full-body harness.

A poorly fitted harness doesn’t just lower the protection level of the harness. It can do additional harm in the event of a fall. When a harness is poorly fitted for the worker or uncomfortable, they are more likely not to use it or use it incorrectly. Learn how to check your body harness in the "Full Body Harness" toolbox talk at toolboxtalks.info

Each day, countless workplaces are subjected to the risk of falling objects. According to a recent survey conducted by the Center for Construction and Research and Training (CPWR), in 2022, falling/flying objects accounted for approximately 30% of injuries on construction sites. Falling objects from above cause severe injuries and account for fatalities every year. Falling object incidents occur due to: • A lack of hazard communication. • Improper storage of materials. • Improper protection of elevated storage areas. • Not moving or securing loads properly when protective headgear is not worn. • Improper housekeeping. Learn how to protect yourself and your fellow workers from falling objects in this toolbox talk and 150+ more at https://lnkd.in/gxYaSGKF

Unfortunately, not all fall protection methods are equal, and often when choosing fall protection solutions, many tend to go directly to “tying-off.” This is not the best choice as there is a hierarchy of solutions that should always be evaluated – in order – to determine which is the safest, most effective one. Fall hazards are foreseeable, and the best way to prevent falls is to utilize the Hierarchy of Fall Protection. Learn about this and more than 150 toolbox talks at toolboxtalks.info

There are approximately 2,000 work-related eye injuries each day, with the construction industry being affected the most of any other industry. When sorted into common construction trades, electricians, plumbers, and pipefitters are statistically at elevated risk! Learn the risk factors and hazard controls in this toolbox talk, and access 150+ more in the Toolbox Talks app, available for Android and iOS.

Proper Extension Ladder Set-Up Setting the ladder at the correct angle is one of the most critical steps to a safe setup. Start by leaning the ladder at a 4:1 ratio. This means that the base needs to be one foot away for every four feet of height between the base and where the ladder contacts the structure you’re leaning against. Too steep, and it could tip over backward. Too much angle and it could bend, or the bottom could slide out. Find over 150 safety briefings in both English and Spanish along with dozens of talks in Russian at toolboxtalks.info