National Safety Stand-down to Prevent Falls in Construction

National Safety Stand-down to Prevent Falls in Construction

National Safety Stand-down to Prevent Falls in Construction

Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, falls account for more than 30% of fatalities in the construction industry. Those deaths are preventable. The National Safety Stand-down to Prevent Falls in Construction raises fall hazard awareness across the country in an effort to stop fall fatalities and injuries.

As an employer, you have a duty to protect your workers from falls, and we’re here to help. We have developed this toolkit to arm you with the information and resources you need to conduct a successful safety stand-down. In this toolkit you will find information about the National Safety Stand-down, toolbox talks to help prevent falls, a Construction Industry Fall Protection Safety Program, posters to help bring awareness to the stand-down and much more.

Remember, GDI Insurance Agency, Inc. is here for your business. Contact us today to discuss your insurance and risk management needs.

Download our National Safety Stand-down to Falls Toolkit Today!

National Safety Stand-down to Prevent Falls in Construction

What is a Safety Stand-down?

A safety stand-down is a voluntary event for employers to talk directly to employees about safety. The National Safety Stand-down to Prevent Falls in Construction focuses on fall hazards and reinforcing the importance of fall prevention.

When is the National Safety Stand-down to Prevent Falls in Construction?

The stand-down will be held over one week, from Sept. 14-18, 2020. It will be held in conjunction with the North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Safety Week.

How do Businesses Conduct a Safety Stand-down?

Companies can conduct a safety stand-down by taking a break to have a toolbox talk or another safety activity such as conducting safety equipment inspections, developing rescue plans or discussing job-specific hazards. A safety stand-down should provide an opportunity for employers and employees to talk about hazards, protective methods and the company’s safety policies, goals and expectations.

Who can Participate in a Safety Stand-down?

Anyone interested in educating employees in fall hazards, or other job hazards, can participate. In past years, participants included general contractors; sub-and independent contractors; employers’ trade associations; federal, state and local governmental agencies; professional societies and institutes; and consumer/labor-management interest organizations. Millions of employees across all 50 states and internationally have participated in previous stand-downs.

How does a Business Participate, and How do They Get a Certificate of Participation?

Participation is easy. Hold a stand-down and visit the OSHA National Safety Stand-down website to download a certificate. Employers will be able to provide feedback and download certificates of participation based on their experience. The certificate pages will be active on Sept. 14 at OSHA’s Stop Falls Stand-down and on the National Safety Council’s (NSC) webpages.

National Safety Stand-down to Prevent Falls in Construction

Our business received a certificate of participation for past stand-downs, why should we get another one?

One of the most important reasons you should participate through gaining a certificate is to demonstrate your commitment to fall prevention and other safety issues on the job site to your employees. Employees and other employers alike recognize the importance of demonstrated top-level commitment to promoting a positive safety culture. There are platinum, gold, silver and bronze certificates, depending on how many years you have participated. OSHA and our partners also use the attendance data and feedback from the certificate form submission to enhance and further improve this event for the future.

We are not a construction company; can we still participate in the Safety Stand-down?

Yes, you can. Participation is not limited to the construction industry, and no business is too small to participate. In previous years, many non-construction employers held stand-downs. In fact, the largest single participant in 2015 and 2016 was the United States Air Force, reaching more than 1 million military and civilian personnel. The smallest company to receive a certificate had only one employee, and nearly half of certificates for participation completed through OSHA’s website were for stand-downs with less than 25 employees.

We are a small company with just a few employees; can we still participate in the Safety Stand-down?

Yes. Any number of people can hold a stand-down. Companies and businesses of all sizes should take time out during the workday to discuss fall prevention with their employees, and participate in the stand-down. You can also find a larger stand-down event in your area.

How can we get an OSHA Representative to participate in our Stand-down?

Contact your regional stand-down coordinator to talk to someone about your stand-down event.

We would like to participate in a Safety Stand-down Event, is there a list we can use to find an event?

A list of events in your area can be found by visiting OSHA’s National Safety Stand-down website. These events are free and open to the public. Attendees of these events must cooperate with the host employers’ site access and safety rules.

National Safety Stand-down to Prevent Falls in Construction

How can we get our safety stand-down event listed on the OSHA website?

OSHA lists events that are free and open to the public. This webpage helps employers and employees find stand-down events that they can attend in their area. Contact your regional stand-down coordinator to learn more.

Do we need to preregister for the stand-down?

No. The stand-down is free, and you do not have to register to participate. Simply hold a stand-down with your employees during the week of the National Safety Stand-down to Prevent Falls in Construction, then go online to tell us about your stand-down and download a certificate of participation at OSHA’s Stop Falls Stand-down or National Safety Council’s (NSC) webpage after your stand-down event.

How long does a typical fall prevention stand-down take to conduct?

It’s up to you. A stand-down could be as simple as a 15-minute toolbox talk or several hours of training over a week.

Source: OSHA

National Safety Stand-down to Prevent Falls in Construction

Ways to Prepare for a Successful Stand-down to Prevent Falls

  1. Try to start early. Designate a coordinator to organize the stand-down. If you have multiple work sites, identify the team that will lead the stand-down at each site.
  2. Think about asking your subcontractors, owners, architects, engineers or others associated with your project to participate in the stand-down.
  3. Consider reviewing your fall prevention program. This will help provide a more effective stand-down.
    1. What types of falls could happen:
  1. Falls from ladders
  2. Falls from a roof
  3. Falls from a scaffold
  4. Falls down stairs
  5. Falls from a structural steel
  6. Falls through a floor or roof opening
  7. Falls through a fragile roof surface
  1. What needs improvement? Is your program meeting its goals? Are you experiencing fatalities, injuries or near misses? Are employees aware of the company’s fall protection procedures?
  2. What training have you provided to your employees? Does it need revision?
  3. What equipment have you provided to your employees? Is better equipment available?
  4. Develop presentations or activities that will meet your needs. Decide what information will be best for your workplace and employees. The meeting should provide information to employees about hazards, protective methods and the company’s safety policies, goals and expectations. Hands-on exercises (e.g., a work site walk-around and equipment checks) can increase retention.
  5. Decide when to hold the stand-down and how long it will last. Decide if the stand-down will take place over a break, a lunch period or some other time.
  6. Promote the stand-down. Try to make it interesting to employees. Some employers find that serving snacks increases participation.
  7. Hold your stand-down. Try to make it positive and interactive. Let employees talk about their experiences and encourage them to make suggestions.
  8. Follow up. If you learned something that could improve your fall prevention program, consider making changes.

Source: OSHA

GDI Insurance Agency, Inc.

California’s Leader in Insurance and Risk Management

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Protecting Your Construction Workers from Coronavirus

Protecting Your Construction Workers from Coronavirus

Protecting Your Construction Workers from Coronavirus

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has impacted a number of businesses across a variety of industries, forcing them to rethink their daily operations to ensure the safety of their employees and the general public. This is no different for construction firms, where multiple contractors and tradespeople on a job site may be working in the same space at any one time. In these instances, just one misstep can lead to the quick spread of COVID-19, jeopardizing the well-being of workers.

To help slow the spread of COVID-19 and safeguard your staff, consider the strategies highlighted in this Construction Risk Insights.

COVID-19 Safety Tips for Construction Firms

When it comes to COVID-19, discouraging sick employees from reporting to work and encouraging social distancing are the two of the most effective methods for protecting your workers:

  • Discouraging sick employees from reporting to work—Above all, any employee who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, chills or fatigue) should stay home. Individuals experiencing such symptoms should also be instructed to consult guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on seeking medical care.
  • Encouraging social distancing—Social distancing is the practice of deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. In terms of COVID-19, social distancing best practices for construction businesses can include:
    • Avoiding gatherings of 10 or more people
    • Keeping at least 6 feet of distance from other people
    • Hosting meetings virtually when possible
    • Limiting the number of people on the jobs site to essential personnel only
    • Encouraging staff to work from home when possible
    • Discouraging people from shaking hands

Beyond these recommendations, there are a number of specific job site and office precautions construction firms should consider. Specifically, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, businesses should:

  • Instruct employees to practice good hygiene. Employees should clean their hands often, either with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water. Hand sanitizers should contain at least 60%-95% alcohol, and employees should wash their hands with soap for at least 20 seconds. It’s also a good idea to strategically place hand sanitizer and hand-washing stations around the job site.
  • Instruct employees to:
    • Avoid congregating, and keep their distance from other workers where possible.
    • Avoid sharing tools and personal protective equipment (PPE).
    • Clean reusable PPE per the original manufacturer’s recommendation before every use. Used PPE must be disposed of properly.
    • Utilize disposable gloves as appropriate, and wash their hands after they’re done with them.
    • Change their clothes before they get home. Dirty clothes should be washed using hot water and laundry sanitizer.
  • Ensure the work environment is cleaned regularly. This can involve sanitizing doorknobs, keyboards, tools, reusable supplies and equipment.
  • Avoid using a common water cooler. For increased safety, provide employees with disposable plastic water bottles or instruct them to bring their own.
  • Avoid scheduling multiple tradespeople at once. This should help limit the amount of individuals on the job site at once.
  • Sanitize portable toilets frequently.
  • Avoid cleaning techniques that could generate bioaerosols.

Continued Safety

While the strategies highlighted in this document can help you protect your workers from COVID-19, it’s important to follow CDC guidance at all times. For more information, click here.

GDI Insurance Agency, Inc.

California’s Leader in Insurance and Risk Management

As one of the fastest growing agencies in California, GDI Insurance Agency, Inc. is able to provide its clients with the latest and greatest of what the insurance industry has to offer and much, much more.

We are headquartered in Turlock, CA, with locations across the heart of California’s Central Valley, Northern California and beyond to provide a local feel to the solutions and services we provide our clients. We pride ourselves on exceeding our client’s expectations in every interaction to make sure that our client’s know how much we value and appreciate their business. Contact us today 1-209-634-2929 for your comprehensive Contractor insurance quote!

Common Exposures for a Landscaping Contractor

Common Exposures for a Landscaping Contractor

Common Exposures for a Landscaping Contractor

A Landscaping contractor business can be a competitive and rewarding, and years of hard work can help landscapers establish a strong customer base and reputation. However, many landscaping business owners don’t realize how many exposures they must address to keep their landscape business operating smoothly.

Depending on the complexity of your landscaping contractor company, there are a number of exposures to consider, including risks related to property, worker injuries and even the environment. The list below provides an overview of these industry risks—helping you identify potential blind spots in your risk management and insurance programs.

landscaping employee safety

Landscaping Contractor Exposures Include:

Property—including your tools, equipment, supplies, signage and similar items—plays a key role for your organization. And, in the event of a loss caused by fires, theft or vandalism, your landscaping firm can suffer major financial damages. For instance, should a fire break out in your storage area, your firm could lose thousands of dollars worth of lawn care equipment in an instant. What’s more, a single incident can affect multiple aspects of your property, compounding costs and downtime for your business.

Landscapers depend on functioning equipment to service their customers effectively. In the face of an equipment breakdown (e.g., a lawnmower stops working), landscaping operations can experience business interruptions or even prolonged closures. Specifically, a business owner’s mowers, blowers, chainsaws and tillers all have the potential to break down, causing major disruptions that can impact your reputation and bottom line.

Depending on the services your landscaping firm provides, employees may be required to operate a vehicle on behalf of your business, creating automobile exposures in the process. While important for daily operations (e.g., driving from job site to job site or transporting tools), the use of a vehicle can lead to potential accidents and major insurance claims. What’s more, if you allow employees to use their own vehicles for work, standard commercial auto policies are often not enough.

As a landscaper, your work regularly involves the transport of equipment, tools and supplies to and from your worksite. As such, inland marine risks are vast, and any property that’s unique or valuable in transit, in your temporary care, stored at fixed (but movable) locations or used to transfer information represents major exposures. Specifically for landscaping companies, materials and tools in transit, mobile equipment (e.g., trimmers or weed whackers), and rented and leased equipment are all potential, costly losses following an incident.

landscape

Any time one of your employees is injured on the job, your business could be subjected to expensive workers’ compensation claims. Common sources of on-the-job accidents for landscaping operations include cuts, heat exhaustion, slips, trips, falls, musculoskeletal injuries caused by repetitive tasks, sprains and strains. Normal, everyday tasks related to trimming hedges, laying sod and pushing equipment can all lead to accidents and, in turn, increased costs for your business.

During the course of their work, landscapers open themselves up to serious environmental liability. Specifically, pesticides, herbicides and other fertilizers have the potential to pollute the environment. Environmental incidents are particularly concerning for businesses because they can cause harm to the surrounding community, involve costly cleanup and often cause damage to a business’s reputation.

Crime can be a challenge for landscapers. Not only do they have to worry about expensive equipment and materials stored on the job site, but employee dishonesty is a primary concern as well. Your business can become the victim of crime in a variety of scenarios, including when making orders, billing customers and leaving job sites unattended.

For More Information

While the proper risk management practices can reduce certain exposures, no system is 100 percent effective in ensuring an incident-free workplace. As a result, it’s all the more crucial to work with a qualified insurance broker to not only assess you exposures, but secure the appropriate coverage as well. To learn more, contact GDI Insurance Agency, Inc. today.

GDI Insurance Agency, Inc.

California’s Leader in Insurance and Risk Management

As one of the fastest growing agencies in California, GDI Insurance Agency, Inc. is able to provide its clients with the latest and greatest of what the insurance industry has to offer and much, much more.

We are headquartered in Turlock, CA, with locations across the heart of California’s Central Valley, Northern California and beyond to provide a local feel to the solutions and services we provide our clients. We pride ourselves on exceeding our client’s expectations in every interaction to make sure that our client’s know how much we value and appreciate their business. Contact us today 1-209-634-2929 for your comprehensive landscape contractor insurance quote!

Confined Spaces Permits for Construction

Confined Spaces Permits for Construction

Confined Spaces Permits for Construction

Of the potential hazards on a job site, confined spaces are some of the most dangerous. A space can be determined as permit-required, in which case extra measures must be taken in order to ensure the safety of workers.

Permit-required Confined Spaces

Confined space permits are a key part of a company’s confined space entry program. They act as a method of controlling worker entry into potentially dangerous areas. Any area on a job site that may be a confined space must be properly evaluated by a qualified person. Furthermore, all confined spaces must also be inspected to determine if the space requires a permit.

A permit is required for each time that workers are going to be entering a confined space, and must be filled out with information regarding conditions and precautions. This includes information such as:

Confined Spaces

Entry Supervision

It is the responsibility of the entry supervisor to make sure that confined space permits are completed and that the proper measures are taken before authorizing any workers to enter the area.

Completed permits should be posted at the entrance of the confined space and remain throughout the duration of the entry.

Canceling or Suspending Permits

Another responsibility for entry supervisors is to suspend or cancel a permit once work is completed or if conditions become unsuitable for entry.

If a permit is canceled, the confined space in question cannot be reentered until a new permit is completed. Suspended permits can be reinstated if an entry supervisor has conducted an inspection of the space and determined that the allowable conditions, as listed on the permit, have been reestablished.

Canceled permits should be kept for at least a year and reviewed to help evaluate the effectiveness of the company’s confined space entry program.

If you have any questions about confined spaces or permits, speak with your supervisor or another qualified employee.

GDI Insurance Agency, Inc.

California’s Leader in Insurance and Risk Management

As one of the fastest growing agencies in California, GDI Insurance Agency, Inc. is able to provide its clients with the latest and greatest of what the insurance industry has to offer and much, much more.

We are headquartered in Turlock, CA, with locations across the heart of California’s Central Valley, Northern California and beyond to provide a local feel to the solutions and services we provide our clients. We pride ourselves on exceeding our client’s expectations in every interaction to make sure that our client’s know how much we value and appreciate their business. Contact us today 1-209-634-2929 for your comprehensive contractor insurance quote!

Understanding Subcontractor Default Insurance

Understanding Subcontractor Default Insurance

Understanding Subcontractor Default Insurance

The financial well-being and stability of subcontractors is an ever-present concern for most general contractors. When subcontractors fail to complete the full scope of their work, projects can stall, leading to frustrating and costly delays. Subcontractor Default Insurance can help manage your risk.

To protect against subcontractor default, general contractors have traditionally relied on performance bonds. However, given increases in cost to acquire performance bonds and the prolonged investigation process required should a subcontractor default, more and more general contractors are turning to subcontractor default insurance (SDI) to help manage their risk.

What Is Subcontractor Default Insurance?

SDI, which entered the U.S. market in the late 1990s, is an insurance product designed to protect businesses from losses arising when a subcontractor defaults on its obligations.

Under an SDI policy, a general contractor enrolls all prequalified subcontractors for a specific project or policy term. The general contractor is then indemnified by the insurance company for any covered direct or indirect costs incurred if one of the subcontractors defaults on performance. It’s not uncommon for contractors to have annual subcontracted values of $75 million or more, so, when a subcontractor defaults, it can seriously impact a general contractor’s profitability.

SDI policies generally cover losses related to first-tier subcontractors (contractors in direct contract with the general contractor) and second-tier contractors (contractors in direct contract with first-tier subcontractors, including suppliers). SDI policies also provide coverage for losses that are the indirect result of a subcontractor default, such as liquidated damages, acceleration of other subcontracts and extended overhead.

Subcontractor Default Insurance vs. Performance Bonds

The fundamental distinction between SDI and performance bonds relates to the relationships created by the two products. Surety, including performance bonding, is always a three-party relationship between the contractor (the obligee), the subcontractor (the principal) and a surety company.

When performance bonds are used, the surety company initiates the process by thoroughly screening the subcontractor. The surety reviews a number of factors, such as the subcontractor’s financial well-being, credit history and ability to perform the work. If a subcontractor passes scrutiny, it is bonded, and the surety assumes the risk of the subcontractor defaulting. 

SDI, conversely, only involves two parties—the insurer and the insured general contractor. The general contractor purchases SDI to insure the performance of its subcontractors. Contractors typically purchase one SDI policy and enroll all of their subcontractors under that policy.

SDI policies do not provide a guarantee of performance or payment. Rather, in the event that an enrolled subcontractor defaults on its obligations, the insurer directly indemnifies the contractor for costs related to the subcontractor’s default. Typically, the general contractor must absorb some of the costs associated with resolving the subcontractor’s default, often up to the deductible amount.

One of the reasons contractors may prefer SDI to bonds is because, with SDI, the claims process is faster and more reliable. Whereas with bonds, if a subcontractor defaults, the contractor has to wait for the surety to investigate the claim, which can create frustrating delays on time-sensitive projects.

Subcontractor Default Insurance

Benefits of SDI for General Contractors

SDI can provide a number of important benefits to general contractors. The following is an overview of what SDI can bring to the table:

  • Coverage limits—Unlike surety bonding where coverage is limited to the penal sum of the bond, SDI coverage is not tied to the value of the subcontract. SDI coverage extends to the limits of the policy, which can be as high as $50 million. Accordingly, in instances where the cost to remedy a subcontractor default is more than the penal value of a bond, there would be greater protection for the general contractor under SDI.
  • Consistency—As previously mentioned, bonds are a three-party agreement. Using bonds, general contractors are left having to manage agreements across multiple sureties and projects. SDI replaces this complicated system with one policy and one set of terms and conditions. As a result, SDI reduces administrative costs, improves the effectiveness of a response to a default and enhances the efficiency of the claims process.
  • Broader coverage—In addition to direct costs, SDI includes coverage for indirect expenses. This can include things like liquidated damages, acceleration of other subcontracts and extended overhead. With SDI, a contractor’s loss is not capped by a bond, and default insurance typically has higher limits.
  • Control—SDI policies allow general contractors to control which subcontractors are enrolled under the policy. Policies also permit general contractors to exercise judgment on how to remedy a subcontractor’s default. Contractors that are suitable for an SDI program will often have a well-developed process to screen unqualified subcontractors and suppliers.

Finding the Right Fit

Subcontractor Default Insurance can provide a sound alternative to performance bonds for general contractors in many settings. Large general contractors that possess the resources to properly vet subcontractors’ qualifications can benefit from the cost savings generated by SDI.

It is important for all general contractors to remember that both performance bonds and SDI have their place in the construction industry and each services a different purpose. Be sure to contact your GDI Insurance Agency, Inc. representative to discuss which product best fits the needs of your next project.

GDI Insurance Agency, Inc.

California’s Leader in Insurance and Risk Management

As one of the fastest growing agencies in California, GDI Insurance Agency, Inc. is able to provide its clients with the latest and greatest of what the insurance industry has to offer and much, much more.

We are headquartered in Turlock, CA, with locations across the heart of California’s Central Valley, Northern California and beyond to provide a local feel to the solutions and services we provide our clients. We pride ourselves on exceeding our client’s expectations in every interaction to make sure that our client’s know how much we value and appreciate their business. Contact us today 1-209-634-2929 for your comprehensive contractor insurance quote!

Construction Safety Hearing Protection

Construction Safety Hearing Protection

Construction Safety Hearing Protection

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 1 in 4 construction workers suffers from some degree of hearing loss. Power tools, heavy equipment and even hand tools like hammers can all generate significant levels of noise, which, in turn, can negatively impact hearing. Hearing protection is an important step in your construction safety program.

Prolonged exposure to excessive noise is particularly dangerous and can lead to tinnitus, which is characterized by ringing, buzzing and roaring in the ears. In some cases, harmful levels of noise can lead to permanent hearing loss.

To keep employees safe, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specific regulations related to workplace noise exposure. This Safety Matters provides a general overview of these regulations and ways you can stay safe on the job.

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OSHA’s Noise Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)

Noise is measured in units of sound pressure levels called decibels (dB). Often, decibels are expressed as dBA, which refers to A-weighted sound levels. Essentially, this measurement is more specific than dB alone, as it accounts for relative loudness perceived by the human ear.

To protect workers and their hearing, OSHA has a specific level of how much noise an employee is allowed to be exposed to called the permissible exposure limit (PEL). Per OSHA, the PEL for noise is 90 dBA over an eight-hour workday. At this level, employees are required to wear hearing protection. In addition, for every 5 dBA above the action level, the duration of employee exposure to noise must be cut in half (e.g., 85 dBA/eight hours, 90 dBA/four hours, 95 dBA/two hours). Furthermore, exposure to noise should not exceed 140 dBA.

Beyond adhering to OSHA’s PEL, employees should avoid noise levels above 85 dBA without protection. Additionally, OSHA recommends following the 2-3 foot rule. This rule states that if you have to raise your voice to talk to a co-worker that is 2-3 feet away, you should assume noise levels are 85 dBA or above.

Protecting Yourself From Harmful Noise

Tinnitus and hearing loss can be debilitating and irreversible. However, being aware of the symptoms of hearing loss can go a long way toward ensuring your health and safety at work. Common symptoms of hearing loss include the following:

  • Straining to understand conversations
  • Needing to have things repeated frequently
  • Increasing television or radio volumes to excessive levels
  • Ringing in your ears or feeling dizzy
Hearing Protection

Hearing Protection Devices

Your ears are very sensitive. Prolonged exposure to loud noise can lead to permanent hearing damage and even cause you to go deaf. OSHA recommends that workers use hearing protection should noise levels reach or exceed 85 decibels across an eight-hour workday. Should noise exceed 90 decibels, hearing protection is required.

Hearing protection

Noise Reduction Rating

All hearing protection devices have a noise reduction rating (NRR) listed on their respective packaging. The NRR refers to how many decibels by which an environment’s noise levels will be reduced. For example, in an environment of 90 decibels, a hearing protection device with an NRR would reduce the noise levels to 57.

But, research suggests that NRRs tend to overestimate the effectiveness of devices. It is therefore suggested that devices undergo a “derating” process. Derating refers to the assumption that devices will generally not perform perfectly to their NRR due to them not fitting everyone perfectly. One method by which a device can be derated is to subtract seven from its NRR and divide the result in half. For example, an NNR of 33 would result in a derated rating of 13. In the previous example, the device in question would actually only reduce noise levels from 90 to 77, not 57.

According to industry experts, earmuffs are generally most accurate when it comes to NRR, while earplugs might have their ratings derated by as much as 70%.

Of course, different types of hearing protection have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Hearing Protection: Earplugs

Earplugs can be made from expandable foam or pre-molded using silicone, plastic or rubber. They provide blockage inside the ear canal.

Advantages:

  • Typically provide a high noise reduction rating (NRR)
  • Affordable
  • Compatible with other forms of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, glasses and goggles
  • Small, light and easily transported
  • More comfortable in hot, humid or confined work areas

Disadvantages:

  • Easily misplaced
  • Require good hygiene practices
  • May be inserted incorrectly, resulting in inadequate protection
  • May irritate the ear canal

When an earplug is inserted correctly, the sound of your own voice should be muffled.

Hearing Protection: Earmuffs

While earplugs are inserted inside the ear canal, earmuffs provide protection by covering the canal and sometimes the entire ear.

Advantages:

  • Typically provide a high NRR
  • Fast and simple to put on and take off
  • One size fits most employees
  • Easy for others to see that you are using them at a distance
  • Not easily misplaced

Disadvantages:

  • Less portable, heavier
  • Sometimes incompatible with other PPE; however, there are special earmuffs that easily mount to hard hats
  • Can be uncomfortable or inconvenient in hot, humid or confined work areas

Hearing Protection: Canal Caps

Canal caps are somewhat of a hybrid between earplugs and earmuffs. They look similar to earplugs, but instead of being actually inserted into the ear canal, they form a lid over the entrance to the canal and are often connected by a band that can be worn around the head, around the neck or below the chin.

Advantages:

  • Fast and simple to put on and take off
  • One size fits most employees
  • Light and easily transported

Disadvantages:

  • Typically have a lower NRR than earplugs and earmuffs
  • Band may be uncomfortable or inconvenient for employees
  • More expensive than ear plugs

Summary

While there are some differences between different kinds of hearing protection equipment, their overall purpose remains the same: the safety of employees.

When using hearing protection, be sure that you are using it properly in order to make sure that it is as effective as possible. At times, it may be necessary to use two types of protection, such as both plugs and muffs, simultaneously. If you have questions or concerns about hearing protection devices, contact your supervisor.

GDI Insurance Agency, Inc.

California’s Leader in Insurance and Risk Management

As one of the fastest growing agencies in California, GDI Insurance Agency, Inc. is able to provide its clients with the latest and greatest of what the insurance industry has to offer and much, much more.

We are headquartered in Turlock, CA, with locations across the heart of California’s Central Valley, Northern California and beyond to provide a local feel to the solutions and services we provide our clients. We pride ourselves on exceeding our client’s expectations in every interaction to make sure that our client’s know how much we value and appreciate their business. Contact us today 1-209-634-2929 for your comprehensive construction insurance quote!