As the air turns crisp and leaves take on autumn hues, the construction industry must adapt to new challenges and hazards with the changing seasons. While the beauty of fall is undeniable, it’s crucial to remain vigilant about safety on the job site. This blog will dive into essential autumn safety and wellness tips tailored specifically for the construction industry.

Slip and Fall Prevention: A Slippery Slope

Slip and fall accidents are a significant concern in the construction industry, especially during autumn. Studies have shown that wet leaves and frost can significantly increase the risk of falls.

Clear Walkways

Wet leaves can create slippery conditions. Make it a point to clear walkways, scaffolds and work areas of wet or decaying leaves. Here’s a guide on how to do it effectively.

Frost Alert

Morning frost can make surfaces like roofs, scaffolds, and ladders particularly slippery. Extra caution is advised during the early hours. Learn more about frost hazards.

Footwear

Opt for boots with slip-resistant soles to minimize the risk of falls. Check out safety standards for recommended footwear.

Dress for the Weather: Layering Up

Flexible Layers

Dress in layers that can be easily added or removed as the temperature changes throughout the day. Here are some layering tips.

Task-Appropriate

Ensure you dress for the occasion and are comfortable while carrying out your tasks. Keep yourself warm and cozy with appropriate clothing that suits your needs.

Lighting the Way: Shorter Days, Dimmer Lights

Well-Lit Areas

Ensure that work areas are adequately lit, especially if you’re working during dawn or dusk. Choosing the right lighting can be a daunting task. However, you can make the process much easier with a few helpful tips.

High-Visibility Clothing

When working in areas with low light or near traffic, it is essential to prioritize safety. To ensure visibility and protection, it is crucial to wear high-visibility clothing.

Equipment Maintenance: Pre-Winter Checks

Damage Inspection

Check tools and equipment for any signs of wear and tear that may have occurred during the warmer months. Here’s a maintenance checklist.

Winterization

Prepare machinery for colder temperatures to ensure they operate efficiently throughout the season. Learn how to winterize your machinery.

Training: Seasonal Hazards and Emergency Procedures

Seasonal Hazards

It’s crucial to equip workers with the necessary skills to recognize and manage the potential hazards of autumn, such as slippery surfaces and strong winds. Proper training can ensure a safe and productive work environment for everyone involved.

Emergency Procedures

Anticipate unforeseen weather conditions, such as early snowfall. Being prepared is key, so consider the steps your team can take to ensure your team and jobsite are ready for any situation.

Mental Health: More Than Just Physical Safety

Supportive Environment

Encouraging a positive work culture and supporting employees can lead to a productive and enjoyable work environment.

Mental Health Resources

Provide resources or avenues for workers to seek help for mental health issues. Here are some recommended resources.

Maintaining Safety and Efficiency

The autumn season presents unique challenges to the construction industry, but we can effectively navigate them with proactive measures and a focus on safety. By taking necessary precautions, construction sites can maintain a safe and productive environment during this beautiful time of year.

Earlier this year, RK was featured on Denver 7 News in a story called “Construction company serves as national model for suicide prevention,” which highlighted the importance of removing the stigma around mental health in the workplace.

As an employer of skilled trades’ workers, one of the professions with a high rate of suicide, we take precautions to support and listen to our employees. The construction industry’s high rate of suicide stems from mental health issues, addiction, and a constantly changing job market. To ensure employees have a safe space, we have implemented certain initiatives, such as:

• Open communication culture that encourages employees to express their opinion and emotions in productive, healthy ways
• Mental wellness toolbox talks
• Suicide prevention training for all managers and supervisors
• Annual suicide prevention campaign with informative posters, social media posts, blogs and other company-wide messaging

In addition to RK’s efforts, Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP) suggests companies consider implementing the following resources at work to help reduce the likelihood of suicide.

• Issuing Wallet cards with warning signs and helplines to all employees
• Using Hardhat stickers to promote the CIASP STAND UP pledge
• Making screening tools accessible to help employees identify potential mental health issues
• Sharing Joyages Construction Industry Resource Page & Videos with teams to build awareness
• Asking your employee assistance program provider to present sessions on mental health and coping techniques

RK values our employees and understands the importance of mental health and wellness. Not only do we want our employees to receive the best mental and physical healthcare available, but we’d also like to help other companies provide access to the resources they need to do the same.

If you, or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please reach out to one of the numbers below to get help right away.

1. INTEGRATION RESOURCES, Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention

By: RK Mechanical

RK Mechanical, Inc. was recently voted One of Denver’s Healthiest Places to Work by the Denver Business Journal. This means that not only is safety a major concern, but employees’ physical and mental well-being are high-level factors, too. RK’s wellness strategy includes discounted gym memberships, the employment of a full-time wellness coach, and no doughnuts at meetings.

RK Mechanical believes that to have a world-class company, you have to have world-class people who are cared for and encouraged to be healthier. By believing in doing the right thing, the family-owned business can further their already successful organization by ensuring that their number-one resource is healthy and happy.

RK’s prevention-oriented health/wellness program includes helping employees quit tobacco use, lose weight, eat healthier and exercise more through efforts such as corporate gym memberships, a wellness website and an onsite tobacco cessation clinic, which is available four times a year. RK also offers an employee assistance program for help with personal and work-related problems, in addition to overall well-being.

Wellness is an intentional action for RK and they have formulated a strategy for it. Even employees develop and organize their own programs, such as walking groups, biking to work, and even mountain climbing.

This past summer, RK had its annual summer wellness challenge. Employees set many unique personal goals while participating in a variety of activities and most participants who logged their food and exercise for the three month period accomplished some incredible results.

Over 100 employees and family members participated in the American Heart Association Walk on June 7th, which kicked off the challenge. After that, employees handed in food and exercise logs, as well as proof of participation in various events around town.

RK’s Special Projects department was the winning team, with the most days working out twice a day, including bike rides into work, a run at lunch, and biking home. They also participated in the AXS Glenwood Spring Adventure Race.

Two brave RK individuals Rode the Rockies for six days, traveling a total of 471 miles. Additional events included the Color Run, the MS 150 (two day bike ride), the Stampede Run, the Colorado Springs Incline, and the Donor Dash.

A policy of wellness also means having world-class safety standards. The company’s safety and quality efforts include having full-time, licensed safety and quality-control managers who demand top performance. RK also operates according to top safety/quality standards, such as the Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Programs, earning Star Mobile Workforce certification.