Jobsite Safety
Masonry work involves some hazards not common to other trades. Masonry Nation takes safety seriously. They work hard to keep fellow tradesmen safe and those exposed to their work environment. Safety isn’t something that is attempted, rather it is a culture at Masonry Nation. The company continues to examine ways to improve safety, with the belief that there is always more to do, ways to make things safer, and things to be learned.
Here are some of the things Masonry Nation does to keep their jobsite safe.
A Clean Jobsite and Work Area
Keeping the jobsite free of debris and clutter is essential to keeping it safe. It reduces trip hazards, the amount of material that can be dropped from heights and minimises frustration. A clean and organized site also helps you see potential hazards that otherwise may be hidden, like sharp metal or pinch points.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Masons depend on PPE to keep them safe. Safety glasses protect against stone and brick chips when cutting material to size, and ever-present dust from masonry. Long sleeves and pants protect against cuts from sharp tools and materials. Gloves protect against corrosive properties in mortar and cement, as well as provide some protection to avoid pinches and cuts. Ear protection is used around loud equipment like mixers, and quick cut saws. Hard hats protect against bumps and falling material and tools. Steel toed safety boots are a must to protect feet from punctures and heavy material.
Supported Walls
Every year you hear of walls that fall and injure or kill construction workers. (See Cinder Block Wall Collapses on Workers) Masonry walls need to be properly supported during construction or until hardened. Large block foundation walls need to be protected from strong winds that can blow them over. Even relatively small masonry walls can weigh many tonnes. Some materials cannot support their own weight until set and need to be built in intervals. This is especially true of heavy dense material lie stone, or concrete. To be safe from collapse, masonry companies need to abide by manufacturers instructions and Ontario Building and Safety Codes. Masonry veneer walls need to be properly tied to the buildings structure using properly designed wall ties and supports.
Scaffolding
Scaffolding needs to be placed on firm level ground. It should never be built higher than it’s designed to be built, and it should never have more weight on it than it’s designed to hold. Cross braces should be used on the front and back of each section and the pins holding them need to be maintained. Hangers designed to support the weight of the bricklayers themselves should be inspected regularly for cracks and metal fatigue. Planks used for material and masons should also be inspected for wear and overlapped by a minimum of six inches from section to section.
Other Equipment
All equipment should be properly maintained, and safety guards should remain intact. Masonry saws should have guards to protect the user. Mixers should always have guards in position when in use. Labourers should be properly trained and prevented from cleaning or doing maintenance on mixers while they’re running. Shovels, hammers, and hands should not be able to reach mixer paddles when in operation. Hydraulic and pneumatic equipment must be well maintained.
These are just a few important ways Masonry Nation keeps safe while building beautiful brick and stone structures. Masonry Nation is fully insured and has an excellent safety record. You can count on them to work safe and keep their jobsite safe on every project big or small.