Spring is upon us and it seems like there are Artisan Contractors everywhere.

Today in the parking lot I saw two heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) trucks and roofers inspecting the building across the street. With all of this work all of a sudden, you can’t lose sight of on the job safety.

Safety has to start with what you wear. Proper footwear and eye protection are a must, and visibility is key which is why so many workers wear neon green vests or shirts. Protection from noise is also paramount. If you can’t hear your co-worker from 2-3 feet away, you not only have a communication problem, you could have a serious job problem. Today I see many contractors wearing earbuds to listen to music while they work. This can create an additional safety issue. By not hearing auditory cues from your surroundings you and your employees are putting themselves in danger.

As the owner of a small business, you now have your employees dressed properly and they are ready to work.

While there are many safety issues to discuss this week, you can’t forget some of the dangers in trenching and excavating. Trenches deeper than 5 feet require a protective trench box system to stabilize the side walls. If the trench is less than 5 feet deep OSHA states a competent employee must inspect the trench daily for safety, determine if additional shoring is needed and if the area is safe to work in.

Trenches deeper than 20 feet require a protective system designed by a registered professional engineer or approval by an engineer and be in compliance with OSHA regulations. Don’t send your employee to an early grave follow proper safety standards.

To learn more about contractor’s insurance and loss control techniques, contact your Independent Trusted Choice Insurance agent at Richey-Barrett.