Free Safety & Health Resources for Workers and Contractors
JOURNAL: ISSUE 2 - 2014
Whether the focus is on putting safety and health research into practice (r2p) or the flip side –identifying practices in the field in need of safer alternatives (practice to research or p2r) – there is a role for both BAC members and employers. Several free online resources make it easier to identify and prevent hazardous conditions (r2p) and to help those inventors in our ranks develop new safety and health solutions (p2r).
New Smartphone Apps Raise Awareness
Growth in smartphone use has created another way to raise awareness of construction safety and health on construction sites. A recent study by NIOSH of noise apps, for example, found that real-time exposure data helps to raise workers’ awareness of their work environment and “allows them to make informed decisions about hazards”. The following are links to free apps designed to:
Measure noise levels – NIOSH recommends a noise level of no more than 85 dBA. If the noise level is higher, hearing protection is needed to prevent hearing loss. Several free apps allow you to measure the noise level at work/on the jobsite easily and instantly: to find them search “noise meter apps”. Also see the Hearing Protection tool box talk in IMI’s online Tool Kit for more on preventing hearing loss.
Identify and prevent ladder hazards – Falls from ladders are too common on construction sites. This interactive ladder safety app developed by NIOSH will help “make it easier for workers using extension ladders to check the angle the ladder is positioned at, as well as access useful tips for using extension ladders safely.” Search “ladder safety apps"
Determine how much is too much to lift – Back injuries are common in the masonry industry. Using the NIOSH equation for determining weight-related lifting hazards, this app provides a quick way to calculate “safe and tolerable lifting limits.” Search “NIOSH Lifting Index app for android; a similar app is available through the iTunes for a small fee.
Protecting Your Intellectual Property
Within the research community and the masonry industry there are researchers, contractors, and workers who are always on the lookout for ways to prevent occupational injuries and illnesses. Protecting these ideas as they take shape in the form of new tools, equipment and products is important. So how do you protect your ideas and ensure that once developed, the invention retains its safety and health features? A new publication, “Intellectual Property Patent & Licensing Guide for Construction Safety and Health Researchers and Inventors,” helps answer those questions and more. The Guide was developed by CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training to help safety and health researchers and inventors understand the key steps and questions to consider while conducting research and developing products and materials to advance safety and health in the construction industry. To obtain a free copy, go to www.cpwr.com and search on Intellectual Property Patent & Licensing or contact the Journal at askbac@bacweb.org.