Page 56 - OHS, July/August 2022

CONSTRUCTION SAFETY
construction of buildings can release toxic compounds (VOCs) and gas-powered equipment such as generators can produce carbon monoxide. With a connected safety system, the gas and VOC readings can be viewed in real-time using an online dashboard to keep an eye on developing dangers.
Streamlining Evacuation Management. Aside from toxic gases, flammable gases released from storage tanks during demolition works, for example, present a significant risk of fire and explosion. In the event an emergency does happen, connected safety solutions streamline reactive responses, making evacuation easier and faster.
Safety personnel are alerted to sudden increases in the levels of hazardous gases, enabling quick evacuation of workers from affected areas, as well as checking that no worker is left behind. During an evacuation, team leads can account for the location of every person wearing a connected safety device in real-time to ensure they safely reach muster points, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual headcounts.
Since worker locations can be viewed on the dashboard, assistance can be sent directly to anyone that doesn’t safely evacuate, saving critical seconds and making the difference between rescue and recovery. Additionally, because connected devices capture a variety of data, rescue crews can determine the appropriate response needed to an incident—whether it be a fall,
CORPORATE PROFILE
WE SEPARATE PEOPLE FROM HAZARDS
no-motion or exposure to high levels of gas where full breathing apparatus may be required.
Overcoming Complacency. We can probably all relate to the state of being “on autopilot.” Along with worker complacency—a by-product of habit—this tendency has been identified as a significant cause of workplace injury.
Repeated actions taken over time without consequence embed the idea that those actions are safe, even if they are inherently not. Since five percent of accidents are caused by unsafe behavior rather than hazardous conditions according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, this represents a big problem in any industry, particularly where there is risk from operating machinery and collision with heavy equipment such as on a construction site.
Workers do a job or perform a task automatically while not really thinking about how they are doing it, or whether it should be approached differently. This may be because they overlook risks associated with a particular task or haven’t been trained to take proper responsibility for their own safety.
One way to help overcome complacency is to give workers digital tools to encourage awareness of their actions and the potential consequences, leading to them correct their behavior. Connected technology plays an important part here. Analysis of behaviors and incidents by management can drive fundamental
Separating people from hazards is at the heart of Kee Safety’s global mis- sion. The Kee Safety team is fully trained in national safety standards and how our product capabilities solve fall safety concerns. This expertise, com- bined with innovative problem solving and industry knowledge provides you and your clients with the best possible customer service.
We’re always working to develop the highest level of safe access solutions. Our leading products are used to protect people in many applications and countries around the globe. Regardless of your business size, we have a quality solution to help protect your team from hazards.
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KEE SAFETY
www.keesafety.com
100 Stradtman St. Buffalo, NY 14206
Contact Information
Tel: 800-851-5181
52 Occupational Health & Safety | JULY/AUGUST 2022
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