Hardwood Floors August/September 2019

Preserving the Health of Your Workforce (Continued)

1 Plan thework. Everyone knows that planning is one essential key to success, but planning takes time and money. Employersmust identify the tasks that require the greatest physical effort by their workers and implement the best work practices. Employers can reduce the physical stress in tasks by providing the right tools and equipment andmaking sure these devices are available toworkers when they are performing the task. The costs to purchase or rent tools or equipment should be included in the bid or purchased through an annual safety budget. Examples of tools and equipment may include extensions on tools or attachments, second handles or supports to bear theweight of heavy tools, wheeled carts to transport heavy items, and portable lifting devices for positioning heavy materials at theworksite.

2 Communicate the best practice. Even if the right tools and equipment are made available to workers, lack of communication on the timing of tasks and best methods for use may be cause for poor follow-through. Think through your communication plan. Create a message that is simple and clear. Make sure all workers receive the same information on the preferred work methods. Once the information is delivered, ask workers to report back their understanding of the message and work methods. For critical processes, ask each worker to individually report their understanding of the message.

44 hardwood floors www.hardwoodfloorsmag.com