• Coordinate: Alan Burke, safety manager for Harmon Inc., Burke says that a safety coordinator is assigned to each of Harmon's 12 locations. "The safety coordinators are required to do a safety inspection each week and the project managers are required to do a safety inspection once a month. Trust but verify," says Burke.
• Reiterate: At W & W Glass Co. all employees are required to participate in weekly toolbox safety talks about new issues. "Each worker is required to participate and sign the tool box safety talk worksheet," says Scott Haber, a managing partner with the company. "Our foreman on each site has weekly meetings with the site safety managers strictly regarding safety. On most sites we are required to complete a pre-task plan of new activities. The pre-task plan includes a written description of the activities and then a meeting is held with the site safety manager, our project manager and our foreman to review and discuss the activity."
• Take advantage of safety resources: Some glass companies receive assistance from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). "At our Minneapolis location our safety coordinator has worked with the local Minnesota OSHA office to purchase safety equipment that reduces hazards in the workplace and the cost is split 50/50," explains Burke. "Harmon/OSHA have provided fall protection and a variety of ergonomic-type devices. Also, whenever our GC is engaged with the OSHA Voluntary Protection Programs we will aggressively work with the GC and OSHA to comply with and aid in the all aspects of the program."
• Know the rules: Haber says that while his company does receive OSHA's standard publications, they do not have direct involvement from OSHA. "The work rules in New York City have become more focused on worker's safety and permitting for special lifting operations," he says, adding though, "Our corporate safety manual is constantly being updated to keep up with the new OSHA regulations. All of our workers are required to have OSHA ten-hour training to work on any site in New York City. This is a NYC requirement."
• Add incentive: And as an incentive for employees, some companies also reward employees for their safety efforts. "Harmon has a safety incentive that rewards individuals, who on a monthly basis, do not have a safety violation, recordable injury and complete their monthly safety training," says Burke. "The award is redeemable at a major retail store where they can use it to purchase a variety of goods, from clothing to tools."

To share your safety tips, e-mail Ellen Rogers and tell us what your company does to ensure contract glaziers follow the required safety measures.

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