Sheffield Safety & Loss Control Presents at November Safety Forum

Dan Ruane, Safety & Health Committee Chair of W.E. O'Neil Construction, welcomed attendees to the November 13th breakfast session.  "The Forum is here for us to get ideas and share with one another what is working," he commented before introducing Dave Cherven of Sheffield Safety & Loss Control, as the featured speaker.  As a consultant, Dave acknowledged he has been exposed to every possible situation and trade regarding safety through all facets of the construction industry.

Extensive dialogue occurred regarding important topics such as pre-qualification processes; EMR; subcontractor requirements including JHAs and Daily Task Analyses; the value of pre-construction meetings; employee hiring processes; drug testing protocol; jobsite documentation and auditing; new technology platforms; and supervisory and OSHA training.

The audience concurred that pre-construction meetings and job hazard analyses are especially critical when similar work is being done day in and day out for a period of time.  "That is when you see accidents happen," Cherven said.  "Tradesworkers can get complacent performing the same tasks over and over again.  JHAs can greatly reduce these unnecessary incidents."

Cherven also encouraged companies to have employees renew OSHA 10- and 30-hour certification every three to five years as a best practice.  Half-day annual refresher training is also recommended.

2015 Safety Forums will be held on February 12, August 13, and November 12.  Builders Association Safety Awards will be conferred at the Spring Summit at Maggiano's Oak Brook on May 14th.  We look forward to seeing our members at these events next year.