SAFETY, a few words

You should have periodic meetings to discuss the usual dangers of working in the construction environment. The biggest concern with safety issues is, or should be, Protection of the Laborer, and not appeasing OSHA! The key risky parts of the Laborer, from bottom to top are:

Feet: Tennis shoes are popular foot gear but they offer very little foot protection. Consider hard-soled boots, maybe with steel toes. They don’t make Kevlar shoes, which is unfortunate, since they may be effective against the dreaded nail gun.

Legs: If you value your shins, please - no short pants.

Knees: Consider knee pads for those times you’ll be groveling.

Gloves: The modern construction gloves are a boon. They’ll help with blisters, splinters, and will tend to soften the finger smashing blows from errant hammers. Take them off when at the saw table.

Eyes: Eye protection is essential when engaged in activities where there are flying objects about.

Ears: Ear muffs or the soft rubber insert types will help preserve your hearing so you can listen to your PM, your Pastor’s sermons, the Choir, and your grand kids. Those noisy saws, air guns, Ram-Set devices, etc. inflict damage that is not repairable (unlike our work).

Head: Hard hats are a must and should always be worn, because the usual risk is you, running into things, as opposed to flying things hitting your head.

Entire Body: Ask your PM about ladder safety, and toe boards along the rim of the roof you’re working on. And if you don’t mind sky diving off the roof or out of a stinger-bucket, don’t bother with the restraining harness. Some times it’s a nuisance, but it’s better than a full body cast. Don’t forget to anchor it to something stout.

Project neatness is a safety concern. Work space littered with debris is dangerous and inefficient. Nails protruding from used lumber are a nasty hazard which should be assiduously eliminated.

Horseplay is not welcome on the job. But neither is Grouch nor Grim. A happy workforce is conducive to a safe work environment. The Lord, for whom we are working, loves a cheerful worker, and has promised His joyful blessing: “Delight thyself in the Lord, and He will give you the desire of your heart” (Ps 37:4). And remember to look out for your brother and sister laborer. We are one another’s keeper.