Daily Commute
Toolbox Talks Category
Labor Day represents the end of the summer for many of us. We start looking toward trips north to our favorite tree stand, football season is on the horizon, and...
Toolbox Talks
Blood Borne Pathogens
Toolbox Talks Category
What are blood borne pathogens? Blood borne pathogens are microorganisms in blood or body fluid that cause disease in humans. The two blood borne pathogens that have received the most...
Most parking lots that we have to access or walk through to get to the job site have blind spots that could contribute to injury or incident. There are many...
The summer season can present distinctive hazards, exposing us to high temperatures both inside and outside on the job site. When our body temperature increases, it tries to maintain its...
Protecting Your Hands
Toolbox Talks Category
•Always be mindful Be aware of potential hand hazards before an accident can occur. •Analyze the work task Look out for pinch points, sharp edges, splinters or protruding objects, exposed...
Firework Safety
Toolbox Talks Category
1. Attend a Local Event that Employs Firework Professionals. The best way to remain safe during a firework celebration is to attend a local event. Leaving the firework deployment...
Safety Culture
Toolbox Talks Category
What is a Safety Culture? Safety Cultures consist of shared beliefs, practices and attitudes that exist at all levels of an organization. Culture is the over all feeling created by...
We often deal with Chemicals on our projects. The chemicals can range in severity from sulfuric acid to Windex but we all need to know how to properly handle these...
Fall Protection
Toolbox Talks Category
In construction we come across high-risk tasks which in some circumstances cannot be controlled. Some ways they can be controlled is by using fall prevention methods like guardrail systems, coverings...
Distracted Driving Month
Toolbox Talks Category
There used to be a time that the only thing you had to worry about distracting you from driving were the people in the vehicle with you and picking one...
In December 2018, OSHA/MIOSHA published the final rule of the new Cranes and Derricks Standard. Many of the things that they have made law we are already doing on our...
Creating a strong safety culture is crucial for maintaining an accident and injury free work environment. Discussing safety topics and known hazards in the “morning huddle” safety meeting is an...
How can we Prevent this in the Future: •Ensure you have the latest, most up to date, Safety Data Sheet (SDS)- and check it for hazards •There are 16 sections...
Organization of Work Areas & Housekeeping Practices The means and methods of how we setup and clean up our work areas make a huge impact on our ability to work...
Prevent Eye Injuries
Toolbox Talks Category
The human body is capable of incredible things. It does however take a lot of work to protect it. Some areas of the body such as are our eyes are...
Heavy Equipment Safety
Toolbox Talks Category
When operating or working around heavy equipment remember these key points: • Conduct a pre-inspection of the equipment. • As the operator of the equipment know and understand your working...
How do we protect ourselves? Recognize when you are working with a silica containing product, it’s pretty common in building materials Once you recognize a hazard you can start to...
What Is Silica?
Toolbox Talks Category
An inorganic compound formed by combining silicon and oxygen atoms.There are two types - Crystalline & Amorphous, Crystalline is the most hazardous and it is the one we are talking...
Changing Weather Conditions
Toolbox Talks Category
Incoming weather can produce some pretty hazardous conditions on our job sites and knowing what's coming our way has great advantages. Not only is the weather very hard to predict,...
Aerial Lift Safety
Toolbox Talks Category
Aerial lifts are one of the most frequently used pieces of equipment on most job sites. Pipe fitters use aerial lifts. Carpenters use aerial lifts. Laborers and Ironworkers use aerial...
Flu Prevention
Toolbox Talks Category
The CDC estimates that every year 9% of the U.S. population is hospitalized for confirmed flu cases. As we approach early fall and the CDC’s recommended time for vaccination, let’s...
National Preparedness Month
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EMERGENCY EVACUATION DRILL PROCEDURES:All Ideal employees and our Subs are required during emergency EVAC drills to do the following:• Ensure fire protection equipment is operating properly.• Train employees on how...
As Americans hit the roads each and every day to celebrate the holidays or social events with family or friends, it's important that we drive safe. Drunk driving is a...
Stress and Worker Safety
Safety, Toolbox Talks Category
How is Stress Related to SAFETY? Stress, many of us are faced with it on a daily basis, however we might not know how to deal with it. It is important...
Ticks & Lyme Disease
Toolbox Talks Category
Outdoor workers are exposed to a variety of hazards that depend on their type of work, season, and duration of time they are outside. A specific hazard that outdoor workers...
Four Mindsets to Avoid
Toolbox Talks Category
Summer is in full swing. The sun is shining, temperatures are rising, and the grass is growing. More importantly, we will be celebrating Independence Day with family, friends, cold beverages,...
Excavation activities in the company start to increase as the weather warms up. An important hazard we have to identify during excavations is how to minimize the exposure to crystalline...
Electrical Safety
Toolbox Talks Category
-Extension Cords-Extension cords that we use on the job have to be 3 wired cords with a ground plug, and a minimum of 12 gauge wire is required. Three wire...
The month of May brings sunshine, blue skies, and the perfect conditions for trenching and excavating. While some people will be thinking of planning summer vacation time with their families,...
Tornado Safety
Toolbox Talks Category
Most areas of the United States are susceptible to tornadoes, and with the recent weather patterns we have had anything is possible. Tornadoes typically occur during the spring and summer...
Extension Cord Safety
Toolbox Talks Category
US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates 4,000 reportedinjuries, with extension cords each year. Additional 3,300 incidents involveresidential fire,originating from extension cords.What causes these injuries? Short circuits, overloading, damage and/...
Our daily activities, at work and at home, place us in scenarios which constantly expose us to hazards and changing work environments. A situation that can lead to a pinch...
Winter Dehydration
Toolbox Talks Category
Dehydration is usually associated with work being conducted in the warmer summer months. However, workers have an elevated risk of dehydration in cold weather because the body’s thirst response is...
Snow and Ice Removal
Toolbox Talks Category
“Winter is coming” and with it snow and ice. Winter weather conditions pose serious hazards to a construction site. Here are a few of these:• Slips due to wet, icy,...
According Michigan Law tires are legally worn out when the tread on cars and trucks weighing less than 10,000 lbs have worn down to 2/32". To help warn drivers that...
Cold and Flu Prevention
Toolbox Talks Category
You know the symptoms - sneezing, scratchy throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, watery eyes. It is that miserable morning when you wake up and say “ Dang… I am sick.”...
Hearing Safety
Toolbox Talks Category
You never know what you have until it’s gone!?ALKS This is especially true of hearing loss!Failure to wear hearing protection can cause irreparable damage to your hearing. This loss is so...
Direction Boring and the Hazards to Us!!Ideal contracting employees were instructed to dig a 30in trench running north to south for the installation of a 6" irrigation sleeve. The location...
Asbestos Safety
Toolbox Talks Category
Asbestos is a regulated substance that can only be sampled, removed, altered,repaired and transported by Licensed contractors. ALKSWhat is Asbestos?Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was commonly used until the...
Some of our parking lots that we have to access or walk through to get to the job areas, are big open spaces, others have blind spots in them whether...
Proper Hydration
Toolbox Talks Category
Proper HydrationWe have all experienced it at some point while working hard: fatigue sets in, your mouth feels dry, your legs are heavy and you may even get a headache....
Respirator Safety
Toolbox Talks Category
Breathing in hazardous substances can lead to hospitalization immediately or years after an exposure. These exposures can lead to severe illness or even cause death. When working in areas with...
Utility Knife
Toolbox Talks Category
SafetyDrawing the knife towards you instead of away from your body.Working with a dull blade. (Dull blades require more pressure, increasing the potential for injury).Trying to cut more than the...
Heat/Sun Exposure
Toolbox Talks Category
Sun Protection – Proper PPE should be worn to protect skin from direct sunlight for employees working outside. Hardhats, long sleeves, sunblock, and approved safety sunglasses should be worn to...
Firework Safety
Toolbox Talks Category
Remember to....-Keep spectators at a safe distance from the deployment field-Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks-The person deploying fireworks should always wear safety glasses-Do not deploy fireworks...
Distracted Driving
Toolbox Talks Category
In an effort to help combat distracted driving, Ideal Contracting has launched a company wide campaign to help prevent distracted driving. We have added it to our company orientation, handed...
There are multiple hazards in construction and it is up to all of us to identify these hazards and utilize safe work practices prior to work. Some hazards that occur when...
Heavy Equipment Safety
Toolbox Talks Category
When construction equipment is rumbling around a project, you must keep your eyes open and watch your step. If the construction workers and the operators both keep their eyes open,...
Operating a Lull
Toolbox Talks Category
What should we do when operating a lull?•Inspect your equipment prior to use.•When operating inside a building, in tight areas, or when your vision is blocked, utilize a spotter.•Plan your...
Roof Work TBT
Toolbox Talks Category
This is the time of the year for roof work. When involved in roofing work there are a lot of things to keep in mind.•Make sure all Inspections have been...
Pre-Excavation Safety
Toolbox Talks Category
Almost every month somewhere in the news you can read about a worker being injured or killed when a trench they were working in collapses. These injuries and fatalities are...
There is one component in the construction industry in which we have no control over, the weather. However, we can control how the weather affects our safety in the working...
Traffic Safety
Toolbox Talks Category
Construction workers who perform work on or near roadways are at greater risk of both fatal and non-fatal injuries when working near passing motorists and construction vehicles. Each year more...
Statistics show four of five serious injuries are the result of workers not being sensible on the job and taking unnecessary risks. Common sense on the job is irreplaceable. Most...
Every day we come to work and safety is a part of it. The importance of safety is expressed to you from multiple levels. It may be your superintendent, foreman,...
According to OSHA statistics, slips, trips, and falls are considered to be the second most common cause of lost work time injuries. 15% of accidental deaths on the jobsite are...
Excavation
Toolbox Talks Category
Cave-ins and slough-offs can be a major risk in the construction industry. Excavations andtrenches must be properly shored or cut back to an acceptable angle of repose; otherwise, therewill be...
Scaffold Safety
Toolbox Talks Category
Scaffolding is a crucial aspect to many construction jobs, whether working from it or erecting it, knowing the safe work practices is extremely important. Understanding scaffold safety will prevent many...
Foot Protection
Toolbox Talks Category
When we think of safety generally we don’t think of foot protection until we injure one or both of them or your site has special requirements for footwear. Selecting the proper...
If you are writing a Pre-Task Plan for a rigging operation, one of your hazards should certainly be unqualified persons performing rigging.So how do you avoid this hazard? Who can...
Spreading of Germs
Toolbox Talks Category
The spreading of germs are as easy to spread as, 123 or ABC. How many times have you seensomeone in the restroom and leave out without washing their hands? The...
In the Blink of an Eye
Toolbox Talks Category
While eye safety is a commonly discussed topic on job sites across the country, nearly 700,000 Americans injure their eyes at work each year, with many of them having lost...
Don’t Rush Safety
Toolbox Talks Category
What can you do? Take 2- Take 2 minutes to walk the job, talk to everyone, and endure you know the action needed to do the job safely. SWZ – Safe Work...
Risk Assessment
Toolbox Talks Category
Throughout 2016, there have been 41 Michigan worker deaths. Utilizing risk assessments and identifying potential hazard prior to work may have prevented these unfortunate circumstances. The Occupational Health and Safety...
Active Shooter
Toolbox Talks Category
What should you do if there is an active shooter event on your jobsite?The department of Homeland Security suggests using the RUN, HIDE, FIGHT model.What does this mean?•First keep in...
Emergency Procedures
Toolbox Talks Category
Few people can think clearly and logically in an emergency because an emergency can take on many forms and is not something we deal with on a daily basis, thankfully....
Aerial Lift Safety
Toolbox Talks Category
We use several aerial lifts (scissor lifts, articulating boom platforms, etc.) around our facility. Today we're going to review some safety tips for those working in and around this equipment.As...
Winter Driving
Toolbox Talks Category
Driving to and from work every day is just another part of our work day. Many of us at Ideal put a lot of miles on each day. Every season...
Daily Tool Inspections
Toolbox Talks Category
Here at Ideal we start every day in a group huddle to do our pre-task and stretch and flex as a team. After the morning group activity, we go to...
Complacency
Toolbox Talks Category
Does anyone know what the average age of an individual involved in a fatality at the work place is? It is not 22, 29, 36, or 44. It is 56...
Barricades are an important part of the construction business. On any given job site there are multiple situations that call for proper barricading. Anyone of you standing here at this...
Hot Work “Burn” Permits
Toolbox Talks Category
A Hot Work “Burn” Permit is required for any temporary operation involving open flames, producing heat and/or sparks. This includes but is not limited to welding, burning, cutting, brazing, grinding,...
Hearing Protection
Toolbox Talks Category
Remember the old saying: You never know what you have until it’s gone!?This is true when it comes to hearing loss; once it’s gone, you cannot get it back. Failure...
Fall Driving
Toolbox Talks Category
We live here in Michigan and as the seasons change so will our driving conditions. Fall is upon us and the temperature changes during the course of a day are...
Length of Lanyard and Harness:A 6’ lanyard may seem sufficient while working at a height of 10’ or 12’, but it’s easy to forget about the deceleration device. When a...
Evacuation/Take Shelter
Toolbox Talks Category
There are many types of emergency situations that require an appropriate response, such as fires, tornadoes, chemical spills, and electrical outages. This week, we are focusing on emergency procedures and...
Communication
Toolbox Talks Category
The importance of communication is unparalleled to any and all constructionjobs. Communication is important in developing relationships of trust and understanding in and out of the work field. There are...
Fall Protection Storage
Toolbox Talks Category
At some point in our careers we have planned, inspected, and utilized fall protection to complete a task. Sometimes fall protection is used for just a few moments during a...
Every year, a significant number of people are injured by accidents involving utility vehicles (Golf Carts, ATV’s, etc.) in the workplace, some of which have ended in fatalities. By having...
Traffic Safety
Toolbox Talks Category
Construction workers who perform work on or near roadways are at greater risk of both fatal and non-fatal injuries when working near passing motorists and construction vehicles. Each year more...
Asphalt Fumes
Toolbox Talks Category
Asphalt has been known to cause minor health effects such as headaches, nausea, and drowsiness. It has also been linked to lung cancer. Most of the asphalt used in the...
Hard Hats
Toolbox Talks Category
The brain is the control center of the body. The slightest injury to any part of the brain will cause malfunction to some part of the body. The skull, under...
Fire Safety At Home
Toolbox Talks Category
Smoke Alarms There is one smoke alarm on every level of the home and inside and outside each sleeping area. Smoke alarms are tested and cleaned monthly. Smoke alarm batteries changed at least...
Job Stress
Toolbox Talks Category
Job stress is the physical and emotional harm that occurs when the requirements of a job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker. Job stress can...
Ladder Safety
Toolbox Talks Category
Stepladders are commonly used in the construction industry, but they require careful use. They are not designed for any degree of side loading and are relatively easily overturned. Slips, trips,...
When construction equipment is rumbling around a project, you've got to watch your step. If both construction workers and equipment operators keep their eyes open, no one's going to get...
Excavation Planning
Toolbox Talks Category
What happened? During work on a unique excavation, the sides weren’t fully protected, resulting in a bystander and worker exposure to injury due to fall within the excavation.Why is this an...
High Winds
Toolbox Talks Category
As you know, sudden gusts of wind can cause unexpected incidents. Tell your crew that if high winds are expected, they should be on the lookout for dust, building material,...
The Deadly Dozen
Toolbox Talks Category
We all know that there must be a cause for an accident to happen. In order to avoid accidents, we must remove the cause. Every cause is a result of...
Staying In Shape
Toolbox Talks Category
Staying in shape is one subject that is rarely discussed when safety is the topic. However, a person who stays in good physical condition is less likely to be involved...
Housekeeping
Toolbox Talks Category
Most people don’t realize it, but according to OSHA, one of the main reasons accidents happen on the job is because of workplace housekeeping. Some people think it’s a waste...
Winter Work
Toolbox Talks Category
Working outside in the winter can be a dirty job, but many of us have to do it.Are you ready for winter work?Below are some reminders about dressing appropriately for...
Blood Borne Pathogens
Toolbox Talks Category
WHAT ARE BLOOD BORNE PATHOGENS?They are microorganisms in human body blood or body fluid that cause disease in humans. The two blood borne pathogens that have received the most attention...
Have you ever wondered what you can do to prevent accidents? Maybe, like many people, you believe accidents are bound to happen and there's not much you can do about...
ASBESTOS - What is it?Asbestos is a mineral fiber that has been commonly used for insulating and as a fire-retardant andwas manufactured into more than 3000 different products. Though asbestos...