What is NAOSH Week?

North American Occupational Safety and Health Week, or NAOSH Week, occurs every year during the first full week of May. NAOSH Week is intended to raise awareness about occupational safety, health and the environment. The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) joined with the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) in 2002 to raise the public's awareness of occupational safety, health and the environment in North America during NAOSH Week. This is just one tool the almost 100-year-old ASSE and its 32,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professional members use throughout the year to promote occupational safety aimed at preventing injuries and illnesses.

back to top

2009 'Safety-on-the-Job' Poster Contest

 

To support NAOSH Week efforts, each year ASSE sponsors its kids "Safety-on-the-Job" poster contest for ASSE members’ children. The poster contest prizes, which include savings bonds, are awarded to children who best illustrate safety at work in their poster. The following are the first place posters for each age category:

In addition to receiving savings bonds, the children’s winning posters in each of the five age groups will be featured on the North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week poster sent to thousands of businesses worldwide. The contestants are also honored in a Washington, D.C., awards ceremony Monday, May 4, at the U.S. Capitol and at the U.S. Department of Labor NAOSH Week kick-off.

back to top

What's Wrong with the Picture?

Fall Protection Basics

WHEN IS FALL PROTECTION REQUIRED?

When performing operations and maintenance like the typical routines at our asphalt plants and shops, which is referred to as General Industry by OSHA, 4 foot above walking/working surface or; when in the process of constructing or making alterations and or modifications, which is referred to as Construction by OSHA, 6 foot above walking/working surface.

What are fall protection options?

First, engineer it out. For example, install guardrails, 39-45 inches high with a mid-rail and four-inch toeboards on walkways and at the edge of platforms and decks or a safety net system could be installed.

Secondly, and as the last resort, use a personal fall arrest system (PFAS) consisting of a full body harness, a six-foot shock-absorbing lanyard connected to an anchorage point with a 5,000-pound (per person) capacity.

The rub is that a PFAS requires much additional thought For example, is there enough clearance for the system to work before surface contact? Typically, you need 17.5 feet. Also, a fallen victim needs to be rescued in 20 minutes or less to avoid medical problems arising from the harness restricting blood flow in the legs.

back to top

Hello, I am: Terry Pigg

I am a foremen carpenter for the concrete division. I have been with the company for about four years. Prior to West Contracting I worked for L. Krupp Construction, Gershenson Construction and Essex Contracting where I was a superintendent for subdivision development. Currently, I am a working foreman for our bridge building division. To date we have built four bridges and six box culverts. Our first bridge was constructed in Maryland Heights. We have since constructed four bridges for Jefferson County and six box culverts at various other locations. We are currently working on the second of two bridge structures in Augusta, MO, and work has begun on the Sandy Creek Road Bridge replacement.

As for safety, we have all the basic concerns such as eye protection when hammering or using electric saws, and hearing protection around loud equipment like generators that power our tools. Fall protection is required anytime we are exposed to heights of six feet or more by use of a guardrail system, safety net or personal fall arrest system. Head protection (hard hat) is routinely needed and required for most of our work. As per company policy, we are to wear safety orange or green shirts and Class II Safety Vests when working in or near traffic as the outermost garments.

 

back to top

Pictures of Bridges

The following are some pictures of completed bridge structures:

Bridge over Bigalow Creek
Augusta, MO

Eldon St. Bridge
Maryland Heights, MO

back to top

---