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WorkSafeBC

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Injury Prevention Resources for Construction - General Construction

General Construction | Hazardous Materials | Heavy Construction | Road Construction

Concrete & Masonry | Cranes | Demolition | Electrical | Fall Protection | Hearing Protection | Mobile Equipment | Personal Protective Equipment | Residential | Roofing | Scaffolding | Site Preparation & Excavation | General

The following links list tools, publications, and other resources to help prevent the most common injuries and illnesses in the construction industry. These resources may not meet all the requirements for health and safety in British Columbia. Please check the Workers Compensation Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and related materials for specific WorkSafeBC requirements.

General

Videos

Nail Gun Injuries/Fatality
Source: The Sacramento Bee (www.sacbee.com)

Construction Safety Series CSS1 (PDF 498 KB) space
Booklet focusing on ladder safety and fall protection for residential construction.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC

Also available in the following languages:

* Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution.

Drywall Delivery Safety Access Hatch (PDF 64 KB) space
Drywall delivery to many construction projects, particularly up to four storeys tall, has become more difficult in recent years. Often access to the upper levels is limited to interior staircases requiring delivery workers to carry the drywall up manually. The BC Wall & Ceiling Association recommends the use of a Drywall Delivery Safety Access Hatch. The hatch will ensure a safe and efficient means of placing drywall on the upper levels when there is no safe alternative.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC

Prime contractor responsibilities (PDF 164 KB) space
Article from the January/February 2008 issue of WorkSafe Magazine.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC

Safe Drywall Delivery: Options for Prime Contractors (PDF 60 KB) space
This document describes safe drywall delivery options for multi-level buildings.
Source: British Columbia Wall and Ceiling Association in partnership with WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC

A Guide for Protecting Workers from Woodworking Hazards (PDF 543 KB) space
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

ACSA Products space
List of products available from the Alberta Construction Safety Association. Includes videos, toolbox brochures, posters, and workplace hazard signs.
Source: ACSA (Alberta Construction Safety Association)

Alerts and Fact Sheets (CanOSH) space
Links to hazard alerts and safety bulletins issued by federal, provincial, and territorial government agencies.

Back Belts May Not Prevent Injuries at Work (PDF 132 KB) space
WorkSafeBC Ergonomics Commentary.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC

Back Talk: An Owner's Manual for Backs BK4 (PDF 621 KB) space
An illustrated handbook that explains how the back works, provides tips for avoiding injury, and shows how to care for the back during recovery.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
Updated: April 2007
Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution.

Back Belts: Do They Prevent Injury? space
"This pamphlet outlines the current state of scientific knowledge on back belts and stresses the importance of an overall ergonomics program. Companies should not rely on back belts as a 'cure all' for back injury, but should begin to undertake prevention measures which reduce the risks of lifting tasks."
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)

Balanced Tool Belts Can Start Your Back Off in the Right Position (PDF 128 KB) space
A Constructive Ideas information sheet.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC

Building a Safer Construction Industry (PDF 545 KB) space
According to "Building a Safer Construction Industry," (page 8, WorkSafe Magazine, vol. 1, no. 2 March/April 2000), education is the answer to making the construction industry safer. This industry is one of the most dangerous for workers in BC, with an injury rate more than double that of all workers in the province.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC

Chainsaw Safety PH50 (PDF 327 KB) space
Although this pamphlet still contains valuable information on the do's and don'ts of chainsaw operation, more up-to-date information on personal protective equipment and first aid can be found on this web site at:  Resources for Falling and Bucking.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC

Ergonomics Ideas Bankspace
Ideas to reduce ergonomic risk factors in construction and other industries.
Source: Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.

How to hire a safety training providerspace
This article breaks down the process of hiring a safety training provider into three easy steps. From Worksafe Magazine January/February 2007 edition.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC

Ladder Safety
"The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published new free guides to help raise awareness of the risks associated with ladder use and to give advice on how to use ladders safely. The guides are aimed at all users of ladders and their employers and have been published as part of HSE's campaign to reduce falls from height."

Source: Health & Safety Executive, UK (HSE)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Cold Stress Card (PDF 20 KB)
Quick reference card with information about frostbite and hypothermia.
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
(Revised: 1999)

Effective Health and Safety Programs: The Key to a Safe Workplace and Defence of Due Diligence (PDF 532 KB) PH33
This guide defines due diligence; explains how WorkSafeBC assesses compliance; identifies the elements of a health and safety program; and explains how health and safety programs help establish due diligence.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
Updated: December 2005
* Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution.

3 Steps to Effective Worker Education and Training (PDF 1.1 MB) BK42 (Updated: August 2007)
This guide is meant to help employers and supervisors keep new and young workers safe on the job --- and prevent painful and costly work-related injuries. This guide consists of three basic steps that will help you accomplish this. The three steps are as follows:

    1. Provide new and young workers with safety orientation and basic training before they start working.
    2. Train new and young workers for tasks specific to their jobs.
    3. Provide supervision and ongoing training for workers to ensure that they continue to work safely.
    Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
    * Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution.

    Heat Stress Card (PDF 23 KB)
    Quick reference card with information about frostbite and hypothermia.
    Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

    How to Implement a Formal Occupational Health and Safety Program (PDF 415 KB) BK14
    This booklet is a complete revision of How to Implement an Effective Occupational Health and Safety Program. This revision will help employers, workers, and joint health and safety committees develop and maintain an effective occupational health and safety (OHS) program.
    Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
    Revised May 2008

    Investigation of Accidents and Diseases - Reference Guide and Workbook
    Discusses concepts and methods for implementing and performing effective investigations in the workplace.
    Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC

    Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee Workbook (PDF 391 KB)
    Looks at concepts and methods for developing and maintaining an effective health and safety committee.
    Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC

    Preventing Heat Stress at Work BK30 (PDF 2 MB) (Updated: February 2007) space
    This booklet provides a basic overview of job-related heat stress, how to recognize and treat heat stress, and how to prevent heat stress.
    Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC

    Also available in the following languages:

    * Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution.

    Safety on the Job is Everyone's Business: The Responsibilities of Employers, Supervisors and Workers (PDF 120 KB) PH39
    All new workers need training in equipment use and safe work procedures. This pamphlet covers the basics in training new workers. Employer, supervisor, and worker responsibilities for developing and maintaining a safe workplace are outlined.
    Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
    * Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution.

    Take Care: How to Develop and Implement a Workplace Violence Prevention Program (PDF 467 KB) BK41 (Updated: December 2006)
    This guide enables employers and workers to implement a program to prevent violence in the workplace. It summarizes the relevant sections of the Regulation that deal with violence in the workplace, explains how to conduct a risk assessment, identifies the basic elements of a violence prevention program, and provides safe travel tips and sample documents.
    Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
    * Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution.

    WorkSafeBC Video Catalogue
    A listing of films, videos, and slide tape presentations available for loan or purchase.
    For more information on materials in this catalogue, please contact the Videos Section at the WorkSafeBC.

    NIOSH Warns: Employment Can Be Dangerous and Deadly for Adolescents
    "The prevention of adolescent occupational fatalities requires an evaluation of the appropriateness of certain hazardous jobs in agriculture and construction for young people. Injuries in these two industries combined claimed the lives of at least 169 16- and 17- year-olds in the 1980's. Regulation, enforcement, and education all play important roles in preventing future workplace deaths among young people."
    Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
    (May 19, 1994)

    OSH Answers: Ergonomics
    A set of information sheets using question-and-answer format to provide information about a range of ergonomics-related topics (back injury prevention, pushing and pulling, working in a sitting position, working in a standing position, manual materials handling work hazards, etc.)
    Source: CCOHS (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety)

    OSH Answers: Foot Comfort and Safety at Work
    Information about foot comfort and safety at work presented in a question-and-answer format.
    Source: CCOHS (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety)

    OSHA Record Keeping Guidelines
    OSHA issued a revised rule to improve the system employers use to track and record workplace injuries and illnesses.
    Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
    Final rule became effective on Jan. 1, 2002

    OSH Answers: Safety Footwear
    Information about safety footwear presented in a question-and-answer format.
    Source: CCOHS (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety)

    OSH Answers: Safety Glasses and Face Protectors
    Information about safety glasses and face protectors presented in a question-and-answer format.
    Source: CCOHS (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety)

    OSH Answers: Vibration
    Information about vibration presented in a question-and-answer format.
    Source: CCOHS (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety)

    OSHA Technical Links: Fire Safety
    List of "technical links" to internal and external online resources.
    Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

    OSHA Technical Links: Heat Stress
    List of "technical links" to internal and external online resources.
    Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

    Preventing Deaths and Injuries of Adolescent Workers
    "This [NIOSH} Alert summarizes available information about work-related injuries among adolescents, identifies work that is especially hazardous, and offers recommendations for prevention."
    Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
    (May 1995)

    Promoting Safe Work for Young Workers
    A guide on promoting safety among young workers, based on the experiences of three NIOSH-funded projects.
    Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
    (November 1999)

    Workplace Use of Back Belts: Review and Recommendations (PDF 10 MB)
    "The effectiveness of using back belts to lessen the risk of back injury among uninjured workers remains unproven. The NIOSH [Back Belt] Working Group does not recommend the use of back belts to prevent injuries among uninjured workers, and does not consider back belts to be personal protective equipment."
    Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
    (May 1994)

    Industry Standard - Contaminated Construction Sites
    "The Industry Standard for Contaminated Construction Sites is a 30 page publication providing employers and workers with practical guidance on identifying site contamination and managing the risk of exposure to harmful contaminants during construction work. This Industry Standard was jointly developed for Foundations for Safety Victoria by WorkSafe and EPA Victoria. "
    Source: Victorian WorkCover Authority, Australia
    (2005)

    Manual Handling
    "Manual Handling is a 68 page guide that provides practical guidance for the prevention, identification, assessment and control of risks arising from manual handling activity in workplaces."
    Source: Victorian WorkCover Authority, Australia
    (2000)

    Confined Spaces - Shafts, Tunnels & Trenches (PDF 428 KB)
    "Confined Spaces is a 74 page guide that provides practical guidance for the identification of hazards, and the assessment and control of risks, associated with work in confined spaces in workplaces."
    Source: Victorian WorkCover Authority, Australia
    (1996)



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