D. C. Taylor Co. Participates in 2024 National Safety Stand-Down
D. C. Taylor Co. participated in the voluntary National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction event last week (May 6-10, 2024). Created by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the purpose of the nationwide safety stand-down is to focus on fall hazards, reinforcing the importance of fall prevention and protection. More than 80 field laborers paused work on Monday, May 6, to participate in a tailgate meeting led by the company’s safety manager.
“While we have a strong safety culture and conduct weekly tailgates that often discuss and share critical safety information, I wanted our team members to reflect on how they’re contributing to a safe work environment. I asked them each to conduct a self-evaluation, answering questions like, ‘Have you become complacent?,’ ‘Do you speak up if something is wrong?,’ and ‘Do you get involved with new hires to show them the right safety procedures?’ These answers can highlight areas for individual improvement,” says Kirk Dighton, Safety Manager, D. C. Taylor Co., Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The meeting stressed the importance of teamwork, reminding individuals to use the buddy system especially when working at the edge and performing deck replacement. It also pinpointed mistakes when loading the roof, and using mobile anchor fall protection carts. “It’s not enough to just instruct crews on what to do. We also need to tell them what not to do and the dangers that result from those errors,” adds Dighton.
The meeting closed with a refresh on descent and rescue training. Crews were encouraged to safely role-play after the meeting to practice the critical steps necessary, should an incident occur.
About D. C. Taylor Co.
D. C. Taylor Co. is a Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based roofing contractor with 75 years of experience installing, repairing, and maintaining roofs at commercial, institutional, and industrial facilities. With service centers in four states and 17 service and roofing crews, D. C. Taylor Co. is poised to respond to customer needs quickly and efficiently. For more information on D. C. Taylor Co., visit www.dctaylorco.com.
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