Eliminating workplace fatalities in a year is the Ironworkers goal

Safety and Health Organizer with Iron Workers International Union, Wayne Creasap, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Iron Workers' focus on safety in the workplace. Creasap outlined the Countdown to Zero initiative, the deadly dozen and how to assist with safety before the work begins at a site. 

The Countdown to Zero is the Iron Workers' push to eliminate workplace fatalities. As part of that, they focus on improving safety and awareness of the deadly dozen. These are the 12 most likely hazards faced by Ironworkers on the job site, with many coming from working at heights. 

The greatest of the deadly dozen for the Iron Workers is fall prevention. As business towers continue to be built faster and higher, the concern for fall prevention grows. There are several safety training programs performed by Ironworkers, with a new fall prevention pilot program underway in partnership with 3M personal safety and FallTech. This program focuses on the supervisor’s role in fall prevention and awareness. It shows the new supervisors the importance of their role and the proper use of the fall-safety equipment on the jobs, Creasap said. 

Not only are the Iron Workers focusing on safety during the construction of the building, but they also practice prevention through design. This is a method of safety and fall prevention that works with the fabricators to create safety systems like anchor points and footholds built into the design of the building. This would allow the safety measures to already be in place and stay in place for future maintenance work. In turn, Creasap hopes these pre-made features will improve the safety for construction workers and help make fall prevention a priority for all future worksites.

To hear more from Creasap, please press play on the episode above.